No_4_1956 — Page 23

ST. STLPHEN'S GIRLS'

Architects

Messrs. Chau & Lee

SCALE:

11.

COLLEGI

A

O

__159_200FT

1919

BONHAM

ROAD

2038

2037

The architects' impression of the Gymnasium and Science Building

LL.No. 7207

LYTTELTON

RD.

Brief History

The school was started in 1906 house which was found in No. 35 Road. Miss Carden was the first cipal, assisted by Miss K. Stewart Miss W. Griffin who joined her staff after the school opened.

been found too expensive and it was de- cided that the east wing would be left in а to a later date for completion. Miss

Caine

Prin-

Taylor's perusal of the plans of the work approved disclosed that neither bathing and facilities nor sanitary arrangements were soon shown thereon, and on investigation it was discovered that "the mistake was due to the fact that only two-thirds of the

was building

because of being erected

The places required shortage of funds.

Several in the missing one-third. classrooms had to be used to supply these omissions."''

were

The school soon began to grow and more spacious accommodation was acquir- ed two years later at No. 27 Caine Road. Space for

a playground was acquired through the kindness of Lady May on a site situated at the corner of Lyttelton Road and Park Road. In 1914 through The new school building was completed the generosity of the St. Stephen's College and occupied in September, 1923, but was Council in making a grant of $1,100, this officially opened in June, 1924 by Lady site was levelled.

Stubbs.

After the earthquake in 1917, when the The erection and equipping of the Big school building at No. 27 Caine Road was Hall was made possible through the gen- badly damaged, through the efforts of erosity of Mr. Kwok Siu Lau, an old nenibers of both Chinese and foreign com- friend of the school from its early days. munities, buildings No. 4 and 6 Babington

was

Path were first rented, then purchased in At that time lessons in English were [120. After considerable negotiations with all given during the morning and in Chi- the Hong Korg Government, a large area nese in the afternoon. making it possible of 68,760 square feet in the district known for non-Chinese children to attend lessons as West End Park was placed at the dis- in the morning only. The increases in The St. Stephen's Girls' College on posal of the Chinese Missionary Society for the number of pupils continued, and ap- Lyttelton Road is well-known to residents the school's purposes. Government helped plication for the school to become Grant- of Hong Kong, and has for many many by providing a grant of $60,000 and an in-Aid was made, and approved in March

interest free loan of a further $60,000. 1924. years been one of the leading educational This grant was later increased to $80,000 institutions in the Colony. In keeping up in 1922.

Construction of the new school The completion of the building with its progressive policy and to main premises started in 1922 and the Prince of mooted as early as April, 1924, but the tain the modern standard of education Wales laid the foundation stone on 7th necessity for servants' quarters which were which is expected of an institution of its April of that year.

erected in 1925 and other complications standing. it has embarked upon a project

delayed this work. A rather amusing matter illustrates the consisting of a Gymnasium and Science difficulty of planning school buildings In Miss E. S. Atkins became Acting Prin- Bui ding which will provide facilities for those years. Miss Taylor, who arrived in cipal in 1927. which appointment was more advanced teaching of Scierce and September 1922 to take over the post as confirmed as Principal in 1929 when the Handicraft than has been possib ́e hereto Principal, decided to examine the plans cast wing was finally completed. This thoroughly because the original plans had gave more dormitory space, living quar-

fore

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