“What secrets lie behind the walls of this extraordinary campus?” That’s what many people ask about Caritas Chan Chun Ha Field Studies Centre. It is located on a mountain in Tung Wan Cheung Chau. This unique campus boasts a breathtaking sea view.
Caritas Chan Chun Ha Field Studies Centre is not just any school. It is a field study center run by Caritas Hong Kong. It was established in 1996. The center aims to provide students with the right courses. It also provides facilities that allow them to learn firsthand about nature. They can develop field research skills there.
The center is divided into two campuses. St. Francis Campus is located on the hill. St. Paul Campus is at the foot of the hill. It was once the old campus of Cheung Chau Caritas St. Paul Secondary School. Each campus is equipped with different facilities. These support subjects like biology and geography. Students can explore and learn independently after school.
Caritas Chan Chun Ha Field Studies Centre offers diverse curricula. It covers biology geography and environmental education. It also includes life-wide and field-based learning. Astronomy courses are also available. The center accepts applications from secondary schools across Hong Kong every April. Admission slots are allocated through a lottery system.
Field trips led by teachers are a key part of the experience. Teachers and students venture into forests rivers or rocky shores. They collect data and samples. Back at the center students use scientific instruments. They apply their knowledge to observe study and analyze their findings. This takes learning beyond textbooks. It immerses students in the local ecosystem.
Principal Chung Chi Yuen joined Caritas Chan Chun Ha Field Studies Centre in 2007. He was promoted to Acting Principal in 2018. He is passionate about hands-on fieldwork. He wants to inspire students to connect with nature. Cheung Chau’s undisturbed ecosystem is ideal for field studies. The absence of light pollution helps students. The center focuses on residential programs. Caritas camps nearby provide convenient accommodation.
Principal Chung notes that Cheung Chau lacks a vibrant city atmosphere. This helps students stay focused. Taking a ferry to Cheung Chau transports them to a whole new world. It creates a learning experience that is distinct from the traditional classroom.
The teaching team adds creativity to their classes. They spark students’ interest with engaging lessons. They incorporate comic elements into the strangely shaped rocks. This sparks genuine interest among students. Biology teachers craft insect specimens. They showcase them to students.
Teachers design educational posters. They curate themed exhibitions. They develop engaging course materials. They even create their own educational publications. Their passion for teaching shines through.
The center’s classrooms are filled with scientific instruments. These instruments capture students’ attention. One student who lacked access to microscopes at his school was mesmerized. He meticulously cleaned insect samples. He admitted that his experience transformed his perspective on biology.
Principal Chung hopes to bring students closer to nature. He believes children learn through direct contact with the environment. Nature nurtures observation skills. It allows students to compare real-life experiences with what they learn from books. The goal is to instill a sense of responsibility toward the environment.
Next to Caritas Chan Chun Ha Field Studies Centre are Caritas camps. These camps provide accommodations for students and the public. The campsite boasts activities including canoeing and stargazing. It also has orienteering and air rifle shooting.