La Salle College
Encyclopedia
La Salle College 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. The school curriculum uses English as the medium of instruction in all subjects with the exception of Chinese-related subjects and French.
, who had founded St. Joseph's College
in 1875, opened a junior school on Chatham Road
near the Rosary Church
. 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.
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.
examinations, the laboratories
were constructed, four tennis court
s 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.
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.
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.
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 quadrangle
s, 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 (1,312.3 ft) all-weather track with six lanes, a 50 metres (164 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
.
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 dollar
s 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.
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.
, 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
as an alternative to Chinese.
The Student Association (LSCSA) 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 was established with Michael Sze as the first chairman.
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.
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
.
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
, 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.
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.
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
, 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 and academics.
The Interschool Athletics Meet 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.
, 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".
Business
Science and engineering
Cultural
Legal
Medicine
Government
Sports
Single-sex education
Single-sex education, also known as single-gender education, is the practice of conducting education where male and female students attend separate classes or in separate buildings or schools. The practice was predominant before the mid-twentieth century, particularly in secondary education and...
secondary school
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It was established by the Brothers of the Christian Schools
Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation, founded in France by Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle and now based in Rome...
, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order founded by St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle
Jean-Baptiste de La Salle
Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle or John Baptist de La Salle was a priest, educational reformer, and founder of Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools...
.
La Salle College is one of a limited number of schools in Hong Kong that teach in English. The school curriculum uses English as the medium of instruction in all subjects with the exception of Chinese-related subjects and French.
Foundation
In 1917 the Brothers of the Christian SchoolsInstitute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation, founded in France by Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle and now based in Rome...
, who had founded St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong
Established in 1875, St. Joseph's College is the oldest Catholic boys' secondary school in Hong Kong. It is located at 7 Kennedy Road, Mid-levels, in the Central and Western District...
in 1875, opened a junior school on Chatham Road
Chatham Road
Chatham Road South and Chatham Road North are two continuous roads spanning from Tsim Sha Tsui to Hung Hom in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The road originally ran from Signal Hill to Hung Hom under No. 12 Hill by the side of Hung Hom Bay...
near the Rosary Church
Rosary Church
Rosary Church is located in 125 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. It is the oldest Catholic church in Kowloon. The church is in classic Gothic style; the original floor plan was based on a Roman Basilican model. The church, St. Mary's Canossian College and St...
. At this time Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
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
New Kowloon
New Kowloon is an area in Kowloon, Hong Kong, bounded in the south by Boundary Street, and in the north by the ranges of the Lion Rock, Beacon Hill, Tate's Cairn and Kowloon Peak...
. That section of Boundary Street
Boundary Street
[[Image:Boundary st hongkong.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Boundary Street near [[Kowloon Tong]]Boundary Street is a three-lane one-way street in [[Kowloon]], [[Hong Kong]]...
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
Governor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
, 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
St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong
Established in 1875, St. Joseph's College is the oldest Catholic boys' secondary school in Hong Kong. It is located at 7 Kennedy Road, Mid-levels, in the Central and Western District...
and four assistant masters from the Chatham Road School.
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
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
) connection.
World War II
Brother Aimar was the principal of the school for its first seven years. The students were offered matriculationMatriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
examinations, the laboratories
Laboratory
A laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. The title of laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories...
were constructed, four tennis court
Tennis court
A tennis court is where the game of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both doubles and singles.-Dimensions:...
s and a full-sized football pitch
Association football pitch
An association football pitch is the playing surface for the game of association football made of turf. Its dimensions and markings are defined by Law 1 of the Laws of the Game, "The Field of Play".All line markings on the pitch form part of the area which they define...
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
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
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
Gerhard Neumann
Gerhard Neumann was a German-American aviation engineer and executive for General Electric's aircraft engine division .-Childhood and education:...
. 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
La Salle Primary School
La Salle Primary School is a boys' primary school in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was established by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order founded by St...
in 1957).
On 8 December 1941, the Japanese attacked Hong Kong
Battle of Hong Kong
The Battle of Hong Kong took place during the Pacific campaign of World War II. It began on 8 December 1941 and ended on 25 December 1941 with Hong Kong, then a Crown colony, surrendering to the Empire of Japan.-Background:...
, 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 WarChinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
was coming to an end. Most of China was controlled by the Communist government of Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
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
Ho Man Tin
Ho Man Tin is a mostly residential area in Kowloon, Hong Kong, part of the Kowloon City District.-History:The original area of Ho Man Tin was quite different from the present-day one. It was located in the heart of nowaday Mong Kok. With cultivated lands,...
