Press Release

(Hong Kong – 25 February 2017) The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) welcomed over 1,800 of its new primary student members and their parents today at the Primary Student and Parent Orientation 2017. The ceremony took place in the Hall of Pui Ching Primary School, where the student members had the opportunity to gain an overview of the HKAGE programmes, activities and services designed for them before embarking on their vibrant learning journeys in gifted education.

To encourage more gifted students with great potential to join, the HKAGE launched a pilot self nomination scheme in 2015 and officially accepted applications through self nomination last year; 460 nominations were received. For school nomination, applications from 301 schools were received and the number of nominated students totalled 1,546. In 2016-17, a total of 1,891 students were successfully admitted as primary student members through the two nomination methods. Both the numbers of nominated and admitted students reached record highs, showing the awareness of, and support for, the HKAGE are growing among the education sector and public.

Professor Ng Tai Kai, Executive Director of the HKAGE, welcomed the new student members at the Orientation and introduced the newly established Student Services Team. Professor Ng hoped that the Orientation could provide student members and their parents with relevant information about the distinctive programmes, services and learning opportunities available, so that student members would be able to set sail in their learning journeys in gifted education; Mr Albert Hong, Head of Academic Programme Development Division, and Ms Tiffany Sin, Deputy Head of Affective Education Division, 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, shared with the attendees a recent research on the public examination performance of gifted students in STEM related subjects. The study found that student members of the HKAGE had outstanding performance in STEM related subjects.

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;

•    Enjoying the History of Three Kingdoms (HUMP1011): This programme introduces students to the right skills and attitudes needed for studying history with the Six Ws. Having learnt to distinguish between fact and fiction in the stories of the Three Kingdoms, students will understand what history is. They will also have the opportunity to unleash their creativity and create works on the theme of the Three Kingdoms;

•    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:

•    Lee Man Kong George (S1, Mathematics and Sciences Domain) shared his feelings on participating in the Humanities Talk: “The Art of Science Fiction”. He found his horizon broadened by the talk in which he was able to investigate the writer’s inner thoughts and vivid imagination in science fictions.

•    Kwok Lok Yin (P6, Mathematics and Sciences Domain) found the HKAGE programmes more lively than what was offered in the academic curriculum. He was able to master and absorb knowledge more easily by learning through play. For instance, when he was taking the Astronomy course, he was able to enter an inflated planetarium and to participate in stargazing with the telescope. It was really fun.

•    Lee Yat Fung (P6, Mathematics and Sciences Domain) found that programmes and activities offered by the HKAGE were very interesting. He was able to participate in a variety of programmes and activities, and acquire knowledge and skills in different domains. He took part in the “1+1” Group, in which he was able to learn and apply creative problem-solving skills, and write a digital game with his teammates. His work was awarded the “Most Practical Award” by Professor Ng Tai Kai.

•    Lo Ching Yin (P6, Mathematics Domain) opined that programmes of the HKAGE were relatively difficult, but the tutors were capable of explaining to them clearly. The “Crime Scene Investigation” course impressed him the most as he learnt how to capture DNA from the course, and it was quite helpful to him in pursuing his dreams.

After the Orientation, some of the parents also attended the “Affective Education Programme Introduction Seminar” and visited the information booth to have further understanding on the programmes and services offered by the HKAGE.

For more details of the Primary School Nomination and Self Nomination for Primary Students 2016-17, please refer to Appendix I and Appendix II.

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

Appendix I

Key Facts about the HKAGE’s Primary School Nomination 2016-17

1.    The HKAGE enrols new student members by phases. In year 2016-17, it enters Phase V 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 V 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 2016-17

Appendix II

Key Facts about the HKAGE’s Self Nomination for Primary Students 2016-17

1.    The total numbers of students nominated and admitted through Self Nomination for Primary Students 2016-17

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 2016-17