Principal’s Message (July 2016)

Message from the Principal

An S6 graduate from this academic year emailed me in early May to introduce to me the song ‘Maria’ from the musical ‘West Side Story’ (Maria is my English name).  I didn’t ever teach this student, and only paid her a visit when she was ill and had lunch with her and a few classmates of hers once.  Still, she thought of me seeing the name of the song and I felt so encouraged receiving her email.

One thing I’ve realized is that being school principal, I have more opportunity than before to get into touch with students.   I was worried that students would keep me at arm’s length and would no longer joke or chat with me.  Shortly after school started, though, I found that I shouldn’t have worried.  Students greeted me, talked to me, and shared with me their joy, difficulties, challenges, their needs and those of their family.  At least 178 students of various forms have been to the Principal’s Room, the majority being from S6.  Unless I had to be out or was in meetings, I invited S6 students to join me for lunch from early November to mid-January.  The Principal’s Room was enchanting to the S6 students, most of whom not having been inside it.  They talked about their growing-up, their future study plans, and how much they would miss the school and their schoolmates.  Through these lunch gatherings I learned more about how students see Carmel, and how Carmel has had an impact on their adolescence.  When students named the teachers who have supported them and cared for them, there was gratitude in their eyes.

I’ve attended student activities inside and outside of school, and been particularly impressed by students’ drive to Gear Up and Go the Extra Mile.  They work to equip themselves for academic and nonacademic activities and competitions.  They yearn to broaden their horizons and gain precious experience.  This year students have won a great number of competitions, and those who haven’t are gracious about losing.  They know they’ve tried their best and are without regrets.

I thank God and feel indeed honoured to be able to serve Carmel, and everyone who studies and works in this school.

                                                                                                                                                      Ng Miu Yee Maria

校長的話

五月初收到今年中六畢業班一位同學的電郵，跟我分享音樂劇「夢斷城西」內名為‘Maria’的歌（Maria是我的英文名）。沒有教過這位同學，只在她身體抱恙時探望過她和跟她與幾位同學吃過飯，她卻會因為歌名想起我，發電郵给我，對我是很正面的鼓勵。

原來校長的位份，給我更多機會接觸學生。未上任前，担憂同學會對我敬而遠之，不再跟我說笑談天；開學不久我就知道，這完全是杞人憂天，同學會主動跟我打招呼、閒聊，也願意向我傾心吐意，分享樂事、困苦、挑戰、家人及個人的需要。屈指一算，本學年至少有178位同學到過校長室，當中每個年級都有，而佔大多數的是中六畢業班的同學。由十一月初至一月中，除非出外或開會，每個午飯時間我都邀請中六級的同學，到校長室吃飯聊天。絕大部分中六同學從未踏足校長室，對這個地方充滿好奇；他們坦誠分享成長的經歷、升學的計劃和依依不捨的心情，讓我多認識同學眼中的迦密，及學校在他們的珍貴成長過程中對他們的影響。談到關心、支持他們的老師時，他們的眼中滿是感激。

今年出席校內校外的學生活動，很為學生實踐Gear Up and Go the Extra Mile 鼓舞。同學積極參與學術和非學術的比賽活動，努力裝備，抱著輸得起的心態，以擴闊視野、汲取經驗為目的，最終獲得大大小小的不同獎項；縱使未能獲獎，也全力以赴、無愧於心。

能夠在迦密服事同工和同學，是神的恩典，也是我的榮幸。

                                                                                                                                                      校長 啟