King's College, Hong Kong

For other uses, see King's College (disambiguation).

King's College, Hong Kong Chinese: 英皇書院
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File:英皇書院 20111105 14.JPG Meticulous thoughts, Diligent actions Chinese: 慎思篤行
Location
63A Bonham Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
Information
Type	Public, single-sex
Religious affiliation(s)	Non-sectarian
Established	1857 (West Point School) 1879 (Saiyingpun Anglo-Chinese School) 1926 (King's college)
Founder	Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs
Principal	Mrs. Chan Woo Mei-hou, Nancy
Staff	69
Grades	Secondary 1-6
Number of students	~1,200 students
Color(s)	King's crimson
Medium of Instruction	English, except Chinese Language, Chinese History and Mandarin, in which Chinese is the medium of instruction
School Magazine	The Fig Tree
Website	http://www.kings.edu.hk

King's College, Hong Kong (Chinese: 英皇書院), often informally referred to simply as King's or K.C., is a highly selective single-sex boys' secondary school located at 63A Bonham Road, Mid-levels, in the Central and Western District. It is one of the most prestigious school in Hong Kong. Since its founding years, King's College has been renowned for the high academic performance and exceptional inter-school competition achievements of its students. It is also notable that the College has many distinguished alumni who are well known in the region for notable accomplishments in their fields or currently holding important positions in public office, which may have contributed to the College's lasting reputation. The motto of the College is 慎思篤行, which translates literally as "meticulous thoughts, diligent actions". Top King's students attain scholarships to Hong Kong and international universities and attend the Oxbridge, Ivy League and other top universities after graduation. Several Nobel Prize Laureates gave lectures at the school.

School history

West Point School (1857-1879)

West Point School was established in 1857.

Saiyingpun Anglo-Chinese School (1879-1926)

Saiyingpun Anglo-Chinese School dates back to 1879, when the government decided to establish a free school at West Point and appointed as headmaster Mr. Fung Fu, who had just return after studying in the USA. The school first stood in Third Street, and the number in attendance reached 110 in twelve years.

In 1891, The school moved to the present site of the Li Sing Primary School on Pokfulam Road. The government was then induced by Dr. Eitel, an Inspector of School later stood. Mr. Fung remained the headmaster of the school for another 12 years, until 1903, when he retired. He was succeeded by Mr. W. H. Williams, who was transferred to the newly founded Victoria British School in 1905. Mr. Alfred Morris took over as headmaster, and average attendance soared to 403 by 1909, severely taxing the capacity of the school, despite additions and extensions.

King's College (1926-)

Background

King's College now stands on what was once holy ground, being the site of a Roman Catholic church named St Anthony's built in 1892 'ex voto' (that is to say, its construction was funded by the contributions of the faithful). St Anthony's was later demolished and replaced by the eponymous church in Pokfulam Road, which still stands today.Beside St Anthony's stood the Sacred Heart Chapel. This was built a few years before St Anthony's was built by the architect Mr. M.A. D'Aquino, and blessed in March 1879(according to the report in Catholic Register of that year).The land jointly occupied by the church and the chapel was named Inland Lot 755, and was the property of the Roman Catholic Church.Some time after the construction of St Anthony's, probably because having two churches in such close proximity was seen as an inefficient use of holy land, the Sacred Heart Chapel was converted into an orphanage and school under the care of the Canossian Sisters – the Ling Yuet Sin Kindergarten of the present day. In 1920 the prologue to our school's story was written. It took the form of a requisition order by government authorities for a portion of Inland Lot 755, the section where the Church of St Anthony stood.

Pre-War and Establishment

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College's garden before Pacific War

In 1923, foundations were laid and construction work began for the new school, Construction lasted over 3 years and was completed in 1926. The Saiyingpun School moved to the new campus in the same year and was upgraded to King's College and accepted, in September, pupils from Saiyingpun Anglo-Chinese School, which, with name changed to Li Sing Primary School, moved to its present site on Pokfulam Road. The College was named in honor of King George V. A portrait of King George V is exhibited in the college's building.

Four months later, the building was commandeered for use as a military camp-cum-hospital for British Shanghai Defence Force dispatched to protest British subjects in the British Section of the Shanghai Treaty Port. In 1928, the building was returned to King's College, which was officially opened by the Governmor, H.E. Sir Cecil Clementi, K.C.M.G., LL.D., M.A. on 5 March.

No sooner had the school been erected than it won the enviable reputation of having the finest school building in the East, with scarcely an equal anywhere in the world. Built around the three sides of a square, the building comprised a north wing, a south wing and an east wing. The tower above the main entrance dignified the general appearance of King's College whereas the daintly school garden further enhanced its beauty.

There was a museum housed in the library and the layout of classrooms was somewhat different from now. There were 29 classrooms, accommodating 30 students each, a playground and a swimming pool. Each floor had a cloakroom with enough space for hats, umbrellas and baskets. The laboratories were then on the top floor of the north wing - above the gymnasium. On the middle floor of the same wing was the art room and library. The swimming pool was filled with filtered water. The playground consisted of a jumping pit and one court each for basketball, volleyball and tennis.

