Gan Eng Seng School
Encyclopedia
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
Gan Eng Seng
Gan Eng Seng
Gan Eng Seng was one of the early Chinese pioneers of Singapore known for his generosity to many charitable causes during the era of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and Singapore...
in 1885, Gan Eng Seng School (Abbreviation
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase...
: GESS) is one of the oldest schools in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. GESS was the first school to be set up by a local Chinese
Chinese in Singapore
Chinese Singaporeans are people of Chinese ethnicity who hold Singaporean nationality. As of 2010, Chinese Singaporeans constitute 74.1% of Singapore's resident population, or approximately three out of four Singaporeans, making them the largest ethnic group in Singapore...
and the first to form a parent-teachers' association in 1950. It was an all-boys' school for 102 years until it became co-educational in 1987. Before it became a government school in 1938, many prominent Chinese gentlemen such as Sir Song Ong Siang
Song Ong Siang
Sir Ong-siang Song K.B.E., V.D., M.A., LL.M., was a lawyer and active citizen of the British Colony of Singapore. He was a third-generation Straits Chinese or Peranakan Baba , and the first ever Asian in Singapore to be knighted...
K.B.E, Dr. Lim Boon Keng
Lim Boon Keng
Lim Boon Keng, OBE was a Chinese doctor who promoted social and educational reforms in Singapore and China. Lim was of Chinese Peranakan descent, with ancestry from Hai Teng district in Fujian, China.-Early life:...
OBE, Tan Keong Saik
Keong Saik Road
Keong Saik Road is a one-way road located in Chinatown within the Outram Planning Area in Singapore. The road links New Bridge Road to Neil Road, and is intersected by Kreta Ayer Road.-Etymology and history:...
and Gan's descendants served on its Board of Trustees. By 1996, GESS was ranked 21st by the Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education (Singapore)
The Ministry Of Education is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to education in Singapore.-Statutory boards:...
(MOE) among the top 50 schools in Singapore and continued to stay within the top 50 rankings to this day. The school's founding site
Gan Eng Seng School Founding Site
The Gan Eng Seng School's Founding Site , marked by twin commemorative plaques at present, is located at Telok Ayer Street in the southern part of Singapore. On 30 August 1997, the site was designated as a national historical site along with five other schools by the National Heritage Board , being...
at Telok Ayer Street was designated as a national historical site by the National Heritage Board
National Heritage Board (Singapore)
The National Heritage Board is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts ....
in 1997. The school is currently located at Henderson Road in Bukit Merah
Bukit Merah
Bukit Merah is a hill in Singapore. Previously, it was a much larger hill that was situated at the present site of Henderson housing estate, which lies opposite the Delta Sports Complex. There was a Chinese cemetery on the reverse side of the hill. The present Bukit Merah Secondary School and...
on the western district of Singapore.
1885—1899
Shophouse
A shophouse is a vernacular architectural building type that is commonly seen in areas such as urban Southeast Asia. This hybrid building form characterises the historical centres of most towns and cities in the region.- Design and features :...
s in Telok Ayer Street in 1885 by the philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, Gan Eng Seng
Gan Eng Seng
Gan Eng Seng was one of the early Chinese pioneers of Singapore known for his generosity to many charitable causes during the era of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and Singapore...
and was known as Anglo Chinese Free School. Born in 1844 into a poor family in Melaka
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
, Malaysia, Gan came to Singapore at a young age to seek his fortune. Since he was unable to have much of an education in his youth, it was his ambition in life to build a school and help those who are poor as he prospered and became wealthy. Gan was far-sighted in placing emphasis on bilingualism in English and Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
from the start. The school proved to be a success—the enrolment figure reached a record of 167 by 1890, and rose to an all time high of 94% in 1892.
