King George V School
Encyclopedia
King George V School often shortened to "KGV" is a co-educational international secondary independent school
of the English Schools Foundation, located in the Ho Man Tin area of Hong Kong. Currently school 1,700 students in the Kowloon peninsula, it is one of the oldest schools in Hong Kong, founded in 1894. Its students take IGCSEs followed by the International Baccalaureate or the British BTEC programme. KGV has a unit for children with special needs. The campus is 10.2 acres (41,000 m2) in size. The school is one of three English Schools Foundation
schools in Kowloon and New Territories, the others being Sha Tin College
and Renaissance College Hong Kong
.
. It first opened in 1894 on Nathan Road, and originally catered for European
s living in Kowloon
. At the time, the school occupied just one small building. It was destroyed in a typhoon in 1896, and Kowloon College opened in its place in 1902. A huge opening ceremony took place. Many of Hong Kong's elite, such as Major General Gascoigne, the Apostolic Vicar of Hong Kong Louis Piazzoli
and J.H. Stewart Lockhart
, the Colony Secretary, were there. The school was built using donations from Sir Robert Hotung
. The school was renamed The Kowloon British School, later The Central British School and then King George V.
By 1930, the number of students in the school had grown to 300. Wooden huts were built at the back of the school to create extra classrooms. The playground was only 7 m². The then-headmaster, Mr. Nightingale, asked for a new and bigger school site, which was acquired, and the site plan was designed by a teacher named Mr. Rowell. Classes began at the new site on 14 September 1936. The first headmaster of the new school was Reverend Upsdell. The present school is still on the same site. The foundation stone for the new building was laid by Sir William Peel
and the building was subsequently named The Peel Block in his honor. Students in year 7 learn about the school history.
army invaded China
and many European women and children were evacuated from Shanghai
to Hong Kong. They needed a place to stay in the summer and the school was used as a refugee camp
. As World War II
developed past 1939, the government started to worry about the safety of the children and in August 1940 the government ordered the evacuation of European women and children from Hong Kong. Thereafter, the school site was used by British forces as a hospital. When Hong Kong surrendered in the Battle of Hong Kong
, the school site was taken over by the Japanese and used as a hospital for prisoners of war. It is rumored that the clock tower and/or Pavilion was once used as a morgue or torture chamber under the Japanese occupation
and that ghosts of tortured victims inhabit the clock tower and room P14. Dead bodies were also said to be buried under the school field. What is known, however, is that when classes at KGV resumed after WWII, the back of the stage still had the Rising Sun Flag
(of the Japanese military) painted on its back wall.
When the news was received that Japan
had surrendered, the General commanding the school left holding his sword high. As soon as he left, the school raised the British Union flag
, probably the first to be raised in Hong Kong following the Japanese surrender. For a short period after the end of the war KGV continued to be used as a military hospital and British doctors lived in the school. The following message was inscribed at the Hall's main entrance: "Never in the field of human conflict" - a reference to Winston Churchill
's famous speech
given to the British Parliament on 20 August 1940 - to remind future pupils of the value of peace. To this day the quote still remains at the Hall's main entrance.
was king when the foundation stone of the Peel Block was laid.
In 1979, principal A. Smith decided that KGV should join the English Schools Foundation, and by 1981, the transfer was complete. KGV is currently the oldest school in the ESF.
There are approximately 1,700 students of some 28 different nationalities enrolled in the school. Students are accepted from many feeder primary schools in the English Schools Foundation
such as Kowloon Junior School
, Beacon Hill School, Clearwater Bay School, (and also some students from Bauhinia School
and other English Schools Foundation schools.)
The house system is the basis for all school competitions such as in sports, music, and dance, and often sees fierce competition between the houses. Each student at KGV belongs to a house, named after former members of staff. However, to prevent competition between members of the same family, brothers and sisters are usually placed into the same house.
The houses, and their associated colors, are as follows:
Historically, a student's form group remained unchanged throughout his or her school career, i.e. a student placed in group 7S would precede to 8S, 9S, and 10S etc. However, in the 2000s, various amendments have completely changed this practice. Starting from September 2001, students entering Years 9 and 12 were reshuffled to encourage students to be more familiar with pupils from the rest of the year, and to account for leavers after completion of Year 11. A practice of vertical tutoring has also been introduced in September 2005, under which senior school students in Year 12 and 13 are placed in house-based form groups. The years are mixed together (hence vertical tutoring) so each senior school form group will consist of both Year 12 and 13 students. This is in contrast to the previous practice where students were placed in identical-year groups named 12E, 13M, etc. In September 2009, vertical tutoring in senior school was expanded to include Year 11 students (in addition to Years 12 and 13); and as of the academic year of 2010-2011, vertical tutoring has been expanded to all year groups, with students in years 7-10 and students in years 11-13 placed in house-based Vertical Tutoring Groups.
curriculum is designed for Years 7 to 9. All subjects (Art, Drama, English, History, ICT, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Geography, Science and Technology) are compulsory, and students must learn Mandarin and a European language (French, German or Spanish). The European language is randomly allocated unless upon parental request.
In year 7, students are not put into academically leveled sets but is considered as a "transition" year, offering a wide variety of "inquiry" opportunities, transitioning from the "PYP" inquiry format learning to the British curriculum.
is the next stage of the curriculum. At the end of this key stage pupils take IGCSE
(International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations in their chosen subjects.
All subjects are compulsory, but there is a choice to suit the aptitude and interest of students.
All students taking the IGCSE course have to study the core subjects of English
, Mathematics
, Science
(split into Biology
, Chemistry
and Physics
), PE and PSE (Personal and Social Education
). Students may choose to take a further course in ICT, CIDA (Certificate in Digital Applications), which is equivalent to two GCSEs. In addition, they must choose four further subjects by choosing one of the subjects from each of the boxes -
The boxes are structured in a way that is balanced and ensures that students can build on their strengths whilst keeping their options open in the future.
(GNVQ) courses are designed for students who have difficulty in studying.
Students are required to achieve a certain grade in their GCSE examinations in order to take on their desired AS Level subject. Each AS subject has a slightly different requirement. AS Level subjects are studied in greater depth, requiring large amounts of self-study and independence
as default.
