View source for CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School

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[[Image:St Nicholas2.jpg|left|thumb|St Nich at AMK Ave 2]]
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'''St. Nicholas Girls' is a full school'''- comprised of a ''primary'' and a ''secondary'' section. The school is located at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2 and is a catholic mission school attended by girls who may or may not be catholic. It promotes many '''moral [[Christian]] values''' as well as Chinese traditions. It tries to create a conducive learning environment for its students.


== Our Founder- Father Nicholas Barre ==


Nicholas Barre was born in France at Amiens in the fall of 1621. 

When he was about ten years old, an event occurred which profoundly moved him. A sister of his, to whom he was particularly attached, took ill. The doctors despaired of her recovery, and one afternoon when her brother returned from school, he found her at death’s door. Panic-stricken, he ran to his own room, threw himself down before the altar there, and with an earnestness compounded of grief and hope, begged God to spare his sister. When he came out, he ran straight to his mother and looking at her with a radiant smile said – “Mother, do not worry. Marie is not going to die: she is going to get better.” And recover she did. 

Almost immediately after that incident, at the age of ten, Nicholas took a vow of service to God for the rest of his life. He went to Jesuit College in his home town. Learning was no trouble for him. He took to it as a duck to water. Naturally reflective and clear-thinking, endowed with a prodigious memory, and capable of enduring his own company indefinitely, he reached admirably to the highly systematized education of the Jesuits. 

Having finished his education, this young man faced a rosy future in the form of a brilliant career in the law courts. However, he turned it down for quite another manner of life. In October 1640, he got himself admitted to the Couvent des Minimes of Amiens. That order was one of the strictest in the Church, laying stress on silence and mortification as a means to deep humble love of God and others. A biographer writes of him at this time that he was a young man “of deep silence… and humbles in everything he did”, that he never spoke of himself and discouraged others from doing so. He shield away from all limelight. 

As a result of these unusual qualities of nature and of grace, Nicholas was, while still only a deacon, appointed Professor of Theology, and sent to Paris to teach the young candidates for the priesthood in the Place Royale. This procedure on the part of his superiors was a mark of confidence and respect, quite out of the ordinary. 

After fifteen years of self-giving in this capacity, he fell ill and became depressed. Uncertainty possessed his mind. This mental trail brought him back to Amiens where he was given the charge of sacristan. Here his native air and the calming influence of his charge soon restored him to complete health. Nicholas was now ready for his real life’s work. In 1659, he was sent to the city of Rouen. 

Fond of retirement and fostering with loving care the fragile virtue of humility, here in this great center of Normandy, the quiet man became famous. 

People began to speak about his preaching. It was said that he made sermons as interesting as plays. He was described as having “an eloquence quite unusual, and a homely wit that is altogether refreshing.” He once said,” When you are assailed by a barrage of insults, run to shelter, keep quiet, the storm will pass and you can continue your journey or resume your work afterwards, as if nothing at all had happened.” 

By the time he reached his fortieth year, Father Barre had uppermost in his mind the idea of teaching the poor, adult sinners and ignorant children. 

One of his first helpers was a lady of fashion who was well known for being a hard and selfish woman. Following her conversation, she put herself at the disposal of Father Barre. Spending most of her time among the poor, living like them, seeing life from their viewpoint, understanding their ways and becoming their friend, she became interested in the priest’s ambition to raise by means of Christian education the moral standards of the despised people in Rouen. Under his guidance, she started classes herself at Darnetal, a suburb of Rouen, and when Father Barre opened his first schools, it was her he turned to for support. 

In the meantime, other powerful friends had appeared, men of prestige in the city who were in position to estimate the importance of the new educational endeavour. Two of them were parish priests; four were lay gentlemen. Then, there were the teachers, or the “maitresses” as they were called. So, at Sotteville-les-Rouen, the first “Charitable School” was opened by the “Charitable Mistresses” in 1662. Those teachers went out each morning form Rouen to Sotteville, about a mile’s journey, and there they spent the day teaching the poor children, going, where necessary, from house to house to find them. 

The venture was a great experiment. It was eminently successful. Encouraged by his success, Father Barre opened classes in the heart of Rouen itself, in a house given by a benefactress. Another school was started near the Carmelite Convent, and after a little while, three more in the streets. 

Many conversations to the faith took place among the people they reached this way. The teachers also taught catechism to the people. However, success in the Lord’s service is usually troubled by difficulty and it provoked the jealousy of existing teachers known as “writing-masters”. The opposition of these men and their partisans who denounced the timely schools as “importance novelties” caused Father Barre to suffer a great deal. His energy was drained, and his health ruined. 

Nevertheless, he had very definite ideas about his work. The social need calling for most urgent attention was education – not any kind of education, but the type that would reach out to every individual child, bring it to school and arrange for it there a syllabus of studies within the scope of its limited ability. He had attempted, with little or no success, to put these principles into action for boys; he failed to obtain from the men teachers at the absolute detachment from material things and the complete dependence on Providence which were needed for the task and which were so whole-heartedly given by the women. Girls are the future mothers of families and on them depend the habits and morals of the home. The schools were to be free: the studies, the three R’s, and a thorough grounding in the doctrines and duties of Christianity. Special programmes should be drawn up for Sundays, conferences, games, etc. particular attention given to young girls to preserve their morals and to help them in times of trouble. To comply with these needs, he maintained that the teachers (sisters) should not be cloistered. 

What were the new schools called? Father Barre himself was always in favour of: ”Charitable Christian Schools of the Holy Infant Jesus”, but when many of the schools were opened, the founder had not yet revealed his complete plan, so different localities gave different names to their schools. When he founded his schools in Paris, he gave them the name of his hearts’ desire – the schools of the Holy Infant Jesus. 

In 1675, for some unknown reason, Nicholas Barre was recalled from his apostolic work in Rouen to resume in the Convent de la Place Royale in Paris, his philosophy and theology classes to young seminarians. A princess of royal blood, Marie of Lorraine, one day, asked him to go and see her about a project she had in mind – to open a school for poor girls in Paris. She earnestly asked him for a few of his Charitable Mistresses to run the school. 

At this juncture, a new protector appeared on the scene, none other than Louis XLV himself. Father Barre was approached on the matter of popular education, and was assigned the task of educating daughters of nobility instead. 

But before that work could be finished, Father Barre’s health began to decline visibly. On May 24, 1686, as he descended the altar steps after celebrating his mass, he was overcome by a violent attack of convulsions and collapsed. He never recovered. 

Father Barre died at the age of 64.


== '''History of St. Nicholas Girls' School''' ==


'''1933'''
'''Founded on 16 January by the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus sisters as a Chinese School. The first principal was Sister Solong from France. The school was named "Victoria Girls' School".'''

1936
Sister Felix became the next principal. She was Irish.

1937
A complete primary school was established.

1938
Sister Marie Mercedes became principal.

1940
Sister Françoise Lee took over the post of principal. She was the first 
Chinese principal.

1941
First graduation ceremony was held.

1942
Interruption by World War II.

1945
After the war, the school was reopened on November 1st.

1949
The school premises moved to Victoria Street.

1951
The first batch of lower secondary pupils held their graduation ceremony.

1952
The first batch of upper secondary pupils held their graduation ceremony.

1962
The school conducted Pre-University classes.

1963
Graduation of the first batch of pre-university pupils.

1971
Plans for a new school building with 28 classrooms at Lorong 1, Toa Payoh, 
were made. The design for the school building was confirmed.

Sister Françoise Lee retired at the end of 1971. 

1972
Mrs Hwang-Lee Poh See became principal when Sr. Françoise Lee retired
at the end of 1971.

1973
The school celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a concert at the National Theatre.

Mrs. Hwang, the Principal, anticipating that the site might not be sufficient to house a rapidly growing student population, approached various authorities for a change in the site, a bigger one which could accommodate a bigger school building with more facilities and classrooms.

1976 The Pre-University classes were closed.
 
1979
The school held a concert at the National Theatre where the entire St. Nicholas Family gathered together, to commemorate its 45th Anniversary.

A Garden Party was held to celebrate Teachers' Day. To show their appreciation for the teachers, thousands of old girls, parents and pupils came up with various dishes for a pot-luck feast within the school compound.

'''A Pre-Primary section was begun.'''

The school was chosen to be one of the 9 Special Assistance Plan Schools (SAP) to preserve Chinese traditions through the learning of the Chinese Language and of English Language at a higher level.

Mrs. Hwang approached Dr. Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for Education, for approval to acquire a new site for the school.
Approval was eventually given for the school to choose an alternative site.
 
1980
The school population increased tremendously over the years. The Primary 5 and 6 pupils had to be accommodated at the old Tao Nan School while some secondary classes has their lessons at the former Raffles Girls' Primary School.

 
1981
A concert for Senior Citizens was held at the Victoria Theatre.

 
1982
The pupils left Tao Nan School. The school made use of the whole RGPS compound. About half the pupil population was accommodated here.

 
1983
1. Part of the student body moved to the former Chong Boon Secondary School at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

2. The school celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee with a dinner for over 1,200 guests at the Neptune Theatre Restaurant, a drama presentation entitled 'Jenny's Rainbow' at the DBS Auditorium and a School Reunion at Victoria Street, attended by thousands of former students.
 
1984
The entire premises fo Chong Boon Secondary School at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 was offered as a temporary site. It accommodated Primary 6 to Secondary 4 pupils. The Townville Primary School at Avenue 8 was used to accommodate the pupils from the rest of the primary section. A Singathon was held at Chong Boon Secondary School at Avenue 10.

 
'''1985
The entire school moved to our present premises at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2 Street 13.'''

 
1986
The school was officially opened by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Minister for Education, on 23 August 1986.

 
1988
The school celebrated its 55th Anniversary with a Fun Fair, Drama Night, Thanksgiving Concelebrated High Mass, a banquet at Westin Stamford Hotel and an Art & Craft Exhibition with about 5,000 displays.

 
1990
The Building Committee for the school expansion was set up and building consultants were appointed. A drama studio, a dance studio, an art and craft centre, a home-markers' centre was incorporated into the school expansion project - the Life Skills Centre.     

 
The school was involved in a combined performance with four other IJ Secondary Schools, "Land Beyond The Rainbow", for the Official Opening Ceremony of the 1990 Singapore Youth Festival at the National Stadium.
 
1991
The Official Fund Raising project for the school expansion programme was started - The cost for the new school expansion was about $11 million and that for the repair and renovation of the existing building was about $5 million. The school raised about $6 million. A letter appealing for direct donation was sent to all parents.

 
1992
The ground breaking ceremony for the school expansion was held. The St Nicholas Alumnae Association organised a donation draw to raise funds for the school. The construction of the New Expansion Building came into progress.


== An Event to Note ==
 
1993
'''The school celebrated its 60th Anniversary:'''               

A musical and dramatic performance 'St Nicholas Extravaganza' at the World Trade Centre auditorium on 2nd and 3rd April.

A Concelebrated High Mass in the school hall by the Archbishop, His Grace, Gregory Yong on May 26th.

A gala evening, "St Nicholas Thanks You", at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 14th August. It involved 5,000 performers comprising students, parents, alumnae and their families and was attended by 30,000 guests. Mr Lee Yock Suan, the minister for Education, was the Guest-of-Honour. This function was attended by 30,000 guests.
 
1994
1. At the Singapore Youth Festival,  888 secondary 1, 2 and 3 pupils presented a dance entitled "Youth Rejoicing, Youth Resounding" at the Official Opening Ceremony of the

2. The $16 million school expansion project was completed in July while the repair and renovation work on the existing building continued until the end of the year.

1995
1. The school put up a school concert: "St Nicholas Night - An Evening of Music and Dance" which included a musical, "Land Beyond the Rainbow" at the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF) auditorium.     

2. The school started functioning as an autonomous school.

3. Facilities at the new expansion - Life Skills Centre - were fully utilised as from January.

1996
1. The school put up an original play, "PROJECT S.H.O.P (Stop Harming Our Planet)" at the Victoria Theatre. It was attended by parents, grandparents, former students, alumnae and the community.
 
1997
1. History was made when the first election of student leaders was held. The student body went through the entire process of elections - nomination, campaigning and going to the polled to elect the following: head prefect, deputy head prefects, head monitor and deputy head monitors. 

2. The school organised a Teacher's Day  Cross Country Walk-a-Jog on 30 August. Guest-of-Honour was Ms Brenda Yeow( Inspector of Schools).

3. The school held its first 'Cyberfest SNG '97', to showcase the Information Technology efforts of the staff and students from 5, 6 and 7 September. The Guest-of-Honour was Ms Lim Soon Tze (Director of Schools). More than 10,000 pupils, parents, alumnae, officials from various departments of the Ministry of Education and well-wishers, viewed the exhibits.

1998
A special celebration programme involving the entire St. Nicholas community and friends was carried out to commemorate the school抯 '''65th anniversary'''.

- The first event was a Concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass on 29th May, with our Archbishop Gregory Yong and several other priests leading the St. Nicholas family to thank God for His blessings and guidance through the decades.

- The second was an extensive project fair, SyNerGiSe, - On Wings of Eagles, from 27th July to 1st August, with Mr. Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State for Education as the Guest of Honour. The fair attracted about 20 000 visitors to its display of more than 2 000 projects produced by both the primary and secondary pupils and their 
teachers, involving the parents and old girls.

- The third was the grand St. Nicholas Family Dinner at the Suntec City Convention Centre on 22nd August, with Dr. Aline Wong, Senior Minister of State for Education, as the Guest of Honour. The dinner was attended by 5 500 friends, parents, students and alumnae including many who flew in from abroad. The highlights were Thousand Voices in Unison 'Ties That Bind' an item put up by our fellow Asian students and their parents, and dances by members of the Alumnae.
¡¡

On 6 June 1998 the Symphonic Band held a combined concert, Festivo Unison, with Catholic High School Military Band, to foster a cordial working relationship between the two bands. The concert was held at St. Joseph's Institution's La Salle Centre for Performing Arts.
 
1999
1. The COMPASS Group led by Minister for Education, Rear Adm. Teo Chee Hean, visited 
our school on 7 May 2000. They were impressed by the enthusiasm and involvement of parents 
in the school activities. 

2. SyNerGiSe II -- On Wings of Eagles, Project Fair 1999 
4th to 7th August 1999.
Guest of Honour Ms. Goh Soon Poh, Director, Personnel, Ministry of Education. The week-long 
fair attracted many visitors to its display of the projects produced by both the primary and 
secondary pupils and their teachers. Alumnae members and parents too helped in the project
fair.

3. '''孝亲敬老文娱晚会''' A concert in Mandarin by our 3000 pupils to commemorate the 
International Year of Older Persons, was held on 30 May, 7 pm, at the Nanyang Polytechnic Auditorium.. Our Guest of honour, Dr Ow Chin Hock, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs and Mayor of Tanjong Pager. The elderly from the Clan Associations and various 
charitable organisations were invited to the concert. Grand-parents of our pupils were invited 
as our special guests.

