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Montfortian Education in Singapore since 1936

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I am happy to learn that the Province of Malaysia-Singapore is bringing out a Souvenir on the Heritage of Montfortian Education in the Province during the past three quarters of a century. A Souvenir is doubtlessly a tribute to the past, providing a kaleidoscopic view, and a symbol of gratitude to all those who had laboured tirelessly towards the growth and development of the educational institutions in the Province.

Brother John KallarackalSuperior GeneralMontfort Brothers of St. Gabriel

In the first place I wish to place on record my sincere appreciation to the founding fathers who laid a strong foundation, and to their dynamic successors who built on it with competence and commitment, responding to the clarion call given by the Rule of Life of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel: “Your active share in the evangelizing mission of the Church as a Brother of St. Gabriel, lies in the privileged field of education, particularly that of the school going youth” (RL 63).

It is heartening to note that our lay collaborators continue the education mission in our institutions with the same Montfortian spirit that animated the Brothers. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to each one of them, on behalf of our Congregation, for their significant contributions. Quality education in the present day world is said to be a monumental task which can be accomplished only with the involvement and commitment of both the school and the parents.We certainly value the participatory role played by the parents in their children’s education. My sincere appreciation to all the alumni for being the brand ambassadors of Montfortian values in society. It is only common knowledge that the destiny of a nation is being shaped in her classrooms, and that school is the best training ground for the students to discover, identify their God-given talents, and develop them to their full potential.

Therefore it should be the endeavour of every school to create a conducive climate and to provide ample opportunities for students to facilitate this process of self-discovery and self-actualization.

All great educationists attest to the fact that quality education in the present day is a non-negotiable essential for personal development and for societal progress. By the same token, education to be relevant should meet the changing needs of our changing society. Human Rights Education and Environmental education ought to form a part of the holistic education that our Montfortian institutions offer to their students today.

As stated clearly in the Montfortian Education Charter, Montfortian Education has the person in society at its centre. It should be our endeavour to train our students to be physically fit, intellectually rounded, emotionally mature, spiritually oriented and socially responsible citizens of the country and the world.

It is my earnest hope that the Montfortians around the world will commit themselves to the service of their fellow brothers and sisters, and help leave behind a more civilized society and a safer environment than the one they themselves have inherited.

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The Educational Heritage of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel can be traced back to the final year in the life of St. Louis Marie de Montfort. In 1715, there were four Brothers who had been with Montfort and were entrusted to take care of the charitable schools for the poor children of that time. For some 300 years, this educative mission had grown and spread to thirty-two countries, with over two hundred schools and other welfare centres for children and their families.

Brother Francis Chua Soo NgeeProvincial SuperiorMontfort Brothers of St. GabrielProvince of Malaysia-Singapore

The fact that this educative endeavour is still around after all these years bears witness to the relevancy of Montfortian education in today’s world. We are all inheritors of this long tradition of education for the most needy of our children in our society. If Montfort were to be around today I am sure he will say to us: “Well done, good and faithful servant!… Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:23). The Montfortian education that we have today must be faithful to the spirit of Montfort.

The core of what this educative mission is about is embodied in the Montfortian Education Charter promulgated by the Congregation of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel in September 2010. Thus, for us to be a truly Montfortian educator, we are called to embrace the spirit and tenets of what the Montfortian Education Charter seek to emulate. All of us associated in various ways in this educative heritage are called to be a true reflection of the spirit of Montfort in our context today.

Montfort lived a passionate life for the cause which he believes in and was granted to him from God, especially for the poor among us and a spiritual vision of God in our midst. He always preached the need for us to renew our commitment in all that we do. For Montfort, there is no half-measure and thus a total giving of oneself is essential.

As such, to be truly Montfortian in our educational endeavour means that we have to enkindle and stoke the flame of love in us and give of nothing but the best of who we are in all that we do.

I wish to thank all who have worked tirelessly to trace the roots of our Montfortian education here in this region of Singapore and Malaysia. In returning to our roots we can inspire ourselves with the spirit of all those who have toiled before us. Though more than three quarters of a century have gone by for us in our educational pursuit in this region, now is a good time to take stock and re-position ourselves to make Montfortian education relevant for our society while remaining creatively faithful to the Montfortian education that we have inherited.

May the Perfect Love of God reign in our hearts!

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In the 1930s, contacts were made for the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel to begin a mission here in Singapore and Malaysia (Malaya in those days). Finally, in November 1936, Bro Gerard Majella arrived from Bangkok and shortly after, he was joined by two younger Canadian Brothers, namely Bro Adolphus (Francis Tessier) and Bro John de Brebeuf (Jean Hurtubise). This initial nucleus began a journey undertaken over the last seventy odd years to grow into a family of schools and youth welfare centres.

