Celebrating Kim Gek

AS SINGAPORE COMMEMORATES the 200th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles' arrival, one of the country's oldest institutions celebrates its 120th anniversary.

Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS) was founded as an all-girls Peranakan school in 1899 by a group of Straits Chinese men including Dr Lim Boon Keng, Sir Song Ong Siang and Khoo Seok Wan. The school was located on Hill Street, and had an English headmistress and seven girls on the register.

Despite its initial shaky years, today, SCGS is considered one of Singapore's top schools, and its notable alumnae include President Halimah Yacob and businesswoman Jennie Chua. Past and present SCGS girls are also known as kim gek, Hokkien for jade and gold, which connotes a young Chinese girl brought up and educated in the best manner.