Speech in 2024-2025 Closing Ceremony

Dear Teachers and Students,

As we approach the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on our journey together. This year, our school has successfully hosted a myriad of vibrant and diverse activities that have enriched our students’ learning experiences. From the athletics meet and inter-class sports competitions to the inter-class dance competition and Christmas singing contest, each occasion has embodied the spirit of PoTong. In addition, in both the first and second school terms, we celebrated Health Education Week, featuring engaging activities such as indoor rowing competitions, the Form One “One-Minute Challenge,” and the distribution of nutritious fruit cups to all students.

To expose students to new perspectives and foster a strong sense of national identity, we organized a variety of enriching excursions. Highlights included the Form Five CSD trip to mainland China’s aerospace technology centers, exchanges with our sister school in Shantou, the “Dynamic Innovation, Hong Kong and Beijing Together” trip to Beijing, the Osaka Expo learning tour in Japan, and the Hainan Island aerospace technology assessment. Students had the unforgettable opportunity to witness the spectacular launch of China’s Tianzhou-9 rocket at the Hainan launch base — an experience that left a lifelong impact and inspired them to appreciate the advancements in science and technology of our motherland.

It is important to recognize that the success of these activities is due in large part to the dedication and meticulous planning of our teachers and staff. I encourage all students to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and appreciation for those who support you within our school community. As the saying goes, “The heart is as big as the stage.” I firmly believe that every student at PoTong possesses unique talents and potential. Each of us is exceptional; with perseverance and determination, we will undoubtedly shine on the stage of life.

Reflecting on the past year, I am proud to highlight the outstanding achievements of our students. Our results in the HKDSE remain exceptional, and our students have also excelled in external competitions, amassing a remarkable total of 550 awards this year — an impressive increase of 2.5 times from last year. Our accolades span diverse fields, including recognition as “Youth National Security Ambassadors” by the Security Bureau, championship wins at the Hong Kong Secondary School Model Building Creative Design Competition, gold awards in the Hong Kong Creative Writing Competition, and accolades at the Hong Kong Inter-school Music Competition.

Moreover, our students have shone on the international stage, consistently winning gold at the international Genetic Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition for two consecutive years, being ranked among the top ten globally, and receiving the Best Hardware Design Award this year. These achievements reflect the world-class caliber of our students, showcasing their ability to thrive in competitive environments.

While many students have demonstrated remarkable accomplishments this year, I regret that I cannot list every award due to space limitations here. However, the dedication and exceptional performances of our students bring pride to our school. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all teachers, as it is their guidance that enables students to unlock students’ full potential and excel.

As the summer holiday begins, I encourage all students to engage in physical activities to strengthen the bodies, enhance their well-being and to dedicate time to reading and learning in order to broaden their knowledge. For Form Five students, it is crucial to maintain focus on your studies and take full advantage of this period to prepare thoroughly for the DSE exams. Remember the wise words of the Ming Dynasty thinker, Wang Yang-ming: “Without setting a goal, nothing can be achieved.” History teaches us that great individuals, regardless of time or place, have always set lofty ambitions and pursued them with unwavering determination. I hope that every Form Five student remains steadfast in their aspirations, following teachers’ guidance and putting in the effort to successfully enter university next year.

As we look to the future, I encourage PoTong students to continue exploring their potential and interests. As the Canto pop song “凡星” beautifully expresses, “Everyone has the potential to shine when they are placed in the right environment and discover their true calling.” May each student explore their unique path and radiate brilliance, inspiring our entire school community.

Thank you all!

Principal Lo Kwok Leung

July 2025

Speech for 2024-2025 First Term Award Presentation Ceremony

Good afternoon Teachers and Students,

I sincerely congratulate all the award-winning students! Your hard work and outstanding achievements have set a great example for all students and have brought honor to our school. I hope everyone can strive for even greater heights in the future and continue to pursue excellence. Of course, achieving good grades would not be possible without the diligent guidance of our teachers. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the teachers for their contributions!

Today’s award ceremony is not only a recognition of past performances but also a hopeful expectation for future learning. As the ancient saying goes, “A boat sailing against the current must forge ahead or it will be driven back.” On the path of learning, there are no ultimate victors, only relentless climbers who strive to improve. I hope that all award-winning students remain humble and continue to work hard to achieve even greater progress in the future. For those who haven’t won awards yet, please do not be discouraged. Seize the opportunity to gain valuable lessons from your experiences and strive for outstanding performance in your upcoming exams or competitions.

