St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong

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St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's College School Badge
Supervisor Brother Thomas Favier, FSC
Principal Mr. C.H. Leung
School type Government-subsidized private boys' school
Medium of instruction English
Sponsoring Body Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
Religious affiliation Catholic
Year of Foundation 1875
Location Central, Hong Kong
School Motto Labore et Virtute (Labour & Virtue)
Mascot/Official Colours Green and White
School website http://www.sjc.edu.hk

Established in 1875, St. Joseph's College (SJC, 聖若瑟書院) is the first Catholic boys' secondary school in Hong Kong. It is located at 7 Kennedy Road, Mid-levels, in the Central and Western District.

The College is a Lasallian institution. Together with a kindergarten and a primary school, St. Joseph's Primary School, both situated at 48 Wood Road, Wan Chai, the St. Joseph's (the "Schools") population now exceeds 4200.

The Schools provide education which focuses not only on academic but also extra-curricular activities. The Schools also emphasise students' social development, with a number of graduates becoming important social figures.

The north and west blocks of the College are declared monuments of Hong Kong since August 2000.

Contents

[edit] Mission statement

The mission of St. Joseph's College is to educate students in areas of intellectual, physical, social, moral and emotional development. This process takes place in an academic environment conducive to learning in the context of interaction between staff and students.

[edit] Sponsoring body

The sponsoring body of the Schools is the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, known as the 'De La Salle Brothers', named after the founder of the Institute, St. John Baptist de La Salle.

The aim of the Institute is to give a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor. The spirit of the Institute is of FAITH and ZEAL: to have faith in God and an ardent zeal to teach the children. All Lasallian schools around the globe are committed to helping young people to develop themselves fully as persons, to learn to live as brothers and sisters in a world of justice.

[edit] History

[edit] Foundation of the College (1875-1880)

The College was previously a Portuguese commercial school named St. Saviour's College, established on Pottinger Street in 1860. Father Timoleon Raimondi, who was then the bishop of the Colony, convinced Rome to send the Lasallian Brothers to the British Colony. On 7 November 1875 six pioneers from the Christian Brother landed in Hong Kong: Brothers Hidulphe Marie, Hidulphe de Jesus, and Hebertus from the Boarding school of Marseilles; Brother Adrian Edmund and Aldolphus Marie from the Novitiate of London; and Brother Isfrid from Paris. They renamed the school St. Joseph's College.

The Director, Brother Hidulphe Marie, was experienced in teaching and organizing schools. After a few weeks the enrolment had doubled and it became evident that an extension to the present building had to be contemplated. Mgr. Raimondi, in June 1876 purchased for $14,000 a fine house (Buxley Lodge) situated at 9 Caine Road and the Brothers at once moved into it.

In 1879, the first class of Chinese students was admitted to school; however, at that time, most of the students then were Portuguese from Macau.

1877

  • Held the first ever inter-school sports competition in the history of Hong Kong with St. Paul’s College

1879

  • 255 students attended St. Joseph's College, making it the largest grant-in-aid school in the colony and second largest school overall. Academic results were outstanding, with a passing rate at 90.71%. The largest school at that time was the Government's Central School (now Queen's College), which back then had an attendance of 590.

Circa 1880

  • Establishment of one of the first modern days football teams in today’s China

[edit] Days at Robinson Road (1881-1917)

In order to cater for the needs of the fast-growing school, a piece of land in Glenealy below Robinson Road became home to St. Joseph's College in 1881. The original structure of the College till then was a two-storey building, but a third was added in 1898 for the accommodation of the boarders. Three years after completion of the building, the wings were added.

The College soon became outstanding in both academic and sports fields. The three higher classes prepared their students for the Oxford University Examinations, namely Senior, Junior and Preliminary, and it was quite usual to see St. Joseph's College heading the results list both in quantity and quality. The College also became a cradle for the success earned by many soccer and other sports clubs.

1881

  • 281 enrolled in St. Joseph's College, 240 in the Anglo-Portuguese school, and 41 in Anglo-Chinese school. According to the government report, the 1881 school year in St. Joseph's College only had 203 days. Wednesdays were given as holidays following Italian custom.