All students have to complete the core syllabus, consisting of an Extended Essay
, Theory of Knowledge
and Creativity, Action, Service
. The school has produced some of the best and highest scores in IB, as well as being the largest IB school in the world.
When some of the students were asked about the IB Diploma, most of them gave positive reviews despite the large workload.
Tie: In the winter, students in years 7-10 must wear a navy blue tie with the school crest in a pattern covering the entire tie; and students in Years 11-13 must wear a navy blue tie with gold diagonal stripes and a single school crest at the bottom.
The Student Council listens to the student opinion through form representatives and assists the school's development and improvement. It has a powerful and respected voice on all facets of school administration. Many of its achievements in the past include input on the school Healthy Eating policy, smart card system, vertical tutoring, ICT usage, environment, assembly structure, physical education (PE) kits, and site redevelopment.
Every year the Student Council also hosts or assists in fundraisers, such as the annual 'ESISCO' and School 'Karnival'.
In recent elections, issues of concern for KGV students have included congestion in the school's stairways, the lack of means through which students can voice their concerns, and the replacement of malfunctioning computers in the Senior Student Centre Resource Room.
The heraldic
description of the Coat of Arms
of King George the Fifth School is:
Azure, on a chevron charged a lion rampant Or
The motto of KGV is Honestas Ante Honores, which means "Honesty Before Glory" in Latin. The school motto and song share the same name.
The school song is sung at school events such as the Junior School Celebration and Speech Day.
Here are we gathered from many a nation,
Arts to acquire that our peoples may serve.
Characters moulded by strict regulation
Honour demands we this motto observe:
Honestas ante Honores
Honesty first then glories
Loud raise the echoing chorus
Honestas ante Honores
Bold as the Lion Crest
Blazoned on every breast
Loud let resound the chorus
Honestas ante Honores
Chivalry's courtesies claim cultivation.
Honour depends on such disciplined rule.
Honour acquiring a good reputation,
Honour the name of King George the Fifth School.
Honestas ante Honores
Honesty first then glories
Loud raise the echoing chorus
Honestas ante Honores
The season of 2009-2010 was the only season in recent years in which the school won a penalty shootout when goalkeeper Ryan Chan saved a penalty, and defender Elson Tong scored, to make the score KGV 3(5):(4)3 Chong Gene Hang College in the HKSSF Division 1 Football semifinal. However, they lost on penalties in the final to Hong Kong International School. The season, under coach Ian Greenfield, was widely regarded as the most successful in recent history.
Students are allowed to possess mobile phones during the free time between lessons, but are not allowed to receive calls.
The Octopus card is accepted as a form of payment in the canteen, and are also required to access certain classrooms and used to take attendence.
This block is named after Sir William Peel
, the Governor of Hong Kong from 1930 to 1935. His name can be found on the foundation stone on the north-east side of the building. This is the first block built on the present school site. It is protected under Hong Kong law because of its age and historical significance.
The building has the shape of the letter E and has two stories. The Peel block houses the School Hall, fourteen general-purpose classrooms on the ground floor and four on the first floor, seven senior science labs all on the first floor, the Reading Centre (a junior library), a computer room, two multimedia suites, staff room and offices, and a lecture theatre. The clock tower sits prominently on the front side of the building. There are also two paved quads for various activities.
Since the KGV site was used as a hospital and a dungeon by the Japanese in World War II, there are many rumours about this block. Many have said that the computer room is haunted and was a torture chamber during the Japanese Occupation, while others say that footsteps can be heard on the Peel Block's roof at night.
The Hall, located in the centre of the Peel Block, has hardwood flooring in the centre and marble flooring on the side walkways and up halfway along the wall. At the front of the hall is the stage, and to the rear, there is a second balcony level. The hall is outfitted with advanced sound and lighting equipment, and is used for events ranging from weekly Assembly to Speech Day (an award ceremony for Year 9s and above) to music and dance competitions.
This building, situated on the south side of the campus, is three stories tall. There are two design technology rooms, two textiles technology rooms, and the school's Sick Room on the ground floor; two graphics technology rooms and two food technology rooms on the first floor; six junior science labs, and two general-purpose classrooms on the second and third floors.
The Annex Block houses two classrooms on the ground floor and two on the second floor. These classrooms are used exclusively for teaching Chinese.
Formerly consisting of two squash courts, the Activities Centre now houses two Drama Studios, the Drama Department Office and one of the two boys' and girls' P.E. changing rooms on campus.
This five-storey building links the New Block, the Peel Block and the Activities Centre, with covered walkways on connecting floors. This building houses two Design and Technology rooms, a D&T office and store room, as well as a drama studio and girls' drama changing room on the ground floor. The two middle-school pastoral offices, three computer labs, and the School Library are on the first floor; fourteen general-purpose classrooms are spread out amongst the second, third and fourth floors; one art room and three music rooms are on the fourth floor; and three art rooms are on the fifth floor.
The Jockey Club Sarah Roe Centre (JCSRC) was built with funds donated from the then Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and named after Mrs. Sarah Roe, an occupational therapist, who was a founder of the Child Development Centre at the Matilda Hospital. It originally contained the Jockey Club Sarah Roe School in the Garden Rooms on the ground floor (which moved to new accommodation underneath the Senior Student Centre later in 1996), support offices, and a professional development and resources centre for ESF staff on the floors above.
Over the years, the building has been used for different purposes including housing the offices of ESF Educational Services Ltd, Sally's Place (ESF's Self-Access Language Learning Centre), the ESF Professional Library and KGV using the Garden Rooms as classrooms. Currently, KGV uses the Garden Rooms for teaching purposes whilst the first floor houses KGV's Junior School Office. The remaining office space houses the ESF Education Development Center's satellite office, its conference facilities and the ESF Professional Video Library.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Sarah Roe School (JCSRS) is housed on the KGV site, and occupies the first two stories of this building. This facility educates students with special needs across the English Schools Foundation
, and is the only such unit in the entire foundation.
KGV occupies the remaining floors, designated by the letter E. The third floor of the building houses the Senior Student Centre (SSC) which is a common lounge/study area reserved exclusively for senior students. There are five classrooms in the Senior Student Centre used by students from all years, as well as a lecture theatre and a computer room. Offices for senior school pastoral staff are also housed there.
