This Easter Holiday, I joined Project Hope 2011-2012 with 4 teachers, 3 parents and more than 30 students. With this 4-day-and-3-night project, we visited Pingshi Shi Yan Xue Xiao in Le’chang, Shaoguan.

Project Hope is an experiential trip. At the very beginning of our trip, we had the opportunity of experiencing the prosperity and advanced technology of our home country. We traveled to Guangzhou by coach, speeding along flyovers through cities of the whole country. We then took the high-speed rail to Shaoguan. The Guangzhou railway station we set off is Asia’s largest railway station. Its grandness is comparable to our Hong Kong International Airport. The modern, well-developed and comfortable high-speed rail which shuttles to and fro the major cities of China with speed of 300 to 350 km per hour is one of the most advanced express trains in the world. Starting from this May, we can get to Shaoguan directly from Shenzhen in three hours. Besides, on our arrival at Shaoguan, we toured the Nanling National Forest Park where different fizzy waterfalls were around. We were all captured by the breathtaking natural scenery of China. 

On the second day, we headed Pingshi Shi Yan Xue Xiao in the early morning. Our memorable experience in the school started with a solemn welcoming ceremony, when we gave away over 500 sets of stationery which was sponsored by one of our supportive parents. The most unforgettable moment for Nganpolingians was that when they served as teachers in Pingshi school. Our students were so serious that they got everything ready in Hong Kong before they left for Le’chang. They prepared lesson plans and teaching aids well in advance and had a trial run with the presence of teachers. After the first day of teaching, our students held a meeting at night in the hotel to remedy their flaws so as to make lessons in the next day more interactive and effective. Nganpolingians were also impressed by the positive learning attitude of many local students, who study hard and strive to improve. After the class, we paid visit to a few homes in the mountainous area. They experienced rural lifestyle and tasted farmhouse dishes made by generous and inviting parents there. With enjoyable activities and mouthwatering homemade food, our students had a lively course on national education and value education. Fun times wove with learning opportunities.

Teachers and I were proud when the English Language proficiency of Nganpolingians was highly praised by the administrators, teachers and students of Pingshi School. The 2-day school visit ended with a memorable farewell party. The local students sang songs and danced, while our students also played the flute and sang. The song “We are the world” were sung by all Nganpolingians to express the spirit of Project Hope and our devotion in making our world a better place.

Our students received lots of thank-you cards and little gifts from those enthusiastic local students. Some ran to our hotel at night and gave us thank-you letters to express their appreciations.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all teacher participants for their devotion, arrangement and preparation, parents for their great concern and fervent support, and student participants for their enthusiasm and whole-hearted participation. All these made a meaningful and memorable trip during the Easter holiday. I hope that our school can further establish connection with different kinds of schools in the mainland. Let’s work together to achieve the objectives of Project Hope, making contribution to the education development of our motherland and creating opportunities for cross-border learning between Hong Kong and mainland students. I wish a even better tomorrow for the younger generation of Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
May, 2012

今年復活節，我參加了我校本年度的希望工程之旅。我們一行四十人包括我和四位老師、三位家長、三十多名同學，到訪韶關樂昌市坪石實驗學校，經歷了四天三夜的希望工程之旅。

希望工程是體驗之旅。在旅程開始，我們有機會親身體會到國家繁榮富強、科技發展的面貌。我們乘車到廣州，旅遊車在貫通全國的高架公路上跑。我們乘坐高鐵到韶關，出發的廣州高速火車站是亞洲最大，媲美香港國際機場。中國的高速火車先進舒適，以時速三百至三百五十公里穿梭內地主要城市，是全世界最先進的高鐵之一。今年五月開始，從深圳出發，可以在三小時內直達韶關。到了韶關，我們參觀南嶺自然保育森林，看到大大小小的瀑布，感受到中國的河山之美。

