Sunday Times, 13 September 2009

They opposed co-ed proposal in 2005, now they object to VJC’s plan to admit Sec 1s
By Mavis Toh

How far will you go to preserve the ‘family spirit’ of your alma mater?

One group, old boys of Victoria School (VS), went to the extent of writing to ministers, setting up online petitions and Facebook groups, and calling a press conference.

Four years ago, they objected to a proposal to turn the school co-ed.

Recently, they were upset again after affiliated school Victoria Junior College (VJC) wanted to enrol Secondary 1 students.

At the crux of the present brouhaha is this: VJC wants to attract top primary school pupils by accepting them – both boys and girls – at Sec 1 and taking them through a six-year programme to the A levels.

VJC submitted its proposal to the Ministry of Education (MOE) last month. It currently enrols students from Sec 3 for a four-year integrated programme (IP).

The old boys oppose the initiative for several reasons. If VJC gets its way, they fear it will vie with VS for the same post-primary cohort and hence ‘split up the family’.

Also, the Old Victorians’ Association (OVA) told The Sunday Times it is all for a VS-VJC merger as long as the school’s heritage is preserved and VS remains a single-sex school.

OVA president Vernon Teo, 41, said the group is especially ‘disappointed, saddened and puzzled’ as to why it was not properly informed and consulted before VJC’s submission.

VS started as an English class in Kampong Glam Malay School in 1876. Over the years, it moved to Victoria Street, Tyrwhitt Road and the present Siglap Link.

It attracted students from all walks of life and produced three presidents: Mr Yusof Ishak, Mr C.V. Devan Nair and Mr S R Nathan.

Today, the 133-year-old school is the only all-boys government school left and is a top boys’ school.

VJC, an idea first mooted by Victorians, was set up in 1984 after the late MP Dr Ong Chit Chung, an alumnus, submitted a proposal to the MOE. It has always ranked as one of the top JCs.

In 2005, after a proposal was floated for VS to become co-ed, then OVA president Teo Ser Luck organised a forum for the involved committees, alumni, teachers and principals.

Mr Teo, 41, now Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Transport), attributes his leadership qualities to his time at the school, and said Victorians are a ‘bonded and vocal bunch’ who readily contribute time and money generously to the school.

‘The school spirit has always been very strong. We would cheer our schoolmates in everything, from those involved in the band to drama to sports,’ recalled Mr Teo, who graduated in 1984.

Mr Vernon Teo, the managing director of an events management and production company, who took over as OVA chief in 2007, said he continues the fight to keep the school’s heritage.

Besides holding two more dialogues, he wrote to Education Minister Ng Eng Hen last month to explain why the association is against the expansion of the JC’s IP.

He has also called a press conference and, last week, penned an open letter to the Victoria Executive and Advisory Committee (VEC/VAC). The Sunday Times understands that this 18-member body, which includes old boys, can offer its views on the policy decisions of VS and VJC.

Mr Vernon Teo said previous meetings had led to an agreement that OVA be consulted on major decisions by VS and/or VJC, especially regarding the implementation of any IP.

He added that the OVA had not been consulted on VJC’s recent proposal, even if the move was apparently backed and supported by the VEC/VAC. He wants to know if there was a voting process and, if so, what the outcome was.

‘My question is, before the proposal was made, had they consulted enough parents, students, stakeholders and old boys,’ he said.

He graduated 25 years ago and spoke fondly of the times he sneaked into the school’s Jalan Besar campus after dark with fellow boys for ‘ghost walks’.

‘It was there we built our character and grew from mischievous boys into young men,’ he said.

Another Victorian, Mr Teo Yang Song, 55, agreed that VJC’s proposal would split the family. But if the proposal passes, he wants VJC to stop using VS’ badge and song.

The senior executive building officer has been voluntarily coaching the VS soccer team for the past 12 years. He met his wife there, when they were in the school’s co-educational pre-university classes, and his eldest son, 28, is an old boy too.

Meanwhile, a Facebook group set up to protest against expanding the IP now has about 2,200 members. Also, all 60 comments posted on a website OVA launched to gather views on VJC’s proposal were against the idea.

But one old boy, engineer William Tan, 57, does not care. He said: ‘The education landscape has changed, the principals should do what’s best for the students. Retaining heritage is not everything.’

When contacted, VJC principal Chan Poh Meng said that since 2005, VJC and VS have actively engaged OVA members, former students as well as the VEC/VAC to discuss extending VJC’s IP to Sec 1 students, including a possible merger with VS. Several meetings were held, he added, before the proposal was submitted to the MOE.

Meanwhile, the OVA has three suggestions: a merger with centralised management; a collaboration with an all-girls school to provide students for the IP; or setting up an all-girls school within the Victorian family.

Said Mr Vernon Teo: ‘We just want to look after the interests of the family.’

mavistoh@sph.com.sg

What are your views on the moves by the old boys? Send them to suntimes@sph.com.sg

150 Comments. Leave new

  • A Family Member
    21 September 2009 17:33

    Surely, any self-respecting body like VJ and VAC/VEC should understand the fundamental values of democracy which simply means a governing body respecting its stakeholders and being accountable to them.

    Right from the start, it seems that VJ and VAC/VEC have not applied the essence of democracy in consulting its stakeholders before acting. Here’s a chronology of events since 2005 that exemplifies their high-handedness in this matter:

    2005: Story breaks that VS with VJC's 'corroboration'* submits proposal to MOE to turn VS into a co-ed institution to merge with VJC to become 'feeder'* to VJ IP programme. Strong reaction both in the schools and the fraternity. Protests break out in school while old boys start Internet petition which draws about two thousand signatures. Proposal put on hold.

    2007: Issue resurfaces at VEC/VAC meeting. OVA is asked to support move for VS to go co-ed but OVA says that it needs mandate from members/alumni. Two forum/dialogue sessions are held in VS in the year with alumni which take a firm stand on two issues: The proposal for VS to go co-ed is rejected and it is made clear that there should be no change to name, heritage, identity. It is okay with merger with VJC but with VS as an equal player i.e. all boys from VS qualify for the IP programme.

    2008: 1. VEC/VAC vice Chair speaks to VS Sch teacher representatives in March about the need for VS to go Coed. 2. OVA is again asked to support merger proposal with VS going co-ed. OVA organises meeting beween VEC and Opinion Leaders from the OVA Council and alumni members in March with the latter reaffirming the stand taken at 2007 forums – no co-ed and name change. Vice Chair VEC/VAC agrees that any proposal sent to MOE will require broad alumni support. 3. At VEC/VAC meeting with OVA president and Secretary in September, statistics of VS PSLE intakes over the years are put up to convince OVA that VS has to go co-ed or be left behind. 4. Another round of VEC/VAC/ Opinion Leaders meeting takes place in October. Acting Chairman VEC/VAC agrees to consult both schools and OVA/Opinion Leaders of any new proposals.

    2009 : 1.OVA carries out public consultation exercise to obtain feedback on ongoing merger issue. Results clearly indicate position held by alumni in 2007 and 2008 dialogues – no co-ed and no split in Victorian fraternity.2. VEC/VAC Chairman speaks to Victoria School teachers to explain why the board has to support VJ's proposed 6 yr IP move although he admits, when questioned, that this will hurt Victoria school. 3. VEC/VAC Chairman calls for another meeting with OVA/Opinion Leaders. The request is turned down as there has been no change in VEC/VAC earlier stand i.e : if VS refuses co-ed, then no IP for VS. 4. Zhao Bao and New Paper carry story of VJ's intention to go their way. Negative feedback by some concerned old boys to this proposal appears in New Paper forum page

    5. Yet, VJ with VEC/VAC support officially sends in proposal to MOE 4 days after 25th Anniversary Celebrations.

    These acts by them are simply exercises of convenience which are indefensible and unconstitutional by any standard. Their acts of consultation are sheer theatrical and insincere. The VJ principal stated that several meetings were held before the proposal was submitted to the MOE. To this, I would like Mr Chan to clarify what did he mean by ‘meetings’, how many were there and who were in these meetings. If possible, provide us with a chronology of these meetings and convince us that they are just not paying lip-service to the interests of all stakeholders.

  • Learn to Respect Oth
    21 September 2009 18:53

    QUESTION – How many members on the VEC/VAC board know the details of the IP proposal submitted to MOE? Same of the OVA Mgt Council… From what I have gathered not many are aware of the details of the proposal – not even seeing the cover page of the proposal… So is it a matter of VJC charting their own path and VEC/VAC "blindly" endorsing???

    REQUEST – directly/specifically to Ng Yat Chung (former SAF Chief of Defence Forces and current Management Managing Director of Temasek Holdings), the VEC/VAC chairperson or stand-in president, shouldn't you be replying to OVAMC open letter which was directed to you, posted on this website? You definitely have an obligation to reply the query put forth by a major stakeholder – the alumni. The OVAMC has done its duty in consolidating the ground voices which VEC/VAC has failed to do so and chosen to conveniently ignore. So as alumni, we expect minimally a reply from you – regardless it is satisfactory… if not, i geniunely doubt your leadership over VEC/VAC…

    PLS REPLY!!! Walk your talk…

  • It is unlikely that VEC/VAC will reply to the open letter by Vernon Teo, OVA. They and the VJC will not comment. They will wait till MOE's decision before adjusting their answers accordingly.

  • Victoria Reunite
    22 September 2009 09:11

    BATNA
    Best Alternative To No Answer from Acting Chairman of VEC/VAC)

    The VEC/VAC was obviously not unanimous in its support of the current VJ proposal.

    The minority who “voted” against obviously included the current OVA President, the Immediate Past President and a few others.

    Divide and Conquer

    This "minority" group can now approach those who have “voted” in favour of VJ’s proposal individually to reconsider as OVA has now put forth several counter proposals which were not considered during the “voting” process.

    ***

    Build them a Golden Bridge
    (from “Getting Past No” by William Ury)

    Build them a Golden Bridge to cross over and support the counter proposals.

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    22 September 2009 22:37

    Both the VEC/VAC and OVA are actually one group of Old Victorians.

    As VEC/VAC members are Old Victorians (maybe with a few exceptions ?), they are probably also OVA members.

    The difference is that VEC/VAC members are vested with executive and advisory authority.

    However if we treat all Old Victorians equally and going by votes (about 75% against VJ's proposal if sample is representative) on OVA's blog, that is those who bother to vote, then the majority of Old Victorians are against VJ's proposal.

    If VEC/VAC members and OVA members are given an equal vote each, the VEC/VAC members would have been out-voted.

    So VEC/VAC does not have a majority, the difference is their executive and advisory authority vested in them.

    They do not have the mandate of Old Victorians.

  • Victoria Reunite
    22 September 2009 22:43

    It should be :

    The VEC/VAC therefore does not have the mandate from Old Victorians to support VJ's proposal.

  • Learn to Respect Oth
    23 September 2009 00:34

    BTW I have doubts over the executive power of VEC. Believe out of the hundreds of school in Singapore, there is only Victoria with an executive committee.

    Should contact MOE to verify if VEC has any executive power of both institutions.

  • Learn to Respect Oth
    23 September 2009 00:36

    Another BTW – anybody has a copy of the constitution that governs VEC/VAC. Believe that should be transparent to the alumni as well.

  • How VEC came about? I believe many years ago, there was only VAC. Advisory Committees were common in schools. VEC was some initiatives by MOE, possibly to give more powers to them in the setting of directions for the schools. And over the years, among the few schools who have Executive Committees, VEC was the only one who "survived". This can be verified with OVA member who are former VEC/VAC member.

  • VJC's proposal to MOE was submitted 4 days after VJC's 25th anniversary celebrations at Esplanade, and which OVA had organized. The timing is rather well-planned.
    Submission date is 29th July. It has been almost 2 mths now.

  • In the meantime, I think those who are able to, should continue writing to the ministers and the press. Thank you!

