Let's hear what our Alumna, students and teachers have to say about their experience in St Nicks!

Do you still remember how you felt during your first day at school?

When these four girls stepped into St Nicks for the first time three years ago, each one of them hailing from a primary school, they felt nervous about fitting in and making friends. It is of no surprise that they were experiencing such feelings as transitioning from primary school to secondary school is a major milestone indeed! How exciting yet stressful and scary it must have been for these girls!

Thankfully, Wen Xin, Glenda, Ariel and Kirsten (Class of 2020) found one another and became close friends by bonding through similar interests and experiences here in St Nicks. Last December, they had spent 28 days in China as part of the school’s Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP). As Student Councillors, they had also worked closely together in organising a memorable Orientation Programme for their Secondary 1 妹妹们. They became friends because of St Nicks, and we know St Nicks friends are friends for life. #SayyestoStNicks like these girls did, and find your #friendsforlife here in St Nicks too!

“I chose to come to St Nicks via DSA and I have not once regretted it. What made me want to join St Nicks was the IJ Mission, where students are committed to serving the needs of the disadvantaged and underprivileged. When I saw this, I knew that St Nicks was a great choice where I would be able to play my part to serve the community while growing as a leader. Not only that, what sets St Nicks apart from other schools is our culture of 姐妹同心. I wanted to be in an environment where I was supported by my peers and teachers, where I could partake in activities with my peers’ encouragement. Now I truly know, that the spirit of 姐妹同心 is that, and much more. Coupled with such a supportive environment, the school also has many opportunities and platforms to develop the talents and leadership skills of students.”

Rianne Ng joined St Nicks via DSA in 2019. #SayyestoStNicks like Rianne did, and experience our culture of 姐妹同心!

Confident and eloquent, Secondary 3 student Ng Yu Xin (right, Class of 2021) has volunteered to be one of the many “voices” of St Nicks on several occasions. She represented St Nicks at the SAP40 poetry recital performance in 2019 and has also been the emcee for various school activities and programme. Yu Xin, who joined St Nicks through DSA (Bilingualism), feels that our rich SAP heritage is what makes St Nicks so special. She is grateful that our school has given her many platforms to showcase her talents. Participating in bicultural and bilingual activities has also helped her gain confidence whilst learning to appreciate the beauty of cultures and languages.

Yu Xin’s younger sister, Yu Le (left, Class of 2023), who just joined the St Nicks family this year through DSA (Leadership), shared that St Nicks was her top choice of secondary school after hearing about her sister’s experiences in St Nicks. “The spirit of Sisterly Love （姐妹同心） truly stands out to me as my teachers and 姐姐们 have been constantly looking out for the Secondary 1 girls. This special love and concern shown to us has really helped me and my friends adjust to secondary school life better. I’m definitely looking forward to my four years in St Nicks!”

Do join the Ng sisters in saying yes to St Nicks!

"Lactic acid gnawing at my muscles? That's not going to stop me!" A true St Nicks Woman of Strength indeed! That's Marion Ang (right, Class of 2020), a runner with our St Nicks Track and Field Team, who appreciates the emphasis that St Nicks places on having the Growth Mindset. "It is really the small voice in my head. Pushing me to go further. I truly appreciate what St Nicks does in building our strong mental resilience. That's what keeps me going during those gruelling training sessions and tough races!"

Marion Ang chose to continue her education journey here in St Nicks after spending six years in St Nicks Primary. This is because she is convinced that St Nicks is well-equipped with sports facilities to help further her passion for running. She knows that she is never alone. Instead, she has the love of her encouraging teachers, coaches and the support of a warm and nurturing learning environment that inspires her to strive for excellence in both sports and studies. Having heard so much about Marion's experience here at St Nicks, her sister Marissa (left, Class of 2023) was convinced to say yes to St Nicks too by joining us through DSA (Sports and Games).