1889

  • 409 enrolled in St. Joseph's College. There were 10 European staffs, and 2 Chinese staff in the college.

1899

  • Held the first ever inter-school athletics meet in the history of Hong Kong with QC and DBS

1903

  • Formed the first ever inter-school football league in the history of Hong Kong with QC and DBS

1909

  • First Grand Slam in inter-school football, winning both the First and Junior Team trophies

1913

1918

  • Won both the inter-school championships of swimming and football. Crowned the champion of inter-school athletics for the 6th year in a row

[edit] The new Kennedy Road campus (1918-1940)

On 13th February 1918, a 50-second earthquake struck the Colony (rare for the then Colony). As a result of this earthquake, the Robinson Road campus was severely damaged. Anxious to get a new and safe place for the education of the youth, Brother Aimar bought the Old Club Germania at 7 Kennedy Road on 3rd September. The Club was left unoccupied since the outbreak of World War I. Many buildings having connections with the German Empire in the Colony at that time were confisicated by the British Empire as a war broke out between the two countries. Brother Aimar also set up a branch school on Chatham Road, Kowloon, which later became the La Salle College, Hong Kong in the 1930's.

The top floor of the five-storey Victorian building was the Brothers' Quarters, accommodating the Lasallian Brothers who were the directors and teachers of the school. The third floor was once a dormitory for students and boarders, while afterwards it served as the old Old Hall. The second floor was the office and quarters of the secretary; the first floor located the general office and recreation room. The ground floor was a library.

In order to accommodate more students, the North Block (Classroom Block) was erected in 1920 and was opened by Governor Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs. The Chapel Block (Science Block) was completed in 1926, housing the Chapel, laboratories, and Li Shek Pang Hall (the current Old Hall).

1925

  • Basketball team won the HKBA Shield

1927

  • Athletics team won the Governor’s Shield, champion of the inter-school athletics meet, for the third year in a row

1936

  • First Olympian from SJC, representing China in swimming
  • Athletics team won the Governor’s Shield for the 6th time over the last 12 years it was being offered.

[edit] WWII and the post-war era (1941-NOW)

During the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong from 1941 to 1945, the College was used as a clinical depot by the Imperial Japanese Army. Some Brothers fled to Vietnam and became guests of the Dominicans and the Jesuits, while others were kept as prisoners of war in concentration camps. The campus was kept in shape by a minor staffer called Ah Yiu, who would also smuggle essentials into the camp for the Brothers.

After the War, the College continued to flourish. In 1962, Club Germania was demolished and a modern eight-storey building, now known as the New Building, was erected. This was the time when Brother Brenden Dunne was Principal of St. Joseph's College. Governor Sir Robert Brown Black and Superior General Brother Nicet Joseph officiated the opening of the new building.

The College is now one of the most outstanding secondary education institutions in Hong Kong, providing Form 1-5 and matriculation education to more than 1300 boys.

1950s

  • 1952: Grand Slam in inter-school football. Winning both the senior and junior titles in both the league and knock-out competitions
  • 1956: Snatching the Wing Wah Challenge Shield, being the inter-school tennis champion, three years in a row
  • 1959: A fellow Josephian obtained 9 distinctions and 2 credits in the HK School Certificate Examination

1960s

  • 1961: Hockey team won the Sir Arthur Morse Challenge Trophy for 2 consecutive years
  • 1962: First ever scout troop to hold the Prince of Wales banner and the Carlton Trophy at the same time.

