Speech by Permanent Secretary for Education at the Maryknoll Convent School Centenary Symposium

Ms Shelley LEE (President, MCS Educational Trust), Ms Cordelia CHUNG (Chairperson, MCS Foundation Limited), Ms Ophelia NGAN (Supervisor, MCS (Secondary Section)), Ms Amy HO (Supervisor, MCS (Primary Section)), principals, distinguished guests, parents, teachers, alumni and students,

   Thank you, Shelley, for your kind introduction.  Good afternoon to you all.  Dear beauties, I am honoured to join you today at this symposium.  On this splendid occasion, may I extend my warmest congratulations on the centenary of Maryknoll Convent School (or MCS in short).  I also wish to express my gratitude for the school’s unwavering dedication to nurturing distinguished young women in Hong Kong.  This milestone not only marks a hundred years of educational excellence but also celebrates the profound impact of the school on society.

2.   For one hundred years, MCS has nurtured generations of graduates with its rich heritage and steadfast commitment to education. I have the privilege of having many distinguished Maryknollers as my boss, colleagues and counterparts.  They excel in diverse fields and have made a difference in the society and the world.  I hold in great esteem the formidable strength of the Maryknoll alumni network.  Thousands of alumni flocked back to the school, many from abroad, in a series of centenary celebrations from February onwards.  This vibrant community stands as a testament to the enduring bonds formed among women united by shared experiences and common values.  It is particularly heartening to witness many alumni returning to the school on a regular basis to mentor juniors and share wisdom.  Their actions demonstrate the deep and enduring impact that transcends traditional notions of beauty, which is at the heart of our discussions today.

3.   The theme of today’s symposium, “Reframing the Concept of Beauty – in Campuses and Communities”. I am curious how “DeepSeek” responds.  According to DeepSeek, “the definition of “beauty” can vary depending on context, perspective, and culture or philosophical frameworks.  Generally speaking, beauty refers to a quality or combination of qualities that pleases the senses, mind, or spirit.  It then concludes that “beauty is a multifaceted concept that can encompass physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions.”  It is a very safe answer, isn’t it?

4.   Today’s theme indeed invites us to rethink traditional perceptions of beauty, which often prioritise physical appearance. Yet, we all understand that physical beauty is transient.  It is the richness of a woman’s character, the depth of her intellect, and the strength of her spirit that truly distinguish her.  These qualities redefine what we perceive as beauty and have driven remarkable progress in women’s education and empowerment in our city over the past century.  From classrooms to boardrooms, women in Hong Kong have broken barriers, challenged stereotypes, and made substantial contributions to our economy, culture and the broader community.

5.   Education has been pivotal in these achievements. It equips individuals with the value, attitude, skills and knowledge (VASK) to navigate a world full of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (or VUCA).  Hong Kong attaches great importance to education for all and for life.  We have an education system characterized by high quality, vibrancy and diversity.  We believe that every child is a precious and unique individual endowed with enormous potential.  Education is one of the important means to help our students unleash and realise their potential.  It is worth mentioning that, in terms of education equity, Hong Kong ranks second globally, as shown in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022, meaning that the socio-economic status of Hong Kong students has minimal bearing on their performance.  Maryknoll is a shining example of a publicly-funded school offering free but excellent education to all its students, so that they may pass on their talents and knowledge for the benefit of the community.  You also have an enviable advantage of a beautiful school campus, part of which is a historic monument, for students to preserve and cherish.

6.   Perhaps, we can get some inspiration from the name of the school, “MCS”, to highlight some key attributes of “beauty”. First of all, “M”may  stand for Moral values – integrity, honesty and trustworthiness, are virtues that are closely associated with a beautiful person.  Indeed, Education Bureau regards values education as the cornerstone of whole-person development of our students.  Secondly, “C” may stand for Commitment, Courage and Compassion — the commitment to serving others, the courage to challenge ourselves and to make a difference in the world, and the compassion to care for others, particularly those less fortunate people around us.  I am deeply inspired by Shelley, whom we call “Community Mother”.  Over the years, she has served as a role model in caring for the underprivileged and the victims of catastrophes.  As for letter “S”, I think beauty is a combination and a balance of “sense” and “sensibility”, the head and the heart.  We need intellect, good judgment, wisdom and prudence.  On the other hand, we also need sensitivity and sympathy.  And we certainly need the “serenity” and wisdom to discern the right balance at the right time.

7.   Do remember good health is a core part of “beauty”. “Developing an active and healthy lifestyle” is one of the seven learning goals in primary and secondary schools.  Education Bureau has joined hands with other bureau and community leaders to promote physical and mental health of our students.  For instance, we have the MVPA60 programme – which encourages our students to have 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on average each week.  We have introduced the “ASAP” — “Active Students, Active People” Campaign, with many fun-filled activities to help students.  Mental health is equally important.  Last year, we launched the “4 Rs” Mental Health Charter – covering “Rest”, “Relaxation”, “Relationship” and “Resilience”.  I am pleased that over 600 schools have signed the charter.

8.   As DeepSeek says, beauty is a multi-faceted concept. We are beautiful in different ways.  Let’s support the whole-person development of our younger generations as physically and mentally healthy people, upholding moral values, full of commitment, courage and compassion, having a balance of sense and sensibility, and underpinned by serenity so that they can have a fruitful life and contribute to the humankind.

9.   I understand there is a line in the MCS school hymn which says “To home, to country, to the world, we call this our first duty.” The qualities of beauty are not for self-enjoyment but are manifested in contributions to the community, the country, and the world.  I encourage our younger generations to develop both physical and inner beauty, with a grateful and joyful heart.

10.  In closing, I wish Maryknoll Convent School continued success in nurturing future leaders. I also extend my best wishes for good health and happiness to everyone here today.  Thank you.