The first four lines of the “Great Learning” from the Book of Rites state: “The way of the Great Learning lies in manifesting virtue, in loving the people, and in resting in the highest good.” These famous lines remind us that the purpose of learning is not only to acquire knowledge but also to cultivate character and serve society, promoting good values for others. The newly established “Mingde Study Room” on the first floor in the “Po Tong Exhibition Hall” takes its name from the phrase “manifesting virtue” in the second line of the “Great Learning.” Our teachers hope that students can be influenced by the sayings in the study room, fostering personal growth and noble character. Some of you may know that the motto of the University of Hong Kong is “Mingde (to manifest virtue) and Gewu (to investigate things), where “to manifest virtue” also shares its roots with our school’s “Mingde Study Room.”

Students, you are at a golden stage in life, full of infinite potential and possibilities. I hope you seize the time, work diligently, and grow into talented and virtuous young individuals.

Thank you all!

Principal Lo Kwok Leung

February 2025

Welcome to a New School Year!

Good morning, teachers and students!

As we embark on a new academic year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new Form One students who are joining our Po Tong family at PLK Celine Ho Yam Tong College. I hope you will embrace our culture of mutual support and take good care of each other, helping everyone adapt perfectly to campus life.

This summer, our dedicated teaching staff worked diligently to prepare for the upcoming school year, including conducting make-up classes and planning lessons. Meanwhile, our clerical staff and janitors were busy cleaning and furnishing the school facilities, ensuring that various renovation and maintenance projects were completed before the start of the new term. As you may have noticed upon entering the campus this morning, the ground floor basketball court has been newly paved, the fifth-floor basketball court has been renovated, all classrooms have been refurbished with new student desks and chairs, and the air conditioning units in the library and some classrooms have been replaced. Ongoing projects include the renovation of the tennis court, the sixth-floor computer room, and the Chinese culture room in the Po Tong exhibition centre on the first floor, all expected to be completed in September and October. We believe these improvements will soon provide a more pleasant learning environment for all students.

May I take this opportunity to congratulate our Form 6 students from last year for their outstanding results in the 2024 DSE. An impressive 87% of our students achieved the required marks to enroll in bachelor degree programmes, with a commendable 61% credit rate (level 4 or above) in Chinese and over 80% in Biology and Physics. This year, our school achieved a total of 44 subjects with level 5** or level 5*. In terms of university admissions, 86% of our students successfully enrolled in local bachelor programmes through JUPAS, with 42% entering four prestigious universities, namely HKU, CUHK, HKUST, and PolyU. Notably, our students Li Yuk-tung and Chan Leong-yin have successfully enrolled in the medical programme at HKU. I sincerely hope that all students here will look up to the exemplary performance of your seniors and achieve similar or even more remarkable results through hard work and determination in your future examinations, gaining admission to your desired university programmes.

The recent Olympic Games have inspired us with the athletes’ dedication and spirit. They strive to give their all, regardless of winning or losing. While medallists receive applause, we must also admire those who, despite not winning, have poured their hearts into their performances. As the new school year begins, I hope our Po Tong students will embody the athletes’ focus and determination, whether in academics or extra-curricular activities. Do not doubt your abilities; instead, immerse yourself fully in your pursuits and dare to try. Only when you embrace challenges and push beyond your comfort zone can you unlock your potential. Moreover, the Olympics remind us of the importance of sports. Through physical activities, we not only enhance our agility but also build resilience, mental fortitude, and good health. These qualities empower us to break our limits and achieve new heights. Hence, two of our school’s major concerns for the next three years will be “to enhance students’ sense of achievement in learning and nurture students to be self-confident and resilient ‘Potongers’” and “to foster students’ development of a healthy lifestyle.” We believe all our students will grow into confident, resilient, and proactive members of the Po Tong community.

In fact, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of connecting with the world while being rooted in our motherland. Therefore, our teachers and I hope that students will not only understand our nation’s history and development but also foster a global perspective. As an international city, Hong Kong increasingly demands talents who are well-versed in both our country and the world. Thus, another major concern for the next three years will be “to cultivate students’ strong sense of national and global identity.” We hope all students can embody the spirit of "Embracing the Motherland, Gazing at the World."

