Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the School Opening Mass was successfully held and live-streamed to classrooms on 23rd September 2021, with Rev. Fr. Christopher Chor Yuk Wa as the celebrant. All Catholic students and teachers participated in the Liturgy in the school hall. During the Holy Mass, the Executive Committee Members of the Catholic Society pledged their loyalty to accept and faithfully perform their duties for the greater glory of God, as well as for the good of the school and all students. Thanks be to God for making the event worthwhile and smooth-running. May God continue to bless each and every one of us in St. Mary’s!
School Opening Mass
The Investiture of Students Office Bearers
On 23rd September 2021, all Student Office Bearers were invited to officially mark the beginning of the new Student Officials of 2021-2022 in the investiture ceremony. All student leaders, including the Student Council Executive Committee and the respective Prefect Team Heads, were presented with badges by the school principal, Ms. Janet Wong, to mark the handing over of all the official duties to the new office bearers. The newly elected Head Girl, Huey Li, also introduced the theme of the Student Council this year, "Find The Key to Infinity - UNLOCK - Reach Beyond Our Limits" to all students in her maiden speech.
Student Achievement Presentation Sharing
Student achievement presentation sharing took place on 17th September, 2021 during the class period in the school hall. Form 3 students went to the hall to watch the presentations, whereas other forms stayed in their classrooms and watched a live video feed. A total of six groups presented during the sharing, with experiences shared ranging from joining ambassador schemes and leadership programmes, to attending a forensic science competition and FINTECH course. The highlight of the event was undoubtedly a sharing from Bethany Chow on her day spent shadowing a senior government official. All groups were introduced by four lively and entertaining student MCs who did an excellent job in arousing the audience’s interest before the presenters came to the stage. Overall, the event was run smoothly and the sharing provided all students with a great insight into the enrichment activities and courses available to them.
2021-22 Student Council Election
The Student Council Election was held on 10 September 2021. The candidates first gave their speeches and attempted challenging tasks where they had to answer impromptu questions related to the council positions they had applied for. All participants showed unwavering confidence and enthusiasm to serve the school in their answers. The election voting was conducted after the concluding speeches were given. Though it was held online, all the F.2 to F.6 students participated enthusiastically in the election. The event was held successfully with Huey Li elected as the Head Girl and Dora Kwan and Winifred Lee as the Vice Head Girls.
School Re-opening Ceremony
The School Reopening Ceremony was held on 1st September 2021, in the School Hall. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was live streamed on YouTube. However, our Form One girls took great pride in attending and were delighted to witness this memorable event in a new chapter of their school life. The ceremony began with a warm welcoming address by our Principal, Ms Janet Wong, followed by the introduction of new staff joining our school family. Ms Wong also presented the theme of the new school year: "Appreciating Life with Gratitude, Fostering Love with Respect, Nourishing Growth with Commitment". The essence of the theme was further highlighted in the talk delivered by Ms Amanda Tang. The singing of the school song not only solemnly marked the end of the ceremony, but also the beginning of a fruitful school year to come.
F.1 Parents & Students Orientation
The Form 1 Orientation Day was held on 28th August before the commencement of the new school year. The school mission and vision were introduced by the Principal, followed by information sessions covering aspects of attention such as school regulations, student activity arrangements and channels of home-school communication. A briefing on the BYOD (Bring your own device) policy was undoubtedly a highlight of the programme. It is hoped that our students will benefit greatly by adopting new modes of learning. All students also took pleasure in meeting their class teachers for the first time in the classrooms to get acquainted with each other.
F.1 Catholic Students’ Orientation
(28th August 2021)
To welcome our new Form 1 Catholic students, the Religious Activities and Formation Team (RAFT) and the Catholic Society held an Orientation Program on 28th August in the School Hall. Our Principal, Ms Wong, and the teachers of the RAFT were all present. After introducing the theme of the year ‘Rejoice! For we are blessed.’, the Catholic Society also presented the five religious groups with their specific goals and activities. The highlight of the program was the Eucharistic Celebration, officiated by the school chaplain, Fr. Mario Carrejo, the Parish Priest of the Rosary Church. Indeed we are blessed to be able to receive such a grace at the threshold of a new school year.
Cultural Exchange with Students from
Riujin Junior High School, Japan (2021)
A cultural exchange with Japanese students from Riujin Junior High School was successfully held on 23rd August, 2021! Twenty-one St. Marians from Form 1 to 3 had been nominated to take part in this exchange program. During their brief but fruitful online meeting with the Japanese students, our students introduced our school and had a sharing on Chinese and local culture with their Japanese counterparts. They also had a great time getting to know more about Japanese games, fireworks, food, etc. The pandemic certainly did not stop St. Marians from learning about other cultures, using English in an authentic situation, and above all, having fun!
Graduation Day 2021
The Graduation Day, a special occasion to celebrate our F.6 graduates’ achievements and shower them with best wishes as they embark on a new journey, was held on 12th July 2021. We were honoured to have Sr. Virginia Wong, Provincial Superior of Canossian Missions (Hong Kong & Macau) presenting certificates and Rev. Mario Emeterio Gutierrez Carrejo, Parish Priest of Rosary Church, giving a benediction. Sr. Agnes Law, our school supervisor, addressed the audience and reminded our F.6 girls to be thankful at all times. Jackie Wong (6F), Student Council Headgirl 2019-20, represented the student body to give Votes of Thanks. The ceremony concluded with Sr. Agnes presenting tokens of appreciation to retiring teachers, Vice Principal Mr. Mikel Tso, Mathematics Department Head Mr. Cyril Lee and Home Economics Department Head Ms. Helena Kung for their dedicated service to the school. We wish them a joyous and wonderful retirement life!
Joint School Parents' Sharing
The online joint school parents' sharing co-organized by SMCC, SMCS, HACS and their Parent Teachers' Associations was held at 2pm on 16 January 2021, Saturday. It aims at informing primary school parents of the through-train spirits, familiarizing them with SMCC life and culture and offering advice on helping their daughters adapt to secondary school life.
Ms Janet Wong (school principal), Ms Flora Poon, Ms Jenny Chan (Heads of Learning and Teaching) and Ms Evita Lai (Advisor of Student Council) gave a presentation on the school profile:
• School history, vision & motto
• NSS curriculum & public exam results
• Clubs & activities
• Support for gifted students
• Class allocation policy
• Ways to adapt to secondary school life
Lorraine Siu (2018 F6 graduate) shared her experience of how to attain all-round development and gave suggestions on adjusting to school life at SMCC.
The sharing was held successfully with over 200 parent participants.