Open day visitors learn to make paper

VISITORS to the Queen Elizabeth School open day came away with at least one useful idea - how to make paper at home using a blender.

But, of course, there was much, much more to the show, which included enthralling demonstrations of embossing, tie-dyeing and the art of Western calligraphy.

Members of the Art Club showed how paper was recycled, and visitors were 'glued' to the vivid demonstration.

'Crush the waste paper in a blender and pour the thick liquid into a basin of water. Stir it with the hand until a paste is formed,' said a member of the club.

'Put the paste on a silk screen and squeeze all the water out. Place the paste on a wooden board. Iron it, and it turns into paper instantly.' Other members showed how cards were embossed with raised designs.

The Pen Pal Club attracted a crowd too, with its display of Hong Kong stamps and models of pillar-boxes and stamp-vending machines.

Forty stalls ranging from interest clubs to academic ones were set up. Student participation was keen indeed.

'The students' hard work is praiseworthy and rewarding,' said Mrs Liu Tam Toi-wah, teacher-in-charge of extra-curricular activities.

'Many had to put up the stalls during the Chinese New Year holiday.

Principal Chan Ping-tat said the open day had a special significance as it gave the public the opportunity to see the talents and abilities of the students.

To celebrate the school's 40th anniversary, the Photography Club put up a retrospective display of photographs of school functions over the past 40 years.

A high standard of English proficiency was displayed as members of the English Society chatted with visitors in English, explaining to them the origin of surnames.

Chinese and Western fortune-telling, designed by the Games Association, proved fascinating to the visitors, young and old, who wanted answers about their future careers and love life.

On display at the stall of the newly-formed Design and Technology Club were colourful name blocks and different kinds of saws and tools.

'The junior students' project is highly commendable. After all, this is their first attempt and the students have developed an interest in the new subject this year,' said Design and Technology teacher Wong Kam-kwong.

Mr Wan is a staff of the above school