Over 1 Million Video Cards Benchmarked
For decades, Rosaryhill School (RHS) has stood as a beacon of academic excellence and spiritual formation in Hong Kong. Nestled in the quiet mid-levels of Stubbs Road, this Catholic institution has nurtured generations of students, shaping them into leaders, artists, and thinkers. But beyond the report cards and graduation certificates, one artifact holds a sacred place in the hearts of alumni: the Rosaryhill School yearbook.
Whether you graduated in 1965 or 2020, the yearbook—often known affectionately as the RHS Chronicle or Graduation Annual—is more than just a collection of photos. It is a time capsule of teenage dreams, awkward hairstyles, and lifelong friendships. In this article, we explore the history, significance, and modern search for the elusive Rosaryhill School yearbook.
Rosaryhill’s yearbook has always been more than a glossy record; it’s a living archive stitched from the small, accidental moments that define a school year. Flipping through its pages is like stepping into an intimate memory house where laughter echoes from candid photos, rivalries and friendships are immortalized in student quotes, and the formal portraits hide whole untold stories.
Origins and Purpose
Structure and Style
Editorial Voice and Choices
Cultural Significance
Notable Themes Over Time
The Politics of Inclusion
Errors, Omissions, and Memory Work
The Yearbook as Primary Source
Practical Notes for Future Editors
Closing Thought A Rosaryhill yearbook is a communal artifact—part scrapbook, part manifesto, part fragile time capsule. Read with attention, it teaches how a community understood itself at a given moment: its joys, its blind spots, and the small, stubborn traces of everyday life that survive in print.
The yearbook committee had a rule: no empty spaces. Every corner of every page had to tell a story. So when Emily, the editor, flipped through the final digital proofs of the Rosaryhill School Yearbook 1997 at 2 a.m., her heart nearly stopped.
Page 34. “Clubs & Societies.”
There, under the “Rosaryhill Environmental Society” photo, was a ghost.
Not a blur or a lens flare. A girl in the back row, wearing the old pre-1994 plaid uniform—the one with the wide lapels and the red tie. She stood perfectly still while the other students smiled. Her eyes looked straight into the lens. And next to her, in the caption, it read: Isabella Marie Chan, Grade 12 (In memoriam).
Emily didn’t remember taking that photo. She didn’t remember editing that caption. She called the faculty advisor, Mrs. Alvero, who answered groggily.
“Did you add a memorial student to the environmental club shot?” Emily asked.
A long pause. Then: “Emily, we haven’t used the old uniform in four years. And there’s no Isabella Chan in the school registry. Not this year. Not ever.”
The next morning, the yearbook team met in the print lab. They scrolled through the original digital files from the camera. The photo was clean—no extra girl, no caption. But the layout file, saved on the school server, still showed her. Same pose. Same sad eyes.
Ryan, the tech lead, checked the file’s metadata. Last modified: 3:33 a.m. The same time Emily had been working. But the server log showed no one logged in after midnight.
Mrs. Alvero went pale. “When I first started teaching here, twenty years ago, the old-timers told a story. In 1977, a girl named Isabella Chan died in a fire in the old science building. They said she’d been trying to save her ecology project—a tree planting map for the hills behind the school. They never found her yearbook photo. It was just… missing from the proofs that year. She was erased.”
Emily looked at the ghost girl again. She wasn’t haunting. She was waiting.
So the team made a choice. They printed the yearbook with Isabella Chan on page 34. No note, no explanation. Just her face, her name, her old plaid tie. And underneath, they added a small subtitle to the club’s name: Rosaryhill Environmental Society — Founded in memory of Isabella Marie Chan, 1977.
When the yearbooks arrived in May, students flipped through and didn’t notice anything strange. But the old alumni, the ones who came back for the reunion, stopped at page 34. Some cried. Some crossed themselves. One old man in a faded green jacket—the school’s first environmental club president from 1978—whispered, “We never forgot you, Bella. Took them long enough.” rosaryhill school yearbook
That night, Emily opened her editor’s copy. The ghost was gone. But where Isabella had stood, a single pressed rosary pea seed—red and black, like a tiny eye—lay flat against the page, as if it had grown right out of the paper.
The yearbook committee never told the full story. But after that year, every single Rosaryhill School Yearbook left one small, intentional empty space somewhere in the club section. Just a blank square. Just in case.
