Page 13 - 2022-23 - Clover 20

Alumni Interviews
Alumni Interviews

th
To celebrate our 20 Issue, two former students, Ms Chan Pik-sum and Ms Tracy Leung, have shared with us their thoughts
on life at Pooi To.

Ms Chan Pik-sum Ms Chan Pik-sum
· Graduated PTMS in 2005 What was your most memorable moment from studying at Pooi To?
· Professional Erhu Player I do not have any specific unforgettable memory from Pooi To, but the whole experience
of attending the school has stayed with me long after graduation.I feel that the school was
(at national level) a warm and welcoming place, with teachers who were kind and treated every student like
their own daughter. Whenever I had questions or
challenges, the teachers were patient and more
than willing to help me out. I enjoyed going to school and felt happy there.
Who do you thank the most at Pooi To?
I want to thank all the teachers for being patient and warm. I realised a few years
ago that Pooi To isn't a school that solely focuses on training students' special
talents. Rather, the school wants students to be happy and well-rounded. After
school, students have the opportunity to participate in many extracurricular activities
where they can meet other students, and I can see that the school provides ample
resources to train students' talents. Pooi To also gave me a strong foundation on
how to treat others well, which has helped me in my career.
What inspired you to start playing the erhu when you were young?
I didn't have a choice in selecting which instrument to learn as when I was six years
old my music loving mom chose it for me. One day, she took me to the Hong Kong
Music Office, which is organised by the government, and suggested that I learn the
erhu. The teacher asked me to join the class and I fell in love with the sound of the
erhu during my first lesson.
Why did you choose music as your career?
I was totally in love with the erhu. I never planned my future and simply focused
on playing the instrument, eventually applying to The Hong Kong Academy for
Performing Arts. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed being a part of the academy’s
orchestra.
Is there anything you would like to say to the Pooi To girls who wish to pursue a
career in music?
If you wish to pursue a career in music, you must be talented in it. If you are
not naturally talented, it will be challenging to reach a higher level in the field.
Additionally, if you are talented but do not work hard and practise, your skills will
not improve. You must also be interested in music and enjoy performing on stage.
There is no need to worry about getting opportunities to play, as Hong Kong is an
international city and these chances pop up all the time.

Ms Tracy Leung Ms Tracy Leung
During a lunch gathering recently, I received a piece of writing I penned in 2005 from
· Graduated PTMS in 2005
my former English teacher, who was also my teacher advisor in the debut Clover
· Former Clover Magazine Editor
edition. Savouring each and every word I wrote
(Issue 1) decades ago is a slightly uncomfortable yet
· Now PTMS English Panel Head profoundly enthralling experience.
I cast my mind back to 20 years ago when I was
the student editor discussing the positioning of the
magazine. It was simple. We wanted the students to find joy and fun in reading English.
And till now, our goal remains unchanged. We still firmly believe that only when students
find pleasure in learning can they acquire fluency in English to understand this wonderful
world.
In this momentous publication, I would like to thank our principals, teacher advisors and
student editors, past and present, for carrying on the “Clover” tradition over the past two
decades. “Clover” is the emblem of our school and it symbolises luck. May I wish you all
th
lots of luck and may God bestow His blessings on you at all times. Happy 20 Anniversary!
13