St George’s Girls’ School

In 1884, a seed of education was planted at Farquhar Street. Mrs. Biggs, wife of the Reverend Louis Biggs, began informal classes. This marked the humble beginnings of what would become the prestigious St. George’s Girls’ School. St. George’s Girls’ School officially opened its doors in 1885. Miss R.A. Shackleford served as its first principal. The school’s name, chosen by Rev. Biggs, honors St. George, the patron saint of England. He was also the namesake of Penang’s first Anglican church where Rev. Biggs served as chaplain. In 1909, the government took the reins of St. George’s Girls’ School. They renamed it Government Girls’ School and implemented a secular curriculum. The school returned to its original name in 1928. Interestingly, the Anglican church didn’t regain control. The school moved to Northam Road in 1911. Two bungalows were added to accommodate the growing student body. For a brief period, boys attended St. George’s due to overcrowding in the boys’ schools. This coeducational experiment lasted from 1916 to 1920. After this, St. George’s remained an all-girls institution. The 1920s saw significant developments. The curriculum expanded beyond reading, writing, and mathematics. In 1922, physical education was introduced. This was a time when societal norms prevented men from watching girls engage in sports or exercise. Even with these advancements, changing social attitudes proved challenging. In 1934, a debate on “Women’s Place is in the Home” highlighted these difficulties. St. George’s Girls’ School moved to its current location on Macalister Road in 1954. The school embraced the changing times. In 1961, the all-female football team traveled to Parit Buntar for a charity match. This was a surprising sight for the Perak town’s residents. They were witnessing women playing football for the first time. The football team may be gone, but the athletic spirit remains. Students today can choose from a wide range of sports. Handball, netball, badminton, gymnastics, table tennis, tennis, fencing, hockey, golf, and archery are all available. St. George’s Girls’ School has a remarkable legacy of notable alumnae. Tuanku Bainun, a former Queen of Malaysia, and Faridah Merican, a renowned actress, both graced its halls. The school’s commitment to academic excellence earned it recognition as a Cluster School in 2008 and a High Performance School in 2010. St. George’s Girls’ School continues to empower young women. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of education.