1970s

  • 1970: Red Cross won the Drilling Shield three years in a row
  • 1971: Won the Haye’s Trophy, inter-school debating championships, for the first time
  • 1972: Quiz team won the TVB quiz programme ‘On your marks’ for 2 consecutive years
  • 1973: St. John’s Ambulance Brigade won the Sir Michael Hogan Trophy for 3 years in a row
  • 1974: Best year in the HK School Music Festival. Josephians won the champion title in Male Voice Quartet, Mixed Voice Quartet and Folk Music: Solos and Duets, the Dorothy Smith Trophy (Boys Junior: Treble), the Music Society Shield (Mixed Voice Choirs), the Dr. Karl Hohner Shield (Melodica Band) and the Moutrie Challenge Trophy (Piano Solos: Final)
  • 1974: Table-tennis team the first school team in history to receive the ‘Champion Honour’, the Hong Kong open championship, awarded by the Table Tennis Association
  • 1977: Bowling team won the annual SCAA High School Bowling Tournament for the third time in four years
  • 1978: Venture scout captured the Prince of Wales Banner for the 14th consecutive year (7th time), dominated it ever since its establishment
  • 1978: Badminton team won the colony’s championship
  • 1978: Two Asian-gamers from SJC

1980s:

  • 1983: Recaptured the inter-school football overall title. Start of a 2-decade long dominance of SJC
  • 1987: Table-tennis team captured the inter-school overall champion, the SCAA Open and the HKU President Cup titles all in the same year
  • 1988: Champion of English Debate Competition organized by the Joint School Debating Society (JSDS) and sponsored by the British Council of Hong Kong. SJC was the first ever champion school with two JSDS executives (Chairman and Treasurer) being students of the school.

1990s:

  • 1990: Grand slam in inter-school football again since 1952. Won also the all Hong Kong (Jing-Ying) as well as the Interport championship in the same year.
  • 1991: Recaptured the inter-school swimming overall champion title, last won in 1937.
  • 1991: Inter-school life-saving champion second year in a row
  • 1992: First grand slam in inter-school swimming
  • 1993: Third consecutive grand slams in inter-school football since 1990
  • 1994: Inter-school squash champion second year in a row
  • 1996: A record sixth time grand slam in the history of HK inter-school football
  • 1998: First grand slam in inter-school basketball. Captured also the Jing-Ying and Marathon title
  • 1998: Three Asian-gamers from SJC
  • 1999: Breakthrough in the HK School Speech Festival. Capturing more than 100 Top 3 positions

THE NEW CENTURY:

  • 2000: Two Olympians from SJC
  • 2000: Crowned as the champion for the 6th time in 7 years in the all Hong Kong inter-school basketball marathon
  • 2001: Champion of inter-school Chinese debating for the second consecutive year
  • 2002: Topped the list of all Hong Kong schools with 4 Josephians obtaining 10As at the HKCEE
  • 2002: Omnipotent champion of the inter-school football competition in the past two decades, snatching the overall championship for the 17th time in 20 years.
  • 2002: Five Asian-gamers from SJC
  • 2004: First ever grand slam in the history of inter-school debating. Josephians crowned as the champions and best debaters in both the English and Chinese sections (tournament organised by SingTao Daily)
  • 2005: Champion of inter-school English debating for two years in a roll. Set another record of being featured as a finalist for the 7th time in the last 8 years in either the English or Chinese section.
  • 2006: New school record at the HKCEE with 312As and a per capita of 1.63As scored. 2 Josephians snatched 10As.
  • 2006: Captured the A grade inter-school swimming championship title for the 10th time, its 8th in the last decade. Josephians currently holding 7 inter-school and 20 Hong Kong swimming records.
  • 2006: Dominated the inter-school waterpolo competition, clinching all 7 titles ever since its establishment 7 years ago
  • 2006: Captured the A grade inter-school basketball championship title (HK Island) for the 10th time, a record since the competition established in 1967.
  • 2006: Ten Asian-gamers from SJC


LIFE AFTER GRADUATION:

[edit] Heritage

[edit] School motto

LABORE ET VIRTUTE -- Labour and Virtue -- sums up the life of Saint Joseph. He was a workingman, a carpenter by trade and his virtue made him worthy to be the foster-father of Christ. This motto expresses the spirit that it is by hard work and virtue that a Josephian shall make a success of his life, and so remain true to the traditions of the College.

[edit] School badge

The badge of the College displays a shield divided into 3 divisions. The top division shows the Signum Fidei (sign of faith) - a five-pointed, radiant star, which is taken from the insignia of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. It reminds people of the spirit of FAITH of the Institute. The right lower division shows 3 chevrons, i.e. broken bones, reminding people of the bravery and ZEAL the Saint promoted. The left lower division shows the book of knowledge on top (with the Alpha and Omega inscribed) and a lamp below; together they symbolize the importance of education, something which St. La Salle emphasised.