Brother Dominic Yeo Koh Tuan KiokSupervisor of SchoolsMontfort Brothers of St. GabrielSt. Gabriel’s Foundation

Today the education scene has changed much from the time the Brothers set foot in Singapore in 1936. More than three quarters of a century has gone by and we now have a family of six schools and a Boys’ Town here in Singapore. We have also more than 700 people collaborating in this educative endeavour of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel. The number of Brothers may be small and of advanced age, but the number of people closely associated with the Montfortian education has grown over the years.

This for me is where the spirit of the Montfortian education must take root in another group of people, namely the governing members of the school management committees, the school leaders and all the staff members in our schools and institutions.

This also involves a larger and important community of the alumni of our schools, the parents of our children both today and in our past, the local Catholic Church and all people of goodwill who in one way or another can identify with the Montfortian Education ethos.

The path trodden by those who have gone before us is a heritage that we cherish dearly. The challenge for us today is to remain faithful to the fundamental mission of a Montfortian educational project which forges ahead creatively while preserving and growing the Montfortian heritage we have received.

This launch of the Montfortian Education Charter is a significant event for us as it articulates for us the core of what we are about and how the tenets of the Montfortian education can remain relevant in our society today.

In our effort to position our schools for the world of today and tomorrow, we face the challenge of losing sight of what our schools were first started for. The circumstance might have changed but our purpose and mission remains much the same. We are inheritors of this long chain of an educational movement, a beautiful tapestry which is still so relevant in the society we live in. This vision calls forth from us the need to appreciate and to live whole-heartedly, without reservation, the Montfortian educative mission in our context and to realize that we are part of a larger movement in the world.

Let me conclude that it is the responsibility of each member of the school community to play his part for a Montfortian education that is truly dynamic, open and energizing, where there is always a freshness and newness about it.

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Montfortian Education,and what it means at BOYS’ TOWN

Our mission in Boys’ Town is to work with youths-at-risk, so that we can nurture their God-given goodness. We serve all who come through the gates of Boys’ Town by providing “A Caring Milieu” for them.

Mrs Irene LoiDirectorBoy’s Town

In this community, we value and treasure the qualities of all, reminding everyone to be like Montfort – a Servant Leader who demonstrated love, care and God’s goodness for others. We constantly pray that God will send us good shepherds to look after his flock and become role models for the boys.

When our youths experience rejection, anger, misunderstanding and mistrust, we counsel, process and pray with them, to help build up their sense of identity and peace so that they too can reach out to their friends and others who are also in need.

Montfort wrote: “If we do not risk anything for God, we will never do anything great for Him.”

We believe that God has given everyone their uniqueness and talents. At times, our youths may not know what talents and gifts they have in them. As a community, we learn to appreciate these unique gifts and challenge our youths to go beyond their comfort zone - to discover and develop these gifts which are from God.

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The purpose statement of Assumption Pathway School is as follows: APS is a Catholic educational institution transforming and empowering students unable to access/ complete mainstream secondary education to be carers achieving personal success.

To live out this purpose, the school is guided by 3 principles: Connecting Lives; Nurturing Individualised Growth and Flourishing through opportunities. Within each of these guiding principles, the various dimensions of a Monfortian education are being lived out.

Mr Wee Tat Chuen and Mr Eric Leong(w.e.f. 27/12/2013), Principals of Assumption Pathway

Montfort’s ideal of “God alone” reminds us to always seek the truth and to live by it. It is a reminder that unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. The work in APS is not easy and leaders of the school, first and foremost must continuously rely on the Lord in all things done to advance the school’s purpose. The Monday’s staff prayer meetings where staff gather voluntarily to pray is a good start. But we must press on so that our lives and our prayers become unified as one.

At APS, where students’ profile are diverse and where needs are deep, there is a strong impetus to provide and embrace a truly inclusive education. We must stay true to admit those who really need us, we must work hard to provide an education that will increase our students’ opportunities to succeed in life and we must continue to be strong advocates and help our students to be advocates for the poor and marginalised.

The school’s thematic approach of discovering self, caring for others, serving the community and achieving personal success serves as a powerful platform to enact this inclusive education at APS. We must build on our current efforts to help our students to go deeper in their appreciation of service to the community; and we must role model these ourselves.