The Living Archive: The Legacy of the Rosaryhill School Yearbook For over six decades, the yearbook of Rosaryhill School
(玫瑰崗學校) served as more than just a collection of photographs; it was the definitive chronicle of a storied institution that helped shape the cultural and professional landscape of Hong Kong. Founded in Dominican Order
, the school’s annual publications document a journey from a modest priory to a prestigious educational complex that educated some of the city's most iconic figures. A Chronicle of Excellence and Values
The Rosaryhill yearbook was designed to reflect the school’s core mission: nurturing students as "conscientious individuals, useful citizens, and authentic Christians". Each edition typically opened with messages from the School Supervisor—traditionally a Dominican priest—and the Principal, setting a spiritual and educational tone for the year. The pages were a tapestry of school life, featuring: Academic Achievement:
Detailed records of student progress and faculty contributions. Core Values:
Visual and written testaments to the school’s pillars: Truth, Justice, Love, Life, and Family. Milestones: Significant celebrations, such as the Diamond Jubilee
in 2018, which marked 60 years of the Dominican friars’ educational preaching in Hong Kong. Mapping a "Who's Who" of Hong Kong
Perhaps the yearbook’s most enduring fascination lies in its role as a historical record of legendary alumni. Flipping through old volumes, one finds the formative years of superstars like Leslie Cheung Kelly Chen Charlene Choi , alongside influential leaders like Bernard Chan
. These records serve as a bridge between the school’s hallowed halls on Stubbs Road
and the broader impact its graduates made on Asian entertainment and governance. The Final Chapter
The significance of the yearbook has only intensified following the school's recent transition. In September 2023
, it was announced that Rosaryhill would cease operations, with the secondary section closing and the primary/kindergarten sections being transferred to Dalton School Hong Kong . The school officially closed its doors on July 13, 2024 Standoff over Rosaryhill School closure - The Standard (HK)
The Rosaryhill School yearbook serves as more than just a seasonal publication; it is a vital historical record of a prestigious institution that has shaped Hong Kong’s educational and cultural landscape since 1959. For decades, these yearbooks have documented the growth of "Rosarians" and the evolution of the school from its Dominican roots to its recent, high-profile transition. A Legacy in Print
Founded by the Dominican Order, Rosaryhill School (RHS) established a tradition of comprehensive annual publications to celebrate its diverse community.
Institutional Memory: The yearbook captures the essence of the school’s motto, Veritas (Truth), recording the development of its Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary sections.
Milestone Editions: Special publications, such as the 35th Anniversary and 60th Anniversary volumes, provide deep dives into the school’s long history, including major architectural changes and community fund-raising efforts like walkathons. Cultural and Alumni Significance
Rosaryhill is renowned for its star-studded alumni list, making its yearbooks "collector’s items" for fans of Hong Kong cinema and music.
Celebrity Graduates: The pages of RHS yearbooks feature iconic figures such as the late Leslie Cheung, Cantopop star Kelly Chen, and actress Charlene Choi.
The "Rosarian" Identity: Organizations like the Rosaryhill School Old Students Association (RHSOSA) rely on these records to maintain connections between "Rosarians" across different generations and professions. The Final Chapters
In September 2023, the school’s sponsoring body announced the eventual closure of the school, with the Secondary Section officially closing on July 13, 2024.
Transition of Ownership: While the secondary section was transferred to Yu Chun Keung Memorial College No 2, the primary and kindergarten sections were taken over by Dalton School Hong Kong.
Historical Preservation: As the original institution ceases its 65-year run, the yearbooks remain the definitive archive of the school’s unique "House System" and its contribution to the city’s educational heritage.
Rosaryhill School, with its rich history and unique heritage, has always understood the value of documentation. The yearbook serves as a chronological history of the school’s evolution. Flipping through volumes from years past is like watching a film reel of Hong Kong’s educational history. You see the evolution of the uniform, the changing hairstyles, and the modernization of the classrooms. Unlocking Memories: The Enduring Legacy of the Rosaryhill
But amidst the changes, the spirit remains the same. The yearbook captures the ethos of the school—the values of discipline, community, and faith that have been the bedrock of the institution since its founding.
The last page of every Rosaryhill School yearbook traditionally features a quote from Blessed William Joseph Chaminade (founder of the Marianists) or a simple black-and-white photo of the school gate at sunset. Below it, the yearbook team prints the same phrase in every edition: "Hodie non cras" (Latin for "Today, not tomorrow").
It is a reminder to live in the present—but ironically, the yearbook itself is an argument for the past. It tells the students of 2025 that they matter enough to be recorded. It tells the alumni of 1969 that they are not forgotten.
Whether you are searching for a ghost from your Form 7 class or looking to buy the 2026 edition for your graduating daughter, the Rosaryhill School yearbook remains one of the last great traditions of Hong Kong’s golden educational era.
Do you have a story about your RHS yearbook? A lost signature found? A hilarious photo from the 1982 picnic? Share it in the alumni forum below.
Keywords used: Rosaryhill School yearbook, RHS annual, Rosaryhill School alumni Hong Kong, Marianist school yearbook, vintage Hong Kong yearbook, Rosaryhill School autographs.