The shield stands with a compartment with supporters each of French lily, since the Lasallian family originates in Rheims, France. The top features a ribbon with the name of the College, and a crest with a cross (Catholicism) and a crown (used to symbolize the Colony of Hong Kong before 1997). Below the shield are three shells symbolising baptism. The motto of the College in Latin, Labore et Virtute, is also found at the bottom of the badge.

[edit] Mascot

The combination of Green & White has become the mascot of the College over the years. Green represents Ireland Shamrock, while White represents France Fleur-de-lis. The Brothers of the College mostly come from Ireland and France.

[edit] School rally

(Composed by the Principal, Brother Marcian in 1903)

All through our College a voice is resounding,
Promptly respond to your duty's clear call.
Harken you all for the trumpet is sounding,
Your Mater's proclaiming her watchword to all.

Chorus-
Forward, not flinch nor fear,
Ever with heart sincere,
Render with joy to your Mater her due;
All that is vile reject; Heaven will e'er protect,
Sons of St. Joseph's valiant and true.

Labour and Virtue your motto still bearing,
Forward with courage in ways that are just;
True to your standard be doing and daring,
As faithful Josephians in Heaven you trust.
(Chorus)

Onward and upward in life's earnest battle,
Joyously bearing the brunt of the fight,
Nobly forgiving for aught that may pain you,
And bravely defending the cause of the right.
(Chorus)

Lift up your hearts for a Kingdom awaits you,
Honour and Virtue with courage defend;
Serve Him in life, who in death can reward you,
And vow to be faithful and true to the end.
(Chorus)

[edit] Campus

The College is located at 7 Kennedy Road which is only five minutes walk from Central, the central commercial district of Hong Kong. Neighbours include St. Joseph's Church and Hong Kong Park. St. Joseph's Path, which joins Kennedy Road and Garden Road, runs along the east side of the College.

The College's architecture is an interesting combination of typical colonial European (British Imperialist) and modern styles. The Old Building (North Block), constructed in 1920, houses most of the classrooms. The Chapel Block (West Block) houses the Old Hall, Music Room, laboratories, Lecture Room and School Chapel. These buildings were built in a Colonial style, reflecting European Classical influence. Features include the clock towers, the turret and the Verandahs built for ventilation in the days with no air conditioning. The two Blocks are declared monuments of Hong Kong.

The modern New Building, which replaced the original Club Germania on the site, houses the upper form classrooms. The senior laboratories, library and computer rooms are located here. The New Hall is also part of this structure.

[edit] Curriculum

[edit] Language, Art and Social Sciences

Chinese Language(F.1-F.5), Chinese Language and Culture(F.6-F.7), English Language(F.1-F.5), Use of English(F.6-F.7), French(F.1-F.5), Chinese History(F.1-F.5), History (F.1-F.3), Geography(F.1-F.5), Religious Studies(F.1-F.5), Economic and Public Affairs(F.1-F.3), Economics(F.4-F.7), Commerce(F.4-F.5), Business Fundamentals(F.1-F.3), Business Studies(F.6-F.7), Principles of Accounts(F.4-F.7), Travel and Tourism(F.4-F.5)

[edit] Science and Technology

Mathematics(F.1-F.5), Additional Mathematics(F.4-F.5), Pure Mathematics(F.6-F.7), Integrated Science(F.1-F.2), Biology(F.3-F.7), Chemistry(F.3-F.7), Physics(F.3-F.7), Computer Literacy(F.1-F.3), Computer and Information Technology(F.4-F.5), Computer Application(F.6-F.7)

[edit] Culture

Putonghua(F.1-F.3), Music(F.1-F.3), Physical Education(F.1-F.7), Visual Arts(F.1-F.3)

[edit] Staff

[edit] Academic staff

A supervisor, a principal, two vice principals, fifty classroom teachers, a careers mistress, a discipline master, a counselling mistress, a sports master, a librarian, a music teacher, a British teacher, a French teacher, two art mistresses and one Homework Manager.