第二天一早，我們到達坪石實驗學校。這次的訪問，為參與的同學帶來難忘的經驗。在莊重的歡迎儀式中，我們把熱心家長送去的五百多份文具贈送山區同學。最令同學難忘的經驗，是在坪石學校當小教師。同學認真準備，在出發以前已備好課，準備教案及教具，在老師面前也試教過。上完第一天的課，同學發覺有不妥善的地方，晚上開會修改，讓明天的教學更互動、更有效果。不少內地山區同學刻苦學習、力求進步的態度，也讓顏寶鈴書院同學留下深刻的印象。上課以後，我們進行家訪、體驗農耕生活，感受與城市不同的生活方式，品嚐家長親手準備的農家菜。山區家長傾盡所有，各組同學津津樂道，非常興奮。同學上了一次寶貴生動的國民教育及價值教育課。難得的是愉快日子，也是學習的機會。

顏寶鈴同學的英語水平備受坪石學校領導及師生的讚賞。兩天的山區學校探訪活動，以一個難忘的歡送會作結。山區同學跳舞、唱歌，我們同學也吹笛子，也唱歌。我們全體師生校長合唱一首“We are the world”的歌曲，表達希望工程的精神，表達我們希望略盡綿力，把世界變得更美好的心意。

山區同學很熱情，我們同學收到不少感謝咭、小禮物，也有山區同學晚上跑到我們住的酒店送上感謝信，表達對同學的欣賞。

讓我在此，再次感謝所有帶隊老師的辛勞、安排和準備，家長的愛心和鼎力支持，同學的全情投入，使我們完成了一次有意義的旅程，過了一個難忘的復活節。希望我們繼續跟國家不同形式、不同種類的學校，保持聯繫。讓我們實踐希望工程的宗旨，略盡綿力，為國家教育事業作一些貢獻，為香港與國內同學締造互相學習的機會，希望中港年青的一代有更美好的明天。

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
May, 2012

最近我看了一本書，內容令我們中國人很振奮，它的書名是「中國震撼」，作者是張維為博士，他是日內瓦大學國際系的博士、復旦大學和日內瓦大學的教授、英國牛津大學的訪問學者、曾擔任鄧小平及其他中國領導人的英文翻譯，他曾訪問一百多個國家，對國際宏觀形勢有不少的研究和分析。「中國震撼」很有閱讀價值，我想應是高中通識的指定參考書。

中國崛起震撼了全世界，是近十年來全球媒體和互聯網最熱門的話題。中國的崛起，不是一個普通國家的崛起，而是一個擁有五千年深厚文化的國家的崛起，是一個文明國家的文藝復興，加上中國地大物博，人口多達十三億，它崛起的深度、廣度和力度都是人類歷史上前所未見的。

中國的強大，最先得益的是國民，人民的生活水平大大提高。十八世紀英國工業革命期間，英國人的生活水平在自己生命周期裏翻了一倍；在當今中國現代化的大潮中，一個中國人的生活水平在自己生命周期內可翻七倍。

中國硬件的發展，全球有目共睹。外國人現在經常把中國的大城市和世界名城比較，這在三十年前是難以想像的事情。當今的中國大城市如北京、上海，它們的硬件如機場、港口、地鐵、高速公路、摩天大樓、商場，以至夜景等等已可與先進國家媲美不少，更超越外國。如果你有機會到紐約、東京，你會以北京、上海，以至廣州的先進地鐵為榮。

我國文化發展，揉合現代高科技與五千年傳統文化，非其他國家可以趕上。2008年北京奧運、2010年上海世博，精采的開幕及閉幕儀式，全球觀眾讚嘆不已，海內外中國人也引以為傲。表演節目揉合高科技激光、電腦機械工程、中國傳統舞蹈、雜技、驚人之千人操、鼓樂等等，把中國五千年之傳統文化、當代之尖端科技、大型之協作表演、大智慧及大團隊，表露無遺，令人嘆為觀止。

最近，我在廣東一個全國最優秀的主題公園觀看一場夜間之馬戲表演，在場幾位由美國回國的朋友，驚嘆中國的表演技術已超越歐美強國，非常世界級（World Class）。

在經濟方面，中國也有長速的發展。世界現今最大之經濟體系是美國，中國已超越日本成為世界第二。中國人口十三億，中國崛起為世界帶來的經濟量是非常巨大，中國中產是龐大的消費群體，亞洲銀行估計中國的中產將有八億，一般保守估計也有三億，單是這中層的人口已超越美國總人口，五倍法國人口。經濟專家估計中國在十年之內，大概2018至2020年，中國將超越美國，成為世界最大經濟體系。