Each pupils was allotted a numbered desk and the total capacity was 720 students. The school year began on 1 November and ended on 31 July. School fee for Classes 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4 was $60 per annum, payable in 12 instalments of $5 each, and $120 per annum, $10 for each instalment, for Classes 3,2 and 1. In addition, each pupil was charged a medical fee for $3 per year. From 1926 to 1930, it was a full-day school, but thereafter changed to a half-day one, with activities in the afternoon.

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1939/40 Prefect body and Mr. H.G.Wallington

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College's library and museum before war

During the first fifteen years, the school followed the old system of class organization with eight classes. Classes 8 and 7 (primary 5 & 6 respectively today) were primary ones, Class 6 equivalent to the present Secondary 1, and Class 2 the present Secondary 5. The enrolment stood at 840 boys. Above eighty percentages of staff came from British. Most of the teachers graduated from the two leading ancient universities in England - University of Cambridge and University of Oxford. King's College was one of the few well-developed English colleges. At that time period, King's College was evidently the best government school in Hong Kong.

Since its establishment, King's College has played a profound role in Hong Kong's education. It excelled not only in academic results: during Mr. Morris' time, the school did extremely well in sports also, once with two students representing China in basketball team in the Olympics, and another student holding at one time or another backstroke swimming records of Hong Kong and China. Its contribution was highly commended in St. John's Review, which remarked that, to thousands of former students, many of whom leaders in commerce and public life of the colony, to be without King's and Queen's was to be like an Englishman without his Oxford and Cambridge and an American without his Yale and Harvard.The massive success could be attributed to the high capability of the first three Principals – Alfred Morris (1926–1934), William Kay (1934–1939) and H.G. Wallington (1934–1941).

The Pacific War

While the school was enjoying its prosperous days, the Pacific War broke out after the Pearl Harbour Incident in December 1941. King's College was used as a first aid station, having been fully equipped as such by the first Principal, A. Morris St. John's Ambulance.

When Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese on Christmas Day, King's College was used as a military mule and horse stable for the Japanese Army. Teachers like Messrs. Coxhead and Ferguson were taken war prisoners, while the Principle, Mr. Wallington, was sent to the prison in Stanley. Mr. Coxhead was later sent to a labour camp in Japan.

The tragic War did immense damage to Hong Kong and King's College was not spared. The Japanese occupation was undoubtedly an unhappy interlude, for all normal activitis of the school came to a halt. The school building was virtually destroyed by looters during the last two weeks immediately after the withdrawal of the Japanese Army, and only an empty red brick skeleton of the building remained. The building was reconstructed.

Post-War

In 1945 a number of former teachers, led with remarkable fortitude by J.J. Ferguson and the old boys, started the renewal of King's by sharing a bi-sessional school on Kennedy Road. Afterwards King's moved back to Hollywood Road and was called Hollywood Road A.M. School.

In 1950, King's College Old boys' Association opened a two-sessional co-educational Primary School, and was offered the name King's College Primary School. H.T. Woo was appointed headmaster, and remained so for only one year.

After Rehabilitation

In September 1951, King's College was rehabilitated with C.W. Sargison as Principal. Then for the first time in the school's history, girls were admitted. , Being a specialist in chemistry, Mr. Sargison had played a very important part in making King's College pre-eminent in sciences. Such image of a 'Science School' had branded King's ever since.

The building was shattered and destroyed in war, and was later restored with additional portions. The first phase of re-development of the school buildings was completed by 1953 with the addition of two laboratories, a Preparation Room, a Lecture Room, an Art Room and five classrooms in the South Wing and East Wing. The enrolment figure soared to 750.

In 1954, Mr C. W. Sargison was transferred to King George V School. He was succeeded by Mr F.K. Leung MBE, an old boy of Saiyingpun Anglo-Chinese School and a pupil of A. Morris, who made history by being the first Chinese Principal of a government secondary school in Hong Kong. The school had restored the house system of prewar days. Instead of calling them North, South, East and West, they are named after four former Principals - Morris, Kay, Wallington and Ferguson.

In the same year, an extra Secondary Upper Six was operated to make places available for students who planned to sit for the revised Hong Kong University Matriculation Examination. There were nineteen classes ranging from Form 2 to Upper 6 in total. Facilities of the school provided for the training of students doing the Hong Kong University Diploma of Education and of students from the Northcote Training College. The subjects taught are English, Chinese, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, Civics, Art, Music and Physical Training. In 1955, witnessed the first group of King's graduates, entering University after the war.

The pressing need for further expansion of the school finally received a positive response from the government. An additional floor was added to the South Wing and the two floors above the gymnasium were restored. Additionally, an extra floor was added on top of the East Wing in the front of the Hall gallery, which later became the library. The final stage of construction work was completed by December 1959 and fitting out of the new premises followed in the next few months.