. The temporary occupation dragged on for some 10 years, taking the concerted efforts of the local government, the British Parliament, and the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
to finally dislodge the Army in August of 1959.
Post-war development
La Salle Primary School
La Salle Primary School is a boys' primary school in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was established by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order founded by St...
was founded in 1957 and Brother Henry Pang was appointed headmaster.
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
Li Ka Shing
Sir Ka-shing Li, GBM, KBE, JP is a Chinese business magnate based in Hong Kong. He is the richest person of East Asian descent in the world and the eleventh richest person in the world with an estimated wealth of US$26.0 billion on 10 March 2011...
. The Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Murray MacLehose, officially opened the new school on 19 February 1982, in its Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
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 quadrangle
Quadrangle (architecture)
In architecture, a quadrangle is a space or courtyard, usually rectangular in plan, the sides of which are entirely or mainly occupied by parts of a large building. The word is probably most closely associated with college or university campus architecture, but quadrangles may be found in other...
s, the lower dotted with benches and greenery and the upper containing a basketball court
Basketball court
In basketball, the basketball court is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor with tiles at either end. In professional or organized basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually made out of a wood, often maple, and highly polished...
. 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
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
, a 400 metres (1,312.3 ft) all-weather track with six lanes, a 50 metres (164 ft) outdoor swimming pool with electronic timing, and an air-conditioned gymnasium encompassing 6 badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
courts and a basketball court. There are two outdoor basketball courts, a tennis court
Tennis court
A tennis court is where the game of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both doubles and singles.-Dimensions:...
, a volleyball court, and a squash court
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
.
Recent years
Hong Kong dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
s and the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
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
Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation, founded in France by Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle and now based in Rome...
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.
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 SchoolLa Salle Primary School
La Salle Primary School is a boys' primary school in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was established by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order founded by St...
, 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
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
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) 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 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 BethlehemBethlehem
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
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.
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
De La Salle College, Mangere East
De La Salle College is an integrated Catholic secondary boys' school Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1953 by the De La Salle Brothers, it continues to educate young men in the Catholic faith and Christian values. Students are encouraged to develop every aspect of their person and a strong...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
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, 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
Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination
The Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination was a standardized examination between 1974 and 2011 after most local students’ five-year secondary education, conducted by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority . The examination will be discontinued in 2012...
(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
Hong Kong Outstanding Students Awards
The Hong Kong Outstanding Students Awards is a student contest in Hong Kong. The Awards recognizes students for great academic performance, extra-curricular achievements and commitment to serving society....
, ranking 1st (tied with Wah Yan College, Hong Kong
Wah Yan College, Hong Kong
Wah Yan College, Hong Kong is an eminent grant-in-aid secondary school in Hong Kong. It was founded on 16 December 1919, by Tsui Yan Sau Peter . It is a Roman Catholic secondary school for boys run by the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus...
, Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of MFBM, and Queen Elizabeth School) among all secondary schools in Hong Kong.
Extra-curricular
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
Hong Kong Mathematics Olympiad
Hong Kong Mathematics Olympiad is a Mathematics Competition held in Hong Kong every year, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Education and Hong Kong Education and Manpower Bureau. At present, more than 250 secondary schools send teams of 4-6 students of or below Form 4 to enter the...
, and a School Grand Prize Winner record of the Hong Kong Olympiad in Informatics
Hong Kong Olympiad in Informatics
Hong Kong Olympiad in Informatics is an annual programming competition for secondary school students in Hong Kong, emphasizing on problem solving techniques and programming skills. It is co-organized by the Hong Kong Association for Computer Education , Hong Kong Education Bureau , Hong Kong...
.
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
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
, badminton, basketball, cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
, fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
(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
Bauhinia Bowl
The Bank of China Bauhinia Bowl Award is the annual award to member secondary schools of the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Secondary Schools Regional Committee, Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation who qualify under the rules set out below...
, 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 and academics.
School spirit
Most of the top schools take part in this event, and ever since its commencement, La Salle and Diocesan Boys' School
Diocesan Boys' School
Diocesan Boys' School is a boys' school located at 131 Argyle Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was founded in 1869, making it one of the oldest secondary schools in Hong Kong....
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 MaryHail Mary
The Angelic Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave Maria is a traditional biblical Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is used within the Catholic Church, and it forms the basis of the Rosary...
, Glory Be to the Father
Glory Be to the Father
Gloria Patri, also known as Glory Be to the Father’ , is a doxology, a short hymn of praise to God in various Christian liturgies...
