The annual Club Exco Training Day, held on October 11, 2025, at Wu Kai Sha Youth Village, provided a powerful experiential learning platform for our student leaders. The program was designed to cultivate essential skills in teamwork and creative problem-solving.
 

The day began with ice-breaking activities, such as the XL cup stacking challenge, which required speed, precision, and clear communication under time constraints. This laid the groundwork for deeper collaboration in the subsequent activities, where students needed to set a target score by completing a variety of physical and strategic team challenges. These exercises pushed students to set goals, communicate clearly, and truly support one another. They learned firsthand how to combine their individual talents to succeed as a team, and it was inspiring to watch their creativity and determination turn challenges into victories.
 

The capstone experience was the Roman Catapult workshop, which challenged teams to design and build functional catapults from bamboo and rope. In constructing their catapults, students demonstrated their ability to plan, organize, and coordinate a complex task, as well as make critical decisions collectively. In the end, all teams successfully launched water balloons using their impressive creations. The final friendly competition was not just an application of their work but a celebration of their shared creativity and perseverance.
 

The Co-curricular Activities (CCA) Student Leader Training Camp was held on October 4th and 5th, 2025, at the Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups—an ideal setting for developing essential leadership qualities amidst nature. This highly engaging event aimed to enhance student leaders’ teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills through dynamic outdoor challenges and interactive sessions.
 

The camp began at school with an ice-breaking game to help students get to know their teammates better, followed by an exciting city hunt challenge. Despite the changing weather, our student leaders demonstrated great resilience and teamwork, showcasing the core qualities of effective leadership.
 

One of the highlights was the night game, where student leaders were separated and tasked with silently locating their teammates and lining up in ascending order according to assigned numbers—all while blindfolded. This challenging activity highlighted the importance of building confidence and practicing proactive communication. True leaders must not only organize but also know when and how to seek feedback and provide closure, showing decisiveness and clarity.
 

On September 19, 2025, the investiture ceremony for the new Student Office Bearers was held in the school hall, marking a significant moment of leadership transition. The event began with a speech by the principal, Ms. Janet Wong, who emphasized the importance of student leadership and expressed gratitude to the outgoing 2024-2025 Student Council for their dedication.
 

The ceremony proceeded with the school supervisor, Sr. Veronica, presenting a badge to the newly appointed Head Girl, Annabelle Chan (5C). The principal then awarded badges to the Student Council committee members, while prefects received theirs from their respective advisors. The stage also welcomed the introduction of the CCA Chairladies, Chief Ambassadors and the Drama Core Team, who were proudly presented to the school community.
 

Led by the Head Girl, the Student Council took a solemn oath to serve the school and uphold its core values. The prefects followed, pledging their commitment to their responsibilities with steadfast resolve. The highlight of the ceremony was the Head Girl’s inspiring address, where she introduced the 2025 Student Council theme: SOLAS - Shine Your Light, Forge Our Legacy. This theme resonates with the school’s ethos of fostering courage, confidence, curiosity and compassion.
 

The School Opening Mass was held on 19 September 2025 in the School Hall and Gymnasium, with Rev. Fr. Tito Lopez Martin, MG as the celebrant. With joy and gratitude, students and teachers gathered to pray for God’s abundant blessings as we embark on a new academic year.
 

Before the Mass, student representatives presented the newly designed school prayerbook. They reminded the congregation that this prayerbook is not only a guide for prayer and worship, but also a token of gratitude to God, who has lovingly protected and blessed St. Mary’s throughout the past 125 years. Everyone was invited to use it with care and love, remembering that reading its prayers and singing its hymns wholeheartedly is the most beautiful offering we can present to the Lord.
 

During the liturgy, the Executive Committee Members of the Catholic Society renewed their pledge to faithfully carry out their mission, committing themselves to the spiritual well-being of the school community and striving for the greater glory of God.
 

We give thanks for the countless blessings God has bestowed upon our school, and we pray for His continued guidance. May the spirit of our Foundress inspire us always, and may we remain steadfast in our mission to serve the poor and the needy with faith, love, and dedication.
 

