As head of St Joseph's College, one of Hong Kong's oldest Catholic schools, Leung Cheung-hing is entertaining doubts - not about matters of faith, but his management and people skills.
'The biggest challenge is that students find me not so approachable and friendly as Brother Thomas [Favier, the former principal]. I must say, I don't have the charm and charisma that he has,' says 53-year-old Mr Leung, the catholic school's first principal with no formal religious background.
The Mid-Levels college celebrates its 130th anniversary this year and is facing new challenges from the changing nature of its students, parents with higher expectations and government officials demanding value for public money.
'In the past, students were more dedicated with schoolwork and more friendly to the teachers,' the principal said. 'As for now, students are more creative and knowledgeable because of the ease of access on the internet.
'Times have changed and new principals have to face ever-increasing demands from the teachers, students, parents, the Education and Manpower Bureau and, of course, society. There is always room for improvement and St Joseph's College will keep on moving to become a better school.'
Mr Leung is the first Chinese principal of the school, where he has worked for 30 years.
The college is one of the schools under the De La Salle Brothers group. Traditionally, clerics became principals. His appointment was made because of the decreasing number of clerics in Hong Kong.
