Recently, the results of Shenzhen High School Entrance Examination (Zhongkao) were released, marking the first round of results since the Mainland Curriculum Department  innovative reforms in curriculum and instructions. Shenzhen Hong Kong Pui Kiu College Longhua Xinyi School (hereafter referred to as ＂Pui Kiu Xinyi School＂) proudly celebrates this milestone achievement. With 25 students participating, our school achieved remarkable success—setting a new benchmark with A+ level scores. Notably, 76% of our students achieved B+ or above, far surpassing the Shenzhen average and delivering an inspiring performance.

Achievements: A Balance of Breakthrough and Consistency

In this Zhongkao, students from our Mainland Curriculum Department demonstrated both excellence and consistency:

# Transformative Excellence: Two students achieved the top-tier composite score of A+, accounting for 8% of this cohort. One student stood out with exceptional subject scores: 119 in Physics and Chemistry combined, and 97 in Mathematics, this achievement showed their academic excellence.

# Collective Progress and Confidence: A+ scores were achieved across all core subjects including Chinese, Mathematics, and English. Notably, 96% of students earned an A+ in Physical Education. The A+ achievement rates in Mathematics, English, and Physics-Chemistry reached 12%, while 40% achieved an A in Physics-Chemistry, 32% in English, and 32% in History and Morality. These results underscore the strong academic foundation and comprehensive teaching excellence across all subject areas.

Behind this impressive Zhongkao results lies the comprehensive enhancement of both educational philosophy and curriculum implementation by the Mainland Curriculum Department at Pui Kiu Xinyi School.

1. Curriculum Optimization: Integration of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Inquiry-Driven LearningAs an innovative institution that blends the strengths of Shenzhen and Hong Kong education systems, Pui Kiu Xinyi School is committed to building a more scientific, coherent, and challenging national curriculum framework. By deeply integrating inquiry-based and hands-on learning practices, the school brings real-world contexts into daily teaching. This enables students to deepen their understanding through practical application and problem-solving, while nurturing their higher-order thinking skills. In addition to retaining the core structure of the national curriculum, the Mainland Curriculum Department incorporates elements from the Hong Kong curriculum, particularly in language instruction. This hybrid approach combines the solid foundation of the national syllabus with the pragmatic and innovative strengths of the Hong Kong system, significantly enhancing students’ language acquisition capabilities.

2. Teaching Innovation: Student-Centered Classrooms and Autonomous Knowledge ConstructionThe school’s exceptional academic results stem from continuous classroom innovation. Rooted in a “student-centered” teaching philosophy, the Mainland Curriculum Team promotes active learning through inquiry-based projects and interdisciplinary learning, which have become the norm in daily instruction. The classroom has shifted from traditional knowledge transmission to competency development and the cultivation of disciplinary literacy. Even during the intensive review period in the final year of junior secondary school, the school remains unwavering in its principles. Tiered instruction is employed to address the diverse learning needs of students. Teachers accurately assess each student’s progress and tailor their guidance accordingly, helping every learner overcome barriers and achieve new breakthroughs. This structured, student-centered model has been a powerful driver of the school's remarkable Zhongkao performance.

3. Faculty Professional Development: A Team of Experts with Dual Emphasis on Teaching and ResearchAt the heart of teaching quality lies the professional capacity of educators. Pui Kiu Xinyi School continues to recruit experienced teaching professionals and education innovators, forming a well-structured, forward-thinking faculty team. Through regular teaching research sessions, targeted training, and joint lesson planning between Shenzhen and Hong Kong teachers, the faculty continually refines its pedagogical approach. These collaborative efforts enhance both individual expertise and collective effectiveness, forming a high-performance teaching team that offers strong academic support for student growth.

4. Holistic Student Support: Balancing Professionalism and Responsibility to Build a Supportive Growth EnvironmentAcademic achievement is only the beginning, personal growth is the true goal. Pui Kiu Xinyi School is dedicated to building a nurturing and empowering support system. From academic mentoring to psychological care, from home-school communication to one-on-one principal-student conversations, the school ensures that every student feels supported with both professionalism and empathy.For example, regular “Principal Career Talks” are held to listen to students' voices, spark their learning motivation, and guide them toward clearer goals. At Pui Kiu Xinyi School, student-centeredness is not merely a classroom practice—it is embedded in every interaction and every moment of care along the way.

These outstanding Zhongkao results mark not only an inspiring beginning, but also a vivid reflection of the transformation in curriculum development philosophy, pedegogical transformation, and faculty professional development within the Mainland Curriculum Department. Looking ahead, we will continue to embrace a spirit of pragmatism and innovation, steadfastly advancing our curriculum reforms and innovatively exploring the best possible integration of Shenzhen-Hong Kong curricula.

As Dr. Wang Hongjun, Executive Principal, expressed in her message to the graduating students: “The most beautiful expression of life is not a success defined by a single standard, but the ability to live fully, authentically, and with slightest regret on one’s own path.” No matter where the road ahead may lead, may every student bring their passion, move forward with determination, and write their own story of glory and dreams.

Author: Mainland Curriculum Secondary Division