The eagerly anticipated Student Council Election took place in the School Hall on September 10, 2025. After the candidates delivered their captivating opening speeches, they then engaged in a series of demanding tasks designed to assess their relevant skills and knowledge for the council positions they aspired to. Stepping onto the stage, they eagerly embraced the opportunity to showcase their diverse talents and win the support of their fellow students.

 

Although there are vacant Exco posts, newly elected Head Girl Annabelle Chan from 5C has led her team in discussions with the school to uphold our Constitution's values and gain endorsements from both teachers and students. This presents a valuable opportunity for the newly elected Student Council executive to grow in maturity and rationality.

 

The school reopening ceremony was held on 1 September. It commenced with a heartfelt prayer, setting a reflective tone. Our principal, Ms. Wong, introduced the theme of this year: Embracing Exploration: Breaking Through with Courage & Confidence; Reaching Out with Curiosity & Compassion, encouraging students to approach learning with boldness and empathy. The Vice Principal, Ms. Jenny Chan, followed, sharing insights on becoming smart learners by fostering critical thinking and adaptability. The Discipline Mistress, Ms. Clara Leung, outlined the school’s expectations, emphasizing how school rules cultivate positive habits and personal growth. Representatives from the Student Publication Team then presented the new student handbook and highlighted its design, which creatively reflects the school theme through vibrant visuals and motivational elements.
 

At the beginning of July, St. Mary’s Canossian College, together with Holy Angels’ Canossian School and St. Mary’s Canossian School, embarked on an impressive music tour to Vienna and Prague to participate in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival. Competing at Vienna’s renowned Musikverein (Golden Hall), the orchestra delivered captivating performances that earned them first place in the chamber orchestra category.
 

Beyond the competition, the orchestra members interacted and exchanged ideas with youth music ensembles from around the world and received masterclasses from esteemed musicians at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. The group performed at renowned venues such as ORF Radiokulturhaus and Das MuTh, concluding their European music journey with a performance at the world-famous Smetana Hall in Prague.
 

This unforgettable journey not only showcased the students' talent on a global stage but also inspired them to pursue their musical aspirations, leaving a lasting impression of growth, artistry, and cultural exchange.

The 125th Anniversary Concert, held on June 30th 2025 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, was a heartfelt musical tribute to St. Mary’s Canossian College. Organized by the Music Club, this event gathered past and present St. Marians, guest schools, and distinguished alumnae to joyfully celebrate this significant milestone in St. Mary’s history.
 

The audience was enthralled by performances from students, alumnae, and guest choirs, including the joint performance of the SMCC Alumnae Choir with the Old Boys’ Choir of Wah Yan College Kowloon. Highlights included Ms Fiona Foo’s world premiere of her Marimba Concerto, Ms Dianna Tse’s captivating Cantonese Opera performance, and a delightful piano duet by Ms Vanessa Wong and Ms Valerie Wong. Ms Vansie Kwok also composed the theme song “125 Years of Hope” for her alma mater.
 

From June 20 to June 22, 2025, a group of 23 F.1-6 SMCC students, accompanied by 3 teachers, along with 4 P5-P6 SMCS students and a teacher, participated in an enriching exchange tour to Guangzhou. The primary aim of this trip was to enhance the students' skills in badminton and table tennis while fostering cultural exchange.
 

During the tour, students took part in intensive training sessions that allowed them to hone their technical skills and improve their game strategies. Engaging in friendly matches with local secondary school players provided an excellent opportunity for participants to apply their skills in a competitive environment and enhance their communication abilities.
 

A highlight of the trip was a sharing session with a national-level badminton player. This experience offered students valuable insights into the rigorous training practices of national teams, inspiring them to cultivate resilience and a spirit of challenge. Additionally, the group visited the Guangzhou Asian Games Gymnasium and the Guangzhou Asian Games Paralympic Museum, which helped them familiarize themselves with the advanced sports infrastructure and facilities in Mainland China.
 

Overall, the exchange tour was a resounding success, allowing students to grow both personally and athletically. They not only enhanced their skills but also developed a deeper appreciation for sports and teamwork. The connections made with local athletes fostered a sense of friendship and cultural exchange that enriched their experience. We are proud of our students' achievements during this tour and look forward to future opportunities for growth and learning in the world of sports.