Discovering the Delights－Mr. TSE Chung-man, Assistant Principal

“A journey is best measured by friends, rather than miles.” — Tim Cahill

To me, the aforementioned quote can be totally experienced in our exchange tour held during the Easter Holiday.

Aligned with our school motto: Learnedness, Love, Dedication and Integrity, we expect our students to apply their knowledge and show their commitment to enhancing the well beings of others. Visiting our sister school Xing Zhi School (行知學校) in Anshun (安順) regularly is a very appropriate educational activity to create a conducive atmosphere for our students to 'realise' our school motto. Although the event was over two weeks ago, a strong personal feeling and several impressive pictures are still imprinted in my head. I can say that this was the time for me to have better and deeper understanding of my students. I am really proud of their performance during the trip.

On the first day of arrival to Xing Zhi, our students already had the readiness to show their friendly hands to our sister school students. Our students were divided into 4 groups and went to different classrooms for leading the ice-breaking games. At first, I was worried whether they got enough time to complete the games prepared since we were a little bit late owing to traffic congestion on the highway. Surprisingly, small talks, chats and smiles could be found everywhere when I walked around the school. It seemed that they had already known each other for long. I believe that good relationship can facilitate learning, which was proved by the programmes scheduled on the second day.

Though the weather was cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, we experienced showers of blessing on the second day. I was so impressed by two groups of our students who modelled a Cha Chaan Teng (茶餐廳) scenario in the school canteen in order to let the local students better understand Hong Kong culture. As we all know, Cha Chaan Teng is appealing to a diverse crowd and so was it to the Xing Zhi students. Through learning to order food by 'ticking' a home-made menu and tasting the delicious food and drinks served by our student-waiters or student-waitresses, Xing Zhi students were given an opportunity to experience the culture behind Cha Chaan Teng. It shows the demands of Hong Kong diners – good quality of food, convenience and flexibility with reasonable prices. I believe the local students have definitely gained some insights of Hong Kongers.

Another two groups of students brought STEM activities to share with the Xing Zhi students. The learning of science principles is never limited to books and lectures. It would be interactive and fun, especially when the students were required to make a 'stone catapult'. Such a science toy involves the mechanism of lever system and the knowledge of elasticity. Students consolidated their understanding of these principles by means of discussing ways to project a stone as far as possible. They really enjoyed the activities.

Out of our expectation, Xing Chi school teachers prepared a special activity for us. They taught our students how to make traditional Chinese dumplings. One of the dumplings was specially made with a coin put inside according to their traditional custom. Anyone who can bite the 'special' dumpling is believed to be offered a blessing. The 'lucky' dumpling reminded me of a quote from the film “Forrest Gump”: “Life is like a box of chocolate.” It means that life is full of surprises and you never know what will happen next.

Although I cannot include all the details in a single piece of sharing, after this short but meaningful trip, I can absolutely say that our students have developed a close relationship with their local friends and a stronger bond has been forged between our sister school and us as well.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip that made me feel contented. The performance of our students was very impressive. They are disciplined and always show their concern for others, especially when they visited our sister school. Our students were eager to serve, share and communicate with the Xing Zhi students. I do think that our students did very well in displaying respect and the sense of responsibility throughout the trip. Hopefully it is the beginning of many more to come.

Superb Study Tour to Guizhou－4A CHAN Sum-yin

‘So glad that I am here again!’ I had this feeling once I saw the familiar and relaxing nature outside our coach. It was my second time going on the Guizhou Study Tour. I was again blessed with many fond memories.

Being exchange students, we visited Xingzhi School. What was different this year was the local students wore school uniforms but what remains the same were their angelic smiles under the bright sun and their serious learning attitude despite their harsh timetable, which ends at 11pm at night. I could not help reflecting my learning attitude. Have I ever taken my fortune to study in a better-equipped school for granted?

On the second last day of our tour, we attended a workshop to make our own Batik handkerchieves. Batik is a technique of wax-resist dyeing on cloth, which is cultural legacy of the ethnic minority Miao. A thousand years ago, the Miao did not have their own language, so they expressed their feelings through Batik. For example, they used thick lines and more complicated patterns for strong feelings. This was definitely a brand new experience for me and my friends as well.

I would like to express my gratitude to the teachers who went on this study tour with us, especially our group teacher, Miss Yuen. I would like to thank her for all the care for us! In a study tour, you will learn a lot more from teachers. During this tour, I talked with the teachers quite often and we both exchanged our observations. I would definitely like to join this study tour again. How about you? Would you like to join a study tour once in your secondary school life? Stick to the updates of the study tours next year!

