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Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School

Explore the history of Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School.

Image Gallery

Kuo Chuan Girls’ School and the iconic Flame of the Forest in bloom on the right. Outdoor lessons were carried out in the shade of the tree.

School History

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School was founded by two Christian clergymen, Rev Tay Sek Tin and Rev Tan Leng Tian, in 1924. The school has a rich history involving the amalgamation and development of several schools since 1924. These schools included Katong Girls’ School, Choon Guan School, Choon Guan English School, Kuo Chuan Girls’ School, Koon Seng Road School, Dryburgh English School and Presbyterian Boys’ School. In 1985, Kuo Chuan Girls’ School and Presbyterian Boys’ School merged to form Kuo Chuan Presbyterian School, which functioned as a full school. In 1987, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian School developed into Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School and Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School. In the same year, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School moved to its current premises at Bishan Street 13. The school is government-aided and comes under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church in Singapore. The school is affiliated to Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School and caters to both boys and girls.

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School was accorded the Applied Learning Programme in ‘E-cube: Engage, Excite, Express’, and Learning for Life Programme in ‘Art and Design’.

Principals:
- Mrs Goh Soo Sim (1987–1994)
- Ms Jessie Tan Seoh Hong (1995–1999)
- Mdm Kew Ming Ying (1999–2006)
- Mr Clifford Chua Kok Yong (2007–2012)
- Mdm Teo Ching Ling (2013–2019)
- Mrs Yee-Toh Gek Khiaw (2020–present)

Key Milestones

key milestones

1924	Establishment of Katong Girls’ School at Joo Chiat Terrace by Rev Tan Leng Tian and Rev Tay Sek Tin.
1925	Relocation of school to Koon Seng Road and renamed as Choon Guan School.
1938	Establishment of Kuo Chuan Girls’ School at Joo Chiat Lane.
1938	Became an aided school for boys.
1950	Renaming of Choon Guan School as Presbyterian Boys’ School.
1985	Amalgamation of Kuo Chuan Girls’ School and Presbyterian Boys’ to form Kuo Chuan Presbyterian School (full school).
1987	Development of Kuo Chuan Presbyterian School into two schools: Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School and Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School. Relocation of Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School to 8 Bishan Street 13.
1990	Official opening of Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School on 30 August.
2002	Completion of PRIME upgrading.
2014	Celebration of 90th anniversary for Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Schools. Completion of PERI upgrading.
2015	Became a single-session school.

School Motto

Aflame for Truth

School Crest

The school crest is circular in shape. In the inner circle, a book, the Bible, rests on top of a shield. The band of light radiating from the shield represents the light of God. In the centre of the shield is the ‘Burning Bush’. The red flames do not destroy the green bush as they are the supernatural flames of God. The dark blue colour represents the stability of the Christian faith, and white symbolises the purity and grace of God. The crest and the motto are drawn from the Book of Exodus, Chapter 3, verses 1 to 12 in the Bible.

The crest speaks of God’s presence, guiding and inspiring the students to become upright and responsible people. The ‘Burning Bush’ is a befitting emblem to the school’s unfailing quest for Truth, with God as its mentor and guide.

School Song

We pledge to thee our school, our loyalty;
Our faithful service render we to thee.
Here 'neath thy banner, we shall take our stand;
Thy precepts we shall cherish and defend.
"Aflame for Truth" our motto ever be,
Our sacred emblem the Burning Tree.
"Aflame for Truth" our motto ever be,
Our sacred emblem the Burning Tree.

Teach us to build a brotherhood of man
Till truth and justice o'er the world shall span.
Grant us the strength to love, the will to give,
The grace to live, the gladness to forgive.
Teach us, in faith, to trust God's Fatherhood,
His plan for man His purpose for our good.
Teach us, in faith, to trust God's Fatherhood,
His plan for man His purpose for our good.

Stand like the brave! United we shall be;
One happy, strong and peaceful family,
Here 'neath our flag, the anthem loud we raise,
Together we shall sing our song of praise.
Together we shall strive courageously,
God bless our school and may we steadfast be,
Together we shall strive courageously,
God bless our school and may we steadfast be