It makes you wonder which present and past students they asked (the ones from Chinese High, maybe?):
"Present and past students said they liked the fact that the Chinese name of Chinese High, Hua Qiao Zhong Xue, had been retained."
Sheesh.
From the ST Aug 1 2004 Sunday:
Welcome to Hwa Chong Institution
By Arlina Arshad
WHEN Hwa Chong Junior College (HCJC) and the Chinese High School merge in January next year to provide a seamless six-year integrated programme, the new school will be called Hwa Chong Institution.
Its Chinese name is Hua Qiao Zhong Xue.
The Education Ministry has accepted the name, said the chairman of the Hwa Chong board of directors and board of governors, Mr Peter Yeo.
At the HCJC Homecoming Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton yesterday, he explained how the name was chosen: Firstly, the name and identity had to be forward-looking and capture the Hwa Chong and Chinese High brand.
Secondly, the culture and uniqueness of the two schools had to be preserved. And thirdly, the sentiments of the alumni and each school's stakeholders had to be considered.
'The name reflects the collective decision of the two communities,' said Mr Yeo.
The President and Mrs S R Nathan, Acting Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam and 21 of the institution's 44 President's Scholars were at the event last night.
Present and past students said they liked the fact that the Chinese name of Chinese High, Hua Qiao Zhong Xue, had been retained.
Mrs Loke-Yeo Teck Yong, 37, the principal of Tanjong Katong Girls' School and a former President's Scholar, said: 'It's not so much a change in name but an event to signify excellence and working together to provide good-quality education.
'Sure, time is needed in building a new brand name but I can see the good work the school has done.'
