Speech by President S R Nathan at the 130th Anniversary and Official Opening Ceremony of the Victoria School New Campus at Siglap Link

Dr Ong Chit Chung, Chairman of Victoria Executive and Advisory Committees
Mr Teo Ser Luck, President of the Old Victorians’ Association
Mr Low Eng Teong, Principal of Victoria School
Distinguished guests
Teachers, fellow Victorians
Ladies and gentlemen

Introduction
1. Today, Victoria School celebrates its 130th Anniversary.  This event must be a very nostalgic moment for students and staff, past and present.  As I look back, I remember sitting among the boys of this school as a student before the war years.  It was a different era.  Victoria School was not among the Premier Schools then.  Neither were the students the cream of the “Secondary School” cohorts.  The school did not have the “Education Culture” of today, nor the “soft touch” which teachers and staff are inclined to exercise on the less fortunate or less intellectually endowed. We hear less now of how students were exposed to intermittent spells of schooling – cut short by money problems and family difficulties.  I hope that in today’s circumstances the School Staff and Management will do their utmost to address such happenings and minimise their occurrence among their students.

2. The theme for the school’s anniversary is “Vintage Victoria”.  The term describes something which is the best or the most typical of its kind.  Indeed, Victoria School is on its way to be one of the Best schools – what with 130 years of consistent excellence and exceptionality.  With such an illustrious contemporary past, I am sure the school and those who are nurtured by it can all look confidently towards a bright future.

Vintage Victoria – A 130-Year Tradition of Excellence
3. The story of VS is a rich one.  From its humble beginnings of only 12 students in Kampong Glam Malay School in 1876, VS today is among the oldest schools in Singapore.  It offers a well-rounded education to young Singaporeans from all walks of life, regardless of family background, excelling in the academic as well as in sporting and cultural areas.

4.     The school should be proud of the fact that it has embraced the diversity and uniqueness of each individual, and is committed to bring out the best in each student.  Many outstanding individuals who have left a mark in society carry the brand name of Victoria School.  Among our illustrious alumni, we have our fair share of leaders in society, senior civil servants, military officers, academicians, sportsmen, creative talent, corporate leaders and Parliamentarians.

5.     Anchored by such a strong tradition, VS is well-positioned to forge ahead to bring its quality of education to the next level. VS has been an Autonomous School since 1994.  Now you have a wonderful campus with excellent facilities.  There are some things which VS will always be strong in, and you will want to continue to do well in these areas.  For example, our grip on sports is legendary.  I recall Ali Ahmad who became well known for the 100 yards sprint, in pre-war Singapore.  Then there was Mr Vijaratnam, who wore the National Colours for Soccer, Hockey and Cricket.

6.     Going forward, the school will create more opportunities to help its students realise their passions and talents.  I am also glad to hear that the Ministry of Education has given in-principle approval for VS to be the first secondary school in Singapore to offer Physical Education as an ‘O’ Level subject from 2007.  VS students must take full advantage of the many opportunities that education affords them to realise their full potential.

7.     The most important tool that will equip you to face the surprises of the future will be the quality of your mind.  This is what the teachers and staff of VS endeavour to impart to you – to help you acquire knowledge and skills that will stand you to face the challenges and surprises of the future.  You who are in school today and others following you in the years to come will have a great deal of learning to do.

8.     Beyond learning the things the school imparts to you, you will not be able to escape the fact, as you grow older, that you have no choice but to work with others and also depend for some things on life, on others.  It is in that context that I have the following message for you.

Commitment to Serve Singapore and Society
9.     First, I ask all of you, whatever you do in your lives, to be kind towards others.  Always find the time and space to do good for the community.  Your actions and efforts may not make the news headlines nor make you a household name, but every single effort counts towards making Singapore being recognised by others for our humanitarian concerns.

10.     Second, be engaged, be proactive to bring about the change you want to see.  Don’t be afraid to speak up, and in doing so, do it positively and constructively.  Look at the strengths and weaknesses of our society, think about them, have a realistic appreciation of our circumstances, before you can say “This is what I want for the future”, and then offer your commitment to help bring it about.

11.     My third point for you is, be grateful.  Cultivate, what someone called, “the discipline of gratitude”.  Be grateful to your family, teachers, friends, neighbours, and those who make your life better and make you a better person.  It is easy to ask what other people can do for us, but it is more difficult to ask how we can do more for others.  I was told this simple story from the book, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, of a boy who only takes and demands from a tree all its life.  The tree, in its own way, always gave and provided for him what it could until it was nothing but a stump.  At the end of the day, both giver and taker became depleted and diminished.  As a nation, we do not want to end up like that.

12.     VS can play a big part cultivating all these qualities among those it nurtures.  Just as it has done throughout its history, VS must continue to develop citizens who have a genuine desire to give back to society and make a difference in the lives of others.  I am heartened that VS is nurturing this sense of commitment and service to society through practical life experiences, for example, by getting students involved in community work.
 
13.     We must also remember that Singapore’s success in the future will ultimately depend on you – the students.  Your commitment to the success of our country will be critical in determining the destiny of Singapore.  Past generations of Victorians have shown the way.  You must do so too, for future generations to follow.

Conclusion
14.     In closing, let me congratulate VS on the opening of these new premises and for 130 years of outstanding progress and achievements.  I would like to applaud all the teachers, whose tireless nurturing and guidance have played no small part in realising the achievements that we are celebrating today.  It is indeed heart-warming to also see the active part played by others, such as the School Advisory Committee, Old Boys’ Association, parents and other stakeholders to help Victorians grow, excel and contribute.
 
15.     Remember that great things can only be achieved through hard work.  May you always live up to the School motto, NIL SINE LABORE (Nothing without Labour).  I wish the school many more years of success.