Good morning, Principal Sung, teachers and students,
Welcome to the new term!
I hope you all had a good rest and feel refreshed for the exciting new term ahead.
I am curious—how many of you followed my end-of-term suggestion to read one or two good books over the holidays?
Although we’re in broadcast mode and I can’t see your hands, I want to acknowledge those of you who did read—give yourself a pat on the back for doing so. I hope you discovered that reading is not a boring school task you do because teachers tell you to. Instead, you’ve come to realize that reading is much more than that—it’s enjoyable and a powerful tool that opens doors to new worlds, ideas, and insights.
This idea is well illustrated by a quote from Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, during the final stages of World War II. Truman made some of the most critical decisions to end the war, including authorizing the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, which led to Japan’s surrender in September 1945. The 80th anniversary of this event will be commemorated by President Xi on September 3 at the grand parade in Tiananmen Square. Truman famously said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” I repeat: “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
What does this mean? It means that while not everyone who reads becomes a leader, every great leader is someone who loves to read. Leaders are people who inspire others, make important decisions, and bring positive change to the world. They don’t become leaders by chance—they keep learning. And reading is one of their most important tools for growth through self-learning. It keeps their minds sharp and open to new ideas.
I consider myself a leader here at school, and I proudly say that I love to read. When I asked you to read one or two good books during the holidays, I did the same, and more. I read A Dog’s Life by Peter Mayle, which tells a story about life in the French countryside from a dog’s perspective. I also read 古人原來很會過日子, which explores daily life in ancient China, and On the Threshold of the Future, about the life and spirituality of Mother Mary Joseph Rogers, founder of the Maryknoll Sisters.
But you don’t need to be a president or a school supervisor to benefit from reading. Whether you want to be a good friend, a great athlete, an artist, or a scientist, reading will help you get there. One day, when you become a leader in your field — or a parent yourself — you will recognize the importance of self-development through continuous reading. Like me, you will encourage those you lead to become readers too.
You will tell them that from your own experience:
Most importantly, reading improves your language and communication skills. The more you read, the better you become at understanding and using words. This helps you express yourself and develop your thoughts clearly and confidently—in class discussions, writing essays, answering exam questions.
I would like to share a notable example of the importance of good language and communication skills, especially for those of you aspiring to excel in mathematics or science subjects. Have you heard of Joseph-Louis Lagrange, the Italian mathematician who was one of the founders of the calculus of variations? And Augustin-Louis Cauchy, the French mathematician, physicist, and engineer known for his significant contributions to calculus and continuum mechanics?
The story goes that Lagrange advised Cauchy’s father that his son should first develop a strong foundation in languages before seriously studying mathematics. Following this advice, Augustin-Louis entered the École Centrale du Panthéon, where he spent two years studying classical languages. After a lot of reading, he went on to the École Polytechnique to study engineering, and from there, he went on to make a lasting impact on the development of mathematics.
I encourage all of you to read books that interest you — fiction, adventure, science, history, or even comics. Make good use of our school library as well as the public libraries. Feel free to let your teachers or the librarian know what kinds of books you would like to read. Try to read a little every day, and you’ll be amazed at how much you learn and how it can shape your future.
You may find our school library a bit outdated in design. But change is coming.
I’m excited to be the first to tell you that we will be renovating the library this school year to give it a fresh, welcoming look. Soon, you’ll be invited to participate in a survey to help decide on the new design!
Remember, every great leader started right where you are now. They grew and learned through reading. I hope that one day, whether you become a Chief Executive, a school principal, a financial director, or a Nobel laureate, you’ll look back and recognize that reading has indeed played a key role in getting you there.
Wishing you joyful reading this new term! May God’s peace and grace be with you always!
Agnes G. Yeh
Supervisor
