Monday, 14 October 2024Welcome Back – 1st School Day of 2024-2025 Academic Year
Good morning.
First of all, I would like to thank all new student school leaders as you are going to work together with the school to support fellow Shungtakians, and of course you would also have the benefit and pleasure of working on the closing of our school’s 65th Anniversary Celebrations.
Now, let me highlight some special initiatives of the year.
Shungtakians are always our pride. I am sure you have seen from our school website the success of our DSE fighters 2024 who have done us proud as they achieved their goals and broke some records.
Of the 600 papers sat (not including Citizenship and Social Development which has results reported as “Attained” or “Unattained”), 76.7% received Level 4 or above, which is a new record for Shung Tak. The Level 5 or above rate also stands high at 34.3%. No doubt English remains the strongest in all subjects. 82.2% of this cohort has scored Level 4 or above in this subject, while 100% have obtained the minimum university entry requirement score of Level 3. The outstanding results mean that 100% of our S6 graduates qualified for sub-degree programmes and 93.1% are eligible for university admissions. I trust our coming S6 students, will be the stars in the coming year by bringing us even more stars and breaking records.
At the start of this school year 2024-2025, we are about to embark on a new development cycle which translates into a new 3-year school development plan. Our two new major concerns are:
- To cultivate students’ positive values and attitudes through promoting a school-based values education curriculum.
- To broaden students’ horizons through collaboration across different disciplines.
In Shung Tak, we aim high in academic excellence, but we also hold very high values formation. In fact, it is equally important. The school has therefore designated 6 values, namely, kindness, compassion, discernment, responsibility, servant leadership and gratitude, to be widely promoted in each grade level from S1 to S6.
Demonstrate your kindness (S1) and show compassion (S2) to your schoolmates are of the essence in the Shung Tak family. In S3, our focus would be on a discerning mind (discernment) and even more important as you choose electives for your senior secondary school life. Responsibility (S4) is crucial before you serve the school as student leaders in S5. Definitely the school also expects students to model themselves on Jesus as servant leaders (servant leadership) and in the giving of service to the school and the community. A strong sense of gratitude (S6) to your alma mater, parents and those who have shaped you. Gratitude is also a characteristic we look for in all Shungtakians.
It is our hope that after studying in Shung Tak for 6 years, apart from the 5 Catholic core values and 12 Priority Values set by the Education Bureau, you are able to demonstrate the 6 school-based values in your daily lives.
The Club Orientation will be held on the second day of the new school year, that is tomorrow. I am sure you will be excited when you choose from among the great variety of activities STC has made available to you. In order to help Shungtakians enjoy the colours of school life, different disciplines, i.e. departments and committees will work together to enable you to acquire knowledge across subjects and make meaningful connections between concepts in different disciplines. The school also expects student leaders to demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and synthesise information from multiple disciplines and apply interdisciplinary knowledge when organising activities.
The above major concerns are for three school years from 2024 through to 2027. You can achieve them step by step with the guidance and support of your teachers. To help you live out the above major concerns, please remember the catchphrase for the year, “The best way out is always through”.
“The best way out is always through” is a quote from an American poet Robert Frost. It means the best way to overcome a challenge is to face it head-on rather than trying to avoid or escape it. We all have different dreams in life, and to achieve these dreams, it is important that we set goals to achieve them. Our goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. With a growth mindset, we can then work towards our goals step by step. Remember to control our habits, especially the time spent on using electronic gadgets. Control your habits otherwise you are under control.
Life is full of challenges, joys and sorrows. The same goes with our studies. But we learn and grow, we support and help one another. The only way to grow and learn is to face those challenges with courage and determination, exercise flexibility and agility in employing alternatives to get through obstacles instead of getting bogged down. There are always solutions to problems. With a growth mindset and the school motto, ‘Ora et Labora’ as our guiding light, values and knowledge as our solid foundation, I am sure Shungtakians will master all skills essential for them to navigate well in life by the time they graduate.
To welcome you back, the school staff made use of the summer to finish the major repairs in the school. Renovation works in some washrooms, classroom doors and iron gates of the main entrance and car entrance have all been completed. New lockers have also been placed in the classrooms of all junior levels.
The Computer Room on the 4th floor has been given a facelift. You will have more hands-on experience with the latest technologies in STEM. I can’t wait for you all to explore and tinker in this state-of-the-art space. I look forward to witnessing all new thinkers, makers and creators in Shung Tak.
To end, academics and character formation will remain our top priority in STC. I trust that you will continue to scale new heights in all areas. But we also believe that well-rounded students who are engaged in a variety of enriching activities will be the most successful.
So, at this time, I encourage you to embrace this new school year with enthusiasm and an open mind. Challenge yourselves, support one another, and most importantly, have fun!
Thank you and God bless,
Dr Cecilia TANG
Principal