This year’s Thanksgiving Week at our school carried the theme ‘Spread Gratitude through Actions. Let’s Make Thanksgiving a Lifelong Habit!’ Principal Mr. WAN encouraged the school community to pause and reflect on the simple truth that we must not take people or efforts for granted.
To illustrate his message, Mr. WAN highlighted the Chinese phrase for gratitude (感恩), pointing out that each character contains the element for ‘heart’ (心) at its base. He explained that this visual feature reminds us that genuine gratitude springs from the heart: when we recognise the hard work behind everyday things, our hearts are moved; when we take things for granted, we remain unmoved. True gratitude, he said, is about appreciating others’ labour and nurturing deep connections rather than valuing material possessions.
Students put this message into action throughout the week. They prepared meals for family members, presented gifts to parents, cared for younger siblings, assisted cleaning staff, and produced heartfelt cards, songs and audio recordings. These thoughtful gestures demonstrated not only kindness and responsibility but also personal growth and a maturing sense of empathy.
On behalf of the school, Mr. WAN offered heartfelt thanks to parents for their trust, to teachers and staff for their selfless dedication, and to students for their sincere efforts to practice gratitude. Parent and teacher representatives also shared reflections on how cultivating gratitude positively changes daily life and strengthens cooperation between home and school.
Gratitude is more than a feeling — it is an action of care and giving back.
‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