  • A Victorian in the 6
    23 September 2009 16:39

    Why is VS so special that they have an executive body like VEC/VAC? Who is the boss, VEC/VAC or MOE who is the paymaster? I find it puzzling? Can anyone enlighten me on this matter?

    Throughout the VS/VJC saga many stakeholders like parents, present VS boys and alumni were kept in the dark. It is only when OVA penned an open letter to the VEC/VAC on its support to VJC's 6 yrs IP proposal that it shed light on this matter. It seems to me that VEC/VAC and VJC had been high-handed and they disregard the interest of VS. Up to now there is still no reply from the Chairman of VEC/VAC? I think he is irreponsible as many people are waiting for his reply.

    On a different note, I noticed there is an amendment to the posting by A Family Member in 2009 point 3.

    " VEC/VAC Chairman calls for another meeting with OVA/Opinion Leaders. The request is turned down as there has been no change in VEC/VAC earlier stand i.e. if VS refuses co-ed, then no IP for VS."

  • As mentioned b4, it is unlikely that VEC will reply to the open letter from OVA or comment on it. Both VEC and VJC principal have kept mum since day 1. They will wait for the decision of MOE first. If MOE give the goahead, they will try to pacify OVA that things are not that bad, and that VJC has to go ahead.
    That's why I think that instead of sitting idly, more can be done – writing to ministers, press, petition signatures, etc. We cannot give up now.

  • Victoria Reunite
    23 September 2009 23:36

    The Great Victoria Divide

    If the Victoria family is finally divided, then there should be separate advisory councils for VS and VJ.

    From the various accounts, if correct, it appears that members of VEC/VAC are aware of the conflict of interest between VS and VJ caused by VJ's 6 year IP proposal but decided to subordinate VS' interest to that of VJ's. ("VEC/VAC Chairman speaks to Victoria School teachers to explain why the board has to support VJ’s proposed 6 yr IP move although he admits, when questioned, that this will hurt Victoria school.")

    Shouldn't VS' interest be safeguarded by having s separate Victoria School Advisory Council comprising of the current VEC/VAC members who are against VJ's proposal and new appointed members. This new council must have the support of VS principal, teachers and VS alumni and must champion the interest of VS. The support must be both ways.

    VJC can have its own separate Victoria Junior College Advisory Council comprising of those members who supported its proposal.

  • Yes, a separate advisory committee and likely a separate alumni in the future too.

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 07:52

    On second thought, even before any great divide, the composition of current Victoria VEC/VAC (16 members) should be restructured as follows:

    8 VS VAC members
    8 VJ VAC members
    Principal of Victoria School
    Principal of Victoria Junior College

    so that the interests of both VS and VJ are equally represented.

    (If what some have written is correct, there will be no more VEC next year).

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 08:20

    Combined Victoria Advisory Council

    8 Victoria School Advisory Council Members
    8 Victoria Junior College Advisory Council Members
    Principal of Victoria School
    Principal of Victoria Junior College

    VS and VJ should have its own VSAC and VJCAC that form part of a combined VAC.

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 08:36

    Correction:

    From the various accounts of recollection, if correct, it appears that members of VEC/VAC are aware of the conflict of interest between VS and VJ caused by VJ’s 6 year IP proposal and appears to have decided to subordinate VS’ interest to that of VJ’s.

    (”VEC/VAC Chairman speaks to Victoria School teachers to explain why the board has to support VJ’s proposed 6 yr IP move although he admits, when questioned, that this will hurt Victoria school.”)

  • Someone in Facebook mentioned that VJC principal has pushed for the 6-yr IP.
    As reported in New Paper, among the 18 VEC members, 7 voted and the other 11 were canvassed for votes. The voting results could even be 51%-49% in favour of 6-yr IP in VJC. We don't know.

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 10:26

    What if any, is the counter proposal of the

    Principal of Victoria School ?

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 10:28

    Open comment for the Principal of Victoria School:

    Stand Up for VS

  • My own speculation is that VS or VS principal's hands are tied, becos VJC's academic standing is higher. But I still believe that VS principal can voice out strongly against the proposal. In the old days, there are many tough, no-nonsense principals in Singapore, but not nowadays.

  • MOE changes VS principals every few years. They get younger and younger every time too. In some schools, the principals get to stay for 10+ years, but not in VS.

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 18:19

    A Tale of Two Schools

    Over at Raffles, you have the RI Principal talking about ONE Raffles.

    Here at Victoria, you have the VJC Principal before its 25th Anniversary talking about launching the VJC 6 year IP and then submitted the proposal right after the celebrations, in effect splitting the Victoria family into TWO Victoria.

    ***

    Listen to Mrs Lim Lai Cheng talk about the Rafflesian spirit, the ONE Raffles.
    http://raffles-pa.blogspot.com/2009/09/principals

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 18:25

    If the VJC principal is willing to accept and support this proposed Victoria Model, he will be the one talking about the Victorian Spirit, the ONE Victoria

    ***

    Proposed Victoria Model
    (Common VS-VJC 6 Year IP)

    Victoria Boys: VS
    Year 1 – 4

    Victoria Girls: VJC (Sec)
    Year 1 – 4

    Victoria Boys and Girls: VJC (JC)
    Year 5 – 6

    VJC and VS offer a common VS-VJC VIP

    ***

    The Victoria Model is actually the flip side of the Raffles Model.

    Victoria Model
    Girls – 6 years in VJC
    Boys – 4 years in VS and 2 years in VJC

    Raffles Model
    Boys – 6 Years in RI
    Girls – 4 Years in RGS and 2 Years in RI

    No need for change of name. No need for co-ed at VS.

    The girls are in RGS in the Raffles Model whereas the girls are in VJC in the Victoria Model.

    The boys are still in the all-boy schools, VS in the Victoria Model and RI in the Raffles Model.

    ***

    SEC 1 Intake
    VS recruit boys for Sec 1
    VS remains all boy secondary school.
    VS boys are part of common VS-VJC VIP

    VJC recruit girls from Sec 1
    This will also appeal to parents of top girls who do not want to send their girls to co-ed secondary schools.
    VJC will have a secondary division and a JC division.
    VJC secondary division is an all girl secondary school
    VJC JC division is a co-ed school.

    Supplementary SEC 3 Intake
    VS takes in Sec 3 boys
    VJC takes in Sec 3 girls
    Students from other schools and foreign scholars have a chance to apply to VS and VJC.

    Suplementary JC 1 Intake
    Students from other secondary schools have a chance to enrol after “O” levels to VJC.

    I think this is a win-win for VS and VJC and will make
    Victoria Reunited.

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 18:33

    History will remember him as the principal who united the Victoria family into ONE and not the principal who split the Victoria family into TWO.

  • As an observer, I am of the view that Mr Low Eng Teong is one of the best principals that VS has had in recent years. Under his stewardship, VS has consistently performed very well academically and in a wide array of CCA events. There is also a noticeable strong sense of pride in the school among VS students as seen by presence in the various inter schools competitions and other national functions where VS is involved and invariably Mr Low is present there to lend his support and cheer on the school representatives. Of course, Mr Low also has with him a very solid corp of teachers and other staff who have helped to make VS what it is.

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 20:02

    Given the achievements of VS academically and in CCAs, the Principal of Victoria School should be speaking from a position of strength now.

  • It seem to me too that Mr Low has done very well as the principal of VS. Hope he can stand up more against VJC's IP plan.

  • Reply to Victoria Reunite:

    Raffles – alma mater of VJC principal

    ————————————————
    A Tale of Two Schools

    Over at Raffles, you have the RI Principal talking about ONE Raffles.

    Here at Victoria, you have the VJC Principal before its 25th Anniversary talking about launching the VJC 6 year IP and then submitted the proposal right after the celebrations, in effect splitting the Victoria family into TWO Victoria.

    ***

    Listen to Mrs Lim Lai Cheng talk about the Rafflesian spirit, the ONE Raffles.
    http://raffles-pa.blogspot.com/2009/09/principals

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 22:29

    Reply to Old Boy

    Yes, I saw the name Mr Chan Poh Meng engraved on the benefactors board in RI (JC).

    If the VJC principal is willing to accept and support the proposed Victoria Model, he will engrave his name in the history of Victoria School and in the minds of Victorians as the principal who united the Victoria family into ONE.

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 23:02

    Correction:

    Reply to Old Boy

    Yes, I recall seeing the name Mr Chan Poh Meng engraved on the benefactors board in RI (JC).

  • Victoria Reunite
    24 September 2009 23:07

    Build a Golden Bridge for the VJC Principal to cross over and support the proposed Victoria Model.

    ***

    Build them a Golden Bridge
    (from “Getting Past No” by William Ury)

    ***

  • Loyalty still at Raffles?

    ———————————————————-
    By Victoria Reunite, September 24, 2009 @ 22:29

    Yes, I saw the name Mr Chan Poh Meng engraved on the benefactors board in RI (JC).

  • Victoria Reunite
    25 September 2009 09:18

    Reply to Old Boy

    No, Old Boy, I do not imply that.

    I regard his generosity towards his alma mater as admirable and something one should emulate.

    I have met Rafflesians who declined to donate their alma mater when asked by brushing it away saying that RI is already very rich.

    I also think he and his teachers really wanted to do their best for VJC.

    Let us try to win him over.

  • Victoria Reunite
    25 September 2009 09:47

    I think his achievement at VJC would be greater if he could get the proposed Victoria Model (or other collaboration models) approved and implemented and unite the Victoria family along the line of his alma mater.

    Mr Chan Poh Meng will then be remembered like Mrs Lee Phui Mun.

    ***

    "She cares passionately for Victoria (School.

    “For this Phui Mun (1st Principal of VJC), Victoria School is forever indebted to you."

    Excerpt from speech by Dr Ong Chit Chung at the farewell dinner in honour of Mrs Lee Phui Mun on 28 Nov 2001.

    ***

  • during the 1960s we had several teachers in VS who were old boys of RI who were most dedicated to VS and contributed much to the school. Among these teachers were Mr Mok Khoon Yam, the sportsmaster who later became a Vice Principal of the school, and Mr Hwang Tiaw Hoe, the scouts master and senior science master. old boys who had studied under them would have fond memories of these great educators. At about the same era in RI, there were some teachers there who were former students of VS and were fondly remembered by old Rafflesians to this day, names such as Mr Lee Fong Seng, who later became Principal of RJC, Mr Tan Kim Cheng, the NCC commandant, and Mr Puhandren, the scoutmaster.

  • Victoria Reunite
    25 September 2009 22:58

    The Raffles Model probably took the RI Board, the RGS Board, RI and RGS years to develop and refine before its present form.

    The problems and disagreements were probably ironed out without being aired in public over a number of years.

    This Raffles Model has worked well for RI and RGS.

    The proposed Victoria Model is the "flip" side of the Raffles Model. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.
    Just modify the Raffles Model to suit the Victoria family.

    As the Raffles Model has been approved by MOE and has worked well, there is really no reason for MOE not to approve the similar Victoria Model for VS and VJC.

    Also the current trend is towards merger of schools or collaboration between schools. VJC is bucking the trend by proposing a 6 year co-ed IP, in effect creating a secondary school division that competes with VS for boys.

    The proposed Victoria model does not create competition for boys but is complementary by taking in only girls.

    The proposed Victoria Model is therefore more in line with the current trend and the MOE should view it more favourably than VJC's go it alone 6 year IP.

    ***

    The Victoria Model is actually the flip side of the Raffles Model.

    Victoria Model
    Girls – 6 years in VJC
    Boys – 4 years in VS and 2 years in VJC

    Raffles Model
    Boys – 6 Years in RI
    Girls – 4 Years in RGS and 2 Years in RI

    No need for change of name. No need for co-ed at VS.

    The girls are in RGS in the Raffles Model whereas the girls are in VJC in the Victoria Model.

