MGS Naming of Auditorium and Blessing Service
A SIMPLE CEREMONY on July 31, 2011 marked the naming of the recently refurbished Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) Auditorium in honour of the late Mdm Kwa Geok Choo, an illustrious alumna and wife of former Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Their daughter, Professor Lee Wei Ling, Director of the National Neuroscience Institute, was the Guest-of-Honour. Joining her at the service were other members of the Lee and Kwa families, as well as Mdm Kwa’s former teacher and classmates from MGS.
The auditorium stage had been widened by almost 20 per cent and seating capacity increased by about 10 per cent after the renovation, according to Mr Tan Wee Ngee, Chief Operating Officer of MGS. Other than re-carpeting the floor and re-holstering the seats, the acoustics and air-conditioning had also been improved.
Congregants at the service, consisting of MGS alumnae, parents of current MGS girls, and former and current staff, belied the serene atmosphere with a muted chatter of excitement. Prof Lee was ushered in with an item by the MGS Handbell Choir.
Mrs Fang Ai Lian, Chairman of the MGS Board of Management, welcomed attendees and shared the contribution of the auditorium to the artistic development of MGS girls. She thanked all who had been part of the refurbishment effort, including the architects and builders who made it possible for the renovations to be completed at the end of June 2011, after just four months of work.
The Rev Dr Peter Wong, Chaplain-in-charge at MGS and a member of the Board of Management, officiated at the blessing and later gave the benediction. Mrs Shirleen Ong, Principal of MGS, shared some reflections on the late Mdm Kwa’s achievements and demonstrated character, pointing out the inspiring effect of naming the renewed auditorium in memory of Mdm Kwa.
Mdm Kwa had been the top student of her year in the Senior Cambridge examinations for the whole of Malaya. She was also said to be “convinced that women should be empowered to better society”, making her a role model for MGS girls to look up to.
A video entitled “A Good Name, A Good Woman” was screened in honour of the occasion. In it, the late Mdm Kwa was said to have embodied the MGS motto “To Master, To Grow, To Serve” by having mastered her books, grown in stature and served her nation.
Interesting facts were also shared, such as her fondly remembering the Tamil Methodist Church at Short Street as the venue at which she had attended some classes as a schoolgirl.
Prof Lee unveiled the commemorative plaque which would later be installed at the entrance of the auditorium. The event closed with fine performances by the MGS String Ensemble, solo vocalist Nathania Ong, and a cheerleading performance by the MG Dazzlers.
