Let's Fly Higher Campaign kick-off and Theme Talk by Mr. Michael Suen Ming-Yeung

Today was an exciting moment as we launched the "Let's Fly Higher" Campaign.

At the kick-off ceremony, three banners flew from the bottom of the backdrop across to the top of the far right hand side upper corner, the middle and the left lower corner respectively while the party scraps filled up the air of the stage.
Wah Yan has set out a new journey to excel!

Moreover, the theme talk by Mr. Michael Suen was broadcast live to the 12 classrooms of the junior forms for the first time in Wah Yan history. The delay is only a mere 2-seconds.
This Campus TV will also be reviewed later via the Intranet.

Below is the opening address I delivered as the Chairman of the Steering Committee during the kick-off:

It is my great pleasure to be here today to witness the kick-off of the “Let’s Fly Higher” Campaign. As a parent and old boy, I am delighted and hopeful that this campaign will help Wah Yan to continue as one of the best schools in Hong Kong.

You may have heard about the phrase Altius Volemus in the last Open Day in May. We are using the same words but with a deeper meaning.

In short, the aim of the Let’s Fly Higher Campaign is to motivate our students to do their best to fly higher. Not only academically but also in moral, intellectual, physical, social, aesthetic and spiritual aspect.

So we will have theme talk like the one today to have prominent old boys coming back to share their successful life experience with you. You can learnt from their success and failure and how to overcome obstacles.

There will be many projects organized by the teachers and student organizations with funding support from this campaign. Examples are essay writing, basketball and/or football league, public speaking etc. We will publish these projects in our LFH website so do come and visit regularly.

To do our best is not easy. It takes courage, hard-work, dedication as well as wisdom. My recommendation to you is, if you are in the junior forms, just focus in one or two subjects that you like most and spent your time and energy there. You can learn much more by going in depth on one subject than spending time in too many subjects. Those in the senior forms have to learn how to choose the right things to do, as well as setting their priorities.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the School, teachers, old boys and parents to make this campaign a reality and success.

The “Let’s Fly Higher” campaign is for all of you. So do participate as much as possible.

Let’s fly higher together in Wah Yan. Thank you.

JASER - the big brothers

September 10 (Saturday)

Today we witnessed a group of 48 students pledging to become a big brother to assist their younger brother to enjoy their secondary school life.

The ceremony is simple but solumn.

Here is The JASERs' Pledge
We, the JASERs of Wah Yan College, pledge to do our best to serve the College and our fellow students. We strive to help the junior students in their studies and self-development. In the conduct of duty, we promise to be patient, helpful and responsible.

Besides helping their younger brother, I think the process of the training will help these groups of senior form students to grow, to appreciate how to take care of others, to be patient and helpful, to be responsible for all they do.

Let's pray for their spiritual and mental growth.

Blessings
Simon

Discipline & Care

4 Sept 05
Students of WYHK will find a tight enforcement of punctuality when they returned to School last Friday (2 Sept). In particularly, the boys have to arrive at the new main gate 5 (five) minutes before the first lesson starts (at 7:55 am). There were 27 students registered to be late on the first day of normal school days.

Punctuality is just one of the many guidelines at the school to ensure the smooth running of the College and the harmony of the Wah Yan community. These are in fact rules but are called guidelines as it was felt that the Wahyanites should develop their own self-discipline. This is a good intention as this is a characteristic of Wah Yan to give her students considerable leeway and freedom.

However, increasingly these rules are not observed for one reason or another. Typical examples are cleaniness at the tuck shop area and annoying noise of the boys when moving from one classroom to another.

So it is a good idea to reinforce the discipline and let the boys know what the guidelines mean, particularly for the lower forms.

But that is only the first step.

At the mass today, Fr. Yeung Ming Cheung told us that "Love surpasses all laws" 愛
滿全法律. If you care about the campus as your home, will you continue to flow rubbish on the floor? Or disturb those who wish to study by excessive noice? That is why the Jesuit Fathers of Wah Yan have set good examples of love and care of the boys and other people in need. This tradition is one of the main reasons why Wah Yan boys can contribute so much in the community of Hong Kong today. That is the spirit of Wah Yan.

God bless
Simon

Students' symbol of WYHK

30 August Tuesday:
I had the opportunity today to be the judge on some F6 students' project on "Symbol of WYHK". They were having an orientation in the campus as part of their training on leadership and good Wahyanites.

It is an worthwhile exercise as three group of F6 students were given 3 hours and $100 budget to design, construct and present their thoughts on one thing that can represent WYHK.

I was impressed by the thoughts and creativities of the students. Each of the three entries has their uniqueness and values; and they are:
1. Half-cage home, symbolizing freedom to go out to reach the world while nurturing within the green pasture of WYHK
2. Harmonious campus with red-brick chapel and blossoming flowers on top symbolizing caring and growth under the WYHK cross (badge)
3. Open grass slope picture on chest with torch of freedom on right hand and book on left hand symbolizing freedom and five aspects of campus life under WYHK

This shows how much our students value "freedom". I am also glad that the first group goes further to stress the virtue of "self-discipline" of students.
Finally the red-brick chapel with blossoming flowers got the first place due to better cooperation and teamwork.

One reflection which I share with the students is the importance of presentation skill. Besides the body posture, voice and eye-contact etc., the content of organizing the thoughts are crucial with opening and summary in order to impress the (whatsoever) audiences. It is just like playing football, the last kick into the net is the most important, no matter how good you play in mid-field. Communications and presentation are some of the key skills in modern times, particular when the Liberal Studies become mainstreams in a few years' time.

These young leaders of WY will be leading WYHK throughout this year and I sincerely wish them all the best in their endeavors. In Hoc Signo Vinces - In this sign, you shall conquer.

God bless
Simon