Under some of the clearest, brightest, blue skies I have ever experienced in Hong Kong, we held our final Open Day for this year at the College yesterday. More than 500 prospective parents and students came to look around the College , browse the various displays, hear about the principles and practices of the United World Colleges, and perhaps most importantly, experience the campus atmosphere by chatting informally with our students.
As always on these occasions, we relied greatly on our student volunteers to help us manage the large numbers of people. And as always, our students were great ambassadors, chatting enthusiastically about life at the College, serving as guides around the campus, performing duty as first aid officers, speaking during the main information sessions, and presenting displays on various service activities with which they are involved. I was especially impressed with the students in my GCAT (Global Concerns Action Group) who sold T-shirts, postcards and hand-made Miao inner soles (for shoes), raising several thousand dollars through their efforts. I heard that a similar amount was raised by students in support of primary education scholarships for Yao tribe primary school in Guangdong province.
For many of our visitors, the focus of the visit was my illustrated presentation in the Lecture Room. Like previous open days, we were embarrassed by not being able to provide enough seating, or even enough standing room, for the visitors who wanted to squeeze into the lecture room to see the presentation. I can’t wait for the day when we have our new auditorium so we can welcome our visitors in a more fitting manner! Nonetheless, the audience seemed to be extremely appreciative for the information presented and the opportunity to ask questions afterwards.
The open day was intended to provide information not only about Li Po Chun UWC, but all the UWCs for which students in Hong Kong are eligible to apply. For that reason, we had poster displays near the courtyard showing all the United World Colleges as well as photos and information of the other Colleges included as part of the presentation. Furthermore, I encouraged those present to visit the special galleries page on my website that includes photos I have taken of (almost all) the other UWCs.
This is the last year in which we expect most of the applicants will be Form 5 students. As a consequence of the education reforms that will introduced soon in Hong (which were discussed HERE in my blog a few weeks ago), next year’s applications (i.e. for 2010 entry) will be a double cohort of students from Form 4 and Form 5 as a prelude to the ‘new normal’ situation whereby all students will apply from Form 4 for entry in 2011 and thereafter. Because of the pressures upon entry in 2010, I am expecting that quite a few students in Form 4 who have their heart set on Li Po Chun UWC only will apply for entry in 2009 in the hope of separating themselves from the anticipated huge numbers of applicants for 2010 entry. (This is the last year that Form 4 students cannot apply for entry to the overseas UWCs). After all, these students have nothing to lose by applying for entry in 2009, as they can apply again for entry in 2010 if they miss out in 2009.