History

School History

1864

1864

The Fathers of the Catholic Mission took over a small building in West Point, which they turned into a school with twenty boys on the roll. St. Aloysius was chosen as the Patron of the school, and since then the school has been known as St. Louis School. St. Louis School in 1864 was not the current St. Louis School, far from it. An oasis in a notorious area, it was saddled with the dreaded name, ‘West Point Reformatory’. It was to house teenagers at a loose end in the very worst sense: Lads just out of jail and lads picked up off the streets. It was not, however, to use the grim practice of coercion.

1869

1869

St. Louis at this time was an industrial school where the aim was to win over the lads and build in them a sense of social responsibility in a healthy atmosphere of goodness where learning the three R’s and working at a trade would give meaning to life.
The government contributed to the upkeep of West Point Reformatory from the Poor Box until 1869. That year the government decided to give the school a fixed subsidy annually, the fabulous sum being a monthly $50.

1875

1875

In 1875, the school was run by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. A great change took place at this point in time. Portuguese and other European boys were admitted. A printing press was opened and a vegetable garden was begun on the waste land around the school. The boys now had a choice to work as tailors, shoemakers, carpenters, type-setters or gardeners.
Whether it was the difficulty of choice or simply a plain fact of non-adjustment, the European boys had to be separated from the Chinese lads. Hence, an extension was added to the small building to effect this separation. The building was undertaken by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

1885-86

1885-86

In 1885, the school was declared open to inspection by government authorities. In 1886 it consented to receive lads sent there by magistrates, but only on condition that they be under 14 and that they be dissuaded from attempts to escape by the government building a high wall around the school. The wall happily did not materialize, nor did such lads gain admission. The government built its own reformatory; and a better future lay ahead for St. Louis

1893

1893

In 1893, the La Salle Brothers left the school, and gave their good energies to other similarly rewarding work.

1894-1920

1894-1920

St. Louis struggled on under the P.I.M.E. Fathers.

1921-1926

1921-1926

The school was managed by the Maryknoll Fathers. Printing and book-binding became additional courses offered.

1927

1927

The school was handed over to the Salesian Fathers, who are now in charge. By this time, there were approximately 40 boys in the school, which could boast of but one small habitable building. In order to develop the work in a way suited to circumstances and needs, workshops were opened where the boys could learn a trade.
During the first two years the school was just a trade school and did not run any regular classes. Those were hectic days when the same tool or chair had to be carried from the refectory to study, from study to chapel and so on. Not even cold-water baths were to be had in those days.
The first Rector and Principal of the School, the very Rev. Fr. Vincent Bernardini tried to run the school as well as he could under the existing circumstances. Under his management, the number of pupils sharply increased. Mechanical engineering and cabinet-making were also taught in the school. His hard work solidified the foundation of our alma mater.

1929

1929

The year 1929 can be considered the real beginning of the life of the school because in that year the primary school was founded. The Don Bosco Club was started.

1930

1930

There were already 300 pupils on the roll of the school.

1932

1932

As the numbers increased, it became evident that something must be done. Either some of the boys must be sent away or some other buildings must be found to house them. A providential offer was made in 1932 when a group of philanthropists offered to finance the opening of a trade school.

1935

1935

The year 1935 marked the opening of the Aberdeen Trade School, to which were transferred the carpentry, shoe-making, tailoring and mechanical-engineering departments: the printing and book-binding departments continued to operate at St. Louis. Rev. Fr. Vincent Bernardini, was transferred there to become its first principal. Back at St. Louis, the first books were purchased for the school library. At about the same time, the first instruments for the physics and chemistry laboratories also arrived.

1936

1936

During the 1930’s, a powerful typhoon seriously damaged the North Wing of the School premises. Consequently, a new building was erected and completed in 1936. It is still standing today and houses the school chapel, library, four science laboratories and several special rooms. With the new building also began the middle school (Secondary Chinese Section). The number on the roll rose to 600. Another noteworthy improvement of the same year was the first extension to the playground.

1937

1937

The tenth anniversary of the Salesian work in the school was celebrated. During this tenth anniversary year, an effort was made to have the middle school recognized by the Chinese Government, but the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War prevented the negotiations from being brought to a successful conclusion.

1939

1939

The light of fortune again beamed on the school in 1939. Early in that year the middle school was recognized by the Hong Kong Government. For the first time in the history of the school an inspection was made by a representative of the Education Department, Mr. Chin Wan Kai. His report was so encouraging that the school authorities were determined to forge ahead in spite of many difficulties. Another great event of this year was the graduation of the first students from the middle school. For the first time in the history of the school, the graduates of the middle school received their certificates. Such an event highlighted the extent of the progress made since 1927 when the Salesians took over the small industrial school which has since been transformed into a primary and middle school with an attendance of more than 700 boys. God has blessed the efforts of those in charge.

