Corporate News

Club's first volunteer-driven free educational programme ends on high note

07/05/2013

Testifying to its commitment in contributing to youth development, The Hong Kong Jockey Club today celebrated the successful completion of the first large-scale free educational programme in Hong Kong to be driven by volunteers, involving some 3,000 secondary school students. 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club OLE Programme, organised in collaboration with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), was designed to provide local senior secondary students with learning opportunities outside the classroom in response to Government's New Senior Secondary curriculum, in which Other Learning Experiences (OLE) are seen as an important element in fostering students' whole-person development.

Since the start of academic year 2011/12, a total of 120 workshops have been held to provide TWGHs secondary students with a range of unique Club-related activities, attracting total attendance of close to 6,000.  The programmes were planned, organised and led by 200 members of the Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, comprising both serving and retired Club staff.

The Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak told guests at the closing ceremony that the enthusiasm expressed by the students had been overwhelming. "The students have benefited from the community services and workshop activities under the guidance of the Club’s experienced volunteers. I hope they will remember the invaluable lessons of OLE and take actions to contribute to the community. "

The closing ceremony at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre was joined by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Chief Executive Stephen Ng, Education Services Secretary Kenneth Wu and some 200 school principals, teachers, as well as students, CARE volunteers and programme partners.  To showcase the students' fruitful learning experience, guests were treated to an African drum performance, a photo exhibition and displays of art pieces including Chinese painting, wood sculpture and paper crafts.  Each participating student and volunteer was presented with a photo album as a souvenir of their memorable learning journey.

The HKJC-initiated OLE Programme centred on four of the OLE pillars specified in the New Senior Secondary curriculum, namely Community Service, Career-related Experiences, Aesthetic Development, and Physical Development.  Activities covering these four areas included field trips to HKJC facilities seldom open to the public, such as the Equine Hospital, horse swimming pool and Apprentice Jockeys’ School, enhancing the students' knowledge of professions such as veterinarian, laboratory technician and farrier.

Established in 2005, the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team provides a platform for the Club's full- and part-time employees, as well as retirees, to contribute to the community in keeping with the Club's own charitable mission. Much of the team's work is focused on district-based programmes, in which the volunteers work with local organisations to organise and design programmes that reflect the characteristics of the different districts and meet the specific needs of local target groups.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.

The Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak says that he hopes students will remember the invaluable lessons of OLE and take actions to contribute to the community.
The Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak says that he hopes students will remember the invaluable lessons of OLE and take actions to contribute to the community.

Principals, teachers and students from the 18 participating schools join a group photo with CARE volunteers at the closing ceremony.
Principals, teachers and students from the 18 participating schools join a group photo with CARE volunteers at the closing ceremony.

Guests enjoy an African drum performance by students and CARE volunteers.
Guests enjoy an African drum performance by students and CARE volunteers.

Students introduce the art pieces they specially created for this occasion with artists and CARE volunteers to the Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (second from right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Chief Executive Stephen Ng (first from right).
Students introduce the art pieces they specially created for this occasion with artists and CARE volunteers to the Club's Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (second from right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Chief Executive Stephen Ng (first from right).

Students are excited to have the chance of touring the Cluba£į?s world-class facilities as part of the OLE programme.
Students are excited to have the chance of touring the Cluba£į?s world-class facilities as part of the OLE programme.

Students are led by the Cluba£į?s experienced volunteers to conduct community services, discovering the happiness of helping the needy.
Students are led by the Cluba£į?s experienced volunteers to conduct community services, discovering the happiness of helping the needy.

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