On 9 October, all students and staff at YWIES Tongxiang gathered on campus to celebrate the annual Founder’s Day, joining campuses across the Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network online. Established in honour of Madam Tsang Chor-hang, founder of Yew Chung Yew Wah, Founder’s Day is an important occasion that embodies a deep commitment to education and carries forward the founding spirit passed down through generations.

This year’s main celebration was held at YCIS Chongqing, which is marking its 25th anniversary. Students and staff from YWIES Tongxiang gathered in the auditorium to watch the livestreaming of the celebrations. In her address, Dr Betty Chan Po-king, CEO and School Supervisor of Yew Chung Yew Wah, said: Yew Chung Yew Wah is rooted in Hong Kong, with the motherland as its strong foundation. Over the past 94 years, we have expanded from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland and from China to the world. Yet wherever our journey takes us, our commitment remains unchanged - to draw strength from Chinese culture, take flight with an international outlook, and use education to connect individuals, communities, China and the world.

As students and staff exchanged greetings across campuses and interacted in real time through the screens, Yew Chung Yew Wah family members came together across distances, experiencing a strong sense of belonging and community.

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This year’s Founder’s Day was not only a vibrant celebration involving the entire school community; it also marked an important moment of continuity and renewal for Yew Chung Yew Wah. During the opening ceremony, the countdown to Yew Chung Yew Wah’s 95th anniversary was officially launched, alongside the introduction of the new brand slogan, “Rooted Deep, Reaching Far.” From synchronised online interactions between campuses to running side by side on the sports field, students and staff shared their enthusiasm and strength through participation and connection, bringing education to life in its most dynamic and inspiring form.

Rooted Deep in Tradition

Building on a Strong Foundation to Open a New Chapter in Education

Since Madam Tsang Chor-hang founded the first Yew Chung school in 1932, Yew Chung Yew Wah has accumulated 94 years of educational experience. With the launch of the anniversary countdown, Yew Chung Yew Wah has officially entered a new phase leading towards its 95th anniversary. At the same time, YWIES Tongxiang will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. The 95th anniversary marks the continuation of Yew Chung Yew Wah’s founding spirit, while the 10th anniversary of YWIES Tongxiang reflects the journey of a school that has grown into a vibrant learning community, taking root and flourishing in the Zhejiang campus.

The new brand slogan, “Rooted Deep, Reaching Far” was then unveiled, offering a clearer vision for the future of education.

A good education should give children a strong foundation, the ability to grow continuously and a clear sense of individuality. It should also equip them with the confidence and resilience to face the future and move steadily towards their goals.

This strength comes from our commitment to academic excellence and holistic development. Genuine academic achievement is not simply the result of rote learning. It develops through confidence, critical thinking and curiosity, gradually building students’ understanding, judgement and creativity. This strength also comes from our confidence in bringing Chinese and Western cultures together. True international education does not distance children from their own culture. Instead, it begins with an understanding of oneself and one’s cultural heritage, before opening the door to a wider world. Through intercultural exchange, students learn to engage with others confidently and respectfully.

As the future becomes increasingly uncertain, the ability to innovate and navigate change is becoming an essential source of confidence and resilience. During the opening ceremony, Yew Chung Yew Wah’s EdFuture Department introduced the Seeds for Tomorrow programme. From artificial intelligence and space science to cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary learning will open new windows onto the world and create more possibilities for students’ development. At YWIES Tongxiang, we will make full use of the rich learning resources across the Yew Chung Yew Wah. Through asking questions, engaging in practical experiences and exploring real-world issues, students will be encouraged to seek answers for themselves.

The event also featured captivating performances, a charity short film and the Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony, building the excitement throughout the opening celebrations. Through this shared experience, students and staff at YWIES Tongxiang felt more clearly than ever that, wherever they are, the educational spirit of Yew Chung Yew Wah remains closely connected.

Everyone on the Field

Bringing the Spirit of Sport into Everyday School Life

At Yew Chung Yew Wah, sport has never been an addition to academic learning. It is an important way to develop perseverance, teamwork and a strong sense of community.

On the Founder’s Day sports field, there were no spectators, only fully engaged participants. On the sprint track, students gave everything in the final burst towards the finish line. In the middle- and long-distance races, they tested their endurance and determination. At the high-jump bar, they continued to challenge themselves and reach new heights. Around the sandpit and throwing areas, they made repeated attempts and pushed beyond their limits.

Every start, run-up and leap brought more than a result. It nurtured self-discipline, perseverance and the courage to surpass oneself. Beyond the students’ determination and competitive spirit, the connections formed across ages and roles were equally inspiring. In the primary school relay, the baton was passed smoothly between year groups, from the Year 1 50-metre leg to the Year 5 100-metre leg. In the tug-of-war, the four Houses competed enthusiastically against one another. The highlight of the day, the staff-and-student 4×100-metre relay, saw the boundaries between teachers and students naturally disappear as they raced side by side.

Sport is not only about winning or losing. It is about participation, perseverance and supporting one another. The Founder’s Day sports field offered a vivid reflection of how the Yew Wah community works together, strives together and helps one another to succeed.

Peroration

Rooted in the Present, Growing Towards the Future

With the conclusion of the awards ceremony, the 2026 Founder’s Day came to a successful close. From the shared online experience connecting campuses to the cheers and determination of staff and students running side by side, the day not only honoured the educational heritage of Yew Chung Yew Wah, but also brought together the faith and strength of the YWIES Tongxiang community.

Founder’s Day celebrated the vitality of the YWIES Tongxiang learning community and recorded the school’s journey of taking root in Tongxiang and accompanying students as they grow. As the school approaches its 10th anniversary, YWIES Tongxiang will continue to put “Rooted Deep, Reaching Far” into practice.

Guided by our commitment to education, we will work alongside families and the wider community to help students build strong academic foundations, develop a global outlook and discover their individual potential. In a rapidly changing world, we will support them as they move forward with confidence and composure towards a broader future.