3-3-4: new challenges for schools The new 6-year senior secondary school academic structure in Hong Kong schools brings challenges for students, teachers and parents. A more diverse curriculum including liberal studies, and one examination instead of two, are key factors. The Federation's Youthline received over 8,400 calls from students confused by the changes and 63% feel worried by them, according to a recent HKFYG Youth Counselling Centre survey. Adapting to new modes of learning within the new curriculum was a major concern with over a third of the survey's 900 young respondents. Meeting the expectations of parents and teachers also worried 34% and a similar number were concerned about English as a medium of instruction. Activities and programmes at HKFYG promote the kind of independent learning required by the changed curriculum and as the new school year begins we are preparing a gamut of practical support. Our primary aim is to help students adapt to the changes quickly and easily. Contact Youthline 2777 8899, MSN youth@27778899.hk and the blog at http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/youthline27778899 to find out more. What's new Cinderella: a Musical in English to celebrate the HKFYG Lee Shau Kee Primary School's 10th anniversary The school is collaborating with Theatre Noir to train 80 primary students, supported by 10 from the HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College for this anniversary performance on Saturday 12 September 2009 at 7.30pm. They all gain by practicing their English speaking and communication skills. The venue is the Yuen Long Theatre and our Guest of Honour is Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi, Chairman of the Education Commission. Contact Iris, tel 3755 7107 for details. Three awards for Hong Kong Melody Makers quartet in Korea Four members of the Hong Kong Melody Makers met with wild success in Korea recently at the Chuncheon A Cappella Festival, in competition with other ensembles from Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. The quartet, 2 boys and 2 girls, won first prize, The Golden Harmony Award, The Best Vocal award and the award for the Best Arrangement, with songs arranged by one of the group's members. Their jazzy style is reminiscent of the famous a cappella group The Idea of North. Congratulations! Be NetWise internet campaign kick-off at Times Square with Greg So At 4.30pm on 11 September, Greg So, Undersecretary for Commerce and Economic Development will be the officiating guest at the launch of the HKFYG internet education campaign, Be Netwise. An accompanying educational exhibition in Times Square's covered piazza will take place after the ceremony. Representatives from the educational, NGO professional IT sectors will be present. Contact Cecilia tel 2788 3444 with enquiries. Youth dialogue sharing session with The Hon Tung Chee-hwa, GBM As Vice-Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Tung will speak to the young audience about China today on Thursday 10 Sept 2009 from 6-7.30pm in the Auditorium of the HKFYG Building in North Point. Thank you partners Limited edition gold medallion donation from King Fook Jewellery The Dragon Foundation is to be the beneficiary of a part-of-proceeds donation partnership with King Fook Jewellery. The donation is being made in connection with the sale of the medallions for HK$3,688 each, described here. They have been designed to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the PRC in October and the Charity Gala Premiere screening of THE FOUNDING OF A REPUBLIC at the Hong Kong Convention Centre on Sunday 20 September. Contact Bonnie, 3755 7101 for more information. Free tickets for Chibi Maruko Musical courtesy of Film Mall Entertainment Ltd 50 free tickets have been donated for youth members of the Federation to go to the musical on Sunday 6 September. They were given by Film Mall Entertainment Ltd for the show at the EMax Star Hall. Contact Bonnie, 3755 7101 for more details. Kwai Tsing Anti-drug Project takes off with Home Affairs Department The HKFYG Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung Outreaching Social Work Team has sponsorship of HK$600,000 from the Home Affairs Department and the Kwai Tsing District Council for a one-year anti-drug project, 葵手齊抗毒計劃, in Kwai Ching. Main targets will be 150 youth-at-risk and occasional youth drug abusers, who will be offered health checks, social skills, mentorships and counselling. 50 students will be trained to deliver the anti-drugs message at school and the main aims are to help youth break the drug habit by believing in themselves, developing coping skills, and understanding the risks inherent in drug abuse. Allan Chow, JP (Kwai Tsing District Officer), Tang Kwok-kong, MH, JP (Kwai Tsing District Council Chairman) and Scarlett Pong Oi-lan (Action Committee Against Narcotics) were the principal guests at the launch ceremony on 28 August 2009. Contact Wilson for more details, tel 2487 6151. Tickets for musical from Diocese of Eastern Kowloon The Diocese of Eastern Kowloon, HKSKH, has donated 30 tickets for the musical "Angel Grandma". It's about a teenager who gives up studying and vents his discontent through hip-hop dance, but eventually realizes the meaning of life with help from his grandmother. The show is in aid of the SKH Holy Spirit Church building and u21 youthnet members will go on 4 and 6 September to watch the musical in Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium. Enquiries about tickets to Marian, tel 3755 7072. Just published HKFYG polls 186 asks youth about online contact with strangers, pornography and copyright In June this year HKFYG completed a territory-wide telephone survey with 559 respondents on youth problems in the cyber world. It included their attitudes to illegal behaviour, pornography and online contact with strangers. Nearly 60% said they downloaded films or music without copyright consent and over 35% admitted that they knowingly persisted in such illegal activity because they didn't think they would be caught. Over 50% chatted to strangers online, with nearly 30% disclosing personal data such as contact numbers. More than a third viewed pornographic, indecent or violent material or found it hard to stop playing online games. On average, respondents spent nearly 3 hours every day on the internet, on top of time online at school or at work. Nearly half said that they were personally in charge of a computer at home with the majority having online access in their bedrooms. Over a quarter said they felt lost or lonely when not online. These are just some of the key points from this detailed, interesting survey which raises many issues of concern. A Chinese press release is at http://www.hkfyg.org.hk/yrc/chinese/yr-p186c.html. Call Sharon, tel 3755 7039 for more information.