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Regarding our Educational Theme for 2024-2027, “Respecting Life in Praise and Gratitude for God’s Creation”, we focused on cultivating self-love and nourishing our wellness last year.  This year, we are taking a step further outward.  Our yearly theme for this academic year is “Embracing Diversity  Nurturing Respect”.

Building on the foundation of self-love, we must recognise that every person in our school is a unique creation of God.  To praise God’s creation, we must learn to appreciate the differences among us, foster mutual respect, and build a harmonious school community.  How can we put “Embracing Diversity, Nurturing Respect” into action in our daily life? Here are some examples.

The first example is showing respect in our daily interactions, which means absolutely no bullying or cyberbullying.  According to the Gospel of Matthew (10:37-42), Jesus says that whoever welcomes others welcomes Him, and even a small act of kindness, like giving a cup of cold water to a little one, will not go unrewarded.  In today’s digital age, how do we give that “cup of cold water”?  If we choose not to harm others on social media platforms, refrain from leaving hurtful comments, and stand up against cyberbullying, we have already accepted others, welcomed them and shown them true respect.  A respectful Holy Familian uses her words to encourage and support others, both in person and in the digital world.

The second example is demonstrating respect during your lessons and daily school routines.  We show gratitude for our lives and our intellect by taking our learning environment seriously.  Mutual respect in the classroom is essential for everyone to feel valued.  What does this look like in your daily courses?  It means staying alert and engaged.  It means showing respect to your teachers by being attentive, following their instructions and submitting your tasks on time.  It also means listening attentively when your classmates are sharing their thoughts.  These everyday actions are not just school rules; instead, they are practical ways to respect others and respect your own potential as a student.

The third example involves fostering a growth mindset through collaborative group work, assignments, and various learning experiences.  In any group project or shared task, you are required to work together, bringing together diverse ideas, strengths and backgrounds.  To collaborate with each other or succeed, you must respect the different perspectives and appreciate the talents of your groupmates.   Whether you are collaborating on a challenging assignment or participating in extracurricular activities, you may face challenges and make mistakes.  However, by embracing these diverse ideas and supporting one another, you can cultivate positive values and a strong growth mindset, learning that failure is simply a stepping stone to shared success.

The fourth example is fostering positive values, including showing respect, under the Discipline Board Merit Award Scheme.  When you demonstrate outstanding conduct, helpfulness and respect for others, your efforts will be recognised through Credit Marks, Minor Merits and Major Merits.  To maximise this impact, these merits are officially recorded on your report cards.  Last year, we saw encouraging results with an impressive 506 students earning these awards.  To celebrate their success, those students received certificates and vouchers in addition to the report card entries.  This scheme is not just about rules, but acts as recognition to encourage you all to actively participate and build a caring and respectful environment.

The fifth and final example of nurturing respect begins from within, practising self-love by respecting and cherishing your own life.  Every single one of you is a precious, unique creation of God.  To show gratitude in praise of God’s creation, you must first treasure the gift of your own life.   Instead of idling your time away, show respect for yourself by studying diligently, equipping yourself with knowledge to your fullest potential, and always trying your best.  However, you must never give up when faced with challenges or darkness.  If you are suffering or feeling overwhelmed in your life, you have to remember not to carry that burden alone.  Instead, you have to communicate with others and reach out to your trusted ones, such as talking to your parents, family members, teachers or our school social workers.  We are always here to listen and support you.

Remember, as you look around your classroom, you will realise that while you and your classmates may have different strengths, backgrounds and opinions, it is this unique diversity that makes your class vibrant.

I would like to conclude my sharing with a quote from our Foundress, St. Magdalene of Canossa, who reminds us, “Let everyone treat one another with great respect and charity, seeing in each other the image of Jesus Christ.”  This quote emphasises that God desires us to live in harmony, placing a high value on the dignity of those around us.  It also aligns with our yearly theme of embracing diversity and nurturing respect in every aspect of our school life.

I wish you all a blessed, healthy, and fruitful new academic year.  Thank you, and may God bless you all.