Principal's Report 2003 - 2004
Student Profile
In September 2003 there were 1089 students in 27 classes. Since moving to the new campus, the School has been progressively expanding from 24 to 27 in 2003. The School will eventually have 29 classes by 2005.
The 180 Form I students admitted in September 2003 via the SSPA were all Band I students and according to the Medium of Instruction Grouping Assessment (MIGA), over 99% of them were able to learn effectively in English.
Our own Form V students filled all Form VI places.
Academic Innovations
Project Learning, having been introduced in 2002, was recognized as an effective way to promote life-long learning. From being taught in Form I only in 2002, Project Learning continued on to Form II and III. As students were already familiar with the skills, teachers only had to supervise their projects outside lesson time.
A good reading habit promotes life long learning. So Reading Periods were introduced last year and were consolidated during 2003-04. More guidance and supervision on reading were given; and book presentations by students were scheduled. Students' performance in reading was assessed and recorded in their school reports.
Public Examinations
Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination 2004
163 students sat for the examination. The percentage of students with 5Es or above was 91.4%, a disappointing drop of 7.2% compared to that of the year before. The top students were:
Chan Chun Kit with 7 distinctions and 2 credits
Ng Tsz Leung with 5 distinctions and 4 credits
Tsoi Chi Kin with 5 distinctions and 2 credits
Tang Kin Shing with 5 distinctions and 1 credit
The 163 students obtained a total of 62 distinctions and 399 credits, making it an average of 2.82 credits and distinctions per student.
Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination 2004
58 students sat for the Advanced Level Examination. The pass percentage of subjects was 95.9%, a drop of 2.2% as compared to that of the year before. The top students in the science class were:
Chan Sik Kwan with 3 distinctions and 2 credits
Cheung Ching Yee with 2 distinctions and 2 credits
Wong Wing Yee with 2 distinctions and 1 credit
The top student in the arts class was:
Tran Lai Yin with 1 distinction and 4 credits
The 58 students obtained a total of 16 distinctions and 128 credits, making it an average of 2.48 distinctions and credits per student.
Careers
Visits and Talks
Career talks were arranged for Students. These included
Talks for F.7 students on application for university courses via JUPAS
Talks for F.5 students on F.6 admission and planning for career paths
Talks for F. 3 students and parents on selection of elective subjects, courses of studies and career paths.
Talk for senior form students on the importance of workplace English
Visits to universities and companies for senior form students
University Admissions
Of the 58 students who sat for the Advanced Level, 53 were granted offers.
The University of Hong Kong 14
The Chinese University of Hong Kong 10
The University of Science & Technology 11
Other local universities 18
Chan Sik Kwan was admitted to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong;
Ho Kin Fai of Form VI was admitted to Year 2 of the University of Science and Technology after he was awarded a Silver Medal in the International Physics Olympiad.
Staffing
Only one teacher left and the post was filled by an old boy, Mr. Ng Kwok Wing, a graduate of the University of Hong Kong. As we had one additional class last year, we employed two more teachers: Mrs. Connie Kim from the University of California and Dr. David Lee from the University of Birmingham. Three additional teachers outside the EMB's staff establishment were also employed and they were Ms Tam Yee Man from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ms Florentina Vincent from the University of Mumbai and Mr. Jacky Chan from the University of Queensland, Australia. Two more assistants from the IT Seed Scheme were also employed.
Four student teachers undertook an 8-week teaching practice in the second term.
Staff Development
All English subject teachers had reached the Language Proficiency Requirement by the end of July 2004.
Teachers attended 7 seminars and workshops conducted by lecturers from tertiary institutions. They included seminars on Critical Thinking, Creative Writing, Team-Spirit Building and Brain-based Learning. One teacher went on an 8-week full time programme on using English as Medium of Instruction while another attended an 8-week course on teaching Putonghua.
Information Technology
Intranet
The intranet "My IT School", provided by a subsidiary of the University of Science & Technology, was installed. The teachers and students could gain access to the School's intranet anywhere to communicate with each other. Functions of this intranet included: posting announcements, the school calendar, notices, setting homework, assignments, doing on-line tests, reserving facilities, internal communication, ECA enrolment etc.
WebSAMS
The school successfully converted from SAMS to WebSAMS. Services provided by this included public examination enrolment, receiving results, Staff's IT training records, SSPA, JSEA etc.
Guidance
Theme of the year
The theme for 2003 to 2004 was "Strive for Excellence".
Teachers chose this theme because they felt that the students could reach greater heights. A positive attitude towards life was encouraged.
Programmes organized included:
- Understanding Adolescence Project 成長的天空
- A Military Adventure Training Programme in Whampoa for Form 1 students
- An ICAC programme against corruption
- An anti-gambling programme
- Film shows
School Building and Furniture & Equipment
As the school building was still relatively new, minimal amounts were spent on building repairs. The area requiring emergency repairs from the EMB was the water system. Three separate incidents necessitated emergency repair work done to water pipes, including some underground pipes. The flush water pumps underwent a complete overhaul.