Today is a great opportunity for me to introduce China’s first astronaut, Yang Li-wei. In the 1980s, Mr. Yang joined the Air Force Aviation College and graduated with outstanding results, serving as a pilot in the national air force. During his service, he held positions such as squadron leader and navigation officer, flying various types of aircraft, including fighter jets, and accumulating 1,350 hours of safe flight. His exceptional skills earned him the rank of first-class pilot. In 1996, China began selecting astronauts from the military. Yang, with his outstanding performance, stood out among 1,500 candidates after undergoing rigorous selection, physical examinations, and assessments. In 1998, he became one of the first 14 astronauts in China, gathering at the Beijing Astronaut Training Centre to undergo unprecedented and gruelling training. Over the next five years, Mr. Yang initially received foundational theoretical training, followed by technical training for space missions. He studied over thirty courses covering topics from flight dynamics and aerodynamics to geophysics, astrophysics, rocket propulsion, and spaceflight control, leaving no stone unturned. His technical training involved strict controls and challenges, including tests of high gravitational loads that often pushed the limits of human endurance. Additionally, astronauts had to experience emergency scenarios in a reservoir, such as water egress and survival in the wilderness, to develop the ability to turn crises into opportunities. Throughout five years of intense training, Mr. Yang demonstrated an incredibly strong will, consistently ranking first in three rigorous assessments, ultimately becoming one of the three selected astronaut candidates. On the eve of his launch in 2003, during the final training and evaluation phase, Mr. Yang was chosen as China’s first astronaut to venture into space due to his stable psychological condition.

On 15^th October, 2003, everything was ready at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, and the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft successfully launched under the propulsion of a Long March 2F rocket, entering orbit ten minutes later. Mr. Yang spent 21 hours in space, orbiting the Earth 14 times before safely landing on the Inner Mongolia grasslands. This mission marked a new era for China’s space technology, making China the third country in the world, after the United States and the former Soviet Union, to send humans into space. As China’s first astronaut, Mr. Yang faced numerous challenges during his journey but overcame them all, successfully completing his mission and inspiring the hearts of all Chinese people. Mr. Yang’s years of hard training and relentless effort exemplify a spirit of perseverance and determination that deserves to be admired by all of us.

As we begin this school year, I hope everyone learns from good role models to set new goals and aspirations. Achieving these objectives requires effort and dedication. Remember, effort and diligence will ultimately lead to success. With determination and concrete, well-planned action, step by step, you will surely reach your goals.

Wishing everyone a fruitful and enjoyable new academic year!

Thank you!

Principal Lo Kwok Leung

September 2024

I recently had the pleasure of reading a book called "吾生有杏," a captivating work brimming with positivity and profound insights. I am delighted to seize this opportunity to share some of its remarkable content with all of you.

The book was written by Professor Chan Ka Leung, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In this book, Professor Chan shares his experiences and insights in medicine and teaching, as well as his personal journey of becoming a doctor and the responsibility that comes with saving lives. Despite his promotion to the position of Dean of the Faculty of Medicine several years ago, Professor Chan remains dedicated to personally attending to patients and offering practical guidance to medical students. Professor Chan's unwavering commitment to his original aspiration of practicing medicine ── to alleviate patients' suffering through diverse approaches and impart medical ethics to future generations of students ── serves as a profound testament to his character. Moreover, he ardently encourages aspiring doctors to embrace selfless dedication and genuine compassion in their patient care. This ethos of selflessness, embodied by Professor Chan, undeniably deserves our utmost respect and offers valuable lessons for us to learn.

This book explores quite a number of important topics such as the meaning of life, medical ethics, and the future of the medical profession in Hong Kong. It is an excellent read for young people, especially those aspiring to become doctors. I hope everyone can find the time to read it and benefit from the wisdom of Professor Chan.

In fact, the purpose of my continuous sharing of books with my students is to inspire them to derive pleasure from reading, while also acquiring knowledge, understanding life's principles, enriching their experiences, and broadening their horizons through the transformative power of books.

Principal Lo Kwok Leung

January 2024

Form One Orientation Day – Principal’s Speech

Good morning parents and Form 1 students. I am Lo Kwok Leung, Principal of Po Leung Kuk Ho Yam Tong College. May I first extend a warm welcome to all Form 1 students here who join our school family in the new academic year. My hope is for each of you to quickly adapt to secondary school life and to embrace a vibrant and fulfilling learning experience over the following six years.

