The current St. Stephen’s College Song was first introduced in the 1970’s, the same decade when the College turned from a private school into a Government aided school. Prior to that, from 1903, a hymn was sung in honour of the College. This hymn, believed to be “We Build Our School on Thee”, was commonly used as a Sheng Kung Hui school song.
Now that the College has become a Direct Subsidy School, and entered a new phase in its development, there have been many suggestions from various stakeholder groups, that it is time to revisit the lyrics of the School Song and to inject some Christian ethos into it, so as to better reflect the spirit of the disciple Saint Stephen.
After much consideration, involving College Council members, the Chaplin, alumni representatives, and members of staff, the revised version with the least changes was approved by the Council. This 2010 version will better reflect the emphasis on “faith” and “courage” as stated in the College’s Motto since 1903, “Fortitudinis Fundamentum Fides” which means Faith is the Foundation of Courage. The melody will remain unchanged.
The revised Anthem will be sung for the first time on 1st September, 2010 at the New Term Assembly. While current students will be taught the revised version, the 1970s version will remain a part of the evolution of St. Stephen’s College. Alumni are welcome to sing their preferred version at their reunions and gatherings.
我們的校歌
七十年代,聖士提反書院由一所私立中學轉為政府津貼中學之後,校歌也於此時誕生。在此之前,即自1903年創校起計,書院並無撰作自己的校歌,以廣傳於聖公會學校的聖詩 <<學校根基歌>>(We Build Our School On Thee)代校歌。
現在,書院轉為直資學校,標示學校發展踏進了新里程。在這個新階段,來自書院的各類持分者都為學校的發展提出不少建議;此際,重溫校歌的情意,並將基督精神注入歌中,令聖徒士提反的精神更形彰顯,時機確是適當。
經過校董會成員、教牧、校友代表及教職員多番的慎重考慮和商議,校歌修定版終於擬定,歌詞只作少許修改,校歌修定版並獲校董會通過。2010年修定版校歌,校歌旋律保持不變,而歌詞方面就強調「信」和「勇」的精神,使之與書院自1903年校訓「篤信多能」相互映襯呼應。
校歌修定版會於二零一零年九月一日的開學禮上頌唱,到時,會將修定版授予學生。至於1970年版校歌,仍然是書院發展歷程的一個部分,歡迎校友於聚首聯歡時選唱喜愛的校歌版本。
Anthem of St. Stephen’s College–revised version |
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Verse 1
Our hearts are young, our ideals high We are prepared to work and play To live good lives and to be true In Christ our Lord we pledge our faith So for St Stephen’s let us strive To fight, to win, with steadfast faith |
Verse 2
Life’s a journey that we face With courage, teamwork, joy and tears Based on Christ our Cornerstone And wisdom growing with the years So for St Stephen’s let us strive To fight, to win, with steadfast faith |
St. Stephen’s College official announce on College Song issue