It was during Coxhead's tenure of office (1960–1967) that King's College entered a new stage of alteration and progress. In 1963 Secondary Lower Six Arts classes were opened after a hiatus of several years. This restored the balance between Science and Arts classes though the demand for entrance to Science or Medicine classes was still greater. From 1966 onwards, girls were admitted only in Secondary 6.

In 1967 H.W. Clarke succeeded Coxhead as Principal and it was during the next three years that King's witnessed a climax of academic attainment. In 1968 64 distinctions were obtained by King’s College students in the Hong Kong University Matriculation Examination, an unprecedented achievement. By 1971, D.R. Madan was appointed Principal and King's students continued to achieve magnificent feats in both academic and extracurricular fields.

In October 1977 K.F. Chu, an old boy who had graduated in 1938, became Principal.

The fountain of the school garden was repaired and its pedestal was turned into a pond for the breeding of goldfish and various other species of carp. A Bauhinia tree was planted in the northern corner of the school garden while the palm tree planted in 1971 had grown to 3 storeys tall. In April 1986, a time capsule was buried in the school garden.

Late 20th Century-Present

In September 1986, W.T. Poon succeeded Chu Ka Fai as Principal and the entire enrollment soared to 1200. Poon was famed throughout the Education Department for being his lively and enthusiastic personality. With him came some great improvements in the school. A public address system was installed in the playground, which proved to be effective in developing a greater sense of unity in students. Under Poon's leadership, the students won the International Mathematics Olympiad Championship.

For the first time in the history of the school, Study Tours to Singapore and Malaysia were organized with part of the funds sponsored by the King's College Old Boy Association. Since then, Study Tours have proven to be very popular with King's students. In March 1992 the first K.C. Student Union was formed after a democratic election.

The transition year of 1997, when Hong Kong was returned to the motherland, provided King's College a golden chance to renew its oath to play a major role in the community of Hong Kong and China. This year was a year in which King’s College eminent graduates' achievements were recognized by Hong Kong society. King’s College old boy, Dr. Simon Li Fook Sean, received the Grand Bauhinia Medal (GMB) from the HKSAR Government in acknowledgement of his stupendous contributions to Hong Kong and China. Dr. Li was among the first recipients of this award.

Following the appointment of a new principal, Mr Ho Yue Shun, in 1998, King's College has undergone massive changes, especially on the information technology front. King's was enlisted as one of the few secondary school participants in a pilot scheme for the application of IT in education. A sum of HK$6M was granted for the acquisition of hardware and the installation of King's College's own intranet. An Information Technology Open Day was launched, which was followed by the launch of the school website, school intranet and a renovated IT room complete with modern computer facilities. Professor Robert F. Curl, 1996 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, visited King's College and met the senior students on 9 May 2002. On 29 October 2003, Professor Jean-Marie Lehn, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, visited King's College and met the senior students. In 2010, Mr Ho Yue Shun was succeeded by Mrs. Chan Woo Mei-hou.

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At the 60th anniversary of the King’s Harmonica Band

The equally elegant red brick addition to King’s College current campus was not simply another piece accommodation with new, well-resourced classrooms and laboratories, but also represented the an initiation of a new stage in the evolution of King's College. King’s College is one of the few surviving pre-war government school buildings in Hong Kong, and is continuing its mission in fostering elites in Hong Kong today.

School Campus

King's College Bonham campus, built in 1926, is one of the oldest surviving pre-war government school buildings in Hong Kong. When the College was first built, it had the enviable reputation of being the best school building in the Far East. The Neo-classical style historical building which houses the college has evolved over the years since its establishment in 1926. It was once damaged in World War II and rebuilt and refurnished after the war. Since then the orthodox structure has reserved its current façades of grey granite columns against a background of crimson bricks, arched corridors and cavernous garden, an image widely held by its students and the public as an epitome of the college.

The red-brick school building in Neo-classical style is a rare piece of school architecture of its kind in Hong Kong. When the school building was built in 1926, it comprised an east wing, a south wing and a north wing with a bell tower (now removed) above the colonnaded curved entrance porch at the junction of Bonham Road and Western Street. The notable Neo-classical style features such as arched colonnades, colonnaded verandahs, rusticated quoins, moulded cornices and classical stone surrounds make it an interesting piece of built heritage. The current configuration of four wings frames a rectangular playground at the centre. Built on a sloping terrain, the south wing verandah shields student activities from stormy weather. The dainty school garden at the lower ground level facing Bonham Road enriches the school environment. It has become a declared monument in December 2011.

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  King's College Bonham Campus

Ornamentation

A stone carving which depicting the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom displayed on the red brick wall above the college's main entrance. It is the only royal coat of arms remains in Hong Kong. The shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three passant guardant lions of England; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure flory-counterflory of Scotland; and in the third, a harp for Ireland. The crest is a statant guardant lion wearing the St Edward's Crown, himself on another representation of that crown. The dexter supporter is a likewise crowned English lion; the sinister, a Scottish unicorn. The coat features both the motto of English monarchs, Dieu et mon droit (God and my right), and the motto of the Order of the Garter, Honi soit qui mal y pense (shame upon him who thinks evil of it) on a representation of the Garter behind the shield.

