The 22nd Top Ten Book Picks Award Ceremony, organised by Hong Kong Education City (EdCity), was successfully held in January 2026. The ceremony this year was marked by strong engagement from primary and secondary schools. In addition to five primary and secondary schools receiving the ‘Active Participation School Award’, the ceremony also awarded winning schools under the ‘Reading Charter Scheme’. Liu Po Shan Memorial College, which has participated in the scheme for three consecutive years, was among this year’s awardees.
Setting Benchmarks for the Reading Journey
Since the 2022–23 academic year, the school has taken part in the Reading Charter, focusing on Secondary 1 and 2 students. Through the scheme, students are guided to set personal reading goals in order to enhance their motivation in reading. With the use of Reading Charter Cards, they can systematically document their reading journey. For the school, the program helps establish a measurable reading development framework that strengthens the promotion of reading across the campus.
Students participating in the Reading Charter were awarded certificates as encouragement and gathered for a group photo with the Principal, Dr Cheung Wai Sing (fifth from left), and Vice Principal, Mr Lau Chun Kin (fourth from left), celebrating their achievement.
Three Factors Driving the Promotion of Reading
The key to nurturing students who develop a love of reading lies in the close collaboration of school library and Chinese and English departments to promote reading. Through a variety of activities, the school actively cultivates students’ interest in reading and guide them to establish the reading habits. Ms Chan Lai Man, the Library Director and Reading Promotion Coordinator, shared that the school’s commitment to reading is grounded in several principles and practices:
- Reading as the foundation of learning: It enhances language proficiency, comprehension, and expression, while laying a solid base for cross-disciplinary knowledge building.
- Broadening perspectives: Extensive reading exposes students to diverse viewpoints and modes of thinking, fostering independent thought, critical analysis, and adaptability.
- Nurturing character: The reading process promotes moral development, guiding students to cultivate empathy, strengthen responsibility, and gradually shape positive values and proactive attitudes toward life.
Harnessing Technology to Foster Reading
In the era of digital education, school-based e-reading has become increasingly popular. To help students maintain reading habits at home, the school established a dedicated library webpage to sustain interaction and engagement. With funding from the Jockey Club Joy of E-Reading Scheme, the school earlier invested in e-books and built online reading platforms. The school currently operates two e-reading platforms—HyRead and Golden Reading Pavilion. During morning reading sessions, students are allowed to select either e-books or physical books, offering a flexible and autonomous reading experience that caters to different preferences and learning styles.
The school library’s website introduces students to reading-related activities and provides direct links to e-reading platforms.
The school provides two e-reading platforms, offering students more flexible reading modes.
Students explore sports and health titles at the National Games-themed book fair, with both print and e-books available for shared reading experiences.
Diversified Reading Programs
To promote reading systematically, the school encouraged different subject departments to integrate reading elements into their curricula, broadening students’ horizons and landscapes of perspectives. Beyond the Reading Charter, the school also ran school-based reading programme—Slowly Fall in Love with Reading, which motivates students to develop consistent reading habits and participate in extended reading activities.
A variety of activities are organised, including designated morning reading sessions, themed book fairs jointly held by the library and different subject panels, junior secondary library lessons, the appointment of Reading Ambassadors, author talks, literary walks, and ‘flash’ borrowing events. At the same time, the library strives to foster a friendly and comfortable environment. Soft music was played during recess, providing teachers and students with a tranquil and pleasant space for reading and learning.
The library’s Reading Promotion Ambassador, Sloowie, which is the sloth character, together with its friends, brought a comfortable and friendly reading environment to the library.
Students took part in a literary walk activity.
To enrich the reading experience, the school library collaborated with the Moral, Civic and National Education Section to organise study tours within the country, visiting representative libraries and technology institutions in Chinese Mainland. It also arranged cross-school reading exchange activities to broaden students’ horizons and deepen their reading and learning experiences. Through diversified reading activities, the school hopes to attract students with different learning styles.
Ms Chan (first from left) led students in the Reading and National Science Development One-Day Study Tour, during which they visited the Shenzhen Library to enrich their cross-cultural reading experience.
Ms Chan and students visited Cheung Chau Government Secondary School for the Joint-School Historical Architecture and Cultural Reading Tour, pictured with Mr Chan Chi Man, principal of that school.
Students connect with writers during author talks organised by the library, enriching their perspectives and inspiring deeper engagement with reading.
Student Voices: Reading Woven into Daily Life
Through a variety of online and offline activities, the school has cultivated a strong reading culture. By the junior secondary stage, students were already deeply engaged in reading and have developed personalised, consistent habits. Form 2 and Form 3 students shared that they dedicate fixed times each day to reading, completing one to two books per week. Their interests span a wide range of genres—from the thought-provoking Tuesdays with Morrie, to the relationship-focused A Word is Worth Ten Thousand, and the globally beloved Harry Potter series with its magical elements. With the power of reading, students gained inspiration for their outlook on life and shape their character.
Chang Hoi Yee (pictured left) said she enjoys discussing her reading insights with classmates. Cheng Ka Long (pictured center) believed reading helped him gain knowledge and apply it in daily life, making him more mature and steadier. Chen Man Hei (pictured right) shared that reading has become a habit—not just a leisure activity, but a part of her everyday life.