4. National Chinese Cultural Quiz through IT for Primary Schools, 8 July
Our school organised the quiz to promote a greater awareness of Chinese culture and the 
use of IT in learning Chinese language. About 45 Primary Schools participated in this first ever competition of its kind. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Chen Soo Sen, Parliamentary Secretary, 
Ministry of Health and Prime Minister's Office.

5. '''A Tapestry of Love'''
A Tribute To The Elderly. This concert in English was held at Kallang Theatre on 23 & 24 July. 
Our Guest of Honour was Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Minister for Community Development. The 
elderly from a number of charitable organisations were invited as our VIPs. They were 
entertained by the pupils through song and dance to show our appreciation for their contribution
to our society.
 

== '''2000''' A Year to remember ==

1. First-ever Sports Meet at Night 
Held at our newly renovated synthetic running track on 1st April. Our Guest of Honour was
Mrs. Lee Miew Boey, Deputy Secretary (Services) Ministry of Education. The turn-out of 
parents at this event was overwhelming. 

2.  云开月明
A Chinese drama by our CLDDS, was held at the Nanyang Polytechnic Theatre of the Arts 
on 24 May 2000.

3. An Evening Under The Stars
First concert by the SN Symphonic Band was held at our new synthetic running track and field, on 26 May 2000. This concert was part of the band's fund-raising project for their trip to Kristianstad, Sweden, in June 2000, for the International Music Festival 2000. Appropriately, the Guest-of-Honour for the concert was the Ambassador of Sweden, Her Excellency Mrs Eva Walder-Brundin.

4. The Official Opening of the Lifeskill Centre and the upgrading of the Synthetic Running Track, 3 July. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Health. The event was attended by more than 2000 parents, alumnae guests and well-wishers.

5. Musical Potpourri
Staged by Chamber Ensemble in DBS Auditorium on 16 July, Sunday. Our Guest of Honour 
was Mr. Peter Low, Member of the IJ Board of Management.

6. Yellow Suitcase & Red Spittoon
A drama by ELDDS presented at the Victoria Theatre , 19 & 20 July. Our Guest of Honour
 was Professor Leo Tan, Director, National Institute of Education.

7. N4 Concerto
The school commemorated Racial Harmony Day on 21 July together with pupils from N4 
cluster schools with the N4 Concerto. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Tan Kiak Seng, Cluster Superintendent North 4. All the 3500 participants used cooking utensils (chopsticks, kwali) 
of the different ethnic groups in our country to make music in unison.

8. National Chinese Cultural Quiz through IT for Primary and Secondary Schools
A quiz held on 22 July to promote greater awareness of Chinese culture through the use of 
IT in the learning of the Chinese language. This is the first year that both primary and 
secondary schools were invited to take part in this competition. About 75 schools participated 
in this competition. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State for 
Education.

9. School Exhibition: SyNerGiSe III - on Wings of Eagles cum Health Fair 2000, 
23 - 25 July
The works of the entire school, from Primary 1 to Secondary 4, were put on display and about 
5000 visitors from the St. Nicholas Girls' community (parents, old girls, etc.), the Ministry of 
Education and other schools, viewed the exhibits.

== '''Farewell to Our Principal''' ==
'''10. Farewell to the Principal, 3 Nov. - 27 Dec'''
Mrs. Hwang-Lee Poh See retired from the teaching service on 31 Dec. 2000, after 29 years as the Principal. 

Three major farewell functions were carried out: 

The pupils put up a Farewell Road Show on Friday, 3 November 2000. The Principal was led on a trail of performances put up by at least 20 groups. Along the trail, she was greeted by numerous pupils who presented her with gifts and souvenirs, and there were many touching scenes where words of appreciation were expressed and tears were shed.

Mrs. Hwang was given a rousing farewell on Friday, 17 November, at the new track and field in the school. Tribute to Mrs. Hwang, A Grand Farewell, was attended by a crowd of about 10,000, comprising parents, old girls, teachers, pupils and well wishers. 

The staff and pupils presented an extravaganza of mass displays, song, poetry and dance, and were treated to a grand buffet prepared by the parents. Highlights of the event included the launch of a website dedicated to Mrs. Hwang.

The St. Nicholas Girls' School Alumnae Association and the staff threw a grand Farewell Dinner for Mrs. Hwang, on Wednesday, 27 December 2000, at the Mandarin Hotel. A crowd of 1,600, comprising old girls, parents, teachers and pupils, friends and well-wishers attended the function. The Alumnae Association paid tribute to Mrs. Hwang by way of a specially prepared video presentation while the staff of the school presented Mrs. Hwang with a special book -- a compilation of prose and poetry written by the staff, parents and old girls, dedicated to Mrs. Hwang.
 
2001
'''Miss Helen Choo Chieh Chen became the principal when Mrs Hwang-Lee Poh See retired.''' 

Kaleidophonia I was St. Nicholas Girls' School ever first band concert.

SyNerGiSe IV on Wings of Eagles
 
2002 1.      Our very first Swimming Carnival was held at Yio Chu Kang Swimming Complex on 11th 
May.

2.      Our Symphonic Band put up a performance at the Swissotel the Stamford and Raffles the Plaza.

3.      Our very first WITs Convention

4.      The annual SNG Science Odyssey finals were held on the 13th Jul in our school. Here to grace the occasion were guest-of-honour Dr Diong Cheong Hoong, Head of the Singapore Institute of Biology and N4 Cluster superintendent Mr Tan Kiak Seng.

5.      Promenade was our first "Arts in the Park" concert where guests walk around the school to view various choral, dance and drama performances.

6.      Launch of first Student Electronic Suggestion Scheme

7.   SyNerGiSe V on Meeting of Minds was held from the 1st to 3rd Aug with problem-based learning projects done by the Pri 5 and interdisciplinary project work done by the Sec 1 & 2 pupils
 
2003     1. Admission into the Singapore Quality Class. Membership in the SQC is 
        granted to organizations that have attained a commendable level of 
        performance based on the Singapore Quality Award framework.

    2. 70th Anniversary Concert ¨C Fluid Fusion at Kallang Theatre. Held on the 
        1st Aug as part of a series of events to mark our 70th anniversary, a 
        spectacular presentation by the performing arts groups of both the Pri 
        and Sec sections was put up at the Kallang Theatre.

    3. National Track and Field Championship- Twin Championship titles for the 
        Secondary Section. This is the second year in a row for St Nicholas 
        Sports team to clinch the top award in the National Track and Field 
        Championship! 

    4. The Annual Science Odyssey was held in our school on the 4th and 12th 
        Jul. The champion school for this year is Fairfield Methodist Primary 
        School.

    5. Project Work Symposium in place of SyNerGise. This year, 7 other 
       secondary schools joined us at the symposium. Projects were put up in 
       our school and it was a fresh experience for the students.

    6. 70th Anniversary Dinner at Raffles City Convention Centre on 29 Aug. 
        Almost 1000 teachers, students, alumnae and friends of the school were 
        gathered at the gala dinner to celebrate St Nicholas¡¯s 70th anniversary 
        and Teachers¡¯ Day.

2004     1.    Multimedia Information Technology Society launch   
           CONNEXIONS
           This newsletter will be published four times a year.

    2.    St Nicholas Badminton clinch the B-Division championship
           This is the fist time we have clinched this title after years of hard work.

    3.   B and C Division Table Tennis teams both emerged champions in the 
          North Zone tournament
          Through sheer hard work and determination, our B and C Division 
          Table Tennis teams both emerged champions in the North Zone  
          tournament.

4.    Citibank purchased 12,000 of our lifeSpriNGs water to be distributed to its four branches in
Singapore 
The reason is because the size of the bottle was just right for their CitiGold clients to consume during their visits to the bank. The uniqueness of the name ¡®lifeSpriNGS¡¯ and the fact that it is oxygenated water were additional pull factors.

5.        St Nicholas Debating team emerge as runner-up in the Singapore    
 Secondary Schools Debating  Championship
 We had emerged the runner-up after putting up a good fight against the  
 United World College of Southeast Asia.

    6.    Launch of the Grandparents Breakfast Club
          This club was officially launched by Mr Inderjit Singh, an MP for Ang  
          Mo Kio GRC, on 12 May in our school hall, in the presence of some  
          50 senior citizens,grassroots leaders, and staff of our school.

    7.    Public speaking convention ¡§C Compassidence
    This is a public speaking convention jointly organized by Catholic High  
    School and CHIJ St.Nicholas Girls¡¯ School held on the 19th June 2004

    8.    Student Immersion Programme
    Different students went to Japan and Germany for this programme to 
    learn their cultures and also to study there.

    9.    True Blue An IJ Arts Fest celebrating 150 years of the CHIJ Spirit
    Over the weekend of 3-4 Juky, the 11 CHIJ schools got together at
    Chijmes, where the Town Convent and St Nicholas were originally  
    located, to mark 150 years of the IJ Spirit in Singapore.
    Many from our school-alumnae, parents, teachers, students-were  
    actively involved in the 24-hour-long celebrations.

   10.   National Interschool Swimming Championships
    Our B division had gotten the 1st runner up and our C Division had  
    emerged 2nd runner up.

   11.   National Interschool Trampoline Championship 
    Our Gymnastics had clinched the 2nd runner-up placing.

   12.   National Interschool Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship 
          Our B Division had gotten the 3rd overall and the C Division had 
          emerged as the overall champion.

   13.   National Interschool Track And Field Championships
    Both or B and C Division had emerged champions for the third year 
    running.
 

== '''Our vision, mission and values''' ==
 

Our Vision 学校目标   
A Leader In Every Student
人尽其才，让每个学生都能以其本身的长处，发挥其领导才能
 

Our Mission 学校宗旨
A Christ centred school where all people work for the promotion of truth, justice, freedom and love; with a special awareness of the viewpoint of the disadvantaged.
我校以基督教义作为办学重点，学校成员的任务在于灌输学生们正确人生观，价值观。培育学生良好的品德，忠诚，正直，善良而向往自由，同时关怀同情不幸者。   

Our Motto 校训 
Simple in virtue, Steadfast in duty
德纯义坚

Our Values 学校价值观
ROOTS 根  
Gratitude and Humility 
饮水思源：感恩报爱，温文尔雅，高贵大方，谦恭有礼。  

Sisterly Love 
姐妹同心：学校，家庭与校友会携手合作，同学之间相亲相爱，情同手足，发扬互助友爱的精神。 

Dignity for all 
互相敬重：不分种族，年龄，能力及地位。 

WINGS 翼  
Lead and Serve
发挥潜能：迎接挑战，以便服务社会，领导人群，贡献国家。  

Create and Celebrate
富有创意：积极进取，精益求精。

Learn from Life
活学巧用：从生活中学习，丰富阅历兼收并蓄，融会贯通。

The School Crest  

The School Crest is one that is shared by our schools all the world over.

In the centre of the Crest lies a red shield with a silver band edged in gold. The shield, surmounted by a gold cross, is encircled by a garland of marguerites. The garland of marguerites speaks of simplicity - the most charming trait in young girlhood.

On the right lies the Gospel with a silver rosary. The Gospel is the light of your life - live by it and you will attain peace. The rosary is the Gospel in miniature seen through the eyes of the Virgin Mary; pray it and you will grow.

On the left are a golden distaff and spindle: symbols of womanly labour. A life without labour is a wearisome affair; with it, life is meaningful and satisfying.

Emblazoned on the Crest is our motto: "Simple in virtue, Steadfast in duty."

Virtue is a personal possession; no one can take it away from you against your will. An upright virtue goes to one's neighbour with spontaneous warmth. It judges oneself with humble honesty. And it goes straight to God with child-like confidence.

When you see our badge on your companion, remember that it is a token of membership in a School whose patron is the Divine Child Himself.

When you wear it yourself, you might say it with Saint Paul that you are "a citizen of no mean city."

Wear it with pride, then, for it is a symbol of honour.

Attributes Of A St. Nicholas Graduate

CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School endeavors to provide a quality, comprehensive education and an environment with many unique features. Thus our expectations of our pupils are high. Our vision of a St. Nicholas Girls' School Graduate is that of a cultured, refined and noble lady with great inner beauty, loving God, Nature, and Mankind, and possess all the desirable qualities and attributes that are expected of an Asian lady. 

As a St. Nicholas Graduate, she is effectively bilingual, being fluent and articulate in both the Chinese and English Languages. She continually seeks self-improvement and, in the face of rapid changes in the society, she is able to maintain her bearing and self-confidence. She can function independently, creatively and wisely. She is analytical and discerning, with organisational and leadership skills, and has a love of knowledge for its own sake.

She knows that education is a life-long endeavour and is prepared to meet whatever challenges await her. She will therefore continually strive to be adapt at selecting and using technology, yet maintaining a keen awareness of the societal effects of technology advances. She will put her education into action and will show initiative, have a keen sense of adventure and have the courage and wisdom to take informed risks for the betterment of her family and society, within her own country as well as beyond its shores. She will rise above cultural barriers and work well with people internationally.

A loyal Singaporean, she understands and appreciates the importance of the Shared Values of Singapore and realises that these values are essential to the peace, harmony and good will of her family, community, society and Nation. She also has been guided to see the importance of putting the welfare and good of others before her own interests and needs.

By the time of her graduation from St. Nicholas, she is able to play at least one musical instrument and has learned sports and games that will help her to keep fit and healthy throughout her life. She also appreciates music and art and processes all the domestic skills necessary for cooking, sewing, gardening and house decorating so as to be a good wife, mother and hostess. She is thus able to occupy her time meaningfully and fruitfully.

She is able to socialise easily and has a great sense of propriety, knowing how to dress tastefully and appropriately and to carry herself elegantly. She is able to mix and relate well with young or old, rich or poor. As a convent girl, she appreciates the advantages her education has given her and accepts with a glad heart that she has a special obligation to the under-privileged, old, handicapped and disadvantaged in our society.

She is sensitive towards the feelings of others and has learned to be tactful, considerate, caring and kind. She does her best to understand and respect people of other races, religions, cultures and traditions, while she herself honours the core values of our nation and culture.

She is adaptable and versatile both at home as well as in society. She is a religious young woman who accepts, propagates and practises Singapore's Family values. She is prepared to be a gracious wife and mother as well as a dynamic leader and organiser. However, when the occasion warrants, she has the humility to let others lead. She know her strengths and accepts her limitations.

She participates enthusiastically in all that she does. She has a positive attitude towards life and living. She is totally involved and committed in her contribution to family and nation. Her intensity is such that she is able to inspire other to follow suit.

She is a joyful, loyal, serene and genteel person who works towards a cohesive society. She is ever ready to sacrifice self for family and nation. In the face of adversity, she has perseverance and courage. She sees herself as a global citizen, part of mankind with a common aspiration towards peace and harmony.

