Chinese New Year Celebrations 2012 Video

Chairman's Prizegiving Speech

    In order to celebrate our students' achievements during the past academic year, we held our annual Prizegiving service, where the top three of each class are awarded certificates and the hard work of the teachers, students and supportive parents is applauded. At this year's ceremony, our Chairman Mr Chor Leung had this to say:-

Good morning parents, fellow trustees, teachers, volunteers and students. Before I touch on other issues, I will like to draw your attention to two very important items. Firstly, many of you are already aware that our school, as a charity, is registered for Gift Aid with the Inland Revenue. What this means in very simple terms is that our school can get back from the Inland Revenue, 25p in every £1 pound of membership subscription or donations collected. All they need is a signed confirmation from you that you have paid or will pay Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax. Some of you, as students or as parents of under 18 students, have already shown your support by signing and returning to us the Gift Aid Form Declaration. If you have questions or concerns, please come and talk to me or to any of the other trustees. If every one of you show your support, based on a student headcount of 200, we should be able to get back £500 from the government in a tax year. Please remember that this is at no extra cost to you. So if you would like to show you support and have not already done so, please collect a form from me or from the school office, fill and sign the form and then return to us as soon as possible.

Secondly, it is stated clearly in our school regulation and the enrolment form that all students must wear school uniform. Students in classes 1-9 can wear either a sweatshirt or a polo shirt and older students in GCSE class and above can opt to wear a school badge if they wish, whilst they are on our school premises. This is for the security of your own children as well as for others'. From the start of the new school year, we will be conducting random school uniform checks. Students caught not wearing school uniform will be cautioned and if they continue doing so, further action will be taken which may lead to their expulsion from the school. Your co-operation will be much appreciated.

I hope all of you had enjoy this academic year, I certainly have. Between us, we had organised a very successful and enjoyable Chinese New Year Celebration, but at the same time, the students have returned a respectable set of examination results. We are gathered here to celebrate these achievements. Congratulation to those who have won prizes. Winning prizes is nice, but participating and trying one's best is just as important.

Thank you to our teaching staffs for their support and effort in making this academic year a success. Majority of our teaching staffs will be staying to take on the challenges of the coming academic year, while a few are leaving us after today. To all those who are moving on to pastures new, teachers and students alike, it is great to know you, and we wish you every success in all your future endeavours. I hope you will take away fond memories of the school with you, and we will have a place in your hearts.

Perhaps Parents and Guardians are the unsung heroes. Without their support, the student's achievements will be diminished. A big thank you to Parents and Guardians!

Last, but not least, thank you Trustees and volunteers team, who have given so much of their precious time and effort to make all these possible.

Parents & Guardians, I am sure you are aware that the school is not just about with dropping off your charges at the gate, there is always more help and support that you can contribute! Don't ask where or how do you can begin, just come to the school office, have a chat, and we can start our journey from there.

I will conclude by saying 'have a wonderful summer holiday and see you in September'.

Chinese New Year Celebrations 2012

    On the 29 January 2012, Milton Keynes Chinese School hosted the annual Chinese New Year Celebrations. Over 300 people attended, with guests of honour including the Mayor of Milton Keynes, the Members of Parliament for Milton Keynes North and South as well as numerous other distinguished figures. The show started with an opening speech by the Mayor and an Address by the Chairman of the School, Mr Chor Leung, before the celebrations got started with Chinese Musical Instrument class.

After a delightful performance of several well known Chinese songs, the audience was stunned by the annual Lion Dance, with all the 'dancers' being members of our School. The talent of these budding young students were shown in a brilliant achievement, culminating with the tense moment in which the lion reaches up to eat the lettuce hanging from the ceiling.  A combination of skill, ability and character ensued with very many classes performing acts ranging from a melody sung by an Adult class student and his young daughter to magic tricks and a very entertaining aerobics demonstration. After all the singing dancing and enjoying oneself, the drawing of the Prize Raffle finished the ceremony before everyone retired to the Zen Garden Restaurant for a buffet dinner.

The Mayor's Speech

    The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Alan Richards, was present for our annual Chinese New Year Celebrations, witnessing the amazing displays of the traditional Lion Dance, Chinese fairy tales and Musical recitals. Before the performances though, he gave his speech to a full house:-

Good Afternoon, Excellencies, Chairman, honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentleman. On behalf of Myself, and the Mayoress, Christine, my wife; we thank you for your kind invitation to be with you today, sharing in your celebrations of Chinese the New Year, in this Year of the Dragon. which begins on the 23rd of January 2012.

Of course people born in the year of the dragon, such as my wife, are reputed to be Innovative, enterprising, self-assured, brave, passionate, and quick tempered, The Dragons we know are the free spirits of the Chinese Zodiac.

I was privileged to live and work on Hong Kong Island for two years, immediately prior to the handover of this Territory to its rightful owners, The Chinese People's Republic of China. I found living in Hong Kong and the Territories, to be an unforgettable joy and experience. A period in which I was on the Referees Select List, of the Hong Kong Football Association, as a First Class Referee, officiating at many prestigious games, whilst living in Stanley Fort.

This was a time in which my admiration for the Chinese peoples took hold. From individual industry, social culture, kindness, courtesy, hospitality, and the importance of ' face' made a real impact upon me, and remains with me to this day. Of course all nations have their own unique way of governance, and what works for each country should be respected by others. China is now assuming its rightful place in the world order as a decision maker, expanding rapidly in the free markets, where its currency and fiscal strength, business initiatives and entrepreneurial expertise are greatly admired throughout the world.

