Naval Base Secondary School

Image Gallery

The first Naval Base School building at Bah Tan Road.

Naval Base staff in 1959.

1965 Top GCE O level student from Naval Base School – Dr Tan Boon Wan.

Committed teachers who have served NBSS.

School History

Established in 1957, Naval Base Secondary School (NBSS) started as a full school known as Naval Base School on Bah Tan Road, offering education to the children of the British naval base employees. Naval Base School was the only full government English-medium school back then. In 1968, Naval Base School became a secondary school when the primary section was transferred to Canberra School.

In 1988, NBSS relocated to its present premises at Yishun Ring Road. In 2000, the school became single session. In 2007, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. Two years later, Naval Base Secondary School completed its PRIME upgrading.

In 2012, NBSS gained niche status in visual arts. In 2014, the school was accorded the Applied Learning Programme (ALP) in art. The ALP is rooted in the school’s belief in the transformative power of art and its ability to expand students’ perceptions of the world around them as well as the potential for self-discovery and expression. In 2014, the school was accorded the Learning for Life Programme (LLP) in character education through sports. The LLP is anchored on the belief that sports provide an authentic platform for character development. The LLP promotes active living where students enjoy and engage in movement activities and develop a solid foundation for a balanced lifestyle. In 2015, NBSS began offering the Enhanced Art Programme.

The school’s ALP and LLP are testament of the school’s commitment to the holistic development of students. In 2017, NBSS celebrated its 60th anniversary. In 2022, NBSS celebrated its 65th anniversary since its founding at the Bah Tan Road campus in 1957. To commemorate this milestone, the school organised a series of celebrations involving various key stakeholders of the school such as NB65 Photo Formation, NB65 Water Bottle, Visit by Fandi Ahmad, NB65 Commemorative T-Shirts, and NBSS Plants 65 Trees – In and Around School

Principals:
- Mr Wong Quek Boon (1958–1960)
- Mr Tok Peng Hock (1961–1962)
- Mr John Subramaniam (1963–1964)
- Mr R.W. Mosbergen (1965–1966)
- Mr Tok Pek Hock (1967–1970)
- Mr Yap Nyuk Yin (1971–1980)
- Mr Wong Toon Kwang (1981–1991)
- Mr Lim Kuan Min (1991–1997)
- Mdm Chan Wan Siong (1998–2001)
- Mrs Rebecca Chew Pek Yum (2001–2005)
- Mr Teo Song Khuang (2005–2013)
- Mr Sulaiman B. Mohamad Yusof (2014–2021)
- Mdm Linda Yeo Sock Khoon (2021 – present)

Key Milestones

School Motto

Enitamur In Altiora

School Crest

The lion embodies Singapore. It exhorts one to take pride in the national identity, have a sense of belonging to Singapore and be committed to nation-building. The lion also symbolises bravery (strength in character) and courage (strength of the mind). The open book symbolises the importance of a good education and the constant pursuit of knowledge to achieve success. The four yellow lines represent the four ethnic groups in Singapore working and living together in harmony. The blue background shows the school’s commitment to integrate new citizens, as it values Singapore’s sociocultural diversity and promotes social cohesion and harmony. The three rings are inspired by the Olympics, and they represent excellence in both performance and moral character, which translates to academic excellence and in the school’s distinct programmes such as the Sports and the Arts.

School Song

We are proud to belong to Naval Base School
We shall always cherish its name
It shall warm our hearts though we be far away
And shall stir our blood until our dying day

CHORUS:
Hooray hooray hooray, let’s yell
Three cheers for Naval Base School

Many a time in the past we were wrought with care
We had plunged to the depths of despair
Then the name of our school rang out loud and clear
And at once we rejoiced and lost our fear

CHORUS:
Hooray hooray hooray, let’s yell
Three cheers for Naval Base School

Come what may to us in the days ahead
Be they filled with pleasure or pain
We’ll not flinch one bit under stress or strain
But we’ll face the future singing this refrain

FINAL CHORUS:
Stout hearts, brave deeds, great thoughts recall
Proud mem’ries of Naval Base School