In all things, APS will strive to keep the best interests of every student at the centre of all we do. First, we must continue to assure the basic needs of students within the school as well as outside. We have worked with various partners to do this but the challenges lie with meeting their needs outside of school. We must work hard at this if we want to see our students become successful in school and in life.

The school’s social workers play a key role in this but it will take all of us to make the difference that is needed. We need to work in synergy to ensure that students’ needs are being met. In addition to this, we must continue in our quest for excellence in teaching and learning to draw out the hidden potential in every student.

Over the past 5 years, APS has made good progress in some of the areas mentioned above. But the journey ahead is still long and filled with much exciting possibilities. We must continue to reflect on how the dimensions of a Monfortian Education should be lived out in the context of APS; and then seek to enact it in our school’s experience in a purposeful and intentional way.

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Assumption English’s journey in education is illuminated by Montfort’s spirit of charity and love, where the heart of an Assumptionite is galvanized by a dynamic yet pragmatic set of values while they circumnavigate the path ahead.

Mrs Mabel LeongPrincipalAssumption English School

For our students to acquire love and abundance, they first learn how to give them away, by practising Compassion for their friends and community.

While ascending the tower of knowledge and skills, we remind them to start by descending so as to lay an unshakable foundation of Humility.

To forge solidarity in our community of experiential learning, Assumptionites make new friends along the journey through the Respect of differences in their everyday encounters with the new and unfamiliar.

When tiredness sets in on our young travellers, we beckon them not to give in to taking shortcuts and the lures of the world. But to uphold honesty and loyalty with courage, as they labour on as masons to erect a cloud-piercing gateway of Integrity.

Assumptionites know that to escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today is always a futile effort in completing any journey. To clad an iron armour and to embrace a Sense of Responsibility towards accomplishment is undeniably a more meaningful and fruitful choice.

After a long and arduous journey when the destination may still be unclear, Assumptionites learn to place their complete Trust in God, that no journey will be in vain because He is on the journey, too.

Labor Omnia Vincit !

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“Look at how thoughtful this boy is and how much he cares for others. He must be a Montfortian!”

These are the words that I would like to hear when people speak of our Montfortian boys. Since joining the Montfortian family in 2008, I have been struck by the spirituality and ethos of the Montfortian family. Foremost is the desire to serve others who are less able to provide for themselves and to uphold their dignity as individuals.

This has been a guiding principle for me in leading the school as it reminds me constantly of the importance of recognizing the dignity of each person who walks through our doors, regardless of age, status, race, religion and nationality. The other tenets of a Montfortian education that guide us in MJS are: being socially responsible and being in the service of others. This formed the basis of our Vision statement, “A Montfortian, A Man for Others” and hence the decisions we make in the school encourage us to develop this service orientation and care for others in the boys and in ourselves.

Above all, the tenet that guides our Catholicity is that of being guided by the Rosary and the Cross. The hope is that each boy is able to leave the school, having experienced and been touched by the Catholic ethos and spirituality, and with a fundamental knowledge that they are special and loved by God. I have seen this in my interactions with alumni members and know that if we continue to uphold these tenets of a Montfortian education, we would have done our part to nurture spiritual persons who are also contributing citizens for the future.

Ms Genevieve ChyePrincipalMontfort Junior School

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Our founder, St. Louis Marie de Montfort was a man for the poor and the destitute and the St. Gabriel’s schools were set up for this very purpose, six decades ago. Today, Singapore is a first-world country and we have one of the highest GDP in the world. It is no surprise that some in the community are asking whether our mission is still relevant. The answer to this is an unequivocal YES. Not only do we remain relevant, I am convinced that Montfort’s way is the way forward in the uncertain times we live in today. Many remain neglected, not just in the economic sense, but are also emotionally neglected and spiritually barren.

Mrs Catherine ChiangPrincipalSt Gabriel’s Primary School

St. Gabriel’s Primary School’s mission to shape the lives of our charges in service to God and nation remains a clear and unambiguous goal that we must all strive to meet. The Montfortian Charter espouses education that puts the best interest of the child as the primary consideration, done in partnership with many others. Taking our direction from Montfort’s beliefs, we strive to do our best for the children whom God sends to us by keeping to the following tenets.

Keeping the Flame AliveTo truly educate is to nurture the flame of inquiry and keep it burning, so that every student will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitude for lifelong learning. It is not only the answers that matter, but also the ‘why’. Thus, academic success must be complemented by the continual nurturing and cultivation of intellectual curiosity in order to prepare the child for a life of learning.