    The boys are still in the all-boy schools, VS in the Victoria Model and RI in the Raffles Model.

    ***

    SEC 1 Intake
    VS recruit boys for Sec 1
    VS remains all boy secondary school.
    VS boys are part of common VS-VJC VIP

    VJC recruit girls from Sec 1
    This will also appeal to parents of top girls who do not want to send their girls to co-ed secondary schools.
    VJC will have a secondary division and a JC division.
    VJC secondary division is an all girl secondary school
    VJC JC division is a co-ed school.

    Supplementary SEC 3 Intake
    VS takes in Sec 3 boys
    VJC takes in Sec 3 girls
    Students from other schools and foreign scholars have a chance to apply to VS and VJC.

    Suplementary JC 1 Intake
    Students from other secondary schools have a chance to enrol after “O” levels to VJC.

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    26 September 2009 00:28

    The VJC intake of 120 or more girls (rather than just 60 or 80 girls) would create a critical mass to compete in girl sports and other CCAs.

  • Victoria Reunite
    26 September 2009 00:33

    VJC and VS can then pool resources in terms of

    teachers
    classrooms
    other equipments

    and lead to a more efficient use of resources.

  • Victoria Reunite
    26 September 2009 00:48

    This model is not proposed by VJC.

    This model is not proposed by OVA.

    This model is not proposed by VEC/VAC.

    This model is proposed by a neutral party.

    Can VJC, VEC/VAC, OVA meet in the middle, accept this proposed model and submit it to MOE ?

    Nobody loses face.

  • Victoria Reunite
    28 September 2009 07:25

    Augmented Victoria Model: VS conducts two programmes

    Common VS-VJC VIP
    (PSLE T-Score of 250 and above or through DSA)
    Joint admission criteria set by VS and VJC for both boys in VS and girls in VJC.

    "VS Original" (4 Year “O” levels)
    (PSLE T-Score of below 250 or those who have PSLE T-Score of above 250 but prefer “O” level route)

    ***

    VS Original (4 Year “O” levels)

    Year 1 – usual entry through PSLE placement

    Year 2 – students who excel academically and meet the requirements may apply to join the VS-VJC VIP for year 3

    Year 4 – students with excellent "O" level results who meet the requirements may apply to join the VS-VJC VIP for year 5

    Boys from the VS-VJC VIP may apply to switch to “VS Original” during the first 3 years to prepare for the “O” levels either because they cannot cope with the IP or do not like the programme.

    ***

    This is a more “inclusive” (a popular word these days) approach so as not to exclude those with PSLE T-score of between 245 to 249.

    There may be OVA members who are worried that their children may not be able to come to VS if they don’t qualify for the VS-VJC VIP. This will alleviate their fears.

    It will allow late achievers who excel academically in Sec 2 and Sec 4 to apply to join the VS-VJC VIP.

    It is also a "safety net" for boys from VS-VJC VIP who drop out of the programme. This is the "once a Victorian, always a Victorian" approach by not asking the boys to leave the VS-VJC VIP to transfer to other schools.

    These students may not be as academically inclined as the VS-VJC VIP ones but could be excellent in sports, for example, soccer, and other CCAs. They will provide the pool of students for VS to continue to excel in sports.

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    28 September 2009 07:55

    An anecdote:

    A top P6 boy when asked why he did not apply for IP replied:

    "If I fail my "A" levels, my highest qualification is a PSLE certificate !"

  • Can VJC, VEC/VAC, OVA meet in the middle, accept this proposed model and submit it to MOE ?

    Answer is NO. VJC already submitted its own model and is waiting for MOE's approval to go ahead.

    ——————————————————–

    By Victoria Reunite, September 26, 2009 @ 00:48

    This model is not proposed by VJC.

    This model is not proposed by OVA.

    This model is not proposed by VEC/VAC.

    This model is proposed by a neutral party.

    Can VJC, VEC/VAC, OVA meet in the middle, accept this proposed model and submit it to MOE ?

    Nobody loses face.

  • Victoria Reunite
    29 September 2009 08:36

    Augmented Victoria Model

    This model is not proposed by VJC.

    This model is not proposed by VS.

    This model is not proposed by OVA.

    This model is not proposed by VEC/VAC.

    This model is proposed by a neutral party.

    Can VJC, VS, VEC/VAC, OVA meet in the middle, accept this proposed model and submit it to MOE to replace VJC's proposal ?

    Nobody loses face.

    ***

  • Heartiest congratulations to VS for the national schools' colours won by students for 2009 as in attached list.
    http://vs.moe.edu.sg/

  • well done victoria for the colours award! though i have left the school, it's a great honour to see the school win such honours again.

    also, victorians please be mindful of what u say on the forums. as RESPECTABLE victorians we need to maintain the level of discipline on this forum. we are all well educated people.

  • Victorian Student
    1 October 2009 00:42

    Adults, stop being lame. If my thinking as a child can be as simple, so can yours.

    OVA: Settle this matter fast? Hey come on, the VICTORIA brand name must not lose out. Please be wary! Make this count please. I want my school to go to greater heights! I love victoria school, the victorian tradiditon.

    As a member of the student body, i'm (honestly) fine with everything. I persoanlly feel that in a single sex environment, students learn better. take examples from the raffles model. If i were you, i will prefer the Victoria Model that everyone has been wanting for.

    VEC/VAC: Please work out a solution fast. No one benefits like that.

    Viva Victoria

  • Reply to observer:

    This year, the Straits Times reported that VJC hockey players are rookies, having picked up the sport only in VJC. It seem that most of the hockey players, and possibily other sportsmen, do not make it to VJC, or have chosen other JCs.

    ——————————————————–

    By observer, September 29, 2009 @ 12:45

    Heartiest congratulations to VS for the national schools’ colours won by students for 2009 as in attached list.
    http://vs.moe.edu.sg/

  • Learn to Respect Oth
    2 October 2009 01:56

    Reply to Old Boy:

    Out of our 5 sports captains from the graduating class of 2008 who went to RJC, the soccer captain was approached by RJC via a DSA placement entry on the very day after we lost the B final to Sports School. From what I've heard, he was hoping for a DSA placement to VJC which never came – reason was his "not so good" academic grades.
    Does above equate VJC better than RJC academically???

    Having represented both VS and VJC in sports, now I am really confused if it's VJC don't want VS sportsmen or VS sportsmen don't want VJC.

    News: rumoured VJC plans to close down its track n field team (2009 national boys 1st runner up, lost to RJC by marginal 4 points) slowly by not giving any DSA placements. ie. in yrs to come will just be another recreation sports – similar to VJC soccer of 80s to early 90s. Anyone cares to confirm this?

    ———————————
    Reply to observer:

    This year, the Straits Times reported that VJC hockey players are rookies, having picked up the sport only in VJC. It seem that most of the hockey players, and possibily other sportsmen, do not make it to VJC, or have chosen other JCs.

  • Academically good enough to enter RJC but not VJC. Another sinister move by Chan.

  • Mun Kwok Theen
    8 October 2009 21:02

    I propose that VS and VJC should think out of the box and come up with new initiatives or programmes such as look into and consider the possibility of having tie-ups with polytechnics and universities respectively for direct or preferential entries. In this competitive world, it will be good to have a head start over the rest of the cohort.

    Another suggestion is to improve the current mentor programme and possibly offer student-workplace attachment programmes to give the students some exposure in occupational areas of their interests.

  • Victoria Reunite
    8 October 2009 23:56

    Understand that the current thinking in MOE is that it prefers an IP leading to the British GCE “A” levels rather than an IP leading to the French IB (International Baccalaureate) as the GCE “A” levels examinations are more content based and have more rigour

    The IP leading to IB route is probably out.

    The likely route is probably a common VS-VJC VIP leading to the GCE “A” levels.

    ***

    By Victoria Reunite, September 9, 2009 @ 20:52

    My opinion is that MOE will approve the proposal that best serve the needs of current and future students in the Victoria family in line with current national education policies.

    ***

  • Reply to Mun Kwok Theen, October 8, 2009 @ 21:02:

    Unfortunately, whatever good ideas have fallen on deaf years of VJC principal.

    ———————————————————

    I propose that VS and VJC should think out of the box and come up with new initiatives or programmes such as look into and consider the possibility of having tie-ups with polytechnics and universities respectively for direct or preferential entries. In this competitive world, it will be good to have a head start over the rest of the cohort.

    Another suggestion is to improve the current mentor programme and possibly offer student-workplace attachment programmes to give the students some exposure in occupational areas of their interests.

  • Reply to By observer, September 25, 2009 @ 11:08:

    I believe in educators. Chan is doing something good for VJC, but at the expense of VS, which is unforgivable.

    ———————————————————-
    during the 1960s we had several teachers in VS who were old boys of RI who were most dedicated to VS and contributed much to the school. Among these teachers were Mr Mok Khoon Yam, the sportsmaster who later became a Vice Principal of the school, and Mr Hwang Tiaw Hoe, the scouts master and senior science master. old boys who had studied under them would have fond memories of these great educators. At about the same era in RI, there were some teachers there who were former students of VS and were fondly remembered by old Rafflesians to this day, names such as Mr Lee Fong Seng, who later became Principal of RJC, Mr Tan Kim Cheng, the NCC commandant, and Mr Puhandren, the scoutmaster.

  • Victoria Reunite
    9 October 2009 10:45

    Open Comment for VS Principal

    What you said on 8 March 2009:

    "There are many pertinent qualities about a Victorian

    – passionate, determined,

    – ‘never-day-die’ and the

    – ‘can-do’ attitude,

    – ‘last minute but still can make it’ attitudes as well.

    VS boys always seem to be able to

    – pull it off despite the odds.

    Would you adopt the same attitude and propose the joint VS-VJC IP along the line of the Victoria Model ?

    From the School Anthem:

    "Victoria, we give to you
    The honour that you claim."

    Your chance to so something and leave behind a legacy in VS.

    ***

    Excerpt from Speech by VS Principal at the OVA Gala Dinner on 8 March 2009

    There are many pertinent qualities about a Victorian –passionate, determined, the ‘never-day-die’ and the ‘can-do’ attitude, just to name a few. And of course, if you talk to the retired and senior teachers
    (there are also here today), they would add the ‘play hard work-hard’ and the ‘last minute but still can make it’ attitudes as well. VS boys always seem to be able to pull it off despite the odds.

    It is all these qualities and experiences that bond the old boys and girls and forge what many here tonight would call the Victorian Spirit. And the Victorian Spirit continues to grow from strength to strength.

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    9 October 2009 10:59

    Correction:

    Open Comment for VS Principal

    "Your chance to do something and leave behind a legacy in VS."

  • Victoria Reunite
    10 October 2009 18:35

    6. At the secondary level, GEP classes used to be organised by MOE. These were hosted in selected schools. Since the introduction of Integrated Programmes (IP) schools in 2004 and the establishment of NUS High School of Math and Science in 2005, MOE-organised GEP has ceased as such schools could cater to the learning needs of GEP and other high-ability students through school-based programmes.

    7. The small number of GEP pupils who prefer the ’O’ Level track may enrol in schools like Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Catholic High School, Methodist Girls’ School, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, and St Joseph’s Institution, which offer school-based talent development programmes.

    8. MOE, with its rich experience of running the GEP, now plays a major role in providing training for IP and specialised school teachers and the sharing of resources and expertise in educating the intellectually able.

    9. Gifted education remains an integral part of Singapore’s education system, and will continue to evolve to cater to students who are intellectually gifted and talented to ensure they reach their maximum potential. MOE will continue to play a key role in supporting schools to deliver school-based gifted education programmes. What we aim to achieve is a diversity of such programmes.
    http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/parliamentary-replies

  • Victoria Reunite
    10 October 2009 18:40

    Note this statement:

    "MOE will continue to play a key role in supporting schools to deliver school-based gifted education programmes.