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.Business
- Dr. John Cho-chak Chan, 陳祖澤, Managing Director of Kowloon Motor BusKowloon Motor BusThe Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited , a company of the Transport International Holdings Limited, is the largest franchised bus operators in Hong Kong, and one of the largest privately owned public bus operators in the world...
(studied F.6–7) - Peter WongPeter Wong (banker)Peter Wong Tung-shun, JP is the General Manager of HSBC Group and the CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Asia-Pacific...
, 王冬勝, Executive Director of HSBC - Jack Chak-kwong SoJack SoJack So Chak-kwong born in 1945 is the first and current Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council.-Biography:Jack So assumed the Chairmanship of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council on 1 October 2007. In this capacity, he presides over a 19-member Council comprising representatives...
, 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 CoralCafé de CoralCafé de Coral is a fast food restaurant group which owns and operates fast food chains and restaurants including Café de Coral, The Spaghetti House, Manchu Wok, Oliver's Super Sandwiches, Ah Yee Leng Tong and others. Founded in 1968, the Café de Coral group opened its first Café de Coral...
- John Chen, 程守忠, CEO, President of Sybase Inc.SybaseSybase, an SAP company, is an enterprise software and services company offering software to manage, analyze, and mobilize information, using relational databases, analytics and data warehousing solutions and mobile applications development platforms....
, Chairman of the US Committee of 100Committee of 100 (United States)The Committee of 100 is a group of prominent Chinese Americans with the mission to "pool their strengths and experience to address important issues concerning the Chinese American community, as well as issues affecting Sino-American relations." It was founded in 1990.The declared key functions of... - Dr. William Man-wai MongMong Man WaiWilliam Mong Man-wai, GBS was the chairman of the Shun Hing Group, the distributor of Matsushita products in Hong Kong.Mongmanwai died from cancer on 20 July 2010.-Legacy:...
, 蒙民偉, founder of Shun Hing Group - Paul Man-yiu Chow, 周文耀, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx)
- 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 CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
Science and engineering
- Henry TyeHenry TyeSze-Hoi Henry Tye is a Chinese-American cosmologist and theoretical physicist most notable for proposing that a brane and an antibrane attraction and annihilation with one another, causes cosmic inflation and his work on superstring theory, brane cosmology and elementary particle physics. He...
, 戴自海, Horace White Professor of Physics at Cornell UniversityCornell UniversityCornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions... - Simon S. LamSimon S. LamSimon Sin-Sing Lam is Professor and Regents Chair in Computer Science at The University of Texas at Austin. He was born in Macau in 1947. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with Distinction from Washington State University in 1969, and M.S. and Ph.D...
, 林善成, Professor and Regents Chair at University of Texas, co-invented secure socketsTransport Layer SecurityTransport Layer Security and its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer , are cryptographic protocols that provide communication security over the Internet...
widely used for e-commerce and Internet security
Cultural
- Bruce LeeBruce LeeBruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
, 李小龍, actor in martial arts films and founder of Jeet Kune DoJeet Kune DoJeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by martial artist Bruce Lee with direct, non classical and straightforward movements. Due to the way his style works they believe in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed. The system works on the use of...
Started at the school in 1952. - Dr. James Wong, aka Wong JimWong JimJames Wong Jim was a Cantopop lyricist and writer based primarily in Hong Kong. He was also a well known in Asia as a columnist, actor, film director, screenwriter and talk show hosts. He took part in creative directing positions within the entertainment industry in Hong Kong...
, 黃霑, renowned composer, and lyricist of the La Salle College School Song (Chinese Version) - Albert LeungAlbert Leung-Education:He was educated at the boys school Chan Sui Ki College and La Salle College, and graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 1984.-Songwriting career:He has been a cantopop lyricist since 1985, using the pen name Lin Xi...
, 林夕, Chinese lyricist and writer (studied F.6–7) - Michael HuiMichael HuiMichael Hui Koon-Man is a Hong Kong comedian, scriptwriter and director. He is the eldest of the four Hui brothers who remain three of the most prominent figures in the Hong Kong entertainment circle during the 1970s and the 1980s...
, 許冠文, Hong Kong film comedian, scriptwriter and director - Sammy LeungSammy LeungSammy Leung Chi Kin is a popular DJ/MC/actor in Hong Kong's Commercial Radio.-Life and career:Sammy Leung tried out to become a DJ for Commercial Radio when he was studying at the New Asia College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. At the time, he was working part-time. However Sammy became a...
, 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 LunAnthony LunAnthony Lun is a Hong Kong songwriter, arranger, musical director and singer who sings in Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and English.Anthony Lun is a graduate of La Salle College, Hong Kong, Santa Clara University and University of Michigan .Upon returning to Hong Kong in 1986, Anthony released an...