中國發展之同時，必定出現像其他發展中國家的問題，例如貪污腐敗、環境污染、貧富差距等等，只要中國人用心解決，速度肯定比其他地方快。

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
April, 2012

In February, I attended a concert and heard a song sung by C All Star, Sky Ladder. The singer told the audience that the song was composed to express their appreciation to a legendary love story in Chongqing. A young man got married with a widow and the marriage was not well accepted by the general public. In order to get away from troubles and misery, they left the secular society and lived at the top of a remote mountain. The husband, just with his hands and primitive tools, built a 6000-step stairway from the top of the mountain to the foot of the hill, in order to help his beloved wife to travel down the rugged hills to buy daily necessities and to see the world. They grew grains and vegetables on their own, led simple and happy life together and brought up 7 children. The story and the song have been popular, being spread and touching tens of millions peoples’ heart. The love story has been described as one of the passionate love story in the century. I shared with colleagues about how we feel about the love story. We were all impressed by the simple, pure and life long unconditional love, the truthfulness, genuineness and loyalty between the couple.

Truthfulness, honesty and loyalty are treasured quality not only in marriage by common people, but also our leaders. These days Hong Kong people have discussed a lot about the scandals concerning our Chief Executive candidates. I am happy to see many Hong Kong people are righteous and cherish fair plays. Hong Kong people are angered by the candidate’s dishonesty, lies and unscrupulous cover-up. Truth is truth, facts are facts. Condemnation and fury were further aroused when the candidate tried to dodge his own responsibilities and drag his family members into the trouble water. Hong Kong is always described as a world class cosmopolitan, a city which has been praised as having quite a number of ‘the best’, ‘the most efficient’ in aspects of management, transportation and law and order. We need and deserve a trustworthy and quality leader with integrity and honesty, a leader who can bring us to further prosperity, development and excellence.

In recent morning assemblies, teachers and students shared about the importance of attitude. As mentioned by Ms. Ma, your attitude determines the level of your achievement. Your attitude in work determines your career development. Your attitude in study predicts your academic achievements. Your attitude to your parents and siblings tells how harmonious and how warm your family is. Your attitude to friends decides your peers relationship with your friends and how well accepted you are in social circle. We, social animals, get along with others in everyday life, in work, in school and in family. Sincerity, truthfulness, genuineness and honesty are always the best policies for fulfillments and happiness. These basic and fundamental virtues are also priced and treasured core values in our big family Ngan Po Ling College.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
March, 2012

This is the beginning of the year of dragon. I wish you all a very fruitful and prosperous year.

Dragon is a revered, well liked symbol in Chinese culture. It is a sign of power, strength, energy and vitality. In China, dragon is also regarded as an imperial symbol, a sign of king and emperor. Thus, dragon also symbolizes headship and leadership. That’s why many parents like to give birth to their children in the year of dragon.

I hope all Nganpolingians would act like dragon people, to be doers, not speakers, get thing done and accomplish with enthusiasm and strength.

In the first term exam period, we teachers met and made plans for the second term.  Principals and teachers have pledged to be good facilitators to help you all to bring out your best.

For junior formers, we hope you can form good foundations and good learning habits for further excellence. For senior formers, we hope you can get ready early for the university entrance exam.

If you want to excel and bounce high, you need solid foundations. We hope Nganpolingians can form good foundations in junior forms, learning to be good speakers and good writers. Speak fast, speak accurately, write fast and tidily, write accurately and make no careless mistakes. Form good habits to check and to edit. Good engineers must check their machines before passing them out to the final stage. Good accountants must check their final accounts before submitting them to the public. Editing and checking is a must for quality outputs.

