2024/2025 Newsletter No. 2

Theme: ”To Go Above & Beyond: Investing in People Amid Funding Cuts & Declining Enrolment”  跨高越遠．投資於人——面對資助削減與學生人數銳減的雙重挑戰

Date: 8 July 2025 (Tuesday)

Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Venue: Kit Sam Lam Bing Yim Secondary School (9 Fu Mei Street, Kowloon)

Participants: Principals, Vice Principals, Assistant Principals & Senior Teachers

Enrolment:

Please complete the google form by 7 July 2025 (Monday): https://forms.gle/iA1YyLhKoCn2foy88

This gathering will be a member-driven platform, focusing on our collective expertise rather than external speakers.  The insights we generate will be used to inform submissions to LegCo’s Education Panel and the upcoming Policy Address, ensuring our voices shape education policy.

The theme, ”To Go Above & Beyond: Investing in People Amid Funding Cuts & Declining Enrolment”, will guide discussions on two key topics: new financial arrangements and student population trends.

Your participation is important to making this event meaningful.  Let’s work together to advance Hong Kong’s education landscape.

Chief Secretary for Administration Mr. Chan Kwok-ki opened the HKEC 2025 with a video address, praising Hong Kong’s world-class education system and HKAHSS’s six decades of dedication.  The program featured seven distinguished speakers who explored three critical themes: academic innovation, student development, and educational leadership.

Professor Cheng Kai-ming (HKU Emeritus Professor) delivered a powerful keynote on overcoming modern educational challenges, emphasizing schools’ role in creating “Positive Small Environments.”

Regarding academic innovation, Mr. Lu Zhiwen 盧志文院長 (New Education Research Institute中國新教育研究院) inspired attendees with his vision of education focused on happiness rather than test scores, drawing parallels to the legendary Yu Gong’s perseverance.  Professor Wong Kwok-yin (PolyU) highlighted the need to cultivate information and moral literacy, interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, and lifelong learning abilities to tackle technological advancements and complex social issues.

The student development session saw Professor Dianne Vella-Brodrick (University of Melbourne) and Professor Hau Kit-tai (CUHK) address the crucial balance between academic rigor and well-being.  Their evidence-based approaches demonstrated how schools can integrate mental health support with learning outcomes.

Leadership took center stage in the afternoon, with Professor Andy Hargreaves (Boston College) advocating for collaborative school cultures and Professor Bruce Macfarlane (EdUHK) outlining the need for virtuous, adaptable leaders in today’s complex world.

The thought-provoking discussions from the colloquium flowed seamlessly into the celebratory luncheon at The Mira Hong Kong, where members gathered to nourish both body and mind.

Sponsored by The Lee Shau Kee Foundation 李兆基基金, The Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation香港培華教育基金會, The Tin Ka Ping Foundation 田家炳基金會 and The Mira Hong Kong 美麗華集團, this third international colloquium in HKAHSS’s history provided actionable insights for Hong Kong’s educational future. As the Association looks ahead, these discussions will inform initiatives to nurture well-rounded students and strengthen leadership in an era of rapid change.  HKAHSS remains committed to its 60-year mission of advancing educational excellence, proving that even in challenging times, Hong Kong’s educators continue to raise the bar.

Exploring Education and Innovation in the Greater Bay Area

Despite the disruption caused by Tropical Cyclone Toraji, which brought a Typhoon Signal No. 8 to Hong Kong on the morning of 14 November 2024, 35 dedicated HKAHSS members together with Ms. Li Keng Yan Kristine李敬恩小姐 (Henderson Land Group) embarked on a rewarding three-day study tour to Guangzhou. Sponsored by the Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation 香港培華教育基金會and co-organized with Jinan University暨南大學, the tour provided invaluable insights into the latest developments in mainland education and technology.

Day 1: Academic Exchange & School Visit

The delegation was warmly received at Jinan University, where Professor Zhong Yun (Deputy Head, Department of Economics) delivered an enlightening lecture on “Opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”  Her expertise deepened participants’ understanding of regional collaboration, setting a strong foundation for the tour.

In the afternoon, the group visited Huamei International High School in Tianhe District.  After an introductory session, principals and teachers observed classroom demonstrations in Chinese Language, Mathematics, and Chinese History, followed by a constructive post-lesson discussion.

Day 2: Rural Revitalization & Industrial Innovation

The second day took participants to Zinan Village in Chancheng District—awarded titles such as “China’s Most Beautiful Village”—where they admired its scenic landscapes and cultural heritage. Later, the group toured GAC AION New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., witnessing cutting-edge automation in vehicle assembly.  The evening featured a networking dinner with Jinan University alumni, alongside a memorable Pearl River cruise and further discussions with Mr. Fok Kai Man 霍啟文先生 (Fok Ying Tung Group) on educational sponsorship.

Day 3: EdTech & Diplomatic Insights

The final day included a visit to Seewo Technology, a global leader in interactive classroom solutions, where participants explored tools that enhance teaching efficiency.  The tour concluded at Jinan University with a thought-provoking lecture by Professor Zhang Zhenjiang (Department of International Relations) on diplomacy’s role in fostering global connections.

