Kong Hwa School

School crest

The two Chinese characters, 光华, form the torch in the middle of the school crest. The torch is in red and symbolises the "Flame of Knowledge". The yellow background symbolises the radiance of the burning torch which reflects the school's pursuit for academic excellence.

History

Kong Hwa School was founded by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan (SHHK) in 1953. This was immediately after the Japanese Occupation, when the committee members of the SHHK realised the urgent need for education and that there was a drastic shortage of schools in Singapore. The school currently stands at its original location along Guillemard Road.

Initially, Kong Hwa School was named ‘Kong Chian School’ after the late Dr. Lee Kong Chian made a personal donation of $300,000. Further reasoning and support for the name included the Chinese proverb “光前裕后” (guāng qián yù hòu), which implies the school wanting its students to be high achievers, defending the honor of their ancestors and doing things for the benefit of future generations.

However, Dr. Lee Kong Chian, who was in London at the time, was so disturbed by the news that he sent a letter to the Chairman of the SHHK, Mr. Chen Liushi. He said that times were progressing, and that philanthropy should be a common occurrence and not something so rare that it needs to be celebrated. Thus, he earnestly requested that the SHHK rename the school. In response to his repeated pleads, the SHHK officially changed the school’s name to Kong Hwa School on May 1, 1953.

Uniform

Boys wear a white shirt and khaki shorts. Girls wear a white sleeveless blouse and a knee-length accordion-pleated skirt. Both uniforms have the school crest emblazoned on the left. While school shoes and socks can be purchased, any white-based shoes or socks (except ankle socks) are allowed.

Sports' Day

Every year, there is a sports day event held by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan. All member primary schools, (i.e. Tao Nan School, Ai Tong School, Chongfu Primary School, and Nan Chiau Primary School in addition to Kong Hwa School) participate in this event.

Architectural features

The main concept of the Kong Hwa School building is based on the “I-Ching”, or Classic of Changes, an ancient Chinese classical text. This text is more than three thousand years old, and speaks of the five aspects of balanced development, “德、智、体、群、美” or morality, wit, health, society, and beauty. It encompasses concepts that regulate a wide spectrum of disciplines from human nature to algebra.

Main parade square

The sixty four hexagrams of the “I Ching” were physically inscribed in the tiling patterns. The square in turn faces two wall bearing the school motto, i.e. sincerity and perseverance. The school assembly is conducted in this oriental setting. It is meant to inculcate in the pupils the respect for discipline and core values in life.

Amphitheatre

The amphitheater was designed to provide an environment for promoting Western culture in the area of performing arts and public skills.

Chinese garden

It has also made provision for creativity in teaching and learning with the construction of the “Kong Hwa Garden” which is an artistic replica of a typical Jiangnan-styled Chinese garden design. This place, which serves as an area for students to rest and relax, is also meant to be a source of inspiration and promotion of Chinese culture.

Yin and Yang as inspiration

The design of the Kong Hwa School building was based on the Chinese concept of Yin and Yang– that is, balance. As such, many aspects of society were taken into account. The premise of the obvious Chinese cultural architectural features were to act as a balance to the internal components of the school being influenced by Western science and technological advancements, and cultural norms such as performing at the amphitheatre. Simply put, the Kong Hwa School building was designed on the ideal of the spirit of collective collaboration, with the belief that the environment is essential to the integration of Eastern and Western cultures in the school.

One example would be that the school places equal emphasis on the arts and sports– there are dedicated facilities for training in the sports (especially in table tennis and badminton), and there is a small wing where the rooms are reserved for musical purposes such as the Chinese Orchestra or band.