Pooi To Centennial History
  1. Missionary Emma Young was sent by Southern Baptist Convention which was based in USA to set up ‘Pooi To Academy’ in Guangzhou for women to receive education and to learn about Christianity. Only five people enrolled on ‘Classes for Women’ when the first lesson started on 3 March.

    • Mrs. Rosewell Hobart Graves was appointed as principal (1889 – 1901, 1911 – 1922).
    • New classes for girls and for blind girls were offered.
  2. Missionary Carrie Bostick was appointed as the principal from 1901-1910.
     

  3. In 1906, several acres of land were purchased in Tung Shan, Canton, to build a new campus accommodating 200 students. The school moved into its new premises in 1907.
     

  4. Missionary Mary Raleigh Anderson became the founder and principal of Pooi To Primary School, which started as a thatched hut. (1912-1917). 
     

  5. The first graduation ceremony of Pooi To Primary School was held. Ms. Helen Huen Wai-ning was among the graduates.
     

  6. The first graduation ceremony of Pooi To Academy’s secondary school was held. Among the graduates was Katherine Cheung Shui-fun, the first Chinese aviator in the USA.
     

    • The composition of the School Management Board changed from all Americans to three Chinese and three Americans.
    • Missionary Mary C. Alexander was appointed supervisor and principal from 1923 to 1938.
    • Mr. Tong Ping-wing was appointed as the first Chinese principal, serving from 1923 to 1927.
       
  7. Mr. Tong Ping-wing was appointed as the first Chinese principal from 1923-1927.

  8. Ms. Flora E. Dodson served as acting supervisor for one year and principal from 1926 to 1928.
     

  9. The Middle Wing of the 40th Anniversary Memorial Hall was completed with $62,000 raised. Classrooms and offices were located on the ground and first floors, while the assembly hall on the second floor could accommodate approximately 600–700 people.
     

    • The School Management Committee received official accreditation, and from then on, the school was managed by Chinese administrators.
    • Ms. Chan Yuen-so served as principal from 1930 to 1932 and again from 1934 to 1935.
       
  10. With approval from the Education Department in China, the school was renamed ‘Pooi To Private Girls’ Middle School’.
     

  11. In the early years, students established houses starting from the second year of secondary school, with each grade having its own house. Beginning in 1934, the school gradually developed a formal house system, introducing houses named after Chinese character radicals: Sun (yellow and blue), Feather (red and white), and Mountain (green and white).
     

  12. Mr. Wan Yiu-bun was appointed principal from 1936 to 1946. The school had 600 students.
     

  13. Following the Lugouqiao Incident, Guangzhou experienced air raids. More than 20 students, accompanied by their teachers, evacuated to Shiuhing for safety.
     

  14. The entire school relocated from Shiu Hing to a three-storey building with 26 classrooms on Kwong Wah Street in Hong Kong.
     

  15. The 13th Middle School and 2nd Primary School graduation ceremonies were jointly held at the YMCA.
     

  16. The primary section moved to Stirling Road Baptist Church in Kowloon City.
     

  17. Classes were suspended when Hong Kong was air-raided by the Japanese in December. Pui Ching and Pooi To Joint Secondary School was established in Ping Shek, Canton.
     

  18. Another Pui Ching and Pooi To Joint Secondary School was set up in Guilin, Guangxi (1942–1944).
     

  19. Due to attacks by Japanese soldiers, teachers and students were evacuated, and both the Ping Shek and Guilin branches were suspended.
     

  20. After the war, Ms. Lee Ching-sum and Principal Wan Yiu-bun were assigned to prepare the Pooi To branch in Hong Kong.
     

  21. The first Student Union was organized.
     

  22. The school relocated to 37 Grampian Road, Kowloon City, serving both senior primary and junior secondary students.
     

  23. Ms. Helen Huen Wai-ning succeeded Ms. Lee as principal. Ms. Huen served Pooi To for 40 years, including 16 years as principal (1949–1965).
     