For senior formers, we hope you can psychologically and pragmatically get prepared early for the university entrance exams, HKALE and HKDSE exams. Not everyone can but only the top 20 percent of HK students at your age can enter universities. They are expected to have not only solid knowledge base, but also ability to apply theory to real life situations. They are required to think fast, speak fast, read fast and write fast. All these competencies cannot be acquired overnight or just before examinations. We have to start early. As what I always believe, nowadays, only diligent rabbits win, not diligent tortoises or lazy rabbits. Winners are intelligent people who work very hard.
Besides, I hope all Nganpolingians are good speakers and communicators, with good language proficiency in English and Putonghua. Most nowadays leaders and successful people can switch between these two international languages very fluently and naturally.

Above all, I hope all Nganpolingians, like dragon people, are confident, vibrant, sunshine and positive, sociable, outspoken and open hearted, socially well accepted and psychologically healthy.

Boys and girls, right at the beginning of the year of dragon, set good standard of action for yourself. I am sure that all of you are capable of making good achievements with your whole heart and strong will.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
February, 2012

Last week, at the start of our Cultural Collage, 7 Shanghai students from Mingzhu secondary school, led by their teachers, happily went to Shanghai Airport early in the morning at around six. They were ready to get on board a flight and fly to Hong Kong to join our exchange programme. However, two of the students, because of their non-Shanghai origin, were not allowed to pass through the custom and get on board the plane to fly to Hong Kong. These two 14-year old girls, who had been longing to join our exchange programme, were very perseverant and determined. With support from parents and teachers, they flew to Shenzhen and took a coach to cross the border and were able to join the visit to the Chinese University of Hong Kong arranged on the second day of the itinerary.

Parallel to our Cultural Collage, four high achievers in Gezhi Junior School were arranged to study in Ngan Po Ling College. They join normal school life with no sightseeing or special programmes. The principal told us that 10 excellent students were short-listed. They had to take test papers that we sent to their school and attend oral interviews via telephone with our English teachers. They came to NPL for 2-week academic exchange. However, after one week, in the middle of their stay, they have to cross the border at Lo Wu and reenter Hong Kong in order to get a visa for one more week in Hong Kong. This is because students from China are only allowed to stay in Hong Kong for one week. These two incidents, of course, show the good quality of Shanghai students who preserved in pursuing their goals, and also remind me of an article written by Phillip Fang, the brother of Anson Fang and the former Senior Interpreter and the Chief of the Chinese Interpretation Section in United Nations for more than 20 years. He shared that Hong Kong people are lucky Chinese. Hong Kong citizens have been issued Special Passes which enable them to go in and out of China without restrictions and to stay for as long as they want. He said that China has given Hong Kong people carte blanche, some unique offers and special treatment to run our own affairs. Hong Kong people need not pay taxes to the central government. We need not pay military fees for the People’s Liberation Army, who protects the HKSAR’s security. Hong Kong people need not serve in Military Army like Singaporeans. Hong Kong’s level of taxation is very low compared with other similar economies. Yet, mainland China’s ‘tax pain’ ranked the second in the world in 2009. Besides, China takes good care of Hong Kong’s economy. Vice-Premier Li Keqiang disclosed in his recent visit that Beijing had picked Hong Kong to be China’s future centre for overseas renminbi trading. This would further attract foreign investment. Hong Kong now ranks the third in the world as a recipient of foreign direct investment, which is amazingly outstanding in terms of the SAR’s size. Beijing signed CEPA with Hong Kong 8 years ago to ensure free trade of services and goods between the Mainland China and Hong Kong since 2003. The Individual Travel Scheme allows mainland visitors to enter Hong Kong on an individual basis. All these boost Hong Kong economy, provide more job opportunities and raise Hong Kong’s international status.

All these good things have happened to Hong Kong with just one reason - our motherland, China. Phillip Fang feels that Hong Kong people should ask ourselves: ‘Our country has done so much for us, what have we done for her in return?’ It’s time for the people of Hong Kong to ask ourselves whether we have lived up to the expectations of the central government. He has further quoted examples that, in fact, under some circumstances, Hong Kong people have done the vice versa. He feels HongKongers have behaved like spoiled brats in family cosseted with gifts and privileges, but just take things for granted. Instead of showing gratitude and appreciation, some Hong Kong people turn their back on our own country, showing disrespect, presenting abusive words and even attacking leaders in council meetings and in mass media. Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen once condemned the improper behaviors and speeches as acts of hooliganism under the guise of freedom of speech and assembly in the Legislative Council.