She is a leader of tomorrow.

For more infomation, go to [http://www.sngs.sch.edu.sg/]add-to-it by [[alien]]&[[User:Terry How|Terry How]] 01:25, 30 Sep 2005 (SGT)say Hi when U see ME!or Terri when she come back to Spore!


== Our Founder- Father Nicholas Barre ==


Nicholas Barre was born in France at Amiens in the fall of 1621. 

When he was about ten years old, an event occurred which profoundly moved him. A sister of his, to whom he was particularly attached, took ill. The doctors despaired of her recovery, and one afternoon when her brother returned from school, he found her at death’s door. Panic-stricken, he ran to his own room, threw himself down before the altar there, and with an earnestness compounded of grief and hope, begged God to spare his sister. When he came out, he ran straight to his mother and looking at her with a radiant smile said – “Mother, do not worry. Marie is not going to die: she is going to get better.” And recover she did. 

Almost immediately after that incident, at the age of ten, Nicholas took a vow of service to God for the rest of his life. He went to Jesuit College in his home town. Learning was no trouble for him. He took to it as a duck to water. Naturally reflective and clear-thinking, endowed with a prodigious memory, and capable of enduring his own company indefinitely, he reached admirably to the highly systematized education of the Jesuits. 

Having finished his education, this young man faced a rosy future in the form of a brilliant career in the law courts. However, he turned it down for quite another manner of life. In October 1640, he got himself admitted to the Couvent des Minimes of Amiens. That order was one of the strictest in the Church, laying stress on silence and mortification as a means to deep humble love of God and others. A biographer writes of him at this time that he was a young man “of deep silence… and humbles in everything he did”, that he never spoke of himself and discouraged others from doing so. He shield away from all limelight. 

As a result of these unusual qualities of nature and of grace, Nicholas was, while still only a deacon, appointed Professor of Theology, and sent to Paris to teach the young candidates for the priesthood in the Place Royale. This procedure on the part of his superiors was a mark of confidence and respect, quite out of the ordinary. 

After fifteen years of self-giving in this capacity, he fell ill and became depressed. Uncertainty possessed his mind. This mental trail brought him back to Amiens where he was given the charge of sacristan. Here his native air and the calming influence of his charge soon restored him to complete health. Nicholas was now ready for his real life’s work. In 1659, he was sent to the city of Rouen. 

Fond of retirement and fostering with loving care the fragile virtue of humility, here in this great center of Normandy, the quiet man became famous. 

People began to speak about his preaching. It was said that he made sermons as interesting as plays. He was described as having “an eloquence quite unusual, and a homely wit that is altogether refreshing.” He once said,” When you are assailed by a barrage of insults, run to shelter, keep quiet, the storm will pass and you can continue your journey or resume your work afterwards, as if nothing at all had happened.” 

By the time he reached his fortieth year, Father Barre had uppermost in his mind the idea of teaching the poor, adult sinners and ignorant children. 

One of his first helpers was a lady of fashion who was well known for being a hard and selfish woman. Following her conversation, she put herself at the disposal of Father Barre. Spending most of her time among the poor, living like them, seeing life from their viewpoint, understanding their ways and becoming their friend, she became interested in the priest’s ambition to raise by means of Christian education the moral standards of the despised people in Rouen. Under his guidance, she started classes herself at Darnetal, a suburb of Rouen, and when Father Barre opened his first schools, it was her he turned to for support. 

In the meantime, other powerful friends had appeared, men of prestige in the city who were in position to estimate the importance of the new educational endeavour. Two of them were parish priests; four were lay gentlemen. Then, there were the teachers, or the “maitresses” as they were called. So, at Sotteville-les-Rouen, the first “Charitable School” was opened by the “Charitable Mistresses” in 1662. Those teachers went out each morning form Rouen to Sotteville, about a mile’s journey, and there they spent the day teaching the poor children, going, where necessary, from house to house to find them. 

The venture was a great experiment. It was eminently successful. Encouraged by his success, Father Barre opened classes in the heart of Rouen itself, in a house given by a benefactress. Another school was started near the Carmelite Convent, and after a little while, three more in the streets. 

Many conversations to the faith took place among the people they reached this way. The teachers also taught catechism to the people. However, success in the Lord’s service is usually troubled by difficulty and it provoked the jealousy of existing teachers known as “writing-masters”. The opposition of these men and their partisans who denounced the timely schools as “importance novelties” caused Father Barre to suffer a great deal. His energy was drained, and his health ruined. 

Nevertheless, he had very definite ideas about his work. The social need calling for most urgent attention was education – not any kind of education, but the type that would reach out to every individual child, bring it to school and arrange for it there a syllabus of studies within the scope of its limited ability. He had attempted, with little or no success, to put these principles into action for boys; he failed to obtain from the men teachers at the absolute detachment from material things and the complete dependence on Providence which were needed for the task and which were so whole-heartedly given by the women. Girls are the future mothers of families and on them depend the habits and morals of the home. The schools were to be free: the studies, the three R’s, and a thorough grounding in the doctrines and duties of Christianity. Special programmes should be drawn up for Sundays, conferences, games, etc. particular attention given to young girls to preserve their morals and to help them in times of trouble. To comply with these needs, he maintained that the teachers (sisters) should not be cloistered. 

What were the new schools called? Father Barre himself was always in favour of: ”Charitable Christian Schools of the Holy Infant Jesus”, but when many of the schools were opened, the founder had not yet revealed his complete plan, so different localities gave different names to their schools. When he founded his schools in Paris, he gave them the name of his hearts’ desire – the schools of the Holy Infant Jesus. 

In 1675, for some unknown reason, Nicholas Barre was recalled from his apostolic work in Rouen to resume in the Convent de la Place Royale in Paris, his philosophy and theology classes to young seminarians. A princess of royal blood, Marie of Lorraine, one day, asked him to go and see her about a project she had in mind – to open a school for poor girls in Paris. She earnestly asked him for a few of his Charitable Mistresses to run the school. 

At this juncture, a new protector appeared on the scene, none other than Louis XLV himself. Father Barre was approached on the matter of popular education, and was assigned the task of educating daughters of nobility instead. 

But before that work could be finished, Father Barre’s health began to decline visibly. On May 24, 1686, as he descended the altar steps after celebrating his mass, he was overcome by a violent attack of convulsions and collapsed. He never recovered. 

Father Barre died at the age of 64.


== '''History of St. Nicholas Girls' School''' ==


'''1933'''
'''Founded on 16 January by the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus sisters as a Chinese School. The first principal was Sister Solong from France. The school was named "Victoria Girls' School".'''

1936
Sister Felix became the next principal. She was Irish.

1937
A complete primary school was established.

1938
Sister Marie Mercedes became principal.

1940
Sister Françoise Lee took over the post of principal. She was the first 
Chinese principal.

1941
First graduation ceremony was held.

1942
Interruption by World War II.

1945
After the war, the school was reopened on November 1st.

1949
The school premises moved to Victoria Street.

1951
The first batch of lower secondary pupils held their graduation ceremony.

1952
The first batch of upper secondary pupils held their graduation ceremony.

1962
The school conducted Pre-University classes.

1963
Graduation of the first batch of pre-university pupils.

1971
Plans for a new school building with 28 classrooms at Lorong 1, Toa Payoh, 
were made. The design for the school building was confirmed.

Sister Françoise Lee retired at the end of 1971. 

1972
Mrs Hwang-Lee Poh See became principal when Sr. Françoise Lee retired
at the end of 1971.

1973
The school celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a concert at the National Theatre.

Mrs. Hwang, the Principal, anticipating that the site might not be sufficient to house a rapidly growing student population, approached various authorities for a change in the site, a bigger one which could accommodate a bigger school building with more facilities and classrooms.

1976 The Pre-University classes were closed.
 
1979
The school held a concert at the National Theatre where the entire St. Nicholas Family gathered together, to commemorate its 45th Anniversary.

A Garden Party was held to celebrate Teachers' Day. To show their appreciation for the teachers, thousands of old girls, parents and pupils came up with various dishes for a pot-luck feast within the school compound.

'''A Pre-Primary section was begun.'''

The school was chosen to be one of the 9 Special Assistance Plan Schools (SAP) to preserve Chinese traditions through the learning of the Chinese Language and of English Language at a higher level.

Mrs. Hwang approached Dr. Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for Education, for approval to acquire a new site for the school.
Approval was eventually given for the school to choose an alternative site.
 
1980
The school population increased tremendously over the years. The Primary 5 and 6 pupils had to be accommodated at the old Tao Nan School while some secondary classes has their lessons at the former Raffles Girls' Primary School.

 
1981
A concert for Senior Citizens was held at the Victoria Theatre.

 
1982
The pupils left Tao Nan School. The school made use of the whole RGPS compound. About half the pupil population was accommodated here.

 
1983
1. Part of the student body moved to the former Chong Boon Secondary School at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

2. The school celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee with a dinner for over 1,200 guests at the Neptune Theatre Restaurant, a drama presentation entitled 'Jenny's Rainbow' at the DBS Auditorium and a School Reunion at Victoria Street, attended by thousands of former students.
 
1984
The entire premises fo Chong Boon Secondary School at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 was offered as a temporary site. It accommodated Primary 6 to Secondary 4 pupils. The Townville Primary School at Avenue 8 was used to accommodate the pupils from the rest of the primary section. A Singathon was held at Chong Boon Secondary School at Avenue 10.

 
'''1985
The entire school moved to our present premises at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2 Street 13.'''

 
1986
The school was officially opened by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Minister for Education, on 23 August 1986.

 
1988
The school celebrated its 55th Anniversary with a Fun Fair, Drama Night, Thanksgiving Concelebrated High Mass, a banquet at Westin Stamford Hotel and an Art & Craft Exhibition with about 5,000 displays.

 
1990
The Building Committee for the school expansion was set up and building consultants were appointed. A drama studio, a dance studio, an art and craft centre, a home-markers' centre was incorporated into the school expansion project - the Life Skills Centre.     

 
The school was involved in a combined performance with four other IJ Secondary Schools, "Land Beyond The Rainbow", for the Official Opening Ceremony of the 1990 Singapore Youth Festival at the National Stadium.
 
1991
The Official Fund Raising project for the school expansion programme was started - The cost for the new school expansion was about $11 million and that for the repair and renovation of the existing building was about $5 million. The school raised about $6 million. A letter appealing for direct donation was sent to all parents.

 
1992
The ground breaking ceremony for the school expansion was held. The St Nicholas Alumnae Association organised a donation draw to raise funds for the school. The construction of the New Expansion Building came into progress.


== An Event to Note ==
 
1993
'''The school celebrated its 60th Anniversary:'''               

A musical and dramatic performance 'St Nicholas Extravaganza' at the World Trade Centre auditorium on 2nd and 3rd April.

A Concelebrated High Mass in the school hall by the Archbishop, His Grace, Gregory Yong on May 26th.

A gala evening, "St Nicholas Thanks You", at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 14th August. It involved 5,000 performers comprising students, parents, alumnae and their families and was attended by 30,000 guests. Mr Lee Yock Suan, the minister for Education, was the Guest-of-Honour. This function was attended by 30,000 guests.
 
1994
1. At the Singapore Youth Festival,  888 secondary 1, 2 and 3 pupils presented a dance entitled "Youth Rejoicing, Youth Resounding" at the Official Opening Ceremony of the

2. The $16 million school expansion project was completed in July while the repair and renovation work on the existing building continued until the end of the year.

1995
1. The school put up a school concert: "St Nicholas Night - An Evening of Music and Dance" which included a musical, "Land Beyond the Rainbow" at the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF) auditorium.     

2. The school started functioning as an autonomous school.

3. Facilities at the new expansion - Life Skills Centre - were fully utilised as from January.

1996
1. The school put up an original play, "PROJECT S.H.O.P (Stop Harming Our Planet)" at the Victoria Theatre. It was attended by parents, grandparents, former students, alumnae and the community.
 
1997
1. History was made when the first election of student leaders was held. The student body went through the entire process of elections - nomination, campaigning and going to the polled to elect the following: head prefect, deputy head prefects, head monitor and deputy head monitors. 

2. The school organised a Teacher's Day  Cross Country Walk-a-Jog on 30 August. Guest-of-Honour was Ms Brenda Yeow( Inspector of Schools).

3. The school held its first 'Cyberfest SNG '97', to showcase the Information Technology efforts of the staff and students from 5, 6 and 7 September. The Guest-of-Honour was Ms Lim Soon Tze (Director of Schools). More than 10,000 pupils, parents, alumnae, officials from various departments of the Ministry of Education and well-wishers, viewed the exhibits.

1998
A special celebration programme involving the entire St. Nicholas community and friends was carried out to commemorate the school抯 '''65th anniversary'''.

- The first event was a Concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass on 29th May, with our Archbishop Gregory Yong and several other priests leading the St. Nicholas family to thank God for His blessings and guidance through the decades.

- The second was an extensive project fair, SyNerGiSe, - On Wings of Eagles, from 27th July to 1st August, with Mr. Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State for Education as the Guest of Honour. The fair attracted about 20 000 visitors to its display of more than 2 000 projects produced by both the primary and secondary pupils and their 
teachers, involving the parents and old girls.

- The third was the grand St. Nicholas Family Dinner at the Suntec City Convention Centre on 22nd August, with Dr. Aline Wong, Senior Minister of State for Education, as the Guest of Honour. The dinner was attended by 5 500 friends, parents, students and alumnae including many who flew in from abroad. The highlights were Thousand Voices in Unison 'Ties That Bind' an item put up by our fellow Asian students and their parents, and dances by members of the Alumnae.
¡¡

On 6 June 1998 the Symphonic Band held a combined concert, Festivo Unison, with Catholic High School Military Band, to foster a cordial working relationship between the two bands. The concert was held at St. Joseph's Institution's La Salle Centre for Performing Arts.
 
1999
1. The COMPASS Group led by Minister for Education, Rear Adm. Teo Chee Hean, visited 
our school on 7 May 2000. They were impressed by the enthusiasm and involvement of parents 
in the school activities. 

2. SyNerGiSe II -- On Wings of Eagles, Project Fair 1999 
4th to 7th August 1999.
Guest of Honour Ms. Goh Soon Poh, Director, Personnel, Ministry of Education. The week-long 
fair attracted many visitors to its display of the projects produced by both the primary and 
secondary pupils and their teachers. Alumnae members and parents too helped in the project
fair.

3. '''孝亲敬老文娱晚会''' A concert in Mandarin by our 3000 pupils to commemorate the 
International Year of Older Persons, was held on 30 May, 7 pm, at the Nanyang Polytechnic Auditorium.. Our Guest of honour, Dr Ow Chin Hock, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs and Mayor of Tanjong Pager. The elderly from the Clan Associations and various 
charitable organisations were invited to the concert. Grand-parents of our pupils were invited 
as our special guests.

