Mr P F Aroozoo, His Life and Work

Mr P. F Aroozoo was an Eurasian of Portugese descent. He was born on the 13th April 1900. From the age of 6 to 16, he studied in St Joseph's Institution and often gained double promotions - he completed two Standards in one year. He passed the Cambridge Local Examinations in 1916 and at the age of 17, he was qualified as a teacher. In 1918, he joined the Outram School which he stayed with them for over 20 years which after he left to be the Headmaster of Gan Eng Seng School in 1938.

In May 1941, some part of the building was declared unsafe and in July the building was condemned and the Public Works Department ordered immediate evacuation of the building. They eventually found accomodation in Sepoy Lines Malay School in Park Road and in Pearl's School. The war came and gone, Gan Eng Seng School was re-created, using the premises of the former Outram School in the afternoon session for a year.

Mr Aroozoo petitioned to the then Director of Education, Mr Frisby, his old friend, for the site and construction of the new school in Anson Road. He was successful and Sir Franklin Gimson, the Governor of Singapore declared the school open. This inspired him to draw up the school creed, a new school shield and the school magazine which are still used now.

He was very devoted to his wife, Agnes and six children ( 5 daughters and one son). he loved his family and was also a well respected man. He was also a well known man in the local community because of his sense of camaraderie, community spirit and social generosity.