King George V School (KGV, pronounced "K-G-Five") is a coeducational international secondary independent school of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), located in Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong. The school has more than 1,900 students and is one of the oldest schools in Hong Kong. Students take IGCSEs/GCSEs followed by the International Baccalaureate Diploma or the British BTEC programme. There is a Learning Enhancement Centre (LEC) for students with learning difficulties. The campus has an area of 10.2 acres (4.1ha). The school is one of three ESF secondary schools in Kowloon and the New Territories, the others being Sha Tin College and Renaissance College.
KGV is the oldest of all schools in the English Schools Foundation, as well as the oldest international school in Hong Kong. It first opened in 1894 on Nathan Road,[1] and originally catered for the children of British people 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 major opening ceremony took place and was attended by many of Hong Kong's elite, including Major General Gascoigne, the Apostolic Vicar of the territory's dioceseLouis Piazzoli, and the Colonial SecretaryJ.H. Stewart Lockhart. The school was built using donations from Hong Kong businessman Sir Robert Hotung.[2] The school was subsequently renamed the Kowloon British School, then the Central British School, and later King George V School.
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 7m2 (75sqft). The then-headmaster, Mr. Nightingale, asked for and acquired a new and bigger school site, designed by teacher Thomas Rowell. Classes at the new site began on 14 September 1936. The first headmaster of KGV was Reverend Upsdell, and the foundation stone for the new building was laid by Sir William Peel, the governor of Hong Kong at the time. The building has subsequently been named the Peel Block in his honor.
Sino-Japanese War
In 1937, the Japanese invaded China and many women and children were evacuated from Shanghai to Hong Kong. They needed a place to stay, and the school was used as a refugee camp. However, as the Japanese neared Hong Kong, the government ordered the evacuation of most women and children from Hong Kong. Thereafter, the school 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.[3]
Post-WWII period
After the war, the school reopened in 1946, and in 1947 the school opened its doors to students of all nationalities. In 1948, the school's name was officially changed to King George V School.
In 1979, principal Angela Smith decided that KGV should join the English Schools Foundation, and the transfer was complete by 1981. KGV is currently the oldest active school in the ESF.[4]
Additional Information
Image of the Spitfire aircraft located on KGV grounds during the 1950s, pictured here in the Cenotaph in Central in 1965
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.
A truncated body of a Spitfire aircraft was placed in a classroom of the school up until the 1950s. It was stored in the basement of the pavilion, until the Air Commodore had it removed, restored and later placed it at the Cenotaph in Central for Remembrance Day.
Students and the House System
A group of senior students at KGV
There are more than 1,850 students of around 28 different nationalities enrolled in the school. Students are accepted from many ESF feeder primary schools in the English Schools Foundation such as Kowloon Junior School and Beacon Hill School.
KGV, like many British schools, has a house system with four colors. This system is used in inter-school events and competitions.
The houses, and their associated colours, are as follows:
The curriculum adopted by KGV, as an international school, is different from the DSE examination system used in public schools.
Middle School Curriculum
The Middle School Curriculum is designed for Years 7 to 9. All subjects (Art, Drama, English, History, Information Technology, Mathematics, Music, Media, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Geography, Science, and Design Technology) are compulsory, and students must learn Mandarin and a European language (French, German or Spanish). In Year 9, students can choose to drop either language they are studying for Global Perspectives, or take double Chinese if the European language is dropped. A coherent skills based curriculum is being introduced in 2014.
In Year 7, students are not put into academically levelled sets apart from Maths and Chinese classes because it is considered as a "transition" year, offering a wide variety of "inquiry" opportunities, transitioning from the "PYP" inquiry format learning to KGV's Middle School Curriculum.
Geography, History and Philosophy & Religious Studies
Language Acquisitions
Chinese, French, Spanish and German (or Mother Tongue)
Language and Literature
English and/or Chinese
Maths
Maths
Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, Physics. (Any combination of the 3 is included as well)
Physical and Health Development
PE and Liberal and Personal Studies
IGCSE
In Years 10 and 11, all students follow a course leading to iGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations in their chosen subjects. Some subjects are compulsory, but there is a choice to suit the aptitude and interest of students. All students are required to study the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science (split into Biology, Chemistry and Physics as Single Award, Double Award and Triple Science), PE, and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education). Students must choose four further subjects by choosing one of the subjects from each of the boxes. Students cannot choose more than one Design & Technology subject, choose more than one European language, or study both Business and Economics.
