People at ICS have serving hearts!



Hillman is on the right standing next to our Headmaster Ben Norton



In the beginning was the ICS IT (Information Technology) department, and Hillman Lai was with the IT department, and Hillman Lai was the IT department. This was back in the Bethel days when Hillman Lai supported the whole ICS computer server singlehandedly. Now ICS has far more complex servers, some of the most sophisticated equipment, and a large team working in the IT department. It has been a miracle of a journey for ICS, and Hillman has been in every part of that journey.

Hillman went to university in Canada and worked in the IT industry in Hong Kong for over 10 years. However, the job required too much travelling which was not good for his wife and one year-old boy. Hillman knew a teacher from ICS who connected him to the school by telling Hillman that the current computer teacher (who ran the whole system) was leaving. Hillman saw a mission school supporting missionaries and decided to help out for just a bit, signing a one-year contract with the school.

He thought of his new job as a transition job rather than a permanent career because working with such low-end equipment in a torn-down building was “worse than working in China.” One time he and a few alumni had to manually connect all the cables to every single computer in the school during a hot summer because no company was willing to help. In the end he replaced all the computers in the school so that technological and IT advancements could be made possible in the future.

However, what started out as a mere transition job became his career. Hillman soon fell in love with the school because “people were serving and doing good to others with a serving heart.” He explained that this was not the case in his previous job because of intense stress and pressure from politics. In ICS the people cooperated with him as long as he explained what he was doing. He especially enjoyed the morning devotions that faculty members organized- “we get paid to have devotions! This is a privilege and blessing from God.”

Hillman is happy with where he is because he is learning new things along the way. God has given him the opportunity to integrate his career into ministry and allowed his profession to be used as a means of serving the school. “God has really shown his mighty work,” Hillman said. This past May, Hillman has reached his 10-years of service to the school. It is a great reminder of what God has done in Hillman’s life- to be a blessing to ICS.

A Christian from a non-Christian Family




Mildred is in the middle with her classmates at ICS

 

For the past 13 years of my life ICS has taught me not just about academics but also about communication and morals. I come from a non-Christian family. Before coming to ICS, I emigrated from Hong Kong to Canada and attended preschool there. At the age of 5, I came back to Hong Kong. I began to study at ICS during 1998 in kindergarten. The twins, Felicity and Natalie Tang who were in the same grade as me were the first to talk to me. Growing up in the ICS environment, I began to become more open and communicated with my peers more often. I frequently look forward to attending school just so I can be absorbed into the happy atmosphere that the student body provides.

Music has become a huge part of my life because of ICS. I have always been interested in science. However, my experience at ICS has given me interest in music as well. I have been taught to sing in ICS since kindergarten. From 4^th grade to 10^th grade, I started learning the clarinet through attending the school’s band. Now, I listen to music and sing almost every day.

I gradually became a Christian during 8^th grade through staying at ICS. My time spent with God has increased as I grew older. Listening in chapels especially during high school encouraged me to stay as a Christian despite the many outside influences every day. In the coming fall, I am planning to attend the University of Toronto. Nevertheless, I will not forget the many opportunities and experiences ICS has given me throughout these 13 years.

"ICS is a strong community"



David Woo (left) with Jonathan Wang (2010 Graduate).




If you’re looking for the student most involved with ICS affairs, look no further than David Woo. David has been in the ICS student council for 7 years since 6^th grade and is now the high school president of ICS. He has experienced ICS “to its full potential” by fitting in every possible thing in his schedule to the point that he has no free lunch blocks or after-school blocks. ICS has inevitably molded this student into who he is today.




David greeting Mr. Michael Tien during the ICS Careers Talk.

 

David transferred to ICS when he was in third grade in 2001 because ICS was “a reputable school in the Christian community.” He explained what really made ICS different from other schools by lavishing praise about it.

 “It is a strong community,” he said. “A close-knit one. There’s a positive and friendly atmosphere and is open to everyone. The teachers are extremely friendly. The school provides lots of extracurricular activities which many have the opportunity to enjoy because of the small size of the student body. Also, the faculty-student ratio is good so every teacher and student knows each other and reaches a personal level of relationship.”



David then recalled a memorable episode that emphasized this personal relationship between students and teachers. He was once involved in an unlikely fist fight in middle school with another student and a teacher was there to witness it. Instead of reporting back to the school, the teacher kept it confidential to help the students overcome their conflict. It is no wonder David has become touched with the school.

ICS has helped David become a more sociable character, one who can communicate effectively with others. Of course, this is a key arsenal that is required of a president. He is confident that he can interact with anybody. Now he is about to graduate and getting ready to head out to university. We hope that he will be able to use his skills developed in ICS to reach out to others in the community.

  



The Junior/Senior Banquet 2009