Marymount Secondary School
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| Principal | Ms. Veronica Ma |
| School type | Aided |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1927 |
| Location | Happy Valley, Hong Kong |
| M.O.I. | English |
| School colours | Blue and Yellow |
Marymount Secondary School (瑪利曼中學) is a very prestigious secondary school in Happy Valley, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. The primary school arm is Marymount Primary School.
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[edit] History
The School, originally known as HolySpiritSchool, was founded by the Maryknoll Sisters, an American religious order, on 10 January 1927 in Hong Kong. Back then, the school was on Robinson Road in Central Mid-levels. There were only 8 classes of students sharing 4 tiny classrooms. In the 1930s, the school moved to a slightly larger building in Caine Road. There were seven classrooms, but conditions were still cramped by today’s standards. By 1941, the school was offering a complete course leading to matriculation, and so was one of only a small handful of schools at that time which prepared girls for university.
In 1941, Japanese forces invaded and occupied Hong Kong. The school was closed until 1948. When the school reopened, Hong Kong was facing a new challenge as many thousands of immigrants were pouring across the border to escape the civil war on the mainland. Marymount rose to this challenge by offering places to as many girls as it could.
As the school continued to expand, a new building with better facilities became necessary. In October 1957, the school moved to its present location on the wooded slopes at the top of Blue Pool Road, overlooking Happy Valley. At the same time, it was renamed Maryknoll Sisters’ School. Initially, the building housed both Secondary and Primary Sections, but in 1961 the Primary School was relocated to the premises at Tai Hang Road, directly above the secondary school. During the school year 1978-79, the Maryknoll Sisters handed over the sponsorship of the school to the Columban Sisters.
In September 1983, the name of the school was changed to Marymount. Throughout its history the school campus had also been home to a convent, with the nun’s dormitories housed on the fourth floor and the site of the library originally being a chapel. It was only in 1993 that the nuns vacated their premises in order to make more room for the ever-growing student population.
In 1991, Mrs. Nancy Wong became the school’s first Chinese principal, and the first principal who was not a member of a religious order. In 1996, the Columban Sisters initiated the transfer of the sponsorship of the school to the Christian Life Community(CLC), the process of which was completed by September 1997. The CLC is an international Catholic lay community with a keen interest in education and commitment to the service of youth, and which receives spiritual guidance from the Jesuits. The CLC has pledged to preserve the same school spirit, foster the traditions and continue to provide quality education at Marymount.
Mrs. Wong oversaw the school’s transition from being managed by the Columban sisters to being managed by the World Christian Life Community. The CLC is a Catholic lay community which works to support education and the needs of young people,
The Secondary School operated up to 29 classes with over 1000 students until 1998, offering arts, science and social disciplines up to Form 7. With the restructuring of the school, the total number of classes is at 26 by the 2003. The Primary School operates 24 classes and has about 900 students.
In 2003 Mrs. Wong retired after 36 years of devoted service to Marymount, and the school welcomed its current principal, Ms. Veronica Ma.
Over the years, many generations of girls have received an education at Marymount, and the school has survived and nurtured students through times of hardship and of prosperity. From its humble beginnings Marymount has grown to be one of the most prestigious schools in Hong Kong, and the Primary and Secondary School together now accommodate nearly 2000 students.
[edit] Houses
There are four houses to which students and teachers are assigned.
Jupiter House - Red
Mercury House - Yellow
Uranus House - Orange
Venus House - Blue
Each house is headed by a House Captain elected by the students. Every year, students compete in inter-house events, such as the annual Sports Day and Swimming Gala. These events aim to uphold the sense of belonging of all the students of Marymount Secondary School.
[edit] Shield
The school shield was formerly adapted by the Maryknoll Sisters from the Dominican one, with 8 alternating black and white triangles divided in the middle by a cross marked red and blue. On top of the shield is a dove, representing the Holy Spirit. The motto of the school was written in Latin underneath, "Dominus Illuminatio Mea".
In 1983, when the school name was changed to Marymount Secondary School, the shield was re-adapted. The middle section was changed from the Dominican one to MSS, the initials for Marymount Secondary School and Maryknoll Sisters School, embracing the past and the present. The dove, representing the Holy Spirit still hovers above the school name, and the motto was translated into English "The Lord is my Light".
