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As founder and supervisor of <a href="https://www.pips.edu.hk/hk/index.asp">Parkview International Pre-School</a> (PIPS), Ella Lau is in a class of her own
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-36166 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1.-Ella-Lau-originally-studied-fashion-management.jpg" alt="1. Ella Lau originally studied fashion management" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1.-Ella-Lau-originally-studied-fashion-management.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1.-Ella-Lau-originally-studied-fashion-management-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1.-Ella-Lau-originally-studied-fashion-management-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1.-Ella-Lau-originally-studied-fashion-management-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1.-Ella-Lau-originally-studied-fashion-management-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1.-Ella-Lau-originally-studied-fashion-management-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/1.-Ella-Lau-originally-studied-fashion-management-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
What can you tell us about your own school days?
I attended junior high school in Hong Kong, and then went to high school in the US. Back then, fashion was my passion, so I enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in California with a view to studying merchandising and management.
How did you then enter the world of education?
I’ve always loved children. In school I spent my free periods serving milk and cookies to the kindergarten classes. Once I graduated, I always made time to hang out with my married friends and their kids. My father noted my interest and encouraged me to channel my passion into a career.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-36167 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2.-It-was-her-father-who-pushed-Ella-Lau-to-pursue-education-as-a-profession.jpg" alt="2. It was her father who pushed Ella Lau to pursue education as a profession" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2.-It-was-her-father-who-pushed-Ella-Lau-to-pursue-education-as-a-profession.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2.-It-was-her-father-who-pushed-Ella-Lau-to-pursue-education-as-a-profession-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2.-It-was-her-father-who-pushed-Ella-Lau-to-pursue-education-as-a-profession-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2.-It-was-her-father-who-pushed-Ella-Lau-to-pursue-education-as-a-profession-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2.-It-was-her-father-who-pushed-Ella-Lau-to-pursue-education-as-a-profession-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" />
How did you end up helming PIPS?
Again, I have my father to thank for it. At the time, he was friends with Hwang Chou-Shiuan, the man behind the development of Hong Kong’s Parkview housing estate project. It was this connection that helped us get approval to open a kindergarten within the site. PIPS opened its doors for the first time in 1989, nearly 30 years ago.
What was the original concept behind the PIPS project?
Well, aside from creating a dedicated pre-school for the residents of Parkview, we wanted to create a high-quality bilingual early-learning programme that taught children to think creatively. I believe this is essential to position them for success in a world that seems increasingly complex and ever-changing.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-36168 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/3.-Ella-Lau-opened-Parkview-International-Pre-School-almost-30-years-ago.jpg" alt="3. Ella Lau opened Parkview International Pre-School almost 30 years ago" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/3.-Ella-Lau-opened-Parkview-International-Pre-School-almost-30-years-ago.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/3.-Ella-Lau-opened-Parkview-International-Pre-School-almost-30-years-ago-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/3.-Ella-Lau-opened-Parkview-International-Pre-School-almost-30-years-ago-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/3.-Ella-Lau-opened-Parkview-International-Pre-School-almost-30-years-ago-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/3.-Ella-Lau-opened-Parkview-International-Pre-School-almost-30-years-ago-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" />
How has PIPS kept its competitive edge?
Well, we always try to stay a little ahead. We were the first independent kindergarten to adopt the International Baccalaureate (IB)’s Primary Years Programme (PYP). Two years ago, our Kowloon campus was also accorded IB PYP status.
Beyond that, it’s the happy and positive learning environment that our staff strives to nurture that sets us apart. We also put a lot of effort into reassuring and supporting our students when it’s time for them to move onto the next stage of their education.
Do you have any other new projects looming?
