VOICE OF RAFFLES INSTITUTION, SINGAPORE ECIAL ISSUE - VOLUME 13 NO 1 10TH FEBRUARY 1978 MC(P) 74/2/77 PRI Farewell Assembly Amidst thunderous applause, the car carry­ are enjoying today, which ing Mr. Philip Liau, our. former Principal, are not provided for in drove through the school gates. It was the an ordinary government morning of the 14th of October and definitely school. He initiated the Rl a day to be noted in the history of Raffles school building fund and Institution. A day to be remembered, not for personally saw to the in­ prestige or joy, but for an auspicious occasion clusion in the school build­ tinged with sadness and sentimentality. The ing of the sports complex atmosphere, no matter how lively and boister­ air-conditioned AVA thea- ous, had an air of gloom. Our 'Big Ben' chimed terette, squash courts, base­ ment lecture halls, gymna­ nine in the morning, announcing the beginning sium, various society rooms of the farewell for Mr. Liau who retired at the and even the extra mosaic end of 1977. flooring on the ground When his retirement tribute to a most respected floor of the administrative was confirmed in the mid­ and dedicated educationa­ block." Also mentioned dle of the year, the school list. Originally planned for among his accomplish­ authorities and several tea­ the end of the year, the ments for Rl was the chers spared no effort in farewell was brought for­ construction of the clock planning a grand farewell ward to the 14th of tower and the Olympic- for Mr. Liau, who has October, before the ex­ sized swimming pool. Even done so much for the aminations began, toenable more heart-stirring infor­ school during his Prin- the Pre-U Two's to join in. mation was the fact that cipalship of 11% years. His Banners and brightly "all in all Mr. Liau was first association with R.I. coloured flags flapped in responsible for raising near­ the breeze and the corri­ ly $1,000,000. for the QUOTE: dors were lined with stu- school building and the <<It has been my honour, my destiny not only to become principal but also to have a hand in the design and building of the new R.I.>> was as a teacher in 1949. dents. In the inner qua­ Following this appoint­ drangle, contingents from ment, for a brief period, the various uniform groups, he worked in the examina­ school societies and sports tions section of the Ministry teams had been assembled of Education, and later as well before 9am. As the Orientation '78 Adviser of Textbooks be­ chimes sounded, the parade fore returning as Principal was called to attention. January the 3rd saw the ball, netball and Captain's girls, as well as a chance to attention of the new b in 1966. For someone Shortly after his arrival, beginning of a new acade­ ball. In the afternoon, the show their chivalry. But all (Some of them may who, as a young teacher, Mr. Liau inspected with mic year for most Raffles- Pre-U 1 attended a film- good things must come to accused of false adve had never hoped of oc­ pride the various groups ians after 7 long weeks of show. Perhaps the most an end, and the Rafflesians ing.) cupying the top Principal before him. The sun was school holidays. Armed exciting item of the pro­ had to reluctantly call it On the 12th day £ post in Singapore — as blazing but the heat was with new inspirations, gramme was theTelematch. a night at 9.00 p.m. As entering Rl, these re PRI — he has come a overlooked and easily en­ hopes and resolutions, Based on the well-known the Pre-U ones unanimous­ additions were t long way. Having put his dured. Concluding his in­ everyone seemed ready to television programme of ly agreed, the orientation around by the prefe entire effort into the spection, Mr. Liau took face all approaching the same name, it was had indeed make the new the gym, library, t school, Mr. Liau has no his seat in front of the difficulties in the com­ held on the fourth day Rafflesians feel at home room, Red Cross room doubt laid the founda­ hall. Soon afterwards, two ing year. The day also of school. Despite the and many friendships had others for a guided t tion for a "new" Rl and speeches were made. witnessed the arrival of drizzly rain, the Pre-U 1 blossomed in the course of The judokas staged a created the right atmo- Mr. Lee Song Seng in new Pre-university one students had a hilarious the orientation. convincing mock ba phere for the develop- his speech spoke of the and secondary one Raf- and enjoyable time, whe­ As usual, this year's the scouts as usual nent of studentcapabilities fact that compared to the flesians. The lovely, ther watching someone orientation programme for their tents and lad nd skills. other 3 Asian Principals colourful shades of green, attempting to empty a Sec. One was smoothly and the museum was A few weeks before the of Rl before him, Mr. blue and yellow of the 80 bucket of water blind- carried out by the prefects corated with eye-fog rewell, a meeting was Liau had served the longest. odd new girls broke the folded or participating in and the various uniformed exhibits. 