La Salle College

La Salle College Chinese: 喇沙書院
FIDES ET OPERA ("Faith and Works")[1]
Location
18 La Salle Road, Kowloon Hong Kong
Coordinates	22°19′45.11″N 114°10′56.93″E / 22.3291972°N 114.1824806°E / 22.3291972; 114.1824806Coordinates: 22°19′45.11″N 114°10′56.93″E / 22.3291972°N 114.1824806°E / 22.3291972; 114.1824806
Information
Type	Grant School (Financially-Aided School[2])
Established	1932
Founder	St. John Baptist de La Salle
School district	Kowloon
Principal	Brother Steve Hogan
Faculty	87 teachers
Grades	Form 1 – Form 7
Enrolment	1680
Number of students	1667[3]
Campus	23,390 m²
Colour(s)	Purple, white and red
Newspaper	'The Lasallian'
Yearbook	'The Lasallite[4]
Affiliations	Roman Catholic
Website	www.lasalle.edu.hk

La Salle College (LSC; Chinese: 喇沙書院, Mandarin pinyin: Lǎshā Shūyuàn, Cantonese jyutping: laa3 sa1 syu1 jyun2 ) is a boys' secondary school in Hong Kong. It was established by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order founded by St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle.

La Salle College is one of a limited number of schools in Hong Kong that teach in English.^[5] The school curriculum uses English as the medium of instruction in all subjects with the exception of Chinese-related subjects and French.

History

Foundation

In 1917 the Brothers of the Christian Schools,^[6] who had founded St. Joseph's College in 1875, opened a junior school on Chatham Road near the Rosary Church.^[7] At this time Kowloon was expanding rapidly. The demand for schools was rising and Brother Aimar Sauron, the Director of St. Joseph's, realized that a new school building was necessary. He acquired a large plot near Prince Edward Road as a site for the new La Salle College in 1928. The site was immediately north of the city boundary, and thus was technically in New Kowloon. That section of Boundary Street was not yet a formal road when the school site was bought, and was only gazetted in 1929.

On 5 November 1930, Sir William Peel, the Governor of Hong Kong, laid the foundation stone of the new building. By 3 December 1931, the work on the building and the playgrounds was sufficiently advanced to allow the opening of eight classes for 303 pupils, under the management of five brothers from St. Joseph's College and four assistant masters from the Chatham Road School. ^[8]

The formal inauguration took place on 6 January 1932. Seven brothers, headed by Reverend Brother Aimar as Director, took over. A few days later 40 boarders occupied the quarters to the west of the building. There were then 540 students in 14 classes. About one-third of the students had a European (especially Portuguese) connection.

World War II

La Salle College School Song

Verse I:

Boys of courage, boys of daring,

Full of manliness and will;

Spirits not for danger caring,

Hearts to conquer every ill.

Chorus:

We are sons of La Salle everyone,

And no matter where we go,

High aloft her flag we will hold,

And strive that her fame may grow.

Verse II:

There are famous schools in plenty,

With their heroes by the score,

And they flourish high and mighty,

But La Salle is something more.

(chorus)

Verse III:

From her lofty station pointing,

To the sky's majestic dome,

She would have us ever minding,

That above is our true home.

(chorus)

Verse IV:

Come whatever kind of weather.

Come the stormy days along,

When the Old Boys get together,

They will always sing this song.

(chorus)

Brother Aimar was the principal of the school for its first seven years. The students were offered matriculation examinations, the laboratories were constructed, four tennis courts and a full-sized football pitch were built, and the statue of St. John Baptist de La Salle that now stands in front of the College was erected. The number of students increased to 805 in 1935 and 1,060 in 1939.

In 1939, La Salle College was affected when World War II commenced in Europe. On 3 September 1939, Britain declared war on Germany, and the British War Department in Hong Kong designated the campus as an internment camp for German nationals arrested in Hong Kong that same day. Those interned included the German engineer Gerhard Neumann. The camp was run for approximately eight months, during which time the brothers organised classes in morning and afternoon sessions in the College Annex across the road (the building which was to become La Salle Primary School in 1957).

