Future

REDEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL CAMPUS

General Background

After the Primary School relocated from its building to Wong Chuk Hang in 2008, the MacDonnell Road secondary school campus consisted of:

• Dr Catherine Woo Wing, also known as the red brick building completed in 1927. It was accorded Grade 3 by Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) in 1992 and subsequently reviewed and confirmed as Grade 2 historic building in 2010
• Dr BM Kotewall Wing completed in 1959
• Annex building completed in 1984
• School Improvement Programme (SIP) Building completed in 2006
• Site of Primary School building
• Calder Path Annex.

In addition, there is the Kennedy Road primary school campus which serves as a temporary decanting site available from 2008-2013.

Although most of the existing school facilities could meet the needs for teaching and learning, certain essential facilities such as classrooms, special rooms, covered playground and library are substantially constrained. Some facilities are dilapidated and require frequent repair. In order to upgrade the facilities to the prevailing standards and improve the teaching and learning environment, a major redevelopment plan has been worked out, carefully executed and gradually realised.

The redevelopment plan is being carried out in two phases and is an in-situ redevelopment model. Construction works commenced in 2008 and the whole redevelopment is scheduled to be completed in 2013. After the redevelopment, there will be 42 classrooms catering to 7 groups of students in each of 6 forms.

Phase 1 - Redevelopment of MacDonnell Road Primary School Site

Phase I redevelopment involved demolition of the MacDonnell Road primary school building and construction of the new extension block, the Li Chong Yuet Ming Building.

Facilities of the new LCYM Building include:

• 21 standard classrooms and other small group teaching rooms
• Lecture theatre for 250 people
• Indoor games hall
• 8 new laboratories
• New cafeteria
• Co-educational dormitory

The LCYM Building, also known as the East Wing, was completed and in operation as scheduled on 1 September 2011

Phase 2 - Alteration to existing school campus

With the relocation of facilities into the new LCYM Building, existing facilities can be improved within the existing premises. This phase will involve alteration and conversion of the four existing buildings on MacDonnell Road campus. All the structures will remain whereas the overall layout will be modified to enhance spatial quality, natural ventilation and lighting by enlarging classrooms and corridors. Works will be carried out to complement the overall design and usage of the facilities with a view to enhancing the operational efficiency.

New changes include:

1. Upgrade of the existing 21 classrooms
2. New library, teacher resources centre, project rooms, computer corner and magazine corner
3. Extension of music facilities including music practice rooms and ensemble practice room
4. New multi-purpose rooms for Arts, Language & Culture, Maths & Science
5. Upgrade of sport facilities including gymnasium, table tennis practice room and dance studio
6. Improvement of teaching staff rooms
7. Addition of new lift tower and relevant facilities for barrier free access for persons with disabilities

The construction works will be carried out from 2011 to 2013 in stages while the existing school premises will continue to be in operation.

Heritage Implications

Among the existing buildings, Dr Catherine Woo Wing, also known as the red brick building, was completed in 1927 and accorded Grade 2 historic building by Antiquity Advisory Board (AAB) in 2010. It is socially, historically and architecturally significant. The building is a seven-storey red brick building of a C-shaped plan. Its design expresses features of Neo-Georgian style with adaptations to local climate.

The School has conducted a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) to identify the historical and physical development of the site, its cultural significance and significant architectural features, assess and mitigate adverse impact of the proposed works and manage construction works during the Phase 2 redevelopment. It also contains policies to guide the future use, development and long term maintenance.

Antiquities and Monuments Office has accepted and agreed with the HIA report and the proposed protecting measures. The School also consulted AAB on the HIA report on 22 February 2011 and received its support.

Traffic Implications

With the relocation of the primary school to Wong Chuk Hang in 2008, the population of students using the premises at MacDonnell Road has been significantly reduced and the traffic condition in the vicinity has improved.

Furthermore, under the Phase 1 redevelopment, a portion of MacDonnell Road in front of the school premises has been widened to create additional lay-by to enhance the traffic flow.

During the construction period of Phase 2, since the project mainly comprises alteration works and does not involve construction of new building, the anticipated number of construction vehicles should not cause significant adverse impact to the area.