In 2001, a vertical extension to the building was completed. The fourth floor of this building provides ten more classrooms as well as a computer lab. There is also a second staff break room there. This floor is technically not part of the Senior Student Centre, but is often referred to by junior students as the "SSC" floor anyway.
The roof of the building has two tennis courts. These replaced the tennis courts which were previously on the ground floor before this building was erected.
These six ground-floor classrooms were meant as "temporary" classrooms, but as KGV grew, these classrooms became necessary and thus became a permanent fixture. Modern Languages are taught predominantly in these six rooms which occupy the "piazza" area encased inside the square formed by the Peel, New, and Link blocks.
This block occupies the south-west corner of the school field. Prior to the reconstruction of the field, two classrooms (X1 and X2) were housed in this block, and storage shed and maintenance shed occupied the ground floor. The classrooms have now been converted into changing rooms. Many students and teachers still believe the Pavilion was used as a torture chamber during World War II when the Japanese occupied the school.
is ESF
's multipurpose sports facility. It has markings for various sports, such as football (soccer), and also has a track running the perimeter of the field.
Prior to the astroturfing
, there was opposition to the use of artificial turf. However, huge amounts of money were spent on maintaining the natural grass on the field's base of hard clay were uneconomic and impractical, and the field would become a large dust bowl after a month or two of use and students would often get injured playing on the field. Over HK$16 million was spent on the conversion, which started in late 2002.
The school's swimming pool is located behind the Peel Block. It is a 23-metre swimming pool with six lanes, normally in operation from April (usually after Easter break) to November. It plays host to a variety of activities hosted by the academic departments as well as extra-curricular activities, such as D-Day emulations by the history department and re-enactments of the Red Sea Crossing by the Religious Studies (RS) department.
and Kebabs. This has become the unofficial norm and a major rite of passage for members of the senior school.
In September 2008, KGV introduced an Octopus smart-card
registration system, replacing paper registration (attendance).
The Pantomime
, otherwise known as the "panto", is performed by Year 13 students on the final day of the fall term, prior to the start of the Christmas break. Generally making fun of the school or its teachers, this event is invariably a great comedy show for all students.
White Christmas
has been a staple of every KGV Christmas Final Assembly for as long as anyone can remember. Originally sung by Chris da Silva (a student from 1985 to 1992, who performed the intro solo) with the school choir; and later, by William McMahon, a mathematics teacher, performing the intro solo for the "staff choir", no Christmas Carol Concert or Christmas Final Assembly is complete without the singing of this song. Following Mr. McMahon's retirement in 2001, White Christmas is now sung by Fred Croft, Head of Art and finally in the last couple of years, White Christmas is sung by student soloists and the choir.
. Students set up games stalls and merchants set up small shops, with raffle ticket sales contributed to the PTSA to cover its general expenses. There are also performances by student groups, the Orchestras (Junior Orchestra and Senior Orchestra) and the Jazz Band.
's poem If—
by the Head Boy, and Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
by the Head Girl. At the end, a band of teachers play Summer Holiday
by Cliff Richard
while the rest of staff (on stage) and school sing along. Prior to 2002, students would spend the night at the school as well; this tradition was scrapped due to safety concerns.
: School Edition.
In 2009, musician Mika visited King George V School. He viewed the artwork based on his music (created by Advanced Diploma students) and helped finish a mural
on the B-block wall, painting "I am not what you think I am/ I am made of gold." He followed by performing 'Grace Kelly' for the students.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
of the English Schools Foundation, located in the Ho Man Tin area of Hong Kong. Currently school 1,700 students in the Kowloon peninsula, it is one of the oldest schools in Hong Kong, founded in 1894. Its students take IGCSEs followed by the International Baccalaureate or the British BTEC programme. KGV has a unit for children with special needs. The campus is 10.2 acres (41,000 m2) in size. The school is one of three English Schools Foundation
English Schools Foundation
The English Schools Foundation is an organisation that runs 20 educational institutions, most of which are international schools, which are all located in Hong Kong...
schools in Kowloon and New Territories, the others being Sha Tin College
Sha Tin College
Sha Tin College is a private secondary school in Hong Kong and a member of the English Schools Foundation – the largest independent schools organization in Asia....
and Renaissance College Hong Kong
Renaissance College Hong Kong
Renaissance College, Hong Kong is a co-educational, through-train, private independent international school in Ma On Shan, Hong Kong, serving primary, middle, and high school students . It is under the umbrella of English Schools Foundation...
.
Pre-WW2 period
KGV is the oldest of all the schools in the English Schools FoundationEnglish Schools Foundation
The English Schools Foundation is an organisation that runs 20 educational institutions, most of which are international schools, which are all located in Hong Kong...
. It first opened in 1894 on Nathan Road, and originally catered for European
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
s living in Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
. At the time, the school occupied just one small building. It was destroyed in a typhoon in 1896, and Kowloon College opened in its place in 1902. A huge opening ceremony took place. Many of Hong Kong's elite, such as Major General Gascoigne, the Apostolic Vicar of Hong Kong Louis Piazzoli
Louis Piazzoli
Louis Piazzoli was the Apostolic Vicar of Hong Kong from January 11, 1895 to 1904.Born in Bergamo, Italy, Piazzoli was ordained as a priest on 1 September 1868....
and J.H. Stewart Lockhart
James Haldane Stewart Lockhart
Sir James Haldane Stewart Lockhart KCMG, LLD was a British colonial official in Hong Kong and China for more than 40 years. Born in Ardsheal, Argyllshire, Scotland to Anna R. C...
, the Colony Secretary, were there. The school was built using donations from Sir Robert Hotung
Robert Hotung
Sir Robert Ho Tung Bosman, KBE , better known as Sir Robert Hotung, was an influential Eurasian businessman and philanthropist in British Hong Kong. It has often been claimed that he was the "first Chinese person to be allowed to live on Victoria Peak" in 1906, two years after the enactment of the...
. The school was renamed The Kowloon British School, later The Central British School and then King George V.
By 1930, the number of students in the school had grown to 300. Wooden huts were built at the back of the school to create extra classrooms. The playground was only 7 m². The then-headmaster, Mr. Nightingale, asked for a new and bigger school site, which was acquired, and the site plan was designed by a teacher named Mr. Rowell. Classes began at the new site on 14 September 1936. The first headmaster of the new school was Reverend Upsdell. The present school is still on the same site. The foundation stone for the new building was laid by Sir William Peel
William Peel
Captain Sir William Peel VC KCB was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the third son of the Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel...
and the building was subsequently named The Peel Block in his honor. Students in year 7 learn about the school history.