On 8 December 1941, the Japanese attacked Hong Kong, and the school building was again taken over by the British Military, this time as a relief hospital. After the surrender of Hong Kong on Christmas Day 1941, the Japanese took over the building. In February 1942, the brothers were expelled from the college and the school's operations was terminated until the September 1946. During the Japanese occupation, the college was believed to have been used as a military hospital until August 1945.

After the war

School recommenced in September 1946. By the end of 1949, the Chinese Civil War was coming to an end. Most of China was controlled by the Communist government of Mao Zedong and the People’s Liberation Army was rapidly advancing southwards towards the Hong Kong border. Owing to that threat, the British Army reinforced their garrisons in Hong Kong. In need of a hospital, the British Army expropriated the use of the college grounds, originally for 12 to 18 months. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government erected wood hutments on a plot at Perth Street, Ho Man Tin. The temporary occupation dragged on for some 10 years, taking the concerted efforts of the local government, the British Parliament, and the Vatican to finally dislodge the Army in August of 1959.

A new beginning

Post-war development

Main college campus

Brother Felix was appointed director of the school in 1956 and re-acquired the college buildings from the military authorities on 1 August 1959. Student numbers grew steadily and this led to a separation of primary and secondary divisions. La Salle Primary School was founded in 1957 and Brother Henry Pang was appointed headmaster. ^[9]

In 1964 the La Salle College Evening School was commenced within the main campus building; in 1969 the Evening School was separated and became the Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) College in Ho Man Tin. The decision was taken in the mid-1970s to undertake the replacement of the aging building. While classes were continuing, a portion of the school grounds were used to erect a new superstructure with modern facilities. The project was funded via the sale of part of the school grounds to Cheung Kong Holdings, owned by Li Ka Shing. The Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Murray MacLehose, officially opened the new school on 19 February 1982, in its Golden Jubilee year.

The current college building stands seven floors high from the "field level" (five floors above are ground level, two floors are below ground level, and the track and field are at the bottom). It has an enrollment of almost 1,800 students. Its four blocks surround two quadrangles, the lower dotted with benches and greenery and the upper containing a basketball court. The blocks are named the North, East, South and West Wings after their position on the two quadrangles. There is an extensive range of facilities for academic use and for extracurricular activities, including sporting facilities. The campus incorporates a standard-size football field with artificial turf, a 400 metres (1,300 ft) all-weather track with six lanes, a 50 metres (160 ft) outdoor swimming pool with electronic timing, and an air-conditioned gymnasium encompassing 6 badminton courts and a basketball court. There are two outdoor basketball courts, a tennis court, a volleyball court, and a squash court.^[10]

Recent years

Brother Aimar wing

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of LSC

A Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) was established in January 1995. In September 1996, the track and field were in urgent need of resurfacing. The La Salle Foundation, with the help of the PTA, raised over five million Hong Kong dollars and the Hong Kong Jockey Club contributed the same amount. The project was completed in October 1998 and the facilities were renamed the La Salle College-Jockey Club Track and Field.

In December 1998 La Salle College hosted the third gathering of the Asia-Pacific Lasallian Educators' Congress; about 130 delegates from the Asia-Pacific region took part. As a direct result, the Hong Kong Lasallian Family Office was established in April 1999, with Brother Thomas Lavin as coordinator. This office aims to draw together the various members of the Lasallian family in Hong Kong.

In December 2004 more than 150 brothers and young Lasallians joined together in Hong Kong for the seventh Asia-Pacific Lasallian Youth Congress, chaired by Brother Thomas Lavin, under the theme "Together in Faith-Full Service".