Po Leung Kuk, the governing body of our College, is a venerable social service organization with a rich history in Hong Kong. It is also one of the leading educational institutions, annually nurturing a multitude of talented individuals. Our College upholds the motto “Love, Respect, Diligence, and Integrity” as established by Po Leung Kuk. “Love” signifies the importance of caring for others; “Respect” represents a spirit of reverence; “Diligence” embodies the values of hard work and a thirst for knowledge; and “Integrity” emphasizes honesty and trustworthiness. Guided by this motto, our College endeavors to cultivate in students exemplary character, noble sentiments, and a sound perspective on life, achieving a well-rounded development encompassing morality, intellect, physical fitness, social skills, and aesthetics.

As an EMI school, Po Leung Kuk Ho Yam Tong College equips students with a solid language foundation, enabling them to excel in both Chinese and English. The learning environment is characterized by an atmosphere of enthusiasm, as students consistently pursue knowledge across various disciplines, resulting in outstanding academic achievements throughout the past years. In the 2023 HKDSE, our students demonstrated exceptional performance, with 88% meeting the requirements for admission to undergraduate programmes (3322). It is also a great delight that the percentage of excellent grades (Level 4 or above) in all subjects at our school is close to 60%.

This year our College celebrates the success of 123 Form 6 students who have been admitted to local universities through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS), achieving an admission rate of 87%. Notably, two students have enrolled in the medical programme at the University of Hong Kong. These accomplishments illustrate that the majority of our students smoothly transition to university life, pursuing their desired fields of study and continuing their journey towards actualizing their dreams. As Principal, I encourage Form 1 students to aspire to the exceptional achievements of their teachers and senior schoolmates, striving for even more incredible results in the HKDSE after six years.

Our students have also garnered acclaim through their remarkable performances in numerous territory-wide and international competitions. These accolades are the fruit of their unwavering dedication and the selfless guidance provided by our devoted teachers. Indeed, Po Leung Kuk Ho Yam Tong College’s teachers are committed to nurturing each and every student, prioritizing their holistic growth with the provision of comprehensive support and guidance. I assure all Form 1 parents that your children are in caring and capable hands during their time at our school.

May I take this opportunity to emphasize the significance of family education. To all parents here, it is crucial that you lead by example, instilling in your children the values you wish to see reflected in their lives. Effective communication between parents and children is essential, as it fosters understanding of their opinions, emotions, and inner thoughts. By offering guidance with patience and wisdom, you can establish a strong parent-child bond, further nurturing a harmonious relationship.

In conclusion, on behalf of all teaching staff at Po Leung Kuk Ho Yam Tong College and your senior schoolmates, I extend a heartfelt welcome to all Form 1 students joining our College. I wish all parents good health and a blissful family life. Thank you.

Principal Lo Kwok Leung

August, 2023

As a new year comes round, everything starts anew. I wish everyone a fresh start in this year. Now that the pandemic subsides, primary and secondary students get to resume normal school life just like the Pre-Covid days. It is gratifying that vibrant learning and multifarious activities can be restored to their original arrangements. The year of 2023 is destined to be a splendid and rewarding year as students can exhibit their full potential by partaking in different activities and competitions and reaching their academic goals with excellent results.

The renovation of our school’s library has also been completed with a new look. The revitalised library has not only increased its collection of books to 30,000 books, but also designated various reading zones and self-study areas to enable students to read and learn comfortably and fruitfully. The school’s library will, for sure, be one of the most popular school facilities in days to come as students can immerse themselves in the joy of reading.

Having mentioned the delight of reading, I would like to recommend two books to all of you, which are surely a good read to acquire and understand the authors’ wisdom and insight.

Principal Lo Kwok Leung

January, 2023

《牧羊少年奇幻之旅》     保羅‧科爾賀

故事的主人翁是一位名叫聖狄雅各的少年牧羊人，故事講述牧羊少年為了追尋夢想，離開自己熟悉的地方，離開自己擁有的羊群，隻身遠赴非洲，展開漫長又驚險的旅程。

旅程中少年牧羊人遇到很多挫折及考驗，包括被人偷去所有金錢，他曾經想過放棄，亦後悔當日選擇離開既舒適，也是自己熟悉的地方。幸好，他最終沒有放棄，繼續堅持旅程，才能經歷奇幻之旅，獲得寶貴而難忘的體驗。至於少年牧羊人最終能否實現夢想?故事的結局如何?留待各位同學閱讀這本書時，與故事主人翁一同經歷和感受。

