Joyce Symons
Encyclopedia
Catherine Joyce Symons OBE
, JP (née Anderson 1919 -d. 11 June 2004) was a distinguished educator, former teacher of the Diocesan Girls' School
the leading girls' school in Hong Kong
and its Headmistress for 32 years.
She was also former member of the Urban Council, Hong Kong Legislative Council, and the Executive Council of Hong Kong
.
, China
, daughter of a Eurasian father and Eurasian mother, and arrived in Hong Kong with her family at the age of 3. She began what was to become her lifelong involvement with the school in January 1926, when she joined the Diocesan Girls' School (DGS) as a student.
After graduating from the University of Hong Kong in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in English and Geography, she joined DGS as a geography teacher. Symons became Headmistress in 1953, and held that post until her retirement. Symons is credited with turning DGS into the leading girls' school it remains to this day: in particular pioneering all-round education to "nurture broader minds, with music, dancing, sports of all kinds". Symons caused furore in 1967 when she introduced sex education
into the school, which was condemned as "evil heresy", and provoked rebellion among conservative parents and ridicule from the wider community.
She was one of 3 women to be subject of the book Being Eurasian: Memories across Racial Divides, which centred on the difficulties faced by Eurasians growing up in Hong Kong in the 1920s and 1930s.
Symons was bestowed the title 'Justice of the Peace' (J.P.) by the Hong Kong Government in 1965, and was appointed OBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II 1971.
She was appointed to the Hong Kong Legislative Council in 1972 through 1976, and the first woman appointed to serve on the Executive Council of Hong Kong
, in 1976. In 1977, she was appointed member of the oversight committee of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong.
She was awarded an Honorary
Doctorate of Laws (LL.D) by the Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong in 1978.Hong Kong University Citation: Cathering Joyce Symons University of Hong Kong, 1978
She retired in 1985, and published her memoirs entitled Looking at the stars: Memoirs of Catherine Joyce Symons. She died in England on 11 June 2004.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, JP (née Anderson 1919 -d. 11 June 2004) was a distinguished educator, former teacher of the Diocesan Girls' School
Diocesan Girls' School
Diocesan Girls' School, founded in 1860, is one of the oldest Anglican girls' schools in Hong Kong. DGS is located at 1 Jordan Road in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is administered under the Grant Code and uses English as the medium of instruction. It has always been ranked as the top secondary school in...
the leading girls' school in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and its Headmistress for 32 years.
She was also former member of the Urban Council, Hong Kong Legislative Council, and the Executive Council of Hong Kong
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
.
Biography
Joyce Anderson was born in ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, daughter of a Eurasian father and Eurasian mother, and arrived in Hong Kong with her family at the age of 3. She began what was to become her lifelong involvement with the school in January 1926, when she joined the Diocesan Girls' School (DGS) as a student.
After graduating from the University of Hong Kong in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in English and Geography, she joined DGS as a geography teacher. Symons became Headmistress in 1953, and held that post until her retirement. Symons is credited with turning DGS into the leading girls' school it remains to this day: in particular pioneering all-round education to "nurture broader minds, with music, dancing, sports of all kinds". Symons caused furore in 1967 when she introduced sex education
Sex education
Sex education refers to formal programs of instruction on a wide range of issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, contraception, and...
into the school, which was condemned as "evil heresy", and provoked rebellion among conservative parents and ridicule from the wider community.
She was one of 3 women to be subject of the book Being Eurasian: Memories across Racial Divides, which centred on the difficulties faced by Eurasians growing up in Hong Kong in the 1920s and 1930s.
Symons was bestowed the title 'Justice of the Peace' (J.P.) by the Hong Kong Government in 1965, and was appointed OBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II 1971.
She was appointed to the Hong Kong Legislative Council in 1972 through 1976, and the first woman appointed to serve on the Executive Council of Hong Kong
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
, in 1976. In 1977, she was appointed member of the oversight committee of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong.
She was awarded an Honorary
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
Doctorate of Laws (LL.D) by the Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong in 1978.Hong Kong University Citation: Cathering Joyce Symons University of Hong Kong, 1978
She retired in 1985, and published her memoirs entitled Looking at the stars: Memoirs of Catherine Joyce Symons. She died in England on 11 June 2004.
Authored works
- Looking at the stars: Memoirs of Catherine Joyce Symons (1996 Pegasus) ISBN 962-8018-02-7
As featured subject
- Being Eurasian: Memories across Racial Divides Vicky Lee (2004 Hong Kong University Press) ISBN 962-209-670-0