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SCMP Reporter

St Joan of Arc Secondary School

Watching Jefferson, my classmate, being at such a loss made me nervous. I would soon be left to face  80 students and  teachers which Jefferson was trying to  relate to.

Eight of us were going to be leaders of an English day camp. Our job was to  guide the primary students to play  English games. Two of us, Jefferson and I, were the emcees of the programme.

Fifteen minutes before the activities started, I was still learning my words, but Jefferson seemed well-prepared and was briefing the other leaders.

I admired him for handling the situation so calmly.

The primary school students were  listless. They didn't sing the camp song even after the emcee asked them to.  They were shy.

Jefferson didn't know what to say. I felt that I would be the same when  it was my turn.

Luckily, a teacher helped  get the students sing. And I asked them to sing  louder. Eventually, most of them were  singing and enjoying themselves. It was a great step forward for Jefferson and me.

When I stood on the stage, my legs trembled. I tried to say something and,  remembering what my teachers did in primary school, once I started speaking I gained confidence from the students.  I knew they were listening. I asked a few questions and some of them answered loud and proud.

'Everybody wants to know ...' the lyrics of the camp song are still ringing in my ears. I was one of the emcees of the English Leadership Camp.

The funniest part was that I had to lead the campers to sing. At first, I was terrified but  eventually I got over my fear.

The day became more pleasant with the help from the teachers and camp leaders.

I enjoyed the programme very much. Although I didn't do very well, I learned a lot from the experience, such as leadership skills and how to teach primary school students.

Wayne Lam (English Society  member) and Jefferson Wong  (vice-chairman, English Society)

Po Leung Kuk 1983 Board of Directors' College

The Inter-class English Drama Competition in my school  is in its third year. This year, it was held on May 18.

The plays were superb  and innovative. For example, 3A students performed an original tragedy titled Distorted - My Beautiful World in which an ugly sister  kills her brother's lover because she does not want her brother to leave the family for the girl.

Katrina Law Mei-ling gave a breathtaking performance and won the best actress award.

Another original play, Shakespeare's Words - Shakespeare's World, was performed by my class, 4B, in the form of 'experimental theatre'. The play was a fusion of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the broadway musical and film Westside Story and the Chinese opera The Butterfly Lovers.

It  was a totally new experience in drama.

I also will not forget the brilliant musical The Phantom of the Opera performed by 6A students.

Slytherin Pong Wing-pong, who played the Phantom, gave a sterling performance and won the best actor award.

Being one of the emcees  at the competition this year, I could feel the tension backstage when the dramas were being staged.

The actors co-operated well and displayed team spirit.

The quality of the dramas has improved a lot  after three years.

In the past, students spent most of their time preparing the costumes, setting and props.

Now they spend more time on writing the  script, reciting the lines and polishing their acting skills.

It's worth spending the time as the English Drama Competition not only provides us with a platform to show off our talents, it also gives  us the chance to practise English in a fun way.

I am looking forward to next year's competition.

Venus Wong Kwan-lam, 4B

SMKMCF Ma Ko Pan Memorial College

The school's  annual Speech Day  was held on May 18.  It is  a special year for the school as we are celebrating its 10th anniversary. From the day the school was established in 1997, it has emphasised the holistic development of students and provided them with quality education.

Students at the school are also known as Makopanians. The school expects Makopanians to be  enthusiastic and  self-motivated; loyal and responsible; pure and courteous; honest and courageous; sincere and considerate.

At the graduation ceremony, school supervisor Rosa Pang began her speech by  congratulating  Forms Five and Seven graduates and reminding them to thank their parents and friends. She said the best way they could thank their family and others who have helped them is to make a difference in the lives of everyone they come into contact with.

They should use their knowledge to make a positive and lasting  impression on everyone.

Grace Chung

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