In the 1930s, many people thought that it was unimportant for girls to go to school.   The few girls who attended school often feared that they would never catch up.  The following diary entries may be written by one of these girls who studied at Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS)during that time.

I am ten years and ten months old. I am in Standard three and I study at  Singapore Chinese Girls' School.  I study many things in school like Arithmetic, Geography, History, Grammar and Needlework.  I enjoy going to school as I can make new friends and play games.

Dear diary,

                   Report cards again.   Mama was infuriated with me because I was untidy in appearance.  My general tidiness was only graded as 'fairly good'.   Mama expected me to have perfect tidiness at all times as I was a girl.

Papa tried to pacify Mama by saying that I took after him.  She rebuked him by saying, "Are you going to say that to her future father and mother-in-law when she comes complaining  about our daughter's untidiness? "Papa looked at me and I had to promise to be neat and tidy at all times.