Primary 1 awarded pieces* (2nd place, 3rd place and merits)
Rights and Responsibilities SECOND PLACE
Jayden Chow 6C
Air is free, why not water?
It is only fair that water should be free. Air provides life, and therefore it is free. Water is no different, but people are charged for its usage. Why are people being penalized for what God has promised us? It’s a basic human right for people to be able to be provided the needs of survival. No one should (and would) suffer from the lack of this pure and crucial liquid. It is a human right. Everyone should be able to enjoy this substance, and nobody should be crying for it. It is a RIGHT.
However, with rights, comes responsibilities.
Responsibilities means money.
Not everyone can afford money.
Does that mean…not everyone can afford to live?
Why should there be responsibilities? Because people are creating them. All responsibilities originate from rights. There is nothing wrong with rights. (They are rights, after all,). However, nature’s way has always been like this: excess of anything is bad for all creatures that walk the Earth. Humans are usually the source of excess usage. Therefore, as weird as it may seem, humans are creating responsibilities for themselves.
Water pollution. Excess usage of water. These are all sources of responsibilities. With responsibilities come solutions. Solutions will be born, but responsibilities will still exist.
With rights, comes responsibilities.
However, responsibilities won’t bring rights.
They probably wouldn’t concern you.
But for the poorer…
That I won’t guarantee.
So, could you do them a favor.
Stop creating responsibilities!
Air is free, why not water?
They could be. It depends on YOU.
Jayden Chow 6C
Air is free, why not water?
It is only fair that water should be free. Air provides life, and therefore it is free. Water is no different, but people are charged for its usage. Why are people being penalized for what God has promised us? It’s a basic human right for people to be able to be provided the needs of survival. No one should (and would) suffer from the lack of this pure and crucial liquid. It is a human right. Everyone should be able to enjoy this substance, and nobody should be crying for it. It is a RIGHT.
However, with rights, comes responsibilities.
Responsibilities means money.
Not everyone can afford money.
Does that mean…not everyone can afford to live?
Why should there be responsibilities? Because people are creating them. All responsibilities originate from rights. There is nothing wrong with rights. (They are rights, after all,). However, nature’s way has always been like this: excess of anything is bad for all creatures that walk the Earth. Humans are usually the source of excess usage. Therefore, as weird as it may seem, humans are creating responsibilities for themselves.
Water pollution. Excess usage of water. These are all sources of responsibilities. With responsibilities come solutions. Solutions will be born, but responsibilities will still exist.
With rights, comes responsibilities.
However, responsibilities won’t bring rights.
They probably wouldn’t concern you.
But for the poorer…
That I won’t guarantee.
So, could you do them a favor.
Stop creating responsibilities!
Air is free, why not water?
They could be. It depends on YOU.
A Future Classroom THIRD PLACE
Jadon Lee 6E
A classroom. It’s a learning space for both children and adults to learn. Classrooms are found in education institutions of all kinds and may also be found in other places where education or training is provided. Nowadays, classrooms are just straight with rows of chairs and desks from which students focus intently on the teacher delivering a lecture and demonstrating concepts on the blackboard. It’s quite boring to just listen and interact with people or materials we’re learning. Fortunately, the classroom of the future will be completely different from the ones now.
First, the layout of the classroom will change immensely. Seating arrangements in the future will be more flexible so that they are appropriate for the task that students are working on, and there will also be more focus on the comfort and learning efficiency of the students. For example, there will be standing desks for students who individual tasks while collaborative stations for group projects; moving walls which are adaptable; etc.
Second, the assignment scheme will be more flexible. In today’s classrooms, when a teacher gives the class an assignment, everyone has the same assignment. This ‘one size fits all’ mentality in the education system isn’t doing anyone any favours. The only time there is any exception to how information is presented as if a student requires special accommodations or needs. In future classrooms, teachers are going to be more interested in testing a student’s competency in understanding the material. Essentially, the teacher may receive the assignment in various methods, including a recorded video, and elaborated model, a research paper or a thorough PowerPoint presentation. With flexible learning, teachers and students will have more choices in assessing the learning outcomes.
Last but not least, technology in the classroom will continue to increase. In the future, the blackboard will be gone. What will take it’s place? Maybe an interactive flat panel or even 3D projections and holograms. The classrooms of the future will be a much more interactive and connected experience than our traditional classroom. Another possible technology is virtual and augmented reality. The technology is going to give students and teachers access to important assignments, documents, lesson plans grades and anything that can be done on computers, tablets, or smartphones.
In conclusion, the classrooms of the future can encourage both teachers and students to learn together. It will be a fun and interesting experience for everybody in the future.
