Merger of TCHS and HCJC (from VSL Jeffrey Ho on 11 Jan 2003)
art60214
You all must have read that TCHS & HCJC is going to merge. Looking
back at our history, HCJC's VnR used to be part of our Rover section
from TCHS PreU which later became HCJC. Do you think VnR should merge
with its original mother Group?
What do you all think?
Jeffrey
------------------------------------
From: Yandao Yap Sent: 13/01/2003 07:16
Dear all,
believe it or not, i was thinking abt the exact same situation as u
jeffrey, when i read the ST online a few days back.
im not one for history so i think i'll expound on the practical
aspects...for one i think hcjc has a lot to offer us in terms of
campfire expertise and community work. i have a fren in hcjc vnr and
so we talk abt it sometimes. as a sec sch scout, i was always eager to
attend the hcjc campfire....well firstly there were girls, but more
imptly i always loved the way they lit the fire by the "flying fox"
torches. and hcjc has a prime spot for campfire too....unlike us....so
i think it'll be really good.
we could also merge the lion dance and bugle band....tho i seriously
think the bugle band won't generate much interest. no offence
buglers....but i guess its the whole image thing...and now got wat
rise of china blah blah...so i foresee LD picking up slightly?
resources like spars, camping equipment etc could also be pooled tog
which is fantaz lah.
ok the downside. i know cos i was once a pimply adolescent boy (in red
shorts...haha)....i bet u my last dollar that at the start we will get
a lot of complaints fro the girls abt how the tchs guys conduct
themselves....like sweaty sweaty never change shirt go home lah,
vulgarity lah, ogling the girls lah....trust me it will happen. but
you can see it as a good thing too, cos the tchs kids will get a
headstart in learning how to conduct themselves properly as
gentlemen....and give the hcjc lads a run for their money. stuff like
PT and physical activity would have to be modified too neccessarily.
ok lets generate some lively input here!....i havent used this for a
damn long time. ok exams start tmrw. wish me luck =)
Yaocheng
Ventures '97
Venture Chairman 1998-1999
---------------------------------------------
From: Kaihong Sent: 25/01/2003 12:51
Dear all!
I had thought about this situation too, and Jeffrey and I actually
tokked to the current members of VnR around Dec last year.
VnR is actually facing membership problems, and most who joined VnR do
not have much skills to start with. To make things worst, the seniors
are most probably busy with their own stuff and cannot make it back.
Most VnR members are somehow coaxed into joining and so do not really
feel attached to VnR after they left college.
This year, VnR is scrapping away with their Annual Campfire due to
budget shortage. I do believe another reason for not doing the
Campfire is due to manpower and skills shortage, although I had
assured them that TCHS Ventures and SJI Ventures are most willing to
lend a helping hand to them.
Furthermore, the current 6 members had other ecas in HwaChong, and
unfortunately, VnR is not at the top of their priorities.
I do think that it is a good idea for the merger when the Through-Plan
starts. There are already so many outdoor ecas such as Tahan and OAC.
There are no reasons to waste resources by having 2 different Scout
Groups in a single school. I do believe the Merger will even solve
many problems that VnR is facing now. And since our Rovers are
inactive for so long, they can actually revive our Rover Unit.
However, having said so much, the members of VnR are actually
reluctant to join back with its Mother Unit. Perhaps Jeffrey or other
leaders could meet up with the members and discuss this.
The Restless Wolf
AVSL
-------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 12/07/2004 21:15
Dear Guild and current members, the following Lianhe Zaobao article
dated 10 Jul 04 refers. I think it's time to start thinking about
adjusting the Group to the merger. Thank goodness the logo remains
unchanged (hence no need to change the Group Flag), but we may have to
change the English Group name though. Anyway, I am for Hwa Chong
Institution or even retaining the name of Hwa Chong Junior College.
Our School is not a tertiary institution, no point inflating ourselves
to the point of a "college". For Chinese name, it's the good old "Hua
Qiao Zhong Xue"!
新闻：新加坡 2004-07-10
明年1月1日合并
华中华初校名校歌校训校徽等将统一
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
● 潘星华
华侨中学开动直通车，明年1月1日与华中初级学院合并后，将使用两校统一的校名、校歌、校训、校徽、校服和校庆日。
华中、华初管委会秘书李德龙（36岁）接受记者专访时说，统一后的校训、仍是华侨中学的“自强不息”；校歌中文版用华侨中学的、英文版则用华初的；
校徽仍用华侨中学如火炬的图案；校庆日用的是华侨中学的3月21日，因此，今年将是华初自1974年建校来，最后一次在7月31日庆祝校庆。
校服方面，中一至中三男生，仍然穿华侨中学的校服，中四至中六男生，则穿华初的校服。因为校方目前还没有作出在哪个年级招收女生，日后作了决定，女
生将穿现在华初女生的校服。
至于统一后的中英文校名，因为兹事体大，过去半年来，两校校友超过200人经过了多轮正式及非正式会议讨论，综合大家的意见，已拟出四个建议。
李德龙说，这四个建议：华中学院（Hwa Chong College）、华侨中学（Hwa Chong College）、华侨中学（Hwa
Chong Institution）、华侨中学（Hwa Chong Junior College），是经过了反复讨论、深思熟虑才提出的。
它们具备了几个条件，即一方面要显示出是两所顶尖学府的合并，要具有代表性，又能提升“华中教育”的品牌。
两校校友还能因为这个统一校名更团结，并能建立起更密切的合作关系以及对母校的认同感。
他说：“其实早在1974年当华中初院成立，中学教育制度从三三制变成四二制的时候，大家已经盼望有一天华侨中学能和华中初院合并。
“所以，今天两校因为开动直通车合并，可说是圆了30年来两校再次成为一家人的心愿。这四个中英文校名的建议，可说都反映了两校学生的心愿。”
25日投票选出校名 华侨中学赞助人、华侨中学校友会、华中初院校友会和颐年俱乐部的注册会员，将在本月25日上午11时在华初诚毅楼大礼堂，为这四
个建议进行投票，以绝对多数票，选出其中一个校名。
李德龙说，属于这四个华中大家庭团体的注册会员约有3000人之多，希望他们能够踊跃出席，以几分钟的时间投票，表达自己对母校的关心。
他说，为了谨慎起见，这个统一校名，必须获得超过会议50%之有效选票（即“绝对多数人决定”）。
若无法达至绝对多数人决定，两个得票最高的校名，将重新让所有出席的合法投选人重选，以符合绝对多数人的决定。
------------------------------------------------
From: Y.G. Sent: 18/07/2004 19:45
No, because some of us remain as TCHS ventures to become auxilliaries
and to pursuit RSA.However, some may not want to join HCJC VnR cause
they wanted to pursuit some other talents such as in the area of
music.
--------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 28/07/2004 19:48
Dear Guild and current members,
Well, the dust has settled regarding the names after the merger. "Hua
Qiao Zhong Xue" and "Hwa Chong Institution" were the Chinese and
English names respectively. The Lianhe Zaobao article on 26 Jul 04
refers.
新闻：新加坡 2004-07-26
华中华初校名统一
“华侨中学”继往开来
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
● 潘星华
已在今年开动直通车的华侨中学，明年1月1日与华中初级学院合并后，新校名已统一为“华侨中学”，英文为Hwa Chong
Institution。
207名来自华中校友会（104人）、华初校友会（50人）、颐年俱乐部（35人）、华中赞助人大会（18人），昨天从四个选择，经两轮投票，选出
上述统一校名。
第一轮投票，四个供投票的选择的得票率是：华中学院（Hwa Chong College）65票（31.7%）、华侨中学（Hwa Chong
College）31票（15.1%）、华侨中学（Hwa Chong Institution）92票（44.9%）、华侨中学（Hwa
Chong Junior College）17票（8.3%），废票：2票。
因为全部没有过半，所以，获高票的第一和第三选择，再经过第二轮的投票，结果华中学院（Hwa Chong College）以67票
（36.6%）败下阵来，华侨中学（Hwa Chong Institution）则以116票（63.4%）获得通过。
随着校名统一，华中初院现任院长洪伟雄将出任两校统一后的总裁兼校长，华侨中学校长潘兆荣是副校长。两校现有的三名副校长陈国良、廖美娟、陈鹏仲将
出任助理校长。
华中、华初校董和管委会主席杨禧年在会后对记者说，两校统一后的新校名还需得到教育部的批准，才能确定。他指出这四个选择是经过多次意见收集和深思
熟虑后才提出的，任何一个校名都有它的代表性。
未获校友一致接纳
不过，统一校名虽然经过了几近一年的讨论以及投票选出，但是并没有得到来自华侨中学或华中初院校友的一致接纳。
华侨中学1961年毕业生潘国驹对统一校名委员会所提出的四个建议都不满意。他说：“华文名仍用华侨中学是对的，但是为什么英文名不能仍然沿用
The Chinese High School呢？新加坡是一个重视英文的国家，华中是东南亚第一所华文学校，她的英文名是一个已经有历史的品牌，为
什么不能继续沿用？”
华中初院1989年毕业生梁文宁也对自己母校的名字从此消失感到遗憾。
她说：“按说，华中和华初培养了这么多精英，应该可以找到一个两全其美的名字。对这个统一校名，老实说，我无法接受。本来学校开直通车是好事，但是
没有想到最后竟然连自己的校名也被改掉。”
华中、华初校友刘德贤（32岁）说：“我跟很多校友一样，对华中华初都有很深厚的感情，对这次改名，我觉得非常可惜。作为一个教育学府，十年树木百
年树人，名字不是说要换就换的。”
也是华中、华初校友的林文邦（23岁）则表示统一后的新名仍然保有“华侨中学”最重要。他说：“华文名最重要，毕竟在华中四年，感情比在华初的两年
要浓厚。”
他对统一校名的英文名用Institution表示异议。他说：“这让人觉得有学莱佛士书院Raffles Institution之嫌。为什么不
用College？最少还与华初原校名接近。”
----------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 01/08/2004 23:03
Hwa Chong JC celebrated its last College Day on 31 Jul 04, marking its
30th Anniversary before returning to the fold of The Chinese High
School.
