SPCS
160 Anniversary Celebration
School History
- In 1848, the first four Sisters of St Paul of Chartres arrived in Hong Kong from France.
And the rest is history . . . . .
Origin of St Paul’s Convent School
On 12 September 1848 the British ship Sappho sailed into Victoria Harbour carrying four young French Sisters of St Paul of Chartres, led by Sister Alphonsine Forcade in response to the request of Bishop Augustine Forcade, Prefect Apostolic of Hong Kong. Soon after their arrival the Sisters immediately took in their first unwanted and abandoned baby - the first of thousands of poor children they would save from a life of neglect, poverty and misery, even death, in the Asile de la St. Enfance, Wanchai.
On 1st October, 1848, the Sisters received their first orphan girls.
Those who survived were washed and cleaned, clothed and fed, and cared for. Later, the Sisters taught them reading, writing and catechism, as well as sewing and embroidery in order to prepare them for a better future. It is the forerunner of our dear St. Paul’s Convent School.
Between 1848 and 1954, the Sainte Enfant Orphanage took in 1360 abandoned infants.
St. Paul’s Convent School was founded in 1854 and formerly called French Convent School or Anglo-French School. In time, the school operated with the mission of educating the younger generation under Christ’s guidance.
A big milestone in the history of the school was the relocation of the Sisters from Wanchai to Causeway Bay in 1915. When Wanchai could no longer provide sufficient accommodation, in 1915 the Asile in Wanchai was abandoned and transferred to the site in Causeway Bay, which was originally the Cotton Mills of the Hong Kong Cotton-Spinning, Weaving and Dyeing Company Ltd. (香港棉紗廠).
The official opening of the French Convent School by the Governor, Sir Henry May, on the 6th October, 1916.
A costume party in 1923 at the French Convent School.
Sister St-Louis in her class of the French Convent School in the 1920s.
A class of young pupils in the interwar period
The end of year ceremony at the French Convent School between 1935 and 1937. In the centre is Lady Caldecott, the governor’s wife.
The compound in Causeway Bay was comprised of a hospital, an orphanage, a convent and a school. During World War II, the school was occupied and badly damaged. After years of temporary suspension, the school re-opened and underwent considerable expansion, with its name formally changed to St. Paul's Convent School in 1955.
School fee receipt of 1946 and Leaving Certificate of 1948, with the school name of French Convent School.
School Development
From an orphanage in the early days to a well-established school at present, for years, St. Paul’s Convent School had gone through various stage of development. The Primary section was commenced in 1864, which was later separated from the Secondary section in 1961. St Paul’s Convent School joined the government Grant-In-Aid scheme in 1900, making it one of the oldest Grant-In-Aid schools in Hong Kong.
Class photos in the early years
In 1939, the Commercial and Secretariat Section commenced, nurturing many talents for Hong Kong’s business for over a half decade until its closure in 1992. In January 1993, International Section commenced and was originally called Australian International School.
Since September 2004, SPCS has changed its status from Grant-in-aid School to Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS). This change has reaped many benefits and flexibility that enhance the school's unique vision and mission of developing an all-round educational excellence that is being recognized by all renowned institutions, both locally and internationally. The existing values of excellence and efficiency will be strengthened to provide an education of world-class standards for our Paulinians.
A group of Paulinians received the Live Saving Awards from Princess Alexandra in 1963.
Paulininans participated in the City Hall Concert in 1963.
Photos of Guide Outing in 1964.
The school compound in 1970s
The present building of St Paul’s Convent School was completed in 1981. The Secondary, Primary and Pre-school Sections have their own separate buildings. In June 2005, the School Improvement Programme (SIP) completed. A Sesquicentennial Block of seven storeys was added to the campus to celebrate its 150 years of educational excellence. The new Green Block is under construction and is expected open soon. Furthermore, the DIP Annex
Sources of photos:
“Hong Kong French Connection-From the 19th Century to the Present Day”, Consulate General De France A Hong Kong
at 12 School Street, Tai Hang has been established in order to host international training and seminars for visitors.