Lessons of a Lifetime－3E CHIU Ting-kok

I joined a 5-day study tour to Guizhou during the Easter Holiday. It was definitely a memorable experience. We learnt about the culture of the Miao, the second largest ethnic group in the province, and the life of the students there.

One of the highlights of our tour is the visit to our sister school, Xingzhi School. At first, I was worried whether the students of Xingzhi School would enjoy the activities we prepared. Once our coaches passed the school entrance, I was touched to see all the students standing in the drizzle and welcoming us. Their bright smiles and enthusiasm instantly cleared my worries.

My groupmates and I planned to introduce the culture of Cha Chaan Teng, a hybrid of the Eastern and Western restaurants, to the local students in order to let them appreciate our unique culture. In our introduction, we explained the codes the waiters and waitresses of Cha Chaan Teng use to take orders and then we served a number of Cha Chaan Teng signature dishes to the local students. It was fun running our own Cha Chaan Teng and we were grateful that all the local students enjoyed the food we made. After this cultural immersion activity, we had lunch in the Xingzhi School Canteen. We were given a chance to sample the Guizhou flavours, which are totally different from the Hong Kong ones. They were mostly savoury, but tasty.

Another highlight is visiting a local student's home. He lives in a valley surrounded by mountains. I could still remember how breathtaking the scenery was when we arrived at the valley. After getting off the coach, the student led us to his home. We had to walk along rugged roads, which was a bit tiring. But when we were near the rivers, the student invited us to play some games he often plays there, like throwing pebbles. We all had a wonderful time and soon forgot our exhaustion.

I have learnt a lot from the Xingzhi students. They study in small classrooms without any air-conditioners and advanced equipment, but their passion for learning is not hindered. They are serious about learning and eager to learn. On the contrary, I am fortunate to be given a more comfortable learning environment. I should treasure my opportunity for learning, study harder than before and be more active in learning.

This study tour to Guizhou is unforgettable and amazing. There were so many lessons for me on the journey. I hope you will also benefit by joining the tour next year.

許美儀老師

以往的復活節假期，我一向會選擇出外旅遊，好譲自己更有動力工作，緩和壓力。今年的復活節，我有一個不一樣的經歷，我選擇了與同學們到學校其中一所姊妹學校——行知學校，進行五天的交流活動。

我們一行四位老師，帶領四組同學，與當地同學及老師進行交流活動。到達行知學校已經是黃昏，因之前舟車勞頓，同學們都出現疲態，再加上天也開始黑，又下著微微細雨，加學校門口的一段小路崎嶇不已，致使我們在旅遊巴上搖晃不堪，大家的狀態都不太好。

啊！終於到了，看到行知學校的牌坊，我一下車，真的打從心裡嚇了一跳，眼見前方老師們以及數百位中小學生，由小到大，由矮到高，整整齊齊地列隊，站在微雨中，熱烈拍手歡迎我們。不曉得他們在那處等了我們多久，被雨淋了多久，心中非常過意不去，我慢慢緩過來，跟他們揮手及微笑，希望他們也感受到我們的友善。之後，經過了跟校長及當地官員的歡迎儀式後，兩天的交流活動便正式開始。

回想這短短的兩天，實在是豐盛而温暖，豐盛是因為他們的好客，吃飯時，同學們為我們搬椅搬桌拿碗筷，很温暖；拿飯時，阿姨替我們端上家常菜飯，還叮囑一定要多吃點，很温暖；吃飯後，同學們二話不說搶了我手中吃完的碗筷到飯堂外面清洗，很温暖；我們第二天上午跟同學一起弄湯丸，包餃子，大家無分師生，無分語言，說說笑笑，打打鬧鬧，很温暖；吃完自己包的餃子及湯丸後，下午再跟一位初三女同學進行家訪，那同學的右腳天生殘缺，行動不便，所以她已經有一段日子沒有上學了。而要到他們家是需要坐車再步行二十分鐘的路程。到達後，他們幾乎整個家族到來歡迎我們，為我們預備了三桌飯餸。他們站在我們身旁，只為看著我們吃著他們悉心準備的飯餸，當吃不夠時可以隨時為我們添飯添菜。為了款待我們，他們宰了雞，給我們最珍貴的食物。吃飽後，我跟當地兩位女老師去到老奶奶的房間，為的是興高彩烈地討論要怎樣為我們打扮，穿著他們的傳統服飾，我感覺自己突然變了個小女孩似的，尤如他們的至親，令我不禁想起疼愛自己的外婆，太温暖了。當我們要離開時，大家都有點不捨，因為不知將來還有沒有機會再見，他們的純樸及真誠，實在太感動我了！

