Sarah Wyatt, artist, entrepreneur, mum
(Ba Hons and PG Dip in Fine Art printmaking)
Sarah has worked as an artist, printmaker, set painter, illustrator and sandwich delivery girl in the typically varied career of an artist over the many years since she graduated. She has lived in Hong Kong on-and-off for the past 35 years. Three years ago, she and her husband and two sons returned to Hong Kong to settle on Lamma Island, enjoying the creative community that thrives there. After many years of being a hands-on, stay-at-home mum, she has started working again, producing her artistic output under the banner www.smallislandstore.com. She has a blog and an Etsy shop where she sells her art..
Favourite quote
“That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Amy Stewart
Native English Speaking Teacher (ESOL)
Hong Kong
Originally from New Zealand, Amy has have been in Hong Kong for just over three years. In New Zealand, she was a primary teacher for three years mostly in rural and semi-rural schools in the South Island. She was drawn to Hong Kong after listening to friends of hers (already teaching there) who would rival the Hong Kong Tourism Board in terms of marketing campaigns extolling the benefits of living and working in Hong Kong! She took a position with Hong Kong’s Education Bureau as a Native English Speaking Teacher in a Chinese Medium primary school. In her teaching position, she works alongside Local English Teachers to adapt and implement a literacy programme for primary one and two students. She finds the work both satisfying and rewarding to implement her education and ESOL qualifications in a context such as Hong Kong where students are so dedicated to learning. Amy has a Bachelor Teaching and Learning (BTchLn) and a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Langauges (GradCertTESOL). Both are from University of Canterbury, NZ
Favourite education quote
Amy says: “The students in Hong Kong remind me of one of my favourite quotes: ‘Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself’ (Chinese Proverb), because every day I have smiling students lining up at the door eager to get in.”
Mio Debnam
Regional Advisor
Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators, Hong Kong Chapter
Mio Debnam is currently working as a writer and an editor of children’s books, having ‘retired’ from the world of journalism, where she worked as the Editor in Chief of the Daily7 and Daily10 for several years. Over the years, she has had several stories and articles for both adults and children published, as well as a middle grade fantasy novel, four picture books and several educational readers. Mio also runs workshops in creative writing, and is the Regional Advisor of the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators, Hong Kong Chapter. Mio has a BSc in Biochemistry and Genetic Engineering, and is an Associate of the Royal College of Science.
Favourite quotes
“A book is like a garden carried in a pocket.” Chinese Proverb
“If you can give your son or daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.”
Bruce Barton
Dr. Helen N. T. Poon
Clinical Psychologist (MAPS, HKPS, DCP)
Owens, Trodd & Partners (OT&P) (Wanchai & Repulse Bay)
I have been practicing for the past 10 years and in particular have extensive experience in behavioural modification in dealing with children with challenging behaviours. Over the past years I have worked predominantly alongside parents to aid them and young people in dealing with developmental difficulties and other challenging issues such as divorce, separation, anxiety, fears, depression and loss. Although I have a special interest in dealing with children and parents, I also provide counselling for the adult sector, dealing with an array of mental health issues.
Favourite education quote
‘No problem can be solved by the same consciousness that created it. We need to see the world anew.’ Albert Einstein
Sheila Dickinson
Senior Vice President
ipac financial planning Hong Kong limited
Sheila has worked in the financial services industry for more than 30 years. She advises a diverse group of international as well as local clients. She moved to Hong Kong from the UK to be close to her grandchildren, and saw a huge opportunity working in an environment where she can continue to provide a first class financial planning service to her clients. Sheila was Hong Kong’s Best Financial Planner of the Year 2008, the Best Financial Planner (IFA Category) and a trophy winner at the IFPHK/SCMP Financial Planner Awards 2008. The Awards are co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Financial Planners and the South China Morning Post. Winning these accolades attests not only to Sheila’s dedication and discipline when it comes to taking care of her clients, but also to her ability and professionalism. Visit www.ipac.com.hk for more about ipac.
