Yusof Ishak Secondary School

Image Gallery

The school’s National Cadet Corps conducting its camp (1965).

On 29 July 1966, then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew officiated the opening ceremony of Yusof Ishak Secondary School at Jubilee Road (1966).

The school held its Sports Day with the school Band entertaining the crowd (1971).

Accorded the Centre for Teaching & Learning Excellence, a collaboration with AST and NIE. Officially announced by Mr Heng Swee Keat, former Minister for Education, on 23 September 2015 (2015).

School History

Yusof Ishak Secondary School was established in 1965 as Jubilee Integrated Secondary School, offering secondary education in English and Malay streams. Commencing with 984 students and 37 teachers, the school was renamed as Yusof Ishak Secondary School in the following year. On 29 July 1966, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, officiated at the opening of Yusof Ishak Secondary School at Jubilee Road.

The school was one of the forerunners in equipping students with information technology knowledge and competency by setting up a computer laboratory in as early as 1992. With a focus on delivering a holistic education and in raising student achievements, the school became the first to top the value-added ranking in both the Express and Normal streams in 1992.

In December 1998, the school moved to its present site at 11 Bukit Batok Street 25. The symbolic move took place on 14 November 1998 when students and staff walked 7 km from Jubilee Road to its new campus. The new school building was officially opened on 29 July 2000.

Yusof Ishak Secondary School’s vibrant performing arts programme was recognised as its niche in 2007. In 2014, Yusof Ishak Secondary School was accorded the Applied Learning Programme, ‘Programme for Authentic Science Technology and Environmental Learning’ (PASTEL).

In 2015, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary in tandem with Singapore’s SG50 celebrations. Among the various activities to commemorate the event were the launch of the Presidents’ Trail, and the original play, Newsman To Statesman, which captures the life story of the first President Mr Yusof Bin Ishak. In the same year, Yusof Ishak Secondary School was recognised as a Centre for Teaching and Learning Excellence. In following year, it was accorded the Learning for Life Programme, ‘H2eArts in Tune Programme’ (History and Heritage through Arts and Music Programme). The school will be relocated to Punggol in 2021.

Principals:
- Mr Charles G Lazaroo (1965–1969)
- Mr G.D. Jansen (1969–1974)
- Mr S.E. Jesudason (1975–1979)
- Mr S. Thiagarajah (1980–1985)
- Mr Wong Chong Heng (1986–1989)
- Ms Tham Tuck Meng (1990–1993)
- Ms Peck Soo Hong (1993–1996)
- Ms Wong Yim Kuan (1997–1999)
- Mrs Doris Lim (2000–2006)
- Mr Richard Chew (2006–2013)
- Mdm Jessie Koh (2014–2017)
- Mdm Maureen Lee (2018–2024)
- Mr Chen Ziyang (2025–present)

Key Milestones

School Motto

Ilmu Suluh Hidup (Knowledge is the Light of Life)

School Crest

The sailing boat symbolises the spirit of discovery and progress in the high seas of knowledge. The three krises represent unity among the diverse races of students, as well as integrity and honour in all fields of endeavour. The school motto ‘Ilmu Suluh Hidup’ (Knowledge is the Light of Life) is featured on the scroll at the base of the shield.

School Song

We’ll strive and strain together
To make our life anew
We’ll build a better world tomorrow
For the future’s in our hands

Although of different origins
We’re still one family
Through day and night
Through thick and thin
We will always brothers be

Chorus
Merrily we sing, we sing merrily along
As we wend our way
Through tortuous paths
Definitely we’ll, we will definitely build
A better world
A better world
We’ll build a better world tomorrow