St George's Girls' School

The St George's Girls' School, nowadays known as SMK (Perempuan) St George, is a school for girls founded by Anglican missionaries, similar to the Penang Free School. St George's Girls' School traces its history to informal classes conducted by Mrs Biggs, wife of Reverend L.C. Biggs, the Anglican missionary in Penang. At that time, classes were held at their home called "The Manse", located at Farquhar Street.

Mrs Biggs taught for a year before a formal school was established for girls. It was named after St George, the patron saint of English, whose name is often used throughout the British Empire for schools and churches established by Anglican missionaries. The first classes were held on 7 January 1885, and the school headmistress was Miss R.A. Shackleford.

In the early days of St George's Girls' Schools, the pupils mostly come from well-to-do families. They often come to class on trishaws, shielded from public view by a curtain, ferried right up to the school entrance. In those Victorian age, it was considered indecent for unmarried ladies - especially those of well-to-do families - to be seen in public.

In 1888, a bungalow was constructed next to the reverend's residence, and classes were relocated there. The building, now in a dilapidated state, is still standing, next to E&O Hotel. In 1909, the British government took over the running of the school, and renamed it Government Girls' School. In 1916, the government attempted to turn Government Girls' School into a co-educational school, but the idea was shortlived.

In 1920, the school was handed back to the Anglican church, at which time it reverted to its original name of St George's Girls' School. The school logo is a red crest of St George slaying a dragon. With further expansion and student intake, the school relocated to new premises along Northam Road (Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah). In 1954, it moved to its present located at Macalister Road, and the Northam Road school building was given over to the Northam Road Girls' School.

Among the alumni of St George's Girls' School include Tuanku Bainun, the former Raja Permaisuri Agung of Malaysia, and Faridah Marican, the entertainer.

Click here to read more about the former St. George's Girls' School building.