Press Release

(Hong Kong – 24 February 2018) The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) welcomed over 1,200 of its new primary student members and their parents today at the Primary Student and Parent Orientation 2018. The ceremony took place in the Hall of Chinese YMCA College, where the student members had the opportunity to gain an overview of HKAGE programmes, activities and services designed for them before embarking on their vibrant learning journeys in gifted education. HKAGE received 1,884 nominations this year and admitted 1,772 primary students as members.

Professor Ng Tai Kai, Executive Director of HKAGE, welcomed the new student members at the Orientation and introduced the philosophy of HKAGE on offering tailor-made programmes to cope with the needs of gifted students aged from 10 to 18. Mr Albert Hong, Head of Academic Programme Development Division (APDD), Ms Tiffany Sin, Deputy Head of and Ms Megan Chan, Clinical Psychologist Affective Education Division (AED) encouraged new student members to participate actively in HKAGE programmes and activities, and gain extraordinary learning experiences in order to realise their potential and talents. On the other hand, Dr Eric Fung, Head of Research Division (RD), shared with the attendees a recent research on ‘Relationships amongst Life Satisfaction, Benefits Obtained, and Expectation’. Dr Fung encouraged the new student members to uphold a positive attitude towards the Academy programmes and experience a fruitful study journey.

After joining the Academy, student members can choose from a variety of programmes in different domains according to their own interests to acquire knowledge beyond textbooks. Some educational yet interesting programmes were recommended to the student members:

•    Food Science (SCIP1331): Focusing on scientific knowledge about food, this programme aims to familiarise students with food nutrition and the technology of food science through making food such as butter and ice-cream;

•    From tangible to intangible (HUMP1541): This course allows students to conduct site visits and investigate the impacts’ urbanisation has on Hong Kong’s traditional culture, so as to understand the roles intangible culture play in society and the difficulties of its conservation;

•    Creative Geometry with GeoGebra (MATP1331): This programme is designed to develop geometric thinking, and cultivate creativity and problem-solving skill through graphing and constructing geometric figures by using GeoGebra.

In addition, a number of current HKAGE student members welcomed their juniors and shared with them their respective learning experiences:

•    Ng King Sing (P6, Mathematics and Science Domain) found that programmes and activities livelier than what was offered in the academic curriculum. For example, he was able to master the art of origami, and create beautiful shapes by folding paper. In addition, he also learned to identify stars and knew their names in Astronomy programme;

•    Matthew Yu (P6, Humanities and Mathematics Domain) said that the most memorable programmes was the heat course ‘Heat 1, The Heat is On (SCIP1011)’. The instructor was able to stimulate his interest in heat through examples of life-related issues, such as fridges and paper hot pots.

After the Orientation, some of the parents also attended the AED and APDD Programmes and Experience Sharing Session to have further understanding of the programmes and services offered by HKAGE.

For more details of the Primary School Nomination and Self Nomination for Primary Students 2017-18, please refer to Appendix I and Appendix II.

- End -

Nearly a thousand newly-admitted primary student members joined HKAGE Orientation for primary student members.
Professor Ng Tai Kai, Executive Director of HKAGE, presented the opening speech at the Orientation.	Sharing sessions by some primary student members of HKAGE on their learning experiences.

Appendix I

Key Facts about the HKAGE’s Primary School Nomination 2017-18

1.    The HKAGE enrols new student members by phases. In year 2017-18, it enters Phase VI of its Primary School Nomination programme. The total number of schools invited, schools participating in the nomination and students nominated and admitted from Phase I to VI are shown below:

2.    Breakdown of newly admitted students by study level

3.    Breakdown of newly admitted students by learning domains

4.    Gender ratio of newly admitted students

5.    Timeline for Primary School Nomination 2017-18

Appendix II

Key Facts about the HKAGE’s Self Nomination for Primary Students 2017-18

1.    The total numbers of students nominated and admitted through Self Nomination for Primary Students 2017-18

2.    Breakdown of newly admitted students by study level

3.    Breakdown of newly admitted students by learning domains

4.    Gender ratio of newly admitted students

5.    Timeline for Self Nomination for Primary Students 2017-18