First Toa Payoh Secondary School

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School History

Established in 1968, First Toa Payoh Secondary School (FTPSS) was the first secondary school in Toa Payoh, the first satellite town built after Singapore’s independence. It started as a co-educational English and Chinese fully integrated school at Lorong 1 Toa Payoh to cater to the residents of Toa Payoh.

In the late 1970s, FTPSS actively emphasised social contributions and environmental protection by having mass participation in ‘Use Your Hands’ campaigns, beach-cleaning activities and collection of old newspapers for charitable events.

The enrolment grew during the initial years but declined in the later part of the 1980s as the Toa Payoh estate began to mature. With declining student enrolment, the school underwent three mergers with four schools.

In 2001, FTPSS merged with Pei Dao Secondary School and Thomson Secondary School. The merged school operated in two campuses, located at Lorong 1 Toa Payoh and Thomson Road, which was the former premises of Thomson Secondary School. In December 2002, FTPSS relocated from Lorong 1 Toa Payoh to 580 Toa Payoh East. In 2004, FTPSS merged with Upper Serangoon Secondary School.

To forge stronger bonds with community partners, the school spearheaded the Love Toa Payoh East movement in 2004, which later became the basis for the Toa Payoh Trail in 2009.

Leveraging on its strength in experiential learning and commitment to holistic development of students, FTPSS was awarded niche status in Outdoor Experiential Learning in 2013. This became the school’s Learning for Life Programme in the following year.

In 2016, FTPSS merged with Bartley Secondary School, adopting the latter’s name. Not forgetting the original purpose of FTPSS and the contributions of the community to the holistic development of the students, the staff and students of FTPSS organised a number of memorable events in 2015 to show appreciation to the community for accepting and partnering FTPSS over the years.

Principals:
- Mr Yang Chien Hua (1968–1969)
- Mr Fong Fook Chak (1969–1970)
- Mr Loh Yee Chong (1970–1971)
- Mr Chiu Yew Yean (1971–1972)
- Mr Loh Yee Chong (1973–1983)
- Mr Loo Pui Wah (1984–1986)
- Mrs J. Narayanaswamy (1987–1992)
- Ms Winne Tan (1992–1994)
- Mrs Sia Heng Yee (1994–1996)
- Mr Ng Hok Siang (1997–2000)
- Mr Loh Ai (2001–2003)
- Mdm Aini Maarof (2004–2009)
- Mr Lim Kok Hwa (2010–2015)

Key Milestones


1968	Establishment of First Toa Payoh Secondary School.
1969	Official opening of First Toa Payoh Secondary School.
1981	Launch of Pre-University Centre providing a three-year course in commerce.
1983	Became a full-fledged English-medium school.
1991	Phasing out of Pre-University Centre and converted to single session.
2001	Merger with Pei Dao Secondary School and Thomson Secondary School.
2002	Relocation from Lorong 1 Toa Payoh to 580 Toa Payoh East.
2004	Merger with Upper Serangoon Secondary School; official opening at the new premises.
2015	Last school event, ‘Our Homecoming 2015 – Celebrating Our Journey’, for students, alumni as well as current and former staff.
2016	Merger with Bartley Secondary School to become the present Bartley Secondary School.

School Motto

To the Years Ahead

School Crest

The school crest consists of a torch within a circle that resembles a wheel. The torch symbolises enlightenment and knowledge, while the wheel represents progress. The school crest signifies striving for progress and achievement through education.

School Song

♫ Listen

In the onward of life
In our Island State
We need the tools for building
A bright and glorious fate
Training for any service
Needs all of our might
Now that we are enabled
We’ll work through day and night

Chorus:
FTPSS Our Alma Mater
We always will honour her
In our behaviour

In our endeavours we’ll succeed
Toiling day by day
We’ll always be diligent
In our work and play
Be it in our classroom
Or out on the field
Striving for the mast’ry
Never will we yield

Chorus