4. National Chinese Cultural Quiz through IT for Primary Schools, 8 July
Our school organised the quiz to promote a greater awareness of Chinese culture and the 
use of IT in learning Chinese language. About 45 Primary Schools participated in this first ever competition of its kind. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Chen Soo Sen, Parliamentary Secretary, 
Ministry of Health and Prime Minister's Office.

5. '''A Tapestry of Love'''
A Tribute To The Elderly. This concert in English was held at Kallang Theatre on 23 & 24 July. 
Our Guest of Honour was Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Minister for Community Development. The 
elderly from a number of charitable organisations were invited as our VIPs. They were 
entertained by the pupils through song and dance to show our appreciation for their contribution
to our society.
 

== '''2000''' A Year to remember ==

1. First-ever Sports Meet at Night 
Held at our newly renovated synthetic running track on 1st April. Our Guest of Honour was
Mrs. Lee Miew Boey, Deputy Secretary (Services) Ministry of Education. The turn-out of 
parents at this event was overwhelming. 

2.  云开月明
A Chinese drama by our CLDDS, was held at the Nanyang Polytechnic Theatre of the Arts 
on 24 May 2000.

3. An Evening Under The Stars
First concert by the SN Symphonic Band was held at our new synthetic running track and field, on 26 May 2000. This concert was part of the band's fund-raising project for their trip to Kristianstad, Sweden, in June 2000, for the International Music Festival 2000. Appropriately, the Guest-of-Honour for the concert was the Ambassador of Sweden, Her Excellency Mrs Eva Walder-Brundin.

4. The Official Opening of the Lifeskill Centre and the upgrading of the Synthetic Running Track, 3 July. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Health. The event was attended by more than 2000 parents, alumnae guests and well-wishers.

5. Musical Potpourri
Staged by Chamber Ensemble in DBS Auditorium on 16 July, Sunday. Our Guest of Honour 
was Mr. Peter Low, Member of the IJ Board of Management.

6. Yellow Suitcase & Red Spittoon
A drama by ELDDS presented at the Victoria Theatre , 19 & 20 July. Our Guest of Honour
 was Professor Leo Tan, Director, National Institute of Education.

7. N4 Concerto
The school commemorated Racial Harmony Day on 21 July together with pupils from N4 
cluster schools with the N4 Concerto. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Tan Kiak Seng, Cluster Superintendent North 4. All the 3500 participants used cooking utensils (chopsticks, kwali) 
of the different ethnic groups in our country to make music in unison.

8. National Chinese Cultural Quiz through IT for Primary and Secondary Schools
A quiz held on 22 July to promote greater awareness of Chinese culture through the use of 
IT in the learning of the Chinese language. This is the first year that both primary and 
secondary schools were invited to take part in this competition. About 75 schools participated 
in this competition. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State for 
Education.

9. School Exhibition: SyNerGiSe III - on Wings of Eagles cum Health Fair 2000, 
23 - 25 July
The works of the entire school, from Primary 1 to Secondary 4, were put on display and about 
5000 visitors from the St. Nicholas Girls' community (parents, old girls, etc.), the Ministry of 
Education and other schools, viewed the exhibits.

== '''Farewell to Our Principal''' ==
'''10. Farewell to the Principal, 3 Nov. - 27 Dec'''
Mrs. Hwang-Lee Poh See retired from the teaching service on 31 Dec. 2000, after 29 years as the Principal. 

Three major farewell functions were carried out: 

The pupils put up a Farewell Road Show on Friday, 3 November 2000. The Principal was led on a trail of performances put up by at least 20 groups. Along the trail, she was greeted by numerous pupils who presented her with gifts and souvenirs, and there were many touching scenes where words of appreciation were expressed and tears were shed.

Mrs. Hwang was given a rousing farewell on Friday, 17 November, at the new track and field in the school. Tribute to Mrs. Hwang, A Grand Farewell, was attended by a crowd of about 10,000, comprising parents, old girls, teachers, pupils and well wishers. 

The staff and pupils presented an extravaganza of mass displays, song, poetry and dance, and were treated to a grand buffet prepared by the parents. Highlights of the event included the launch of a website dedicated to Mrs. Hwang.

The St. Nicholas Girls' School Alumnae Association and the staff threw a grand Farewell Dinner for Mrs. Hwang, on Wednesday, 27 December 2000, at the Mandarin Hotel. A crowd of 1,600, comprising old girls, parents, teachers and pupils, friends and well-wishers attended the function. The Alumnae Association paid tribute to Mrs. Hwang by way of a specially prepared video presentation while the staff of the school presented Mrs. Hwang with a special book -- a compilation of prose and poetry written by the staff, parents and old girls, dedicated to Mrs. Hwang.
 
2001
'''Miss Helen Choo Chieh Chen became the principal when Mrs Hwang-Lee Poh See retired.''' 

Kaleidophonia I was St. Nicholas Girls' School ever first band concert.

SyNerGiSe IV on Wings of Eagles
 
2002 1.      Our very first Swimming Carnival was held at Yio Chu Kang Swimming Complex on 11th 
May.

2.      Our Symphonic Band put up a performance at the Swissotel the Stamford and Raffles the Plaza.

3.      Our very first WITs Convention

4.      The annual SNG Science Odyssey finals were held on the 13th Jul in our school. Here to grace the occasion were guest-of-honour Dr Diong Cheong Hoong, Head of the Singapore Institute of Biology and N4 Cluster superintendent Mr Tan Kiak Seng.

5.      Promenade was our first "Arts in the Park" concert where guests walk around the school to view various choral, dance and drama performances.

6.      Launch of first Student Electronic Suggestion Scheme

7.   SyNerGiSe V on Meeting of Minds was held from the 1st to 3rd Aug with problem-based learning projects done by the Pri 5 and interdisciplinary project work done by the Sec 1 & 2 pupils
 
2003     1. Admission into the Singapore Quality Class. Membership in the SQC is 
        granted to organizations that have attained a commendable level of 
        performance based on the Singapore Quality Award framework.

    2. 70th Anniversary Concert ¨C Fluid Fusion at Kallang Theatre. Held on the 
        1st Aug as part of a series of events to mark our 70th anniversary, a 
        spectacular presentation by the performing arts groups of both the Pri 
        and Sec sections was put up at the Kallang Theatre.

    3. National Track and Field Championship- Twin Championship titles for the 
        Secondary Section. This is the second year in a row for St Nicholas 
        Sports team to clinch the top award in the National Track and Field 
        Championship! 

    4. The Annual Science Odyssey was held in our school on the 4th and 12th 
        Jul. The champion school for this year is Fairfield Methodist Primary 
        School.

    5. Project Work Symposium in place of SyNerGise. This year, 7 other 
       secondary schools joined us at the symposium. Projects were put up in 
       our school and it was a fresh experience for the students.

    6. 70th Anniversary Dinner at Raffles City Convention Centre on 29 Aug. 
        Almost 1000 teachers, students, alumnae and friends of the school were 
        gathered at the gala dinner to celebrate St Nicholas¡¯s 70th anniversary 
        and Teachers¡¯ Day.

2004     1.    Multimedia Information Technology Society launch   
           CONNEXIONS
           This newsletter will be published four times a year.

    2.    St Nicholas Badminton clinch the B-Division championship
           This is the fist time we have clinched this title after years of hard work.

    3.   B and C Division Table Tennis teams both emerged champions in the 
          North Zone tournament
          Through sheer hard work and determination, our B and C Division 
          Table Tennis teams both emerged champions in the North Zone  
          tournament.

4.    Citibank purchased 12,000 of our lifeSpriNGs water to be distributed to its four branches in
Singapore 
The reason is because the size of the bottle was just right for their CitiGold clients to consume during their visits to the bank. The uniqueness of the name ¡®lifeSpriNGS¡¯ and the fact that it is oxygenated water were additional pull factors.

5.        St Nicholas Debating team emerge as runner-up in the Singapore    
 Secondary Schools Debating  Championship
 We had emerged the runner-up after putting up a good fight against the  
 United World College of Southeast Asia.

    6.    Launch of the Grandparents Breakfast Club
          This club was officially launched by Mr Inderjit Singh, an MP for Ang  
          Mo Kio GRC, on 12 May in our school hall, in the presence of some  
          50 senior citizens,grassroots leaders, and staff of our school.

    7.    Public speaking convention ¡§C Compassidence
    This is a public speaking convention jointly organized by Catholic High  
    School and CHIJ St.Nicholas Girls¡¯ School held on the 19th June 2004

    8.    Student Immersion Programme
    Different students went to Japan and Germany for this programme to 
    learn their cultures and also to study there.

    9.    True Blue An IJ Arts Fest celebrating 150 years of the CHIJ Spirit
    Over the weekend of 3-4 Juky, the 11 CHIJ schools got together at
    Chijmes, where the Town Convent and St Nicholas were originally  
    located, to mark 150 years of the IJ Spirit in Singapore.
    Many from our school-alumnae, parents, teachers, students-were  
    actively involved in the 24-hour-long celebrations.

   10.   National Interschool Swimming Championships
    Our B division had gotten the 1st runner up and our C Division had  
    emerged 2nd runner up.

   11.   National Interschool Trampoline Championship 
    Our Gymnastics had clinched the 2nd runner-up placing.

   12.   National Interschool Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship 
          Our B Division had gotten the 3rd overall and the C Division had 
          emerged as the overall champion.

   13.   National Interschool Track And Field Championships
    Both or B and C Division had emerged champions for the third year 
    running.
 

== '''Our vision, mission and values''' ==
 

Our Vision 学校目标   
A Leader In Every Student
人尽其才，让每个学生都能以其本身的长处，发挥其领导才能
 

Our Mission 学校宗旨
A Christ centred school where all people work for the promotion of truth, justice, freedom and love; with a special awareness of the viewpoint of the disadvantaged.
我校以基督教义作为办学重点，学校成员的任务在于灌输学生们正确人生观，价值观。培育学生良好的品德，忠诚，正直，善良而向往自由，同时关怀同情不幸者。   

Our Motto 校训 
Simple in virtue, Steadfast in duty
德纯义坚

Our Values 学校价值观
ROOTS 根  
Gratitude and Humility 
饮水思源：感恩报爱，温文尔雅，高贵大方，谦恭有礼。  

Sisterly Love 
姐妹同心：学校，家庭与校友会携手合作，同学之间相亲相爱，情同手足，发扬互助友爱的精神。 

Dignity for all 
互相敬重：不分种族，年龄，能力及地位。 

WINGS 翼  
Lead and Serve
发挥潜能：迎接挑战，以便服务社会，领导人群，贡献国家。  

Create and Celebrate
富有创意：积极进取，精益求精。

Learn from Life
活学巧用：从生活中学习，丰富阅历兼收并蓄，融会贯通。

The School Crest  

The School Crest is one that is shared by our schools all the world over.

In the centre of the Crest lies a red shield with a silver band edged in gold. The shield, surmounted by a gold cross, is encircled by a garland of marguerites. The garland of marguerites speaks of simplicity - the most charming trait in young girlhood.

On the right lies the Gospel with a silver rosary. The Gospel is the light of your life - live by it and you will attain peace. The rosary is the Gospel in miniature seen through the eyes of the Virgin Mary; pray it and you will grow.

On the left are a golden distaff and spindle: symbols of womanly labour. A life without labour is a wearisome affair; with it, life is meaningful and satisfying.

Emblazoned on the Crest is our motto: "Simple in virtue, Steadfast in duty."

Virtue is a personal possession; no one can take it away from you against your will. An upright virtue goes to one's neighbour with spontaneous warmth. It judges oneself with humble honesty. And it goes straight to God with child-like confidence.

When you see our badge on your companion, remember that it is a token of membership in a School whose patron is the Divine Child Himself.

When you wear it yourself, you might say it with Saint Paul that you are "a citizen of no mean city."

Wear it with pride, then, for it is a symbol of honour.

Attributes Of A St. Nicholas Graduate

CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School endeavors to provide a quality, comprehensive education and an environment with many unique features. Thus our expectations of our pupils are high. Our vision of a St. Nicholas Girls' School Graduate is that of a cultured, refined and noble lady with great inner beauty, loving God, Nature, and Mankind, and possess all the desirable qualities and attributes that are expected of an Asian lady. 

As a St. Nicholas Graduate, she is effectively bilingual, being fluent and articulate in both the Chinese and English Languages. She continually seeks self-improvement and, in the face of rapid changes in the society, she is able to maintain her bearing and self-confidence. She can function independently, creatively and wisely. She is analytical and discerning, with organisational and leadership skills, and has a love of knowledge for its own sake.

She knows that education is a life-long endeavour and is prepared to meet whatever challenges await her. She will therefore continually strive to be adapt at selecting and using technology, yet maintaining a keen awareness of the societal effects of technology advances. She will put her education into action and will show initiative, have a keen sense of adventure and have the courage and wisdom to take informed risks for the betterment of her family and society, within her own country as well as beyond its shores. She will rise above cultural barriers and work well with people internationally.

A loyal Singaporean, she understands and appreciates the importance of the Shared Values of Singapore and realises that these values are essential to the peace, harmony and good will of her family, community, society and Nation. She also has been guided to see the importance of putting the welfare and good of others before her own interests and needs.

By the time of her graduation from St. Nicholas, she is able to play at least one musical instrument and has learned sports and games that will help her to keep fit and healthy throughout her life. She also appreciates music and art and processes all the domestic skills necessary for cooking, sewing, gardening and house decorating so as to be a good wife, mother and hostess. She is thus able to occupy her time meaningfully and fruitfully.

She is able to socialise easily and has a great sense of propriety, knowing how to dress tastefully and appropriately and to carry herself elegantly. She is able to mix and relate well with young or old, rich or poor. As a convent girl, she appreciates the advantages her education has given her and accepts with a glad heart that she has a special obligation to the under-privileged, old, handicapped and disadvantaged in our society.

She is sensitive towards the feelings of others and has learned to be tactful, considerate, caring and kind. She does her best to understand and respect people of other races, religions, cultures and traditions, while she herself honours the core values of our nation and culture.

She is adaptable and versatile both at home as well as in society. She is a religious young woman who accepts, propagates and practises Singapore's Family values. She is prepared to be a gracious wife and mother as well as a dynamic leader and organiser. However, when the occasion warrants, she has the humility to let others lead. She know her strengths and accepts her limitations.

She participates enthusiastically in all that she does. She has a positive attitude towards life and living. She is totally involved and committed in her contribution to family and nation. Her intensity is such that she is able to inspire other to follow suit.

She is a joyful, loyal, serene and genteel person who works towards a cohesive society. She is ever ready to sacrifice self for family and nation. In the face of adversity, she has perseverance and courage. She sees herself as a global citizen, part of mankind with a common aspiration towards peace and harmony.

She is a leader of tomorrow.

