- School Introduction
- School Mission
- Direct public transportation to School
- Contact Information
- School Information
- School Facilities
- Chargeable Fees (2023/2024)
- Teaching Staff Information (including School Head) in the 2023/2024 School Year
- 2023/2024 Class Structure
- Subjects Offered
- Secondary One Admission, Orientation Activities & Healthy School Life
- School Characteristics
- Promotion -
- Promotion -
School Introduction #
Diocesan Boys’ School (拔萃男書院) is located in Kowloon City, Hong Kong, is a DSS Boys secondary school. The school covers an area of approximately 50000.0 square meters.
School Mission #
To provide a liberal education based on Christian principles.
(https://www.dbs.edu.hk/index.php?s=profile&m=schoolmission)
Direct public transportation to School #
Bus: 1, 1A, 3C, 12A, 24, 27, 42, 81S, 87D, 87E, 95, 213D, 281A, 296P;
MTR: Mongkok / Mongkok East Station.
Contact Information #
| School Address | 131 Argyle Street Kowloon (map location) |
| Phone | 27115191 |
| dbsadmin@dbs.edu.hk | |
| Fax | 27611026 |
| School Website | http://www.dbs.edu.hk |
School Information #
| District | Kowloon City |
| Other District(s) | |
| Supervisor / Chairman of School Management Committee | – |
| Principal (with qualifications / experiences) | Mr. R.K.Y. Cheng () |
| School Type | DSS |
| Student Gender | Boys |
| Area Occupied by the School | About 50000.0 Sq. Meters |
| Name of Sponsoring Body | Diocesan Boys’ School Committee |
| Incorporated Management Committee | Not Applicable |
| Percentage of School Supervisor and Managers Fulfilling the Training Targets | |
| Religion | Protestantism / Christianity |
| Year of Commencement of Operation | 1869 |
| School Motto | – |
| Parent-Teacher Association | Yes |
| Student Union / Association | Yes |
| Past Students’ Association / School Alumni Association | Yes |
School Facilities #
| Number of Classroom(s) | 44 |
| School Facilities | DBS facilities include: – Track and Field – Football Pitch – Swimming Pools – Tennis Courts – Basketball Courts – Gymnasium – 3 Multi-Media Learning Centres – 13 Special Rooms – Libraries – Auditorium – School Hall |
| Facility(ies) for Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs | Accessible toilet. |
Chargeable Fees (2023/2024) #
| School Fee ($) | Tong Fai ($) | |
|---|---|---|
| S1 | “$57830” | – |
| S2 | “$57830” | – |
| S3 | “$57830” | – |
| S4 | “$57830” | – |
| S5 | “$57830” | – |
| S6 | “$57830” | – |
| Parent-Teacher Association Fee (Annual) (HK$) | $500 (for 6 years) |
| Student Union / Association Fee (HK$) | – |
| Approved Charges for Non-standard Items (Annual) (HK$) | – |
Other Charges / Fees ($) #
IB Bridging Programme (S4): $57,830 IB Diploma Programme (S5): $132,500
IB Diploma Programme (S6): $132,500
Teaching Staff Information (including School Head) in the 2023/2024 School Year #
| Number of Teaching Posts in the Approved Establishment | – |
| Total Number of Teachers in the School | 134 |
Qualifications and Professional Training : Percentage of teaching staff (%) #
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| Teacher’s Certificate / Diploma in Education | 94% |
| Bachelor Degree | 100% |
| Master / Doctorate Degree or above | 48% |
| Special Education Training | 37% |
Years of Experience : Percentage of teaching staff (%) #
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| 0-4 years | 27% |
| 5-9 years | 20% |
| 10 years or above | 53% |
2023/2024 Class Structure #
| Number of classes | |
|---|---|
| S1 | 6.0 |
| S2 | 6.0 |
| S3 | 6 |
| S4 | 6.0 |
| S5 | 6.0 |
| S6 | 6.0 |
Subjects Offered #
S.1 – S.3 #
| S.1 – S.3 | 2023/2024 | 2024/2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese as the medium of instruction | Chinese Language, Chinese History, Putonghua, Elementary Chinese | Chinese Language, Chinese History, Putonghua, Elementary Chinese |
| English as the medium of instruction | English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Integrated Science, History, Geography, French, Computer Literacy, Visual Arts, Innovation & Design, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Life & Society | English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Integrated Science, History, Geography, French, Computer Literacy, Visual Arts, Innovation & Design, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Life & Society |
| Adopt a different medium of instruction by class or by group / school-based curriculum | – | – |
S.4 – S.6 #
| S.4 – S.6 | 2023/2024 | 2024/2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese as the medium of instruction | Chinese Language, Chinese History, Physical Education (HKDSE), Elementary Chinese | Chinese Language, Chinese History, Physical Education (HKDSE), Elementary Chinese |
| English as the medium of instruction | English Language, Mathematics (Compulsory Part), Mathematics Extended Part Module 1 or 2, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, ICT, Design & Applied Technology, Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Economics, Geography, History, BAFS, Ethics & Religious Studies, French | English Language, Mathematics (Compulsory Part), Mathematics Extended Part Module 1 or 2, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, ICT, Design & Applied Technology, Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Economics, Geography, History, BAFS, Ethics & Religious Studies, French |