The 1 Aug 04 Lianhe Zaobao report below refers.
There are some thoughts after I read the article. As an alumni of HCJC
myself, I can understand why some of the HwaChongians, past and
present have expressed some reservations about the names after the
merger, and even mentioned the loss in the same breath as the closure
of former Nanyang University. I think this is a result of not doing
enough in the last three decades, whether consciously or unconsciously
to emphasise the part where HCJC's roots really lie - it's the Senior
High Section of TCHS before 1974! Rather than the "Hua Chu Jing Shen",
it should be the "Huazhong Jin Shen" that we should be looking at all
this while. "Hwa Chong Spirit" has not moved both schools together -
it has done the opposite, and hopefully with the merger, we can set
the pace of history back on track again, with a new meaning of "Hwa
Chong Spirit" with the merger and the new name Hwa Chong Institution.
We also find such opinions more from non-TCHS alumni - understandably,
as they have more affiliation towards their secondary alma mater. We
do not dispute that, not do we attempt to renounce that in any manner
whatsoever. But it is really peculiar to find them not able to
appreciate the origins and background of HCJC and to accomodate the
fact that Hwa Chong means The Chinese High School's abbreviation. If
they have such an appreciation to some degree, such sentiments might
not be so strong for the change in name. Looking back in time, HCJC is
really unlike all other JCs with their secondary school affiliation
like Raffles, St Andrews, Anglo-Chinese, Victoria etc who still use
the same logo (albeit with some fine distinctions), same school song,
same motto etc. Students from non-alffiliated schools going to these
JCs do not complain about the strong links to the affiliated schools,
because I am sure they already have mental preparations about
accepting the identity of the JCs. If some of you can recall, ACJC
students must even put the ACS school badge on their shirts, girls and
boys alike! That's food for thought about identifying to the JC
identity.
A note from history: back in the mid-1980s, The Chinese High School
Old Boys Association changed the name to the current Hwa Chong Alumni
Association to put itself in a position to absord HCJC alumni, but the
HJC Alumni Association is still set up anyway. So it is not really a
matter of name change that'll sway people's hearts, it's the attitude
to approach the issue. Our Group name may not be The Chinese Jigh
School Scout Group in the future, but we have a lot of names like 7th
Singapore Troop, First Singapore Chinese Troop, Southwestern 51st
Troop, 2205 and Tanglin 05, so whatever we are called, we are still
"Hua Qiao Zhong Xue Scout Group", and long live "Huazhong Tong Jun
Tuan" in our hearts!
新闻：新加坡 2004-08-01
华初校庆第三十次也是最后一次
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
● 潘星华
3000名华中初级学院的师生、校友，昨天在歌舞喧闹中，盛大庆祝建校30周年。
昨天的校庆日，对他们来说，极有纪念意义。因为从明年起，7月31日再也不是他们的校庆日了。他们与华侨中学合并后，校庆已定在3月21日与华侨中
学共庆。所以，昨天这最后一次以华初为名的校庆，吸引了无数校友回到校园来“共闹”，希望能在这个有意义的日子，为自己留下难忘的回忆。
从明年1月1日开始，华中初级学院与华侨中学合并后，校名已改为华侨中学，英文名则是Hwa Chong Institution，除了校名、校庆
已变，华初的校徽、校训、中文校歌也已消失。
虽然如此，在昨天华初的历史展览厅里，写道：“只要有太阳的一天，华初永不沉落。”另外一段话则写道：“起初，是我们在城里成长。后来，是城在我们
心里成长。我们和城，就再也分不开了。”华初1997年毕业生陈韵扬（24岁）对记者说：“无论天地怎样变色，黄城永远不变。”
丹绒巴葛集选区议员庄永昭医生（35岁）是华初1986年毕业生，昨天受访时对记者谈及母校改名的课题时说：“我是一个比较实际的人。我觉得名字是
次要的，最重要看学校的内涵和能不能培养到国家需要的人才，这个办校宗旨是重点。”
1978年华初第一名总统奖学金得主高泉庆（45岁）对记者表示华初华中两校合并，应以“华中学院Hwa Chong College”为名比较恰
当。不过，他表示，换名后的华初，只要它的精神永存，是不会走进历史的。
而且，他表示，教育总要随着时代迁移。他说：“华中华初如今合并，代表了他们在新时代有了新使命。只要能达到这个目标，什么校名都不重要。”
不过，年轻的校友则表达了异议。
2002年毕业生许佩雯（20岁）和洪凤谦（20岁）表示，名字虽然不重要，但是一改了，大家就没有了一个共同的凝聚点。
许佩雯说：“如今校庆日也没有了，希望中秋庆祝晚会仍然会照旧，最少让我们还有一个节日能够共聚。”
另一位校友黄琲玲（30岁）表示了非常强烈的失落感。她说：“华初名字的消失虽然不能跟南洋大学名字的消失相比，但是，我现在已经很能了解他们的感
受。母校名字被改，已成事实，但是我相信华初精神将永存在每个校友的心中。”
华中华初，无论哪个校名，都有顺得哥情失嫂意的两难。家中三个儿子都曾在华中和华初就读的一位家长表示当局可以折衷处理。把新校名Hwa
Chong Institution当一个总名，下面仍然保留The Chinese High School和Hwa Chong Junior
College。
他说：“毕竟这两个校名都是名牌，一下子消失，是谁都不能接受的事实。”
不过，昨晚在华初于丽嘉登大酒店举行的校友回校千人宴上，华中华初校董会／管委会主席杨禧年致词时说，教育部已接纳了华中华初合并后的新校名。应邀
出席盛宴的纳丹总统和教育部代部长尚达曼过后也和华中华初历届董事主席、华初院长洪伟雄、华中校长潘兆荣一同为新校名主持了命名仪式。
-------------------------------------------
From: Jeffrey Ho Sent: 05/08/2004 21:27
Dear TCHS Scout Group alumni,
After communicating with fellow scouts in HJC VnR ( which was our
branch before 1974 ) , I feel that there is a big organizational
cultural gap to bridge after 30 years of separation. Being also from
HJC , I can feel the reluctance of those non-TCHS alumni to merge back
to the TCHS Scout Group fold.
Actually on the ground , many generations of our TCHS Scouts & ex-
scouts has help in one way or another to prop up HJC VnR when they are
down.
In fact, the last HJC VnR Campfire , they have invited me as the GOH
for their Campfire as the National Venture Scout Commissioner ( maybe
they don't realised that I'm also VSL of TCHS and no longer the
NVSC ). In the Campfire, I can see that the VnR Alumni are still very
attached to their unit but they are non-TCHS alumni.
Maybe we could be close & friendly brother Scout groups within the
School just like in ACS, RI , SJI . Do we really need to merge? What
do you all think?
Jeffrey Ho
VSL
----------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 05/08/2004 23:55
Jeffery,
Actually to merge or not, a large part depends on the CCA Department
of the School, or the future HCI (Hwa Chong Institution) apart from
the Group's opinion and the HCJC VnR. If I may correct you, VnR was
started in HCJC in 1974 with some founding members from our Group who
did not wish to stay on. Apart from under the charge of the Group GSL
from Chinese High, VnR is really on its own. Subsequently in 1976, the
Group decided to part ways with VnR as management disputes began to
appear, and we wish Tanglin 14 all the best from then on.
In my opinion, VnR just need a slight name change to a pure Rover Unit
since they don't have Venture membership anyway now. At this point I
must say that the Group is aware that in the past (or even now) there
are some "dual citizenship" going on from our Venture Auxs who were
also VnR members. That is actually a no-no! But with the merger,
perhaps the HCJC unit co uld aid the Group in the Rover movement which
could accept members from our Venture Unit who did not wish to pursue
the PSA, or migrate our PSA holders to ready them for adult leader
training preparations. As for administration, since the merger has
been effected, I don't think HCJC or TCHS would be used as the English
names anymore, perhaps HCI instead. This would be an opening for
coming together. In fact, we are not asking them to disband or
anything, they can stay pretty much like now, but change the group
emblem and continue to take in members. But the organisation has to
come under the HCI Group, which is the present Chinese High Scout
Group because we are not ACS(I) or ACS (BR) who are two physical
schools; we are one now.
Alternatively, there is the RI model, where 01 and 02 Groups exist
with pretty autonomous command and control, different group emblems
and etc. But we all know their state of co-operation. In the spirit of
the new Hwa Chong, we should maintain a closer alliance with frequent
exchanges and membership migration mentioned above. In short, we have
the "reunification model" or "federation model". You know, working in
Taiwan long enough and being embroiled in cross-strait tussle about
"One China" and stuff certainly honed one's understanding of such
concepts...
The issue is open for discussion, and eventually the management has to
decide on the path to take. Jeffery, you can feedback to Mr Lee when
you have the chance. I have no opportunity to call the Scout Den on
weekends these days. Even for the Rover Moot, I can only pop down on
the opening night (met Eric and Andrew, wa-liao, SSA only had 4
delegates, and 2 in the IST! No Rovers!?)
SG
SL from
STO Taipei
----------------------------------------------
From: Jeffrey Ho Sent: 06/08/2004 14:01
Dear Xiao Gang,
You know Mr Lee carries a lot of historical baggage from the past
especially with our brother group Tanglin 14. I believe it is almost
impossible to get anything done on this issue with Mr Lee.
I'm looking on the practical side. Best if we could merge if both side
has similar organization culture and looking forward to it.
