Earlier, our school was informed by the Regional Education Office of Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi of a visit and lesson observation on NSS Liberal Studies by the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mrs. Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching on the 23^rd November 2011. Mrs. Tse arrived around 9.50a.m. that morning. Mr. Yan Po Wa, Senior School Development Officer from EDB, and the Principal welcomed the visit by Mrs Tse.

Upon her arrival, Mrs. Tse was accompanied by Mr. Yan and our Vice Principal Ms. Leung to a lesson observation on Liberal Studies taught by our Principal Mr. Ho. The topic for discussion in the double-period is “The pros and cons of voluntary insurance as one of the many options of medical finance”. Students had already read relevant information. Each group was able to report the advantages and disadvantages of different medical finance options after discussions. Mr. Ho also led students to consider factors in deciding the allocation of resources and concerns from different stakeholders in society as far as the medical insurance was concerned. All students participated actively in lesson. Apart from taking the initiative to answer questions, students were able to analyze and discuss the topic from different perspectives. Peer interactions also proved the exploratory spirit of NSS Liberal Studies. After the lesson, Mrs. Tse gave very positive feedback to students. Apart from the smooth lesson flow, she also praised our students for their excellent performance in different aspects, as well as in-depth discussions on the topic from different perspectives. Mrs. Tse also invited our school to have more sharing with other schools on Liberal Studies teaching in future.

Mrs. Tse also arranged time to meet frontline Liberal Studies teachers to gather opinions on learning and teaching of Liberal Studies. During the meeting, Mrs. Tse inquired how teachers instructed students to do the IES Independent Enquiry Study. Mrs. Tse also sought opinions on the priority in allocating resources to secondary schools as well as understood the priority of secondary schools in using resources. Though Mrs. Tse was very busy that day, she still squeezed time and stayed until 12.30p.m. She took a photo with the Principal and teachers before her departure.

Our school was honored to have this opportunity to have the visit and  lesson observation by the Permanent Secretary for Education Mrs. Tse. I hope we will continue to carry out our mission as being a learning organization, so that we will improve our learning and teaching and effectiveness with our professionalism, which in turn can benefit our teachers and students.

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Congratulations to 5C class for taking first place in the S5-S7 Mixed Voice English Choral Speaking competition in the 63rd Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival. After weeks of hard work, the 5C students took to the stage on November 17, and they impressed the adjudicator and the audience with their energy, expressive voices, and wonderful teamwork. For many students, this was their first time participating in the Speech Festival, and it was certainly a memorable learning process and result for them. After the competition, the class, along with their trainers, Ms KW Fung and Ms Helen Ng, celebrated this achievement by enjoying delicious treats at a dessert shop. Outstanding work, 5C!

The photos are available [here].

A BSTC team came third in the student group in a short film competition on the topic “One World, One Home, One Heart”. The competition was organized by the Hong Kong College of Cardiology. Congratulations to the following students.

Wong Tsz Wai 3E (project leader)

Chan Wai Sing 3E

Leung Lap Hin 3E

Li Hoi Ki 3E

Ng Tsz Wai 3E

Pang Chun Wing 3E

Tan Kai Teck Desmond 3D

The photos are available [here].

On October 26^th, the English Debate Teams honed their debating skills in a friendly debate hosted in Sin Tak College. The debate saw the two Sin Tak teams of 5B students engage in a battle of words with the opposing teams from Yew Chung International School. This was the first friendly debate that the school had hosted for a long time, and it was great to see many principals, teachers, and students in the audience supporting our Debate Teams. 

As the Affirmative side, our debate teams gave their best effort in arguing for the motion that “the death penalty should be abolished in China.” Our teams did well in presenting persuasive arguments and rebuttals, but the more experienced Yew Chung teams were eventually chosen as the winner in both debates. Nevertheless, this friendly debate was a great learning experience for the members of our English Debate Teams, and they will draw on this experience as they prepare for the upcoming Sing Tao Debate Inter-School Debating Competition.

The gallery is available [here].

BSTC held another spooky, scary Halloween party on Thursday, 27^th October in the SAC, a few days before the real Halloween festival (31^st October). This festival has become very famous throughout the world although few people know that it has Celtic origins (Irish/Scottish). This year there were not one but two NETs, Mr. Dunlea and Ms. Helen Ng, to help organise the fun activities which consisted of two traditional Halloween games: Mystery Box and Bobbing for Apples.

In the first game, the students had to put their hands into 4 covered boxes and search for candy. You can see from the expression on their faces how exciting this was, and as the students’ hands went in through the hole many students could be heard shouting “Ewww! What is that?!”

The second game, where students had to dunk their heads into a basin of water while trying to grab an apple with their teeth, also provided a lot of laughs for spectators and participants alike. We look forward to seeing you all next year.

Many thanks are due to the janitors for their assistance in decorating and cleaning up.

The gallery is available [here].