Mrs Lydia Huang joined MCS in 1965, along with Miss Edith Wong, Mrs Angela Lyall, and thirteen other teachers. It was the year Sister Rose Duchesne became Principal. Just how does it feel to be with the school for such a long time? Madame replied humorously,
'You feel like being part of the wall!'
These red brick walls, an unmistakable landmark in Kowloon Tong, bore witness to Madame Huang's lifelong career as a distinguished educator. She started as a language teacher of both English and French. For 22 years, she taught, guided and mentored. In 1987, she shed the frontline responsibilities of a teacher to become Principal, Secondary Section, following Sister Jeanne Houlihan's retirement. In 1997, she bid farewell to the Secondary Section and concentrated on her role as Supervisor, Primary Section, a role that has been ongoing since 1991.
'To be honest, I like being a teacher more than a principal, Madame confessed. 'Teaching keeps me in touch with the girls. And I love being around youngsters. They have such intuitive ideas. Their views about themselves, the surrounding people and the society are refreshing and stimulating.' Madame certainly had a lot of chance to literally 'read' the minds of teenagers, as she went through the massive number of essays each semester. Small wonder Madame manages to stay in tune with her students spanning several generations, from the sixties to the millennium!
As a teacher, you get to know the students personally. Being a principal is more like a backstage job. Pushing papers around, writing letters, reports, etc,' Madame added with a twinkle of the eye. 'And interacting with more grown-ups than youngsters too!' Being a principal, however, does have its excitements and rewards. 'During my time as Principal, there were fourteen to sixteen months that were especially memorable.
We were raising funds for the Jockey Club Wing. As Vice Chairman of the Educational Trust, I was swept up by the current of activities that tornadoed through those months. There were the Gala Premiere, Fun Fair, Concert at the Cultural Centre, selling of raffles, souvenirs and second hand clothing, etc. Almost something new cropped up everyday. It was hectic! But we survived. And looking back, things worked out quite well!'
Interestingly, the title of 'Madame has evolved to become a universal salutation for Mrs Lydia Huang. 'As you all know, I've been teaching mainly English and Religion. But for some reason, I got stuck with people calling me 'Madame'! Of course I don't mind but the French syllabus I taught was discontinued some time ago! In fact, people outside of school would get to know me by 'Madame'! I had one little girl who greeted me as 'Auntie Madame'! Now that's something new!
'I was impressed and touched by the support of friends, Maryknollers, parents and students. For example, the response to our call for donations for the Fun Fair was staggering. We had so many enthusiastic contributors that the school has to organize an additional clearance sale just to sell off the extra clothes!'
'There are good memories for me all over the campus,' Madame continued. 'I think I will always remember the school with my children - Maryknollers who have become like daughters to me, and my own.'
'Juggling between the roles of being a teacher and a mother has been challenging, Madame admitted. 'I remember going home with stacks of essays to correct. I would sit at my desk, marking, while my children would be sitting at their desks, doing homework.
Like all mothers, Madame could not help smiling when she talked about her children. 'My house was full of desks, one in each corner, so that I could keep an eye on them as we all slaved away.'
A mother of five who was working on a time-consuming and demanding job had to have a lot of stamina and a will of iron to cope. Madame managed superbly, helped by a wonderful mother.
'We all grew up together, my children, my students, and the school. Mydaughter was a student here. Even my sons who went to school at La Salle were here quite often.'
Quoting from the 75th Anniversary Special Edition Annual, Mrs Lydia Huang was a lady with 'steady nerves' and 'sturdy faith.' These qualities are well demonstrated as she fulfils her administrative responsibilities at the school with brilliance. On the other hand, Madame is an excellent listener and her strong maternal instincts have nursed along many of us on life's journey and the road to discovering the real meaning of 'to serve
Maggie Chau ('85)
