Uniform & Identity
Uniform is a great way to instil a sense of identity and belonging. As such, Girls are required to wear the brigade uniform for official ceremonies and drill displays.
Who We Are
The Girls’ Brigade Singapore (GBS) is one of the oldest Uniformed Youth Organisation endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Singapore to run a co-curricular activity for Girls in schools. We are a value-driven uniform group that teaches Girls to lead and serve by example – to put others before self. In the Girls’ Brigade, ‘Servant Leadership’ changes the leader in every Girl as she changes the world.
Our Objective
The objective of The Brigade is to develop each Girl and Officer to her fullest potential by Equipping, Empowering and Enabling every Girl to be a leader, and every Officer a servant leader.
Our Strategy
Within the next three years, GBS aims to enhance our organisational culture, build the competency of our staff and volunteers, and contribute greater value to the community. To view our in-depth strategy, please click here.
Our Founder
Mrs Elsie Lyne nee Duncan was born in 1892. At the age of fifteen, she joined the Girls’ Life Brigade in Durham, England and rose through the ranks quickly to become an Officer. She arrived in Singapore in 1927 and taught English at the Methodist Girls’ school. Ignited by her passion for the Girls’ Life Brigade, Mrs Elsie Lyne decided to create Singapore’s first GB Company at the Methodist Girls’ School.
Over the years, Mrs Lyne built up a nucleus of dedicated young leaders who assisted in starting more Companies. Not long after, the 2nd Singapore Company at Geylang Methodist Girls’ School was formed followed by Fairfield Methodist Girls’ School, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School and then Kuo Chuan Girls’ School. She ensured that each Company was functioning well before moving on to open the next one. By the start of World War II, there were already five flourishing companies with hundreds of Girls, serving and leading in The Girls’ Brigade.
History & Milestones
1893
THE GIRLS' BRIGADE
Founded in Dublin, Ireland
1900
THE GIRLS' GUILDRY
Founded in Scotland
1902
THE GIRLS' LIFE BRIGADE
Founded in England
1927
1st Singapore Company Formed
Mrs Elsie Lyne started the 1st Singapore Company of The Girls' Life Brigade (GLB) at the Methodist Girls' School.
1964
Amalgamation of 3 Organisations
The Girls’ Life Brigade, England, and the Girls’ Guidry, Scotland, amalgamated with the Girls’ Brigade Ireland, to form a united organisation, assuming the name of The Girls’ Brigade. Since that date, the Girls’ Life Brigade in Singapore came to be known as The Girls’ Brigade Singapore
1985
Registered as a Charity
The Girls’ Brigade Singapore was registered as a charity and obtained the recognition as an Institution of Public Character under Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Singapore.
2017
90th Celebration
The Girls’ Brigade Singapore celebrated its 90th Anniversary with the launch of GB aspirational Values accompanied by an Orchid – ‘Papilionanda The Girls’ Brigade Singapore’
Our Mission
Developing each Girl and Officer to her fullest potential by Equipping, Empowering and Enabling:
Every Girl a Leader,
Every Officer a Servant Leader.
OUR ASPIRATIONAL VALUES
Our Aspirational Values are accompanied by an orchid which was first unveiled at the 90th anniversary of Girls' Brigade Singapore's (GBS) founding. Named after The Girls' Brigade Singapore, this special breed of orchid is derived from the Papilionanda orchid family. Each segment of the flower represents characteristics that GBS aspires Girls to achieve.
Roots
Being Rooted in Heritage
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
Leaves
Becoming Resilient Individuals
- Gentleness
- Faithfulness
- Self-Control
Flowers
Blossoming as Servant Leaders
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
Girls’ Brigade Day
Girls’ Brigade Day commemorates the founding of The Girls’ Brigade Singapore. Every 3rd Monday of July, Girls will don their full uniform and present a march past at school assembly. During the ceremony, a message from the Brigade President will be delivered.
