Arham and Gary, students from Form 5 Juniper and Form 4 Delonix respectively, delivered a passionate speech during the flag-raising ceremony on 29 August 2024. They discussed university aspirations, emphasising the importance of aligning personal interests with education. They also highlighted successful alumni and encouraged a balanced approach to academics and health, urging students to pursue their passions and set achievable goals.
Written by Arham ATEEQ (Form 5) & Gary Zhang (Form 4)
Arham: Good morning everyone, I’m Arham from Form 5 Juniper.
Gary: And I’m Gary From Form 4 Delonix.
Arham: Gary, have you started thinking about which university you would like to go to?
Gary: 這是個好問題，我對於大學還沒有什麼想法呢。聽說去年中六的成績十分的優秀，2名學生取得了42分的高分，更有21%的學生取得了40分或以上的成績。我們去年的學長們都選了什麼學校呢？
Arham: Don’t worry. That's okay. It's never too late to start. Let me begin by shedding some light on our recent Form 6 graduates who have received incredible offers from universities all around the world. Some of these universities include the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and Boston University. However, keep in mind that your own unique interests and passions can be just as compelling as your grades when applying to universities. Some Universities that the recent Form 6’s applied to in hopes of pursuing their passions further are, the ABK language and musician institution Japan, the Swiss Hotel Management School, and the Parsons School of Design.
Gary: 我們的學長們都這麼優秀。你說的沒錯，名校固然是好，但是也要考慮自己的興趣愛好，適合自己的才是最重要的。我們更應該好好地安排自己的時間，中學的時間是很寶貴的，我們可以用學生日誌來記錄考試和功課。同時，體育也十分重要，我們應該均衡發展，提升自己的身心健康。
Arham: And don’t worry if your future aspirations don’t involve pursuing further education in university. There are many famous people, some, you may know, who actually didn’t go to university, but instead focused on their strong passion. For instance, Steve Jobs demonstrated how passion and vision can lead to great achievements. Together with his partner Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs co-founded Apple, a company that revolutionised the technology industry. I find it really interesting how his upbringing shaped his interests. Growing up, he was exposed to electronics through his father, who worked in a company for electronics. This early exposure sparked a deep fascination with computers and technology in him. This was his passion that ultimately drove him to be so innovative and creative that he made groundbreaking products that have now transformed the way we now interact with technology. Steve Jobs’ story was a powerful reminder that success can be achieved through dedication, creativity, and commitment to following one's passions, even if they lead you down a non-traditional path. So, embrace your own unique journey, and remember that there are many routes to achieving your dreams!
Gary: 我們應該給自己設立一個目標並且朝著該方向努力。不過，我們可以使用不同的方法來幫助我們達成目標。首先，我們應該把目標分解為可以管理的小步驟，然後用各種工具來制定一個計劃，包括日曆等等。
我們也應該先專注於最重要的事情，先把困難的事情搞定后就會一帆風順。不過，在為了目標而努力的同時也要注意自己的健康，勞逸結合。
Arham: We hope you understand whether you choose to pursue higher education or embark on a different path, what truly matters is staying true to yourself and your passions. Let's make the most of our time in school this year by developing our interests, and striving for a balanced life that includes both academics and extracurricular activities. Remember, our future is in our hands, and with determination and hard work, we can shape it in a way that brings us fulfilment and success. Let's support each other in this journey, and I wish you all the best as you explore your own paths ahead. Thank you!
Gary: 無論你選擇接受高等教育還是選擇不同的人生道路，永遠不要忘記生活中的美好時刻。讓我們充分利用今年在學校的時間，發展我們的興趣愛好，實現學習和課外活動的平衡。我們的青春掌握在我們自己的手中，只要肯努力，就可以塑造屬於我們的未來。 我希望今天的分享可以讓你對未來有所啟發，謝謝！