| Adopt a different medium of instruction by class or by group / school-based curriculum | Citizenship and Social Development | Citizenship and Social Development |
Secondary One Admission, Orientation Activities & Healthy School Life #
Secondary One Admission #
Our school will not participate in the Secondary School Places Allocation System through central allocation stage (Applicable for admission to S.1 in September 2024 ).Academic Results 60%; Extracurricular Achievements 20%; Performance in the Interviews 15%; Others 5% (e.g. father, brother are old boys; brother studying in DBS)
Orientation Activities and Healthy Life #
Our School runs Summer School programs for new Grade 7 students between mid-July and early August every year in order to help them experience and adapt to their new secondary school life. Through Summer School, students are given opportunities to practise their critical thinking skills and participate in different activities. Hence, their horizons will be broadened. Moreover, students are able to make friends and learn how to interact with people, thus enhancing them to build a new social network.
In addition, our school offers “Sports For All” program to encourage all students to participate in sport activities. Through these different sports’ trainings, students’ correct and positive values will be established.
School Characteristics #
School Management #
School’s Major Concerns #
School Management Organisation #
DBS has been established for 154 years, with a sound heritage and organization. Altogether, there have been 10 principals leading the school, passing on the same heritage and culture. There are many committees and departments formed by the school to look into matters like the curriculum, IT, extra-curricular activities, resources and home-school co-operation.
Incorporated Management Committee / School Management Committee / Management Committee #
The School Management Committee encourages and facilitates autonomy of school management. There is direct involvement of the teaching staff representatives in internal affairs, particularly in areas such as the periodic review and development of the curriculum, teaching methodology and staff development.
Members of the Committee are:
The Headmaster
A Deputy Headmaster (to be elected by Deputy Headmasters)
Two Members of the Teaching Staff (to be elected by Teachers)
A School Committee Member
The Financial Controller
A Parent Member Representative of the D.B.S.P.T.A.
School Green Policy #
The school is endowed with a large green campus rich in biodiversity that we strive to maintain. Several programmes that aim to promote environmental sustainability are in place: a waste recycling programme that promotes the separation of recyclable materials such as paper, metals and plastics; a food waste collection programme when school lunches are provided; and the installation of solar panels to reduce the school’s carbon footprint as part of the government’s Solar Harvest Programme, supported also by our alumni. Finally, with the establishment of the Green School Committee, students are encouraged to take part in, as well as organize activities that promote a green life and the appreciation and protection of biodiversity. The committee also makes proposals to the school on ways to strengthen its green credentials.
Learning and Teaching Plan #
Whole-school Language Policy #
English is the official medium of instruction across Grades 7 to 12. The school has established three multi-media learning centres to facilitate language teaching and learning. Putonghua is offered to Grades 7 to 9 students to cultivate their listening and speaking skills. Moreover, in both Chinese Language and English Language, the “Extensive Reading Scheme” is implemented to develop students’ biliteracy and trilingualism skills.
Learning and Teaching Strategies #
The school strives to stretch students’ scholastic potential and enhance the effectiveness of classroom learning and teaching. In order to cater for learners’ diversity, subject panels regularly review their school-based curricula, streamline academic support for students and employ appropriate teaching strategies. Students are encouraged to engage in self-directed learning, develop critical thinking skills and construct knowledge for themselves through various learning and teaching strategies such as flipped classroom and cooperative learning. Moreover, e-learning has become an integral aspect of daily teaching. Teachers actively explore innovative e-learning tools and platforms, feasible modes of online assessment and interactive teaching materials in preparation for the full implementation of the BYOD policy in the coming years. Starting from 2021-2022, the elements of national security education are integrated into the teaching curricula of different subjects. The objective is to deepen students’ understanding of the country’s development and national security, enhance their sense of national identity and nurture them as good law-abiding citizens.