WW2 period
In 1937, the JapaneseEmpire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
army invaded 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...
and many European women and children were evacuated from Shanghai
Shanghai
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...
to Hong Kong. They needed a place to stay in the summer and the school was used as a refugee camp
Refugee camp
A refugee camp is a temporary settlement built to receive refugees. Hundreds of thousands of people may live in any one single camp. Usually they are built and run by a government, the United Nations, or international organizations, or NGOs.Refugee camps are generally set up in an impromptu...
. As World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
developed past 1939, the government started to worry about the safety of the children and in August 1940 the government ordered the evacuation of European women and children from Hong Kong. Thereafter, the school site was used by British forces as a hospital. When Hong Kong surrendered in the Battle of Hong Kong
Battle of Hong Kong
The Battle of Hong Kong took place during the Pacific campaign of World War II. It began on 8 December 1941 and ended on 25 December 1941 with Hong Kong, then a Crown colony, surrendering to the Empire of Japan.-Background:...
, the school site was taken over by the Japanese and used as a hospital for prisoners of war. It is rumored that the clock tower and/or Pavilion was once used as a morgue or torture chamber under the Japanese occupation
Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began after the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, surrendered the territory of Hong Kong to Japan on 25 December 1941 after 18 days of fierce fighting by British and Canadian defenders against overwhelming Japanese Imperial forces. The occupation lasted...
and that ghosts of tortured victims inhabit the clock tower and room P14. Dead bodies were also said to be buried under the school field. What is known, however, is that when classes at KGV resumed after WWII, the back of the stage still had the Rising Sun Flag
Rising Sun Flag
The is the military flag of Japan. It was used as the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army and the ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy until the end of World War II...
(of the Japanese military) painted on its back wall.
When the news was received that Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
had surrendered, the General commanding the school left holding his sword high. As soon as he left, the school raised the British Union flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
, probably the first to be raised in Hong Kong following the Japanese surrender. For a short period after the end of the war KGV continued to be used as a military hospital and British doctors lived in the school. The following message was inscribed at the Hall's main entrance: "Never in the field of human conflict" - a reference to Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
's famous speech
Never was so much owed by so many to so few
Never was so much owed by so many to so few was a wartime speech made by the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on 20 August 1940. The name stems from the specific line in the speech, Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few, referring to the ongoing efforts...
given to the British Parliament on 20 August 1940 - to remind future pupils of the value of peace. To this day the quote still remains at the Hall's main entrance.
Post-WW2 period
The school re-opened in the summer of 1946 and in 1947 children of all nationalities were able to join the school. Since it was no longer for British pupils only, the school's name was changed on the school's speech day of 1948 to 'King George V School,' as George VGeorge V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
was king when the foundation stone of the Peel Block was laid.
In 1979, principal A. Smith decided that KGV should join the English Schools Foundation, and by 1981, the transfer was complete. KGV is currently the oldest school in the ESF.
Students and the house system
English Schools Foundation
The English Schools Foundation is an organisation that runs 20 educational institutions, most of which are international schools, which are all located in Hong Kong...
such as Kowloon Junior School
Kowloon Junior School
Kowloon Junior School is a primary school in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The current principal is Mr. Mark Cripps, and the school has approximately 900 students. It is run by the English Schools Foundation .-History:...
, Beacon Hill School, Clearwater Bay School, (and also some students from Bauhinia School
Bauhinia School
The Bauhinia School was a former school located in Lai King, Hong Kong. The school closed its doors in 2008 was succeeded by Discovery College....
and other English Schools Foundation schools.)
The house system is the basis for all school competitions such as in sports, music, and dance, and often sees fierce competition between the houses. Each student at KGV belongs to a house, named after former members of staff. However, to prevent competition between members of the same family, brothers and sisters are usually placed into the same house.
The houses, and their associated colors, are as follows:
- Crozier (green) - a teacher who fought to defend Hong Kong in WWII.
- Nightingale (yellow) - headmaster who first asked for a new school building, which is now the current school site.
- Rowell (blue) - a teacher who designed part of the current site of the school.
- Upsdell (red) - the first headmaster to serve in the school building located at the current school site.
Historically, a student's form group remained unchanged throughout his or her school career, i.e. a student placed in group 7S would precede to 8S, 9S, and 10S etc. However, in the 2000s, various amendments have completely changed this practice. Starting from September 2001, students entering Years 9 and 12 were reshuffled to encourage students to be more familiar with pupils from the rest of the year, and to account for leavers after completion of Year 11. A practice of vertical tutoring has also been introduced in September 2005, under which senior school students in Year 12 and 13 are placed in house-based form groups. The years are mixed together (hence vertical tutoring) so each senior school form group will consist of both Year 12 and 13 students. This is in contrast to the previous practice where students were placed in identical-year groups named 12E, 13M, etc. In September 2009, vertical tutoring in senior school was expanded to include Year 11 students (in addition to Years 12 and 13); and as of the academic year of 2010-2011, vertical tutoring has been expanded to all year groups, with students in years 7-10 and students in years 11-13 placed in house-based Vertical Tutoring Groups.
Curriculum
The curriculum adopted by KGV, as an international school, is significantly different to the system commonly practiced in Hong Kong. In line with the British schooling system, KGV has divided the year groups into various key stages as follows:Key Stage 3
The Key Stage 3Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 is the legal term for the three years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9, when pupils are aged between 11 and 14...
curriculum is designed for Years 7 to 9. All subjects (Art, Drama, English, History, ICT, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Geography, Science and Technology) are compulsory, and students must learn Mandarin and a European language (French, German or Spanish). The European language is randomly allocated unless upon parental request.
In year 7, students are not put into academically leveled sets but is considered as a "transition" year, offering a wide variety of "inquiry" opportunities, transitioning from the "PYP" inquiry format learning to the British curriculum.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 is the legal term for the two years of school education which incorporate GCSEs, and other exams, in maintained schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland—normally known as Year 10 and Year 11 in England and Wales, and Year 11 and Year 12 in Northern Ireland, when pupils are...
is the next stage of the curriculum. At the end of this key stage pupils take IGCSE
IGCSE
The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is an internationally recognised qualification for school students, typically in the 14–16 age group. It is similar to the GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Standard Grade in Scotland or Junior Certificate in the Republic of...
