Spotlight On YAFies: Hong Ka-man

Hong Ka-man
Teacher of Hong Kong True Light College – Winning Secondary School, AIA Healthiest School Competition 2025/26 

Your school’s initiative is known as EHEM, what does this stand for?
EHEM is short for “Embrace Health, Empower your Mind”,  a school-wide programme led by four groups of expert mentors that covers healthy eating, active living, mental health, and health & sustainability.

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What inspired your school to adopt this programme?
Concerns about students’ wellbeing prompted our new principal to take action to address health and happiness at school. This led to the launch of EHEM in September 2025.

Why is community service an important part of the initiative?
Community service can nurture empathy, responsibility, and social connection. It encourages students to care for others, and enhances their sense of purpose. Our students participate in visits to elderly homes and lower-income families in the district and make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Through these experiences, students learn to give and serve those in need. The activities broaden their understanding of inclusivity and help them develop compassion, gratitude, and a deeper sense of community.

What changes have you noticed in students since they became more physically active?
We’ve observed a noticeable increase in students’ energy, confidence and enthusiasm in and out of the classroom. Students are more willing to learn, try new things and accept challenges.

Participating in physical activities has also improved their focus and discipline, and led to better academic performance and classroom behaviour. We’ve seen students form new friendships and collaborate more effectively, which enhances their sense of belonging and teamwork.

Students are also more aware of their own health. They are consciously staying active, making healthy choices and supporting their peers. Overall, the school environment feels more lively and supportive, with students demonstrating physical growth and increased resilience and self-esteem.

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What changes have you observed in the overall school atmosphere since the launch of EHEM?
The campus has become more positive, energetic and supportive, and students’ wellbeing scores have significantly improved. We’ve received encouraging feedback from the students themselves, as well as from their teachers and parents.

Students are now more physically active and more stable emotionally. EHEM has created a warm, inclusive environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and supporting one another. The overall school atmosphere is now much more vibrant and welcoming for everyone.

What are your hopes for the future of the programme?
We hope to sustain and expand the EHEM programme by introducing more activities and resources that support students’ physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, and encourage every student to develop lifelong habits for whole-person health and community engagement.

We also want to work with families and the local community to create a support network for students inside and outside of school. We believe that this caring, positive school environment will help students grow into compassionate, resilient individuals who contribute positively to society and hope that the EHEM programme will become a lasting foundation for students’ success and happiness.