Since Rosaryhill School (玫瑰崗學校) officially closed its doors on July 13, 2024, after 65 years of history, a yearbook write-up should serve as both a celebration of its legacy and a meaningful farewell to the "Rosarian" community.
The following options provide different tones depending on your section of the yearbook: Option 1: The Commemorative Introduction
Best for the opening pages, focusing on the school’s 65-year legacy and its Dominican roots.
"Since its founding by the Dominican Order in 1959, Rosaryhill School has stood as a beacon of 'Veritas' (Truth) atop Stubbs Road. What began as the Dominican Primary School at St. Albert the Great Priory grew into a cherished institution that nurtured generations of leaders, artists, and global citizens. As we flip through these pages, we celebrate 65 years of academic excellence and spiritual growth. Though our physical campus transitions to a new chapter, the Rosarian spirit—built on integrity, compassion, and a grounded sense of self—will shine forever." Option 2: A Tribute to Notable Alumni
Best for an alumni or 'Looking Forward' section, highlighting the school’s impact on Hong Kong culture.
"Rosaryhill has always been more than just a school; it has been a cradle for talent that shaped the cultural fabric of Hong Kong. From the legendary Leslie Cheung and Cantopop icon Kelly Chen to leaders like Bernard Chan, our alumni have excelled across every field. This yearbook honors not just the students within these walls today, but the vast network of thousands of Rosarians worldwide. We carry forward a legacy of trailblazing success, proving that the lessons learned in these classrooms resonate far beyond the graduation stage." Option 3: The "Final Chapter" Farewell
Best for the closing pages, acknowledging the 2024 closure and the move to Yu Chun Keung Memorial College No 2.
"This year marks a poignant milestone in our history. As Rosaryhill School concludes its operations, we look back with immense gratitude for the memories created within these halls. While our students and staff embark on new journeys—transferring to Yu Chun Keung Memorial College No 2 or joining the Dalton School Hong Kong—the bonds formed here remain unbreakable. We close this chapter not with sadness, but with the pride of having been part of something truly historic. Once a Rosarian, always a Rosarian." Key Legacy Facts for Your Write-Up: Motto: Veritas (Truth). Founded: 1959 by the Dominican Fathers.
Famous Alumni: Leslie Cheung, Kelly Chen, Charlene Choi, Tony Leung Ka-fai, and Bernard Chan.
Core Pillars: Whole-person development spanning moral, intellectual, physical, social, aesthetic, and spiritual areas. Closing Date: July 13, 2024.
Rosaryhill School in Hong Kong closed in 2024 , the most meaningful "good article" for a yearbook topic would likely focus on legacy, nostalgia, and the school's historical impact
Here are three distinct directions for a compelling yearbook article: 1. "The Final Bell: A Legacy of Excellence" Focus on the school's 65-year history since its founding in 1959 . This article should highlight: Milestones: Major achievements and milestones that defined the school across decades. The Rosaryhill Spirit:
Interviews with long-time staff or alumni about what made the school's culture unique compared to other Hong Kong institutions. Printingcenterusa 2. "Famous Faces of the Hill"
Rosaryhill is renowned for its high-profile alumni (including icons like Leslie Cheung Kelly Chen
). An article featuring these figures can inspire current students. Success Stories:
Brief profiles on how their time at Rosaryhill shaped their careers. Inspiration: Connecting their accomplishments to the values taught at the school. Westfield Middle School Yearbook 3. "Voices of the Last Class" student-focused feature
that captures the emotions of being the final graduating cohort. Printingcenterusa Memorable Moments: Highlights of specific events and activities unique to the final year. Summarizing the Experience: Quotes from students summarizing their personal journey and overcoming obstacles during the transition period. Writing Tip: When drafting these, use active verbs and third-person perspective
to maintain a professional yet engaging tone that honors the school's history. famous alumni to include in an article?
The Legacy of the Rosaryhill School Yearbook: A Time Capsule of Hong Kong Excellence The yearbook began as a simple annual memento:
For over six decades, the Rosaryhill School yearbook (often titled the Rosaryhill School Annual) served as more than just a collection of student portraits; it was a definitive record of one of Hong Kong’s most culturally significant educational institutions. Founded in 1959 by the Dominican Order, Rosaryhill School officially closed its doors on July 13, 2024, making its final yearbooks invaluable artifacts for thousands of alumni. A History Preserved in Ink
The tradition of the school annual began shortly after the school's inception, with the first School Annual published in 1966. These volumes documented the school's growth from the Dominican Primary School into a comprehensive institution featuring kindergarten, primary, secondary, and business studies sections.
