Excerpt from "Valiant & True"

           Mr Tan Boon Kwee recalls his pioneering days at St Michael's (1913 onwards)

"Father Coppin came twice a week on a cycle to teach cathechism. After some time he used a horse cart and finally a Ford car. Brother James, Visitor, visited  the school once in two months to give advice and to encourage the teachers."

"In 1913, when I was admitted to the Primary II class, the enrolment was 139. The few teachers we had were experienced , and with help of the headmaster the promotions were rapid. There were three Government Examinations : standard IV, VI and VII.  The Government encouraged the schools that did well."

" The Headmaster would give free tuition to weak boys.

In 1917, I was in Standard VII. Those who passed Standard VII could easily get a job in the Government service and in the private sector. There were no Cambridge classes till 1917. The enrolment reached 300."

"When I passed Standard VII, I was offered a student-teacher post in the school and facilities to work for the Senior Cambridge. In 1918, I started working as a student-teacher. Without Government aid, the school funds were limited and the teachers did not get much but they seemed happy."

-Tan Boon Kwee as recorded in “Our Story” 

(Archivist: the late Mr Harneak Singh)