    What we aim to achieve is a diversity of such programmes."
    http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/parliamentary-replies

  • Victoria Reunite
    10 October 2009 18:47

    IP Students' Performance

    Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
    Mr Ong Ah Heng, MP for Nee Soon Central

    Question

    To ask the Minister for Education since its inception in 2004, how many students in the Integrated Programme did not pass the GCE ‘A’ level examination or equivalent examinations and ended 6 years of education without a certificate.

    Response

    1. There are no passing criteria set for the GCE ‘A’ Level examination. All students who pass at least one subject in the GCE ‘A’ Level examination will receive a certificate indicating their results.

    2. Last year, the first batch of Integrated Programme (IP) students from Hwa Chong Institution, National Junior College and Raffles Junior College sat for the ‘A’ Level examination. 98.2% of IP students obtained a pass in 3 H2 subjects and General Paper/Knowledge and Inquiry, similar to the performance of the previous cohort of non-IP students in the same schools.

    3. As with previous cohorts from these schools before IP was introduced, there were a few students who did not meet the minimum criteria to apply for admission to the National University of Singapore or the Nanyang Technological University. These students have chosen to repeat their ‘A’ Levels, or apply to overseas educational institutions using their ‘A’ Level and school-based results.

    4. The first batch of IP students from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) took the International Baccalaureate (IB) examination in November 2007. All of them were awarded the IB Diploma, including one student who re-sat for one paper in May 08.
    http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/parliamentary-replies

  • Victoria Reunite
    10 October 2009 22:44

    Former Victoria School Building at Tyrwhitt Road is one of eight winners for the 2009 Architectural Heritage Awards

    ***

    5 October 2009

    URA unveils eight winners for the 2009 Architectural Heritage Awards

    The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced eight winners for this year’s Architectural Heritage Awards (AHA).

    Category B

    • 9 King George’s Avenue (Former Victoria School)

    Completed in 1933, the former Victoria School is a rare architectural treasure among school buildings built from both the pre- and post-war periods. Today, its venerated halls welcome a revitalised look, a refreshed purpose and a striking new five-storey addition.
    http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2009/pr09-68.html

    ***

    9 KING GEORGE’S AVENUE
    STATELY SYMPHONY
    2009 Awards Category B
    Owner: People’s Association
    Architect: Architects 61 Pte Ltd
    Engineer: JS Tan & Associates
    Contractor: Singapore Piling & Civil Engineering Pte Ltd

    Completed in 1933, the former Victoria School is a rare architectural treasure with school buildings built from both the pre- and post-war periods. Today, its venerated halls welcome a revitalised look, a refreshed purpose and a striking new five-storey
    addition.

    Small Touches, Big Changes
    The look of effortless elegance that surrounds the finished project belies the many complicated challenges the project team had to overcome to see it through. In addition to the rectification of structural defects and the meticulous restoration of the original shanghai plaster walls of the main building, much effort was put into updating the building in various respects to fit its modern purpose. For instance, to satisfy minimum threshold levels, the entire ground floor slab of the main classroom block had to be raised by 200mm and this had to be supported by new micro-piling.

    Existing balustrades and railings were modified to meet minimum height requirements. The naturally ventilated building had to be adapted for air-conditioning. All these little touches were done masterfully with minimum visual impact to the building.

    Seamless Connectivity
    The connectivity between the restored building and the new five-storey block was well thought out and executed. Among them, the grounds are lushly landscaped, naturally ventilated spaces are seamlessly blended in, and a series of link bridges
    connect the old and the new to bring the pieces of this ‘artwork’ together.

    Making it Work
    The project team demonstrated outstanding skill in using natural ventilation and natural lighting to enhance the internal spaces. With some ingenious reconfiguration, more space was carved out for office use from the former narrow classroom corridors at the rear of the building. The original light shelf was cleverly enhanced with a ceiling profile that now serves the dual purpose of bringing in more natural
    lighting while concealing the mechanical and electrical services.

    Indeed, the project is a highly commendable effort in integrating a new building and transforming a former school into a modern, environment- and people-friendly office. It is also laudable that the prototype 1967 hall-cum-canteen building was retained
    and restored as one of the last remaining examples of buildings of its style and configuration.
    http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/2009/pr09-68a.p

  • Victoria Reunite
    11 October 2009 10:17

    Preserve the heritage, embrace change and progress.

    Augmented Victoria Model: VS conducts two programmes

    Common VS-VJC VIP
    (PSLE T-Score of 250 and above or through DSA)
    Joint admission criteria set by VS and VJC for both boys in VS and girls in VJC.

    “VS Original” (4 Year “O” levels)
    (PSLE T-Score of below 250 or those who have PSLE T-Score of above 250 but prefer “O” level route)

    ***

    Completed in 1933, the former Victoria School is a rare architectural treasure among school buildings built from both the pre- and post-war periods. Today, its venerated halls welcome a revitalised look, a refreshed purpose and a striking new five-storey addition.

    ***

  • MOE decision will be out very soon, any time from now till end of the year.

  • VS does not have the school-based talent development programmes?

    —————————————————-
    7. The small number of GEP pupils who prefer the ’O’ Level track may enrol in schools like Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Catholic High School, Methodist Girls’ School, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, and St Joseph’s Institution, which offer school-based talent development programmes.

  • Victoria Reunite
    12 October 2009 09:43

    VS cannot just maintain the status quo.

    VS must adopt the Augmented Victoria Model to both preserve its heritage and to embrace change and progress in order not to be left behind.

    The current VS principal cannot just leave it to OVA or Old Victorians to champion it.

    He must take the lead.

    Nothing can be achieved without the labour of VS principal.

    Nil Sine Labore

  • Victoria Reunite
    12 October 2009 10:10

    I have been thinking about these two points

    1. VS has neither the legacy of the Raffles schools
    2. nor the financial resources of the Anglo-Chinese family

    Finally I have decided to disagree.

    1. VS has a legacy, not necessarily that of the premier school, but one of the top schools. In times past, VS was almost on par with RI. It is just that VS has almost stood still while RI, HCI, and new schools like NUS High, and IPs at JCs have moved ahead. VS can be revitalised.

    2. In today's Singapore, many Old Victorians are as financially successful as the alumni of ACS. If Old Victorians can respond to a rally call to raise funds for the school, the so-called financial resources of the ACS schools can be matched or even surpassed.

    ***

    "VS has neither the legacy of the Raffles schools nor the financial resources of the Anglo-Chinese family."
    https://www.ova.org.sg/2009/09/straits-times-foru

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    12 October 2009 10:28

    So VS can have both the legacy of the Raffles schools
    and the financial resources of the Anglo-Chinese family if we work on them.

    Nil Sine Labore

  • A Victorian in the 6
    12 October 2009 16:10

    Reply to Victoria Reunite

    I completely agree with you on this point: "Nothing can be achieved without the labour of VS principal."

    NIL SINE LABORE

  • This means MOE is likely to give the go-ahead for VJC's 6-yr IP proposal.

    ——————————————————-
    By Victoria Reunite, October 10, 2009 @ 18:40

    Note this statement:

    “MOE will continue to play a key role in supporting schools to deliver school-based gifted education programmes.

    What we aim to achieve is a diversity of such programmes.”
    http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/parliamentary-replies

  • As had discussed before, present VS principal has done a great job. To assist the VS principal, Perhaps OVA should focus on VS only from now onwards.

    ———————————————————
    By A Victorian in the 60s, October 12, 2009 @ 16:10

    Reply to Victoria Reunite

    I completely agree with you on this point: “Nothing can be achieved without the labour of VS principal.”

    NIL SINE LABORE

  • Victoria Reunite
    13 October 2009 17:22

    "Many of the early pedagogical approaches that were introduced to the first batches of GEP, such as research work, infusion of critical and creative thinking skills, special programmes and their mentorship schemes, have been enhanced and are now extended to other mainstream students who can also benefit from them."

    Excerpt from Speech by Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence at the 25th Anniversary Dinner of Gifted Education on Friday, 21 August 2009
    http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2009/08/21/g

  • A Victorian in the 6
    14 October 2009 14:35

    Here is my take of what constitutes a good leader viz-a-viz the VS/VJC issue/impasse. It's a somewhat lengthy piece but bear with me. Thanks.

    A true leader ultimately is one who comes to the fore when the stakes are high and when the country or organisation(VS in this case) is facing a crisis. He cannot and must not place his own career advancement over the interest of the institution of which he is a leader by keeping mum, waiting for the crisis to play out itself, and by waiting to see which side prevails in the end to, as it were, finally 'take sides.' This is exactly what is happening in the current so called VS/VJC impasse which would never have happened if we had had leaders in VEC and the 2 schools who had thought in terms of the present and future well being of the 2 institutions and who had shown the required respect for the rich Victorian tradition, heritage, vision and mission(educational philosophy) of VS and the sentiments, ideas/opinions of ALL stakeholders.

    A good leader is guided by a belief system grounded in sound principles of ethics, moral courage, honour and good sense. He will act decisively when a crisis threatens or breaks out, make a stand, lead the fight and afford protection to 'his people'. He cannot afford to be too politically correct and I emphasise, stay on the sidelines – although being politically correct to some extent and under certain circumstances is understandable considering the nature of the civil service. A stance like this will certainly demoralise 'his people'.

    While we give due credit to VS for her very good academics performance, MOE awards and CCA achievements – the pursuit of which is a given in ALL schools – the hour for decisive action has come. Does the Principal believe that VICTORIA ' is something more ' and that she can be equal partners in an IP programme that preserves not only her 133 years heritage but also the unity of the Victorian family? If so, is he prepared to articulate this and explain clearly to all who are waiting in anticipation what his plans are?

    There is a saying about crisis and leadership along this line: ' comes the hour, comes the man '. The hour has come but has the man?

  • Open Comment for VS Principal:

    Repeat comment:

    “Victoria, we give to you
    The honour that you claim.”

    ***

    "Victoria is something more" so VS Principal should be "something more".

    ***

  • Great comments by A Victorian in the 60s, October 14, 2009 @ 14:35.
    Hope nothing is too late. We are still at the mercy of MOE's decision.

  • Victoria Reunite
    14 October 2009 22:09

    More on GCE "A" Levels and IB

    IB: Strong in Humanities

    GCE "A" Levels: Stronger in Science

    ***

    Understand that the current thinking in MOE is that it prefers an IP leading to the British GCE “A” levels rather than an IP leading to the French IB (International Baccalaureate) as the GCE “A” levels examinations are more content based and have more rigour

    The IP leading to IB route is probably out.

    The likely route is probably a common VS-VJC VIP leading to the GCE “A” levels.

    ***

  • VS has always been stronger in Science than in Humanities. So IB is probably out.

  • Is this for real?

    VJC's IP plans put on hold … for now
    By Desmond Ng and Liew Hanqing

    October 15, 2009

    Victoria Junior College's (VJC) proposal to introduce a six-year Integrated Programme to the A-levels has been put on hold – at least for the time being.

    The Ministry of Education (MOE) has rejected its proposal and requested that the junior college study it further.

    It has also asked VJC to explore more options with all of its stakeholders.

    The proposal, when first discussed and later when sent to the MOE, had met with strong objections from the Old Victorians' Association (OVA).

    http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,217084,00.html?

  • Well done, Mr Vernon Teo and OVA and the big VS family who rallied to the call. Thanks to the MOE decision here's another chance for VS and VJC to work towards a solution to the desire and benefits of all. Nil Sine Labore!

  • I cannot visualize having 2 separate rival Victorian families if MOE's decision has gone the other way. So far, this news has not been reported in the major papers yet.

  • This call for a celebration!!

  • Victoria Reunite
    15 October 2009 22:18

    ***

    "Mr Chan Poh Meng, principal of VJC, however, remains optimistic. He said he was heartened by MOE's reply that the school's proposal to introduce the IP had some merits.

