CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Motto | Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty |
|---|---|
| Established | 1854 |
| Type | Autonomous Secondary, Single session |
| Principal | Mrs Regina Lee |
| School code | 7004 |
| Colours | Blue, White |
| Locale | Toa Payoh, Singapore |
| Enrollment | |
| Website | Link |
 Republic of Singapore |
|
Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) Secondary (Toa Payoh) is an autonomous school located in Singapore, was founded in 1845. As its name suggests, it is a Catholic secondary school for females and is part of the IJ family of 11 schools. CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) is the oldest and original IJ school among the 11 IJ Schools. The school has just been renovated and moved back in January 2006 to their Toa Payoh Lorong 1 site after having spent two years (2004 and 2005) at a holding site in Thomson Road. Our 'brother' school is St. Joseph's Institution. Miss Theodora Tan, was CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)'s principal until July 2006 before Mrs Regina Lee took over.
Contents |
[edit] Motto
Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty
[edit] Uniform
Schoolgirls wear a knee-length blue pinafore with a belt, and a white blouse with a Peter-Pan collar beneath the pinafore, as well as white socks and white-based track shoes. Councillors, who were known as prefects previously, wear a pin above the school badge. There different types of prefectorial badges, trainee prefect (green), prefect (white) and 'noblesse oblige' for councillors - just below the vice-head prefect in rank.
[edit] School Anthem
[taken from the school website]
Forward CHIJ
Forward C.H.I.J., forge a future bright
Advancing our aims with zeal and might.
Guide us in our studies, oh Lord, we pray;
Wisdom, courage and charity,
Strengthen in us each day!
Solidly united in our motto sound
Simple in Virtue,
Strong in duty bound!
Loyal to our isle we will ever be,
Defending and serving our country.
Noble in ambition, thought, word and deed;
Rally round C.H.I.J.,
We will strive to succeed!
Solidly united in our motto sound
Simple in Virtue,
Strong in duty bound!
[edit] Straits Times incident
In September 2006, The Straits Times published an article that made disparaging remarks about the students of the school. In response, the school board sent a lawyer's letter to Singapore Press Holdings (the company that own Straits Times) demanding an apology over the alledged defamation. [1]
[edit] History
[taken from the school website]
- 1854 - The Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) was established by three French and an Irish Sisters at the corner of Bras Basah Road & Victoria Street, the present CHIJMES. Classes were started for fee paying students & orphans.
- 1862 - CHIJ acquired more land as enrolment reached 145, of which 82 were free students.
- 1881 - CHIJ was declared a government-aided school.
- 1902 - Enrolment reached 300. The Junior Cambridge Examination was started.
- 1905 - Secondary education commenced.
- 1909 - The erection of the well-known Victoria Street Chapel.
- 1920 - Introduction of commercial classes, the first of its kind in Singapore and Domestic Science & Needlework into curriculum.
- 1921 - "Registration of School Ordinance" came into being. CHIJ was registered on 1 August 1921.
- 1931 - Acquisition of a piece of land adjoining Van Dyke Hotel.
This was used as a hostel but subsequently became part of CHIJ Secondary.
- 1964 - Separation of CHIJ into Primary & Secondary Schools.
- 1969 - Introduction of common curriculum to Secondary 1 & 2.
- 1975 - Pre-University classes in CHIJ was terminated.
- 1983 - The school moved from Victoria Street to Toa Payoh in December.
- 1984 - Classes began at the new site in Lorong 1 Toa Payoh in January.
- 1985 - Official opening of CHIJ Primary & Secondary on 17 August.
- 1986 - Art Elective Programme (AEP) was introduced in CHIJ.
- 1994 - CHIJ Secondary became an autonomous school.
140th Anniversary celebrations were held at the Jubilee Hall in Raffles Hotel.
- 1999 - CHIJ celebrated the Beatification of Blessed Nicolas Barre on 27 May 1999.
145th Anniversary celebrations were held at the Nanyang Polytechnic Auditorium.
- 2001 - Ms Theodora Tan assumed office as Principal after Sr.Anne Wong retired in December 2000.
- 2002 - In December, CHIJ shifted out of the Toa Payoh premises for PRIME, the schools upgrading programme.
- 2004 - In November, 150th Anniversary celebrations were held at the Swissotel Stamford, Raffles Ballroom.
- 2005 - In December, CHIJ will shifted back to its new improved premises at Toa Payoh.
CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) was offered to be an Independent school, but Sister Anne Wong, CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)'s previous principal, reminded the teachers and their students 'The main mission for this school was to give more opportunities for less fortunate girls. If we accept the offer for being an independent school, our less fortunate girls may not be able to afford the high school fees.' Thus, she rejected the offer and CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) has become an autonomous school.
