[#BackToSchool] Tips for Secondary School Life Adaptation

Are you ready to get back to the classroom? As always, it is esstential for us to stay positive and connected with the community in the face of challenges ahead. Here are some back-to-school tips for you to be prepared for the new start. Tips 1 -【Anti-epidemic Measures】 Students have to complete a Regular Rapid-Antigen Tests (RATs) and make a record on Record Sheet for Body Temperature and Rapid Antigen Test each day before returning to school. Students tested positive should not return to school, and should inform the schools of their positive results as soon as possible. You should also report to the Department of Health as soon as possible within 24 hours via the “Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test” >>> Read more on [#BackToSchool] Tips for Preventing COVID-19 Tips 2 -【Ready Get set, Go】 What can you do to overcome the new challenges of the new school environment ? 1. Be prepared – prepare for your lessons and make an effort to do your best at school 2. Find support – Talk with your teachers, parents or the school social worker. They are willing to help 3. Learn to relax – Take some deep breaths. Relax your muscles. >>> Read more on Ready… Get set, Go! Tips 3 - 【Entrance to Form One】 You may more or less feel nervous and stressed when being progressed to the secondary school which is a new environment. Don’t worry, however, there is always a first time for everything. It just take some more time for you to adapt to the new learning environment. Stay strong! Nothing can overwhelm you! Enjoy your new secondary school life.  >>> Encouraging Messages for F.1 Students   Need help? Don’t forget them! Even though there may be difficulties at times, you can always get support! Other than teachers and parents, these organizations are pleased to listen to your thoughts! For more tips, please visit YouthCan’s “Back to School Tips - with Love”. Remember to stay positive and connected with the community. Have faith to yourself and enjoy a colourful life. You surely can make it! For more details, please visit the Student Health Service website.

Financial Assistance for Secondary Students

Scholarships School days can be one of life's most wonderful episodes. You learn new things and face new challenges. Students with outstanding performance may even win scholarships. So make the most of it! Scholarships are usually provided by funds, such as the Senior Secondary Education Awards of the Agricultural Products Scholarship Fund and Marine Fish Scholarship Fund, the Grantham Scholarships Fund, the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship (Undergraduate Student), the Education Scholarships Fund, and the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (including Medals and Prizes). You can find other relevant scholarship information in the Life Planning Information Website of the Education Bureau and Student Finance Office, Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency. The Multi-faceted Excellence Scholarship The Multi-faceted Excellence Scholarship supports universities and tertiary institutions in admitting local students who excel in sports, arts and/or community services. Details can be found on the website of Youth Development Commission. Grants and loans  The Grantham Maintenance Grants provides maintenance grants to full-time Secondary 4 to Secondary 6 students as well as students studying certain full-time courses in the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education who are financially in need. In addition, the Sing Tao Charitable Foundation Students' Loan Fund offers interest-free emergency loans to Secondary 4 to Secondary 6 students who face sudden financial hardship due to adverse changes in family circumstances. Student Financial Assistance Scheme The Student Finance Office, Working Family and Student Finicial Assistance Agency currently administers various student financial assistance schemes to provide assistance to disadvantaged secondary students in the form of School Textbook Assistance, Student Travel Subsidy and Subsidy for Internet Access Charges. Students of Diploma of Applied Education can also apply for financial assistance and for those who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria can obtain 30%, 50% or 100% tuition fee reimbursement.  

Secondary Education

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)  The New Academic Structure (NAS) implemented in September 2009. Under NAS, all students are expected to complete three years of junior secondary education followed by three years of senior secondary education. Upon completion of this six-year secondary education, students will take the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), which aims to measure the attainment of students. The HKDSE was administered for the first time in 2012. Most of the candidates are presented by schools. Sub-degree Programmes  Sub-degree programmes (including Higher Diploma and Associate Degree programmes) are independent and valuable qualifications preparing students for employment in associate professional and management positions at entry level, or for articulation to top-up degree programmes. iPASS  You may browse Education Bureau’s website for more information on accredited self-financing post-secondary courses at iPASS. Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority publications  As a student, you have to face issues on your education path and career matters as well as the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE). Reference books are your essential tools to prepare for the examination. Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority publications should be useful to you. There are subject examination reports and question papers covering various aspects of the examination, including the objectives, content and format of the examination, question papers, marking schemes, and examiners' comments on candidates' performance in the examination. You can order your copy online. Career Guidance  Life Planning Information Website of the Education Bureau aims to provide students, teachers, parents and the public with required information of life planning education and careers information handily. Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) You can apply through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) for admission to bachelor’s degree programmes and selected associate degree / higher diploma programmes offered by its participating institutions. All applications will be submitted online and it is easy to get yourself acquainted with the application procedures. Full-time self-financing post-secondary programmes  Besides University Grants Committee (UGC) funded institutions, there are many full-time self-financing post-secondary programmes available. These full-time self-financing post-secondary programmes at sub-degree levels (Associate Degree or Higher Diploma) or above, all meet the Government's quality requirements and are run by different education institutions.