Marsiling Primary School

Marsiling Primary School 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Facebook

Marsiling Primary School 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Facebook

Marsiling Primary School is just an example although its address stated Woodlands Centre Road.

I take this opportunity to share with you about my days in this school from 1998 to 2000 (Primary 4 to Primary 6).

Marsiling got its name from Lim Nee Soon. 

Lim Nee Soon 
Image: National Archives Of Singapore

Marsiling or Maxi Ling, is named by Lim Nee Soon after his hometown of Maxi Village (China) in Teochew prefecture. 

The Chinese word 'Ling' means hill; a well-known hill remembered by many older residents and some National Service (NS) men who underwent military exercises on this famous hill.

Prior to development, the area was mostly covered by plantations, interspersed with attap houses and forested area. 

When the Causeway was completed in 1923 linking Singapore with Tanah Melayu (now Malaysia), the once dense woodland made way for settlers who set up farms and more kampung. There were many rubber plantations in the area and older residents remembered that there were many orchids planted in the area.

In the neighbourhood, there was one main road with many connecting lanes; Kampong Sungei China, Lorong Marsiling, Hock Choon Road, Marsiling Avenue, Lorong Chikar, Genista Lane, Lorong Serindit, Lorong Chenangau and Lorong Salor Ayer, all of which do not exist anymore.

Marsiling Road used to be 4 kilometer long and used to include the present Woodlands Fire Station. The road had seen been redrawn.

The old Marsiling Road witnessed several important milestones including; the construction of Woodlands Railway Station in 1910, the Causeway in 1923, the Bukit Timah Expressway in 1985 and the Marsiling MRT Station in 1996.

Marsiling School as it was known in the early days was founded in 1958. It was the oldest school in the Marsiling estate; and provides instruction in English, Chinese and Malay language.

Previously, it was located along Marsiling Avenue, off Lorong Chikar (now became the vicinity of Marsiling Secondary School at Woodlands Street 13). 

Marsiling School; off Lorong Chikar 
Image: National Archives Of Singapore; 1958

Marsiling School; off Lorong Chikar 
Image: National Archives Of Singapore; 1958 

Marsiling School; off Lorong Chikar

Marsiling School; off Lorong Chikar 

Marsiling School field

Marsiling School was the relocated to its present premise at Woodlands Centre Road in June 1986 and renamed as Marsiling Primary School. 

School Song:

Marsiling you are dear to us

Oh how we gaze with pride and joy

to a future bright as we go along

striving to work hard for our school

Marsiling we love you so

you are here to lead us through

may we always be loyal

tolerant and courteous too

In Primary 4, my Form-Teacher was Mdm Goh Soy Moi. Unfortunately I can't remember much about her, only that she treat us very well. 

Our Principal was Mr Ng Chor Hee. Mrs Melissa Liow was the Vice Principal. 

Our teachers 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

Cikgu Iswani binti Ali (middle)

Cikgu Iswani binti Ali
(standing second from left) 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

My Malay Language Teacher was Cikgu Iswani binti Ali. She was a kind and soft-spoken young lady. Till today I can't forget the moment she cried during our Mother Tongue lesson.

The sad news that shook me on 10 January 2011 was when I read an article in Berita Harian; Cikgu Iswani passed away peacefully at a very young age of 36. May Allah SWT blessed her soul. Aamiin. 

Miss Lee Ern Ern (sitting in the middle) 

In Primary 5 to Primary 6, my Form-Teacher was Miss Lee Ern Ern. She's a very good looking young lady who always make us stayed-back for extra lessons after school, so as to improve our English, Maths and Science.

My Malay Language Teacher was Cikgu Norlidah binti Ismail. She never talks much, but has her own way on teaching us. When attending to her lesson, she was like being charged with a megawatt of energy, moving swiftly from one end of the black board to the other. To the disappointment of everyone, she taught us only for a short term (until the quarter of 2000) and left the school to pursue her studies in Malaysia.

Faizal bin Mustafa, Rusydi bin Johari, Azlan, Andin Heffendi, Anwar, Halimun, Hemaraj s/o Barathan, Mohanansundram s/o Vengalastevi, Najib, Gavin Chew, Tan Shu Lin, David Ho Yu Kuang - among my best pal. 

Class 6G in 1999

My memories of Marsiling Primary School..:- 

Indeed there were many stories during my days in this school.. let me share some of the interesting ones. 

