Putting students first, supporting learning needs, heading towards a bright future

TWGHs Mr & Mrs Kwong Sik Kwan CollegeWe implement the education philosophy of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and provide support for students with special learning needs. Principal Chan To KinWe hope to lead students to realize their potential and have bright development prospects. We not only provide students with professionally trained teachers to provide support, but also help students eliminate obstacles, find a way out, and gain a sense of self-esteem and ability. The school also provides students with diversified learning experiences to promote whole-person development and broaden their horizons. It also designs career-oriented "all-round learning courses" and career planning to guide students to find their own life direction.

Construct a professional teaching team to support students’ learning needs

Students with special learning needs will inevitably become a group that is easily ignored due to ability issues. TWGHs Mr & Mrs Kwong Sik Kwan College’s professional support will undoubtedly become a ray of light in their learning career. Teacher Zhong Dongmei, who is in charge of the project, pointed out that students may face learning difficulties such as autism and dyslexia. Therefore, the school’s Special Educational Needs Committee promotes a whole-school support model to provide appropriate help to students with different needs. The school cooperates with the Chinese University of Hong Kong to promote the teaching team to improve their professional skills, and also arranges for different professional teams to come to the school, such as introducing speech therapists on campus to provide assistance to students with speech impairments. Some students have difficulty in writing, so the school arranges occupational therapists to assist students with weak small hand muscles in training to help them master writing skills and provide them with notes so that they can train with the help of their parents. Physical education teachers will lead students to train designated movements based on professional advice.

The Special Educational Needs Committee launches the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which focuses on academics, emotional management, self-care and social interaction, and jointly tailors individual learning plans for students to accompany and assist students in need of assistance to progress and grow. The school also arranges school-based educational psychologists and school-based social workers to provide professional assessment and support for students. At the same time, the school will also outsource individual social group services, pet therapy, dog guide activities, expressive arts therapy groups, etc. to fully cater for students' special learning needs. Teacher Zhong shared: "Students are generally more frustrated in elementary school and don't like going to school. But after they enter our middle school, most of them like going to school and have a strong sense of belonging to the school." This shows that school support is effective and has positive results.

Flexible teaching strategies allow students to freely choose their way out

The school focuses on caring for students with special learning needs. Principal Chan To Kin said: "Our students may have faced neglected situations in primary school. We hope to help them develop basic abilities, including learning ability, self-care ability, etc." Therefore, the school's junior high school mainly helps children adapt to the middle school curriculum, while high school allows students to choose their career path based on their personal circumstances and learning abilities. The school also allows students to choose whether to apply for the Diploma Examination and the subjects they apply for. Principal Chan To Kin emphasizes that schools do not only assist students with weaker abilities, but adopt a "two-legged approach" that will not go against students' wishes. For students with stronger abilities, schools will also actively encourage them to continue their studies.

In terms of school-based courses, the Special Educational Needs Committee and educational psychologists promote curriculum tailoring for each subject based on professional reports, and make adjustments in coursework, examinations, etc. to ensure that the content is in line with students' learning levels. For example, the requirements for homework and word count are slightly looser; for exams, extra time, computer reading, and voice-to-text responses are arranged. On the other hand, since students still have the opportunity to participate in the HKDSE, the school curriculum also needs to be in line with the HKEAA, provide students with adequate academic training, and arrange examination support for them according to the situation.

Diverse experiences broaden horizons and help students develop as a whole

While the school attaches great importance to supporting special educational needs, it is also committed to promoting the holistic development of students, broadening their horizons, and actively providing diversified learning experiences. Vice President Tang Zhien said: "We hope to let students know that besides entering college, there are other options." The school provides students with a variety of extracurricular activities, covering teamwork, sports, visual arts, etc., so that students can have more different experiences. For example, there are golf teams, boxing classes taught by retired athletes, cycling tours, rowing, etc. The school also purchases insurance for students every year so that they can try cycling on the road under guaranteed conditions. Teacher Sheng Diqin, who is in charge of the activity, pointed out: "We are not training an elite athlete, but we hope that students can go out and do sports and try more."

Not only that, the school organizes a "Diversified Activity Week" for students every year to help students expand their knowledge areas through various activities based on practical experience. The school understands that different students have different learning progress. In the junior high school stage, the teacher team will first lead students to get to know themselves, and provide activities around emotional management, dining etiquette, etc. to help students build self-confidence. Secondary 3 and 4 carry out community experiences, such as allowing students to understand the needs of the elderly, community environment, etc.; Secondary 5 and 6 focus on career-oriented education, such as holding mock interviews and institutional visits to make plans for the future.

Career Direction "Comprehensive Learning Course" Explore Personal Career and Career Aspirations

The school has launched a "comprehensive learning course", which focuses on career planning and encourages students to learn a skill or craft and explore personal interests and future career development directions. The course is held six times each in the first and second semesters, and students of all levels in the school are assigned to different classes. The courses include coffee latte art, pet grooming, hairdressing, sewing, ceramics, etc. Students can experience 12 different career activities during their six years at the school. During the course, if the teacher discovers that students have talent potential in a certain area, they will be arranged to participate in advanced classes to enhance their skills and interests in this area.

Career planning activities to welcome a bright future

Principal Chan To KinUnderstand that not every student will take the HKDSE, but firmly believe that they can step into their own bright future. The school attaches great importance to career planning. Teacher Sam Cuishan, who is in charge of career planning, said that the teaching team is committed to exploring the uniqueness of students and helping them develop strengths beyond academic studies, thereby guiding students to clarify their future paths. On the other hand, the school will arrange diversified career planning activities for students, try to get in touch with different industries, and understand whether it is possible to develop into a future career. Teacher Cen added that students’ knowledge of occupations is inevitably limited in middle school. The school provides students with ample opportunities to be exposed to various occupations by launching different visit activities. On the other hand, the school has introduced a Qualifications Framework certified course (Level 2) - Basic Nursing, so that students can acquire an additional skill and have more diverse options.

Plan future development priorities, taking into account independent learning and information technology

The school will launch the next three-year development plan in 2024. Principal Chan To Kin refers to the school's "walking on two legs" model to promote education. On the one hand, it takes care of students with weaker abilities, and on the other hand, it supports students with stronger abilities to continue their studies. The school hopes to continue to develop reading plans and the use of information technology by guiding students to cultivate their independent learning spirit and strengthen their learning abilities. By establishing reading habits, students not only receive cultural influence, but also master Chinese language skills and consolidate their knowledge structure. At the same time, after having a knowledge base, they can apply what they have learned in artificial intelligence. In addition, @TERM3@@ and his team plan to launch Qualifications Framework certification courses for Form 4 and 5 students; Form 6 students will develop their understanding of artificial intelligence and the ability to handle information technology, so that they can flexibly use technology to meet future challenges after graduation.

Graduation speech

Classmate Yu Xian Current painter

I still remember that when I first entered school, I was very taciturn, even a little world-weary, and was not very good at getting along with teachers. Fortunately, the appearance of several mentors later allowed me to discover my artistic talents and find my own direction. My teacher knew that I was interested in visual arts and often encouraged me to draw more. He also helped me plan for the future. I hope that I will have the opportunity to develop my talents after graduation. They often remind me not to forget my passion for painting and plant a seed in my heart, waiting to sprout. Sometimes when I feel confused, my teachers are willing to provide me with suggestions to push me forward on my artistic path.