For more infomation, go to [http://www.sngs.sch.edu.sg/]add-to-it by [[alien]]&[[User:Terry How|Terry How]] 01:25, 30 Sep 2005 (SGT)say Hi when U see ME!or Terri when she come back to Spore!

== Our Founder- Father Nicholas Barre ==


Nicholas Barre was born in France at Amiens in the fall of 1621. 

When he was about ten years old, an event occurred which profoundly moved him. A sister of his, to whom he was particularly attached, took ill. The doctors despaired of her recovery, and one afternoon when her brother returned from school, he found her at death’s door. Panic-stricken, he ran to his own room, threw himself down before the altar there, and with an earnestness compounded of grief and hope, begged God to spare his sister. When he came out, he ran straight to his mother and looking at her with a radiant smile said – “Mother, do not worry. Marie is not going to die: she is going to get better.” And recover she did. 

Almost immediately after that incident, at the age of ten, Nicholas took a vow of service to God for the rest of his life. He went to Jesuit College in his home town. Learning was no trouble for him. He took to it as a duck to water. Naturally reflective and clear-thinking, endowed with a prodigious memory, and capable of enduring his own company indefinitely, he reached admirably to the highly systematized education of the Jesuits. 

Having finished his education, this young man faced a rosy future in the form of a brilliant career in the law courts. However, he turned it down for quite another manner of life. In October 1640, he got himself admitted to the Couvent des Minimes of Amiens. That order was one of the strictest in the Church, laying stress on silence and mortification as a means to deep humble love of God and others. A biographer writes of him at this time that he was a young man “of deep silence… and humbles in everything he did”, that he never spoke of himself and discouraged others from doing so. He shield away from all limelight. 

As a result of these unusual qualities of nature and of grace, Nicholas was, while still only a deacon, appointed Professor of Theology, and sent to Paris to teach the young candidates for the priesthood in the Place Royale. This procedure on the part of his superiors was a mark of confidence and respect, quite out of the ordinary. 

After fifteen years of self-giving in this capacity, he fell ill and became depressed. Uncertainty possessed his mind. This mental trail brought him back to Amiens where he was given the charge of sacristan. Here his native air and the calming influence of his charge soon restored him to complete health. Nicholas was now ready for his real life’s work. In 1659, he was sent to the city of Rouen. 

Fond of retirement and fostering with loving care the fragile virtue of humility, here in this great center of Normandy, the quiet man became famous. 

People began to speak about his preaching. It was said that he made sermons as interesting as plays. He was described as having “an eloquence quite unusual, and a homely wit that is altogether refreshing.” He once said,” When you are assailed by a barrage of insults, run to shelter, keep quiet, the storm will pass and you can continue your journey or resume your work afterwards, as if nothing at all had happened.” 

By the time he reached his fortieth year, Father Barre had uppermost in his mind the idea of teaching the poor, adult sinners and ignorant children. 

One of his first helpers was a lady of fashion who was well known for being a hard and selfish woman. Following her conversation, she put herself at the disposal of Father Barre. Spending most of her time among the poor, living like them, seeing life from their viewpoint, understanding their ways and becoming their friend, she became interested in the priest’s ambition to raise by means of Christian education the moral standards of the despised people in Rouen. Under his guidance, she started classes herself at Darnetal, a suburb of Rouen, and when Father Barre opened his first schools, it was her he turned to for support. 

In the meantime, other powerful friends had appeared, men of prestige in the city who were in position to estimate the importance of the new educational endeavour. Two of them were parish priests; four were lay gentlemen. Then, there were the teachers, or the “maitresses” as they were called. So, at Sotteville-les-Rouen, the first “Charitable School” was opened by the “Charitable Mistresses” in 1662. Those teachers went out each morning form Rouen to Sotteville, about a mile’s journey, and there they spent the day teaching the poor children, going, where necessary, from house to house to find them. 

The venture was a great experiment. It was eminently successful. Encouraged by his success, Father Barre opened classes in the heart of Rouen itself, in a house given by a benefactress. Another school was started near the Carmelite Convent, and after a little while, three more in the streets. 

Many conversations to the faith took place among the people they reached this way. The teachers also taught catechism to the people. However, success in the Lord’s service is usually troubled by difficulty and it provoked the jealousy of existing teachers known as “writing-masters”. The opposition of these men and their partisans who denounced the timely schools as “importance novelties” caused Father Barre to suffer a great deal. His energy was drained, and his health ruined. 

Nevertheless, he had very definite ideas about his work. The social need calling for most urgent attention was education – not any kind of education, but the type that would reach out to every individual child, bring it to school and arrange for it there a syllabus of studies within the scope of its limited ability. He had attempted, with little or no success, to put these principles into action for boys; he failed to obtain from the men teachers at the absolute detachment from material things and the complete dependence on Providence which were needed for the task and which were so whole-heartedly given by the women. Girls are the future mothers of families and on them depend the habits and morals of the home. The schools were to be free: the studies, the three R’s, and a thorough grounding in the doctrines and duties of Christianity. Special programmes should be drawn up for Sundays, conferences, games, etc. particular attention given to young girls to preserve their morals and to help them in times of trouble. To comply with these needs, he maintained that the teachers (sisters) should not be cloistered. 

What were the new schools called? Father Barre himself was always in favour of: ”Charitable Christian Schools of the Holy Infant Jesus”, but when many of the schools were opened, the founder had not yet revealed his complete plan, so different localities gave different names to their schools. When he founded his schools in Paris, he gave them the name of his hearts’ desire – the schools of the Holy Infant Jesus. 

In 1675, for some unknown reason, Nicholas Barre was recalled from his apostolic work in Rouen to resume in the Convent de la Place Royale in Paris, his philosophy and theology classes to young seminarians. A princess of royal blood, Marie of Lorraine, one day, asked him to go and see her about a project she had in mind – to open a school for poor girls in Paris. She earnestly asked him for a few of his Charitable Mistresses to run the school. 

At this juncture, a new protector appeared on the scene, none other than Louis XLV himself. Father Barre was approached on the matter of popular education, and was assigned the task of educating daughters of nobility instead. 

But before that work could be finished, Father Barre’s health began to decline visibly. On May 24, 1686, as he descended the altar steps after celebrating his mass, he was overcome by a violent attack of convulsions and collapsed. He never recovered. 

Father Barre died at the age of 64.


== '''History of St. Nicholas Girls' School''' ==


'''1933'''
'''Founded on 16 January by the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus sisters as a Chinese School. The first principal was Sister Solong from France. The school was named "Victoria Girls' School".'''

1936
Sister Felix became the next principal. She was Irish.

1937
A complete primary school was established.

1938
Sister Marie Mercedes became principal.

1940
Sister Françoise Lee took over the post of principal. She was the first 
Chinese principal.

1941
First graduation ceremony was held.

1942
Interruption by World War II.

1945
After the war, the school was reopened on November 1st.

1949
The school premises moved to Victoria Street.

1951
The first batch of lower secondary pupils held their graduation ceremony.

1952
The first batch of upper secondary pupils held their graduation ceremony.

1962
The school conducted Pre-University classes.

1963
Graduation of the first batch of pre-university pupils.

1971
Plans for a new school building with 28 classrooms at Lorong 1, Toa Payoh, 
were made. The design for the school building was confirmed.

Sister Françoise Lee retired at the end of 1971. 

1972
Mrs Hwang-Lee Poh See became principal when Sr. Françoise Lee retired
at the end of 1971.

1973
The school celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a concert at the National Theatre.

Mrs. Hwang, the Principal, anticipating that the site might not be sufficient to house a rapidly growing student population, approached various authorities for a change in the site, a bigger one which could accommodate a bigger school building with more facilities and classrooms.

1976 The Pre-University classes were closed.
 
1979
The school held a concert at the National Theatre where the entire St. Nicholas Family gathered together, to commemorate its 45th Anniversary.

A Garden Party was held to celebrate Teachers' Day. To show their appreciation for the teachers, thousands of old girls, parents and pupils came up with various dishes for a pot-luck feast within the school compound.

'''A Pre-Primary section was begun.'''

The school was chosen to be one of the 9 Special Assistance Plan Schools (SAP) to preserve Chinese traditions through the learning of the Chinese Language and of English Language at a higher level.

Mrs. Hwang approached Dr. Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for Education, for approval to acquire a new site for the school.
Approval was eventually given for the school to choose an alternative site.
 
1980
The school population increased tremendously over the years. The Primary 5 and 6 pupils had to be accommodated at the old Tao Nan School while some secondary classes has their lessons at the former Raffles Girls' Primary School.

 
1981
A concert for Senior Citizens was held at the Victoria Theatre.

 
1982
The pupils left Tao Nan School. The school made use of the whole RGPS compound. About half the pupil population was accommodated here.

 
1983
1. Part of the student body moved to the former Chong Boon Secondary School at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

2. The school celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee with a dinner for over 1,200 guests at the Neptune Theatre Restaurant, a drama presentation entitled 'Jenny's Rainbow' at the DBS Auditorium and a School Reunion at Victoria Street, attended by thousands of former students.
 
1984
The entire premises fo Chong Boon Secondary School at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 was offered as a temporary site. It accommodated Primary 6 to Secondary 4 pupils. The Townville Primary School at Avenue 8 was used to accommodate the pupils from the rest of the primary section. A Singathon was held at Chong Boon Secondary School at Avenue 10.

 
'''1985
The entire school moved to our present premises at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2 Street 13.'''

 
1986
The school was officially opened by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Minister for Education, on 23 August 1986.

 
1988
The school celebrated its 55th Anniversary with a Fun Fair, Drama Night, Thanksgiving Concelebrated High Mass, a banquet at Westin Stamford Hotel and an Art & Craft Exhibition with about 5,000 displays.

 
1990
The Building Committee for the school expansion was set up and building consultants were appointed. A drama studio, a dance studio, an art and craft centre, a home-markers' centre was incorporated into the school expansion project - the Life Skills Centre.     

 
The school was involved in a combined performance with four other IJ Secondary Schools, "Land Beyond The Rainbow", for the Official Opening Ceremony of the 1990 Singapore Youth Festival at the National Stadium.
 
1991
The Official Fund Raising project for the school expansion programme was started - The cost for the new school expansion was about $11 million and that for the repair and renovation of the existing building was about $5 million. The school raised about $6 million. A letter appealing for direct donation was sent to all parents.

 
1992
The ground breaking ceremony for the school expansion was held. The St Nicholas Alumnae Association organised a donation draw to raise funds for the school. The construction of the New Expansion Building came into progress.


== An Event to Note ==
 
1993
'''The school celebrated its 60th Anniversary:'''               

A musical and dramatic performance 'St Nicholas Extravaganza' at the World Trade Centre auditorium on 2nd and 3rd April.

A Concelebrated High Mass in the school hall by the Archbishop, His Grace, Gregory Yong on May 26th.

A gala evening, "St Nicholas Thanks You", at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 14th August. It involved 5,000 performers comprising students, parents, alumnae and their families and was attended by 30,000 guests. Mr Lee Yock Suan, the minister for Education, was the Guest-of-Honour. This function was attended by 30,000 guests.
 
1994
1. At the Singapore Youth Festival,  888 secondary 1, 2 and 3 pupils presented a dance entitled "Youth Rejoicing, Youth Resounding" at the Official Opening Ceremony of the

2. The $16 million school expansion project was completed in July while the repair and renovation work on the existing building continued until the end of the year.

1995
1. The school put up a school concert: "St Nicholas Night - An Evening of Music and Dance" which included a musical, "Land Beyond the Rainbow" at the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF) auditorium.     

2. The school started functioning as an autonomous school.

3. Facilities at the new expansion - Life Skills Centre - were fully utilised as from January.

1996
1. The school put up an original play, "PROJECT S.H.O.P (Stop Harming Our Planet)" at the Victoria Theatre. It was attended by parents, grandparents, former students, alumnae and the community.
 
1997
1. History was made when the first election of student leaders was held. The student body went through the entire process of elections - nomination, campaigning and going to the polled to elect the following: head prefect, deputy head prefects, head monitor and deputy head monitors. 

2. The school organised a Teacher's Day  Cross Country Walk-a-Jog on 30 August. Guest-of-Honour was Ms Brenda Yeow( Inspector of Schools).

3. The school held its first 'Cyberfest SNG '97', to showcase the Information Technology efforts of the staff and students from 5, 6 and 7 September. The Guest-of-Honour was Ms Lim Soon Tze (Director of Schools). More than 10,000 pupils, parents, alumnae, officials from various departments of the Ministry of Education and well-wishers, viewed the exhibits.

1998
A special celebration programme involving the entire St. Nicholas community and friends was carried out to commemorate the school抯 '''65th anniversary'''.

- The first event was a Concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass on 29th May, with our Archbishop Gregory Yong and several other priests leading the St. Nicholas family to thank God for His blessings and guidance through the decades.

- The second was an extensive project fair, SyNerGiSe, - On Wings of Eagles, from 27th July to 1st August, with Mr. Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State for Education as the Guest of Honour. The fair attracted about 20 000 visitors to its display of more than 2 000 projects produced by both the primary and secondary pupils and their 
teachers, involving the parents and old girls.

- The third was the grand St. Nicholas Family Dinner at the Suntec City Convention Centre on 22nd August, with Dr. Aline Wong, Senior Minister of State for Education, as the Guest of Honour. The dinner was attended by 5 500 friends, parents, students and alumnae including many who flew in from abroad. The highlights were Thousand Voices in Unison 'Ties That Bind' an item put up by our fellow Asian students and their parents, and dances by members of the Alumnae.
¡¡

On 6 June 1998 the Symphonic Band held a combined concert, Festivo Unison, with Catholic High School Military Band, to foster a cordial working relationship between the two bands. The concert was held at St. Joseph's Institution's La Salle Centre for Performing Arts.
 
1999
1. The COMPASS Group led by Minister for Education, Rear Adm. Teo Chee Hean, visited 
our school on 7 May 2000. They were impressed by the enthusiasm and involvement of parents 
in the school activities. 

2. SyNerGiSe II -- On Wings of Eagles, Project Fair 1999 
4th to 7th August 1999.
Guest of Honour Ms. Goh Soon Poh, Director, Personnel, Ministry of Education. The week-long 
fair attracted many visitors to its display of the projects produced by both the primary and 
secondary pupils and their teachers. Alumnae members and parents too helped in the project
fair.

3. '''孝亲敬老文娱晚会''' A concert in Mandarin by our 3000 pupils to commemorate the 
International Year of Older Persons, was held on 30 May, 7 pm, at the Nanyang Polytechnic Auditorium.. Our Guest of honour, Dr Ow Chin Hock, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs and Mayor of Tanjong Pager. The elderly from the Clan Associations and various 
charitable organisations were invited to the concert. Grand-parents of our pupils were invited 
as our special guests.

