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St Joseph's College, Hong Kong

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St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's College School Badge
Principal Mr. C.H. Leung
School type Government-aided 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)
School colours Green and White
School website http://www.sjc.edu.hk


Introduction

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 District.

The College is a Lasallian institution. Together with a kindergarten and a primary school at 48 Wood Road, Wan Chai, the St. Joseph's population now exceeds 4200.

The school excels in both academic and extra-curricular activities. Throughout its 130 years of history the school contributed a lot to society, with a lot of graduates becoming important social figures.

The north and west blocks of the school are declared monuments of Hong Kong.

Sponsoring Body

The sponsoring body of the school is the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, known as the 'La Sallian 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. This is also a mission shared by all La Sallian schools in Hong Kong.

All La Sallian schools 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.

History

The story of the College started from 1860, when a Portuguese commercial school, St. Saviour's College, was established on Pottinger Street. But after years of bad management the school had to close down. Father Timoleon Raimondi, who was the bishop, convinced Rome to send the Lasallian Brothers to the British Colony. On 7 November 1875 six pioneers landed in Hong Kong, who formed the first Community of the Christian Brother Schools: Brothers Hidulphe Marie, Hidulphe de Jesus, and Hebertus who were 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, had great experiences in teaching and organizing schools. After a few weeks the enrolment had doubled and it became evident that an extension to the present building must even then be contemplated. Mgr. Raimondi, in June 1876 purchased for $14,000 a fine house situated at 9 Caine Road and the Brothers at once moved into it. It was called the Buxley Lodge. In 1879, the first class of Chinese students was admitted to school; however, most of the students then were Portuguese from Macau.

A piece of land in Glenealy below Robinson Road became home to St. Joseph's College in 1881, to cater for the needs of the fast-growing school. 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. For about 40 years, St. Joseph's College enjoyed fruitful years at Robinson Road.

Over the years, the school became outstanding in both academic and sports fields under the leadership of the Brothers. 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. Hong Kong's First Scout Troop was established here in 1913.

On 13th February 1918, a 50-second earthquake struck the Colony, and 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 WWI. Brother Aimar also set up a branch school on Chetham Road, Kowloon, which later became the La Salle College, Hong Kong.

The top floor of the five-storied historical building was the Brothers' Quarters. The Brothers served as teachers, and new ones would join the family when there was necessity. 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 of this Victorian building 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).

During the Japanese Occupation from 1941 to 1945, the College was used 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 at 7 Kennedy Road, 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 prestigious secondary education institutions in Hong Kong, providing Form 1-5 and Matriculation education to more than 1300 boys.

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 will take place in an environment conducive to learning in the context of interaction between staff and students.

School Motto

"LABORE ET VIRTUTE" -- Labour and Virtue -- sums up the life of the great 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 best traditions of the College.

School Badge

The school badge, though it may seem complex, bears the long and noble traditions of the College.

The badge/coat of arms 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 La Sallian 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.

School Rally

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 Virtute 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)

Campus

The College is located at 7 Kennedy Road which is only five minutes walk from Central - the heart of Hong Kong - and our 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 our College.

The College's architecture is an interesting combination of traditional European and modern styles. The Old Building, constructed in 1920, houses the Form 1 to 3 classrooms as well as the Form 4 & 5 art stream classrooms. The Chapel Block on the west side houses the Old Hall, Music Room, Science Laboratories, Lecture Room and School Chapel. These buildings were built in a Colonial style, reflecting European Classical influence. The most prominent features are the clock towers and the turret. Verandahs are also one distinctive feature of local architecture in the days with no air conditioning.

The New Building, which replaced the original Club Germania on the site, houses the Form 4 & 5 science stream classrooms as well as all Form 6 & 7 classrooms. The Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories as well as the library and both junior and senior computer rooms are located in this building. The New Hall is also part of this structure.

Curriculum

Arts and Social Subjects Business Fundamentals, Business Studies, Chinese History, Chinese Language, Chinese Language and Culture, Commerce, Computer Applications, Economics, Economic and Public Affairs, English Language, French, Geography, History, Principles of Accounts, Religious Studies, Travel and Tourism

Science Subjects Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Literacy, Computer and Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physics, Pure Mathematics

Cultural Subjects Music, Physical Education, Putonghua, Visual Arts

Staff

Supervisor: Brother Thomas Favier

Principal: Mr. C.H. Leung

83 staff members work at St. Joseph's College. 29 women and 54 men. The staff includes a principal, two vice principals, fifty classroom teachers, a careers mistress, a discipline master, a counselling mistress, a sports master, a librarian and two music teachers. In addition, there are three laboratory technicians, one secretary, five clerical personnel, a part-time social worker, twelve janitor staff and two IT technicians.

Student Organizations

Official

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

Religion

  • Christian Union.

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

Sports

  • Aquatic Club
  • Athletic Club
  • Badminton Club
  • Basketball Club
  • Bowling Club
  • Football Club
  • Squash Club
  • Table Tennis Club
  • Tennis Club
  • Volleyball Society

Cultural

  • Aesthetic Society
  • Art Workshop
  • Astronomy Society
  • Board Card and Role-Playing Games Club
  • Bridge Club
  • Camera Club
  • Drama Club
  • Library Society
  • Literature Connection
  • 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 Unit 17
  • Social Service Group
  • St. John Ambulance

Publication

  • Editorial Board
  • Web Publishing Board

Publications

  • Green & White (published annually from 1958)
  • Green & White Gazette (published twice a year)
  • Green & White Online

Student Activities

  • Swimming Gala
  • Dress Casual Day
  • Opening Mass
  • Christmas Mass
  • Thanksgiving Mass
  • St. Joseph Feast Day
  • St. La Salle Feast Day
  • Dress Casual Day
  • Annual Cross Country Race
  • Green & White Walkathon
  • Green & White Ball
  • Green & White Day (Open Day)
  • Green & White Concert
  • Internal Talent Quest
  • Students' Festival
  • Academic Prize Giving Day
  • Extra-curricular Prize Giving Day
  • Charity-Variety Show
  • Leadership Training Camp
  • Banner Painting Competition
  • Athletic Meet


[1] 130th Anniversary Grand Open Day: Starring Josephians

Green & White

The most used combination of colours in the College. Green represents the Irish Shamrock, while White represents the French Fleur-de-lis. The Brothers of the College mostly come from Ireland and France.

Alumni

See also

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