St. Mary's Canossian College - Latest Happenings

Foundress Day Celebration

In this joyful year celebrating the 125th anniversary of our school’s founding, the Foundress Day Celebration took place on May 8, 2025, in the School Hall and was live-streamed to the Gymnasium. Organized by the Executive Committee of the Catholic Society, the event featured a special interview with Ms. Lucia Leung, Manager of MercyHK Canteen under MercyHK 2020 Limited. Her insights into the organization’s mission—rooted in service and charity—beautifully reflected the spirit of our Foundress and inspired our students to embody humility and charity in their lives.

The celebration continued with a solemn Holy Mass, celebrated by Rev. Tito Lopez Martin, MG. The day concluded with great joy as students participated in the cherished tradition of enjoying ice cream together.

We give thanks to God for a meaningful and grace-filled occasion. May the legacy of our Foundress continue to inspire and guide every member of the St. Mary’s family in faith, love, and service.

Annual Sports Day 24-25

The annual Sports Day, held on April 10, 2025, at Wan Chai Sports Ground, was a resounding success. Dr. Juanita Cheung, a distinguished senior lecturer from the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, graced the event as the guest of honour. The day commenced with a flag-raising ceremony, instilling a sense of patriotism and school pride. Students from Forms 1 to 5 enthusiastically engaged in a diverse range of activities, from competitive events, cheering teams and officiating roles.

The races ignited a strong competitive spirit, motivating participants to push their limits. A particularly outstanding performance came from Joanna Lau of 5D (Yellow House), who shattered existing records in the A Grade Long Jump.

Beyond the standard events, the program featured engaging special races, including the Feeder Schools 4x100m Relay, Secondary Schools Invitation Relay, Old Girls Relay, Parent-Daughter Obstacle Race, and the Teachers' Relay. We extend our sincere appreciation to the old girls, parents, and teachers whose participation underscored their unwavering support for the school community.

The atmosphere reached its peak during the Closing Ceremony as the highly anticipated results were announced. White House emerged victorious as the A Grade Champion, while Blue House dominated, securing both the B and C Grade championships. Red House triumphed in the Cheering Team Championship, and Blue House was ultimately crowned the Overall House Champion. We also want to acknowledge and appreciate the participation and impressive performances of all the other houses.

In conclusion, the annual Sports Day was a memorable and triumphant occasion, providing students with a platform to demonstrate their athletic abilities, fostering teamwork and healthy competition among the houses, and cultivating a vibrant atmosphere of unity and school spirit.

F.1 Discipline Camp

F.1 students participated in a two-day discipline camp from April 1st to 2nd during the Activity Days. They engaged in ice-breaking games, foot drill exercises, and trust-building activities designed to foster teamwork, enhance communication skills, and promote discipline. Through a blend of challenges and enjoyable experiences, students forged strong bonds and gained valuable insights into cooperation and respect.

F.2 Students' Trip to Guangzhou

All F.2 students recently enjoyed a two-day, one-night trip to Guangzhou, where they explored several historical landmarks. Highlights included the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Guangdong Museum of Modern History, the Dongshan ‘Yanglou’ Buildings, and the Shamian Architectural Complex.

These visits deepened students' understanding of Guangzhou's cultural heritage and architectural diversity. Engaging with these sites enabled them to appreciate history and the importance of preservation. Overall, the trip was a valuable experience, fostering a stronger connection to their heritage and encouraging critical thinking about historical events.

F.3 STEAM Learning Days

The STEAM Learning Days consisted of two engaging activities designed to enhance students' creativity and collaboration. On the first day, students participated in a LEGO mini competition, where they worked in teams designing and building innovative structures using LEGO bricks. This hands-on activity fostered teamwork, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of engineering principles, while the competitive elements added excitement and motivation. The following day, students visited Sense Time, a leading artificial intelligence company, providing them with insights into real-world applications of technology. This visit allowed students to interact with industry professionals, learn about AI innovations, and explore potential career paths in the tech field. Together, these activities aim to inspire students by showcasing the relevance of their studies and encouraging them to pursue further education in STEAM disciplines. Throughout both days, students actively engaged in teamwork and discussions, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among peers.

F.4 Leadership Training Camp

This year, our F4 students participated in a two-day leadership camp in Cheung Chau, designed to enhance their personal development and leadership skills. The camp featured a variety of adventure activities, including building Roman Catapults, ascending on a rope and tackling rock climbing challenges. These experiences not only tested their physical abilities, but also encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones.

Throughout these activities, students significantly boosted their confidence and fostered trust among their peers, all essential components of effective leadership. By spending an entire night together, the camp also provided a valuable opportunity for students to strengthen their relationships with fellow classmates as they embark on their public examination journey together.

Fashion Show 2024-25

The Fashion Show 2024-25 was held in the School Hall during the class period on March 18th, 2025. The audience was comprised of students from Forms 4 and 5.

