Methodist Girls' School

Methodist Girls' School 美以美女校 (meǐ yí meǐ nǚ xiao) Sekolah Perempuan Methodist
To Master, To Grow, To Serve
Location
11 Blackmore Drive, Singapore 599986
Information
Type	Independent all-female
Religious affiliation(s)	Methodist
Established	1887
Session	Single (Day)
School code	7030 (Secondary) 5027 (Primary)
Principal	Mrs Shirleen Ong
Grades	Primary to secondary
Age	6 to 16
Enrolment	Approx. 2,500
Colour(s)	Blue, gold
Website	www.mgs.sch.edu.sg

Methodist Girls' School (MGS) is a girls' independent school, consisting of two sections - the Primary School and Secondary School, located in Bukit Timah, Singapore. It is affiliated to the Anglo-Chinese School family and the Methodist Church in Singapore. The school has had a history of academic, music and sporting excellence and is one of the top secondary schools in Singapore.

History

MGS was founded on 25 July 1887 by Sophia Blackmore, an Australian missionary sent by the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of America. The school started on Short Street. By 1925 the school was overcrowded, which precipitated a move to Mount Sophia, where it remained there until 1992.

MGS (Secondary) became an independent school in January 1989. In 1992, MGS moved to a new site at 11 Blackmore Drive. The road was named after the school's founder at the request of the school.

Methodist Girls' School is a well-known institution in the region with a history of academic and sporting excellence. The school was routinely placed in the top five schools of Singapore in the rankings by the Ministry of Education before the rankings were disabled. In the current ranking system the school consistently places in the Band 1 category, the highest achievable category.

The school has also produced national top scorers in key examinations as well as academic competitions, in both the Primary and Secondary school divisions.

Houses

Upon admission, pupils are randomly placed into one of the four houses in Methodist Girls' School. The selection is random regardless of whether the student previously or currently has any sibling or family member attending the school.

The four houses are Blackmore, Jackson, Lee and Olson. Each house has a Senior Captain (Secondary 4), Junior Captain (Secondary 3), Treasurer, two Level Representatives for each of the respective levels, a Swimming Representative and a Sports Day Representative.^[1]

Houses gain points from participation in the annual Inter-House games and swimming meet.

Uniform

Pupils are easily recognised by the unique uniform of the school, which has not changed since 1922. The uniform resembles a sailor's suit, consisting of a pinafore in which the upper section is white, and the lower section a pleated navy blue skirt; and a white blouse with a sailor collar, which is to be worn over the pinafore. A badge bearing the school crest is fastened between the lapels of the blouse. Prefects wear the school's tie in lieu of the badge. Student leaders are distinguished by the badge worn on the left side of the blouse. The physical education (PE) uniform consists of shorts and a round neck shirt. For formal events, such as an external awards ceremony, a white blazer with the school crest is worn with the MGS tie and a long-sleeved blouse and skirt.

Anthem

The first stanza of the school anthem is sung daily, following the national anthem and pledge. The full school anthem is sung during special occasions.

With loving hearts and joyous song we sing to M.G.S.

And tell the fame of that fair name for we can do no less.

We hope we may honor bring, and heaven ever bless

Our school, the fairest in the land, our own dear M.G.S.

Down through the years our memories will keep a loving place

For friendships made and pleasures shared, and lessons learned apace.

For those who worked and gave their best that we might learn to face

The trials of life and faith and hope and nobly run the race.

And now we're proud to raise the shout and sing of M.G.S.

Lift high her banner, one and all, her name we now profess.

In work and play for honors won, today our hearts confess

The debt we owe, the love we hold for our dear M.G.S.

Curriculum

Pastoral

As a Methodist school, devotions are read and prayers are said every morning, following the school anthem and preceding the reading of announcements. Weekly chapel services are also held. Annually, a Discover Jesus Week (DJW) is organised, where daily chapel services are held. The Primary section also has a Christian Fellowship society and the Secondary section has a Servants At the Lord's Task (SALT) club. Meetings are held after school.

