Right before the Easter Holiday, twenty two Ngan Po Ling students went to Shanghai to join an exchange programme with our sister school Gezhi Secondary School. Nine of our F.4 and F.6 students visited the Gezhi High School which is one of the key model schools in China. They stayed in their buddies’ families, attended lessons and joined the school functions.

Representatives of the Exchange Programme shared with me what they learned and how they felt about our buddies in Shanghai. Our students feel that most of the students in Shanghai equip themselves with high level of oral proficiency in English. They speak fluent English with good accent and accurate pronunciation. Many of them will take part in some international language examinations such as TOEFL and IELTS. Apart from English, some of them can speak fluent French and Japanese.

Our delegates also feel that Shanghai students treasure all learning opportunities provided by the school and their parents. They highly concentrate in lessons and strive to perform well in their tests and examinations. As our buddies are studying in Senior grade two in Gezhi High School and are also going to enter university next year, they have set very clear objectives for themselves and are working very hard in order to enter the famous universities in China or in foreign countries. Some of them aim at getting scholarship offered by those universities instead of using their parents’ money for tertiary education. Furthermore, they are making very good use of their leisure time. As each student in Gezhi High School has to specialize in at least one musical instrument, it is common to see students practice very hard on their musical instrument after school.

This year, I accompanied the exchange tour to visit Shanghai. Besides meeting the school principals and school administrators, I entered classrooms and made class observations in Gezhi High School and Guangming High School. I was impressed to find that Shanghai students had got very good improvement in English, compared to what I saw ten years ago when I first conducted my research in Shanghai. Many of them can speak English very well in good articulation and fluency. They are active in lessons and are willing to answer questions. They prepare for their lessons and spend very long period on study at home. They seldom watch TV or play games at home. They are diligent in completing their homework and revising their lessons.

Exchange students feel they have to work hard because they have found that Shanghai students have become very competitive. This echoes well with the comments made by the British Consul General Mr. Bradley who left Hong Kong at the end of his term of service last month. Hong Kong has accumulated large amount of surplus in the Government Treasury. However, ‘cash won’t earn Hong Kong world status’. Hong Kong needs quality younger generation with good language proficiency, cultural and intellectual competencies, good character and personal qualities. These are also the education ideals of Ngan Po Ling College, these are also the qualities we teachers and I work hard to nurture and nourish among our students.

I hope all Nganpolingians are students with academic competencies, language proficiencies, good conducts and characters who would be future good leaders of the society, having good ability to carry on the torch and helping sustain the prosperity of Hong Kong and China, as well as making the world a better place to live in.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
April , 2008

Last week, nine classes of Ngan Po Ling students joined Adventure Based Camps in different camp sites and on the school campus. Most participants were enthusiastically engaged in different activities. They were high-spirited, shouting, chanting slogans and singing the school song and the National Anthem spiritedly.

They completed difficult tasks like going through raging rivers and climbing up high walls altogether in a very short period of time. They shared in groups, reflected what they performed in the past, set good target and made good plans for the future. The team spirit was high and they accomplished tasks in groups and overcame difficulties by pulling and pushing together.

After the camp, students resume to everyday life. Some students manage to persist and sustain the spirit for longer period of time. We are happy to see them working harder and studying better. However, to our disappointment, some have such high spirit evaporated just within a few days and very soon when they return home and return to school. We regret to see that they haven’t transformed the physical perseverance they achieved in the camp to emotional and academic perseverance in studies.

Studying well requires us to persevere not just by the persuasion and compassion given by others. Achieving learners have to do their studies alone, resisting temptation such as playing computer games and watching TV. They have to take the pain and stick to the long learning process, doing assignment, memorizing a lot of materials and data, overcoming difficult tasks. All these require very strong personal will power, firmness of mind, courage, coolness and composure. I like what Shum Fei Fei mentioned about her entertainment careers. She felt that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. With no formal education, she managed to memorize all her scripts in live show and acted as a very successful and well respected MC and artist. She must be very hardworking and perseverant. She made full use of every opportunity given to her. She said, “I work very hard for every opportunity because if I do it badly, I may not have the second chance.” It is true that opportunities will not be given endlessly.