Academic

HKDSE

In 2014, Mak Chi Cheong become one of the twelve HKDSE 2014 candidates who have achieved the highest grade, level 5**, in all seven subjects. In 2015, Student Chan Lok Pong become one of the two HKDSE 2015 candidates who have achieved the highest grade, level 5**, in all eight subjects.

HKCEE

In 2010, An student from King's College topped all candidates scoring the highest mark in the last-ever HKCEE in Hong Kong.

Intel ISEF

In 2012, the chemistry research team of King's College Edmond Lui, Tommy Yuen and Sipo Wai participated in the World Final of the Intel ISEF under the category of Chemistry. With the outstanding project named "Polyaniline Multi-detecting Toxic Gas Sensor", our students were successfully awarded the Second Place Grand Award. In addition, their achievement will be further recognized by the entitlement of three minor planets named after them by the “International Astronomical Union” (IAU). They were presented a scholarship of US $1,500 and a certificate.

In 2014, the chemistry research team of King's College Matthew Chan Tai hei and Leo Fang Er Hai participated in the World Final of the Intel ISEF under the category of Chemistry. With the outstanding project named "Mechanism of Chinese Silver Staining Diagnosis and Its Application as Rapid Test for Chronic Renal Failure", our students were successfully awarded the “London International Youth Science Forum - The Philip V. Streich Memorial Award”, “Intel ISEF Best of Category Award (Chemistry)” and “First Award in the Category of Chemistry”.In addition, their achievement will be further recognized by the entitlement of two minor planets with their name by the “International Astronomical Union” (IAU) together with a scholarship of US $8,000.

In 2015, the chemistry research team of King's College Chu Yat Ho, Yip Tsz Fung and Iu Shing Huk participated in the World Final of the Intel ISEF under the category of Chemistry. With the outstanding project named " Dye-sensitized Chlorophyll Solar Cells Using Crude Chlorophyll Extract Coupled with Natural Cysteine-assisted Ag/Ppy Ion Carriers and Water Electrolyte ", our students were successfully awarded the Third Award in the Category of Chemistry.

