September 2021
Message from the Principal
September 2021
Welcome and welcome back! I’m glad to see your smiling and cheerful faces again and I hope everyone is refreshed and reenergised.
In the last academic year, teachers and I spent time on reviewing learning and teaching practices from multiple perspectives from curriculum design to assessment, planning and getting ready for upcoming changes. In the process, there were meaningful, constructive discussions as well as professional exchanges. I am impressed and strongly feel the positive vibe. We have a shared vision: We all believe that our students can learn better and deserve more!
Our timetable has been adjusted, with a short break given to students after every two lessons so that they can better absorb and digest the learning content and enhance their attentiveness in lessons. In terms of knowledge acquisition, the sky’s the limit and that is why reading plays an indispensable role. We have our junior form reading lessons refined. Through reading, we aim at deepening students’ subject knowledge, broadening their horizons and at the same time, letting our students taste the pleasure and enjoyment of reading in the hope that finally they will be inspired and discover the world of knowledge, which is without boundaries.
As for everyday routines, we try to accommodate the various needs of students with simple, yet effective measures. The components of assessments have been adjusted with an increased weighting for formative marks in order to further echo our objective of ‘Assessments for Learning’. In other words, we appreciate and value students’ daily effort in the process of learning and the progress they make. To better balance students’ workload, we have devised policies regarding homework and quiz collaboration, revision week and study day before uniform assessments, where students are not overloaded and have the space to consolidate what they have learnt. With a spiral curriculum design, our students’ learning will be strengthened and deepened in a gradual manner. To systematically reinforce what our students have learnt, subjects’ assessment coverage has been adjusted, with prior subject knowledge being another focus of assessment, on top of the current curriculum content.
Amid COVID-19, our school year commenced with a half-day mode. I have to take this opportunity to convey my sincerest thanks to all staff for their positive response to the vaccination programme. I encourage eligible students with suitable health conditions to get vaccinated so that soon we can resume full-day school, embracing the vibrancy and colourful school life we used to have.
Lastly, as what I have shared in the latest Newsletter, the ‘ever-learning; ever-growing’ spirit has been ingrained in our hearts. Let’s set new targets, make an effort, yet most importantly, brave our setbacks in times of frustration. Remember to stand up from where we fall and eventually we are all a step closer to success.
I wish you all a fulfilling and rewarding academic year ahead!