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.
The Girls’ Brigade Singapore (GBS) is one of the oldest Uniformed Youth Organisations endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Singapore to run a co-curricular activity for Girls in schools. We are a values-driven uniformed group that teaches Girls to lead and serve by example – to put others before self. In the Girls’ Brigade, ‘Servant Leadership’ changes every Girl as she changes the world around her.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Being Rooted in Heritage
Becoming Resilient Individuals
Blossoming as Servant Leaders
Girls’ Brigade Day
Girls’ Brigade Day commemorates the founding of The Girls’ Brigade Singapore. On every 3rd Monday of July, Girls will don their full uniform and present themselves as a Company on parade at their school assembly. During the ceremony, a message from the Brigade President will also 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 assigned Officers to run it. Every Company provides a nurturing environment through which the GB programme and method are administered.
Ms Sharon Liat President 26 March 2022 (Member since 2020) Vice Principal, Ministry of Education Past Appointments: President, 28 Mar 2020 | Ms Joann Gor Vice President 26 March 2022 (Member since 2018) Director, Biohealth Link Pte Ltd Past Appointments: Asst Treasurer, 24 Mar 2018 Vice President, 28 Mar 2020 | Ms Juliet Ang Treasurer 21 March 2024 Homemaker, 15 years of prior experience in the financial sector. Past Appointments: Ordinary Board Member, 26 March 2022 | Dr Sandra Tan Secretary 26 March 2022 (Member since 2020) Company Chaplain, The Girls' Brigade 45th Singapore Company Past Appointments: Secretary, 28 Mar 2020 | Ms Heng Ci Pei Assistant Secretary 26 March 2022 Subject Head, Ministry of Education |
Ms Cheryl Lim Ordinary Board Member 26 March 2022 (Member since 2020) Executive Director, Deloitte Singapore Past Appointments: Audit Committee Chairperson, 28 Mar 2020 | Eunice Yao Ordinary Board Member 21 March 2024 Partner, Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP | Christopher Chow Ordinary Board Member 21 March 2024 Director, Sleep Works Pte Ltd | | |
Selection & Evaluation of Board Members
Board members are selected biannually by a Nominations Committee and elected according to our Constitution. Board Members do not receive any remuneration for their involvement. No Board member holds a staff appointment. The Executive Director is an ex-officio member who has the right to attend all Board and Committee meetings but does not vote on the Board’s decisions.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 Senior Manager, Programmes | Mr Eugene Heng Senior Executive, Corporate Services |
Ms Lily Chu Manager, Volunteers Training & Development | Mr Alex Poh Senior Manager, Corporate Services | Ms Ferlysia Chong Supervisor, Shop | Ms Ruth Lim Senior Executive, Corporate Communications | Ms Catherine Ong Project Lead, Community Development |
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.Process for setting renumeration
The Girls’ Brigade Singapore is governed by its Board. Members of the Board are volunteers and do not receive any remuneration for their contribution, except for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. No staff member, including the Executive Director, sets or decides on matters of salary. Staff salaries are set to the standards within our means. Our staff management committee approves the salaries of all staff, including key personnel.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.
We believe in placing Girls in situations that enable them to exercise leadership skills, under the watchful guidance of our Officers.
We employ trained and dedicated volunteers to deliver the GB programmes while providing support to educators and families.
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.