Otherwise , it may not be a bad idea that we both exist as fellow
allied Scout Group under same Hwa Chong umbrella.No so much as Taiwan
& China but more like US & UK....
Hwa Chong 05 , Hwa Chong 14 perhaps......or Waking Lion ( TCHS ) &
Dolphin (HJC) group......like in SJI Pelandok
Cheers
Jeffrey
-------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 09/08/2004 23:37
Dear Guild and current members,
Lianhe Zaobao published two articles pertaining to the merger. As what
I have raised in the earlier postings, there is a stark contrast
between the opinions of Chinese High alumni and non-Chinese High
alumni regarding the Hwa Chong JC entity. However, as some
interviewees have expressed, it is a very good window of opportunity
to set the course of history in the right direction, and to close
whatever we have drifted apart in the past together again. Whether one
would acknowledge or not, Hwa Chong has not been as united as we have
liked for the last 30 years, and this time round we shall not make the
same mistakes as like in 1974, more so since we are under one "Group
Number" - Hwa Chong Institution.
For the younger members, the recollection of the seniors before us
whether in Chinese High or Hwa Chong JC are very valuable anecdotes to
be remembered. Chinese High and Hwa Chong JC are never meant to be
two, they are intended to be one, and one that shall be.
A history note: SL Goh Seach Chyr (Wu Zhici) is from that "earth-
shattering" 1987 graduation batch of HCJC that showed the full
fighting spirit and might of Hwa Chong in spite of the forced
evacuation of HCJC due to unsafe structures in the Bukit Timah campus.
The 1987 HCJC class was forced to study under the roofs of NJC and
subsequently Ngee Ann Polytechnic, with literally no classroom desk to
call their own. However, under the harsh circumstances of
uncertainties, his batch proved to be the best HCJC ever had since its
inception and matched only by the batches after HCJC moved back in 29
Dec 1991 (I know because I was there doing the homecoming of HCJC; I
was the imminent first batch of new Bukit Timah campus JC1 for 1992
then). Zhici went on to become the only First Class Honours in his NTU
engineering cohort - that's the real Hwa Chong spirit and Chinese High
Scout!!
The link to the 8 Aug 04 Lianhe Zaobao article below refers.
http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp519_080804.html
新闻：新加坡 2004-08-08
华侨中学掀新页
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
● 潘星华
华侨中学和华中初级学院明年1月1日起正式合并，成为“直通车”学府，近日已经决定采用“华侨中学”和Hwa Chong Institution
作为中英文校名，同时设立华中国际学校，扩大生源。
这个新动向是华侨中学这东南亚第一所华文中学85年来将迈向的另一里程，它将为新加坡的教育事业开创一个崭新的局面，继续为国家作育英才作出重要的
贡献。这所极负盛名的学府桃李满天下，许多杰出的校友在各领域发挥所长，而且都以身为华中校友而自豪。
正值华侨中学阔步迈向新的里程，本报访问了华中和华初数位知名校友，请他们谈谈对母校的感想和对新华中的期望。
为何选华中？
“当时可以考虑的名校有两所，除了公教就是华中。我母亲既是华中仅有少数的女校友，当然鼓励我进华中。”
华中对我的影响：
“华中平衡的教育，让我的左右脑同时得到开发。在华中，我除了读好英文、华文、数学，还跟刘抗老师学绘画，跟李豪老师学弹琴。这些活动，让我在少年
时代就打好日后能作创意思考的扎实基础。”
在华中最难忘的经验：
“每天升旗礼，就是我钢琴伴奏，听同学唱国歌和校歌的时候，还有在音乐会上弹琴，这些场景永远使我难忘。我的小楷大楷又常常得奖，让我无论在课内课
外，都感到快乐极了。
对新华中的期望：
“华中为学生提供在学术、艺术、运动等全面发展的教育，左右脑同时开发的教育，具备了新时代意义。我希望新华中不只能延续而且还能发扬光大。另外，
必须让学生成为能掌握双语的精英，这个责任更加重大。试想一下，如果我现在不能掌握华文，怎样能在这个世界经济成长最快的区域工作？”
为何选华初？
“当日华初是一所新成立的初院，我相信新学院能给我很多参与的机会，就来了。”
华初给我的教导：
“我是华初的第一批学生，和同学参与了设计校服、校徽甚至校训的工作。而在参与建设课外活动的项目方面，我们也间接塑造了校风，决定了日后华初要走
的路向。在这些活动的过程中，培养了我的领袖才能，帮助了我日后事业的发展。另外，在创校之初，所做的种种尝试，遇到任何失败，永不言弃的奋战精神，也
建立了我后来敢于面对任何挑战的意志力。”
在华初最难忘的经验：
“我们把华初当家。早上7时就到学校，晚上11时还不肯回家，有时干脆就在学校过夜。我们为华初设计了很多活动，像中秋节晚会、农历年庆祝会、运动
会等等，它们后来都成了最让同学怀念的华初传统。”
对新华中的期望：
“华中华初的合并是为新一代培育精英做准备。它能维持我们的独特性，并发展出下一个阶段，精益求精的教育。”
为何选华中？
“父亲大人的决定，我欣然接受。”
在华中最难忘的经验：
“华中四年，是我一生读书最快乐的时候。当时华中的学生来自社会各阶层。学校很包容，因材施教，并没有按家庭背景、学习能力、考试成绩来把我们分门
别类。”
华中的特质：
“我后来才知道，1971年至1974年这段我在华中的时候，可说是华中校运相对低落的时候。
“是什么力量能够使华中从一个肩负着历史使命开始，经过早期的辉煌，历经跌到谷底的低潮，死而复生，再有今天的灿烂夺目？我想，就在于它顽强的生命
力。而这个顽强的生命力，正是它‘自强不息’精神的体现。这股精神，也反映了南洋华侨对教育的执着、校友对延续校风的执着。”
对新华中的期望：
“作为一所有东方文化、有85年历史的学府，华中肩负着很多人对它的期许。我希望华中能培育爱国和拥有双文化思维的新一代。“
为何选华初？
“华初当年聚集了全国精英，也吸引了我。当时，运动我们有国手、国脚；数学、科学方面有全国冠军，可说是各路英雄齐聚。”
成为华初第一名总统奖学金得主的感受：
“我完全没有想到这个人竟然是我。我说了，当日华初是各路英雄齐聚的学府，很多同学的表现都比我好。我得到这个奖，只感觉是个意外。”
对新华中的期望：
“华初一开校，就有了很创新，很与众不同的教学法。当年我们采用大学式的讲堂和小组讨论方式，就和一般的高中很不同。我希望未来的华侨中学，仍然能
延续这样的精神，为新加坡造就人才。”
为何选华中？
“我们学校百多名男生，只有四人能进华中。记得校长还叫我们站到台上，接受全体同学鼓掌。他说，我们这是为校争光。”
为何辍学？
“我们家实在太穷。我父亲当司机，要养12个子女。每个月交5元学费，也很吃力，到中三那年，我和另一个读小六的妹妹都决定辍学，出外工作，帮补家
用。”
华中给我的影响：
“华中每个学生都在小学名列前茅，进了华中他们教会了我明白什么是竞争。同学中很多有钱人，放学时有大汽车来接，也让我了解就算靠勤奋、好学，在什
么条件都没有的情况下也处于劣势，唯一的路，只有靠拼搏。我后来事业的天地，就在这个理解下开创出来。”
为何选华初？
“当时华初已经是一个欣欣向荣的初院，会考成绩优秀，是华校生都想进的初院。而且它提供了一个有华文传统和价值观的环境，是其他初院所无的。”
华初对我的影响：
“华初为我打好了扎实的华文基础，让我能在今天的工作上如鱼得水。我觉得我们的新生代有必要在学校里多花时间，把华文学好，尤其是在中小学的10
年。毕竟整个大环境都对学英文有利，离校后，还有很多机会学习英文。”
对新华中的期望：
“我希望新华中能继续成为华文精英的集中地，继续为学生提供有深度华文教育的环境，为培养双语人才作出贡献。我希望新华中的学生，能在校际比赛时继
续唱‘山歌’，继续以虎虎生威的歌声去吓唬对手。这个形象鲜明的传统，一定要继续。”
为何选华中？
“小学老师说，成绩好，就应该进华中。他叫全班第一名进华中，第二名进南中。就这样，我去了华中。”
在华中最难忘的经验：
“最记得中四那年，为了参加比赛，我写了一篇名为《被爱》的自由题文章。写的是幻想被我的偶像黄露仪爱护。文章里，我把她的名字改为杨露仪，写得似
模似样。没想到竟然获得老师向全班朗读。这篇文章后来还传遍ABCD班，让我永远难忘。”
华中对我的影响：
“华中的校训‘自强不息’是时时刻刻在我的脑海，时时鼓励着我努力、创新。它也提点我，只有好学的人才能继续生存。我在华中认识的同学，今天不少已
经成了我工作上的伙伴、仟湖的家庭成员。”
为何选华初？
“受同学影响。当年公教中学同班29人，28人都去了华初。我姐也是华初校友。当时华初已是顶尖初院，进华初一直是我的向往。”
华初对我的影响：
“我本来是一个比较内向的人。进了华初，和周遭同学的相处，增强了我的自信心，改变了我待人处事的态度，这对我的性格以及后来的事业发展，都有了重
大的影响。”
对新华中的期望：
“今天新加坡人要和香港人、台湾人争一日之长短，就靠是否能掌握双语。我希望新华中能继续担负这个为国家培养双语人才的重任，并且发扬光大。”
为何选华初？
“华初的人文课程和华文语文特选课程，都是顶尖的，老师也是最好的。对我这个要选这两项课程的人来说，到华初来是唯一的选择！”
华初给我的感觉：
“华初两年，转瞬即逝。她给我家的温馨。我最喜欢华初的歌，尤其那两句‘既然爱上了，又为何不付出？’、‘既然碰上了，又岂能虚度？’这些要我们珍
惜时光，努力去做该做的歌词，让我深深感动。”
对新华中的期望：
“我觉得华初和华中本来就是一家，如今合一，是集中资源，培育学生更好的做法。我希望这对华初来说，不是一个失去，而是一个能有更大作为的机
会。”
The link to the 4 Aug 04 Lianhe Zaobao forum article below refers.
