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By S.H. Chor |
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Just as a new year provides us with the promise of prosperity and good fortune, so too does a new school term provide us, students, families and educators, with the promising opportunities for change, development and growth. As the year 2002 has come to a close, we can reflect on our strengths and engineer change to challenge ourselves as a learning community. Delia Memorial School (Broadway) is, indeed, a very special place to learn. Our International community provides a culturally rich and diversely talented student population. As well, this multicultural environment stimulates our educators to adapt our curriculum to meet the needs of our students. Change should always be considered movement forward. As the Education Department initiates curriculum changes and developments, we are encouraged to expand our perceptions of education. Of course, real life learning extends far beyond textbooks and teacher's notes. As we strive to provide Moral and Civic Education to our students, we must address the needs of the whole child, not just the academic needs. Our school community recently addressed the moral issues of the economic downturn in Hong Kong. Students wrote letters to friends and family encouraging them to "Be Strong in Adversity". Classes decorated bulletin boards with the same theme. As well, peers offered support during exams by creating motivational book marks to encourage their classmates in this time of stress. Students also gave messages of resolve and hope, which now decorate the school corridors. Will the values of perseverance, determination, or self confidence ever be tested on an exam? Of course not, but in this way we recognise that exam based learning is only one part of the school curriculum, and that academics are only one part of a students' life. These are valuable and worthy curriculum advances. |
Over the past year, it
is evident that the Reading Scheme, encouraged by the Department of
Education, has been a roaring success in our EMI classes. Teachers can
easily name numerous students who have read more than a dozen English novels
in the past year. What a wonderful way to develop vocabulary, as well as
motivate students to learn more about different cultures, history and
geography. Reading is certainly a life-long learning habit that will benefit
our students throughout their lives. As Gandhi reminds us, " Live as if you
were going to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were going to live forever." Change is the gateway to success. Parents and family members are pivotal to this success. Without the ever-constant encouragement, love and support, our students may face a trying school life. However, the parents and families of DMS (Broadway) have proven themselves to be an integral part of our school environment. As you meet our teachers today and tour our beautifully decorated school, please remember that it is the teamwork of students, teachers, administrators and families that make our school the supportive, creative and dynamic learning institution that it is.
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