Nanyang Girls' High School (NYGH) is an independent girls' secondary school in
Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah, often abbreviated as Bt Timah, is a planning area and residential estate located in the westernmost part of the Central Region of Singapore. Bukit Timah lies roughly from the Central Business District, bordering the Central Wa ...
,
Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
. Founded in 1917, it is one of the oldest schools in the country. NYGH offers a six-year
Integrated Programme
The Integrated Programme (IP) is a scheme that allows high-performing students in secondary schools in Singapore to skip the GCE Ordinary Level (O-Level) examination (typically taken by students at the end of their fourth or fifth year in secon ...
, which allows students to skip the
Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level
The Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (or Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level) is a GCE Ordinary Level examination held annually in Singapore and is jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore Exam ...
examinations and proceed to take the
Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level The Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (or Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level) is a GCE Advanced Level examination held annually in Singapore and is jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore Examin ...
examinations at the end of Year 6. Students would study in NYGH from Years 1 through 4, before proceeding to the College section of
Hwa Chong Institution
Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) is an independent secondary educational institution in Bukit Timah, Singapore. Formed by the merger of The Chinese High School (1919–2004) and Hwa Chong Junior College (1974–2005) in 2005, it provides secondary educ ...
in Years 5 and 6.
History
Founding
NYGH was founded in 1917 as the Singapore Nanyang Girls' School by Tan Chu Nan and Teo Eng Hock. The first principal was Yu Pei Gao, and its first premises was a shophouse at
7 Dhoby Ghaut.
In 1921, Yu Pei Gao resigned as principal and six principals took occupancy of the post over a short period of time.
Lee Chin Tien, the chairman of the school's board of directors, and
Liew Yuen Sien, the principal, developed the school further in 1927. The school was renamed Nanyang Girls' High School in 1930 and began operations at its new premises at King's Road in
Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah, often abbreviated as Bt Timah, is a planning area and residential estate located in the westernmost part of the Central Region of Singapore. Bukit Timah lies roughly from the Central Business District, bordering the Central Wa ...
the next year. The school system was altered to provide three-year Junior Middle and Senior Middle School courses.
During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, the school premises were taken over by the British military and became a field office. The Japanese military took control of the school premises during the
Battle of Singapore
The Fall of Singapore, also known as the Battle of Singapore,; ta, சிங்கப்பூரின் வீழ்ச்சி; ja, シンガポールの戦い took place in the South–East Asian theatre of the Pacific War. The Empire of ...
in 1942 and caused great damage to its facilities.
Post-war development
After the war ended in 1945, the school's board of management, teachers, students and alumni worked together to rebuild the school and resume operations at the YMCA Building on Selegie Road.
In 1957, NYGH was chosen for the NJH Face Aided School Scheme. Subsequently, Nanyang Kindergarten began operating independently in 1960 as the Government-Aided School Scheme excluded the school's kindergarten section.
In 1978, the primary section of the school gained autonomy and became a separate but affiliated school,
Nanyang Primary School
This is a list of primary schools in Singapore. Children typically start their primary education in the year they turn seven. Primary education lasts six years, and is compulsory for all Singapore citizens.
Primary schools in Singapore are clas ...
.
Attainment of SAP status
In 1979, NYGH was designated as a
Special Assistance Plan
The Special Assistance Plan (SAP; ) is a programme in Singapore introduced in 1979 which caters to academically strong students who excel in both their mother tongue as well as English. It is available only in selected primary and secondary school ...
school, in which English and Chinese were offered as first-language subjects. The school was the first to implement the
Art Elective Programme
The Art Elective Program (AEP) is offered by schools in Singapore that have obtained permission from the Ministry of Education. This programme is also known as Higher Art and can also be offered as a Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Educa ...
for artistically proficient students in 1984. NYGH became an independent school in 1993 and started offering the
Gifted Education Programme in 1999. It moved to a new campus at Linden Drive on 6 June 1999. The school's chairperson, Ling Siew May, officiated the ceremony. Nanyang Girls' Boarding School on Linden Drive began operating in December 1999.