http://www.zaobao.com/yl/yl506_040804.html
社论/言论/天下事 2004-08-04
华初，不只是一个名字
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
● 吴丽诗
1991年的校际辩论会上，华初辩论队在“热身”时，说了这么一句：“城在也好，城倾也好，华初不倒”。当时全场华初校友情绪沸腾。
“华初不倒”——我们是一直这么认为的，危楼废墟中的涂鸦、会记、班记、华韵中也都是如此铅字铁证纪录的。然而，几经艰难终于得以“回归”母校原
址。现在因为要实行直通车的教育新宠，华初这个名字反将从此走进历史。
对于华侨中学以及校友、学生对于改名后的不满与遗憾，我感同深受，但更加遗憾的是，部分受访的华中校友沉浸在哀悼其英文校名(The
Chinese High School)和华文全名（新加坡南洋华侨中学）的悲情思绪中，似乎完全对华初毕业生的感受弃而罔顾、丝毫没有一丁点敏感，
其中义正词严要一笔把“华初”抹拭掉的受访口气和言论笔调，笔者委实难以理解。
7月28日《联合早报·交流》版，林岭的《华中改名的反思》一文中提到：当初，华中初级学院成立之时，依照中华文化的命名习惯，应该被命名为“新加
坡南洋华侨中学附属初级学院”（The Chinese High School, incorporating Chinese Junior
College），如新加坡南洋女子中学附小、北京大学附中等。果真如同林岭所说的，那只有较低学级的学府附属于高学府，从未看过高等学府附属于中学
的。那么，当初华侨中学是否应该改为“华中初级学院附属中学”呢？这当然不可能，既然如此，我们是否可以将心比心、彼此尊重，争取双赢局面呢？
此外，林岭以重笔把“Hwa Chong”断言为“四不像”，无疑对应用此校名长达30年的华初校友、师长、学生，以及关心支持她的社会人士是一种
根本性的文字和意识形态上的屈辱。明眼人当可明辨，Hwa Chong是完全符合本地“英语习惯”的拼法，像我们绝大部分华人的英文名
（dialect name）和校名（如培华是Pei Hwa、光华是Kong Hwa）。对名字的尊重是最根本的，更何况本是同根生—彼此都
姓“华”，相煎又何太急呢？
林岭一再强调“新加坡南洋华侨中学”是“一项值得珍惜的宝贵无形历史遗产”，并说“不知要如何去面对当初创办‘新加坡南洋华侨中学’的先贤们”。然
而，我们今天的票决又如何去面对“华中初级学院”这名字、这记忆、这情感的自主性呢？两校合并在华初荣升全国第一所自主初级学院的当儿，却也是放弃这名
字、这记忆、这情感的同时。
我当然不否认遗产的重要性，然而我们必须认识的是，85年的遗产和30年的情感与记忆遗产可以同等重要，共同记忆的重量和分量绝不取决于年份的长
短。拥有共同校名是为了团结两校资源、提升密切的合作关系以及对母校的认同感，然而易名后的校园和记忆如何团结校友此一重要资源？拥有“附属式”的父权
心态又如何推展合作关系？而认同感呢，只能在戛然而断的上半截记忆脐带中苟延残喘了。
华初，不只是一个名字，她是根植在许多人生命中几乎最精彩的两年。据悉，同样进行直通车计划的莱佛士三校，将在“莱佛士家族”的大伞下继续沿用各自
原本的校名，“华中”和“华初”的校名难道果真无法求同存异、共生共荣？
我不属于“华侨中学”，我所属的初级学院，将从此如同我那被拆毁的“坎贝拉小学”一样在岛国消失。我甚至听说过有些长辈的小学、中学、高中、甚至大
学都不复存在了。我根本无法想像其身为“无根之兰”的境况，更何况是在自己的土地、家园上失根。
而对于这个给了我无限美好回忆，之后又硬生生把我美丽的回忆拔除的岛国，我越来越不知道要以怎么样的情感去面对了。
---------------------------------------------
From: Jeffrey Ho Sent: 10/08/2004 21:23
Dear all,
Don't get me wrong. I'm pro-unification......but I'm quite sentimental
about the lost of our spirit. The Chinese High School spirit is very
different from that of the Hwa Chong JC ( Yellow Castle ) spirit. Both
are equally strong and I do share the different sentiments in the
company of the respective group of alumni. I belong to the last batch
of Classic Yellow Castle generation before the exodus. We are the ones
who passed on the Classic Yellow Castle culture in HCJC.
The sad thing is we are going to lose both. A new generation will rise
from the combined entity which will neither have the same touch base
as what we have. Time Progress.....Chang Jiang Hou Lang Tui Chian
Lang. Just like a phoenix rising from the ashes of our glorius past.
The third Spirit which is left is our TCHS Scout Group spirit which we
share and cherish too. Should this be diluted through merger of our
Groups or should we be just fellow allied Unit still retaining our own
identity and share the scouting fellowship?
This is the point to ponder......
Warmest regards
Jeffrey Ho
--------------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 11/08/2004 00:17
Jeffrey,
In my opinion, things are not supposed to be that complicated to begin
with. Chinese High-Hwa Chong JC-Hwa Chong Institution...it all starts
with Hua Qiao Zhong Xue, and it shall return to Hua Qiao Zhong Xue
(and if one pleases, he can add the Singapore Nanyang as the prefix).
That is exactly why the Chinese school name is retained, isn't it.
With every batch going out of the two majestic school gates for the
last time, he walks away with the School spirit embodied in him. Some
return like us, to HCJC (whether in Bukit Timah, Ngee Ann, Bukit Batok
or Bukit Gombak, it's still Yellow Castle to every HwaChongian) where
we see another variation of the School spirit, a spirit that is
supposed to stem from the same source but somehow develops into a
variation which looks familiar but feels different at the same time.
Thanks to the strong presence of Chinese High alumni, the Hwa Chong
spirit is not further developed into an entirely different entity. The
merger is to mould the spirit back again - with the introduction of
the Yellow Castle into the memories of new HwaChongians who would
otherwise be deprived of it if they choose to only be a Chinese High
boy. Before 1974, the old Hu Ba Lou Building being sung in the College
Songs belongs to Chinese High before it is transformed from the
teacher's hostel to the classroom block for JC. So there is a part of
Chinese High here in Hwa Chong JC, so we should rejoice to have both
memories back in one to be passed on to the New HwaChongians.
What is HCJC's history would now be part of the recollection of the
New HwaChongian, as do the history of Chinese High. He/She shall know
the 21st March of founding anniversary, 31st July establishment of
HCJC where senior high section was stopped, 8th May 1987 when HCJC
conducted its last classes in old Bukit Timah campus, almost 4 years
of exodus of HCJC (taking in 14 pointer students but still emerging as
top 5 JCs), and the triumph return on 29 Dec 1991 where Yellow Castle
stands proudly to be inspected. This is the Yellow Castle of the New
HwaChongian, belonging to HCJC and Chinese High. "To Sing a Song for
Hua Chu", it will become a more meaningful song, because it is "Our
Yellow Castle, to stand forever, sturdily".
As for the spirit of our Scout Group, it is undivided from the School
spirit that makes a Chinese High Scout different from others.The
merger should not be diluting it, it should be more vibrant and
enriched with the new phase. We are not stuck with Southwestern 51st,
nor do we lament the loss of 2205 or Tanglin 05, much as we cherish
it. That said, the RI model for the HCJC Rover Crew is workable, and
would be in your words, an allied unit or friendly fellowship, albeit
a much closer and special relationship.
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 14/08/2004 17:36
Dear Guild and current members, attached is a commentary by Zhou
Zhaochen, a sub-editor of Lianhe Zaobao on the merger issue. I think a
great part of my last posts's views were shared by him. The article
below refers.
