SPEECH BY MR PETER CHEN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND MINISTRY OF TRADE & INDUSTRY AT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH-CUM-PRIZE GIVING DAY ON SATURDAY 4 AUGUST, 2001 AT 9AM AT THE SCHOOL PREMISES

Mr Francis Lau, Chairman of the School Advisory Committee

Members of the School Advisory Committee

Mrs Goh Hwee Choo, Principal

Staff and Pupils of Catholic High School,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure to be present here this morning on your Speech and Prize-Presentation Day. I have read something of your school history, and can understand what makes Catholic High great.

Catholic High School was founded in 1935 by the late Rev. Fr Edward Becheras. He not only envisioned the school as an institution of learning, but one for acquiring competence in bilingualism, long before the government made it a policy. Fr Becheras could not have been more vivid when he enunciated: ‘The way of the Catholic High School is a way made of two rails – Chinese and English, free from any entanglement, straight to its end. Happy are those who follow – for they shall obtain the scope of a sound education.’ This declaration has remained firmly a cornerstone of the school’s philosophy and a source of inspiration. Catholic High School went on to become one of the 9 Special Assistance Plan schools in 1979. In 1995, the secondary section achieved autonomous status. In 1998, the primary section saw the introduction of the Gifted Education Programme. These dates are important landmarks in the development of Catholic High School. It remains a much sought-after school for primary and secondary pupils. Between 1967 to 1995, the school produced 19 President Scholars. Catholic High School stood out as one of the top schools in Singapore then. Many of its old boys are among the prominent leaders in the public and private sectors.

However, three years ago, the Old Boys Association (OBA) expressed concern about the direction the school was heading. There was a concern that many of the top PSLE pupils from the school’s own primary section had begun to opt to study in other independent and autonomous schools in preference to Catholic High. These concerns were expressed by the Guest of Honour at your Speech Day by none other than your own distinguished alumni Senior Parliamentary Secretary Mr Chan Soo Sen. When his very frank remarks appeared in the media, I had then thought that it was not a very nice thing to do to your own school. But on reflection, I realised that it was only those who have a genuine love for the school would be willing to express their genuine concerns in such a frank manner.

As I sit here today at your Speech Day 3 years later, I am most heartened to hear your Principal reporting on the remarkable and steady progress that has been achieved in both the academic and co-curricular areas in the past 3 years. I believe you can continue to achieve success through the capable guidance of your Principal and teachers. The quality of teachers is a critical success factor in any school. A good teacher is one who has as much passion for the subject as he has for his pupils. He has a profound insight to both, and being a good practitioner uses different strategies and approaches to achieve the best learning and teaching experience for each combination of subjects and pupils. Both teachers and pupils of the Catholic High are imbued with the spirit to work hard and to excel, for such are the characteristics of the many distinguished old boys who stand out as a beacon for all in the school.

Your school firmly believes that education is not just about laying a good academic foundation. It is also about developing pupils to be individuals of sound character and good citizens. Catholic High has placed due emphasis in character development and this is achieved mainly through your Affective-Component of Education and Community Involvement Programmes. I believe this emphasis on character development will foster in pupils a sense of self-worth and help nurture well-balanced, public-spirited and upright citizens. The CIP programme in particular will help to instill national values so that pupils will be committed to Singapore and driven to contribute to the community and society. .

Schools should prepare pupils to be the citizens of tomorrow. They should equip pupils with life-skills in order to function as a member in their own family, the workplace and in the community. The school should nurture in pupils a thinking culture, of curiosity, discovery, innovation and creativity and a habit of life long learning.

Each child is a unique individual with his own talent and ability; we have the responsibility to identify, draw out and develop the talent and ability of each child to help him excel in different ways. In an ability-driven education like ours, our schools have the challenging responsibility of educating each individual pupil so that his potential can be fully developed.

It is already a challenge to bring the best out of scholastically able pupils, but it is an even greater challenger to develop and nurture the underachievers or the normally bright pupils who may suffer some temporary setback in their studies because of family problems and negative peer group influence. There is no greater satisfaction for a teacher than having put such a pupil back on track and made a difference to his life and future. Like the good shepherd, we too, cannot afford to lose even a single pupil.

I would like to acknowledge the support from parent volunteers who have made a difference to the life of the school. You undertake many roles: in school functions, in fund-raising projects, as librarians, and assist teachers in the supervision of pupils at outings. The school, parents and the community are important partners in education. . A supportive family gives the child a sense of security, emotional stability and encouragement. A supportive community provides a context in which the child can develop his sense of social responsibility and citizenship.

I should once more acknowledge the enormous contribution of the Old Boys Association (OBA) to the school especially in the last few years. They are part of the school family. Few schools can boast of an OBA which demonstrates such strong support for the school. As family members, they contribute to many areas of your school life, ranging from the role of guest speakers at assembly talks to mentors for OBA scholars. They provide both encouragement and challenges to you. When the occasion demands it, they have no hesitation to sound the alarm and offer the necessary constructive criticism. This is what you would expect of a family member who has nothing but a caring concern for the continuing well being of the family. A strong and committed OBA is an essential part of the equation that makes a great school. It is the one and same spirit that unifies the past and present pupils that will ensure the continuing excellence of the future.

May I now extend my congratulations to the students whose achievements have earned them the awards they will receive today. I would also like to congratulate the teachers who are receiving the awards from the school as a public recognition for their long and loyal service. Thank you for the hard work you have put in and the contributions you have made to your pupils, your school, your community and our nation. And finally, I wish Catholic High continued success in the years ahead.

Thank you.