At St. Hilary's, reading is given a premium position within their educational tenets. Mr Chu Tsz-wing, Chief Headmaster of St. Hilary's Primary School Section believes that reading is the bedrock of learning. Through reading, students not only acquire knowledge but also master the invaluable skill of ‘learning how to learn’. This skill, indispensable for their future endeavours, prepares them to confidently confront the challenges that lie ahead. ‘St. Hilary's students’, Mr Chu said, ‘always carry a stack of “pillow books” in their school bags, enabling them to immerse themselves in reading anytime, anywhere.’ This strong reading atmosphere relies on the harmonious interplay between curriculum design, reading resources, and teachers' exemplary conduct.
（Students at St. Hilary's have a strong passion for reading.）
The St. Hilary's, which includes VNSAA St. Hilary's School, AOG St. Hilary's College (Primary Section), and St. Hilary Primary School, are all part of the same network that promotes literacy. Despite the unpredictable changes in the future of education, where artificial intelligence is here to stay, Mr Chu remains unflinching in ensuring students have ample opportunities to learn, and at the heart of it all, reading serves as the essential foundation. The school has made reading education a top priority, revolving around the two fundamental approaches: ‘close reading’ and ‘extensive reading’. In his own words, close reading motivates children to immerse themselves in reading and learning, with a keen focus on specific areas, and this involves such things as supplementary materials, reading comprehension, and book reports. Extensive reading, on the other hand, refers to reading based on students' own interests. To sustain these approaches, the school implements the ‘Modelled Sustained Silent Reading (MSSR’) program, which includes designated reading periods on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. During these times, the entire school community of teachers and students comes together to enjoy a peaceful reading experience.
（Mr Chu Tsz-wing, the Chief Headmaster of St. Hilary's Primary School and VNSAA St. Hilary’s School believes that reading serves as a crucial cornerstone for learning.）
Weave Reading into the Curriculum
Reading becomes truly magical when reading resources are seamlessly integrated into pedagogical strategies, as Ms Wong Siu-ching, Head of the Reading Team, remarked. Reading knows no boundaries, so incorporating reading elements into various subjects such as Chinese language, English, Science, and Liberal Studies is the way to go. For example, each week during Chinese lessons, the school allocates a dedicated time slot for students to participate in shared reading and discuss book content with their Chinese teacher and classmates. To further support this initiative, the school has thoughtfully procured a diverse range of Chinese book series, tailored to each grade level. These literary treasures find their place on classroom bookshelves, readily accessible to all students. Furthermore, an incentive programme has been introduced to encourage students to complete a whole book series and diligently create reading notes.
（During the morning reading session, both teachers and students engage in shared reading activities.）
For the English language subject, each grade has its own designated reading list curated by subject teachers. Ms. Wong shed light on the deliberate approach taken by teachers to strategically incorporate reading activities into the classroom, ensuring that the themes and content of the books were in line with the curriculum. As an illustrative example, she shared how first-grade students, upon reading 'Sherlock Holmes,' brought the beloved literary character to life through engaging classroom activities. As for Liberal Studies, the library has made significant additions to its collection of humanities and social science books over the past three years. For instance, the school has acquired a set of 18 storybooks, one for each of Hong Kong's 18 districts, to complement the fourth-grade curriculum's coverage of subjects including the city's history and housing types. In the comfort of their own classrooms, students can peruse these books whenever they like.
（The students were captivated by the principal's stories.）
(On the annual Book Character Day, Ms. Wong, Head of the Reading Team, (left) dressed up as a character from a book along with the students.)
Regular Reading to Reinforce Habits
St. Hilary's goes above and beyond in nurturing students’ passion for reading activities. Ensuring students truly ‘get a taste of the joy of reading, the headmaster and teachers actively lead the way, teaching by example. During the morning reading time, the headmaster becomes a master storyteller, weaving tales that not only educate but also communicate. These stories revolve around moral education, adding biblical stories into the mix just like AOG St. Hilary's College (Primary Section) did. Additionally, during break time, both Chinese and English teachers spin yarns for their eager students. These are the stairways to a vibrant reading environment that encourages students to keep their noses in books and develop lifelong reading habits.
（The students creatively wrote their reading reports on bags.）
（The parents designed game booths to promote literacy.）
events, including the much-awaited Book Character Day, held annually during World Reading Day week. Ms Wong enthusiastically shared that in preparation for Book Character Day, students are required to prepare reading reports. However, these reports come with a unique twist, departing from the traditional paper format. Each year brings different materials for the reports, with students having written their reports on items such as t-shirts, building blocks, pouches, and even hats this year, showcasing their ingenuity and creativity. On the eventful Book Character Day, the entire school, from teachers to students, dresses up as their favourite fictional characters, bringing their books and reading reports they have prepared to introduce their characters to their peers. Adding to the excitement, last year's Book Character Day featured specially designed booth games by parents, allowing both students and their families to actively participate in the school's annual reading extravaganza.