Grooming ideal citizens
ABALANCED physical, moral and intellectual development is vital if students are to gain a sense of responsibility as adults and know how to use their freedom.
Reverend Brother Francis, principal of La Salle College, was speaking at the school's annual speech day, held recently.
He said the school's goal had always been the development of the 'whole person', which took into consideration a student's personal growth in a social context.
Instead of being self-centred, students should aim at the common good of society and take an active part in community affairs, the principal said.
The all-round approach to education puts equal weight on intellectual, physical and moral training, the only way to produce a responsible citizen, he added.
Announcing the formation of the school's Parent-Teacher Association, Brother Francis said many children nowadays lived in loneliness and with a sense of isolation because they lacked proper parental care and concern.
'Neither pocket money nor overseas holidays can substitute for a parent's love. It is the amount of time you give your children, not the dollars you lavish on them, that counts,' he said.
The association was set up to promote communication between teachers and parents for the benefit of the students.
Student association president Vincent Chau Hoi-pong said students' responsibilities should not be confined to school affairs.
'The school is a miniature of society, and the final goal of education is to produce responsible citizens who will make a contribution to society,' Vincent said.
Within the social context, each student had a role to play, which was to make use of their skills and serve the community, no matter what those skills were and no matter how small the contribution, the Form Six student said.
A distinguished old boy of the school, Paul Chow Man-yiu, chief executive of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, was the guest-of-honour and gave away the certificates and prizes to the over 250 Form Five and Seven graduates.
