The Naughty Boys

This is the official photo of the School Staff in 1966. By early 1966, Mr Philip Liau succeeded Mr E W Jesudason as the Principal of Raffles Institution. Both were very strict disciplinarians, running the School with iron fists, imposing their visions and their ambitions for the School. Although the boys feared them, we all subscribed to the need of keeping the School in shape; we believed that this would maintain RI at the pole position among all secondary schools in Singapore. Anglo Chinese School (ACS), St Joseph’s Institution, Victoria Secondary School, St Andrew’s School all stood far behind RI. Of special note was the Rafflesian Spirit then. It was palpable. It stirred us on not only to pledge loyalty to the School but also to achieve the aspirations and ambitions our principal and teachers had for us. Unlike other schools, the boys came from all backgrounds, many from families with humble means. We were chosen by merit after completing the PSLE, Primary Six Leaving Exam...

Class Photo Sec 3B Science. Form Teacher Mr Charanjit Singh In 1966, 44 boys wearing school uniforms of white shirts and short pants with the school badge of their famous school, Raffles Institution, affixed to their left breast pocket started their ninth year of education. This was the Secondary 3B Science class. Fifty-four years have passed and these ex-Rafflesians are still reminiscing the many schoolboy pranks and exploits in that infamous class, gleefully sharing with each other, now 68 to 70 years old,  their grandfathers' stories. This blog is an attempt to capture all our memories, many of which are still vividly etched in our minds. Wang Swee Chuang shared a song to express his sentiments. It is song by Love Affair, 'Bringing on Back the Good Times' (click on title). Recalling the good times would be a major aim of this Blog. 1966 was to be a year of hope for the nascent state of Singapore. Just the year before, on 9 August 1965 Singapore was unceremoniou...