Good morning supervisor, teachers, and students,
How’s your summer break? Did you have a fantastic time with your beloved family and friends during the break? I am sure a lot of us, including myself, miss the fun and sun of the summer holiday but at the same time, we are also looking forward to the new academic year which promises to be exciting and rewarding, a year that we will enjoy a lot of new experiences together.
Teachers and students, this is my first meeting with all of you, so please let me give all of you a very warm greeting.
I am thrilled to assume my first day of duty as Principal of Maryknoll Fathers’ School today. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in a school full of rich heritage and tenacious drive for academic and spiritual excellence.
At the start of the new school year, on behalf of the entire school, I would like to welcome the new members of the teaching staff. We have 12 new teachers, they are: Mr. Chan Yuk Sing, Mathematics teacher; Mr. Cheng Hong Sing, Chinese Language teacher; Mr. Kwok Ming Chi, Vice-principal, Economics & Religious teacher; Ms. Lam Wai Chi, CES & CS teacher; Mr. Lee Wing Keung, Panel head of Mathematics; Ms Li Liming, Panel head of Putonghua; Mr. Sheikh, Muhammed Haroon, NET teacher; Mr. Siu Ho Lam, Mathematics teacher; Ms. Tse Tsz Ching, Chinese history teacher; Ms. Wong Ka Yan, English Language teacher; Mr. Wong Yu Yueng, Biology teacher; Mr. Yu Wan Chi, Chinese Language teacher. Also, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce and welcome our new school social worker Ms. Ng Hiu Tung. Let us express our warm welcome by giving them a big round of applause. May I wish all new and old teachers a fulfilling year ahead.
There are also new appointments at the Middle Management Level. Ms. Li Shun Wah is promoted to Vice Principal responsible for Student Whole Person Development & Support. Mr. Kwok Ming Chi is the Vice Principal for School Management & Sustainable Development. In the restructured leadership team, Vice Principal Dr. Leung Ka Ming leads Learning & Teaching Development with more diverse responsibilities. Assistant Principal Mr. Sze Ka Wai leads Life wide learning. I have deep faith that under the new management team, with full support and collaboration of its stakeholders, the school will advance to new heights.
I would like to outline for you the school’s development plan for this academic year. As we are in the third year of a development cycle in the School Development Plan (2021-2024), we will continue to address the same set of major concerns as in the past two years. They are:
(a.) Equip students to be proactive and self-reflective learners to cope with the needs required of society’s changing learning mode; and
(b.) Strengthen students’ sense of responsibility and abilities with building a healthy and peaceful family and society in accordance with Catholic values.
Our focus is to nurture our students to become self-regulated learners with good learning habits and understanding of the five core values of Catholic Education.
To achieve these goals, the school is to address its major concerns identified for 2023-24. They are:
(i) To enhance students’ learning with e-learning resources to develop them into effective self-regulated learners with good learning habits and broaden students’ exposure through authentic learning experience and extended reading.
(ii) To inculcate positive values towards life, school, and community into students by creating a supportive and caring school environment which continues to nurture students’ appreciation of Catholic values.
To address these major concerns, we are to enhance interaction between teachers and students – that’s why the school has installed 86” interactive panels in all classrooms and special rooms for the new term. But ultimately, it is the willingness of each of you to be engaged and be responsive to the lessons, not the electronic boards, that determines whether we can reach the positive interaction goal. To achieve this goal, we will also organize a diverse array of experiential learning activities for you to explore and appreciate the core values of Catholic education.
On this first day of school, apart from introducing new teachers and informing you of this year’s school plan, I would also like to talk to you about the most precious gift that God has granted us - our individual life. To appreciate this gift, we are to live our lives to the fullest, pursue our dreams and enjoy every moment. I want to assure you that every one of you is unique, special, and capable of making a positive impact on the world.
As the school’s Principal, I shall keep watch over your individual potential every day. I shall find out about your drive to learn, your creativity to invent, and your passion in different interests. And I shall help you to believe in yourself that you have all the skills and abilities needed to achieve everything you want in life.
Nevertheless, life at times can be challenging. You may face obstacles and setbacks - you feel lost, confused, and lose confidence in yourself. When in such difficult times, you need to remind yourself of your goals and dreams. You are to rebound with the conviction that life is not about the destination, but the journey that enables you to experience different things. Embrace the ups and downs, take them as opportunities to learn, grow, and blossom.
I encourage you to have a growth mindset, never stop learning, and always keep pushing yourself forward, no matter what challenges may come your way. And always remember, life is not a competition with others, but a journey to become the best version of yourself. Let me share with you a golden rule, “Always Learning, Learning All Ways.”
My dear students, please give more thought to my message as you plan for the new term. Bear in mind that life is precious, and it is you who can make the most of it.
May our dearest Lord enlighten us and guide us on our way forward. May God’s peace and blessings be with you always.
Sung Hoi Yan
Principal
