{{Short description|Government-aided schools in Singapore}} {{Use British English|date=January 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox school | name = Fairfield Methodist School(s) | image = Fairfield Methodist Schools logo.png | image_size = 200px | motto = Pure and Honest | location = 100 & 102 Dover Road, Singapore 139648 | coordinates = {{Coord|1|18|0.511|N|103|47|6.785|E|display=inline,title}} | type = Government-Aided (Both); Autonomous (Sec only) | religious_affiliation = Methodist | established = 4 August 1888 | session = Single (Day) | principal = Mrs Soh Mei Foong (Primary); Mr Wee Tat Chuen (Secondary) | age_range = 6 to 12; 12 to 16 | enrolment = Approx. 1,500 (Primary); Approx. 2,000 (Secondary) | colours = {{Color box|blue|Blue|white}} {{Color box|yellow|Yellow|black}} | affiliations = Anglo-Chinese Junior College | song = | school_code = 5020; 7309 | website = {{URL|https://www.fairfieldmethodistsec.moe.edu.sg}} }}

thumb|The old Fairfield Methodist Girls' School Building '''Fairfield Methodist School (Primary)''' and '''Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary)''' are two schools located on Dover Road, Singapore. Founded in 1888 as the '''Telok Ayer Girls School''',<ref name="Infopedia-SophiaBlackmore">{{Cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1339_2008-10-10.html|title=Sophia Blackmore {{!}} Infopedia|last=Singapore|first=National Library Board|website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg|access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.swhf.sg/the-inductees/16-education/135-sophia-blackmore|title=SINGAPORE WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME – Sophia Blackmore|last=SWHF|website=swhf.sg|access-date=5 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911131155/http://www.swhf.sg/the-inductees/16-education/135-sophia-blackmore|archive-date=11 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> they are among the oldest primary and secondary schools in Singapore. Their current premises are at the neighbourhood of Dover in Queenstown, Central Singapore.

== History == === Background === In 1886, Reverend William F. Oldham, the first Methodist missionary in Singapore, appealed to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States to set up a girls' school in Singapore.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-01-06 |title=Treats from the Fairfield story |url=http://www.methodistmessage.com/dec2005/bkrev.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106015059/http://www.methodistmessage.com/dec2005/bkrev.html |archive-date=6 January 2009 |access-date=2023-03-08}}</ref>

Sophia Blackmore, a 32-year-old Australian missionary from the society,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1339_2008-10-10.html|title=Sophia Blackmore {{!}} Infopedia|last=Singapore|first=National Library Board|website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> had just established her first school in Singapore. Meanwhile, several influential Chinese families were persuading her to teach their daughters.<ref name="talking">{{cite news|first=Ban Huat|last=Tan|title=Street talking: Tan Keong Saik|newspaper=The Straits Times|location=Singapore|page=6|date=3 January 1978}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The Late Mr. Tan Keong Saik|newspaper=The Straits Times|location=Singapore|page=7|date=6 October 1909}}</ref> A widow later offered Blackmore her home along Cross Street for teaching.<ref name="Infopedia-SophiaBlackmore" />

In August 1888, the '''Telok Ayer Girls School''' was established with eight Peranakan girls attending it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/printheritage/image.aspx?id=972f43e4-5f81-4ff1-86d4-e29882151ed5|title=Portrait of Miss Sophia Blackmore, founder of Methodist Mission Girls' School – BookSG – National Library Board, Singapore|website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg|access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref>

=== Founding === '''Fairfield''' was established in August 1888 by Blackmore. Her mandate in 1888 was to start a girls' school in Singapore in an enclave called Telok Ayer. She finally managed to start a class for eight Nonya girls in a little room at Cross Street. During that time, education for girls was definitely not favoured by the early traditional Chinese immigrants, even among the liberal-thinking Baba merchants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bschool.nus.edu.sg/Portals/0/images/ACSEP/Publications/P-WP2.pdf|title=Philanthropy in Transition: An Exploratory Study of Asian Women and Philanthropy in Singapore, 1900–1945}}</ref> Blackmore then started going house to house, trying to persuade families to enroll their girls in her school. However, little by little, they suspected that she was a government spy sent to catch them secretly gambling at cards. They had started to pass the word that the young missionary lady was in fact a 'mati-mati' agent who was helping the British government enforce its new law against gambling.

Blackmore's habit of asking for the women's names and writing them down in her notebook seemed to have alarmed the women. This was actually done as a record of who she visited, but still, the parents were suspicious of her. In spite of the differences and even suspicion from parents, Blackmore persevered in her vision for a girls' school, and found that the parents were starting to welcome her more cordially, and would even invite her to sit down and chat over a cup of tea. They started to become more receptive to the idea that it would be good for their daughters to get a little education.

