Schools are major places for young people to grow. It is important that besides providing academic knowledge and skills training, they take care of their students’ all-round development and mental health. For this reason, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have joined hands to co-create the Jockey Club Positive Education “Ascend and Radiate” (JC-PEAR) Project, designed to promote students’ intellectual growth and psychological well-being. Its aim is to utilise advanced knowledge and practices in positive education for providing school-based support.

Since the start of the current school year last September, six primary and secondary schools participating in the JC-PEAR Project have received professional consultations from the project team on adjusting different aspects of their work, ranging from the teaching syllabus and methods to communications with their students. Encouraging improvements have already been found among the students in their learning motivation, behaviour and the expression of their emotions after these adjustments.

An official launch ceremony for the JC-PEAR Project was held today (11 June) at CUHK, with the Club’s Executive Director, Charities & Community, Leong Cheung, and CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S Tuan, and Dean of Social Science Professor Chiu Chi-yue as officiating guests.

 “The Club is committed to the development of the younger generation by providing them with more opportunities,” Mr Cheung said. “The JC-PEAR Projectis aimed at creating a good school environment for better student learning and growth. It combines positive psychology and best teaching practices to help schools redesign their pedagogy, learning activities, assessments and school campus to cultivate a positive atmosphere. Relevant training is being provided to teachers to enhance their positive interaction with students. Sharing and learning platforms will also be regularly organised to encourage more schools to apply positive education.”

“The JC-PEAR Project is firmly grounded in positive education research; it aims to shift the focus of education from ‘teaching’ (knowledge) to ‘nurturing’ (personal growth and development),” Professor Tuan told participants. “Through applying positive education research to practices, which include vitalising the learning environment, improving the learning model, providing teacher training and so on, this project will sustain the development of positive education and establish a positive learning environment that benefits more teachers and students.”

Participating schools say the JC-PEAR Project is making positive changes to their students. For example, Po Leung Kuk Ma Kam Ming College Principal Ha Man-leung said his school used long-distance running as a medium to teach students goal setting and self-enhancement. “Students who did not run can now learn how to run, and even set targets through running in various ways.  We want to nurture them to become more positive and apply this to daily life,” he said.

HKSKH Bishop Hall Secondary School teacher To Yue-man added that some students had great development potential but lacked opportunities in the school. “They need a platform to show their talent. We are very impressed to see they enjoy attending the positive education lessons under the JC-PEAR Project and show great improvement.”

The Club has donated some HK$53 million to introduce this three-year positive education project in collaboration with CUHK. Six partner schools, three of them at primary and three at secondary level, are currently participating in the project. Knowledge of positive education will be shared with over 30 schools to encourage practices over the three years.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2016/17, the Club’s total direct return to the community was HK$30.5 billion. It is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer, one of the city’s major employers and one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.