Message from the principal – February 2024

The Lunar New Year is coming soon! As we are about to step into the Year of the Dragon, on behalf of all the teachers and students of APSW, I would like to extend our most sincere blessings and encouragement to all students and parents.

 

The new year symbolizes new beginnings and endless possibilities. May the children strive for progress in their studies, face challenges bravely, and constantly surpass themselves. Believe in your abilities, persevere, and you will be able to achieve your dreams. Wishing you abundant achievements, academic progress, and health and happiness in the new year!

 

To all parents, thank you for your support and companionship on the children's journey of growth. You are the most important guides on the path of children's development. In the new year, please continue to shower your children with endless love and care, encourage them to unleash their potential, pursue their dreams, and spend precious time with them, letting them feel the warmth and support of family. Wishing you overflowing grace, good health, and happiness in the new year!

 

With school life fully back to normal after the pandemic, since November last year, I have rearranged lunchtime to dine together with the children, understanding their needs and listening to their opinions and suggestions. The arrangement of "Lunchtime with Principal" not only provides us with an opportunity to share a meal together but also serves as an open platform for children to communicate about school matters, courses, activities, or any other topics of interest. During these interactions, I have heard children sharing about their school life, interactions among classmates, opinions on the lunch quality provided by the caterer, and how to approach academic studies. Surprisingly, every senior class expressed a desire to use the elevator to return to their classrooms every day, as they found carrying their school bags and climbing stairs to the fifth or sixth floor classrooms to be challenging. I encourage the children to work hard, design a more accessible campus for the future, benefitting younger students, and dream together with them, striving alongside the children.

 

Communication is the cornerstone of understanding, building good relationships between people, and connecting social networks. Therefore, we must create an open, inclusive, and mutually respectful environment, allowing children to feel that their voices are heard and valued. Many years ago, I heard a phrase on TV that is still true today: "10-minute break daily, listen to the youth of the heart." Parents should find time every day to pause from their busy work or smartphones, communicate with their children, understand their needs and feelings, making them feel understood and supported. Parental care and understanding are crucial for their mental well-being. Through care, listening, and communication with the children, we can detect any issues they may face earlier and provide timely support and help. The upcoming Lunar New Year holiday is a great time for building parent-child communication.

 

Moreover, to ensure that children have a Lunar New Year filled with positive energy, we will be giving each child a red packet and a positive energy bookmark as a "New Year gift." These red packets were designed by the winning families of the earlier "Inter-house Parent-Child Red Packet Design Competition." Before the Lunar New Year holiday, we will send these red packets to students,  allowing them to cultivate positive thinking during the holiday.

 

After the Lunar New Year holiday, we will enter the Year of the Dragon. Let us welcome the Year of the Dragon with joy, celebrating this festival full of hope and blessings. I already wish everyone a healthy body, mind, and spirit in the new year, and may all your endeavors be successful! Looking forward to meeting you all again in the Year of the Dragon!