Sha Tin Methodist College

For other uses, see one of the secondary schools in Hong Kong.

Sha Tin Methodist College
School badge      School badge                     City coat of arms
Love to learn, Learn to love.
School front
Brand new look of STMC
Location
Position	Sun Tin Wai Estate
District	Sha Tin
Region	New Territories
City	Hong Kong
Country	China
Coordinates	22°22′16.89″N 114°11′10.49″E
Information
Principal	Lau Hor Keung (劉賀強)
Supervisor	Lo Lung Kwong (盧龍光)
Founded	Year 1983
School Type	Government-Aided, Co-Educational School
School Sponsor	Methodist Church
Religion	Christianity
Telephone	(852) 2602 1300
Fax	(852) 2609 1477
E-mail Address	info@stmc.edu.hk
20th Anni Logo                      25th Anni Logo

Sha Tin Methodist College (沙田循道衛理中學) , abbreviated as STMC, is a government subsidized secondary school founded in 1983, which is sponsored by the Methodist Church, Hong Kong to serve the local community together with churches and service centres in Sha Tin parish.

Based on the spirit of Jesus Christ, and putting whole-person caring as top priority, the school aims to provide education on spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical, social and aesthetic aspects, which helps students build a personality in the image of Christ and in the end serve people and the society.

School missions

The school's mission is to provide whole-person education according to the spirit of Jesus Christ, and to nurture abundant lives by teaching the gospel.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
(Proverbs 9:10)

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6)

Following the footprint of Jesus Christ, the school believes that each and every student is the love of God and endowed individually. She therefore respects each of them and help them develop their potential to the full. Through whole-person education on moral, intellectual, physical, social, aesthetic and spiritual aspects, every student will be able to model on Jesus Christ, to “grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)

Apart from this, the school is sure that the meaning of life does not lie on material affluence but on the quality of life. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the basis for development of a holistic life - “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Education is teaching by word and deed, just as what Jesus Christ did to his disciples.

The school's final goal is to foster a positive philosophy of life. Students should be able to think independently, know right from wrong, and put knowledge into practice. She desires to strengthen students' analytical ability and judgment, and develop effective use of languages for expression and communication. Students should be eager in the quest for knowledge, be progressive on life and work, so as to lay a sound foundation for life-long learning.

Moreover, she yearns for developing students into persons with strong physique, mature mind, healthy sentiment and holistic personality to meet the challenges in life. She wishes for developing the attitude and capacity needed for harmonious interpersonal relationship and teamwork. Students should love their family and school, be concerned with the society and the country, and at the same time have the readiness and the capacity for civic participation. Students should also develop ability to appreciate and create, to pursue the goodness and beauty in life, and to develop Christian values, so that they are committed to and practice faith for an abundant life.

School expectations

For the school herself, she expects the school as a place to learn faith, hope and love and to live up to the spirit of Jesus Christ; to provide a happy, active, progressive and innovative learning environment; and to form a community in which students, teachers and parents are respectful, help to build each other, and engage in life-long learning.

For the students, she expects them to learn the Christian faith, adopt a positive attitude and have an abundant life on the basis of biblical teaching; to achieve balanced development on moral, intellectual, physical, social, aesthetic and spiritual aspects; to be self-acceptive, build up confidence, be respectful and responsible; to be independent-minded, develop their own potential, be earnest truth-seekers who possess the ability to reflect and self-improve; and to love their family and school, care for the community and environment, know and adapt to the changes of the world, contribute actively to the society and the country.

For the teachers, she expects them to know the Christian faith and work with God on education; to identify with the school's education principles and put them into practice, set a personal example, help students develop healthy personality with love and care; to sustain professionalism, take students as the focus, keep on learning and growing on education; and to foster team spirit, encourage one another in a happy working environment, so as to achieve the school's objectives.

For the principal, she expects him/her to work together with the school supervisor, school managers and teaching staff, create a culture of continuous learning, and live up to the school's mission; to foster a school culture in which the curriculum is developed in such a way to cater for the abilities and attitudes of students, so that each and every student will be taken care of and develop his/her potential; to lead a personal example together with the teaching staff, through activities of different nature, guide and assist students on balanced physical and social development; to employ strategies effectively on assessment of students' learning progress, use data to improve teaching; to place emphasis on life-long learning, make the school an organization of continuous learning; and to upgrade his/her leadership, assist teachers to enhance professionalism, help students develop inner potential to become lives appreciated by both God and men.

For the parents, she expects them to place emphasis on family education, provide a healthy and happy environment for their children to grow; to understand the essence of Christian education, identify with the school's education philosophy, share the responsibility to nurture their children; to have adequate communication with the school, be trusting, caring and supportive of the school's work; and to know the Christian faith, get along with and treat children with love, experience an abundant life.