Giving Students a VoiceIn building a foundation of self-esteem, students will be encouraged to articulate their opinions and ideas, to challenge old assumptions, and to form compelling arguments. They will be given recognition for the courage to try and the tenacity to keep trying. Students who can convey their ideas coherently have a better chance of sharing with and contributing to this world. An important element of Voice is also the notion of Choice.

Students who exercise their choices own their decisions. They become responsible for the choices they make and real learning takes place when they want to learn, not because they are told to do so.

The Gift is TheirsEvery child is ‘gifted’ and we will look at such ‘giftedness’ as multifaceted and help them to capitalise on their strengths. Both creative and practical abilities are important in life. We need to focus on what abilities each one has to cope in an increasingly competitive world. Each child’s giftedness will be given due recognition so that the confidence they experience will inspire them to discover their potential.

The Community ConnectAs much as each individual child is unique and should be given the opportunities to develop their individualism and abilities to the fullest, the greater importance of education is the critical need to teach the young how to strive for the common good – to be socially responsible citizens who would learn from the youngest age how to give of themselves for the greater good.

The launch of the Montfortian Charter today is a significant milestone in our journey towards excellence in educating the young, inspired by our founder, and by the mission of our Christ. Labor Omnia Vincit.

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We are guided by our school vision a Man for Others – a Scholar, Sportsman, Gentleman and Leader.

We believe that every Montfortian must grow in service of others – to recognize the dignity of every human person, to have a sense of social responsibility and be in service of others. Each Montfortian must therefore work hard in school to develop the attributes of a Scholar, Sportsman, Gentleman and Leader and use their knowledge and talents for the good of those around them.

We believe that every Montfortian also understands that he is a spiritual being which is an integral part to who he is and should never be separated nor ignored. These have guided our approach to providing holistic school experience.

The 8 dimensions of the Montfortian Education Charter (MEC) provide us strong guidance on how we can achieve the goals of our education. I am particularly heartened by the tagline “Montfortian Education in the 21st Century” and indeed in reflecting on the 8 dimensions, they are more relevant and necessary today than ever.

It adds powerfully to the conversations of the day and help us make better sense of the multiple priorities of education. It will shape our thoughts and actions and provide the presence and voice of the Montfortian Charism to what we must do in our schools.

Beyond this launch, the important work of reflecting, understanding and integrating the 8 dimensions of the MEC into our Montfortian Education begins. This needs to be done with all our stakeholders – staff, students, alumni and parents. What is exciting is that each individual institution will not be doing this alone but together with the Gabrielite institutions in Singapore and beyond - what a powerful, life-giving network this will be!

My wish and aspiration is that the Gabrielite schools continue to grow in its Montfortian Charism and contribute significantly to how education, in particular Catholic Education, is provided for in Singapore.

Age Quod Agis!

Mr Andrew TanPrincipalMontfort Secondary School

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Being called to serve in St. Gabriel’s Secondary School has been a privilege and honour for me. I have been richly blessed by the collegiality and warmth of a family deeply dedicated to shaping lives for the service of God and Nation.

“I am ready to sacrifice my time, my health and my life for the souls of the poor in this neglected house, if you think it the right thing for me to do.” St. Louis de Montfort

With this blessing, I am touched to serve the needs of our Gabrielite family while at the same time, learn to grow with them. I believe that everyone has a positive core, no matter how small that might be. And when we build on these positive cores, we will be able to harness the strengths that will enable and encourage others. We seek to grow the strengths of each Gabrielite so that we can begin becoming servant leaders who are lifelong learners and gracious citizens.

“There is nothing more divine, nothing more noble or agreeable to God then to cooperate in the work…” -St. Louis de Montfort

In this great Gabrielite family, we grow our community with respect, responsibility, resilience and care. As educators, we endeavor to live our lives as authentic examples of growing servant leaders. My motivation to serve comes from the deep love our educators have for our students, who are full of mirth and life. I am inspired by being part of the larger global family of educators and students who strive to live the values of our founding saint, St Louis de Montfort.

“We are invited to live more and more in partnership with others and this is to be extended to all people of good will.” -St. Louis de Montfort (No. 37).

Mr Stephen ChinPrincipalSt Gabriel’s Secondary School

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When we look at St Louis de Montfort’s life as an eternal educator, you find many episodes of his life where his simplicity, creativity and love for the innocence and education of the young shine through. As a boy, he was the eldest of the Grignion family and in helping his parents with the education of his siblings, he delivers us a beautiful message on educating others, “You will be beautiful and everyone will love you if you love the Good God above everything else”.