In 1888, GESS became an aided school which meant government recognition as an education institution. In 1889, the British colonial government
Straits Settlements
The Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia.Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under direct British control as a crown colony on 1 April 1867...
offered a site at No. 106 Telok Ayer Street. Gan accepted the site and wholly financed the construction and furbishment of the building which could accommodate up to 300 primary students. On 4 April 1893, Governor Sir Cecil Clementi Smith
Cecil Clementi Smith
Rt Hon Sir Cecil Clementi Smith G.C.M.G. , was a British colonial administrator. He was known for his effective work in quelling Chinese secret societies in the Straits Settlements, such as those in Singapore...
opened the new building said:
Tan Keong Saik
Keong Saik Road
Keong Saik Road is a one-way road located in Chinatown within the Outram Planning Area in Singapore. The road links New Bridge Road to Neil Road, and is intersected by Kreta Ayer Road.-Etymology and history:...
, a prominent Chinese businessman and board trustee of the school briefly gave a history of the institution to the distinguished gathering. On 9 September 1899, Gan Eng Seng died. In his will he had made provisions for the maintenance of the school and its management by a Board of Trustees.
1899—1941
Keong Saik Road
Keong Saik Road is a one-way road located in Chinatown within the Outram Planning Area in Singapore. The road links New Bridge Road to Neil Road, and is intersected by Kreta Ayer Road.-Etymology and history:...
, Ho Yang Peng, Wee Theam Tew, Lee Cheng Yan, Sir Chan Sze Jin, CMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(S.J. Chan), Wee Swee Teow, Song Ong Siang
Song Ong Siang
Sir Ong-siang Song K.B.E., V.D., M.A., LL.M., was a lawyer and active citizen of the British Colony of Singapore. He was a third-generation Straits Chinese or Peranakan Baba , and the first ever Asian in Singapore to be knighted...
, Dr. Lim Boon Keng
Lim Boon Keng
Lim Boon Keng, OBE was a Chinese doctor who promoted social and educational reforms in Singapore and China. Lim was of Chinese Peranakan descent, with ancestry from Hai Teng district in Fujian, China.-Early life:...
and Gan's descendants. They all gave of their dedication, leadership and unfailing support to the school until 1938, when GESS became a government school.
In 1923, the school was renamed as Gan Eng Seng School in its founder honour. In the same year the 8th Singapore Troop (now Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group) by G.C.S. Koch with 38 pioneering Scout
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
s were founded. Chan Chon Hoe (1909–2003) who studied in GESS from 1921 to 1927, became the Troop Leader in 1927. Under the colonial system of education (1918–1953), GESS was a feeder school to Raffles Institution
Raffles Institution
Raffles Institution , founded in 1823, is the oldest centre for pre-tertiary learning in Singapore. It is an independent school in Singapore providing secondary and pre-university education. RI consists of a boys-only secondary section , and a coeducational pre-university section...
(RI). The feeder school provides education up to the Standard V (equivalent to Primary 6 today) after which the student need to gain admission to Raffles Institution via an entrance examination if he wished to pursue his education to Standard IX (equivalent to Secondary 4 today). Chan attended RI from 1928 to 1929, and Scouts promoted to Raffles Institution from GESS were grouped under Gan Eng Seng Patrol which Chan led. Due to his sound training and values inculcated in Scouting, Chan led a healthy lifestyle and lived strictly by the ethics of the Scout movement. Even at his advanced years in the 1990s, Chan participated in New Nation Walk and later the New Paper Walk well into his 90s wearing his Scout uniform and badges on every occasions. Chan attended the school's centenary celebrations at Shangri-La Hotel in 1985 and was honoured by the Singapore Scouts Association in 2000 — he was the only person to have attended the very first and last Scouts' Jamboree
Jamboree (Scouting)
In Scouting, a jamboree is a large gathering of Scouts who rally at a national or international level.The 1st World Scout Jamboree was held in 1920, and was hosted by the United Kingdom...
in the 20th century. Chan died at the age of 94 in Singapore.
