December 2020
Message from the Principal
8 December 2020
In view of the worsening situation of COVID-19 pandemic, we had no choice but to again suspend our face-to face lessons in early December.
No matter how unfavourable the circumstances are, we put students’ wellbeing and learning as our top priority. Having seen the number of confirmed cases surge over the past few weeks, our teachers started planning for contingency measures for prompt class suspension on campus well in advance by mass printing December’s lesson notes, learning materials and revision packages for students. Students were also asked to clear their lockers in a gradual manner. Teachers, on the other hand, were getting ready to switch to an online teaching mode. At school level, we have all learned from past experiences and bettered our arrangements and practices under this ‘new normal’. We see it as an opportunity to strengthen students’ self-learning skills. During this period, teachers will introduce or recommend topic-related references or self-learning materials to further cultivate students’ interest in learning. To monitor students’ progress, subject assignment records will be sent to parents/ guardians every week so that we can work hand in hand to support students’ learning at home. Other than online lessons and regular assignments, we further help students in need by offering device loan service. We have also applied for Top-up Grant for Supporting Online Learning. Teachers have been trying their very best to ensure quality learning and teaching amid the pandemic.
To compensate for the loss of curriculum time and to further give guidance to our senior form students along their DSE journey, Form 6 students will continue their half-day lessons on campus with additional online lessons scheduled in the afternoon. Whereas for our Form 4 and Form 5, we have also started our afternoon online lessons mainly for the thorough completion of the syllabus, coupled with subject-based remedial and enhancement measures.
With the suspension of face-to-face classes, school activities have indeed become less vigorous. Nevertheless, it gives us more space to review our practices on curriculum, assignments, assessments as well as learning and teaching strategies for our future development. Currently, assignment policy is under review, from frequency, variety, level of difficulty to the quality of timely feedback to students. For our assessment policy, we hope to place greater emphasis on the notion ‘Assessment for Learning’, especially in terms of subject weighting and the ratio between formative and summative assessments.
Wong Tai Shan is a big family filled with love and care. I would like to share with you two notable heart-warming acts. The committee members of our Parent-teacher Association are very thoughtful. They have given their support and encouragement to Form 6 ‘DSE fighters’ by setting up an ‘Energy Boosting Station’ outside the General Office, offering them snacks such as energy bars and biscuits. Members of our Student Union, on the other hand, have prepared some little presents for our Form 6 students as well as our janitors. Inside each gift set, there are candies and hand warmer pads. These presents symbolize the precious character that our students possess, with your kindness, thoughtfulness, care and love. I am proud of you all.
May we all be showered with peace and love in times of difficulties.
校長的話
新冠病毒疫情嚴峻,我們無奈再次暫停面授課堂。
然而,不論環境如何惡劣,我們都將同學的身心健康和學習放在首位。好幾星期前,當學校看到確診數字有上升趨勢之時,老師們已經馬不停蹄,作好準備,將十二月份的紙本筆記,教材及溫習資料印刷,並派發給同學。畢竟,在家打印如此大量的習作,難免有所不便。同時,我們亦提醒同學,要將放在儲物櫃的用品及書籍,陸續帶回家。在學校層面,我們吸取過往兩次停止面授課堂的經驗,在這個新常態下,致力優化我們的安排及措施。我們將此視作提升同學自學能力及自主學習的機會。在此期間,老師會將一些課程相關的自學及參考資料放到網上平台以提升同學學習興趣。為更能掌握同學學習進度,學校會每星期上載各科家課紀錄,讓家長/監護人在家予以合適的支援。為幫助有需要的同學,學校的平板電腦會外借給有需要的同學;與此同時,亦為有關同學申請教育局的學生上網學習補充津貼。在疫情下,老師們都竭盡所能確保提供優質學與教。
為彌補課時上的損失和為高中同學應付公開考試預備,中六同學除上午回校上課之外,下午亦有網上補課時間。至於中四及中五同學,個別科目亦在下午時段安排了網上補課活動,進行拔尖補底及能依時完成課程,為公開考試未雨綢繆。
的而且確,在疫情下,面授課堂機會少了,學校活動亦不像以往頻繁。然而,這正正給學校提供了空間,檢視學與教的各項安排,包括課程、課業、評估政策以及學與教的策略等等,為配合將來學校發展,作好準備。現時,我們正從課業的質與量、深淺度、適切度以及給予學生的回饋入手。在評核方面,我們正開始研究作出調適,以促進學習的評估為依歸,檢視持續性評估比重等等。
除學與教外,黃棣珊是一個充滿愛和關懷的大家庭。藉此機會,我想和大家分享兩件窩心的事情。感謝家教會,給我們中六同學的無言鼓勵,在校務處外設置「中六同學加油站」,提供源源不絕的能量棒及餅乾,讓中六同學在預備公開考試的緊張狀態下,也能舒舒氣,感受到在作戰路上,他們並不孤單。另外值得在此表揚的,是我們剛換屆的學生會。在疫情下,他們所能籌辦的活動確實不多,然而,學生會幹事們將籌辦活動的智慧及活力轉化成給中六同學及捍衛校園清潔衛生的工友們的一點愛與支持,為他們送上小小禮物包。每一個禮物包裏,放着有比蜜糖還甜的糖果及一些暖包。我看在眼裏,再次深深感受到教育的真諦,在學術上,我們致力讓同學發揮潛能;但與此同時,學校亦秉承着育人的重任,學生會此舉,再次提醒我,教育,勿忘初衷。
在疫情下,願各人都身心健康。
二零二零年十二月八日