List of Principals

	English Name	Chinese Name	Portrait	Term of office	Brief introduction
Saiyingpun Anglo-Chinese School
1.	Mr. Fung Fu	馮扶先生		1879-1903
2.	Mr.W.H. Williams	威廉士先生		1903-1905
3.	Mr. Alfred Morris	莫禮仕先生		1905-1926
King's College(Before War)
1.	Mr. Alfred Morris	莫禮仕先生		March 1926-June 1934	Mr. Alfred Morris was the first principal of King's College. He was the first commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Hong Kong. During his time at King's, the students did extremely well in sports.
2.	Mr. William Kay	祈惠霖先生		June 1934-March 1939	Mr. William Kay succeeded Mr. Morris Principal of King's College in June, 1934. He prompted the publication of our school magazine (named "The Fig Tree" in 1934.)
Acting principal	Mr. W. L. Handyside	韓德璽先生		March 1935-November 1935	A Scotsman and a keen geographer, Mr. Handyside was the Acting Principal of our School for a relatively brief period, so what better way to learn of him than to quote a poem written about him by My.Kay, while they were colleagues at Queen's College in 1922: One can scarcely imagine that from a barbarian Could evolve such a thing as our worthy librarian. With his youth (like St.Paul) he has dropped childish things, And now studies the actions and motives of kings. He won't listen to football, to cricket, to fistics, But delights in psychology, dates and statistics
Acting principal	Mr. Herbert Howell Beddow	畢道先生		January 1936-July 1937
Acting principal	Rev. George E.S.Upsdell	安士棣牧師		March 1937-December 1937	Like Mr.Handyside, also only quite briefly an Acting principal, Reverend Upsdell was famous as a great lover of Chinese culture, who could recite Chinese classics to his students. Once again a poem by Mr. Kay gives us some idea of him: Ho! clear the way, each boy and teacher, For our hustling, bustling, fighting preacher, As he dashes along in his Overland Willy, Scattering the crowds and knocking them silly. As a special P.C. see him flourish the baton. Don't speak in his class or you'll promptly be sat on. What chance had there been for the great Pimpernel Had Baroness Orczy but known our Upsdell?
3.	Mr. H.G.Wallington	華靈頓先生		March 1939-December 1941	Mr. H. G. Wallington came to Hong Kong in February 1924, when he was appointed Second Master of Queen's College. In 1938 he became Headmaster of Yaumati School and from March 1939, to December 1941 was Principal of King's College. He was a kind-hearted man, and a distinguished amateur sportsman. He was captain of Hong Kong Football team in the Interport Matches. During the war, while in the internment camp at Stanley, he was struck by a serious illness. He was sent to a hospital in New Zealand when peace came. As his health condition showed no improvement, he retired in 1946. He died in England on 12 May 1950.
After War
4.	Mr. J.J. Ferguson	富格遜先生		October 1946-July 1947	Mr. J. J. Ferguson was the first Principal of King's College after the war. At that time the school building, which had been utterly destroyed in the war, was still in ruins. Mr. Ferguson worked towards the rebuilding of the school while he was concurrently performing important duties in the Education Department. He came to Hong Kong in 1929 when he joined the King's staff as a mathematics master. He was extremely keen in sports and he introduced the House System to King's College by setting up four houses named North，South，East and West. Thanks to his efforts in promoting various sports and games in the school, our pupils were renowned in Inter-School competitions in those days. He was the popular idol of many King's boys as he was always gentle and helpful. Mr. Ferguson retired in 1947 on account of illness which he had suffered when he was interned during the war. He later died in America.
5.	Mr. J. W. Wilson	威爾遜先生		Augest 1947-September 1951	Mr. Wilson was a chemistry teacher in King's college, joining the staff in 1929. After the war and following Mr.Ferguson's departure, he took over the duties of re-establishing the school, which was temporarily housed in premises in Kennedy Road and Hollywood Road while the reconstruction work proceeded. He later had the honour of being appointed director of education in what is now called Kota Kinbalu, Sabah, Malaysia, but which in those days was known as Jesselton, British North Borneo.
King's College Primary School
1.	Mr. Woo Hing-tak	胡興德先生		Augest 1950-September 1951
King's College
6.	Mr. C.W.Sargison	沙治臣先生		September 1951-July 1954	Being the first principal entrusted with the task of administering the normal function of the school after the war Mr. Sargison played a significant role in the expansion of King's college. During the first phase of his office at King's one extra floor was built on the front block of the school building in 1953 and the total enrolment figure rose to 750. In 1960 the final stage of expansion was completed with King's looking as it is today---three storeys on both the Front Wing and Gymnasium Wing. In the whole process of reconstruction and expansion of the school, Mr. Sargison had striven to materialise the plan of restoring King's to its former image before the war. According to those who were acquainted or had association with him, Mr. Sargison was one of those educationalists who advocated strict discipline. It was with such means that he ruled the school, and was thus feared by all, teachers and students alike. Nevertheless, he was always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in the school. Besides his contribution i restoration of the school Mr. Sargison, being a specialist in chemistry, had played a very important part in making King's College pre-eminent in sciences. Such image of a 'Science School' had branded King's ever since. On the lighter side, Mr. Charles Lowe, the former deputy director of education, recalled his days in King's in his speech delivered on Speech Day, 1972: "Mr. Sargison's stockbroker visited him twice a week at the school, and it was always rather a risk on whether to approach Mr. Sargison with a knotty problem just after rather a risk on whether to approach Mr. Sargison with a knotty problem just after this visit or not. Much depended on the state of the market. We were all rather scared of him as, though basically kind, he could be important". Mr. Sargison went on leave prior to retirement in early 1960.
7.	Mr. Leung Fung-ki	梁鳯岐先生		July 1954-January 1957	Mr. F. K. Leung was the first Chinese Principal of a government secondary school in Hong Kong. He had his first association with King's College in 1926 when he joined the School as a teacher, the same year the school was opened. He remained as a geography master until the school was closed in 1941 when the Pacific War began and Hong Kong occupied by the Japanese. During the war he conducted a school in Macao on behalf of the British Consulate. Afterwards he was Headmaster of the Ellis Kadoorie School and subsequently served in the Education Department. In 1954 he was appointed Principal of the school when Mr. Sargison was transferred. He held the post until 1957. Being the first Chinese who ever held the post as Principal of King's College, Mr Leung had contributed much to promote the welfare of the students and well being of the school as a whole. He was well liked by all who had known him or worked under him for his temperate character-kind, gentle and capable. It was he who first started our renowned Geography Room and furnished it with the most up-to-date equipment. He also arranged for Mr. Jasper to write the rousing school song. Mr. Leung's capability in daily school administration could be revealed in Mr. Charles Lowe's recollection: "He was very good at sorting out problems, and once when there was a temporary difficulty over the provision of a teacher for 6th Form Biology (the Department had no teacher available) he made a private arrangement for tuition to be given by a university demonstrator. I can think of no greater resourcefulness than that". Having served in the Education Department for 35 years Mr. Leung retired in 1961.
8.	Mr. C.W. Sargison	沙治臣先生		September 1957-July 1960
Acting principal	Mr. Geoffrey Serville Coxhead	郭士熙先生		July 1958-March 1959
