Figure 1.--Here we see Victoria School boys in the Lower Secondary during 1979. The boys wear white shirts and very English maroon neckties with khaki short pants, white ankle socks and white shoes. An alumnus points out. "The school rules state that 'Victorians are to wear VS socks appropriately with the letters “VS’ clearly visible above the ankle.' Hence, 'ankle socks' (whereby the socks are only worn up to the ankle) are actually a breach of the school rule. Socks are supposed to be pulled up all the way and this stretches to about 10-20cm above the ankle.

Victoria School began as an English Class established in Kampong Glam Malay School. It is today one of Singapore's premier educational institutions with a program extendiung into tertiary education. Singapore was a British colony and the Victoria School program is heavily influenced by the British educational system and the colonial era. Alumnui and students have provided information about the school uniform.

Chronology

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 Singapore 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).

Gender

Victoria School was founded as a boys' school. Victoria School is still a boys-only school. Girls are admitted in Victoria Junior College, which is a different school altogether, although its is affiliated with Victoria School. Victoria Junior College is for boys and girls, aged 17-18 years. They have a completely different set of uniforms.

School Uniform

An alumnus has provided information about the school uniform. Our reader writes, "Thank you for the very informative website you have. I noticed that the 'Singapore' page does not have much information so I wish to contribute to it. I attended the Victoria School, a boys' school in Singapore and did a write-up before on my school's uniform and its history, and how it compares to the rest of Singapore." The uniform has varied over time and is dependent on the pupil's level at the school.

Lower Secondary

The Lower Secondary is something like a Junior High School. It is for pupils age 13-14 years old. We note boys in 1979 wearing white shirts and very English maroon neckties with khaki short pants, white ankle socks and white shoes (figure 1). The uniform is still very similar. There have been only minor changes to the school uniform in these 30 years. The white shirt and khaki short trousers remain the same. There have been some changes. The maroon School Tie design previously had only one stripe and the school crest. Now, it has continuous stripes and the School Identity written in italics. In this case, the school is known as Victoria School so the boys are called Victorians, hence ‘Victorian’ is written in italics on the School tie. White socks from boy’s own wardrobe were worn previously. Now, boys have to wear school socks. The school’s initials are shown on the socks. White shoes from the boy’s own wardrobe were worn previously. Now, boys have to wear school shoes (with the school’s name) or shoes that are at least 70 percent white. The school badge has changed from a previously waxy appearance to a metallic appearance. While this is not official, the way that the boys wear their uniform has changed because of cultural changes. Boys, in an attempt to look ‘cool’, wear their shorts lower down, leaving their shirts slightly tucked out. They also pull down their socks to wear them as ankle socks. These are, however, against the school rules.

Upper Secondary

We notice the boys in the Upper Secondaty duing 1981. This is the upper secondary (age 15-16) school uniform. There have been only minor changes to the school uniform in these 26 years. The white shirt and white long trousers remain the same. There have been several changes. The boys now where a black leather school belt, which was not worn in 1981. It is now part of the school uniform. The maroon school tie is not worn in this picture. (Refer to ‘Selection – Changes (Lower Secondary’ for changes.) White socks from boy’s own wardrobe were worn previously. Now, boys have to wear school socks. The school’s initials are shown on the socks. (Refer to ‘Selection – Changes (Lower Secondary’ for changes.) White shoes from the boy’s own wardrobe were worn previously. Now, boys have to wear school shoes (with the school’s name) or shoes that are at least 70% white. (Refer to ‘Selection – Changes (Lower Secondary’ for changes.) The school badge has changed from a previously waxy appearance to a metallic appearance. (Refer to ‘Selection – Changes Lower Secondary’ for changes. ) While this is not official, the way that the boys wear their uniform has changed because of cultural changes. Boys, in an attempt to look ‘cool’, wear their pants lower down, leaving their shirts slightly tucked out (hence you do not see the belts of some of the boys). They also pull down their socks to wear them as ankle socks. These are, however, against the school rules.

Created: 1:02 AM 12/31/2009
Last updated: 10:13 PM 6/8/2016