Crescent Girls' School

Crescent Girls' School 克信女中 Sekolah Perempuan Crescent கிரெசண்ட் பெண்கள் பள்ளி
Courtesy, Generosity, Sincerity
Location
357 Tanglin Road,
Information
Type	Autonomous Secondary
Established	1956
Session	Single session
School code	3005
Principal	Mrs Eugenia Lim
Enrolment	Approx. 2,000
Colour(s)	Lemon yellow, peacock blue
Website	Link

Crescent Girls' School (CGS, Crescent) is an autonomous girls' school in Singapore and bears no affiliation to any other school. Students who applied for admission to Crescent in 2011 must obtain at least a PSLE score of 243 or above to qualify. The cut-off point for each year is not fixed, and is dependent on demand and supply of positions in the school for that particular year's intake.

CGS is one of 13 secondary schools awarded the School Excellence Award, the highest award in the MOE Masterplan of Awards. It serves as a mark of distinction for schools that have achieved excellence in both academic and non-academic outcomes. Also noteworthy is Crescent's Band 1 status, having consistently produced average L1R5 scores of less than 10 in the GCE 'O' Level (100% of its students qualified for JC/Pre-U). Crescent's achievements include the Outstanding Character Development Award, all five Best Practice Awards, Singapore Quality Class Award, Public Service Award for Organisational Excellence and more.

Crescent is one of the few FutureSchools@Singapore conferred by MOE and IDA as a leading school with excellent teaching and learning practices that leverage on technology, using TPCs to study and do research. Another achievement that has secured Crescent's position as a leading instituiton on the world map, was being declared by Bill Gates at the 2007 Global Leaders Forum (January 31, 2007) as mentor school for schools of the future around the world.^[1] Crescent now mentors innovative schools in 12 countries under the Worldwide Microsoft Innovative Schools Programme.

School history

Crescent's story began in 1955 when the then Alexandra Estate Secondary School was founded with an intake of 117 boys and 53 girls. A year later the boys were transferred to Pasir Panjang Secondary School. Miss Evelyn Norris took over as Principal from Col. S.C. Thong and Crescent Girls' School came into being in 1956.

The crest, motto and school song date from the school's early history. The yellow and peacock blue uniforms were very much as they are today. Crescent's Brass Band, which later became the Symphonic Band, won its first gold medal two years later.

Many buildings were added or acquired over the years from 1973 to 1990 at the Prince Charles Square to accommodate a growing population of Crescentians. In December 1990, the school moved to temporary premises at Queensway to enable the rebuilding of Crescent Girls' School on its old site.

From January 1994, the school has functioned from the old site with a brand new school building and a new address: 357 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247961. The latest addition to the school building is the Arts Conservatory, which was launched by the previous Minister of Education, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in July 2006.

On 26 January 2010, the Hewlett-Packard-Crescent Girls' School Green Lab@CGS was officially launched by RADM Ronnie Tay, CEO of IDA. The Green Lab@CGS, a collaboration between Hewlett-Packard and Crescent, was initiated due to rising concerns about the environment and global warming.

On 17 May 2010, Crescent set a new record in the Singapore Book of Records for the Most Number of People Wearing Friendship Bands at One Location with 1295 participants. The Friendship Bands, made by the students and staff, are part of Crescent's contribution to the first-ever Youth Olympic Games. The Friendship Bands would be presented to the YOG athletes from around the world.

School Building

The school building has 8 blocks with names reflecting the roads, places and buildings in the vicinity:

Alexandra Block houses the Administration, the Staff Rooms, a Mini-Forum, and the AVA Theatrette.

Belvedere Block has the Library, the Millennium Room, the Evelyn Norris Multi-Purpose Room/Dance Studio, the CCA Rooms, the Arts Room, the Monet Media Lab, and a Staff Room.

Chatsworth Block has the Hall, the Canteen/iWii Learning Space, the D&T Room, NCC Rooms, and NPCC Rooms.