Prefectorial board & student leaders

Primary

Pupils have the opportunity to serve in the Prefectorial Board or as Student Leaders. As Student Leaders, pupils discharge their responsibilities in one of two groups : Junior Sports Leaders (JSL) and CCA Leaders.

Prefects (pupils from Primary Four to Primary Six) are selected by teachers of the school. Primary Six pupils nominated for the positions of Head Prefect and Vice-Head Prefect undergo an interview with the Discipline Mistress and, in cases, the Principal or Vice-Principal of the school.

Four Junior Sports Leaders are selected from each class in Primary Four; each JSL represents a House - Blackmore, Jackson, Lee, Olson.

The JSLs help the PE department look after the PE stores, organise games for other girls during recess. The JSLs also work closely with the PE department in the organisation of sports events, special projects and in handling matters related to the PE stores.

Pupils (from Primary Five and Primary Six) who are actively involved in their respective CCAs and display leadership qualities are assigned by their CCA teachers to lead a team or a group or to serve as Captain, Chairperson etc. These students are classified as CCA leaders. They provide assistance to the teachers in their CCAs.

All Student Leaders attend training sessions, whether in-house or conducted by a vendor. They also given on-the-job training when they help in the day-to-day running of the PE store and when they handle special projects. These activities allow them to display leadership skills and capabilities.

Secondary

The Central Committee of the Prefectorial Board consists of the Head Prefect, Vice-Head Prefect and the Heads (and several Assistants) of the five internal departments - Discipline, Events, Secretariat, Student Affairs and Welfare.

Unlike the Primary section, potential prefects are nominated by their classmates, undergo an interview, then a level vote is taken. Although this procedure has sparked controversy amongst teachers and pupils, no action has been taken against this.

Academic

Methodist Girls' School is a well-known institution in the region with a history of academic, music and sporting excellence. The school was routinely placed in the top five schools of Singapore in the rankings by the Ministry of Education before the rankings were disabled. In the current ranking system, the school consistently places in the Band 1 category, the highest achievable category. The school does not offer the Integrated Programme as an option and all Secondary 4 students sit for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level (O-Level) examinations.

Sophia Blackmore Class

Main article: Sophia Blackmore Class

In 2005, the Sophia Blackmore Class (SBC) was started for Upper Primary and Secondary pupils with stronger academic abilities. The Sophia Blackmore Class was the school's answer to the Ministry of Education's Gifted Education Programme. The SBC seeks to address the needs of a group of pupils who have a different pace and learning profile. The SBC curriculum is modelled after the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) in consultation with renowned educators, like Sandra Kaplan, in the field of gifted and talented education.^[2]

Music Elective Programme

The Music Elective Programme (MEP) is a special 4-year programme, leading to the GCE O-Level Music as well as Higher Music, offered by the Ministry of Education. Its objective is to provide opportunities for academically able students with an aptitude for music to take up the serious study of music and develop their skills of listening and music making.

The MEP curriculum helps students to acquire a better sense of aural skills to appraise and analyse music of Western tradition as well as music from other cultures, such as Japanese Music and Indonesian Gamelan. It gives students a stronger foundation in music theory, a deeper understanding of music history and the ability to compose music. It provides opportunities to interact with MEP peers through camps, enrichment activities, concerts and overseas trips.^[3]

One of the few schools in Singapore offering the Music Elective Programme(MEP), Methodist Girls' School has gained recognition, both before and after starting, for producing musicians such as pianist Abigail Sin and violinist Kam Ning, amongst others. Many pupils are also members of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.