With the economical downturn in the early 1930s, the survival of the school was at stake when community funding dwindled and the school building had reached such a deteriorated state that major repairs were urgently needed. As the two-storey school building was made mainly of wood, it suffered badly from dry rot
Dry rot
Dry rot refers to a type of wood decay caused by certain types of fungi, also known as True Dry Rot, that digests parts of the wood which give the wood strength and stiffness...
and termites infestation. In 1937, the Board wrote to the Education Department detailing the plight of the school and urged the government to take over its management. In 1938, GESS became a government school and in the same year, the government proposed to build a new school building at Anson Road. However, no immediate plans were drawn up.
In July 1941, the Public Works Department declared the school building unsafe for occupation and ordered its evacuation. From September 1941 onwards, classes had to be held at two separate buildings in Sepoy Lines Malay School in Park Road and nearby Pearl's Hill School due to space constraints. On 5 December 1941, the school was closed for Christmas holidays but classes would later resumed only after four and the half years later.
1941—1951
Japanese Occupation of Singapore
The Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War II occurred between about 1942 and 1945 after the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942. Military forces of the Empire of Japan occupied Singapore after defeating the combined Australian, British, Indian and Malayan garrison in the Battle of Singapore...
(February 1942—September 1945), the school ceased to exist as it was shut down by the Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
military administration. After the Japanese surrender, the British Military Administration took charge of Singapore and attempts were made to revive the school again. The school had lost most of its administrative documents, records, its former students and teachers at the aftermath of the war. The school was finally re-opened on the premises of Outram School by headmaster, Percival Frank Aroozoo on 13 May 1946. Aroozoo, a Eurasian
Eurasian (mixed ancestry)
The word Eurasian refers to people of mixed Asian and European ancestry. It was originally coined in 19th-century British India to refer to Anglo-Indians of mixed British and Indian descent....
of Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
descent was the grandson of Simon Aroozoo, who happened to be a close friend and colleague of Gan Eng Seng when both men worked together at Guthrie and Company
Guthrie (Malaysia)
Guthrie Group Limited was a Malaysian company that primarily dealt with plantations. It merged with three other plantation groups to form the world's largest plantation company with the name of Sime Darby Berhad.- History :...
for fifty years. A year later, the school was moved to the former Japanese National School building (now the Stamford Arts Centre) at No. 155 Waterloo Street
Waterloo Street
Waterloo Street is a two-way street in downtown Singapore stretching from Rochor Road to Bras Basah Road. It passes through the planning areas of Rochor and Museum Planning Area....
and remained there until 1951. During this period, GESS was still a primary school. The teething problems were soon over and on December 1949, Aroozoo launched the school's periodical, Onward to chronicalise the legacy and milestones of the school. On 29 May 1950, GESS became the first school in Singapore to form the Parent-Teacher Association
Parent-Teacher Association
In the U.S. a parent-teacher association or Parent-Teacher-Student Association is a formal organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a public or private school. Most public and private K-8 schools in the U.S. have a PTA, a...
(PTA). Its formation was an initiative by Aroozoo: "Parents as much as the teacher has a great deal to do with the training and development of a child as a useful member of the community."
And in the same year, the construction of a new school building in Anson Road began. Aroozoo had commissioned Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli
Rudolfo Nolli
Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli — was a sculptor and architect from Lombardy, who during the first half of the 20th century worked mainly at the gulf of Siam....
to deliver two school crests, one slated for outdoor placement at the main block overlooking the school entrance and the other, for indoor placement inside the school hall above the stage. Nolli was a renowned sculptor in Singapore's colonial days. Some of his notable works included the Supreme Court Building
Old Supreme Court Building
The Old Supreme Court Building is the former courthouse of the Supreme Court of Singapore, before it moved out of the building and commenced operations in the new building on 20 June 2005...
, City Hall
City Hall, Singapore
The City Hall in Singapore is a national monument gazetted on 14 February 1992. Located in front of the historical Padang and next door to the Supreme Court of Singapore, it was designed and built by the architects of the municipal government, A. Gordans and F. D. Meadows from 1926 to 1929...
, Fullerton Building and the Merdeka Lions. The two iconic crests by Nolli were lost when the school moved on to Raeburn Park in 1986.
