The Annual Speech Day

STUDENT PRESS GROUP (SERIES III)
The Annual Speech Day

January 7^th, 1972

The 21^st of December was our Annual Speech Day. This year, this special day of ours was marked by certain changes. Firstly, it was combined with the Christmas party so that the ceremony was more enjoyable and the party more meaningful. Secondly, the ceremony was in Chinese so that the parents could understand what was going on and what the master was talking on the stage. Thirdly, no V.I.P. was invited.

The ceremony began at 8 p.m. when the principal of our school gave an annual report of the work done in the past year. Taking such a good chance, he appealed for the cooperation of the students with the school and also that of the parents’ with the school authorities. After he had finished his speech, prizes and certificates were distributed. As soon as it was over, a representative of the graduates gave a [speech] vote of thanks. It is by the permission of the chairman of the Graduates’ Reunion that the speech is allowed to be printed. Thanks. The speech is as follows:

Supervisor, Principal, teachers, fellow students, Ladies and Gentlemen: I hope everybody is enjoying himself happily in this party and thanks very much for taking part in our Speech Day. As we can see, the teachers, graduates and parents are gathering happily, they have broken through the barriers among them and are talking so freely with each other.

The party tonight is for everyone of us. Every graduate present tonight has been receiving education for five years here. Living in this mini-society for five years, it was a sad thing to leave. Therefore, the gathering here tonight is really worthy of remembrance.
In these five years, the teachers have not only guided us in our studies and integrating our character, but also have helped us in understanding the world outside.

When we look at the results of the School Cert. Exam. of this year, the pass percentage is again raised. This, we must thank our teachers who have been working so hard for it. When we look at the extra-curricular activities, we can also see how hard they are working. Academically, we have English Club, Geography Club, History Society and Science Club. On the other hand, there are clubs that are established according to one’s interest: e.g. the 146^th Kowloon Scout, the Photographic Club, Music Club, Chess Club, Philately Club, Drama Club etc. And tonight, we have to thank [the] members of the Drama and Music Club for the entertainments they have given us.
Atheletically, our fellow students have shown on the playground that they are not pedants but youths of energies.

However, in spite of the hard working of the teachers, the number of participants was not so much as expected. Thus those activities have become the privileges of a minority of students. In fact, extra-curricular activities are necessary to all students. These activities not only provide us with proper recreations in our leisure time, but on the other hand, build up our knowledge of the society, strengthen our confidence and mentality, and develop our capability.

Therefore, these activities should be run, under the advice and direction of the teachers, by the students themselves. We sincerely hope that every fellow student, especially the boys of the higher forms, will take part actively in these activities, so as to try the zest of community life, either as a leader or as a member; take the chance to learn the proper attitudes of service. All these mentioned cannot only help us in our future independence, but at the same time make our school life more enjoyable, our spirit of community more radiant.

In the past six years, our school has established a little reputation and has begun making herself known to the other schools. So why not take a chance to build up our friendship with them? This mission is now on our shoulders. If we students are willing to work for the development of all sorts of activities, then our school life (both inside and outside of the school) will become more meaningful and enjoyable.

The graduates of 1971 have established a “Graduates’ Reunion”. Its function is to maintain the communication among graduates and that between our [mother school] alma mater and us. Though some of us have begun their phase of life in the society, in our heart, CHECSS belongs to all of us forever and we shall never forget her.

We sincerely hope that, under the cooperation of the supervisor, the principal and all the teachers, CHECSS will achieve successes in every aspect.
Now, may I [in] on behalf of our school, thank every lady and every gentleman for dropping in here tonight. May I take this good chance to wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Many thanks.

Report and translated
by Alex Kwok CHECSS

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Picture Credit: norfolkacademy.org

Studying Abroad

STUDENT PRESS GROUP (SERIES II)
Opinions Studying Abroad

December 3, 1971

Many students feel that Hong Kong is too small to be a satisfactory place for them. It does not meet their ideals, and is a place that smothers their dreams and ambitions. Many would like to leave this desert of cultures and look for a paradise overseas to further their studies. Many complain that there are too much keen competition[s]. Take the figures of the School Cert. Exam. for an example. Last year, more than 60,000 candidates [have] sat for the Examination (includng Chinese and English Board). That is to say, we have 60,000 graduates this year. Even though some of them have to give up their chance of further studies and enter the society, many go on with their post-secondary education, hoping that they can enter university.

As we all know, there are only two universities and some acknowledged colleges in Hong Kong. How can these few seats meet the demands of thousands of students? Going abroad is one of the ways, but it is not the solution for the over-production of graduates --- a social problem resulted from the large population of Hong Kong. After all, it is a pity that many of the graduates are not willing to take up an industrial career.

