Maryknoll Convent School Foundation

About Us > Background

"As one lamp lights another nor grows less, so nobleness enkindles nobleness."

A Favourite line of Mother Mary Joseph Rogers,
Foundress of the Maryknoll Sister

In the Beginning

Our story began over 80 years ago when Mother Mary Joseph Rogers, founder of the Maryknoll Sisters, said "Let's see what God has in store for us." With this broad and open vision and with warm serving hearts, the Maryknoll Sisters came to Hong Kong. Having chosen education as their main objective, they opened a small kindergarten in 1925 with just twelve students. From this tiny seedling the long established and well respected institution that we all know as Maryknoll Convent School grew. Ever since its early days, Maryknoll has been instrumental in nurturing thousands of young women in their academic and spiritual lives.

"To home, to country, to the world..." with these words the Maryknoll Sisters have gone on to motivate many of those whose lives they have touched. Over the years, generations of alumni, teaching staff and parents of the students have embraced the Maryknoll spirit to make invaluable contributions to the School. With such blessings the School has gone from strength to strength. Not only has the School produced outstanding academic achievements but it has also maintained the ability to keep pace with the ever changing demands of our time. These achievements have only been made possible through this co-operative and cohesive partnership.

The Sisters are now asking all those whose lives they have inspired to take up another level of commitment. The Sisters ask that we, the alumni, teachers and parents, assume the responsibility of leading the School into the future in order to ensure both Maryknoll's continuing high quality education and the Maryknoll Christian spirit and culture as established by Mother Mary Joseph Rogers and the Maryknoll Sisters.

Preparatory Work

In response to the Sisters' call, a group of alumni and former principals of the School came forward to work with the Sisters. Their aim was to design a perpetuating entity, both transparent and inclusive and with wide representation and participation. During the three years of such preparatory work, the Sisters and the dedicated group revisited the Vision and Mission of the School, referred to the then Education (Amendment) Bill. They also consulted with the Church and the Government and sought professional counsel on the matter. Only after much work and discussion, the group was then able to put together the Constitution of the Maryknoll Convent School Foundation.

Our Vision

We envision our students to embrace the Maryknoll spirit signified by the school motto "Sola Nobilitas Virtus" (Virtue Alone Ennobles).

We envisage our students to be individuals with moral, ethical and religious values, intellectually competent, compassionate in serving others and capable of continuing self-development to meet the challenges in life and to contribute to society.

We see our students as informed and innovative, analytical and critical, responsible and adaptable, moral and ethical members of society.

Our Creed and Values

We believe that each person is formed in God's image. We wish our students to know through Jesus Christ the hope and the meaning of life and to liberate their minds from ignorance and their hearts from prejudice.

We believe in the dignity of each student.

We believe that education is essential to a just society.

Our Mission

We provide quality school education to develop the potential of our students to the full.

We inculcate basic skills for our students to grow as individuals and in a group, to be responsible citizens with an appreciation of Chinese culture and of the world around them.

We provide experiences for our students to develop healthily in a spiritual, intellectual, physical, psychological, aesthetical and social way.

We stimulate our students to develop initiative in learning and awareness of its relevance to themselves, to life and to others.

We instill in our students an awareness of the importance of trust and integrity and an appreciation for co-operative teamwork and respect for others.

We co-operate with teachers, parents and society to promote and maintain a safe, healthy and happy environment for quality education.