Although my understanding of Carmel Secondary School is rather superficial, I still managed to find three icons to represent it. I hope they can pass on the spirit of Carmel to you.
The first icon is the fence made of wire mesh, strong and tall, built between the school playground and the steep slope outside the school. It tells the history of Carmel: Years ago, there were illegal immigrants sneaking into Hong Kong by hiding in animal carriages of the trains from China. When they passed by a safe place, they would get off and then go to get some food. Unfortunately the railway goes below Carmel, and therefore many illegal immigrants jumped off the train, climbed up the slope, intruded into Carmel and stole snacks from the tuck shop! That’s why the fence was built—this story was from a teacher who studied in Carmel before.
The fence means the protection Carmel gives to my schoolmates and me. Today there is no more illegal immigrant, but at least the fence keeps us from the slope. Carmel is protective towards youngsters studying in it. That’s one of the spirits I can feel from Carmel.
The second icon is a decoration in the new wing of Carmel: a flat little house made of twigs tied together. Climbing plants, perhaps ivy, are growing all over it. This amazing 2-D green building is standing in front of a white wall. Students go by it every day. It is the sign of the great “Carmel Family” and the vigorous lives living in it. Besides, this house is a place for the school to take photos of students who have made important achievements. Lots of school leaders, competition winners and exam result ‘improvers’ have stood there with a smile. This house symbolizes the recognition to students who have put effort into learning. Another spirit of Carmel is shown: the warmth it gives the youngsters studying in it.
The last icon is the iron sheet eaves, built above the entrance of a classroom which is next to the badminton court. Its function is to receive rainwater, but other than rainwater, I also see something else on the eaves. Shuttlecocks are stuck there until they are ‘ready’ to fall back on the ground. Sparrows stop there until they get the energy to fly again. Carmel is dependable and merciful to students, just like the eaves. Students who get in a wrong direction (like the shuttlecocks, appearing at a wrong place) may stay there until they find the correct route. Students who feel tired (like the sparrows) can stay there until they have enough energy. This is the third spirit I found from Carmel: a place of forgiveness and rest to youngsters studying in it.
Being one of the youngsters studying in Carmel Secondary School, although my understanding of it is rather superficial, I still managed to find three icons to represent it. The icons may not be the best ones to express the spirit of Carmel, but the spirit they express is really the truest I can think of.