During the summer of 2005 construction work of the School Improvement Program (SIP) ended with the completion of two new wings, the Aimar Wing and the Cassian Wing, named after the first two principals of the school. The SIP provides an additional 32 rooms, with new facilities such as computer rooms and a multi-media learning centre.^[11]

In 2009 the refurbishment of the track and field was completed at a cost of $8 million. Fourth-generation turf was laid as the surface of the football pitch. There is a new discus throwing circle and safety cage and a javelin practice area. The tennis court was also resurfaced.

Admission

72% of La Salle College's total Form 1 intake is from its feeder school, La Salle Primary School, with 28% from other primary schools. Applicants attend interviews in English, which are conducted by the supervisor and the principal. Other criteria include applicants' performance in extracurricular activities, awards and certificates, and academic excellence. La Salle College applicants may apply for French^[12] as an alternative to Chinese.

School associations

The Old Boys' Association (LSCOBA) is an organization that intends to unify old boys around the world, as well as contributing to the college by sponsoring scholarships, organizing career talks, and supporting other events. Its membership as of 7 June 2006 reached 5,367.

The Student Association (LSCSA)^[13] represents current students Its executive committee is chosen through elections open to students of Form 2 and higher every year. It consists of five boards: the Clubs Coordinating Board (CCB), the Discipline Board (DB), the Class Representatives' Board (CRB), the Publications Board (PB), and the Secretariat (SEC).

Other student-based associations include the La Salle College Campus TV (LSCCTV), which helps producing broadcasts, and the Editorial Board which produces the year-book "The Lasallite".

Since the majority of the school buildings are above their standards, the Government is not responsible for the school's maintenance. Replacements of plant and machinery as well as the upkeeping of existing facilities require substantial sums of money. The Brothers, Principal Brother Francis, and some old boys initiated the idea of a foundation whose sole aim was to provide sufficient funds to do this. In early 1992, the La Salle Foundation^[14] was established with Michael Sze as the first chairman.

Layman principals

As Hong Kong education law requires school principals to retire at 60 years of age, brother Thomas Lavin relinquished the position in 2004, and flew to Bethlehem for ministerial works in 2005. Dr. Paul Lau (劉煒堅) then became the first secular principal of La Salle College. Lau had completed his primary and secondary education at La Salle Primary School and La Salle College.

Lau resigned in 2006 with effect from 31 August 2006, citing personal reasons, and was succeeded by Wong Yen-Kit (王仁傑) as acting principal. Shortly after, Brother Thomas Lavin, the school supervisor, announced that Wong Yen-Kit would take up the position of principal.^[15]

Wong Yen-Kit retired as principal on 31 August 2010. He was succeeded by brother Steve Hogan, a former principal of De La Salle College, New Zealand.^[16]

Achievements

Academic

As required by Hong Kong law, schools must have two examinations every year: midyear and final examination. In between the two examinations, students are provided feedback on their performance through continuous assessment,^[17] which accounts for 20% of the total subject mark.

The school consistently produces scholars who excel in public examinations. In 1993, the school produced the first student achieving ten distinctions in Arts subjects in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE). In 2001, four students from the school attained the top score of 10 A's, a feat repeated in 2008. The class of 2003 scored a total of 501 A's, the most distinctions a single school had ever achieved in a single sitting in the history of the HKCEE.

LSC counts five winners of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Awards,^[18] ranking 1st (tied with Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of MFBM, and Queen Elizabeth School) among all secondary schools in Hong Kong.

Extra-curricular

La Salle athletes

La Salle College has over 50 clubs and societies. Clubs are divided into academic, cultural, religious, interest, service, and sports groups. Joining clubs is mandatory.^[19]

The College's students are active in academic, cultural, and sports competitions. They have a champion record of the Joint School Chinese Debating Competition and the Hong Kong Mathematics Olympiad, and a School Grand Prize Winner record of the Hong Kong Olympiad in Informatics.

