Xinmin Secondary School

Image Gallery

School History

In 1945, Sin Min School was established to provide educational opportunities to the Hougang-Serangoon community. Eventually, the school became an English-medium school, and the primary section separated as a government primary school.

Later renamed as Xinmin Secondary School, it became the first neighbourhood school in Hougang to gain autonomous status and the Singapore Quality Class certification. Xinmin is recognised for its strong curriculum, holistic student development and youth leadership framework, as well as its innovative approaches to character development.

Xinmin prides itself on four signature programmes: XinminCares, Coding@Xinmin, RefleXions@Xinmin and Xinmin’s Student Leadership Academy. Each programme nurtures students into leaders of hearts and minds. True to Xinmin’s beginnings as a community school, XinminCares develops students into ever-ready contributors to the community and compassionate individuals with a heart to serve others at local and overseas platforms. Students also get to initiate and lead positive change, including organising the school’s annual Chinese New Year’s Spring-it-Up, befriending the elderly in Hougang, and organising Xinmin Change Initiator projects.

Xinmin aims to equip students well for the digital age by developing them into computational thinkers and conversant technology users who are also other-centred, empathetic and compassionate individuals. Coding@Xinmin exposes students to basic coding through active learning and tinkering, including animation and games creation. Above all, students learn to harness technology to improve lives, as they seek to impact society positively by designing solutions to authentic problems.

RefleXions@Xinmin is a lower-secondary drama programme. The purposeful play process develops students’ perspective-taking skills, empathy and critical thinking as they learn to evaluate the effectiveness of their performances and those that they watch.

Xinmin’s Student Leadership Academy comprises four developmental levels. The first level is offered to all students through leadership lessons embedded within the customised Character and Citizenship Education curriculum throughout the schooling years. Subsequent levels are offered to potential student leaders through their co-curricular activities, class committees or the Student Council. As Xinmin student leaders progress through their leadership journey, they apply the leadership skills acquired at various platforms, including school events management such as Xinathon Cross Country, Secondary One Orientation, All Staff Day and Open House. Senior student leaders who have undergone all four levels of development also organise leadership training for their juniors.

These signature programmes signal Xinmin’s commitment towards the total development of its students to become well-rounded individuals.

Principals:
- Mr Yap Fun Hong (1945–1950)
- Mr Heng Chin Soo (1950–1953)
- Mr Tung Sey Yew (1953–1965)
- Mr Chew Peng Leng (1965–1986)
- Mr Teo Ting Kok (1986–1991)
- Mr Goh Tong Pak (1991–1998)
- Mr Lee Hak Boon (1998–2002)
- Mrs Low-Sim Ay Nar (2002–2007)
- Mdm Liew Wei Li (2007–2011)
- Mrs Ong Hong Peng (2011–2018)
- Mr Tan Kuo Cheang (2018–present)

Key Milestones


1945	Establishment of Sin Min High School as a primary school.
1956	Became a government-aided institution with primary and secondary classes.
1978	Became an integrated school with English and Chinese as its media of instruction.
1990	Relocation to its present site in Hougang, and renamed as Xinmin Secondary School.
2001	Gained autonomous status.
2008	Students organised the first National Mother Tongue Symposium for Teachers and Students in Singapore.
2010	Celebration of 65th anniversary. Entered the Singapore Book of Records for the largest installation made up of recycled cans – a result of student-led project, Yes We Can!
2015	Celebration of 70th anniversary; Official opening of Creative Arts Complex; Launch of four student awards recognising holistic development and excellence.
2018	Repositioning of signature programmes into Coding@Xinmin, RefleXions@Xinmin, XinminCares and the Student Leadership Academy.

School Motto

Steadfast in Spirit, Diligent in Service

School Crest

The graphic display of grace and exuberance depicts the school’s vibrant and dynamic students who are ready to strive, excel and serve. The three bold strokes surging forward signify the students embracing the future with confidence and optimism. The three figures represent the close partnership between the school, home and community.

School Song

♫ Listen

新民新民
我们要做社会的主人
我们要做时代的明灯
不读死书，手脑并用
要学要做即知即行
新民新民
我们要做有科学的头脑
我们要有创造的精神
为了仁爱，为了信义
为了自由，为了和平
新民新民

Xinmin Xinmin
We want to be the master of our destiny
We want to be the beacon of our time
Not through rote learning; but through the training of a versatile mind
With keen wit and a readiness to put knowledge into practice
Xinmin Xinmin
We want to develop an analytical mind
We want to cultivate an innovative spirit
For love, integrity, freedom and peace
Xinmin Xinmin