[edit] Curriculum and Achievements
Students use English as the medium of instruction for all subjects except Chinese Language, Chinese Literature, Putonghua and Chinese History. In forms one and two, a modular system is adopted in the Humanities in order to facilitate project-based learning and critical thinking. In senior forms, students prepare for the HKCEE and HKALE and select subjects from option blocks.
The school has an outstanding record for both academic results and extra-curricular achievement. On several occasions, the school has represented Hong Kong in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. The school regularly wins large numbers of prizes in the Hong Kong Schools' Speech and Music Festivals organized by the HKSMSA and participates with great success in the Learning through Engineering, Art and Design Project.
The school also has a strong reputation for drama, with students having staged full-scale productions of several of Shakespeare's plays in recent years as well as classic comedies and musicals. In July 2006 students performed an adaptation of the Greek myth 'Orpheus' parts of which were subsequently aired by local radio and television stations. Most recently, students performed Much Ado About Nothing in February 2007.
[edit] Student Council
Marymount has an elected Student Council which promotes student welfare and acts as a channel of communication between the school and the student body as well as organising a range of activities throughout the year. Students can take part in the Student Council (colloquially known as the "SC") as elected class representatives in the role of Spokesman or Councillor, or as the Executive Board's Chairlady, Vice-Chairlady, ECA Coordinator, Service Coordinator, Sports Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer or Public Relations Officer. The Executive Board members are nominated by students, and elected by the students.
[edit] Uniform
[edit] Summer Uniform
The summer uniform designed for Forms I to V students is an A-line, knee-length cotton dress with a pocket on each side and a zipper in front middle. It has white pointed collars and short white sleeves. The uniform comes in a choice of two colours, blue and yellow.
For Forms VI and VII students, the summer uniform is a white short-sleeved blouse matched with a blue and white, knee-length cotton skirt.
[edit] Winter Uniform
In winter, the uniform for Forms I to V students is made up of a beige blouse or turtle-neck sweater worn with a rust-coloured woollen jumper. The uniform also includes a beige scarf with brown stripes made by the students in needlecraft class.
The uniform for the Forms VI and VII students is a beige blouse buttoned at the back or a beige turtle-neck worn with a rust-coloured woollen skirt.
[edit] Cardigan
The Summer Cardigan is white in colour with the school badge embroidered in blue on it.
The Winter Cardigan is brown in colour with the school badge embroidered in white on it.
[edit] Winter Jacket
The winter jacket comes in two colors, camel and beige.
On the outer side of the jacket, there is a collar, and there is a school badge on the left. There are two pockets, one on the side of the jacket. Four buttons are found on the front and the buttons are specially designed with the school shield on them. There are also 2 buttons on both sides of the sleeves, and two straps to go along with them. The cuffs are adjustable.
On the inner side of the jacket, the upper lining is made of flannel, and the lower half has a padded lining. There is also a pocket on the inner lining of the jacket where you can put your personal belongings.
[edit] School Hymn
[edit] Marymount School Song
O Marymount, my Marymount,
Thou Beacon of the truth,
O glorious the vision bright,
That guides the steps of youth!
To Thee we pledge our loyalty,
O School we love so well,
We live to love and follow Thee,
O Alma Mater True,
We live to love and follow Thee,
Our pledge we now renew.
O Marymount, my Marymount,
How wonderful Thine aim,
High virtue, wisdom, precious flower,
Thy seal to all proclaim,
To Mary our most cherished boast,
Our school sweet model fair,
That guides the steps of youth!
We pledge our word to honour Thee,
O School we love so well,
O Alma Mater True,
We pledge our word to honour Thee,
Our hearts do thou renew.
[edit] Notable Alumnae
- Carolyn Woo Dean of College of Business Administration, University of Notre Dame, USA
- Patricia Stewart Artist
- Deborah Simms Olympic Swimmer
- Carrie Yau Hong Kong Government Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food
- Emily Lau Hong Kong Legislative Council Member
- Anna Wu former President of the Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission
- Priscilla Chan- Cantopop Singer
- Sandy Lam- Cantopop Singer