(International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations in their chosen subjects.
All subjects are compulsory, but there is a choice to suit the aptitude and interest of students.
All students taking the IGCSE course have to study the core subjects of English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
(split into Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
), PE and PSE (Personal and Social Education
Personal and Social Education
Personal and Social Education is a component of the state school curriculum in Wales. PSE became a statutory requirement in schools in September 2003, and is compulsory for all students at Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 , and shares some similar elements with Personal, Social and Health Education and...
). Students may choose to take a further course in ICT, CIDA (Certificate in Digital Applications), which is equivalent to two GCSEs. In addition, they must choose four further subjects by choosing one of the subjects from each of the boxes -
| Box 1 | Chinese AS, Chinese GCSE, French, German, Spanish |
| Box 2 | Art, Music, Sports Science, Drama, Design & Technology Electronics, DT Resistant Materials, DT Graphics, DT Food, DT Textiles, BTEC Course in Arts and Media (This occupies two boxes) |
| Box 3 | Geography, History, Economics, Business Studies, Psychology, Religious Studies, BTEC Course in Economics and Business(this occupies two boxes) |
| Box 4 | BTEC course or Triple Science or another subject from Boxes 1, 2 or 3. |
The boxes are structured in a way that is balanced and ensures that students can build on their strengths whilst keeping their options open in the future.
AS Level
Students in year 12 are allowed to select four AS Level courses to study. However, some students find it difficult to cope with four courses, and select three instead. General National Vocational QualificationGeneral National Vocational Qualification
A General National Vocational Qualification, or GNVQ, is a certificate of vocational education in the United Kingdom. The last GNVQs were awarded in 2007....
(GNVQ) courses are designed for students who have difficulty in studying.
Students are required to achieve a certain grade in their GCSE examinations in order to take on their desired AS Level subject. Each AS subject has a slightly different requirement. AS Level subjects are studied in greater depth, requiring large amounts of self-study and independence
A2 Level
A2 Level (GCE Advanced Level) was the curriculum designed for Year 13. The class of 2008 was the last year to do A Levels.IB Diploma
Starting from September 2007, KGV replaced the existing British A Level Program with the International Baccalaureate, offering the Diploma ProgrammeIB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
as default.
All students have to complete the core syllabus, consisting of an Extended Essay
Extended Essay
The extended essay is a mandatory core component of the IB Diploma Programme. It is a research paper of up to 4,000 words giving students an opportunity to conduct independent research or investigation on a topic that interests them...
, Theory of Knowledge
Theory of Knowledge (IB course)
Theory of knowledge is a course in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme which is, in essence, similar to Epistemology courses offered in university.-Course description:...
and Creativity, Action, Service
Creativity, Action, Service
Creativity, action, service is a mandatory core component of the IB Diploma Programme. It aims to provide a 'counterbalance' to the academic rigour of the educational programme. Before the 2010 examination there was a 150 hour requirement, with an approximately equal distribution of creativity,...
. The school has produced some of the best and highest scores in IB, as well as being the largest IB school in the world.
When some of the students were asked about the IB Diploma, most of them gave positive reviews despite the large workload.
Uniform
| Boys | Girls | |
| Summer | Blue (Y7-10) or Khaki (Y11-13) trousers or shorts; white short sleeved shirt with the blue KGV logo on the breast pocket; black leather belt; black leather shoes and a pair of black socks with trousers or a pair of white socks with shorts. | Blue (Y7-10) or Khaki (Y11-13) skort or trousers; White short sleeved blouse with triangular slits at the sleeves with the blue KGV logo on the breast pocket; black shoes and a pair of white socks. Girls in years 11-13 have the option of wearing closed toe sandals. |
| Winter | Same as summer, but the shirt could be long sleeved, v-neck pullover, navy fleece jacket or a navy blue blazer. | Same as summer, with blouse substituted with a long or short sleeved shirt; optional navy blue or black tights, v-neck pullover, navy fleece jacket or a navy blue blazer. |
Tie: In the winter, students in years 7-10 must wear a navy blue tie with the school crest in a pattern covering the entire tie; and students in Years 11-13 must wear a navy blue tie with gold diagonal stripes and a single school crest at the bottom.
School Council
The KGV school council is responsible for the governance of the school. The council has a number of responsibilities including monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the school development plan; the appointment and promotion of staff; approving the school budget; ensuring the condition and state of repair of the school premises and also acts as a link between ESF management, the school and the community as a whole.Student Council
The student council is the student government of KGV. It consists of fifteen students in Years 11 to 13. All of them are elected through direct student voting (weighted-point system favouring more senior students), with a two to three week process where the candidates run campaigns and give speeches about their ideas for the school. The president and vice president of the council are then voted in by Year 12 and 13 students after another round of speeches.The Student Council listens to the student opinion through form representatives and assists the school's development and improvement. It has a powerful and respected voice on all facets of school administration. Many of its achievements in the past include input on the school Healthy Eating policy, smart card system, vertical tutoring, ICT usage, environment, assembly structure, physical education (PE) kits, and site redevelopment.
Every year the Student Council also hosts or assists in fundraisers, such as the annual 'ESISCO' and School 'Karnival'.
In recent elections, issues of concern for KGV students have included congestion in the school's stairways, the lack of means through which students can voice their concerns, and the replacement of malfunctioning computers in the Senior Student Centre Resource Room.
School logo, motto and song
- School Logo
The heraldic
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
description of the Coat of Arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of King George the Fifth School is:
- School Motto
The motto of KGV is Honestas Ante Honores, which means "Honesty Before Glory" in Latin. The school motto and song share the same name.
- School Song
The school song is sung at school events such as the Junior School Celebration and Speech Day.
Here are we gathered from many a nation,
Arts to acquire that our peoples may serve.
Characters moulded by strict regulation
Honour demands we this motto observe:
Honestas ante Honores
Honesty first then glories
Loud raise the echoing chorus
Honestas ante Honores
Bold as the Lion Crest
Blazoned on every breast
Loud let resound the chorus
Honestas ante Honores
Chivalry's courtesies claim cultivation.