St Louis, The Eternal Educator St. Louis Marie (Grignion) De Montfort: Our Eternal Educator and Founder of the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel

It is this simple spiritual vision which guides and remains the cornerstone of the Montfortian Brothers of St Gabriel’s who draw inspiration from Montfort, our eternal educator.

St Louis Marie (Grignion) De Montfort travelled thousands of kilometers on foot identifying himself as one with the poor and he was an undaunted champion educator of the poor. This habit of walking summarizes his whole person as one who walked his talk. The ones he chose to fulfill his calling was always among the poor - the orphaned and ‘unteachable’ youths in the sub-urban parish, the Poorhouse and hospital at Poitiers. At a school for the physically disabled, he placed a large wooden cross in his class and he called it Montfort La Sagesse (wisdom), and it is this wisdom which we try to emulate and impart. An Eternal Wisdom.

His teaching method as an educator was to make teaching meaningful beyond just content. It was to “touch hearts” and to appeal to the conscience and wisdom which resides in us. He spoke effectively the language of the common people he served.

He was gentle, calm, charming and used simple stories and popular songs composed on the melodies of his time to embed his message of love. His schools were run in an orderly way and in his words, “God’s love for us is not only affective but also effective”. St Louis de Montfort was an eternal educator and it is this spirituality which continues to inspire us today. He was an educator, a missionary, an ascetic, a mystic, and also an architect, a painter, a sculptor and a writer of spiritual books. He composed over 20,000 verses of hymns on the popular tunes of the day and it is in his praise for ‘GOD ALONE’ that we sing and celebrate our Gabrielite institutions today.

Our INSPIRATION; St Louis Marie de Montfort & Our School Founders the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel

O Jesus living in MaryCome and live in Your servants,

In the Spirit of Your Holiness,In the Fullness of Your Might,In the Truth of Your Virtues,

In the Perfection of Your Ways,In the Communion of Your Mysteries,

Subdue every hostile power,In your spirit, for the glory of the Father.

Amen.

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A Humble Beginning (1716 to 1815): After Montfort’s death in 1716, the religious congregation he founded remained in France and never exceeded more than a handful. In his will, “the Brothers of the Community of the Holy Spirit” were set up “for the running of charitable schools”. The century however ended in tragedy with the anti-religious movement of the French Revolution. Several Gabrielite religious were killed, driving many into hiding.

Our Refounding (1821-1841): In 1821, under the leadership of Fr Gabriel Deshayes, the seventh Superior General of the Montfortian religious congregations, the Gabrielite community was revitalized. The Brothers who were engaged in education were transferred to a house called “Saint-Gabriel” and soon the inhabitants of this house were known under the name: “The Brothers of St. Gabriel ” in 1825. This name replaced their former one and became official when the Brothers were authorized to teach all over France by a decree from Emperor Napoleon III on March 3, 1853.

Brazil, 1949

Columbia, 1961

Peru, 1962

Senegal, 1954Cameroon, 1964

Rwanda, 1965

Malaysia, 1955

Iraq, Congo and Central Africa, 1957

Sri Lanka, 1956

The Spread of the Gabrielite MissionOrganizations, institutions and histories go beyond one’s life and the spread of the Gabrielite Mission is a beautiful story of creativity, innovation, rebirth, prayer and hope. It is this simple faith which sows its movement as a worldwide network.

France & Canada (1842 – 1902): The Brothers focused on Primary and Secondary School education, working at times with Jesuits and other Priests. Their greatest contribution in this period was in the education of the deaf and the blind and this movement slowly spread to Canada (1888) and Egypt (1890).

The Seeds Scatter (1903 – 1945): In 1903, another anti-religious movement led to the closure of Catholic Schools and the banishment of 20,000 religious in France. This disaster led to the establishment of many Gabrielite Brothers and their institutions in other European countries, Asia and Africa.

The Blossoming (1946-1965): After the turmoil of World War Two, more provinces are founded throughout the world.

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Thailand: In Oct, 1901, Bro Hilaire (L) and Bro Martin de Tours (R) arrive to run Assumption College in Bangkok.

India: (L to R) Bro Denis, Bro John Baptist de la Sale and Bro Martin de Vertou arrive in Pondicherry, India to run Petit Seminary College in Sept, 1903 .

Malaya and Singapore:(L to R) Bro John de Brebeuf, Bro Gerard Majella and Bro Adophus were the first Gabrielite Brothers to arrive in Singapore in 1936 to run Holy Innocents’ English School (Montfort School) and set up St Joseph Trade School and Orphanage (Boys’ Town and APS).

