Principal's Message

Dear teachers and students,

My warmest congratulations to all award recipients. I hope each of you will use this achievement as a stepping stone to even greater success. Today’s awards are a recognition of the hard work you have invested this term, and they also reflect the care and dedication of our teachers. May I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to every teacher for their guidance. Students, this ceremony is not only to celebrate top performers but also to encourage every student who continues to strive and refuses to give up. Some of you have made impressive gains; others may not yet have reached your goals. If you persist and work diligently even in the face of difficulty, you deserve our admiration and support. As the saying goes, “Heaven rewards the diligent.” With perseverance, I believe you will achieve success — and next time, one of you may be standing on this stage.

 Today I want to share words from two successful basketball players to encourage you.

 The first is Kobe Bryant, widely regarded as one of the NBA’s all-time greats. He won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, was selected to 18 All‑Star Games, and received numerous honors, including the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player and two Finals MVP awards. In an interview about his dominance, Kobe smiled and asked, “Have you ever seen Los Angeles at 4 a.m.?” When the reporter shook his head, he explained: “The stars are out, the streetlights are few, and the city is quiet. At 4 a.m. Los Angeles is still dark, yet I’m already in the gym training. Ten years on, the night hasn’t changed — but I’ve grown stronger, fitter, and a far better shooter.” His message was clear: his success was the result of doing the work others were not willing to do.

 The second is local rising star Ng Wai Chun. While at Ying Wa College, he resolved to pursue basketball professionally. After distinguishing himself in school competitions, he joined the Hong Kong Bulls in 2025 and represented Hong Kong at the 15th National Games. In a recent feature in Sprint Life magazine, Ng recalled a school semifinal in which a mistake of his contributed to the team’s loss — an experience that left him with deep regret. He channeled that frustration into determination, setting himself the ambitious goal of “making 50,000 three-pointers” to sharpen his accuracy. With study and basketball occupying most of his time, he sacrificed much leisure and practiced nearly 200 three-point shots a day, ultimately spending two years to reach his target. That discipline not only improved his shooting but also forged his mental resilience. Ng’s journey demonstrates that long hours of focused, disciplined practice — not merely passion — are required for true success. If you wish to read the full interview, the March issue of Sprint Life is available on the magazine shelf in our library on the 7th floor.

 Whether it is Kobe Bryant’s “4 a.m. in Los Angeles” or Ng Wai Chun’s “50,000 three-pointers,” both stories teach us the same lesson: regardless of talent, success requires persistent, often repetitive practice — day after day — on things that may seem dull or insignificant. Have you planned concrete steps to reach your goals, and are you carrying them out consistently? I hope you will take inspiration from Kobe and Ng and run steadily toward your targets.

 Finally, today is the Lantern Festival. I wish everyone success and steady progress in your studies. Thank you all.

 Mr Lo Kwok Leung

Principal