These days, Ms Valerie Wong doesn’t take her lunch at her workstation. She prefers to step away to the sunlit pantry for her meal. If her colleagues are there, she lingers for a breather and bit of chitchat.
"I don't even bring my phone there,” says Ms Wong, Lead Teacher, Mathematics at Hillgrove Secondary School,
Renovations to staff facilities at the school have created spaces that feature abundant natural lighting, higher ceilings, better spatial flow, and areas that encourage collaborative work done in comfort.
A room with a view – and much more
A key highlight is the new staff lounge and pantry, strategically positioned to offer a 270-degree view of the greenery outside.
The staff lounge and pantry where teachers mingle during their breaks.
It replaces the area where the Mother Tongue Language department used to sit. Mr Lim Joon Ling, Senior Teacher, Chinese Language, recalls how he and his colleagues worked amid tall cubicle partitions and teaching materials. They happily gave the space up for the greater good during design consultations, to move towards the centre of the staff room.
Mr Chiang Hock Yee, Vice-Principal (Admin), explained that during the co-creation and design-thinking process with MOE’s Infrastructure & Facility Services Division (IFSD), votes were cast by teachers to decide on the best use for this prime location.
This increased buy-in and ultimately ensured its popularity and success. Now, all can enjoy the brightness and the greenery, he says.
Staff are protective of the intended use of the inviting new lounge area. Everyone consciously avoids using the space for meetings, preferring to reserve it for chilling, notes Ms Wong. Administrative Executive Nurul Batrisyia describes the new environment as “more relaxed and calming”, with an “openness” that wasn't there before.
To Mr Lim, the most gratifying part of the upgrade was how users were being consulted for their views. It spoke to the school’s collaborative spirit, which the upgrade further fosters.
Mr Chiang concurs. “We could see that the collaborative spaces encourage more sharing and bonding among staff. The more conducive physical working environment also enhances staff well-being.”
More features and facilities, improved experience
Mid-height partitions encourage conversation and check-ins while allowing for privacy when needed.
In their cubicles, staff enjoy the lower partitions, ample storage, ergonomic tables and chairs, and brighter lighting, among other upgrades.
There are also dedicated pods nearby for private phone calls – eliminating the need to step out into the corridors and compete with the noise outside.
Welfare and inclusivity is further improved through the provision of extra toilet cubicles and a nursing room.
What emerged from this transformation was more than just a facelift – it was a reimagining of how staff spaces could enhance well-being and productivity.
Besides the staff room, staff lounge, and pantry, the General Office and HOD Office also enjoyed a remodelling, complete with fresh fixtures and brighter colours. A consultation room was added for more privacy for meetings with students and parents. And the sick bay was re-sited so that students who are unwell can be better monitored.
IFSD’s School Campus Department worked closely with the school to plan and phase the implementation to ensure minimal disruption to school operations. By early 2026, in under a year since the first renovations started, everyone was enjoying the refreshed premises.
Other staff areas including the General Office were also spruced up for the aesthetics matched with a more efficient use of space.
It’s no wonder the latest staff satisfaction scores have gone up, as reflected in the school’s post-renovation surveys.
For Hillgrove Secondary, the upgrade represents more than improved facilities – it's an investment in the people who shape young minds every day, ensuring they have spaces that support both their professional duties and personal well-being.
