We are deeply saddened by the passing of our Honorary Member and Advisor, Dr Lau Wai Har, on 29 April 2020.
Dr Lau was an esteemed alumna of NYGH, and one of the founding members of the NSAA. After the second world war in 1945, Dr Lau and her schoolmates were determined to restore the school. They formed the Alumni Association, with Dr Lau as Vice President. Despite major disruption to transportation and communication routes, they successfully located then Principal Mdm Liew Yuen Sian and the teachers, and allowed classes to resume quickly.
The Alumni Association devoted itself tirelessly towards the restoration and development of the Nanyang Schools, and Dr Lau was at the forefront of fundraising efforts for that cause. After alumni associations were dissolved by the colonial government in 1952, there was no formal alumni association to coordinate efforts of the Nanyang alumni for 30 years. However, Dr Lau and the alumni continued with their fundraising efforts and further expanded the school. With their unwavering support, Nanyang continued to make progress during this period.
Recognising that support from the alumni was key to the schools’ development, the NSAA was officially re-established in 1984. As one of the founding members who led the re-establishment, Dr Lau resumed her position as Vice President. In addition to massive fundraising efforts, she was also deeply concerned for the welfare of members of the Nanyang Family. She actively participated in NSAA and school events, and often gave invaluable advice to the committee and encouragement to the students.
She was a staunch advocate of the study of mother tongue, and as the head of the curriculum team working on Confucian Ethics in NIE, was also focussed on moral education. These complemented Nanyang’s emphasis on fostering bilingualism and sound values in students. Her contribution in these areas helped to shape Nanyang’s unique education approach towards cultivating effectively bilingual students with a strong moral compass.
Dr Lau’s relentless efforts laid the foundation which the NSAA build upon: to unite the alumni, give back to our alma mater and develop the schools of Nanyang.
The NSAA is deeply appreciative of Dr Lau’s selfless dedication to Nanyang for over 70 years. Her tenacity and strength in the face of adversity is an inspiration, and she will always be held in the highest regard as a strong and loving role model.
Peh Hwee Choo
Nanyang Schools Alumni Association Committee Member
悼念敬爱的校友刘蕙霞博士
亲爱的校友们，我们尊敬爱戴的校友刘蕙霞博士于4月29日与世长辞了，享年95岁。我们怀着万分悲痛的心情缅怀与回溯刘蕙霞学姐对母校，南洋校友会和社会做出的许多付出和贡献。
刘蕙霞学姐于1937-1941年就读于南洋女中，经历了第二次世界大战，1945年8月15日日本投降后，她时刻心系母校，敢于实践行动，巾帼不让须眉，挺身而出勇敢果断，发起团结校友并领导其他南中校友积极筹备南洋的复校工作。1945年10月7日刘蕙霞学姐经历了各种艰辛历程，她带领四五个同学谢金珠、黄灼人等人筹组校友会，积极四处奔走筹款为支持母校复校，筹得最多的捐款；但校友会只维持了七年，因为当时政治动乱，只好宣告解散校友会；但南中校友仍以群组的热忱丶坚韧不拔的决心和坚持的力量为母校进行筹建。
1984年3月21日校友会第二次成立，刘蕙霞学姐是主要的筹委，是1984年至1987年校友会的副会长。刘蕙霞学姐常常给予我们许多宝贵的意见，踊跃参与母校的许多活动，关爱与鼓励学妹们，提倡提升母语和道德教育，熏陶南洋文化体现出德丶智丶体丶群丶美的素养。不同届的校友会成员都曾去探访刘蕙霞学姐，听她叙述当年的许多时代变迁，鲜为人知的南洋历史，让后辈的我们受益良多，珍惜当下。
刘蕙霞学姐精通双语，在英国深造回国后在前教育学院任职，从讲师到院长，凭着丰富的知识，储备和扎实的实践，以满腔热血投身教育事业。为教育事业奉献了40多年，对提升华文和道德教育付出了许多心血研究，推动与落实许多重要的改革项目，是儒家倫理课程团队的领导者。一生致力于教育事业，退休后仍当义工热心为特别需要的儿童上课，为社会做出很多贡献，是优秀的学者也是资深的教育家。倍受各界社会人士的敬重与爱戴。
刘蕙霞博士知识渊博，培养了许多本地的华文人才，桃李滿天下！您像蜡烛，燃烧了自己也照亮了我们！在平凡中孕育着一份踏实的伟大。对您，我们感恩的话语，不是寥寥数笔能道尽，感恩的馨香会永远蕴藏在南洋儿女的心里，我们要学以致用，做个倍受社会尊重的人！您是南洋学子学习的南洋精神典范。我们永远怀念您！
林惠清校友
南洋中小幼校友会理事