4. National Chinese Cultural Quiz through IT for Primary Schools, 8 July
Our school organised the quiz to promote a greater awareness of Chinese culture and the 
use of IT in learning Chinese language. About 45 Primary Schools participated in this first ever competition of its kind. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Chen Soo Sen, Parliamentary Secretary, 
Ministry of Health and Prime Minister's Office.

5. '''A Tapestry of Love'''
A Tribute To The Elderly. This concert in English was held at Kallang Theatre on 23 & 24 July. 
Our Guest of Honour was Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Minister for Community Development. The 
elderly from a number of charitable organisations were invited as our VIPs. They were 
entertained by the pupils through song and dance to show our appreciation for their contribution
to our society.
 

== '''2000''' A Year to remember ==

1. First-ever Sports Meet at Night 
Held at our newly renovated synthetic running track on 1st April. Our Guest of Honour was
Mrs. Lee Miew Boey, Deputy Secretary (Services) Ministry of Education. The turn-out of 
parents at this event was overwhelming. 

2.  云开月明
A Chinese drama by our CLDDS, was held at the Nanyang Polytechnic Theatre of the Arts 
on 24 May 2000.

3. An Evening Under The Stars
First concert by the SN Symphonic Band was held at our new synthetic running track and field, on 26 May 2000. This concert was part of the band's fund-raising project for their trip to Kristianstad, Sweden, in June 2000, for the International Music Festival 2000. Appropriately, the Guest-of-Honour for the concert was the Ambassador of Sweden, Her Excellency Mrs Eva Walder-Brundin.

4. The Official Opening of the Lifeskill Centre and the upgrading of the Synthetic Running Track, 3 July. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Health. The event was attended by more than 2000 parents, alumnae guests and well-wishers.

5. Musical Potpourri
Staged by Chamber Ensemble in DBS Auditorium on 16 July, Sunday. Our Guest of Honour 
was Mr. Peter Low, Member of the IJ Board of Management.

6. Yellow Suitcase & Red Spittoon
A drama by ELDDS presented at the Victoria Theatre , 19 & 20 July. Our Guest of Honour
 was Professor Leo Tan, Director, National Institute of Education.

7. N4 Concerto
The school commemorated Racial Harmony Day on 21 July together with pupils from N4 
cluster schools with the N4 Concerto. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Tan Kiak Seng, Cluster Superintendent North 4. All the 3500 participants used cooking utensils (chopsticks, kwali) 
of the different ethnic groups in our country to make music in unison.

8. National Chinese Cultural Quiz through IT for Primary and Secondary Schools
A quiz held on 22 July to promote greater awareness of Chinese culture through the use of 
IT in the learning of the Chinese language. This is the first year that both primary and 
secondary schools were invited to take part in this competition. About 75 schools participated 
in this competition. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State for 
Education.

9. School Exhibition: SyNerGiSe III - on Wings of Eagles cum Health Fair 2000, 
23 - 25 July
The works of the entire school, from Primary 1 to Secondary 4, were put on display and about 
5000 visitors from the St. Nicholas Girls' community (parents, old girls, etc.), the Ministry of 
Education and other schools, viewed the exhibits.

== '''Farewell to Our Principal''' ==
'''10. Farewell to the Principal, 3 Nov. - 27 Dec'''
Mrs. Hwang-Lee Poh See retired from the teaching service on 31 Dec. 2000, after 29 years as the Principal. 

Three major farewell functions were carried out: 

The pupils put up a Farewell Road Show on Friday, 3 November 2000. The Principal was led on a trail of performances put up by at least 20 groups. Along the trail, she was greeted by numerous pupils who presented her with gifts and souvenirs, and there were many touching scenes where words of appreciation were expressed and tears were shed.

Mrs. Hwang was given a rousing farewell on Friday, 17 November, at the new track and field in the school. Tribute to Mrs. Hwang, A Grand Farewell, was attended by a crowd of about 10,000, comprising parents, old girls, teachers, pupils and well wishers. 

The staff and pupils presented an extravaganza of mass displays, song, poetry and dance, and were treated to a grand buffet prepared by the parents. Highlights of the event included the launch of a website dedicated to Mrs. Hwang.

The St. Nicholas Girls' School Alumnae Association and the staff threw a grand Farewell Dinner for Mrs. Hwang, on Wednesday, 27 December 2000, at the Mandarin Hotel. A crowd of 1,600, comprising old girls, parents, teachers and pupils, friends and well-wishers attended the function. The Alumnae Association paid tribute to Mrs. Hwang by way of a specially prepared video presentation while the staff of the school presented Mrs. Hwang with a special book -- a compilation of prose and poetry written by the staff, parents and old girls, dedicated to Mrs. Hwang.
 
2001
'''Miss Helen Choo Chieh Chen became the principal when Mrs Hwang-Lee Poh See retired.''' 

Kaleidophonia I was St. Nicholas Girls' School ever first band concert.

SyNerGiSe IV on Wings of Eagles
 
2002 1.      Our very first Swimming Carnival was held at Yio Chu Kang Swimming Complex on 11th 
May.

2.      Our Symphonic Band put up a performance at the Swissotel the Stamford and Raffles the Plaza.

3.      Our very first WITs Convention

4.      The annual SNG Science Odyssey finals were held on the 13th Jul in our school. Here to grace the occasion were guest-of-honour Dr Diong Cheong Hoong, Head of the Singapore Institute of Biology and N4 Cluster superintendent Mr Tan Kiak Seng.

5.      Promenade was our first "Arts in the Park" concert where guests walk around the school to view various choral, dance and drama performances.

6.      Launch of first Student Electronic Suggestion Scheme

7.   SyNerGiSe V on Meeting of Minds was held from the 1st to 3rd Aug with problem-based learning projects done by the Pri 5 and interdisciplinary project work done by the Sec 1 & 2 pupils
 
2003     1. Admission into the Singapore Quality Class. Membership in the SQC is 
        granted to organizations that have attained a commendable level of 
        performance based on the Singapore Quality Award framework.

    2. 70th Anniversary Concert ¨C Fluid Fusion at Kallang Theatre. Held on the 
        1st Aug as part of a series of events to mark our 70th anniversary, a 
        spectacular presentation by the performing arts groups of both the Pri 
        and Sec sections was put up at the Kallang Theatre.

    3. National Track and Field Championship- Twin Championship titles for the 
        Secondary Section. This is the second year in a row for St Nicholas 
        Sports team to clinch the top award in the National Track and Field 
        Championship! 

    4. The Annual Science Odyssey was held in our school on the 4th and 12th 
        Jul. The champion school for this year is Fairfield Methodist Primary 
        School.

    5. Project Work Symposium in place of SyNerGise. This year, 7 other 
       secondary schools joined us at the symposium. Projects were put up in 
       our school and it was a fresh experience for the students.

    6. 70th Anniversary Dinner at Raffles City Convention Centre on 29 Aug. 
        Almost 1000 teachers, students, alumnae and friends of the school were 
        gathered at the gala dinner to celebrate St Nicholas¡¯s 70th anniversary 
        and Teachers¡¯ Day.

2004     1.    Multimedia Information Technology Society launch   
           CONNEXIONS
           This newsletter will be published four times a year.

    2.    St Nicholas Badminton clinch the B-Division championship
           This is the fist time we have clinched this title after years of hard work.

    3.   B and C Division Table Tennis teams both emerged champions in the 
          North Zone tournament
          Through sheer hard work and determination, our B and C Division 
          Table Tennis teams both emerged champions in the North Zone  
          tournament.

4.    Citibank purchased 12,000 of our lifeSpriNGs water to be distributed to its four branches in
Singapore 
The reason is because the size of the bottle was just right for their CitiGold clients to consume during their visits to the bank. The uniqueness of the name ¡®lifeSpriNGS¡¯ and the fact that it is oxygenated water were additional pull factors.

5.        St Nicholas Debating team emerge as runner-up in the Singapore    
 Secondary Schools Debating  Championship
 We had emerged the runner-up after putting up a good fight against the  
 United World College of Southeast Asia.

    6.    Launch of the Grandparents Breakfast Club
          This club was officially launched by Mr Inderjit Singh, an MP for Ang  
          Mo Kio GRC, on 12 May in our school hall, in the presence of some  
          50 senior citizens,grassroots leaders, and staff of our school.

    7.    Public speaking convention ¡§C Compassidence
    This is a public speaking convention jointly organized by Catholic High  
    School and CHIJ St.Nicholas Girls¡¯ School held on the 19th June 2004

    8.    Student Immersion Programme
    Different students went to Japan and Germany for this programme to 
    learn their cultures and also to study there.

    9.    True Blue An IJ Arts Fest celebrating 150 years of the CHIJ Spirit
    Over the weekend of 3-4 Juky, the 11 CHIJ schools got together at
    Chijmes, where the Town Convent and St Nicholas were originally  
    located, to mark 150 years of the IJ Spirit in Singapore.
    Many from our school-alumnae, parents, teachers, students-were  
    actively involved in the 24-hour-long celebrations.

   10.   National Interschool Swimming Championships
    Our B division had gotten the 1st runner up and our C Division had  
    emerged 2nd runner up.

   11.   National Interschool Trampoline Championship 
    Our Gymnastics had clinched the 2nd runner-up placing.

   12.   National Interschool Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship 
          Our B Division had gotten the 3rd overall and the C Division had 
          emerged as the overall champion.

   13.   National Interschool Track And Field Championships
    Both or B and C Division had emerged champions for the third year 
    running.
 

== '''Our vision, mission and values''' ==
 

Our Vision 学校目标   
A Leader In Every Student
人尽其才，让每个学生都能以其本身的长处，发挥其领导才能
 

Our Mission 学校宗旨
A Christ centred school where all people work for the promotion of truth, justice, freedom and love; with a special awareness of the viewpoint of the disadvantaged.
我校以基督教义作为办学重点，学校成员的任务在于灌输学生们正确人生观，价值观。培育学生良好的品德，忠诚，正直，善良而向往自由，同时关怀同情不幸者。   

Our Motto 校训 
Simple in virtue, Steadfast in duty
德纯义坚

Our Values 学校价值观
ROOTS 根  
Gratitude and Humility 
饮水思源：感恩报爱，温文尔雅，高贵大方，谦恭有礼。  

Sisterly Love 
姐妹同心：学校，家庭与校友会携手合作，同学之间相亲相爱，情同手足，发扬互助友爱的精神。 

Dignity for all 
互相敬重：不分种族，年龄，能力及地位。 

WINGS 翼  
Lead and Serve
发挥潜能：迎接挑战，以便服务社会，领导人群，贡献国家。  

Create and Celebrate
富有创意：积极进取，精益求精。

Learn from Life
活学巧用：从生活中学习，丰富阅历兼收并蓄，融会贯通。

The School Crest  

The School Crest is one that is shared by our schools all the world over.

In the centre of the Crest lies a red shield with a silver band edged in gold. The shield, surmounted by a gold cross, is encircled by a garland of marguerites. The garland of marguerites speaks of simplicity - the most charming trait in young girlhood.

On the right lies the Gospel with a silver rosary. The Gospel is the light of your life - live by it and you will attain peace. The rosary is the Gospel in miniature seen through the eyes of the Virgin Mary; pray it and you will grow.

On the left are a golden distaff and spindle: symbols of womanly labour. A life without labour is a wearisome affair; with it, life is meaningful and satisfying.

Emblazoned on the Crest is our motto: "Simple in virtue, Steadfast in duty."

Virtue is a personal possession; no one can take it away from you against your will. An upright virtue goes to one's neighbour with spontaneous warmth. It judges oneself with humble honesty. And it goes straight to God with child-like confidence.

When you see our badge on your companion, remember that it is a token of membership in a School whose patron is the Divine Child Himself.

When you wear it yourself, you might say it with Saint Paul that you are "a citizen of no mean city."

Wear it with pride, then, for it is a symbol of honour.

Attributes Of A St. Nicholas Graduate

CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School endeavors to provide a quality, comprehensive education and an environment with many unique features. Thus our expectations of our pupils are high. Our vision of a St. Nicholas Girls' School Graduate is that of a cultured, refined and noble lady with great inner beauty, loving God, Nature, and Mankind, and possess all the desirable qualities and attributes that are expected of an Asian lady. 

As a St. Nicholas Graduate, she is effectively bilingual, being fluent and articulate in both the Chinese and English Languages. She continually seeks self-improvement and, in the face of rapid changes in the society, she is able to maintain her bearing and self-confidence. She can function independently, creatively and wisely. She is analytical and discerning, with organisational and leadership skills, and has a love of knowledge for its own sake.

She knows that education is a life-long endeavour and is prepared to meet whatever challenges await her. She will therefore continually strive to be adapt at selecting and using technology, yet maintaining a keen awareness of the societal effects of technology advances. She will put her education into action and will show initiative, have a keen sense of adventure and have the courage and wisdom to take informed risks for the betterment of her family and society, within her own country as well as beyond its shores. She will rise above cultural barriers and work well with people internationally.

A loyal Singaporean, she understands and appreciates the importance of the Shared Values of Singapore and realises that these values are essential to the peace, harmony and good will of her family, community, society and Nation. She also has been guided to see the importance of putting the welfare and good of others before her own interests and needs.

By the time of her graduation from St. Nicholas, she is able to play at least one musical instrument and has learned sports and games that will help her to keep fit and healthy throughout her life. She also appreciates music and art and processes all the domestic skills necessary for cooking, sewing, gardening and house decorating so as to be a good wife, mother and hostess. She is thus able to occupy her time meaningfully and fruitfully.

She is able to socialise easily and has a great sense of propriety, knowing how to dress tastefully and appropriately and to carry herself elegantly. She is able to mix and relate well with young or old, rich or poor. As a convent girl, she appreciates the advantages her education has given her and accepts with a glad heart that she has a special obligation to the under-privileged, old, handicapped and disadvantaged in our society.

She is sensitive towards the feelings of others and has learned to be tactful, considerate, caring and kind. She does her best to understand and respect people of other races, religions, cultures and traditions, while she herself honours the core values of our nation and culture.

She is adaptable and versatile both at home as well as in society. She is a religious young woman who accepts, propagates and practises Singapore's Family values. She is prepared to be a gracious wife and mother as well as a dynamic leader and organiser. However, when the occasion warrants, she has the humility to let others lead. She know her strengths and accepts her limitations.

She participates enthusiastically in all that she does. She has a positive attitude towards life and living. She is totally involved and committed in her contribution to family and nation. Her intensity is such that she is able to inspire other to follow suit.

She is a joyful, loyal, serene and genteel person who works towards a cohesive society. She is ever ready to sacrifice self for family and nation. In the face of adversity, she has perseverance and courage. She sees herself as a global citizen, part of mankind with a common aspiration towards peace and harmony.

She is a leader of tomorrow.

For more infomation, go to [http://www.sngs.sch.edu.sg/]add-to-it by [[alien]]&[[User:Terry How|Terry How]] 01:25, 30 Sep 2005 (SGT)say Hi when U see ME!or Terri when she come back to Spore!