最後想跟同學們分享，當地校長的一句鼓勵說話，他說他們的同學雖然未必有太多機會見識外邊的世界，但他們有著一個自豪的優點，就是能吃苦，希望我們的同學也可以多看看你們所擁有的一切，看看你們以外的世界，有能力去幫助其他人確實是一種幸福，更加是一種緣分。

4D 高珀鋒

在今次的貴州交流團，我獲得一次寶貴的經驗，更改變我對貴州的印象。

貴州從前是一個比較落後的省，但現在沿路上都能看見興建中的高樓大廈，同時亦有良好的交通設備和基建，例如火車站、商鋪、機場等等，這都反映了近年當地經濟發展迅速。同時貴州在創意藝術發展亦不落後於其他城市，當地有不少的創科園和藝術館，鼓勵年輕人發揮創意亦增加了他們的工作機會，改善他們的生活環境。

我亦發現貴州的食物與香港人的口味有點相同，都是偏向比較濃烈，包括酸湯魚和串燒都是我較為喜愛的食物。而在苗寨的經歷最令我深刻，首先因為這是第一次可以淺嚐米酒——亦名「欄路酒」，是當地歡迎賓客的儀式。其次我亦感受到他們的熱情好客和由古代所傳盛的精美手工。最後同學們與老師們一起參與苗寨舞蹈真是令我大開眼界，加深了我對貴州這個多民族地區的認識。

當然不得不提的就是與貴州行知中學學生和老師交流的機會，我們在活動中分成不同的組別並分別設計破冰遊戲與同學一起參與，在其中一個遊戲是要運用科學知識，用鉛筆和橡筋把乒乓球彈射出去，最遠的一組為之勝出，這個活動不但十分有趣，而且同學亦可以發揮豐富的想像力。在吃飯的過程中我也明白了更多關於貴州人民的生活，例如他們最受歡迎的體育活動是乒乓球，還有他們上課的時間較香港學生少，同時當地大多數學生的父母都是要到其他省工作。

唯一美中不足的地方就是與同學交流的時間太少了，我希望將來我們可以到在當地學校宿舍，與同學們一起學習，更深入地體驗他們的生活。

3B 張顯桐

有謂「讀萬卷書不如行萬里路」，這個復活節假期，我與老師及同學們一同到了貴州，參加為期四日三夜的交流團。在這次交流團中，我們參觀了很多的名勝景點，還與姊妹學校－－行知學校的同學們交流，實在使我獲益良多。

在第一天，我們到達行知學校的時候已經是下午，所以我們與同學只是進行了簡單的破冰遊戲，互相認識對方。從交談中我發現內地的教育模式與香港截然不同，其中最深刻的是，在內地除了基本的學科外，學校還會加插思想品德課，陪養學生在政治、思想及道德修養上的發展。面對變化萬千的社會，我認為香港能仿效內地，加插這些課程，培養學生的良好品德和對社會的認同。

我們還與行知學校進行了在STEM項目的交流。說實話我對這個項目的認知不是太深，但是經過事前的準備工作及活動交流，我們都對科學、科技、工程和數學有更深入的了解，希望將來大家於STEM能發揮所長吧。

透過這次的交流，我反思到我們的生活環境確實不錯。我們與內地的學生比較起來，無論在生活質素及學習環境上都較為理想。故此，我們該好好珍惜一切，不要當作所有東西都是必然。

之後兩天我們分別到了南花苗寨、麻塘革家寨和天龍屯堡参觀。在苗寨我們觀看了少數民族特色表演，印象深刻。在革家寨，我們和當地族人學習蠟染。這是革家族每位女性都懂得的手工藝術。首先，我們在一塊麻布上起草圖案，然後使用鐵片製成的筆，將溫熱了的蠟畫在草圖上，最後拿去染色就完成了。我覺得這個蠟染的過程十分困難，假若自己不細心一點的話，整個蠟染的製成品就會毀於一旦。透過這次的蠟染體驗，也訓練了我更有耐性吧。

最後的一天，我們到了天龍屯堡参觀。天龍屯堡給我的感覺有點像古代，畢竟它是在明代興建吧，它能保持原汁原味，讓我們能夠體會到當地的風土人情。

我嚮往十分貴州這種自由、貼近原始的風土習俗，希望有機會能夠再到貴州，更深入地體驗他們生活吧！