Ying Wa College

Have you ever heard of a school that predates the city it calls home? Ying Wa College, nestled in the heart of Hong Kong, boasts just such a story. Ying Wa College isn’t just a school. It’s a living testament to resilience, adaptation, and the enduring power of education. Founded in 1818, not in Hong Kong but in Malacca, Malaysia, as the Anglo-Chinese College, its mission was clear: “The reciprocal cultivation of English and Chinese literature and the diffusion of Christianity.” Reverend Robert Morrison, the first Protestant missionary to China, envisioned a bridge between East and West. Ying Wa College was that bridge. Imagine a printing press churning out the first Chinese Bible, alongside other Christian tracts, long before the Opium Wars opened China’s doors. Picture the birth of Chinese journalism, with the College’s press publishing the first Chinese newspaper, the Chinese Serial, in 1853. Ying Wa College wasn’t merely observing history; it was making it. In 1843, with Hong Kong’s cession to the British, the College made its own journey across the South China Sea. It became a hub not just for learning but also for worship, serving as a religious center before formal churches took root. The College even played a role in shaping Hong Kong’s education system. Its headmaster, James Legge, was instrumental in the establishment of Queen’s College, Hong Kong’s first government school. Yet, Ying Wa College’s journey hasn’t been without its trials. Closures, relocations, even a period of occupation during World War II, when the school building became a Japanese depot and its headmaster, Herbert Noble, a prisoner of war. But each time, Ying Wa College rose from the ashes. Its spirit, like the phoenix, found new life. From Caine Road to Bonham Road, then to Bute Street in Mongkok, and finally to its current home on Ying Wa Street in Sham Shui Po, the College has adapted and evolved. It embraced the Direct Subsidy Scheme in 2007, providing greater flexibility and resources. It re-established its primary school, creating a “through-train” system nurturing students from their earliest years. Today, Ying Wa College stands as a beacon of excellence. It celebrates a rich history. It honors figures like Hoh Fuk Tong, the first Chinese Protestant Reverend, and Leung Faat, the first Chinese Protestant minister, both products of the College’s early years. It continues to shape young minds, fostering “Steadfast faith, beneficent deeds,” its motto echoing through the halls. As you stand before Ying Wa College, remember. You’re not just looking at a school. You’re witnessing two centuries of unwavering dedication to education, a testament to the power of bridging cultures, and a symbol of Hong Kong’s enduring spirit.