Giving Our Best: The Story of St George’s Girls’ School, Penang, 1885-2010

Giving Our Best: The Story of St George’s Girls’ School, Penang, 1885-2010 by Khoo Salma Nasution, Alison Hayes & Sehra Yeap Zimbulis

St George’s Girls’ School is one of Penang’s most cherished institutions. Starting from a single classroom run by the Anglican mission, St George’s became a modern government school celebrated for its distinctive ‘white dress, red belt’ look. Today it is the first school in Penang to achieve national-level high performance status.

Giving Our Best looks at 125 years of tradition in which pioneering women educators transformed St George’s into an innovative establishment which, in turn, produced generations of brave young girls inculcated with a positive love of learning and a determination to succeed. Drawing on archival materials, local histories, school yearbooks and personal reminiscences, this richly illustrated study traces the considerable achievements of the school, combining it with a collective biography of women who, both as teachers and students, gave their best to school and society. This highly readable and engaging book will appeal to all those interested in the history of education and the development of Penang.

About the Authors

Alison Hayes is a native of Dundee, Scotland, and loves life in George Town. Sehra Yeap Zimbulis grew up in Penang and has recently returned to her home town after many years. She has a degree in English and psychology. Khoo Salma Nasution is a writer, publisher and heritage advocate. Her recent publications include Heritage Houses of Penang (2009) and Sun Yat Sen in Penang (2008).

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Table of Contents
List of Featured Principals, Teachers and Advisers vi
List of Distinguished Alumni vi
Perutusan, DYMM Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Bainun ix
Message, HRH The Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Bainun x
Foreword by Shariffah Afifah binti Syed Abbas xii
Foreword by Petra B.A. Oon xiii
Preface xiv
Introduction: A School for Girls 1
Principals, Teachers and Advisers 47
School Identity 63
A Scrapbook of Clubs and Societies 71
St George’s Today 117
St George’s Celebrates 125 Years 147
The Pathways Travelled: Distinguished Alumni of St George’s Girls School 165
St George’s Alumni Associations 223
References 230

Media coverage for Giving Our Best

A tribute to Penang’s SGGS (The Star)