A New World (1965 till today): The Council of Vatican II and the emergence of nationalism led to new challenges in the 1960s. Lay collaborators started to play a crucial role in the educational mission of the Brothers. More Gabrielite institutions were opened in Papua New Guinea (1968), Mauritius (1969), Fiji, (1973), Haiti (1976), Tanzania (1983), Tonga (1989), Madagascar and Poland (1997), the Philippines (1998), Guinea (1995), Burundi (2006), and Burkina Faso (2007).

Today, the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel are in 32 countries, carrying out their mission in education in all its aspects: Primary and Secondary Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational and Informal education, Schools for the physically and mentally challenged, social and human rights activities, religious and human formation and many more. They work with other religious, lay associates and various partners to bring in a more just and fraternal society, inspired by the Charism of Montfort and the audacity of Gabriel Deshayes.

The Gabrielite mission in the 21st century is today a world-wide movement. It brings new challenges but also great opportunities for the education mission of the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel. The courage, commitment and the spirit of innovation in the Congregation lives on and it is this inheritance and spiritual vision of Montfort and Gabriel Deshayes which guides us.

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Timeline of the Brothers of St Gabriel in Singapore

The Assumption Heritage

Assumption English School Assumption Pathway School

The Montfort Heritage

Montfort Junior School Montfort Secondary School

The St Gabriel’s Heritage

St Gabriel’s Primary School St Gabriel’s Secondary School

Boys’ Town

Bro Gerard Majella arrived in SIngapore in 1936 to run Holy Innocents’ English School.

1936

St Joseph’s Trade School started with 14 boys under Bro Robert and Bro Galmier. Training was conducted in two buildings donated by the Aw Brothers, Messrs Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par.

1938

More Brothers came to teach in Singapore.L to R: Bro Noel, Bro Adolphus, Bro Louis Gonzaga, Bro Guy Stanislaus.

1937 - 1941

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St Joseph’s Trade School reopened after the war with fifteen orphans from Kampong Bahru Orphanage with. Bro Vincent as Director. Boys’ Town was also officially founded by Bro Vincent with the support of Mr. W.T. McDermott.

1948

Under Bro Louis Gonzaga, St Gabriel’s School was set up for residents in the Serangoon and Paya Lebar District. Boys’ Town English School was started with Bro Adolphus as the first Principal of Boys’ Town English School.

1953

Holy Innocents’ English School adopted the name Montfort School.

1959

Boys’ Town had its own entrance from Bukit Timah Road, thus opening Boys’ Town to the outside world.

1955

St Gabriel’s Primary School was set up at Highland Road with Mr Paul Lee as the first Principal.

1969

Boys’ Town Old Boys’ Association (BTOBA) was set up with Mr Wilfred James as the first President.

1960

Singapore fell to the Japanese. From Dec 1943 to Oct 1945, several Brothers, teachers and Catholics relocated to Bahau, Negeri Sembilan where more than 500 settlers lose their lives. Bro Vincent was interned in prison with Mr. W.T. McDermott and the idea of setting up Boys’ Town (BT) was mooted.

1937 - 1941

The first graduating batch of St Gabriel’s boys formed the Old Boys’ Association (OBA) in 1961.

Pre-University Classes were started in Montfort School in 1961. Girls were enrolled in the school for the first time.

1961 - 1975

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St Gabriel’s Primary School was relocated to Lorong Chuan.

The St Gabriel’s Foundation was set up to help run and manage the Gabrielite schools.

St Gabriel’s Secondary School was relocated to Serangoon Ave 1.

The Primary Section of Assumption English School was absorbed into St Anthony’s Primary School.

Montfort Junior School and Montfort Secondary School were relocated to Hougang Avenue 8.

Boys’ Town VI was renamed Assumption Vocational Institute to take in female students and relocated temporarily to Dakota Crescent.

Completion of new school building for Assumption English School.

Montfort School was run separately as Montfort Junior School and Montfort Secondary School.

1988

1992

1991

2001

1995

1974

1994 - 1995

The Secondary section of CHIJ Bukit Timah merged with Boys’ Town English School to become Assumption English School.

1973The Old Montfortians’ Association (OMA) was set up with Mr Leo Fernando as President.

1972

St Joseph’s Trade School was renamed Boys’ Town Vocational Institute.

1971

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New Indoor sports halls were built for Montfort School and St Gabriel Secondary School.

AVI was upgraded with a grant of $28 million and renamed Assumption Pathway School with an initial enrollment of 300 students.

Montfort Secondary School underwent PRIME and returned to its location at Hougang.

