HONG KONG (SE): Charity and community spirit once again swept through the campus of Shung Tak Catholic English College this festive season, as the school celebrated the conclusion of another highly successful edition of Operation Santa Claus.
Now in its 31st year supporting the fundraising tradition, the school’s recent efforts generated substantial funds for Operation Santa Claus and for victims of the Wang Fuk Court Fire. Part of this year’s proceeds will be directed to the Caritas Hong Kong fundraising appeal, supporting those affected by the fire. In doing so, the school demonstrates its ongoing commitment to Catholic values of love, compassion, and service.
This year’s fundraising total reached a record-breaking HK$123,988.80. Of this, HK$20,000 has been pledged to Operation Santa Claus 2025, while the remainder will support Caritas Hong Kong’s relief efforts for fire victims.
The campaign combined creativity with a strong sense of purpose. Alongside a Dress Casual Day, the annual fair featured stalls run by students, teachers, and parents, creating a lively festive atmosphere. Christmas craft stalls and a card-writing initiative—where students wrote messages of support for fire victims and expressed gratitude to first responders—further enhanced the occasion.
Now in its 31st year supporting the fundraising tradition, the school’s recent efforts generated substantial funds for Operation Santa Claus and for victims of the Wang Fuk Court Fire
Assistant principal, Graham Manchester, oversaw the fundraising supported by Janice Wu and Connor Nightingale. Together, they guided the student-led Operation Santa Claus Organising Committee to ensure smooth operations throughout the campaign.
Each year, the school highlights a specific Operation Santa Claus beneficiary, helping students learn about and actively support their work. This year’s focus was the Love 21 Foundation, which supports individuals with Down syndrome and autism.
The initiative aligns seamlessly with the school’s core values, offering students an opportunity to engage with the wider community and support those less fortunate. The school takes pride in making a meaningful contribution to society and in seeing its students exemplify the ethos of true “Shungtakians.”
A hallmark of Shung Tak’s approach is its emphasis on student leadership and empowerment.
The school’s Operation Santa Claus committee now operates under student leadership, a development Manchester views with great pride, as he sees students grow in confidence, skill, and compassion throughout the process.
Committee chairperson, Chloe Chan [5M], described the project as a lesson in collaborative leadership, noting it encouraged her to think more critically, listen actively, and work with others to reach the best possible outcomes.
The school’s Operation Santa Claus committee now operates under student leadership, a development Manchester views with great pride, as he sees students grow in confidence, skill, and compassion throughout the process
Lucas Cheung [4L] emphasised the importance of teamwork, sharing that his role in the committee taught him to delegate tasks effectively and value each member’s contribution. The experience, he said, boosted his confidence and helped him recognise how diverse strengths can enhance group success.
Natalie Tse [5L], who managed the committee’s communications, described the experience as transformative. She said it broadened her horizons, improved her confidence in communicating with various teams and committees, and expanded her social circle.
Shung Tak Catholic English College’s longstanding partnership with Operation Santa Claus exemplifies the aims of Catholic education: shaping academically competent and compassionate leaders, ready to serve others.
This year’s campaign stands as a testament to faith in action, as the school continues to nurture a generation of conscientious and generous citizens.
