SINGAPORE - Old boys of Maris Stella High School will be familiar with a quote the school often refers to - “To be a Marist gentleman”.

This is set to change from 2027 withits primary school taking in girls for the first timethat year.

Alumni whom The Straits Times spoke to said the introduction of girls could change the culture of the all-boys school, but understood the decision, citing a decreasing birth rate as a challenge for school enrolment. Some said taking in girls could also have positive effects such as encouraging more diversity in the school.