Catholic High School (Singapore)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Motto | Care, Honesty, Service |
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| Established | 1935 |
| Type | SAP, Autonomous, Single (7.15 AM - 2.30 PM) |
| Principal | Mr. Lee Hak Boon |
| School code | 7102 |
| Colours | Green, White, Yellow |
| Locale | Bishan, Singapore |
| Enrollment | approx. 1,400 (Secondary Section), approx. 1,600 (Primary Section) |
| Website | Link |
 Republic of Singapore |
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- This is about Catholic High School (Singapore). For other schools, see Catholic High School (disambiguation).
Catholic High School (公教中学) is a premier boys' school in Singapore offering primary and secondary education leading up to the GCSE 'O' Levels. The school was founded in 1935 by Rev. Fr. Edward Becheras on the philosophy of producing bilingual scholars who are fluent in both English and Chinese.
[edit] Overview
Catholic High is a government-aided, Special Assistance Plan (SAP) and autonomous school. This means that the school takes in the top 10% of each primary school leaving cohort, to develop them in both English and Chinese. Being an autonomous institution, the school has, to a certain extent, autonomy in planning courses and curriculum.
The school has changed its location several times since it was founded. It was located at Queen Street (in St. Peter and Paul Church), Gentle Road, Bishan Street 12 (co-locating with Guangyang Secondary) and Bright Hill Drive previously and is now at its permanent home in Bishan Street 22.
Catholic High improved its annual 'O' level L1B5 ranking by a significant margin over the years. In 2005, Catholic High was ranked the 7th best school in Singapore (L1B5: 10.7), up from 18th in 2 years. However, in 2006, the school took a slight dip to Band 2 (L1B5: 11) from Band 1 (L1B5: <11) the year before. In 2007, the school made a breakthrough as well as an all-time high record by scoring an average 'O' level L1B5 of 9.5 points, which was 1.2 points higher than the previous record and placed Catholic High in Band 1 (L1B5: <11) again.
In 2005, Catholic High hosted the United Nations Peace Monument for Asia. In addition, the Tablet PC Programme was introduced for the Secondary Two cohort as Catholic High School became one of the first schools in Singapore to emulate e-learning pioneer, Crescent Girls' School, in adopting this programme.
[edit] School's History
The school was founded in 1935 by the late Reverend Father Edward Becheras, a French missionary. It is a Catholic institution but takes in both Catholic and non-Catholic students. The school had a humble beginning within the Church of St Peter and Paul at Queen Street . To cope with the enrollment demand, it was relocated to its present site in Bishan in 1992. Reverend Father Becheras envisioned the school as an institution of learning, and especially for acquiring bilingual competence. His enunciation - "The way of the Catholic High School is a way made of two rails - Chinese and English, free from any entanglement, straight to its end. Happy are those who follow. They shall obtain the scope of a sound education" - remains firmly as a cornerstone of the school's philosophy.
Catholic High School is dedicated to the total development of bilingual individuals with integrity who are able to perform to their fullest potential through a balanced education. To date, the school has produced 19 President's Scholars and numerous recipients of other scholarships. Many of its alumni are prominent leaders in the public and private sectors (see below).
Catholic High School was identified as one of the Special Assistance Plan schools in 1979. This enables students in the top 10% of the cohort to take both Chinese and English as their first language. The school also became an autonomous school in 1995.
The Primary section used to offer the Gifted education program until it was shut down by the Ministry of Education.
[edit] School Mission
To establish Catholic High School as a school of distinction in innovative and challenging programmes, a forerunner in character building and a beacon for the mindset of excellence, firmly built upon the foundation of Christian values.
[edit] School Vision
(Adapted from the official school website)
The Catholic High student is a gentleman and bilingual scholar of high integrity and robust character, who is passionate about life, learning and service to others.
Old School Vision(Adapted from past physical education books)
我严实现公教学生应有的美德。I Vow to fulfil the qualities of a Catholic High Student.
爱整洁-Be Presentable
勤学业-Diligent in Studies
崇俭朴-Be Thrify
慎交游-Make friends wisely
守纪律-Adhere to School Protocols
重公德-Be Respectful towards others
[edit] Meaning of School Crest
(adapted from the student handbook)
Blue Colour
The blue colour symbolises the infinite and boundless universe in which Man is free to think and choose how best to spend his time to develop his character as an individual who does not wall man off his community, and simultaneously does not suffocate his own individuality. His own entity in humanity is a lesson of good faith by trust in God.
