On 31 August, Harrow Hengqin was once again filled with excitement and anticipation as the 2026–27 academic year officially began with Orientation Day and the New Pupil Welcome Ceremony.
Welcoming Our New Pupils
In the morning, new pupils and their families arrived on campus full of joy. There may have been a little nervousness at first, but it was soon replaced by curiosity and excitement.
Each new pupil received a special welcome box, including a lion plush in their House colour. The gifts reflected Harrow’s warm welcome and best wishes.
At the New Pupil Welcome Ceremony, Head Master Mr Luke Bartlett warmly welcomed all our new families to the Harrow Hengqin community. Leaders from the Lower School and Upper School then introduced their teaching teams, while our pastoral and boarding teams also met with pupils and parents, bringing a warm sense of welcome from the very first day.
To help new pupils and parents settle into school life, departments including Operation (Catering, School Transport, Medical Services), Finance and Boarding set up information desks to answer questions and offer support.
Pupils also toured the campus with their teachers and learned the Harrow School Song — a shared melody and source of pride for every Harrovian.
Welcome Back, Harrovians
In the afternoon, all pupils returned to school and took part in engaging group activities. This new academic year, the school prepared a special and meaningful gift — the IOH Academic Year Calendar. AISL is committed to establishing an International Old Harrovian (IOH) community across all its schools. The calendar features artwork created by Harrow Hengqin’s IOHs during their time at the school, celebrating their growth and achievements.
Harrow has a long-standing tradition of ceremony and etiquette. On 1 September, the whole school gathered for a formal assembly. Wearing his gown, Head Master Mr Luke Bartlett spoke to pupils about appropriate dress for formal occasions and how to wear the Harrow hat correctly — traditions that reflect the Harrow spirit passed down through generations.
During the assembly, pupils shared stories from their summer holidays. Jaden visited South Africa and learned about the importance of protecting wildlife. Owen travelled around France with his family by car and learned patience during the long journey. Harper had a close encounter with koalas in Australia. Delta visited their grandparents and enjoyed a different variety of seafood.
Our Upper School pupils focused on personal development. Emily took part in a rowing competition in Guangzhou and achieved excellent results, while Aaron attended a biology summer camp in Qingdao, broadening his academic horizons.
From exciting adventures to meaningful learning experiences, our pupils enjoyed a colourful summer, with journeys bringing new perspectives and opportunities to grow.
The assembly concluded with the whole school singing the Harrow School Song together, bringing a warm and dignified close to the first school assembly of the year.
Welcome Our New Teachers
This new academic year, Harrow Hengqin welcomes 13 new teachers. Coming from different countries and regions and bringing a wide range of professional backgrounds, they will bring new experiences, enthusiasm and perspectives to the classroom, becoming an important part of our pupils’ journeys. Profiles of our new teachers will be shared soon. Stay tuned!
In the week before term began, all teachers completed comprehensive training from lesson planning to safeguarding. Our teachers are ready and excited to welcome our pupils back!
Harrow Hengqin is ready for 2026–27 academic year. Now it’s your time to shine!
