Blog

By Fung Yee Wang ('55)

Nov 2005

Dear Old Boys,

This is to inform you that your Alma Mater has launched a school history project. The project was first conceived last summer when I returned to the school to search for materials on Rev. George She, Headmaster from 1955 to 1961.

In a meeting with Mr. Terence Chang, the current Headmaster, he asked me to consider mounting the project. I accepted the challenge and had a voluntary work group formed by the beginning of this year to do the research and writing. It comprised a retired professor of history (an expert in the field of history of education in HK) from CUHK who was the group leader, Dr. Tommy Lau (old boy of class 1963, formerly HK Government Record Service Director) and myself (old boy of class 1955).

Preliminary work had begun in April 2005, but unfortunately the leader had to resign for medical reasons in August. I then approached an equally esteemed retired professor from HKU to take her place. He had agreed to help, but again he was taken ill soon after his acceptance of our invitation. He too had to opt out. Now Tommy is the leader and I, the only other member of the group. We have a well-equipped office in the school and the support of three part-time research assistants.

The tentative title of the book is “To Lead and to Serve: History of the Diocesan Boys’ School, 1869 – 2004” and the table of contents is as follows:

Part I: A Chronological View

1. The School in the Making: 1869 – 1918
2. Progress and Expansion: 1918 – 1941
3. Meeting the Challenges of the Time: 1941 – 1961
4. Striving for Excellence: 1961 – 1983
5. Continuity and Change: 1983 – 2000
6. A New Phase in Development: 2000 – 2004

Part II: Other Perspectives
7. The School Committee and Headmasters
8. Staffs and Students
9. The campus and School Life
10. Scholastic Activities
11. Extra-curricular Activities
12. The Alumni

Part III: Appendices

The manuscript (in Chinese) will be ready for the publisher by the end of August 2007 and will then be translated into English. It is planned that the Chinese version will be published in mid 2008 and the English version in late 2008 or early 2009, just in time for the 140th Anniversary.

I hope you will help us by (1) forwarding this letter to as many old boys as possible at your earliest convenience, and (2) responding to the following questionnaire (writing freely on a separate piece of paper if you like) on or before 31 December 2005.

Thanking you in anticipation of your assistance,

Yours sincerely,

Fung Yee Wang (’55)
1 Nov 2005

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Questionnaire

1. Which year did you take your HKCEE?
2. When did you leave DBS?
3. What did you do after leaving DBS? Further your studies/Work?
4. What is your present educational/professional qualification?
5. If you have ever studied and/or worked outside HK, please describe.
6. What profession/trade are you presently engaged in?

7. Do you have any fond memories of your school days to share with others?
– About yourself
– About your schoolmates
– About your teachers
– About your Headmaster(s)
– About the non-teaching staff
– About the campus
– About school life

8. Other comments
9. Your name please (optional, but we would appreciate your putting down your name as this is a historical document)

Thank you.
Please send your response by mail to Mr. Y. W. Fung, c/o the Headmaster, DBS, 131 Argyle Street, Kowloon or by email to yeewangfung2@hotmail.com.

Dear Fellow Old Boys and Friends,

It is my great pleasure to invite you all to celebrate the fellowship of our Alma Mater at the Annual Ball to be held on December 10th 2005 in the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel. This year's theme "Shanghai Fáng" is one that is close to my heart and from which many parallels can be drawn. It embodies both the values of our old school and my personal experience as a garment and textile manufacturer.

It takes individuals with self-confidence and a strong sense of team spirit and industriousness in order for a factory to create a quality product that adds value to the community at large. It requires self-motivation, a clear objective, shared values and an unwavering focus to achieve an end result that meets – and sometimes even exceeds – the expected and consensual standard that has been set. Together, each and every individual plays their part to create, establish and strengthen a well-respected and trusted brand in which everyone can take pride. These are the very qualities which the life of the Diocesan School fostered within us and which it continues to exemplify. It gave all of us ‘old boys’ a name, a legacy

Do join us for our much anticipated "Shanghai Fáng" evening of pleasure and entertainment where we can renew old friendships and reaffirm our commitment to the present generation of students. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund DSOBA and various school projects in need of support. Your continuous benevolence will ensure that the knowledge and principals so valued by our Alma Mater will unceasing to grow and flourish within the school community

Please make a note in your diary and reserve your tables now so that you do not miss this important and enjoyable annual event. We hope that you will join in the spirit of the Shanghai theme by wearing traditional Chinese costumes to mark the occasion!

Yours sincerely,

Alvin LI (86) 2005 Ball Chairman