Clementi Secondary School is pre-tertiary institution in Fortress Hill, North Point Hong Kong. Founded by the 17th British Governor of Hong Kong and the 20th Governor of the Straits Settlements Sir Cecil Clementi, the school has the longest history in using Chinese as medium of instruction in Hong Kong. Besides the strong emphasis on classical Chinese, the school was also instructed, since its founding, to provide a well-rounded English education to its pupils due to its strong ties with the British colonial government. British national anthem was sung and the Union Jack was displayed continuously until the handover of Hong Kong to China. Students and Alumni of the school are commonly known as "Clementian". The motto of the school is cited from the Analects of Confucius,"Letters, Ethics, Devotion of soul, and Truthfulness." The school is highly regarded in Hong Kong as one of the most selective and prestigious secondary institutions for its fine academic standard especially in Science subjects. The school has produced one Nobel Prize winner in Physics and a number of world-renowned scientists. It is also the alma matar for a number of notable academics, writers, MPs, Police Commissioners and public administrators of Hong Kong. The school is also famous for its historical connection with the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
History
The Governor of Hong Kong Cecil Clementi, who had a profound interest in the Chinese language, decided to establish a school using Chinese as the medium of instruction. In 1926, Government Vernacular Middle School was founded. Government Vernacular Middle School is the first government school to use Chinese as the medium of instruction. Li King Hong, the then-Chinese language inspector of schools, was appointed the first principal of the school. During World War II, the school suspended its operations under the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong. After the war, the school was renamed Government Vernacular Senior Middle School. It was renamed again in 1951 to Clementi Middle School and in 1988 to Clementi Secondary School, after the governor. As year after years, facts realize that people at worldwide recognizing that Chinese civilization is important as predication at the time the initial establishing of the school, for the people are in facing the western and eastern civilization both, heavily, in the historical preponderance. That school will not ignore the quantum that of the west and of the east, so it never ignores its mission of English education in balancing with Chinese subjects. The school has been relocated several times:
It has been at the current site at 30 Fortress Hill Road since 23 September 1961. The school Principal now is Mrs. Fung Lai Miu-yee, who succeeded Ms. Li Sui-wah in 2013.
Notable alumni
Politicians, government officials, and legislators
