Green and White Online : An Illustrated History of St. Joseph's College

Between 1911 and the advent of World War I, everything went well in peaceful working order. The first Annual Dinner of the Old Boys' Association took place on 23rd April 1914.The organization of the studies then very much the same as they remained until1915. The three higher classes prepared their students for the Oxford University Examinations, namely Senior, Junior and Preliminary, and it was quite usual to see St. Joseph's College heading the results list both in quantity and quality.

During the war period 1914-1918, the College worked under harsh conditions. Many members of the staff nobly ." responded to the call of their respective : Countries and the staQ' was considerably depleted. An epoch-making event in the history of the College occurred in March : 1918 when an earthquake lasting 50 seconds struck the Colony. The old college building, especially the wings, was severely damaged and was determined by the government to be unsafe.

The Brothers took possession of the old Club Germania m Kennedy Road on 3' September 1918. Shortly afterwards the College was moved in the Club Germania which had become untenanted since the outbreak of the war.

The building, situated at 7 Kennedy Road, remained to be the present site. The new premises were well suited as a hostel for the staff and boarders, but wholly deficient in accommodation for classrooms. To complete the reorganization of the College, a larger school building was erected. The new building was formally opened by the Governor Sir Stubbs, and was ready for occupation in September 1921.

The first edition of the Green and White School Magazine was published in 1922. By 1923, there were about 600 students enrolled in the School. On 24th October 1925;the chapel block, which housed the Old Hall, Chapel and Music Room, was also established. The Governor officiated at the opening. The hall, now known as the Old Hall, was styled the Li Shek Pang Hall in memory of the late Mr. Li, an early alumnus and head of the prominent Li family in Hong Kong. The North Block and the Chapel Block were declared as Heritage buildings m August 2000.

Celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of our College took place in May 1926. The festivities included a Sports Day, a concert, a special reception and an Open Day. In April 1928, the Old Boys' Association was reorganized and named the Christian Brothers' Alumni Association. 5th November 1930 saw the laying of the Foundation Stone of our brother school, La Salle College, by H.E. the Governor Sir William Peel and the school was officially opened on 7th January 1932.