Brigade Companies
‘Companies’ are GB units operating in schools and institutions as a co-curricular activity. When a unit begins, it will be given a Company number and the Officers required for its work. Every Company provides the environment through which the GB programme and method is administered.
Our Organisation
Executive Board
|
Ms Sharon Liat President 28 March 2020 Vice Principal Ministry of Education |
Ms Joann Gor Vice President 28 March 2020 Director Biohealth Link Pte Ltd |
Ms Patricia Lam Treasurer 27 March 2021 Director Amgen Biotechnology Singapore Pte Ltd |
Ms Thio Lay Hoon Secretary 28 March 2020 Senior Manager Temasek Polytechnic |
Dr Sandra Tan Assistant Secretary 28 March 2020 Volunteer Lions Clubs International |
|
Ms Cheryl Lim Chairperson, Audit Committee 28 March 2020 Executive Director Deloitte |
Ms Yeo Geok Eng Chairperson, Finance Committee 27 March 2021 Director Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd. |
Mrs Jasmine Tan Chairperson, Primary Programme 28 March 2020 Assistant Year Head Ministry of Education |
Ms Judy Loke Chairperson, Secondary Programme 28 March 2020 Educational Assistant Canadian International School |
Ms Esther Mak Chairperson, Tertiary Programme 28 March 2020 Post Graduate Studies |
|
Mrs Petrina Koh Chairperson, Leadership Development 28 March 2020 Vice Principal Ministry of Education |
Ms Darlene John Board Member 28 March 2020 Educator Ministry of Education |
Board members are selected biannually by a Nominations Committee which consists of at least 5 members approved and appointed by the General Meeting. All Board members are recommended a list of training lessons to attend, given an orientation to GBS and provided a handbook that states their roles, responsibilities and the spirit with which they are to perform their duties. The Nominations Committee is responsible for selecting Board Members based on the final composition of the board which would fulfil the following: - Specific governance skillsets - Sector experience - Diversity e.g. age, organisational passion etc. Board Members are reappointed or renominated through the same process.
Brigade Office
The Girls' Brigade Singapore Headquarters provides administrative and programme support for all our companies. Its role is essential in ensuring the smooth functioning of GB in all schools.
|
Mr Glen Ong Executive Director |
Ms Shirley Chan Senior Manager (Admin & Finance) |
Ms Sylvia Teo Executive (Accounts) |
Ms Sandi Chua Manager (Programmes) |
Ms Deborah Seah Executive (Programmes) |
|
Ms Cherie Chia Executive (Corporate Communications) |
Mr Alex Poh Senior Manager (Corporate Services) |
Ms Cynthia Tan Supervisor (Facilities) |
Ms Ferlysia Chong Supervisor (Shop) |
Ms Ruth Lim Executive (Special Projects) |
Executive Director Biography
Glen has worked with non-profit organisations for more than 19 years before joining The Girls’ Brigade Singapore as its Executive Director in May 2019. Together with the board, he has facilitated the rebuilding of the Brigade’s structure, policies, and processes needed for it to sustain its impact and ready itself for the future. The Brigade has since pivoted its signature programmes and launched an annual nation-wide community service platform during the pandemic. An IT engineer by training with a Master of Arts in Inter-cultural studies, he has served and led on the boards of local and internationally affiliated faith-based organisations and enjoys the gruelling but necessary adventure of bringing structure, excellence, relevance, and a pioneering spirit to organisations who have an inherent passion for community transformation.
Our Method
Structure for Mentoring & Leadership
We believe in placing Girls in situations that enable them to exercise leadership skills, under the watchful guidance of our Officers.
Dedicated Volunteers
We employ trained and dedicated volunteers to deliver the GB programmes while providing support to educators and families.
Rewarding Achievement
We adopt a system of rewarding Girls with badges after the completion of each activity. This is intended to motivate our Girls to perform to the best of their abilities in everything they do.