In sports, La Salle College has won badminton championships in all grades in 1993–1994, 2003–2004, and 2004–2005 in the Kowloon area. La Salle has won championships in athletics, badminton, basketball, cross country, fencing (Grand slam in 2010-2011), football, hockey, squash (17 consecutive years,1994–2011), softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball. The table tennis team was named the overall champions 7 years in a row, from 2000–2007.

La Salle College has taken back the Athletic Meet Final Overall Championship title in 2011, after being the 1st runner up for 7 consecutive years.

The Omega Rose Bowl, and its successor the Bauhinia Bowl,^[20] is awarded to the secondary school with the best all-round sporting performance in the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon region. La Salle College has been the Boys School Champions 26 times, by far the most-awarded secondary school in the Boys' Schools section. La Salle College holds the record of receiving the Rose Bowl, predecessor of the Bauhinia Bowl, for the longest period—17 years—between 1974 and 1991.

La Salle College is currently one of the best schools in Hong Kong in terms of sports^[21] and academics.

School spirit

La Salle students cheering

The Interschool Athletics Meet^[22] takes place every year in March. It is not only an external sports event, but also an opportunity for all La Salle students to show their Lasallian spirit.

Most of the top schools take part in this event, and ever since its commencement, La Salle and Diocesan Boys' School have been competing for the championship. In the academic year of 2011, La Salle is the overall champion, reclaiming the title after 7 years.

Prayers

Classes maintain the tradition of praying before almost every class (depending on the teacher). The prayers are usually led by students on duty, Catholic boys, or sometimes the teacher, and commonly include a Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father or The Lord's Prayer, and the prayer is closed with the unique Lasallian lines: "St. John Baptist de La Salle – pray for us; live Jesus in our hearts – forever".

Notable Old Boys

By tradition, alumni of La Salle College are called La Salle Old Boys, and the alumni association is called La Salle College Old Boys' Association.^[23]

Business

• Dr. John Cho-chak Chan, 陳祖澤, Managing Director of Kowloon Motor Bus (studied F.6–7)
• Peter Wong, 王冬勝, Executive Director of HSBC
• Jack Chak-kwong So, 蘇澤光, Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council
• Paul Ming-fun Cheng, 鄭明訓, Former Chairman of The Link REIT
• Peter Hak-yung Yip, 葉克勇, CEO of CDC Corporation\
• Dr. Michael Yue-kwong Chan, 陳裕光, Chairman of Café de Coral
• John Chen, 程守忠, CEO, President of Sybase Inc., Chairman of the US Committee of 100
• Dr. William Man-wai Mong, 蒙民偉, founder of Shun Hing Group^[24]
• Paul Man-yiu Chow, 周文耀, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx)^[25]
• Dr Louis Cheung Chi Yan, retired executive director and group president of the Ping An Insurance (Group) Company, China. Dr Cheung was the first Lasallian to have received a full Prince Philip Scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge.

Science and engineering

• Henry Tye, 戴自海, Horace White Professor of Physics at Cornell University^[26]
• Simon S. Lam, 林善成, Professor and Regents Chair at University of Texas, co-invented secure sockets widely used for e-commerce and Internet security ^[27]

Cultural

• Bruce Lee, 李小龍, actor in martial arts films and founder of Jeet Kune Do^[28] Started at the school in 1952.
• Dr. James Wong, aka Wong Jim, 黃霑, renowned composer,^[29] and lyricist of the La Salle College School Song (Chinese Version)^[30]
• Albert Leung, 林夕, Chinese lyricist and writer (studied F.6–7)
• Michael Hui, 許冠文, Hong Kong film comedian, scriptwriter and director
• Sammy Leung, 森美, DJ, singer and actor
• Joseph Yau, 丘世文, Chinese writer and co-founder of the "City Magazine" 號外
• Eric Yiu-wai Suen, 孫耀威, singer and actor (studied F.6 only)
• Pong Nan, 藍奕邦, singer, lyricist, composer and producer
• Anthony Lun, 倫永亮, Cantopop singer, composer and producer
• Edsel Chiu, 招浩明, International award winning magician, 2nd Runner up at Las Vegas World Magic Seminar 2008 (studied F.1–2)
• Hsien-yung Pai, 白先勇, Chinese author