Box 1 (languages)
First Language: Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Korean
Second Language: Chinese (Mandarin)
Foreign Language: Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Spanish
Self-taught mother tongue
Box 2 (individuals and societies)
Business Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, History, ICT, Psychology, Religious Studies
Box 3 (creative)
Art, Music, Sports Science, Drama, Media (A BTEC course as of 2017), Computer Science, DT Electronics, DT Resistant Materials, DT Graphics, DT Food, DT Textiles
Box 4 (open option)
Another subject from Boxes 1, 2 or 3.
IB Diploma
Starting from September 2007, KGV replaced the existing British A-Level Program with the International Baccalaureate diploma, offering the Diploma Programme. All students have to complete the core syllabus, consisting of an Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Activity, Service,[6] as well as six subjects, wherein subjects in First Language, Second Language, Individuals and Societies, Science and Mathematics are required. Artistic or creative subjects are also offered, though these are optional.
BTEC
From September 2011 the school replaced the A-Level Programme (which was an option for students who did not want to take IB) with the BTEC International Diploma, a vocational course.
Sports
KGV is well known for its sporting ability. Games often take place on the campus as the school has an official size AstroTurf playing field for football and rugby. In 2008 and 2009, KGV were back-to-back winners of the Bauhinia Bowl, becoming the best co-educational sporting school in Hong Kong for the academic year.[7] KGV has won 21 Bauhinia Bowls, the most of any co-educational school in Hong Kong, and 25 male and 20 female KGV alumni are winners of the Bauhinia Bowl's sportsboy/sportsgirl of the year award. KGV's school trophies are displayed in a trophy cabinet outside the assembly hall and records of individual and team accomplishments are preserved in a section of the school library.
Rugby
Like many British schools, rugby has been played at KGV almost since the school's opening. During the 2007/08 school year, the A-Grade boys' rugby team won the 15s, 10s and 7s rugby tournament; a feat never done before in KGV history. This team included many Hong Kong rugby players and the 2010 Larry Abel award winner; Aiden Bradley.
The women's team includes many Hong Kong Bauhinia U16 rugby representatives, as well as players for the Hong Kong U18 Development and U18 Nationals. In 2013 the women's team won the cup against the Hong Kong Standard Charter Select team in the first Bill Williams 7s tournament with a women's section.
Cricket
Cricket has been a very popular sport with KGV students for many years, with strong Junior and Senior teams. The KGV Junior Boys won the Hong Kong Schools league in May 2018.
Football
Football has been a traditional sport at KGV for a long time.
The school often takes part in the Jing Ying Inter-School Football Tournament which is regarded as the elite football tournament within Hong Kong with the best school teams participating. The B-grade boys KGV team won the HKSSF championship in the 2018–2019 season.
Girls' lacrosse
Girls' lacrosse was introduced in 2011. In May 2012, the KGV Girls' Lacrosse Team joined the Hong Kong Lacrosse League, which was between two adult teams and HKIS.
Basketball
The season of 2011–2012, KGV A-grade boys' basketball team had won the HKSSF Division 3 basketball championship, it was first time for KGV basketball to win a championship. In the 2023-24 season, the B-Grade boys' basketball team also won the ISSFHK Silver Division 2 championship.
Netball
The netball team at KGV has been one of the school's best performing athletic teams. The teams are divided according to A, B, C grade depending on the player's age.
Swimming
The girls and boys swimming teams compete separately in the annual Hong Kong Schools Sports Foundation (HKSSF) interschool competition, with the girls team achieving a promotion to the Division 1 competition in 2018 and the boys team continuing to perform strongly in Division 2. KGV has produced many swimmers who have won podium places in their events at the HKSSF swimming competitions.[8] Additionally, KGV swimmers regularly represent the English Schools Foundation at the annual Wheelock Swim for Millions charity race organised by the community chest. 2015 marked KGV's best showing in the competition with the boys opens team winning the school relay and the overall competition while the staff team came third in the corporate relay. [9]
Completed in 1937, 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 at the north-east corner 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 Peel Block is the administrative centre of KGV.[citation needed]
Hall
KGV School Hall – Speech Day 2001
The hall is used for assemblies, special exhibitions and performances.
New Block
Situated on the south side of the campus, the New Block, completed in 1964, is three stories tall and currently houses the Language department along with the Design and Technology department.
