Figure 1.--This is a British school that operated in Singapore. Note that there are no local Singapore students. We are not sure whn this photograph was taken, but would guess about 1960. The boys wear white shirts, khaki shorts, and white socks.

We have very limited information about individual Singapore schools. A reader writes, "Eeven though my school's name is "The Chinese High School", it is not a Chinese school as all syllabuses follow the government standard." -- Edwin Tan. We also note the St. Patrick's School. They had a school cadet group in 1939. We note a British boarding school in the 1960s, but we do not yet know the name of the school. We notice another British school, but are not sure if it was a day or boarding school. Singapore is a city state, thus as far as we know, the only boarding schools were for British children during the colonial era.

Chinese High School

Sngapore's Chinese High School (CHS) was founded in 1919 in an effort sponsored by a wealthy merchant. At the time under the British there were few educational opportunities for Singapore's native residents. CHS had an interesting history under British colonial rule during the 1930s. The teaching staff resigned nd there was political agitation by the students. As a result there were temporary closures. The British arrested students were arrested for demonstrating. The school survived the turmoil. I'm not sure what happened when the Japanese seized Singapore (1942). After the war there was polititical agitation for independence in the 1950s. This ended in 1965 when Singapore achieved its independence. CHS was chosen as one of the Special Assistance Plan schools to promote bilingualism (English and Chinese). Since then it has continued to offer both English and Chinese as first languages, foregrounding its orientation beyond national borders. A reader writes, "Even though my school's name is "The Chinese High School", it is not a Chinese school as all syllabuses follow the government standard." [Edwin Tan]. CHS became an independent (private) school in 1988. Chinese High School (CHS) is a selective fee-paying secondary school. It offers classes from Secondary One to Secondary Four for boys aged 13 to 16 years who have demonstrated academic abilities. CHS entrants have scored in the top 3 percent in the Primary School Leaving Examinations. As a result of the students academic abilities and a demanding academic curriculum, CHS is one of Singapore's best three secondary schools in terms of the student's performance in the O level examinations. The Ministry of Education established national league tables in the early 1990s. CHS is a large school and in 2002 had approximately 1,800 students and a staff of 160. Staff members come from several different countries. Students from different parts of Asia beginning in the 1980s, especially Malaysia and China, have been attracted to CHS. I am not sure, but I beleive many of the Malaysin students are ethnic Chinese. A large new boarding facility has recently been added which could expand the school's size even further. CHS hopes to attract students from China. Thseare probably children of the rising wealthy Chinese class that have prospered from China's economic success.

St. Patrick School

We also note the St. Patrick's School. They had a school cadet group in 1939.

British Boarding School

We are unsure where the school pictured here is located. Most of the boys are clearly Europeans or of European ancestry. The most likely country is England. The photograph looks to have been taken in the 1960s. The short hair and narrow ties suggest the 1960s to us. The eyeglass frames are also helpful in the daing. There is some reason to believe that the photograph was taken in 1968 because of the image coding. Narrow ties were going out of style in 1968, but school uniform usually lags overall fashion trends. We thought at first that these boys might be from a South African school. Khaki short pants were especially common in South Africa. They were worn at a few English schools, but they were not nearly as common as in South Africa. Since posting this image, we have come to believe that it is probably a British school in Singapore. The image here shows a Chinese or mixed-race boy that would not have been seen at a South African school. Also the lush tropical folage suggests the tropics. The boys all wear the same white shirts and red ties. It is unclear why some of the boys wear khaki shorts and other black long trousers.

Another British School

We notice another British school, but we do not yet know the name of the chool. We are also not sure if it was a day or boarding school. Singapore is a city state, thus as far as we know, the only boarding schools were for British children during the colonial era. This is a British school that operated in Singapore. Note that there are no local Singapore students in the photograph here, but there looks to an Indian girl (figure 1). Other photographs suggest that were local students. We believe that after independence in 1965 or perhaps a little before the school policies changed. We are not sure whn this photograph was taken, but would guess about 1960. The boys wear white shirts, khaki shorts, and white socks.

