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Catholic High School (Bishan, Singapore)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
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| Motto | Care, Honesty, Service |
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| Established | 1935 |
| Type | SAP, Autonomous, Boys, Single session |
| Principal | Mr. Lee Hak Boon |
| MOE Code | 7102 |
| Colours | Green, White, Yellow |
| Locale | Bishan, Singapore |
| Enrollment | approx. 1,400 (Secondary Section), approx. 1,600 (Primary Section) |
| Website | Link |
| Ministry of Education | |
 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 an all-boys Catholic school in Singapore offering primary and secondary education leading up to the GCE 'O' Levels. The Primary School offers the Gifted Education Program (GEP) in addition to the standard PSLE curriculum. 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.
Catholic High School is dedicated to the total development of bilingual individuals with integrity who are able to perform to their fullest potential through an all round education. To date, the school has produced 19 President's Scholars and numerous recipients of other scholarships. Many of its alumni are prominent members in the public and private sectors. The school is also consistently ranked in Bands 1 and 2 of the 'O' Level rankings in Singapore, and is recognized as one of the top schools in the country.
The current Principal of the school is Mr Lee Hak Boon, with three Vice Principals: Primary section - Mrs Chaillan Mui Tuan; Secondary section - Mrs Tay Chen Lai; and Administration - Mr Daniel Teo Guan Teck. The Supervisor is Father Henry Siew, parish priest of St Anne's Church.
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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 . Reverend Father Becheras envisioned the school as an institution of learning, and especially for acquiring bilingual competence. His enunciation - "The way of 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.[1]
Catholic High School was recognized as a Special Assistance Plan school in 1979. This enables students in the top 10% of the cohort to take both English and Chinese as their first language. In the same year, pre - primary classes were started to prepare students for primary school Chinese study. Catholic High expanded its campus to accommodate its pre/lower primary classes in Gentle Road and its upper primary classes in Norfolk Road. It finally moved to it's permanent campus in 1992 in Bishan Street 22 to cope with the enrollment demand. Both the primary and high schools are located there.
To date, Catholic High has had a total of 11 principals and 9 supervisors.
- 1935 - 1957: Rev. Fr. Edward Becheras
- 1957 - 1961: Rev. Fr. J B Itcaina
- 1962 - 1964: Rt. Rev. Mgr. Noel Goh
- 1965 - 1966: Rev. Fr. Matthias Tung
- 1966 - 1967: Rt. Rev. Mgr. Noel Goh
- 1967 - 1969: Rev. Fr. Matthias Tung
- 1970 - 1983: Rt. Rev. Mgr. Noel Goh
- 1984 - 2006: Rt. Rev. Mgr. Francis Lau
- 2006 - Present: Rev. Fr. Henry Siew
- 1935 - 1950: Mr Yao Kwok Wah
- 1950 - 1956: Bro. J. Philippe Wu F.M.S.
- 1956 - 1958: Bro. Subran Sun F.M.S.
- 1959 - 1960: Bro. Marcellin Sheng F.M.S.
- 1960 - 1974: Bro. Joseph Dufresse Chang F.M.S.
- 1975 - 1983: Mr Yap Koon Chan
- 1984 - 1990: Mr Tan Kiok Ngiap
- 1991 - 1993: Mr Liaw Beng Teck
- 1993 - 1997: Mr Loke Kay Khee
- 1997 - 2002: Mrs Goh Hwee Choo
- 2002 - Present: Mr Lee Hak Boon
The school crest is the current and only crest Catholic High has had since it's founding
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.[2]
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School Anthem is in Chinese - English Translation below : Catholic High School stands tall, |
The school anthem was originally written in Chinese. It was given an English translation only in 1991, by Mr Liaw Beng Teck, one of its former principals.
Uniforms are compulsory for students. Students from all grades wear a white shirt and green shorts. The name tag and school crest is sewn on for Primary School students, while it is pinned on for Secondary students. A green tie is worn for assemblies on Wednesdays and formal events, albeit for Student Leadership Board (SLB) members, who wear it all the time. The PT kit consists of a white shirt with yellow sleeves and blue shorts. The house shirts are similar in design, albeit for the house name instead of the school name emblazoned on the back.
Only white socks and shoes are allowed. Ankle socks are not allowed. Hair must be neatly combed and fringes cannot exceed the eyebrows. Hair and attire checks are conducted periodically to enforce these rules.
The house system is used during intra - school sporting events. The 4 houses of Catholic High; Edward, Noel, Phillipe and Joseph, are named after former principals and supervisors of the school, and are represented by the colours blue, green, red and yellow respectively.
- Reverend Fr. Edward Becheras was the founder and first Supervisor of the school. Under his leadership, Catholic High 'established a tradition of fine conduct and bilingualism'. [3]
- Rt. Rev. Mgr. Noel Goh was the school's third, fifth and seventh Supervisor, and well respected for his wisdom, personality and ability.
- Rev. D.C. Joseph was Principal from 1960 - 1974. During his tenure, he 'helped make Catholic High a premier school in Singapore, producing many President's Scholars, Colombo Plan Scholars and SAF Scholars'.(quoted from the school website) He was an excellent musician well versed in both Western and Oriental culture.
- Rev. Phillipe Wu was Principal from 1950 - 1956. He concentrated more on hard work rather than showmanship and believed that mastery over oneself was more important than mastery over knowledge. He helped to strengthen the Father Becheras' bilingual policy.
