The Chinese High School

Image Gallery

The sprawling campus of the Chinese High School. (c. 1994) The Commemorative Magazine of the Official Opening of the Enhanced Campus of The Chinese High School by the Senior Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew on 21st March 1994.

Principal Mr Tooh Fee San (1978-1999). The Commemorative Magazine of the Official Opening of the Enhanced Campus of The Chinese High School by the Senior Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew on 21st March 1994.

A page from the past, showing the old school building from different angles. The Commemorative Magazine of the Official Opening of the Enhanced Campus of The Chinese High School by the Senior Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew on 21st March 1994.

The clock tower building of the Chinese High School. The Commemorative Magazine of the Official Opening of the Enhanced Campus of The Chinese High School by the Senior Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew on 21st March 1994.

School History

On 21 March 1919, the Singapore Nanyang Overseas Middle School was founded by Mr Tan Kah Kee to provide a four-year secondary-level education. Located in a rented bungalow off Niven Road, it was the first high school in Southeast Asia to cater to different dialect groups among overseas Chinese in the region. In 1925, the school moved to a new campus at Bukit Timah Road, and it was officially renamed The Chinese High School.

After Singapore gained independence in 1965, the school came under the purview of the Ministry of Education. In 1979, the school was accorded the Special Assistance Plan (SAP) status. In 1987, it acquired the Independent School status. In 1993, The Chinese High School introduced the Gifted Education Programme to offer enriched opportunities to students to fulfill their academic potential, especially in Mathematics and Science. In 1994, the new Enhanced Pupil Performance Programme was established to encourage the spirit of independence and to give students the freedom to form any club or society of their choice.

The school’s clock tower was gazetted as a national monument on 19 March 1999.

On 1 January 2005, The Chinese High School merged with Hwa Chong Junior College to form the integrated Hwa Chong Institution to facilitate the running of the school’s Integrated Programme. The new institution retains the Chinese name and crest of the Chinese High School.

Principals:
- Mr Doo Kai You 涂开舆 (1919–1922)
- Mr Lu Shi Yi 鲁士毅 (1922–1925)
- Mr He Bao Ren 何葆仁 (1925–1928)
- Mr Wu Yi Teng 吴毓腾 (1928)
- Mr Weng Zhi Da 翁之达 (1929)
- Mr Huang Jun Chang 黄俊昌 (1930)
- Mr Liu Gong Wu 刘公武 (1931–1932)
- Mr Zhang Li Qian 张礼千 (1932–1933)
- Mr Lam Lu Cheong 林耀翔 (1934–1936)
- Mr Hsueh Yung Shu 薛永黍 (1937–1942; 1945–1948)
- Mr Cheng An Lun 郑安仑 (1948–1968)
- Mr Tay Kim Fatt 郑金发 (1968–1972)
- Mr Wang Cho Ju 王卓如 (1972–1974)
- Mr Kong Look Sen 江禄森 (1974–1976)
- Mr Phua Beng Tee 潘明智 (1976–1978)
- Mr Wu Tsung Kan 吴从干 (Acting, 1978)
- Mr Tooh Fee San 杜辉生 (1978–1999)
- Mr Steven Koh Yong Chiah 许永正 (1999–2002)
- Mr Hon Chiew Weng 潘兆荣 (2003–2004)

Key Milestones

School Motto

自强不息
(Unrelenting Self-Empowerment)

School Crest

In 1930, Chinese High’s new triangular-shaped crest reflects the harmonious three-way link between the school’s board members, teachers and students. The feather and hammer together mean being master of both the pen and the sword. The torch represents a burning passion for learning that will never be extinguished.

School Song

海天寥廓 云树苍笼 中有我华中
礼门义路 时雨春风 吾侪托帡幪
猗与华中 南方之强 我中华之光
雄立狮岛 式是炎荒 万世其无疆

人生茫茫 学海洋洋 吾侪当自强
朝乾夕惕 日就月将 莫负好时光
猗与华中 南方之强 我中华之光
雄立狮岛 式是炎荒 万世其无疆

迨予庶士 笃实辉光 斐然已成章
膂力方刚 经营四方 前途浩且长
猗与华中 南方之强 我中华之光
雄立狮岛 式是炎荒 万世其无疆