  24. The Hong Kong government granted the school a 74,130-square-foot plot on Inverness Road for campus construction.
     

  25. The school achieved a 98.7% pass rate in its first HKCEE. The school focused on both academic achievement and holistic development for girls.
     

  26. The new premises were officially opened by Lady Grantham, wife of the Governor, on 12 June.
     

  27. The 70th Anniversary Memorial Hall was officially opened by Mrs. Crozier, wife of the Head of the Education Department.
     

    • Students sat for the HKCEE, achieving a 95% pass rate.
    • Alumna Ms. Mo Tak-kwan, Head of the Discipline Committee, was promoted to principal.

       
  28. The new primary school premises on Fuk Cheung Street, Ma Tau Chung, could accommodate 1,300 students.
     

  29. Principal Huen was awarded an MBE in 1968 and dedicated the award to Pooi To.
     

  30. The school achieved outstanding results, including ‘Best Female Chorus’ at the 24th Hong Kong Schools Music Festival.
     

  31. Principal Mo resigned, and Vice-Principal Lee Foon-yuk became Acting Principal.
     

    • Principal Lee passed away in June.
    • Ms. Kwong Siu Lin, Head of the Disciplinary Team, served as principal from 1974 to 1982.
       
  32. 39 Non-profit Private Assisted Schools had become Aided Schools since 1975. The school officially became an Aided School.

    • Ms. So Yan-lap served as principal from 1982 to 2000.
    • With the secondary section becoming an aided school, administration of the primary and secondary sections became independent.
       
    • The school celebrated its 100th anniversary.
    • The Centennial School Development Project was launched, raising HK$300,000.
       
    • Sound insulation was installed.
    • Lady Wilson, wife of the Governor, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Lotus Terrace in December.
       
  33. Junior forms gradually changed their uniform from cheongsam to pinafore, while senior forms retained the original uniform.
     

    • Principal So was awarded the Badge of Honour by the Queen of England.
    • The Parents’ Association donated $120,000 for air conditioning installation in the School Hall.
       
    • In the Quality Assurance Inspection, the school was among 44 schools recognized for value-added performance.
    • Principal So received the Bronze Bauhinia Star.
       
    • On 31 August, Principal So passed away.
    • In September, Ms. Tsang Enian assumed the principalship.
       
    • Classes were suspended during the SARS outbreak. Dr. Lee Kwok-cheung, Secretary for Education and Manpower Bureau, visited the school.
    • A ‘Life-wide Learning’ time slot was introduced every Friday afternoon to provide students with diverse learning opportunities.

       
    • The government allocated 138.5million for campus redevelopment. The school was responsible for all additional above−standard items and trimmings. The fund-raising target was $30,000,000.

       
    • On 31 August, the IMC was established.
    • The school participated in the English Enhancement Scheme, receiving a government grant for a six-year English Language Arts Programme and Language Across the Curriculum, and the establishment of Clover TV Channel.
       
  34. On 3 April, a musical celebrating Pooi To’s 120th Anniversary, ‘A Musical Journey’, was performed at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
     

  35. On 26 March, classes commenced in the new premises.
     

    • On 21 March, Secretary for Education Mr. Michael Suen, JP, officiated at the New Campus Dedication and Opening Ceremony.
    • Under the Fine-tuning Policy of the MOI, English was adopted as the medium of instruction for Mathematics and Integrated Science.
       
    • The school’s Language Policy was highly praised during the MOI Focus Inspection, with teachers demonstrating strong English proficiency and students showing a serious learning attitude.
    • The final A-Level exam results were outstanding: over 60% of students were admitted to undergraduate programmes through JUPAS, and Chu Sze-ching attained four As.
       
  36. A series of activities marked the 125th Anniversary, including morning assemblies, alumni sharing, Thanksgiving services, musical performances, and a professional exchange tour to Taiwan.
     