這本書提醒我們：「當我們迷路時，別害怕。我們要有勇氣去犯錯，因為失望和失敗會指引我們方向。」及「當你真心渴望某樣東西時，整個宇宙都會聯合起來幫助你。」年青人，不要看輕自己，勇敢去追夢吧！

The Present      by Spencer Johnson

The Present, by Spencer Johnson, is about finding your own path and exploring self-growth. This is a story of a young man’s journey to adulthood. When he was young, he heard from a wise old man about The Present, a mysterious gift. According to the old man, The Present is regarded as the most valuable gift in the world, which brings us personal happiness and lifelong success. What exactly is the ‘‘gift’’? Why not read the book and find it out by yourself?

Friendly greetings to all and, on behalf of all teachers, welcome all new students to join our ‘PO TONG’ family.

As usual, the work schedules of all teaching and non-teaching staff are occupied with different tasks every summer holiday, including enrichment tutorials, preparatory work for the new school term curriculum, coordination work for cleaning the school campus and renovating facilities, upgrading computing systems of school computers, etc.. As a result of the changed timetable after the recurrent outbreak of pandemic, this year summer holiday was unprecedentedly short, posing an uphill challenge for all of us to compete with the time. In spite of this, our unwavering commitment to cultivating a more pleasant learning environment in return for a more fulfilling and rewarding new school year always fuels us to get all tasks well done.  

Quite a number of areas in the school campus look different after the summer renovation. Additional lockers were placed in classrooms for more storage space. To replace the aging overhead projectors, each classroom was equipped with a 75” smart TV for better projection quality when teaching materials displayed. The renewal of our school library will be soon completed, ready for stacking more books for display and providing more silent areas for self-learning. In addition, though the purchase of new students’ desks and chairs and the delayed repainting works because of bad weather have yet to be completed, what we eagerly anticipate is the great comfort and welcoming ambience in the school which can greatly favor students’ learning. The situation of COVID-19 outbreak remains volatile, but we always seek opportunities to expose students to different activities, both intra-school and inter-school, to foster a sense of fulfilment in them and enrich their learning experience throughout the secondary schooling. Recently the increasing number of confirmed cases still concerns all of us. May all students do your utmost to relieve the situation by getting vaccinated as early as possible.               

Here is a perfect chance for me to congratulate all the form 6 graduates, with a great sense of joy, approximately 110 of whom enrolled in the undergraduate programmes in universities. Even delightful is 50 graduates successfully admitted to the Hong Kong ‘Big Four’ universities (the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of Science and Technology, the Polytechnic University), with 15 of whom entering the University of Hong Kong. The remarkable results are surely the learning target for fellow schoolmates to understand how important setting precise and clear goals is, particularly in preparing for the HKDSE and opting university programmes. 

A new school year marks a new page in life. ‘NEW’, to most of us, is very likely associated with changes and anticipation. In the upcoming school year, as expected, some new challenges confronting different students – adaptation to learn in an English-speaking environment for form one students, pressure to score high in tests and exams for better class allocation in the senior secondary for form three students, difficulties in mastering more advanced and in-depth subject knowledge for form four students – are never easy to overcome. Frank to say, there is no shortcut but to devise effective strategies which can maximize the learning outcome. Jotting down personalized notes in lessons, revising them very constantly, consulting teachers when encountering ambiguity, all these are seemingly trivial but in fact greatly help lay good foundation for getting closer to the target. To form five students, nearly one and a half year is left before your graduation, meaning that time management is a great challenge for you all to get well-prepared for the HKDSE and at the same time engage yourself into different activities to improve your skill sets and enrich your life experience. Time is even less, approximately 8 months, for form six students to battle against the HKDSE. No worries. With your complete readiness and confidence, we are pretty sure the results will be very satisfying.          

To yield great harvests, a start with new aspirations and ambitions is always important. An ancient Chinese proverb tells ‘The best time is always in the beginning, like morning in a day and spring in four seasons, which need to be appreciated most. What’s more, the secret of success in life lies in diligence.’ My strong belief is hard work always pays off. Gradual steps to your goal, together with your persistence and attempts to take concrete actions, are always followed by rewardable results delighting you at the end.

My dear students, let’s keep our chins up to strive for the best school year together.

Principal Lo Kwok Leung

September, 2022