Delta Block is made up of 6 Science Laboratories, 2 Home Economics Rooms, the Communicative Arts Room, the Language Laboratory, the Faraday Room, the Career Resources Centre, the Counselling Room, and a Staff Room.

Echo & Futura Blocks are the 2 main classroom blocks. There are 30 classrooms and 4 Mother TOngue Language Rooms.

Ganges Block has 8 Classrooms, a 3D Studio, a Video Production Laboratory, a Computer Laboratory, GreenLab@Crescent, the Performing Arts Theatre, the IT/TA Room, and the Student Council Room.

Havelock Block houses the Shaw Foundation Arts Conservatory, a Seminar Room, the Ensemble Room, the Gigajam Performance Area, a Recording Room, and the Art Gallery.

Facilities

• Foyer
• General Office
• Netball Court
• Basketball Court
• Nintendo Wiis
• Sick Bay
• Performing Arts Theaterette
• The Arts Conservatory (houses ensemble rooms, recording studio, Gigajam station, etc.)
• Language Lab
• The Millennium Classroom
• Student Lounge
• Coffee Corner (integrated into the library)
• EcoGarden
• The Rotunda
• Counselling Room
• Softball Field
• The Waterfall
• Home Economics Rooms
• CCA Rooms
• Multi-purpose Room
• Library
• Parade Square
• Study Pavilions
• BBQ Pits
• Auditorium
• Career Guidance Centre
• Communicative Arts Room
• Mini-Forum
• Design and Technology Room
• Art Room
• Future Classroom
• Faraday Lab
• Biology Labs
• Physics Labs
• Chemistry Labs
• Art Gallery
• Tablet charging stations
• Electronic lockers
• Gigajam
• Indoor Sports Hall
• Green Lab@CGS

Pupils' Creed

We, the pupils of Crescent Girls' School,

Pledge to live by the school motto:

To be Courteous, Generous and Sincere at all times,

So as to better our moral self

And bring honour to our school.

We will always strive to uphold our schools' name

To the best of our ability,

Maintaining the high standards of Crescent

We will work hand in hand with one another,

So as to bring peace and unity among Crescentians.

Programmes

FutureSchool@Singapore

In May 2007, Crescent was conferred the FutureSchool@Singapore title, one of the 6 pioneer schools to be accorded the support of the Ministry of Education and the Infocomm Development Authority to push the frontiers of teaching and learning by harnessing IT at a school-wide level.

• Talent Development Programme
• Activities for Crescentian Enrichment (ACE)
• Growing Into Responsible Leaders Successfully (GIRLS) Programme
• Model United Nations Conferences
• Global Young Leaders Conference
• Philosophy Enquiry
• Problem-based Learning
• The Lower Secondary Computer Education Programme
• The Confident Speaker Programme
• Music Elective Programme (MEP)

Features

Uniform

The uniform is a pale yellow blouse tucked into a peacock blue pleated skirt and shorts. A badge is pinned above the chest pocket, and a nametag, which includes the school logo and the student's full name, on the chest pocket. From 2009, students are allowed to wear white ankle socks bearing the initials 'CGS' in cursive script. Sports shoes (consisting only of the following colours: white/black/grey/any shade of blue/green/yellow) are worn with it. Hair, below collar length, is tied up neatly, and no hair accessories, other than black, dark blue and brown ones, can be worn.

Student councillors or Prefects wear a black, white, and yellow striped tie on a peacock blue base in addition to the school uniform. A special school badge with the word 'Councillor' is pinned above their chest pocket. CCA badges which differs from CCA to CCA, and are pinned on either sides of the collar, depending on CCA requirements.

There are two versions of the PE uniform, one old and one brought in in 2008. The old uniform is a cotton pale yellow T-shirt with the CGS logo on the front and the word "Crescentian" on the back in green cursive, PE shorts with CGS on one side and the house of the pupil on the other.

In 2008, a new PE uniform was introduced. The PE shirt and shorts were both made of dry-fit material, and the colour of the PE shirt was changed to a brighter yellow. The text on the back of the shirt was changed to "Crescent Girls' School" and the colour was changed to match that of the skirt. The PE shorts had the name of the pupil's house removed.