Legal

• The Honourable Mr. Justice Robert Ribeiro, Judge in the Court of Final Appeal
• His Honour Judge Patrick Hon-Leung Li, 李瀚良 Chief District Judge, District Court
• His Honour Judge Bruno Chan, 陳忠基 District Judge, District Court
• Peter C.L. Lo, 羅志力, former President of The Law Society of Hong Kong
• Lester G. Huang, 黃嘉純, immediate past President of The Law Society of Hong Kong
• Sir Po-shing Woo, 胡寶星爵士, Non-Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties and Henderson Land

Medicine

• Dr. Choi Kin Gabriel, 蔡堅, 2004–2008 President of The Hong Kong Medical Association
• Dr. Shih Tai Cho Louis, 史泰祖, 2004–2008 Vice-President of The Hong Kong Medical Association
• Dr. Chan Wai Kai, Chairperson of The Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society during 1969–1971
• 區聞海醫生, Columnist of Mingpao

Government

• John Tsang, 曾俊華, JP, current Financial Secretary, HKSAR Government^[31]
• Nicholas Ng, 吳榮奎, Chairman of Public Service Commission, HKSAR Government
• Stephen Kam-chuen Cheong, 張鑑泉, CBE, JP, former member of Legislative Council (LegCo)
• Michael Cho-cheung Sze, 施祖祥, GBS, JP, former Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council
• Sir Roger Lobo, 羅保爵士, CBE, LLD, JP, former member of Executive Council (ExCo), Legislative Council (LegCo), and Urban Council
• Hilton Cheong-Leen, 張有興, CBE, JP, former Chairman of the Urban Council, former member of Legislative Council (LegCo)
• Arnaldo de Oliveira Sales, GBM, JP, former Chairman of the Urban Council
• Pau Shiu-hung, 鮑紹雄, SBS, JP, former Director of Architectural Services, current Vice President of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, current Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association of Hong Kong^[32]

Sports

• Stephen Xavier, JP, former Hong Kong record holder of men's 100 m and 200 m sprints, the only Hong Kong athletics medal winner in any Asian Games (a bronze medal in Men's 200 m in Manila, 1954)
• Philip Reis, 李菲臘, member of the Hong Kong National Football Team which beat China 2–1 in the "5.19" World Cup Asian Qualifier held on 19 May 1985
• Vincent Wong Wing Ki, 黃永棋, badminton player who defeated four time world champion Lin Dan in the 2011 Denmark Open.

See also

• La Salle Primary School
• Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
• Lasallian universities and colleges
• Education in Hong Kong
• List of schools in Hong Kong
• La Salle Road