For minor repairs our janitors did most of them, totaling 435 jobs.
School Events
Swimming Gala & Sports Day
Swimming Gala was held at the Victoria Park Swimming Pool on 16 October, 2003. Over 20% of the students participated in 28 events.
Sports Day was held in Sui Sai Wan Sports Ground on 29 and 30 January 2004. Over 85% of the students participated in 84 events.
Some students contributed by being position judges, timers, announcers while others formed cheering teams to boost the confidence of their fellow students. Both events went smoothly and successfully.
Those who excelled in these sports were selected to represent our school in Inter-School Sports Competitions organized by the HK Schools Sports Federation.
This year our C Grade Boys won the Overall Championship in the Inter-school Athletics Competitions. 12 individuals were placed and 5 team sports also won places.
Candle Light Carol Service & Christmas Service
The Candle Light Carol Service was held on 18 December 2003 in the Chapel donated by Mrs. Eunice A. Lam and designed and refurbished by Mrs. June Li . The Chairperson of the Alumni Association, Ms. Henrietta Ng, decorated the Chapel beautifully with candles. Parents, alumni, teachers and senior students attended the 9-lesson and 9-carol service. The music seemed to fill the air and rise to touch heaven. It was memorable.
For the students a Christmas Service of 9-carols and 9-lessons was held in the Hall. Students sang carols accompanied by a wide variety of musical instruments, which added much color to the service. There was a "Christmas Tree Parade" joined by all St. Markans. The Parade meant to collect Christmas presents for the less fortunate at Christmas time. Over 1200 presents were collected and given to 7 charitable organizations.
St. Mark's Day
A Thanksgiving Service was held in St. John's Cathedral on 23rd April 2004. The Very Rev. Stephen Sidebotham, Vicar of St. John's Cathedral preached to us. This was attended by members of the School Council, all teachers and Form III to VI students, as well as some members of the Alumni Association and the PTA.
Parent Teacher Association
There were 1058 member families.
We had an eventful year. We organised 6 events and activities last year. These included Barbecue Night, Candle Light Carol Service, Used Textbooks Sale, New Students' Orientation, a career talk, parenting workshops and a hiking trip.
Parents also showed their support by contributing to the PTA Newsletter, and by sponsoring meals for the performers of the 55th Anniversary Concert.
Alumni Association
The Alumni Association also had an eventful year. They were in the process of re-writing their constitution and registration. They formed a choir and sang at the 55th Anniversary Concert. Altogether they donated $205,900 for prizes and scholarships, including $189,000 to the Rosalind Chan Fund. They organized a Homecoming Day, an AGM, Spring Dinner and Candle Light Carol Service. The biggest event they organized this year was the Farewell Dinner for Mrs. Rosalind Chan. Some 225 parents, alumni, School Council members, staff and friends went to the dinner at the Marriot Hotel. Mr. Li F.H. donated $30,000 and Mr. Sze Wing Yee donated $100,000 to the event. This money was used to subsidize the dinner and the remaining money was put into the Rosalind Chan Fund.
Extra-curricular Activities
Extra-curricular Activities are now regarded as co-curricular courses to promote lifewide learning and all-round development. Thanks to the Capacity Enhancement Grant we were able to employ many professional coaches and instructors to train students in various cultural, sports and music activities.
We boasted a total of 39 clubs and societies, which held weekly or biweekly meetings. They covered interest, cultural and instrumental classes, as well as community service. Over 100 students joined the uniform units. The Christian Fellowship was also active.
As usual, the uniform groups, Social Service Club, Interact Club and Christian Fellowship had an active year serving the community.
External Competitions
The students also participated in numerous external activities and competitions, winning many awards and prizes. Some winners were selected to join international functions and competitions overseas. A student in Form 6, Ho Kin Fai, was selected as one of 5 representatives at the International Physics Olympiad in South Korea and won a silver medal award.
Several students competed in separate events and won trips overseas to places such as the United Kingdom, South Africa, Korea and Beijing.
Our students also won in competitions on reading, writing, speech, Chinese chess, computer design, the International Mathematical Olympiad selection contest and the 21st HK Mathematical Olympiad.
55th Anniversary
This year being our 55th Anniversary, we put much effort into the production of a Variety Concert including a Musical at the Kwai Tsing Theatre on 8th & 9th July. The musical was "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour DreamCoat". The 50 strong Alumni Choir also sang at the Concert. Altogether over 500 students were involved in this production. It is our belief that such concerts promote not just a life-long interest in the performing arts but also help develop leadership and friendship, as well as leaving us with wonderful memories that will bond St. Mark's for years to come.
Mrs. Rosalind Chan
August, 2004