Jadon Lee 6E
A classroom. It’s a learning space for both children and adults to learn. Classrooms are found in education institutions of all kinds and may also be found in other places where education or training is provided. Nowadays, classrooms are just straight with rows of chairs and desks from which students focus intently on the teacher delivering a lecture and demonstrating concepts on the blackboard. It’s quite boring to just listen and interact with people or materials we’re learning. Fortunately, the classroom of the future will be completely different from the ones now.
First, the layout of the classroom will change immensely. Seating arrangements in the future will be more flexible so that they are appropriate for the task that students are working on, and there will also be more focus on the comfort and learning efficiency of the students. For example, there will be standing desks for students who individual tasks while collaborative stations for group projects; moving walls which are adaptable; etc.
Second, the assignment scheme will be more flexible. In today’s classrooms, when a teacher gives the class an assignment, everyone has the same assignment. This ‘one size fits all’ mentality in the education system isn’t doing anyone any favours. The only time there is any exception to how information is presented as if a student requires special accommodations or needs. In future classrooms, teachers are going to be more interested in testing a student’s competency in understanding the material. Essentially, the teacher may receive the assignment in various methods, including a recorded video, and elaborated model, a research paper or a thorough PowerPoint presentation. With flexible learning, teachers and students will have more choices in assessing the learning outcomes.
Last but not least, technology in the classroom will continue to increase. In the future, the blackboard will be gone. What will take it’s place? Maybe an interactive flat panel or even 3D projections and holograms. The classrooms of the future will be a much more interactive and connected experience than our traditional classroom. Another possible technology is virtual and augmented reality. The technology is going to give students and teachers access to important assignments, documents, lesson plans grades and anything that can be done on computers, tablets, or smartphones.
In conclusion, the classrooms of the future can encourage both teachers and students to learn together. It will be a fun and interesting experience for everybody in the future.
Rain ― Your Enemy MERIT
Damian Ip 6E
Rain―
Falling from the sky,
Devoured from lakes and ponds,
And spluttered to the earth beyond.
Rain―
Spoiling school trips,
PE lessons,
Outdoor games,
Picnics…
Yet, rain is how as mighty as a knight,
But we will not be afraid. Oh no! We will fight!
Pouring waste in to oceans and seas,
Swallowing clean water― all that it needs,
Thinking of victory (as sweet as Turkish Delight!)
That’s it! Rain is EXTINCT!
Gaining more school trips,
Rejoicing the PE lessons,
Chasing through all the outdoor games,
Having more and more picnics!
But…
The heat has risen up, droughts became more frequent,
Life has been bad,
Worse,
The worst!
People begged and pleaded for rain…
Somehow, the enemy has become their friend.
A drop!
Then Another, another. ANOTHER!
People stopped the engines, closed the factories,
Watching this wonderful scenery.
Rain, has come back!
Classmates, you have the chance to change the future,
What would you choose?
Damian Ip 6E
Rain―
Falling from the sky,
Devoured from lakes and ponds,
And spluttered to the earth beyond.
Rain―
Spoiling school trips,
PE lessons,
Outdoor games,
Picnics…
Yet, rain is how as mighty as a knight,
But we will not be afraid. Oh no! We will fight!
Pouring waste in to oceans and seas,
Swallowing clean water― all that it needs,
Thinking of victory (as sweet as Turkish Delight!)
That’s it! Rain is EXTINCT!
Gaining more school trips,
Rejoicing the PE lessons,
Chasing through all the outdoor games,
Having more and more picnics!
But…
The heat has risen up, droughts became more frequent,
Life has been bad,
Worse,
The worst!
People begged and pleaded for rain…
Somehow, the enemy has become their friend.
A drop!
Then Another, another. ANOTHER!
People stopped the engines, closed the factories,
Watching this wonderful scenery.
Rain, has come back!
Classmates, you have the chance to change the future,
What would you choose?
A Future Classroom MERIT
Luke Wong 6E
The classroom that we students spend most of our school time, is quite plain. 31 desks and chairs, a blackboard, and lockers. Nothing out of the ordinary. But how about in 30 years time? 50 years time? What would classrooms be like? The same as now? Or move modern? Here are some of my predictions.
To start with, do you find bringing your heavy schoolbag to school being quite difficult? Well, I think that the future would solve this problem entirely by using digital books. All the books needed for school would be compacted into one tablet. And it’s not impossible, because devices like the Kindle have demonstrated this idea already. Not only would this solve the back problems that children nowadays have, it would also aid in slowing down global warming by not needing to chop sown trees for paper.
Secondly, dozing off in class is quite easy. A Math equation is the perfect recipe for sleeping. But with the focus tracker being implemented in China, this could be avoided. To explain this in the easiest way, a tracker is strapped onto your head like a ring, and senses the waves in your brain. Then, the data is transferred to the teacher through a tablet. The ring flashes a color to represent focus. This could motivate student to focus more during class, thus improving overall performance.
