********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Tsuen Wan District Council:
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited Tsuen Wan district this afternoon (January 23) to gain a better understanding of newly arrived students in the district and the transformation and development of Tsuen Wan over the past 50 years.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Mr Chau How-chen, and Tsuen Wan District Officer, Mr Cheung Doi-ching, Mrs Lam first visited the Holy Cross Lutheran School and officiated at the cheque presentation ceremony of the School-based Support Scheme for New Arrival Students in Tsuen Wan District.
Co-organised by the Tsuen Wan District Office and the Education Bureau's Tsuen Wan District School Development Section, the scheme secured a three-year sponsorship to subsidise ten schools in the district to organise homework tutorials and visits, with a view to allowing newly arrived students to learn more about local support services by the government and district organisations and to facilitate their integration into school and community. More than 200 newly arrived students are expected to benefit from the scheme.
Apart from presenting cheques to participating schools, Mrs Lam and the guests enjoyed the performance and sharing from the students and had a better understanding of the implementation of the scheme.
Mrs Lam was glad to note that, through cross-sector collaboration, the scheme had obtained resources from the district to provide a support network for newly arrived students and succeeded in facilitating their adaptation to local education, community life and expanding their social network.
Principal of the Holy Cross Lutheran School, Ms Wong Suk-fan said, "We would like to express our gratitude to the sponsor and the facilitation of relevant government departments for providing support to newly arrived students. We would try our utmost to nurture these students so as to foster their contribution to our society in future."
Mrs Lam then proceeded to the City Walk at downtown Tsuen Wan to officiate at the "Tsuen Wan 50 Years ¡ª Inheritance and Transformation" photo exhibition cum prize presentation ceremony.
The activity was co-organised by the Working Group on Community Development and Planning under the Tsuen Wan District Council Community Building, Planning and Development Committee and the Tsuen Wan Culture and Recreation Co-ordinating Association Limited to exhibit feature photos provided by local citizens and historical photos of Tsuen Wan, aiming at strengthening residents' knowledge and sense of belonging to the community and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tsuen Wan New Town.
Works created by students of the Community Planning and Design Workshop were also on display. The workshop was co-organised by the working group and an association for Tsuen Wan development last November to provide about 40 secondary students with basic knowledge of urban planning and design, with an aim at enriching their understanding on Tsuen Wan and cultivating their interests in urban planning.
Ends/Sunday, January 23, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:41
NNNN
