This is a very rare photo of the school. In those days, only the rich people could afford to own cameras. Poor people hardly see one, and hence for those who are alive today, there are hardly any photos of their childhood. I captured this from a video posted on FB. The school building was demolished many years ago after it ceased to operated.
Pearl's Hill School
My Primary School
I attended this school from 1965 - 1970.
I walked to school every school day, about 1km, from Canal Road. To reach it, I had to walk up the hill slope, and past Pearl Bank School. My school was a boy's school, while Pearl Bank was a co-ed school. Uniform was all white.
I went to school with only 5 cents as pocket money.
I had only two options - buy a piece of cake, or a cup of drink.
A bottle of coke cost 15 cents.
A bowl of porridge 10 cents.
I could only look at other richer kids enjoy their coke and porridge.
Ms Lim
I did not do well up to Pri 3. When I went to Pri 4, my teacher was Ms Lim (we did not know the full names of teachers in those days). She was a very good teacher, but very fierce and punitive. Under her, our class improved a lot and luckily she took us in Pri 5 too. Our results were the best and we progressed from 5B to 6A. She selected 4 students (including myself) and brought the out for visiting places a few times. Once we went to her house nearby the school, and she treated us Poh Piah (something we poor students could not afford on our own).
Ms Aw
In Pri 6, Ms Aw took over. Another great but equally fierce teacher. She taught us very well, helping me to end up in a good Secondary School. She was also very compassionate. Whenever she collected school fees each month ($1 at that time), I would say my mother told me I had to pay later as she did not have enough money. After 2 times, she did not call my name. I would then pay her later once I got the money. It was only recently that I realised, that she paid for me first without telling me (as no one chased me for payment).
I am very grateful to these two great teachers, but by the time I realised it as an adult, I was not able to trace them. I hope to see them if they are still around.
Headmistress
The headmistress was the fiercest of all, often punishing students by hitting them on the back of theri thighs with a huge reler. We wore shorts at that time, so it was very painful. During morning assembly, whenever she heard any little noise during the singing of national anthem, someone would get beaten after that.
Moral Education
We had Civics as a subject, once per week. I remember one lesson where the teacher (I cannot recall his name) taught us not to use our own language to scold a person who does not understand it. We were also taught to respect our elders.
My Primary School
I attended this school from 1965 - 1970.
I walked to school every school day, about 1km, from Canal Road. To reach it, I had to walk up the hill slope, and past Pearl Bank School. My school was a boy's school, while Pearl Bank was a co-ed school. Uniform was all white.
I went to school with only 5 cents as pocket money.
I had only two options - buy a piece of cake, or a cup of drink.
A bottle of coke cost 15 cents.
A bowl of porridge 10 cents.
I could only look at other richer kids enjoy their coke and porridge.
Ms Lim
I did not do well up to Pri 3. When I went to Pri 4, my teacher was Ms Lim (we did not know the full names of teachers in those days). She was a very good teacher, but very fierce and punitive. Under her, our class improved a lot and luckily she took us in Pri 5 too. Our results were the best and we progressed from 5B to 6A. She selected 4 students (including myself) and brought the out for visiting places a few times. Once we went to her house nearby the school, and she treated us Poh Piah (something we poor students could not afford on our own).
Ms Aw
In Pri 6, Ms Aw took over. Another great but equally fierce teacher. She taught us very well, helping me to end up in a good Secondary School. She was also very compassionate. Whenever she collected school fees each month ($1 at that time), I would say my mother told me I had to pay later as she did not have enough money. After 2 times, she did not call my name. I would then pay her later once I got the money. It was only recently that I realised, that she paid for me first without telling me (as no one chased me for payment).
I am very grateful to these two great teachers, but by the time I realised it as an adult, I was not able to trace them. I hope to see them if they are still around.
Headmistress
The headmistress was the fiercest of all, often punishing students by hitting them on the back of theri thighs with a huge reler. We wore shorts at that time, so it was very painful. During morning assembly, whenever she heard any little noise during the singing of national anthem, someone would get beaten after that.
Moral Education
We had Civics as a subject, once per week. I remember one lesson where the teacher (I cannot recall his name) taught us not to use our own language to scold a person who does not understand it. We were also taught to respect our elders.
I stayed at Canal road till Pri 3 (1967), then was relocated to a rental flat along Upp Pickering Street, popularly known as '9 storey', off South Bridge Road, next to Hokkien Street. I then moved out later to Clementi area.