The Ang sisters said yes to St Nicks because St Nicks offers them the opportunity to continue to pursue their passion for sports and games. What else do you think the Ang sisters love about St Nicks? Well, it’s none other than our yummy and healthy canteen food! Marion says, “Our St Nicks canteen is exceptionally outstanding, and the legendary orange bowl is definitely worth its hype!” Join the Ang sisters in saying yes to St Nicks, and come try out the legendary orange bowl for yourselves!

"One thing I truly treasure about St Nicks is our strong spirit of Sisterly Love. To me, St Nicks is like a big family where we learn to care and be grateful for one another. I said yes to St Nicks as I was intrigued by the many enrichment opportunities and CCAs offered here. I saw the unity and strong bonds of friendship displayed by St Nicks girls during the St Nicks Open House, which made me want to be a part of the school even more. I am glad I said yes to St Nicks. Over the years, I have gained many opportunities to grow and learn. One of them is being in Student Council. I am very grateful for this as the experiences in Council have truly helped to hone my leadership skills and has allowed me to serve the school in different ways."

Nicole Chua (Class of 2021) fell in love with St Nicks when she attended our Open House three years ago. #SayyestoStNicks like Nicole did, and experience our strong spirit of Sisterly Love for yourself!

Love is the unwavering bond that holds everyone together in the IJ family.

Coming from another IJ primary school, Christie Callia Sardjono (Class of 2021) is glad to be able to continue to live out the IJ motto of Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty, here in St Nicks. Christie was elected Vice President of the St Nicks Student Council in June this year, and has since led the Student Councillors to contribute to various school activities, including this year's Teachers' Day celebrations.

“I am beyond grateful to be able to continue my journey as an IJ girl and live by the IJ values here in St Nicks. I chose to join the St Nicks family through DSA (Leadership). The school has given me many opportunities to grow into a better leader for the people around me, and find strength to lead with grace and love even in the face of setbacks. It is heartening to enter a new environment with the same IJ Spirit!”

Our Joint Integrated Program (JIP) is jointly offered in collaboration with Catholic High School (CHS), Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS) and Eunoia Junior College (EJC). Before progressing on to EJC, our girls here at St Nicks experience a broad-based and enriched curriculum with opportunities to engage in a wide spectrum of authentic and future‐oriented learning experiences that equip them with competencies to navigate in a complex world. Tune in to hear our alumna Ashley Tung share about how she felt her passion for research and confidence in speaking was developed and strengthened during her time here in St Nicks.

The Passion Pursuit programme in St Nicks is our in-house signature programme that allows students to explore their varied interests through various platforms of exploration and exposure. Have a listen to what our alumna Zi Ning has to share about the diverse selection of activities that she experienced in St Nicks. Another signature program she shares includes her experience with the Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP) that enabled her to gain a stronger sense of self as she navigated the complexities of the eastern and western worlds. Do join Zi Ning in saying yes to St Nicks if you would like to feel supported in this journey of self-discovery and identity building!

“St Nicks gave me a platform to grow not just academically but holistically, to grow not just as a student but as a person too. St Nicks gave me a safe space to explore my interests and passions, fuelling my endless curiosity and developing me into a driven individual. Most of all, St Nicks gave me a family and a place that to this day, I can still call home.”

Schools are often described as a second home for students, and to Marasigan Noleen Joy Bonita, St Nicks alumna who graduated in 2019, that’s exactly how special St Nicks is to her. Noleen was the President of the Student Council and Vice-President of her CCA, Chinese Orchestra during her time here at St Nicks. Despite her heavy commitments, Noleen was able to manage her time well and contributed significantly to the St Nicks family in many ways. She was like a big sister to her St Nicks 妹妹们, who look up to her like a role model, even till today. Noleen’s teachers also fondly remember Noleen as a pleasant student who always participates enthusiastically in school events and is exemplary in her conduct at all times.

St Nicks is home, truly, where you know you must be. Say yes to St Nicks like Noleen did, and call us home!

