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SJC has a history of years. It was established by the Christian Brothers (De La Salle Brothers) in the nineteenth century. In 1875, six La Salle Brothers took over St. Saviour’s College, which was founded in 1860, and renamed it as St. Joseph’s College.
In 1876, the College expanded and moved from its original premises in Pottinger Street to a larger one at 9 Caine Road, known as Buxley Lodge. Five years later, a lack of space again resulted in the College being moved to Glenealy below Robinson Road. Then, in 1918, an earthquake caused severe damage to the premises and the school had to move again to the present site – 7 Kennedy Road, formerly known as the Club Germania (the German Club).
The Old Building where the S1‐3 classrooms are now situated was erected in 1920; at that time the number of students was about 650. In 1925, the Chapel Block was completed and in 1963 the block on Kennedy Road was replaced by the present building. The New Building was opened by Sir Robert Black, the then Governor of Hong Kong. In 1968, in order to admit more students, the primary section was transferred to an independent establishment at 48 Wood Road, Wanchai. In 1974 St. Joseph’s Kindergarten was established on the top floor of the Primary School Building.
In 2005, we started the process of building a new annex‐Agabeg Annex, as an essential addition to the modernization of our school facilities. The Annex was eventually established in the summer of 2007. It is located at the former table tennis court, which is next to the basketball court under the New Building, comprising a new staff room, an ITLC, an art room and a multi‐purpose room. It is named after the late Mr Godfrey Avryl Agabeg, a devoted alumnus who generously donated a total of three million dollars for the development of our school campus.
In 2016, the Education Bureau allocated the vacant school premises at 26 Kennedy Road in the Central & Western District to the Director in Hong Kong of St. Joseph’s College for the physical extension of the St. Joseph’s College. The new facilities, which include classrooms for Secondary Four and Six students and venues for a variety of extra‐curricular activities, has come into service since September 2018.
After years of growth, SJC now provides education for around 2,000 students in the Primary and the College. The College has produced highly competitive and versatile students, and a large number of them have been successful in their careers.
Timeline
History of St. Joseph’s College from de La Salle to Present
17th Century
St. John Baptist de La Salle, Founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He was also the Patron of All Teachers.
1875
Brother Hidulphe-Marie, sent by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, renamed St. Savior’s College to St. Joseph’s College. He became the first Director of St. Joseph’s College on 8th November, 1875.
Buxley Lodge, 9 Caine Road, contained the school premises during 1876.
1881
A piece of land in Glenealy below Robinson Road became home to St. Joseph’s College in 1881, to cater for the needs of the fast-growing school. The original structure of the College till then was a two-storey building, but a third was added in 1898 for the accommodation of the boarders.
Three years after completion of the building, the wings were added. For about 40 years, St. Joseph’s College enjoyed fruitful years at Robinson Road.
1907
St. Joseph’s College, 1907, with nearly 500 students. Our students excelled in both sports and academic results, under the guidance of the devoted Brothers and staff. The organization of the studies then was very much the same as they remained until 1915. The three higher classes prepared their students for the Oxford University Examinations, namely Senior, Junior and Preliminary, and it was quite usual to see St. Joseph’s College heading the results list both in quantity and quality.
1918
The Brothers took possession of the old Club Germania in Kennedy Road on 3rd September 1918, because an earthquake had struck Hong Kong previously in March in the same year, damaging the old college building severely. The building, situated at 7 Kennedy Road, remained to be the present site.
1925
The Chapel block was established in 1925, housing the Old Hall, Chapel and Music Room. It was connected to the old school building. (The North Block and the Chapel Block were declared as Heritage buildings in August 2000.)
Students were taking the Final Examination at the Old Hall.
1962
Club Germania was demolished and a modern eight-storey building at 7 Kennedy Road, now known as the New Building, was erected. This was the time when Brother Brenden Dunne was Principal of St. Joseph’s College.
Aerial view of St. Joseph’s College, before the erection of the New Building.
Brother Nicet Joseph, Superior General of the Brothers, laid the Foundation Stone of the New Building on 14th June 1962. Brother Nicet Joseph descended the laying of the foundation stone, which was blessed by Mgr. Lawrence Bianchi, Roman Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong as “a symbol of the achievements of the Brothers’ work in 89 years in the Colony.”
Construction site of the New Building next to the St. Joseph’s Path.
1963
Governor Sir Robert Black officiated the opening of the New Building.
Brother Nicet Joseph (left), and Brother Brendan Dunne, Principal of St. Joseph’s College back then, were welcomed at the Opening Ceremony of the New Building.
Opening of the New Building attracted huge numbers of guests.
Aerial view of St. Joseph’s College, after the New Building has been erected. Photo taken in October 1963.
1975
In 1975, St. Joseph’s College celebrated the Centenary of the La Salle Brothers’ arrival in Hong Kong. The old boys of the College held a Dinner Dance on 21st February in the Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel. The Christian brothers’ School Athletic Meet was held on 28th February in the Government Stadium. Governor Sir Murray MacLehose was the guest-of-honour.
1995
In 1995, the College celebrated the 120th Anniversary.
The Chief Secretary, Mrs. Anson Chan was the guest-of-honour.
2000
In 2000, the College celebrated its 125th Anniversary in the Millennium Year. A series of celebrations, starting from the Millennium Assembly to the 125th Anniversary Millennium Grand Open Day, all marked this important occasion since St. Joseph’s establishment. The Chief Executive, Mr. Tung Chee-hwa officiated the 125th Anniversary Millennium Grand Open Day on 29th January.
Rev Brother Thomas Favier, who was the Principal of St. Joseph’s College at the college’s 125th Anniversary.
2003
Our 128th Anniversary. The Green and White Day 2003, with the theme “Viva Josephians”, was held. Mr. Ronald Arculli, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club was our guest of Honour. Mr. Arculli was an old boy of our school.
Our Principal Mr. C. H. Leung was presenting a souvenir to the Guest of Honour, Mr. Ronald Arculli.
2005
January 30, we celebrated our 130th anniversary.
The Green and White Day 2005, with the theme “Starring Josephians”, was held with great success.