Canossa Primary School

Opened in 1984, Canossa College in Quarry Bay has a unique history. It’s connected to Canossa Primary School, and that connection takes us back to a remarkable woman, Saint Magdalene of Canossa. Born in 1774 in Verona, Italy, she witnessed a society rife with corruption, injustice, and suffering. Instead of accepting her privileged life, Magdalene dedicated herself to serving the poor and spreading the Gospel. This led her to found the Canossian Daughters of Charity in 1808. These sisters eventually made their way to Hong Kong in 1860. Just thirty years later, Mother Maria Stella, one of the original six sisters, established a mission in Shau Kei Wan. This mission, serving orphans and underprivileged children, laid the groundwork for what would become Canossa College and Canossa Primary School. The Canossian Sisters’ dedication was unwavering, even during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. They remained in their convent, sharing their meager resources with orphans and local residents. After the war, the convent was briefly taken over by the British army and later used as a police station, before finally being returned to the sisters. To meet the growing educational needs, a new building was constructed near the coast in 1958. This building eventually housed Canossian Convent Secondary School, the precursor to Canossa College. The school in Shau Kei Wan grew, offering primary and secondary education, kindergarten, special classes, and even evening courses. However, the development of the Island Eastern Corridor and the MTR Island Line necessitated a move. In 1984, the school relocated to its current Quarry Bay location. The secondary section was renamed Canossa College, while the spirit and legacy of Saint Magdalene of Canossa continued. Canossa Primary School, linked by this shared history, carries forward the mission of education and service.