Actually, now that PIPS has a new school board in place and a new principal on board, we’re back into expansionist mode and are looking at both local opportunities and a few ideas that are beyond Hong Kong’s borders.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-36169 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/4.-Ella-Lau-is-a-well-known-philanthropist.jpg" alt="4. Ella Lau is a well-known philanthropist" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/4.-Ella-Lau-is-a-well-known-philanthropist.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/4.-Ella-Lau-is-a-well-known-philanthropist-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/4.-Ella-Lau-is-a-well-known-philanthropist-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/4.-Ella-Lau-is-a-well-known-philanthropist-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/4.-Ella-Lau-is-a-well-known-philanthropist-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" />
Do you have any advice for young parents? 
Well, for better or worse, Hong Kong is the kind of place where parents focus almost exclusively on the academic success of their children. Those kids that do well academically can get away with almost anything.
It is hugely important, though, to remember that not all children excel in book learning. With this in mind, parents need to accept the multiple intelligences of their kids – some may be gifted when it comes to music or the arts, while others may find sporting success. Encouragement of these talents is critical for a child’s positive self-image.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-36170 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5.-Ella-Lau-advises-parents-to-accept-their-kids-multiple-intelligences.jpg" alt="5. Ella Lau advises parents to accept their kids' multiple intelligences" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5.-Ella-Lau-advises-parents-to-accept-their-kids-multiple-intelligences.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5.-Ella-Lau-advises-parents-to-accept-their-kids-multiple-intelligences-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5.-Ella-Lau-advises-parents-to-accept-their-kids-multiple-intelligences-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5.-Ella-Lau-advises-parents-to-accept-their-kids-multiple-intelligences-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5.-Ella-Lau-advises-parents-to-accept-their-kids-multiple-intelligences-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" />
As a noted philanthropist, are there any causes particularly close to your heart?
Although I’ve never considered taking singing up professionally, music has always been a passion of mine. A few years back, I found myself in a studio recording for a CD and it was something I enjoyed enormously.
It was this love of music that led to my involvement with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Having performing them onstage during a fundraiser, I was invited to help organise one of their charity concerts. Despite having no experience of staging a concert, I agreed to chair the organising committee. That concert ended up raising over HK$5 million. I’ve since done similar work for the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra as well.
I’m also on the Board of Directors of HK Spinal Cord Injury Foundation and serve as Vice-Chairman for Hong Kong Foodlink, which helps provide hot meals for the needy, another cause that’s close to my heart.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-36171 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/6.-Ella-Laus-biggest-regret-is-not-having-children-of-her-own.jpg" alt="6. Ella Lau's biggest regret is not having children of her own" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/6.-Ella-Laus-biggest-regret-is-not-having-children-of-her-own.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/6.-Ella-Laus-biggest-regret-is-not-having-children-of-her-own-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/6.-Ella-Laus-biggest-regret-is-not-having-children-of-her-own-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/6.-Ella-Laus-biggest-regret-is-not-having-children-of-her-own-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/6.-Ella-Laus-biggest-regret-is-not-having-children-of-her-own-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" />
If you could live your life over again, is there anything you would change?
As someone who has always loved children, I often wonder what it would have been like to have a child of my own. If I could do it all again, I think that would be the one thing that I would change. I have been fortunate enough to have a number of nephews and nieces that I am very close to, so that has been some compensation.
How would you like to be remembered?
My philosophy has always been to create happiness and to help others whenever possible. Ultimately, then, I hope I’ll be remembered as a kind, happy-go-lucky person whose positive vibes brightened the lives of those around her.
Thank you.
<div style="width: 640px;" class="wp-video">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-36146-1" width="640" height="360" autoplay="1" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://www.igafencu.com/video/1806/1806_GMHK_Interview_EllaLau.mp4?_=1" /><a href="https://www.igafencu.com/video/1806/1806_GMHK_Interview_EllaLau.mp4">https://www.igafencu.com/video/1806/1806_GMHK_Interview_EllaLau.mp4</a></video></div>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Interview by: Tenzing Thondup 
Photos: Neville Lee 
Make-up and Hair: Celia Chong @ Celia C. Makeup 
Location: Parkview Clubhouse and Suites

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Ella Lau on her life-long love of children, education and philanthropy