The MC for the night was Ronnie Cheng (83). He started the dinner with a recap of Mr Lai's achievements in DBS and the different roles he played from his time as a student to his position as Headmaster since 1983.

Wilfred Kam, President of DSOBA, in his speech described Mr Lai as a sincere and approachable person. He also thanked Mr Lai for accepting the invitation to the farewell dinner, a very memorable and meaningful occasion that helped in gathering old boys of different years. He promised on continued support from DSOBA to the development of DBS under the leadership of the new Headmaster, Mr Terence Chang.

Bishop Louis Tsui in his address praised Mrs Lai for her support to Mr Lai through the years. He highlighted on Mr Lai's loyalty to the school and the church in serving the school for over 38 years in spite of the tempting opportunities elsewhere for a graduate from the elite DBS and HKU in the old days.

Mr Lai then shared his fond memories of the school campus, the teachers, school boys and also the old boys. In his speech, Mr Lai said that "the school has never had a "less-than-the best" year throughout its history...".

Having being handed the baton to lead a new generation of DBS boys, it turns out that Mr. Chang is an old boy himself. He belongs to a proud crop of excellent graduates that DBS saw in 1965. After DBS, he studied and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hong Kong and a diploma of education from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He went on to complete a masters degree in education at the world renowned Harvard University. With this qualification, Mr Chang accumulated sixteen years of experience working as a headmaster before his return to DBS.

Mr Chang has long-term plans in mind even before conducting everyday administration on a campus bustling with academic and extracurricular activities. First, he is committed to improving the campus environment and facilities. In addition to upgrading the "hardware", Mr Chang has not forgotten about the core of DBS - the staff and the students. He stresses on the provision of moral and technical support for the teaching staff. Concerned with more than just academic excellence, Mr Chang is set on nurturing self-esteem and self-respect among students.

With all these undertakings, our new headmaster recognizes the tremendous assistance available from the old boys. He calls for DSOBA to maintain the proud DBS tradition. He especially welcomes visits by old boys and their insightful advice. We welcome Mr Chang and wish him great success.

Christopher Lui (95)

It's indeed my honour to come back to serve DBS. I've been away for so many years, so it may take me a while to know what's been going on here. Please give me time (Don't worry, it wouldn't take too long) to work things out with all of you here at DBS.

I came back here to start working in the summer holiday and I have already come to know most of the teachers and quite a number of students, both junior & senior form boys. They have impressed me because most of them are well mannered, smart & bright. Some students from the sports team came to a camp in my former school in the summer holiday: they are very lively and we had a good time together. I do believe that we can all get along well here at DBS.

I attended the DBS end-of-term ball on 22 July 2000. DBS boys handled the event very well. It's difficult for me to say no when the junior form boys approached me to buy a rose at $30 each. At the end of the day, I had to buy quite a lot.

I also went to the Chinese Drama Night last Saturday, 26 August 2000. Students did a wonderful show & their talents could be noted. The three plays are in fact quite traditional. This is even more challenging for the boys but they managed very well on the stage.

This is my first school day, an official one, for now I can call myself H.M. (not His Majesty). I feel very much at home. The staff are very helpful and the students are very bright on the whole.

For the new school year, do hope that we can attain our *School objectives. (Form Teacher will give a copy of the School Mission & School objectives to all of you after recess today.)

So far four of the six wild dogs in the campus have been taken (into custody) away. We still have 2 more running around in the field. So, watch out! I'd like to see that better facilities, may be even toilet paper will be supplied to our students. More seating areas for our students. I cannot make a long list of things right now and I don't want to make too many promises. We have to work together to make the School a better place for all of us.

At the beginning of the School Year, I would also like to make an appeal to all of you : please help to make our School a clean & tidy place. To start with, please help to clean up your own classroom first.

I would also like to see that we can respect each other. We can all work together to make DBS a better place for us to learn, to study. We used to feel proud of being a member of DBS, now we should still feel the same. DBS, we are the best.

I'd like to read aloud a few lines from my own journal :

"Affection/Tender is best reached from new friendship through gratitude, attachment and esteem".

These are not my lines. I copied them down from a book written by a French writer three hundred years ago.

I'd like to start our new friendship here at DBS. So let's all work together to make this possible.

Terence Chang (65)

The class of '75 was always the most arrogant, and was challenged by the other old boys in the medley. Four teams had a heated chase amid the roaring cheers of their loved ones and in front of our new headmaster Terence Chang. The result was again no surprise to most of us. The team of David Liu, Tony Choi, John Li and Frederick Lui, class of '75, came out first beautifully. While they could continue their arrogance for another year, there is no reason why we could not beat them in the next poolside party. May we appeal to all classes to form their own teams, shape up, and come to challenge them next September.

The kids probably had the most enjoyable time as well. They competed individually in five heats, and joined their parent in three family events. Water polo and treasury hunt were also very enjoyable. They went home with medals and big smile on their faces.

Some good comments were echoed about the food, which was served shortly after noon time until after five. In addition to BBQ food, sandwiches, fried rice and noodles, water melons and snacks were abundant. Thanks to the old boys and their spouses and kids who helped preparing them.

You are, once again, cordially invited to come to the next poolside party should you want to set the record of the swimming competition, or meet the other old boys, or simply want to have a good time with your families. Please make a note in your diary, and it is normally scheduled in September.

Richard Leung (71)

2. Lo King Man (56). Principal of Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, retrospected the good days in DBS.
Source : HK Economic Times

3. Tommy Lewis (57), retired after 40 years as a reporter for SCMP.
Source : SCMP 30/5/1999

4. Alex Chan (99), achieved the 13th "Ten Outstanding Student" Award.
Source : Singtao Daily 17/7/2000

5. The concern on the "Through Train" - DBS may consider becoming direct subsidy school
Source : Apple Daily

Hello Fellow Old Boys:

It's Fall and that means we're in full swing of putting together this year's Annual Ball at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on December 16, 2000.

The title of this year's grand event is 'Late Night with DSOBA'. Our Ball Committee has been busy choosing a program that will be very entertaining but also purposeful. We hope everyone attending this year's Ball will be reinvigorated with the wonderful feeling of being part of the rich DBS tradition and camaraderie.

Central to this year's event will be the fund-raising campaign to donate a substantial portion of the evening's revenue for the renovation efforts at DBS. Our new Headmaster, Terence Chang has kindly identified the project to renovate the existing border laundry room into a music practice room as our fund-raising objective and we are truly convinced of its benefits on our students. An auction of some school memorabilia including Mr. Lowcock's canes, sentimental artworks and fine watches will give everyone a chance to help us meet the donation target. We guarantee that evening will be one event everybody will be talking about for the long time!

So come and see what we have in store for you this year!

Please make your reservation by contacting Amy at 2713-5268. See you there!

Sincerely,

Victor Tan (80)
Ball Chairman 2000