Press Release

(Hong Kong – 12 March 2016) The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) welcomed over 1,700 of its new primary student members and their parents today at the Primary Student and Parent Orientation 2016. 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 starting their interesting learning journeys.

To encourage more gifted students with great potential to join, the HKAGE launched a pilot self nomination scheme last year and officially accepted applications through self nomination this year; 190 nominations were received. For school nomination, applications from 288 schools were received and the number of nominated students totalled 1,471. In 2015-16, a total of 1,534 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. Currently, the Academy categorises its primary programmes into two domains, namely Languages and Humanities, and Mathematics and Sciences. This year, 143 students were admitted to Double Domains, representing 2.3 times the number last year; this reflects the increasing number of student members with multiple talents.

Mr Albert Hong, Associate Director (Academic Programme and Advanced Learing Experiences) of the HKAGE, welcomed the new student members at the orientation. He hoped that the event could provide them and their parents with relevant information about the learning opportunities and services available, and enable them to know more about the Academy, so that they could choose programmes and services that suit their needs. Also, Mr Hong and Mr Patrick Lam, Associate Director (Affective Education) of the HKAGE, encouraged new student members to participate actively in the programmes and activities, and gain extraordinary learning experiences in order to realise their potential and talents. Besides, Mr Eric Fung, Research Manager of the HKAGE, shared with the attendees a recent research on the academic performance of gifted students. The study found a positive impact of student members’ participation in the HKAGE on their academic performance.

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, four current HKAGE student members welcomed their juniors and shared with them their respective learning experiences:

• Lai Kui Cheong (P6, Mathematics and Sciences Domain) found the HKAGE programmes more interesting and inspiring than the lessons in school. He took a forensic science programme, in which he learnt about taking fingerprints, solving mysteries and autopsy. The course also trained his logical thinking and reasoning.
• Lee Wing Hong (S1, Mathematics Domain and Sciences Domain) shared his experiences in a study tour to Taipei two years ago. He had the opportunity to exchange and make friends with the local gifted primary students during the trip. Moreover, he gained a lot of knowledge beyond the school curriculum from the Academy, and he could apply the knowledge in class after moving on to secondary school.
• Lo Ching Yin (P5, Mathematics and Sciences Domain) said the instructors of the HKAGE programmes encouraged students to think more, and this greatly enhanced her problem-solving skills. She believed these skills were very useful for tackling difficulties in her future life or work.
• Tse Pak Lok (P6, Languages and Humanities Domain and Mathematics and Sciences Domain) had enrolled in a number of programmes in different domains. He thought the HKAGE programmes attracted students by their in-depth contents and experienced professional instructors. He added that it was not easy to strike a balance between learning in the regular school and the HKAGE, but he managed to spare time to take online programmes offered by the Academy on ordinary days, and participate in face-to-face programmes and other activities during long holidays.

After the orientation, some of the parents also attended the parent seminar entitled “Nurturing the Gifted: Help Them Shine”. On the other hand, the new members participated in different student concurrent sessions according to their interests.

For more details of the Primary School Nomination and Self Nomination for Primary Students 2015-16, please refer to Appendix I and Appendix II.

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Nearly a thousand newly-admitted primary student members joined the HKAGE Orientation.
Mr Albert Hong, Associate Director (Academic Programme and Advanced Learing Experiences) 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 2015-16

1.    The HKAGE enrols new student members by phases. In year 2015-16, it enters Phase IV of its Primary School Nomination programme. The total numbers of schools invited, schools participating in the nomination and students nominated and admitted from Phase I to IV 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 2015-16

Appendix II

Key Facts about the HKAGE’s Self Nomination for Primary Students 2015-16

1.    The total numbers of students nominated and admitted through Self Nomination for Primary Students 2015-16

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 2015-16