For the supervisor, she expects him/her to has a vision on education with great foresight, be committed to carrying out the mission of Christian education, so as to achieve the Church's education objectives; to be willing to take up responsibility as leader of the school, lead the SMC diligently in discharging its duties with concerted effort; to know the education ordinance well, understand the operation of the SMC, supervise the running of the school to ensure that the objective of providing quality education is met; and to be responsible for supervising the Principal, attend to, encourage and support the Principal and teaching staff, foster a caring and excelling culture, fulfill the mission of all-round education.

For the school managers, she expects them to be aspired to Christian education, lead the school in realizing the Church's education philosophy in line with the school's principles; to participate actively in school activities, be concerned with the school's affairs, build up good relationship with the Principal and teachers, work together towards the development of moral, intellectual, physical, social, aesthetic and spiritual aspects among students; to participate actively in drawing up school-based education objectives, which are to be assessed and reviewed annually, so as to establish a long term development plan for the school; to contribute and capitalize on their talents to give advice and guidance to the school; and to mind their personal conduct, receive training on school management, keep on reviewing and updating their knowledge on Christian education philosophy and school management.

School features

Specific objectives

For the next three school years starting from 2008, the school plans to achieve four goals. First, is to broaden students' perspectives towards their life and career goals. Second, is to foster a positive and stimulating English learning environment at school. Third, is to develop students' studying skills and nurture them with constructive learning habits. Last, but not least, is to stretch the able and support the less able students.

Scripture of the school year 2008 to 2009:
“And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless.”
(Philippians 1:9-10)

Class structure and admission

The school has adopted a symmetrical class structure. There are five classes in each form for F.1 to F.5, and three classes for F.6 and F.7. There are no school places in F.4 and F.6 allocated to students from other schools.

Teacher qualifications

File:Lau Yam Fat Vincent.png

Mr. Vincent Lau Yam Fat, degree holder of BSc(Chem), M.Phil(Lobster) and PDGE, is a Chemistry teacher of STMC.

The school currently has 68 teachers, of which 66 (97%) hold university degrees; 25 (37.3%) hold higher degrees; 63 (93%) have completed teacher training programs. Education psychologist and social worker are also employed to support the school's work. All teachers in the school are eager to enrich themselves by further study and regular sharing. Classroom observation has long been practiced in the school. Moreover, all teachers of English Language and Putonghua have met the requirements of the Language Proficiency Assessment.

Religious education

The school practices Christian education. The spirit of Jesus Christ is fully reflected in the school's policy, management and campus life. The school actively promotes education on Christianity. Through classes on religious education, morning assembly, weekly assembly, Christian fellowship, Girl's Brigade, gospel camp, sports events, cell groups, prayer groups and crusade, students come to know Jesus Christ and be committed. The Shatin Methodist Church works closely with the school on holding various activities and camps to nurture students' spirituality and leadership. Youth music worship is held every Saturday. The Religious Education Centre also provides an ideal place for retreat, prayer, group sharing and counseling.

Quality education

The school has been actively promoting quality education by realizing the spirit of Jesus Christ on school ethos, policy and measures. Since the implementation of School Management Initiative in 1992, the school has been drawing up plans according to the school administration cycle. Representatives of teachers, parents, alumni and local community are among the school managers.

The school recognizes the importance of all-round education. In as early as 2001, the school took initiative to replace the traditional report card with Student Profile as a record of student performance in all aspects. Apart from "academic attainment", performance on "extra-curricular reading", "project learning", etc is recorded separately; the single assessment on conduct has been replaced by assessment on the following 9 attributes in 3 aspects:

• Personality: Honesty, Self-discipline, Courtesy
• Abilities: Thinking, Interpersonal relationships, Leadership
• Attitude: Learning attitude, Willingness to serve, Initiative

To fully understand the development of students, the school keeps a systematic record of students' non-academic attainment. Such record is a useful guide for future career development.

To tie in with the Student Profile, the school runs a "My-ile" personal growth scheme to let student set their own goals, draw up plans and monitor their own progress. After the examination and before handing out the Student Profile, the Form teacher and Assistant Form teacher meet students one by one to review their progress on "quality" and "study". The plan will then be revised before a meeting with parents is held. Through formal curriculum, integrated curriculum and hidden curriculum, the school aims to foster a culture of aspiration, care and dedication.

The curriculum is so designed and arranged to ensure a diverse and well-balanced curriculum that meets the needs of the society.

