To implement the School year theme “Smart CITIES (Cradle for Integrating Technology, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability)”
           
Success in our global, collective future will depend on the students of today using 21st century skills to develop innovative solutions to key societal issues.  Entrepreneurs, in turns, are individuals who transform these innovations into economic goods using financial and business acumen.
The empowered citizen of the 21st century not only knows how to use technology, she knows how to use technology to turn innovation into services, goods or efficiencies that contribute to the local and regional economies, and perhaps most importantly the economy of her own.
For our department, it is believed that every 21st Century skills implementation requires the development of core academic subject knowledge and understanding among all students.  Those who can think critically and communicate effectively must build on a base of core academic subject knowledge.  Within the context of core knowledge instruction, students must also learn the essential skills for success in today’s world, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration.  We also hope that our students will be literate and numerate and will acquire a capacity for life-long learning, leading to success and satisfaction as good citizens and productive workers in a knowledge economy.

For our department, we enjoy the following advantages:

a.            The nature of the study

-              Employers these days are always looking for students that possess very strong analysis skills and also superb writing ability.  All of these skills are developed and improved throughout the study of Economics, this is because students are taught to understand a variety of issues, business, the world economy, financial markets and also politics.

b.            Nurturing generic skills of students especially problem-solving skills and high-order thinking skills to meet the future challenges. 

-              One of the most significant challenges and opportunities before us is how to best prepare our students for a rapidly changing, technology-driven, globalized world.  To do so, we need to broaden our view of student achievement to include even greater emphasis on higher-order skills – such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity and entrepreneurship – all of which are necessary for developing global citizens who bring the competencies and qualities that the employers of today and tomorrow are looking for, and that our children will need to thrive.

c.             In transforming tomorrow, we will not abandon the good work we have been doing nor ignore the lessons that we have learnt.  But can serve as building blocks upon which further progress can be achieved.

i.              Panel teachers are encouraged to use different teaching strategies to meet the needs of the students and to reduce gaps in school achievement.  Because of the diversity existing among students, diversity in the teaching environment and teacher attributes (as personalities, experience etc), there is no single strategy that fits all situations.  To ensure the various topics in the economics syllabus more effectively learnt and taught, different strategies are used.

ii.             Maintaining and developing resources materials in school in order to support different teaching methods

iii.            Developing innovative “Assessment for Learning” and “Assessment of learning”
Panel teachers are encouraged to take every opportunity to observe and note aspects of students’ learning whenever they are working individually or in-groups.  Teachers can share their observation with students; provide positive feedback and works of encouragement so as to motivate them further.

iv.           To continue nurturing generic skills of students especially problem-solving skills and high-order thinking skills to meet the future challenges. 

v.            Student participation in extra-curricular activities provides opportunities for students to build up their potential, to acquire life skills, to improve their thinking skills and ‘Habits of Mind’ which will be useful to them in their future lives.

2.            To sustain a diverse and innovative curriculum (IGCSE, IAL, DSE, BTEC, APL, EITP) and assessment that offer multiple pathways to students so as to prepare them for entry into tertiary education either locally or abroad

Students are unique.  They are individuals with varied family, social, economic and cultural backgrounds.  They have different talents, personalities, interests.  They learn in many varied ways.  To meet the diversity of our students and to prepare them for the global competitive world, our school has made provision for an alternative curriculum, IGCSE/IAL and internal assessments in order to widen students’ opportunities to continue studies abroad, provide multiple pathways to complete secondary education, and enter local universities through the non-JUPAS.

For our department, to meet the needs of our students, diversified curricular, NSS/IGCSE/IAL are provided in our department.  Multiple pathways are offered to students so as to prepare them for a successful future in tertiary education.

Moreover, the study of Economics helps to foster students’ intellectual power and develop their economic perspectives that will benefit their further studies in tertiary institutions.  Both of the curricular will provide a useful preparation not just for studying Economics but also for other university studies such as management, financial studies, law, public and social administration.  The perspective, knowledge base and skills that are emphasized in both curricular can broad the range of further study choices for studies.
Our department will also emphasis on the nurturing of skills of students.  As high school diploma is not going to be the end of the educational road for anyone.  Everyone will need some post-secondary education.  No educational experiences is ever going to teach one all one needs to know.  The goal of our department is to give students the skills (such as communication skills, problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills through enquiry into economic issues and controversies) they need to learn what they need to know when they need to know it: to build lifelong learners.

3.            To continue uplifting the academic ceilings of Paulinians through reading and challenging them with high-order thinking questions.