9.	Mr. Geoffrey Serville Coxhead	郭士熙先生		September 1960-June 1967	Mr. G. S. Coxhead's ties with King's College dated as early as 1940 when he was posted here as a geography teacher upon his arrival in Hong Kong. However, the Pacific War and Japanese occupation had forced him to internment in the prisoner-of-war camp. After the war, Mr. Coxhead had a wide and varied experience both of schools and of administrative work, having been a teacher in King George V School and Queen's college, an Inspector of schools and the Chief of the Grant-in-aid Schools Section in the education Department. At the end of 1957, after an absence of 16 years, he rejoined King's and was acting Principal in 1958 during Mr. Sargison's home leave. In early 1960 Mr. Coxhead was appointed Principal which post he retained until 1967 when he retired. In fact, King's College entered a new phase of remarkable change and progress during Mr. Coxhead's tenure of office. A cycle system was introduced in the time-table, Form 6 Arts classes were started, a large number of clubs and societies were set up to cater for extra-curricular activities of all kinds, and a school canteen was inaugurated. Not only did Mr. Coxhead encourage academic pursuit, he also personally participated in many of the club or association functions. In a nutshell, Mr. Coxhead's contributions to King's College are invaluable and no summary comment is more appropriate than the following remark made in 1967 by his immediate successor, Mr. H. W. Clarke: "I would like to acknowledge publicly my sincere appreciation of all that Mr. Coxhead did for King's College---the school records over the last ten years or so speak for themselves---and to refer to his never-failing interest in what ever pertained to the pupils of K.C., his personal concern for their welfare whether they had left the school or not, and his qualities of tolerance, sincerity, gentlemanliness and humour qualities of which I myself became fully aware during the short interval of about a fortnight before he left the school for good. I found his guidance sound, well-balanced and constructive;he was never too else who sought happiness and prosperity in the years to come. If i had to select those spheres in which Mr. Coxhead left his mark on the school, I would mention in particular the Geography Society, the Chess Club, the School Canteen (which he inaugurated), and extra-curricular activities in general, not least the Photographic Club, in which he had real personal interest". Mr. Coxhead retired in 1967 and has since taken up teaching in England. Through his affection for the school. Mr. Coxhead had kindly written his memoir entitled "Red Bricks in Bonham Road", which is printed in the following pages. It throws light on the development of King's during his time. For those who have had association with King's in whatever way, particularly for the former staff and students, Mr. Coxhead's memoir is more than invaluable.
Acting principal	Mr. P.R. Halliwell	夏理威先生		January 1963-Augest 1963	Though Mr. P. R. Halliwell was the Acting Principal from January to August,1963 when Mr. Coxhead was on home leave, he had initiated various improvements for the schools within a short period of 8 months. Several new clubs were formed under his instruction and guidance. His chief d'oeuvre was the inauguration of a Six-day Camp School in which about 40 students participated under the supervision of about 10 staff members. Under the scheme, the campers set to work on a special project, the first entitled "Tsuen-Wan --- a study in microgoegraphy". For many pupils this was their first experience of communal life in the field. It also fostered a habit of acquiring knowledge through observation and practical experience. This winter camp became an annual function and was welcomed by all. It was not until 1971 that the practice was suspended owing to the lack of fund. At the moment, Mr. Halliwell is the Principal of Kowloon Technical School. Though he is no longer within our walls his 'infectious' enthusiasm still influence over all of us.
10.	Mr. Herbert W.Clarke	祈立德先生		June 1967-June 1971	Mr. H. W. Clarke assumed duty as Principal of King’s College on 5 June 1967 when Mr. G. S. Coxhead proceeded on leave prior to retirement. Having had a distinguished career both in schools and at university Mr. Clarke was an outstanding scholar, well versed in Latin, Greek, Ancient History and Literature. Perhaps l\/lr. Charles Lowe was justified in his comment which he made on our Speech Day in 1972: “Mr. Clarke, a fine example of a nearly extinct breed, was a very civilised gentleman who clearly showed the advantages of classical education. it was he who found no fewer than 3 grammatical errors in the 5-word Latin motto proposed for some other school. He was a kind, unassuming person who by his very example did a great deal for the school. l often think he would have been very happy in Classical China". Through his scholarly influence the pupils did excel themselves in various public examinations under the ‘academic’ atmosphere. The most notable achievement win the 1968 Hong Kong University Matriculation Examination in which our students scored a total of 64 Distinctions, a record for the school. Though Mr. Clarke's term of office in the school was only a brief period of four years his gentle manner, intellectual outlook and unassuming personality impressed most people who knew him. Since his retirement Mr. Clarke has been teaching English in Eastbourne, England, where he is residing with his family.
Acting principal	Mr. H.N.Mcneill	麥尼路先生		April 1969-January 1970
11.	Mr. Das Raj Madan	馬丹先生		June 1971-September 1977	Prior to his appointment to our school Mr. Madan had a wide and varied educational experience, having been the panel-chairman of Biology in Queens College, a teacher in King George V School, and an inspector of Science in the Science Inspectorate of the Education Department. In 1962 he was awarded a Government Training Scholarship for one year to take up an ad hoc course in the teaching of Biology and General Science at Reading University, England. In 1963 he represented Hong Kong at the Commonwealth Conference for Science at Peradeniya, Ceylon. His zeal in promoting and improving the study of Biology in schools had promoted him to be a founder member of Asian Regional Conference on School Biology. He personally attended two of the conferences held in Manila (1966) and Tokyo (1968) respectively. Mr. Madan, while maintaining the esteemed tradition of King’s, has introduced various changes for the welfare of students. Since 1973 two classes in Lower 6 have offered subjects to prepare the students for entrance to the Faculty of Medicine of the Hong Kong University. This marked a departure from the past practice in which only one class prepared students for the medical career. Through his strenuous efforts, the school swimming pool was finally reopened in November, 1972. The plan of renovation had been mooted for all the years after the war and the reopening of the pool received welcoming response from the students. From the beginning of his appointment as our Principal Mr. Madan had determined to set up a balanced education in both academic pursuit and sports. His ambition was fully realized when various records were established in both fields. ln 1972 our school was awarded the Omega Challenge Rose Bowl for being the Most Progressive School in Sports. The School Volley Teams also brought home glory for being the champions for 4 consecutive years from 1972 to 1975. Pertaining to academic achievement our students acquired the unprecedented results in the Certificate of Education Examination in 1975 when a total of 125 Distinctions and 470 Credits was recorded. He has also worked hard to help raise the standard and prestige of the Form 6 Arts classes, changing the image of King's being purely a ‘Science School‘. When Mr. Madan says, "Being backed by a fine and eminent tradition we can look forward to a brighter future", he is fully justified.
12.	Mr. Chu Ka-fai	朱家輝先生		October 1977-August 1986	Mr. Chu was a King's student from 1938 until 1941 when school was interrupted by the war. In September, 1977, He joined King's College as Principal of the school and was received with a warm welcome by the whole school. To meet the needs of students and society. He added principal of Accounts and Computer Studies to the school curriculum which then became very popular subjects at school.
13.	Mr. Poon Wai-tong	潘偉棠先生		September 1986-December 1998	Mr. W. T. Poon always emphasizes the importance of academic achievements and extra-curricular activities. He wants his students to have good all-round development. Under his able guidance. King's College has maintained a very high academic standard. To promote student's interest in music. Mr. Poon made music a subject given marks instead of grades from Form 1 to Form 3 in 1989. Since then, every Junior form student has had to learn at least one musical instrument or to join the School Choir. This has formed an invaluable foundation for the setting up of the School Band & String Orchestra in 1991. Also, with the support of the K.C.O.B.A. Mr. Poon has organized annual educational tours to places outside H.K. to widen student's horizons. The S.6 Education Camp, which is very popular with all of us, was also Mr. Poon's idea. Also under his guidance, the King's College Student Union was set up in 1991. Mr. Poon is also very concerned about students' welfare. He is always eager to provide students with a comfortable environment at school. The school building has been renovated several times. Many modern facilities such as the public address system in the playground & Lecture room have been added. The basketball courts have been renovated and air conditioners have been installed. He has also supervised the renovation of the location in school garden which had not functioned since 1961.
Acting principal	Mr. Leung Chik-wing	梁植穎先生		*July 1992-August 1992 July 1994-August 1994 July 1995-August 1995 July 1996-August 1996 December 1996-August 1997
14.	Mr. Ho Yue-Shun	何汝淳先生		September 1997-August 2010
15.	Mrs. Chan Woo Mei-hou	陳胡美好女士		September 2010-

