Dear Alumni,

How long have you been away from school?

Were you a boarding student?  Have you ever wonder what it’s like to be a boarding student?

Ever want to show your family where you studied, where you played, where you fell, where you spent your teenage years?

The Association is holding a 1-night Homecoming Event to the school on the weekend of August 7-8, staying at the West Wing and North House. For those whom cannot stay overnight, we also have a Day Trip option. Now is your chance for you and your family to experience again your days at school!!  Come join us to have some fun, see the school, meet the teachers, and walk around Stanley!

Talk to your fellow classmates, and come back as a group, it will be more fun!  Please fill in the application form and return to us soonest.  The Association and the school look forward to seeing your all!

Yours truly,

Sunny Leung

Homecoming 2010 organizer, St. Stephen’s College Alumni Association

Click here to download the application form

Many alumni enjoyed our sports at the Big Field in the school years. Even nowadays SSCAA holds activities over there every year. We appreciate very much for SSC to allow alumni to keep using the College’s facilities including the Big Field and many of us are interested in the improvement plan of the Big Field. Accordingly, Leonard Fok, Vice President of SSCAA checked with Mrs.Kiki Ko-Li, Manager, Development Office of SSC on 10 May, 2010 as follows.

Leonard: We understand that SSC has entered into an agreement with Hong Kong Rugby Football Union on the upgrade and use of Big Field. Kiki, may I have your help explain the purposes of this agreement?

Kiki: It is really a partnership agreement whichwill see the reintroduction of rugby into the school, for St Stephen’s College students, along with specialist coaching by Union coaches in the ECAs, and the Mandatory Boarding Programme. Students from the Prep School and College will also be encouraged to join the youth league and further develop their skills on the weekends.The HKRFU will host 24 training sessions for juniors on Sunday mornings at the TSK Sports Field, and help to refurbish the Field so that all SSC students and alumni will have a top-grade field on which to play their sports. The upgrade will include proper drainage and irrigation (which is non-existent at present), along with brand new turf, and a water tank.

Leonard: What is the effective period of this agreement? Under what conditions will the agreement be extended or terminated at its expiry?

Kiki: The current agreement is for 8 years. We will review the conditions closer to the time.

Leonard: Why was Hong Kong Rugby Football Union selected but not the other organization?
Kiki: The Rugby Football was once played in SSC and now that it is increasingly popular in Hong Kong, it is appropriate to reintroduce it back to SSC. Besides, the majority of the rugby playing population on the Hong Kong Island lives in the Stanley and Repulse Bay areas. As part of the community, SSC sees this as an opportunity in establishing a link with its community neighbours.

Leonard: Does SSC have any plan to accept the other external parties’ donations for the upgrade and/or maintenance of the other school facilities in an exchange of the use of school facilities?

Kiki: The College is not ruling out other possibilities, but the core concern of the College remains the education and the interests of its students.

Leonard: How much has Hong Kong Rugby Football Union donated to SSC?

Kiki: The Rugby Football Union is not making a donation in cash. As mentioned, training will be provided to our students. They will also help to upgrade the sports field and pay directly to the contractor. It is estimated that the value of this project will be no less than HK$800,000.

Leonard: Who is managing the donation and its applications?

Kiki: There is not cash involved but in kind. The management of the field remains with the College.

Leonard:  Will Hong Kong Rugby Football Union be responsible for the maintenance of the field throughout the effective period of agreement?  Is it a part of the amount of HK$800,000?
Kiki:  No, the maintenance of the field is not included in the agreement.

Leonard: Would the name of Big Field (TSK Sports Field) be replaced/changed after accepting the donation?

Kiki: There is no naming involved in this agreement, only a community partnership, our students being trained by specialists in rugby; and the children in our neighbourhood, including our students, will be trained in the Big Field.

Leonard: How will the priority of using the Big Field by students and alumni be affected?