Last but not least, blackboard dust is a common hazard in classrooms. They cause lung issues and are generally harmful to the environment. With dust cleaners, these will be a problem no more. They act like oil ventilation fans, sucking dust from the air. This will help clean up the environment and assist in causing less lung diseases such as asthma, etc.
All in all, there are some of the possibilities that MAY happen. Who knows what the world will come up with? One thing for sure is, technology will really help us in lots of ways and I cannot wait to see what the future will bring.
Luke Wong 6E
The classroom that we students spend most of our school time, is quite plain. 31 desks and chairs, a blackboard, and lockers. Nothing out of the ordinary. But how about in 30 years time? 50 years time? What would classrooms be like? The same as now? Or move modern? Here are some of my predictions.
To start with, do you find bringing your heavy schoolbag to school being quite difficult? Well, I think that the future would solve this problem entirely by using digital books. All the books needed for school would be compacted into one tablet. And it’s not impossible, because devices like the Kindle have demonstrated this idea already. Not only would this solve the back problems that children nowadays have, it would also aid in slowing down global warming by not needing to chop sown trees for paper.
Secondly, dozing off in class is quite easy. A Math equation is the perfect recipe for sleeping. But with the focus tracker being implemented in China, this could be avoided. To explain this in the easiest way, a tracker is strapped onto your head like a ring, and senses the waves in your brain. Then, the data is transferred to the teacher through a tablet. The ring flashes a color to represent focus. This could motivate student to focus more during class, thus improving overall performance.
Last but not least, blackboard dust is a common hazard in classrooms. They cause lung issues and are generally harmful to the environment. With dust cleaners, these will be a problem no more. They act like oil ventilation fans, sucking dust from the air. This will help clean up the environment and assist in causing less lung diseases such as asthma, etc.
All in all, there are some of the possibilities that MAY happen. Who knows what the world will come up with? One thing for sure is, technology will really help us in lots of ways and I cannot wait to see what the future will bring.
Air Is Free, Why Not Water? MERIT
Peter Lok 6A
Air is free, why not water? In my opinion, air should be free, but water should not be. Here are the reasons why I think so.
Firstly, air is essential for human beings to survive on Earth. Air is everywhere surrounding the earth, it is an invisible gaseous substance containing about 20 percent oxygen to keep human beings alive. We may be able to survive for a few days without water, but may be only five minutes without oxygen. If air is not free, basis human survival right will be deprived.
Secondly, water is a precious and limited natural resource, so it cannot be free of charge. The Government takes water from the natural environment and takes effects to filter the rainwater, build pipes to bring the water for both household use and commercial use. The primary challenges for the Government are not just the water delivery or treatment, but also the maintenance of huge water infrastructure to ensure a sustainable water supply, all there incur costs of water supply to the Government.
Thirdly, the Government imported water from Dongjiang in Guangdong, China accounts for about 70 to 80 percent of the water supply in Hong Kong, with local rainwater making up the remaining 20 to 30 percent. The cost of 820 million cubic meters Dongjiang water from the mainland China was about 4.8 billion Hong Kong dollars in 2019. As water is not free of charge, people will tend to be less wasteful and more cautious when using water because saving water is saving money.
In a nutshell, air should be free, but water should be paid for. It is because air is essential for human beings, water is a precious and limited natural resource and there is huge cost of imported water from Dongjiang, China. Imagine how miserable our life would be if water is free, but not air?
Peter Lok 6A
Air is free, why not water? In my opinion, air should be free, but water should not be. Here are the reasons why I think so.
Firstly, air is essential for human beings to survive on Earth. Air is everywhere surrounding the earth, it is an invisible gaseous substance containing about 20 percent oxygen to keep human beings alive. We may be able to survive for a few days without water, but may be only five minutes without oxygen. If air is not free, basis human survival right will be deprived.
Secondly, water is a precious and limited natural resource, so it cannot be free of charge. The Government takes water from the natural environment and takes effects to filter the rainwater, build pipes to bring the water for both household use and commercial use. The primary challenges for the Government are not just the water delivery or treatment, but also the maintenance of huge water infrastructure to ensure a sustainable water supply, all there incur costs of water supply to the Government.
Thirdly, the Government imported water from Dongjiang in Guangdong, China accounts for about 70 to 80 percent of the water supply in Hong Kong, with local rainwater making up the remaining 20 to 30 percent. The cost of 820 million cubic meters Dongjiang water from the mainland China was about 4.8 billion Hong Kong dollars in 2019. As water is not free of charge, people will tend to be less wasteful and more cautious when using water because saving water is saving money.
In a nutshell, air should be free, but water should be paid for. It is because air is essential for human beings, water is a precious and limited natural resource and there is huge cost of imported water from Dongjiang, China. Imagine how miserable our life would be if water is free, but not air?