An additional set of shirts that is worn in the school are the house shirts. Crescentians wear the shirt on a certain day in the week depending on what level they are in, and the house shirts come in the colours red (Pankhurst), green (Brontë), blue (Keller), orange (Curie), and purple (Fry). The houses are named after great womaen in history. The shirts had "Crescentian" in white at the back and were otherwise similar to the PE shirt.

However, the 2008 Curie shirts are now orange instead of the original yellow, to avoid confusion, and the new shirts are now devoid of "Crescentian" on the back, which has been replaced by each of the houses' slogans.

Houses

There are five houses, named after influential women:

• Bronte ( The Brontë Sisters; Green)

• Curie (Marie Curie; Orange)

• Fry (Elizabeth Fry; Purple)

• Keller (Helen Keller; Blue)

• Pankhurst (Emmeline Pankhurst; Red)

Each house committee is led by an Executive Committee(EXCO) of a House Captain and a Vice House Captain, all of which are major leadership roles.

The EXCOs from the various houses organizes the school's sports-related events. Noteworthy are the Cross Country, Aces Day, and Student Leadership Camp.

Student Leadership

Student Council

The Student Council@Crescent is the driving force of elite student leadership in the school. As ladies and leaders of the future, they endeavour to set excellent examples for how they expect others to behave and inspire a clear vision to the rest of the student body. Effectively running daily school procedures and coordinating school-based events, our STARs (Student Services, Student Territory, Student Action and Student Relations) seeks to serve the school with pride, loyalty and integrity.

House Leadership

The Crescent House Challenge is for those who are active and love to be part of the synergistic arm of the House system. The 5 Houses- Brone, Curie, Fry, Keller, and Pankhurst- are designed to provide merit points for athletic, aesthetic and academic achievement along inter-house lines. Nurturing pupils' potential with emphasis on interest, ability, depth and creativity, House Leaders revel in the many opportunities of coordinating school events that bring about school spirit and cheer.

Peer Leadership

The Peer Support Programme@Crescent aims to help the Secondary One pupils in the school. It is a structured programme in which peer support leaders are trained to guide the younger pupils to develop a responsible attitude towards the school. Besides helping the Secondary One pupils to settle into secondary school, the Peer Leaders are great buddies to the younger pupils.

CCA Leadership

CCA Leaders are the main pillars of strength for their CCAs. They coordinate and organize trainings, practices and activities effectively with their teams. Teamwork and collaboration are important areas of growth as they seek to maintain high levels of camaraderie and friendship.

Co-Curricular Activities

ALL Secondary 2 students are send on Community Involvement Projects either overseas or local All Secondary 3 students will attend the Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) residential course.

Sports and Games

• Badminton
• Hockey
• Netball
• Softball
• Canoeing
• Cross-Country
• Track & Field
• Touch Football

Uniformed Organisations

• National Cadet Corps Land (NCC)
• National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC)
• Girl Guides
• Red Cross Youth

Performing Arts

• Choir
• Chinese & Modern Dance
• Indian Society & Dance
• Angklung & Kulintang Ensemble
• Symphonic Band

Cultural Activities/ Clubs & Societies

• Digital Art & Manga Club
• AVA Club
• Library Club
• Computer Club
• Photographic Society
• Innovation & Enterprise Club
• Chinese Society
• Chess Club
• Health & Fitness Club
• English Literary, Drama & Debating Society (ELDDS)
• Odyssey of The Mind

School leaders

• Miss Evelyn Norris (1955–1961)
• Mrs Kiang Ai Kim (1961–1969)
• Miss Tan Leng Neo (1969–1976)
• Mrs Chee Keng Soon (1977–1979)
• Mrs L K Sigamoney (1980–1991)
• Mrs Ng Gek Tiang (1991–1996)
• Mrs Tan-Kek Lee Yong (1997–1998)
• Mrs Lee Bee Yann (1998–2007)
• Mrs Eugenia Lim (2008–present)

Achievements

Major awards/certifications include:

• School Excellence Award (2007–2012)
• Public Service Award for Organisational Excellence (2005–2009)
• Singapore Quality Class Award (2002–2010)
• People Developer Standard (2003–2010)
• Singapore Innovation Class Award (2004–2011)
• School Distinction Award (2004–2009)
• Best Practice Award in Organisational Effectiveness (2007–2011)
• Best Practice Award in Student All-Round Development (2007–2011)
• Best Practice Award in Teaching and Learning (2006–2010)
• Best Practice Award in Staff Well-Being (2002–2011)
• Outstanding Character Development Award (2006–2010)
• Sustained Achievement Award (Physical Fitness) (2001–2009)
• Sustained Achievement Award (Uniform Groups) (2001–2007)
• Sustained Achievement Award (Aesthetics) (2008–2010)
• Sustained Achievement Award (Academic Value-Addedness) (2007–2009)
• CHERISH Gold Award (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008)
• HP InIT Award – Gold (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)
• Lennovo Award (2007)
• Innergy Gold Award (2005)
• Educational Research Association of Singapore Award (2007)
• Mentor School in the Microsoft Worldwide Innovative Schools Program (2007)
• MOE Innergy Award (Commendation) (2009)

Singapore Youth Festival 2009

• Central Judging of Concert Bands (Secondary) Gold Award
• Central Judging of Indian Dances Silver Award
• Central Judging of Choir (Secondary) Silver Award
• Central Judging of Chinese Drama (Secondary) Silver Award
• Central Judging of Drama (Secondary) Bronze Award

Singapore Youth Festival 2007

• Central Judging of Concert Bands (Secondary) Gold Award
• Central Judging of Dance (Modern/International) Gold with Honours Award
• Central Judging of Dance (Tamil) Gold Award
• Central Judging of Choir (Secondary) Silver Award
• Central Judging of Drama (Secondary) Bronze Award
• Central Judging of Instrumental Ensembles (Angklung) Silver Award

National Cadet Corps

2004

• NCC Best Unit Competition National Level (Girls) 2003 – Best Girls' Unit (Gold)
• NCC Outstanding Cadet Award 2003 – MSG Tan Yi Lin Eileen

2005

• NCC Best Unit Competition National Level (Girls) 2004 – Gold Award
• NCC Outstanding Cadet Award 2004 – MSG Ng Yi Shiuan
• NCC Outstanding Cadet Award 2004 – MSG Nuraisyah Bte Nordin

2006

• NCC Best Unit Competition National Level (Girls) 2005 – Gold Award

2007

• NCC Best Unit Competition National Level (Girls) 2006 – Gold Award
• NCC Outstanding Cadet Award – Gold Award
• Participated in NCC Day Parade 2007 as Guards-of-Honour
• Outstanding Cadet Award – Cherie Goh Shu Yun
• NCC Annual Shooting Competition 2007 – Overall Girls’ Champion
• NCC Part C Falling Targets Shooting Competition 2007 – 1st
• NCC Specialist Course: Platoon Best Trainee Nuraznita Bte Juke
• NCC Specialist Course: Platoon Best Trainee Yee Waihan
• NCC Senior Specialist Course: Overall Best Cadet Nuraznita Bte Juke
• NCC Senior Specialist Course: Company Best Trainee Li Shiyu
• NCC Senior Specialist Course: Platoon Best Trainee Nuraznita Bte Juke

2008

• NCC Best Unit Competition National Level (Girls) 2007 – Gold Award
• Outstanding Cadet Award: Nuraznita Bte Juke
• NCC Freestyle Drill Competition – 1st Runner Up
• NCC Specialist Course: Company Best Trainee Koh Shu Mei
• NCC Specialist Course: Platoon Best Trainee Sophy Tio
• Participated in Singapore Youth Festival 2008 as the Guards-of-Honour
• 2008 NCC Challenge Quest: Overall Girls' Champion
• 2008 NCC Orienteering Competition: 2nd Runner Up

