Not just because it was placed a rung or two (seemed like a fathomless mile or two) below VI-level, The Methodist Boys School (MBS), somewhat lost in the mud-stained foliage that covered the low-lying pit of a ground (where sixes and boundaries could be collected with minor flicks of the wrist) and the non-descript school-building in the shape of a dangling sprained-elbow, the MBS always, it seemed, aspired to vie with the VI, much like the vain though imitative efforts of the youngest in the family constellation trying to outshine and outdo the lonely but heroic eldest son. In terms of the Yijing constellation: Gen, the Mountain and youngest son, trying to usurp the powers of Zhen, the Thunder and eldest son, resounding in the plains during spring, after the yearly cycle awakens again in February. And since the VI in those post-war years stood regally head and shoulders above all its peers in the peninsular (it was secretly rumoured in a hush that the boys of the Penang Free School and the Raffles Institution on the island down under could rub shoulders with Victorians in the metropolis as "equals", but then, remember, this might have been a rumour or a mere fib quite probably put out by the boys from downhill themselves), it was hardly likely the VI would condescend to dispel any doubt about its rightful place in the hierarchy. |
Victorians belonged to the Premier School of the Federation, including those kicked out of the Fed., and we all knew it only too well! No need to remind Victorians from that period, WHO was first, WHO got nine As at the Overseas Cambridge School Certificate exams, and WHICH school topped the list with grade ones, WHO won all the state and inter-state matches (and by innings defeat, too, at that!), WHOSE headmaster`s science books schoolboys and girls up and down the peninsular poured over day and night, WHOSE boys filled the King Edward the VII College of Medicine, Raffles College, Technical College, Agricultural College, Normal Training Schools, including Kirkby in U.K., the Inns of Court School of Law, Cambridge, Oxford, et j`en passe les meilleurs! WHICH school from that era produced the greatest sportsmen, soldiers, generals, admirals, pilots, writers, poets, teachers and professors, scientists, lawyers, doctors, engineers, magistrates, civil servants, diplomats or politicians, all on a national level of course (so much so the island of Singapore itself had to rely on the overspill of talent from the school to man the young and foundering state); WHO had the honour of receiving the HMS Bell, and WHO the visit of the Secretary of State for the Colonies? Did someone say the Prince of Wales as well? Right-on, Man! In 1920! |
