The Fragrance of Literature Nurtures Talent; Mentors and Students Together Write a New Chapter — A Record of Our School’s Achievements in the “Growing with Me, Walking with China Merchants” Programme
Recently, the launch ceremony of the “Growing with Me, Walking with China Merchants” programme was held in Hong Kong. Our Principal, Mr Ho Tik-shun, delivered a speech on behalf of schools across Hong Kong, sharing the fruitful results and profound insights gained by our school, Chinese Foundation Secondary School (CFSS), through its participation in the programme. In his address, Principal Ho reviewed the growth of our students through the programme, expressed sincere gratitude to China Merchants Group and all the mentors for their devoted efforts, and encouraged students to continue using literature as their vessel and the nation as their sail, so that they may shine on an even broader stage.
Three Years of Walking Together, with Sustained Commitment
The “Growing with Me, Walking with China Merchants” programme is organised by the China Merchants Group Hong Kong Youth Federation. It aims to promote the all-round development of Hong Kong young people through mentorship matching, study visits, interest development and other diverse means. Our school has participated in the programme for three years and in its “Young Writers’ Class” for four. Over the years, we have witnessed cohort after cohort of students move from inexperience to maturity, and from the school campus to a wider world.
In particular, our students’ literary works have been published in a range of magazines and newspapers, including People’s Literature, Hong Kong Literature, Wen Wei Po and Xinhua Daily, and their creative talents have been widely recognised. Behind these achievements lie the students’ unceasing diligence, day after day, and the selfless dedication of their mentors, whose care is like a gentle spring rain.
A Master Leads the Way; Students Flourish
Under the careful guidance of the writer Mr Zhao Yang, our students Chu Ho-wang and Hon Siu-yu are now in their fourth year with Mr Zhao. Mr Zhao Yang is a member of the China Writers Association and Chairman of the China Merchants Group Hong Kong Youth Federation. He meticulously designs the curriculum, and each academic year conducts small-class teaching, thematic seminars and creative writing practice around seven major themes, enabling students to broaden their horizons and refine their writing as they travel, observe, reflect and write.
Since joining the writers’ class in Secondary 2, Chu Ho-wang has not only published several articles but has also become the first Secondary 5 student to host two cultural salons. This valuable experience arose from the bold space for growth that Mr Zhao Yang gave him, enabling him to step beyond the school gates and unleash his potential. On the flyleaf of his notebook, Chu wrote, “One life influences another.” He firmly believes that literature can lead him to reflect deeply on the value of life, and he has agreed with Mr Zhao that, upon graduation, all their correspondence will be compiled and published as a book.
Hon Siu-yu’s transformation is equally moving. When he was in Secondary 2, he was mischievous in class and would often set difficult questions to challenge his teachers. Under Mr Zhao’s careful nurturing, he gradually found his direction and has now grown into a responsible and committed student leader in the “Mentors and Students Walking Together” programme. His new poem “Spring” was published in Chinese Literature, and he was selected as a representative of all Hong Kong students to deliver a speech before numerous literary masters and dignitaries, speaking with composure and confidence and displaying a leader’s bearing.
The growth of these two students is a source of great delight: it shows that science students at CFSS can possess such high cultural accomplishment, overturning the traditional perception of science students at our school. Accomplishment in both arts and science, and all-round development, are a true reflection of CFSS students.
Making Their First Mark, with a Promising Future
On the platform of the writers’ class, more students are beginning to shine. Three Secondary 2 students were selected in the first term to become members of the first cohort of Hong Kong students at the Lu Xun Literary Institute. They too have begun to make their mark. Tsang Tsz-yip’s work was published in Wen Wei Po in June this year. At the 2025–2026 territory-wide “1872 Hong Kong Young Writers’ Class” graduation ceremony, five of our students were named among the outstanding students across Hong Kong, making us one of the schools with the largest number of awardees in the territory. The results were most encouraging.
Under Mr Zhao’s leadership, our students continue to achieve outstanding results. We hope that this year our students will scale even greater heights and continue to break through their own limits on the path of literary creation and whole-person development.
Grateful for the Journey, Nurturing Talent Together
None of these achievements would have been possible without the strong support of China Merchants Group and the China Merchants Group Hong Kong Youth Federation, the dedicated efforts of Mr Zhao Yang and all the mentors, and the joint efforts of Principal Ho Tik-shun, Vice-Principal Kwok and all our teachers and students. It is precisely this joint force of home, school and community walking together that enables our school to thrive and to nurture more outstanding talent.
Literature carries the Way; ink and brush convey feeling. CFSS students will continue to write of our times and to respond to our nation and its people through action, composing our own youthful chapter on the journey of “Growing with Me, Walking with China Merchants”.