The Cross
The Cross represents Jesus Christ who suffered and died for the salvation of all mankind. It is a reminder that we must shoulder our responsibilities to society and to ourselves patiently. To this end, shall we reap the fruits of the labour of love such as peace, joy, forbearance, temperance and brotherly kindness.
The Light
The light signifies that Jesus Christ is the light of the universe. The light of Jesus shines far and wide so that we may behold His manifestations. It also illuminates for us the correct and righteous path so that we may walk boldly and wisely if we but trust and love him.
[edit] Morning Schedule
The students first gather in class to relax and prepare their books while popular chart songs are played over the loudspeakers, supposedly in an attempt to perk the students up. At 7.15am, an announcement is made for the students to gather at the Open Plaza for morning flag raising. A song, The Silent Drill, is played over the loudspeakers, signifying the start of assembly when the song ends.The students are asked to bring along their handbooks to jot down what they have learnt from the following morning devotion. A student will then shout for the school's attention and the whole school will stand up. The Singapore National Anthem is sung, the Singapore Pledge is taken, and the school will recite the school's vision. A student then comes up to say the Lord's Prayer, the prayer to Mary and the daily prayer. A Bible verse is also recited.
After the prayer, a student comes up (rotated between classes) to give the 'Morning Devotion'. This is an inspirational speech aimed at educating the students to improve their lives. To expose the students to Chinese, the morning program is conducted in Chinese on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. After this, announcements would be read out by a councillor on duty. On some days, there is a programme called 'learning about China'(今日认识中国，明日驰骋神州). A map of the People's Republic of China had been brought into the school, and hung behind the State Flag of Singapore. During this talk, a teacher from the Chinese Department, would go up and talk about a specific subject that is related to China, such as the Great Wall of China, or China's neighbours, and so on.
The school has revised its morning program greatly from 2006. It regularly engages external speakers to speak to the students on a wide range of topics, mostly about current affairs. Every Wednesday morning, a class (rotated) will go up on stage to present a stage show. This can range from a rock band to a guzheng performance.
[edit] School Campus
The leafy Catholic High campus sits on a small plot of elevated land approximately the area of 3 football fields, at Bishan St 22. It comprises of 3 sections: The Secondary section, which runs alongside the running track and fields; the Plaza and Halls (Primary and Secondary); and the Primary Section, which is perpendicular to the Secondary section. The $32 million campus is made up primarily of red and white bricks, the Secondary campus being 5 stories tall. One unique design feature is that the campus is built into the hill on which it stands. This allows the 2 canteens and other rooms to be built under the Plaza and Halls, saving a tremendous amount of space.
Despite its small land space, Catholic High has utilised every possible space to create a myriad of world class facilities to cater to the student and teacher. All the classrooms have tinted windows and sun shades to protect pupils from the glare of the Sun. The 2 air conditioned halls, auditorium and lecture theatrette allows for performances, talks and lectures in a comfortable enviroment. When it comes to sports facilities, the school has an Olympic-standard 6 lane running track, an Astro Turf pitch that can be used for both softball games and Physical Education lessons, two open air tennis courts, two outdoor basketball courts, a discus cage, two sports gyms, and the halls can be converted to volleyball or basketball courts when necessary. The school is also a wireless hotspot, meaning that people can access the internet when in the school. This is only available to students and teachers.
The computer laboratories in the school can be accessed by students during recess and after school. The computers in the computer labs all run on Windows XP Professional operating system. In addition, the iMedia club also has a Mac studio which consists of Mac G4 and students are allowed to have access to the facility after seeking permission.
The school has a student lounge and pool room for pupils to relax. Apart from that, numerous sculptures dot the school complex, works of art often with deep symbolical meaning in them. The school also has a media recording and editing studio, which is run by the iMedia club. Students who participate in the Catholic High Music Awards get a chance to experience a proper recording session. Other than recordings, this is where most of the video productions that iMedia undertakes, especially the videos for the Catholic High Music Awards, are done. The studio also has a blue-green screen, which is needed to produce the blue-screen effect.
With effect from February 2007, the school's classrooms will be refurbished. This includes giving all classrooms a fresh coat of paint, and new built in lockers.
[edit] Emphasis on bilingualism
Being a SAP school, Catholic High puts a lot of emphasis on both Eastern and Western Culture.
The school has put extremely intense emphasis on the People's Republic of China, saying that China is expanding and modernizing and with time to come, will emerge as a world superpower. The current batch of students will be the people who will experience the 'China age'. To prepare students for the China age, the school has put emphasis on China, so much, that they are making all 2007 Secondary 2 students go for a mandatory two-week intensive China studies course, where the focus will be on China, in particular, North East China. (东北) Half a term before that, all English, Mathematics, Science, History, and of course Chinese lessons will be modified so as to include things relevant to China.