    He said he is not disappointed by the decision, and added that he will submit another proposal in due time after further consultation with the school's stakeholders.

    These include the staff of VS (both the teachers and principals), OVA members, Victoria Executive and Advisory Committee (VAC/VEC) members, VJC's ex-students and parents of currently-enrolled students, he explained.

    Said Mr Chan: "I don't think the door is completely shut. It will encourage me to engage the stakeholders more.

    "I think I will need to explore alternatives. Perhaps a fine-tuning of the IP is required. I will work with VS more closely."

    Mr Chan explained that he needs to have a clearer understanding about the concerns of the stakeholders. And the new proposal could perhaps address some of these concerns, such as competition with VS for the secondary one cohort.

    He added: "It's too early now to talk about that because I will need to discuss with VS more and find out their concerns.

    "We will then come up with a mutually acceptable solution without compromising the six-year IP objective, which is supposed to be holistic."

    He said that he had actively engaged the stakeholders in various discussions since 2007 before the proposal was submitted to MOE in August this year."

    ***

    When contacted yesterday, an OVA spokesman said the association has noted the latest development, and that it would continue to work closely with all stakeholders and the schools.

    He said: "Our aim is to facilitate the stakeholders' discussions with the hope of finding the best strategy with the interest of VS and VJC at heart."

    ***
    http://a1preview.asia1.com.sg:90/vgn-ext-templati

  • Victoria Reunite
    15 October 2009 22:43

    Open Reply to Mr Chan Poh Meng

    “I think I will need to explore alternatives. Perhaps a fine-tuning of the IP is required. I will work with VS more closely.”

    This is the alternative with VS as equal partner in a fine-tuned 6 year joint VS-VJC IP

    ***

    Sec 1 Intake
    VS recruit boys for Sec 1
    VS remains an all boy secondary school.
    VS boys are part of joint VS-VJC IP

    VJC recruit girls for Sec 1
    VJC will have a secondary division and a JC division.
    VJC secondary division is an all girl secondary school
    VJC JC division is a co-ed school.

    Supplementary Sec 3 Intake
    VS takes in Sec 3 boys
    VJC takes in Sec 3 girls
    Students from other schools and foreign scholars have a chance to apply to VS and VJC.

    All VS boys in the joint VS-VJC IP will move to VJC to join the VJC girls in JC1.

    Suplementary JC 1 Intake
    VJC takes in boys and girls after the "O" levels from other schools.
    Students from other secondary schools will also have a chance to enrol after “O” levels to VJC.

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    15 October 2009 22:51

    Open rally call for VS Principal:

    This is the alternative with VS as equal partner in a fine-tuned 6 year joint VS-VJC IP

    Quoting A Victorian in the 60s

    "The hour has come but has the man?"

  • Victoria Reunite
    15 October 2009 22:56

    Open rally call for VS Principal:

    This is the alternative with VS as equal partner in a fine-tuned 6 year joint VS-VJC IP

    Quoting A Victorian in the 60s

    “The hour has come but has the man?”

    ***

    Sec 1 Intake
    VS recruit boys for Sec 1
    VS remains an all boy secondary school.
    VS boys are part of joint VS-VJC IP

    VJC recruit girls for Sec 1
    VJC will have a secondary division and a JC division.
    VJC secondary division is an all girl secondary school
    VJC JC division is a co-ed school.

    Supplementary Sec 3 Intake
    VS takes in Sec 3 boys
    VJC takes in Sec 3 girls
    Students from other schools and foreign scholars have a chance to apply to VS and VJC.

    All VS boys in the joint VS-VJC IP will move to VJC to join the VJC girls in JC1.

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    15 October 2009 23:05

    Important Point to Note:

    VS must be an EQUAL PARTNER in the fine-tuned 6 year joint VS-VJC IP.

  • Victoria Reunite
    15 October 2009 23:51

    To VS Principal

    Let this be your Finest Hour.

    ***

    "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour.' "

    Winston Churchill – June 18, 1940
    http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/churchill-ho

    ***

  • Reply to Victoria Reunite, October 15, 2009 @ 23:51

    Didn't you promise to change your id to 'Victoria Reunited'? 😉

  • Yes, this is impt.

    ————————————————-
    By Victoria Reunite, October 15, 2009 @ 23:05

    Important Point to Note:

    VS must be an EQUAL PARTNER in the fine-tuned 6 year joint VS-VJC IP.

  • Victoria Reunite
    16 October 2009 07:54

    Reply to Old Boy

    There is no reunion yet.

    There is still the 4 year VJC IP which has a hollowing effect on VS upper secondary.

    This was the beginning of the parting of ways.

    This was overlooked when implemented.

    The 4 year VJC IP is effectively a Trojan Horse which must be removed.

    The way to remove it is to replace it with a 6 year joint VS-VJC IP.

    Until then, the job is not done yet.

    ***

    Reply to Victoria Reunite, October 15, 2009 @ 23:51

    Didn’t you promise to change your id to ‘Victoria Reunited’?

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    16 October 2009 08:16

    My previous posts on VJC 4 year IP

    By Victoria Reunite, September 11, 2009 @ 14:50

    When VJC implemented its 4 year IP, a “feeder” school in the East was said to have reacted by implementing its own 6 year IP as instead of its top graduating “O” levels students joining VJC, its year 2 students started to apply to join VJC VIP in year 3.

    VS did not react as it probably viewed sending its top Sec 2 boys to VJC as part of moving up in the Victoria family. With hindsight, maybe VS should have reacted then.

    By Victoria Reunite, September 13, 2009 @ 20:49

    It is already “Coopetition”.

    On relection, when VJC implemented its 4 year IP, it had already changed the landscape from collaboration to coopetition by competing away VS top Sec 2 boys to apply to join its VIP from year 3, resulting in a hollowing out of VS Sec 3 cohort.

    By Victoria Reunite, September 14, 2009 @ 09:28

    Lopsided coopetition

    There is more cooperation from VS playing the feeder school role to VJC and a hollowing out of its Sec 3 cohort.

    VJC IP at year 5 is cooperation with VS but VJC IP at year 3 is competition with VS for Sec 3 students.

    The imbalance has to be corrected.

    VS has to introduce a programme to keep its Sec 3 boys and also to compete for Sec 1 boys not only against VJC but other JCs and IP schools.
    https://www.ova.org.sg/2009/08/in-the-news-vjc-pl

    ***

    By Victoria Reunite, September 10, 2009 @ 14:03

    Looking back and with the wisdom of hindsight, VJC has been an excellent negotiator in using BATNA.

    No agreement: implement BATNA which is 4 year IP first.

    Still no agreement: implement the next BATNA which is 6 year IP.
    https://www.ova.org.sg/2009/09/in-the-news-victor

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    16 October 2009 08:26

    To VS Principal:

    Are you reading these ?

    ***

    VS did not react as it probably viewed sending its top Sec 2 boys to VJC as part of moving up in the Victoria family. With hindsight, maybe VS should have reacted then.

    ***

    when VJC implemented its 4 year IP, it had already changed the landscape from collaboration to coopetition by competing away VS top Sec 2 boys to apply to join its VIP from year 3, resulting in a hollowing out of VS Sec 3 cohort.

    ***

    VJC IP at year 5 is cooperation with VS but VJC IP at year 3 is competition with VS for Sec 3 students.

    The imbalance has to be corrected.

    VS has to introduce a programme to keep its Sec 3 boys and also to compete for Sec 1 boys

    ***

    "… lead the fight and afford protection to ‘his people’."

    By A Victorian in the 60s, October 14, 2009 @ 14:35

    "A good leader is guided by a belief system grounded in sound principles of ethics, moral courage, honour and good sense. He will act decisively when a crisis threatens or breaks out, make a stand, lead the fight and afford protection to ‘his people’."

  • Straits Times and Today have not taken up the story yet.

  • Victoria Reunite
    16 October 2009 08:30

    The current situation is that VS is NOT AN EQUAL PARTNER in the VJC 4 year VIP.

    VS must be an EQUAL PARTNER in Year 1 – Year 4 of a 6 year VS-VJC VIP.

  • Victoria Reunite
    16 October 2009 08:48

    Turning this "crisis" into an "opportunity"

    VS Principal and staff and OVA should turn this crisis into an opportunity to make VS an equal partner in a joint VS-VJC VIP to replace the VJC 4 year VIP.

    The hour has come.

    Turn it into the finest hour.

    ***

    Sec 1 Intake
    VS recruit boys for Sec 1
    VS remains an all boy secondary school.
    VS boys are part of joint VS-VJC IP

    VJC recruit girls for Sec 1
    VJC will have a secondary division and a JC division.
    VJC secondary division is an all girl secondary school
    VJC JC division is a co-ed school.

    Supplementary Sec 3 Intake
    VS takes in Sec 3 boys
    VJC takes in Sec 3 girls
    Students from other schools and foreign scholars have a chance to apply to VS and VJC.

    All VS boys in the joint VS-VJC IP will move to VJC to join the VJC girls in JC1.

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    16 October 2009 09:20

    To VS Principal and staff,
    To OVA,

    The hour has come.

    Make it the finest hour.

    “Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if VS and VJC last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour.’ ”

    ***

    “Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour.’ ”

    Winston Churchill – June 18, 1940
    http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/churchill-ho

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    16 October 2009 09:55

    Tell Mr Chan Poh Meng:

    VS must be an EQUAL PARTNER in Year 1 – Year 4 of a 6 year VS-VJC VIP.

    ***

    Mr Chan Poh Meng:

    He added: “It’s too early now to talk about that because I will need to discuss with VS more and find out their concerns.

    ***

  • 维初暂停“六年直通车”计划

    (2009-10-16)

    ● 陈能端
    维多利亚初级学院想要施行六年直通车课程的计划暂时喊停。教育部昨日针对此事回答本报询问时说,当局已经评估了维初提呈的计划书,但建议维初进一步探讨其他可能的选择。

    维初今年7月底向教育部提出申请,扩展直通车计划。它在2005年开办四年直通车课程,目前从中三开始招生。校方想把目前的四年计划延至六年,并独立招收男女中一新生。由于这可能导致维初与维多利亚中学“分家”,使两校成为竞争对手,因而引起了一些校友的不满。

    除了在社交网站面簿(Facebook)上开辟讨论区抵制这项计划,维多利亚校友会还在上个月把请愿书寄交给教育部长黄永宏,希望当局考虑校友的立场。

    教育部建议进行更广泛咨询

    维初校长曾宝明接受本报采访时指出,他大约在一个星期前收到教育部的答复。教育部虽然没有批准维初想要发展完整直通车课程的计划,但曾宝明并不感到失望。

    他说:“教育部回答中指出,我们提出的计划书有可取之处,这表示教育部并没有完全否定我们的计划。教育部也建议我们进行更广泛的咨询工作。”

    曾宝明说,他过去两年和维中校长、教师、维中校友会和咨询委员会多次探讨这个课题。维初接下来仍会与这些权益关系者进行磋商和对话。至于什么时候再提交新的计划书,曾宝明表示现在还不清楚。

    他说:“维中和维初目前都在为年底的‘O’水准、‘A’水准会考冲刺,所以我想咨询工作稍后才会开始。我们也不希望在这个时候影响学生的备考情绪。”

    维多利亚学校拥有133年历史,而维初今年刚庆祝25周年校庆。维初当年成立是因为已故国会议员兼校友翁执中建议把维中的高中部改成初院,因此两校有着很深的渊源。

    其实,维初有意开办六年直通车计划已讨论多时,维初和维中之前也探讨了两校未来的发展方向及合作模式,但双方在一些问题上迟迟未达成共识。

    曾宝明昨天也再次重申,维初想在现有四年直通车课程的基础上,继续推展六年直通车制,主要的目的是让学生有多两年时间,在熟悉的环境中获得学院更全面的栽培。

    另一方面,维多利亚校友会发言人也表明,他们愿意继续敞开沟通的大门。他昨天告诉记者:“我们一直强调的是,维多利亚学校的历史和文化必须得到尊重和保存。我们希望这件事能够在维多利亚家庭中解决。”
    http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp091016_014.shtmlEdit

  • Mr Chan Poh Meng has argued again (再次重申)(in Zao Bao that the 4 year VJC VIP forms the foundation for the extension of the VJC VIP by two years to six years.