                Being able to read and write is essential.  Written words are gateway to knowledge and opportunity that are only accessible to those with the ability to decipher them.
Reading to learn is essential to promote a reading culture in schools.  This helps students to develop their competence in and the love for reading which is essential for life-long learning.
Reading newspaper is very important to the study of Economics.  Students are encouraged to read newspaper, write short comments, and do newspaper cuttings related to the topics in Economics.  They are also encouraged to read magazine, reference books and journals. 
Besides promoting a reading culture in schools,    of the many jobs of a teacher is to promote thought and inspire inquiry in students.  One effective way to do this is through questioning.  When teachers prepare thought provoking questions and incorporate them into their lesson plans, they engage students in learning and foster motivation and higher order thinking skills.  When used correctly, questions can “enhance student learning by developing critical thinking skills, reinforce student understanding, correct student misunderstanding, provide feedback for students, and enliven class discussions”  (Caram and Davis 2005).  In addition to questions created by the teacher, questions from students and textbooks can also be used in the classroom.

4.            To enhance Paulinians' sense of national identity and law-abiding awareness through a whole-school approach and cross-subject collaboration by implementing National Security Education in both formal and informal curriculum

The changes in the secondary school economics curriculum emphasis the importance of maintaining the economic security of both Hong Kong and mainland China and the "interdependence" between the two.

The study of related topics in Economics enables students understand the importance of safeguarding economic security to the economic development, national economy and people's livelihood of Hong Kong and the Country. Students are able to recognize the interdependence of Hong Kong and the Country. Students will be taught that Hong Kong has a duty to safeguard China's overall economic stability. For our department, the topics of "Money and Banking" and "International Trade and Finance" in Economics Curriculum include learning elements related to economic security.

Through understanding the functions and services of banks, the Hong Kong linked exchanged rate system and the types of trade barrier, students can understand the importance of safeguarding economic security. The unstable of our Country with other places will bring a negative impact on both Hong Kong and the Country.

5.        To prepare students for the fast changing technological world through STEM/STEAM: fostering collaborative learning through an interdisciplinary approach, Augmented Reality and other means in the Smart Oasis

Teaching and learning can be improved through mobile technologies.  Although textbooks are generally helpful in supplying structured subject matter, they may get outdated in many details as soon as they are published.  On the other hand, the mobile technologies bring the world closer to home, students are connected to the world of information and people to access the latest information and resources available anywhere in the world for shared inquiry.  Therefore, instead of relying heavily on teaching materials, panel teachers are encouraged to optimize the use of mobile technologies in the teaching and learning process.  Moreover mobile technologies have the potential to make classroom more lively by teaching and learning more dynamic, interactive and innovative.  Mobile technologies in Economics teaching should be promoted.

6.            To strengthen the implementation of the school theme by focusing more on the entrepreneur aspect

Cities are receiving more and more residents while the natural resources are getting scarce and scarce. As a possible answer, diverse streams of thoughts have emerged declaring that cities need to become intelligent, wired or human. We decided to consider the last stage of this reflection that defines the paradigm of Smart Cities to highlight the use of the information and telecommunication technologies for a better efficiency of the urban services and in response to the residents’ needs.

Entrepreneurs are those who seek to solve the world’s problems and capitalize on the solutions they offer.  When an entrepreneur starts a business, they are creating jobs, providing services and products people spend their money on, and inspiring other businesses and growth.  Entrepreneurship and technology also enable globalization and the integration of markets and economies.

For our department, we enjoy the following advantages:

a.            Good numeracy and a solid understanding of statistics

One distinct advantage that you’ll gain from the study of economics is an understanding of statistics, statistical tests, and statistics software.  This along with mathematics will strengthen our numeracy skills, which are of great importance to entrepreneurs. 

b.            Basic understanding of finance

Related to the importance of numeracy for entrepreneur is that importance of understanding the basic principles of finance.  Economists may well have studied finance units before, and they will certainly have a better than average knowledge about taxes, loans, investments, and so on.  When it comes to start their own businesses, it will require a large amount of practical financial management.

c.             Understanding risk and probability

Another advantage for entrepreneurship which is conveyed by studying economics is an understanding of risk and probability.  When looking at possibilities for investment, for example, an economist can think about the likelihood of a return on their investment, how large the return could be, and whether the possible gains outweigh the risks in any given deal.  Entrepreneurs do need to be risk takers, as they need to be willing to try new things even if they may not succeed, but an understanding of what is a probable outcome will allow you to run a business in a smarter and more successful way.

d.         Critical thinking and logic
Another skill gained from the study of economics is critical thinking and the ability to apply logic to a complex problem. This ability to confront uncertainty and to use logic to find creative solutions to problems is an essential skill for the entrepreneur. In business, there is rarely one correct answer which applies in all situations – rather, multiple courses of action are possible and each has different advantages and disadvantages.

e.         Communication skills like oral presentation
One skill which is vital for an entrepreneur is the ability to present your ideas, your business's performance, and yourself to others. In order to gain investment, to attract talent to work with you, and to promote your business, you'll need solid communication skills. A high standard of written communication is important and will be well trained by studying economics, but even more important is the skill of oral presentation. Being able to stand in front of an audience and speak with confidence and poise will be required in order for people to have confidence in your business, and giving academic oral presentations is an excellent way to refine this skill.

f.         Through the participation of extra activities organised by Young Investors Society, entrepreneurship is fostered.