Mr Ng Chor Hee, he's a very kind Principal who served the school from 1996 to 2000. We know that he loves us a lot. He even treats the staffs, non-teaching staffs and students for breakfast and lunch in few occasion. But when it comes to rules and regulations, don't ever 'langgar' or else you 'kena caning'. I had received 'public caning' twice in front of the staffs and students in our school's main hall when I was in Primary 5 and Primary 6. Reason? Caught playing soccer when lesson still on-going. 

Mr Ng Chor Hee (standing in the middle) 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook 

Mr Ng also known to be the only Principal who made us sing so many songs during morning assembly. 

Through The Years, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Somewhere Out There, Bright Eyes and If We Hold On Together - songs that was played and sung by us. 

The most touching moment is when Mr Ng personally entered our classroom (Primary 6G) to announced his retirement; and he sang us a song from Kenny Rogers - Through The Years. It touches our heart deeply that we all cried knowing that we had to say farewell to a 'loving and caring father'. 

Mrs Melissa Liow
(standing below the red arrow) 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

Mrs Melissa Liow giving speech 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

For Mrs Melissa Liow, she's quite strict too. Whenever I get caught for mischievous act, she will grab my neck and drag me to her office causing a ruckus in the process. 

Mr K Mohanan 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

We also had Mr K Mohanan - the school's Discipline Master whose name smack fear to the students. He was best known for his 'Regimental Sergeant Major' style. When heard his voice from far or see him walking around the school holding a long rattan cane, the whole campus transformed from a 'wet market' to a 'cemetery'; totally silence, not even a a single footsteps can be heard.

The most memorable moment are when I won Bronze medal in the Annual Athletic Meet (Year 1999) for the 4X100m and 4x400m relay - Boys 'C' Division; representing the Orange House.

Then, the moment when I came up second place in the Kuiz Bahasa Melayu (EM1 / EM2) in 2000.

Everyone played the music recorder during music lessons. Yeah, I hated it. I always pretended to blow when the whole class was supposed to play. I was afraid of blowing the wrong note, then having the people around me stare at me.  

Lastly, our Snow White Corner.. some fantastic teachers took 2 weeks to paint mural. I was there the whole time and I can tell you the teacher was just very good at painting. This place is where we played Pepsi Cola, Batu Seremban (five stones) and ‘catching’. 

Snow White Corner 
Image: Marsiling Primary School Official Alumni Facebook

Min Xin Primary School

I studied in Min Xin Primary School only for a year (Primary 3) in 1997. 

I don't think any of you reading this blog have ever heard of Min Xin Primary School. It was located next to Yu Neng Primary School at Bedok North Street 3. It was closed in 2003 after merging with Yu Neng Primary School.

Not much is known about the early history of Min Xin Primary School; only that the school was started in early 60's by a group of Chinese businessmen to promote Chinese education in Jalan Bumbun Utara (now became the vicinity of Tampines Secondary School at Tampines Street 12). It was first known as Bin Sin Chinese School.

In 1982, the school was taken over by the government and the medium language was converted to English. Not only Bin Sin Chinese School was renamed as Min Xin Primary School; the school also moved to its new premises in Bedok North Street 3.

Today its premises are occupied by the Rumah Kebajikan Muhammadiyah (RKM). 

It's quite inconspicuous. If you passed the area, you might not even notice it. I'm not sure whether it's a temporary arrangement for RKM; and hence I really do not expect this landmark to be around for long.

Why I studied there only for a year? 

Actually in 1996 my family moved out to Johor. When I was transferred from Xishan Primary School to Min Xin Primary School, I stayed in my grandfather's house at Bedok North Street 3. It only lasted for a year because in 1998 my father transferred me again; to Marsiling Primary School. 

School Song:

Oh Min Xin School to you we sing

for our young minds 

you've helped to mould

for you've taught us to read 

and write

and to work hard 

to reach our goal

Oh let us move forward together

let us together strive

to become useful citizens 

and to build a better life

Our Principal was Mrs Vasughi Mani. Mdm Veronica Wu How Peng was the Vice Principal. 

Mdm Vasughi Mani

Mdm Veronica Wu How Peng

In Primary 3, my Form-Teacher was Ms Grethel Shepherdson. She was quite fierce. Many of the boys got slapped. I got slapped once; not on the face though, but the back of the head. Ever since Min Xin Primary School closed down, I have no idea on where she is now. 

Ms Grethel Shepherdson (standing second from right)

Cikgu Battaria binti Satmim (seating second from left)

My Malay Language Teacher was Cikgu Battaria binti Satmin. She was a kind and soft-spoken teacher. I still kept a book entitled Rezeki Ulat; a gift from her for Children's Day in 1997. The last time I heard, she's a teaching staff at Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah at Jalan Sultan. 

