Crescent Girls' School
Template:Infobox Singapore School Crescent Girls' School (CGS, Crescent) is an autonomous girls' school in Singapore and bears no affiliation to any other schools. Students who applied for admission to Crescent in 2006 must obtain at least a PSLE score of 242 to qualify.The cut-off point for each year is not fixed, and is dependent on demand and supply of positions in the school for that particular year's intake.
Crescent is recognised for its numerous academic achievements (it is one of the 6 secondary schools in the Band 1 ranking) and special awards. It is also well-known for its maintained excellence in co-curricular activities, particularly the performing arts and uniformed groups.
Crescent was also recently named a "School of the Future" as part of the MOE's programme. Five schools in Singapore were selected for the programme, comprising two primary schools and three secondary schools. Another commendable achievement that has secured Crescent's position on the map and as a leading instituiton would be being declared by Bill Gates at the 2007 Global Leaders Forum (January 31, 2007) as mentor school for schools of the future around the world.
School history
Crescent's story can be traced back to 1955 when the then Alexandra Estate Secondary School was founded with an intake of 117 boys and 53 girls. A year later, however, the boys were transferred to Pasir Panjang Secondary School. Miss Evelyn Norris took over as Principal from Col. S.C. Thong and Crescent Girls' School came into being in 1956.
The crest, motto and school song date from the school's early history. The distinctive yellow and peacock blue uniforms were also very much as they are today. Crescent's pride and joy, the Brass Band, which later became the Symphonic Band, won its first gold medal two years later.
Many buildings were added or acquired over the years from 1973 to 1990 at the Prince Charles Square to accommodate a growing population of Crescentians. In December 1990, the school moved to temporary premises at Queensway to enable the rebuilding of Crescent Girls' School on its cherished old site.
From January 1994, the school has functioned from the old site with a brand new school building and a new address: 357 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247961. The latest addition to the school building is the Arts Conservatory, which was launched by the current Minister of Education, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in July 2006.
Programmes
As m-learning pioneer, 'm-learning@Crescent' was officially launched on July 31, 2004. Since then, various schools in Singapore have emulated Crescent Girls' School in integrating the Tablet PC into the process of learning. All Secondary one Crescentians 2004 intake have the opportunity to embark on the m-learning@Crescent experience – Mobile Learning anytime, anywhere. This is a pilot project where students purchase Tablet PCs and use them in place of textbooks.
Recently, Crescent has been selected by the MOE as one of Future Schools in Singapore, alongside Hwa Chong Institution and Jurong Secondary School.
Uniform
The Crescent Girls' School uniform consists of a pale yellow blouse tucked into a peacock blue pleated skirt, a unique combination of colours that no other schools in Singapore share. A badge is required to be pinned above the chest pocket, and a nametag on the chest pocket itself. White school socks with the initials CGS are worn and sports shoes (consisting only of the following colours: white/black/grey/any shade of blue) are to be worn with it. Hair below collar length must be tied up neatly, and no hair accessories other than black, dark blue and brown ones must be worn.
The PE uniform consists of a bright yellow shirt with a CGS logo at the front and the word "Crescentian" across the back, and black shorts with the initials CGS in yellow, along with the house colour, and name sewn in the corner.
The current school uniform is undergoing revision, and designs are being produced by students.
School Leaders
Principal - Mrs Lee Bee Yann
- In Crescent since 1998 (formerly HOD Maths and VP of Crescent)
- Visionary Leader - nurtured 6 VPs from among her HODs since becoming Principal
- Spearheaded school into Band 1 (2005) in School Ranking
- Implemented research skills as a core competency of all staff members
- Leaving the school at the end of 2007 to be principal of Saint Andrew's Junior College
Mrs Lee Bee Yann will be replaced by the former vice-principal of Zhonghua Secondary School.
Vice Principal - Mr Leonard Koh
Additional facilities
- Performing Arts Theaterette
- The Arts Conservatory (houses ensemble rooms, recording studio, GigaJam station, etc.)
- Language Lab
- The Millenium Classroom
- Student Lounge
- Coffee Corner (integrated into the library)
- EcoGarden
- Career Guidance Centre
- Charging stations
- Electronic lockers
- Sports Hall (soon to come)
Recent achievements
Major awards / certifications include:
- School Excellence Award (2007)
- Public Service Award for Organisational Excellence
- Singapore Innovation Class (2005 to 2007)
- School Distinction Award (2004)
- People Developer Standard ( 2003 to 2006 )
- Singapore Quality Class – ( 2002 to 2008 )
- Outstanding Development Award for Character Development (2006)
- National Arts Education Award 2006 (Silver)
- Thinking Culture Award ( Best School in South Zone) (2000 to 2006)
- National Thinking Culture Award ( Best School at National Level) ( 2002 to 2005)
- Innergy Gold Awards – 2002
- HP InIT Gold Awards – 2002, 2003 & 2005
- Cherish Gold Award – 2002, 2003, 2005 & 2006
- Cherish Silver Award – 2004
- Best Practice Award for Staff Well-Being – 2002-2006
- Best Practice Award for Teaching & Learning - 2006-2010
- Sustained Achievement Award (Physical Fitness) ( 2000 to 2008)
- Sustained Achievement Award (Uniformed Groups) (2000 to 2004)
- Outstanding Youth in Education Award (2001)
- Outstanding Science Teacher Award (2002)
- Most Caring Teacher Award (2004)
Results of Singapore Youth Festival 2005:
- Central Judging of Concert Bands (Secondary) Gold Award
- Central Judging of Dances (Modern/International) Gold with Honours Award
- Central Judging of Dances (Tamil) Gold Award
- Central Judging of Choirs (Secondary) Silver Award
- Central Judging of Instrumental Ensembles (Angklung) Bronze Award
- Central Judging of Dramas (Secondary) Silver Award
Results of Singapore Youth Festival 2007:
- Central Judging of Concert Bands (Secondary) Gold Award
- Central Judging of Dances (Modern/International) Gold with Honours Award
- Central Judging of Dances (Tamil) Gold Award
- Central Judging of Choirs (Secondary) Silver Award
- Central Judging of Dramas (Secondary) Bronze Award
- Central Judging of Instrumental Ensembles (Angklung) Gold Award
Co-curricular activities
Students hone their mental and physical skills through sports, leadership skills through the uniform groups, aesthetic skils through the performing arts and communication skills through the clubs and societies. The school has a wide range of CCAs that can be categorised under Sports, Uniformed Groups, Societies, and Performing Arts. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in one core CCA and take part in other enrichment programmes organised by the school. The track and field team in Crescent came in 5th place and 6th places respectively in the 47th National Inter-school Cross Country competitions. The school debate team is also one of the best in the B Division and recently progressed to the A Division. They produced top speakers, one of which was ranked Number 1 in the B Division in 2005 (Sharmeen Alam).
Notable Alumni
- Ho Ching, Executive Director of Temasek Holdings
- Liew Geok Heok, Lawyer and President of the University Women's Association, Singapore (UWAS)
- Lim Hwee Hua, Minister of State and Member of Parliament
- Major Lim Sok Bee, First Woman Commanding Officer / Combat Unit
- Nanz Chong-Komo, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2000
- Mary Yeo, Managing Director of UPS
- Jeanette Aw, MediaCorp actress
- Stella Ng, singer and actress
- Chen Liping, MediaCorp actress
- Arfat Selvam, Law Society President
- Melissa Hyak, MediaCorp Newscaster