Houses are allocated to teachers and students. There are various leadership positions in each house such as Captain and Secretary. Sports events such as the annual Cross Country and Sports Night help to earn points for the houses, and at the end of the year, points are totalled up and the house with the highest points wins the Challenge Shield.
Annual school camps are organized for the Secondary 1 - 3 batch of students. This is to foster team spirit and bonding among students, as well as to build up a robust character in them, which is one of the values in the School Vision. [4]
Orientation camp
Traditionally held on campus, this camp is organized by Student Leaders for Secondary 1 students. It concludes a week long Orientation programme to imbue the Catholic High culture and values in them. It ends with a Student's Investiture Ceremony, where the Secondary 1 students are officially sworn in as students of Catholic High.
Level Camps
Level camps are organized for the Secondary 2 and 3 students. The Secondary 2 camp is held at the MOE Changi Adventure Camp. Activities include kayaking, rock climbing and height - based challenges. The Secondary 3 camp is held at Taman Negara, Malaysia, and is a 4 days 3 nights long.
The SLB consists of 3 boards: The Prefectorial Board, Students Council and Class Management Committee.
Prefectorial Board
Students Council
Class Management Committee
The Class Management Committee (CMC), consists of 2 students, the Chairman and the Vice Chairman. They lead the Class Committee (CC), which consists of the whole class, and the CC is helmed by the Treasurer and Secretary. Various departments under the CC include Discipline, Welfare and subject heads.
The CMC is chosen either by the form teacher or elected by their classmates. Heads of the CC are chosen by the class and students elect to join the various departments.
The Catholic High Music Awards is a large - scale performing arts competition organized by the CHS iMedia Club. Originally a small - scale event during Assembly where students go up to perform, it has evolved into a professional, large - scale competition, where lots of effort goes into the sound, lighting, decor, even the promotional materials. There are various categories students can perform in, namely, Solo Vocals, Band and Creative Expressions. Contestants get to experience a professional recording session in the iMedia studio. Creative Expressions, a new category unveiled in 2006, is for students who want to showcase their performing talents in unique ways. External bands are often invited to perform too. CHMA is an event that bonds students together and lets students showcase their talents.
The School Vision is as follows:
"The Catholic High student is a gentleman and bilingual scholar, of high integrity and robust character, and is passionate about life, learning and service to others."
It is recited at every morning assembly and Catholic High students are expected to keep up the moral and academic standards set in the Vision.
The Catholic High campus consists of 2 blocks, the Primary and Secondary block. A common area is shared between these 2 blocks, where the Secondary Plaza and 2 halls are located. Beneath the Plaza is the Secondary canteen and Gallery, where works of art done by the students are showcased, one of which is a 1:1 replica of Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper. A lecture theatrette and recording studio is also located there.
The 2 air - conditioned, multipurpose halls currently serve as venues for assembly, large scale talks, performing arts events, and indoor sporting activities, while the Sports Hall is currently being built. The auditorium, located beneath the Secondary block, is used as a venue for smaller scale performing arts and talks.
There are many sporting facilities catering for the different sports CCAs in Catholic High.
A 400m track and field houses a softball diamond and a multipurpose open field. There is also a discus cage and javelin throwing ground. Behind the field are 2 tennis courts and a basketball court. The Sports Hall, when built, will house the basketball courts as well as spectator stands.
There are 2 gyms in the school, located in the Secondary campus.
Catholic High is one of the few schools that have a in - campus Sports Class, where its students go through a rigorous sports and academic course.
There are 3 general purpose computer laboratories and 1 Macintosh lab. Students and teachers can access the Internet via wireless connectivity in campus. There used to be a Tablet PC programme, but was discontinued after review by the school board. 2 LAN gaming centers are planned to be built, after student suggestions.
CCAs are grouped into core and merit CCAs. Joining 1 Core CCA, which consists of Sports, Performing Arts and Uniformed Groups are compulsory for all students. Merit groups, which are optional, consist of Clubs and Societies such as Drama and Debating.
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. It was the only Asian High School band to perform there. Catholic High has shown consistent excellent performance in the Singapore Youth Festival, winning many gold-with-honors and gold medals, especially in the choir, band, and English drama categories.
In sports, basketball and softball have shown excellent performance, winning the National Championships many times. Uniformed groups have also done well, with consistent golds for the Unit Overall Proficiency Awards. The Catholic High Scouts have won, for 12 consecutive years, the Frank Cooper Sands Gold award.
Catholic High has also built up a fine debating tradition, with many National Team debaters.
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.
- Mr Lee Hsien Loong, 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
- Dr Su Guaning, President of Nanyang Technological University
- Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower of Singapore
- Mr Baey Yam Keng, Member of Parliament of Singapore and Vice President - Corporate Marketing, CapitaLand Ltd
- Mr Choo Thiam Siew, President, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
- Mr Tay Ping Hui, local artiste
- Mr Edmund Chen, local artiste
- Mr Elvin Ng, local artiste
- Mr Liang Wern Fook, Popular singer/songwriter and National University of Singapore professor
- Mr Lee Yen Hui Kendrick, Team Singapore badminton player
- Mr Paul Twohill, Singapore Idol finalist.
Catholic High School (Primary and Secondary) is affiliated to:
- Catholic High School Website
- Catholic High Music Awards (CHMA)
- Catholic High School Old Boys' Association
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