I can remember some of my friends from that era, they are Wan Chui Ting, Ser Shu Jie, Shahrir bin Ismail, Saifudin, Shahdan bin Hussin, Shahril bin Jumari, Briscoe Shamsul Qamar, Koh Chi Hao Jeffrey, Rizwan bin Kamaludin, Ridwan bin Rawi and Goh Qi Fan. 

My memories of Min Xin Primary School..:- 

I can remember brushing my teeth alongside my classmates during recess time. We used to rinse out of a colorful plastic mugs. 

By the way, do you know there's something interesting about the toothpaste? 

Secondly, we freak out when our teacher told us to line up in two rows according to height and gender, then hold hands with the boy/girl beside us before walking off to the Music Room or Hall. 

Lastly, the worst punishment for not bringing our textbook is having to go to the neighbouring class to borrow a copy. And everyone would stare at you. 

Xishan Primary School

PAP Community Foundation
(Blk 227 Yishun Street 21)

PAP Community Foundation
(Blk 227 Yishun Street 21)

I studied in Xishan Primary School at Yishun Street 21 only for 2 years from 1994 to 1996 (Primary 1 to Primary 2); after completed 2 years of pre-school educations at PAP Community Foundation (Nee Soon East Branch; Blk 227 Yishun Street 21). 

Xishan Primary School

Xishan Primary School was started in 1937 by a group of Chinese businessmen and philanthropists to promote Chinese education in Kampong Chong Pang at Hock Chwee Road (now part of Sembawang Avenue). It was first known as Si San Chinese School. 

Si San is a direct translation of West Hill.

In May 1984, the school was taken over by the government and the medium of language was converted to English. Thus, Si San Chinese School was renamed as Si San Primary School.

Si San Primary School at Hock Chwee Road
Image: National Archives of Singapore, 1985

Si San Primary School at Chwee Hock Road
 Image: National Archives of Singapore, 1985

Si San Primary School at Chwee Hock Road 
Image: National Archives Of Singapore; 1985

In 1986, the school moved to its new premises in Yishun Street 21. It not only received its Hanyu Pinyin appellation - Xishan Primary School, but also a new racial composition. Pupils of several races now made up the school population. 

Xishan Primary School at Yishun Street 21 in 1986
Image: xishanpri.moe.edu.sg

With the new premises, came new and modern facilities - special rooms, indoor badminton courts, basketball courts, computer laboratories to name a few. 

On 11 November 1988, Xishan Prinary School was officially declared open. 

The school motto of Love, Care and Share became the character and soul of Xishan Primary School. 

School Song:-

Stand up for Xishan

never must we let her down

shine with glory as the bright sun

fame and honour crown

may we always find excellence

through the winds of change

love and care and share 

our reliance

steadfastly unchanged

be true, Xishanites!

and be worthy of our name

constantly we strive 

for great heights

lead Xishan to fame

Mr Peter Tay Liang Choong 
Image: National Library Board 

Our Principal during those days was Mr Peter Tay Liang Choong. Mr Charanjit Singh was the Vice Principal.

In Primary 1, my Form-Teacher was Mrs Theresa Foo. She was quite fierce. Hence, throughout the time I'm under her tutelage, we had a rattan cane in our classroom. She do put it to use; very often though.

The most memorable part that I can recall about her was her kindness. She always brings me to Yishun Swimming Complex when there's a swimming lesson for our senior students. At the same time, my father work there after being transferred from Yan Kit Swimming Complex.

In Primary 2, my Form-Teacher was Mrs Goh Bee Yong. 

Unfortunately, I can't remember much of my friends from that era, except for Syafa'at, Sufian, Yusuf, Syikin, Nurul Huda and Saraswati.

Image: National Archives of Singapore, 1991

Image: National Archives of Singapore, 1991

Image: National Archives of Singapore, 1991

My memories of Xishan Primary School..:- 

I remember, the boys always wait for recess time because that's the only time we can play soccer. But, we not using a ball; we played using any empty can, because at that point of time we can't afford to buy a ball. And we played our 'very own soccer' at the basketball court.

Secondly, the longest queue is not found in the canteen but the classroom. We would queue up at the front to let our teacher mark our corrections before going back to our seats.

Lastly, teachers would paste colored duct tapes around the corner of our workbook and that would be our group color for that year.