Speech at Opening Ceremony of New Campus of Victoria Shanghai Academy

15 May 2008 (Thursday)

Opening Ceremony of New Campus of

Victoria Shanghai Academy

Speech by Mr. Michael M Y Suen, GBS, JP

Secretary for Education

Mr. Cheng (school supervisor), Ms Ting (school manager), Dr. Shiu (principal), Distinguished Guests, Parents, Teachers and Students,

I am delighted to join you this afternoon to celebrate the opening of the new campus of Victoria Shanghai Academy .

Founded in 2004, the Academy has a mission to develop and nurture its students as whole persons and cultivate a quality learning and teaching environment.  Its motto “Bilingual Learners Today, World Citizens Tomorrow” succinctly reflects the attributes our students should possess in today’s global world.  As a Private Independent School , the Academy is providing an international curriculum with elements of the Chinese culture.  This provides a viable alternative for expatriate and local students alike.

I am delighted to learn that the Academy has made good progress since its inception.  Students here are provided with abundant opportunities to learn through active inquiry, reflection and diversified learning strategies within and outside the school.  Not only are they empowered to develop generic skills to acquire, construct and communicate knowledge, but they are also instilled the passion for lifelong learning.

Within a short span of three years, the Academy has attained the authorization to offer IB Programmes at various levels by 2007.  It is also the first IB school in Hong Kong authorized to offer IB Programmes to provide “through-train” education for its students from the primary, to the middle and diploma levels.  These achievements owe much to the professional leadership of its School Sponsoring Body, the Shanghai Victoria Education Foundation Limited, and the dedication and untiring efforts of its principal and teachers.  

The Academy has already laid a solid foundation to develop students to be active learners, critical thinkers and socially responsible persons.  I am confident that with the impressive facilities of this new campus and the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, the Academy will continue to meet the challenges in the years ahead.

On this memorable occasion, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Academy and its School Sponsoring Body.  May I also wish all of you good health and every success in the years ahead.  Thank you.