'CHIJMES'

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'CHIJMES' is pronounced 'chimes'. It is a play on the acronym CHIJ (Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus), the predecessor institution that occupied the buildings which form the subject of my analysis. The name was also chosen as a reminder of the chiming of bells in churches, again acknowledgement of the religious origins of the complex of buildings and the presence of the chapel in its compound, albeit de-sanctified.

A Cloistered War

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A Cloistered War is a memoir by Maisie Duncan, a grandmother and retired school teacher, and recalls her life as a student and boarder in convents in Seremban and Singapore before and after The Second World War. She captures, with humour and sharp observation, life under the watchful eyes of the nuns, and the air raids of the War.

Maisie Duncan is the youngest child of the Prout family; born of an English marine engineer father and a Eurasian mother. She is also the granddaughter of Captain Vaz, a well-known Penang personality. Maisie's mother died at a young age due to attacks of coughs and asthma. She and her siblings were then sent to Catholic boarding schools.

Annals, The n.d.

(Bibliography)
Annals, The, English translation and summary by Mother Charles, unpublished typescript, n.d.

Books and souvenirs of past school days

Commemorative books and nostalgic souvenirs remind generations of former students of their happy schoolgirl days.

Photograph courtesy of Ng Li Na

Caldwell House

Caldwell House, built by G.D. Coleman for H.C. Caldwell.

Author's photograph

Chew and Lee 1991

(Bibliography)
Chew, Ernest C. T. and Lee, Edwin, A History of Singapore, Oxford University Press, Singapore, 1991.

CHIJ Primary 2007

(Bibliography)
CHIJ Primary, viewed 16 May 2007, http://www.chijpritoapayoh.moe.edu.sg/

CHIJ Schools 1994

(Bibliography)
CHIJ Schools, Prayers, Poems and Reflections, Angsana Books, Singapore, 1994.

CHIJ Secondary 2007

(Bibliography)
CHIJ Secondary, viewed 16 May 2007, http://www.chijsectoapayoh.moe.edu.sg/main/default.htm

CHIJMES 2007

(Bibliography)
CHIJMES, viewed 16 May 2007, http://www.chijmes.com.sg

CHIJMES press release 1, n.d.

(Bibliography)
CHIJMES press release 1, 'Embark on an Exciting Shopping Experience at CHIJMES', n.d.

CHIJMES press release 2, n.d.

(Bibliography)
CHIJMES press release 2, 'Epicurean Delights at CHIJMES', n.d.

CHIJMES press release 3, n.d.

(Bibliography)
CHIJMES press release 3, 'Father Flanagan's Irish Pub: A Warm Irish Welcome in the Convent', n.d.

Edwards and Keys 1988

(Bibliography)
Edwards, Norman and Keys, Peter, Singapore: A Guide to Buildings, Streets, Places, Times Books International, Singapore, 1988.

Hewison 1987

(Bibliography)
Hewison, Robert, The Heritage Industry: Britain in a Climate of Decline, Methuen, London, 1987.

Hoe 1987

(Bibliography)
Hoe, Irene, 'Quality Arts Centre Plan for Ex-Convent', Straits Times, 13 April 1987, vol. 13.

Holy Infant Jesus Schools: Global Spread

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From its beginnings in seventeenth-century France, the Holy Infant Jesus Schools have spread to many different parts of the world since. The Malayan mission was in fact the first mission outside of France. After the order reached Singapore in 1854 it continued to spread, with new branches established in Canada, Spain (1860) and Monaco (1862) (Kong, Low and Yip 1994: 22, 27).

In May 1866 the Reverend Mother de Faudoas journeyed from France to Rome to seek the Apostolic See’s approval for the Institute of the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus. This was to ensure the unity and perpetuity of the institute. The Holy See gave its official approval for the institute on 21 November of the same year. From then on, the newly-approved institute developed even more rapidly. By the end of the nineteenth century, branches had been established in Japan (1872), Thailand (1885) and Camberwell, Wolverhampton and Weybridge in England (1892) (Kong et al. 1994: 27).

The institute began the twentieth century with the opening of a house in Italy in 1906. Besides opening schools in Bergamo and the numerous mountain villages in that province, the order also established itself in Cenate, Torre Boldone, Presezzo and other Italian provinces. In 1909, the Irish connection was made with the opening of the school in Drisdane, County Cork. Between 1936 and 1946, foundations were established in China, followed by the United States (1950), Peru (1967), Cameroon (1968), Australia (1969) and Nigeria (1983) (Kong et al. 1994: 28).

Holy Infant Jesus: Father Barré and Education for the Poor

(MiniEssay)

The Holy Infant Jesus order has its roots in seventeenth-century France. At a time when education was sorely needed, particularly for the 'poor, adult sinners and ignorant children' (Tercentenary 1962: 10–11), Father Nicholas Barré, a Minim, embarked on his vision to 'raise by means of Christian education the moral standards of these forgotten creatures in Rouen'. In 1662, with the help and support of various friends, Father Barré opened the first 'Charitable School' at Sotteville-les-Rouen in northern France. Following its success, several other new schools were opened in and around Rouen (Tercentenary 1962: 12–13).

Father Barré knew that there had to be 'some kind of spiritual bond among the sisters' if they were to sustain the difficult work. He 'had a strong desire to unite them in a community', which they readily agreed to, despite the difficulties of life envisaged. Soeur Lestocq, one of the sisters, wrote:

No sooner said then done, we formed a community straight away, with Mme du Buc, a very virtuous young woman, as our superior. We kept strict silence, practised prayerful recollection, and anticipated one another's wants, in humility and sweetness. As a result, membership increased more and more, and the schools by the abundant grace of God, continued to multiply (Tercentenary 1962: 15).

This newly instituted religious congregation was known as Les Soeurs Maitresses des Ecoles Charitables du Saint-Enfant Jesus (Mistresses of the Charitable Schools of the Holy Infant Jesus). Over time, it came to be known as the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus. The institute of the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus is 'one of the many congregations of the Catholic Church whose members have banded themselves together in an endeavour to train children in the art of living a full life here in this world' (Tercentenary 1962: 37).