== Our Founder- Father Nicholas Barre ==


Nicholas Barre was born in France at Amiens in the fall of 1621. 

When he was about ten years old, an event occurred which profoundly moved him. A sister of his, to whom he was particularly attached, took ill. The doctors despaired of her recovery, and one afternoon when her brother returned from school, he found her at death’s door. Panic-stricken, he ran to his own room, threw himself down before the altar there, and with an earnestness compounded of grief and hope, begged God to spare his sister. When he came out, he ran straight to his mother and looking at her with a radiant smile said – “Mother, do not worry. Marie is not going to die: she is going to get better.” And recover she did. 

Almost immediately after that incident, at the age of ten, Nicholas took a vow of service to God for the rest of his life. He went to Jesuit College in his home town. Learning was no trouble for him. He took to it as a duck to water. Naturally reflective and clear-thinking, endowed with a prodigious memory, and capable of enduring his own company indefinitely, he reached admirably to the highly systematized education of the Jesuits. 

Having finished his education, this young man faced a rosy future in the form of a brilliant career in the law courts. However, he turned it down for quite another manner of life. In October 1640, he got himself admitted to the Couvent des Minimes of Amiens. That order was one of the strictest in the Church, laying stress on silence and mortification as a means to deep humble love of God and others. A biographer writes of him at this time that he was a young man “of deep silence… and humbles in everything he did”, that he never spoke of himself and discouraged others from doing so. He shield away from all limelight. 

As a result of these unusual qualities of nature and of grace, Nicholas was, while still only a deacon, appointed Professor of Theology, and sent to Paris to teach the young candidates for the priesthood in the Place Royale. This procedure on the part of his superiors was a mark of confidence and respect, quite out of the ordinary. 

After fifteen years of self-giving in this capacity, he fell ill and became depressed. Uncertainty possessed his mind. This mental trail brought him back to Amiens where he was given the charge of sacristan. Here his native air and the calming influence of his charge soon restored him to complete health. Nicholas was now ready for his real life’s work. In 1659, he was sent to the city of Rouen. 

Fond of retirement and fostering with loving care the fragile virtue of humility, here in this great center of Normandy, the quiet man became famous. 

People began to speak about his preaching. It was said that he made sermons as interesting as plays. He was described as having “an eloquence quite unusual, and a homely wit that is altogether refreshing.” He once said,” When you are assailed by a barrage of insults, run to shelter, keep quiet, the storm will pass and you can continue your journey or resume your work afterwards, as if nothing at all had happened.” 

By the time he reached his fortieth year, Father Barre had uppermost in his mind the idea of teaching the poor, adult sinners and ignorant children. 

One of his first helpers was a lady of fashion who was well known for being a hard and selfish woman. Following her conversation, she put herself at the disposal of Father Barre. Spending most of her time among the poor, living like them, seeing life from their viewpoint, understanding their ways and becoming their friend, she became interested in the priest’s ambition to raise by means of Christian education the moral standards of the despised people in Rouen. Under his guidance, she started classes herself at Darnetal, a suburb of Rouen, and when Father Barre opened his first schools, it was her he turned to for support. 

In the meantime, other powerful friends had appeared, men of prestige in the city who were in position to estimate the importance of the new educational endeavour. Two of them were parish priests; four were lay gentlemen. Then, there were the teachers, or the “maitresses” as they were called. So, at Sotteville-les-Rouen, the first “Charitable School” was opened by the “Charitable Mistresses” in 1662. Those teachers went out each morning form Rouen to Sotteville, about a mile’s journey, and there they spent the day teaching the poor children, going, where necessary, from house to house to find them. 

The venture was a great experiment. It was eminently successful. Encouraged by his success, Father Barre opened classes in the heart of Rouen itself, in a house given by a benefactress. Another school was started near the Carmelite Convent, and after a little while, three more in the streets. 

Many conversations to the faith took place among the people they reached this way. The teachers also taught catechism to the people. However, success in the Lord’s service is usually troubled by difficulty and it provoked the jealousy of existing teachers known as “writing-masters”. The opposition of these men and their partisans who denounced the timely schools as “importance novelties” caused Father Barre to suffer a great deal. His energy was drained, and his health ruined. 

Nevertheless, he had very definite ideas about his work. The social need calling for most urgent attention was education – not any kind of education, but the type that would reach out to every individual child, bring it to school and arrange for it there a syllabus of studies within the scope of its limited ability. He had attempted, with little or no success, to put these principles into action for boys; he failed to obtain from the men teachers at the absolute detachment from material things and the complete dependence on Providence which were needed for the task and which were so whole-heartedly given by the women. Girls are the future mothers of families and on them depend the habits and morals of the home. The schools were to be free: the studies, the three R’s, and a thorough grounding in the doctrines and duties of Christianity. Special programmes should be drawn up for Sundays, conferences, games, etc. particular attention given to young girls to preserve their morals and to help them in times of trouble. To comply with these needs, he maintained that the teachers (sisters) should not be cloistered. 

What were the new schools called? Father Barre himself was always in favour of: ”Charitable Christian Schools of the Holy Infant Jesus”, but when many of the schools were opened, the founder had not yet revealed his complete plan, so different localities gave different names to their schools. When he founded his schools in Paris, he gave them the name of his hearts’ desire – the schools of the Holy Infant Jesus. 

In 1675, for some unknown reason, Nicholas Barre was recalled from his apostolic work in Rouen to resume in the Convent de la Place Royale in Paris, his philosophy and theology classes to young seminarians. A princess of royal blood, Marie of Lorraine, one day, asked him to go and see her about a project she had in mind – to open a school for poor girls in Paris. She earnestly asked him for a few of his Charitable Mistresses to run the school. 

At this juncture, a new protector appeared on the scene, none other than Louis XLV himself. Father Barre was approached on the matter of popular education, and was assigned the task of educating daughters of nobility instead. 

But before that work could be finished, Father Barre’s health began to decline visibly. On May 24, 1686, as he descended the altar steps after celebrating his mass, he was overcome by a violent attack of convulsions and collapsed. He never recovered. 

Father Barre died at the age of 64.


== '''History of St. Nicholas Girls' School''' ==


'''1933'''
'''Founded on 16 January by the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus sisters as a Chinese School. The first principal was Sister Solong from France. The school was named "Victoria Girls' School".'''

1936
Sister Felix became the next principal. She was Irish.

1937
A complete primary school was established.

1938
Sister Marie Mercedes became principal.

1940
Sister Françoise Lee took over the post of principal. She was the first 
Chinese principal.

1941
First graduation ceremony was held.

1942
Interruption by World War II.

1945
After the war, the school was reopened on November 1st.

1949
The school premises moved to Victoria Street.

1951
The first batch of lower secondary pupils held their graduation ceremony.

1952
The first batch of upper secondary pupils held their graduation ceremony.

1962
The school conducted Pre-University classes.

1963
Graduation of the first batch of pre-university pupils.

1971
Plans for a new school building with 28 classrooms at Lorong 1, Toa Payoh, 
were made. The design for the school building was confirmed.

Sister Françoise Lee retired at the end of 1971. 

1972
Mrs Hwang-Lee Poh See became principal when Sr. Françoise Lee retired
at the end of 1971.

1973
The school celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a concert at the National Theatre.

Mrs. Hwang, the Principal, anticipating that the site might not be sufficient to house a rapidly growing student population, approached various authorities for a change in the site, a bigger one which could accommodate a bigger school building with more facilities and classrooms.

1976 The Pre-University classes were closed.
 
1979
The school held a concert at the National Theatre where the entire St. Nicholas Family gathered together, to commemorate its 45th Anniversary.

A Garden Party was held to celebrate Teachers' Day. To show their appreciation for the teachers, thousands of old girls, parents and pupils came up with various dishes for a pot-luck feast within the school compound.

'''A Pre-Primary section was begun.'''

The school was chosen to be one of the 9 Special Assistance Plan Schools (SAP) to preserve Chinese traditions through the learning of the Chinese Language and of English Language at a higher level.

Mrs. Hwang approached Dr. Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for Education, for approval to acquire a new site for the school.
Approval was eventually given for the school to choose an alternative site.
 
1980
The school population increased tremendously over the years. The Primary 5 and 6 pupils had to be accommodated at the old Tao Nan School while some secondary classes has their lessons at the former Raffles Girls' Primary School.

 
1981
A concert for Senior Citizens was held at the Victoria Theatre.

 
1982
The pupils left Tao Nan School. The school made use of the whole RGPS compound. About half the pupil population was accommodated here.

 
1983
1. Part of the student body moved to the former Chong Boon Secondary School at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

2. The school celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee with a dinner for over 1,200 guests at the Neptune Theatre Restaurant, a drama presentation entitled 'Jenny's Rainbow' at the DBS Auditorium and a School Reunion at Victoria Street, attended by thousands of former students.
 
1984
The entire premises fo Chong Boon Secondary School at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 was offered as a temporary site. It accommodated Primary 6 to Secondary 4 pupils. The Townville Primary School at Avenue 8 was used to accommodate the pupils from the rest of the primary section. A Singathon was held at Chong Boon Secondary School at Avenue 10.

 
'''1985
The entire school moved to our present premises at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2 Street 13.'''

 
1986
The school was officially opened by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Minister for Education, on 23 August 1986.

 
1988
The school celebrated its 55th Anniversary with a Fun Fair, Drama Night, Thanksgiving Concelebrated High Mass, a banquet at Westin Stamford Hotel and an Art & Craft Exhibition with about 5,000 displays.

 
1990
The Building Committee for the school expansion was set up and building consultants were appointed. A drama studio, a dance studio, an art and craft centre, a home-markers' centre was incorporated into the school expansion project - the Life Skills Centre.     

 
The school was involved in a combined performance with four other IJ Secondary Schools, "Land Beyond The Rainbow", for the Official Opening Ceremony of the 1990 Singapore Youth Festival at the National Stadium.
 
1991
The Official Fund Raising project for the school expansion programme was started - The cost for the new school expansion was about $11 million and that for the repair and renovation of the existing building was about $5 million. The school raised about $6 million. A letter appealing for direct donation was sent to all parents.

 
1992
The ground breaking ceremony for the school expansion was held. The St Nicholas Alumnae Association organised a donation draw to raise funds for the school. The construction of the New Expansion Building came into progress.


== An Event to Note ==
 
1993
'''The school celebrated its 60th Anniversary:'''               

A musical and dramatic performance 'St Nicholas Extravaganza' at the World Trade Centre auditorium on 2nd and 3rd April.

A Concelebrated High Mass in the school hall by the Archbishop, His Grace, Gregory Yong on May 26th.

A gala evening, "St Nicholas Thanks You", at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 14th August. It involved 5,000 performers comprising students, parents, alumnae and their families and was attended by 30,000 guests. Mr Lee Yock Suan, the minister for Education, was the Guest-of-Honour. This function was attended by 30,000 guests.
 
1994
1. At the Singapore Youth Festival,  888 secondary 1, 2 and 3 pupils presented a dance entitled "Youth Rejoicing, Youth Resounding" at the Official Opening Ceremony of the

2. The $16 million school expansion project was completed in July while the repair and renovation work on the existing building continued until the end of the year.

1995
1. The school put up a school concert: "St Nicholas Night - An Evening of Music and Dance" which included a musical, "Land Beyond the Rainbow" at the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF) auditorium.     

2. The school started functioning as an autonomous school.

3. Facilities at the new expansion - Life Skills Centre - were fully utilised as from January.

1996
1. The school put up an original play, "PROJECT S.H.O.P (Stop Harming Our Planet)" at the Victoria Theatre. It was attended by parents, grandparents, former students, alumnae and the community.
 
1997
1. History was made when the first election of student leaders was held. The student body went through the entire process of elections - nomination, campaigning and going to the polled to elect the following: head prefect, deputy head prefects, head monitor and deputy head monitors. 

2. The school organised a Teacher's Day  Cross Country Walk-a-Jog on 30 August. Guest-of-Honour was Ms Brenda Yeow( Inspector of Schools).

3. The school held its first 'Cyberfest SNG '97', to showcase the Information Technology efforts of the staff and students from 5, 6 and 7 September. The Guest-of-Honour was Ms Lim Soon Tze (Director of Schools). More than 10,000 pupils, parents, alumnae, officials from various departments of the Ministry of Education and well-wishers, viewed the exhibits.

1998
A special celebration programme involving the entire St. Nicholas community and friends was carried out to commemorate the school抯 '''65th anniversary'''.

- The first event was a Concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass on 29th May, with our Archbishop Gregory Yong and several other priests leading the St. Nicholas family to thank God for His blessings and guidance through the decades.

- The second was an extensive project fair, SyNerGiSe, - On Wings of Eagles, from 27th July to 1st August, with Mr. Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State for Education as the Guest of Honour. The fair attracted about 20 000 visitors to its display of more than 2 000 projects produced by both the primary and secondary pupils and their 
teachers, involving the parents and old girls.

- The third was the grand St. Nicholas Family Dinner at the Suntec City Convention Centre on 22nd August, with Dr. Aline Wong, Senior Minister of State for Education, as the Guest of Honour. The dinner was attended by 5 500 friends, parents, students and alumnae including many who flew in from abroad. The highlights were Thousand Voices in Unison 'Ties That Bind' an item put up by our fellow Asian students and their parents, and dances by members of the Alumnae.
¡¡

On 6 June 1998 the Symphonic Band held a combined concert, Festivo Unison, with Catholic High School Military Band, to foster a cordial working relationship between the two bands. The concert was held at St. Joseph's Institution's La Salle Centre for Performing Arts.
 
1999
1. The COMPASS Group led by Minister for Education, Rear Adm. Teo Chee Hean, visited 
our school on 7 May 2000. They were impressed by the enthusiasm and involvement of parents 
in the school activities. 

2. SyNerGiSe II -- On Wings of Eagles, Project Fair 1999 
4th to 7th August 1999.
Guest of Honour Ms. Goh Soon Poh, Director, Personnel, Ministry of Education. The week-long 
fair attracted many visitors to its display of the projects produced by both the primary and 
secondary pupils and their teachers. Alumnae members and parents too helped in the project
fair.

3. '''孝亲敬老文娱晚会''' A concert in Mandarin by our 3000 pupils to commemorate the 
International Year of Older Persons, was held on 30 May, 7 pm, at the Nanyang Polytechnic Auditorium.. Our Guest of honour, Dr Ow Chin Hock, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs and Mayor of Tanjong Pager. The elderly from the Clan Associations and various 
charitable organisations were invited to the concert. Grand-parents of our pupils were invited 
as our special guests.

4. National Chinese Cultural Quiz through IT for Primary Schools, 8 July
Our school organised the quiz to promote a greater awareness of Chinese culture and the 
use of IT in learning Chinese language. About 45 Primary Schools participated in this first ever competition of its kind. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Chen Soo Sen, Parliamentary Secretary, 
Ministry of Health and Prime Minister's Office.

