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“Music and sports allowed students to set aside their grief and start afresh.” Principal Siu Ting remarked. Following the Wang Fuk Court fire, JC Project MuSE tailored music and sports activities for teachers and students, seeing children rebuild a steady rhythm as they embark on a journey of recovery composed of melody and sweat.
Developing children’s mind and body through music and sports is akin to planting a tree—it takes sustained investment of time and effort to lay a solid foundation for gradual growth. In moments of stress, we often find that a melody or a burst of movement can act like a timely rain, soothing our spirits and bringing moments of peace and strength.
Tai Po Baptist Public School, located right next to Wang Fuk Court, saw its staff and students facing challenge concerning their learning environment and emotional needs. The school and relevant parties coordinated diligently to arrange for classes to resume at alternative premises, while actively supporting students’ emotional well-being. The school also made special home visits to care for affected families. It was no easy task to handle both practical and emotional needs.
Tai Po Baptist Public School, located right next to Wang Fuk Court, saw its staff and students facing challenge concerning their learning environment and emotional needs. The school and relevant parties coordinated diligently to arrange for classes to resume at alternative premises, while actively supporting students’ emotional well-being. The school also made special home visits to care for affected families. It was no easy task to handle both practical and emotional needs.
Timely assistance to ease teaching burdens
School Principal Siu Ting believed that at the time students needed to get out and take a walk to refresh their minds. Yet, while the school was relocating, its teaching staff was overwhelmed with various arrangements, making it difficult to devise and organise additional extracurricular activities. External support became urgently needed.
In view of this, JC Project MuSE collaborated with the school to tailor a series of music and sports activities in December 2025 and January 2026. Principal Siu remarked that “Music and sports allow students to relax and temporarily set aside their grief, helping them start afresh.” She also acknowledged that the activities not only helped the students but also provided essential support to teachers, relieving some of their teaching burdens.
In view of this, JC Project MuSE collaborated with the school to tailor a series of music and sports activities in December 2025 and January 2026. Principal Siu remarked that “Music and sports allow students to relax and temporarily set aside their grief, helping them start afresh.” She also acknowledged that the activities not only helped the students but also provided essential support to teachers, relieving some of their teaching burdens.
Healing children’s body and mind to start afresh
Joanne Lui Tsz-ching, instructor from the programme partner Hong Kong Baptist University, teaches music classes through gamified ensemble and creative activities. This approach provides students with an emotional outlet and helps build their confidence. She recalled, “On the first day, most students appeared shy and reserved, rarely initiating conversation. By the third day, they already recognised the instructors and eagerly looked forward to class.” The instructors found it deeply rewarding to see students affected by the fire gradually opening up themselves and becoming more proactive.
Meanwhile, SF&OC Sports Legacy, another project partner, arranged specialised sports coaches guiding students to experience various sports such as rugby, wushu, karate and obstacle course training. Rugby coach Cheng Tsz-ting considered that sports activities, as a non-verbal means of connection, were particularly suited to children with unsettled emotions. While not requiring a lot of talking, children would be able to develop a sense of acceptance and belonging, gradually rebuild their confidence in themselves and others, and regain a sense of control and positivity.
Tai Po Baptist Public School teacher Lee Wing-chi also praised the professionalism of the project’s instructors and coaches, “we were so pleased because they taught very well and put our minds completely at ease.” Other teachers also observed that students appeared happy and engaged, with those who were usually more active especially enjoyed the sports activities.
Principal Siu was a physical education teacher and has loved sports since she was young. She believes that music and sports hold significant potential for student development throughout their schooling. These activities are not only enriching and comforting but also help students build resilience, positivity, and teamwork in the long run, leading to more well-rounded development. JC Project MuSE and its project partners would continue their close collaboration with Tai Po Baptist Public School to facilitate the students’ mental and physical development through music and sports.
Children move their bodies and sweat; they rest and cleanse their souls with music. In times of drought, people come together and little drops of water make an ocean. When the rain returns, even just a shade of green indicates that the land is still full of hope and vitality.
Meanwhile, SF&OC Sports Legacy, another project partner, arranged specialised sports coaches guiding students to experience various sports such as rugby, wushu, karate and obstacle course training. Rugby coach Cheng Tsz-ting considered that sports activities, as a non-verbal means of connection, were particularly suited to children with unsettled emotions. While not requiring a lot of talking, children would be able to develop a sense of acceptance and belonging, gradually rebuild their confidence in themselves and others, and regain a sense of control and positivity.
Tai Po Baptist Public School teacher Lee Wing-chi also praised the professionalism of the project’s instructors and coaches, “we were so pleased because they taught very well and put our minds completely at ease.” Other teachers also observed that students appeared happy and engaged, with those who were usually more active especially enjoyed the sports activities.
Principal Siu was a physical education teacher and has loved sports since she was young. She believes that music and sports hold significant potential for student development throughout their schooling. These activities are not only enriching and comforting but also help students build resilience, positivity, and teamwork in the long run, leading to more well-rounded development. JC Project MuSE and its project partners would continue their close collaboration with Tai Po Baptist Public School to facilitate the students’ mental and physical development through music and sports.
Children move their bodies and sweat; they rest and cleanse their souls with music. In times of drought, people come together and little drops of water make an ocean. When the rain returns, even just a shade of green indicates that the land is still full of hope and vitality.
Did you know?
JC Project MuSE is committed to delivering free and high-quality music and sports education for primary school children in the most impoverished areas of Hong Kong. It aims to equip children with artistic and physical literacy and to foster holistic development, strengthen emotional well-being, and enhance academic performance, empowering children with the skills and opportunities to shape a brighter future. JC Project MuSE is a six-year school-based project piloted in 2024 and implemented since the 2024-25 school year. It targets implementation in at least 15 primary schools, benefiting over ten thousand students, their family members and teachers as well as the general public, among which over 8,000 students will receive continuous or advanced training.
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