Look at the person on your left, and on your right, you may see someone who likes k-pop, someone who devours fiction books one after one. But you guess what prefects would see on schoolmates when they are on-duty. They may see a schoolmate wear a brown hair band, not wearing a belt, or not yet returning to their seat after the bell goes. To show respect and tolerance, prefects usually would remind the schoolmates not only in a mild, gentle tone, but also with a smile. They are always approachable and considerate. But why? To understand, we need to know that respect is not about agreeing with everyone but it is about listening. The schoolmate may explain to prefects that she did not turn on the lights when picking up a hair band, the schoolmate did not even realise he had no belt that day or the schoolmate was not aware of the necessary behaviour after the bell. Prefects in our school are patient enough to listen to their reasons, remind them what they can do better and explain the need of why and what they should follow to do.
When prefects are enforcing the school rules, at the same time, they are promoting a culture of respect and tolerance throughout the school. They help to encourage dialogues and understanding among schoolmates, especially when a schoolmate has a situation suddenly. In fact, what prefects are doing is to strive to stand up for what is right and appropriate.
With the contribution of prefects, they help to nurture a caring, safe environment in Shung Tak where everyone can equip themselves with knowledge regardless of their differences.
Respecting differences and treating others with tolerance is not just a value I want to emphasize with you today, but I hope that it can be a way of life that we all will embrace every day.
Sunday, 19 October 2025