I was indeed lucky to have lived a good life within Hong Kong, to have experienced, and witnessed, the strengths of Chinese culture and community. But what of Chinese activities and influence here in our growing city of Milton Keynes?

Well In May and June of 2011, first as Deputy, then later as Mayor, I was privileged to receive Prof Zhang Renshou, President of Gongshang University and Prof Yang Ing, Vice President of Zhejiang Normal University, and their teams, to our city, to sign Mutual Agreements of Collaboration in Education, in conjunction with the Universities of Northampton, Hertfordshire, Luton, and the University College of Milton Keynes. This involves training of exchange Lecturers and students, and delivery and content of course materials.

Progress is such that UCMK Chairman Ms Julie Mills was invited to a detailed visit to those Chinese Universities to develop further this new relationship and understanding, and which has already taken place. I have corresponded severally, to the Foreign Affairs Office of the Taizhou People's Municiple Government, encouraging the progression of mutual interests. As a result, I have, together with the Leader of MK Council Cllr Andrew Geary and CEO David Hill received an invitation for a 9 day structured visit to Taizhou Municiple Government, commencing the 10th March 2012. from Mrs Yan Zhang, Chief Executive Officer of UK China Connection, based here in the UK.

Unfortunately, this will not take place until sometime in June, due to various issues and necessary preparations to be undertaken. I mention these items to illustrate how MK Council and Partners continually strive to improve cultural and job creations for the residents of MK and their children; indeed fostering such relationships and initiatives regionally, nationally and internationally is an important responsibility of the Elected Mayor of this city.

However, it is vital that both UK & MK businesses understand how commerce is conducted and developed, within Chinese culture, primarily through personal contacts, in order to build confidence and respect between participating parties, upon which further developments may follow.

But what of the Chinese residents of Milton Keynes, -Your principle activities include:-

  • Teaching Cantonese & Mandarin.
  • Promoting vocational and personal development.
  • Providing social & educational activities within the Chinese cultural perspective.
  • Working with other local and diverse community groups and voluntary organisations with common objectives.

I have leaned that as a registered charity you participate in the MK Council of Voluntary Organisations. You are a member of the UK Federation of Chinese Schools. Your work is carried out by volunteers, and there is always a demand for new volunteers. You do not discriminate in any form. Charitable donations are always welcomed and appreciated, as is any help volunteers are able to provide this Chinese Organisation.

Milton Keynes Council is proud of its Chinese Community, the work that it does within our community to strengthen ties across other groups, which contributes greatly to the cities successful social cohesion, and I on behalf of Council, congratulate the strong leadership of your organisation, for its drive, determination and clear vision provided on behalf and for its members, and I wish you continued success in you future activities.

Thank you again for your kind invitation and courtesy shown to the Mayoress and I.

May I as Mayor, wish each of you, an enjoyable time, as you all celebrate the Chinese New Year



The Chairman's Speech

    Likewise, the Chairman of Milton Keynes Chinese School, Mr Chor Leung, also addressed the School in this speech:-

Mr Mayor, Mr and Mrs Lei, distinguished Guests, members, teachers and volunteers, thank you for joining us in welcoming... the year of the Dragon.

Dragons must be free and uninhibited, always doing things in grand and spectacular ways. This characteristic should benefit our younger members, who will need all the energy and drive to achieve in the present world. A hot topic at the moment is 'Tiger Mums', I am sure our community will be able to harness the Dragon energy in a similar and positive way too.

I am please to announce that our school is in an excellent state of health and student numbers had increased from previous year. True to tradition, our academic team had delivered excellent results again. All the students who sat for GCSE in last academic year achieved A*. It reflects not just the hard work of the students, but also the nurturing and encouragement from teachers and parents.

We have successfully organized a large number of community activities. Just to name a few, we have Chinese Musical Instruments Workshop, Youth Orchestra, Young student basketball Workshop, Food Hygiene course, Harmonica Class, Clay flower class and Art class. In terms of winning external national competitions, our Youth Orchestra was Runners-up in UKFCS music festival, and just off the press, our 3 entries for UKFCS Chinese New Year card competition are among the winners.

This is the perfect occasion to express my thanks to our team of hard working Trustees, Volunteers, Teachers and Helpers. I often hear requests for more community activities, and my answer is, 'why not join the team, with your extra help, we do much much more'.

On behalf of our organisation, I will also like to express our gratitude to the MK Council, businesses and individuals who have supported us financially or otherwise.

I will conclude by saying, 'May the Year of Dragon brings you Joy, Health and Prosperity'!



Hardworking Students Rewarded

    At our recent Chinese New Year Celebrations, the top three students in each class, judged based upon their performances in December's Mid-Year Exam, were rewarded for all their hard work in lessons. They went up on stage to receive a certificate detailing their achievement in what was a proud moment for many parents.

When on stage they received their certificate and had their hand shaken by the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Alan Richards before their moment of glory came to an end with a quick photograph taken and an ovation to remember. One student commented on the incentive of going on stage and getting a chance to meet with the Mayor: "I think the general feeling is that many encourage themselves to work harder and achieve the highest marks in order to receive recognition from one of the most important people in Milton Keynes."