Among Hong Kong's traditional elite schools, the True Light School of Hong Kong stands out for its strong school ethos, academic excellence, and whole-person education. It has long been one of Hong Kong's most popular girls' schools, trusted by both parents and students.
Principal Frances Hui Tuen-yung explains that True Light upholds the motto, "Thou art the light of the world," aiming to foster students' whole-person development over their six years at the school, while encouraging them to bring light and warmth to those around them.
Academic excellence: Creative use of process drama in English teaching
The True Light School of Hong Kong is one of the four True Light schools in Hong Kong, all of which share a common origin in the True Light Seminary, founded in 1872 in Guangzhou by Harriet Newell Noyes. In 1955, the school moved to its current location at 50 Tai Hang Road, Wan Chai. It now operates a secondary school, a primary school, and a kindergarten.
The secondary section serves over 600 students and is supported by nearly 100 teaching and administrative staff. While the average university admission rate across Hong Kong under the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) is around 40%, the True Light School of Hong Kong boasts a 94% admission rate.
As an English-medium secondary school, the True Light School of Hong Kong has devoted considerable effort to enhancing students' English proficiency. As a result, in the HKDSE English Language Paper 4 (Speaking), more than 30% of students have achieved Level 5* (top 30% of level 5 achievers), and 15% have reached Level 5** (top 10% of level 5 achievers). The school offers a wide range of English-related extracurricular activities, including debating, public speaking, Model United Nations, and reading competitions. Process drama is a core part of the English program, with each grade exploring different themes and engaging with diverse media to enhance their English skills.
Cheung, a student at the school, shared that last year's drama was themed on Hamlet, in which she took the lead role. Students are given creative freedom, for example, they can reimagine the story in different historical settings. Working together on everything from directing and scriptwriting to stage design and performance, students not only improve their English but also gain a deeper, hands-on understanding of the language.
Passing the torch: Alumni light the way for future generations
Leung, who attended both kindergarten and primary school at True Light, felt that her classmates and teachers provided her with a very supportive environment. During the subject selection process in Form Three, the school encouraged students to prioritize their interests, and the teachers took the time to get to know each student's aspirations. This undoubtedly helped to ease the pressure students felt about further studies. She also mentioned that the school organized graduates to share their career experiences, offering valuable guidance for her career planning.
"One of True Light's greatest strengths is the strong support we receive from parents, alumni, and the entire school community," said Principal Hui. She noted that the alumni often return to the school through various channels to share their experiences with students and even offer workplace exposure opportunities. These opportunities help students gain an early taste of the professional world. For example, a graduate who runs an oncology center once led four students on a two-day internship, during which they participated in patient consultations.
In addition to sharing career experiences, True Light alumni also take on the important role of mentoring juniors by supporting students who are temporarily falling behind in their studies. Principal Hui believes that these graduates, having gone through a similar learning journey, are able to understand students' needs. Meanwhile, the school has also appointed a team of social workers to help students develop effective study habits and rebuild confidence. It places strong emphasis on both students' emotional well-being and their ability to cope with academic pressure.
Parent-school partnership: Bridging strong communication
The True Light School of Hong Kong regards parents as important partners in education. In addition to the two scheduled parent-teacher days each year, form teachers also reach out to parents when needed, based on students' individual circumstances.
On the one hand, the school uses messaging groups formed by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to share important announcements and respond to parents' queries. On the other hand, the school places great emphasis on parent education, regularly hosting workshops and seminars to clarify common concerns and strengthen communication between the school, parents, and students.
Lam, a committee member of the school's PTA, whose two daughters both attended the True Light School of Hong Kong. "We didn't even apply to other schools because True Light has always maintained a great school ethos, focusing not only on academics but also on character development," she said.
Since joining the PTA and taking part in volunteer activities, Lam has gained a deeper understanding of True Light and found more opportunities to connect with her daughters, witnessing their remarkable growth. Her elder daughter, who used to be a scaredy-cat, is now the president of the student union. Meanwhile, her younger daughter has been able to pursue her passion for table tennis with strong support from the school. For Lam, True Light not only provides students with learning resources but also strives to nurture them into independent individuals.
Transfer interviews: Students' language skills matter
The True Light School of Hong Kong is part of the Wan Chai School Net. Each year, the school admits around 40 students through direct school admission, with applications generally opening in January. The admission interviews are conducted in both English and Cantonese. The English interview consists of recitation and conversation, while the Cantonese interview consists of open-ended questions designed to assess students' thinking and responses. By July, the competition becomes more intense during the Supplementary Allocation stage, where the school offers only four places. Additional written examinations in Chinese, English, and mathematics are conducted at this stage.
In addition, the school accepts transfer students for Form Three, Form Four, and Form Five. Applications are accepted before May, and written assessments are held in June. As part of the admission process, the school conducts interviews with both the student and their parents to better understand the level of family support.
Principal Hui reminds parents that private interview training classes may not always be effective. She encourages parents to engage in regular communication with their children, guiding them to express their genuine thoughts and feelings.
(Reporters: Feng Shanshan、Clara Chen/Camerapeople: Sammi、Bernhard/Editor: Sammi、Bernhard/English Editor: Darius/Producer: Tracy)
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