1940

1940

Our house of studies at Island Road, Shau Kei Wan, had to close down and it became a branch primary school of St. Louis. At the end of the war, it continued to function, but in its own right as Salesian School.
This year also marked the founding of St. Louis Scouts (16th Hong Kong Group).

1941

1941

Nothing can bring greater sorrow to a man than to witness his life’s work brought to ruin by circumstances beyond his control. It was so in the life of our school, when in December 1941, Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese. The boys and teachers were dispersed and the education work which had been progressing so well was brought to a sudden halt. However, as the old proverb says, “where there is a will, there is way.” And so, the year of occupation had hardly passed, when to help the poor, the school authorities solicited aid from some of the wealthy Chinese residents, such as Mr. Aw Boon Haw and Mr. Ho Kam Tong. Due to their generous help, the school was able to open its doors again to many poor orphan children, and to subsequently help them for more than three years. A free night school for poor boys was also opened.

1944

1944

St. Louis Primary at Shau Kei Wan becomes independent and was known as Salesian Orphanage School, and later Salesian School.

1947

1947

By 1947, St. Louis was in full swing with four classes in the middle school and 120 boys on the roll while in the primary school there were twelve classes with 550 boys on the roll. In the printing and book-binding department 50 boys were being apprenticed to a trade. In February of the same year, the printing and book-binding department was greatly honoured by a visit from his Excellency, Sir Alexander Grantham, Governor of Hong Kong.

1948

1948

The year 1948 witnessed the humble beginnings of the English Section – just one class (class 6).

1949

1949

The first issue of the school magazine was published.

1950

1950

In September 1950, the English School was firmly established from class 8 (E.P.5) to class 4 (Form 3).

1951

1951

The premises soon proved to be both inadequate and unsuitable, and in May, thanks to a generous government interest-free loan, the construction of a new building was begun. It was in 1951 that we had our first senior middle school class. It was also the year we first participated in inter-school sports competitions.

1952

1952

The Hon. D.J.S. Crozier, then the Director of Education, declared the new 20 classroom Central Wing (Secondary) open.

1953

1953

The printing department was transferred to Tang King Po School, and with this, St. Louis School ceased to be a trade school. From that year the school comprised a boarders’ section, a Chinese primary and middle school and an Anglo-Chinese secondary school. We presented our first candidates for the Hong Kong School-Leaving Certificates Examination.
The school uniform was worn for the first time, and thanks must be given to Fr. Marius for his design of the school emblem.

1954

1954

Our first middle school graduates sat for the public examination.

1955

1955

The football playground was completed in 1955 and became a place where the delighted faces of energetic boys could be found.

1956

1956

The boarding section was closed down.
We held the last graduation ceremony of our junior middle school.

1957

1957

The St. Louis School song “All Hail” was composed by Rev. Fr. Janssen.

1958

1958

St. Louis took part in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival for the first time.

1959

1959

The Chinese Senior Middle School came to an end.

1961

1961

The first Sports Day was held in St. Louis.
St. Louis Old Boys’ Association (S.L.O.B.A.) was established.

1962

1962

We started our Form 6 science class in September and this class acted as a bridge between our students and the university.

1964

1964

St. Louis took part in the Matriculation Examination for the first time.

1966

1966

The school took part in the Science Exhibition at City Hall.
This year also marked the first Swimming Gala of St. Louis.
The Prefects’ Association was established.

1969

1969

Honourable Director of Education Mr. J. Canning, J.P., M.A., declared West Wing (Primary) open.
The first issue of the “Aloysians” was published by the Prefects’ Association.

1971

1971

The East Wing was renovated.
St. Louis Matriculation Evening Course was founded.

1973

1973

The House system was set up.
The Independent Clubs Association was first organized.

1975

1975

St. Louis became a subsidized school.

1976

1976

A football playground extension project got under way.
An exhibition to commemorate the first centenary of the Salesian work in China was held.
The Rector’s Shield was set up.

1977

1977

A walkathon to raise funds for the playground extension project was held.

1978

1978

The following events were held: the Golden Jubilee Science and Arts Exhibition (2nd - 4th February) and the Golden Jubilee Grand Concert at City Hall (27th February).

1979

1979

This year was the official inauguration of our school extension. A covered playground was also added.

1983

1983

The school records were computerized.

1986

1986

The school hall was extensively renovated, and modern audio-visual equipment was installed in the hall and the General Purpose Room.
The Teachers’ Association was established.

1987

1987

A walkathon to raise funds for installing of air-conditioners was held.
A Grand Stand was added.

