Principal's Message

Good morning teachers and students,

As we commence this new academic year, I extend my warmest welcome to our Secondary 1 students joining our family. I encourage our senior students to embody our school’s cherished values of mutual support, respect, and care by guiding our new members as they seamlessly integrate into secondary school life.

To make this seamless transition possible, our school community has been hard at work behind the scenes. Throughout the summer break, our teachers, administrative personnel, and support staff worked tirelessly to prepare for the new academic year. Beyond conducting supplementary tutorials for our Secondary 6 students, the school executed essential campus upgrades like refurbishing classrooms, modernizing washroom facilities, repainting stairwells, and deep-cleaning the entire premises. These collective efforts reflect our shared commitment to cultivating an optimal learning environment. I trust all students will express gratitude for our staff’s dedication by treating our campus facilities with care and respect.

Beyond providing a nurturing environment, our school’s ultimate mission is to empower students to reach their fullest potential. Today, I am also delighted to celebrate our graduates exemplary performance in the 2026 HKDSE. Remarkably, 84.5% of our candidates achieved the university entrance requirements (332A), with an equal 84.5% securing places in local undergraduate degree programs. Among these outstanding achievements, Student Ng K.H. earned an exceptional four 5** and two 5* grades, while Student Cheng N.M. gained admission to the prestigious Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program at The University of Hong Kong. I call upon all students to emulate the pursuit of excellence demonstrated by your seniors. As the ancient adage reminds us, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.’ With clear goals and unyielding dedication, you too can realize your academic aspirations and enter your ideal university disciplines.

To inspire your journey this year, consider the story of Dr. Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong’s first astronaut. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr. Lai earned her Doctorate in Computer Science from The University of Hong Kong. She subsequently chose to join the Hong Kong Police Force, devoting her expertise to information technology and cybersecurity, driven by a profound desire to utilize her knowledge in service to society. When the national astronaut selection process opened to Hong Kong in 2022, Dr. Lai embraced the challenge with the conviction that ‘life is worth giving one’s all for.’ Emerging from 120 local candidates as Hong Kong’s sole payload specialist, she joined the PLA Astronaut Brigade and completed 21 months of rigorous preparation, excelling across 200 grueling physical and technical challenges, including extreme survival tests, space science research, and spacecraft operations. In May 2026, she launched into space aboard the Shenzhou-23 mission as Hong Kong’s first astronaut. Dr. Lai’s journey proves that no dream is beyond reach when met with the courage to seize opportunity and the fortitude to give your absolute all.

Just as Dr. Lai’s breakthrough marks a historic milestone for Hong Kong, today, 1st September 2026, marks the 25th Anniversary of our school’s founding. From our humble beginnings in borrowed premises in 2001 to settling into our permanent School Village campus in 2002, Po Tong has grown remarkably over the past quarter-century. Throughout this journey, we established our Incorporated Management Committee, Parent-Teacher Association, Students’ Union, and Alumni Association, guiding generations through the transition from the HKCEE and HKALE eras to the HKDSE. Our campus life has flourished with athletic, musical, and uniform groups, alongside cherished traditions such as the Sports Day Cheerleading Competition, Class Dance Competition, Christmas Singing Competition, and bi-annual OLE Weeks. This silver jubilee unites teachers, students, parents, and alumni in shared pride. Immediately following this ceremony, we will launch our anniversary celebrations under the theme ‘Honouring the Past, Igniting the Future’ — paying tribute to our predecessors while pioneering an even brighter future.

As we embark on this academic year, I urge each of you to establish meaningful goals, embrace higher expectations, and press forward with unwavering determination toward the mark.

Thank you!

Principal Lo Kwok Leung

September 2026