History
The establishment of the College dates back to 1902. A group of prominent Chinese businessmen approached the Church Missionary Society to administer a school for their sons. In 1903, St. Stephen's College was officially established on Bonham Road in Western District. In the 1920s, the government granted the school 25 acres on the Stanley peninsula in recognition of ''outstanding contributions to education''. The foundation stone was laid in April 1928 by the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Cecil Clementi, and in May 1929, the college was fully functional in its new buildings, many of which are still in use today.
During Japanese occupation of Hong Kong the school building was used as part of Stanley Internment Camp. In September 1945, the Rev. reopened the doors and by 1948, for the first time ever, the board had to limit intake as the school had reached capacity. Over the years, continued donations from benefactors have provided necessary equipment and new buildings such as Ng Wah Hall and the Wilson Wang Water Sports Complex.
From an inaugural class of just six boys, St. Stephen's College became Co-educational in 1968 and now caters for 1500 boys and girls studying in the College and the preparatory section.
In 2003, the College celebrated its 100th anniversary, holding a open day and a massive concert in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Planning for Direct Subsidy School Status
Originally a private school, St. Stephen's College became a government-funded public school during the late 1900s.
The College recently announced its intention to become a Direct Subsidised School , an historic change to the College as it will free the school from the centralised funding system that currently administers secondary education in Hong Kong. If the plan is widely accepted by students, parents and alumni, this new plan will be implemented during the 2008-2009 academic year. Pupils enrolled in the 2006 Primary 4 class at St. Stephen's College Preparatory School, also based in Stanley, will be the first group to enter the DSS system. In order to upgrade the school administrative level, this is the first secondary school in Hong Kong to employ a Registered Professional Housing Manager on its staff to manage and handle all property and facilities-related issues for and on behalf of the school.
Cross Country
Unlike many secondary schools in Hong Kong, St. Stephen's College possesses a large campus including several mountain trails. Every year, a cross-country competition is held. This annual tradition requires students to join and to enjoy the concept of sportsmanship. Students are required to run around the campus within a set period of time.
English Speaking Days
As a means to enhance the quality of English communication skills among students, the English Society of the College holds English Speaking Days .
Over an academic year, 3 cycles of ESDs take place. During these, students are expected to speak to each other in English. Each cycle lasts 10 days.
Students are required to collect signatures of teachers, peers, relatives or classmates in a booklet. An award scheme is established such that the student with the highest number of signatures in each class receives a prize.
During the ESD, BBC radio is broadcast through the college in the morning. During Lunch time, programmes related to English are held to raise students' interest in and awareness of English.
The concept of ESD was developed jointly by one of College's English teachers, Miss Winnie Wong, and Chairman of the English Society Pierre Lien in the academic year 2005-2006. 3 cycles have been put to practice and the feedback has been positive.
The English Society plans to further enhance the practice of the ESD in the next academic year.
The Centenary Celebration
The College Centenary was celebrated in 2003. The main celebration events included the Grand Concert, the Centenary Thanksgiving Service, the Centenary Speech Day, the Open Day and Garden Fête and the centenary Dinner. Many guests, parents, alumni, friends, and students of St. Stephen's attended these events and shared the joys and commitments with the College.
The college firstly introduced the live broadcast technology into the Centenary events, including the Centenary Speech Day and Open Day. The video was broadcast through the internal system and the Internet streaming servers provided by the Information Technology Team while the broadcast system was provided by Campus Television.
In 2005, Dr. Louise Y. S. Law, became the first female principal in the college history. Dr. Law was a former teacher at St. Stephen's but she left St. Stephen's in the 1990s after she was appointed the principal of a school in Ma On Shan.
Numerous students excel in various fields including academics, sports, music and social service, and graduates have also contributed in various fields to society.
St. Stephen's has nurtured some of the most famous and influential businessmen, professionals, artists in Hong Kong and Asia.
For the year 2006, the College performed a Hollywood and Broadway musical: "Annie" as their bi-year concert.
And for the year 2008, the College will preform a Broadway musical: "Joseph and the Magical technicolr Dreamcoat" as their bi-concert concert
Alumni
Business Men
* TUNG Chee Chen - younger brother of the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chairman of Orient Overseas Container Line. Mr Tung is also a member of the College's Council.
* Raymond Ch'ien Kuo Fung - Chairman of MTR Corporation Limited and a member of the College's Council.
* Peter Kwong Ching WOO - Chairman of The Wharf Limited and Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
* Hon Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, GBS, JP - Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Vice-President, Olympic Council of Asia.
* Mr. CHUNG Po-yang, OBE, JP - Chairman, DHL Worldwide Express
* The late Sir S.K. Tang
Media
* Sammy Leung - Popular DJ of Radio Television Hong Kong
Music
* Steve Ho - Song composer
* Lo Ka Kay Kelvin - Children Choir Conductor
* Dr. Kenneth Tse - world-renowned saxophone soloist and teacher
Others
* Yip Man - Wing Chun master
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