CHIJ (Katong) Primary

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School History

CHIJ (Katong) Primary is one of the 11 schools set up by the Infant Jesus (IJ) Sisters in Singapore. Katong Convent was established in 1930 as a private English primary school with an enrolment of 197 pupils. In order to cope with the growing demand for places in the school, a branch was set up in Opera Estate in 1958, and a few of the primary school staff were transferred to the new convent, which was named CHIJ Opera Estate.

In 1988, work on the project to build a new school at Marine Terrace began. CHIJ Opera Estate was then relocated to Katong in 1990. It merged with the primary section of Katong Convent and adopted the name CHIJ (Katong) Primary. The blessing of the school took place on 16 November 1990, and the school was officially opened in 1991.

In 2007, the school was rebuilt under PRIME. After two years, the school moved back to a larger and more spacious building with up-to-date facilities. The new school building was officially opened in 2009.

Principals:
- Sister Theodora (1930–1939; full school)
- Sister St Vincent de Paul (1939–1945; full school)
- Sister Finbarr (1945–1954; full school)
- Sister Veronica (1954–1959; full school)
- Ms Irene Rodrigues (1959–1968; Katong Convent Primary School)
- Mrs Olive D’Rose (1959–1963; CHIJ Opera Estate)
- Mrs Freida M Ferroa (1964–1969; CHIJ Opera Estate)
- Mrs Doris S. N. Teoh (1969–1991; CHIJ Opera Estate/CHIJ (Katong) Primary School)
- Ms Brenda C.C. Yeow (1991–1997; CHIJ (Katong) Primary School)
- Mrs Magdalene Bheem (1997–2001)
- Mrs Margaret Tan Soon Kee (2001–2009)
- Ms Geraldine See Su-Lyn (2009–2016)
- Mrs Judina Cheong (2017–present)

Key Milestones


1930	Establishment of Katong Convent as a private Primary English School.
1959	Opening of Opera Estate Convent and appointment of 1st non-religious principal.
1986	Katong Convent (Secondary) moved to Marine Terrace.
1990	Establishment of CHIJ (Katong) Primary from the merger of Opera Estate Convent and Katong Convent Primary.
1991	Official opening of CHIJ (Katong) Primary.
2000	Celebration of 70th anniversary with Katong Convent (Secondary).
2007	Rebuilding of CHIJ (Katong) Primary (PRIME).
2009	Opening ceremony of the new CHIJ (Katong) Primary building.
2010	Celebration of 80th anniversary with Katong Convent (Secondary).
2015	Accorded Applied Learning Programme: Competent, Confident and Respectful Communicators.
2016	Accorded Best Practice Award for Character and Citizenship Education and Best Practice Award for Partnership.
2019	Accorded Learning for Life Programme: Community Student Leadership.

School Motto

Simple Dans Ma Vertu, Forte Dans Devoir (French Version)
_Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty (English Version)

To be Simple in Virtue is to cultivate a personal honesty which helps us relate to others with respect, openness and sincerity. Virtue is nobleness of character nurtured by a genuine desire to live according to God’s will as revealed in the Gospel.

To be Steadfast in Duty is to be faithful in fulfilling our obligations and having the capacity to rise above difficulties or obstacles to execute and complete a task in the service of others.

School Crest

The CHIJ badge or crest (called the Blason, in French) was designed by Mere Saint Aloysia, Superior General (1877 – 1901) and her senior students of 1894.

At the centre of the school crest lies a red shield with a silver band edged in gold. On the right side of the shield is the Book of Gospels with a silver rosary. On the left is a golden distaff and spindle. The shield, surmounted by a gold cross, is encircled by a garland of marguerites. Emblazoned on the crest is the motto of all CHIJ schools:-

Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty

The cross is the symbol of our salvation and the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The open Gospel represents the teachings of Christ and is a source of inspiration that guides the school community. The silver rosary symbolizes prayer and is the story of the Gospel as seen through the eyes of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

The golden distaff and spindle are symbols of womanly labour and remind us of the dignity of work and the satisfaction and fulfilment to be found in a task well-accomplished.

The red shield symbolizes God’s all-embracing message of love.

The garland of marguerites is symbolic of purity and simplicity – charming traits of girlhood.

School Song

♫ Listen

We look to Thee for knowledge and truth
We look to Thee for guidance and grace
Teach us to follow the way
The way of our Lord to follow each day

Simple in Virtue
Steadfast in Duty
True to our country
We’ll always try to be

We look to Thee for wisdom and love
We look to Thee for good health and strength
Teach us the golden rule
The golden rule to follow each day