Principal's Message

Principal’s Message for 2024

2023 was an exciting and enriching year for our students and teachers as we resumed fully the programmes and activities for the students, some of which were halted during the pandemic. 2024 promises to be just as, if not more, vibrant and we look forward to more opportunities for our students’ holistic development.

  With COVID-19 becoming endemic, it is prudent for us to reflect on what we have accomplished as a school, and more importantly, on what it means to move forward – to move forward with confidence and resilience in this rapidly changing world. As educators, one of our key roles is to prepare our students for the future. In Zhonghua, we remain committed to our school vision of nurturing Scholars and Leaders who are not only able to navigate the future confidently, but also anchored in values and driven to do good for the society and the world.

 Our refined Zhonghua Secondary School Future-Ready Curriculum Framework encapsulates our approach to education in empowering our students with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to thrive in a world marked by rapid change and uncertainty. The framework emphasises a comprehensive set of competencies essential for students to thrive in the 21st Century, namely the 21st Century Competencies, new media literacies and socio-emotional competencies. Our approach is underpinned by four pillars of education – STEAM Education, Sustainability Education, Character Education, and Glocal (Global-Local) Education – which prepares our students not only for academic success but also for a meaningful life committed to making a positive impact on their community and the world. In doing so, we hope that Zhonghuarians will truly become Passionate Learners, Dynamic Leaders and Connected Citizens.

  In Zhonghua, we emphasise character education in all that we do. We continue to be guided by our school motto [礼义廉耻] – Courteous in Conduct; Righteous in Principle; Edified in Character; and Dignified in Reflection. We believe that values are both taught and caught; be it in formal programmes like Character and Citizenship Education, Co-Curricular Programmes and student-initiated Values-in-Action activities, or informal day-to-day interactions between teachers and students, teachers encourage students to reflect deeply on their learning experiences in order to internalize these values. We hope that Zhonghuarians will live out the school motto and values, both during their time with the school and when they move on to greater roles and challenges in life.

 Over the last few years, Zhonghua had introduced and refined school programmes that encourage students to pursue their passion, hone their strengths and talents, and develop intrinsic motivation for life-long learning. Blended Learning, fortnightly home-based learning days and Student-initiated Learning activities that allow student to take greater ownership of their learning are a regular feature for our students. Our school-based Eco-Heros Programme and STEAM research projects empower students to collaborate in addressing real-life sustainability problems. With the implementation of Full Subject-based Banding (SBB) last year, our Secondary One cohort this year will be the second batch of students benefitting from mixed form classes where they can interact with peers of different interests and strengths. As we continue on the Full SBB journey and learn from our experience last year, we are confident that we will be able to better cater to our students’ learning needs, strengths and interests.

 It takes a village to raise a child, and the tight-knitted Zhonghua community epitomises the beautiful partnerships required to do so. I thank my colleagues who are ever steadfast in their commitment as educators and who strive to bring out the best in every child. Our gratitude goes to our stakeholders for their unwavering support, especially the School Advisory Committee, the alumni, the parents and the community partners, as we nurture our students to be Scholars and Leaders.

 May 2024 be a year of learning and growth for all of us! Wishing all good health, joy and fulfilment.

Ms Cindy Low

Principal

2024 年校长致辞

 2023年对我们的老师和学生而言是一个即精彩又充实的一年。由于疫情的缘故，许多学校活动停办了。但是随着这些活动的全面恢复，我们的学生将能获得更多的学习体验，相信2024年会是充满活力的一年！

 进入与冠病共存的时代，我们除了总结这几年来取得的成就，也反思如何在这瞬息万变的世界继续昂首向前。身为教育工作者，我们的一个重任是继续培养中华的学生成为博学领袖，让他们具备迎接未来挑战的能力以及良好的价值观，为社会、世界做出贡献。

  我们更新后的课程框架涵盖了我们对教育的理念：让学生具备能够应对未来的知识、技能与价值观。框架中强调了培养学生的21世纪技能、新媒体技能以及社交与情绪管理技能。我们的课程不仅让学生在学术方面有所成就，也培养他们献身的精神。我们希望中华的学生能够成为充满热忱的学习者，有魄力的领袖以及关心社会的公民。

 在中华，我们一向重视学生的品德教育，坚守“礼义廉耻”的校训。除了通过品德与公民教育课、课程辅助活动和“德育在于行动”活动来教授外，老师们也在日常与学生的互动中灌输这些价值观。我们希望所有中华的学生，不论在学生时代或在未来的人生中，都能将我校校训与价值观铭记在心，并加以躬行。

 过去几年，我们推出和调整一些学校项目，鼓励学生发掘自己的兴趣，激发他们的内在动力去终身学习。我们的特色项目也让学生有机会协作解决“可持续发展”所面对的挑战。中华从2023年开始为中一年级实施全面科目编班。今年的中一学生也同样能够跟来自不同源流，拥有不同兴趣与长处的学生交流和学习。凭借去年的经验，我们有信心能够更好地落实全面科目编班，让每名学生能根据自己的需要和兴趣学习，并发挥所长。

  要把一个孩子培育成才，需要多方的合作与努力。借此机会，我要感谢始终坚守岗位的同事们。也非常感谢我们的合作伙伴——学校咨询委员会、校友会、家长和社区伙伴给予我们坚定不移的支持与无私的帮助。

  祝愿大家在2024 年身体健康, 幸福快乐!

刘淑贞

校长