Saint Paul School being a pioneering school in the introduction and use of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) in non-tertiary education, has been followed closely in their school’s deployment of ICT by many educational institutions, text-book publishing companies, government education bureaus and ICT system developers for several years.
Today, Saint Paul School supports one of the largest one-to-one programs in Asia with more than 1,700 students and 200 teachers using technology on a daily basis to facilitate teaching and learning.  The School’s innovative approach to large-scale ICT deployment through its ‘Classroom 2012’ project has received accolades from the press and experts in the education field. To-date, many schools and institutions from neighboring countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and also from Spain and USA have visited the school to share and exchange ideas on its deployment model.
This innovative deployment of ICT in education to prepare students for the future is also unique in its cooperative effort between School, Government and Industry. Major participants involved in the success of the project include the Macau Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ), Microsoft Macau, Lenovo China, H3C Hong Kong, Sonic Foundry, Inc. USA, Dyknow, Inc. USA, HP Hong Kong, and the Macau University of Science and Technology.
On May 2, 2016, Sonic Foundry, Inc. announced that Saint Paul School, Macau has been named a winner in the 12th annual Enterprise Video Awards in the Prolific Use category. The award is given for recognition in outstanding achievement in scaling video program in Education. The award, held by Sonic Foundry, Inc. a trusted global leader for video creation and management solutions, honor excellence in video integration into business, education, health and government. Most entries in the competition were from universities and private enterprises. Saint Paul School was the only non-tertiary school entry from outside the USA winning the award. “It’s an honor to recognize the best and most innovative ways our customers are using our products, and they never stop amazing us with their creativity. They’re great examples of why having a video strategy is essential to success in today’s digital world.â€Â said Rob Lipps, executive VP, Sonic Foundry.
 “I know the quality of our programs and the innovation that they bring into our classrooms, but honestly speaking I never thought we could be competing at the level of tertiary education institutions and private enterprises†said Dr. Alejandro Salcedo, OP, Principal of Saint Paul School, Macau “It is indeed an honor to receive this recognition, however, the affirmation that the school is on the right track in its strategy for using video in education is even more gratifying.â€
The school has also just begun  a three year project. Could you tell us a bit more about it?
“This project is part of the second phase in our overall
strategy to improve education leveraging the power of ICT; whereas the‘Classroom 2012’ project focused on building the infrastructure and developing a culture of using technology in the school, this project is intended to affect teaching and learning through ‘Research-based learning’ approaches.†said Dr. Salcedo “Although more prevalent in colleges and universities, we will adapted many of the processes and techniques at the primary and secondary school levels, aiming to develop not only mastery of subject components but also to develop the student’s full range of intellectual, social, and emotional skills in context with real-world issues. One of the teaching and learning techniques that our teachers are already using is the ‘Flipped Classroom’ approach.â€Â Â
Where is the value of the Flipped Classroom?
“The value of ‘Flipped Classroom’ is in the repurposing of class time into workshops where student who have already previewed or learned fundamental examples and key concepts outside of class, can continue on their enquiry about lecture content, test their skills in applying knowledge and interact with one another through hands-on activities guided by the teacher in the classroom†said Dr. Alejandro Salcedo “This encourages students to take responsibility for organizing, preparing and learning basic content outside of class, while using class time to dig-deeper for higher-level understanding through interaction with classmates and teacher .â€
What are the requirements and implications of implementing Flipped Classrooms?
“The ‘Flipped Classroom’ technique has no specific technologies requirement, however, access to technology by students and teachers can certainly facilitate and enhance the process, for example, video capture technology allows teachers not only to record videos for students to view at home but also report back to the teacher on the number of views and who viewed the video, students each equipped with a tablet PC and appropriate software can research and share content individually or in groups outside of class.†explained Manel Machado, Director of Academic Technology, Saint Paul School.
Dr. Salcedo noted that “Flipped Classroom places more of the responsibility for learning on the shoulders of our students, but at the same time it gives impetus to students to seek answers on their own and experiment more in their work towards mastering lesson content. Students with innovative ideas are encouraged to share and present their research with the class. There is also a change of role for teachers, they will no longer just be lecturers but rather act more like coaches or advisors, encouraging and guiding students in individual enquiry and collaborative work.â€
I remember that the DSEJ had supported the “Classroom 2012’ project through financial subsidies. What about this ‘Flipped Classroom’ project?
“First of all, I must say that the success of the ‘Classroom 2012’ project is due to many people, particularly the parents and students for their trust in the school, the school teachers and ICT team had also all worked really really hard in the implementation of the project. But I do not think that we would as successful without the support provided by the DSEJ. Besides financial assistance, many leaders and experts from the Education Department never ceased giving us encouragement, advices and assistance as best they could. Collaboration between the School and the DSEJ was really outstanding, based on trust and sharing of the same vision. This I think was even more critical to the success than the financial support.†the Principal remarked†Yes, the DSEJ has also substantially subsidized this three year project, with the condition that at the end of the three years, the school will provide the DSEJ with detail assessment reports of the projectâ€.