This year's Fashion Show was themed ‘We.’ Eight groups of students presented their fashion designs. Each presentation incorporated a video illustrating the theme, followed by a catwalk display by a student model showcasing their innovative concepts.

Following careful deliberation and assessment by the teacher-adjudicators, based on criteria such as skill, concept, visual presentation, and performance, the winners were finally announced. Aviya Chan (F5D) was awarded the Champion prize and the Best Music Video prize; Carrie Lau (F5A) received the First Runner-up award; Joanna Yu (F5A) was named Second Runner-up, and Lena Hung (F5D) won the Best Model award.

In addition, a vote was held among Form 4 and Form 5 students, as well as the teachers, for the Most Popular Design Award, which was presented to Aviya Chan (F5D).

Overall, the event proceeded seamlessly and achieved a successful outcome. Both teachers and students expressed their enjoyment of the event and commended the dedication and effort of the student designers.

CS Chongqing Tour (2025)

The CS Chongqing tour, held from 29^th March to 2^nd April, was a remarkable educational journey for our F.5 students. The tour aimed to provide a deeper understanding of Chinese history, culture, and technological advancements of the country.

One of the highlights of the tour was the Stage Play ‘Chongqing 1949’. Our students were amazed by the captivating high-tech performance, with a 360-degree rotating auditorium immersing the audience in the scenes of Chongqing 70 years ago. The story was set on the eve of the liberation of the city where many Communist Party members were imprisoned and had withstood all kinds of torture. Having an opportunity to enjoy an immersive viewing experience, our students also learnt a lot about the significance of this historical event.

The tour also included a visit to Bashu Secondary School, where students were warmly welcomed by local students and staff. Our students attended lessons such as physical education, floral arrangement, music appreciation, metalwork and artwork. These precious experiences fostered a better understanding and appreciation of the educational beliefs and environment of the local school. St. Marian’s also treasured the opportunity to interact with the local students at Bashu and a strong sense of unity and bonding was fostered among them.

In addition to historical and cultural exploration, our students were offered a glimpse into the creativity and innovation in making transportation and residential projects coexist in this ‘Mountain City’. After taking pictures and capturing the special moment when the light rail tram went through a residential building at Liziba, our students were thrilled to have the opportunity themselves to ride on this special light rail and experience the convenient public transportation available to Chongqing residents.

In summary, the CS Chongqing tour provided a comprehensive and unique experience for students to integrate their classroom learning with real-world observation. Above all, they returned to Hong Kong with valuable knowledge and cherished memories of their time in Chongqing.

Celebrating St. Mary’s 125th Anniversary!

We are thrilled to announce that Lynette Tang (3F) and Kathy Cheng (3E) have achieved remarkable success in the BuilDING Our Future Grand Challenge, co-organized by TramPlus and HKUST in December 2024. Competing against 250 teams, they emerged victorious in the English Section, winning the championship!

As part of their prize, Lynette and Kathy designed special graphics for a one-month tram body advertisement on an actual tram, showcasing the celebration of our school’s 125th Anniversary.

Look for Tram Number 169!

From 17th March to 17th April, tram number 169 will be running on Hong Kong Island. We encourage everyone to catch a glimpse of the tram and take a picture to commemorate this unique anniversary gift!

Let’s celebrate this milestone together!

Christmas Celebration 2024

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)

This uplifting message was shared by the Catholic Society during our Christmas celebration.

On December 20, St. Mary’s was alive with joy and festivity. Dressed in casual attire, students greeted each other with bright smiles, and the excitement was palpable, especially among the Form One students, who were experiencing their first Christmas at St. Mary’s.

The highlight of the event was the Christmas play, “The Brightest Star in the Dark,” produced by the Catholic Society and the Student Council. This delightful performance reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas: God our Father sent His only begotten Son into the world. The birth of Jesus demonstrates how the humble power of a newborn can illuminate lives, bringing love and hope to all.

The celebration featured a Bible liturgy, where we lit the fifth candle—the white Christ candle—at the center of the Advent wreath, symbolizing the arrival of our Savior. The nativity account from St. Luke conveyed the joyous news of Jesus, called Immanuel, God-with-us. With trust and hope, we offered our intercessory prayers to God, concluding the liturgy with carol singing led by the Assembly Choir. Their angelic voices lifted our spirits to new heights.

The festive atmosphere was further enhanced by captivating performances from the Concert Band, Intermediate Choir, and Junior Choir, filling the air with holiday cheer.

A particularly thrilling moment was the annual lucky draw, made possible by the generous donations from the PTA and PSA. We are grateful for their support, as well as the enthusiastic participation of our teachers and students, which made the event a success.

As we reflect on the message that God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son, let us remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. May we always express gratitude for God’s love and share the joy we experience with others around us.