• The Mandarin term “妈祖宫戏台后” originated from the Hokkien dialect term ma zhor keng hee tai au .
• Stanley Street runs parallel to Telok Ayer Street, which is known for Thian Hock Keng, a temple with almost two centuries of history.
• Thian Hock Keng is mainly dedicated to the worship of Mazu (“妈祖”), also known as the Holy Mother of Heaven (“天上圣母”). However, its rear hall is used for the worship of Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin). Hence the temple is known both as “妈祖宫” (“Mazu temple”) and “观音庙” (“Guanyin temple”).
• In the early days, there was a stage opposite the temple’s main entrance for staging Chinese operas for the gods. Behind the stage ran Stanley Street, which thus came to be known colloquially as “妈祖宫戏台后” (“behind the Mazu temple opera stage”) or “观音庙戏台后” (“behind the Guanyin temple opera stage”).
• The stage was demolished in 1954 and the site is currently owned by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan.
• Stanley Street is believed to have been named to commemorate a Captain Stanley who led a campaign against pirates in 1836.

In 1930, the campus expanded to Stanley Street, opposite the existing site. There were 12 classrooms that were converted from shops and more than 400 students enrolled in the school. (Lianhe Wanbao, 19/4/1984)