Kiki: Students normally do their training in the Big Field after school during weekdays and on Saturday mornings. These times are blocked for their use. We have also blocked 22 sessions of choices for SSC Alumni Association to use the Big Field for Football League and other activities on Saturday afternoons. If there is an occasional ad-hoc request, there is always room tomanoeuvre.

Leonard: What is the schedule SSC reserved the Big Field for Hong Kong Rugby Football Union?

Kiki:The Rugby Football Union will be allocated 24 sessions on Sunday mornings from September to April when the field is otherwise not used.

Leonard: Apart from the Big Field, is Hong Kong Rugby Football Union allowed to use any other SSC facilities?
Kiki: It was not stipulatedas part of the agreement. But as a governmentsubsidizedschool, we have the obligation to share our facilities with the community. So if the Rugby Football Union needs to rent our facilities, like other organizations, the College under the guidelines of EDB, should rent out its facilities if it does not affect its teaching.

Leonard: Does SSC have a comprehensive plan to upgrade the entire Big Field including the running track, changing rooms, etc..?

Kiki: We are hoping to upgrade the tracks as well. Hopefully with alumni’s support we can come up with the resources. The College is committed to a substantial College Development Plan, we have to take one step at a time. It would be nice to have a new changing room block with grandstands but it will be in the more distance future.

Leonard: What is the priority of upgrading the entire Big Field comparing with the other upgrade programs of SSC facilities? Any schedule?

Kiki: The redevelopment of the track and field of the Big Field is among the first phase of the College’s Development Plan. The Sports field will be upgraded this summer.

Leonard: When an alumnus would like to assist in the upgrade program of the Big Field, what can he/she do?

Kiki: He/She is most welcome to contact me at 2813 5520 or koy@ssc.edu.hk and we can work on a plan together.
Leonard: Kiki, thank you very much for your valuable time and your kind explanation.

Kiki: My pleasure, Leonard. Alumni and friends are also welcome to contact me on any issues regarding the College’s development plan.

If you have any question or comment regarding this subject, please feel free to send it to SSCAA by email at sscaa@sscaa.org.

Related Article from SSC website: Improving Community Links, http://www.ssc.edu.hk/images/document/improv_links_20100511.pdf

Dear members of the Alumni Association and fellow alumni,

The Chairman of the SSC Council and School Management Committee, Dr Raymond Ch’ien posted the statement at the SSC website, we want to share with you all by this enewsletter, for the original copy please refer to the PDF from SSC website (http://www.ssc.edu.hk/images/document/revised_schoolsong_4.pdf)

Best Regards,

SSCAA Communication Team

Statement from Dr Raymond Ch’ien, Chairman of the College Council and School Management Committee

At the first meeting of the College Management Committee on 26 April 2010, the issue regarding the College Song was discussed. It was noted that after the Council decision on the amended lyrics of the College Song at its meeting on 28 January 2010, there had been spirited discussions on the matter, among College community members, in various media and fora.

Members of the Management Committee appreciate very much the concern expressed by stakeholders, especially alumni and students, on the matter, as it indicated that stakeholders care much about their ties to the College.

Taking into account some of the feedback we had received on the issue, and after thorough discussion, members felt that the slightly amended lyrics, as approved unanimously by the Council at the January meeting, reflect better the ethos, heritage and educational vision of the College than the version introduced in the 1970s, while fully retaining the original high spirits.

Members also noted that when Council approved the revised lyrics of the College Song in January, it was based on the understanding that alumni had been made aware of the change and there was no general objection. The issue had been discussed extensively over two meetings of the Council, spanning a period of close to four months, with the President of the Alumni Association participating and supporting. Nevertheless, the reactions to the Council decision showed that some stakeholders are unhappy they had not been consulted adequately on this emotive matter. For this reason, the Management Committee proposed to set up an ad hoc Working Group to canvass various stakeholders, including alumni and students, on the matter of amending the College Song. This suggestion was endorsed by the Council in its meeting immediately following the Management Committee meeting. The membership of the working group is as follows:

Convenor, Mr. Christopher To, (College Council member, past President of the SSC Alumni Association)

The Rev. Robin Fung (Parent Representative, College Management Committee member, College Alumnus)

Miss Winnie Wong (Teacher representative, College Management Committee member)

The Rev. Douglas Koon (College Council member)

Ms. Lucille Au (College Council member)

Mr. Samson Lee (College Council member, current President SSC Alumni Association)

The Working Group will, among other things, engage the Student Association in gathering feedback from students. In due course, it will report its findings to the Council with recommendations.