1951—1959
A new chapter in the history of GESS began in 1951 with the opening of the new school premises in Anson Road, as a secondary school ever since. For the second time in the school's history, a Governor of Singapore, Sir Franklin GimsonFranklin Charles Gimson
Sir Franklin Charles Gimson, KCMG, KStJ, was a British colonial administrator, who served in Ceylon from 1914 to 1941, and later, the Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong and the Governor of Singapore....
, officiated its opening on 15 May 1951. He was confident that the school would rise to heights of academic and athletic distinction:
The new building could accommodate some 800 students in 20 classrooms, had an assembly hall, a library and a science block. In the school hall, Gimson also unveiled a portrait of the late Gan Eng Seng that was presented as a gift by the PTA "to honour the late Mr Gan Eng Seng for his great services to education". As the school developed through the decades, its students affectionately called GESSIANS brought honour to the school. Many students went on to post-secondary and tertiary education, and in 1966 seven students were awarded Colombo Plan
Colombo Plan
The Colombo Plan is a regional organization that embodies the concept of collective inter-governmental effort to strengthen economic and social development of member countries in the Asia-Pacific Region...
scholarships. The uniformed groups, namely Scouts, National Cadets Corps (NCC), National Police Cadet Corps
National Police Cadet Corps
The National Police Cadet Corps is the largest uniformed group for youths in Singapore in terms of membership. As of 31 March 2004, the organisation has 596 teacher officers and 20,146 student members in 155 secondary schools, 2 polytechnics open units and 2 University Open Units.With the support...
(NPCC), St John Ambulance Brigade and Brass Band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
, achieved eminence
Eminence
-Anatomy:In anatomy, eminence implies a protuberance, and may refer to a variety of structures:*Collateral eminence, alongside the hippocampus in the brain*Cruciform eminence, in the occipital bone of the skull...
in their respective units, often at national level to this day.
1959—1986
With Singapore's Independence after its separation from Malaysia in 1965, manpower consideration assumed top priority in education planning. The emphasis on technical training and post-secondary education led to GESS being singled out as a centre for Technical Training and a Pre-University centre in 1970. In 1982, GESS was chosen to participate in its first mass display item titled Singapore — Past, Present and Future inspired by the Star WarsStar Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
movie, featured interesting movement danced to the theme music of the movie. GESS participated at the Singapore Youth Festival
Singapore Youth Festival
The Singapore Youth Festival is an annual event in Singapore organised by the Ministry of Education to celebrate the achievements of youths in co-curricular activities...
during the mid year, followed by the National Day celebrations
National Day Parade
The Singapore National Day Parade is a national ceremony in Singapore that, as its name implies, includes a parade on Singapore's National Day on August 9, in commemoration of Singapore's independence that is usually held at the Padang , the National Stadium, various decentalized venues all over...
in August and in 1983, at the Opening Ceremony when Singapore played host to the 12th Southeast Asian Games
Southeast Asian Games
The Southeast Asian Games , is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia...
at the National Stadium
National Stadium, Singapore
The Singapore National Stadium was located in Kallang. Opened in July 1973, the National Stadium was officially closed on 30 June 2007 and has demolished to make way for the Singapore Sports Hub and New Singapore National Stadium which is expected to open in 2014.The stadium has played host to...
.
In 1985, the school celebrated its centenary year with celebrations that included a party for the under-privileged children, a walkathon, a variety concert, an exhibition and a grand dinner, in which the Minister of Communications and Information, Dr. Yeo Ning Hong was the Guest-of-Honour. On September 1985, the MOE announced that GESS would move from Anson Road to Raeburn Park in mid-1986 and would cease to be a boys' school in 1987.
1986—2000
In 1986, the school was relocated to Raeburn Park after spending 35 years at the Anson Road's premises. The school became co-educational with the first intake of girls into Secondary 1 in January 1987 and the phasing out of the Pre-University classes by 1991. By 1996, GESS was ranked 21st by the MOE among the top 50 schools in Singapore and continued to stay within the top 50 rankings to this day.In 1995, the GESS's Scouts celebrated the school's 110th anniversary by building a light two-seater aeroplane, Microlight Challenger that was supervised by five pilots who were former Scouts of GESS. The plane was paraded at the anniversary dinner in front of guests that included Guest-of-Honour, Dr. S. Vasoo, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC
Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency
Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency is currently a five-member Group Representation Constituency in central Singapore....
and an old boy.