The school received funding from the Government's Quality Education Fund on a number of creative education projects. These include: Green School Campaign, Multi-media Language Lab, Chinese Orchestra, Western Orchestra, General Education on Chinese Medicine, Digital Music and Creative Art Workshop, Millennium Multi-media Classrooms, General Education on Chinese Medicine and Resource Centre, Campus TV, to provide a platform for enhancing teaching effectiveness. With the support from the SAR Government, the Church and the community, the school has in recent years organized study tours to Beijing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Sanshui, Lianshan, Zhaoqing, Xian and Macau, Singapore as well as to Korea. To tie in with the objective of broadening horizons, the school has set up a student grant on overseas studies, so that all students have the opportunity to enrich their learning experience.

A number of seed programmes have been carried out in collaboration with the Curriculum Development Institute of EDB in recent years, with a view to introducing curriculum that enriches learning experience. A number of teachers have been seconded to EDB to take part in the development and optimization of the curriculum on Gifted Education, Science Education, History Education, Integrated Humanities and Liberal Studies. The curriculum so developed was implemented in the school and the experience applied to other schools in Hong Kong.

In addition, the curriculum on Integrated Humanities at HKCEE level has been implemented in the school since 2003. A number of electives are available at senior secondary level, and AS level subjects of Liberal Studies, Computer Application, Mathematics and Statistics are offered to broaden students' horizons.

Apart from general subjects, the school implemented a formal curriculum on Moral and Civic Education to nurture civic awareness among students. Culture experiential activities and reading day are organized from time to time. The school also set up the first Chinese Herbal Medicine Learning Center in Hong Kong to provide learning opportunities in Chinese herbal medicine. A curriculum of general education on Chinese Medicine is incorporated in regular classes in F.2.

In 2002, the school was elected to be one of the twenty outstanding schools and a Resource School to share its experience with fellow schools in Hong Kong. Apart from three to four sharing sessions on different themes held every month, an open forum was held on 13^th June 2003 and a journal was published. Another Knowledge Fair was held in November 2008 to celebrate the school's 25^th Anniversary and to serve as a platform to share the school-based curriculum projects with the other schools.

In 2006, the school was invited to be a pilot school under the Professional Development Scheme, School Support Partners Scheme, and Partnership for Improvement of Learning and Teaching project to further enhance quality education and share its experience with other schools.

In 2004, EMB conducted a comprehensive External School Review to the school. The assessment covered fourteen items in four main areas, for which the school obtained grading of "Excellent" or "Good".

Results of External School Review by EMB:

	Management & Organisation	Learning & Teaching	Support for Student & School Ethos	Student Performance
Excellent	Professional Leadership		Support for Student Development School Culture	Attitude & Behaviour
Good	Planning & Administration Staff Management Planning & Management of Resources Self-evaluation	Curriculum Teaching Student Learning Performance Assessment	Links with Parents & External Organisations	Participation & Achievement
Acceptable
Unsatisfactory

Diversified curriculum

The school has developed a diversified curriculum to cater for students with different abilities. For the school year 2008 to 2009:

For F.1 to F.3:

• Subjects taught in Chinese:
  Chinese Language, Putonghua, History & Culture (incorporates World History with Chinese History of the corresponding period) , Religious Education, Moral & Civic Education, Liberal Studies, General Education on Chinese Medicine & Herbs
• Subjects taught in English:
  English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Science, Geography, Computer Literacy, Visual Arts, Music, Home Economics, Physical Education, Design & Technology

For F.4 to F.5:

• Subjects taught in Chinese:
  Chinese Language, Chinese Literature, Chinese History, Religious Education, Moral & Civic Education, Integrated Humanities
• Subjects taught in English:
  English Language, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Economics, Computer, Visual Arts, Physical Education

For F.6 to F.7:

• Subjects taught in Chinese:
  Chinese Language & Culture, Chinese Literature, Chinese History, Religious Education, Moral & Civic Education, Liberal Studies, General Music
• Subjects taught in English:
  Use of English, Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Economics, Principles of Accounts, Computer Application, Mathematics and Statistics, Physical Education

Education for the Gifted

The school aims to provide whole-person education to students. The curriculum is so designed as to meet the need of the changing society. Emphasis is placed on a balanced and wide curriculum to nurture students' scientific and humanistic literacy, and the ability to grasp and adapt to changes and development of the society. While junior secondary curriculum is immersed with gifted elements, the school puts in resources to provide talented students with pull-out programmes of gifted education.

Elements of gifted education are incorporated in junior secondary formal curriculum, so that students could broaden their horizons and develop thinking skills. Table I outlines the latest development of the junior secondary curriculum.

