Joyce Symons

Catherine Joyce Symons CBE, JP, (née Anderson 1919 -d. June 11, 2004) was a distinguished educator, former teacher of the Diocesan Girls' School the leading girls' school in Hong Kong and its Headmistress for 32 years.

She was also former member of the Urban Council, Hong Kong Legislative Council, and the Executive Council of Hong Kong.

Biography

Joyce Anderson was born in Shanghai, China, daughter of an Eurasian father and Eurasian mother, and arrived in Hong Kong with her family at the age of 3.

She began what was to become her lifelong involvement with the school in January 1926, when she joined the Diocesan Girl's School (DGS) as a student.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Geography from the University of Hong Kong in 1939, and joined DGS as a geography teacher upon graduation. Symons became Headmistress in 1953, and held that post until her retirement. Symons is credited with turning DGS into the leading girls' school it remains to this day: in particular pioneering all-round education to "nurture broader minds, with music, dancing, sports of all kinds". [ [http://laihiu.nicesoda.com/life/lived/musical-news02.html With a song in their hearts] Review of "DGS Girl", South China Morning Post, September 3, 2005] Symons caused furore in 1967 when she introduced sex education into the school, which was condemned as "evil heresy", and provoked rebellion among conservative parents and ridicule from the wider community.

She was one of 3 women to be subject of the book "Being Eurasian: Memories across Racial Divides", which centred on the difficulties faced by Eurasians growing up in Hong Kong in the 1920s and 1930s. [ [http://www.asianreviewofbooks.com/arb/article.php?article=490 Being Eurasian: Memories across Racial Divides by Vicky Lee] , John Walsh, Asian Review of Books, December 29, 2004]

Symons was bestowed the title 'Justice of the Peace' (J.P.) by the Hong Kong Government in 1965, and was appointed OBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II 1971.

She was appointed to the Hong Kong Legislative Council in 1972 through 1976, and the first woman appointed to serve on the Executive Council of Hong Kong, in 1976. [cite web
title = But they pledge to do a good job
date = August 27, 1976
publisher = The Star
url=http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/newspaper/view/09_01.01/93282.pdf
accessdate = 2007-02-23 ] In 1977, she was appointed member of the oversight committee of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong. [cite web
title = Keeping tabs on ICAC
date = December 2, 1977
publisher = The Star
url=http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/newspaper/view/09_11.01/88174.pdf
accessdate = 2007-02-23 ]

She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LL.D) by the Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong in 1978. [http://www3.hku.hk/eroonweb/hongrads/person.php?mode=detail&id=131 Hong Kong University Citation: Cathering Joyce Symons] University of Hong Kong, 1978]

She retired in 1985, and published her memoirs entitled "Looking at the stars: Memoirs of Catherine Joyce Symons". She died in England on June 11, 2004. [ [http://www.hku.hk/convocat/newsletter/04summer/p44_45.pdf#search=%22%22Joyce%20SYmons%22%22 Obituaries] , Milestones, University of Hong Kong, 2004]

Published works

Authored works

*"Looking at the stars: Memoirs of Catherine Joyce Symons" (1996 Pegasus) ISBN 962-8018-02-7

As featured subject

*"Being Eurasian: Memories across Racial Divides" Vicky Lee (2004 Hong Kong University Press) ISBN 962-209-670-0

References

External links

* [http://www.doga.org.hk/symons.html Diocesan Old Girls' Association Tribute]