The school's library was renamed the Percival Aroozoo Library on 20 July 1996 as a tribute to one of GESS's most beloved principals. The Ceremony was officiated by 3 of Aroozoo's daughters, they were Hegwig Anuar, a former National Library
National Library Board
The National Library Board is a statutory board of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, Singapore...
director and well-known feminist, former Katong Convent
CHIJ Katong Convent
CHIJ Katong Convent is an autonomous all-girls Catholic secondary school in Singapore. The school is one of 11 Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus schools in Singapore. Katong Convent is known for its niche area, speech and drama...
principal Marie Bong, and former LaSalle-SIA College of Fine Arts librarian, Eleanor Smith. On 30 August 1997, the school celebrated its recognition by the National Heritage Board
National Heritage Board (Singapore)
The National Heritage Board is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts ....
as one of the 6 oldest schools in Singapore by marking its founding site
Gan Eng Seng School Founding Site
The Gan Eng Seng School's Founding Site , marked by twin commemorative plaques at present, is located at Telok Ayer Street in the southern part of Singapore. On 30 August 1997, the site was designated as a national historical site along with five other schools by the National Heritage Board , being...
at 106 Telok Ayer Street.
2000—Present
In December 2000, GESS moved to its new site at No. 1 Henderson Road, its eight home, where it stands to the present day. The new School building bears the hallmark of many GESSIANS both past and present, who have contributed and helped in the architectural design, the setting up of the Alumni Room and Heritage Hall in the school. The new school premises and the Heritage Hall was officially opened on 2 August 2001 by the Education Minister, Rear AdmiralRear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Teo Chee Hean
Teo Chee Hean
Teo Chee Hean is a politician from Singapore. A member of the governing People's Action Party , he is currently the country's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Home Affairs and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security, and a Member of Parliament for the Pasir Ris-Punggol Group...
.
To celebrate the 120th anniversary of GESS, the Gan Eng Seng School Old Students' Association (GESSOSA) published a pictorial history book in 2006 to document the school's rich traditions and history as well as the contribution made by its pioneers, old students and staff. All sale proceeds of the 230-page book were channelled into a students' fund for use to help any needy students. A copy was donated to Lee Kong Chian Reference Library
National Library, Singapore
The National Library in Singapore is located on an 11,304-square metre site between Bugis Junction and the Bras Basah Complex at 100, Victoria Street...
for public reference.
Tradition
School song composed by: Mr R.C. Scharenguivel In eighteen-eighty five, our founder Gan Eng Seng Conceived the noble aim for a new breed of men He started a free school for boys who were poor To give them a chance to be something more To teach them to learn, play and live at the fore To give of their best and say forever more Chorus
The story of our school is a history of change But truth, faith and vigour survived circumstances strange And true to the meaning of the signs on our crest A dragon for fire of leadership And ship for seeking and making progress In word and deed we vow forever more |
Crest
The choice of red and green for the school crest had been influenced by the colours of Gan Eng Seng Scout Troup. The Scout Troup's scarves were red and green. The Chinese DragonChinese dragon
Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and folklore, with mythic counterparts among Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Bhutanese, Western and Turkic dragons. In Chinese art, dragons are typically portrayed as long, scaled, serpentine creatures with four legs...
on the Crest is a traditional Chinese emblem of good luck, courage and determination. Red is the colour of fire and suggests the fire of courage and leadership as written in the school song. The Chinese junk
Junk (ship)
A junk is an ancient Chinese sailing vessel design still in use today. Junks were developed during the Han Dynasty and were used as sea-going vessels as early as the 2nd century AD. They evolved in the later dynasties, and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages...
is a symbol of the slow but irrevocable progress which the school has achieved over the last 100 years. Green in colour to suggest the peaceful but relentless educational spirit which has guided the progress of the school. The school's motto — "Onward" — with its sense of determination reminds one of the slow, painful but relentless advances which have been made over the last century.
