CHIJ celebrates 170 years of teaching generations of girls

Second-oldest girls' school holds big bash for staff and students, past and present

- Thian Wen Li

When four Catholic nuns arrived in Singapore and established Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) in 1854, education for girls was still unheard of in many parts of the world.

The four Sisters established the school at the junction of Bras Basah Road and Victoria Street, and accepted girls from all financial backgrounds, including those who were orphans.

The second-oldest girls' school in Singapore, CHIJ has since grown to 11 schools around the island to educating generations of day, women.

CHIJ celebrated its 170th anniversary on May 20 at the Singapore Sports Hub, with around 16,000 staff and students and 1,600 former staff and alumni in attendance. Cardinal William Goh, who heads Singapore's Catholic Church, conducted a special mass.

An album with 12 songs written by students, teachers and alumni from across the CHIJ family of schools was launched at the event.

Ms Vivienne Lim, chairwoman of the IJ board, said in a speech: "170 years ago, the idea of female education was revolutionary."