In the meantime, the older version of the College Song shall remain in use.

Care for the College and its educational mission is the principal tie that binds all stakeholders. The Council firmly believes that in St. Stephen’s College’s strive for sustainable educational excellence, all stakeholders’ objectives are aligned. We warmly welcome constructive support, in any form, for the College’s mission. We stand ready to work hand in hand with everyone who is prepared to contribute to building on our long, noble heritage, to making St. Stephen’s a better place for our present and future generations of students.

For and on behalf of the College Council

Raymond K.F. Ch’ien (Class of 1968)

http://www.ssc.edu.hk/images/document/revised_schoolsong_4.pdf

Dear members of the Alumni Association and fellow alumni,

The President of the Alumni Association would like to issue a correction to the “3rd message from SSCAA President for school song” published on April 26.

The statement has incorrectly identified a teacher as the creator of the Facebook group of 反對SSC轉新校歌. The actual creator is in fact a current STUDENT. The mistake was made due to they sharing both the same First & Last names.

The President sends his personal apology to the teacher whom has been incorrectly named, and for any inconvenience that may have caused.

Faithfully yours,

Lee Tat-choy (Ah-choy)

President of St. Stephen’s College Alumni Association

Dear members of the Alumni Association and fellow alumni,

I have listened to the different voices of members and alumni, have had several candid discussions with the College since Easter on the controversy, and also have a chance to review the latest College’s discussion paper being tabled at the April 26 Council meeting.

With the aim of openness and transparency, please find my submission to the College Council / School Management Committee for the April 26 Council meeting.

Faithfully yours,

Lee Tat-choy (Ah-choy)

President of St. Stephen’s College Alumni Association

Dear Dr. Law,

As the College Council member representative of the Alumni Association (AA), I would respectfully request that this letter be admitted as a formal supplement to the April 26, 2010 College Council/SMC meeting dossier, on the subject of “Discussion Paper on the Revision of the School Song”.

I am genuinely surprised that the College had not requested input from the AA, or referencing our several meetings since Easter, for the discussion paper which singled out – as trigger to the whole incident – “some alumni’s misunderstanding” of the extent of the change. It may also benefit the Council’s discussion if the AA’s and Student Association’s (SA) published statements, and outcome of the April 22nd SA Student Forum and Student Survey, are included in the paper.

I am of disagreement to the paper’s analysis that the matter is alumni in nature characterized by: some alumni, misunderstanding that both the melody and all lyrics have changed, herd mentality, irrational and mobbed. In contrary, I observed:

1. 87.5% of 24 emails received in response to AA’s calling for input since April 8th expressed their concern and lack of support to subject.
2. A very sizeable 1,527 people and 1,457 people joined respectively the Facebook groups of 反對SSC轉新校歌 (created by a teacher) & 關注聖士提反書院校歌改動小組 (created by recent graduates). Both communities have no direct affiliation with AA.
3. Common discussion threads sampled from alumni, Facebook and SA’s statement are (a) rally for the original school song with no change whatsoever to maintain unity across alumni generations and loyalty to the College (the debate is not on the amount and type of change); (b) College’s statement on the reason for change is incoherent; and (c) College’s claim on stakeholders consultation and representation proved contradictory from SA and AA’s statement.
4. Majority of the discussions, online and offline, are sentimental and passionate reflecting their deep love, loyalty and care of the College, even though for some of them, their times in the College were a distant past. Such interest in the business of the College should indeed be appreciated and treasured.