    VJC has been positioning the 6 year VJC VIP as just a natural extension.

    The process started with the 4 year VJC VIP, a Trojan Horse, which was implemented without objection from VS and OVA then.

    Now that we have woken up to this, the time has come to replace it with a 6 year joint VS-VJC IP.

    This may be the last opportunity for VS to offer an IP jointly with VJC.

    ***

    曾宝明昨天也再次重申,维初想在现有四年直通车课程的基础上,继续推展六年直通车制,主要的目的是让学生有多两年时间,在熟悉的环境中获得学院更全面的栽培。

    ***

  • Correction:

    I think "mphasised"is probably a better translation than "argued".

    Mr Chan Poh Meng has emphasised (再次重申)(in Zao Bao that the 4 year VJC VIP forms the foundation for the extension of the VJC VIP by two years to six years.

  • Correction:

    I think “emphasised”is probably a better translation than “argued”.

    Mr Chan Poh Meng has emphasised again(再次重申)in Zao Bao that the 4 year VJC VIP forms the foundation for the extension of the VJC VIP by two years to six years.

  • Victoria Reunite
    16 October 2009 20:49

    A VS-VJC joint IP would be a school-based gifted education programme which MOE supports and also provides the diversity of such programmes which MOE seeks to achieve.

    ***

    By Victoria Reunite, October 11, 2009 @ 22:48

    Note this statement (from MOE parliamentary reply dated 14 Sep 2009)

    “MOE will continue to play a key role in supporting schools to deliver school-based gifted education programmes.

    What we aim to achieve is a diversity of such programmes.”
    http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/parliamentary-replies

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    16 October 2009 23:04

    No change of principals in VS and VJC.

    ***

    October 16, 2009

    Ministry of Education Appoints 60 Principals in 2009
    http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2009/10/appoint

    ***

  • Victoria Reunite
    17 October 2009 09:09

    ********

    MOE's Policy:

    1. Support school-based gifted education programmes (SBGE)

    2. diversity of such programmes

    “MOE will continue to play a key role in supporting schools to deliver school-based gifted education programmes.

    What we aim to achieve is a diversity of such programmes.”
    http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/parliamentary-replies

    ********

    VJC's

    Chan Poh Meng

    1. VJC 6 year IP proposal had some merits

    "the school’s proposal to introduce the IP had some merit"

    2. Need to engage stakeholders more

    "will encourage me to engage the stakeholders more."

    – further consultation with the school’s stakeholders.
    These include the staff of VS (both the teachers and principals), OVA members, Victoria Executive and Advisory Committee (VAC/VEC) members, VJC’s ex-students and parents of currently-enrolled students, he explained.

    3. Closer Collaboration with VS

    – " I will work with VS more closely.”

    – "I will need to discuss with VS more and find out their concerns."

    – "address some of these concerns, such as competition with VS for the secondary one cohort."

    3. Mutually Acceptable Solution

    – "will then come up with a mutually acceptable solution without compromising the six-year IP objective"

    – need to explore alternatives.

    – "perhaps fine-tuning of the IP is required."

    4. New Proposal

    "will submit another proposal in due time"

    ********

    From MOE's parliamentary statement and VJC Principal's interview with TNP, there are three key points

    1. MOE supports SBGE Programme and seeks diversity
    2. Collaboration between VJC and VS
    3. Acceptable to VJC, VS and stakeholders

    A new proposal which meets these three points are more likely to meet with approval from MOE.

    Proposed Solution

    A VS-VJC joint 6 year IP which is

    1. a SBGE programme
    2. Boys: VS year 1 – 4
    Girls: VJ year 1 – 4
    Boys and Girls: VY year 5 -6
    3. Acceptable to VJC, VS, VEC/VAC, OVA, parents

    will meet MOE's requirement of a SBGE programme and provides the diversity MOE seeks as it will give students another programme in addition to the Raffles Programme, the Hwa Chong Programme, the NUS High specialist programme, the Dunman programme, and the ACS (I) IB.
    (See School-Based Gifted Education (SBGE) Programmes from MOE Website below)

    ********

    However, this joint VS-VJC 6 year IP must be proposed by either VS, VJC, VEC/VAC, OVA for consideration.

    The Gifted Education Department at MOE can also be invited to assist in the design of such a programme as "MOE will continue to play a key role in supporting schools to deliver school-based gifted education programmes."

    Who will take the lead ?

    – VS Principal ?
    – OVA Council ?
    – VEC/VAC ?
    – VJC Principal ?

    ********

    By Victoria Reunite, August 24, 2009 @ 22:23

    School-Based Gifted Education (SBGE) Programmes

    School-based gifted education (SBGE) programmes are offered in 7 IP schools. The SBGE programmes are designed and implemented by the schools with specialist advice from the Ministry of Education. The schools that offer SBGE are Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) [ACS(I)], Dunman High School [DHS], Hwa Chong Institution [HCI], Nanyang Girls’ High School [NYGH], NUS High School of Mathematics and Science [NUSHS], Raffles Girls᾿ School (Secondary) [RGS(S)] and Raffles Institution [RI]. These programmes start at Secondary 1 and culminate either in the A-Level Examination for DHS, HCI, NYGH, RGS(S) and RI, or the International Baccalaureate for ACS(I) or the NUS High School Diploma for NUSHS.

    Pupils in HCI and NYGH will study in their respective campus in the first 4 years of the programme and continue at HCI (College Section) in the final 2 years, while those in RGS(S) and RI will go to RJC after the first 4 years.

    Pupils in ACS(I), DHS and NUSHS will complete the 6-year programmes in their respective campus.
    http://www.moe.edu.sg/education/programmes/gifted

    ********

  • Victoria Reunite
    17 October 2009 09:12

    Correction:

    A new proposal which meets these three points are more likely to meet with approval from MOE.

    Proposed Solution

    A VS-VJC joint 6 year IP which is

    1. a SBGE programme
    2. Boys: VS year 1 – 4
    Girls: VJ year 1 – 4
    Boys and Girls: VJ year 5 -6
    3. Acceptable to VJC, VS, VEC/VAC, OVA and parents

  • Victoria Reunite
    17 October 2009 09:18

    Diversity:

    VS-VJC joint 6 year IP (SBGE)

    "Pupils in VS (boys) and VJC (girls) will study in their respective campus in the first 4 years of the programme and continue at VJC in the final 2 years."

    offers diversity as the third such programme.

    "Pupils in HCI and NYGH will study in their respective campus in the first 4 years of the programme and continue at HCI (College Section) in the final 2 years, while those in RGS(S) and RI will go to RJC after the first 4 years."

  • Based on Chan's comments, he did not seem to care much about VS. But of cos, we can let bygones be bygones.

    ——————————————————-
    By Victoria Reunite, October 15, 2009 @ 22:18

    ***

    “Mr Chan Poh Meng, principal of VJC, however, remains optimistic. He said he was heartened by MOE’s reply that the school’s proposal to introduce the IP had some merits.

    He said he is not disappointed by the decision, and added that he will submit another proposal in due time after further consultation with the school’s stakeholders.

    These include the staff of VS (both the teachers and principals), OVA members, Victoria Executive and Advisory Committee (VAC/VEC) members, VJC’s ex-students and parents of currently-enrolled students, he explained.

    Said Mr Chan: “I don’t think the door is completely shut. It will encourage me to engage the stakeholders more.

    “I think I will need to explore alternatives. Perhaps a fine-tuning of the IP is required. I will work with VS more closely.”

    Mr Chan explained that he needs to have a clearer understanding about the concerns of the stakeholders. And the new proposal could perhaps address some of these concerns, such as competition with VS for the secondary one cohort.

    He added: “It’s too early now to talk about that because I will need to discuss with VS more and find out their concerns.

    “We will then come up with a mutually acceptable solution without compromising the six-year IP objective, which is supposed to be holistic.”

    He said that he had actively engaged the stakeholders in various discussions since 2007 before the proposal was submitted to MOE in August this year.”

  • Victoria Reunite
    18 October 2009 00:46

    Inference from Mr Chan Poh Meng's interview with TNP: What MOE could have instructed him to do.

    1. have further consultation with the school’s stakeholders.
    "These include the staff of VS (both the teachers and principals), OVA members, Victoria Executive and Advisory Committee (VAC/VEC) members, VJC’s ex-students and parents of currently-enrolled students, he explained."

    2. Work with VS more closely
    "I will work with VS more closely.”
    "I will need to discuss with VS more and find out their concerns."
    "“We will then come up with a mutually acceptable solution without compromising the six-year IP objective, which is supposed to be holistic.”

    3. submit a new proposal which is mutually acceptable to VJC and VS

  • Victoria Reunite
    19 October 2009 14:51

    ONLY ONE VICTORIA

    ***

    If there's one lesson in the livin' I've done
    The best things only come along in numbers of one

    'Cause I know the catch
    Wonders of this world
    Will never come with a match

    There's only one Eiffel Tower
    One finest hour
    One New York town
    One 5th Avenue

    There's only one Mona Lisa
    One Leaning Tower Of Pisa
    One Paris and there's only one you

    Only One You by T.G. Sheppard Lyrics http://www.top40db.net/Lyrics/?SongID=82234&B

    T.G. SHEPPARD ONLY ONE YOU (Live)

    ***

  • Perhaps it is better for Chan to step down in any merger school. No point if he does not have the heart for VS.

  • Victoria Reunite
    2 November 2009 22:59

    Proposal for "Town Hall Meeting"

    Town Hall Meeting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_hall_meeting

    Would like to suggest that OVA organise a "Town Hall Meeting" and invite the following

    Panel Members:
    Principal and Vice Principal of VJC
    Principal and Vice Principal of VS
    Members of VEC and VAC

    Members of OVA

    All interested stakeholders including alumni and parents

    Chairman and Moderator: A Council Member of OVA

    Agenda: To discuss new proposals to replace the VJC 6 year IP proposal (rejected by MOE)

  • Victorians Unite
    6 November 2009 01:53

    Yes, agree with Victoria Reunite that it's about time we have a Town Hall Meeting to update all concerned on the current developments (or impasse)and to discuss on the various options and the next steps. All stakeholders must be pre-informed on what VJC's intended revised proposal is, and it must incorporate the interest of the mother school VS. OVA and all stakeholders must make it clear to VJC that no proposal is to be submitted to the MOE unilaterally again. The revised proposal must be transparent and the details laid out open at least to representatives of OVA, all VEC/VAC members, the VS Principal, VS & VJC student reps etc for discussion before submission to MOE.

    It is really hard to understand why VJC Principal cannot be open about this and has to do it so secretively, and for such an important matter which determines the future of Victoria and Victorians. Someone should really get Mr Chan to realize the gravity of what he is doing – trying to change the course of Victoria's future and its history unilaterally (especially if it's against the will of so many Victorians /stakeholders).

  • In addtion, we should never allow these to happen again. We went through 2 rounds of shit, 1. co-ed 2. vjc 6-yr IP.

  • Victorians Unite
    7 November 2009 02:06

    Can the OVA President or spokesperson update us on what is the current status /developments? Has the VJC held any meetings with the OVA recently to discuss the various options which have been put up by OVA and Victorians over the various OVA blogs & Facebook?

    May I suggest that OVA include "Victoria Reunite" in the OVA team in your discussions with VJC & VEC as he seems to have generated various very sensible options. He also seems to have a good understanding & analysis of the educational systems, the Victorian Spirit and what Victoria stands for.

