Annual Appreciation Dinner of Diocesan Schools for the Academic Year 2023/2024

天主教澳門教區學校2023/2024學年答謝宴 (天主教週報「號角報」 2024年8月2日報導) - 下載PDF版本

為答謝教區九所直屬學校的校監、校長、中、高層管理人員在整個學年的付出，以及學校校董會各成員為學校決策作出的貢獻，澳門教區天主教教育委員會於二零二四年七月二十九日晚，假京都酒店二樓舉行2023/2024學年「教區學校學年答謝宴」。

To express gratitude for the dedication of the school supervisors, principals, vice-principals, and senior management personnel of the nine diocesan schools throughout the academic year, as well as the contributions of school management committee members to decision-making, the Catholic Education Committee of the Diocese of Macau held the 2023/2024 School Year "Diocesan Schools Appreciation Dinner" on the evening of 29 July 2024, at the Chinese Restaurant of Metropole Hotel Macao.

晚宴由天主教澳門教區李斌生主教主持，同時邀得中央人民政府駐澳門特別行政區聯絡辦公室教育與青年工作部李勇先副部長；教育及青年發展局龔志明局長；天主教澳門教區總務長劉炎新神父等嘉賓出席，並與在場的學校及校董會等代表，一同分享各校在剛完結學年內的喜悅及成果。

The dinner was presided over by the Most Reverend Bishop Stephen Lee of the Catholic Diocese of Macau. Distinguished guests included Deputy Director Li Yongxian from the Department of Education and Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Mr Kong Chi Meng, Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ); and Cón. João Evangelista Lau Him Sang, Procurator of the Diocese of Macau. They, along with representatives from schools and school management committees, shared in the joys and achievements of the past academic year.

李主教在致辭時指出，過去的學年目睹九所教區學校每位的奮鬥與掙扎，為學校尋求開源節流的方法，對此表示衷心感謝，又稱各人的堅持與努力，為學生帶來希望之餘，亦為學校的未來奠定堅實的基礎。

In his speech, Bishop Lee highlighted the struggles and efforts of each leader from the nine diocesan schools over the past year as they sought ways to balance their budgets. He expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating that their persistence and efforts not only brought hope to students but also laid a solid foundation for the schools' future.

主教不忘勉勵眾人，要必須時刻自我提醒：「社會的快速變遷和科技的快速發展，令我們必須不斷調整和適應新的教育趨勢…… 請各位謹記我們的使命與天主教教育的理念，就是通過基督的智慧，為學生們提供全人教育，培養他們建立正確的價值觀和堅定的信仰。」

The Bishop then encouraged everyone to remain mindful: "The rapid social changes and technological advancements necessitate our continuous adjustment and adaptation to new educational trends... Please remember our mission and the principles of Catholic education, which are to provide holistic education through Christ's wisdom, fostering correct values and firm faith in students."

教青局龔志明局長在致辭時，形容當晚是一場「家宴」，場面十分溫馨，並肯定天主教學校各成員在過去學年各盡其力，每一步都是踏實地為每位學生而做，是真真實實地為學生付出和著想：「在九所教區學校中，特別看到『愛』字，有包容的心，去做好融合教育；同時不只是培育學生的知識，而是為每一個人奔跑。」龔局長又提到，教青局未來會繼續循多方面想盡辦法，與不同單位合作節省開支，好能不減少各學校的教育資源，並為各學校提供教學上的各種援助。

In his address, Mr Kong Chi Meng, Director of DSEDJ, described the evening as a "warm family gathering," praising its cordial atmosphere. He commended the efforts of all Catholic school members over the past academic year, emphasising that every action was taken with students' best interests at heart: "In the nine diocesan schools, we particularly see the embodiment of 'love', with a spirit of inclusiveness to achieve integrated education; not merely imparting knowledge but striving for the benefit of each individual." Director Kong also mentioned that the Bureau would continue exploring various ways to collaborate with different entities to reduce costs, thereby maintaining educational resources for schools and providing diverse teaching support.

此外，聖瑪大肋納學校的劉美玲校長即將榮休卸任，故特別向劉校長致送紀念品。首先邀請聖瑪大肋納學校高燕嫦校監分享。她形容劉校長好像電影《五個小孩的校長》中的校長，全心為學生付出，並帶領聖瑪大肋納學校實踐「愛的教育」。高校監又提出，聖瑪大肋納學校是一所沒有校規的學校：「只有獎勵，沒有懲罰。若出現衝突的情況，校內法庭便會調停，透過溝通去將各人之間的問題化解。」

Additionally, as Principal Ms Rita Lau dos Reis of Escola de Santa Madalena prepares for retirement, a special presentation was arranged. School Supervisor Ms Kou In Seong of Escola de Santa Madalena shared her thoughts first, likening Ms Rita to the protagonist in the Hong Kong film "Little Big Master." (Based on a true story, the film portrays a former headmistress of an elite kindergarten taking up a job with a modest salary to continue educating the remaining five pupils at a rural Kindergarten which was on the verge of closure.) Ms Kou praised Ms Rita's dedication to students and her leadership in practising "education of love." She also noted that Escola de Santa Madalena operates without traditional school rules: "We have only rewards, no punishments. When conflicts arise, our school court mediates, resolving issues through communication."

劉美玲校長在致感謝辭中，首先感謝在場人士，對聖瑪大肋納的肯定和支持。她憶述曾被問及，如何將學校「鹹魚翻生」。她笑言，就是要「加油」，才能讓魚成功反身；亦感謝不同教育界人士的勉勵和打氣，讓學校團隊不斷「加油」，成就今天的聖瑪大肋納學校。對於過去43年的教育旅程、在聖瑪大肋納學校的17年時光，劉校長表示由衷的感恩。

In her thank you speech, Principal Ms. Rita expressed her gratitude to the attendees for their recognition and support of Escola de Santa Madalena. She recounted being asked how she managed to "revive" a struggling school, humorously replying that it required “continuously turning the school over” with support and encouragement from various educators that enabled the team to achieve the school’s current success. She conveyed heartfelt appreciation for her 43-year journey in education, including her 17 years at Escola de Santa Madalena.

李斌生主教代表教區摰送紀念品予劉校長，以感謝她多年來的貢獻。兩份禮物包括一尊花地瑪聖母聖像和一幅畫像；特別邀請畫師，繪畫出劉校長站在學校前的全身畫像，並寫上「劉校瑪大播善種，美玲育德傳千載」的字句，向劉校長送上誠摯的感謝。

On behalf of the Diocese, Bishop Stephen Lee presented commemorative gifts to Ms. Rita, honouring her years of contribution. The gifts included a statue of Our Lady of Fatima and a specially commissioned painting: a full-body portrait of Ms. Rita standing before the school, inscribed with "Rita Lau dos Reis at Magdalene's halls; Plants seeds of virtue that echo through time's calls." as a gesture to convey sincere gratitude to the beloved Principal - Ms Rita Lau dos Reis.