Founded in 1860, Sacred Heart Canossian College stands as a beacon of education. This Catholic all-girls school has a rich history. It has shaped countless lives in Hong Kong.
Sacred Heart Canossian College began with the Canossian Sisters of Charity. Magdalene of Canossa, the order’s founder, was later canonized. Imagine the dedication of these sisters. They arrived in a new land to establish one of Hong Kong’s first schools for girls.
Originally named Italian Convent School, it started with only 40 students. English and Italian were the primary languages of instruction. Chinese was later introduced to cater to the local population. A sister college was established in Macau. There, Portuguese was the main language.
Sister Emily Aloysia Bowring was the first headmistress. She was the daughter of Hong Kong’s fourth Governor, Sir John Bowring. Her leadership from 1860 to 1870 set a strong foundation.
In 1960, the school was renamed Sacred Heart Canossian College. This distinguished it from other schools in Hong Kong. It originally educated girls from six years old. The school had both primary and secondary sections.
Sacred Heart Canossian College once occupied a large area. It stretched from Robinson Road to Caine Road in Mid-Levels. Many students came from middle-class families. It was a popular choice for parents working with the Hong Kong Government.
In 1981, the secondary section moved to Pokfulam. The primary section stayed at Robinson Road. It later moved to temporary accommodation. In 1992, it returned to Caine Road. The primary school then became Sacred Heart Canossian School Private Section.
The Pokfulam campus spans 6,400 square meters on a verdant hillside. It overlooks East Lamma Island. The campus has three building blocks and playgrounds. There are 38 classrooms and 7 science laboratories. Students benefit from a multimedia learning center and visual arts rooms. A library, chapel, and tuck shop also enrich the school.
In 2006, the St Magdalene Block was added. This block features a video conference room. It also houses a self-access learning center and a campus TV studio.
Sacred Heart Canossian College’s motto is Via, Veritas, Vita. This translates to The Way, The Truth and The Life. It comes from the Gospel of John. The motto guides the school’s mission. The mission is to provide all-round education with Christian values. It aims to empower women of integrity and versatility.
The school is known for its excellence. It excels in discipline, languages, arts, music, and sports. Sacred Heart Canossian College has produced many successful graduates. They have excelled in politics, commerce, education, and the arts. Anson Chan and Elsie Leung are among its notable alumnae.
Today, Sacred Heart Canossian College continues to inspire. It fosters a spirit of learning and service. It remains a prestigious institution in Hong Kong. Its graduates are known as Sacred Heartists. They carry the school’s values into the world.