Tiong Bahru Secondary School (????), established in 1966, was one of the pioneer bilingual integrated (????) secondary schools built after Singapore Independence (August 9, 1965). It had both Chinese and English streams, attracting students from nearby primary schools in Tiong Bahru, Bukit Ho Swee and Delta Road areas. The first principal was Mr. Ngui Jim Chiang (1966-1970), a former World War II Lieutenant, who was succeeded by a former Raffles Institution Head of Department (Chemistry), Mr. Chan (1971 - ?).
This bilingual school aimed to create an environment for different language streams of students to interact outside classrooms, in extra-curricular activities, sports, etc. Those students who were active 'beyond books' benefited most from the bilingual exposure at this golden age between 13 and 16 years old.
With enthusiastic young teachers and talented kids from neighbourhood average families, in its first decade the school excelled both academically and in sports.
The school had outstanding sports in mountain climbing (it was the first Singapore school to climb Mount Kinabalu) and basketball teams. The school's first brass band was formed in 1969, and within three years it placed in the top 20 (11th place) in the Singapore Youth Festival Brass Band Competition.
Edited by Tham S W: First Principal : Mr Ngui Jim Chiang
The School was amongst the Top 10 position (out of hundreds taking part) at the NJC-held Mathematics Competition for Secondary schools in 1969.
The 1971 graduated batch produced top GCE O-level students in Singapore, Five of them went on to the country's then only junior college, National Junior College (??????), and thereafter one student won the prestigious Public Service Commission Overseas Merit Scholarship. The 1976 graduated batch produced the "Singapore Water Queen" Olivia Lum, founder and CEO of Hyflux.
As the population of the old precinct was ageing, and the younger generation families were moving out, the school's student enrollment dropped after the late 1980s. The school merged with its neighbour, Bukit Ho Swee Secondary School (????), in 1991 to form Delta Secondary School, and again in 2004 all were grouped under Bukit Merah Secondary School.
The vacated campus was once used as the temporary administrative head office of Nanyang Polytechnic, now permanently occupied by SEAB (Singapore Examinations & Assessment Board - Tiong Bahru Examinations Centre). Today, the fond memory left of the school is the Angsana tree planted by the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yee on June 6, 1976.
Video Tiong Bahru Secondary School
Notable Alumnus
- Olivia Lum: Founder and CEO, Hyflux
- Lee Kar Heng: Founding Entrepreneur of TBSS Companies; Founding President of AOC Singapore Chapter (2016 - ); Chairman of IEEE Education Chapter, Singapore Section (2008-09, 2015-16); Founding Member and Senior Advisor of Vietnamese Association in Singapore (2016 - ); School Advisory Committee, Henry Park Primary School (2017 - ), Advisor, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, Singapore (2017 - ); Published more than 20 papers in academic institutions and international conferences; Presented to more than 1600+ defense experts, government officers, military personnel and academic in The 54th Association of Old Crows Annual International Symposium and Convention 2017, Washington DC, USA; Adjunct Lecturers with SIM University, Edith Cowan University, Newcastle University, University of Southern Queensland, RMIT (2002 - 2013); Founder and Administrator (2008 - 2013) Tiong Bahru Secondary School Facebook Group; Award Winning Lecturers: SIM University and Edith Cowan University
- Scott Poh Assistant Professor in the Chemistry department, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA
- Apelles Poh: Author of "Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often" and "Facts Tell, Stories Sell"; Top Award Winning Financial Advisor; Top 1% World Financial Planner
- Karen Yeo: Author of "Nature Me, Start Early"; Certified NLP Practitioner
Maps Tiong Bahru Secondary School
External links
- A student report book used in 1968-1971
- Electronic Copy of ALL annual magazines
- TBSS Facebook Page
- TBSS on news 25 years after closure
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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