A Letter from Principal Bonnie Ho  

At Pui Tak Christian School our academic goal is to see 100 percent of our classes meet and exceed the national school norm. In fact, more than 80 percent of our classes achieved the national high average, with many classes reaching the 98–99th percentile of the national school norm—indicating that the majority of our students are at least one-half to two years ahead.
 

Although we are so proud of our students’ academic achievements as educators, we also believe that education must go beyond test scores. Historically, assessment practices often separate “successful” learners from “unsuccessful” learners. Unfortunately, test scores alone are not sufficient motivation for all students to learn. The practice may even be counterproductive to students with very low scores because they doubt their own capabilities and believe that failure is inevitable.
 

If a school is to be effective, academic assessments must be used to support and verify learning. However, PTCS believes that to support ALL students, a different measuring tape must also be employed, and that is our God-given perspective on His creation: the children whom parents have entrusted to us. The key to ensuring that each child is actively engaged often hinges on what we see in him or her and how well we appreciate each child’s God-given potential.
 

There is one student, whom I will call “John,” who is always talkative and often wreaks havoc in the school. Because he often talks back and out of turn, some would see him as a troublesome, disruptive, and rebellious student. After spending time with John, I noticed that he is a person who seeks the truth and has a strong desire to help others understand the truth. I see a jewel inside of John. I see a future preacher in him. And, it is up to the teachers and parents to help John learn discipline in self-expression.

I am often told that what sets our teachers apart is how they see beyond a child’s outward misbehaviors and catch a glimpse of his or her unique potential. We also see this reflected in how Jesus views people such as Simon. When Jesus first met Simon, He gave him a new name: Cephas, the Aramaic equivalent of Petros (Peter), which means “rock.” If there was anything Peter was not, it was a rock. A rock is a symbol of firmness and steadiness of character, but Peter was impulsive, hotheaded, and inconsistent.

We see a Simon, but God sees a Peter, a great apostle. In the same way, we ask God to help us see each child with His eyes so that we seek not to see students just for what they are now, but for what they can become.

It is our desire to partner with parents in the education, growth, and development of the young people who attend PTCS. We have very exciting days ahead at PTCS. I am looking forward to guiding, coaching, and seeing your child reach his or her full, God-given potential.

In His Service,
Mrs. Bonnie Ho
Principal