Understandably, the prerogatives and authority of the College Council in governing matters concerning the College should not be or appear to be compromised, other than being bounded by the statute. The authority rests squarely with the College Council for matters of importance and the College management for day-to-day operational matters.  Having said that, it is always commendable to include reasonable consultation and communication, to promote transparency and openness particularly in time of transformation. The above observations are not conclusive and ought not be interpreted as a vote in challenge to the College’s authority, but rather, it is indicative enough to reasonably suggest that the deployment and communication of subject were poorly executed and insensitive to the love and sentiment of the stakeholders, giving rise to severe confusion and prompted uninformed debate, which is only natural and not entirely unexpected under the circumstances.

I wish to submit to my fellow Council colleagues for your consideration:

1. That the current issue lies not with religion (which has never been a point of content) nor with setting precedent, but is on what image the College wants to be perceived – to the very nature of our College’s vision, mission and values – what role model we want to set for educating our leaders of tomorrow, and what partnering relationship with the alumni, students and parents to foster mutual understanding, care and collaboration.
2. That the solution lies not with the types (Song/Hymn), variations (Chinese translation, Song, Hymn, …) and/or amount of changes (single word, all lyrics), but is on how the College can rally all stakeholders to put aside our differences and refocus our attention on the wider issue of how we can collectively participate in support of, and champion, the College’s transformation to an exciting new era.
3. It is my recommendation that a new committee be formed to start anew the planning, deployment and communication – with no pre-conceived outcome, and with the above 2 considerations in mind.

We have a unique opportunity here to propel us fast and strong into College’s future development, with creative thinking and sound change management approach, in place of conventional tactical win-win approach. Whereas the alternative is risking – of long term dire consequences – discontent and fragmentation of unity and loyalty for both the student and alumni communities, which is already happening today, if we listen hard enough.

Thank you for your patience and consideration.

Yours truly,

Mr. Samson Lee

President

St. Stephen’s College Alumni Association

cc. Alumni Association

Missing the days of holding a tennis racket? Here comes an opportunity of showing your Federer’s skills on the SSC Tennis Court!!
SSC Alumni Association is going to hold a Tennis Fund Raising Day, details are as follows:

We are waiting for your enrollment.  Please simply send an email to Franky Yip at franky_yip2001@hotmail.com  with the names and genders of players.

SSCAA Member can apply for the St. Stephen’s College Swimming Club now, please <a href=”http://www.sscaa.org/enewsletter/20100425/SSCAA_Swimming_Club.pdf” target=”_blank”>click here</a> to download the appliation form.

Dear Alumni,

With respect to the recent open discussions on the changing of our school song, there are a lot of enquiries and confusion seen (both online and offline, verbal or electronic, across different alumni communities and peer groups), the Association wishes to state that it will continue to give full support to our members, all alumni, and the school in accordance to (amongst) the AA’s constitution of :

– to establish, promote and carry on an association for the Alumnus and to maintain and promote unity and fellowship amongst the Alumnus;

– to promote rapport between the Association and the School and its students and to provide assistance, awards and scholarships to the students and graduates of the School;

– to further assist in furthering the interests of Members and the School.

And as such, that :

1) The Association has not received formal request from the school for general alumni consultation on the subject of school song.

2) The development and management of school policy is a matter of school administration. The Association will do its best to assist and/or advise the school only where upon request.

3) If the school should decide to conduct a full and open general consultation process to all its stakeholders on a school matter, the Association – being one of the stakeholders – will support and participate in the school-led process.

And for interim, the Association will support our members and fellow alumni :

a) We strive to keep all our members informed of the progress on the change of school song.

b) The Association has always respected and liaised closely with each separate and individual alumni group/community all over the world. The Association will reach out to the Facebook School Song Interest Group – just as any alumni community – to provide assistance in furthering the communication between the Group and the school, if requested.