Honour depends on such disciplined rule.
Honour acquiring a good reputation,
Honour the name of King George the Fifth School.
Honestas ante Honores
Honesty first then glories
Loud raise the echoing chorus
Honestas ante Honores
Sports
KGV is renowned for its excellence in sporting events ranging from rugby to basketball; games often take place within the school campus, as the school is one of the few in Hong Kong with such well-equipped facilities. It is a Division I category school. In 2009, the KGV won the Bauhinia Bowl, marking it as the best sporting school in Hong Kong for the academic year 2008-2009.KGV Rugby
Rugby has been a traditional sport at KGV for a very long time. In the 2007-2008 term, the A-grade rugby team won the 15s, 10s and 7s tournament; this had not been achieved before in the history of the school. This team includes many Hong Kong rugby representatives and the 2010 Larry Abel award winner; Aiden Bradley. A single word, "MANA" (meaning 'pride'), is shouted out at every practice and match to build up confidence in team members. KGV has recently embraced female rugby, the womans team in 2010 are well known in Hong Kong for their un- beatable strength and skills. Team includes many Hong Kong bauhinia rugby representatives.KGV Football
Football has been a traditional sport at KGV for a long time. In recent years, the team has won the "Team With Most Space For Improvement" Award, and has exceeded expectations with regards to the maintenance of its losing streak in penalty shootouts.The season of 2009-2010 was the only season in recent years in which the school won a penalty shootout when goalkeeper Ryan Chan saved a penalty, and defender Elson Tong scored, to make the score KGV 3(5):(4)3 Chong Gene Hang College in the HKSSF Division 1 Football semifinal. However, they lost on penalties in the final to Hong Kong International School. The season, under coach Ian Greenfield, was widely regarded as the most successful in recent history.
Technology
Students are encouraged to bring a laptop to lessons. During the summer of 2009, the school installed WiFi coverage over the entire school, making it possible to have high speed Internet connection throughout the site.Students are allowed to possess mobile phones during the free time between lessons, but are not allowed to receive calls.
The Octopus card is accepted as a form of payment in the canteen, and are also required to access certain classrooms and used to take attendence.
Facilities
Peel Block (P)
Completed: 1937This block is named after Sir William Peel
Sir William Peel
Sir William Peel was a British colonial administrator who became the Governor of Hong Kong.-Early life:...
, the Governor of Hong Kong from 1930 to 1935. His name can be found on the foundation stone on the north-east side of the building. This is the first block built on the present school site. It is protected under Hong Kong law because of its age and historical significance.
The building has the shape of the letter E and has two stories. The Peel block houses the School Hall, fourteen general-purpose classrooms on the ground floor and four on the first floor, seven senior science labs all on the first floor, the Reading Centre (a junior library), a computer room, two multimedia suites, staff room and offices, and a lecture theatre. The clock tower sits prominently on the front side of the building. There are also two paved quads for various activities.
Since the KGV site was used as a hospital and a dungeon by the Japanese in World War II, there are many rumours about this block. Many have said that the computer room is haunted and was a torture chamber during the Japanese Occupation, while others say that footsteps can be heard on the Peel Block's roof at night.
Hall
New Block
Completed: 1964This building, situated on the south side of the campus, is three stories tall. There are two design technology rooms, two textiles technology rooms, and the school's Sick Room on the ground floor; two graphics technology rooms and two food technology rooms on the first floor; six junior science labs, and two general-purpose classrooms on the second and third floors.
Annex Block
Completed: 1982The Annex Block houses two classrooms on the ground floor and two on the second floor. These classrooms are used exclusively for teaching Chinese.
Activities Centre
Completed: 1983Formerly consisting of two squash courts, the Activities Centre now houses two Drama Studios, the Drama Department Office and one of the two boys' and girls' P.E. changing rooms on campus.
Link Block
Completed: 1984This five-storey building links the New Block, the Peel Block and the Activities Centre, with covered walkways on connecting floors. This building houses two Design and Technology rooms, a D&T office and store room, as well as a drama studio and girls' drama changing room on the ground floor. The two middle-school pastoral offices, three computer labs, and the School Library are on the first floor; fourteen general-purpose classrooms are spread out amongst the second, third and fourth floors; one art room and three music rooms are on the fourth floor; and three art rooms are on the fifth floor.
Jockey Club Sarah Roe Centre
Completed: 1986The Jockey Club Sarah Roe Centre (JCSRC) was built with funds donated from the then Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and named after Mrs. Sarah Roe, an occupational therapist, who was a founder of the Child Development Centre at the Matilda Hospital. It originally contained the Jockey Club Sarah Roe School in the Garden Rooms on the ground floor (which moved to new accommodation underneath the Senior Student Centre later in 1996), support offices, and a professional development and resources centre for ESF staff on the floors above.
Over the years, the building has been used for different purposes including housing the offices of ESF Educational Services Ltd, Sally's Place (ESF's Self-Access Language Learning Centre), the ESF Professional Library and KGV using the Garden Rooms as classrooms. Currently, KGV uses the Garden Rooms for teaching purposes whilst the first floor houses KGV's Junior School Office. The remaining office space houses the ESF Education Development Center's satellite office, its conference facilities and the ESF Professional Video Library.
Sarah Roe School (JCSRS) / Senior Student Centre
Completed: 1996The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
Sarah Roe School (JCSRS) is housed on the KGV site, and occupies the first two stories of this building. This facility educates students with special needs across the English Schools Foundation
English Schools Foundation
The English Schools Foundation is an organisation that runs 20 educational institutions, most of which are international schools, which are all located in Hong Kong...
, and is the only such unit in the entire foundation.
KGV occupies the remaining floors, designated by the letter E. The third floor of the building houses the Senior Student Centre (SSC) which is a common lounge/study area reserved exclusively for senior students. There are five classrooms in the Senior Student Centre used by students from all years, as well as a lecture theatre and a computer room. Offices for senior school pastoral staff are also housed there.
In 2001, a vertical extension to the building was completed. The fourth floor of this building provides ten more classrooms as well as a computer lab. There is also a second staff break room there. This floor is technically not part of the Senior Student Centre, but is often referred to by junior students as the "SSC" floor anyway.