    Comrade "Victoria Reunite", we hope you can step forward to help. Many Victorians would be proud and thankful to you.

  • I have read somewhere that VS and VJC have not been close enough. I suggest that the two schools work closely together, so that such controversy does not happen again. There can be joint-events like Sports Day, etc. VEC should take the lead here.

  • Muhamad Khair Mirza
    12 November 2009 11:38

    Dear all,

    Apologies for being a bit slow to my work commitments and as a result of working overseas.

    This is the email I wrote to the reporter who wrote the story above.

    ——————————————————
    from M Khair Mirza
    to mavistoh@sph.com.sg
    date Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 11:35 AM
    subject For your information
    mailed-by gmail.com

    hide details 11:35 AM (2 minutes ago)

    Dear Ms Toh,

    I refer to your story, "School spirit keeps Victoria diehards going" published on 13 Sep '09 in the Sunday Times.
    In my opinion, you wilfully discredit the Victorians who questioned the lack of process in the said VJC's application to MOE.
    And ignore the most important facts of the matter.

    Allow me the liberty to explain:
    The majority of alumnus from VS, spanning over 133 years, develop a keen sense of identity and community, whilst at VS.
    A good part of the VJC alumnus, in contrast, equate their identity with single-minded success in exams.

    As an alumnus of both, I credit much of my success today to the all-rounded education VS afforded to me.

    Until and unless you have any degree of appreciation of the above, you simply did not grasp the gist of the groundswell of grassroot sentiment, before you acted on your article.

    Sincerely,

    Muhamad Khair
    VS 1989-1992 (Head Prefect 1992)
    VJC 1993-1994

  • Hi Khair, I thought Mavis Toh wrote a pretty good article in our favour. I can't find the part "discredit the Victorians who questioned the lack of process in the said VJC’s application to MOE" in her article.

  • Victorians Unite
    13 November 2009 01:43

    Yes, I agree with Old Boy. We should be careful and tactful in handling the Press and not to act rashly or to attack and offend, especially based on wrong facts or misinformation. We must act professionally and strictly articulate and base our arguments on facts,logic,reason, rationale and persuasive explanation; otherwise we would only be helping VJC gain sympathy and support on why they wish to dissociate from VS – we would only be proving them right. We need to help the press, media, parents and the public to understand our stand and what the Victoria Spirit stands for – and we must do this really tactfully, diplomatically, stategically and must not let our emotions get the better of us, or we will be our own biggest enemy.

  • Learn to Respect Oth
    17 November 2009 23:01

    hi Tyrwhittian…

    it is indeed a very logical view that VEC should take the lead. however since I was a student in VS, the only time I saw participation of VEC is during speech day. definitely there's many more areas they can get involved. eg. a representative down at a national soccer finals to cheer the boys and give them a pat regardless the outcome of the game.

    for the last 4-5 yrs, OVA seems to be taking most of the lead in raising fund and trying hard to connect the various stakeholders together.

    Since I mention about "stakeholders", it is rather interesting response from VJC principal to the press on further dialogues with stakeholders. Wonder who are these stakeholders he's referring to? If they are the same ones which he had consulted before the last submission of IP to MOE, then most pro outcome is the same. (de javu – speaking to the mirror)

    just to clarify – have asked around and believe there shdn't be an Executive Committee for a school, but only an Advisory one in nature cos the executive authority comes from MOE. understand VEC has managed to retain the "executive" title. To put everyone on same platform – pls NOTE VEC has no executive power, there is simply only VA(divsory)C.

    btw the so called "VEC" chairman has been quiet to respond to the OVA's letter on behalf the alumni at large. I am slowly (if not fast) losing confidence in this chairman – come on! Just speak up and let us know what's going on.

  • Victoria Reunite
    18 November 2009 00:46

    A Tale of Two Schools (continued)

    ***

    Lee Wei Ling on RI (Pre-U) in the 1970s

    The only junior college at that time, NJC was given the best facilities and the best teachers – poached from other schools, inevitably.

    RI at that time consisted of dilapidated, structurally unsound, old buildings along Bras Basah Road. It had lost some of its best teachers to NJC.
    http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Sto

    ***

    VS (Pre-U) in the 1970s

    By Victoria Reunite, August 18, 2009 @ 20:30

    A Historical Perspective of VS Pre-U in the 1970s and the founding of VJC.

    NJC started its classes in 1969.
    Hwa Chong Junior College in 1974
    Catholic Junior College in 1975

    A VS student who finished his “O” levels in 1974 could apply to 3 junior colleges instead of staying in VS to do his pre-university education.

    Most of the best VS students with good results left for the JCs while those who could not make it to the JCs stayed in VS. These VS students and students from other schools including girls made up the pre-U population.

    Not only the better VS students left VS after Sec 4, the good Pre-U teachers also left to teach in the JCs. Teacher turnover was high.

    VS Pre-U ended up with weaker students and a shortage of good teachers.

    Subsequently VS became a Pre-U centre for even weaker students, offering a 3 year Pre-U course instead of a 2 years Pre-U course.

    VJC was established in 1984 so that the good VS students have a JC bearing the Victoria name to go to.

    ***

    By Victoria Reunite, September 24, 2009 @ 18:19

    A Tale of Two Schools

    Over at Raffles, you have the RI Principal talking about ONE Raffles.

    Here at Victoria, you have the VJC Principal before its 25th Anniversary talking about launching the VJC 6 year IP and then submitted the proposal right after the celebrations, in effect splitting the Victoria family into TWO Victoria.

    ***

    Listen to Mrs Lim Lai Cheng talk about the Rafflesian spirit, the ONE Raffles.
    http://raffles-pa.blogspot.com/2009/09/principals

    ***

  • Victorians Unite
    18 November 2009 01:53

    Right on ! Agree fully with you Mr "Learn to Respect Others" on the various points you made. What is the VEC for if they don't seem to be doing much, and not coming out to do or say something even at such a crucial time as now when the whole Victorian Family is faced with such a critical situation and looking for them to come out to discuss and resolve the issue ? Can the Chairman of VEC PLEASE step up and face the Victorian Family to address the matter?

  • Victoria Reunite
    18 November 2009 08:45

    A Tale of Two Schools (continued)

    RJC, which was probably established for the same reasons as VJC, has been reunited with RI.

  • Victoria Reunite
    18 November 2009 10:13

    A Tale of Two Schools (continued)

    A path so divergent

    The top junior colleges, Raffles and Hwa Chong, have chosen reunion with their secondary schools.

    RI and Chinese High did not have to go the co-ed path to facilitate reunion.

    RI and VS (crest looks like that of Oxford University) were founded by the British and offer British based "O" and "A" levels.

    Chinese High was founded by a Chinese philantropist and retains strong Chinese heritage.

    RI and Hwa Chong, so different in origin and ethos have chosen to reunite the junior colleges and the secondary schools into one institution without the need to go co-ed, working with partner schools Raffles Girls and Nanyang Girls.

    That VS and VJC do not have a "sister" girl school should not pose a problem. As suggested in the Victoria model, VJC just have to start a secondary school division for girls (if no external partner girl school is found).

    Why is VJC (suppported by VEC/VAC) choosing such a divergent path and insisting on co-ed to move forward ? A path different from other top junior colleges and a path so many Victorians are against ?

  • Someone had pointed out before that Chinese High and Nanyang Girls' are actually not related, until recently when Hwa Chong Institution is formed. The only relationship now is that both schools provide students for the Pre-U level of HCI. Chinese High, like VS, does not have a sister school too.

  • About VEC, I vaguely remember at that time that MOE wanted to give more executive powers to school executive committees on the direction of the schools. VS was probably one of three (?) pioneer schools to have executive committees. Think the other schools stopped having them later. But VS still retained it for some reason.
    I may be wrong.

  • Victorians Unite
    19 November 2009 00:43

    Excellent points and analysis by Victoria Reunite.
    These are perfect existing examples ie: Chinese High & Nanyang Girls, RI & RGS which were all not directly related in their founding, history, management, etc) and now merging for their respective IP models without having to go co-ed at the Secondary or Lower Secondary levels (Chinese High, Nanyang Girls, RI and RGS all still preserve their original single-gender status).

    That is why so many of us Victorians just cannot understand why VJC or VEC cannot explore the options of a Victoria IP without compromising the original VS all-Boys status like the schools above. So many sensible options have been generated to this end and yet the VEC/VJC refuse to consider them or explain why they are not viable as opposed to their proposed VJC 6-year IP model.

    Come on VJC/VEC/VAC! At least stand up, come forward and speak up to explain to the Victorian Family openly instead of going behind the back of stakeholders, doing it unilaterally, even high-handedly, and so secretively and indignantly. This is not some clandestine organization or secret military operation.

    The Victorian Family cannot and will not accept that such an important matter which affects Victoria's future and her heritage be left to be decided by only a tiny few seemingly high-handed and secretive person/s (and who in the first place were not even elected to represent the majority of Victorians).

    Can the OVA please get the VEC Chairman & VJC Principal
    to come out to explain to the Victorian stakeholders. It is long overdue!

  • Victoria Reunite
    28 November 2009 11:47

    A Choice of Two Models (Part 1)

    The Raffles Model vs The NJC Model

    The recently MOE-rejected VJC 6 year IP appears to be based on the NJC model offering co-ed IP from year 1 to year 6. NJC started offering a 4 year IP in 2004 before extending it to a 6 year IP in 2009

    ***

    NJC IP

    2004

    Our four-year Integrated Programme leading to the GCE 'A' Levels which started in 2004, …

    2009

    In 2009, we extended our Integrated Programme from the current four-year programme to a six-year programme. Students are admitted at Secondary 1.
    http://www.njc.edu.sg/integrated_features.htm

    ***

    VJC IP

    2005

    2005 – Commencement of the Victoria Integrated Programme.
    http://www.vjc.moe.edu.sg/02_history.shtml

    Note: No special preference for VS students

    Do VS students get special preference for entry into VIP?

    VS students will compete equally with all other applicants for admission to VIP. All VIP students can be proud of the fact that they have met our selection criteria and gained admission through their own merit.
    http://www.vjc.moe.edu.sg/vip/faq.html

    2009

    VJC submitted proposal to extend the Integrated Programme from the current four-year programme to a six-year programme.

  • Reply to Victorians Unite, November 19, 2009 @ 00:43:

    Based on Chan's reply to the press after MOE's rejection of VJC's 6-yr IP, it gives the impression that Chan does not care much about VS. I dread the day if there is a VS-VJC merger and VS come under the 'care' of Chan.

  • Victoria Reunite
    29 November 2009 11:01

    A Choice of Two Models (Part 2)

    The Raffles Model vs The NJC Model

    Note: Reference to the Raffles Model includes the Hwa Chong Model

    ***

    NJC was founded as a stand alone JC and never had any affiliated schools.

    NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE
    Affiliated Schools : Not Applicable
    http://app.sis.moe.gov.sg/schinfo/SIS_SearchDtls…. JUNIOR COLLEGE

    ***

    VJC like RJC was founded in response to the challenges posed by the then JCs and was and still is affiliated to Victoria School just like RJC to RI and HCJC to the then Chinese High School.

  • SPEECH BY MR PETER CHEN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, 2001

    As part of MOE's plan to co-locate affiliated schools and JCs to strengthen cross-cohort bonding between the students and to enhance mutual support between the schools, Victoria School is scheduled to relocate closer to Victoria Junior College.

    With affiliated schools and JCs in close proximity, there would be ample opportunities for the pre-university students to interact with and to guide their younger peers. This would foster a greater sense of responsibility among the senior students and would also strengthen the cross-cohort bonding.

    http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2001/sp20092

  • Raffles Institution is an independent school comprising an all-boys' Secondary section and a co-educational Junior College section.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffles_Institution_

  • Hwa Chong Institution (simplified Chinese: 华侨中学; traditional Chinese: 華僑中學; pinyin: Húaqíao Zhōngxúe) is an independent school in Singapore offering education from Secondary (Junior High) to Pre-University (Senior High) level.

