Nanyang Girls’ High School

From a shophouse on Dhoby Ghaut to a state-of-the-art campus on Linden Drive, Nanyang Girls’ High School has witnessed and shaped Singapore’s history. Nanyang Girls’ High School first opened its doors in 1917, thanks to the vision of Tan Chor Lam and Teo Eng Hock. Their dream? To empower girls through education. The school’s first principal, Yu Pei Gao, guided the nascent institution through its early years. Imagine those first students navigating their lessons in a bustling shophouse, the sounds of the city mingling with the murmur of their studies. In 1921, leadership changed hands several times before Lee Chin Tien and Liew Yuen Sien took the reins, steering Nanyang Girls’ High School towards greater heights. By 1930, the school had not only a new name but also a new home on King’s Road in Bukit Timah. This marked a significant expansion, with the introduction of three-year Junior and Senior Middle School courses. The serenity of Bukit Timah, however, was shattered by the outbreak of World War II. The school’s premises became a strategic asset, first for the British and then, after the fall of Singapore in 1942, for the occupying Japanese forces. The school’s facilities suffered significant damage. Despite the devastation, the spirit of Nanyang Girls’ High School endured. After the war, the community rallied. Teachers, students, alumni, and the board of management came together, brick by metaphorical brick, to rebuild. Classes resumed at the YMCA Building on Selegie Road, a testament to their resilience. Nanyang Girls’ High School continued to evolve, adapting to the changing landscape of Singaporean education. In 1957, the school joined the NJH Face Aided School Scheme. In 1978, Nanyang Primary School was established, a separate yet affiliated institution carrying the Nanyang legacy. A pivotal moment arrived in 1979, when Nanyang Girls’ High School was recognized as a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school. This prestigious designation marked the school’s commitment to bilingualism and biculturalism. Another milestone was reached in 1993 when Nanyang Girls’ High School became an independent school. This newfound independence paved the way for innovative programs like the Gifted Education Programme in 1999. That same year, the school moved to its current location on Linden Drive. The modern campus, officially opened by chairperson Ling Siew May, is a symbol of the school’s ongoing commitment to providing a world-class education. Nanyang Girls’ High School continues to push boundaries. The school’s Integrated Programme, launched in 2005 in partnership with Hwa Chong Institution, provides a direct path to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level examinations. Today, Nanyang Girls’ High School stands as a beacon of excellence, a place where girls are empowered to become respected members of society and agents of change.