Rosyth Heritage Gallery
In 1955, two sites were surveyed to build a proposed girls' primary school. A site at Jansen Road had been considered but it was densely occupied by squatters at the time. The alternative site located on a plot of land between Rosyth Road and Phillips Avenue was preferred as it was only occupied by a single squatter. Approval of the plans was given, and so began the history of Rosyth Road School, as it was then named, at 29 Rosyth Road. It was subsequently confirmed that it would be a mixed primary school rather than a girls' school as originally planned. The school building was completed the following year. The official handing over of the building took place on 13 December 1956.
From its inception since 1957 a House system was adopted with pupils placed in four Houses named after colours – Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. The House system was discontinued in the late 1970s and 1980s but re-instated in 1994 with four Houses – Cheetah, Jaguar, Panther, Puma, each with its own colour as in the past. The rationale of this system is to evoke a spirit of competition, engender the spirit of social responsibility and harness a strong sense of belonging.
Competing in inter-house events during annual Sports Meet in the 1960s.
The House flags from the 1960s & 1990s on display at the Heritage Gallery.
The original version of the badge was an etched metal, measuring W2cm x L2.5cm x D1mm. The elements comprise a candle, stripes, white and blue colours and the school motto ‘Ready to Serve’. When I was asked to design the Rosyth school badge, the first icon that came into my mind was the candle. Chinese scholars and clergymen of medieval times depended on the candlelight for the long hours of learned reading and writing, as electricity was not invented then.
Knowledge has long been documented in the form of pictograms, symbols and written words. Whilst the mode of reading may differ from one ethnic culture to another, the horizontal line formation has been the general accepted norm. The stripes represent the written page. The shield format is associated with one arming himself/herself with knowledge.
The motto aims to inculcate amongst the students a sense of civic consciousness and be ‘Ready to Serve’ the country, community and family whom he/she belongs.
- Loh Khee Yew, a pioneer staff member (1956 – 1963)