(Link: http://www.zaobao.com/yl/yl503_140804.html )
社论/言论/天下事 2004-08-14
历史的名实之辨
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
● 周兆呈
By Zhou Zhao Cheng
经常去碧山第八站购物中心，并没有感觉名称有何不妥。它十年前建成，名称源自南北线的第八站，简洁好记，而且独步江湖。
但其实这个名称自三年前就已经名不副实了。2001年7月底，新加坡的地铁站都换上新编号，碧山站成了南北线第17站。
要换名吗？第八站购物中心早已成为新加坡人耳熟能详的名字，从商业角度考虑，换名显然得不偿失。三年下来，人们照旧习惯于这种名不副实。购物中心不用换
名，但在教育领域似乎就没那么“幸运”了。
华侨中学与华中初级学院合并，虽然经过民主的投票程序，但是新名称仍被不少校友抨击。这也是情理中事，两校合并，无论是沿用任何一方校名、或是取个
新名，都必然有人反对。
都说校名更迭，校友会的声音最大，外人不该置喙。但感情的挣扎若放在历史的长河中来看，大概就会波澜不惊了。
校名与校园是校友认同的两大载体，最完美的当然是岁月悠悠，校名依旧、校园仍在，旧有时光一一浮现。
但在国家建设和学校发展的过程中，却经常不能两全。学校之名与校园之实，只要能保其一，其实都是母校的延续。校名虽改，但小桥流水、校园依旧，物在
景在，怎么不是母校？校园虽迁，但校名依旧，有如父母搬家，怎么不是母校？
华中与华初因合并而改名，不应是一种悲痛的互伤。如果以后新校名下培育出的学生，不懂得不再存在的华初曾是校史的一部分，那才是悲哀。
现位于盛港的南侨中学曾数易其名，又搬迁校园。该校由陈嘉庚发起创办，原本是一所师范学校，二战后改成南侨女子中学，1984年开始招收男生，就改
名南侨中学。上个世纪90年代则一度因为学生不足和搬迁问题，差点要关闭，最后决定保校不保地，2000年底迁入盛港新镇。
如果一直纠缠于对校园的不离不弃，大概校名都保不住了。经历过改名、改地，但是南侨的根本流失了吗？只要名或实有其一相连，历史就可以延续，不是人
为就能够割裂的。
几乎所有学校都会经历改名或迁址的命运，这是发展的必然，从小学到大学，概莫能外。这些变化都是历史的连续篇章，而不是支离破碎的片断。
北京大学校史溯至京师大学堂，校园继承自燕京大学，新旧校友都难忘“燕园”；南京大学自1902年以来，九易其名，虽然政权更迭，却割不断历
史。
即便是哈佛大学，校名也是由剑桥学院、哈佛学院而至今日，每次更名都是历史事件的记录，也不见改一次名，认同的校友就少一批。校名更迭或校园变迁，
都是历史的见证，而不应成为前后割裂的说辞。
学校如此，国家亦如此。新加坡的中文名由最早的淡马锡到后来的石叻坡、星加坡、新嘉坡，二三十年前仍有人用旧称，虽然几易其名，经历不同的历史时
期，在庆祝新加坡国庆时，老中青少，大家心里放的还不是同一片土地？
·作者是本报执行级新闻编辑
View name change in perspective
I often shop at Bishan Junction 8 and it has never occurred to me that
there is anything wrong with the name.
Built 10 years ago, the shopping mall took its name from Bishan MRT
station which is the 8th station on the North-South line. It is unique
and easy to remember.
However, after MRT station numbers were changed in July 2001 and
Bishan station became the 17th station on the N-S line, the name
Bishan Junction 8 no longer reflects the reality.
Should it be renamed? Well, not when shoppers are already so familiar
with it and the mall may have more to lose than gain with a brand new
name. Besides, no one is complaining.
Some schools are, however, not so "lucky" as a change of name is
unavoidable.
When the Chinese High School and Hwa Chong Junior College merge in
January next year, the new school will get a new name. Even though the
name was decided upon through a democratic voting process, it still
draws flak from some alumni. school adopts the name of either school
or takes on a new one, some people are bound to be upset.
It has been said that the decision to change the name of a school
rests with the alumni and outsiders should have no say in it. I
believe we will probably not get too emotional over such changes if we
take a long-term view.
The name of a school and the campus are important emotional anchors
for alumni. It would be perfect if they remain unchanged with the
passage of time.
But more often than not, in the development process of the nation and
the school, it is possible to preserve only one of them which should,
in fact, still mean one's alma mater continues to exist.
The name may have been changed but the campus and the familiar
surroundings are still there. Can one say it is no longer his alma
mater?
The school may have moved to a new site but the name is intact. Can
one say it is no longer his alma mater?
The merger of the Chinese High School and Hwa Chong Junior College
should not be viewed as a move that hurts both schools. But it would
really be sad if, in future, students nurtured by the new school did
not know that Hwa Chong Junior College, which no longer exists, is
part of the school's history.
In the case of Nan Chiau High School in Sengkang, not only has it
changed its name several times, but it has also moved to a new site.
Set up by philanthropist Tan Kah Kee as a teachers' training college,
it became known as Nan Chiau Girls' School after WWII. When it started
taking in male students in 1984, it changed its name once again to Nan
Chiau High School.
During the 90s, the school faced the prospect of closure when
enrolment started dwindling as residents moved to settle in new towns.
Eventually, the school decided in 2000 to move to Sengkang to make a
fresh start.
Had it insisted on staying put in the old campus, the school might
have become history. Has the school lost its roots because of the name
changes and the move to a new site? No, its history will continue so
long as either its name or school premises remain in existence.
Development necessitates that most schools, from primary to tertiary
institutes, will have to take on new names or move to new campuses.
The changes, however, should be seen as different chapters of a
school's continuing history.
The history of Peking University which inherited the campus of
Yenching University, for instance, can be traced back to Jing Shi Da
Xue Tang (the Metropolitan University) of the Qing Dynasty. And alumni
will always remember the campus as "Yan Yuan", or the Gardens of Yan.
Nanking University, on the other hand, has changed its name nine times
since 1902. And the change of government has not caused any damage to
its history either.
Harvard University was previously known as Harvard College and
Cambridge College. Every name change was an historic event in the
history of the prestigious university and had not alienated its
alumni.
It is erroneous to argue that getting a new name means a clean break
from the past.
This also applies to nations. Singapore has been known in the past by
various Chinese names. And 20 or 30 years ago, some people were still
using these old names.
What's important is that for Singaporeans, young and old, who have
witnessed the different stages of the history of Singapore, Singapore
means the same thing to us deep down in our hearts as we celebrate the
nation's 39th birthday - the land we call home.
(The writer is an executive sub-editor of Lianhe Zaobao. Translated by
Yap Gee Poh.)
-------------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 16/08/2004 17:01
Dear all, Chen Kong-chun, our old Managing Director for the School
also shared his views on the merger in a Lianhe Zaobao article dated
16 Aug 04. He revealed the exchanges between him and then Education
Minister Ong Pang Boon in 1970 and suggested that it might be better
off to keep the separate school names intact while under a same
administration. In short, not unlike the Raffles "through-train"
arrangement eg. RI, RGS -> RJC.
Link to the article:
http://www.zaobao.com/yl/yl502_160804.html
社论/言论/天下事 2004-08-16
华中华初校名不必更改
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
● 陈共存
关于华中华初合并改校名事，报章上的反应热烈。我曾担任该校董事长26年（1970－1996），对于此问题难以缄默不语，谨将经历分述如下：
1970年，当时担任教育部长的王邦文先生召见黄祖耀、吴水阁和我三人，告诉我们政府要创办十所初级学院，以代替高中。
部长指出，每所初级学院的预算是220万元，教育部津贴半数，即每所110万元，希望中华总商会筹集半数，十所初院1100万元。他并指定我为华侨
中学董事长，可以先行起步。
我答覆部长说，我不是华中的赞助人，也不是董事，我去函表示坚决拒绝。
数日后，王部长再召集我们到教育部面谈，并说董事部既然选你为董事长，不应推辞。至于我所提的问题，也并非问题：
一、所云不谙教育，教育部可负全责，不必担心。
二、学生罢课事由教育部处理，董事部也不必担心。
三、学校卖地皮是董事部的事，政府无意征用。
四、创办初级学院仍旧由董事部负责，教育部会全力支持。
五、初级学院的校名再用“华侨”，似乎不合时宜。
黄祖耀随即建议用“华中初级学院”的校名。
既然上述五个问题都不成问题，我别无选择，只得勉强接受董事长的职责。这也是华初校名的由来。
自1970年本人接任董事长的五六年间，四易校长，这是万不得已的措施。经过一连串的挫折后，董事部认为最好从校友中物色校长，希望校友对母校的关
心，能够对母校作出贡献。当时董事部强调华中必须要保持华族的优良传统和校风，培养能为社会作出贡献的学生。同时，要提高华文的水准，补救将来华文人才
的不足。
自从改革校政以后，华中的水准年年进步，与其他名校并驾齐驱。
除了学生在学业进步之外，董事部也努力扩建校舍，增加设备，同时也得到教育部大力的支持，增建游泳池及附属的建设。我建议增建一层楼作为华中校友会
的会址，方便各校友的聚会。
因为学校的进步，许多家长纷纷要送孩子进入华中求学，要求董事部介绍。但是校方认为，能不能被录取是依照小六会考的成绩，这样才能保持学校的水
准。
华初自1974年创办以后，许多校友要求让他们的子弟可以直接进入华初。有关这一点我坚决反对，给予他们多少优惠可以考虑，但是不能全部录取。华中
每年毕业只有300多名，但是华初每年却有毕业生800多人，因此必须录取其他各校精英四五百名，才能符合所需求的人数。并因为如此，华初的水准名列前
茅，30年已造就的人才达两万多人。
聚会是“最后的晚餐”
上述是华中和华初自1970年以来简要概况。最近教育部考虑到自从1970年中四和初院分开累积的经验，而六年的连续性则可能比分开更为有利，因为
才有实施直通车的倡议。
回忆过去，在华初创办的初期，华中的水准仍未有改善。为了华初的前途，华初与华中的校名、校歌、校徽均有分别，冀能收到优秀的学生。
在实施教育部新政策过程中，华中华初合并后的校名也提了出来。校长虽然召集一百多人开会，提出折衷的办法，投票的结果，中文是华侨中学、英文是
Hwa Chong Institution，但许多公众人士却认为新校名四不像。
华中校友反映，南洋华侨中学是全南洋第一所华文中学，这个金字招牌必须保留。这段历史的价值不能缺一角，历史必须尊重，创办人的热诚也必须重视。譬
如陈笃生医院、华侨银行等等，虽然几经重建扩展，至今仍旧保留原名。
华初校友于7月31日举行庆祝30周年晚会上，千名校友聚首于一堂。闻悉华初校名从此将被取消，认为那天晚上的聚会是最后的晚餐，有些校友悲痛的心
情，诚非笔墨所能形容。
综合上述现象，华中华初的改名既伤害了千千万万华中校友的感情，又伤害了两万多名华初校友爱校的热忱，既违背历史的事实，又抹杀了先贤的功绩，百害
而无一利，请大家重新考虑。
我曾担任华中华初26年的董事长，又是华初的始创者，我个人认为行政可以统一，但两校校名不必更改。如果华中扩展到2000人，每年毕业生也只有
400人；而华初每年收生800人，因此必须吸收其他学校的优秀学生。这种文化与学术方面的交流，对教育将有无限的价值。
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jeffrey Ho Sent: 17/08/2004 10:44
I share his views on this issue. Just like Nanyang University, TCHS &
HCJC could just retain their name but will now become an icon of the
past. NU not equals to NTU or NUS. TCHS & HCJC not equals to HCI. Hope
TCHS Scout Group will be retained.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: JaKesWu Sent: 18/08/2004 20:41
Dear all,
The Chinese High School has been in existence long before
HCJC, making it an historical icon. Perhaps one of the reasons why HCI
retains the same name of 华侨中学 is due to this fact. This name has been
embedded in the minds of many, and hence retaining this name would be
so-called "convenient" in the aspect. Moreover, if we call our school 华
中学院, it would seem as if we were copying RI. Perhaps the special name
is what makes us so unique.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 19/08/2004 17:51
Dear all, attached is an article in Lianhe Zaobao dated 19 Aug 04.
