What's New in Wah Yan College, Kowloon

[Feature Interviews with Ming Pao & Sing Tao (8 Aug)]

During his nine-year tenure as the Principal braving these roller-coaster years for Wah Yan, Principal CHUNG finds great comfort in witnessing that Wahyanites are reflective and respectful and, most remarkably, manage to rise high in adversity. Jesuit education stresses values education and character formation, and Principal CHUNG has confidence that the moral compass of Wahyanites will steer them to keep serving the greater good in good times and bad.

Check out the feature articles published in Ming Pao and Sing Tao on 8 Aug:

[Ming Pao]
將退休九華校長：移民潮下首務穩教界留人才
https://bit.ly/3zVMK6G
疫下學生成績不跌反升
https://bit.ly/3SNSaZT

[Sing Tao]
九華校長鍾衞良退休 冀教界求穩定挽人才
https://bit.ly/3AiggVr

約50學生5教師離港 「相對不嚴重」 將退休九華校長：移民潮下首務穩教界留人才 - 20220808 - 港聞 【明報專訊】傳統名校九龍華仁書院校長鍾衞良即將退休，在教育界37年，其中9年當九華校長，他觀察到香港學生懂變通、解難及溝通能力高、有創意，能與世界接軌，認為香港之所以獨一無二、受祖國看重，是因為本港的人才...

[Platinum Jubilee of Waterloo Road Campus]

2022 marks the Platinum Jubilee of our Waterloo Road campus – and we are launching our Fundraising Campaign in tandem with our brand new Fr Kelly Educational Fund website!

While an exciting programme line-up is in the pipeline, check out our fundraising initiatives and feats made possible by your gifts and donations over the years. Power our campaign by donating to the causes that you care about – the sustainable development of Wah Yan College, Kowloon and the whole-person development of Wahyanites – via PayPal or cheque. Any amount is gratefully accepted!

Check out:

NEWS - Fr. Kelly Educational Fund Fundraising Campaign 2022 Platinum Jubilee of Waterloo Road Campus Programme Line-up

[Farewell Message from Principal CHUNG]

“’It is the fate of glass to break,’ deriving from a French saying. Given a long enough timeline, everything will come to a close, be it a relationship or an organization, not because it has failed but because it has thrived long enough to outlive its existence. After serving Wah Yan College, Kowloon (WYK) for nine years since 2013, I have reached my retirement age and have to bid farewell to you.”

[Inter-School Swimming Competition (Division 1) 2021-22]

Years ago, in 2017-18, we plunged from 4th to 7th overall at the Inter-School Swimming Competition (Division 1). It was a headlong plunge, but our team spirit lives on.

As sportsmen, we know that it may only take a split second to win or lose in an event. Yet, as Wahyanites, we understand that apart from winning or losing, what matters most in sports, or even in life, is the fighting spirit for constantly seeking personal best and breakthroughs.

This year, our swimmers have risen to 6th place overall, capturing eight medals on the way– amid the uncertain pandemic situation. Special thanks go to S6 swimmers who rejoined the team at short notice after the HKDSE examinations.

We shall keep fighting like a Wahyanite – in hoc signo vinces!

[Top 10 Scholars of HKDSE 2022]

Apart from our big congratulations, we have the greatest respect for our Class of 2022! Thwarted by the pandemic from S4 through S6, they never lost their hearts; instead, they exhibited tenacity and resilience. In their final year, when they were busy preparing for the HKDSE exams, Hong Kong was swept by the fifth wave of the pandemic, and the city was ground to a near halt, not to mention the DSE exam schedule underwent rounds of adjustment. Amid volatility and uncertainty, Class 2022 prevailed.

Navigating your way through uncertainties under great stress is no easy task. Class 2022 did a great job, and we are proud of them.

Today, we all witness their growth and, most remarkably, their ability to rise high from unforeseeable challenges. This year sees an even more significant leap in performance. Kudos to Class 2022!

Our Top 10 Scholars are as follows:

- FOK Chin Long (SIX Level 5** & ONE Level 5*)
- CHAN Chi Ho
- CHAN Yuk Tung
- CHOY Chung Hang
- CHU Parco
- LAI Kai Cheuk
- LAU Tsun Yu
- LEUNG Ho Yin
- LO Chi Yin
- YAN Tin Long

Our dear young gentlemen, the DSE exam is only one of the checkpoints in life, and there is still a long and winding road ahead – please continue to strive to be a better version of yourself every day and in every way, like a Wahyanite, as always!

[End-of-Year Mass of Thanksgiving]
Although the pandemic has shaken up our usual ways of living and learning for almost three years, there are certain things that we should be grateful for because the pandemic keeps putting us to the test of what we can do. On reflection, we are glad about how we have improved in handling stress and distress, managing crises, and turning inward in search of inner peace. These are all essential life skills that one must learn – best at a young age because life is never easy – God makes it bumpy as he wants us to learn better and grow stronger. Most importantly, the lingering pandemic has taught us a good lesson on not to take things for granted, for example, a vacation in the summer.