Table I: The latest development of junior secondary curriculum

Year	Junior Secondary General Education on Thinking		General Education on Chinese Medicine		History Education & Culture
F.1	Liberal Studies (basic training on thinking ability)	One period per cycle (mainly on thinking education) . Help students acquire thinking skills through real-life experiences. Help students understand the legal and political system of Hong Kong.			History & Culture	Three periods per cycle. Emphasis on comparison, examination and appraisal of cultures.
F.2	Scientific Enquiry (application of thinking ability)	As part of the Integrated Science curriculum, students carry out investigations on science topics. Through questioning and problem-solving, students acquire skills on data collection, analysis and presentation, and nurture self-learning ability.	Chinese Medicine	Six periods per year. Provides basic knowledge on Chinese Medicine. Supplemented with extra-curricular activities.	History & Culture	Four periods per cycle. Emphasis on comparison, examination and appraisal of cultures.
F.3	Extensive Learning (advanced training on thinking ability)	A part of the Chinese History curriculum. Activities include talks, visits to museums and project design to develop students' "humanistic literacy". Encourage students to develop high order thinking ability, to review and understand other modes of thinking, and examine one's own thinking method.			History & Culture	Five periods per cycle. Emphasis on comparison, examination and appraisal of cultures.

Notes:

• Junior Secondary General Education on Thinking takes thinking education as the main theme. It aims to develop high order thinking potential among students, and to provide gifted students with a broader and wider learning experience.
• General Education on Chinese Medicine includes introductory lessons on Chinese Medicine, coupled with studies in the school's Chinese Herbal Medicine Gallery, greenhouse and field trips, to achieve the dual aims of cultural heritage preservation and health education.
• History Education & Culture uses Chinese History as the axis and combines with World History, to let student understand the sequence of history and cultural development, so as to build up a global vision.

The 21^th century needs persons with adaptability, intelligence and creativity. Students should possess both scientific and humanistic literacy, a broad knowledge base and learn to learn. The school strives to put students at the center of learning, through the development of appropriate curriculum and effective learning and teaching activities, to promote students' capacity to construct knowledge and skills, to develop students into leaders of the society in future.

Two experienced teachers have been seconded to the Gifted Education Section of Curriculum Development Institute under EMB for one and three years respectively. They were responsible for the design and planning of gifted curriculum, and acted as speakers and instructors for teacher training on gifted education.

The said teachers are members of the School-based Gifted Education Unit and are responsible for the design, initiation and coordination of school-based gifted education curriculum. Apart from curriculum for the whole class (please see Table I: "The latest development of junior secondary curriculum" for details) , from 2004/2005 onwards, a school-based pull-out gifted development programme is implemented for student with outstanding performance in specific domains. Students have to go through an identification and selection process before joining the programme. A task force comprising subject teachers is formed to provide tailor-made curriculum for students. The school also offers training with generic "gifted elements" to strengthen training on thinking skills, problem solving strategies, emotional intelligence and leadership. Table II summarizes the curriculum on gifted education.

Table II: Summary of School-based Gifted Education Curriculum (2008 to 2009)

Group	Content/Purpose of specialized training	Generic Training
Chinese	Oral training: Enhance verbal skills in conception, presentation and response. Acquire skills to speak and develop independent thinking skills. Be good at communication, ready to express oneself and give appropriate responses.	In the form of workshop, places emphasis on the development of creativity, high order thinking skills and personal-social competency.
English	The course aims to help students excel their English language skills through interactive learning with native English teachers. Through doing research, creative work, discussions and a variety of stimulating activities, students would be able to gain more exposure to authentic English, as well as become more confident in their own language abilities.
Mathematics	Provides training in thinking and broadens students' horizon. Students will be selected to represent the school in territory-wide mathematics contests.
Science	Through product design, stimulates imagination and divergent thinking. Students would be able to experience the course of invention, learn to enquire and acquire the skills of problem solving with creativity.

Notes:

• Lessons are conducted in groups outside formal classes throughout the year. The learning experience and performance of students will be kept in record.

Education for the Liberal Studies

The Academic Development Unit and Panel on Liberal Studies are responsible for the coordination of Liberal Studies across all levels (F.1 to F.7) . Table III summarizes the planning of a broad and wide curriculum for Liberal Studies, which incorporates both gifted and Liberal Studies elements.