Needless to say, no questions can be raised about the advantages of going abroad. Many can give reasons such as seeing the world, getting better training, developing one’s ability of being independent, having a greater chance for a better future and the like. Every answer is good enough to be a reason for going abroad. But in case it is not we that see our friends off but they that see us off, many problems have to be considered.

At first, we must ask if we have enough qualificaitons. If we have all these, we must see if we have enough money. But it will not be a problem because there are enough bursaries and scholarships that can support us till graduation, or we may even get a part-time job to suffice what is in want. The real problem lies in the fact that many parents are reluctant to let their children go. If they insist to go, they have to make many promises that always turn out to be “eaten”. On the other hand, I wonder how long it will take for a son to appreciate the passion of a weeping mother who is seeing her beloved one off and how long it will take for a weeping mother to understand the ambition and ideal of her beloved one who is going off to make a world of his own. It is difficult for them to understand each other and it is more difficult for them to bear the sorrow of being apart.

Besides the problems mentioned above, the adaptation to new new environment is another one. Many are sure to be able to adapt themselves to the environment there. But it is a question of whether they can deal with the old environment again. However, before there can be such a question, we may well ask whether they will return or not. Among those promises made, one must be that: “No matter under what circumstances, you are to return, to beget no foreign grandsons for us …” In order to be allowed to go, negative answer will never be given. In fact, circumstances always make us disloyal to our promises and many would rather stay overseas than return. However, even though Hong Kong is put into the second place of consideration, most of them will not put Hong Kong out of their mind because it is where they were brought up and where their beloved ones live.

Well, if you ask me whether I will go abroad, I will answer, “It depends.” Surely, I am thirsty for higher education. But failing to get higher education does not mean that one is done forever. As far as we accept that receiving education means to learn to live with others, it would be my pleasure to inform those who have never been educated that they are not doomed.

Alex Kwok
(CHECSS)

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Picture Credit: css.edu

The Broken Saucer

STUDENT PRESS GROUP (SERIES I)
The Broken Saucer

November 5, 1971

It happened one late summer evening; after having dinner, I volunteered to do the wash-up. So, I put on the apron and told my brother to have all the saucers put into the basin. Then humming my familiar tone, I entered the warm kitchen. To me, the wash-up was not my first trial and it was nothing extraordinary but daily routine. Everything was as usual; basin, tap, water, detergent, foam and my younger brother that stood beside me to help dry the dishes.

Suddenly and unexpectedly, the dish I was washing broke into two pieces. What ill-luck! Surely I would be blamed.
When I intended to throw them away, I caught sight of a trace of blood banging on the sharp, broken edge. I was startled to find that my fourth finger was hurt and blood was streaming out via the wound. It’s only after a while that I could feel the piercing pain and let go the broken pieces. I stood still, staring at the debris that caught my dropping blood. For a while, everything vanished from my sight except my blood and the broken pieces. It was so inspiring …

“Hey, you’re bleeding!”
“Bleeding? Oh yes, bleeding, bleeding …” I murmurred.
I was wakened up by my brother who was aware of what had happened. Then, he shouted, “Mother, Alex hurts himself!”
“Yes? What’s wrong? … Oh! Are you all right? It’s not painful, is it? Don’t worry, son!”
“Mother, why are you so considerate? Why not scold me? Can you see, I broke the plate.”
“Come on, isn’t my son more important than these fallen pieces? Get the bandage, John …”

That night, I could hardly close my eyes. Whenever I closed them, I saw my blood on the debris, my blood, my blood, my …
“This is my blood of the …
“Isn’t my son more imp …
“Isn’t my s…
“This is …
These words never died away in my ears, never, never even for a moment.

The next day, in the school chapel, I prayed hard, hoping to solve this puzzle. Suddenly, an idea that enlightened the whole matter flashed across my mind. “Yes, Lord of all hosts, why are you so generous? Is not your son more important than these fallen creatures? Why are you so generous? Why?”

… Is not my Son more importnt than you fallen man? What makes you so great? You can soar aloft to the air and dive deep into the fathoms. You can build as many ‘Babels’ higher than ever as you like. You can remove one’s heart and plant it to another man’s body. You can now travel faster than sound. But … Why couldn’t your blood bring together these broken pieces?
See my Son, he never soared aloft and never dived deep. Never had he put a stone upon another, nor had he ever transplanted any heart. But …
Thanks to the Blood of my Beloved one, so that you can become acceptable before me. Man, what makes you so proud! …

Yes, thanks to His blood and after all, the broken saucer. However, IT is something more than a broken saucer, it’s an inspiration.

by Alex Kwok
(CHECSS)

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Picture Credit: stock.adobe.com