Exchange visit to the Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau)

On 7 March 2025, the staff from the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Archives visited Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau) in the Missionary Area of Macau. The main purpose of this exchange visit to Macau is to collect historical information from Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau). Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau) is an educational institution in the Missionary Area of Macau. Its predecessor was the "Igreja Chi Tou Kindergarten" (志道堂幼稚園), which was founded by the Igreja Chi Tou (now Chi Tou Church (Macau), The Church of Christ in China) in 1919. In order to commemorate Mr. Choi Kou was the first Chinese Christian, the school was renamed "蔡高紀念學校” (A Memorial School of Choi Kou) in 1933. In 1967, Chi Tou Church (Macau), The Church of Christ in China transferred the management rights of the school to St. Mark's Church (Macau). The Revd. Canon Frank Lin took over the important task of reorganization of the school and decided to amalgamate the school with the former St. Mark's Primary School (Macau). Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau) in the 1960s has nowadays become one of the most famous and Christian schools in Macau.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Eric Chan Chi Kwan, the Principal of Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau), and Mr. Wu Wai Cheng, the Assistant Principal of Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau), for their warm hospitality. The Revd. Prof. Philip L. Wickeri, Provincial Archivist of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Archives; Dr. Chen Ruiwen, researcher of Centre for Historical Research; Ms. Michelle Lin, executive assistant of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Archives, and Ms. Tabris Kiu, archival assistant of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Archives, exchanged views with Dr. Eric Chan Chi Kwan and Mr. Wu Wai Cheng about the history of Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau), the development of the Anglican Church in Macau, changes in the local education system in Macau, and how to promote “whole person education” in response to local society.

During this visit, Dr. Eric Chan Chi Kwan introduced the history and development of Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau), the strength of teaching staff and students, and the strategic development priorities in recent years. He also displayed valuable collections of historical school documents and records, including the alumni records of the former St. Mark's Primary School (Macau). Each collection contains the history of the establishment of Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau), and is of great value to the research on the educational promotion activities of the Anglican Church implemented in Macau in the early years. Afterward, we were accompanied by Dr. Eric Chan Chi Kwan and Mr. Wu Wai Cheng to visit the school building and facilities of Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau). By visiting how the school actively provides students with “whole person education” and a diversified learning environment, we have fully appreciated the enthusiasm and innovative spirit in cultivating the talents of Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau).

In this pleasant exchange visit, we are very grateful to Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School (Macau), for providing our archives with more historical information about their school and the Anglican Church. This also deepened our understanding of Anglican schools in Macau and our connection with the Missionary Area of Macau.