Some HCJC alumnus were calling for the School to retract the renaming
of the merged entity by appealing for on-line signatures. The
difficulty of "reunification" was clearly demonstrated here by the
effects of separation with a different name, logo and anthem in the
last 30 years. Although Mr Chen Kong-chun had his considerations for
doing so in 1974, the end result today might not be what he had
envisoned back then. That said, I really don't mind keeping the name
of The Chinese High School Scout Group intact. While the Chinese Group
name did not change, I believe we have less opportunity to introduce
ourselves using the Chiense title In Singapore, except, in Taiwan or
Hong Kong! Predictably, when we say we are from "(pseudo-assumption)
Hwa Chong Scout Group", most likely the other would exclaim: "ah, you
mean Chinese High lah.."
Link to article below: http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp503_190804.html
新闻：新加坡 2004-08-19
华初900校友要求保留校名
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
华侨中学和华中初级学院明年合并后将采用的新校名，虽然已决定统一为“华侨中学”，英文名为Hwa Chong Institution，但华中初级学
院校友日前还是展开网上请愿行动，希望校董可以重新考虑改名的决定。
这个网站在短短几天，已经搜集到接近900人的电子签名。
这份请愿书写道：“……对我们而言，校名不单单是一个名字。而我们那由四支赤红箭头整齐地捆在一齐组成的校徽，更象征了我们彼此之间坚韧的亲情，是
有血有泪的‘大家庭’ 。我们认为留有校名和校徽，才能继续让学子们拥有一个根，一个凝聚大家的归宿。在宣布华初校名从此匿迹的那一瞬间，我们心中只剩
下了无奈、空虚和茫然。”
最后，这些请愿的校友们“由衷地请求校方，采纳我们的提议，在合并中不要废除华中初级学院的校名和校徽。”
经过了几近一年，广招校友和相关人士讨论后，207名来自华中校友会（104人）、华初校友会（50人）、颐年俱乐部（35人）和华中赞助人大会
（18人）的代表在7月25日，从四个选择，经两轮投票，选出上述统一校名。
数天后，在华初建校30周年校友回校千人宴上，华中华初校董会／管委会主席杨禧年表示，教育部已接纳了华中华初合并后的新校名。当晚两校还为新校名
主持命名仪式。
对于目前的网上请愿行动的实效性，受访的华初校友表示，请愿只是一种姿态，他们对母校复名成功都不感到乐观。
张愫玲（23岁，金融分析师）说：“新校名很奇怪，给人一种不伦不类的感觉。华初校名走入历史后，精神层面肯定会有一定程度的改变，不能简单地视为
形式上的调整。”
“报章言论已经刊登了几篇校友的文章，而校方一直没有表态，所以我想数百人的网上请愿效果不大，人数再多一点也许才会引起注意。”
张愫玲认为：“校方的决定已经对外公开，想必它很难放弃新校名，如今尘埃落定，网上请愿至少显示还有人关心，总算是‘华初精神’的一种体现。”
刘佳莹（19岁，大学生）说：“我个人觉得华初并没有改名的必要，而网上的请愿书只是校友抒发不满的一个管道，它并没有实际的作用。虽然我自己也在
电子请愿书上签名，但我不觉得请愿会有成功的机会。”
柯欣颖（19岁，大学生）说：“我一直觉得华初不应该改名，新的华文名就很不恰当；但新校名已经是一个既定事实，我也不觉得网上请愿的行动会引起什
么样的改变或回响。”
“只是从头到尾，校友和学生都没有说话的机会，所以我们只是借此机会表达情感和看法。”
校董管委会秘书：这是大家庭的决定
对于校友们的网上请愿，华中华初校董会／管委会秘书李德龙说，这个网站的设计方式存有它的局限性，而且也无法确认请愿者的身份。无论如何，对于华初
校友们以请愿方式表达对母校的关怀，他表示非常感激。
他解释说，统一校名的决定不是外界想像的这么简单，而是大家花了七八个月的时间收集意见，开座谈会、讨论会集思广益后的决定，“是整个华中华初大家
庭的决定”。
展望未来，华中华初合并后将展开许多计划，他希望华中华初校友都能积极为母校服务，提供意见，参与活动，集合大家的力量把学校管理得更出色，为母校
做出贡献。
---------------------------------------------------
From: art60214 Sent: 20/08/2004 16:25
Dear all, I have come across the petition site by HCJC alumnus to
retain the entities of the JC. The link below refers.
http://www.petitiononline.com/hwachong/petition.html
Emotional posts were seen here and there, such as "HCJC is HCJC,
Chinese High is Chinese High". Understandable, but definitely not
helpful, and certainly reflects what I have been pointing out, that in
the last 30 years, attention is given to the "Junior College" aspect
of HCJC, but little or none on the "Hwa Chong" (Huazhong) roots.
There are some Lianhe Zaobao articles that I have missed out earlier
but found on some other BBSes. I attach them for reference. Li
Huiling's article (No.3) spelt out a forward-looking perspective of
the merger.While she is not a Chinese High alumni, she appreciates the
common roots shared by HCJC and Chinese High, and I echoed her views
about pooling a common memory for those in the new HCI. Yellow Castle
(Huang Cheng) is not just belonging to HCJC, it is also part of
Chinese High, and more so for the new Hwa Chong Institution.
Article 1: Lianhe Zaobao 30 Jul 04
http://www.zaobao.com/yl/yl502_300704.h<WBR>tml
旁观流动身世里的后娘时代
● 曾昭鹏、曾昭程
在激情匮乏的年代，剩下的大概也只有写文章的冲动。纵然按照城国的发展逻辑推演就<WBR>本该料到，一个新课程的启动，终将见证一所初院最后的历
史刻度。华中初级学院（下简称<WBR>华初）明年开始和华侨中学合并，新校名经过两轮投票后出炉，华文统一为“华侨中学”，<WBR>英文为Hwa
Chong Institution。
追溯先前校名统一的初衷，为的是“显示两所顶尖学府的合并”，“要具有代表性”及“提升‘华中教<WBR>育’的品牌”，而最终目的是让“两校校友
还能因为这个统一校名更团结，并能建立起更密<WBR>切的合作关系以及对母校的认同感。”
现实总难以两全，新名称或许无法讨好华初与华侨中学的旧校友，再加上有人觉得没有<WBR>统一校名的绝对必要，以致一开始，这就是一次不可能的任
务。而吊诡的是，校名从此获得<WBR>延续的华侨中学（The Chinese High School）是一所素来以华文传统著称的学府，日后竟然
必须以英文名称Hwa Chong Institution来区分它的历史阶段。在它试图开创新教育景观的时刻，这一点确<WBR>实颇堪玩味。
有些校友或许认为，合并后的新校名不过是一种形式上的更动，最重要的是两校办学理<WBR>念的精神本质恒久不变。一如朱丽叶曾经向罗密欧深情款款
地说，姓名本来是没有意义的（W<WBR>hat's in a name?），只要花朵持久芬芳，花是否唤作“玫瑰”也无所谓。但果真如此吗？
据悉，合并后的新学校打算保留华初英文版的校歌，但从校名、校徽到校庆日期，象征<WBR>母校的符号走进历史，这变化何尝不是彻底的。母校意象归
零，对华初校友来说，有无法言<WBR>说也不可计算的难舍和感伤。日前饶富意味的报章标题点出，校名统一后新学府誓愿继往开<WBR>来。然而，华初
校友毋宁摆渡在“记”与“忘”之间，校名业已消翳，往后究竟要如何“继往”？我们还不如说是集体“祭亡”一个母校时代的终结<WBR>。
如果不断生成的校史可以被想像成一则流动的身世，当下令人难以释怀的是它发生畸变<WBR>后进入的“后娘”时代。未来在规划时，遭受母校过继予他
者的华初校友该以何种身份参与<WBR>关涉其发展的讨论，而校方又会如何把华初校友的情感资源纳入考量当中，妥善安置他们寄<WBR>存在华初的感念
与关怀？
差点忘了，其实还有那支《唱一首华初的歌》。以后黄城若还响起夜韵，曲调的意涵大<WBR>概也不一样了。所幸这是一场没有悲情的结束。突发奇想，
哪天有人策动校友社群复名，拥<WBR>有最大决定权的说不定倒将是华侨中学（Hwa Chong Institution）的学生。
·作者是华中初级学院校友，曾昭鹏是《联合早报》记者、曾昭程是中学教师
Article 2:
丢名的难过
● 蔡深江
先作出利害关系声明，我是华初校友，面对华中初级学院和华侨中学因校务行政与直通<WBR>车课程的结合而引发的改换校名议题，本文无法不带应该的
情绪和必然的不爽。诚然，经民<WBR>主制度下的投票程序产生新校名后，再多的讨论无法改变华初校名的死亡审判，但是，如果<WBR>没有强烈表达不
满，对不起曾经高喊过的华初精神。
校名固然只是代号，但加入了情感和成长经验，以及代代相传的荣誉感，校名就成了记<WBR>忆的方向。此刻无论是华初改名为华中，或者强要华中改名
为华初，都是对校史的伤害。把<WBR>华文校名和校歌保留给历史更久，校友更多的华中，再把英文校名稍做曲扭后送给华初做人<WBR>情，并留下英文
版的校歌，无疑是切割价值的分猪肉心态；表面上的讨好无法改变人去楼空<WBR>的难堪实质。更何况在商讨调整之后所流露的勉强平衡凸显了某种心里的不
安。
学校和校名顺理成章或者顺水推舟地消失，在这块土地上其实并不罕见，正由于过去处<WBR>理学府去留的强势态度，使得校名的更改变得轻易，变得不