Facilities

School office Main Hall Library Lecture Room Senior Biology Laboratory Senior Chemitry Laboratory Senior Physics Laboratory Junior Biology Laboratory Junior Chemitry Laboratory Junior Physics Laboratory Geography Room Multi-media learning centre (MMLC) Visual Arts Room IT Room Scout Room Activity Room 3 Special Rooms Medical-Inspection Room

Gymnasium Non-standard swimming pool Central all-weathered playground Changing room Elevator Government Quarters 34 Classrooms 4 Staff rooms IT room Multimedia Learning Centre Music Room Campus TV Scout Room Copy Center Social workers' office Canteen Chinese Music Room

Since the 2000s, with hold-up from the Education and Manpower Bureau and the Architectural Services Department, all the floors in the old wing were re-laid and the classrooms have been rewired. A central air-conditioning system was installed in the school hall. Every teacher's desk in all the staff rooms was endowed with a desktop computer and a digital display board was placed close to the doorway of the school. More contemporary and brighter lighting, together with fans, was installed in the covered playground, likewise the gymnasium.

Society & organization

Academic Business Studies Club Chinese Society Computer Club English Society Debate & Public Speaking (Chi.) Debate & Public Speaking (Eng.) Humanities Society Liberal Studies Society Mathematics Society Putonghua Club Science Society Visual Arts Club	Interest Astronomy Club Bridge Club Chess Club Dance Club Drama Club (Chi.) Drama Club (Eng.) Gardening Club Photographic Club Pop Band Quiz Contests Club Rambling Club Stamp Club	Religion, Services and Uniform Groups Catholic Society Christian Fellowship Community Youth Club Interact Club International Relations Council Junior Police Call Club Scout Social Service Group St John Ambulance Volunteer Services Team Youth Red Cross
Sport Athletics Badminton Basketball Cross-country Football Handball Swimming Table-tennis Tennis Volleyball	Music Music Association Chinese Orchestra Harmonica Band School Choir School Orchestra

Orchestra

King's College now have 3 orchestras, which are School Orchestra, Chinese Orchestra and Harmonica Band.

