The Convent Light Street established in 1852 is the oldest girls school in South East Asia. It was founded by French sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus mission.
From 1786 to 1852 the site was used as offices and as a residence of the British Governor originally established by Francis Light. He built a grand house and dug the island’s first well in the grounds which can still be seen today.
After the sisters acquired the land in the 1850s they expanded the area adding dormitories, kitchens, administrative buildings, classrooms etc and developed the site into a girls school.
Recently, in the last few years, the school has ceased to enrol new female students and according to local press reports the future of Convent Light Street is under consideration by the authorities. The creation of a new private, international school has been proposed. A decline in new pupils it’s argued was due to the movement of many families to the suburbs. In April, 2022, girls from the school were transferred to the nearby St. Xavier’s Institution which up to then was a boys only school thus becoming for the first time in its 170 year history a co-educational school.
The school crest and motto contains a number of elements and is used in several of the convent schools in Malaysia which were established by the French missionary organisation. Book right corner – represents the gospels; Spindle and distaff left corner – symbols of dignity in womanly labour; Red shield – represents the all embracing message of love; Marguerites flowers – are symbols of purity and simplicity;.
“Simple in Virtue” means the cultivation of personal honesty and treating others with respect, openess and sincerity.
“Steadfast in Duty” means the strength of character and fortitude necessary to overcome difficulties and to complete ones tasks and duties in service.
Malaysia 1786 - 1957 