Checkpoint 5 - Former Primary School Block Plaque



Currently located on the second floor between the East and South Wings, this plaque marks the completion of the second phase of the campus reconstruction project in 1969.

The campus reconstruction project of St. Paul’s College was part of the Revd. G. L. Speak’s ambitions to enlarge the scale of the College and increase its capacity. The project called for the demolition of the original buildings belonging to St. John’s Hall of the University of Hong Kong, and a series of new buildings to be erected in their place. When completed, the four buildings, together with Wong Ming Him Hall, were designed to have a maximum capacity of 1,300 students, twice the number of students at the time. Both plaques of the project were unveiled by Bishop Gilbert Baker.

Bonham Road campus in the 1970s, with the former Primary School Block on the right
Bonham Road campus in the 1970s, with the former Primary School Block on the right

The former Primary School Block housed the College’s Primary Section until its relocation on Hill Road in 1992. The vacant block on Bonham Road was then transformed into a series of special purpose rooms including an art room, a music room, a staff room, a teaching resource room, a computer room and a teachers’ common room. It was demolished in 2004 and a multi-purpose teaching complex - the South Wing was built in 2006. There was originally a large garden (Ho Tung Garden) south of the former Primary School Block, part of which belonged to the Biology Society. The garden was demolished to provide space for constructing the Tse Yu Chuen Swimming Pool in 1978.

Most of the East Wing has remained unaltered since 1969, and it continues to serve as the Special Classrooms Block, housing the College’s laboratories, gymnasium, and library. However, the East Wing used to have six floors, not seven. What is now the seventh floor was once a rooftop playground; the rooms on the seventh floor were built between 2003 and 2004.

The plaque is possibly the only artefact left from the former Primary School Block. For years it was stored away, hidden from students of St. Paul’s. With the plaque rightfully restored to its proper location, students and the public alike are able to learn more about the College’s rich past.

Ho Tung Garden in front of the St. John's Hall in 1950
Booklet of the Bonham Campus Extension Opening in 1969
Main Entrance of the former Primary School and Hing Hon Road Entrance in the 1970s
Poinciana blossom in the campus
School campus in the 1990s
Demolition of the former Primary School Block in 2004
155th Anniversary Opening Ceremony of the South Wing in 2006
South Wing in 2006
South Wing in 2016