Morrison
Description
One of the earliest names in the history of Raffles Institution is that of Dr. Robert Morrison, who was a well-known missionary to China and who may be regarded as the co-founder of our school. When Sir Stamford Raffles held the first meeting at his house on Government Hill on 1st April, 1823, to discuss the project of establishing Raffles Institution, Dr. Morrison was one of the speakers and read a long paper suggesting the removal of the Anglo-Chinese College from Malacca and its amalgamation with "The Institution" to be established in Singapore. He was one of the original Trustees of our school, and the subscription list showed that Sir Stamford Raffles contributed $2,000 and Dr. Morrison $1,200.
Sir Stamford Raffles had a very ambitious scheme for "The Institution" - it was to be the venue of higher learning. It was to have three departments:
a) A Scientific Department for the common disadvantage of the several colleges that may be established,
b) A Literary and Moral Department for the Chinese,
c) A Literary and Moral Department for the Siamese, Malays, etc.
Unfortunately, the scheme was never carried out, partly owing to the departure of Raffles from Singapore and partly owing to the unfavourable attitude of his successor, Mr Crawford. Thus, for more than a decade the property of "The Institution" remained unused for its original purpose - and eyesore to the public and a haunt of thieves. During the years before 1837 there were various projects for making use of the school property. It was proposed at first to convert it to a church. Later, it was decided to use it as a public library or a town hall.
These projects called forth a strong protest from Dr. Morrison who wrote from China,"I would rather, even it were a hundred years hence, have the land and the building reserved for the original purpose of native education than for the sake of any object consent to alienate it." It was not until 1836 that the Trustees began to show a more active interest in their trust. At meeting on 1st January, 1836, they resolved "that they will best perpetuate the remembrance of the eminent services rendered to this Settlement by this distinguished individual (Raffles), by endeavouring to complete the Institution founded by him for the purpose of education." At a subsequent meeting a letter from Dr. Morrison was read, in which he mentioned having collected in China $1,000 for the school and promised another $400 as soon as the school building was actually being used for education.
Sir Stamford Raffles had a very ambitious scheme for "The Institution" - it was to be the venue of higher learning. It was to have three departments:
a) A Scientific Department for the common disadvantage of the several colleges that may be established,
b) A Literary and Moral Department for the Chinese,
c) A Literary and Moral Department for the Siamese, Malays, etc.
Unfortunately, the scheme was never carried out, partly owing to the departure of Raffles from Singapore and partly owing to the unfavourable attitude of his successor, Mr Crawford. Thus, for more than a decade the property of "The Institution" remained unused for its original purpose - and eyesore to the public and a haunt of thieves. During the years before 1837 there were various projects for making use of the school property. It was proposed at first to convert it to a church. Later, it was decided to use it as a public library or a town hall.
These projects called forth a strong protest from Dr. Morrison who wrote from China,"I would rather, even it were a hundred years hence, have the land and the building reserved for the original purpose of native education than for the sake of any object consent to alienate it." It was not until 1836 that the Trustees began to show a more active interest in their trust. At meeting on 1st January, 1836, they resolved "that they will best perpetuate the remembrance of the eminent services rendered to this Settlement by this distinguished individual (Raffles), by endeavouring to complete the Institution founded by him for the purpose of education." At a subsequent meeting a letter from Dr. Morrison was read, in which he mentioned having collected in China $1,000 for the school and promised another $400 as soon as the school building was actually being used for education.
Teachers-in-Charge
| Name | Role | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Low Siew Hsien | House Mistress | shsien@ri.sch.edu.sg | 63549146 |
| Mrs. Kristie Tay-Chen | Assistant House Mistress | kristietay@ri.sch.edu.sg | 63549179 |