Latest news with #MaryknollConventSchool
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How Hong Kong star Gigi Leung went from innocent girl next door to all-round entertainer
This is the 49th instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. Advertisement Hong Kong singer and actress Gigi Leung Wing-kei, who is best known as a 1990s Cantopop sweetheart, has led a dynamic career over the past three decades. Initially viewed as an innocent 'girl next door' following her appearance in Derek Yee Tung-sing's action drama Full Throttle (1995) and the release of her first two music albums, she has since established herself as a well-rounded performer on the silver screen and stage. Born in 1976, Leung grew up in Hong Kong, where she attended the Maryknoll Convent School. As a teen, she was given the nickname of 'tall girl' because of her height, and even joined her school's basketball team. Gigi Leung at an interview with the Post in 1996. Photo: SCMP She developed a passion for drawing and painting, and after graduating from Maryknoll, attended Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Design. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Top 10: If you could own any piece of artwork in the world, what would it be, and why?
This week's question: What is one emoji you want to eliminate, and why? To take part, drop us a line via this form by 12pm on Wednesday, May 7. Zoey Leung Wat-tung, 15, CPC Yao Dao Secondary School: House by the Railroad by Edward Hopper depicts a solitary house with a railway in the background, symbolising change and isolation. The quiet atmosphere effectively reflects the loneliness and struggles of people in modern life. Breanne Kwok Tsz-ching, 12, Maryknoll Convent School: The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh depicts a calm night filled with bright stars and a glowing moon. This serene scene contrasts sharply with my surroundings, which are characterised by a fast-paced district filled with tall public housing and heavy traffic. Zaman Sana Wai Wong-sum, 14, PLK Mrs Ma Kam Ming Cheung Fook Sien College: Edouard Manet's renowned artwork, The Execution of Emperor Maximilian, depicts the execution of Maximilian I of Mexico. It highlights the violence and political chaos of that era. Manet's work conveys the harsh realities of war, reflecting deep sadness and loss. Owen To Man-kwan, 15, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College: The Tralalero Tralala phenomenon on the internet has become a true masterpiece. The viral shark photo sparked a significant revolution in AI creativity, ushering in a new era in the digital world. Abstract images have brought joy and amusement to many. Tim Tse Kam-Tim, 14, TWGHs Li Ka Shing College: Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso conveys profound sadness through its fragmented face and intense colours. This cubist portrait is not just a work of art; it serves as a powerful expression of sorrow, inspired by the Spanish Civil War. It demonstrates how pain can be transformed into something exceptionally beautiful.
South China Morning Post
23-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Top Hong Kong women CEOs talk about the beloved school that fuelled their success
When Bonnie Chan Yiting interviewed for the top job at Hong Kong Stock Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), she recited a lyric from her school song 'to home, to country, to the world' to showcase the 'service mindset' that her alma mater instilled in her. Advertisement In fact, Chan used it in two successful interviews – one for the CEO position and the other for the head of listing position when she returned to the city's bourse in January 2020, after about a decade specialising in capital markets law at Davis Polk & Wardwell. 'It is very seldom that one would refer to the school hymn during an interview, but I did,' Chan said earlier this month at a symposium to mark the centenary celebration of Maryknoll Convent School. 'I told them the school taught me a service mindset [and] that where there is an opportunity, we should pay back. And I think at that time, I reached a point in my career that I really wanted to pay back.' The line in the school song – 'to home, to country, to the world; we call this our first duty' – was in her thoughts when she decided in 2019 to quit private law practice amid months of social unrest to resume her career at the stock exchange. Maryknoll Convent School (Primary Section) on Waterloo Road, a stone's throw from Kadoorie Hill in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Photo: Franke Tsang Maryknoll Convent, an all-girls Catholic school, was founded in 1925 by the Maryknoll Sisters of St Dominic. It aims to instil trust and integrity in its students and an appreciation for cooperative teamwork and respect for others. They are taught to have moral, ethical and religious values, to be compassionate and capable of serving the society. Advertisement Cordelia Chung, chairwoman of the school foundation, said the symposium not only celebrated the school's legacy but also set the stage for continued dialogue and action on redefining beauty, empowering women, and building a more sustainable and inclusive future.
South China Morning Post
01-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong social enterprise teaches money management skills by giving kids credit cards
Every week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we've written. A Hong Kong social enterprise is teaching kids about money management by giving them credit cards. Solomoni is a free financial educational app that comes with Hong Kong's first Visa card for children. It was designed for children from six to 18 years old. The card and app allow parents and young users to monitor expenses and set savings goals. The app was developed through Project Morals & Money (Project M²), a social enterprise project under Solomon Learning Group. The initiative aims to instil financial literacy and ethical financial habits from an early age. Yeung Tsz-yu from Maryknoll Convent School (Primary Section) appreciated how the app tracks her spending: 'It helps me monitor my spending patterns and see where I need to adjust,' she said. Solomoni was piloted in 15 schools in 2023, reaching nearly 1,000 students and parents. It offers interactive features that parents and children can use together, such as earning money through tasks, setting savings goals, tracking spending, and donating to charity. The cards are stored-value cards and can only be used when the account has enough money. This teaches children to spend within their available funds. Money management skills to help you save and make good financial decisions Encouraging good habits The social enterprise behind Solomoni has also launched a series of online lessons about money management skills. Alison Chan is the co-founder of Solomon Learning Group. She said that 80 per cent of parents surveyed believe they will need to support their children financially even after they finish university. 'If parents can instil financial concepts early on, it teaches patience and the importance of delaying gratification,' she said. 'Earning money helps children understand that nothing comes easy, that hard work is necessary, and that they must take responsibility.' She also stressed the value of charitable giving, a practice that is encouraged on the app. 'Donation is crucial because it fosters compassion and empathy – qualities that are essential in great leaders.' Learning good financial habits as a child prepares you for the future. Photo: Shutterstock New way of spending Sylvia Chan May-kuen is the principal of Ying Wa Primary School. She said financial education was especially important in today's digital world. 'We used to handle cash, calculate change, and physically save money. But now, with digital payments, a moment of impulse can lead to an instant purchase,' Chan said. 'Schools play a key role in teaching them how to make choices – whether in communication, problem-solving, or money management.' Students were excited about the lessons they could learn from the app. 'I'm most interested in learning how to evaluate whether a purchase is worth it – comparing cost and benefits,' said Jayden Wong Ban-yin, 11, a Primary Six student at Ying Wa Primary School His classmate Karston Chan Hin-wang, 12, had similar ideas. 'I don't usually spend much unless it's something essential,' he said. 'I also consider the cost-performance ratio before making a purchase.' Karston believed learning financial education skills at a young age would benefit children. 'Eventually, we won't be relying on our parents to pay for everything,' he said. 'Since we'll need these skills sooner or later, why not learn them early and adapt to managing money independently?' To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