Launch of Integrated Programme
In 2005, the school began the six-year
Integrated Programme
The Integrated Programme (IP) is a scheme that allows high-performing students in secondary schools in Singapore to skip the GCE Ordinary Level (O-Level) examination (typically taken by students at the end of their fourth or fifth year in secon ...
in partnership with
Hwa Chong Institution
Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) is an independent secondary educational institution in Bukit Timah, Singapore. Formed by the merger of The Chinese High School (1919–2004) and Hwa Chong Junior College (1974–2005) in 2005, it provides secondary educ ...
to enable academically able students to skip the
Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level
The Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (or Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level) is a GCE Ordinary Level examination held annually in Singapore and is jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore Exam ...
examinations and proceed to take the
Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level The Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (or Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level) is a GCE Advanced Level examination held annually in Singapore and is jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore Examin ...
examinations at the end of Year 6.
In 2013, NYGH became the first girls' school in Singapore to be conferred the Singapore Quality Award (SQA). It was also named an Apple Distinguished School in 2015.
Nanyang Girls' High School introduced the Humanities Programme (HP) in 2008, training students who are identified to be talented in the humanities. HP students are offered Philosophy, Advanced Literature, Advanced Geography and Advanced History as well as the opportunity to participate in national and international humanities-based competitions and projects. Such competitions include the Humanities and Social Science Research Programme (HSSRP), Moot Parliament Programme (MPP), Leadership Development Programme (LDP) and various
Model United Nations
Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an educational simulation in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. At a MUN conference, students work as the representative of a count ...
conferences (MUN).
The Science and Math Talent Program (SMTP) was introduced in 2009, for students who are gifted in Sciences and Mathematics. They are offered the Stanford EPGY Mathematics Course as part of the program.
In 2012, Nanyang Girls' High School initiated the formation of the Strategic Alliance of Global Educators (SAGE) with nine other schools from Singapore, the United States, Australia, China and the United Kingdom, and organised the inaugural SAGE conference for educators from all parts of the world in August 2012. In 2014, it initiated the Strategic Educational Alliance of Southeast Asia (SEA2) with nine other founding schools from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Thailand and Brunei, and hosted the inaugural three-day regional conference learning journey at NYGH. The
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a national public research university in Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest autonomous university in the c ...
's Department of Southeast Asian Studies was the conference partner of the event.
List of NYGH Principals
School culture and identity
The first school logo of NYGH was a diamond-shaped motif with the school's name in Chinese printed in white against a light blue background. It was designed by Chen Jun Wen, an art teacher at the school.
In 1968, the diamond-shaped motif was superimposed on top of a yellow ring emblem with the words "Nanyang Girls' High" printed on it. The ring emblem was positioned above a yellow banner printed with the school motto, in Chinese. The school motto ''Qín Shèn Duān Pŭ'' (勤·慎·端·朴) means "Diligence, Prudence, Respectability and Simplicity".
[Nanyang School Logo ](_blank)
Affiliation
NYGH is a partner school of
Hwa Chong Institution
Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) is an independent secondary educational institution in Bukit Timah, Singapore. Formed by the merger of The Chinese High School (1919–2004) and Hwa Chong Junior College (1974–2005) in 2005, it provides secondary educ ...
, which was formed in 2005 by the merger of the former
Hwa Chong Junior College
The Hwa Chong Junior College () was a junior college in Singapore offering pre-university education. The school merged with The Chinese High School on 1 January 2005 to form the integrated Hwa Chong Institution.
History
Founding
Hwa Chong Juni ...
and
The Chinese High School
The Chinese High School () was an independent school in Singapore offering secondary education. The school merged with Hwa Chong Junior College on 1 January 2005 to form the integrated Hwa Chong Institution.
Founded on 21 March 1919, The Chine ...
. The two schools frequently conduct joint programmes and activities, such as the annual Combined Sports Meet. NYGH is also affiliated with
Nanyang Primary School
This is a list of primary schools in Singapore. Children typically start their primary education in the year they turn seven. Primary education lasts six years, and is compulsory for all Singapore citizens.
Primary schools in Singapore are clas ...
and Nanyang Kindergarten, which are part of the Nanyang family of schools.