2009

• NCC Best Unit Competition National Level (Girls) 2008 – Gold Award
• Outstanding Cadet Award: Tio Hui Sophy
• NCC Specialist Course: Overall Best Trainee Siti Faatihah Bte Mohd Tahib

2010

• NCC Best Unit Competition National Level (Girls) 2009 – Gold Award
• 2010 NCC Challenge Quest: Overall Girls' Champion
• Participated in Singapore Youth Festival 2010 as Guards-of-Honour

2011

• NCC Best Unit Competition National Level (Girls) 2010 – Gold Award
• NCC Freestyle Drill Competition - 4th in West District
• Outstanding Cadet Award: Thiam Jia Hui

National Police Cadet Corps

• Unit Overall Proficiency Award (Gold) (2006–2009)

Girl Guides

2009

• Puan Noor Aishah Award Coy 1 (Gold)
• Puan Noor Aishah Award Coy 2 (Gold)
• Unit Award 1st and 2nd COY (Silver)
• Inter-Unit Creative Competition (2nd Runner Up)
• Cookie Tin Design Competition (1st)
• South Division Day Gadget Making (1st and 2nd)
• South Division Day Tent Pitching (3rd)
• South Division Day Outdoor Cooking (1st)
• Inter-Unit Earth Day Challenge (2nd)

Red Cross Youth

2009

• Red Cross Arts Festival- Video Production Category (1st Runner-up)
• Excellent Unit Award (Silver)
• Community Service Award (Gold)

Chinese and Modern Dance

2009

• Asia Youth Games Performance 2009 (Gold with Honours)

Computer Club

2008

• X-Site (3rd and 4th)

2009

• National Infocomm Competition (3rd)
• SHOOOT Awards Machinima – Best Games Machinima (Open Schools)
• StrITWise (2nd overall), StrITDesign (1st)

2010

• Racial Harmony Free Media Design - Merit (2 groups)
• Splash Awards 2010 (2nd)
• Mobile Animation Challenge (Merit Award - 4th)
• Participated in Adobe Photoshop Guru
• Participated in Actionscript Awards
• NEmation 5 - Top 10 Vote for Phoenix (group C2) now!
• National Infocomm Club Awards (NICA)- Nominated for Top 6
• SiTF Awards (1st and Best Presenter Award)
• StrITwise (1st and 6th overall), StrITDesign (1st and 2nd)

AVA Club

2009

• Clean & Green Video Advertisement Competition- Secondary School Category (2nd)

Canoeing

2007

• National Inter-Schools Championship (Team) (1st; C Division)
• National Inter-Schools Championship (Individual) K1 500m (1st and 2nd; C Division)
• National Inter-Schools Championship (Individual) K2 500m (1st and 2nd; C Division)
• National Inter-Schools Championship (Individual) T1 500m (3rd; C Division)
• National Inter-Schools Championship (Individual) T2 500m (1st and 2nd; C Division)

2008

• National Inter-Schools Championship (Team) (1st; C Division)

2009

• National Inter-Schools Championship (Team) (3rd; C Division)

2010

• National Junior Canoeing Championship U15K1 500m (2nd and 3rd)
• National Junior Canoeing Championship U15K2 500m (2nd and 3rd)

2010

• National Inter-Schools Championship (Team) (4th; C Division)
• National Inter-Schools Championship (Individual) K2 500m (3rd; C Division)
• National Inter-Schools Championship (Individual) K1 500m (3rd; C Division)

Hockey

2009

• National Inter-Schools Hockey 11-aside Tournament (3rd; B Division)

Softball

2009

• National Inter-School Girls Championship (2nd; B Division)

Alumni

• Chen Liping - Actress
• Ho Ching, Executive Director, Temasek Holdings; Wife of the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong; President's Scholar
• Jeanette Aw - Actress
• Lim Hwee Hua - Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament
• Melissa Hyak - TV newscaster
• Stella Ng - Singer/Actress
• Ho Peng - Sister of Ho Ching

References

1. ^ "Innovative Schools program participating members " List of members and mentor schools.

External links

• Official website
• iMedia
• School song
• Gigajam software and lessons used in the school