Godliness, Excellence, Love

Godliness, Excellence, Love (GEL) periods are held weekly in the Secondary section. There are currently three divisions - Character and Leadership, Pastoral Care and Career Guidance, and Sense and Sexuality Programme.^[4]

The Character and Leadership section aims to equip students with skills and knowledge, and empower them to enrich the lives of others. Framework is based on the Transformational Leadership Model by Bernard Bass and Bruce Avolio – a model that looks at the developmental progress of a student’s leadership capabilities. Structured Leadership Training is conducted for three groups - Student population (Level leadership training), Prefects, and Student Leaders (composed of CCA leaders and class leaders).^[5]

The Pastoral Care and Career Guidance section aims to provide a holistic and integrated programme which will enhance the social, emotional, intellectual, moral and spiritual growth for all MGS pupils. The values are Responsibility, Respect, Resilience and Reflection. There are three main developmental areas in this section - Affective (bonding and finding a sense of belonging), Intellectual (life skills and career guidance) and Moral & Spiritual (imbued sound values and provide a Christian environment).^[6]

The Sense and Sexuality Programme is based on the Ministry of Education's Sexuality Education Programme. The programme in MGS is targeted at Secondary 2 and Secondary 3 pupils, and aims to equip pupils with the relevant knowledge and skills to make responsible choices on sexuality matters. It is guided by Christian principles, and adapted from MOE materials to make it relevant to the students. Abstinence from pre-marital sex, building healthy relationships and making responsible choices are the key concepts. ^[7]

Affiliation & Admission

The Secondary section is affiliated to Anglo-Chinese Junior College, deducting points from students intending to apply to the school's raw score, at the O-Level examination. The Secondary section admits pupils from the Primary section if they obtain a minimum of 200 points, after sitting for the Primary School Leaving Examination. Students from other schools wishing to enter Methodist Girls' School are subject to a higher cut-off point determined by the quality of applicants' PSLE scores for that year (for the 2011 intake, a score of 253). Students may also apply through the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise, in which students may be offered a place based on academic, music or sporting achievements.

In September 2010, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced that Methodist Girls' School will partner Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), which currently offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), in its new scheme to introduce the Integrated Programme to seven more schools.^[8]

Alumni

• Becky Loke, Supermodel
• Benjamin Henry Sheares, 2nd President of Singapore
• Abigail Sin, an award-winning pianist
• Kam Ning, violinist; second prize winner of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Competition 2001
• the late Kwa Geok Choo, King's Scholar and wife of the first Prime Minister of Singapore (now Minister Mentor), Lee Kuan Yew
• Tan Li Feng, President's Scholar 2006
• Louisa Jean Lim, President's Scholar 2008
• Belinda Ang, judge at the Supreme Court of Singapore
• Tina Tan Leo, president and chief executive officer of The Link Boutique
• Eleanor Wong, playwright and director of the Legal Skills Programme at the Law Faculty of the National University of Singapore
• Wang Ya-Hui, music director of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore orchestra
• Joscelin Yeo, former national swimmer and Olympian; multiple gold medalist at the biennial Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
• Christel Bouvron, former national swimmer and Olympian; multiple gold medalist at the biennial Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
• Nicolette Teo, national swimmer and Olympian; multiple gold medalist at the biennial Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)

References

1. ^ "House Committee". Methodist Girls’ School. http://www.mgs.sch.edu.sg///section/193. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
2. ^ "Sophia Blackmore Class Curriculum". Methodist Girls’ School. http://www.mgs.sch.edu.sg///////article/69#top. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
3. ^ "Music Elective Programme". Methodist Girls’ School. http://www.mgs.sch.edu.sg////////article/75#top. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
4. ^ "Godliness, Excellence, Love". Methodist Girls’ School. http://www.mgs.sch.edu.sg/////////section/124. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
5. ^ "Character and Leadership". Methodist Girls’ School. http://www.mgs.sch.edu.sg/////////article/77#top. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
6. ^ "Pastoral Care and Career Guidance". Methodist Girls’ School. http://www.mgs.sch.edu.sg/////////article/78#top. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
7. ^ "Sense and Sexuality Programme". Methodist Girls’ School. http://www.mgs.sch.edu.sg/////////article/924#top. Retrieved 2010-05-24. 
8. ^ "Seven new schools join the Integrated Programme". Channel News Asia Singapore. 2010. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1078485/1/.html. Retrieved 2010-10-05. 

External links

• Official school website