Speech by CS at Student of the Year Awards 2024/25 Presentation Ceremony (English only) (with photos)
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Catherine (Chief Executive Officer of the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Ms Catherine So), Dr Lake Wang (Executive Director, People and Organisational Development of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), Tammy (Editor-in-Chief of the South China Morning Post, Ms Tammy Tam), Advisory Board members, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. And what a great morning this is for Hong Kong. Today, we celebrate our secondary schools and the exceptional professionalism and dedication of principals, teachers and support staff. We also thank parents for their endless support. And, most importantly, we honour the students among us today - the winners and finalists of this 44th annual Student of the Year Awards.
This year, over 840 students from 177 schools were nominated. And that, I'm delighted to say, is a new record high for the Awards.
Rewarding excellence is no easy task, yet Hong Kong is fortunate to have so many deserving students.
The judging panel had the tough task of bringing all those impressive nominations down to 40 finalists for the Awards' 10 student categories, including the Grand Prize.
The Government is firmly committed to youth development.
The Youth Development Blueprint for Hong Kong, released in late 2022, outlines our guiding principles for promoting long-term youth development. Its original 160-plus measures have been expanded, since then, to about 250, in an ongoing effort to ensure that the Blueprint evolves to meet the changing needs of our youth.
Our vision is to raise a new generation of youth instilled with a global perspective, a positive mindset and a deep love for our city and our country.
That demands a community-wide effort, including valued partnerships with organisations like the SCMP and the Jockey Club, working closely with educational institutions and families, to create an enabling environment for the youth of Hong Kong.
This year's theme, "Building Tomorrow: Growth Through Action", reflects that shared vision.
My congratulations to each and every one of this year's awardees and finalists. Remember, this city, together with your proud parents, your school, teachers and mentors, and so many others who have helped you along the way, believe in you and look forward to your future with great expectations.
I am grateful to the South China Morning Post and the Hong Kong Jockey Club for organising this prestigious event year after year and, in doing so, putting a brilliant spotlight on education, our youth and Hong Kong.
My thanks, too, to the Awards' judges, nearly 40 in all, for their invaluable time and expertise, and their compelling commitment to excellence.
Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will all enjoy this memorable day in the life.
Thank you.
Ends/Saturday, July 12, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:47
Issued at HKT 12:47
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