Uniform
- For boys: White short-sleeve shirt with white short for the juniors and long pants for the seniors
- For girls: White short-sleeve blouse with light green dress
- Formal assembly: Additional wearing of a maroon school-tie embroidered with the school emblem
Principals
Although GESS started out as a non-missionary Chinese school, the role as a school principal, were mainly filled by Europeans (mostly British) until the long-held tradition was broken in 1939. According to its annals, the principals of GESS were:- 1895—1904, Mr Robert Little
- 1905—1914, Mr Ernest J.Gomes
- 1914—1915, Mr Pagler (Acting)
- 1915—1922, Mr J.A. Roberts
- 1923—1938, Mr H.A.L. Orchard
- 1938, Mr G.C.S. Koch (Acting)
- 1939—1955, Mr P.F. Aroozoo (except during the war years 1942-1945)
- 1955, Mr Soon Ban Hoe
- 1955—1956, Mr Peter Lim (Acting)
- 1957—1959, Mr Wee Seong Kang
- 1959, Mr Mohd Abdul Kadir (Acting)
- 1960—1965, Mr A.G. Meyer
- 1966—1968, Mr Lee Chong Kee
- 1968—1973, Mrs Peggy Phang
- 1974—1976, Mr S. Thiagarajah
- 1977—1978, Mr Ong Kim Siong
- 1979—1980, Mr Teo Lye Huat
- 1981—1983, Tan Sui Sen, Robert
- 1984—1987, Goh Yong Hung
- 1988—1994, Mr Eric S. Retnam
- 1995—1997, Ms Ho Peng
- 1998—2002, Mr Goh Choon Leng
- 2003—2008 Mr Victor Giam Chong Guan
- 2009—Present Mdm Wong Yoke Lin Carolin
Campus
The assembly ground of the school known as The Arena, takes the form of an arena that aims to generate a greater sense of community and the corporate spirit. Its strategic location is where the daily flag raising ceremonies, parades and special functions are held. The The Heritage Gallery is the school's tallest structure in the campus is a place that archives and showcases the school's illustrious history and legacies. From within, a view that orientates towards the founding site of the school at Telok Ayer Street. The Alumni Room, also known as the GESSOSA Room, it is located where the Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) Block is. It is another focal point in the campus, a gathering place for both past and present students.
Curriculum
Gan Eng Seng School offers both the Express (4 years) and Normal (5 Years) stream classes leading to the final GCE 'O' Level examinations. The school has ten departments that are closely integrated to promote both the academic and holistic aspect of a student's well being and learning development:- English and Literature
- Mathematics
- Science
- Humanities
- Technology
- Mother Tongue (Chinese, MalayMalay languageMalay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
, TamilTamil languageTamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
) - Physical Exercise and Aesthetics
- Student Development
- Student Leadership
- Student Management
As of 2006, 97.3% of its Secondary 4 (Express) students qualify for junior college admission. 99.5% obtained passes in 3 O-level subjects and 97.8% passes in 5 O-level subjects. 4 students scored 8 distinctions and 51 students scored 5 distinctions. GESS was highlighted in MOE's press release for having students with outstanding results at the 2007 GCE O-Level Examination.
GESS sports houses
Before 1938, the boys were divided into 5 houses which had their respective logos for sporting activities and other competitions. They were named after famous names on the school's Board of Trustees:- Gan House (after Gan Eng SengGan Eng SengGan Eng Seng was one of the early Chinese pioneers of Singapore known for his generosity to many charitable causes during the era of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and Singapore...
) - Lim House (after Dr. Lim Boon KengLim Boon KengLim Boon Keng, OBE was a Chinese doctor who promoted social and educational reforms in Singapore and China. Lim was of Chinese Peranakan descent, with ancestry from Hai Teng district in Fujian, China.-Early life:...