I hope all of you have your dream in mind, a star in the sky and are determined to realize your dream and to reach your star by self-perseverance, self-discipline, self-control and self-management. I would like to share with you a verse which encourages learners to persevere:

The fisher who draws his net too soon won’t have any fish to sell.
The child who shuts his book too soon won’t learn any lessons well.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
March, 2008

In this Chinese New Year, we, like most of the HK people, were taking a break, enjoying tasty festive food and happy reunions with relatives and friends. However, millions and billions of our Mainland people suffer from the heavy snowfalls with shortage of food, electricity blackouts and paralyzed traffic conditions.

Right after the Chinese New Year, our teachers are very efficient in pitching in, collaborating and developing a whole school programme on this Mainland snowfalls catastrophe. Through exhibitions, article reviews and project work, students at different levels are given opportunities to know more about the issue, to investigate into the La Li Na phenomenon and to draw lessons from this natural disaster which is very likely caused by the accumulative human faults we have done on our environment in the past.

Students are also given the opportunities to express their sympathy and condolence to the victims of the disaster on the Mainland in articles, in letters and artwork. We have also planned for a fund raising campaign, to join the international relief effort and to help the needy, the homeless and victims in China.

We hope members of NPL College learn and grow in this incident. Cognitively, we acquire more knowledge about his global disaster; emotionally and affectively, we learn to share and express our concerns to the needy and less fortunate people.

Another issue which has also overwhelmed the mass media is the on web sex photos scandal. It has aroused common concerns and controversial opinions among HK people. Educators feel that this is a good topic for education. Areas that can be reflected and discussed include: sex value related to premarital sex and casual sex, self-respect and respect for others; professional ethics of mass media in disseminating information to the public; legal implications and morality related to sharing of obscene materials on web. A piece of morning reading article has been given to you all earlier in this week. Our school social workers are also compiling materials for you to discuss and express your ideas to your classmates and teachers in the Life Education period. Related materials will be given to you and discussion sessions will be conducted in different subjects.

A few days ago, many Hong Kong people are deeply grieved and saddened by the loss of our veteran T V and movie star Lydia Shum Din Ha. She has been considered as an icon and significant image of HK, a celebrity with ‘never give up’ and ‘can do’ spirit. Well respected and loved by a large number of people of different ages and in different walks of life, she has won the heart and friendship of her peers in the entertainment industry. Through the news articles, we can learn from her stories. We can understand more about her contributions to the show business and the ingredients of her success and popularity. We can also learn from the way she got along with people and her friends and her spirit of perseverance in the pursuit of her ideal in life.

Boys and girls, I hope Ngan Po Ling students can make good use of the current issues happened. Collect information and materials and keep them in you file. Learn the substance as well as the language instrument, practice communicating your ideas and opinion confidently with others. By such you can make progress in study, mature your mind and polish up your personal qualities.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
February , 2008

Our new year 2008 has already started. At the beginning of every new year, we wish each other ‘Happy New Year’.

The concept of happiness and satisfaction in life is currently a major area of research. About 1 week ago, an international organization released their findings on how happy people are in different countries and different regions around the world. Among 200 places, Hong Kong people are positioned about 90 in the happiness ranking.

According to this study, Hong Kong people are not so happy as some people in the developing countries such as Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Many people in Hong Kong are happy about the financial situation and the economic prospect of Hong Kong, but we lag behind in other elements like personal psychological satisfaction, quality of social life, family life and cultural activities.

We Hong Kong younger generations possess a lot of material goods in life, tasty food, computers, TV games and beautiful clothes. However, they may not be as happy as the children who live on small islands, in Philippines and Thailand, who live without TV, refrigerators and computer games.