Table III: A broad and wide Liberal Studies curriculum framework

Level	Year	Subject	Features
Senior Secondary	F.6 to F.7	Liberal Studies	ASL Exam Elective In-depth study on special topics including "interpersonal relationship", "Hong Kong studies", "environmental protection" and "China today".
	F.4 to F.5	Integrated Humanities	HKCEE Elective Broaden students' horizons and enhance students' understanding of themselves, the society of Hong Kong, the nation and the world.
Junior Secondary	F.3	Extensive Learning	School-based Compulsory Broaden horizon, develop high order thinking skills and nurtures humanistic literacy.
		History & Culture	School-based Compulsory Widen space, time and cultural perspective, develop a holistic view on history as well as critical thinking skills.
	F.2	Scientific Enquiry	School-based Compulsory Training of self-learning skills, nurtures scientific literacy.
		History & Culture	School-based Compulsory Widen space, time and cultural perspective, develop a holistic view on history as well as critical thinking skills.
		General Education on Chinese Medicine	School-based Compulsory Introduce basic knowledge on Chinese medicine and foster a passion for Chinese culture.
	F.1	Liberal Studies	School-based Compulsory Training on thinking, learning methods, project learning and adaptation to secondary school life.
		History & Culture	School-based Compulsory Widen space, time and cultural perspective, develop a holistic view on history as well as critical thinking skills.

Notes:

• Junior Secondary Extensive Learning combined with talks, five museum visits, project learning on museums and presentation.
• Junior Secondary General Education on Chinese Medicine combined with field works at the Chinese Herbal Medicine Gallery of the school.

Liberal Studies is offered in F.1 to develop thinking skills and help students adapt to secondary school life. A curriculum on General Education on Chinese Medicine (with practitioners in Chinese medicine as instructors) is offered in F.2. On HKCEE curriculum, the school offers several groups of Integrated Humanities electives for students, to provide systematic instruction on issues relating to the students themselves, the society of Hong Kong, the nation and the world at large. For A-Level curriculum, the school offers a number of modules on Liberal Studies. Students may select topics for in-depth study like "interpersonal relationship", "Hong Kong studies", "environmental protection" and "China today" according to their abilities and interests.

The design and implementation of Liberal Studies and balanced curriculum is characterized by its professionalism and strong team spirit. This year, two experienced teachers are seconded to EDB to take part in the central curriculum development and teacher training for Liberal Studies. In 2008/2009, the school participated in a project on Liberal Studies for the design of teaching and learning assessment. Over the years, the subject teachers have been serving on the HKEAA and CDI's committee on Liberal Studies, and acted as speakers and instructors for teacher training sessions on Integrated Humanities and Liberal Studies. The subject panel comprises over ten experienced teachers, who are keen to share with each other so as to facilitate mutual support and professional development.

In short, teachers of the school are proactive in planning and implementing curriculums that are in line with the school's objectives. The school seeks to respond to the needs of students and the society by improving continuously on both theory and practice of curriculum.

CE joins students in Liberal Studies class

Mr. Tsang takes part in a Liberal Studies lesson on "Media and Society" with sixth form students of STMC.

Mr. Tsang takes part in a Liberal Studies lesson on "Media and Society" with sixth form students of STMC.

Press release from the HKSAR Government (HKT 14:37, Friday, May 22, 2009) :

“ The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, went back to school today (May 22), taking part in a Liberal Studies (LS) lesson during a visit to Sha Tin Methodist College.

Arriving at the school in the new electric vehicle, the i MiEV, Mr Tsang was first briefed by the school management on its preparation for the implementation of the 334 New Senior Secondary (NSS) curriculum in the 2009-10 academic year.

Noting that the school was a pioneer in promoting LS, Mr Tsang met the team of Liberal Studies teachers to learn more about how this core subject would be taught in the NSS curriculum.

He also gained some first-hand experience by taking part in an LS lesson on "Media and Society" with sixth form students. The lesson was taught in the form of role-play. Mr Tsang partnered a student to play the role of "government officials" and joined other students in a heated debate on the issue of press freedom.

"I am very impressed by the students' performance. They are well prepared for a constructive class discussion. By connecting learning to real-life experience, the lesson helps enhance students' social awareness as well as broaden their perspectives. I am sure they now have a thorough understanding of the issue," the Chief Executive said.

Mr Tsang then proceeded to a studio to meet the crew of Campus TV, which started as a small team to provide recording service for the school. Campus TV is now applying their creative talent to various types of productions including advertisements and dramas. They also conduct video conferencing with students on the Mainland and different parts of the world to facilitate exchanges between schools.

Before ending the visit, Mr Tsang toured the Chinese Herbal Medicine Gallery and the Resource Centre for Liberal Studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine on the campus. The school offers a General Education curriculum on Chinese Medicine at Secondary Two with practitioners in Chinese medicine as instructors.

