NET Scheme News 2025 Spring issue 48

7 NET Scheme News Issue 48 C l i c k t o w a t c h t h e v i d e o The stage spotlight shone on junior form students as they showed off their new products made from upcycled materials. Meanwhile, the senior forms grabbed the opportunity to develop their confidence and language skills by creating proposals for pop-up stalls and producing promotional videos. Then, the whole school got to vote on their favourite concepts and prizes were presented in an Oscars-style ceremony. Interviewer: To start, what were some of the highlights from the English Festival? Ms Naomi Chan: We believe our English Festival gave the students an authentic context to explore a range of multimodal texts such as promotional videos, posters, presentations, and written applications for pop-up upcycling stalls. Interviewer: How did you manage to make this so relevant and engaging for students? Mr David Savundra (NET): Our project was designed to integrate with existing classroom units. Over six weeks, we focused on the theme of ’Grow with Love: Upcycle and Redress for a Better World’ which relates to sustainability and the concept of upcycling. This allowed us to connect what we learned in English class to real-world issues, enhancing our understanding and engagement with the topic. Interviewer: That sounds great! How did Language across the Curriculum (LaC) help bring these ideas together? Mr David Savundra (NET): By incorporating vocabulary andconcepts fromsubjects likebiology andgeography, we were able to create a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability. Students were able to apply their language skills to different situations such as running game booths, creating videos and public speaking. Interviewer: That’s fantastic! How have students’ thinking and buying become more conscious through this project? Rici (Student): The project made us more aware of the implications of our consumption. Before the activity, we thought that the materials were rubbish and useless. But after the activity, we know that the materials can be upcycled and reused in meaningful ways. Interviewer: It sounds like a holistic approach. What skills did the students develop throughout the project? Curtis (Chairperson of the English Ambassadors): We developed a variety of essential skills, including teamwork, communication, and public speaking. Organising events like the game booths and the Oscars-themed competition required us to collaborate effectively and articulate our ideas clearly. These experiences taught us how to express ourselves better in English and work together towards a common goal. Interviewer: It’s remarkable to see such change. What was the overall impact of the English Festival on your students’ learning experience? Ms Naomi Chan: The project emphasised social responsibility and environmental awareness, which are crucial in today’s world. Through our activities, we learned about global issues like waste management and sustainability. This combination of values education, national education and national security education (ecological security) helped us see our roles as global citizens, understanding that our actions can have far-reaching impacts. Interviewer: Thank you to all of the teachers and students from CNEC Lau Wing Sang Secondary School for sharing their insights. Hannah Standring and Craig Robertson, Regional NET Coordinators NET Section It is not often we come across a school which manages to integrate whole-school learning and relevant social issues as part of its English Festival. However, last week we talked to CNEC Lau Wing Sang Secondary School about how a local charity, Redress, inspired students to sit up and take notice of the damage the fast fashion industry is having on our local environment and the world. Students Unify in the Fight against Fast Fashion Collaborative Projects