【OpenSchool專訊】The ultimate goal of education is to equip students with the ability to stand firm in society and contribute to it. For more than half a century, Concordia Lutheran School North Point (CLSNP) has embraced this mission, guiding students to explore their strengths through entrepreneurship education and authentic work experiences that prepare them for the future. Under the principle of ‘unleash potentials,’ the school also leads students to serve less-privileged communities, living out the school motto ‘To serve, not to be served.’ In addition, the school attaches great importance to nurturing students’ resilience. Its basketball team undergoes rigorous year round training, earning outstanding results. Students not only share the joy of victory, but also learn the spirit of perseverance.
A Café Turned Learning Hub: Extending Knowledge Beyond Textbooks
Entering the campus, one is greeted by “ConER Cafe”—a cosy, coffee scented space roughly the size of one and a half classrooms. More than a place to relax, it is a hands on learning ground where students put knowledge into practice. Whether in English communication, business finance, tourism and hospitality, or the school-based entrepreneurship education, students step outside the textbooks and turn theory into real world skills.
Principal Lee Kin Lim notes that many students come from grassroots families, with 40% being non Chinese speaking. The school aims to broaden their horizons through diverse learning experiences and create opportunities for upward mobility. Entrepreneurship education has therefore become a priority initiative. Two years ago, the school received funding from the Quality Education Fund to establish ConER Cafe, allowing students to run small scale businesses during recess and lunch breaks. Through operating the café, they learn practical skills such as cost calculation, shop management, marketing, and product design. These experiences not only tie in closely with business related subjects but also mirror the realities of Hong Kong’s commercial environment.
Principal Lee emphasises the school’s role as a bridge that opens doors for students and helps them rise beyond basic employment, enabling them to realise their potential and enhance their socioeconomic position. ‘Unleash every student’s unique potential and ability, and help Concordians shine in their own way—this has always been our mission.”
Concordia Lutheran School North Point places great emphasis on students’ future pathways. Principal Lee Kin‑Lim believes that developing resilience and broadening horizons helps students achieve upward mobility.
Entrepreneurship Through Real Experience: Fostering Responsibility and Innovation
At CLSNP, entrepreneurship education is not just a subject—it is a platform for students to discover themselves and apply what they have learned. Ms. Wong Yuen Ying, Panel chairperson of Business, Accounting and Financial Studies, explains that the school has been promoting entrepreneurship since 2008. During the pandemic, to ensure learning could continue in a safe setting, the school established the on campus ConER Cafe, which has since become an ideal venue for students to experience real business operations. Students take turns being managers, marketers, and even customers; through facing practical challenges, they gradually develop entrepreneurial spirit and social responsibility, building a solid foundation for future pathways.
Developing Diverse Strengths Through Tailored Opportunities
Mr. So Kin Fung, Master of Life Planning and Panel chairperson of Economics, highlights that entrepreneurship requires diverse talents working together, not just business skills. ‘Students who are good at drawing can take charge of product design; those with strong communication skills can work on promotion; those interested in mechanics can take part in production.’ In addition to serving coffee, ConER Cafe showcases a wide range of handmade products crafted by students. Through these authentic experiences, the school hopes to nurture key abilities that remain irreplaceable in the age of artificial intelligence—creative thinking and practical execution.
Sustainable Impact: Profits Supporting Future Ventures
The café’s operations also carry symbolic meaning. Ms. Wong explains that students learn to calculate costs and revenue, experiencing firsthand the satisfaction of seeing effort translate into profit. The school rewards them with book vouchers and other incentives. Mr. So adds that proceeds are put toward a future entrepreneurship fund, enabling more students to realise their creative ideas and sustaining a positive development cycle.
Connecting Social Resources and Expanding Horizons
Acting as a bridge between students and society, the school regularly invites business leaders to interact with students, who also have opportunities to pitch their business plans to companies for internships. The school hosts a ‘Career Exploration Day’ to let students experience different professions and broaden their perspectives.
Student Stories: From Self Doubt to Self Confidence
Joys, a Form 5 student from the Philippines, shares that she once lacked confidence in using Chinese, but through involvement in café operations and business planning activities, she learned effective promotion skills and even served as an emcee at an external event. She has gradually become more self assured. Another student, Alen, recalls stepping out of his comfort zone repeatedly and engaging with the public. The moment he successfully persuaded a customer to purchase a product, he felt a strong sense of achievement— ‘I really can do it!’
Basketball Success Recognised: Universities Reaching Out
CLSNP places students’ long term development at its core, striving to pave multiple pathways for their future. The school believes that to stand firm in society, students need not only knowledge but also psychological strength and perseverance. For this reason, basketball has become a key platform for character building.