"The curriculum not only introduces basic knowledge of Chinese medicine to the students, but also fosters a passion for Chinese culture. I am very impressed by the school’s effort in promoting Chinese medicine," the Chief Executive said. ”

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200905/22/P200905220075.htm

Language education

The school uses English as the medium of instruction, providing an excellent English learning environment for students.Before the start of the school year, F.1 students have to attend a mandatory Summer English Programme. F.1 English Language is taught in small classes. The school puts emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities of students on the both Chinese and English. Putonghua courses are offered in F.2 and F.3. Assemblies are conducted in English, Cantonese and Putonghua. The Multi-media Language Lab provides a well-equipped environment for language learning. All teachers of English Language and Putonghua have met the requirements of the Language Proficiency Assessment. Over ten teachers have completed an internationally recognized ESL training to enhance their English teaching capacity.

Education on Information Technology

1CAL, one of the Computer-aided Learning Rooms in STMC.

The school offers the subjects of Computer Literacy in junior forms, HKCEE Computer and AS Level Computer Application. To ensure that every student is taken care of, all computer subjects are taught in groups, with one teacher to a maximum of 20 students.

Computer Literacy in junior forms is characterized by its readiness to respond to the need of the society. The curriculum is enriched by knowledge on information technology, such as the use of Internet, webpage design, image processing and video clipping. Besides, there is an integration of computer and Integrated Science so as to let the students apply their IT skills to project-based learning.

The school places much emphasis on IT education. A new IT curriculum has been introduced in F.4, with modules on programming and multi-media production offered. Two groups of Computer Application have been offered in F.6, so that more than half of the students could take the subject.

In recent years, the school has secured funding from Quality Education Fund for the improvement of school facilities and provision of gifted education. The funding on IT project alone amounted to $2.2 million, which helped to set up the Multi-media Learning Centre, the Millennium Multi-media Classroom and the Digital Music and Creative Art Workshop. The school also set up a Campus TV station on production of videos and clips, which is welcome by students. Apart from teaching purposes, the Computer-aided Learning Room and two Computer Rooms are open during lunch time and after school. Students may use the facilities there to browse on websites and complete assignments.

The new Campus TV production center is equipped with the hypothesized background, analogy shade effect and class broadcast system which provides each classroom with live broadcast video and 24 hours x 7 days access through the Intranet.

As IT facilities are useful for teaching and learning, all classrooms in the school are equipped with projectors. Special rooms are further provided with sound systems, visualizers and wireless microphones to become well-equipped multi-media presentation centers.

All teachers of the school have attained comfortable and competent levels of IT competency required by EMB. All teachers are allocated notebook computers to facilitate teaching. Computer is used extensively in school administration, such as computerized library and web-based school management system.

The recent External School Review report highly praises the school's IT facilities. The overall provision of IT facilities in the school was excellent. All classrooms had been networked and installed with projectors. This is a show of recognition of the school's efforts on IT construction in the past years.

The students of the school made outstanding achievements on information and technology, and won prizes in IT contests held locally and overseas. For instance, her representatives won the senior group champion in Environmental Protection Web Page Design Competition organized by Sha Tin Junior Chamber. In Learning with Fun 2004, her students were awarded overall champion and first-runner up from 2004 to 2007. In the Youth Skills Competition, Lee Chun Ming was the Hong Kong champion and ranked the third in the world competition in Switzerland. Her students won awards time and again in the Hong Kong Olympiad in Informatics. Chan Yuk Hei was selected to be a member of the Hong Kong team to compete in the Philippines, Xian and New Zealand. The team was the champion in a South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation competition held in New Zealand. Leung Ming Lam was a gold medalist and scored the second highest mark in the Hong Kong Olympiad in Informatics Junior Group. In 2005, he was also elected to represent Hong Kong to join the International Olympiad in Informatics in Warsaw, Poland. In 2006, Tse Ka Yan won the overall champion in the Third Point@Media Slogan Competition.

In the past few years, the school has made remarkable achievements on IT education in respect of popularizing, facilities and student performance. Nevertheless, the school has to continue her efforts with a view to achieving "paradigm shift", i.e. shifting from a mode of teaching which is textbook and teacher focused, to one that is learning focused.

Extensive reading for extended vision

Through the implementation of English Reading Programme, Extensive Reading Scheme, Reading Time (held during morning assembly) and Reading Day (whole day activity comprising talks, reading, sharing and book exhibition) , the school tries to foster reading habit and develops interests on reading among students, as well as broadens the horizons for students.

