Skills & Inquiry

The exciting Buzzing for Books club allows children to dive in and discover the wonderful world of books. Sit back and enjoy as Mrs. Reid & Mr. Peck, plus a guest reader, read their favourite picture books from the library. 

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes:
Effective Collaborator, Creative Thinker

This ECA nurtures Creative Thinkers by encouraging children to use their imaginations to explore new worlds and perspectives within diverse picture books. Simultaneously, it develops Effective Collaborators as students engage in shared reading experiences, building essential social skills and listening habits through group interaction with peers and guest readers.

The EYFS Mandarin Club lets your children to explore the Chinese language and its culture through various enrichment activities in Mandarin, such as storytelling, singing and Chinese handcrafts. 

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes: Confident Communicator, Creative Thinker

The ECA cultivates Committed Learners by encouraging students to explore a new language and its rich heritage through engaging activities like storytelling and handcrafts. It also builds Confident Communicators as children practice expressing themselves in Mandarin through song and interactive cultural experiences, strengthening their ability to connect with diverse perspectives.

Does your child need extra support with their Mandarin homework? Join our Guided Mandarin Lab! This club provides a guided environment where students can master their language skills, get targeted help with their weekly assignments, complete their homework before heading home and get extra exposure to Chinese.

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes: Confident Communicator, Committed Learner, Problem Solver, Responsible Citizen

This ECA develops Confident Communicators and Committed Learners as students master language skills and independently complete weekly assignments. Navigating academic tasks builds resourceful Problem Solvers, while extra exposure to Chinese nurtures Responsible Citizens who value cultural diversity and connect meaningfully with a multicultural community.

Battle of the Books involves students reading a fabulous list of 20 carefully chosen novels and coming together with Mrs Foti to discuss and test their knowledge of the books they have read. The ECA runs from September through to April and culminates in a team of 12 students attending a competition against other Hong Kong schools in May. This club typically appeals to students who really enjoy reading for pleasure and are keen to read across a range of genres.

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes: Confident Communicator, Effective Collaborator, Committed Learner, Balanced Individual

This ECA develops Committed Learners and Balanced Individuals by requiring students to focus deeply on reading up to 20 chapter books, providing a vital offline break that reduces stress and builds attention spans. It fosters Effective Collaborators and Confident Communicators through team-based inter-school competitions, where participants must respect teamwork to reach quick consensus under pressure. Finally, acting as official spokespersons teaches students to confidently voice answers, explain dissenting rationales, and gain critical public speaking experience.

The DBIS Primary Student Newspaper is a dynamic, student-led ECA where keen writers step into the roles of journalists and editors. Under student leadership, participants drive the entire editorial process from start to finish by pitching original stories, investigating school events, and exploring global trends. Through this hands-on work, students develop real-world skills in independence and leadership, think critically to analyze news with integrity, and hone their creative communication through interviewing, writing, and digital storytelling.

 DBIS Learner Profile Attributes: Confident Communicator, Committed Learner, Responsible Citizen, Effective Collaborator, Creative Thinker

This ECA develops Confident Communicators and Effective Collaborators by mirroring a real newsroom where students interview school leaders, pitch ideas, and navigate diverse viewpoints to produce a cohesive publication. Driving the editorial process from start to finish builds Committed Learners who exhibit independence, critical research skills, and resilience. Finally, investigating school and global events nurtures Responsible Citizens who analyze information and report facts with integrity for the greater good of their community.

The Young Entrepreneur Club give students the opportunity to consider all the things involved in running a business. Throughout the school year children collaborate to brainstorm ideas, source materials, and make products that can be sold for charity at school events. In turn, children learn about profit and loss, labour- through hands-on practice, and techniques businesses employ to sell stock to make a profit. All the skills learnt throughout the year are then used and applied in the final term, when every student receives an individual business budget. This gives the children the autonomy to design and launch their own brand and product, and run their own physical storefronts, to make money for their given charity from start to finish. 

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes: Confident Communicator, Effective Collaborator, Responsible Citizen, Balanced Individual

This ECA develops Confident Communicators and Effective Collaborators by encouraging cross-year group teamwork to articulate ideas for diverse audiences while pursuing shared termly goals. It fosters Balanced Individuals as students practice active listening and draw on collective strengths to achieve objectives. Finally, by driving activities that raise money for house charities, the club empowers participants to become Responsible Citizens who proactively make a positive difference in the lives of others.

This advanced primary robotics club utilizes the VEX GO system to transition students from tech consumers into creative architects. Working in collaborative teams, students design, build, and program motorized robots to navigate complex obstacle courses and specialized missions. This ECA challenges participants to think critically through mechanical failures and iterate designs with a growth mindset. By mastering manual controls and block-based coding, students develop the spatial reasoning, logic, and resilience needed to tackle real-world engineering hurdles.

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes:
Creative Thinker, Problem Solver

This ECA develops Creative Thinkers and Problem Solvers through the VEX GO system's "Build-Test-Learn" cycle. Students use divergent thinking to brainstorm and adapt unique robotic attachments or claw designs to meet specific mission goals. When faced with mechanical or sensory failures, they analyze why a robot toppled or why a sensor failed, treating setbacks as data to iterate and refine their builds through repeated trials until the task is successfully completed.

