1 February 2025

On the 29 January, we ushered in the Chinese Lunar New Year, starting the Year of the Wood Snake. While the pairing of “snake” and “wood”, one of the agents of the Wuxing system in Chinese tradition, symbolizes personal growth, stability and creativity. The combination of these elements creates a year that encourages inner reflection and outward progress.

 

As we have finished and received the results of the examination, it is high time we had a reflection on ourselves. Despite the tempting distraction from our surroundings, we still need to constantly examine ourselves to identify our shortcomings. The article "An Exhortation to Learning”, written by Xunzi, also mentions that a gentleman gains wisdom and ensures his actions are faultless through extensive learning and daily self-reflection. Similarly, during the Lunar New Year holiday, in addition to spending time with family, we can also take the opportunity to summarize what we have learned, reflect on our learning methods, and set clear goals for ourselves to maintain our motivation and confidence in learning. Externally, actively completing assignments during the Lunar New Year holiday and reading books will help us return to our studies and challenges in the second term with a refreshed mindset.

 

Taking a break is essential for accomplishing a longer journey, but in a proper period of time. We may see examinations as a challenging task in the short term. However, they are merely helping us prepare for the final task of our secondary school life: the HKDSE, before facing the next challenge in life. Some of us lack awareness of the passage of time and become too relaxed. Sometimes, we just remain at ease after examinations until the next one’s approach, lacking any sense of urgency to the upcoming challenges. The appropriate attitude toward studying is not yet established. Therefore, it is truly necessary for us to improve our learning attitude by recognizing our inadequacies in academics and knowledge. And thus, take some practical actions, such as seeking help from teachers or attending tutorial classes, with the eagerness for improvement. Never be satisfied with just getting a “pass” and muddling through the situation. Everyone has the ability to improve, once you realize the importance of the correct attitude toward learning. “Taking a break is essential for accomplishing a longer journey”, but the effort you made determines the value of the journey.

 

I wish everyone to enjoy your Lunar New Year holiday, where you can recharge and prepare for the second term. I also wish the Form 6 students a great success in the DSE exams.

 

 

Wayne Wong (5B)

President of Student Union

(For the Principal)