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Teamwork leads to art
Nadia Lam Wing-yin, Munsang College
On November 7, 2025, 2,000 students and teachers gathered at the sports ground of Munsang College, signs in hand.
At the drone operators’ command, each student held up their sign. From a bird’s-eye view, the signs formed a familiar sight – the student-designed centenary logo. And with a second command, from the centre rippled a second design – the school insignia, with its famed sailing boat and lighthouse in all its glory.
It certainly wasn’t easy. In fact, it took a village just to see the design come to life. Once the original logos were pixelated, each pixel grid was carefully cut from cardboard, labelled and transported to the campus, where the artists laid them out again in the school hall to ensure the signs would fit together.
But that wasn’t all. With help from numerous students, teachers, staff members and janitors, participants painstakingly measured the venue and the locations of every card on the sports ground before chalking them down by hand.
With around 20 people working for eight hours, 2,000 grid codes and crosses were marked in preparation for the grand event, where Munsangnites united to celebrate our school’s 100th birthday.
Alas, fate decided to rain on the party – literally. Overnight, the heavens opened up and washed away everyone’s hard work. But no one gave up. Over the course of a lunch break, the ground dried up and new indicators were drawn.
At 1.55pm, students and teachers gathered in preparation for the event. The sky was cloudy, but their spirits were never brighter. The younger children were exhilarated to be a part of this monumental event, and the teenagers were a little burned out after a morning of lessons. However, all were ready to see their hard work come to fruition.
As a part of the crowd myself, the world seemed to fade into the background. I was too focused on not messing up when the camera started rolling. Watching the final product on video was incredibly moving.
While it may seem unusual to see so many people manoeuvring a small sign up close, their collective effort created a beautiful piece of art.
It may feel like everyone plays a small role in society, as we did in the pixel art project. But it turned out beautiful thanks to the efforts of thousands of people. It reminded me of the song “Through Heaven’s Eyes” from The Prince of Egypt: “So how can you see what your life is worth or where your value lies? You can never see through the eyes of man! You must look at your life, look at your life through heaven’s eyes!”
Australia’s social media ban
Ng Wing-ho, GCC & ITKD Lau Pak Lok Secondary School
Australia has recently banned those under 16 from using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. This ban can benefit young users and parents by creating a safer online environment and encouraging kids to step away from negative influences.
It can reduce screen time, which addresses issues like cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content and social pressure. This reduction in online activity can help alleviate anxiety and depression, encouraging real-world engagement and hobbies.
Ultimately, it promotes stronger family bonds and prioritises face to face interaction.
However, social media often serves as a way for young users to connect with friends and family. By banning these apps, teens may experience social isolation and loneliness, especially those who use these platforms as a way to communicate or learn more about the world.
This situation serves as a valuable lesson: social connections can still be nurtured by finding real friends and taking part in face-to-face activities, such as school clubs and community events.
Tips for making friends
Angel Lo Cheuk-lam, St Francis’ Canossian College
When I first started secondary school, I found it hard to talk to others and often felt lonely.
Luckily, by Form Two, I had learned to adapt to the new environment. I would like to share some tips on making friends at school.
First, it helps to take the initiative to observe your classmates. By listening to their conversations, you may discover common interests or hobbies. For example, the girl sitting behind me, Nina, is a huge fan of the singer Zhou Shen. She is always excited to talk about him and even shares tips on how to get the best concert tickets!
Second, joining extracurricular activities, such as the Red Cross, Guides or other uniform groups, is a great way to meet new people. These activities encourage teamwork and can help you become more confident. When you work together often, friendships naturally start to grow.
Lastly, remember that making friends takes time. There is no need to rush. Real friendships develop when you are patient and genuine. I hope these tips help other students enjoy their school lives more.
