St. John’s College, is a co-educational residential college of the University of Hong Kong. It was founded in 1912 as the first college in the University, with the philosophy that College education “Breeds the Excellent” by nurturing students’ character and academic pursuit. In 1956, the College received its charter, the St. John's College Ordinance (Cap. 1089), a statute

Statute

A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...

 enacted by the 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...

 Legislative Council

Legislative Council

A Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...

. As such, it is legally distinct from the University of Hong Kong.

College Mission

The mission of St. John's College is three-fold:

1. To foster St. Johnians to have all-round and distinguished character.
2. To make St. Johnians zealous for the College and society.
3. To encourage St. Johnians to become a life-long member of the College fraternity and community.

Collegiate System

St. John’s College is the only residential college for undergraduate students out of the two colleges in the University of Hong Kong. Tutors offer pastoral as well as academic counselling for students.

High Table Dinner

Adopting the tradition of Oxbridge

Oxbridge

Oxbridge is a portmanteau of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England, and the term is now used to refer to them collectively, often with implications of perceived superior social status...

 colleges, the College hosts weekly High Table Dinners, where all members of the College congregate in formal dress and academic gowns. Prominent alumni are often invited to share their experience with students after dinner during High Table Talks.

Sherry Group

Students have the opportunity to interact with tutors and visiting scholars in an informal setting before High Table Dinner every week.

Marden Wing

The Marden Wing provides single-bedroom accommodation for undergraduates. Facilities include the Common Room and College Bar.

Au Boon Haw Wing

The Au Boon Haw Wing provides single-bedroom accommodation for undergraduates, tutors and fellows of the College.

Liang Chi Hao Centre

Liang Chi Hao Centre contains the Lee Foundation Library, Senior Common Room, Bradbury Hall and Chapel. All meals, including weekly High Table Dinners, take place in the 3000 square feet (278.7 m²) Dining Hall (Bradbury Hall), which is situated on the third floor. Regular services are held in the College Chapel.

Wong Chik Ting Hall

Wong Chik Ting Hall, known as the Third Wing, provides 111 en-suite accommodation for postgraduate and visiting scholars.

College Life

The College aims to promote all-round development and holistic growth through encouraging active participation in various sports and cultural activities.

Sports

The College has a rich sporting history, with particular emphasis on education through "new ball games".

New ball games are team sports that offer a unique learning experience distinct from mainstream sports. As players generally have no prior experience of such sports, they start on a level playing field and gradually develop skills and camaraderie. Teams include:

• Hockey (Men and Ladies)
• Softball (Men and Ladies)
• Lacrosse (Men)
• Handball (Ladies)

Other sports teams include athletics, aquatics, badminton, basketball, soccer, squash, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.


The College has consistently attained outstanding performance in various inter-hall competitions:

• Men’s Inter-Hall Sports Competition Championship
  • The College won the Malayan Cup in 1960, 1961, 1962, 1970, 1977, 1985, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2000 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
• Ladies’ Inter-Hall Sports Competition Championship
  • The College won the Olma Rose Bowl in 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 198, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994.
  • The Bowl was later renamed the Olma Challenge Rose Bowl and was won by the College in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2008.

Cultural Activities

Cultural teams include band, bridge, choir, dance, debate and drama. The Prof. Y. C. Cheng Cup was established in 1997 as an award for the Champion of Inter-Hall Cultural Competitions. The College won the Cup in 1999, 2005, 2009 and 2010.

Round the Island (RTI)

Currently in its 27th year, RTI is an annual event where participants run a total of 38 km around Hong Kong Island. Since 2004, RTI has been used as a fundraising event for various charitable organizations.

Floor Culture

The College occupies ten floors, each represented by a floor association. Throughout the years, each floor has developed their own unique culture and fostered strong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood.

• 1/F - Home of the Adventurers
• 2/F - Liang Shan Po
• 3/F - The Magnificent Musketeers
• 4/F - House of Lords
• 5/F - Fifth Floor Fraternity
• 6/F - Sixth Floor Association
• 7/F - Elysium
• 8/F - Florence Heights
• 9/F - Kew Gardens
• 10/F - Liberata

Admissions

The College is a non-university administered hall and thus does not participate in the Joint Hall Admission Scheme. Applicants apply directly to the College and may be invited to attend an interview for the College to assess the merits of the application.The College considers applicants’ potential to make the most out of their university hall experience and commuting distance is not a factor in the admission process.

Notable Alumni

St. John’s College Alumni Association, The University of Hong Kong, Ltd. was founded in 1991 as a means of fostering contact between alumni across different generations. Over the years, the association has established itself as one of the most respected alumni bodies within the University community. The Alumni Association has been actively involved in student development and mentorship programmes, facilitating exchange between past and current St. Johnians.

Education

• Dr. Rayson Huang
  Rayson Huang
  Rayson Huang, CBE , a chemist, expertise at Chemistry on radicals. He was the first Chinese Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong from 1972 to 1986.-Early years:...
  
  , Vice-chancellor of the University of Hong Kong (1972–1986)
• Prof. Poon Chung-kwong, President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (1991–2008)

Government

• Dr. York Chow Yat-ngok, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food of Hong Kong (2004–present)
• Dr. Sarah Liao Sau-tung, Ex-Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (2002–2006)
• Mr. Frederick Ma, Secretary for Financial Services and Treasury (2002–2007), Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (2007–2008)
• Mrs. Fanny Law
  Fanny Law
  Fanny Law , GBS, JP, was a high-ranking civil servant in Hong Kong. She held the posts of Secretary for Education and Manpower , Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower...
  
  , Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong, Ex-Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower (2002–2006)
• Mr Alan Lai, Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury)
• Mr. Frederick Ho Wing-huen, Past Commissioner for Census and Statistics
• Mr. Andrew Cheung-sing Liao, Senior Counsel, Non-Official Executive Council member
• Mr. Yan Ti-liang, former Chief Justice, former Non-Official Executive Council member

Politics

• Dr. Yeung Sum
  Yeung Sum
  Yeung Sum SBS JP is the second Chairman of the Democratic Party , a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong. He is a lecturer in the University of Hong Kong. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.-Biography:...
  
  , Ex-Chairman of the Democratic Party, Legislative Council member
• Mr. Lee Cheuk-yan, Legislative Council member
• Mrs. Wang Chien Chi-lie, former Legislative Council member

Others

• Dr Vivian Wong Taam Chi-woon, former Hospital Chief Executive of Queen Mary Hospital
• Mr. Lin Xi, prominent Canton-pop song lyric writer, Creative Director of Commercial Radio
• Mr. Wong Lai-kim, popular writer

External links

• St. John's College's Official Website
• St. John's College Alumni Association