Likewise, the school has not neglected Western Culture either. Catholic High has adapted a 'Western Civilistations Reading Programme' for all Literary Expressisns classes. This will include studying famous Western literary pieces, understanding the origins of Western Civilisationa and the facets of Western Civilisation.
[edit] School Song
[edit] Lyrics
公教中学，屹立新洲；
黉宇高耸，环境清幽。
宣传文化，中西并筹；
阐扬学术，文质兼收。
振兴教育，惠及同俦；
发挥道德，砥柱中流。
莘莘学子，勤勉研求；
弦歌讽诵，涵泳优游。
白云渺渺，绿水悠悠；
敦品励学，无间无休。
蕉雨淅淅，椰风飕飕；
振我邦国，万祀千秋。
[edit] Meaning of lyrics in English
Catholic High School stands tall,
On this Island of Singapore ;
Serene and picturesque are its precincts,
And to Heaven does its spire soar.
Propagating Cultural heritage: East, West and more.
Striving towards excellence is our very goal.
Promoting bilingualism benefits one and all.
Cultivating virtues as steadfast as mountains admidst turbulence.
Diligent are the boys in scholastic pursuits,
Joyfully they sing, play and grow,
Never slackening in life-long learning,
Never departing from social mores.
Through the clear sky the white clouds float,
Into the deep sea the green waters flow.
On this tropical island,
We build a nation, forever strong and free,
Reaching out together from here to eternity.
Adapted and translated from the School Song by Liaw Beng Teck
[edit] School Uniform
The uniform comprises of the Standard Uniform and the Official School PE T-Shirt.
Standard uniform
A white T shirt comprises the top. There are 2 chest pockets at the chest and epaulettes on the shoulders. The epaulettes, pockets and the front of the shirt are buttoned up using metallic buttons that has "公中" inscribed on them. The metallic school crest is pinned on the left chest, above a colour coded name tag. (Green, Yellow, Red and Blue) symbolysing the different levels.
Olive green bermuda shorts comprise the bottom of the uniform.
In the Secondary section, students who are Class Chairmen wear a different crest which has the word "Class Chairman" on a yellow background, prefects wear the crest with "Prefect" against a black background, and Student Councillors, "Councillor" against a red background.
In the Primary section, students have a sewn-on school crest, while Monitors have a metallic school crest with "Monitor" on a yellow background, and Prefects - "Prefect" against a red background.
Olive green ties with the school crest emblazoned on are worn by all Student Leaders and students attending the Assembly program on Wednesdays.
PT kit
The PT kit comprises of a white top with yellow sleeves, and blue shorts.
The top has the school crest emblazoned on the top left hand corner. The words 'Catholic High' in English and Chinese, written in green, is emblazoned on the back.
The blue shorts have a miniature school crest emblazoned on the bottom left hand corner.
House shirts
House shirts are worn during Inter-school activities such as the Sports Nite and Cross Country. The house shirts are similar to the PT shirt, the difference being the colour of the sleeves and the house name emblazoned on the back.
- Joseph (Yellow sleeves)
- Phillipe (Red sleeves)
- Noel (Green sleeves)
- Edward (Blue sleeves)
Albeit for extra curricular activities, all students are required to wear only white socks and shoes. Socks must be ankle length.
Catholic High School is one of the few remaining secondary school in Singapore that make students from Primary 1 to Secondary 4 wear shorts as a preservation of the culture in previously Chinese-medium schools. It is also one of the few secondary schools in Singapore that require students to have name tags.
[edit] Student Leaders' Board
The Catholic High School Student Leaders' Board consists of the Students' Council, the Prefectorial Board and the Class Management Committee. The Students' Council (SC) is mainly in charge of the welfare of the student body, the Prefectorial Board (PB) - in charge of mainly the discipline and running of the school, and the Class Management Committee (CMC) revolves round the class spirit and bonding. All three boards complement each other in the unified Student Leaders' Board (SLB).
[edit] Events organised
Events and activities organised by the SLB include Teachers' Day Celebrations, SLB Investiture and Secondary 4 Graduation Night. The SLB also co-ordinates in events such as the Open House, Parent-Teacher Meetings and Sports Night.
