Figure 1.--

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).

The 19th Century

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).

The 20th Century

Mr. Hellier 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 21st Century

The school moved again to to new premises at Siglap Link (2003). A student tells us about the schho uniform in 2016. "I can provide specific information on the uniform of Victoria School as a student here. Boys' schools have especially strict rules on the uniform, and breaking the rules will draw punishment. Victoria School is an all-boys school that was established in 1876. It takes in boys of ages 13-16. Boys must be in uniform at all times in school, and when we participate in school events outside the school. Even when we go on overseas trips with the school, we must be in uniform at all times, which makes us more conscious of our behaviour. When we first enters the school, the uniform consists of a white shirt, khaki shorts, tie, socks and white-based shoes. After an orientation period, our teacher will pin on our school badge in a formal ceremony and from then on, we have to wear the school badge with the uniform at all times. When we enter Secondary Three (age 15), we switch from the khaki shorts to white long trousers with a school belt. All boys (ages 13-16) wear the same physical education attire (commonly known as the PT kit). The PT kit is made up of a yellow t-shirt and black shorts. During school-wide running events, we wear a white vest instead of the yellow t-shirt. Some of the rules that must be strictly followed: 1. Boys are to wear the prescribed school uniform with the school badge. Modification to the uniform is not allowed. 2. Shirts are to be buttoned up and tucked in. Shorts/trousers are to be worn well fit around the hips and waist. 3. Boys will be neatly dressed in their school uniform in school and at school functions or activities. 4. Boys will wear the school tie smartly with a neat tie-knot on Mondays and during school functions. 5. Boys are to wear their PE attire during PE lessons, games and physical activities. 6. Boys are mindful of their personal grooming as it projects the school image and the community they belong to."

Created: 10:32 PM 6/8/2016
Last updated: 10:32 PM 6/8/2016