She also attended a health class and gave the students some useful advice on nutrition and training.

'We visit schools and encourage kids to engage in physical activity. If we can encourage even one student to work at their sport and tell them that they can do it, it's enough,' said Claire Murray, Williams' training partner and Hong Kong's No 1 woman triathlete.

Williams' visit was arranged by Steven Metz, a physical education teacher at ICS.

On October 10, two ICS teams competed in the ITU Hong Kong International Triathlon.

Secondary school students Irina Jang and Zachariah Chiang completed the swimming section of the Olympic distance race.

They were joined by four kindergarten, primary and secondary school teachers who took part in the cycling and running legs of the event.

Bonnie Poon, public relations and annual funds officer, ICS

There was plenty of excitement at Ha Kwai Chung Government Secondary School's 26th annual swimming gala, as parents and teachers joined the students to spice up the competition on September 28.

Sum Ka-wing, Yuen Chau-man and Fung Pui-yan emerged as champions in girls' Grade A, Grade B and Grade C respectively, while Lee Wai-kit, Chan Chin-lung and Ng Mau-lam took the boys' titles.

Knowledge House won the overall championship as well as the boys' title.

At the closing ceremony, principal Hung Chun-may emphasised that sports played an important role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Guest-of-honour Chan Wing-hung of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups said: 'I hope that students will nurture their knowledge, morality, loyalty and trust as the names of their Houses suggest in order to serve their country in the future.'

The gala ended on a high note with the singing of the school song.

'Confidence, independence and love are the most essential elements to being happy in life,' said Dr Quat Pui-fan, one of Hong Kong's Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2000.

I was delighted to attend her speech on September 22 in the school hall.

There are two things about her that I really admire: she can strike a balance between her busy work schedule and personal life, and she is optimistic and is always smiling.

Dr Quat said a smile can give energy to people and help break the ice. People who don't smile would find it difficult to get along with others, she said.

Dr Quat cares about her family. She spends quality time with them every day. She also actively takes part in voluntary activities to help the needy.

How is Dr Quat able to squeeze in so much work into her day? I think it is because of her efficiency and good time management. Once she decides to do something, she will try her best to achieve her goal and strive for excellence in the process.

She provides great motivation for young people.

Dr Quat has set a good example for us with her rich and colourful life. With the right approach to life we can be successful as well.

Becky Choy

Kit Sam Lam Bing Yim Secondary School

Nine records were broken at St Teresa Secondary School's 20th annual swimming gala on October 4 at Kowloon Tsai Pool (pictured left).

Tsang Yat-sze of S.2B won the individual championship, breaking records in the 50-metre and 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

St Ruth House clinched the overall championship, while St Anne House took the prize for the best cheering team.

The highlights of the day were the 100m freestyle in which teachers, parents and former students competed, and the 4x50m relay which was contested by school clubs.

School supervisor Reverend Father Lau, who officiated at the prize-giving ceremony, said the swimmers inspired students to keep improving in order to tackle challenges in daily life.