School-based curriculum #
1. Electives: 2X and 3X. (http://www2.dbs.edu.hk/nss/).
2. Curriculum highlights: http://www2.dbs.edu.hk/nss/ and https://ib.dbs.edu.hk/
Major Renewed Emphases in the School Curriculum #
Reading to Learn: In Chinese Language, the school implements the “Extensive Reading Scheme” across Grades 7 to 12 to promote reading. Moreover, “Writers’ Workshops and Seminars” are held for writers and scholars to share their reading tips, creative experiences and examination skills with students.
Moral and Civic Education: The school organizes the “Leadership Training Camp” for senior form students to provide them with moral and discipline training. The Social Services Team visits Guangzhou, Sichuan and Africa regularly to render voluntary services and experience local life there.
E-Learning: Various online platforms such as Zoom and Google Classroom are used, which help to develop students’ self-learning ability and IT capacity. Learning materials are uploaded to these platforms for students’ easy reference.
Life Planning Education #
https://www.furtherstudies.dbs.edu.hk/
Student Support #
Whole School Approach to Catering for Learner Diversity #
There are English, Chinese and Mathematics remedial classes to help G7 to G12 students who are weaker in the respective subject(s). The school has also set up sportsmen tutorial, weekend tutorials for both academically strong and weak students.
Whole School Approach to Integrated Education #
The Special Education Needs Team has been formed. Meetings are held to assist SEN students regularly or when it is necessary. In order to render timely support, interviews are held with parents and new students with special needs.
A group of teachers have already received the SEN training to cater for students with different learning needs.
To enhance learning effectiveness of students of diverse abilities, the school flexibly deploys the Learning Support Grant and other available resources.
Education Support for Non-Chinese Speaking (NCS) Students #
Measures to provide adaptation for learning and assessment #
–
Fee Remission #
Our school offers full school fee remission, 3/4, 1/2 or 1/4 school fee remission. Needy students, including those from families receiving the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) and students receiving financial assistance provided by the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA), could apply for fee remission.
– Please visit the web-link in our school’s website for details of school fee remission scheme, including the family income limits.
– Please visit the web-link in our school’s website for details of school fee remission scheme, including the family income limits.
Home-School Co-operation and School Ethos #
Home-School Co-operation #
The school has got Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for parents and teachers; and DSOBA for the alumni. Through various activities, like Garden Fete, seminars, outing, picnic, and games day, home-school co-operation could be enhanced. Furthermore, these activities serve the purpose for reinforcing the loyalty and school spirit among parents, old boys, teachers and students.
School Ethos #
The school strongly encourages students to join different types of activities. Students are encouraged to make use of the school’s rich resources to develop personal interests, broaden their horizons and to explore the outside world. It is the school’s goal to cultivate outgoing, positive and optimistic students who treasure friendship and be able to think laterally. There are two registered Social Workers stationed at the school to counsel students in need.
Future Development #
School Development Plan #
The school provides a holistic education based on multiple intelligence. We aim at helping students develop their creativity, leadership and independent thinking.
Teacher Professional Training and Development #
The school provides in-service Professional Development Programmes for teachers. Teachers are positively encouraged to join different workshops, seminars and professional development courses.
Life-wide Learning #
(including Five Essential Learning Experiences to be provided through Key Learning Areas, extra-curricular activities, co-curricular activities, etc.)
The school has got more than 80 clubs and societies, school teams and student organizations to help students in organizing different activities. The school encourages students to make use of her rich resources to develop their personal interests and train their organization skills. Through joining inter-school competitions, students will exercise team spirit.
Others #
The School has set up a fund based on education development. It offers different types of scholarships, school fees remission and extra-curricular activities allowances in order to cater to different students’ needs.
Remarks #
With more resources deployed to support teaching and learning, school-based small-class teaching is fully implemented. In junior forms, the number of classes in each form is increased from 6 to 9. For the core subjects, including Chinese, English and Mathematics, students of the 9 classes are further streamed into 10 groups. In senior forms, there are 6 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) classes and 2 International Baccalaureate (IBDP) classes in each form. For the core subjects, including Chinese, English, Mathematics and Citizenship and Social Development, students of the 6 DSE classes are further streamed into 6 to 8 groups.