Campus
The campus at 2 Linden Drive (off Dunearn Road) has an area of 36,400 square metres and can accommodate about 1,700 students. It is divided into nine blocks.
Nanyang Girls' Boarding School
Nanyang Girls' Boarding School provides activities such as formal dinners, enrichment, performances and sports. They also benefit from cultural exchange with boarders from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and China.
The school is able to house a maximum of 500 boarders in 190 rooms comprising 2-4 bedded units, air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned.
Academic Information
Bi-cultural Studies Programme (BSP)
The Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP) is taken by students under the
Special Assistance Plan
The Special Assistance Plan (SAP; ) is a programme in Singapore introduced in 1979 which caters to academically strong students who excel in both their mother tongue as well as English. It is available only in selected primary and secondary school ...
Scholarship, which is offered by the
Ministry of Education
An education ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for education. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of Education, Department of Education, and Ministry of Pub ...
to encourage outstanding students who have the interest and capacity to engage both western and eastern cultures and contemporary society.
Co-curricular activities
NYGH has around 39
co-curricular activities (CCAs) for the students. The activities consist of sports, performing arts, clubs and societies and uniformed groups. Students undergo rigorous training and practices in preparation for any competitions or performances depending on the CCA.
The school has done well in the past years, repeatedly clinching titles in sports championships in inter-school competitions. The school also excels in the performing arts. In the 2011
Singapore Youth Festival
SYF has seen the involvement of more than 30,000 students in the activities and performances each year.
History
The SYF was first launched on 18 July 1967 by then President of Singapore Yusof Ishak, and was initially a two-week affair involving ...
, NYGH clinched eight Gold With Honours and one Silver for its nine performing arts CCA in total (Gold with Honours: Choir, Chinese Dance,
Chinese Orchestra
The term Chinese orchestra is most commonly used to refer to the modern Chinese orchestra that is found in China and various overseas Chinese communities. This modern Chinese orchestra first developed out of Jiangnan sizhu ensemble in the 1920s i ...
, Guzheng, Modern Dance, Chinese Drama, String Ensemble, Theatre; Silver: Band). Students of the school's Infocomm Club often take part in infocomm-related competitions, winning prizes in various competitions such as RoboFest, Robocup Singapore Open, Code Xtreme, National Software Competition and the School Digital Media Awards.
NYGH's Uniformed Groups CCAs, namely
Girl Guides
Girl Guides (known as Girl Scouts in the United States and some other countries) is a worldwide movement, originally and largely still designed for girls and women only. The movement began in 1909 when girls requested to join the then-grassroot ...
,
National Police Cadet Corps
The National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) is one of the national uniformed group for youths between age 13 to 17 in Singapore. The organisation is supported by the Ministry of Education
An education ministry is a national or subnational governme ...
and
St. John Ambulance Brigade
St John Ambulance is the name of a number of affiliated organisations in different countries which teach and provide first aid and emergency medical services, and are primarily staffed by Volunteering, volunteers. The associations are overseen b ...
are also available.
The Nanyang Debate Club won runner-up at The Arena, a televised national debate competition as well as in 2008's Julia Gabriel's Debate Competition. Also, they have emerged as Champions in Hwa Chong Debate Invitationals and done reasonably well at the recent NUS Challenge Shield 2009. Three speakers from the team in the
Victoria Junior College
, motto_translation = Nothing Without Labour
, streetaddress = 20 Marine Vista, 449035
, country = Singapore
, coordinates =
, type = Government
, gender ...
Invitationals have been ranked in the Top 5 Best Individual Speakers, with one clinching the Overall Individual Best Speaker award.
The Nanyang Chinese Debate Club has also done well since the club started operation in 2006. NYGH is the two-time champion of the annual Chinese Debating Championships, first in 2007 and in 2012. It is also the only school in Singapore to have obtained the Chinese Debate Championship title twice.