) - Chan House (after Chan Sze Jin)
- Song House (after Sir Song Ong SiangSong Ong SiangSir Ong-siang Song K.B.E., V.D., M.A., LL.M., was a lawyer and active citizen of the British Colony of Singapore. He was a third-generation Straits Chinese or Peranakan Baba , and the first ever Asian in Singapore to be knighted...
) - Lee House (after Lee Cheng Yan)
The House system was dropped for a period of 9 years from 1972 to 1980. In 1980, it was renamed after their trustee in their full name. Gan House was replaced by Chen Su Lan House, after Dr. Chen Su Lan, another prominent trustee in the old days. The flags of the Houses no longer adopt their previous logos but simply a coloured flag with the name of the house spelled across the flag. Today, only 4 house names remain: Lim Boon Keng, Chan Sze Jin, Lee Cheng Yan and Chen Su Lan
Chen Su Lan
Dr Chen Su Lan was one of Singapore's first local medical graduates. He was also an anti-opium fighter, philanthropist and social reformer. He served in a number of important committees including the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Management Committee, the Central Midwives Board and the Council of King...
.
As part of its co-curricular activities for students, GESS has six uniformed groups, five sport teams and ten special interest groups in its offerings to date.
Achievements
- GESS has been officially recognised by MOE as a niche school for uniformed groups when four of its uniformed groups namely NCC, Scouts, NPCC and SJAB received or co-won the Sustained Achievement Awards (2000–2005).
- National Youth Achievement Award: BRONZE — 45, SILVER — 2.
- GESS National Police Cadet Corps won SILVER or GOLD award consistently for Unit Overall Proficiency Award since 2000.
- GESS Dragon Scouts won the Frank Cooper Sands Award since 1997 and the Gold Award since 2003.
- GESS National Cadet Corps was the only school to stay within the top 5 position since 1985.
- GESS St John's Ambulance Brigade clinched GOLD in 2004 and 2005 CCA Award. Overall CHAMPIONS for 2004 and 2006 footdrill competition.
- GESS Girls’ Brigade 71st company won SILVER for The Girls’ Brigade Singapore Company Award in 2004 and 2005.
Others
- Ngeow Zi Jie, Campus Superstar 2 (2007) finalist.
Gan Eng Seng School Old Students' Association
Headed officially by Prof Kiang Ai Kim in 1958 after some old boys had expressed a desire to form such an association to keep in touch with the school and with one another earlier. Since then, GESSOSA has continuously organise activities to strengthen the bond of old students to their alma mater. During its long history, it has managed to organise some highly successful past functions like Career Forums, Students' Mentoring Scheme, April Ball to raise funds for the association's scholarship and charity schemes.One of the regular events is the Annual Dinner, is held annually to foster old ties not just for the alumni but also include teachers past and present, members of the Gan's Association to be updated with the latest happenings in and around the school. GESSOSA also co-organises the school's Anniversary Dinners which have been held every 5 years (except 1990). Notable alumnus were usually invited to attend as Special Guest to grace the event. GESSOSA has a dedicated room that is nestled in the school CCA Block that continue to serve as a melting pot for both past and current students to this day.
GESSOSA Presidents
As of 2008, the Presidents of GESSOSA were:- 1958—1959, Prof Kiang Ai Kim
- 1960, Mr Tan Wee Kian
- 1961—1964, Mr Chu Tee Seng
- 1965, Dr Lai Chan See
- 1966, Mr Anwarul Haque
- 1967, Mr Woo Kok Chew, Raymond
- 1968, Dr Khor Tong Hong
- 1969, Mr Chew Kwan Weng
- 1970—1990, Dr Chan Yew Foon
- 1991—1992, Mr Yap Eng Thong, Michael
- 1993—1996, Mr Ho Wah On
- 1997—1998, Mr Tan Teow Hock, Walter
- 1999—2001, Dr Si-Hoe Kok Soon
- 2002—2006, Mr Shee Ping Fatt, Alfred
- 2007—present, Mr Teo Kim Ching
Alumni
- Dr. S. VasooMembers of the Singapore ParliamentThe following is a historical list of members for the current and past ten Parliaments of Singapore:-See also:*1st Parliament of Singapore*2nd Parliament of Singapore*3rd Parliament of Singapore*4th Parliament of Singapore*5th Parliament of Singapore...
