Dear Parents and Students,
I rarely watch TV dramas, but recently I happened to see a trailer for “Themis” and found that its content is closely related to the growth of teenagers, which sparked my interest. After two weeks of following the series, I have gained a great deal of reflection. The drama tells the story of a juvenile court magistrate handling a series of serious juvenile cases, involving deep-seated issues such as the social causes of youth crime, family structures, and school culture — all of which have given me room for reflection.
Adolescence is a critical stage in the formation of one's worldview, values and self-identity. Without proper guidance, it is easy for teenagers to be negatively influenced by peers, social trends, or distorted online content. Once a single step is taken in the wrong direction, a student can easily drift onto a path from which there is no easy return. While school should serve as the primary gatekeeper in preventing such a downward spiral, the grim reality is that for many teenagers, the school environment itself is where they first lose their way. As the magistrate in the drama says: " Bullying among students is often dismissed by adults as mere 'pranks' or 'jokes taken too far,' trivializing its severity. The school's attitude of smoothing things over is, for the isolated and helpless victim, a secondary harm. If the school and parents had paid attention earlier, stopped it earlier, and taught teenagers the right values instead of being silent accomplices, then this case would never have happened."
We continually review the school's curriculum development in spiritual, moral, academic, civic, national security, and positive education. Our goal is twofold: we want students to grasp the fundamental principles of social conduct — namely integrity, respect, responsibility, and the consequences of the law — while also cultivating a noble character rooted in our spirit of 'Love, Integrity, Purity, and Perseverance."
We understand that curriculum alone is not enough. Therefore, the school provides diverse growth paths through extracurricular activities such as music, sports, art, service, and uniformed teams, discovering each student's different strengths so that they can gain a sense of achievement, healthy interpersonal networks, and a positive sense of belonging. When young people feel valued and have goals, they are less likely to feel the need to go down the wrong path in order to prove themselves.
Furthermore, school is a microcosm of society. Teenagers learn how to handle conflicts, cooperate, share, and follow rules within the school community. When misbehavior occurs, teachers' immediate intervention and guidance allows students to face reasonable consequences in a safe environment and reflect on their mistakes. This approach of "combining counselling and discipline" is far more effective than simple punishment, nipping deviant behavior in the bud before it has a chance to develop.
Finally, teachers and the Student Growth Team play the role of "gatekeepers." They are professionally trained to detect students' emotional distress, behavioral abnormalities, or family problems early, and to connect resources such as social workers and educational psychologists, preventing problems from deteriorating to the point of no return.
In summary, school education not only imparts knowledge but also, through daily campus life, quietly guides teenagers to distinguish right from wrong and to cultivate virtue. Let us work together, both at home and at school, to protect the growth of every child.
Best Regards,
C. Cheung