Activities Centre
Completed in 1983, the Activities Centre formerly consisted of two drama studios, a drama office, and PE changing rooms. The Activities Centre now houses one of three art studios on campus and three PE rooms.
Link Block
Built in 1984, this five-story building links the New Block, the Peel Block and the Activities Centre, with covered walkways on connecting floors. The building houses both the Maths and English departments along with some DT and Art classrooms.
Jockey Club Sarah Roe Centre
The Jockey Club Sarah Roe Centre (JCSRC) was built in 1986 with funds donated from the then Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and named after Sarah Roe, an occupational therapist, who was a founder of the Child Development Centre at the Matilda Hospital. The Jockey Club Sarah Roe School, originally on the ground floor, was later relocated into the Senior Student Centre.
Sarah Roe School / Senior Student Centre / Vertical Extension / IS Block
Completed in 1996, the original building was erected on the footprint of KGV's two tennis courts, which were re-homed atop the building's roof. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sarah Roe School is located on the first floor, and this facility educates students with special needs across the English Schools Foundation. KGV's Individuals and Society department occupies the remaining floors.
Science Block
The Science Block is a five-story building with a roof garden built in 2013. The building houses the Science department along with two Media classrooms. The Guilford Lecture Theatre occupies the bottom floor.
Performing Arts Block
Built in 2013, the Performing Arts Block is a five-story building built on the former canteen area and PTSA store, behind the Peel Block and beside the Swimming Pool. The building hosts a canteen, the Music Department, drama studios and changing rooms. Similar to the Science Block, the Performing Arts Centre has a rooftop centre; the rooftop garden includes a small amphitheater for any performing uses.
Pavilion
Built in 1940, this block occupies the south-west corner of the school field. Originally equipped with two changing rooms with showers (through the rest of the 20th century), they were converted into two classrooms (X1 and X2), leaving the storage and maintenance sheds on the ground floor. The classrooms have now been converted back into changing rooms.
Other facilities
KGV School Field
School Field
KGV's artificially turfed field is ESF's multipurpose sports facility. It has markings for various sports, such as rugby, football (soccer), hockey, and also has a long & triple jump track running the perimeter of the field. The field itself is 100 metres long, and is flanked on its school side by a 100-metre-long sprint track and seating facilities for students.
The field was reopened on 29 April 2014 after a HK$34 million renovation.[10] On the opening day, 575 students broke the Guinness World Record of 'Most Participants in a Beep Test', previously held by a college in Australia.[11][12] This is the second world record broken by the school, the other being 'Most People Planking Simultaneously' with 1,549 students on 16 December 2011.[13] In 2014, the field was rebuilt and to celebrate, the school went for the world record of Most People Participating in the Multi-Stage Fitness Test. A then-record of 575 beep test participants out of the 587 participants who started successfully completed the required number of intervals. This record was ratified by the Guinness World Records until it was broken by AFC Harrogate in 2017.[14]
Volleyball and Basketball Courts
There are two courts in the Peel Block, one for volleyball and the other for basketball. They are used by the students during recess and also see use in certain interschool events.
Pride Gym
The Pride Gym is a covered, air-conditioned gym room located outside the Pavillion.
Swimming Pool
Built in 1979, the school's swimming pool is located behind the Peel Block. It is a 22-metre swimming pool with six lanes, normally in operation from April to November.
Future site development
There were plans to amalgamate King George V School, Jockey Club Sarah Roe School and Kowloon Junior School to allow the three schools to grow further and work more closely given the close proximity of the three schools. This project was known as the Kowloon Learning Campus (KLC). This caused over 100 parents to sign a petition against the KLC in 2015.[citation needed] The then-KGV Principal Dr. Edward Wickins was appointed as the executive principal of the KLC who often informed the students of KGV of the progress of the KLC. However, in 2017 the ESF Board announced that the same goals the KLC would work to achieve would have also worked with three separate schools. Hence, the project was scrapped, and Dr. Edward Wickins retired after twelve years at KGV that same year.
Tim Bredbury – professional footballer. Former clubs include Liverpool, Seiko, South China A.A., Sydney Olympic, Selangor and the Hong Kong National Team.
↑ "Looking Forward"(PDF). Looking Forward, December 2012. King George V School. 2012. p.3. Archived from the original(PDF) on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
↑ "Looking Forward"(PDF). Looking Forward, December 2012. King George V School. 2012. p.21. Archived from the original(PDF) on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
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