Chinese culture advocates respect and benevolence. Our country’s leaders of course expect not only our new Chief Executive, but also Hong Kong people, especially young people to have patriotism which presupposes loyalty and trust to the country. Loyalty and trust are described as bricks and mortar of all lasting human relations, with our country, our family members, friends and the organization you work for.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
December, 2011

Nowadays, nobody would feel surprised to see a pre-kindergarten kid flipping an iPhone screen to shoot out angry birds to kill pigs. Just in recent five years, the whole world is described as being in an i-generation, new inventions of very powerful computer gadgets have changed peoples’ life. It is common to see people pulling out pocket sized iPod, iPhone or iPad, with a few touches on screen, they would start talking to friends, playing computer games, sending emails, reading books, preparing documents, listening to music or even watching video. He who changed the life of so many people in the world is the technology giant, the father of i-generation, Steve Jobs, who passed away in early October, rippling a wave of grief that swept around the world. Steve Jobs will be well-remembered and fondly missed not only by his fans, his colleagues in Apple, but also people in all walks of life, in all nations, for his legacy to the world has been immense, unprecedented and long lasting.

Jobs understood the needs of people. He believed in connecting all peoples’ needs together is righteous. With his strong vision, he makes great products to let users have wonderful entire experience with the i-products. He had developed convenient and astonishing products, integrating interfaces and apps. Together with the revolutionary screen touch technology, people ranging from a few years old toddlers to 80 years old elderly, with just simple touches on handy devices, can play games, call their friends, read books and watch cartoons, listen to music and watch videos. This year, 2011, such iPhone ecosystem, phone plus apps, movies plus music delivered through Apple services have dominated the major I.T. market. Every day, 210,000 i-Phones are sold worldwide. Just in 2010, the year of introduction of iPad, more than 15 million iPads were sold, reaping 2/3 of the industry profit.

Steve Jobs had remade the world, changed human culture across all nations. This giant must have possessed some unique qualities to be our models and ingredients for self-reflection. Steve Jobs had good skills, multi-knowledge, a heart of serving people, very perseverant and persistent character. He has been fervently exercising his talents and creativity, turning his visions into a series of popular products, iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, until he came to the very end of his life. He was a multi-talent, an artist, an engineer, a psychotherapist and novelist.

He was an artist with strong passion for art and design, producing products which were not only innovative, but also beautiful and artistic. Steve Jobs invented Macintosh for graphic display and design work, the all-in-one iMac, which is the best selling computer in the world, was wrapped in translucent candy-colored cases. He was keen on calligraphy so that we have gorgeous fonts in every Apple product. Oscars winning computer generated cartoon, ‘The Toy Story’ released by Disney was created by his company, Pixar.

Like many successful leaders, Steve Jobs was diligent and devoted, possessing deep passion for what he thought right. He alone drove Apple’s business in big and small ways, on everything from what products would be built to which song would be featured in the TV advertisement for iTunes. In other words, he saw big, thought big and did small.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
November, 2011

今年2011年10月10日是辛亥革命一百周年的紀念日子，一百年前，1911年10月10日，國父孫中山先生領導著一批革命義士推翻滿清政府，建立起中華民國。一百年前之中國是國際上的弱國，在政治、經濟、外交各面也被列強欺負。當時，清朝腐敗積弱。列強如德、法、俄、日等，在不同戰爭，如鴉片戰爭、英法聯軍之役、甲午戰爭等，打敗中國，與中國訂立不平等條約。沿海重要城市，如上海、凌波、廈門、廣州等，均被列強瓜分，定立租界，各國領事擁有裁判權，以及關稅自主權，中國主權及土地均被列強侵佔。偉大的辛亥革命，孫中山先生領導有志之士，推翻帝制，建立民主自由中國，為中國提出新思維，帶出中國新發展、新希望，亦同時帶領中國走向世界。