After 3 years, a new centre for children, youth and families was built for Boys’ Town (Singapore). This is to meet the needs of a wider spectrum of youth-at-risk today, from young children who have suffered various traumas to older teens who still require care and counselling.

A new campus was built for St Gabriel’s Primary School after undergoing PRIME.

Montfort Junior School underwent PRIME and the new building was completed.

St Gabriel’s Secondary School PRIME Project was completed.

Assumption English School was relocated to Queensway Road temporarily to make way for a brand new campus in 2015.

2009

2012

2005

2003

2004

2013

2009 -2011

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The Assumption HeritageAssumption English School, Assumption Pathway School and Boys’ Town have their origins in a letter written from the Bishop of Malacca to the Brothers of St Gabriel in Thailand. It read:“For the Training School and Orphanage, I would propose a magnificent estate of 35 acres which the mission has around the Church at Bukit Timah on the main road to Johore. This Trade School becomes more and more necessary for many other boys who cannot find employment as clerks. We must train carpenters, joiners, mechanics, electricians and even farmers”.

St Joseph Trade School 1938

Workshop in the 1960s Entrance to AES near St Joseph Church (AES)

Seated (L to R): Miss Stuart, Miss Lim Shu Liang, Miss Conceicao, Mr Seah Cheng Liang, Bro Vincent (Principal), Mrs Short, Mrs Helena Seah, Miss Oorloff, Miss Annie Goh.Standing (L to R): Mr C.D. Souza, Mr Thanarajan, Mr Fernandez, Mr Goh Lay Siong, Bro Lazarus, Mr Goh Kow Chai, Mr Sabapathy, Mr Anthony Kay, Bro Emmanuel, Bro Andrew, Mr Tan Wee Yong

Boarders in the 1950s Our Big Red Machine

In 1938, less than two years after the Brothers of St Gabriel first arrived in Singapore, Bro Robert and Bro Galmier were tasked with opening the St Joseph’s Trade School and Orphanage. With the help of local philanthropists like the Aw Brothers, the Gabrielite Brothers overcame much financial and material hardship to set up a trade school.

St Joseph’s Trade School was shut down during the war but by 1948, with the return of the Gabrielite Brothers, the vision of providing for the poor remained unwavering, if not urgent.

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When Boys’ Town expanded in 1951, the boys and staff used their holidays and free time to make bricks, doors and window frames. That was the Boys’ Town/Assumption Spirit.

“Let’s take these boys. Most of them may not fit into ordinary schools. So, let’s offer them the next best thing. Let’s give them a skill. The secret of our formation and our training has been to make the boys absolutely skillful when they do something practical“.

– Bro Vincent

In 1953, Bro Vincent started an English School in the Upper Bukit Timah area because “some of the boys in the Boys’ Town Boarding home were brilliant but came from difficult circumstances. That vision led to the founding of Boys’ Town English School (later called Assumption English School)

The three Gabrielite institutions in the Upper Bukit Timah area have since grown to become Assumption English School, Assumption Pathway and Boys’ Town but with the same mission of serving the needs of the community. “It has a totally different purpose from all the other Gabrielite schools. It was a school with a very different vision and mission. We wanted to cater for the children who needed a second or even a third chance and I think we have achieved a lot in this”. – Bro Emmanuel“You will know they are graduates from their skill. They could compete with anybody. You can do it. I can do as good, if not better. They had that kind of mentality and that was not just bluff. That was reality”. -Bro Vincent

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The Montfort Heritage“The influence of the Brothers brought good results both at the academic level and in others as well. The health inspector in charge of schools noticed in his report that the general health of the children had improved, as well as the moral tone of the school. This was due to a closer supervision of the boys, which shows that devotion to professional duties always pays dividends”. - Bro Louis Gonzaga, 1938.

Montfort School in 1936 Group work in the 1960s Montfort School in the 1950s with hawker peddling his food

Staff of 1936. Sitting (L to R): Mr Tay Keng Hock, Fr Ruaudel, Mr P.A. D’Costa, Fr Moses Koh, Bro Gerard Majella, Fr Edward Becheras, Mr T.N.K. Menon.Standing (L to R): Mr V.Victor, Mr D.F. Ess, Mr Thalap, Mr Lim Peng Chan, Mr Teo Kah Leng, Mr Cher Poh Chia, Mr Leong Koo Chye

This was how Bro Louis Gonzaga described Holy Innocents’ English School, the precursor of Montfort School. Previously a parish school set up in 1916 by Father Laurent, Parish Priest of Serangoon, Holy Innocents’ English School received a momentous change in 1936 when the Brothers of St. Gabriel took charge of the school. Bro Gerard Majella became its first Brother Director in 1937 and under him, the educational ideas of the Brothers of St. Gabriel were first introduced to Singapore. Bro Louis Gonzaga took over as Director in 1937 and returned to run the school immediately after World War ll. Under his steady leadership and vision, the school emerged as “the best school we had”.