Unwind, create, and try something new in the Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Club. Open to students from Year 7 to 11, this ECA introduces students to traditional Chinese calligraphy and ink painting techniques using the “Four Treasures of the Study”: brush, ink, inkstone, and Xuan paper. Students will develop focus, patience, creativity, and artistic confidence while creating their own elegant artworks.

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes: Confident Communicator, Mindful Leader, Critical Thinker

This ECA supports students to become Mindful Leaders by developing patience, focus, and calm through the practice of calligraphy and ink painting. It encourages them to become Confident Communicators by expressing ideas, emotions, and cultural understanding through visual art. It also nurtures Creative Thinkers as students experiment with traditional techniques, make artistic choices, and create original pieces.

Complementing the paid chess instruction ECA, playing games of chess in a relaxed format. Arranging DBIS chess squads for scholastic tournaments. Providing instruction / tips for beginner - intermediate players.

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes:
Critical Thinker, Problem Solver, Committed Learner

Chess is a game requiring both logical analysis of the position and creativity in finding tactics or a strategy to win. Improving requires a commitment to understanding the key principles of the game.

Opportunity for students to undertake practical work and additional activities that develop their knowledge and skills above and beyond the GCSE Biology specification.

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes:
Confident Communicator, Effective Collaborator, Problem Solver

Students will frequently work together, using collective endeavour to devise valid investigative procedures and solve problems that enable all to work towards a common goal. Specific focus will be given to thinking and speaking like a scientist and developing key scientific skills, such as analysing/ discussing/ evaluating.

This competitive ECA challenges avid readers to explore an exciting, diverse range of book genres while training your brains to recall fine details, plot points, and character quirks. It offers the perfect opportunity for students seeking an extra challenge in their English studies.  If you love reading, thrive on friendly competition, and want to be part of a dedicated squad, this is the club for you!

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes:
Effective Collaborator, Committed Learner, Creative Thinker

The  book list is developed from prestigious booklists whose themes include diverse cultural viewpoints and settings. By selecting genres and developing an eye for detail students wil learn to think cretaively about their reading choices.  An ideal further challenge opportunity for those who are committed to reading.  Team combinations will ensure that all players practice the art of collaboration.

The Filmmaking ECA is where students gain hands-on experience in video production. Learn core skills including filming and editing. You'll apply these techniques to create a diverse portfolio of content, from fun House videos and dynamic Sports montages to additional school videos as well!. Develop a valuable, in-demand skill set!

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes:
Confident Communicator, Creative Thinker, Balanced Individual

This ECA develops Confident Communicators and Creative Thinkers through hands-on video production, filming, and editing. Students express original ideas dynamically while building a diverse portfolio of House and sports videos. Finally, it nurtures Balanced Individuals by providing a creative, technical outlet that complements academic schedules with valuable skills.

Unleash your inner photographer with our Photography Club! Learn to capture stunning images, from breathtaking landscapes to captivating portraits. We'll cover everything from camera basics and composition to editing techniques. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, come and explore your creativity with us. Grab your camera and join the fun – your next amazing shot is waiting!

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes:
Confident Communicator, Balanced Individual

This ECA develops Confident Communicators and Balanced Individuals through hands-on photography, covering camera basics, composition, and editing. Students express unique perspectives and tell visual stories, building communication skills through a visual medium. Additionally, capturing landscapes and portraits provides a creative, offline outlet that supports emotional well-being and a healthy academic life.

Embark on an epic adventure with friends, crack complex puzzles, vanquish legendary monsters, and become the heroes of your own story! While you play, you’ll be actively mastering vital life skills; including leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication; that will set you up for future success.

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes:
Confident Communicator, Mindful Leader, Effective Collaborator, Problem Solver, Creative Thinker

By operating as a cohesive unit, students must navigate complex narratives together, utilising and celebrating their diverse individual strengths—directly cultivating the attributes of a Confident Communicator and an Effective Collaborator. When thrust into high-stakes scenarios, players are given the platform to step forward as Mindful Leaders, whilst simultaneously harnessing their Creative Thinking and Problem Solver capabilities to overcome intricate challenges.

This ECA provides students with the opportunity to develop confidence when speaking in front of others. Through a range of activities, including prepared speeches, impromptu speaking and presentations, students will learn how to organise their ideas, use persuasive language and engage an audience. The CCA supports students to build communication skills, think creatively, respond to feedback and grow in confidence. It is suitable for students who enjoy speaking and those who would like to become more confident communicators.

DBIS Learner Profile Attributes:
Critical Thinker, Confident Communicator

This ECA supports students to become Confident Communicators by giving them regular opportunities to speak clearly, organise their ideas and engage an audience through voice, expression and body language.

It also supports students to become Creative Thinkers by encouraging them to develop original ideas, respond to different topics and experiment with language, structure and delivery.