Every place has its background history and events. Our Academy, The Tourism Academy @ Sentosa is also rich in heritage and history. The campus used to be the base of the British Royal Artillery, 1st Malay Coastal Royal Artillery and The Gurkha Infantry Regiment.
Our campus was built for the soldiers of British Military which is known as Blakang Mati Parade Square. Blackang Mati is the Malay word, which means death from behind. The soldiers were living there to defence Singapore harbour from enemies. The soldiers had been on the island since 1878. The history of our Academy, Blackang Mati is so interesting with full of memorable events.
Blackang Mati or the Parade Square area has been composed of four blocks, Block A, Block C, Block D and Block F.
Block A – Gurkha Rifles
Block C – Malay Coast Artillery
Block D – HMS Sultan II
Block F – Royal Artillery
The Parade Square area was the main barracks for the soliders and which are temporarily built with wood and thatch. By 1904, the main barrack blocks were up and became two storied buildings. The blocks around the square were for junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted personnel, about 40-50 men in each block. Officers and senior NCOs were housed elsewhere and married personnel lived off School Road (today’s Gunner Lane and Carlton Walk).
COMPARING THE PAST AND THE PRESENT
Who were/ are most occupying the area?
In the Past: British Soldiers
In the Present: TAS (Tourism Academy @ Sentosa) Students
Why were/ are they being there?
In the Past: to fight against the enemies for their country’s brighter future
In the Present: to fight against difficulties in their studies for their brighter future
In the Past: to fight against the enemies for their country’s brighter future
In the Present: to fight against difficulties in their studies for their brighter future
How old were/ are they?
In the Past: the soldiers were between 18 – 25 years old
In the Present: the students are between 18 – 25 years old
Did/ Do they have fun?
In the Past: Soldiers had lots of fun on the island together with their famailies.
In the Present: Students have lots of fun on the island together with classmates, teachers and staff.
In the Past: Soldiers had lots of fun on the island together with their famailies.
In the Present: Students have lots of fun on the island together with classmates, teachers and staff.
Were/ Are they passing the toughest times?
In the Past: Yes. The frightening wars; they were passing the toughest times especially during World War II.
In the Present: Absolutely. The thrilling exams; they are passing the toughest times during each and every semester.
In the Past: Yes. The frightening wars; they were passing the toughest times especially during World War II.
In the Present: Absolutely. The thrilling exams; they are passing the toughest times during each and every semester.
Ref: http://www-bus.tp.edu.sg/tas_home/tas_about_us/tas_history.htm
The circulation from TAS during Orientiation
Pictures Sources:
http://images.google.com.sg/images?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&hl=en&q=tourism+academy+at+sentosa&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2
http://www.230battalion.org.au/Gallery/thumbnails.php?album=134&page=3