'led for all heads of The senior assistant also monotony of the all-white the events themselves. groups, societies and It left some mixed cieties, uniformed groups remarked that Mr. Liau uniforms of the boys, and The last item on the games. It aimed at get­ actions however. A d games squads in the had transformed the somewhat caused a stir programme, as well as the ting the new students One boy confided tha hool hall. They decided dream of past Principals among the Pre-U 1 boys, climax of the orientation, familiar with the school was led through a w organise a concert dedi- and the ORA into a most of whom were ex- was the buffet party. It so that they will not feel wind of exhibitions ted to him, to take place living reality — he had Sec. Fours. was a night not solely small and lost in one of introductions and he ter a formal parade cere- shifted Rl from Bras Basah To break the ice among reserved for gluttons but the biggest schools in Sin­ quite 'confused'. S ny. Various items were to a new location and to the new senior students an evening of fun, games gapore. When school re­ boys were so awed be presented by the a far better building con­ and to get them acquaint­ and songs. Out of the aw­ opened, the lobbying for they signed up for e ferent organisations of genial to education. "The ed with the school, a week- ful propriety that the new members by the attractive prospect. A school, and, even link between the old and long 'Orientation' pro­ school uniform commands, various ECA groups was all, most of the newcot ough the exams were new building is of particu­ gramme was organised for the boys and girls really already in full swing. Co­ found the orientation proaching, students re- lar significance to Mr. Liau them. The orientation was sparkled with mirth and lourful posters and notices 'interesting, useful arsed and participated because he has played a off to a flying start the laughter. For the boys, it listing enticing prospects beneficial'. lole-heartedly in pre- major role in obtaining all next morning with inter- was an opportunity of a were put up throughout ation for the grand the additional facilities we stream games of basket- lifetime to get to know the the school to attract the FOO HEE Rafflesian Times is published by Raffles Institution, Grange Road, Singapore 10 and printed by Star Press, 139/141 Lavender Street, Singapore 12. Tel: 2582095. ool. "He always had the and I leave the school elfare of the students together. This gives me a heart and saw to their sense of a job completed. mforts", Mr. Lee also In other words, I leave ded. This is evident in with the sense that those e construction of the I have brought over have udents common room, terminated in my time; lelters leading to the my job is done in every ck-shop and the intro- way, in every sense. As to ction of the free-meal the future of Rl, I have to heme for poorer stu- say that whatever befalls nts. Mr. Lee also mar- you I know that Rl will lled at the former Prin- retain its premiership." pal's undying devotion A piece of advice from seeing to the construe- Mr. Liau: "We have dedi­ on of the wall and school cated and committed tea­ nblem at the front en- chers. Extract all you can ance and the extension from them — everything f the sports complex you wish to know and and stand in the last everything you wish to onths of his service. learn. They have so much Head prefect Pang to give you and they will eng Sun reiterated much give it to you." Continu­ P the praises directed at ing, he expressed his hopes r. Liau, adding from the that the teachers would ewpoint of the students, stay in Rl for as long as :he policies he lay down possible and thanked them Raffles on the warpath? which symbolished their Rafflesians. Providing great ith his staff, gave us sincerely for their co- — Rl Rugby team put up their Maori dance before PR I winning of the Kiwi cup entertainment, the concert operation and friendship.