Saint Paul School (Macau) has increasingly established a reputation for being a leader in pioneering new educational programs for the 21st century using technology. This has been corroborated by appraisals from International Institutions and award recognitions such as in 2014 when the school’s ‘Classroom 2012’ project won the Merit award at Macau ICT Awards, and was nominated by the Macau Computer Society to participate in the Asia Pacific Information and Communication Technology Award 2014 (APICTA 2014) contest in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Congratulations to Saint Paul School and especially to the Saint Paul School Academic Technology Department for this award and their effort in contributing to Macau Education both locally and internationally.
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Lay Dominicans are Catholics, men or women, single or married, called by the Lord to live according to the way of life of the followers of St Dominic de Guzmán (1170-1221), ‘preaching’ and giving Christian testimony in a variety of ways in this our increasingly secularized society.
While living in their own secular environment, they are fully incorporated members of the 800 hundred years old Order of Preachers, present today in numerous nations of the world and involved in a variety of apostolates, living out their Dominican vocation in the world.
 “They have as their vocation to radiate the presence of Christ in the midst of the peoples so that the divine message of salvation be known and accepted everywhere by the whole of humankindâ€. (From the Rule of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic).
Lay Dominicans preach primarily in the marketplace or wherever their station in life finds them. They preach by their lives and example, and when opportunity arises, with their voices as well. When possible, Dominican Lay men and women pursue study, particularly in theology, Scripture, and catechesis in order to preach well when called upon to do so.
As other members of the Dominican Family, Lay Dominicans come from a variety of backgrounds and occupations, united by their common mission of living and announcing the Gospel to all, especially with their testimony of life.
Although the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic –lay branch of the Dominican Family, formerly called “Third Order†or “Dominican Tertiariesâ€- were officially founded with their own rule in 1285 and were officially recognized by the Church on the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas in 1286, Lay Dominicans have existed almost as long as the Dominican Order itself.
Here the pictures we would like to share with you!
      
       
     
     
     
     
The Documents related (Please click and see the link): The Establisment Documents of The lay Dominicans of The Province
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We give Thanks to God for His abundant Love upon us!
On the coming Sunday, April 24th, 2016 at 11 AM, the Friars of Saint Dominic Convent in Macau joyfully celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Fr. Dionisio Cabezón GarcÃa OP and Silver Jubilee of Fr. Jarvis Sy Hao OP in their ordination to the priesthood. We cordially invite you to join us this very special event of Thanksgiving Mass in honor our beloved Friars for their so many years of serving God.
The Brothers of Saint Dominic Convent.
 We would like to invite and welcome all of you to join us in this Holy Week Celebration!!!
SAINT PAUL SCHOOL 45TH ANNIVERSARY – Loyalty Recognition Awards Ceremony.
“The year 2016 is not just another year. January 25 is not just another day†statements which were conveyed in the introduction video presentation The year and the day marked a significant milestone in the history of Saint Paul School, the School community, and the lives of those who were and are privileged to be a part of this remarkable community.
January 25, 2016 sees the celebration of the School 45th Anniversary, but as the Principal, Fr. Alejandro Salcedo in his speech “…today’s celebration is not about Saint Paul School as such. It is about the loyalty, commitment and pride that you, teachers and staff have demonstrated in your service to our School and most important to our students, and we have come here to acknowledge you and applaud.â€
 The day began with a thanksgiving mass in the school hall presided by the Most Reverend Bishop of Macau Stephen Lee and with the presence of Fr. Javier González – Provincial of Our Lady of the Rosary Province -, Fr. José Luis de Miguel – Prior of the community of Saint Dominic Priory of Macau -, Fr. Bonifacio G. SolÃs, Fr. Dionisio Cabezón, Fr. Fernando Muñoz and the three fathers working in the school Fr. Chan, Fr. Legido and Fr. Salcedo as concelebrants in this rich and emotive ceremony. The school hall full to its capacity with teachers and students was, thanks to Sister Camino, decorated for the occasion. The warm and the sincerity of the prayers were evident and apparent during the offertory when, besides the offering of the bread and wine, each one of the catholic teachers offered a candle, and each one of the catholic students a rose to Saint Paul Apostle, Patron of the School. The silence in the school hall, surrounded by a sense of personal prayer was so intense, that even the official photographer of the ceremony did not take any picture not to disturb the peace of the moment.
In his homily Bishop Lee emphasized the figure of Saint Paul Apostle and in perfect harmony connected the conversion of Saint Paul and the commitment and loyalty we all must have in our roles as teachers and students. He encouraged the teachers and students to offer their talents for the good and welfare of the Saint Paul School community and the Macau society as a whole.
The second part of the ceremony ‘Saint Paul School Teachers and Staff Loyalty Awards’ started with the welcoming of the guests at the main entrance of the School and the Fra Angelico exhibition Gallery, where, assisted by the students tea and coffee were offered as the guests were arriving. Back at the state-of-art School Hall, the teachers and staff being awarded were greeted and applauded by the over 800 students and teachers present in the hall, teachers and students following the ceremony from the classrooms, Principals and representatives from about 30 different schools, parents and main guests, among whom we can mentioned Bishop Lee as representative of the Diocese of Macau, Fr. Javier González as the representative of Our Lady of the Rosary Province, Ms. Vicky Leong representing the Director of the Ministry of Education, the Delegates from Rome Monsignors Ante Jozic and Andrea Francia, representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region, the supervisor of Rosaryhill school, Fr. Vicente Sánchez and the two Principals, Fr. Emiliano Pérez, and other members of the diocese and the Macau Society.
