A. Dr. Koo’s philosophy of education

NCEPSA (羅富國教育學院校友會 ) has long maintained a close relationship with the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), particularly the Alumni and Development Office, which has generously supported our alumni activities. She has also deepened her collaboration with the Northcote Hall Association to pass down our legacy and encourage teachers to embrace innovative thinking for a knowledge-based society.

1. Dr. Koo Hok-chun has spent decades in Hong Kong's education sector training thousands of teachers. Since Hong Kong’s handover, education has shifted from elite selection to mass access, expanding university enrollment and increasing the number of universities to nine. Curricula have also evolved to prioritize student-centered, enjoyable learning, supported by smaller class sizes (reduced from over 40 to around 20) and increased teaching resources for better individual attention.

2. Dr. Koo emphasizes character development—integrity, responsibility, and moral courage—and serves as an advisor for Invitational Education (IAIE), which fosters effective, joyful learning through its 5Ps framework: People, Places, Policy, Programme, and Process. Furthermore, he stresses that strengthening Chinese history and national education is essential to building students' identity, sense of belonging, and understanding of their country.

 

3. Dr. Koo Hok-chun: Dedication to Education and Lifelong Learning
As President of the Northcote College of Education Past Students' Association, Dr. Koo Hok-chun has devoted decades to education, spanning from preschool to university levels. Having nurtured thousands of students and trained over 100 school principals, he stands as a benchmark in Hong Kong’s educational sector and a firsthand witness to its evolution over the past few decades.

4. Witnessing Decades of Educational Reform
Reflecting on Hong Kong’s educational developments surrounding the 1997 handover, Dr. Koo highlights key milestones:
2002: The Basic Education Curriculum Guide was published—a major reform emphasizing nine key generic skills (such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration) and encouraging students to "learn how to learn."
Dr. Koo also notes that over 90% of local teachers today hold education degrees, reflecting significant professionalization. However, drawing from six years of experience as a principal, he advocates for reducing workloads for both students and frontline teachers—who often work over 9 hours a day alongside heavy administrative duties—so teachers can better focus on individual student needs.

5. Prioritizing Capability Over Rote Knowledge
Dr. Koo favors an open, adaptive teaching mindset over rigid tradition. He emphasizes that early childhood education should focus on inspiring potential and cultivating a genuine interest in learning rather than early academic cramming.

6. Embracing Lifelong Learning and Family Harmony
A firm believer in lifelong learning, Dr. Koo recently earned his Doctor of Education (EdD) degree through a joint program involving Brittany University and UCAM Catholic University of Murcia. His doctoral dissertation compared mathematics education across the US, UK, Mainland China, and Hong Kong, seeking fresh insights to enhance local students' problem-solving and creative thinking. He credits his students—both pre-service and in-service teachers—for inspiring his ongoing academic journey.

7. Outside his career, Dr. Koo stays active through sports—having won over 100 awards in table tennis—and enjoys a harmonious family life. Supported by his wife, Ms. Chow Ching-man, both of their sons have completed advanced studies in music. Performing together on violin and piano, the family is warmly recognized by audiences as a "family orchestra."

8. To Dr. Koo, education is a limitless journey. He hopes to inspire both the younger generation and active seniors to continue learning, contributing to society, and ensuring a brighter future for Hong Kong.

Dr. Koo believes that donating aligns with his moral values and religious beliefs. Charity is a virtue and it fulfills his sense of ethical responsibility.

 

9. He has set up scholarships in the Education University of Hong Kong to help students who need financial support to further their studies.

In recognition of his generosity, he has been honoured to join her Foundation as an Ordinary Member since 2020.

Besides, he is keen to make contributions to public service such as Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Association.

In the Letter of Appreciation to his dedication services, the Director of the Association, wrote: “I would like to express our sincere gratitude to your dedicated service and contributions over the years. Your active participation, collaborative spirit and reliable support have been a wonderful asset to the Assocaition.”

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B. Events and Activities of NCEPSA this year

1 Northcote Alumni Association 80th Anniversary Event
To celebrate its 80th anniversary, the Alumni Association hosted a commemorative event on July 4, 2026, at its former Bonham Road campus (now a Grade 1 Historic buildings in HK), attracting 60 participants. Officiating guests included EdUHK President Prof. John Lee Chi-Kin, UNESCO Association of HK Honorary President Dr. Darwin Chen, and Bonham Road Government Primary School Principal Mr. Li Ming-Kai. Former Principal Dr. Lau Wai-Kin and former Secretary for Home Affairs Dr. Patrick Lan Hung-Tsang delivered mentorship sharing sessions. Attendees toured historic campus landmarks—such as the NTC logo, fountain, Sun Yat-sen statue, spiral staircase, Foucault pendulum, World War the Second escape window, and ancient trees—before concluding with a lively 4-table celebratory dinner in Sai Ying Pun.

2 Teacher Workshop: "Development of Mathematics Education in Hong Kong"
Co-organized with the EdUHK Mathematics Education Alumni Association, this workshop took place on June 13, 2026, at the EdUHK Tai Po Campus. Officiated by Legislative Councilor Hon. Leung Tsz-Wing, the event featured insights from Dr. Koo Hok-Chun on postmodern curriculum perspectives, Mr. Tsui Ka-Shing on real-world math applications, and Ms. Lam Chau-Tung on AI tools for lesson preparation, gamification, and personalized feedback. The session highlighted math education's vital role in fostering problem-solving, real-world understanding, and lifelong learning.

3 EdUHK "Table Tennis for All" Charity Tournament
On July 12, 2026, EdUHK hosted a charity table tennis tournament at GCAA Whampoa Primary School, concluding its year-long sports promotion initiative and raising support for grassroots sports development. Twelve organizational teams competed across three hours of dynamic matches. The Northcote Alumni Association teams performed admirably, with Team A winning the Silver Plate and Team B receiving an Award of Merit.

 

4 NCEPSA highly recommends the movie “Grandma's Love Letter” to her alumni in June 2026.

Movie Review: Grandma's Love Letter
It truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most compelling family dramas in recent years.
A major highlight of the film is lead actress Li Sitong, who stood out from a pool of over a thousand auditionees. At just twenty years old, she possesses a refined, delicate charm paired with a remarkably nuanced performance. She brings her character to life with extraordinary depth and authenticity—arguably the cornerstone of the film's success.
The film's most touching strength lies in its delicate deconstruction of the emotional bonds across three generations of women. Like a comforting balm for the soul, it gently reminds us that regret is often an inevitable part of life, while inspiring the younger generation to step into the unknown with renewed courage.
Filled with both laughter and tears, the film invites modern audiences—often caught in the rush of daily life—to pause and rediscover the purity of love. With intimate, deeply moving moments throughout, the story moved countless viewers to tears. It is, without a doubt, a heartwarming masterpiece that leaves you wanting to go home and wrap your loved ones in a tight embrace.