Life in international cities like Hong Kong is convenient, diversified and abundant in supply of daily necessities. However, life is more demanding, and it has to be effectively coped with by healthy emotional qualities.

Specialists find happiness is subjective sense of life satisfaction which is closely related to attitude, health situation, level of wealth and provision of education. If one feels physically and psychologically healthy, being free from anxiety, enjoys harmonious social and family life, receives fulfilling education, feels the growth and accomplishment in the learning process or work process, he or she must be a jolly fellow in life.

Boys and girls, and all members of Ngan Po Ling college, I wish you all a good start in the new year. Set good and realistic targets and have them fulfilled; be happy together with your friends and family members; eat well, sleep well and do proper exercise to keep a healthy body and a healthy mind. Happiness is being healthy, friendly and fulfilling.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
January , 2008

A recent international study has shown very encouraging result of Hong Kong students’ foundational academic skills. The Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) surveyed 400,000 15-year-old students in 57 countries and regions. Hong Kong students ranked second in science and shared the top position in Maths with Taipei, Finland and South Korea. In reading native language i.e. Chinese for most Hong Kong students, our students jumped to third place, after South Korea and Finland, from 10th position 3 years ago.

Commentators say that it is strange that only university education specialists and government officials celebrate these results. Parents still complain about the falling school standard, employers still complain about the declining language skills, especially in English.

I think we have to be fair and recognize the achievement of our system in installing the foundational skills in Science and Maths among our students. This also explains why so many Hong Kong students fly high in overseas studies when they compete with their counterparts in the U.S.A., the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

However, what members of our society look for are not only foundational skills, but also elements such as English proficiency, trilingualism in the workplace, confidence and assertiveness, which are considered as quite lacking among Hong Kong students. Besides, executive skills which include the ability in leading a group, strategizing actions and making decision are also regarded as deficiency among Hong Kong young people. When I entered classroom in making class observations, I am happy to see most of our teachers are now using a lot of interactive teaching strategies to involve students in communicating ideas and expressing themselves. Yet, there is much to be desired for students’ part to converse fluently with peers in good English and Putonghua. I expect Ngan Po Ling students can speak up in confidence, good pronunciation and articulation.

The reforms in our education system make headway in developing language and leadership skills among students and we are doing right in good direction. Effort has to be made by all parties concerned to make further improvements and produce better outcomes.

Language learning is a lifelong process which requires persistence and resilience. With the professional guidance of our teachers, I hope all Ngan Po Ling students will take more enthusiastic and active part in learning and learn joyfully and effectively.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
December , 2007

The Mid term test is just over, again it is a time for us to examine what we have done in the first quarter of the year and make further improvements.

Recently, I met my friend who attended the graduation ceremony of his son in Stanford University which has been one of the most popular universities in the USA, and one of the most renowned universities world wide. The President of Stanford,
Mr. John Hennessy, invited my friend, his wife together with other parents of the high achieving graduates to attend a reception tea party in his house. As a gesture of courtesy, my friend went up to the president and expressed his gratefulness for being invited to the party. During the conversation, my friend asked the president, “President Hennessy, as a father of child with average intelligence, how can I help him to realize his dream of becoming a Stanford student?”

Mr. Hennessy answered, “Never underestimate a child’s potential. Teach him to read.
Encourage him to read more. But don’t forget to tell him to respect his
parents and teachers.’’

We all know that reading is important to life long learning, that’s why we encourage all of you to read more to polish up languages and open up perspectives. However, Mr. Hennessy also pointed out that high achievers are not only academically sound but also respectful to parents and teachers.

I agree with Mr. Hennessy because students who are respectful to teachers and parents appreciate the effort made by them, they follow advice, learn and grow in a more humble way, and try their best to accomplish results in order not to let his parents and teachers down.