[edit] Technicians, administrative & janitorial staff

Three laboratory technicians, one secretary, five clerical personnel, a part-time social worker, a library assistant, twelve janitors and three IT technicians.

[edit] Josephians

[edit] Student organisations

Official

  • Students' Union
  • Parent - Teacher Association
  • Old Boys' Association
  • Value Education and Academic Promotion Team
  • Students' Information Technology Support Team

Religion

  • Christian Union
  • Masses Organising Team


Academic

  • Biology and Conservancy Association
  • Chinese Culture Society
  • English Society
  • French Club
  • Geography Society
  • History Society
  • Mathematics Society
  • Putonghua Club
  • Travel and Tourism Society
  • Economics, Commerce & Public Affairs Society
  • Literature Connection

Sports

  • Aquatic Club
  • Athletic Club
  • Badminton Club
  • Basketball Club
  • Bowling Club
  • Football Club
  • Golf Club
  • Squash Club
  • Table Tennis Club
  • Tennis Club
  • Volleyball Society
  • Jorkey Club
  • Swimming CLub

General Interest

  • Aesthetic Society
  • Art Workshop
  • Astronomy Society
  • Board Card and Role-Playing Games Club
  • Bridge Club
  • Camera Club
  • Drama Club
  • Library Society
  • Magic Society
  • Melodica Band
  • Movie Society
  • Music Society
  • Philatelic Society
  • School Orchestra
  • Science Society

Service

  • 1st Hong Kong Group Scout Troop
  • 1st Hong Kong Group Venture Scout Unit
  • Award for Young People
  • Interact Club
  • Red Cross Youth Unit 17
  • Social Service Group
  • St. John Ambulance

Publication

  • Green and White Editorial Board
  • Green & White (school magazine - published annually from 1958)
  • Green & White Gazette (published once a year)
  • Web Publishing Board
  • Green & White Online

[edit] Student activities

Sports

  • Swimming Gala
  • Annual Cross Country Race
  • Athletic Meet

Service/Charity

  • Dress Casual Day
  • Green & White Walkathon
  • Charity-Variety Show (CV)


Religious

  • Opening Mass
  • Christmas Mass
  • Thanksgiving Mass (held every five years)
  • Prayers' Mass
  • Mass of faith
  • St. Joseph's Feast Day
  • St. La Salle's Feast Day
  • Religious Festival
  • Year End Mass

Social

  • Green & White Ball
  • Green & White Day (Open Day)
  • 130th Anniversary Grand Open Day: Starring Josephians
  • 131st Green & White Open Day: A Josephilic Moment
  • Student Festival

Music

  • Green & White Concert
  • Internal Talent Quest

Arts

  • Banner Painting Competition
  • T-Shirt Painting Competition

Others

  • Academic Prize Giving Day
  • Extra-curricular Prize Giving Day


[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] Executive Council Members


[edit] Legislators


[edit] Civil Servants

  • Peter Tsao Kwang-yung 曹廣榮, CBE; former Secretary of the Government Secretariat. His career finished as the head of Home Affairs, ranking fourth in the colonial hierarchy
  • Donald Liao Poon-huai 廖本懷, CBE, JP; former Secretary for Housing
  • Chau Tak-hay 周德熙, GBS, JP; former Secretary for Trade and Industry
  • Benjamin Tang Kwok-bun 鄧國斌, JP; Director of Audit
  • Andrew Wong Ho-yuen 黃灝玄, JP; Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service
  • Paul Tang Kwok-wai 鄧國威, JP; Director of Social Welfare