Dutch School

There is a Dutch School in Singapore. We have little informatiin about the history of the school at this time. We note a number of boys and girls in a kind of smock-looking garment which is quartered in the Dutch colours. As all the children were wearing it and it clearly referred to Holland and hence the Dutch character of the school, it can be described as a kind of school uniform. The school reports, "We, as a Dutch School, have no school uniform. We do have a school t-shirt that is worn in p.e. classes and on school outings. "

Victoria School

Sir Stamford Raffles established a trading post at Singapore, drawn by the natural anchorage (1819). Singapore along with Hong Kong became the principal British colonial possessions in Asia. Singapoere becasme assoiciated with British Mslayas. At the time there were no modern schools anywhere in Malaya. Many private schools were established in Sinapore by the British, Malays, and Chinese. Victoria School began as an English Class established in Kampong Glam Malay School (1876). The first headmaster was Mr. M. Hellier, the man who organized and taught the English classes at the Kampong Glam Malay School. The School was founded as a primary school (Primary 1 to Standard 5) and attracted students, but the facilities were inadequate. The building provided poor shelter from heat, dust, and rain. Flooding was a constant problem. The school moved into more adequate buildings under Mr. Hellier's adminisdtration (1897). He also organized the first soccer team. The School became known as Victoria Bridge School because it was located near the Victoria Bridge (1900). These premices are now the Kota Raja Malay School. The first Sports Day was held (1915) and the first Speech Day (1916). These are of course standard events in British schools. The school reported 733 students (1920). Rev A.J Amery became the principal. The House System, another British concept was introduced (1929). Mr. R.E. Smith became the principal and added a secondary section (1931). Math teacher Mr. S R. Williams orgabized a Scout Troop--the Sixth Troop. The House prefects were selected (1930). A.M. Alsagoff donated the money to help create a library. The school presented its first candidates for the Junior Cambridge Examination (1933), and for the Senior Cambridge in (1934). The school moved again to Tyrwhitt Road (1933). It was at this time that the name Victoria School was adopted. The School did well in inter-city sports competitions. The School Literary Society was formed and the prefect badge was introduced (1940). The School motto 'NIL SINE LABORE', meaning 'NOTHING WITHOUT LABOUR' was adopted. Japan launched the Pacific War with a carrier attack on Pearl Harbor (December 1941). As part of aassive offensive throughout the Pcific and Southeast Asia, the took Singapore (February 1942). Mr. S R Williams acted as the Headmaster during the Japanese occupation. The students who sat for the Senior Cambridge Examination (December 1941) would not find out their results until after the War (1946). The Japanese renamed the school Jalan Besar Boys' School. They insisted on teaching the Japanese language and prohibited teaching English. I am not sure how strictly they enforced these rules or to what extent the School complied. The Japanese held Singapore throughout the war. The Japanese surrendered (August 1945) and the British arrived (??? 1945). Rev Colin King and Mr. P.F. Howitt ran the school for brief periods. held the headship for brief periods. The School had deteriorated during the Japanese occupation and the building and equipment had to be restored. The restored British Colonial Government launched a Ten Year Education Programme. Mr. R.F.Bomford, a science teacher, became the headmaster. He oversaw a major effort to improve the sciene program and facilities. A new science block was opened (1950). Post School Certificate classes were offered (1951). A few girls joined the classes. The School emjoyed the status of one of Singapore's premier private schools in the post-War era. New facilities were added, including four laboratories, a new hall-cum-canteen and a block of classrooms (1967). Victoria School became a Pre-University Center, offering 3-year pre-university courses instead of the normal 2 years (1979). Victoria Junior College opened at Marine Parade (1984). The School also moved to a Geylang Bahru site (1984). Victoria School was one of the six pioneer schools, which received autonomous status (1993). Victoria School has made a substantial contributions to Singapore by producing Queen's scholars, lawyers, doctors, engineer, teachers, trade unionists, army officers, Members of Parliament, Ministers and businessmen. The school moved again to to new premises at Siglap Link (2003). m alumnus has provided information about the dschool uniform.