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SCMP Reporter

An answer to the poverty problem

Many Hongkongers  live in poverty. They need our help.

The Hong Kong government recently announced that it had a lot of money.  It should help the poor.

No one wants to be  poor.  But why do so many people have so little money?

In my view,  it is because they don't have many qualifications. For example,  many leave school after Form Three,  so they cannot get a job that  pays well.

The government  should  organise more training courses for  people and arrange work placements.

Then they  would be able to  earn more and lead a more satisfying life.

Leung Siu-wun

Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Secondary School

Green tax would benefit us all

I'm writing in response to  Fresh call for rates relief and green tax (SCMP, February 26).

I think introducing a 'green tax' is a wonderful idea.

If  Hong Kong  people had to pay tax every time they created pollution , they would take better care of the environment. If everyone thought about tax before switching on the air conditioner, it would reduce air pollution.

Secondly, introducing a green tax  would help people understand how  serious  environmental problems are.

As the amount of tax add up, they would realise how harmful our actions could be.

Finally,  the green tax would give the government additional funds to spend on environmental protection.

I think there are far more advantages to a green tax than disadvantages.

Kirsty Wong

St Rose of Lima's College

Uniforms are good for us

Most students  say that wearing school uniform is  old-fashioned and unnecessary, but I completely disagree.

I think wearing school uniform is very convenient because we don't have to  worry about what to wear every morning when we wake up.

Also, I think the school uniform  symbolises the school. If students wear casual clothes to school, they may not look like a student.

The school uniform can help students  behave appropriately, too. It makes us look neat and tidy, and ready to work.

School uniforms are  traditional and respectable.

I think students should  embrace their uniforms.

Ng Ka-yan

The most valuable things in life

Are friends  the most important thing in life? Or  is money more important?

If  I had to choose between money and friends,  I would choose friends.

When you are  happy, you can share  your happiness with your  friends. When you are upset, your  friends will  make you feel better.

If you are in trouble, your  friends will help you solve  your problems. But sometimes it can be difficult to know if a friend is a true friend or not. Some people are very nice, but only on the surface.

The way to tell if someone is a real friend is to ask them for help when you have a problem. A fake friend won't help you find a solution. But a real friend will do everything they can to make your life easier.

True friends  are hard to find. If you  have some, please treasure them.

They are the best you can have.

Jasmine Leung Pui-sze

Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School

Song imitates life

I  recently heard a song called How To Save a Life by the band The Fray. The  band plays alternative rock,  one of my favourite genres. But  I found the lyrics to this song unexpectedly  touching.

The first verse really fits my current mood.

'Step one: you say we need to talk, he walks, you say, 'sit down it's just a talk'.'

When I started Form Three, I  found that some of my friendships  came to an end.  It feels as if we never talk unless it's something very serious.

But  what affected me most was the chorus.

'Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend; somewhere along in the bitterness.'

It seems like the only thing everyone  cares about is their academic results.   Many of my friends  are quieter than they were in Form Two.

Some friends  are resentful  when they get lower results than  me.  I  feel I've become estranged from some of my  old friends.

I hope that this is temporary, and that one day we can sit down and talk about anything again.

Xeric Yip

Treasure time

Time  never waits for anyone. Yesterday  will never happen again. It's important to treasure  time.

While we are at school, we must dedicate enough time  to our studies. If we make good use of time and study hard, we will have a successful future.

We get one chance to do well at school. We should make good use of it.

Chan Lee-wing

Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen  Yiu Memorial College

Tax  would discourage teen smokers

The government has been urged to increase the tax on tobacco products to discourage teenagers from smoking.

I think  this would be an effective method.

Many teenagers  start smoking because of peer  pressure, self-image problems, or because they are imitating their parents.

They continue to smoke because cigarettes are addictive.

Smoking  has many negative effects.  It can cause asthma and different kinds of cancers.

Smoking  has a negative effect on your appearance.  Teeth and fingernails  become yellow.  It also causes wrinkles on  foreheads, and skin becomes dull.

Smoking  also contributes to air pollution.

Increasing the tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products would be a good way to discourage young people from smoking.

Lo Ho-yan

Sad farewells

A farewell  assembly is held every year before Form Five and Seven students  leave for their HKCEE and A-Levels. This year's assembly was very enjoyable and touching.

The Form Seven  students started the show  with photos of everyday school life and  sang songs such as Kindergarten by Twins.

Then one of them  made  a speech.

When she said, 'Orchids in our campus blossom in March every year. In the past years, we  have looked forward to March. But this year we do not, because the blossoming of the orchids symbolises leaving MCS,'  my eyes were filled with tears.

Then  Form Five students  sang  songs  such as You Raise Me Up. The Form Five speech reminded us that 'every one of us  makes a difference'.

Each student is crucial to the success of the school, and of the world. If we  work together, we can make the world a better place.

I know that  in a few years, it will be my turn to stand on stage  and say farewell.  I know I have to cherish my time  here.

And I hope that we can say goodbye to our school without regret and sadness but with pride and happiness.

Hilary Tang

Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section)



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