Xinmin Secondary School

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School History

Founded in 1945 after World War II, Xinmin Secondary School began as Sin Min School. Mr Yap Fun Hong, together with Mr Heng Chin Soo and Mr Tan Choon Teng, established the school to provide education for the Chinese community in the Hougang and Serangoon areas. To make the school possible, Mr Yap sold five pigs and rented three bungalows, opening classes for 620 students. Through the 1950s and 1960s, the school expanded from primary to secondary education, raised funds through community performances, and gradually improved its facilities. In the 1980s, Sin Min transitioned from a Chinese-medium school to an English-medium school and later moved to its present Hougang campus. By the 1990s, stronger discipline and academic systems had transformed Xinmin into a well-performing institution.

Xinmin has since established itself as a leading school in northeast Singapore, recognised for holistic student development across the character, academic, and leadership domains. In 2001, Xinmin attained MOE’s Autonomous School status and the Singapore Quality Class certification. In 2005, Xinmin received the School Excellence Award. Over the past two decades, the school has been continually reviewing its total curriculum – level themes and cohort curriculum, academic subjects, co-curricular activities, talent development, and signature programmes – and scanning educational developments to design learning experiences that develop 21^st Century Competencies in Xinmin students. The school has also introduced parent partnership initiatives, evolved signature programmes such as MAKERS@Xinmin on digital and analogue making, and built facilities such as the Creative Arts Complex.

In 2025, the school celebrated its 80^th anniversary, honouring decades of dedication by educators, alumni, and stakeholders, while reaffirming its commitment to shaping future generations for Singapore and beyond. The school’s focus on teaching and learning at the heart of every experience, every day enables strong academic and co-curricular outcomes, developing every Xinmin student to be a curious learner, a compassionate contributor and a confident leader.

Principals:
- Mr Yap Fun Hong (1945–1949)
- Mr Heng Chin Soo (1950–1953)
- Mr Tung Sey Yew (1954–1964)
- Mr Chew Peng Leng (1965–1985)
- Mr Teo Ting Kok (1986–1991)
- Mr Goh Tong Pak (1992–1997)
- Mr Lee Hak Boon (1998–2002)
- Mrs Low-Sim Ay Nar (2003–2006)
- Mdm Liew Wei Li (2007–2010)
- Mrs Ong-Lim Hong Peng (2011–2017)
- Mr Tan Kuo Cheang (2018–2022)
- Mr Tan Soon Hui (2023 - present)

Key Milestones

School Motto

Strive · Excel · Serve 精益求精, 殷勤为众

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

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