    • Ms. Tsang Enian, who served Pooi To earnestly for 15 years, retired in July. The whole school, including IMC, PTA, all staff and students thanked for her great leadership, remarkable contribution and devotion to Pooi To.
    • In September, Ms Constance Cheung was appointed as principal.
    • 80.3% of our students met the general entrance requirements of UGC-funded programme (33222).  58.8% of graduates enrolled in degree programmes. 
    • A series of events was organized to promote the culture and heritage of Qipao.
    • The school was awarded a $563,000 grant by the QEF to establish an e-database for Chinese History education in Hong Kong.
    • The theme of the 130th Anniversary was ‘From Vision To Legend’. A series of activities were held, including the ‘130th Anniversary Opening Ceremony cum Fun Fair’ in which Mr. Kevin Yeung JP, Secretary for Education was invited to officiate at the Ceremony.
    • In Arts in Action 2018 cum the musical ‘The Year of Festival’ was performed at the HKPU.
    • The school participated in a UST project to apply for the inclusion of the "Hong Kong-style Cheongsam Making Technique" in the Fifth Batch of National-Level Representative Items of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The application was successful in 2021.
    • The specifically designed STREAM curriculum aimed to facilitate cross-curricular reading under the themes in project learning.
    • The COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Since the school suspension, starting from 25 January, the online lessons were carried out.
    • The Pooi To Ambassadors Committee was established to foster Pooi To Spirit and to instill proper etiquette among students.
    • With a concerted effort made by 130 students, the filmed Arts in Action 2021, composed of music, dancing and the musical ‘Annie, Jr.’, was a great success.
    • Starting from 11 January to 21 May 2021, face-to-face classes resumed in phases. From 24 May onwards, the whole school resumed half-day face-to-face classes.
    • In January, the fifth wave of the COVID-19 changed sharply. The school switched to online teaching from 24 January to 3 May.
    • 80.0% of our students met the general entrance requirements of UGC-funded programme (33222).  6 students got 30 marks or above in the best 6 subjects. 80.9% got JUPAS offers.
    • Dr. Choi Yuk-Lin, JP, Secretary for Education was invited to officiate at the Opening Ceremony of the 135th Anniversary Opening Ceremony cum The School Museum Re-opening Ceremony. 
    • 82.1% of our students met the general entrance requirements of UGC-funded programme (33222).  80% of graduates enrolled in degree programmes. 
    • 84.3% of our students met the general entrance requirements of UGC-funded programme (33222).  82% of graduates enrolled in degree programmes. 
    • Crystal Chang won the BOCHK Outstanding Athlete Award 2023-2024 (Tenpin Bowling)
    • A Cappella Team won the Champion and the Outstanding Performance Award in the HK International A Cappella Competition 2024.
    • Our school’s sports team received the First runner-up in “The Progressive Girls School” categor at the BOCHK Bauhinia Award 2024-2025.
    • We integrated the flower button craft into the S.2 Technology and Living curriculum to preserve Chinese cultural heritage. 
OPEN OUR HEARTS TO THE LORD

Theme Verse
John 15:5
"I'm the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

Biweekly Verse 

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

John 1:12
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” 

Romans 10:9
“if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” 

John 8:12
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 
 

John 10:11
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” 

John 15:5
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” 

John 14:6
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

John 11:25
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” 

John 6:35
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” 

John 10:9
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Isaiah 41:10
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

1 John 5:12
“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 

Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” 

John 16:33
Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” 

Psalms 139:14
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” 

Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 

Psalm 121:7-8
“he Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” 

Proverbs 17:22
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” 

Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” 

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

1 Timothy 1:15
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Many activities are going on at Pooi To
  • 11/11 - 13/11 House Inauguration
  • 13/11 S1, S3 & S4 School Activities Day
  • 13/11 - 14/11 S2 Growth Camp / S5 Mainland China Excursion
  • Address: 2 Inverness Road, Kowloon City, Kln, HK
  • Tel: (852) 2336 1706
  • Fax: (852) 2337 9762
  • Email: ptm-info@pooito.edu.hk