怕对不起过去，甚至被认为是一<WBR>种理直气壮的进步发展。相对于其他因素，校友的记忆情感是城市发展的运作过程中考虑顺<WBR>位相当低的。
教育界对校名呼来唤去的霸道心态由来已久，华侨中学的英文校名改为Hwa Chong Institution的嫁接手法，并不原创。当年培道中学
因学生人数逐渐减少而关闭<WBR>后，教育部认为培道中学的中文校名很有意义，因此决定让设在榜鹅区的第一所新中学沿用<WBR>，英文校名却另用
Punggol Secondary；方便地撕取和抛弃。
当然，一些学校在生源渐少的情况下，不得不见机行事，或多校合并，或此消（失）彼<WBR>长，或改头换面，为的是更好分配资源，人们也只好无奈接
受。但是，一些发展得好好的学<WBR>校却在试验性质甚强的探步过程，被强势扭改命运，则引发争议。
眼下直通车计划成功了吗？到后来会是换汤不换药，旧酒装新瓶的例常虚张声势，还是<WBR>真的找到了教育改革的新方向？问一问真正“被直通车”的
教师和学生，中途看法未必同声<WBR>赞好。
华中和华初因直通车制度撞击出合并，或者在老华中人眼中是回归的机遇，却难免名称<WBR>上的遗憾。对等统一是相对麻烦的，因为要照顾到不同角度
的感受，无论是在名称的使用或<WBR>是权益的分配都不好处理。商业上因效益、收益等种种好处联姻，只要不涉及并吞，通常会<WBR>把两个名称合
摆，或以连接号拉在一起，例如新力爱利信。按公平原则，若是对等合并的话<WBR>，新校名应是“华侨中学－华初”，不过，那样的互相尊重却可能两边不
讨好。
我纯粹只是要表达对华初的难过和不舍；为一个不够好的理由弃名，华初想必哑口无言<WBR>，任由未知的理想摆弄。无论是一些校友含怨颇深的“晚
娘”归类，或者是哀悼一个品牌的<WBR>消失，华初在某一种意义上是走入了历史。
如果是我家门口的街道要改名，或者我惯用的厕纸换了一个新名称，我应该不会有强烈<WBR>意见。那么，我对华初校名的存废这么在意，到底是一种被
放大的情绪反射，还是一种道义<WBR>上的坚持？或许，正是不同人对名称的情感差别，误伤了我和那些有感受的校友吧。
Article 3: (Li Huiling is the Beijing Correspondent for Lianhe Zaobao)
改名
● 李慧玲
星期六学院举行30周年庆典，校友的电子邮件里都纷纷问起会不会回去参加。这次特<WBR>别的地方，他们说，这是最后一次庆祝华初的院庆了。华初
的名字之后将走入历史。
在京工作，黄城之约就不去了，当然，或许工作也不是不回去的最好理由，但我总是希<WBR>望避免用一种终结式的悲伤来看待。
在每个社会里，总是因为这个那个因素，一些学校的发展受到影响。政策的改变，学校<WBR>合并；院系调整，校名都改了。这样的故事，我在北京听过
不少，而且改变更大，有历史悠<WBR>久的学校，校名都有意思，后来成了“第Ｘ中学”。而在岛国，这几十年来小学、中学、大<WBR>学，出于这个那
个原因，说关就关，说改就改，说并就并的也不是没有的事。我自己读的学<WBR>校，除了小学之外，都要经历过这样的更改变易。一方面已经习以为常，另
一方面还是觉得<WBR>华初这次与华侨中学合并，无论是从历史渊源，或者目前两校同一管理委员会的角度来看，<WBR>本是一家，因应新的教育政策和
需要，二而为一，应该也是自然而然的事。
不过，坐上直通车后，学院的校名要改成什么，是很费周章的。其实，今年4月院长来<WBR>京时，见面聊起，改这个名字、改那个名字，华中华初两方
面都有考虑，华中华初校友的感<WBR>受都要照顾。我听了也没有什么特别的意见，或许觉得，有这样的斟酌本身就很好。或许觉<WBR>得，在岛国这个
环境长大，校名、街道名称如果非改不可，总也不是我们所能够参与的，总<WBR>是在没有更多说明的情况下不改或爱怎么改怎么改，我对于这些“名称”反
而不太执著。
重要的是历史和内涵，我当时也是跟院长说。华中的校友在意名字怎么改，自己之间的<WBR>意见都未必相同。而我们这些后辈，不论是早年来自英校、
华校，或者后来统一源流之后的<WBR>学校，需要看到的是30年前学院与华中之间的关系。不管后来学院的发展如何，当初没有<WBR>陈嘉庚先生办的
华侨中学，后来也就不会在那片土地上长出华初，有董事为办学院的奔走筹<WBR>款，而是称为其他名字的初级学院，而是有别的特点的初级学院了。
当然，我们仍有很深刻的失落感。但是既然改不改向来都由不得我们选择，我觉得华中<WBR>和华初比较幸运的，还是可以决定怎么改，改什么。在这个
决定学校的未来，决定校名的过<WBR>程中，我们还是有相对独立自主的权力，不必受到外来因素的干扰。关键只是如何做出最妥<WBR>善的安排，而凡
牵涉到每个人的记忆与感情的事，“最妥善”几乎是不可能的事情。但对几<WBR>次经历学校易名的我来说，至少愿意参与意见的校友、赞助人等都能够参与
意见。这个过程<WBR>本身，让我珍惜。
校友有各自的黄城记忆和期望，那是我自己可以收藏于心的东西。但是在我们尊重历史<WBR>，缅怀各自的记忆时，也认同于学院的特质。比如在传统与
现代之间、集体与个人之间、课<WBR>业与活动之间的平衡，开明的氛围等等，学院所拥有的特点，是我希望学院不管英文叫什么<WBR>、华文叫什么，
能在与华侨中学融合之后，仍然保存的。有了这些，若干年后的学生把我们<WBR>看作整个历史脉络中的一部分，那才有意义。
Article 4: from The Straits Times, 1 Aug 04
Welcome to Hwa Chong Institution
By Arlina Arshad
WHEN Hwa Chong Junior College (HCJC) and the Chinese High School merge
in January next year to provide a seamless six-year integrated
programme, the new school will be called Hwa Chong Institution.
Its Chinese name is Hua Qiao Zhong Xue.
The Education Ministry has accepted the name, said the chairman of the
Hwa Chong board of directors and board of governors, Mr Peter Yeo.
At the HCJC Homecoming Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton yesterday, he
explained how the name was chosen: Firstly, the name and identity had
to be forward-looking and capture the Hwa Chong and Chinese High
brand.
Secondly, the culture and uniqueness of the two schools had to be
preserved. And thirdly, the sentiments of the alumni and each school's
stakeholders had to be considered.
'The name reflects the collective decision of the two communities,'
said Mr Yeo.
The President and Mrs S R Nathan, Acting Minister for Education
Tharman Shanmugaratnam and 21 of the institution's 44 President's
Scholars were at the event last night.
Present and past students said they liked the fact that the Chinese
name of Chinese High, Hua Qiao Zhong Xue, had been retained.
Mrs Loke-Yeo Teck Yong, 37, the principal of Tanjong Katong Girls'
School and a former President's Scholar, said: 'It's not so much a
change in name but an event to signify excellence and working together
to provide good-quality education.
'Sure, time is needed in building a new brand name but I can see the
good work the school has done.'
---------------------------------------------------------
From: Jeffrey Ho Sent: 22/08/2004 21:12
Good bye HCJC. My time there as a student indeed open my eyes to a
different , unique ,vibrant college culture and it is far more liberal
than traditional Chinese High ( I guess it still is in 2004).
However , my loyalty also lies with Chinese High......thats why I'm
still remain in TCHS Scout Group ,Chinese High Scout Guild , Hua Zhong
Alumni Association.
Not all Chinese High students goes to HCJC. So not all Chinese High
Alumni share the Huang Cheng(Yellow Castle) spirit. I feel it is also
not right to remove HCJC college anthmn & replace with Chinese High
ones. Instead of gaining respect from HCJC Alumni , they will find it
a source for dissent. Lots of goodwill may be loss from both HCJC &
Chinese High alumni......
Just look at ACS. It started off with the merger and formation of ACS
(Independent) and ACJC brought into the family. Now , it still have to
split into ACS(I) , ACS(Barker) , ACJC , and ACS(International) is
coming......
I read from the Press months ago that there is going to be a Hwa Chong
(International) too........for those who can pay........
Fortunately , all Chinese High Scout Group Alumni still has another
common point - Scouting & TCHS Scout Group.