5. '''A Tapestry of Love'''
A Tribute To The Elderly. This concert in English was held at Kallang Theatre on 23 & 24 July. 
Our Guest of Honour was Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Minister for Community Development. The 
elderly from a number of charitable organisations were invited as our VIPs. They were 
entertained by the pupils through song and dance to show our appreciation for their contribution
to our society.
 

== '''2000''' A Year to remember ==

1. First-ever Sports Meet at Night 
Held at our newly renovated synthetic running track on 1st April. Our Guest of Honour was
Mrs. Lee Miew Boey, Deputy Secretary (Services) Ministry of Education. The turn-out of 
parents at this event was overwhelming. 

2.  云开月明
A Chinese drama by our CLDDS, was held at the Nanyang Polytechnic Theatre of the Arts 
on 24 May 2000.

3. An Evening Under The Stars
First concert by the SN Symphonic Band was held at our new synthetic running track and field, on 26 May 2000. This concert was part of the band's fund-raising project for their trip to Kristianstad, Sweden, in June 2000, for the International Music Festival 2000. Appropriately, the Guest-of-Honour for the concert was the Ambassador of Sweden, Her Excellency Mrs Eva Walder-Brundin.

4. The Official Opening of the Lifeskill Centre and the upgrading of the Synthetic Running Track, 3 July. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Health. The event was attended by more than 2000 parents, alumnae guests and well-wishers.

5. Musical Potpourri
Staged by Chamber Ensemble in DBS Auditorium on 16 July, Sunday. Our Guest of Honour 
was Mr. Peter Low, Member of the IJ Board of Management.

6. Yellow Suitcase & Red Spittoon
A drama by ELDDS presented at the Victoria Theatre , 19 & 20 July. Our Guest of Honour
 was Professor Leo Tan, Director, National Institute of Education.

7. N4 Concerto
The school commemorated Racial Harmony Day on 21 July together with pupils from N4 
cluster schools with the N4 Concerto. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Tan Kiak Seng, Cluster Superintendent North 4. All the 3500 participants used cooking utensils (chopsticks, kwali) 
of the different ethnic groups in our country to make music in unison.

8. National Chinese Cultural Quiz through IT for Primary and Secondary Schools
A quiz held on 22 July to promote greater awareness of Chinese culture through the use of 
IT in the learning of the Chinese language. This is the first year that both primary and 
secondary schools were invited to take part in this competition. About 75 schools participated 
in this competition. Our Guest of Honour was Mr. Peter Chen, Senior Minister of State for 
Education.

9. School Exhibition: SyNerGiSe III - on Wings of Eagles cum Health Fair 2000, 
23 - 25 July
The works of the entire school, from Primary 1 to Secondary 4, were put on display and about 
5000 visitors from the St. Nicholas Girls' community (parents, old girls, etc.), the Ministry of 
Education and other schools, viewed the exhibits.

== '''Farewell to Our Principal''' ==
'''10. Farewell to the Principal, 3 Nov. - 27 Dec'''
Mrs. Hwang-Lee Poh See retired from the teaching service on 31 Dec. 2000, after 29 years as the Principal. 

Three major farewell functions were carried out: 

The pupils put up a Farewell Road Show on Friday, 3 November 2000. The Principal was led on a trail of performances put up by at least 20 groups. Along the trail, she was greeted by numerous pupils who presented her with gifts and souvenirs, and there were many touching scenes where words of appreciation were expressed and tears were shed.

Mrs. Hwang was given a rousing farewell on Friday, 17 November, at the new track and field in the school. Tribute to Mrs. Hwang, A Grand Farewell, was attended by a crowd of about 10,000, comprising parents, old girls, teachers, pupils and well wishers. 

The staff and pupils presented an extravaganza of mass displays, song, poetry and dance, and were treated to a grand buffet prepared by the parents. Highlights of the event included the launch of a website dedicated to Mrs. Hwang.

The St. Nicholas Girls' School Alumnae Association and the staff threw a grand Farewell Dinner for Mrs. Hwang, on Wednesday, 27 December 2000, at the Mandarin Hotel. A crowd of 1,600, comprising old girls, parents, teachers and pupils, friends and well-wishers attended the function. The Alumnae Association paid tribute to Mrs. Hwang by way of a specially prepared video presentation while the staff of the school presented Mrs. Hwang with a special book -- a compilation of prose and poetry written by the staff, parents and old girls, dedicated to Mrs. Hwang.
 
2001
'''Miss Helen Choo Chieh Chen became the principal when Mrs Hwang-Lee Poh See retired.''' 

Kaleidophonia I was St. Nicholas Girls' School ever first band concert.

SyNerGiSe IV on Wings of Eagles
 
2002 1.      Our very first Swimming Carnival was held at Yio Chu Kang Swimming Complex on 11th 
May.

2.      Our Symphonic Band put up a performance at the Swissotel the Stamford and Raffles the Plaza.

3.      Our very first WITs Convention

4.      The annual SNG Science Odyssey finals were held on the 13th Jul in our school. Here to grace the occasion were guest-of-honour Dr Diong Cheong Hoong, Head of the Singapore Institute of Biology and N4 Cluster superintendent Mr Tan Kiak Seng.

5.      Promenade was our first "Arts in the Park" concert where guests walk around the school to view various choral, dance and drama performances.

6.      Launch of first Student Electronic Suggestion Scheme

7.   SyNerGiSe V on Meeting of Minds was held from the 1st to 3rd Aug with problem-based learning projects done by the Pri 5 and interdisciplinary project work done by the Sec 1 & 2 pupils
 
2003     1. Admission into the Singapore Quality Class. Membership in the SQC is 
        granted to organizations that have attained a commendable level of 
        performance based on the Singapore Quality Award framework.

    2. 70th Anniversary Concert ¨C Fluid Fusion at Kallang Theatre. Held on the 
        1st Aug as part of a series of events to mark our 70th anniversary, a 
        spectacular presentation by the performing arts groups of both the Pri 
        and Sec sections was put up at the Kallang Theatre.

    3. National Track and Field Championship- Twin Championship titles for the 
        Secondary Section. This is the second year in a row for St Nicholas 
        Sports team to clinch the top award in the National Track and Field 
        Championship! 

    4. The Annual Science Odyssey was held in our school on the 4th and 12th 
        Jul. The champion school for this year is Fairfield Methodist Primary 
        School.

    5. Project Work Symposium in place of SyNerGise. This year, 7 other 
       secondary schools joined us at the symposium. Projects were put up in 
       our school and it was a fresh experience for the students.

    6. 70th Anniversary Dinner at Raffles City Convention Centre on 29 Aug. 
        Almost 1000 teachers, students, alumnae and friends of the school were 
        gathered at the gala dinner to celebrate St Nicholas¡¯s 70th anniversary 
        and Teachers¡¯ Day.

2004     1.    Multimedia Information Technology Society launch   
           CONNEXIONS
           This newsletter will be published four times a year.

    2.    St Nicholas Badminton clinch the B-Division championship
           This is the fist time we have clinched this title after years of hard work.

    3.   B and C Division Table Tennis teams both emerged champions in the 
          North Zone tournament
          Through sheer hard work and determination, our B and C Division 
          Table Tennis teams both emerged champions in the North Zone  
          tournament.

4.    Citibank purchased 12,000 of our lifeSpriNGs water to be distributed to its four branches in
Singapore 
The reason is because the size of the bottle was just right for their CitiGold clients to consume during their visits to the bank. The uniqueness of the name ¡®lifeSpriNGS¡¯ and the fact that it is oxygenated water were additional pull factors.

5.        St Nicholas Debating team emerge as runner-up in the Singapore    
 Secondary Schools Debating  Championship
 We had emerged the runner-up after putting up a good fight against the  
 United World College of Southeast Asia.

    6.    Launch of the Grandparents Breakfast Club
          This club was officially launched by Mr Inderjit Singh, an MP for Ang  
          Mo Kio GRC, on 12 May in our school hall, in the presence of some  
          50 senior citizens,grassroots leaders, and staff of our school.

    7.    Public speaking convention ¡§C Compassidence
    This is a public speaking convention jointly organized by Catholic High  
    School and CHIJ St.Nicholas Girls¡¯ School held on the 19th June 2004

    8.    Student Immersion Programme
    Different students went to Japan and Germany for this programme to 
    learn their cultures and also to study there.

    9.    True Blue An IJ Arts Fest celebrating 150 years of the CHIJ Spirit
    Over the weekend of 3-4 Juky, the 11 CHIJ schools got together at
    Chijmes, where the Town Convent and St Nicholas were originally  
    located, to mark 150 years of the IJ Spirit in Singapore.
    Many from our school-alumnae, parents, teachers, students-were  
    actively involved in the 24-hour-long celebrations.

   10.   National Interschool Swimming Championships
    Our B division had gotten the 1st runner up and our C Division had  
    emerged 2nd runner up.

   11.   National Interschool Trampoline Championship 
    Our Gymnastics had clinched the 2nd runner-up placing.

   12.   National Interschool Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship 
          Our B Division had gotten the 3rd overall and the C Division had 
          emerged as the overall champion.

   13.   National Interschool Track And Field Championships
    Both or B and C Division had emerged champions for the third year 
    running.
 

== '''Our vision, mission and values''' ==
 

Our Vision 学校目标   
A Leader In Every Student
人尽其才，让每个学生都能以其本身的长处，发挥其领导才能
 

Our Mission 学校宗旨
A Christ centred school where all people work for the promotion of truth, justice, freedom and love; with a special awareness of the viewpoint of the disadvantaged.
我校以基督教义作为办学重点，学校成员的任务在于灌输学生们正确人生观，价值观。培育学生良好的品德，忠诚，正直，善良而向往自由，同时关怀同情不幸者。   

Our Motto 校训 
Simple in virtue, Steadfast in duty
德纯义坚

Our Values 学校价值观
ROOTS 根  
Gratitude and Humility 
饮水思源：感恩报爱，温文尔雅，高贵大方，谦恭有礼。  

Sisterly Love 
姐妹同心：学校，家庭与校友会携手合作，同学之间相亲相爱，情同手足，发扬互助友爱的精神。 

Dignity for all 
互相敬重：不分种族，年龄，能力及地位。 

WINGS 翼  
Lead and Serve
发挥潜能：迎接挑战，以便服务社会，领导人群，贡献国家。  

Create and Celebrate
富有创意：积极进取，精益求精。

Learn from Life
活学巧用：从生活中学习，丰富阅历兼收并蓄，融会贯通。

The School Crest  

The School Crest is one that is shared by our schools all the world over.

In the centre of the Crest lies a red shield with a silver band edged in gold. The shield, surmounted by a gold cross, is encircled by a garland of marguerites. The garland of marguerites speaks of simplicity - the most charming trait in young girlhood.

On the right lies the Gospel with a silver rosary. The Gospel is the light of your life - live by it and you will attain peace. The rosary is the Gospel in miniature seen through the eyes of the Virgin Mary; pray it and you will grow.

On the left are a golden distaff and spindle: symbols of womanly labour. A life without labour is a wearisome affair; with it, life is meaningful and satisfying.

Emblazoned on the Crest is our motto: "Simple in virtue, Steadfast in duty."

Virtue is a personal possession; no one can take it away from you against your will. An upright virtue goes to one's neighbour with spontaneous warmth. It judges oneself with humble honesty. And it goes straight to God with child-like confidence.

When you see our badge on your companion, remember that it is a token of membership in a School whose patron is the Divine Child Himself.

When you wear it yourself, you might say it with Saint Paul that you are "a citizen of no mean city."

Wear it with pride, then, for it is a symbol of honour.

Attributes Of A St. Nicholas Graduate

CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School endeavors to provide a quality, comprehensive education and an environment with many unique features. Thus our expectations of our pupils are high. Our vision of a St. Nicholas Girls' School Graduate is that of a cultured, refined and noble lady with great inner beauty, loving God, Nature, and Mankind, and possess all the desirable qualities and attributes that are expected of an Asian lady. 

As a St. Nicholas Graduate, she is effectively bilingual, being fluent and articulate in both the Chinese and English Languages. She continually seeks self-improvement and, in the face of rapid changes in the society, she is able to maintain her bearing and self-confidence. She can function independently, creatively and wisely. She is analytical and discerning, with organisational and leadership skills, and has a love of knowledge for its own sake.

She knows that education is a life-long endeavour and is prepared to meet whatever challenges await her. She will therefore continually strive to be adapt at selecting and using technology, yet maintaining a keen awareness of the societal effects of technology advances. She will put her education into action and will show initiative, have a keen sense of adventure and have the courage and wisdom to take informed risks for the betterment of her family and society, within her own country as well as beyond its shores. She will rise above cultural barriers and work well with people internationally.

A loyal Singaporean, she understands and appreciates the importance of the Shared Values of Singapore and realises that these values are essential to the peace, harmony and good will of her family, community, society and Nation. She also has been guided to see the importance of putting the welfare and good of others before her own interests and needs.

By the time of her graduation from St. Nicholas, she is able to play at least one musical instrument and has learned sports and games that will help her to keep fit and healthy throughout her life. She also appreciates music and art and processes all the domestic skills necessary for cooking, sewing, gardening and house decorating so as to be a good wife, mother and hostess. She is thus able to occupy her time meaningfully and fruitfully.

She is able to socialise easily and has a great sense of propriety, knowing how to dress tastefully and appropriately and to carry herself elegantly. She is able to mix and relate well with young or old, rich or poor. As a convent girl, she appreciates the advantages her education has given her and accepts with a glad heart that she has a special obligation to the under-privileged, old, handicapped and disadvantaged in our society.

She is sensitive towards the feelings of others and has learned to be tactful, considerate, caring and kind. She does her best to understand and respect people of other races, religions, cultures and traditions, while she herself honours the core values of our nation and culture.

She is adaptable and versatile both at home as well as in society. She is a religious young woman who accepts, propagates and practises Singapore's Family values. She is prepared to be a gracious wife and mother as well as a dynamic leader and organiser. However, when the occasion warrants, she has the humility to let others lead. She know her strengths and accepts her limitations.

She participates enthusiastically in all that she does. She has a positive attitude towards life and living. She is totally involved and committed in her contribution to family and nation. Her intensity is such that she is able to inspire other to follow suit.

She is a joyful, loyal, serene and genteel person who works towards a cohesive society. She is ever ready to sacrifice self for family and nation. In the face of adversity, she has perseverance and courage. She sees herself as a global citizen, part of mankind with a common aspiration towards peace and harmony.

She is a leader of tomorrow.

For more infomation, go to [http://www.sngs.sch.edu.sg/]add-to-it by [[alien]]&[[User:Terry How|Terry How]] 01:25, 30 Sep 2005 (SGT)say Hi when U see ME!or Terri when she come back to Spore!