During my class observations and exercise books inspection before the first mid-term test, I saw most of our students listening very attentively in lessons and doing their assignment very seriously. However, I was disappointed to see some students chat in lessons and laze away their time in classroom. This is a disrespectful behaviour. Keeping quiet and being attentive in lessons shows respect not only to teachers but also to your classmates and other audience. If you chat, you disturb others. Similarly, it is impolite to chat in cinema and concert. It is common social manner and social etiquette that we have to follow. I hope when I walk past your classroom again, I would see all of you being engaged and enjoying taking an active part in learning.

In August, a policy think tank of the Hong Kong government issued a report for the proposal of integrating Hong Kong with Shenzhen to form a greater metropolis. When realized, there would be freer flow of people, work force, students, goods and capital between two cities. The blue print proposed that there would be high speed railway connecting the airports in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, easier border custom procedure so that Shenzhen people can study and work in Hong Kong, more inter flow of high-tech researches, more high-tech industries and factories can be set up in Shenzhen which has more flat land and resources.

With the setting up of such twin city, Hong Kong people will have more job opportunities, better living environment with more choices of location, cheaper materials and daily goods.

Such idea of Shenzhen-Hong Kong twin city or metropolis is hoped to be a win-win scenario. Shenzhen is now one of the most advanced cities in China, with talents and professional people coming from all provinces. Their average age is younger and average qualification is higher. This can help solve the ageing population and the shortage of high-tech work force in Hong Kong.

Our Chief Secretary Mr. Donald Tsang expects Hong Kong population can reach 10 millions in the next decade, which is comparable to the size of population as other international financial centres such as New York in the US, London in the UK and Tokyo in Japan. To integrate with Shenzhen can help Hong Kong to move to this population target faster.

I think the concept of Shenzhen-Hong Kong twin city will be realized very soon, as we have witnessed the open up of the advanced border at Lok Ma Chau and Western Corridor. Besides, the high speed railway between Western Kowloon and Guangzhou and more efficient linking infrastructure will pave the way for the bonding of these two cities. Chinese University has already taken the lead to set up a research centre for engineering and astronomy in Shenzhen.

Boys and girls, be prepared to be members of this metropolis, with more studies and careers opportunities, closer encounters and collaboration, and unavoidable keener competition with the younger generations of our motherland.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
November , 2007

十．一國慶講話

今年是中華人民共和國成立五十八週年，在過去的三十年來，中國國力不斷上昇，在國際舞台，扮演越來越重要的角色。

明年二零零八年八月，第二十九屆奧林匹克運動會將於首都北京舉行，是中國首次舉辦奧運會，亦是繼日本及南韓後，第三個亞洲國家舉行奧運會。

奧運會是全球規模最大的運動會，主辦國必須在經濟、社會、文化有出色的表現，才能當選作為主辦國。主辦國如能妥善策劃及成功主辦奧運，可為國家帶來很多良好的影響。

首先，體育運動本身是一種國際語言﹔因此，主辦奧運的國家，如果人民同心協力，幫助政府把奧運會辦得有聲有色，國民不僅感到自豪，也會對國家增添信心，凝聚國民力量。

此外，由於國際媒體大幅報導，奧運主辦國將成為全球的旅遊熱點，主辦國亦能藉此機會更新旅遊業的基礎設施。奧運會為期僅十七天，但奧運之前的準備工作，通常長達十年之久，而旅遊業是最大財源，在奧運結束之後，主辦城市仍可源源不絕地吸引遊客，為國家帶來可觀的收入。再者，奧運會的舉行，競賽的場地和相關設施皆需要在一定時間內興建完成，加速了國家城市建設的改善，使國家成為擁有最新科技的現代化都市。

另一方面，主辦國可藉著承辦奧運的機會，增加全球知名度，提升國際地位。除此以外，奧運通常也為主辦國及主辦城市帶來無限商機與無數工作機會，使工商業進一步走向國際市場，加速經濟發展。所以，中國能獲選承辦奧運，是中國的光榮，是中國人的驕傲。