- Member of ParliamentMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Tanjong Pagar GRCTanjong Pagar Group Representation ConstituencyTanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency is currently a five-member Group Representation Constituency in central Singapore....
. - Dr. Yeo Ning HongMembers of the Singapore ParliamentThe following is a historical list of members for the current and past ten Parliaments of Singapore:-See also:*1st Parliament of Singapore*2nd Parliament of Singapore*3rd Parliament of Singapore*4th Parliament of Singapore*5th Parliament of Singapore...
Former Minister of Communications and Information. - Chua Kim Yeow, Former Accountant GeneralAccountant GeneralThe Accountant General or Accountant-General was formerly an officer in the English Court of Chancery who received all moneys lodged in court, deposited them in a bank, and disbursed them. The office was abolished by the Chancery Funds Act of 1872, with the duties transferred to the...
and Presidential CandidatePresidential elections in SingaporePresidential elections in Singapore, in which the President of Singapore is directly elected by popular vote, were introduced through amendments to the Constitution of Singapore in 1991. Potential candidates for office have to fulfil stringent qualifications set out in the Constitution....
. - Emeritus Professor Kiang Ai Kim - Retired Senior Professor of Chemistry, National University of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeThe National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
. - Khoo Kay Chai - Former Principal, Singapore PolytechnicSingapore PolytechnicSingapore Polytechnic , the first polytechnic established in Singapore, was founded in 1954. The former campus was originally located at Prince Edward Road...
. - Koh Poh Tiong - CEO, Asia Pacific BreweriesAsia Pacific BreweriesAsia Pacific Breweries is an Asian brewery company founded as Malayan Breweries Limited in 1931, in a joint venture between Heineken International and Fraser and Neave, and given its present name in 1990. It currently controls 30 breweries in 12 countries in the Asia Pacific region, selling over...
. - Leon Jay Williams - Eurasian actor and singer based in TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. - Daren Tan - Singer
- R. Palakrishnan (d.2003), Senior CounselSenior CounselThe title of Senior Counsel or State Counsel is given to a senior barrister or advocate in some countries, typically equivalent to the title "Queen's Counsel" used in Commonwealth Realms...
- Former President, Law Society of SingaporeLaw Society of SingaporeThe Law Society of Singapore is the organisation that represents all lawyers in Singapore. It publishes the Law Gazette and operates a scheme for needy people to benefit from legal services free-of-charge. The Society also sets out rules for how lawyers should advertise. The Law Society is...
(3 terms) - Chan Chon Hoe (d.2003) - Oldest ScoutScoutingScouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
and Gessian at 94 and the last surviving witness of the aftermath of the 1915 Singapore Mutiny1915 Singapore MutinyThe 1915 Singapore Mutiny, also known as the 1915 Sepoy Mutiny, or Mutiny of the 5th Native Light Infantry was a mutiny involving up to half of 850 sepoys against the British in Singapore during the First World War, linked with the 1915 Ghadar Conspiracy...
. - Borhan Abu SamahBorhan Abu SamahBorhan Abu Samah was a Singaporean footballer in the 1990s, who played in the Singapore national football team. He died on October 29, 1999 of liver cancer at the age of 34....
(d.1999), former national footballer.
See also
- Gan Eng SengGan Eng SengGan Eng Seng was one of the early Chinese pioneers of Singapore known for his generosity to many charitable causes during the era of the British Straits Settlements of Malaya and Singapore...
- Gan Eng Seng School Founding SiteGan Eng Seng School Founding SiteThe Gan Eng Seng School's Founding Site , marked by twin commemorative plaques at present, is located at Telok Ayer Street in the southern part of Singapore. On 30 August 1997, the site was designated as a national historical site along with five other schools by the National Heritage Board , being...
- Ministry of Education, Singapore