[edit] CCA Achievements
[edit] Sports
- Basketball B Division –National 1st and South Zone 1st
- Basketball C Division –National 1st and South Zone 1st
- Cross Country C Division – National 1st
- Golf C Division – National 3rd
- Softball B Division - National 3rd and South Zone 3rd
- Softball C Division - National 1st and South Zone Champion
- Table Tennis B Division - National Top 8 and South Zone 4th
- Table Tennis C Division - National 4th and South Zone 3rd
- Tennis B Division - National 3rd
- Tennis C Division - National 4th
- Track & Field C Division - National 5th and SPH Relays 2nd
- Volleyball C Division - National 1st and South Zone 1st
- Wushu B Division - National 3rd
- Wushu C Division - National 1st(2006)
[edit] Uniformed Groups
- Scouts - 12th consecutive Frank Cooper Sands Gold, Numerous Chief Commissioner Awardees, 49 President Scouts Awardees
- NCC Air – Gold, 2 SAF-NCC Awards
- NCC Land - Gold, 2 SAF-NCC Awards
- NPCC – Gold, 5 SPF-NPCC Awards
- St John Ambulance Brigade – Silver, 3 Chief Commissioner’s Awards
[edit] Aesthetics Groups
2005
- Edward Becheras Choir – Gold With Honours
- Symphony Band – Gold With Honours
- English Drama – Gold
- Chinese Orchestra – Gold
- Chinese Drama - Gold
- Modern Dance – Silver
2007
- Chinese Orchestra - Gold With Honours
[edit] Clubs and Societies
- English Debating and Oratorial Society :
- Singapore Secondary School Debating Championships Finalist (1999, 2001) - Victoria Junior College Debate Invitationals Champions (2003) - National University of Singapore Vice Chacellor Shield Champions (2004) - Raffles Junior College - Debate Association Youth 14 finalist (2004) - Victoria Junior College Debate Invitationals- Individual Best Speaker of Series (2005) - National University of Singapore Chancellor Shield- Individual Best Speaker of Series (2006) - British Council-Debates Association (Singapore) Zero Carbon City Debates- #3 Best Speaker of Series (2006) - Hwa Chong Junior College Debating Invitationals- Runnersup, Individual Best Speaker of Series, #2 Best Speaker of Series (2006) - Victoria Junior College Debate Invitationals (2006)- Champions, Individual Best Speaker of Series, #4 Best Speaker of Series, #5 Best Speaker of Series, Best Speaker of Finals
- IT Club -National NIC IT Quiz (2007)- (Champion)
- 21st National Software Competition (2005) - IT Quiz (Third)
- Chess Club - Char Yong Cup (National Youth Chinese Chess Competition)(1st, 2nd in 2001, 2002 U15)(1st, 3rd in 2003 U18), Raffles Cup Chinese Chess Competition (National Schools Team Competition) (1st in 2002,2003,2005 --- 2nd in 2001, 2004) (3rd in 2006)
Singapore Polytechnic Chess Challenge (1st in 2001,2003,2004,2005) (2nd in 2002)
[edit] More about Achievements
In 2004, the Edward Becheras choir won the top prize (Laureate of the Festival) in the 14th International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music with Petr Eben Award in Prague, which led to an invitation to perform in Guangzhou, China the following year. The Catholic High School Symphony Band also did well enough to gain a silver at the World Music Festival in Netherlands in 2005. Catholic High also did exceptionally well in the 2005 Singapore Youth Festival, winning many gold-with-honors and gold medals, especially in the choir, band, Chinese orchestra and English drama categories.
Catholic High also can boast of a proud debating tradition, with five Singapore national team speakers hailing from the school, as recently as 2006. The most successful debating team in Singaporean history (circa 2003) had two speakers who hailed from the 2001 Catholic High School team. Following an illustrious run in the Nationals in 1999, 2001 and 2003 that ultimately came to naught, it won the National University of Singapore Vice Chancellor's Shield and the Victoria Junior College Debating Invitationals in 2003 and 2004 respectively. This was followed up with an unprecedented top 4 finishes in many competitions in 2005. In 2006, it broke first in the top-tiered Singapore Secondary School Debating Championships (A Division) beating a host of other top schools including the Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and Methodist Girl's School, leaving it as a favorite for the national title before suffering a shock defeat to Nanyang Girls' High School on 24 March to put to an end, hopes of ending a three year title drought. Since then, it has gone on a turnaround, beating Raffles Junior College to advance to the semifinals of the British Council-Debating Association Zero Carbon City Debates where it was defeated by Victoria Junior College. On 22 July, the team reached their first final in 30 months when they lost narrowly to Raffles Institution in the finals of the Hwa Chong Junior College Debating Invitationals. On 9 December 2006, 34 months of going without a title came to an end when they picked up the Victoria Junior College Debating Invitationals Champions' League Shield, beating Singapore Chinese Girls' School 3-2 in the final. On March 30, 2007, the team broke a four year duck of not breaking into the semi-finals of the Singapore Secondary School Debating Championships when it beat Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) to enter the semi-finals.
