DBSPTA Newsletter 2019 ver12

ing that we also maintain the option of teaching Literature.
That range of subject choice has a staff and cost implication.
Faced with the same challenge, the option others have taken
is to simply offer “Subject B” to all. However, we feel that it is
important to cater for the individual needs and talents of our
boys. There are not a lot of boys who choose Literature; the
school doesn’t want to further limit or discourage those who
have interest. By the way, we have a 44-point graduate who
chose to study Literature in the UK.
The same applies to music and art. Some years, fewer students
choose these subjects and despite the financial implication,
the school wants to keep those options open to develop
the talents of our boys.
PTA: Thanks for the sharing. I guess not all IB programs are
the same. The details is quite eye opening. The school doesn’t
only focus on the more common subject choices, but instead
thinks through what the boys really want to do and support
them.
In last year’s newsletter, PTA published an interview regarding
Centre for Further Studies. Apparently, among our
peer schools, not only does DBS has more boys applying to
overseas universities, the number of universities applied per
student is also more than other schools. How much can the
staff handle?
Headmaster: We exceed most of our peer schools by a big
margin. Our counsellors and our staff members are stretched,
and we do need more resources. (PTA: There are scholarship
applications as well?) Yes. There are many external scholarship
applications. I haven’t tally the number. But we want
to give the boys more guidance and encourage them to apply,
e.g. HKSES Scholarship for Excellence Scheme for overseas
studies, Student of the Year, etc. To support the applications,
we will also arrange for interview training.
The team probably needs to be expanded. Some scholarships
are for universities in US, UK as well as local, and different
faculties in local universities. We leverage a lot of DBS old
boys to help with interview training.
A Final Word of Wisdom
PTA: What would you like to say to the parents about walking
alongside their boys’ journey? You know, the words of wisdom
from the Headmaster.
Headmaster: (Deep breath.) Going back to something that
Mr. Lowcock said when I was a young teacher … Back then, I
led music, debate and tennis. You know boys are quite sloppy,
or I should say many started sloppy and erring. So I would
grief over whether the boys will be okay, that it seemed every
year we rely on a bit of luck to pull through, and whether we
would meet deadline or uphold the quality and all that. Mr.
Lowcock would say: “Don’t worry. The boys will always come
through. They always do.”
I feel that trusting the boys is important. Parents may worry
if they let go of the boys, would they deliver? But putting our
trust in them can be a motivation to them. The more help we
give, the less ownership the boys take. I do understand the
unsettling feelings of the parents. So I will leave Mr. Lowcock’s
words with you.
PTA: Is there a place or corner on campus that leaves you a
deep impression?
Headmaster: There is. I didn’t notice in the past. I’m not too
sure if you notice the tree in front of the tuck shop. The area
used to be a cement ground car park. But since we converted
the field to artificial turf, we decided to pave that area with
real grass to add more “school-ground feel” to campus. To me,
the tree, and there is only one and we try not to put too many
things around, has the most “aura”. It is not the biggest or
strongest, which is the one at the roundabout. It is not very
tall, but its location is quite special.
If you think of that tree as a person, he listens to the boys’
singing during morning assembly. During recess, he sees the
boys having fun. When he grows taller, he will see the boys’
actions in the field. During lessons, he hears the interactions
between the students and the teachers.
PTA: That’s very touching, especially with your artistic
perception. People think of DBS as strong and as champion
like the tree at the roundabout. But the characteristics you
pointed out reflect more of the education philosophy of DBS.
PTA: Finally, the most important question. Who will be the
next UEFA winner?
Headmaster: Barcelona, because Arsenal couldn’t make it.
Also, Barcelona added a fabulous Japanese player Hiroki Abe.
“Don’t worry. The boys will come through. They always do.”
DBS PTA Newsletter
2019
9