The Churning Ocean MERIT
Rick Leung 6B
Smooth as silk, it is
The pebble.
But not as soft.
Round, teary, swirling with haste.
You could see it. The colours, on every surface of the stone.
Beautiful.
Pick it up, and throw it
With all your strength,
See clearly
The splendid curve it makes as it
Arcs through the evening sky with a silent
Whistle.
Glimpse as it swiftly meets the water with a tranquil, soothing
‘Splosh’
And the ocean whispers ripples in response.
But those were engulfed
By the starving waves. For a moment,
It disappears
And another, it
Resurfaces.
You could see it, feel it, touch it.
The ocean’s anger
Churning.
Rick Leung 6B
Smooth as silk, it is
The pebble.
But not as soft.
Round, teary, swirling with haste.
You could see it. The colours, on every surface of the stone.
Beautiful.
Pick it up, and throw it
With all your strength,
See clearly
The splendid curve it makes as it
Arcs through the evening sky with a silent
Whistle.
Glimpse as it swiftly meets the water with a tranquil, soothing
‘Splosh’
And the ocean whispers ripples in response.
But those were engulfed
By the starving waves. For a moment,
It disappears
And another, it
Resurfaces.
You could see it, feel it, touch it.
The ocean’s anger
Churning.
A Future Classroom MERIT
Taurean Chan 6A
School is a student’s second home where most time is spent in a classroom. Homes these days are designed in various ways, some have palatial architecture whereas some are miniature with modern interiors. Shouldn’t we all agree that classroom should be built with similar approach? If I could design a future classroom, it would be a place open to different ideas, beliefs, cultures and where students would feel comfortable, happy and develop into well-rounded individuals.
Technology is a very important part of learning. In my future classroom, every student’s desk would have a computer, so students can search on the Internet while doing some group projects or complete online classwork in class. The use of paper would be completely eradicated. There would be a touch screen teaching board which would show daily learning objectives and homework. Notices would also be pick up in the students’ e-class. An ‘intelligent classroom assistant’ called Cherry would interact with students through voice commands to fulfill a variety of tasks. For example, students can ask Cherry a simple question like ‘what is the answer of 624÷6?’, and Cherry would gather information from the school Internet or Intranet to reply with a correct answer.
Having a traditional rectangular classroom is very boring. Therefore, my future classroom would be in a hexagonal shape, including the desk. Hexagonal classroom could widen the classroom while hexagonal desk could help the students to communicate better while engaging in discussions in group of six. There would be a water fountain and a washroom in every classroom, so going out to get some water or to the toilet wouldn’t disturb other classes. Moreover, my classroom would have e-Lockers, so students wouldn’t be able to steal one another’s things.
We cannot predict the future, but we can prepare for it. As such, my future classroom would be out of this world in a hexagonal-shaped nesting hexagonal desks and a touch screen teaching board, with a computer and an e-Locker for every student. I strongly believe these innovative teaching tools could help learning become more fascinating. As the saying goes, we must “press forward”. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.
Taurean Chan 6A
School is a student’s second home where most time is spent in a classroom. Homes these days are designed in various ways, some have palatial architecture whereas some are miniature with modern interiors. Shouldn’t we all agree that classroom should be built with similar approach? If I could design a future classroom, it would be a place open to different ideas, beliefs, cultures and where students would feel comfortable, happy and develop into well-rounded individuals.
Technology is a very important part of learning. In my future classroom, every student’s desk would have a computer, so students can search on the Internet while doing some group projects or complete online classwork in class. The use of paper would be completely eradicated. There would be a touch screen teaching board which would show daily learning objectives and homework. Notices would also be pick up in the students’ e-class. An ‘intelligent classroom assistant’ called Cherry would interact with students through voice commands to fulfill a variety of tasks. For example, students can ask Cherry a simple question like ‘what is the answer of 624÷6?’, and Cherry would gather information from the school Internet or Intranet to reply with a correct answer.
Having a traditional rectangular classroom is very boring. Therefore, my future classroom would be in a hexagonal shape, including the desk. Hexagonal classroom could widen the classroom while hexagonal desk could help the students to communicate better while engaging in discussions in group of six. There would be a water fountain and a washroom in every classroom, so going out to get some water or to the toilet wouldn’t disturb other classes. Moreover, my classroom would have e-Lockers, so students wouldn’t be able to steal one another’s things.
We cannot predict the future, but we can prepare for it. As such, my future classroom would be out of this world in a hexagonal-shaped nesting hexagonal desks and a touch screen teaching board, with a computer and an e-Locker for every student. I strongly believe these innovative teaching tools could help learning become more fascinating. As the saying goes, we must “press forward”. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.