Just some thought
Jeffrey
----------------------------------------------
From: Jeffrey Ho Sent: 04/10/2004 12:42
Hi Sheau Gang,
I've been following those antiquity TCHS Scout Group pictures you put
up on this Website. It amazes me and reminds me of what TCHS Group
used to be.
Maybe you could bring back some resources from current Scouts of China
back to TCHS and share when you're back. TCHS Group need some booster
in Scouting knowledge and sense of pride . Why don't you assist Mr Lee
to compile an updated history on TCHS Scout Group?
Jeffrey
-----------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 04/10/2004 22:21
Dear Jeffrey,
Whatever I have here all comes from GSL himself. As I have said
elsewhere (NPC board?), you tend to pick these up when you hang around
him long enough. As for the draft history part, in fact, I have
submitted a draft right from 1976 to 2000 to him last year. Since
Guild is thinking of doing a commemorative magazine, that might come
in handy, so I'm waiting for the final version to come out. These
things take time, and coming from the university academia and still in
the research line, this is only a short wait :)
--------------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 01/12/2004 15:13
Lianhe Zaobao article dated 30 Nov 04:
新闻：新加坡 2004-11-30
华中南中直通车学生
中三提前修语特课程
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
● 王慧容
从明年1月起，华侨中学和南洋女中综合课程的学生，将能在中三开始提前选修语文特选课程，通过修读高级华文、中华文学以及参与深广课程和浸濡活动，
为高中的语文特选课程做好准备。
它们是继淡马锡初级学院以后，获准把两年语文特选课程扩展到四年课程的学校。这个课程原本在初院一年级才展开。
2600万元扩建校舍
华侨中学和华中初院明年将合并为“华侨中学”(Hwa Chong Insti-
tution)，全面推展6年制的直通车综合课程，并耗资2600万元扩建校舍，在现有校址增建各项崭新的设备以及连接两所院校的新设施。
合并后的华侨中学将由现任华中初院院长洪伟雄担任总裁兼校长，华侨中学现任校长潘兆荣出任副总裁兼中学部校长。
洪伟雄昨日在记者会上说：“随着综合课程的推行，从中三开始推出语文特选课程会更为恰当。在不用考‘Ｏ’水准的情况下，学生可以有更多时间和机会参
与一些跟华文有关的深广活动，以及到中国和台湾浸濡。”
他指出，脱离了会考的牵制，中三、中四的学生上语文特选课程时能更自由发挥，教师也能进行更为灵活的创意教学，加强学生对华文的兴趣。
和一般中学华文课程不同的是，在中三、中四修读语文特选课程的学生，除了读高级华文以外，还会修读中华文学一科，并通过进行专题作业吸收有关中国历
史、地理的知识。
他们还会参与更多由专人主持的深广活动如创意写作课程，以及到中国浸濡两个星期。
华侨中学与南洋女中也将在明年推出双文化课程。洪伟雄说明语文特选课程与双文化课程发展方向有所不同。
双文化课程主要培养精通中国和西方社会、经济和政治的领袖人才，而语文特选课程的重点，则是在加强学生华文的语言和写作能力，栽培他们成为华文精
英。
他说，校方将不鼓励学生同时修这两种课程，以让更多学生有机会修读不同的课程。
外校学生可在中三或高一的时候加入华中的综合课程，选修语文特选课程。
到时，修读华中和南中语文特选课程的学生预计会有大约100名。
为了培育科研、工商及政府机构各个领域的领袖人才，华中也将在现有校址，增建学生活动与领袖训练中心以及华中科研中心。
华中昨日邀请董事会及管理委员会主席杨禧年，主持扩建校舍发展计划的奠基仪式。
多用途的学生活动与领袖训练中心设有模拟的国会议事厅、音乐与舞蹈室等，让学生从事艺术、体育与领袖训练活动。
华中科研中心则设有先进的实验室，进行有关生命科学、化学和光学的研究工作。
学生活动与领袖训练中心以及科研中心预计在2006年竣工。另外，光前馆也会翻新，成为华中的行政中心。
在双语基础上
发展卓越学府
新加坡可以在良好的双语基础上，发展卓越的学府。
教育部长尚达曼昨天在“绿波”环境保护作业比赛颁奖礼后受访时，针对华中为中三中四学生开办语文特选课程指出，我国教育制度的优势是双语教学，这使
得学生经常有机会接触东西方的想法。在这制度的最顶端部分是一群精通双语的人才，能够好好栽培这批人才对新加坡来说非常重要。
尚达曼说，在这方面，华侨中学和本地的好几所学校都走对了方向，在东南亚和中国也建立起名声。
他认为，在优秀的师资、学生和一股不甘于一般，力求卓越的“新加坡人精神”的合力推动下，我国要发展优良学府的目标绝对是可以达成的。
--------------------------------------------------------
From: Jeffrey Ho Sent: 24/02/2005 09:28
Dear all,
It has been 2 months since our Chinese High School has merged with Hwa
Chong Junior College into " Hwa Chong Institution ". Any suggestion of
what we should call our Scout Group now since " The Chinese High
School" name no longer exist ? ....... Hwa Chong Scout
Group ....perhaps ? Or named after an animal like Chinese Lion or Pi
Xiu or Kirin Scout Group? ...........
Glowing Light
------------------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 24/02/2005 13:23
There have been some opinions floated regarding this issue ever since
the merger was announced. Names such as returning to the good old
"Tanglin 05", "Tanglin 2205" were raised. Of course, "Hwa Chong
Institution Scout Group" is the most obvious to be raised. Little is
said about the Chinese name of the Group simply because the Chinese
school name remains as such.
At the Scout Guild Dinner 2005 held at the Civil Service Tessensohn
Clubhouse on World Scout Day, my attention was drawn to the
inauguration of the Yeung Ching Open Scout Group Guild Chapter. Yeung
Ching Group comes from the Yeung Ching School originally located at
Armenian Street that consists of primary school students. The school
is later renamed Yangzheng Primary School, the pin-yin version of its
Chinese name. But the Scout Group continues to be known as Yeung Ching
and does not alter to "Yangzheng" to follow the primary school.
I think that is one case in point for keeping the old Group name, ie.
"trademarking" the name in entity.
--------------------------------------------------------
From: Kaihong Sent: 24/02/2005 23:27
Hey, the Kirin sounds nice...
kh
---------------------------------------------------------
From: Jeffrey Ho Sent: 25/02/2005 12:49
Dear all,
I was raising this point of pondering about our new Scout Group name
for several reasons:-
One is that our english school name "The Chinese High School" has gone
into history......to the dismay of alumni who love both TCHS & HCJC
like moi .
Second , our School has indeed merge with Hwa Chong JC . We need to
take stock and decide on the name of the Group of a combined ( or
rather re-united ) School to demonstrate our new direction. We have to
strategize how to take advantage of Through-train system to overcome
the challenge of 5 day WW impact on our recruitment.
Third , just to let you all know , One of the three prong National
strategy of Singapore Scouting to overcome current "Tsunami" hitting
Scout membership is to move towards Community Scouting. The other two
are Parents in Scouting & Professional Scouting ( for HQ Staff ). You
can refer to Chief Commissioner's address last year. There will be a
lot of emphasis on setting up Scout Units in the Community rather than
Schools. Area & District Commissioners has been briefed & tasked by
Chief Commissioner 2 weeks ago on this direction. More Open Scout
Units will be encouraged. Just like Yeung Ching Open Scout Group , Tao
Nan Open Scout Group who are orginally Chinese School based Scout
Group like us who has expanded into flourishing Open Unit/Group . More
newer models like Shadow Scout Group or Fox Scout Group ( Cluster
School model ) may be here to stay.
Are we prepare to go this way ? Are we prepare for the Paradym
change ?
Hwa Chong Open Scout Group perhaps?
Just some reflections
Glowing Light
----------------------------------------------------
From: Tan Sheau Gang Sent: 26/02/2005 20:23
Jeffrey,
A discussion with GSL shows that the inclination is towards the use of
"Hwa Chong Institution (The Chinese High School) Scout Group" over
others. A shorter version of the proposed name would be "Hwa Chong
Institution (TCHS) Scout Group" not unlike ACS Scouts where "Anglo-
Chinese School (Independent) Scout Group" or "ACS (I) Scout Group";
"Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) Scout Group" or "ACS (BR) Scout
Group" have been used.
Firstly, the inclusion of TCHS in the group name would be unnecessary
if the VnR group of ex HCJC would care to rejoin. That being unlikely
at the moment, the distinction has to be made albeit pronouncing Hwa
Chong Institution in the mention with TCHS bracketed.
Secondly, although TCHS and HCJC have been merged, there remains a
administrative division between the secondary and pre-U sections,
marked by the titles in the principals (e.g. Mr Hon Chiew Weng -
Deputy CEO and Principal [High School]) as well as references to the
student clusters (e.g. High School section and College section).
Pursuant to the first point mentioned, existence of TCHS in the group
name, albeit less visible, is practical.
Thirdly, suggestions to putting "2205" or "Tanglin 2205", "Tanglin 05"
and even "05" have been raised. However, due to the fact that our
Group have existed with other earlier names such as "Southwestern 51",
"First Singapore Chinese Troop" and "7th Singapore Troop" gives rise
to debate to which one is more appropriate to be used. Since such
debates could be non-conclusive, the particular issue has been dropped
and would favour the use of the earlier mentioned group name.
Personally, from the historical viewpoint of the Group, our unit has
never considered the use of an animal mascot, be it mythical or
actual, except the torch icon that bears the three original Scout
colours of yellow, green and red (Wolf Cub, Boy Scout, Rover Scout)
integrated in the likes of the School's torch emblem on our Group Flag
upon revival in 1946. In my personal opinion, that is a more
significant icon for rallying purposes over others.