Faithfully yours,

Lee Tat-choy (ah choy)

President of St. Stephen’s College Alumni Association

April 8, 2010

Dear Alumni and members,

You may be aware that the College and its Council have recently resolved to adopt some changes to the lyrics of the College Song.  The “new” College Song will be used officially on 1 September 2010 at the beginning of the new school term.   Attached please find a statement (both in English and Chinese) issued by the College as to the reasons for the change.  The changes to the lyrics are also highlighted in the statement.

However, lately I am aware of the discussions going on amongst some alumni made through Facebook raising concerns of and objections to the College’s decision to change the lyrics of the College Song.

These discussions have also attracted the College’s attention, and the Principal, Dr Law, has issued a statement reflecting on her general responses to these discussions.  I have also attached herewith Dr Law’s statement for your reference.

In light of the rising volume of these discussions, as President of the Alumni Association who sits on the College Council, I am fully conscious of my duty to convey and channel your views and valuable comments on this issue directly to the Council.

The next Council meeting is scheduled to be held on 26 April 2010.

In the circumstances, I write to urge you to send me your views (if any) on the College’s decision to change the lyrics of the College Song directly to my personal email account at: samsontc.lee@gmail.com or to the Alumni Association’s email account at: sscaa@sscaa.org by 22 April, 2010.  Most importantly, when you send me your views and comments, may I ask you to also indicate whether you support, oppose or are neutral to the College’s said decision.  On this regards, it is pertinent to note, as I mentioned above, that the Council has already resolved to adopt and use the new lyrics of the College Song.

After collecting your views and comments, I will present them to the Council at its coming meeting on 26 April for discussions.

I look forward to receiving your views and comments.

Best regards,

Samson Lee (Lee Tat-choy)

President, St. Stephen’s College Alumni Association

Encl.

A message from the St.Stephen’s College regarding the College Song, 1 April 2010

A message from the Principal regarding the College Song, 7 April 2010

Message from President for the change of College song, 8 April 2010

Dear students, alumni and friends of the College,

Thank you for your very keen and enthusiastic comments in response to the College’s intention to change parts of the school song lyrics. Although there have been divergent views, one thing is certain: you do have strong attachment to St Stephen’s. This is something positive, which I proudly regard as a definite asset to the College.

One point I would like to take this opportunity to clarify is that the decision to change was not a unilateral one. It was the product of consultation involving various stakeholders beginning from the last school year. The issue was first mooted in internal school meetings of senior teachers, and then brought up for discussion among College Council members, comprising alumni members, at least twice. Several alternatives were discussed, including retaining the original verses and adding a third verse; changing only the second verse; or sprinkling the themes of “faith” and “courage” in the entire song. All these are aimed to align the song more closely with the school motto to reflect the Christian ethos of the founders with a minimum of change. You may like to note too that an old boy was involved in revising the school song along with the chaplain and current teachers.

Having said that, I would like to stress that we do respect the 1970s version of the school song as a cherished and integral part of the school heritage. Its lively and bouncy feel certainly has an appeal of its own that could and should never be erased from collective memory. Our intention is to teach only current and incoming students the new version. To reiterate, alumni are welcome to sing the 70s version on occasions they feel the urge to. I could think of very few events, as speech days, where all have to sing one official version. With this in mind, it might be best if we view the issue not as a zero-sum game, where one party wins and the other loses. It is more a win-win situation in which alumni’s interests are looked after and the Christian nature of the school underlined, and where the ideal of diversity in unity can be achieved.

Admittedly, for complex issues like this one, we have to consider multiple perspectives: respect for traditions, values of various stakeholders, and the Christian ethos of the school, to name just a few. Your suggestions to help resolve this issue for the benefit of the school will be much appreciated. If you feel that you wish to convey more of your views to the school on the school song or indeed any issues related to school development, such as the master plan for capital works, or the plan to internationalizing the College, please do so through email to alumni@ssc.edu.hk before we forward them to the College Council for further consideration.

I am of the conviction that with your ardent support of and allegiance to the College, it will grow from strength to strength in the years to come.

Kind regards,

Louise Law

Principal