The roof of the building has two tennis courts. These replaced the tennis courts which were previously on the ground floor before this building was erected.
B-block
Completed: 1999These six ground-floor classrooms were meant as "temporary" classrooms, but as KGV grew, these classrooms became necessary and thus became a permanent fixture. Modern Languages are taught predominantly in these six rooms which occupy the "piazza" area encased inside the square formed by the Peel, New, and Link blocks.
Pavilion
Completion Date 1940This block occupies the south-west corner of the school field. Prior to the reconstruction of the field, two classrooms (X1 and X2) were housed in this block, and storage shed and maintenance shed occupied the ground floor. The classrooms have now been converted into changing rooms. Many students and teachers still believe the Pavilion was used as a torture chamber during World War II when the Japanese occupied the school.
Other facilities
Field
KGV's artificially turfed fieldAstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
is ESF
English Schools Foundation
The English Schools Foundation is an organisation that runs 20 educational institutions, most of which are international schools, which are all located in Hong Kong...
's multipurpose sports facility. It has markings for various sports, such as football (soccer), and also has a track running the perimeter of the field.
Prior to the astroturfing
AstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
, there was opposition to the use of artificial turf. However, huge amounts of money were spent on maintaining the natural grass on the field's base of hard clay were uneconomic and impractical, and the field would become a large dust bowl after a month or two of use and students would often get injured playing on the field. Over HK$16 million was spent on the conversion, which started in late 2002.
Swimming pool
Completed: 1979The school's swimming pool is located behind the Peel Block. It is a 23-metre swimming pool with six lanes, normally in operation from April (usually after Easter break) to November. It plays host to a variety of activities hosted by the academic departments as well as extra-curricular activities, such as D-Day emulations by the history department and re-enactments of the Red Sea Crossing by the Religious Studies (RS) department.
Tennis Courts
The Tennis courts are located on the roof of the SSC (Senior School Centre). There are two courts and are also used during PE (Physical Education) lessons which all years are required to do.Canteen
The Canteen block is located next to the swimming pool, and houses the canteen (Sodexho), the weights room, the PTSA shop, as well as offices for the PTSA (Parent Teachers Student Association). Although the school has entered an agreement which guarantees the canteen a monopoly to food provisions on campus, a variety of food options are nonetheless available for senior students who are willing to violate the senior school contract. The class of 2008, in particular, has been known as the pioneers for ordering deliveries of McDonald'sMcDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
and Kebabs. This has become the unofficial norm and a major rite of passage for members of the senior school.
Future site development
There are plans to amalgamate the KGV and KJS (Kowloon Junior School) Perth Street campus to allow KGV to grow further. This would involve the replacement of the canteen block and swimming pool with state-of-the-art facilities including a performance hall, indoor swimming pool, gym facilities and new classrooms to accommodate the increasing numbers of new students.In September 2008, KGV introduced an Octopus smart-card
Octopus card
The Octopus card is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card used to transfer electronic payments in online or offline systems in Hong Kong...
registration system, replacing paper registration (attendance).
Traditions
KGV, being an old school, has many traditions in place. The list below is by no means exhaustive.Assembly
Formerly held Monday and Friday mornings, they are now held Wednesday afternoons. Assemblies are where announcements are made to the whole school, performances are given, and, in general, is a common bond that holds the school's students together. However, due to the growth in student numbers since 2003, assembly can no longer be held with all students under one roof. Currently, assemblies are broadcast live to other various locations on campus, including Drama Studios 1, 2, and 3; and the SSC.Year 13 pantomime
Pantomime
Pantomime — not to be confused with a mime artist, a theatrical performer of mime—is a musical-comedy theatrical production traditionally found in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, India, Ireland, Gibraltar and Malta, and is mostly performed during the...
, otherwise known as the "panto", is performed by Year 13 students on the final day of the fall term, prior to the start of the Christmas break. Generally making fun of the school or its teachers, this event is invariably a great comedy show for all students.
Speech Day
Speech Day is a formal occasion for Students from Years 9-12 who have achieved academic excellence in KGV. Each subject comes with a subject prize and only one student of the each year is awarded. Other prizes are awarded such as Community Service, Lion Yearbook, School Public Spirit, Art, Acting, Music and many more. As this is a very important event to prize winners, teachers and alumni frequently attend, and the KGV Orchestra and Choir plays music to make the night even more ceremonious.Christmas Carol Concert
The Carol Concert is a concert given by the KGV Orchestra, Choir and Jazz band which is open to the general public.White Christmas
White Christmas (song)
"White Christmas" is an Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.Accounts vary as...
has been a staple of every KGV Christmas Final Assembly for as long as anyone can remember. Originally sung by Chris da Silva (a student from 1985 to 1992, who performed the intro solo) with the school choir; and later, by William McMahon, a mathematics teacher, performing the intro solo for the "staff choir", no Christmas Carol Concert or Christmas Final Assembly is complete without the singing of this song. Following Mr. McMahon's retirement in 2001, White Christmas is now sung by Fred Croft, Head of Art and finally in the last couple of years, White Christmas is sung by student soloists and the choir.
KGV Karnival
Known as the "Beach@KGV" in 2008, KGViva in 2007 and Spring Fair prior to 2003, this event is held every year in March or April where KGV is set up to be like a bazaarBazaar
A bazaar , Cypriot Greek: pantopoula) is a permanent merchandising area, marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold. The term is sometimes also used to refer to the "network of merchants, bankers and craftsmen" who work that area...
. Students set up games stalls and merchants set up small shops, with raffle ticket sales contributed to the PTSA to cover its general expenses. There are also performances by student groups, the Orchestras (Junior Orchestra and Senior Orchestra) and the Jazz Band.
KGV Survivor
An elimination game, which is held on the last day of each school year, is held on the school field or in the hall where a series of questions are asked. The winner of the game wins HK$1000.Year 13 final assembly
A final assembly on Year 13's final day before exam leave in the summer. Usually, a performance is given by Year 13 students, and final goodbyes are said. There is a recital of Rudyard KiplingRudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
's poem If—
If—
"If—" is a poem written in 1895 by British Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling. It was first published in the "Brother Square Toes" chapter of Rewards and Fairies, Kipling's 1910 collection of short stories and poems...
by the Head Boy, and Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is an American author and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer" by scholar Joanne M. Braxton. She is best known for her series of six autobiographical volumes, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first and most highly...
by the Head Girl. At the end, a band of teachers play Summer Holiday
Summer Holiday (song)
"Summer Holiday" is a song recorded by Cliff Richard and The Shadows, written by rhythm guitarist Bruce Welch and drummer Brian Bennett. It went to number one in the UK. It is taken from the film of the same name and is one of Richard's best known titles...
by Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
while the rest of staff (on stage) and school sing along. Prior to 2002, students would spend the night at the school as well; this tradition was scrapped due to safety concerns.