A Memorable Conclusion

The study tour ended with a certificate presentation and a commemorative group photo, leaving participants inspired by Mainland China’s advancements in education, technology, and rural development.  This journey not only strengthened professional knowledge but also fostered lasting camaraderie among HKAHSS members.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation 香港培華教育基金會, Jinan University 暨南大學, and all partners who made this experience possible.  The tour’s rich program not only enhanced pedagogical perspectives but also strengthened the shared commitment to educational excellence across the region.

The SRL Joint School Teacher Development Day 2025, held on 14 February (Friday), was a remarkable achievement, demonstrating the strong commitment of educators to advancing self-regulated learning (SRL). With an impressive turnout of over 800 participants, including 10 schools that engaged in full-school participation, this event provided a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing and professional development. The inspiring keynote speech, “Empowering Self-Regulated Learning in the AI Era,” set the stage for deep discussions on how AI can enhance teaching and learning practices. The 16 parallel sessions featured speakers from 12 schools, offering invaluable insights and practical strategies that enriched the experience of every attendee.

Additionally, the 2024 Teacher Commendation Scheme, themed “Learning Modules or Plans” (導學案/單元), celebrated excellence with 12 awards for outstanding lesson plans and 12 for excellent performance, further reinforcing the importance of innovative teaching approaches.

In February 2025, we were excited to announce the launch of the SRL Teacher Commendation Scheme (SRLTCS) 2025.  This year’s theme for the Scheme is “SRL Lesson Video” (自主學習課堂短片).  The deadline for nominations was 20 Jun 2025.

In 2025/26, we continue fostering the spirit of collaboration and innovation to further advance SRL in our schools and we sincerely invite your school to join the upcoming 2025/26 SRL Festival — “Joint-school Teachers’ Professional Development Day” and “Open Class” sessions.  We aim to share innovative teaching practices, particularly focusing on AI’s role in advancing SRL.

The details of “SRL Joint-school Teachers’ Professional Development Day 2026” are as follows:

Theme: A Milestone of SRL: Innovative Practices with AI

自主學習新里程：AI的創新實踐

Date: 6 February 2026 (Friday)

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Venue: Kit Sam Lam Bing Yim Secondary School (9 Fu Mei Street, Kowloon)

We invite your school to participate in the “whole-school mode.” Please enroll by completing the google form by 30 June 2025 (Monday):

https://rb.gy/064gqu

For details, please click HERE.

We look forward to exploring innovative practices with AI for SRL together.

In 2025/26, the staff professional development programmes, seminars, or workshops covers 31 topics in 6 different areas:

1. New Trends and Prospects in Education
2. Learning, Teaching & Curriculum
3. Student Growth & Nurture
4. Teacher Professional Growth & Development
5. School Self-Evaluation & External Review
6. School Management Theory & Practice

For details, please click:

https://www.hkahss.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-2026-Staff-Professional-Development-Service.pdf

The Happy Hour Forum, held on 8 May 2025, was a resounding success, attracting a record-breaking attendance of over 200 Principals, Vice Principals and Senior Teachers.  The event focused on the latest developments in External School Review (ESR) and School Self-Evaluation (SSE) in Focus Inspection (FI), offering school leaders crucial insights into updated policies and best practices.  Expert speakers Ms. Chan Shuk Man (Principal of Po Kok Secondary School) and Mr. Tang Kam Ming (Principal of CNEC Lee I Yao Memorial Secondary School) shared practical strategies for schools in preparing, implementing, and following up on these evaluation processes, with an emphasis on enhancing school development.  The strong turnout highlighted the education sector’s keen interest in staying informed about evolving practices.  Hosted at SKH St. Mary’s Church Mok Hing Yiu College in Sham Shui Po, the forum provided an engaging platform for professional exchange, reinforcing its value as a key event for Hong Kong’s education community.  The organizers are encouraged by the overwhelming response and look forward to future initiatives building on this success.

The Retreat for Members (16/6): Encountering a Happier Self

On June 16, 2025, sixteen members gathered at St. Paul’s House of Prayers in Sheung Shui for a transformative one-day retreat, “Encountering a Happier Self,” organized by the Bei Shan Tang Foundation.  Originally designed as a three-day workshop, the program was thoughtfully condensed into a single day, packed with insights on positive education.

The retreat provided a structured journey of self-discovery, beginning with the Values-in-Action 24 character strengths survey that helped participants gain deeper self-awareness.  The PERMA model of well-being was explored thoroughly in the workshop.  Through interactive sessions, members explored the power of gratitude, building positive relationships, and rediscovering meaning in their mission as principals.  The day included deep self-reflection, heartfelt sharing, and meaningful dialogue with oneself, leaving everyone feeling renewed and recharged.  It was a truly fruitful experience, reinforcing the value of personal growth and collective support in our professional journeys.

To join as a Life/Affiliated Member, kindly complete the membership form available on our Association’s website:

https://www.hkahss.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/MembershipForm-Life-Affliated-2425_revised.pdf

Please return the filled-out form along with a cheque payable to us.  Your support is sincerely appreciated as we continue our mission.