Due to exceptional hard work and support, the softball team improved greatly within 2 years to become the National Champions (in 2004), but the team is often criticized for playing mechanically and without flair or style. There are many other promising faculties in the school, such as its basketball team which did exceptionally well in 2006. Catholic High won the 2005 B Division championship, however their C Division clinched fourth, falling to South-Zone powerhouses Gan Eng Seng Secondary and Raffles Institution several times during the tournament. The C Division team then went on to win the National Title, crushing Jurong Secondary School by 80-47.
The Catholic High Nuclei Department (formally known as the IT Club) has consecutively and defeated and overwhelm their Raffles Institution rivals.
[edit] Co-Curricular Activities
[edit] Primary School
[edit] Sports and Games
- Athletics
- Basketball
- Ten Pin Bowling
- Soccer
- Softball
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Volleyball
[edit] Cultural Activities/Clubs & Societites
- iMedia Club
- Chinese Chess Club
- International Chess Club
- Chinese Speech & Drama
- Library
- Robotics Club
- Young Aviators' Club
- AMEC (Advanced Mathematics Enrichment Club)
- Catholic Activities
- I & E Club
- Science Club
[edit] Performing Arts
- Concert Band
- Chinese Orchestra
- Choir
- Modern Dance Club
- Violin Ensemble
[edit] Secondary School
[edit] Sports and Games
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Cross Country/Track & Field
- Sailing
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Table-tennis
- Tennis
- Wushu
(A badminton CCA may be started soon, due to popular demand. However, it has not been confirmed.)
[edit] Uniformed Groups
- NCC (Land)
- NCC (Air)
- St John Ambulance Brigade
[edit] Clubs and Societies
- Chess Club
- Chinese LDDS (Calligraphy)
- Nuclei Club(IT)
- Library Council
- Design and Technology Club
- English Debating and Oratorical Society
- i-news Club
[edit] Performing Arts
- Chinese Orchestra
- Chinese LDDS (Drama)
- Edward Becheras Choir
- English Drama Group
- Modern Dance
[edit] Alternative CCA
- Legion of Mary
Young Christian Students Movement(YCS)
- TAF Club
[edit] Collaboration
Students from Catholic High School Primary and Secondary often have activities where both sections come together. These include those in the CCA aspect, when the Band and Chinese Orchestra from both sections come together for practices; Softball and Track and Field from both sections having combined training sessions. The Student Leaders' Board of the Secondary section also conducted training sessions for their Primary section counterparts.
Catholic High School (Secondary) Student Leaders' Board has also organised a number of Student Leaders' Convention with schools like St. Joseph's Institution, CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School and CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh). These conventions bring together Student Leaders (Prefects, Councillors and Class Monitors/Chairpersons) from all over Singapore to come and experience with other SLs.
[edit] Catholic High Alumni
Link The school prides itself on having a close relationship and strong areas of collaboration with her Old Boys Association. The CHA has been very active and supportive in the school's programmes, especially in funding many local/overseas enrichment programmes for students as well as staff development programmes for teachers. The CHA offers the OBA Founders' Scholarships for outstanding Catholic High students. Members of the CHA also volunteer as guest speakers at assembly talks, mentors for CHA scholars and advisors for special projects such as the OBA-CH Innovative Problem-Solving Competition using IT and the IT Challenge Programme, etc.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Mr Lee Hsien Loong, current Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore
- Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister, Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for National Development of Singapore
- Mr Chan Soo Sen, Human Resource Director of Keppel Corporation, Former Minister of State, Ministry of Education of Singapore
- Mr Chao Hick Tin, Attorney-General of Singapore
- Mr Lee Hsien Yang, Former President and CEO of Singapore Telecommunications
- Dr Su Guaning, President of Nanyang Technological University
- Dr Chong Chi Tat, former Provost of the National University of Singapore
- Dr Tan Chin Tiong, Provost of the Singapore Management University
- Mr Tay Ping Hui, local artiste
- Mr Edmund Chen, local artiste
- Mr Elvin Ng, local artiste
- Mr Liang Wern Fook, NUS professor and popular local singer / songwriter
- Dr Sehat Sutardja, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marvell Technology Group Ltd
- Dr Pantas Sutardja, Chief Technology Officer of Marvell Technology Group Ltd
- Mr Lee Eng Beng, Head of Business Finance and Insolvency Practice Group, Partner, Rajah and Tann
- Mr Benedict Teo, National Debater, Lawyer, Drew and Napier
- Mr Paul Twohill, Singapore Idol finalist