Arts
In 2006, KGV was the first school in Asia to perform the musical, Les MisérablesLes Misérables (musical)
Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
: School Edition.
In 2009, musician Mika visited King George V School. He viewed the artwork based on his music (created by Advanced Diploma students) and helped finish a mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
on the B-block wall, painting "I am not what you think I am/ I am made of gold." He followed by performing 'Grace Kelly' for the students.
School Fees
As of 2010-11, the annual fees for this school are set to HK$93,000 (Years 7-11) and HK$94,000 (Years 12-13).Notable alumni
- Michael HutchenceMichael HutchenceMichael Kelland John Hutchence was an Australian musician and actor. He was the founding lead singer-songwriter of rock band :INXS from 1977 to his death in 1997, a period of twenty years. Hutchence was a member of short-lived pop rock group Max Q and recorded solo material which was released...
– deceased lead singer of Australian band, INXSINXSINXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
. - Martin BoothMartin BoothMartin Booth was a prolific British novelist and poet. He also worked as a teacher and screenwriter, and was the founder of the Sceptre Press.-Early life:...
– deceased author of over 30 novels, including Industry of Souls, Music on the Bamboo RadioMusic on the Bamboo RadioMusic on the Bamboo Radio is a novel written by Martin Booth that was first published in 1997. The story revolves around Nicholas Holford, the main character and minor relations can be made to Martin Booth's life during the Second World War.- Plot summary:...
and Gweilo: Memoirs of a Hong Kong childhoodGweilo: Memoirs of a Hong Kong childhoodGweilo: Memoirs of a Hong Kong Childhood is an autobiography by author Martin Booth published in 2004 shortly before he died. The book discusses the author's childhood in Hong Kong. The term "gweilo" is Cantonese for ghost, but has been applied as a racial epithet for Caucasians...
. - Dermot ReeveDermot ReeveDermot Alexander Reeve OBE is an English former cricketer, best known as an unorthodox all-rounder and, until recently, coach of the New Zealand side, Central Districts....
– England cricketer, known as an unorthodox all-rounder. - Kemal BokharyKemal BokharySyed Kemal Shah Bokhary is a judge in Hong Kong. , he serves as one of the three Permanent Judges of Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal.-Early life and family:...
– Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal (Hong Kong) - David MillarDavid MillarDavid Millar is a British road racing cyclist riding for . He has won three stages of the Tour de France, two of the Vuelta a España and one Stage of the Giro d'Italia. He was the British national road champion and the national time trial champion, both in 2007...
– Professional Cyclist on the Garmin-Chipotle Team & Tour de France Stage Winner - Simon K.Chau - Founder of Hong Kong Surfing Association, which created Quiksilver & Rip Curl HK Surfing Competitions, and Winner Best Rookie in Macau Grand Prix Super-Car Championship.
- Jason TobinJason TobinJason Tobin, credited in Chinese as To Jun Wai , is a British-Chinese film and television actor.-Early life:He was born in Hong Kong where he attended the King George V School in Kowloon, Hong Kong; he is of mixed ancestry, being half English and half Chinese.-Partial filmography:His film...
– British-Chinese actor known for his role as Virgil Hu in Justin LinJustin LinJustin Lin is a Taiwanese American film director, best known for his work on Better Luck Tomorrow, The Fast and the Furious franchise and the television show, Community.-Life and career:...
's Better Luck TomorrowBetter Luck TomorrowBetter Luck Tomorrow is a 2002 crime-drama film directed by Justin Lin. The movie is about Asian American overachievers who become bored with their lives and enter a world of petty crime and material excess...
. - Victor FungVictor FungVictor Fung Kwok-king , GBS , is the Group Chairman of Li & Fung group of companies. Together with his brother William, he owns a controlling stake of 32% in the business, which was founded by his grandfather....
, GBS – Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong KongAirport Authority Hong KongThe Airport Authority Hong Kong is the statutory body of the government of Hong Kong that is responsible for the operations of the Hong Kong International Airport.-History:...
and the Hong Kong-Japan Business Co-operation Committee, and Co-Chair of the EvianEvianEvian is a French brand of mineral water coming from several sources near Évian-les-Bains, on the south shore of Lake Geneva.Today, Evian is owned by Danone Group, a French multinational company...
Group. - Loletta ChuLoletta ChuLoletta Chu is a Chinese beauty pageant titleholder. She was the winner of the 1977 Miss Hong Kong Pageant.-Early life:Chu was born in Mandalay, Burma in 1958 into an ethnically Chinese family, with roots in Taishan, Guangdong, China. In 1968 she and her family moved to Hong Kong, where she...
– Winner of Miss Hong Kong PageantMiss Hong Kong PageantThe Miss Hong Kong Pageant , or MSHK for short, is a beauty pageant organized by the leading Hong Kong television station, Television Broadcasts ....
1977, Hong Kong socialite. - Perry So – Associate Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
- Aarif LeeAarif LeeAarif Lee is an actor and Cantopop singer from Hong Kong. After singing "普通朋友" at a gathering, he was signed by Alvin Wang and Leon Lai of East Asia Record Production and became one of the new artists in 2009...
, Toby LeungToby LeungToby Jing-Kei Leung is a female Cantopop singer and actress from Hong Kong. She entered the music industry in 2004 when the MusicNationGroup discovered her talent. Together with Macy Chan, Elise Liu and Bella Cheung they formed the singing group Girl's only Dormitory but later broke up...
, and Charles YingCharles YingCharles Ying is a Cantopop singer from Hong Kong. After singing the theme song Do I Still Love You of the film Leaving me, Loving you, he was signed by Leon Lai of East Asia Record Production and became one of the new hotly promoted new artists in 2005....
– Cantopop singers and actors from Hong Kong.