St. Paul's College Heritage

Home
History Tunnel 歷史廊

1842 - 1861 1862 - 1904 1905 - 1942 1945 - 1980 1981 – Now

中

Growing with the Times:

During this period, St. Paul’s College responded to the community’s clamour for re-establishment of Anglo-Chinese education. It nurtured many talents for Hong Kong, like S.K. Yee, I.M. Pei, and Chung Sze Yuen, and trained local cultural pioneers, including Lai Man Wai, Sit Kok Sin, and Ng Cho Fan. The College also ran free evening schools.

Heritage and Improvement:

During the first part of the 20th century, education in Hong Kong developed in tandem with social progress. Some of the major milestones were the establishment of the University of Hong Kong, the promulgation of Education Ordinance 1913, the commencement of Hong Kong School Certificate Examination (HKSCE), etc.

History of St. Paul’s College

1909

St. Paul’s College resumed Anglo-Chinese education

The Church Missionary Society decided to relocate the seminary to Guangzhou, while reintroducing Anglo-Chinese education to St. Paul’s College. The College adopted a new motto, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. During this period, the College’s enrolment increased considerably. It also emphasised more on physical education. Between the 1910s and 1930s, the College underwent several expansions to build a church, a hostel, and playgrounds to cater for needs.

1916

St. Paul’s College boarding students ran free evening schools

St. Paul’s students taught and ran free evening schools. In addition to the campus in Glenealy, these were also operated in Aberdeen, Tai Hang and other locations to serve children of underprivileged families.

1918

St. Paul’s College started issuing graduation certificates in Chinese

St. Paul’s College became the first English college in Hong Kong to issue graduation certificates in Chinese.

1941

St. Paul’s teachers and students defended Hong Kong

Japanese forces invaded Hong Kong on 8 December, and classes at the College were suspended. Principal Evan George Stewart led St. Paul’s staff and students in defending Hong Kong by serving in the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps (HKVDC) until the very end. During the Japanese occupation, some teachers and students also participated in Allied anti-Japanese underground operations in Hong Kong.

1967

Mr.

555

Development of Education in HK

1905

China abolished the Civil Service Examination system (Keju)

Empress Dowager Cixi issued a decree in the name of Emperor Guangxu declaring that the Civil Service Examination system was officially abolished on 2 September 1905.

1912

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) was founded

The University of Hong Kong opened its doors on 11 March 1912. The University was composed only of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Engineering. The Faculty of Arts was established later in 1927. HKU adopted the British education system, in which students were required to complete matriculation (or Class 1 in English schools) before they could sit for the HKU entrance examination.

1912

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) was founded

1913

The Education Ordinance 1913 was published

The Ordinance stipulated that all private and public schools in Hong Kong were subject to Government supervision. They were required to register with the Education Department and comply with all other regulations of the Ordinance.

1922

The National Government promulgated the Renxu School System

The system stipulated 6-year primary education and 6-year secondary education. Most of the Chinese schools in Hong Kong followed this school system.

1937

The Education Department administered the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination (HKSCE)

In 1935, HKU began to administer the University of Hong Kong School Certificate Examination (HKUSCE). In 1937, the Education Department began to administer the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination (HKSCE) for students in Class 2 or their second year of senior secondary schooling.

1 / 3

The motto of St. Paul’s College in 1909, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”, was taken from Proverbs 9:10 in the Bible. (Credit: St. Paul’s College)

2 / 3

Students and teachers of St. Paul’s College in 1909. (Credit: St. Paul’s College)

3 / 3

An admission advertisement for St. Paul’s College in 1915 shows that the tuition fee was $15 for the spring term and $35 for boarding students. (Credit: St. Paul’s College)

❮ ❯

1 / 1

A group photo of teachers and students of the St. Paul’s College free evening school taken in 1928. (Credit: St. Paul’s College, Colourised: OldHKinColour)

❮ ❯

1 / 2

A student’s Chinese language test results report in 1926. (Credit: St. Paul’s College)

2 / 2

Chinese students of the senior secondary class, 1915–1919. (Credit: St. Paul’s College)

❮ ❯

1 / 2

The Revd Vincent Stanton (1817–1891). (Credit: St. Paul’s College) Colourised by OldHKinColour

2 / 2

Letter to Lord Stanley, who was in charge of Hong Kong affairs, in 1843, proposing the establishment of an Anglo-Chinese school in Hong Kong. (Credit: St. Paul’s College)

❮ ❯

1 / 1

An ancient Chinese Civil Service Examination site, where candidates spent many days in huts on both sides of the walkway. (Credit: The University of Hong Kong Libraries)

❮ ❯

1 / 1

The Main Building of HKU, 1912. (Credit: The University of Hong Kong Libraries)

❮ ❯

1 / 1

The Hong Kong School Certificate Syndicate announced the regulations for the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination. Class 2 students were eligible to register upon approval, Clipping from The Chinese Evening Post, 6 November 1937.

❮ ❯

1 / 2

1843: 史丹頓牧師（1817-1891）

SPC Figure 2
史丹頓牧師（1817-1891）（圖片來源：聖保羅書院）

❮ ❯