We are pleased to share with you the joyous news that our redevelopment project has made it through the Legislative Council (LegCo) at its recent Finance Committee meeting. With the approval of the government funding, the erection of a new campus is clearer in sight. The success in the LegCo submission was the result of many months of hard work by all parties concerned – the consultants, the responsible team of officers at the Education Bureau, the Architectural Services Department and other relevant government departments, and the School’s building project team. We are extremely grateful for the support rendered upon us throughout the process, whether in the forefront or behind the scene.

         
 
 
 

We are now all set for the next milestone – the ‘big move’ at the end of July to the decanting site (former Tack Ching Girls’ Secondary School) in Sham Shui Po, a community which will be our home base for the next few years before we return to our ‘transformed’ campus in the summer of 2016.

Alongside the cleaning up and packing, programmes are being lined up for the Farewell Day on 14 July.

  
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A homecoming event will be organized jointly with the Alumnae Association for old girls (and boys) to return and bid farewell to their beloved ‘old’ Ying Wa. An exciting flurry of activities, bound to be most unforgettable, are in the pipeline. For the programme details, check out at the Alumnae Association’s website:  www.ywgsaa.org.hk/eng/global/home.php
   
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The day will be culminated in the Farewell Service at 5:30 pm in the Silcocks Hall where friends of the Ying Wa family will be invited to commemorate together with us our gratitude for the Lord’s abundant grace in the past and our plead in humility for His continuous guidance in the challenging future. At the end of the Service, a symbolic ‘door-closing’ ceremony will mark the mission fulfillment of the ‘old’ campus that has served us so well in the past decades.
 
 
   
 

While the architect is now working on the detailed design of the new school building, alumnae are welcome to have a part in creating the future campus. Visit the Recapturing Memories with Art website (www.ywgs2011.info/ywgs2.htm) created by a group of artist alumnae under the guidance of our former art teacher Ms Pak Lai Sheung. Review the Photo Album, and cast your votes for your most favourable / memorable images that you may wish to revitalize in some creative and artistic forms in the future Ying Wa. 

Here we would like to share with you a glimpse of the new look of the school in two Artist’s Impression pictures. The design is still being further developed and refined.  

Image 1 :  View of School (Main Campus) from West at Robinson Road 

  

Image 2 :  View of School (Extension) from East at Breezy Path

 
 
   
   

In order not to be burdened with substantial financial commitment at this stage, the School is planning to build above-standard areas/facilities in a later phase after the completion of the government subvented redevelopment. Though we are not under immediate fundraising pressure now, our target of $200 million remains unchanged. Greater efforts will need to continue in order to raise sufficient funds to support the later phase development.

The latest fundraising initiative is the Steps of Faith appeal launched in late March. The “Steps” will be a part of the future campus designated in honour of all former Ying Wa principals, teachers and staff. To know more about the appeal and download the donation form, go to www.ywgs.edu.hk/redevelopment/steps_of_faith.html. Act now to participate in this meaningful project.

The next fundraising event will be a Cantonese Opera to be staged at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 16 October 2012, a bold attempt of a group of alumnae and former teacher Mrs Fong Lo Sau Chun with their enthusiastic operatic friends. Stay tuned to our announcement of details soon and bring your friends to support.  

As at the end of May 2012, about HK$56 million was received for the Redevelopment Fund. Slightly more than 90% came from gifts in support of rooms and facilities in the future campus, and 70% of the donations were given by alumnae.