capacity, allowing for a major increase in student capacity. Since then, the school has grown to approximately 600 students with around 100 staff. Facilities As a result of Macau's limited amount of land, the school was initially located in rented properties within residential buildings. Normal classes were held in modified apartments. Physical education and other outdoor activities were carried out in the nearby facilities of a government school as well as public facilities where the School had access to basketball and mini-soccer courts and swimming pools, while space in the Macau Cultural Center was used for school gatherings. In 2006, Macau's Education Department gave the school a grant of of land on Taipa Island, as well as substantial financial support for the construction of the new campus. The present school building is located on these grounds. The current school campus spans 7 floors. The ground floor is home to the school's library and some kindergarten classrooms, while the 1st floor is home to the cafeteria and more kindergarten classrooms. The 2nd floor consists entirely of primary school classrooms. The 3rd floor consists of middle school classrooms, one science laboratory, and the school's arts wing (two art classrooms, a drama studio, and a music classroom). The 4th floor consists of secondary school classrooms, an upperclassmen lounge, two science laboratories, as well as the school auditorium. The 5th floor houses the school's gymnasium, while the 6th and 7th floors (Roof and Upper Roof) are outdoor activity areas used for sports and recreational activities. Curriculum Character development, the development of the spirit of social service and cooperation as well as environmental awareness, is a strong theme in the educational program of SON. Despite retaining a 2-section naming system ("Primary" and "Form" a.k.a. Secondary) the school uses a 3-section system to divide its grades internally - primary school, middle school and high school. This is in order to cater to the different needs of students in each grade better. The school's current standard curriculum for the lower grades (Primary 1 up to Form 2 a.k.a. Grade 8) consists of: English Mandarin English Literature History Computer Science Geography Combined Science (integrating Biology, Chemistry and Physics) Mathematics Physical Education Art Drama The character training program was awarded first prize in 1997 for innovation in curriculum by the Department of Education and Youth Services of Macau. It was also awarded 3rd prize by the International Schools Services