Chairmen of School Orchestra

Year	Chairman	Chairman (Wind Band)
2013-2014	LEE CHEUK UE	CHEUNG HON CHING
2014-2015	TSANG CHUN FUNG	CHAN CHAK MING
2015-2016	ZHANG JUN JIE	LI KA LEONG

Chairmen of Chinese Orchestra

Year	Chairman	Vice-Chairman
2013-2014	LEI TSZ SHING	LAI YAM CHIU	LAM KA SIU RYAN
2014-2015	LAM KA SIU RYAN	TAM YUI PAN	YAN YEE HANG HENRY
2015-2016	YAN YEE HANG HENRY	ZHANG JUN JIE	HUI HO CHING

Chairmen of Harmonica Band

Year	Chairman	Vice-Chairman
2013-2014	MOK CHUN HIN	CHAN SHU MING	YU MAN HON
2014-2015	YU MAN HON	FUNG CHI WAI	HO SHEUNG YAN
2015-2016	HO SHEUNG YAN	WANG MING CHUN	WU KA YU	WONG TING HONG WESLEY

School Song

Welsh Rhythm "MEN of HARLECH" Welsh March, Words by Mr. Jasper (History Teacher'50)

Lyrics Oh King's College lives forever Nothing shall our friendship sever Nothing shall defeat us ever Glory to our school. Listen to our sound of singing Listen to our voices ringing Joy and honour we are bringing Glory to our school. Soon we will be grown men There will be new boys then Summon all the new and old They sing and shout together. Old boys, new boys winning glory We ourselves must write the story Keep this challenge still before ye Glory to our school.

Publications

• The Fig Tree - School Magazine
• The Bridge - School Newspaper
• King's Spring- Web-based Collection of Students' literary works

House System

The purpose of the House System in King's College is two-fold.On the one hand, it give honour to the men who help to make history at King's College;on the other hand, it serves to introduce healthy competition in sports, in the acquisition of academic honours and in promoting interest in all school activities.

Early time, there were only four houses, North, South, East and West, each with a house master and two assistant house masters. On admission, boys were attached to a house to which they belonged for the whole of their school life in King's. The houses competed for the house shield, which was awarded twice a year on the basis of total points earned by the members of each house for games, school work and general conduct.

During the Japanese occupation, all the activities of the school ceased. It was not until 1950 that the school was re-habilitated.Since then, the school has continued the House System of pre-war days;but instead of calling them North, South, East and West, they are named after four former principals - Morris Kay, Wallington and Ferguson. The other two, School House and Sargison House, were started in 1959 and 1960 respectively. And since 1956,metal badges bearing the House colours have been introduced as part of the school uniform in order to strengthen House consciousness. The Houses participate in various school activities including the Annual Athletic Meet, Swimming Gala, ball games competitions,etc.

● Ferguson House

● Kay House

● Morris House

● Sargison House

● School House

● Wallington House

The Annual Athletic Meet and the Swimming Gala, in particular, have aroused keen competition among the Houses. Each competitor wears his distinctive House colour vest and the House members sit in separate columns in the stadium so that there is plenty of enthusiastic cheering.Co-operation,enthusiasm,sportsmanship and obedience are the virtues of Houses members. These are finely displayed during the annual sports day. Victory or defeat means very little to the competitions. After all, activities and competitions would only help to improve the relationship among House members.

Prefect Body

Former Head Prefects

Year	Head Prefect	Deputy Head Prefect
2013-2014	WU CHEUK LAM	FUNG LOK HIN
2014-2015	CHEUNG WAI WA	CHAN CHO FUNG
2015-2016	HUANG TSZ KIN	NG HO KA OSCAR	CHEUNG PAK HANG

Student Union

Established in 1991, Student Union is responsible to organize different activities and provide welfare for students.

Year	Cabinet	President	Vice-President (F.5)	Vice-President (F.4)
2013-2014	King's College Student Union	WONG SHING KAI	TANG KWOK FUNG	TANG CHU HO
2014-2015	Neurone	TANG KIN YIP	NG KENG SANG	NG TAK YEUNG
2015-2016	Taeda	LO KWAN HO	WAN KING KIT	SHEK HOI WA

List of notable alumni

Main article: List of King's College, Hong Kong alumni

Old boys of King's College in Hong Kong, known as Old Kingsians.

Alumni of King's include The third and incumbent HK senior judge and politician Simon Li ; HK industrialist and politician Sir Sze-yuen Chung; Chief Executive of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Leung Chun Ying; Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury in the Government of Hong Kong KC Chan;The last Commissioner of the Royal Hong Kong Police Hui Ki On; The "father of rehabilitation" in Asia Sir Harry Fang;The Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong from 1978 to 1987, founder of Shaw College Ma Lin; Wolf Prize winner Ching W. Tang; Hong Kong media mogul George Ho; Career civil servant of Hong Kong Harnam Singh Grewal; The creator of Hang Seng Index Stanley Kwan.

See also

• King's College Harmonica Band
• Education in Hong Kong
• List of buildings and structures in Hong Kong
• list of schools in Hong Kong