Principal Lee describes the basketball court as a microcosm of life. From pre match pressure to physically demanding training, students truly learn what perseverance means. In recent years, the team has achieved remarkable results, demonstrating the success of the school’s educational philosophy and bringing recognition to both the students and the school.
A Track Record of Excellence
From 2022 to 2024, the school’s basketball team won the Boys’ A Grade Championship in the Hong Kong Island Division Three for three consecutive years. In 2025, they celebrated a “triple crown,” winning the championship of Guangdong Hong Kong Youth Basketball Invitational Tournament (Boys), the Inter school Basketball Competition (Boys), as well as the Macau Youth Basketball Championship.
Principal Lee remarks that the team has become a shining emblem of the school, showcasing not only sporting excellence but also the school’s commitment to whole person development. Behind every trophy is the players’ relentless training, expert coaching, and the unwavering support of teachers and students.
These victories help students learn teamwork, perseverance, and self improvement—lessons far more vivid than any textbook.
Overcoming Challenges Through Discipline and Support
Mr. Ko Yuk Hang, Master of Extracurricular Activities and the basketball team, shares that training continued even during the pandemic. The school purchased a shooting machine to ensure uninterrupted practice. Teachers provided academic support, and some parents even sponsored six figure expenses for overseas competitions. With former Hong Kong representative coach Chu Yiu Ming now leading the team, these combined advantages helped drive their success.
Competition opportunities have opened new doors for students. Mr. Ko notes, ‘Progress brings choices. Our athletes are invited by multiple tertiary institutions, and we actively support them through the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme.’ The school also encourages physically fit students to consider joining the disciplined forces.
A Sport Loved by Many
Basketball is widely popular at the school, with around one third of students participating in related activities. Junior students join inter class and inter house competitions, fueling their interest. Mr. Ko highlights the sport’s positive impact: ‘Every match involves challenges. Students learn problem solving and build resilience.’
Growing Through Challenges
Team member Joe shares that balancing academics and daily morning training has strengthened his perseverance. Another member, James, recalls that when exams clashed with competitions, he learned to manage pressure and apply those lessons to his studies. Both express strong pride in their achievements. The school plans to expand girls’ basketball and other sports to foster a strong sporting culture.
Caring for Animals: Learning to Respect Life
The school’s Library Bio Discovery Corner houses three lizards and more than ten jellyfish, adding vibrancy to the campus and becoming a favourite gathering spot. Vice principal Yiu Li Li explains that the animals were introduced two years ago to spark scientific curiosity, nurture a spirit of inquiry, and cultivate responsibility and character through caring for living creatures.
Environmental Education: Lessons From Jellyfish
Mr. Lee Hei Yin, Assistant Panel chairperson of Science, notes that jellyfish are highly sensitive to water quality and temperature. This leads students to reflect on how human actions affect marine ecosystems and reinforces the importance of waste reduction and environmental protection—lessons far more impactful than textbook learning.
Student Kristina developed a deep bond with Lucky the central bearded dragon. Caring for the animals not only deepened her understanding of biology but also strengthened her sense of responsibility. She and her classmate Gurleen witnessed the decline in the jellyfish population, prompting deep reflection on the fragility of life. Teachers guided them to appreciate and respect life in all forms.
Serving the Community: Extending Compassion Beyond Campus
Assistant Vice principal Wong Chuk Kwan explains that life education teaches students to cherish time and understand the natural cycle of life. The school also leads students into the community to help the elderly and people with disabilities, such as delivering rice to seniors and assisting at rehabilitation centres. These interactions help students develop empathy, gratitude, and compassion.
Building Values: Caring for Nature, Caring for Others
Vice principal Rev. Cheung Lap Tak emphasises that science and life education help students build proper values—starting with caring for nature and living beings, and extending to caring for themselves and others. Through these experiences, students learn to bring happiness to those around them with the right attitude and character.
Exploring the Cosmos: Astronomy and Environmental Education
CLSNP actively promotes astronomy education. Physics Panel chairperson Mr. Chan Kei Yam explains that to spark students’ interest, the school acquired a large astronomical telescope equipped with real time tracking and mobile projection. The school organises observation nights for events such as supermoons and meteor showers, giving students first hand experiences that deepen their interest in astronomy.
The school also leads overseas stargazing tours to destinations like Japan and Yunnan. By comparing visibility in different locations, students gain a direct understanding of light pollution and extend their learning to environmental protection, strengthening their sense of responsibility toward the Earth.
Through diverse learning experiences—from stargazing to sustainability—the school continues to broaden students’ horizons and nurture their growth, preparing them to face future challenges with confidence.
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