小五級孩子於一月中旬時，在「同根同心──香港初中及高小學生內地交流計劃」安排下，於疫情後首次出發到廣州進行二日一夜的文化交流之旅。
在旅程的首天，師生們經蓮塘口岸到達深圳，然後便乘坐專車前往廣州。午膳後，大夥兒便開始考察。第一站是嶺南印象園，孩子們遊逛時，都被內裏古典優雅的建築群及一幕幕展現傳統中華藝術如粵劇、舞獅所震懾，留下深刻的印象。接着，一行人便遊覽第二站——陳家祠，孩子們一邊忙着拍攝其建築特色，一邊細心聆聽及觀察導賞員所提及的細節，如屋簷上的「龍頭魚身」雕像等，引人入勝。遊畢晚飯後，便下榻流花賓館休息，為第二天旅程作最好的準備。
第二天旅程在酒店吃早餐後正式開始，孩子們經過前一天「從早到極晚的作戰」後，仍然精神抖擻，繼續行程。第一站是廣東省博物館，讓孩子深入了解與香港密不可分的廣東省古今發展。孩子表現積極好學，小至一件古文物，大至一件「一比一」的恐龍模型，都不恥下問，導遊都對此一一耐心地講解。遊畢午飯後，便往第二站都城隍廟進發。孩子們到達後都紛紛入鄉隨俗——入廟拜神，以表尊重，在過程中，孩子亦體會到中國民間習俗——上香、拜文昌、擲聖杯等，誠心祈求身體健康、學業進步。旅程最後一站是西關大屋，孩子們遊歷這座具嶺南特色的傳統民間住宅時，都嘖嘖稱奇，一直以為古色古香的廣州，原來還有比較西化的一面，再三講解歷史後，孩子們都恍然大悟，原來那是中西文化交流的產物，真是大開眼界。旅程完畢，在回程的公路上，雖然孩子們都身心皆疲，有的甚至呼呼大睡，但看着他們回到學校與家長重逢時所展現的一張張笑臉，肯定他們在各方面都是滿載而歸的！
後記：對於大部分首次出遠行的孩子來説，一切都是新鮮的，亦是艱巨的挑戰——從生活小事上，如要習慣使用內地常見的蹲廁，乃至大事如妥善保管個人財物，都是一節節活生生的成長課。希望孩子都能「經一事，長一智」吧！
可譽謹在此感謝當局提供是次難能可貴的機會，讓孩子走出課室，擴闊視野，終生受用。同時亦為首行的領隊老師們敬業樂業，盡忠職守，守護孩子們的安全，表示衷心感謝。還有是願意讓孩子親身經歷的家長們，謝謝您們對本校的信任及支持，把照顧孩子的重任交託我們，成就此行的成功。最後要感謝孩子們，你們的自律守規、篤志好學，讓旅程能完滿結束及豐盛美滿。相信憑着「香港根‧中國心」，既能讓大家全面認識廣州，也能深深體會到昔日人民的文明智慧，從而成就了祖國當今的繁榮昌盛，以作為「龍的傳人」為榮。
Primary 5 students embarked on a two-day, one-night cultural exchange trip to Guangzhou in mid-January as part of the Exchange Program for Hong Kong Junior Secondary and Primary School Students.
On the first day of the journey, the students and teachers arrived in Shenzhen via the Liantang Port and then proceeded to Guangzhou by coaches. After lunch, they began their exploration. The first stop was the Lian’an Impression Garden, where the children were mesmerized by the elegant classical architecture and various traditional Chinese arts such as Cantonese opera and lion dance. It left a deep impression on them. Next, the group visited the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. The children enthusiastically captured the unique architectural features, while attentively listening to the guide’s explanations about details like the “dragon-headed fish-bodied” statues on the eaves. It was truly captivating. After dinner, they rested at the Liuhua Hotel, preparing for the second day’s itinerary.
The second day started after breakfast at the hotel. Despite the previous day’s long and exhaustive activities, the children remained enthusiastic and continued their journey. The first stop was the Guangdong Museum, where the children gained in-depth knowledge about the historical and contemporary developments closely tied to Hong Kong’s Guangdong Province. The children showed great eagerness to learn, asking questions about everything from ancient artifacts to life-sized dinosaur models, and the tour guides patiently provided explanations. After lunch, the group proceeded to the second stop, the Temple of the City God. The children respectfully immersed themselves in local customs, paying respects to the gods and experiencing traditional Chinese rituals such as offering incense, praying to the God of Culture, and divination. The final destination was Xiguan Old House, a traditional residence with Lingnan characteristics. The children marveled at this aspect of Guangzhou’s cultural diversity, realizing through historical explanations that it was a result of the exchange between Chinese and Western cultures. It broadened their horizons. As the journey concluded and they returned on the road, despite physical and mental exhaustion, some even dozing off, the sight of their smiling faces reuniting with parents and school assured everyone that they had gained rewarding experiences in various aspects.
In conclusion, for most of these children, it was their first trip far from home. They faced new and challenging experiences, from adapting to common mainland practices like squat toilets to taking responsibility for personal belongings. Hopes that the children have “grown wiser through experiences.”
Gratefulness is expressed towards the authorities for providing this valuable opportunity, the dedicated teachers who ensured the safety of the children, and the parents for entrusting their children to the school and supporting the trip’s success. Lastly, the children themselves are appreciated for their self-discipline, adherence to rules, and eagerness to learn, which made the journey fulfilling and enriching. It is believed that with the spirit of “roots in Hong Kong, a heart for China”, they not only gained a comprehensive understanding of Guangzhou but also deeply experienced the civilization and wisdom of the people of the past, contributing to the prosperity of our motherland and taking pride in being the “descendants of the dragon.”
