Some parents had took the initiative to email me about their concerns so I will share my reply here so that parents with similar concerns may also consider my five cents' worth.


Q1: Facilities and teaching quality

The building Maris Stella is in is very rustic at about 40+ years old and has seen 2-3 renovations.

Facilities wise, the school may not possess the newest infrastructure akin to that of newly built neighbourhood schools, but it comprises of a comprehensive suite of facilities that neighbourhood schools may not have. For example, the school's software functions entirely on an Apple ecosystem with full wifi coverage school wide (to prepare students for the 21st Century digital economy). It also has a rock wall, air conditioned classrooms, a double levelled library, a tennis court, a professional video recording studio, a space observatory (located at its primary school section) and a soccer court.

The school also enjoys extensive relationships with the best schools in China such as in Xi'an and Shanghai as well as European countries like the UK and Germany. Some neighbourhood schools may offer similar programmes, but from what I understand having taught in these schools, they have thus far been able to tie up with schools from second tier and below cities, as top schools from first tier cities already forge exclusive ties with more endowed schools (in terms of resources). Maris Stella's partnership efforts can be traced back to as early as the 1980s with then principal Brother Anthony Tan spearheading overseas immersion programmes and Tioman scuba diving (Bro. Anthony being a certified diver himself).

The school also prides itself of an impressive alumni, in which your child would be part of should he join Maris Stella, with Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, former Senior Minister of State Lee Yi Shyan, Indonesian billionaire Dato Low Tuck Kwong on the slate, just to name a few. Should your child require a network the alumni is there to support his needs.

With regards to pedagogy and teaching staff, majority of the teaching faculty owns at least a Master's degree from NiE with some specially appointed senior teachers from CfBT (Centre for British Teachers) rotating their teaching involvement at Maris Stella. In the 70s and 80s, the school had gone the extended mile to headhunt for top teachers in the British Commonwealth such as the late English teacher Mr Ian Quayle from the UK and retired English HOD Mr Christopher Thodey. Many of the best teaching practices have been passed down to colleagues in the English department.

Many teachers such as Mr Paul Seah (Humanities), Mr Wu Yaoquan (Maths) and Mr Koh Yew Kiat (Maths) are old boys themselves who joined the faculty after NiE graduation.

While every school has its merits and demerits, I hope my sharing does help to shed some light on your understanding about Maris Stella.

Q2: How much of Catholicism is inculcated in the daily activities like assemblies and other school events?

Catholic values are embedded into the moral functioning of the school; even classes are named after apostles such as Francis and Ignatius. Pupils are required to witness the once a year Catholic mass event but are not required to attend any Catholic classes. There is a REM module whereby Catholic students will opt to attend Catholic classes at the chapel while majority of the non-Catholics will attend a civic moral lesson conducted by the form teacher.

There may be (and definitely used to be) priests living in the campus. But only one or two. They are very advanced in age, in their 70s and 80s. One of them is the former principal Brother Paul who was also a favourite, competent and dedicated chemistry teacher back in the 1970s and 80s.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected] should you require any advice or assistance pertaining to your son's education.

Ben is an adjunct lecturer and a MOE English and Chinese language and communications instructor developing English and Chinese tuition classes, language and communication programmes for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels (http://www.slcedu.sg). From time to time, he also teaches at various Primary and Secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions.

Hi, I wish you all the best in your son's application to Maris Stella High School (MSHS)! I'm an alumnus who had spent a good four years with my alma mater about a decade ago.


While MSHS is a SAP school, English is still the predominant language that will steer your son's academic journey toward pursuing his O levels. As of 2017, 80% of the Chinese department have taught in the same school for more than 5 years and 70% have taught for between 10 and 15 years. The school generally works very hard to push for results, providing supplementary and remedial classes for students who require additional assistance. In the situation whereby the student, during his final lap before entering Secondary 4, finds that Chinese may not be a subject strategic toward the final calculation of his L1R5 or L1B4 for JC and polytechnic admissions, there is always the option of taking Chinese B.

I do recommend you to have a good chat with the HOD Mdm Yuan Feng, level head Mr Li Yanhong or subject head Ms Florence Lim. The former two, who possess extremely high educational qualifications from China and Singapore, have been with the school for more than ten years and will be most qualified to offer you any advice.

In my honest opinion, MSHS is a very forward-looking institution. It is one of the first schools in Singapore to adopt the 21st Century classroom concept and certainly the first to adopt a full Macintosh operating system, as early as in 2001 by then HOD IT (current VP Ngee Ann Sec) Mr Paul Leong. Students at MSHS (known as 'Marists') are offered diverse opportunities to pick up instrumental infocomm skills such as video editing, coding and presentation design; and to develop sharp behavioural instincts for working in a future technology driven ecosystem. A decade down the road, today, our government is expanding its efforts on the same initiative nationwide with Skillsfuture policies and all.

MSHS also understands the importance of biculturalism. For some 20 years, the school has been forging extensive relationships with China. Every year, students are offered opportunities for exchange programmes such as to top schools in Xi'an and Beijing. Also, for about five years in a row, the Chinese department is also the proud organiser for the National Chinese Short Film Making Competition. It invites renowned filmmakers and industry leaders to grace the events and share valuable insights.

Personally, I benefitted a lot from MSHS particularly in the areas of bilingualism and communication. Most language teachers I knew seemed to hold a Master's degree and are extremely skilled and knowledgeable in teaching English and Chinese. That set my foundation for bilingualism. Also, opportunities for student presentation were (and still are today) plentiful, some mandatory and some voluntary. Many Marist graduates come out to the society as confident and successful communicators. Having a professional background in multimedia journalism, today I am an adjunct lecturer and a MOE instructor developing English and Chinese tuition classes, language and communication programmes for Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels (http://www.slcedu.sg). From time to time, I also teach at various Primary and Secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions.

All in all, what your son can benefit from a Marist experience really sets beyond purely academics. MSHS offers a holistic learning experience and a strong community (network) that will equip him strong for life.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected] should you require any advice or assistance pertaining to your son's education.