        辛亥革命為中國的進步打開了閘門，給中國帶來了社會經濟、文化發展等方面一系列的變化。我們可以說，沒有辛亥革命，就沒有今天的中國。

       一百年後， 放眼今日之中國，在政治、經濟、外交各方面在世界舞台舉足輕重，各方面都取得了舉世矚目的成就：今年九月天宮一號發射成功，展示我國航空航天科技發展迅速，中國已擁有自己的衛星定位系統，並成為世界上第三個載人航天飛行的國家；曾幾何時，中國人被稱為「東亞病夫」，而今再看中國，已然成為了體育大國，無論是奧運會、亞運會，還是各類世界錦標賽，中國體育健兒在各項競賽中成就斐然；軍事方面，中國已擁有高科技武器裝備，軍隊的實力不斷增強；近年，國際經濟萎靡不振、歐債危機愈演愈烈之時，中國的經濟穩步向前，國內生產總值以10%左右持續增長，外匯儲備量居世界首位，中國已經成為全球第二大經濟體系。

        古人有云：生於憂患死于安樂。在紀念辛亥革命一百週年之際，我勉勵大家要銘記歷史，珍惜今天來之不易的幸福生活，在學習上努力拼搏，不怕困難；在將來的工作中不懈奮鬥，不畏艱辛。

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
October, 2011

In recent weeks, there has been very heated discussion about how many security measures should be taken by the police force during the visit of dignitaries to Hong Kong. When the Vice-Premier of the State Council, Mr. Li Keqiang was invited to be the guest of honour at HKU’s Centenary Ceremony, the Hong Kong police force was accused of being too stringent in not allowing free entry for HKU students, not to mention staging rally or demonstration. Some students said that they were even stranded in the back stairs. Students felt strongly about the infringement of their freedom of speech and freedom of gathering.

Last week, in a by election forum, some demonstrators and extremists broke down a door, intruding into the venue, and threw dog biscuits at some officials.

Similar incident also happened two years ago on the campus of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in a congregation where VIP and guests were on the stage. When it was announced that the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr. Tang Ying Yen, was to be conferred an honorary doctoral degree, students rushed onto the stage, howling at the guests and shouting ‘Shame, shame, Chinese University’. They considered that it was shameful for the CU to confer a degree to Mr. Tang. The ceremony was disrupted and the protestors were dragged away by security guards. Some CU students and security guards were both injured. After that, University administrators had to apologize to parents and guests for the embarrassing incident happened on such solemn occasion.

In civil society as Hong Kong, freedom of speech and freedom of gathering must be highly valued and respected. But these freedoms must be exercised in a sensible, responsible and mature way.

In our daily life, you may not agree to some of your parents’ opinions, but is it sensible or appropriate to shout at your parents when there are visitors in your sitting room? If you do so, it must be embarrassing not only to your parents, but to yourself and to your whole family. In the same vein, if your friends disagree to your view points, and they don’t let you know, but yell at you when you are on the stage. How do you feel? Do you think these are proper exercises of freedom of speech?

Young people are generally considered as adults and should observe their rights in a mature and responsible way. Last year, our Student Union organized student forums. I appreciate students standing up and articulating opinions in a confident and responsible way. We, school administrators, would listen and, as far as possible, work out policies in line with students’ ideas and opinions, such as extending recess time, allowing students to eat out. These are all policies responding to students’ suggestion and catering for their needs. I admire Nganpolingians’ attitudes of respect, sense of responsibility and sense of belonging to our school. I also take pride in seeing our students exercise good judgment for what is right and what is wrong.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
September , 2011

Welcome back to Ngan Po Ling College. Most of the Nganpoligians look refreshed after the summer vacation. First of all, I would like to convey my warm welcome to new members of our big family and hope you will enjoy the school life and work life in our school.

