| HISTORY OF OLDHAM HALL |
 |
| ...a stroll down memory lane.... |
| HISTORY OF OLDHAM HALL |
|
| ...a stroll down memory lane.... |
Table of Contents:
The
Founding of Anglo-Chinese School & Boarding School (OHMS) 
The Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) and Boarding School of Singapore was founded by Reverend William Fitzjames Oldham on the 1st of March, 1886. It then operated from rented premises at 70 Amoy Street (this building was designated an Historical Heritage Site on the 1st March 1998). On the 15th of November of that same year, the school moved to larger premises in Coleman Street where it remained until the end of 1993. It catered for boys in both the elementary and secondary levels. The first teachers included Reverend Oldham himself, his spouse Marie, Messrs Webb and Madden and a few native helpers.
One day, a Chinese gentleman from Java came to Reverend Oldham, seeking to enrol his son in the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) and at the same time arrange for his accommodation. As a result, a boarding department of the school was established as a model for the future. Therefore the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) actually started to function with two components - the "Day" School and the "Boarding" School.
Due to the growing number of students, it soon became difficult to function effectively both as a day and boarding school. Thus in 1888, the boarding school component was shifted to a new location at "Bellevue" in Orchard Road. The property was purchased for $12,000.00, through funds canvassed from Chinese and American friends of the school.
 |
 |
 |
| Dining Hall | Pocket Money | Dormitory |
 |
In 1896, the Bellevue premises were demolished with the intention of rebuilding them as a large commodious building. The new building was named "OLDHAM HALL" in honour of its founder, Reverend William Fitzjames Oldham. The need for larger accommodation in so short a time was testimony to the rapid growth of the |
Oldham
Hall, Barker Road (Dunearn House)
 |
On the 14th December 1926, Rev & Mrs FH Sullivan together with the Oldham Hall boys marched to their new home at Barker Road. Whilst in Oldham Hall, Ding Lik Kiu, an ex-boarder, wrote this report for the 1939 school magazine - "The boys are expected to get up not later than 6.30am and the Housemaster was ever ready to pull any heavy sleeper out of bed." Breakfast was a cup of tea with bread and sugar at 7am. |
Here they would take a train to Tank Road and then walk to school. Lunch time was followed by a quiet period until 2.30pm. From then until 4pm was study time and after that they would be found in the fields playing football and basketball. Dinner was at 7pm, followed by another study period. All boys were expected to be in bed by 9pm. Saturdays were considered to be the best day. On this day, boys could go out shopping or visit friends or guardians. "Living together created a great fraternal spirit for Oldham Hall boys". It was said that Oldham Hall boys did well in school and in sports because they had time to study and enjoyed a proper playing field.
It was during his study at the original Oldham Hall that the late Dr. Yap Pheng Geck, then a teacher, designed the present ACS School Crest.
The Oldham Hall premises were
described as having an imposing and majestic appearance however, in 1956
Oldham Hall closed to give way to the quadrangle of the Anglo-Chinese School.
 |
In the 1970's, the desire for expansion arose once more. Again, it was the thought of a larger and more modern boarding establishment that prompted such a move. The desire for greater comfort for the ever-growing family of boys was also a motivating factor. The appeal thus went out to friends and supporters. |
 |
The number of applications to Oldham Hall increases with each passing year. Whilst not wishing to indulge in self-glorification, this long waiting-list stands as a mute testimony to the success of the boarding school. Oldham Hall has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the heart of town. In recent years, the vast majority of the boarders have come increasingly |
The ever-increasing numbers of boys who aspire to enter the Hall each year is also an indication of the confidence which parents have in the institution. Parents send their sons to Oldham Hall with the assurance that they will want for naught, and that their offspring will be cared for as they would be in their own home. The latter aspect goes without saying as in Oldham Hall, everyone, regardless of status as boarder or staff, is family.
Development in international telecommunications soon made "HOME" a simple long-distance phone call away. However, this often has little bearing on the sentiment which the Oldham Hall residents feel for their Hall. Some are mere "birds of passage" whose relationship with Oldham Hall is but a brief interregnum. Others stay a little longer, some spending their entire school career in Singapore as an "Oldhamite". But all of them are sure of one thing and this is very often the most cherished "souvenir" that they take away with them when they eventually leave Oldham Hall; and that is the fact that Oldham Hall, is a "Home-away-from-Home".
|
|