References

1. ^ "School Badge". La Salle College. http://stu.lasalle.edu.hk/itb/0708/show.php?id=info_schoolbadge. Retrieved 2007-11-19. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "Chargeable Fees (per annum)". HKedCity. http://ssp.proj.hkedcity.net/eng/detail_fee.php?sch_id=1118. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
3. ^ "La Salle College – School Information". HKedCity. http://ssp.proj.hkedcity.net/eng/detail_basic.php?sch_id=1118. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
4. ^ "The Lasallite". La Salle College. http://www.lscoba.com.hk/news/magazines.html. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
5. ^ "EDB – Language Support for EMI Education". EDB. http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=4771&langno=1. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
6. ^ "St. John Baptist de La Salle". La Salle College. http://stu.lasalle.edu.hk/itb/0708/show.php?id=info_delasalle. Retrieved 2007-11-19. ^{[dead link]}
7. ^ Lasallian Family Hong Kong- The Birth of Lasallian Schools in Hong Kong
8. ^ Photo Album – LSC due N with scout HQ pre 1972.jpg – lscoba.com
9. ^ Photo Album – building007.jpg – lscoba.com
10. ^ "School Facilities". HKedCity. http://ssp.proj.hkedcity.net/eng/detail_fac.php?sch_id=1118. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
11. ^ "School Improvement Programme". La Salle College. http://stu.lasalle.edu.hk/itb/0708/show.php?id=info_sip. Retrieved 2007-11-19. ^{[dead link]}
12. ^ "Subject Offered". HKedCity. http://ssp.proj.hkedcity.net/eng/detail_subject.php?sch_id=1118. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
13. ^ "Student Association". La Salle College. http://stu.lasalle.edu.hk/0708/show.php?id=students_sa. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
14. ^ "Information on The La Salle Foundation". La Salle College. http://www.lscoba.com/almamater/foundation.html. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
15. ^ "Announcement from the Supervisor – Appointment of the New Principal". La Salle College. 15 March 2007. http://www.lscoba.com/almamater/principal_corner/lsc_appointment-2007.html. Retrieved 2008-11-03. 
16. ^ "Appointment of the New Principal - lscoba.com". La Salle College. 4 March 2010. http://www.lscoba.com/news/announcements/Appointment_of_the_New_Principal.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01. 
17. ^ "Examinations & Tests". La Salle College. http://stu.lasalle.edu.hk/0708/show.php?id=academic_exam. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
18. ^ Past Winners of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Awards
19. ^ School Diary 2006–2007 edition, La Salle College.
20. ^ "BOCHK Bauhinia Bowls Awards 2006–2007中銀香港紫荊盃獎項". La Salle College. http://stu.lasalle.edu.hk/0708/show.php?id=achivements_table. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
21. ^ "School Achievements". La Salle College. Archived from the original on 2008-02-09. http://web.archive.org/web/20080209103736/http://stu.lasalle.edu.hk/itb/0708/index.php?show=2&nopopup=1. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
22. ^ "Photo Album – Interschool Events". La Salle College Old Boys Association. http://www.lscoba.com/photo.html?g2_itemId=8557. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
23. ^ "La Salle College Old Boys' Association". http://www.lscoba.com/. 
24. ^ "Community Relations". Shung Hin Group. Archived from the original on 2008-06-04. http://web.archive.org/web/20080604223421/http://www.shunhinggroup.com/community_relations/default.asp?section=edu. Retrieved 2008-03-08. 
25. ^ "ROUND TABLE DINNER 2009". LSCOBA. http://www.lscoba.com/news/announcements/PN1RoundPaulChowflyerI.html. Retrieved 4 January 2010. 
26. ^ "World-Renowned Physicist Talk on String Theory". HKUST. 12 June 2006. http://media.ust.hk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=88&Itemid=30. Retrieved 30 May 2010. 
27. ^ "ACM Honors Inventors of Landmark Software Concept". Association for Computing Machinery. 15 March 2005. http://campus.acm.org/public/pressroom/press_releases/3_2005/ss_award_3_15_2005.cfm/. Retrieved 22 January 2011. 
28. ^ Thomas, Bruce (1994). Bruce Lee: fighting spirit : a biography. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books – Frog, Ltd. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-883319-25-0. 
29. ^ "黃霑". Last.fm. http://www.last.fm/music/%E9%BB%83%E9%9C%91. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
30. ^ "School Song". La Salle College. 2004. http://www2.hkedcity.net/sch_files/a/lsc/lsc-web/public_html/lsc/school_info/sch_song.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-08. 
31. ^ "About the Financial Secretary". HKSAR Government. http://www.gov.hk/tc/about/govdirectory/po/fs.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-08. 
32. ^ 童軍總會

External links

• La Salle College
• La Salle College Student Association
• La Salle College Parent-Teacher Association
• La Salle College Old Boys' Association
• De La Salle Christian Brothers
• Lasallian Family Hong Kong
• Lasallian Focus – Official channel on Youtube by the LSC Campus TV Team