The yearbooks are prized by the Rosaryhill School Old Students Association (RHSOSA), which was founded in 1967 by the first group of Form 5 graduates. For decades, these books captured the "Diamond Jubilee" celebrations and the core pillars of the school: Truth, Justice, Love, Life, and Family. A Who's Who of Hong Kong Stars
Perhaps the most famous aspect of the Rosaryhill School yearbook is its "Celebrity Alumni" pages. Because the school was a nurturing ground for Hong Kong’s entertainment industry, its yearbooks contain early photos of legendary figures before they reached global fame. Notable figures found in past editions include: Leslie Cheung: The late Cantopop icon and actor.
Tony Leung Ka Fai: Three-time Best Actor winner at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
Kelly Chen and Charlene Choi: Major Cantopop stars and actresses.
Barbara Yung: The beloved 1980s actress who famously returned to her alma mater for filming before her passing.
Bernard Chan: Former member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong. The Final Editions and Digital Archives
With the school's closure in 2024, the final yearbooks have become highly sought-after commemorative items. While physical copies are often held in private collections or by the RHSOSA, digital traces of the school's history remain:
For your Rosaryhill School yearbook write-up, you can focus on the school's long-standing legacy at 41B Stubbs Road and its core mission of providing a "wholesome education" rooted in Christian values.
The following templates are designed to capture the unique spirit of the school, including its motto, Veritas (Truth), and its recent transition. Option 1: Formal Legacy (Best for Opening Pages)
Veritas: A Legacy of Excellence and TruthFor over 60 years, Rosaryhill School has stood as a beacon of education on Stubbs Road. Guided by our motto, Veritas, we have nurtured generations of students to become conscientious individuals and useful citizens. This year, we celebrate the unwavering dedication of our teachers and the vibrant energy of our "Rosarians," who continue to shine in everything from academic pursuits to our diverse extra-curricular programs like Taekwondo, choir, and the eco-friendly "Green Group". As we look back on our shared history, we carry forward the spirit of the Dominican Missions and the bonds that unite the Rosaryhill family. Option 2: Student-Focused (Best for Class Sections)
Cherished Moments and Lifelong BondsBeing a Rosarian is about more than just lessons; it’s about the memories made between the red-brick walls of our campus. From the excitement of the annual Athletic Meet and Swimming Gala to the quiet moments of mindfulness and Friday afternoon activities, this year has been a journey of growth. We’ve learned to "Seize the Day," making every minute count whether we were in the lab or performing on stage. Though our paths may lead us to new horizons—including our friends moving to Dalton School Hong Kong—the "Veritas" spirit will always be our compass.
Option 3: Short & Impactful (Best for Back Cover or Dedication)
Once a Rosarian, Always a Rosarian"Everything is possible in Him who has strengthened me" (Philippians 4:13). As we close this chapter of the Rosaryhill School yearbook, we honor the traditions, the friendships, and the pursuit of Truth that define us. Our doors remain open to our alumni, and our hearts remain full of the stories we’ve written together. Key Elements to Include: School Motto: Veritas (Truth) or "Seize the Day".
Spirit: Emphasize the "Rosarian Virtues" and the sense of belonging that over 80% of students take pride in.
Activities: Mention specific highlights like the Cross Country, LEGO Robot Class, or the Green Education initiatives.
Transition Context: If writing for the final operating years, acknowledge the transition to Dalton School Hong Kong with a focus on "bridging traditions".
Here is some suggested content for a Rosaryhill School (RHS) Yearbook, categorized by section. Since Rosaryhill School is a private Catholic institution in Hong Kong known for its bilingual (English and Chinese) curriculum, strong sense of community, and values of truth, goodness, and beauty, the content reflects that unique identity.
The Rosaryhill School yearbook is a testament to Veritas—the Dominican motto meaning "Truth." It captures the truth of youth: the joy, the struggle, the friendships, and the farewells. Whether you are a 1970s alumnus searching for a photo of your old basketball team or a 2024 graduate looking back in twenty years, know that these books are out there, waiting to be found.
So, start your search today. Reach out to the alumni network, visit the library, or post that inquiry online. Because until you hold that Rosaryhill School yearbook in your hands again, a piece of your history remains unfinished.
Have a copy of an old RHS yearbook? Contact the Rosaryhill School Alumni Association to help preserve history for the next generation.
You can adapt the specific sections (e.g., "Primary Section" vs. "Secondary Section") based on your actual school level.
Principal’s Foreword:
"As we turn the pages of another academic year, we reflect on the journey we have shared. This year has been a testament to the resilience and spirit of our Rosaryhill family. From the classroom to the sports field, our students have demonstrated that the pursuit of truth (Veritas) is not just a motto, but a way of life. To the graduates, remember that once you are a Hillian, you are always a Hillian."
School Report Highlights: