| The Early Period 篳路藍縷時期 | The War Period 戰爭流徙時期 | Private School Period 私立中學時期 | Aided CMI School Period 資助中文中學時期 | Bilingual Education Period 雙語教育時期 |
| 1888 - 1936 | 1937 - 1945 | 1945 - 1977 | 1978 - 2009 | 2010 - Now |
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.
Missionary Carrie Bostick was appointed as the principal from 1901-1910.
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.
Missionary Mary Raleigh Anderson became the founder and principal of Pooi To Primary School, which started as a thatched hut. (1912-1917).
“When our class is graduating, she (Ms. Anderson) asked if we would assist her to teach primary education classes and enroll for teacher education. However, she couldn’t receive any response from us for a month. Very disappointed and upset, she then told us that there was an urgent need for competent people in China and hoped we could consider taking up the post .... When I thought of how Ms Anderson devoted herself to education in China. I felt ashamed of myself. I thus offered to be involved. We were all very busy with our work including teaching and studying, but we benefited a lot. Because of Ms. Yan’s enthusiasm, we were all highly motivated. At that time, the number of students including male and female students increased to more than one hundred, aged from 7 to 12. ...... I remember I worked as a Physical Education teacher. Although there were a lot of people in a class, they were very quiet, very lively and very lovely.”
[An extract from Pooi To Middle School (Guangzhou, Dongshan) Anniversary Yearbook written by Principal Helen Huen.]
The first graduation ceremony of Pooi To Primary School was held. Ms. Helen Huen Wai-ning was among the graduates.
The teacher training class was formed to equip new teachers.
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.
Mr. Tong Ping-wing was appointed as the first Chinese principal from 1923-1927.
“Principal Tong made great efforts for school administration, curriculum and student associations. He helped with organizing the Girl Guides and a Youth Club was also set up for students to study the Bible. Students were given opportunities to develop their potential and enrich their knowledge. He devoted all his time, energy and attention to school, and this made his health deteriorate. We appreciated all his contribution to school. …… Our colleagues were cooperative and united, we also enjoyed a strong relationship with students. The school was like a happy family.”
[An extract from Pooi To Middle School (Guangzhou, Dongshan) Anniversary Yearbook written by Principal Helen Huen.]
Ms. Flora E. Dodson served as acting supervisor for one year and principal from 1926 to 1928.
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 numbers of students increased to 500. The first graduation of the new-system secondary school was held.
“Ms. Chan Yuen-so was appointed to be the principal. Her perseverance and stamina were impressive. She worked in close collaboration with colleagues.”
[An extract from Pooi To Middle School (Guangzhou, Dongshan) Anniversary Yearbook written by Principal Helen Huen.]
With approval from the Education Department in China, the school was renamed ‘Pooi To Private Girls’ Middle School’.
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).
Yip Wai-fong graduated. Professor Yip marked reforming maternity practice and bringing modern obstetrics to the mainland after graduation.
Mr. Wan Yiu-bun was appointed principal from 1936 to 1946. The school had 600 students.
“When I returned to school in the autumn of 1936, the principal was Mr. Wan. He always worked with high spirits, striving sustainable school development.”
[An extract from Pooi To Middle School (Guangzhou, Dongshan) Anniversary Yearbook written by Principal Helen Huen.]
Following the Lugouqiao Incident, Guangzhou experienced air raids. More than 20 students, accompanied by their teachers, evacuated to Shiuhing for safety.
The entire school relocated from Shiu Hing to a three-storey building with 26 classrooms on Kwong Wah Street in Hong Kong.
The 13th Middle School and 2nd Primary School graduation ceremonies were jointly held at the YMCA.
The primary section moved to Stirling Road Baptist Church in Kowloon City.
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.
Another Pui Ching and Pooi To Joint Secondary School was set up in Guilin, Guangxi (1942–1944).
Due to attacks by Japanese soldiers, teachers and students were evacuated, and both the Ping Shek and Guilin branches were suspended.
After the war, Ms. Lee Ching-sum and Principal Wan Yiu-bun were assigned to prepare the Pooi To branch in Hong Kong.
The first Student Union was organized.
Chan Meng-ling studied in Canton (1946-1950) and played a key part in keeping Canton, Hong Kong and Macau Pooi To Alumni connected. (‘Guangzhou’ replaced the English word ‘Canton’ from 1964)
The school relocated to 37 Grampian Road, Kowloon City, serving both senior primary and junior secondary students.
Ms. Leung Fung-ping was appointed as the Principal of Pooi To in Canton.
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).
“I have been in this school for 23 years, studying for 9 years and working for 14 years. The happiest time was being a student as I had nothing to worry about. I just studied and played. Mrs. Graves said to me, ‘Wai Ling, you’ll succeed your aunt as principal of your alma mater.’ When I heard this, I was speechless as I had planned to attend a medical school but not to work in academic circles. Unexpectedly, my plan was changed when I was in Peking. I furthered my studies and started my work in education as prophesized by Mrs. Graves. In these 14 years, I was like a mother returning home to take care of her children. I didn’t care whether I earned praise or got the blame, whether it was a success or a failure. I looked after the students wholeheartedly. By God’s mercy, everything went smoothly.”
[An extract from Pooi To Middle School (Guangzhou, Dongshan) Anniversary Yearbook written by Principal Helen Huen.]
The Hong Kong government granted the school a 74,130-square-foot plot on Inverness Road for campus construction.
The school achieved a 98.7% pass rate in its first HKCEE. The school focused on both academic achievement and holistic development for girls.
The new premises were officially opened by Lady Grantham, wife of the Governor, on 12 June.
The 70th Anniversary Memorial Hall was officially opened by Mrs. Crozier, wife of the Head of the Education Department.
The new primary school premises on Fuk Cheung Street, Ma Tau Chung, could accommodate 1,300 students.
Principal Huen was awarded an MBE in 1968 and dedicated the award to Pooi To.
The school achieved outstanding results, including ‘Best Female Chorus’ at the 24th Hong Kong Schools Music Festival.
Principal Mo resigned, and Vice-Principal Lee Foon-yuk became Acting Principal.
39 Non-profit Private Assisted Schools had become Aided Schools since 1975. The school officially became an Aided School.
“Yan Lap devoted her life to educating young people. She was an educationist and a loyal servant to God. She retired in 2000. Although she was seriously ill when she attended the farewell party held by teachers and students, she felt warm and contented. From the words of thanks from teachers and students, one can see that it is not only knowledge that she instils, it is also about trust, establishing sincere concern and truth that comes from God.
(Foreword to ‘The memoirs of Ms. So Yan-lap’, written by Dr. Philemon Choi Yuen-wan)
Junior forms gradually changed their uniform from cheongsam to pinafore, while senior forms retained the original uniform.
On 3 April, a musical celebrating Pooi To’s 120th Anniversary, ‘A Musical Journey’, was performed at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
On 26 March, classes commenced in the new premises.
Summary of ESR Report 1
The theme of the year was ‘Embrace and Celebrate: God with us for 125 years!’
A series of activities marked the 125th Anniversary, including morning assemblies, alumni sharing, Thanksgiving services, musical performances, and a professional exchange tour to Taiwan.
The theme for the 2013/14 school year was ‘God’s Word in my Heart, Learning in my Hands’, with the Bible verse from Psalm 119:105.
" a special anniversary production staged at the Jockey Club Auditorium, HKPU.