    Previously two separate but affiliated schools, The Chinese High School and Hwa Chong Junior College, the Institution was the result of a merger which took place on 1 January 2005. However, the secondary section remains boys-only, while the pre-university (junior college) section is co-educational.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwa_Chong_Institutio

  • great to know that yet another old boy fron Victoria School is going to be the new chief of armed forces staff with the rank of a three star general.
    He is MG Neo Kian Hong, the current Army Chief.
    The first old boy from Victoria School to be made the SAF Chief was LG Ng Yat Chung.
    Notwithstanding the fewer number of scholars produced by Victoria School as compared to sone other so called elite schools the school seems to have been
    able to produce its fair share of top SAF officials. Have the various student leadership programmes and the school's ethos have a part to play in this impressive
    contribution by the grand old school to the military leadership and that of other professions in Singapore? Nil Sine Labore!

  • In the book, "100 Inspiring Rafflesians", the first-ever Singapore Chief of Defence Force (before SAF was set-up), is an Indian Singaporean (cannot remember his name). Before attending RI, he attended Victoria Afternoon School. So I think he is the first Victorian to become the Chief of Defence Force.

  • By the way, MG Neo is the first and only Ranger-trained Chief of Army, and thus the first and only Ranger-trained incoming Chief of Defence Force.

  • Jan 23, 2010
    0-LEVEL'S A-LEVEL DISADVANTAGE
    Have more IP schools

    THE Integrated Programme (IP) is creating unnecessary pressure on primary school pupils embarking onward to secondary school education. Only recently, National Junior College, among other schools, joined the IP bandwagon so it would not lose out on its share of academically smart primary school pupils entering Secondary 1.

    But this widening net of IP schools has also created problems for well-performing O-level students who find it harder to win a place in the top five junior colleges.

    Because the IP cohort gets larger and larger, enabling more secondary students to gain automatic A-level places without having to sit for the O-level examinations, vacancies in the top junior colleges shrink to the disadvantage of O-level students.

    Perhaps the best way to arrest the problem is to enlarge the IP programme even more – to schools with a history of consistently producing bright students such as Victoria, Cedar Girls', Crescent Girls', Methodist Girls', Singapore Chinese Girls', Catholic High, St Joseph's Institution, Anglo-Chinese Secondary, St Andrews', Bukit Panjang Government High and CHIJ St Nicholas'.

    If the IP net is not widened enough, the space crunch in Singapore's top JCs will intensify.

    David Goh
    http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStor

    Discussion site: http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?s=

  • re Old Boy's posting of 25 Jan. In the old days, it was common for the established schools such as VS, SJI, ACS, SAS,to have "Afternoon School" named after them and operate in the afternoon session in the same school premises. These "Afternoon Schools" are not administratively part of the main schools and they operaterated independently. They took in over aged students, lesser qualified students and Chinese Schools' students who attended such schools in the afternoon after their normal Chinese classes in their own shcools. I believe one such Chinese school student was the late Prof Chao who studied at Cahtolic High School and then attended Victoria Afternoon School later in the day. Interestingly, Victoria Afternoon School was the "founding school" of the present Beatty Secondary School when the latter was established in the 1950s with its first student intake all transferred from Victoria Afternoon School. In due course, Beatty began to admit in its own students. Although Beatty was then labelled by some as a "rugged" school, it had produced its fair share of oldd boys who later distinguished themselves in the professional lifes, including a cabinet minister, high court judges, top medical and education specialists and most well known of all, Mr Shih Choon Fong, the former distinguished President of NUS and now founding President and Professor of the ultra modern Sultan Abdullah University in Saudi Arabia. Beatty School also excelled in sports in those days, especially athletics, football and hockey. It was a fierce rival of VS, SJI, RI especially in these sports. One of the school's most renowned sportsman was Mr Low Sin Chock, now a retired SIA Jumbo Captain who was Singapore's top sprinter in the late 50s and early 60s. After finishing his School Certificate at Beatty he joined the Pre U classes in Victoria School and much glory to the shcool as the fastest schoolboy of his time. In the early 60s, Mr Low more often than not made his presence at the VS Sports Day by taking part in the old boys 1oo m race. He was proud of his VS links.

  • Most must have read today's ST that RI and RJC have fully merged and come under the name RI. Let's hope that VS and VJC will merge one day and come under the name VS again.

    ———————————————————

    Feb 10, 2010
    Goodbye RJC
    It will be known simply as Raffles Institution for students in its 6-year programme
    By Amelia Tan

    IT IS now official: The name Raffles Institution (Junior College) will cease to exist.

    Singapore's premier school will go back to using its original name for all its six levels of students – Raffles Institution, or RI for short.

    RI, for boys in their four years of secondary school, and Raffles Junior College (RJC), for students in the two years of co-educational pre-university study, merged in January last year.
    http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapor

  • thanks oldvic!

    i have re-post your reply here for easy reference:
    https://www.ova.org.sg/2009/04/741/comment-page-1

  • Sun, Feb 14, 2010
    The Straits Times

    IP schools' pre-U intake has gone up

    By Leow Si Wan

    ARE you among those who believe that the places in the top junior colleges here have been taken up by students in the Integrated Programme (IP) in these schools?

    The Ministry of Education (MOE) has come out to say that the number of places in these JCs has, in fact, been increased.

    A ministry spokesman, responding to queries from The Straits Times, said: 'To ensure that O-level students continue to have access to the junior colleges which offer IP, the MOE has increased the capacity in these JCs in tandem with their implementation of IP.'

    This newspaper raised the issue with the MOE on the back of parents writing in to express concern over what they perceived as a space crunch in the junior colleges following the release of the O-level examination results.

    Hwa Chong Institution (HCI), Raffles Institution and National Junior College are among the top schools which have expanded their pre-university intake since 2004, when they began admitting students for the IP.

    For example, HCI – which, like all top pre-university schools here, runs the IP – has raised its non-IP intake by about 40 per cent since 2005.

    Students in the IP at these top schools undergo an integrated education and bypass the O levels. They thus go straight into JC classes in these schools – the same year their non-IP peers are seeking admission to the JCs after their O levels.

    Other than the top schools which have increased their capacity, other post-secondary options have opened up in the last decade to students who have completed their O levels.

    For those who want to do their A levels, three more junior colleges have opened – Pioneer JC in 2000, Meridian JC in 2003 and Innova JC in 2005.

    Those wanting to finish their post-secondary education with the International Baccalaureate may enrol at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent). Dunman High School and River Valley High School, which previously ran classes up to the O levels, now offer the A-level programme as well, while the NUS High School of Mathematics and Science gives out its own diploma.

    Parents, however, still seem to fret over a perceived lack of options.

    Those whose children have failed to get into the JC of their choice have written in to the newspaper, blaming the IP as well as the Direct School Admission (DSA) programme for taking up places.

    The DSA allows JCs and independent institutions to admit between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of their students based on special talents or their achievements in co-curricular activities (CCAs).

    Parent Toh Siew Tin, for instance, wrote that her daughter could not get into HCI despite bagging 10 distinctions.

    She is not alone.

    The daughter of Mrs V. Siba, 44, scored four points – a raw score of eight with a deduction of four points for Higher Mother Tongue and CCA – and still could not get into Victoria JC.

    The MOE would say only that the cut-off points for JCs had remained fairly stable over the years.

    But checks with the websites of some schools showed that cut-off scores for the top JCs and private institutions now range between three and five, and have been taking a long, slow dip through the years, at least in some schools.

    Educators and professionals in the service said these lower cut-off points are a result of higher standards, not lack of places in the schools.

    So to students with apparently sterling grades who fail to get into the JC they want, the short answer is this: As good as their grades are, others who also want a place did better.

    Government Parliamentary Committee for Education chairman Josephine Teo noted the silver lining: 'More people are getting As now and overall standards have gone up. We should be happy that our children are doing so well.'

    In the end, students just have to be realistic about their choices, said principals.

    Meridian JC principal Esther Lai said: 'If a student's cut-off point doesn't meet the school's requirements, he or she should pick a school which will offer a higher chance for admission.'

    Parents may be in greater despair than their children, who seem to accept that this is the way the cookie crumbles in a competitive system.

    Brandon Tan, 17 and in his first year in the science stream in Anglo-Chinese JC, spoke for several students.

    Armed with a score of 10 points for his grades in English and five other relevant subjects, he could not get into Temasek JC, his first choice.

    He accepted it with grace.

    'I tried applying but I knew 10 points was not good enough to gain admission into Temasek, so I wasn't surprised at not being accepted. I am very happy in ACJC now and I really like the school and its culture.'

    This article was first published in The Straits Times.

    http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Sto

  • Some may like to know that VS beat VJC (IP) in a National Schools B Division cricket game recently. The score is 10-0 if I don't remember wrongly.
    Luckily, MOE rejected Chan's VJC proposal to go IP from Sec 1, else we may see intense rivalry between the 2 Victorias in future!

  • Kee Xurong Hey all,

    I feel that Vjc is losing much of its vibrancy and i feel that much fault is due to its leader. I really hate the fact that some CCAs are closing down, it really dulls Vjc's vibrancy. I heard that the male softball team is closing down although it did fairly well in the nationals (3rd i think) and that T&F would not be receiving anymore DSA which is akin to closing the CCA (since Vjc usually gets its trackers through DSA.) I don't understand why is Vjc doing this to the T&F team, it was definitely one of the CCAs that VJC is good at. Although yes, Vjc T&F team is not no. 1 but no. 2 this year. Why close it down when we are the top 3? Vjc soccer was 2nd one year but it did not close down at all (which might be due to some teacher in charge).

    Oh and im not from T&F and i know my writing style sucks but pls look past that. i really hope the 2 staff members from vjc indicated in the para above would quit. better for vjc and vs
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11683824650

  • Last year, VJC lost the A Div Boys title by a few points to RJC. This year's showing is dismal. Some of the former VS boys are running for Raffles.

  • Learn to Respect Oth
    11 April 2010 14:06

    heard last yr A div gold medallist and high jumper silver medallist weren't allowed to participate in the national sch this yr… asuming gold and silver = 16 ponts…

    is this part of a scam to ensure the vjc track n field does badly this yr to "rightly" justify its closure????

    wat is education all about when students are not allowed to express their talents???

  • Once you lose it, it may take years/decades to rebuild it.

  • So far, this year's National Schools Track and Field competition, with 2 more days to go:
    HCI – 129 pts
    RI – 123 pts
    VJC – 48 pts
    ACJB – 38 pts

  • Just follow the RI model, no problem right? They have done it. After all, only RI can compete with VS.

    Remember one batch: 4 President scholars, 2 are Victorians.

    As long as we stay united, we will overcome….

  • Tyrwhitt-Tan
    18 July 2010 19:50

    What is the latest news on the VS-VJC merger? Is Mr Chan leaving VJC soon?

  • The Junior College system was implemented from the late 1960s onwards attracting the best students from VS to the junior colleges. VS was then relegated to a Pre-U Centre conducting a 3 year course.

    It was the VS Old Boys who championed the founding of Victoria Junior College.

    It seems that the educational landscape is coming one full circle, with Hwa Chong Junior College and Chinese High becoming Hwa Chong Institution and Raffles Junior College reintegrating back into Raffles Institution. Institutions now offering 6 year programmes also include ACS (I), Dunman High and NJC.

    The hope of a VS and VJC reunification into a single Victoria School cum Junior College is shared by many Old Victorians. As with the founding of VJC, this cause has to be championed by passionate Victorians.

  • Tyrwhitt-Tan
    1 August 2010 22:18

    We all hope to see a new reunited VS.

Leave a Reply

Menu