Curious about a school with a motto of Daily Giving Service? That’s Diocesan Girls’ School. It stands here in front of you. Diocesan Girls’ School known as DGS is one of Hong Kong’s oldest girls’ schools.
Diocesan Girls’ School was founded in 1860. Mrs. Smith started it. She was the wife of Victoria’s first Bishop. The school began as the Diocesan Native Female Training School for Chinese girls. It was located on Bonham Road and Eastern Street. Funds came mainly from the European community.
Six years later it was renamed Diocesan Female School. Financial issues forced a change in 1869. The school then only served orphans and destitute Chinese girls.
Government assistance started in 1900. Diocesan Girls’ School was placed under the Grant-in-aid scheme. This officially limited its intake to girls.
In 1913 Diocesan Girls’ School moved to this location in Kowloon. This was formerly a rice paddy field. The school’s motto Daily Giving Service was adopted in the 1920s.
During the Japanese occupation the school was used as headquarters. It housed the Japanese gendarmerie. Diocesan Girls’ School reopened in September 1945. Ms. Gibbins was the headmistress then. She had been interned at Stanley camp. She quickly reclaimed the school. This saved it from being looted.
Three school blocks were built in the 1950s. This accommodated the growing student population. Later expansion projects added two more blocks. These opened in 1993 and 1996. The Gymnasium Block was redeveloped in 2006. It now has modern facilities.
In March 2009 the school moved temporarily. It went to 101 Castle Peak Road. This allowed for a complete campus redevelopment. The project doubled the campus space. New facilities were added. These included a 1400-seat Auditorium. A 300-seat Recital Hall was built. There is also an all-weather 25m swimming pool and a modern library. The girls returned here in September 2011.
Diocesan Girls’ School operates under the Direct Subsidy Scheme since 2005. The school’s current student population numbers around 1120 pupils. These pupils are aged between 12 and 18. English is the language of tuition. Chinese language-related subjects are taught in Chinese.
Students at Diocesan Girls’ School consistently achieve excellent standards. Many win scholarships. They gain places to prestigious universities. These universities are in the UK the US Canada Australia and Mainland China.
All-round development is stressed here at Diocesan Girls’ School. Girls develop leadership skills. They participate in many activities. The school competes in many sports. Girls also take part in speech music and drama festivals. They participate in debating model United Nations and Olympiads. AI STEM and Robotics-related competitions are held here as well.
Diocesan Girls’ School encourages service. Students are involved in Youth Fellowship Citizens’ Club and Community Youth Club. They participate in Girl Guides Red Cross and other organizations.
Diocesan Girls’ School has produced many outstanding students. By 2024 DGS accounted for a total of 52 winners of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Awards ranking first among all secondary schools in Hong Kong. Karen Mok and Solina Chau are alumnae of Diocesan Girls’ School.
The school stands as a testament to its long history. Diocesan Girls’ School continues to provide a well-rounded education for girls. Its motto Daily Giving Service remains a guiding principle.