PAYA LEBAR METHODIST GIRLS’ SCHOOL CELEBRATES 90TH ANNIVERSARY
PAYA LEBAR Methodist Girls’ School (PLMGS) entered 2006 declaring God’s glory with thanksgiving and rejoicing. Nine events were organised throughout the year to celebrate 90 years of God’s blessings.
Indeed as we look back on the history of PLMGS, we see God’s unfailing goodness and faithfulness upon us continually. Everyone in the school, pupils and staff, recognises that we are “a chosen people” set apart for a purpose – to live lives of holiness (1 Pet.1:15), in obedience to His will, that we may be channels of His grace and blessing, and declare His praises and His glory.
February was the “PL loves the Community” month and the school had its very own Kindness Movement to shower blessings on all. Each class was encouraged to develop its own idea of showing kindness to the staff in the school as well as to the community.
Residents in the school’s vicinity were blessed with goodie bags and the Secondary 4 and 5 girls visited the elderly residents of Chinatown as part of their Community Involvement Programme.
In March a banner with the words “Run the Race, Keep the Faith” was hoisted in the school grounds and the 31st Annual Athletic Meet took place on March 24, 2006. The school community was reminded of the words found in Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
In April, PL staff shared God’s love with the residents of the Society for the Aged Sick. Working in five teams, the teachers and administrative staff visited the home on five occasions. The staff and residents had a good time of interaction and the music, song and dance presented by the staff brought smiles to many faces.
A Mother’s Day Dinner on May 12, 2006 was held in conjunction with the 90th Anniversary Celebrations. The focus was on family bonding and hence the theme was “Ties that Bind”. The Parents School Support Group (PSSG) Committee partnered the school’s executive and administrative staff to organise the dinner which was very well received.
“In Celebration – A 90-hour Music Marathon” was one of the key events organised in celebration of our 90th Anniversary. It was held over the weekend which incorporated Youth Day and started on June 29, 2006 at 6.30 pm and ended on July 3, 2006 at 1 pm. PL-Lites, past and present, parents and honoured guests of the school occupied the Great Hall of the Millenia Walk for 90 hours. PLMGSS made a joyful music unto the Lord.
The event raised funds in aid of Pathlight School as well as the school redevelopment fund and placed PLMGS in the Singapore Book Of Records.
Another musical event, “A Symphony of Praise”, took place on Aug 5, 2006 at the Singapore Conference Hall. There were two performances, a matinee performance and an evening performance. All the music groups in the school were involved and the programme included performances by PL-Lites, Angela Lim Yu Fang and Zerline Lee (on the piano). Guest artistes were Noella Yan (on cello) and Albert Lin (on piano), Wong Kae Chee (on harp) and Thum Soon Boon (on guzheng). “Honouring Our Teachers” in September on Teachers’ Day was a very touching event. For the first time, the school invited all the retired teachers and principals and former staff for the celebration, which included a concert and lunch. What a joyous occasion it was to have our old teachers back!
“Celebrating 90 Years of God’s Blessings” culminated in the Founder’s Day Service on Oct 13, 2006 at Paya Lebar Methodist Church and a grand dinner on Oct 14, 2006 at the Neptune Theatre. Many alumnae PL-Lites returned specially to celebrate with us.
Truly it was God’s grace that enabled us to have such a wonderful and fulfilling year. May we at PLMGS always “Look up, Lift up” to God and give Him the Glory!
Judy Wong is a teacher at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School.
Rev Dr Ngoei re-appointed TTC Principal again
THE Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian (right) has been re-appointed Principal of Trinity Theological College (TTC) for another term of three years.
The Board of Governors of TTC sought the cooperation of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) to second the Rev Dr Ngoei to TTC for the period of his principalship from January 2007 to December 2009.
The Rev Dr Ngoei, a senior minister with the MCS, was first appointed Principal of TTC in January 2001 for a three-year term. He was re-appointed principal on Jan 1, 2004, the term finishing in December 2006.
As a pastor, he had served the MCS in various capacities. He had also taught pastors and TTC students on the subject of Clinical Pastoral Care.
Prior to his appointment as TTC Principal, he was Pastor-in-Charge of Covenant Community Methodist Church. He had also served as a member of the Board of Governors of TTC and Chairman of its Personnel Committee.