There was another major attraction - a production by the school's students. Guests were invited to stay in the hall and watch performances of Chinese music, recitations of English poems, break dancing and an excellent performance by the school band. Also, to promote interactive learning, students and parents were encouraged to take part in educational games at stalls in the school hall. Some of the groups that operated the game stalls were the Scouts, the Chess Club, and Liberal Studies, discipline and counselling committees.

The spotlight also fell on classrooms where students' works were displayed. In the art room, guests saw wonderful creations of paintings, drawings and pottery, while visitors tasted delicious cakes and puddings in the home economics room.

The English Corner provided everyone with a chance to practise spoken English and enhance their language skills. Visitors to the design technology room were given a small souvenir, such as a key chain, while eager participants could make their own photo stickers in the computer room.

Guests included principals and teachers from other schools, secondary and primary students, and parents. Student ambassadors, selected from uniformed groups such as the Star Junior Troop, the Scouts and the Red Cross, were on hand to help guests find their way around the school.

Many positive comments were made by the visitors, who said the school provided students with a varied, enjoyable school life, thanks in part to teachers using positive, interactive teaching methods in the classroom.

The annual Open Day concluded at 5pm.

Sir Ellis Kadoorie Secondary School (West Kowloon)

Sir Ellis Kadoorie Secondary School (West Kowloon) held its annual Learning Celebration Day on March 16.

It was a day to share the success, effort and joy of learning with students, teachers and parents.

The principal, Li Wing-leung, welcomed the students, teachers, guests and parents. The guest-of-honour, Jacqueline Ling So Ka-lan, chief school development officer of the Education Bureau, presented awards and certificates to outstanding students, teachers and parents.

The ceremony highlighted the school's 'family spirit', which helps students, teachers and parents learn and grow together. The school serves to educate children from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.

The ceremony featured cultural performances that thrilled the audience. The graceful sound of the guzheng, the vibrant Nepali dance and great singing by the school choir captivated the hearts of all those who were present. The modern dance team received enthusiastic applause.

After tasty refreshments, the afternoon session began with games, educational activities and exhibitions in almost all the classrooms and special rooms.

The Learning Celebration Day reminded us that joy and success come only with the whole-hearted efforts of all the teachers, students and parents.

HKMA David Li Kwok Po College

HKMA David Li Kwok Po College learned the value of democracy this year when the senior forms introduced the practice of 'one student, one vote' to approve a new constitution for the school's student council. The elections coincided with the election of Hong Kong's new chief executive.

Each class from Secondary Four to Secondary Seven elected representatives to a student council preparatory committee to draft a constitution and develop a blueprint for the council's future operations.

After a few months of discussion, a proposed constitution was developed. Following a consultation period to collect views from students, a forum was held on March 16 to allow everyone to express their concerns over issues, ask questions and make suggestions. Committee members addressed the questions and explained the constitution in detail.

On the day voting took place, students were each given a ballot paper and entered a polling station to cast their votes. After voting, one student said: 'Although I am not eligible to participate in social elections, I could understand what it felt like to vote. This was a meaningful experience for me.'

The vote-counting session was a rigorous, open process. All students witnessed the opening of the sealed ballot boxes, the counting of votes and verification of the results. An announcement via the Campus TV live broadcasting system announced the results: 66 per cent in favour of the constitution, 24 per cent against and 10 per cent of votes invalid.

Preparatory committee chairperson Hamza said: 'Although there were difficulties in drafting the constitution, it allowed our classmates to express views through their votes and to give comments and suggestions via different channels. This was a valuable experience as the process was fair, open and transparent, and we felt the spirit of democracy.'