Last year was also a fruitful year for Ngan Po Ling College. We harvested in both academic and non-academic aspects. Our Nganpoligians continue to shine in both academic and non-academic aspects.
In non-academic areas, we are proud to tell that we have groomed champions and champion teams. Last year, we reaped more than one hundred individual championships and group championships in sports and music competitions. We are also delighted to tell that many of our students also gained impressive prizes in many inter-school and international competitions.
Our sixth summer rhapsody was successfully held on the 7th of July. The vibrant and diversified performance impressed our guests and audience a lot and generated overwhelming praises and compliments after the spectacular evening.
Our academic performance is also encouraging last year. On the last day of June, teachers and I were overwhelmed when we got to know that our AL result was again a record high. All our AL and AS subjects got passing rates, credit and distinction rates higher than the territory rates. Most of our F7 students, more than 95%, have gained places in local Universities in 2010-11. We look forward to further outstanding academic results in the coming double cohort year when our first NSS batch and our last F7 batch enter universities in the same year. F6 and F7 students, add oil, add fuel, add strength to your momentum, make your records and make our school history.
This year, we have our major concerns. In order to pursue excellent achievements in the double cohort year, we would further cultivate effective teaching and active learning methodologies. We shall further enrich our language environment so that all Nganpolingians can speak natural and good English and Putonghua

In line with world wide education trend, we go back to fundamentals and expect our students to take good care of themselves, be clean and tidy, courteous, honest and confident.

On top of all these, we are going to promote sunshine ethos this year. We hope all Nganpolingians are cheerful, optimistic, positive, energetic and vibrant.

Our new school annex have been operated in full swing since 2009. Our indoor swimming pool, student hostels, mini hall, astronomy centre, TV station, special rooms and practice room have added excitement, vitality and diversification to our school life and education provisions. In this double cohort year, the new annex facilities and classrooms would further be utilized to ease the stretch and strains imposed by the double cohort year.

Finally, I hope all Ngan Po Ling students would continue to be persistent and hard working in pursuing your goals and realizing your dreams. Get ready early for your challenges in the coming years. I wish all of you fruitful returns, joy and accomplishments in the new school year.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
September , 2011

This summer vacation, I went to the USA, taking a break, getting recharged and having reunion with my family members. I stayed in California most of the time and traveled east to New York, Washington and Philadelphia for a week.

This time, I got to know more about the American history for Washington D.C. is the capital of the USA and Philadelphia is the place where the American declared their independence more than two hundred years ago. I got the opportunities to visit a number of headquarters of very influential international organizations such as International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the Federal Reserve. I got the feel of how the USA, a super power in the world, grasps control of economic, financial and political issues of the world.  Furthermore, I also realized how citizens of a mass consumption society, living in sheer convenience and comfort, have been using up large amount of resources of the world.

Besides visiting scenic spots and places of interest, I like simply wandering around, tasting good food and special cuisine, taking strolls in the streets, on beautiful beaches and in gigantic national parks. In such leisurely and relaxing travel, I met people and got to know different cultures in different places. One thing that impressed me and my husband a lot is the confidence and the outgoing character demonstrated by many young people in the USA. We were always greeted by people with smiling faces, friendly eye contacts and greeting aloud.

One day, when Mr. Hong and I took a morning walk, a youngster was jogging towards us.  We did not expect him to greet us as he was obviously panting heavily. However, when he ran past us, he greeted us with ‘good morning’ amidst his gasps. People greeted us with smiling face in the street and in the lift. Ladies greet each other even when they are in public washrooms.

When I visit schools in different corners of the world, the first thing I see is the up-keeping of the school environment, such as the tidiness of bulletin boards, the plantation, the walls and the ground. But most of all, I am keen on seeing the manners of students. When I was invited to deliver a speech in a morning assembly in Singapore Dunman High School a few years ago, I purposefully arrived fifteen minutes earlier, just wanting to see their students, see how they interact and how they greet me. It was a pleasant experience as our buddies in Dunman High were all polite and greeted visitors  like me with confident eye contact.

I still freshly remembered how a little girl in an international school in Hong Kong coming to me, enthusiastically and cheerfully showing me to their school book store where I bought some English textbooks for Shanghai Gezhi friends.

Being cheerful, polite, confident, enthusiastic and vibrant are elements of our sunshine programme this year. They are also prized characteristics of all Nganpolingians. In recent years, most of our students have already formed this good habit. Our students are always praised as very polite and cheerful by our visitors. Please keep this up, develop yourself to be a jolly fellow, a happy student, and make it a beautiful school image for Ngan Po Ling College.

Dr. Hong Lo Chi Chun
Principal
September , 2011