As we wrapped up another extraordinary year at the Mass of Thanksgiving on 24 June, we were also bidding our dear Principal adieu. To capture something as evanescent as a parting moment is not easy; yet, in commemoration of the great devotion and dedication, the unconditional love and care of our “strict father” for nine years, Wahyanites shall strive to be Men of Human Excellence and Men for and with Others in the spirit of MAGIS – and it would be the best gift for Principal CHUNG in honour of his retirement. We wish him every happiness, freedom and excitement as he embarks on a new phase of his life!

[Three Trophies, Three Cheers in the Inter-School Athletics Competition 2021-22]

The pandemic had deprived our athletes of the opportunity to shine in the Inter-School Athletics Competition (Division 1) for two years. This year, battling against a stiff headwind under the pandemic, our young athletes were eager to brace for fierce competitions on the track and field at the Inter-School Athletics Competition 2021-22, unlocking their potential, realizing their talents and fighting for the glory of Wah Yan.

After rounds of rescheduling, the Final was held on 10 June 2022, a windy day under the grey skies with outbreaks of rain and drizzle – our athletes persevered and finished 1st Runner-up in Boys C Grade, 3rd Runner-up in Boys B Grade and 3rd Runner-up in Boys Overall. Congratulations! Wahyanites, in the spirit of MAGIS, we shall conquer!

[S6 Last Day]

This year’s S6 cohort has faced a stern test of reality – especially when the pandemic brought their school life to a halt almost three years ago, and their senior years seemed to be gone without a trace. On 10 June 2022, as they returned taller and stronger on campus for the very “Last Day” that we insisted on rescheduling for them after the HKDSE exams, we were impressed and touched by how much they had matured as they delivered their farewell speeches.

We are confident that our young gentlemen will strive to be the salt and the light for the world in times of uncertainty – whether you choose to stay or venture overseas, we are still as one, excelling and serving in the name of Wah Yan.

No matter where you are or where you are going, we will always be delighted to welcome you back home at 56 Waterloo Road– a place where your hearts belong.

[Appointment of New School Principal]

The School Sponsoring Body of Wah Yan College, Kowloon has announced today the appointment of Ms Cecilia CHOW as the School Principal with effect from 1 September 2022. Ms CHOW succeeds Principal CHUNG Warren, who will retire after being at the helm of his alma mater for nine years, serving with great devotion and dedication.

[STEM Awards: International Coding Elite Challenge 2022 and more]

Our hundred-member strong STEM Team keeps shining bright against the gloomy backdrop of the pandemic.

In particular, we congratulate NG Shing Hin Eason of 5C on emerging as the Overall Champion (HK-Macao-Taiwan CodeCombat Grand Final) of the International Coding Elite Challenge 2022. LAU Ka Hei Kelvin of 5C also took the Champion title in the District Competition (Kowloon).

Challenging their own selves and aiming to do better every day and in every way in the spirit of MAGIS, the Team also flexes their intellect and creativity in a range of events as follows:

• National Olympiad in Informatics (HK Province) (1 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze awards)

• Hong Kong Olympiad in Informatics (School Rank #4; 1 Gold, 4 Silver, 4 Bronze awards, 2 Honourable Mentions)

• Canadian Math Contest (Distinction; World #11)

• Robomaster 2021 (Division Champion & Best Engineer Award)

[English Debating Team Clinching a Victory in the 37th Sing Tao Inter-School Debating Competition]

Competing with some of the most seasoned debaters in town, our English Debating Team prevailed and advanced to the Semi-finals in the 37th Sing Tao Inter-School Debating Competition. They eventually took home the 2nd Runner-up trophy– in addition to sweeping a total of seven Best Debater and Best Interrogative Debater awards in the Quarter-finals and preliminary rounds. Congratulations!

We are glad to see our budding debaters grow and mature into eloquent and analytical young gentlemen throughout the competition since November last year. They handled the challenging (but exciting) motions well, stood firm and fought hard in every round. Indeed, debating is one of the traditions of Wah Yan, a Jesuit school, to sharpen students’ critical thinking and language skills.

Co-organised by the Sing Tao Daily, The Standard and the Education Bureau, the Sing Tao Inter-School Debating Competition is one of the most respected debating competitions in the local scene, attracting over 100 local and international schools to participate each year. This year, there were a total of 208 teams, of which 56 took part in the English section.

[Arrangements for Class Resumption after the Special Vacation]

The past two months were like a whirlwind, seeing a spike in Omicron infection cases and an abrupt special/summer vacation mandated in Spring that upended regular learning and teaching plans. Time flies, but we are always the pilot. When the unprecedented special vacation comes to a close, we all crave for returning to 56 Waterloo Road, our home away from home, where we enjoy school life and relish camaraderie. Our vast and verdant campus covets your homecoming that promises vim and vigour.