The opening ceremony began with a welcome speech by Principal Mr. WAN, who shared his SMART learning method to provide students with an effective guide for the new school year. When it comes to learning, would you prefer a low return on your investment of time and effort, or a high return? The answer is clear: everyone seeks a high return. So how do you achieve it? The key is “smart work,” and smart work is all about effective strategies. The SMART learning method is a highly practical set of these strategies.
Principal Mr. WAN broke down the meaning of each letter in SMART:
- S is for Specific: Goals should not be vague. For instance, instead of saying, “I want to read more,” a specific goal would be, “This year, I will read 12 new books on world history to expand my knowledge.”
- M is for Measurable: Just as you set a specific savings goal and track your progress, you should also quantify your study outcomes using tools or apps. This approach will help you stay motivated and measure your learning effectively. This makes it easy to see how far you’ve come.
- A is for Achievable: The difficulty of achieving the goal should be at optimum level- not too easy that they lack motivation, but not so hard that they crush your confidence. With the optimum level of difficulty, it will keep you moving forward.
- R is for Relevant: Your goals should be aligned with your long-term dreams and bigger ambitions. This ensures you stay on track, with every effort paving the way for your future.
- T is for Time-bound: If you want to write a novel, for instance, set a deadline for each chapter. Use digital tools for reminders and check in regularly to create a sense of urgency and make progress more efficiently.
Principal Mr. WAN reminded students that using the SMART learning method will make their studies more focused and effective, while having a growth mindset will help them face challenges with more confidence and joy. Both are essential elements of the school’s “Joyful Learning” philosophy. Principal Mr. WAN also introduced the vice principals, assistant principals, and a group of new teachers, welcoming them to be parts of the school’s family.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, the school achieved excellent results in the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exam, with 93% of students gaining admission to bachelor’s degree programs at local or overseas universities! In the 24/25 cohort, 6E MAK Ka-yuen achieved a score of 54, and 6E TAM Tsz-kit scored 52, making them the top-performing graduates of their year. MAK Ka-yuen is now studying Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, while TAM Tsz-kit is pursuing Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong.
During the graduate sharing session, we also heard from 6A CHAN Hau-yee, who is now studying Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong. Both MAK and CHAN were admitted to CUHK and HKU, respectively, through the School Principal’s Recommendation Scheme during the 24/25 academic year. These outstanding achievements are not only a testament to the teachers’ dedicated guidance but also to the students’ own hard work!
This year, our school’s AFS Intercultural Program welcomes Jorge Morales Mares, a S5 exchange student from Mexico. He will be at our school for a one-year exchange. On stage, he warmly introduced himself to his new schoolmates. We believe that with the love and care of our students, he will create many wonderful memories in Hong Kong!