Focus on foundation, cater for learner differences

• English Bridging Programme is organized for new F.1 students during the summer holiday. Enhancement courses are also organized for low achievers in Chinese, English and Mathematics.
• F.1 English Language is taught in small and medium classes. The small class is remedial class tailor-made for students. A vocabulary (with pronunciation) webpage is provided for F.1 students to help them adapt to the use of English in learning.
• Enrichment programmes on Chinese, English, Mathematics and Science are offered to F.2 to F.4 students. Such classes are held outside school hours and are taught by the subject teachers. Students are often recommended to various gifted programmes organized by tertiary institutions and the Gifted Education Section under EMB.
• The Discipline Committee, Guidance Committee, Extra-curricular Activity Committee and Student Union organize different kinds of leadership training, or provide support to students in need.
• Scholarships are offered to encourage balanced development of students. Scholarships set up from donations of teachers and parents are awarded to the most improved students. Funds are earmarked to support needy students who wish to take part in fee charging extra-curricular activities.

Home-school cooperation

The school supports the direction of close cooperation between parents and school. Each year the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) organizes lectures, workshops, home-school talks, parent groups, picnic, barbecue and all kinds of interest classes, to enhance communication between parents and school and to promote parent education. In addition, the Parent Resources Centre provides a good environment for home-school cooperation. Parent volunteers are on duty to help launch activities organized by the PTA.

From 2001 onwards, the SMC has been attended by parent representative.

Public examination results and further studies

The students of the school perform well in public examinations. Please see The School's Performance Compared with Territory-wide Results for details.

Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination

	Average Result for 2004 to 2008
	STMC	Hong Kong
Grade C and above (%)	41.2	23.7
Pass of all Subject (%)	92.5	73.0
Pass in Chinese Language (%)	98.3	68.5
Pass in English Language (%)	97.7	69.3
Pass in Mathematics (%)	96.0	73.4

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination

	Average Result for 2004 to 2008
	STMC	Hong Kong
Grade C and above of all AL Subjects (%)	46.2	22.3
Pass of AL Subjects (%)	93.8	72.8

Hong Kong Advanced Supplementary Level Examination

	Average Result for 2004 to 2008
	STMC	Hong Kong
Grade C and above of all ASL Subject (%)	38.0	17.7
Pass in Chinese Language (%)	94.5	92.3
Pass in English Language (%)	94.2	72.0

There are three classes of F.6 and F.7 students respectively, each comprising of more than 90 students. In the past years, 2004 to 2008, the average percentage of students being admitted to universities (both local and overseas) was over 80%, of which about 50% were offered degree programmers in the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Science and Technology. Students being offered degree courses, associate degree courses, high degree courses are more than 90%. Students' performance and prospects are good.

Diversified activities for whole-person development

A self-autonomous Student Union has been set up in school since 1990. Executives of the Student Union will also sit on the Shatin Joint School Student Union to serve to the community. The school has over 60 clubs and interest groups to enable students to develop a wide range of interests, of which the service groups, uniformed groups, campus TV, clubs on sports, music, choral speaking, art, dancing, IT, horticulture and Chinese herbal medicine, creative writing are the most active ones. The school adopted Broadening Horizons as one of its directions. Efforts are made to strengthen participation in activities outside the local community, with a view to enriching experience and serving the community.

The school's belief in respect of extra-curricular activities:

• The school provides a valuable niche for students to grow and develop their individual potential.
• The school should provide the greatest room for students to develop, give them the most comprehensive and the richest learning experience.
• Learning in communal life is one of the many learning experiences, which cumulates in the student's experience of growth and has a profound effect.
• Learning in communal life is not acquired through books but through authentic life experiences.
• The best learning experience is not gained by passive participation in school activities, but is acquired in situations shaped and initiated by the students.

In designing extra-curricular activities, the school aims to extend classroom learning and lets students have a balanced development on knowledge, ability, attitude and values, so as to realize her objective in education, i.e. education on spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical, social and aesthetic aspects.

Extra-curricular activities in the school can be grouped under five categories, namely academic, sports, music, art, interest and services. There are 22 clubs and societies, 12 sports teams, 20 music groups, 3 uniformed groups and a campus TV station, providing a wide range of extra-curricular activities for students.

In sum, the school's extra-curricular activities have the following features:

• Student oriented
  The school believes that students are able to organize and promote activities. By doing so, they enjoy the activities more and develop leadership and acquire the skills necessary in organizing activities. To put the idea of student oriented into practice, a joint council of chairpersons is set up under the Student Union to monitor and steer the work of clubs and societies.
• Student Union oriented
  Our Student Union has a long history and a well–established tradition. Each year, senior students take active part in running for a seat on the Union. The Student Union organizes school-wide activities such as Charity Week and Post-Exam Activity Day, as well as community activities like fund-raising carnivals.
• Training of leaders
  The Extra-curricular Activity Unit invites experienced social workers to give leadership training to students of different levels and different positions. The purpose is to let student leaders learn theories on leadership and strengthen confidence, and to practice what they have learned.
• Inter-school competitions
  To broaden students’ horizons, the school encourages students to take part in inter-school competitions. Many students take part in such competitions every year and record good results. Take 2005 to 2006 as an example, students took part in 46 inter-school competitions, winning 1082 prizes, of which 109 were the first, second or third prizes. Progress is being sustained.

