YMCA School turned 100 this year. The highlight of the School’s celebrations was an Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday, 31 July 2013 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel where over 200 students and guests including YMCA Board members, YMCA Education Committee members, YMCA Education Centre Academic and Exam Board members, former students and former staff gathered for an evening of fellowship over food and performances.
Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, graced the occasion as the Guest-of-Honour. He delivered a speech and launched a limited edition cookbook titled ‘Yummilicious’. The cookbook was compiled by the YMCA School as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations with recipes contributed by teachers, staff, parents and friends of the School. Earlier in the year, the School had also produced 100th anniversary t-shirts and desktop calendars.
Mr Heng said, "I am glad that the school, together with the YMCA of Singapore, has been active in contributing back to the community in a meaningful way, with parents and students responding enthusiastically. Today, the YMCA School celebrates its 100th year heritage - an admirable achievement for any institution in Singapore. It is my hope that the YMCA and the YMCA school will continue the good work, whether it is through education, or in pioneering new ways of serving the community, to achieve its aim of touching lives and lifting spirits."
In 1913, YMCA School started with courses including Architecture, Building Construction
and Electrical Engineering to train recruits for the Government in those days. By the 1930s, commercial classes including Shorthand, Book-keeping and Accountancy were added to the School’s syllabus. After 1950, YMCA School’s commercial classes became very popular and many firms applied to the YMCA to recommend its students to fill vacancies. In those days, in practically every office, one could find a YMCA-trained employee.
and Electrical Engineering to train recruits for the Government in those days. By the 1930s, commercial classes including Shorthand, Book-keeping and Accountancy were added to the School’s syllabus. After 1950, YMCA School’s commercial classes became very popular and many firms applied to the YMCA to recommend its students to fill vacancies. In those days, in practically every office, one could find a YMCA-trained employee.
Today, YMCA School recognises that students need 21st century skills to be successful in the marketplace. Mrs Helen Tan, Principal, YMCA School, shared: “With the aim of providing a holistic education, my teachers and I believe that besides academic excellence, there must be emphasis on the imparting of values and character building.We must prepare our students with competencies for the 21st century. Going forward,YMCA School will introduce more interactive teaching tools. We are also looking into organising Learning Journeys overseas, incorporating Service Learning and to provide opportunities to our students to give back to society through the various structured and sustained community service programmes organised by YMCA.”
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