Interview with Vice Principal Mr. Yip

By Veron Cheng 6A

“Students are eager to learn. Now we don’t have as much homework to do so we can maintain the standard of the academic outcome. ”

Mr. Yip (葉展漢老師) is one of our vice principals here at Pui Ching. He monitors the school hallways and smiles to everyone who passes by him. If you want to know more about him, read this article! We discover his favourite hobbies and his thoughts about the 130th anniversary!

Veron: Good afternoon, Mr. Yip. It is a pleasure to interview you.

Mr. Yip: Good afternoon.

Veron: When did you start working as the Vice Principal?

Mr. Yip: 2012.

Veron: Before your position as the Vice Principal, did you teach here at Pui Ching?

Mr. Yip: I taught at another school and I studied in Pui Ching when I was young.

Veron: Which school?

Mr. Yip: Before Pui Ching, I taught at Dioscean Preparatory School.

Veron: What subjects?

Mr. Yip: I have taught many subjects… science, maths, history and music.

Veron: As the Vice Principal, are you satisfied with how Pui Ching has turned out since the first day you’ve started your job here?

Mr. Yip: It is much better now. I can see they have many activities.

Veron: What are the major changes?

Mr. Yip: Students are eager to learn. Now we don’t have as much homework to do so we can maintain the standard of the academic outcome.

Veron: What exactly is your job as the Vice Principal?

Mr. Yip: I monitor all the school policies. I handle the problems between outsiders, parents, students and staff.

Veron: You usually have meetings with other teachers. In those meetings, what do you usually discuss?

Mr. Yip: Many topics. Sometimes it’s the discipline and the guidance of the students. Sometimes we plan more activities for the students.

Veron: Would you say your job is tiring or satisfying?

Mr. Yip: Satisfying. I’m happy with it. I can do something for the Pui Ching students.

Veron: It is our 130th Anniversary in Pui Ching. How do you feel about the event?

Mr. Yip: I was sad about this event because it was canceled. Fortunately, we continued on with our banquet. That was great.

Veron: In order to celebrate our school, a mural was painted at the front of the school. Whose idea was it?

Mr. Yip: That was the idea of Ms. Shek and the art teachers. They wanted to change the wall and the pictures. That’s why we did it.

Veron: What’d you think of it?

Mr. Yip: It’s quite nice and people think it captures the harmony of our campus.

Veron: Enough about school. Let’s talk about hobbies. What are your hobbies?

Mr. Yip: I like exercise. I like swimming and running. Other than that, I like music. I like singing, playing piano and I also play trombone for the orchestra.

Veron: Do you usually hang out with the Principal and the teachers after school?

Mr. Yip: Yes, we do. We have some barbeques and we have lunch and dinner together.

Veron: Do you all play sports together?

Mr. Yip: Sometimes, we do. At Block A, fifth floor.

Veron: What about lunch time?

Mr. Yip: We order from the restaurant next to us.

Veron: Is that your favourite restaurant near our school?

Mr. Yip: It’s nearby and convenient. The prices are reasonable and it tastes okay. It’s convenient.

Veron: Have you ever tried our school’s lunch?

Mr. Yip: Yes, we do. Sometimes we order it and bring it back to the office canteen.

Veron: What do you think of it?

Mr. Yip: The food is okay. Not bad. It’s a good deal.

“The major thing that has changed is definitely the technology. We didn’t have Ebooks back then, so it was quite difficult to teach because it was so hard to focus without a big screen. ”

Veron: What comes first for you, family or education?

Mr. Yip: Education comes first. It equips me to have a much better background for things. It prepares me for everything.

Veron: Do you spend a lot of time with your family?

Mr. Yip: I do.

Veron: Do you have any children?

Mr. Yip: No, I don’t. I only have pets.

Veron: What kind of pets?

Mr. Yip: Dogs.

Veron: What are their names?

Mr. Yip: “Po Tsai”, as in “Little Ball”, and “Doot Doot” as in chubby (Cantonese: “fei doot doot”)

Veron: What’s your plan after you you retire from Pui Ching?

Mr. Yip: I would like to travel around the world and do some volunteer work.

There are two places I would choose, England and Australia. Australia has great weather and I like the seafood. England is much more Hong Kong.

Veron: Thank you for your time.

Mr. Yip: Thanks.