Published News

Browse news features and articles about Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School, from student achievements to school milestones, published across local media over the years.

Last updated 28 July 2026

2019

PL's SG Bicentennial Roadshow @ Istana

Straits Times front page article about Singapore's $20 commemorative note launch, with photos of the note and President Halimah Yacob.

(Source: The Sunday Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Permission required for reproduction)

Normal (Academic) students who took subjects at Express level found her feet

A newspaper article from The New Paper featuring a woman and a schoolgirl in uniform posing together in a library.

(Source: The New Paper © Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Reproduced with permission)

Mrs Koh Mei Chin, SBB Teacher, and Low Jie Ying, Sec 3.6 student, shared their journey in subject-based banding with the Straits Time reporter.

Streaming: The Past .... and the Future

A young girl in school uniform sits smiling in a library, surrounded by bookshelves, in a Sunday Times article.

(Source: The Sunday Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Reproduced with permission)

Low Jie Ying, a student from Sec 3.6, shared with the reporter from the Straits Times how subject-based banding gave her a boost of confidence.

Shaped by their institutions

(Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Reproduced with permission)

School's "couch potato" promotes better health habits

Straits Times newspaper article with schoolgirls in uniforms posing with a smiling potato mascot on grass.

(Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Reproduced with permission)

2017

Tech, the road less travelled by girls

(Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

PL Lites Breaking New Frontiers in Robotics!

The EZ Beacon is a publication which showcases the programmes and initiatives of schools in the East Zone (EZ). Through sharing the good stories and practices in EZ schools, we hope to deepen the culture of collaboration amongst schools, share the impact school experiences have on students, staff and stakeholders, and provide the public with developments in the school scene.

This volume captures good stories of how school promotes Joyful Learning. Read PL’s stories here:

新年做蛋卷，品尝传统味道

Students in school uniforms learn to make traditional egg rolls on a charcoal grill, guided by a teacher.

(Source: 联合早报 © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

Schooled in the way of old-school love letters

Straits Times article showing schoolgirls and adults making love letter snacks on a charcoal stove for Chinese New Year.

(Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

On 8 February 2017, our girls were given the opportunity to learn the traditional method (using coals) of making love letters at PL Secondary. We would like to thank all parents who laboured over the coals while guiding our girls in the love letters making process. We love the smell, the taste, the feel and the joy of celebrating CNY as a family.

2016

Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (PLMGS) Centennial Founder's Day Celebrations

For the newspaper articles on the school's Founder's Day Celebrations, please click the links below.

Straits Times
Lianhe Zaobao
Berita Harian

(Source: The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao & Berita Harian © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

This celebratory event was captured in an article which appears in the December issue of Methodist News (opens in new tab).
Please click here (opens in new tab) to read the article.

World Robot Games 2016

Newspaper education page with articles about girls from Paya Lebar Methodist Girls School winning a robotics competition.

(Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

The PL power team was blessed with the following awards at the World Robot Games 2016 in Bandung!

Search & Rescue Pro Category - 1 Gold Award
Search & Rescue Senior Category - 1 Gold Award & 1 Bronze Award
Sumo 5kg RC Junior Category - 1 Silver Award
Innovative Category - 1 Gold Award and 1 Bronze Award
Robots in Movie Category - 1 Silver Award
7 Performance Award
1 Spirit of WRG Award

Total Award 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze Award, 7 Performance Award and 1 Spirit of World Robot Games Award (Only given to Singapore)

Using Macro Lenses - Assessment in Student Leadership Development (SLD)

PL is honoured that we have been given the opportunity to share the following article published on the Student Leadership Development (SLD) Programme E-Buzz Issue 8 in Sept 2016. This is a monthly online publication by Student Development Curriculum Division, MOE for schools to share best practices in the area of Student Leadership.

SLD E-Buzz _Issue 8_Sept 2016 (Featuring Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)).pdf (opens in new tab)

Authentic Learning Through Astronomy

Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) has been conducting astronomy observations as part of its Science enrichment programmes since 2009. The solar eclipse on 9 March 2016 provided the school with an excellent opportunity to further use astronomy observations for learning. Please click the article above to read on how PLMGS (Sec) shares its expertise and resources to increase engagement in the Science classroom.

Carrying Forward a Compelling Legacy

(Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School is celebrating its centennial in 2016. As the school turns 100, The Straits Times looks at at its past, present and future.

非主流课外活动也为学习添姿彩

A Chinese newspaper page with photos of students cooking, playing tchoukball, performing Chinese opera, and playing harp.

