Corporate News

Jockey Club supports barrier-free school for mentally-challenged students

10/12/2010

To enhance the quality of care for mentally-challenged primary and secondary students, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has funded The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong to provide a barrier-free learning environment for its Cornwall School, a special school in Sham Shui Po for students with severe to profound grade of mental handicap.

Today (10 December), the Club’s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So joined Secretary for Development Carrie Lam and Deputy Secretary for Education Mrs Betty Ip as officiating guests at  the grand opening ceremony of Cornwall School.

Mr So said as a long-term supporter of The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, the Club was delighted to help Cornwall School enhance its facilities, so as to promote social harmony in the society. “The establishment of the new school building and the Jockey Club Integrated Arts Building will create a learning environment specially catered for the needs of the students. The latest development will provide more convenience for them to go to school and participate in extra-curricular activities, thus allowing them to enjoy a truly inclusive learning experience,” he noted.

Formerly-known as Pak Tin Children’s Centre, the school received government support to relocate from substandard premises in Pak Tin Estate in Sham Shui Po to a new purpose-built property in nearby Cornwall Street in September 2009. The Trust donated HK$6.54 million to acquire furniture and equipment as well as a 14-seater school bus to transport students to and from the new school.  The furniture and equipment included air-conditioning for the assembly hall and bedrooms, multi-sensory room, sensory integration room, multi-media exploratory centre and fitness equipment.

The latest development provides barrier-free access throughout the 8,300-square-metre premises, comprising the school building, the boarding section and the Hall Block. There are 12 classrooms, an assembly hall cum student activities centre, a ball court, a 20-metre running track, 7 special rooms and 5 therapy rooms, as well as other ancillary and support facilities. 

The new school has increased its capacity to 96 day places and 60 boarding places. In recognition of the Trust’s donation, the Hall Block has been named “Jockey Club Integrated Arts Building” and the most outstanding student of every year will be presented with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Best Progress Award.

Over the past two decades, the Trust has donated nearly HK$27 million to the Mental Health Association for various projects, including setting up the Jockey Club Sunny Place, a self-financing apartment for ex-mentally ill people. The Association is a collaborating partner of the Jockey Club Early Psychosis Project.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong’s best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city’s major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city’s growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.

The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (right) was presented a souvenir by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Executive Committee Chairman Dr Lo Tak-lam (left) and a student representative, as a token of thanks for the Club!|s donation to enhance the facilities of Cornwall School.
Photo 1:
The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (right) was presented a souvenir by The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Executive Committee Chairman Dr Lo Tak-lam (left) and a student representative, as a token of thanks for the Club!|s donation to enhance the facilities of Cornwall School.

Photo 2 & 3: The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (Photo 2, 3rd from right), Secretary for Development Carrie Lam (Photo 2, 2nd from right), Deputy Secretary for Education Betty Ip (Photo 2, 1st from right), and The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Executive Committee Chairman Dr Lo Tak-lam (Photo 3, 2nd from left) draw on a painting by artiste Liu Tong-mui (Photo 3, 1st from left) to celebrate the grand opening of Cornwall School.
Photo 2:
Photo 2 & 3: The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (Photo 2, 3rd from right), Secretary for Development Carrie Lam (Photo 2, 2nd from right), Deputy Secretary for Education Betty Ip (Photo 2, 1st from right), and The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Executive Committee Chairman Dr Lo Tak-lam (Photo 3, 2nd from left) draw on a painting by artiste Liu Tong-mui (Photo 3, 1st from left) to celebrate the grand opening of Cornwall School.


Photo 3

The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (3rd from right), Secretary for Development Carrie Lam (centre), Deputy Secretary for Education Betty Ip (3rd from left), artiste Liu Tong-mui (1st from right), The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Executive Committee Chairman Dr Lo Tak-lam (2nd from right), The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong - Cornwall School Supervisor Dr Hung Se Fong (2nd from left), and Principal Catty Choi (1st from left).
Photo 4:
The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (3rd from right), Secretary for Development Carrie Lam (centre), Deputy Secretary for Education Betty Ip (3rd from left), artiste Liu Tong-mui (1st from right), The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Executive Committee Chairman Dr Lo Tak-lam (2nd from right), The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong - Cornwall School Supervisor Dr Hung Se Fong (2nd from left), and Principal Catty Choi (1st from left).

The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (right) and artiste Liu Tong-mui (left). Miss Liu was born with cerebral palsy and discovered her talent in drawing at the age of 14. She was the recipient of 2005 Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award and the Medal of Honour by HKSAR for her exemplary efforts in pursuing a meaningful life through painting despite her disability.
Photo 5:
The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (right) and artiste Liu Tong-mui (left). Miss Liu was born with cerebral palsy and discovered her talent in drawing at the age of 14. She was the recipient of 2005 Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award and the Medal of Honour by HKSAR for her exemplary efforts in pursuing a meaningful life through painting despite her disability.

(From left) The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong - Cornwall School Management Committee Member Ophelia Chan; Principal Catty Choi, The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So, Deputy Secretary for Education Betty Ip, The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Director Kimmy Ho, and The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong - Cornwall School Former Principal Amy Tso.
Photo 6:
(From left) The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong - Cornwall School Management Committee Member Ophelia Chan; Principal Catty Choi, The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So, Deputy Secretary for Education Betty Ip, The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong Director Kimmy Ho, and The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong - Cornwall School Former Principal Amy Tso.

The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So, pictured with a student and his parent.
Photo 7:
The Club!|s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So, pictured with a student and his parent.

Photo 8 & 9: The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong - Cornwall School
Photo 8:
Photo 8 & 9: The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong - Cornwall School


Photo 9

 

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