NET Scheme News 2025 Spring issue 47

1 NET Scheme News Issue 47 Newsletter Editorial Team Adys Wong (Editor) Roland Smith Proofreading Team Simon Boldy Stephen Cooley Hannah Standring Ritika Sethi Mandy Kan This newsletter is prepared by the NET Section, CDI, EDB. All comments and suggestions on the newsletter can be sent to adyskywong@edb.gov.hk. https://nets.edb.hkedcity.net/ Contents 1 Message from the Chief Curriculum Development Officer of the NET Section Crafting Success: One Story at a Time 2 English Storytelling for Children The Magical Power of Storytelling 4 PDNETwork Storytelling in PDNETwork 5 PDNETwork NET Section PDNETwork Awards 6 Social and Emotional Learning Developing Students’ Social and Emotional Well-being through Stories 8 Once Upon A Book (OUB) Storytelling Showcase Unlocking the Power of Storytelling: Insights from Diverse Voices 12 English Day English Day Brings Festive Fun to RCHK Island West Hong Chi Morninghope School 14 Pedagogy Resource Hub Think Different with the Backwards Planning Framework 16 Speaking Hub Telling a Different Story To enhance the teaching content, teachers can exercise their professional judgment and consult relevant scholarly work when adopting the learning and teaching resources prepared by educators and other teachers. In support of the implementation of the English Language Education KLA Curriculum, teachers can also select appropriate parts of the resources for classroom learning or extended learning based on pedagogical consideration and the learning needs of students. From Storytelling to Sharing Voices from Schools SharingGood Stories 2025 Spring issue 47 TheNET Section,EducationBureau Welcome to the latest edition of NET Section’s newsletter, where we celebrate the exceptional work being done in schools across Hong Kong in supporting English language education. This issue provides you with a collection of stories and insights on how storytelling serves not just as an art form but as an educational tool that fosters students’ social, emotional, and academic development. Stories play multifaceted roles in the educational landscape. They help engage students organically and purposefully in sharing their thoughts and honing their speaking skills. They are a powerful tool to shape the social and emotional well-being of students. They are a medium for imparting proper values and attitudes. They provide teachers and students with an opportunity to connect with and serve the community. They are a vehicle which helps enrich the learning experiences of students with different educational needs. Through the art of storytelling, we can also explore innovative educational practices. This issue offers you a rich anthology of the above. The articles in this edition also capture the NET Section’s ongoing efforts to provide professional support to schools to enrich students’ literacy experiences and the language learning environment in schools, highlighting our commitment to fostering the tripartite partnerships and collaborative learning environments to support English language education. Recently, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the extraordinary talents of primary and secondary students during the inaugural Once Upon A Book (OUB) Storytelling Competition organised by the NET Section. On 1 April and 8 April 2025, 42 teams of students were shortlisted for the finals titled the OUB Live Unplugged. The students shared engaging stories and demonstrated impressive teamwork with a high level of English proficiency. Their enthusiasm and creativity show the dedication and efforts of schools and teachers in fostering students’ language skills development. In numerous subtle and behind- the-scenes moments, we saw English teachers and NETs working together to make their students shine, and we shared the joy of seeing their students grow. These heartwarming instances have reinforced our belief in the value of the student activities and competitions we organised, which are effective platforms for students to apply their knowledge and build their confidence. Much like the plot of a story, sometimes events in our lives unfold in unexpected ways. However, the skills developed through reading and storytelling — particularly the ability to see and interpret events in various lights — empower us to transform challenges into meaningful narratives through our attitudes and perspectives. That is the transformative power of reading. Let us continue not only to inform but also to inspire our students to explore the world and expand their horizons through sharing good books and good stories. Jenny Yeung, Chief Curriculum Development Officer NET Section Crafting Success: One Story at a Time Message from CCDO (NET)