“Montfort was the mother school that produced the other 2 schools. They were there almost 20 years before the other two schools were built. They had a whole tradition behind them. They had good results and they had a good reputation. They catered for the rural people who were much simpler than the town people. The school was open to them, day and night, until 8 o’clock in the evening. There were always students hanging around in the classroom with teachers and Brothers attending to their needs which fostered a family spirit”. – Bro Emmanuel

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Funfair of the 1950s

Assembly at Holy Innocents’ English School

Prayer around the Statue of Mary

Bro Adolphus, Bro Thomas, Bro Louis Gonzaga, Bro Vincent and Bro Noel on the grounds of Nativity Church, 1940

Morning Assembly routine

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The Gabrielite Heritage

Pioneer Teachers in 1954. Seated (L to R): Mr Leo Remedios, Bro Raymond, Bro Elzear (Principal), Ms Kathleen Low, Mr Wong Liong Ting.Standing (L to R): Mr Paul Lee, Mr Tan Buck Hai, Mr John Teo, Mr Sim Hak Chuan, Mr Francis Grosse, Mr Francis Khoo

The setting up of St Gabriel’s School in 1953 at Hillside Drive in the Paya Lebar district was the fulfillment of a “long cherished dream” of Bishop A. Devals to have a church, convent and boy’s school all in the same area. In 1953, Bro Louis Gonzaga, one of the pioneers of the Gabrielite mission in Singapore, called it a case of “good seeds” sowed which had grown into “sturdy trees which would produce good fruit for the years to come”.

“There is strong family spirit in St Gabriel’s, a constant reference to the school as a family and progressing as one family. There was community spirit that was also inclusive of all who were new to the school.” – Mr Edmund James

St Gabriel’s School at recess time

National Day 1969

Studying at the Juniorate

Assembly Time in 1987

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A Little Known StoryMost are familiar with the story of how St Gabriel’s school got its name from the house where the Brothers of St Gabriel were residing during the time of Fr Gabriel Deshayes. One more story from Bro Louis Gonzaga’s memoirs remains however, little known. In 1944, Bro Vincent and Bro Adolphus were interned at Sime Road Concentration Camp because of their Canadian citizenship. In prison, they found 20 boys of school-going age imprisoned with them. Both Brothers took it upon themselves to educate the youths and prepare them for Senior Cambridge Examinations. One can imagine the hardships involved – food shortages, poor living conditions and the difficulty In getting writing materials and books.When the war was over, the students sat for the Cambridge examinations and many of them passed with flying colours. Bro Vincent had a name for his class – “St Gabriel’s School”

“There was complete rivalry and even tears were shed when St Gabriel’s Band came in top and Montfort came second. I didn’t cry. I rejoiced because we were Gabrielite schools but people don’t always see it that way.

There was a kind of healthy competition which made us want to reach the top even among our own schools”.

- Bro Emmanuel

1972 St Gabriel’s Sports Day

Speech Day in 1974

1976 Inter-Class Flag and Jersey Competition

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Celebating as One

“To remember things is a joy forever, and a noble past is a promise for a brighter future”

-Bishop Carlo Joseph, Bishop of Ningxia and Apostolic Visitor for Overseas Chinese, 1961

Silver Jubilee 1961

Golden Jubilee Mass and Parade 1987

Inter-Gabrielite Games

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75th Anniversary

2011

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Notes

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Notes

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Notes

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ST. GABRIEL’S FOUNDATIONc/o Montfort Centre,

624 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 678212Tel: 67695711

Email: SGF@montfortcentre.orga to

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Assumption English School622 Upper Bukit Timah Road S (678117)Phone: 6572 9100

Assumption Pathway School30 Cashew Rd, S (679697)Phone: 6879 3900

St Gabriel’s Primary School20 Lorong Chuan, S (556742)Phone: 6280 3628

Montfort Junior School52 Hougang Avenue 8, S (538786)Phone: 6510 1588

St Gabriel’s Secondary School24 Serangoon Avenue 1, S (556140)Phone: 6288 9470

Montfort Secondary School50 Hougang Avenue 8, S (538785)Phone: 6510 7070

Boys’ Town Singapore624 Upper Bukit Timah Road, S (678212)Phone: 6690 5420