"What I miss the most about St Nicks are my teachers. They shaped me to be the person I am today. Not only did they inculcate in me a love for my subjects, they planted in me strong values that I will continue to carry with me in life. I remember how my teachers always put in the effort to make lessons engaging for us. I remember how they were always willing to hold consultations with us so that we could clarify our doubts. I remember how they gave me many opportunities to learn and grow. Life in St Nicks was exciting because I was constantly stretched beyond my comfort zone. St Nicks definitely gave me many good memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. Even if I could choose again, I would choose St Nicks."

Rebekah Seow, St Nicks alumna, class of 2017, was a student of exemplary conduct who has pursued excellence in whatever she set her mind to. During her time in St Nicks, she actively participated and volunteered in many projects in her capacity as a Student Councillor and as Vice President of Literary Drama Society. She also served as our St Nicks ambassador, sharing her school experiences with younger students under various settings such as our in-house DSA talks, Open Houses and many more. She has performed well academically, and has also done St Nicks proud on many occasions, representing the school in various programmes and competitions. Rebekah has remained committed to the path of excellence even after leaving St Nicks. She has performed wonderfully at the GCE A-Levels!

We hope that all of you will come to cherish St Nicks as your second home as you #sayyestoStNicks just like how Rebekah did!

The art of translation is no mean feat. One has to be effectively bilingual, as it requires a strong command of the languages to understand and narrate the nuances of the intent behind the words that are being translated. How did this love for the intricate art of translation came to be for our alumna Yu Ting?

“I got my first taste of translation in St Nicks through a short translation module that was conducted by the teachers. Ten years on, the spark from this serendipitous encounter has kept me going and I am now pursuing my Masters in Translation and Interpretation in Beijing.”

The bilingual enrichment experience offered in St Nicks has touched our alumna Yu Ting’s life and it has sparked a lifelong learning journey into embracing the beauty of languages. We hope many more of our St Nicks girls will be inspired and will follow their dreams, just like Yu Ting 姐姐. To P6 girls who are contemplating your secondary school choices, #sayyestoStNicks and experience our rich SAP culture and heritage for yourself!

(This picture was taken at the rooftop of a Hutong cafe in Beijing last year. We wish our 姐姐 all the best in completing her post-graduate studies!)

Here is Hwee Cheng 姐姐, with her daughter Faith Phua, St Nicks alumna, class of 2020. Hwee Cheng 姐姐 is an active alumna, and was part of the team that worked tirelessly behind the production of our school’s 85th anniversary docu-drama, ‘From Victoria Street to Ang Mo Kio’.

Here's what Faith has to say about joining the St Nicks family, “My mother often shares her childhood stories with us and a big part of them involves her secondary school life in St Nicks. Her fond memories and connection with the school often left me in wonder and that was why I had high expectations before joining the St Nicks family. Before coming to St Nicks, I had lived overseas for 10 years, growing up in Hong Kong and Shanghai and attended 11 different schools. Singapore was not the most familiar place and transferring to yet another school seemed daunting. However, I was not disappointed and felt a sense of familiarity and belonging almost instantly. The St Nicks environment is so loving and welcoming, and this endearing culture helps students bond quickly and easily. I am grateful for saying yes to St Nicks (like my mother did) as I have grown so much from every opportunity the school has provided me with.”

Ms Kok Moi Lre, former President of the St Nicholas Girls’ School Alumnae Association, has worn her "St Nicks Old Girl” badge and continued on her journey of gratitude and service to the St Nicks family, years after her graduation. She has chosen to send her three daughters to St Nicks!

This is what Moi Lre 姐姐has to say about being a Parent at St Nicks, "The journey of being a Daughter of St Nicks to becoming a Parent at St Nicks has been a lovely homecoming experience for me, as I am familiar with unchanging St Nicks spirit and steadfast values. I have three daughters who will always be a part of our St Nicks family. It has brought us closer together as we are now further bound by our identity as Daughters of St Nicks. I am confident of the school's priority in grounding my girls with timeless good values that have shaped me to be the person I am today. I know that they will remember their experiences in St Nicks fondly and be spurred to give back to St Nicks and the larger communities as they continue to uphold our strong culture of Gratitude and Sisterly Love."