Tao Nan School

Image Gallery

Tao Nan Study Hall was set up by local Chinese philanthropists of the Singapore Hokkien Association (now known as Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan) (1906).

Relocated to Armenian Street and renamed Tao Nan School (1912).

Became the first modern Chinese school on the Straits Settlements to teach in Mandarin instead of Hokkien (1916).

Completion of PERI Upgrading and celebration of 110th school anniversary (2016).

School History

Tao Nan Study Hall (道南学堂) was established in 1906 and was the first school set up by the Singapore Hokkien Association (now known as the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan). The medium of instruction then was Hokkien, and the school was located on North Bridge Road. In 1912, the school relocated to Armenian Street and was renamed Tao Nan School (道南学校). In 1916, Tao Nan became the first modern Chinese school in the Straits Settlements to use Mandarin as the medium of instruction. In 1957, the school became a government-aided school. In 1982, the school moved to its present location in Marine Parade.

In 1990, Tao Nan School was accorded the Special Assistance Plan status, which saw the school emphasise the learning of the Chinese Language and its core values. In 1996, the school became a centre for the Gifted Education Programme. Tao Nan School celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006 and completed its PERI upgrading in 2016.

Principals:
- 马徵祥先生 (1906–1907)
- 李郁亭先生 (1907–1908)
- 林芳先生 (1909–1912)
- 林鼎华先生 (1913)
- 熊尚父先生 (1916–1919)
- 顾郁侯先生 (1919–1920)
- 张念祖先生 (1920–1921)
- 申炳韶先生 (1921–1923)
- 张鸿藻先生 (1923)
- 张春元先生 (1924–1929)
- 金天放先生 (1930)
- 郑玄珠先生 (1930–1931)
- 李天游先生 (1931–1933)
- 何欣农先生 (1933–1935)
- 潘国渠先生 （潘受） (1935–1939)
- 张述先生 (1940–1941)
- 林居仁先生 (1947–1950)
- 黄啸云先生 (1951–1958)
- 洪长树先生 (1959–1971)
- 郑开国先生 (1972–1976)
- Mr Tan Yock Leng (陈毓灵) (1977–2001)
- Mr Tony Tan Choon Kheng (陈俊敬) (2002–2009)
- Dr Chin Kim Woon (陈京文) (2009–2019)
- Mdm Poh Qinyu (傅勤予) (2020 – present)

Key Milestones

School Motto

Sincerity and Perseverance 诚毅

School Crest

The lion represents the Lion City, Singapore. Its leaping position symbolises bravery and continuous progress and advancement in the face of difficulties. The open book represents the unquenchable thirst for knowledge. The base of the crest states the school motto, ‘Sincerity & Perseverance’. The entire crest signifies the acquisition of abundant knowledge and the training of a strong and healthy body to eventually be good and loyal citizens.

School Song

We belong to Tao Nan School and we always obey the school rules.
The task of nation building we shoulder, wisdom of sages past we deliver.
In harmony we work and play, for Tao Nan will show us the way.
Onwards we march towards success, towards greatness Tao Nan will progress.
To Tao Nan, Tao Nan we will go, where the torch of knowledge burns aglow. (2x)

我们是道南的成员 遵守我校的规章
肩负起建设国家的重任 续承那先贤创业精神
相亲相爱和睦共处 齐心奔向光明前途
迈步向前进 莫停留 成功大道就在前头啊
道南道南是我家 她是光明智慧的火花啊
道南道南是我家 她是光明智慧的火花