1993

1993

The Hong Kong St. Louis School Parents-Teachers Association was established.

1994

1994

The Hong Kong St. Louis School Catholic Parents Association was established.

1995

1995

A walkathon was held to raise money to build a school in China in order to allow more children to receive an education in a better environment. It was named the ‘Jiu Feng Zhen St. Louis Project Hope Primary School’. It was completed in September 1996.
The St. Louis Matriculation Evening Course was closed down.

1997

1997

St. Louis School became one of the 114 EMI schools approved by the government.
An Open Day was held. The Honourable Director of Education, Mrs. Helen C. P. Lai YU was our guest of honour.
The first English study tour programme was held in Australia.

1998

1998

A Multimedia Language Laboratory was added.

1999

1999

The school organized a Putonghua study tour programme in Beijing.

2001

2001

SLOBA Foundation Limited was established.
The school co-organized a cultural exchange programme with Aberdeen Technical School in Yuebei, China.

2002

2002

A Multimedia Learning Centre was added.

2003

2003

The Thanksgiving Variety Show to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our school was held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. One of the highlights was the drama performance of ‘The Little Prince’.
Face-to-face lessons were suspended for nearly 2 months because of the outbreak of SARS.

2004

2004

The school started running the first round of the 3-year School Development Plan to further enhance its self-evaluation effectiveness.

2005

2005

The School Improvement Project (S.I.P.) was completed. Special rooms such as the Computer Assisted Learning Room were added.

2006

2006

St. Louis took part in the celebration of the ‘DB100’ ceremonies with other SDB schools.
The school hired experts to conduct the English drama lessons as part the official curriculum.
The Student Activity Association was established.

2007

2007

In order to prepare for the smooth implementation of the ‘New Senior Secondary’ curriculum, a new timetabling arrangement (i.e. a 7-day cycle with each lesson lasting 55 minutes) was adopted.
A famous art sculpture called ‘Vase of Champion’ was installed at the entrance of Block B.

2008

2008

The school held the 80th anniversary dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with a total of 128 tables. Holding such a large-scale banquet with the support of different stakeholders was a breakthrough for an aided school.

2009

2009

An Open Day was held in April.
In September, the school started the ‘New Senior Secondary’ Curriculum for the first time.
The Father Deane Achievement Award was set up. The Honourable Secretary for Education Michael Suen Ming-yeung, G.B.S., J.P., declared the unveiling of the ceremony.

2010

2010

We presented our last candidates for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination.
St. Louis Scouts were the overall champions of the Hong Kong Carlton Trophy Competition. This is the highest possible level of competition for scouts.

2011

2011

St. Louis School – Sung Laboratory Yale Internship Programme was set up. This programme aimed at providing a pathway for potential graduates to enter the medical field by taking place in the internship offered by the medical school at this famous university in the United States.
The relic of St. John Bosco was being circulated around SDB schools in Hong Kong under the auspices of the Salesian Society, and St. Louis also had the honour of receiving the relic for a short time.

2012

2012

St. Louis took part in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination for the first time.
We presented our last candidates for the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination.

2014

2014

In August, the Incorporated Management Committee of St. Louis School was established.
Our St. Louis Scouts were the overall champions of the Hong Kong Carlton Trophy Competition for the second time.

2017

2017

A mass was held in May to kick-off the celebration of the 90th anniversary of our school.
In July, our cycling team of 20 members completed a two-week cycling trip in Taiwan. It was the first time our cycling team had completed such a trip out of Hong Kong.
Our robotics team won the overall championship of the Universal Robotics Challenge 2017 in Tokyo.

2018

2018

Events such as the Open Day, Thanksgiving Variety Show, Public Talk, Art Exhibition, Mass and Anniversary Dinner were held to celebrate the 90th anniversary of our school.
A commemorative publication, ‘St. Louis School 90th Anniversary Commemorative Publication’, was published. This special publication provided a trip down memory lane and in doing so provided an overview of the development of our school.
In April, a 90th anniversary dinner was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with a total of 200 tables.
In June, the first phase of the Biology Museum was opened in order to recognize the contribution of Rev. Fr. Anthony Bogadek to the school and the field of biology.

2019

2019

St. Louis School – Sung Laboratory Yale Internship Programme was renamed as St. Louis School – Sung Laboratory Young Scientist Internship Award.

2020

2020

Face-to-face lessons were suspended for several periods because of the outbreak of the COVID-19. Online lessons ensured regular schooling could be continued.

2021

2021

New facilities like the gym room, AI Laboratory and the second phase of the Biology Museum were opened to ensure that students continued to have access to variety of facilities on the campus to further their learning.
Our rowing team secured the overall championship of the Hong Kong Rowing Schools Championships 2021.

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