On 4 August 1888, Blackmore finally managed to get her first pupil. She recalled, <blockquote>How pleased we were when one little girl, hearing of the school, clapped her hands and begged her mother to let her attend. She had been nicknamed 'Ganondorf', which means bald, because her head had been shaved during sickness. Not much knowledge entered that little bald head, but her own willingness to come to school helped others to decide.</blockquote>After Ganondorf's mother agreed to send her daughter to school, a few other mothers followed her lead. Altogether, seven more pupils were signed on. Soon, she managed to rent out the front room of Nonya Boon, a rich widow's front room. The '''Telok Ayer Girls School''' was finally founded.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Singapore: A Biography|last1=Frost|first1=Mark Ravinder|last2=Balasingamchow|first2=Yu-Mei}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.singaporebiography.com/2009/10/book-preview-education-of-singapore.html|title=Book preview: The education of Singapore girls|website=singaporebiography.com|access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref>

===Early years===

In 1893, the new principal, Emma Ferris,<ref>{{Cite book|title=From Mission to Church: The Evolution of the Methodist Church in Singapore and Malaysia, 1885–1976}}</ref> found that the furniture had been removed because the landlady had decided to rent the room out to someone else to be used as a shop. She managed to find a new site for the school in a corner house along Telok Ayer Road. By then, the school had 30 students.

In 1910, principal Mary Olson, realised that she required more space in the building and tried to raise funds for a new building. The biggest donation (US$5,000) came from a James Fairfield from New England (patron of New England Branch of Women's Foreign Missionary Society or "WFMS").<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/tag/fairfield-methodist-girls-school/|title=Fairfield Methodist Girls' School {{!}} The Long and Winding Road|website=thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com|access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=From mission to church : the evolution of the Methodist Church in Singapore and Malaysia, 1885–1976|last=Earnest.|first=Lau|date=2008|publisher=Genesis Books|isbn=9789814222426|location=Singapore|pages=98–99|oclc=228041073}}</ref> This allowed the school to construct a new school building on a site provided by the government at Neil Road. The school moved from Telok Ayer into the new premises on Neil Road in 1912,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neil Road {{!}} Infopedia |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_309_2004-12-16.html |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}}</ref> and was promoted to a 'first-rate school' by the British Government. The relocated school was renamed '''Fairfield Girls' School.'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://roots.sg/Content/Places/landmarks/heritage-schools-trail/former-fairfield-girls-school|title=Former Fairfield Girls' School|website=roots.sg|access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.methodist.org.sg/images/Methodist_School_Brochure_Oct_2012.pdf|title=Methodist School Brochure (October 2012)}}</ref> By 1917, the growth of the school had forced a hundred Fairfield girls to study in a dark shophouse. In response to this, a new block extension was completed, consisting of six classrooms and a chapel hall in 1924.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ura.gov.sg/uol/conservation/conservation-xml.aspx?id=BLP|title=CONSERVATION ABOUT BLAIR PLAIN (INCLUDES FORMER FAIRFIELD METHODIST GIRLS' SCHOOL)}}</ref>

During the Japanese occupation of Singapore, the school was shut down. It only reopened in 1945.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fairfieldmc.org/our-story/|title=Our Story – Fairfield Methodist Church 卫理公会花菲教堂|website=fairfieldmc.org|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> Between 1942 and 1944, the school building was taken over by the Japan Military Force.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline02/skyline02-01/text/skylineP4b.html|title=Skylinep4b|website=ura.gov.sg|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> After Olson, Lim Bock Kee became the first Asian Principal to lead Fairfield Girls’ School in 1946.

In 1958 the school was renamed to '''Fairfield Methodist Girls' School''' to commemorate its founding by the Methodist Mission.

=== On to Dover === thumb|FMS(P) Students, 2008

In 1983, the school moved to its current Dover campus to accommodate a larger population of students.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/101-year-old-fairfield-girls-building-gets-total-makeover|title=101-year-old Fairfield Girls' building gets total makeover|last=The Straits Times|newspaper=The Straits Times |date=1 November 2013|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> Concurrently, the school went co-educational, becoming the first Methodist School in Singapore to do so,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/details/www.fairfieldmethodistsec.moe.edu.sg.html|title=Fairfield Methodist Secondary School|website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg|access-date=7 September 2016}}</ref> and became two separate schools, '''Fairfield Methodist Primary School''' and '''Fairfield Methodist Secondary School''', each with its own administration, but still under the Fairfield Methodist School Board of Management. The schools also saw its first intake of boys as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/hkl19830804as.pdf|title=SPEECH BY MR HO KAH LEONG, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY (EDUCATION), AT FAIRFIELD METHODIST SECONDARY SCHOOL'S 95TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER AT THE SHANGRI-LA ISLAND BALLROOM ON THURSDAY, 4 AUGUST 1983 AT 8.00&nbsp;pm}}</ref> Both schools remain housed in the same campus and share common facilities.

==== Fairfield (Primary) ==== To highlight the common history, heritage and close relationship of the Fairfield Methodist Schools, the name of the school was changed from '''Fairfield Methodist Primary School''' to '''Fairfield Methodist School (Primary)''', effective from January 2009.

