Tears and joy for top pupils
Emotions were running high as straight-As students received their Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) results.
Ronald Tam Kwok-ho, of St Joseph's College, was overcome by his feelings and burst into tears when he heard he scored 10 As in the exam.
Kwok-ho got A(1)s in Chinese Language, English Language (Syllabus B), Religious Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Additional Mathematics, Computer Studies, and Economics, and A(2) in Mathematics.
'I am so excited. I just can't believe it,' he said, hugging his friends.
The 16-year-old said his friends had given him tremendous support.
'We have always been able to count on one another. A group of us went to Repulse Bay the day before the results came out and sat talking about our future until the sun came up.' One of his best friends, Francis Ng Yee-hong, scored eight As and the pair are planning a joint celebration.
Kwok-ho also thanked the principal of his school, Brother Thomas Favier, for his guidance and support.
Science student Law Ka-ho, of Queen Elizabeth School, took his success a little more calmly. For this high-achiever being happy is the most important thing.
'The HKCEE was just a part of my life,' he said modestly.
'I did not take it too seriously. I see the public examination as the same as an ordinary school test.' Ka-ho gained A(1)s in Chinese Language, English Language (Syllabus B), Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Studies, Economics and History.
The 17-year-old's great love is mathematics and he has taken part in several contests.
He has won inter-school competitions and came second in the Hong Kong Mathematics Olympiad.
He also competed in the International Mathematics Olympiad. Ka-ho's teacher, Mok Chung-shing, said he was a keen student who had asked for past exams papers from when he was in Form Two.
The maths whiz's secret to success? 'If you want to improve your mathematics, keep doing old exam papers and don't hesitate to ask your teacher for help.' Another top 10-A student was Leung Kin-chung, 16, of Diocesan Boys' School.
Kin-chung scored A(1)s in Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese History, Chinese Language, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Religious Studies, and A(2) in English Language (Syllabus B). The 16-year-old is touring Japan at the moment, but his best friend was delighted to hear of his achievement.
Classmate Chu Mun-chung, who scored nine As in the HKCEE, said he was not surprised to hear of Kin- chung's brilliant results.
'He has always been top of our class and much admired by everyone.
'Kin-chung may be brilliant but he is never arrogant about his abilities. He is a very nice, unassuming person and is very popular too.'