[edit] Businessmen

  • Dr. Lo Ka-shui 羅嘉瑞, GBS, JP; Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Great Eagle Holdings Limited, former Director of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and a past chairman of its Listing Committees of the Main Board and the Growth Enterprise Market
  • Dr. Edgar Cheng 鄭維健, GBS, JP; Chairman of the World-Wide Investment Co. Ltd., Member of the 10th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, Chairman of the Council of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, former Head of Central Policy Unit of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as well as the former Chairman of the Council of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
  • Christopher Cheng 鄭維志, GBS, JP; former Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
  • Vincent Lo Hong-shui 羅康瑞, GBS, JP; Chairman of Shui On Group.
  • Dr. Dickson Poon 潘迪生, SBS; Chairman of Dickson Concepts (International) Ltd.
  • Martin Lee Ka-shing 李家誠; Vice Chairman of Henderson Land Development Company Limited, Vice Chairman of Henderson Development Limited and Henderson Investment Limited as well as a director of The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited and Miramar Hotel and Investment Company, Limited
  • Dr. Joseph Chow Ming-kuen 周明權, OBE, JP; Husband of Selina Chow 周梁淑怡, Civil & Structural Engineer, Chairman of Paul Y-ITC Construction Holdings Limited


[edit] Academics

  • Prof. Charles Kao 高錕, CBE; Father of Fibre Optics; former Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Prof. John C.Y. Leong 梁智仁; Doctor, President of the Open University of Hong Kong
  • Prof. Richard Ho Man-wui 何文匯, JP; President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong - Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Community College
  • Prof. S.K. Lam 林兆鑫; Dean of the LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong. Distinguished leader in teaching, research, clinical service and administration
  • Prof. Dennis Lo 盧煜明; Winner of the 2001 Outstanding Young Person of the World. Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Medicine (CUHK) and the Director of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences
  • Prof. John H.C. Ho 何鴻超, CBE; Distinguished doctor, founder of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society
  • Dr. Raymond Wu Wai-yun 鄔維庸, GBS, OBE, JP; Renowned cardiologist, former President of the Physicians Society, the Hong Kong Cardiological Society and the Medical Association, member of the Basic Law Committee and Deputy of National Peoples' Congress


[edit] Sportsmen/Sports related persons

  • Leslie Santos 山度士; Hong Kong football legend; former SCAA, Sun Hei and Hong Kong National Football Team member
  • Martin Hong 康寶駒; Solicitor, Chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association
  • Alex Fong Lik-sun 方力申; 2000 Sydney Olympics Swimming Representative from Hong Kong. Hong Kong Record Holder of (Long Course): 100m Backstroke 59.71 (22/07/00), 200m Backstroke 2.05.47 (20/09/00), 400m Individal Medley 4.29.02 (17/09/00), 4x100m Medley Relay 3.51.07 (05/10/02),4x200m Freestyle Relay 7.38.91 (08/12/98), (Short Course): 200m Back Stroke 2.01.07 (09/01/00), 400m Individual Medley 4.21.08 (08/01/00), 4x200m Freestyle Relay 7.43.54 (02/04/99), singer and actor in Hong Kong
  • Charles Szeto Shui-ki 司徒瑞祈; Hong Kong Record Holder of (Long Course): 4x100m Freestyle Relay 3.30.29 (03/10/02), (Short Course): 100m Butterfly 55.74 (03/04/02), 4x200m Freestyle Relay 7.43.54 (02/04/99), television actor for TVB
  • Peter Wong 黃興桂; former coach of First Division football teams such as Eastern, SCAA and Tsuen Wan; ESPN Cantonese commentator


[edit] Show-business characters

  • Ray Cordeiro MBE; The world's most enduring DJ (Guinness World Records)
  • Natalis Chan 陳百祥; famous comedian in Hong Kong.
  • Jan Lamb 林海峰; DJ of Commercial Radio Hong Kong, Cantopop singer and lyricist; voice-over talent for TV commercials
  • Daniel Lee 李仁港; movie director
  • Tang Ho Kwong 鄧浩光; movie and TV actor; former Hong Kong Swimming Team captain
  • Chiu Tsang-hei 趙增熹; Cantopop composer and producer
  • John Tang 鄧一君; TV actor
  • Luke Tsang Chi-wah 曾智華; renowned radio & TV presenter of RTHK
  • Ivan Wang Yoa Leung 王友良; Cantopop singer debuted in 2005
  • Kelvin Kwan 關楚耀; Cantopop singer debuted in 2006; dubbed 「譚詠麟契仔」by the media

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] St. Joseph's College

[edit] Brothers of the Christian Schools

In other languages