List of Extra-curricular Activities (Year 2008 to 2009)

Academic Activities	Sports Activities	Art Activities
Chinese Society English Society Mathematics Society Geography & Conservation Club Economics Society Science & Astronomy Club Computer Society Putonghua Club On the Wing - school newspaper on creative writing Tuosi - Chinese school newspaper Skylark - English school newspaper	Long Distance Running Team Swimming Team Volleyball Team Football Team Handball Team Basketball Team Badminton Team Table Tennis Team Athletic Team	Art Society Drama Club Dancing Society Music Society Choir Wind Orchestra Chinese Orchestra Recorder Band Musical Instrument Classes & Choir
Interest Groups	Service Groups	Uniformed Groups
Design & Technology Club Home Economics Club Chess Society Gardening and Chinese Medicine Club Hiking Society Health Leader Film Society	Community Youth Club First Aid Group Library Service Group Stage Service Group Campus TV IT Service Group	Boys' Brigade Girls' Brigade St. John's Ambulance Brigade

Notes:

• Classes on Chinese musical instruments cover Guzheng, Erhu, Zhongruan, Liuqin, Bamboo Flute, Chinese Flute and Yangqin.
• Classes on Western musical instruments cover Violin, Viola, Guitar, Flute, Oboe, Cello, Double Bass, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Clarinet, Saxophone and Basson.
• Choirs include Intermediate Choir, Junior Choir and Boys' Choir.

Establish professional network, enrich learning experience

The school provides opportunities for every student to develop his potential. The curriculum is so revised as to immerse the elements advocated by gifted education in teaching and learning. Apart from this, students are encouraged to excel and take part in high level learning activities. These include the government's gifted training programmes, IIISP, study tour on Chinese herbal medicine by the Institute of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong and learning activity held in the Chinese Herbal Medicine Gallery by the School of Chinese Medicine, Baptist University of Hong Kong.

The school took part in a global study project with the Chinese University of Hong Kong by installing the Cosmic Ray Telescope in the campus. Students had the opportunity to research and study with scholars from the world. The project was completed successfully.

Students also, on invitation, took part in the setting up of the Herbal Garden in the Museum of Medical Sciences. Such services helped transfer interests to academic research level.

The school is committed to providing opportunities for teachers, students and parents to meet with tertiary institutions, local scholars and overseas experts. An example of such activities was the visit of professors and students of the School of Chinese Medicine, Baptist University of Hong Kong to the school.

Visiting experts and scholars in recent years include Professor Liu Ruihua (Guangzhou Institute of Geography) , Professor Wu Jialin, Dr. Zhao Zhenzhong (School of Chinese Medicine, Baptist University of Hong Kong) , Mr. Tam Siu Cheung (antique map collector) , Professor Liu Wenxia (Inner Mongolia Normal University) , Professor Cong Chunyu (former Director of Gansu College of Traditional Chinese Medicine) . EMB has on several occasions arranged visits of mainland professional education bodies to the school. Both teachers and students greatly benefited from these academic and professional exchanges.

With the support and funding from the Mainland Government, the SAR Government, the Church and the community, the school organized study tours to Beijing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Sanshui, Lianshan, Zhaoqing in the Mainland, and to Korea.

College song

1. In new Shatin by the valley, a school beloved by all; her name and fame we love to sing, her praises to recall. (Refrain)
2. 'Tis there our happy days are spent, each filled with work and play, 'till all too soon the time arrives. Adulthood calls away. (Refrain)
3. Away we be, distant or near, bound by the golden chain of friendship true and memories dear. It prompts the old refrain: (Refrain)

Refrain:

Tsun To Wei Li, to her we bring, with hearts and voices blending, the love and praise of youthful days, a song that knows no ending.

See also

• List of Secondary Schools in Hong Kong
• Education in Hong Kong

External links

• Sha Tin Methodist College Official Website
• Sha Tin Methodist College Parent Teacher Association Official Website (Chinese)
• Sha Tin Methodist College Student Union Official Website (Chinese)
• Sha Tin Methodist College Alumni Association Official Website (Chinese)