I also think school uniforms give students a sense of belonging. They help us feel connected to our school and our peers.

Some students think uniforms prevent them from expressing their individuality.

But as students, we are part of a group. We should wear uniform to show that.

Besides, you can choose whatever you want to wear after school, at weekends and during holidays.

Vincent

It can be easy to be successful

Recently I read a book which was called: The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People by David Niven.

It explains how you can turn your life around and succeed in everything you do.

I want to share some of his secrets. He recommends that we 'learn from losses'. You can learn to appreciate winning when you experience loss.

He also says 'the past is not the future'. Sometimes when you fail, you feel like you will never be a success.

But don't give up, because what has happened has passed. The past is an experience, whether you win or lose.

You will have more than one chance to succeed.

Another useful rule is 'take action'. I think sometimes I talk about things, but I don't follow up.

Taking action is important. If you only say things but don't do them, you can't be a success.

The most important rule: 'Don't give up'. Just keep trying, no matter what happens.

Follows these rules until you are a successful person!

Lau Yan-tung

Christian Alliance S.C. Chan

Memorial College

Help the elderly and feel good

Last Thursday was our school's annual service day. Classmates planned to visit some old people who live alone.

I think it was a good chance to help the aged. We all took the event seriously and I think they appreciated our efforts.

Chatting with us made them very happy. It was interesting for them to chat to young people, and we learned from them too.

Although this was a very small task, I think they appreciated that we showed our concern.

If you have time on your hands, don't just play or sleep.

Try to visit elderly relatives or join a voluntary work organisation that helps the aged.

All you need to give is two or three hours a week. They will be grateful. You will feel good too.

Pang Yin-chun

Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School

Outside experiences make learning fun

A part of my school's Life-Wide Learning Day, I had to interview English-speaking tourists on The Peak.

I was excited, because it was a really good chance for me to practice my oral English.

At first my classmates and I were too shy to speak to the tourists.

But our first interviewee was so kind and friendly that we soon overcame our shyness.

Another part of the Learning Day was a visit to City University. We were able to find out about the subjects we want to study.

I joined a biochemistry class. It was really interesting and made me want to find out more about the course.

The Life-wide Learning Day was really helpful.

Venus Wong Kwan-lam

Po Leung Kuk 1983 Board of Directors' College

In defence of Christian values

I'd like to comment on the article 'Parents hit at school's hardline approach' (SCMP, March 17).

I am a student at International Christian School, and I am appalled and angered by the accusations it contained.

I disagree with the suggestion that firing homosexual or unmarried, pregnant teachers is against human rights.

As it is a Christian school, we are taught Christian values and morals.

Homosexuality and pre-marital sex are against these values.

Therefore it is only right that people who do not share these values are prevented from teaching us.

Like many of my friends, I am proud of my school and the values it teaches us.

Gundam

International Christian School

Time to take action to save the Earth

I'm writing to express my views on the increasingly serious problem of global warming.

After watching An Inconvenient Truth, I feel I know a lot more about global warming.

Temperatures around the world are increasing.

The winter is not as cold as before. We were able to wear short sleeves at Lunar New Year this year.

This means we have deeply damaged the Earth.

I have realised that we must do something to protect our planet, which is our only home.

We should reduce the use of air-conditioning in the summer and heaters in winter.

We should also turn off the lights when we don't need them.

We should also join a green organisation and promote this important message to other people.

The melting glaciers, strong typhoons, serious droughts and flooding that are happening on earth result from global warming.

We are pushing the earth towards death if we do nothing.

Grace Chan

Chinese Foundation Secondary School

Languages give you new lease on life

It takes time and effort to learn a foreign language. But it is a lot of fun and very rewarding.

'You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once,' is a famous Czech proverb.

I believe it's true that you learning a foreign language gives you a different approach to life.

As you learn the language, you get to know about other cultures and people.

And by learning the grammar of another language, which may be totally different from your mother tongue, you learn to express ideas in other ways. This helps you to think in new ways.

Languages provide different ways for us to improve our selves and enjoy life even more.

Let's learn and live.

Kenny Leung

Queen's College

Green housing

The Hong Kong Housing Authority is trying to set up solar panels to provide electricity for public facilities in two buildings in Lam Tin.

It is good to hear that the government is finally making moves in response to the environmental problems our city is facing.

Solar energy has the potential to be successful and effective in Hong Kong.

It is a renewable energy source. It not only is clean, but also provides energy effectively.

Although the cost of setting up solar system is quite high, it can help protect our world.

Global warming is endangering our planet.

Using solar energy is a good way to reduce greenhouse gases and reduce the effects of global warming.

Hazel Yiu

TWGHs Lui Yun Choy Memorial College