==== Fairfield (Secondary) ==== '''Fairfield Methodist Secondary School''' was granted autonomous status in 1996, for its academic and co-curricular achievements. Like its Primary counterpart, the school was renamed '''Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary)''' in January 2009.thumb|Fairfield Methodist School (Primary)

== Achievements == === Fairfield Secondary ===

In 1987, Fairfield Methodist Secondary set up its Pioneer batch of The Boys’ Choir, headed by Mrs Seet. There was no Girls’ Choir then.

87% of Sec 4 Express leavers were eligible for Junior College in 2007. The school achieved 76% distinctions in English Literature, compared with a national average of 37%, and 73% in Maths, compared with a national average of 55%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fairfieldsec.org/general/o_level_report.aspx |title='O' Level Report Card 2007. |access-date=14 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221185738/http://fairfieldsec.org/general/o_level_report.aspx |archive-date=21 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The number of pupils with 7 distinctions increased from 17 in 2010 to 27 in 2011. The number of pupils with 8 distinctions increased from 4 in 2010 to 11 in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairfieldmethodistsec.moe.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pagetree&func=view&rid=1138152|title=Results of the 2011 GCE O- Level Examinations|access-date=15 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409112511/http://www.fairfieldmethodistsec.moe.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=%2Fwbn%2Fpagetree&func=view&rid=1138152|archive-date=9 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> There were 6 pupils with 6 distinctions in 2019. The school's Symphonic Band won a Gold award in the 2008 National Band Competition. Also in 2008, the school won Gold with Honours in the National Chinese Short Play competition, and 2nd prize in the Drama of History competition. The school's Boys’ Brigade won Gold in the JM Fraser Award for Excellence.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fairfieldsec.org/general/achievement-byyear.aspx |title=FMSS achievements page. |access-date=14 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221185701/http://fairfieldsec.org/general/achievement-byyear.aspx |archive-date=21 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The school's choir won Gold in the SYF in 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Fairfield's English Drama won consecutive Gold with Honors in the years 2009 and 2011, for their performances of Hamlet and Over the Wall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairfieldmethodistsec.moe.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pagetree&func=view&rid=1104704|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121225063917/http://www.fairfieldmethodistsec.moe.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pagetree&func=view&rid=1104704|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 December 2012|title=English Drama|access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref>

In 2008 FMSS received a School Distinction Award from the Ministry of Education.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://app.sis.moe.gov.sg/schinfo/SIS_SearchDtls.asp?strCode=7309&snm=FAIRFIELD%20METHODIST%20SCHOOL%20(SECONDARY) |title=Ministry of Education, School Information Service. |access-date=14 April 2017 |archive-date=17 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217012639/http://app.sis.moe.gov.sg/schinfo/SIS_SearchDtls.asp?strCode=7309&snm=FAIRFIELD%20METHODIST%20SCHOOL%20(SECONDARY) |url-status=dead }}</ref> It has also been awarded the Best Practice Award (Teaching and Learning), the Outstanding Development Award (Character Development), and the Sustained Achievement Awards for Academic Value-Addedness, Uniformed Groups and Sports.<ref>[http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2008/08/01/speech-by-ms-grace-fu-at-the-f.php Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522144013/http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2008/08/01/speech-by-ms-grace-fu-at-the-f.php |date=22 May 2012 }}, at the FMSS 120th Founder's Day Service, 1 August 2008.</ref>

==Notable alumni== === Fairfield Primary === * Jamie Yeo: Celebrity * Kit Chan: Singer * Joshua Tan: Actor (Ah Boys to Men)

=== Fairfield Secondary === * Elim Chew: Entrepreneur; Founder, 77th Street street wear brand * Cher Ng: Co-founder, Zouk, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Founder, T.R.E.C, the largest entertainment zone in Malaysia * Selena Tan: Actress * Megan Zheng: Actress; First Singaporean to win a Golden Horse Award, the Chinese equivalent of the Oscars

==See also== * Methodist Girls' School, Singapore

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Further reading == *{{Cite book |last=Doraisamy |first=Theodore R. |title=Sophia Blackmore in Singapore : educational and missionary pioneer, 1887-1927 |date=1987 |publisher=General Conference, Women's Society of Christian Service, Methodist Church in Singapore |isbn=9971-84-748-5 |location=Singapore |oclc=17933393}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120522144013/http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2008/08/01/speech-by-ms-grace-fu-at-the-f.php Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development & Ministry of Education], at the FMSS 120th Founder's Day Service, 1 August 2008.

== External links == * {{Official website|https://fairfieldmethodistsec.moe.edu.sg/}}

Category:Dover, Singapore Category:Queenstown, Singapore Category:Primary schools in Singapore Category:Educational institutions established in 1983 Category:1983 establishments in Singapore Category:Methodist schools in Singapore Category:Secondary schools in Singapore Category:Swan & Maclaren Group