FIS History since 1963
1963
FIS was established in 1963 to support French engineers and technicians during their historic work on Hong Kong’s Shek Pik reservoir.
Families of Soletanche and Dragages companies moved in the village of Shek Pik to be near the construction site. Long distance learning was provided as a temporary solution.
To meet the needs of the secondary school, the classes of the eleven oldest pupils were moved to HK island. It is at the Alliance Française in the Hang Seng Bank Building that the first lessons took place.
Alain Bry, Vice Consul General during that period, shared : "The consulate occupied the floor below the Alliance Française. I would go up to give a few history and geography lessons when necessary."
1964 - 1972
At the start of the school year 1964, four primary levels were opened. They all moved into the Shui Hing Building, in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The first official class photo taken at the Hong Kong French School. Suzanne Hudelot and her pupils in April 1967.
After four relocations in four years, the parents and the consulate agreed that it would be necessary to stabilise the situation and ensure the future existence of this school within its own premises.
In 1972, the French School moved into Béthanie in Pokfulam.
1973
FIS became the first international school in Hong Kong to introduce Mandarin classes
Annie Au Yeung was the Mandarin teacher from 1973 to 2004. She said: "And whilst local schools offered the teaching of traditional characters, we were the first to teach Pinyin and Putonghua"
Bethanie is sold to Hong Kong Land Company. The French School moved into Bowen Road in 1975 sharing the building with Island School.
For the first time in 1978 Terminales student could sat their baccalaureat exams in Hong Kong instead of having to go to Tokyo.
1973
FIS became the first international school in Hong Kong to introduce Mandarin classes
Annie Au Yeung was the Mandarin teacher from 1973 to 2004. She said: "And whilst local schools offered the teaching of traditional characters, we were the first to teach Pinyin and Putonghua"
Bethanie is sold to Hong Kong Land Company. The French School moved into Bowen Road in 1975 sharing the building with Island School.
For the first time in 1978 Terminales students could sat their baccalaureat exams in Hong Kong instead of having to go to Tokyo.