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Ocean Park, CHSC and HKU Reward Students with Positive Attitudes in Happy Kids • Bountiful Life Award Scheme 2017

2017-05-25

Ocean Park today hosted a presentation for the Happy Kids · Bountiful Life Award Scheme 2017, organised in collaboration with the Committee on Home-School Co-operation (CHSC) and the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Department of Social Work and Social Administration. The three co-organisers have joined hands again for the third consecutive year, and this year’s award scheme aims to encourage students to develop a positive attitude and appreciate the happy moments in life. In a journal, participating students record every happy moment and something they are grateful for each day. Each school then selects and rewards 15 students who exhibit the most positivity. Since the launch of the Happy Kids · Bountiful Life Award Scheme 2017 in mid-March this year, close to 490 schools have participated in the scheme and over 6,700 students have received awards. Ocean Park is also donating close to 14,000 admission tickets worth close to HK$6 million in recognition of the awarded students.
 
Attending the presentation today were Matthias Li Sing-chung, Chief Executive of Ocean Park; Henry Tong Sau-chai, Chairman of CHSC; Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai, HKU Department of Social Work and Social Administration; Smile Cheung Siu-yung, Child Education Advisor and experienced media practitioner; and celebrities Joe Ma and his wife Dr. Karen Cheung, as well as Chui Sze Ming, Principal of Chan Shu Kui Memorial School and Yung Ka Yan, a Form 4 student of Chan Shu Kui Memorial School, who have participated in  the award scheme.
 
During the ceremony, Henry Tong Sau-chai, Chairman of CHSC, said, “Targeting all secondary and primary students in Hong Kong, this year’s award scheme aims to encourage students to always have a grateful heart, thereby improving their mental health. Students who exhibit a positive and proactive attitude towards various life challenges will be given commendations. They are encouraged to develop the habit of archiving happy moments daily, by writing down the bits and pieces of their daily lives that bring them happiness. Examples include helping others, gathering with family and friends, and spending time with their pets. During the process, they will learn to appreciate the joys of life and be grateful for the good things that  happen in their lives, as well as develop a positive attitude and thinking with constant observation and reflection.”
 
Matthias Li Sing-chung, Chief Executive of Ocean Park, added, “Over the years, Ocean Park has created great memories for countless families. Promoting the long-term development of children’s physical and mental health has always been the direction of the Park’s mission, which aligns with the goal of this year’s Happy Kids · Bountiful Life Award Scheme. We are delighted to collaborate with CHSC and HKU again, and we are giving out close to 14,000 tickets in recognition of these happy students to help them create more happy moments as they enjoy our fun and educational in-park activities with their families.”
 
Statistics from the Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong, revealed that student suicide data from January to April in 2015, 2016 and 2017 fluctuated from 8 to 19 then to 14 cases respectively. Even though the rate of youth suicide has declined this year, the number of primary and secondary suicide cases remained alarmingly high at 12 cases in the first four months of 2016, and 10 cases in the same period of 2017. Also, the final report submitted by the Committee on Prevention of Student Suicides showed that suicidal behaviours are complex, with 97% of the students suffering from at least two factors, ranging from family and peer relationship problems, to academic stress and mental health issues. This reflects that suicide prevention among students is still very challenging and requires continuous and dedicated efforts to tackle the issues.
 
Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai of the HKU Department of Social Work and Social Administration, said, “The number of student suicides remains alarmingly high. Earlier, we launched our mentorship programme for students who have difficulties in learning or socializing, or having behavioural problems. Students who were paired with trained volunteer-mentors received social and emotional support, showed improvements in expressing their feelings, problem-solving skills and built better overall relationships with families and friends. This year’s Happy Kids · Bountiful Life Award Scheme has the same purpose as our mentorship programme, which helps strengthen students’ mental health and prevent youth suicides.”
 
On ways to lower the number of student suicides, Smile Cheung Siu-yung, Child Education Advisor and experienced media practitioner, said, “Schools and parents should strengthen life education for students, inspire them to reflect on the meaning of life and understand the different values of life, so as to improve their mental health. This year’s Happy Kids · Bountiful Life Award Scheme pushes students to think about things that are worthy of gratitude in their daily lives, which is another form of life education.”