Founded in 1939, Mui Wo School has a long history of over 80 years.

 

Our school was initially located in Chung Hau. Given the limited space available, we had to keep things simple.When the Inspector of Vernacular Schools, Mr Wan Yiu Sing, learnt that there was no government-subsidised school in this district, he took the initiative to assist our school in obtaining subsidies from the government. Along with people in the neighbourhood, Mr Wan also mobilised the villagers to help build a new campus in Tai Tei Tong Tsuen. At that time, the school was poorly equipped, with a single classroom accommodating one teacher and 30-40 students.

 

Following World War II, with the gradual rise of Mui Wo's population, our classroom was not adequate for our needs.
In 1952, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department gifted the land of Mui Wo government farm workers quarters (current location of Kau Tsuen) to our school to set up two new classrooms. Since then, we had three classrooms with six classes offering multi-grade education.

 

In August 1953, the School Supervisor, Mr Yeung Chun Tat, resigned, and the Education Department appointed Mr Yeung Wing Yau as the successor. At the time, the Hong Kong government was striving for the development of Lantau Island, resulting in rapid population growth in all villages and thus inadequate space on campus to meet the needs.The old campus, which was built of planks of wood, had long been battered by wind and rain as well as threatened by termites. It caused students great inconvenience when attending lessons, and the building was in danger of collapse. The new School Supervisor, Mr Yeung Wing Yau, was convinced that the school had to expand the campus without further ado. Therefore, he initiated an expansion plan which had been implemented in three phases.

 

 

Expansion Project Phase I

 

In 1956, our school was granted land allocation and construction subsidy by the government. Then a team, consisting of Mr Yeung Wing Yau, Mr Yuen Wah Chiu, Mr Yip Wai, Mr Tsang Lin, Mr Yuen Ching Pak, Mr Wong Chuen King, Mr Lau Fuk Yuen, Mr Ho Tsz Yan and Mr Ng Yan Chan, etc., was established for the planning and fundraising of the construction. In the first phase, four classrooms, one male toilet and one female toilet were built at the south side of the school premise. The construction commenced in June 1958 and completed in December that year. The new section was officially opened in March 1959. By September 1960, our school had eight classes with more than 320 students. Single-grade teaching was adopted from then on.

 

Expansion Project Phase II

 

The second phase of the construction, which included building two classrooms, one teachers' room, one male toilet and one female toilet at the west side of the school premise, began in June 1967. This section was then opened in September. While the Education Department subsidied half of the construction cost, the School Supervisor, Mr Yeung Wing Yau, and the School Manager, Mr Yeung Chin Kiu, also donated a substantial amount of money to bring it to fruition. This greatly helped reduce the number of children dropping out of school.

 

Expansion Project Phase III

 

Due to the government's development plan, improved infrastructure and inpouring of investment, the population of all villages continued soaring, and thus there was a sharp rise in the number of children. A total of seven classrooms after continuous expansion works however were still not enough to take all eligible primary-age children, resulting in the third phase of the expansion.    The school playground was built on the newly reclaimed land which was filled with loamy sand, and its surface was uneven. It also led to siltation on rainy days and dust emission on sunny days. In order to safeguard the health of students, thanks to the generous donations from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, as well as the School Supervisor, Mr Yeung Wing Yau, and his brother, Mr Yeung Wing Tak, the playground was resurfaced with concrete with the help of the Interact Club of St. Joseph's College in 1970. After that, students could freely enjoy exercising there.   At that time, a dozen of teachers had to share one teachers' room which offered no space for document storage. In February 1971, the School Supervisor, Mr Yeung Wing Yau, purchased a farm land at the west side of the school premise from the villagers, and built a school office there.    In April of the same year, a second teachers' room was also constructed in the vacant area between the existing one and the new-build school office, and subsequently connecting both teachers' rooms.

 

In July 1972, the Education Department approved the construction of a music room and a classroom at the north side of the school premise. Upon completion of the works, this section was opened in September. This construction was subsidised by the Education Department and also funded by combined donations of the architect, Mr Wong Cho Tong, Mr Fung Sang, Mrs Yeung Chun Tat, Mrs Tang Fuk Ping and the School Supervisor, Mr Yeung Wing Yau.

 

 

In the early days, Mui Wo School was poorly equipped with only one classroom. By 1972, it had transformed into a complete primary school, having nine classrooms and proper facilities including a school office and two teachers' rooms. We had overcome a lot of obstacles and challenges along the journey. Such achievements would not have been possible without all the former School Supervisors and School Managers who made concerted efforts, as well as the enthusiastic people from the community who offered continuous financial and labour contributions.

 

Our Campus

 

Evergreen

 

Even though the campus expansion project of Mui Wo School was completed in 1972, alumni from different graduation years would exclaim upon seeing the new facilities whenever they visited their alma mater.

 

 

Moving with the Times

 

In 1999, the first classroom of Mui Wo School was turned into a computer-assisted learning room. It was equipped with twenty desktop computers and twelve laptop computers for students using in class and self-learning.   Starting from 2007, computers, projectors and screens were installed in the classrooms to enhance learning and teaching.   In 2018, the information technology infrastructure of the school had been further enhanced with wireless network being covered the entire school premise. Our school subscribed to optical fibre broadband service to improve the speed of internet access. With the purchase of tablet computers, we introduced e-teaching to each subject in order to enhance the teaching techniques.

 

 

From the 2018/19 school year, with the additon of coding education and purchase of suitable software, such as Micro:bit and mBot, our school enhanced the school-based curriculum of Information Technology, aiming to teach the senior graders the knowledge of coding progressively. Moreover, we upgraded the facilities of information technology from time to time. The acquisition of equipment like 3D printers and tablet computers intends to support the implementation of creative studies, allowing students to experience and learn the benefits of using new technology.

 

 

During the school year of 2021/22 and 2022/23, our school continued the upgrading of hardware and software equipment as well as various resources, in order to cater for the application of information technology in all subjects and the development of STEM education. We also installed interactive electronic whiteboards, smart blackboards and large LED TV screens, replaced existing desktop and laptop computers with new ones, as well as upgraded the wireless network of the entire school. With all these enhancements, we hope that we can facilitate the further development of our diverse curriculum and the implementation of the student-centred learning approach more effectively.

 

Embracing the Rainbow

 

Surrounding by mountains and lush greenery, Mui Wo School is a village school and located at the foot of Lin Fa Shan. Our single-storey school buildings are painted in vibrant, rainbow colours, encircling half of the playground, which is comprised of a red 28-metre long running track and a green multi-purpose court. With the blessings of the nature, green becomes the symbol of our school. Green can be seen everywhere - the lines forming the plum blossom on our school crest, our school uniform, our students' desks and chairs, as well as the recently renovated library and music room. 

 

In this nature-filled campus, our children can enjoy all sorts of fun activities - reading, dancing, performing in dramas, doing experiments, playing football, creating mosaics, practicing fancy rope skipping and juggling. Learning and growing up should be full of colours and joy. Such an inspiring, enjoyable and rainbow-like learning environment would be ideal for children to develop their skills and abilities to their full potential, opening up endless possibilities.