与乐龄人士同欢共乐

Students in red uniforms hand a striped gift bag to an elderly man wearing glasses at a community event.

PL celebrates 100 years of God's blessings

Magazine article titled "PLMGS celebrates 100 years of God's blessings" with text columns and small photos.

This article was first published in the March 2016 issue of Methodist Message, the official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Used with permission.)

Published in the March edition of Methodist Message, the article spells out the ethos of Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (PLMGS). The article also gives a list of events organised by PLMGS to celebrate the school's 100th anniversary.

Relating Literature to Life

ELIS on 6 generations.pdf (opens in new tab)

n an article published by the English Language Institute of Singapore, Mrs Kamala Cumar, who retired from PLMGS (Sec) in 2016, recounted how she was inspired to become interested in English Literature by Mrs Judy Wong, another long serving teacher of PLMGS (Sec).

Using sounds to create visual images

Chinese newspaper page featuring a UFM100.3 radio drama workshop with students and instructors gathered around tables.

(Source: 大拇指 © Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Reproduced with permission)

On 11 March 2016, the deejays from UFM100.3 and Ms Su Jun Ying, a well-known playwright, visited PL to conduct a workshop on script-writing for Chinese radio drama for 100 students.

Our Journey in Paya Lebar Methodist Girl’s School

Banner for 2015 Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors Award featuring molecular spheres and bilingual text.

Please click here (opens in new tab) to read the article.

PL Leads Learning during the Solar Eclipse

Students and teachers gather around a large telescope outdoors, with some wearing solar glasses to view an eclipse.

938 Live

https://www.facebook.com/Official938LIVE/videos/1118422991547644/?fref=nf (opens in new tab)

CNA

https://www.facebook.com/PLMGSAlumni/videos/968746746547991/ (opens in new tab)

ST live

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TC_3eAwniMw (opens in new tab)

2015

In their own words: JC vs Poly

Reach Out with L.O.V.E. - A Heart for Service

Magazine page titled Reach Out With L.O.V.E. showing students helping elderly and distributing food in the community.

The EZ Beacon is a publication for all East Zone schools. The 2015 edition featured an article written by Ms Gan Lay Leng, Year Head (Lower Secondary) and Mrs Low Hwee Hwee, HOD (Character and Citizenship Education). The article is entitled "Reach Out with L.O.V.E. - A Heart for Service".

Setting the Record Straight

A young girl in red and white leaps over a hurdle on a track while a man watches nearby.

Our alumna, Ms Eliza Ng (Class of 2005) was featured in the NIE News (March 2015). Please click here (opens in new tab) for the article.

2014

My N-Level Inspiration is ....

Newspaper page with N-level exam results statistics, student stories, and portrait photos of students and teachers.

(Source: The New Paper © Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Reproduced with permission)

A bus chaser and winner

Newspaper sports page showing a young female runner crossing the finish line at a school cross-country championship.

(Source: The New Paper © Singapore Press Holdings Limited, Reproduced with permission)

On 22 May 2014, Natalie Soh (Sec 4A1) was featured in the New Paper. In the newspaper report, Natalie shared how she set realistic targets and raised them subsequently to reach new heights in her journey as a long distance runner.

An act of appreciation from Keely New who demonstrates the PL G.R.A.C.E. values

Chinese newspaper page featuring a smiling young woman sitting among students, with Chinese text and article photos.

(Source: 联合晚报 © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

On 4 March 2014, the Lianhe Wanbao carried a report on an anonymous Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) student who gave teachers and students a treat at the canteen drinks stall accompanied by 32 handwritten notes in November 2013. She was an alumni PL-Lite, Miss Keely New (Sec 4A1, Class of 2011). The report noted comments from Principal ofNYJC who said he had wanted to reveal the girl’s name when the A Levels results were distributed yesterday. However, he kept it as a secret to surprise his staff and students. The Principal of NYJC also said he would share this through the school’s official Facebook page as there were still many who were unaware of the girl’s identity. Keely was well-liked by both teachers and her peers in school and was awarded the Edusave Character Award in August 2013.

Nail problems without hammering people

Elderly Asian man with glasses wearing a gray blazer, smiling broadly while seated indoors.

Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

Mr Lim Siong Guan studied in PL when we had boys attending the school in the afternoon. In his book, he mentioned his mother, Mrs Mary Lim, who was a teacher in our school. His two sisters, Doreen and Violet, studied in PL too and Violet later also taught in PL.

Please click here (opens in new tab) for the newspaper article about Mr Lim and his new book.

2013

Undaunted by disability

Newspaper article from The Straits Times featuring lawyer Chia Yong Yong in a wheelchair at Raffles Place.

(Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

The school congratulates Ms Chia Yong Yong (PL Alumni, 1969-1978) on her appointment as Nominated Member of Parliament in September 2014. The first physically disabled parliamentarian in Singapore, Ms Chia will serve a two and a half year term.

In an interview with the Straits Times, she recounted her days as a student in PLMGS.

She started tripping and falling in kindergarten, but was diagnosed with peroneal muscular atrophy only at 15. As her muscle tissue progressively weakened, she used crutches, then a wheelchair. She has not been able to stand for more than 20 years and her hands have grown limp and curled as well.

Her alma mater, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School, worked around her mobility issues - yet treated her as normally as possible. Her former secondary school principal, Mrs Winnie Tan, gave her ground-floor classrooms.

Friends helped her to the laboratory and chapel on the second floor, exemplifying the school's ethos as a "household of love and faith", Mrs Tan says.

Ms Chia says: "If I was too talkative, I would be made to stand up. The teachers didn't treat me differently."

She is a lawyer at Yusarn Audrey Law Firm and she has been President of the Society for the Physically Disabled since 2008.

In 2011, she was awarded the President’s Social Service Award, by the President of the Republic of Singapore for voluntary contributions made to the social service sector.

In 2013, she was awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM) in the National Day Awards in recognition of her exemplary service rendered to Singapore.

Alumni PL-Lite wins Photography Award

The Straits Times recently featured a winner in the 4th annual Icon de Martell Cordon Bleu 2013. This photography award recognises Singapore’s outstanding photographers based on a body of work. We are proud of Sarah Choo Jing (Sec 4B2, Class of 2006) for winning the top prize.

Newspaper article titled "Surprise winner for richest photo award" featuring a woman lying on debris and a portrait of Sarah Choo.

Newspaper article titled "Do these photographs deserve top prize?" featuring a photo of a woman and artistic photography.

(Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission)

SSO on Campus

Three students in dark uniforms with yellow ties smile while holding brochures near an SSO Campus event poster.

Rhapssody is a quarterly Community Outreach Newsletter published by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. In the Sep-Dec 2013 issue, there was article on SSO on Campus which featured PLMGS (Sec). Below is an excerpt of the article.

Each school was actively involved in every stage of the process, from preparations to publicity to execution of the concert proper, and distributing concert flyers both internally and externally, promoting the concert during school assemblies and deploying student ushers to assist the SSO with audience management. They see this partnership as beneficial to both the community and the school.

As Mr Ng Eng Kee, Aesthetics Subject Head of PLMGS (S) shares: "One of the school's strategic thrusts is Partnership, and the collaboration between the SSO and PLMGS (S) is a recognition of our school's effort in arts education. The outreach concert makes the school more accessible to the community and helps to raise public awareness of the school and its strength and focus on the arts. It provides an opportunity for the community to witness and appreciate high quality music making in the heartland of Lorong AhSoo and close to their home.

The concert might be the first time some of the pupils are exposed to classical symphonic music. For those pupils with some exposure to orchestral concerts, the campus performances provide an added avenue through which the professional musicians inspire them."

Please click here (opens in new tab) for the full article.

Alumni PL-Lites living out the school values

Recently, the local newspapers featured our alumni PL-Lites in their coverage of news. They are shining examples of women whose actions in life reflect the spirit of G.R.A.C.E. (our school values).

Uniquely yours - from $79

Seetal Kaur Randhawa (Sec 4A1, Class of 2004) set up 'The Shoemaker's Elf' to plug what she saw as a gap in the market. The article describes how she overcame the challenges in setting up and operating the business.

Smiling woman holding a red shoe mold surrounded by colorful heels, above a newspaper article about custom shoes.

Bonding across the generational divide

Sarah Wan and Regina Koh (both from Sec 4A3, Class of 2006) and two others created a campaign called 'The Silver Yarn Project', a youth movement aimed at getting young people to communicate with their seniors. According to the newspaper article, 'The Silver Yarn Project' has reached out to more than 200 000 people. In January 2013, the group launched '#SilverYarn Instagram Contest', where youths submitted photos of their grandparents and their stories of days gone by.

A teenage girl in a red uniform holds a badminton racket, featured in a Straits Times article titled "Citra Sets Sights on Olympics."

Newspaper page titled "Literature festival books record turnout" with text columns and a classroom photo of students.

Five students pose in front of the Universal Studios globe in Singapore, with text about a student exchange experience below.

Extracted from from the Newsletter, Vol. 2, Page 9, published by Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School.