Speech by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Finance, at the Official Opening of the Puan Sri Helene Tan Chin Tuan Building at the Methodist Girls School on 22 July 2006 at 6.30 pm

SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR FINANCE, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE PUAN SRI HELENE TAN CHIN TUAN BUILDING AT THE METHODIST GIRLS SCHOOL ON 22 JULY 2006 AT 6.30PM

I am delighted to join the staff and students of MGS at the Official Opening of the Puan Sri Helene Tan Chin Tuan Building. The theme for the joyous occasion is Celebrate MGS and indeed, the school has more than one reason to rejoice and celebrate. It enters its 120th year in a few days as a dynamic and vibrant learning community, a place that nurtures young women with confidence, flair and optimism.

The school has done well in educating and molding women of excellence. They have gone on to make numerous and varied contributions to our society, in academia, in the legal, medical and other professions, the financial sector, the theatre and media and sports, among others. They have also raised good families and contributed time and effort to social and environmental causes. In short, MGS girls have helped make for a better country. I am certain that MGS will continue to contribute to the progress and well-being of the nation by producing women with the confidence to make a difference in all that they do.

Most important to the MGS tradition has been its focus on nurturing women with a strong sense of personal values. Through the full breadth of activities in the school, the MGS cultivates responsible leadership and moral integrity, while developing her talents and interests.

The school was founded on Christian teachings, based on the doctrine of the Methodist Church. But MGS has also been known for its multi-racial and multi-religious cast. Girls of all faiths, religious denominations, nationalities and ethnic groups are encouraged to play a full and active role in the community. The school offers a range of opportunities for the girls to work and play together, broadening their horizons and experiences. In short, MGS is a Singapore school that embraces the diversity of the world that it is a part of, while staying rooted in its tradition and values.

The school is naturally a place bustling with activities. You can sense the purposefulness, the adventure and camaraderie that permeate school life here. Even this evening, as I stepped into the concourse this evening, I became immediately aware of the pulse of the school as the little girls merrily waved their flags or performed their moves in tandem with the music. You cannot but feel the confidence and energy that flows from within.

MGS is a school that is at its prime and going further still. It is poised to take advantage of its excellent physical endowments to Master, to Grow and to Serve.

I congratulate you on the Official Opening of the Puan Sri Helene Tan Chin Tuan Building, which recognizes the legacy of a most distinguished alumnus who contributed much to the school and to society. I look forward to having MGS at the forefront of education as we continue to prepare our young for a changing world. I now have the pleasure of declaring the new premises of the Puan Sri Helene Tan Chin Tuan Building open.