Nanyang is also home to Nanyang Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe cum 24 Drums Ensemble. The troupe started operation as a CCA when it left the National Police Cadet Corps in 2007. They hold annual ''caiqing''s during the
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a New Year, new year on the traditional lunisolar calendar, lunisolar and solar Chinese calendar. In Sinophone, Chinese and other East Asian cultures, the festival is commonly r ...
where they go around Singapore performing, and also take part in lion dance competitions.
Awards and Accolades
A group of five 17-year-old students topped the secondary school category of the National Science Experiment Big Data Challenge 2017.
Sandra Teng Chin Yang received a Teaching Award in 2016, which honours outstanding teachers of English language, English literature and General Paper in Singapore.
The school clinched the Singapore Quality Award for Business Excellence award in 2013.
Notable alumni
*
Grace Fu
Grace Fu Hai Yien ( zh, s=傅海燕, p=Fù Hǎiyàn; born 1964) is a Singaporean politician who has been serving as Minister for Sustainability and the Environment since 2020. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), she has bee ...
, Cabinet minister
*
Yu-Foo Yee Shoon
Yu-Foo Yee Shoon (; born 17 February 1950) is a former Singaporean politician. A member of the country's governing People's Action Party (PAP), she served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1984 to 2011. Her political appointments included Mayo ...
, former minister of state and member of parliament
*
Cynthia Chua, founder and CEO of Spa Esprit Group
*
Tang Pui Wah
Tang Pui Wah (, born 11 October 1933) is a Singaporean former sprinter. She competed in the women's 100 metres and women's 80 metres hurdles at the 1952 Summer Olympics. She is the first Singaporean female athlete to compete in the Olympic Ga ...
, 1952 track and field Olympian
*
Elizabeth Yin, 2012 sailing Olympian
*
Goh Soo Khim
Goh Soo Khim () is a Singaporean ballerina and a doyen in Singapore’s dance scene. She is also the co-founder and artistic director of Singapore Dance Theatre. She is also credited for the development of ballet in Singapore, and for nurturing m ...
, co-founder and artistic director of the Singapore Dance Theatre and
Cultural Medallion
The Cultural Medallion is a cultural award in Singapore conferred to those who have achieved artistic excellence in dance, theatre, literature, music, photography, art and film. It is widely recognized as Singapore's pinnacle arts award.
Histo ...
winner
*
Susan Long, ''
The Straits Times
''The Straits Times'' is an English-language daily broadsheet newspaper based in Singapore and currently owned by SPH Media Trust (previously Singapore Press Holdings). ''The Sunday Times'' is its Sunday edition. The newspaper was established ...
'' senior correspondent
*
Tung Soo Hua
Tung Soo Hua () is a Singaporean news anchor and presenter contracted under Mediacorp.
Career
Tung is a television news anchor and current affairs presenter with MediaCorp TV Channel 8 and Channel U. Tung joined Mediacorp in 1997 as a Chinese- ...
,
Mediacorp
Mediacorp Pte. Ltd., doing business as Mediacorp and stylised as mediacorp, is a media conglomerate in Singapore. Owned by Temasek Holdings—the holding company of the Government of Singapore—it owns television, radio, and digital media prope ...
news presenter
*
Jamie Yeo
Jamie Yeo (; born 17 April 1977) is a Singaporean actress, model and radio DJ.
Early life
Yeo was born in Singapore on 17 April 1977. She attended Fairfield Methodist Primary School and Nanyang Girls' High School before moving to Dayton, Oh ...
, television presenter and actress
*
Kaira Gong
Kaira Gong (, born 25 July 1981) is a Singaporean singer. She sang the theme song for Singapore's National Day Parade in 2006, titled " My Island Home".
She was previously signed with HIM International Music, and is best known as the protég ...
,
Mandopop
Mandopop or Mandapop refers to Standard Chinese, Mandarin popular music. The genre has its origin in the jazz-influenced popular music of 1930s Shanghai known as Shidaiqu; with later influences coming from Japanese enka, Hong Kong's Cantopop, Ta ...
singer
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Educational institutions established in 1917
Independent schools in Singapore
Secondary schools in Singapore
Schools offering Integrated Programme in Singapore
Girls' schools in Singapore
Schools in Central Region, Singapore
1917 establishments in British Malaya