CHIJ Saint Theresa's Convent

CHIJ Saint Theresa's Convent is an all-girls Catholic secondary school in Singapore. The school is one of 11 Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) schools in Singapore.

History

The school was founded in 1892, and was initially known as CHIJ Kampong Bahru. It began by running Parish classes of the Church of St Theresa, taught by sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus Congregation. It grew to be an integrated school offering teaching in English and Tamil for primary-level students, who generally went on to the "Town Convent" CHIJ at Victoria Street (now CHIJ Toa Payoh) after leaving the school.

After World War II, the English and Tamil sections functioned at separate premises, before the school's present 12-acre (49,000 m²) site at Lower Delta Road was purchased in 1948 and a new school building was completed in 1951. In 1952, the school's status was changed from a private school to a government-aided school. The Tamil section was phased out in 1953, and in the late-1950s the school began taking in secondary-level students.

The school's last intake of primary-level students was in 1986, after which the primary classes were phased out and the school became a secondary school.

In Nov 2009, the school moved out of its Lower Delta campus to the former New Town Secondary School campus at Queensway due to PRIME upgrading. The school has officially moved back as of 23 Nov 2011 and will function in its Lower Delta campus with new facilities such as an air-conditioned Multi-Purpose Hall, an Indoor Sports Hall, and a full-sized hockey pitch.

Co-curricular activities and Key Programmes

The school offers a variety of co-curricular activities (CCA). The main groups are Sports, Performing Arts, Clubs and Societies, and Uniform Groups. They are: Hockey, Netball, Bowling, Tennis, Softball, Floorball, Track and Field, Angklung, Choir, Dance and Movement, Band, Guitar, Drama, NPCC, Girl Guides, IJ Youth Mission, Entrepreneurship Club and Infocomm Club.

CHIJ St Theresa's Convent's niche is Hockey, which the team has won many awards and competitions throughout the recent years. Since the 1960s, the school has been producing many players that are part of the national hockey team. Primary 6 students who excel in their school's hockey CCA can now DSA (Direct School Admission) to CHIJ St Theresa's Convent.

The Education For Life (EFL) programme has been part of the school's flagship programme which allows students to learn beyond the classroom. This is a camp that is held every year for all levels and is usually before the March Holidays in Singapore.

Leadership is also one of the key programmes of the school. The school has 3 Leadership Modules, Leadership Module 1-3. Leadership Module 1 is doing outdoor adventure and this is usually held overseas. In 2008, the students who attended this module went to New Zealand. Leadership Module 2 focuses on being a leader in society. Leadership Module 3, leadership through service, is by giving back to the community. For this third module, the students go to other countries such as Vietnam, Laos, Tioman in Malaysia and Cambodia. The three different modules allows the student leaders of the school to gain better exposure of different challenges which can mould them into being better leaders.

House system

The school incorporates a house system to foster unity and spirit among the students. These six team houses form the basis of competition at the school's annual Sports Carnival.

The houses are Catherine, Marie, Isabel, Caroline, Ignatius and Joseph. Each of the house names are named after former principals of the schools. Each of the houses represent a colour and an animal. Catherine represents yellow and an eagle, Marie represents purple and a pegasus, Isabel represents green and a dragon, Caroline represents blue and a white tiger, Ignatius represents Red and a phoenix and Joseph represents orange and a griffin.

Uniform

Students wear a knee-length blue pinafore with a belt at the waist, a white blouse with a Peter-Pan collar beneath the pinafore, with school socks, white-based sneakers and shorts. Councillors, wear a tie with a "Student Councillor" badge on it. Other leaders wear respective badges such as Sports Leader, CCA President, House Captain, Class Management Executive Committee, Trainee Student Leader, and CCE Leader.

During formal events, students representing the school wear the formal council uniform consisting of a long-sleeved white blouse, white skirt, with a navy blue blazer with the school crest on the left chest, along with a navy blue tie, a pair of black court shoes.

School song

Light on the Hill <poem> See this school up on the hill Quiet tall and standing still

Kampong Bahru's little light Growing glowing shining bright

Never wavering in its mission Extolling Father Barre's mission Girls were sought and educated Teacher's are so dedicated

So with zeal and faith inspire Never did the sisters tire Persevered faced The challenges just ahead of them

Simple in virtue Steadfast in duty Learn how to learn And learn how to live (x2)

Proudly now this building stands High amidst the verdant land Service to others we uphold Fine young women we do most keep the light continually burning The light on the hill forever shining Lighting up lives to all who come here Facing the future without fear

Forward onward and fulfilling Theresian spirit and tradition Value based is our rendition forever we remain

Simple in virtue Steadfast in duty Learnt how to learn And learn how to live (x4)

External links

• Official website