      The ceremony began with a modern dance and we were led all through the ceremony by the two MCs, who although difficult to believe for their outstanding and highly professional performance, were a form 4 young lady and a school past student. The ceremony was exceptionally touching and moving as we all witnessed the 83 teachers and staff, out of the 293 personnel rendering their service at Saint Paul School, being awarded as Bishop Lee, Fr. Provincial and Ms. Vicky Leong presented the conferred certificates.
Saint Paul School presented their respects and heartfelt thanks to three retired teachers for their hard work and dedication during their years at Saint Paul. Not only emotion and warm feeling were seen when each of the teachers offered a rose to each of the retired teachers, but also tears were present in the eyes of some of the successors of those great three teachers as they shared with all of us how delighted they felt to be there on that special day and above all how proud they felt seeing their students following their steps and taking up their places in the teaching profession.
It was Fr. Athanasius Chan, the Director of the Pastoral Care of the School and the Deputy Principal who received the Apostolic Blessing from the hands of Monsignor Ante Jozic. On Behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis he extended His blessings and congratulations to the whole community of Saint Paul School
As Ms Vicky Leong, representative of the Director of the Education Bureau, said in her address to the audience, today is a special day for Saint Paul School because not only we celebrate 45 years of contribution to the Macau society but mainly because in the awards presented to the teachers and staff one can see the loyalty and faithfulness of these people towards the School and towards their careers.
The in-between performances ‘In your Hands’ sang by the President of the Old Students Association, and the ‘Saint Paul School Legacy Light Dance’ performed by Saint Paul School modern dance team compared to the highest standards as it is already a tradition at Saint Paul School. The song ‘You Raised Me Up’, interpreted by 5 students, was the best way to close the ceremony and once more thank not only the 83 teachers and staff who were awarded but to everybody who is giving their best and support the dreams and hopes of each student at Saint Paul school.
January 25, 2016, was not just another year, was not just another day. It was truly a special day of honoring the excellence that Saint Paul School has fostered. A.S.G.
PRIESTLY ORDINATION OF BRO MATTHEW SHING MANG TUN
On January 2, at around 9:30 the procession of the ordination to the priesthood of Bro. Matthew Shing Mang Tun, began moving from the entrance of the church of St. Gemme Galgani’s Shwepyiathar, Yagon. The procession was led by a group of youth interpreting a typical Chin State cultural dance followed by the relatives of Bro. Matthew, the acolytes and the concelebrants who accompanied Bro. Matthew. His Eminence Charles Cardinal Bo, as he reached the altar, made and introduction of the ceremony and the rite of the ordination followed in an orderly manner.
The new Church that had just been finished under the direction of Father George, was well adorned and arranged for the ordination. At both sides of the Cardinal were 25 concelebrants headed by Father Philip the vicar of the Provincial in Myanmar, all the Dominican Priests assigned in Myanmar and three representative Brothers of the communities of Hong Kong and Macau where Bro. Matthew lived during the years of formation. The church was full with a good number of religious sisters, seminarians and religious brothers, plus 450 relatives, friends and parishioners who came to witness and participate at the ordination of Bro. Matthew. The parish choir and the postulants assumed the responsibility of the music and other services including the lunch that was served at the end of the ceremony.
During the homily and through the ceremony His Eminence congratulated not only the ordaining brother but the Dominicans and commended them for the service rendered and the hope that their presence in Myanmar would redound to the benefit of the people of God.
On his part Brother Matthew thank God, the Prior Provincial who had acceded to his request of being ordained, his Dominican professors and formators through the different years of his studies and finally his Eminence, the concelebrants, all those who have taken part in the preparation and arrangement of the Ordination under the guidance and leadership of Bro. George. Finally, he addressed his parents whom he thanked for all the things they have done for him since birth as well as his brothers and sisters who had supported him in the pursuit of his vocation.
Upon request of His Eminence Bro. Solis congratulated Father Matthew on behalf of Father Provincial and all the members of the Province represented by of the Burmese Brothers assigned to Myanmar and indicated that Father Matthew was assigned to the House of St. Joseph in Kowloon where, he, besides studying Cantonese Language, will serve the people of God in the near future. Bro. Philip translated these words into Burmese and then His Eminence concluded congratulating the ordained Brother, his family and the Order and granted Father Matthew faculties for hearing confessions so that his ministry could be more effectively carried out.
After the ordination and the session of picture taking, the concelebrants, the family, the religious and the parishioners shared a good lunch.
Congratulations Brother Matthew! May the Lord give you wisdom, holiness and a fruitful ministry all your life!
Fray Fernando, O.P.
Secretario Provincial