, 倫永亮, CantopopCantopopCantopop is a colloquialism for "Cantonese popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre of Chinese popular music within C-pop...
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 RibeiroRobert RibeiroRobert Ribeiro is a Hong Kong judge and honorary lecturer in law at the University of Hong Kong. He is currently serving one of the three permanent judges for the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong.-Early life and education:...
, Judge in the Court of Final Appeal - His Honour Judge Patrick Hon-Leung Li, 李瀚良 Chief District Judge, District CourtDistrict Court (Hong Kong)The District Court is the lower court system in Hong Kong, having both criminal and civil jurisdictions. It is located in the Wanchai Law Courts, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road...
- His Honour Judge Bruno Chan, 陳忠基 District Judge, District CourtDistrict Court (Hong Kong)The District Court is the lower court system in Hong Kong, having both criminal and civil jurisdictions. It is located in the Wanchai Law Courts, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road...
- Peter C.L. Lo, 羅志力, former President of The Law Society of Hong KongThe Law Society of Hong KongEstablished in 1907, the Law Society of Hong Kong is the professional association and law society for solicitors in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Bar Association is the equivalent association for barristers in 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 TsangJohn TsangJohn Tsang Chun-wah , GBM, JP, is the current Financial Secretary of Hong Kong. His responsibility is to assist the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in overseeing policy formulation and implementation in financial, monetary, economic, trade and employment matters. He exercises control over the...
, 曾俊華, JP, current Financial SecretaryFinancial secretaryFinancial secretary is an administrative and executive government position within the governance of a State, corporation, private or public organization, small group or other body with financial assets....
, HKSAR Government - 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 CouncilLegislative Council of Hong KongThe Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
(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 CouncilExecutive Council of Hong KongThe Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
(ExCo), Legislative Council (LegCo), and Urban Council - Hilton Cheong-LeenHilton Cheong-LeenHilton Cheong-Leen is the chairman and the founder of the Hong Kong Civic Association, which he founded in 1954. He was first elected as a member of the Civic Association to the Urban Council of Hong Kong on 1 April 1957 and also the Vice-Chairman of the Council...
, 張有興, CBE, JP, former Chairman of the Urban Council, former member of Legislative Council (LegCo) - Arnaldo de Oliveira SalesArnaldo de Oliveira SalesArnaldo de Oliveira Sales , GBM, OBE, JP, often shortened to A. de O. Sales, is Chairman of the Hong Kong Olympic Academy and Honorary Life President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong. He was also a member of the...
, GBM, JP, former Chairman of the Urban Council - Pau Shiu-hungPau Shiu-hungPau Shiu-hung, SBS, is the former Chief Commissioner of The Scout Association of Hong Kong, appointed on 1 January 2004 by the then-Chief Executive of Hong Kong and Chief Scout of Hong Kong Tung Chee-hwa.-Life:...
, 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
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 GamesAsian GamesThe Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
(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 KiWong Wing Ki-Name change:Wong Wing Ki was born Wong Shu Ki , but he changed his name when he was 17. 'Shu' means loser in Chinese and he was told to change it.-Education:Wong Wing Ki was a student at La Salle College...
, 黃永棋, badminton player who defeated four time world champion Lin DanLin DanLin Dan is a professional badminton player from China. He is a four-time world champion and the reigning Olympic champion. Widely considered to be the greatest badminton player of all time, by the age of 27 Lin had completed the "Super Grand Slam", having won all major titles in world badminton:...
in the 2011 Denmark Open.
See also
- La Salle Primary SchoolLa Salle Primary SchoolLa Salle Primary School is a boys' primary school in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was established by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Roman Catholic religious teaching order founded by St...
- Institute of the Brothers of the Christian SchoolsInstitute of the Brothers of the Christian SchoolsThe Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation, founded in France by Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle and now based in Rome...
- Lasallian universities and collegesLasallian universities and collegesLa Sallian educational institutions are educational institutionsaffiliated with the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as the...
- Education in Hong KongEducation in Hong KongEducation in Hong Kong has a similar system to that of the United Kingdom, in particular the English education system of Hong Kong was modernised by the British in 1861. The system is often described as extremely competitive by global standards....
- List of schools in Hong Kong
- La Salle RoadLa Salle RoadLa Salle Road is a two-way street in Kowloon Tsai of Kowloon City District, Hong Kong. It runs from Prince Edward Road near Beverly Villas to Hereford Road near Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education Lee Wai Lee campus.-Location and routing:...