我們感到特別興奮的事情是，二零零八年的奧運馬術比賽將在香港舉行。相信奧運會舉行期間，全世界的傳媒和數以十億計的觀眾都會把視線集中在香港之上。香港這次能夠協辦馬術項目，不僅可以提高香港的國際地位，使香港的名字傳播到世界每一個角落，也令香港人可以分享中國首次舉辦奧運會的成就感。

同學們，我們期待奧運的來臨，期待香港人協力辦好奧運，也期待中國繼續繁榮昌盛，國際地位再創高峰。

校長 康羅賜珍博士
二零零七年十月

2007-08 is our fifth year operation. It is a year to round up our five-year plan and to get ready for another stage of our school development.

In the past 4 years, we have established our systems for general administration, teaching and learning, pastoral care and extra-curricular activities. Our members feel that school life in Ngan Po Ling College is harmonious and orderly.

Our school ethos is well accepted by parents and members in the community. Our students are considered as polite, neat and tidy and decently behaved.

For non-academic achievements, our Nganpoligians shone in different external competitions with impressive results. Our school choir, marching band, solo singers, pianists, soccer team, badminton team, athletics team, swimming team, drama players and verse speakers were all champions in different kinds of external competitions and got ahead of very competitive contestants. I hope they would further excel and reach further summits.

Our academic performance has been equally encouraging. The quality of our students at all level is elevating throughout all these years. In the past three years, the nnumber of applicants for Form one places exceeded 1,000 every year. Besides, we have improving F6 intakes and sent more than 60 % of our F7 students to Universities in 2007. We look forward to even better and outstanding academic results and new records for our academic achievements in the coming years.

To open up our students’ international perspectives, we have connected with prestigious schools in different places around the world. We held our 2nd cultural collage with Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and New Zealand students in November, 2006. Our students visited Dunman High school in Singapore in July and New Zealand Karkorai Valley College in August 2007. All school administrators, teachers and students treasure such valuable international friendship. We have pledged continuous and quality reciprocal visits and cultural exchange programmes. In this school year, in November, 53 scholars and high achievers of Dunman high school will visit Taiwan and China for 3 months and will stop over Hong Kong and would come to our school for one week. They will study in our school and join some education programmes in different universities in Hong Kong. Furthermore, 20 of our students will visit Gezhi Junior and Gezhi High School in Shanghai in the coming Easter Holiday in April 2008.

Our third summer rhapsody was successfully held in July 2007. The diversified performance not only demonstrated the talent of our students on the stage, but also the professional input of our teachers and our coaches. We got praise and applause from the audience and we look forward to the 4th annual concert in the summer 2008.

The annual engineering hope is another special feature of our school. We have made this visit to poverty stricken areas in our mainland a worthwhile programme for personal growth and national education.

This year, we have our major concerns in further promoting quality of our education provisions and better language environment. We hope all our students can speak naturally in English and Putonghua, can write accurately and proficiently in English and Chinese. We further enhance 4 C curriculum, communication skills, consciousness on current issues, creativity and critical thinking skills so that our students are groomed to be competent younger generations with the necessary capability to face the challenge of the 21st century.

Cultivating good character is always regarded as an important part in our school vision. We continue to emphasize the importance of respect, politeness and cleanliness, and expect all members to have self respect, self confidence and self esteem. We hope Nganpolingians are good students in school and good children at home and take initiative to cultivate harmonious relationship with parents and family members, as we believe supportive family is an important backup in life.

The construction work of our new annex has commenced and will be on going for about one and half years. It will be completed in 2009, and at that time we shall embark on to a new phase of our development. During the construction period, we have to sacrifice a bit and have a more noisier learning environment and smaller space for activities. We need members’ patience, cooperation and support for a better and prosperous future of our school,

Finally, I hope all Ngan Po Ling members would work hard for better quality and effectiveness in this school year, so that we can form solid foundations for the future and get ready early for the challenges in the years to come.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
September , 2007