History

May 1992, marked the launching of the MARYKNOLL CONVENT SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL TRUST. Recognising the need for improving facilities and educational opportunities at Maryknoll Convent School, a group of enterprising and loyal Maryknoll Alumnae, Sisters and teachers assembled over lunch one day to put their heads together. Spear-headed by Dr. Henrietta Man Hing Ip, this group formed the Executive Committee of the Educational Trust.

Dr. Pauline Chan, a former student of the school and an outstanding industrialist who had contributed much to education in Hong Kong and in England, kindly consented to be the Patron of the Trust.

The Heads of the tertiary institutes of Hong Kong also agreed to be Vice-Patrons. These were:

Mr. John Chan, Secretary for Education and Manpower Education and Manpower Branch, Hong Kong Government (resigned)
Prof. Y. C Cheng, President of City University of Hong Kong later succeeded by Prof. H.K. Chang
Dr. John T.S. Chen, President of Lingnan University later succeeded by Prof Edward K.Y. Chen
Prof. G.W. Wang, Vice-Chancellor of University of Hong Kong later succeeded by Prof. Y.C. Cheng
Prof. Charles K.Kao, Vice-Chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong later succeeded by Prof. Arthur K.C. Li
Prof. C. K. Poon, President of Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof. G. Dhanarajan, President of the Open University of Hong Kong later succeeded by Prof. S.W. Tam
Dr. Daniel C.W. Tse, President & Vice-Chancellor of Hong Kong Baptist University
Prof. C.W. Woo, President of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology

Mrs. Miriam Lau, another former student and Legislative Council Member, agreed to be the President of the Trust, while a number of prominent former students accepted the role of Vice-Presidents. These were:

Mrs. Helen Chang Kwok (resigned)
Mrs Rose Goodstadt
Dr. Mayching Kao
Mrs. Alice Lam
Mrs. Shelley Lau
Mrs. Eleanor Ling
Mrs. Claire Liu
Mrs. Joyce Elena Ma
Ms. Nansun Shi
Mrs. Helen C.P. Lai Yu.

Within a few weeks, plans were afoot for a number of fund-raising programmes.
In June 1992, a Film Premiere was held at the Convention Centre when the popular Cantonese Film “ Swordman II” ( 東方不敗 ) was screened.
Soon after, in July 1992, “Join Hands for Maryknoll” brought together representatives of Alumnae of various years, whose assignment was to contact classmates with a view to organising fund-raising activities for their Alma Mater. This proved a highly successful measure.

At the same time, a Grand Raffle was initiated and this was well supported by present students, parents and former students.

To mark the Official Launching of the MCS Educational Trust, a grand ceremony combined with a Fun-Fair was held on 18 October 1992. We were honoured to have present with us most of our officials, our Patron, Dr. Pauline Chan, a number of our Vice-Patrons, the President and Vice-Presidents. The Fun Fair was extremely well supported by parents and alumnae who donated gifts, and a huge crowd who patronised the booths.

Other fund-raising ventures included the sale of popular Maryknoll souvenirs and a Compact Disc. This featured the sweet voices of Primary and Secondary students, Sisters and former students singing some well-loved songs of Maryknollers, past and present.
A grand Variety Concert “Une Soiree Musicale” staged by students of both the Secondary and Primary Schools as well as former students marked the end of the first round of fund-raising activities. Held in July 1993 in the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre the concert was warmly appreciated by the full houses at their two performances.
Most importantly, the Executive Committee through the good offices of Vice-President Ms Shelley Lau and President, Ms. Miriam Lau, secured two generous donations from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Fund, each donation being $10 million. The funds raised through the other ventures listed above amounted to $25,622,100.00.
In subsequent years, as particular needs of the school arose, parents and other well wishers have responded most generously to letters of appeal that have been sent out by the MCS Educational Trust to parents of new students.

The Trust continued to invite patrons to sponsor a room in either school, and the response to this has been most appreciated.

We are specially indebted to our patron, Dr. Pauline Chan, who contributed over $1 million and after whom the Secondary School Hall has been named. Plaques have been placed at the entrance of rooms that have been sponsored by other generous benefactors.