Zhonghua Secondary School

Image Gallery

Zhonghua has always placed a strong emphasis on teacher training. Teacher training courses were introduced in 1935 and this photo shows the group of graduating cadet teachers (1948).

Exterior of school building housing the secondary school section at Bartley Road (1951).

First intake of boys in 1984 when the school became co-educational. The school was also renamed Chung Hwa High School to reflect the change (1984).

Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing receiving student’s art work as a token of appreciation at the launch of the school’s Heritage Gallery on 26 August 2021 to commemorate the 110th Anniversary

School History

Established in 1911, Chung Hwa Girls’ School was the first Chinese-medium girls’ school in Singapore. In 1951, the primary school section separated from the secondary school section. The latter was known as Chung Hwa Girls’ High School, located on Bartley Road. In 1957, the school became government-aided.

In 1980, Chung Hwa Girls’ High School received its first intake of English-medium students. The school became co-educational and a full-fledged government school known as Chung Hwa High School in 1984. It was renamed Zhonghua Secondary School and moved to Serangoon Avenue 4 in 1987. In 1996, Zhonghua Secondary School gained autonomous status.

The school relocated to Serangoon Avenue 3 in 2000. Zhonghua Secondary School also became the Centre of Excellence for Visual Arts, with the official opening of the Art Gallery and Centre in 2005. It is also the first co-educational school to offer the Art Elective Programme in 2010 to help students realise their artistic potential. In 2013, Zhonghua Secondary School became the South Zone Centre of Excellence for Science. The school retained its autonomous status from 2015 to 2020.

Its signature programmes, which are integrated under three broad strands of education—Science and Technology Education, Environmental and Sustainability Education, and Glocal Perspectives Education—develop and equip students with 21st-century competencies. To thrive in a rapidly changing world, Zhonghua Secondary School continuously prepares its students to seize the opportunities brought about by these changes. Our Future-Ready Curriculum and Zhonghua Signature Programmes equip students with the skills and mindset necessary to be future-ready. These experiences emphasise the cultivation of key dispositions, the development of emerging 21st-century competencies, and the promotion of our students’ overall well-being.

Our four educational focus areas—STEAM Education, Sustainability Education, Glocal Education, and Character Education—are woven into our Future-Ready Curriculum. STEAM Education fosters critical, adaptive, and inventive thinking, while Sustainability Education instills a deep sense of responsibility for the planet. Glocal Education connects learners to both their immediate communities and the broader global context, fostering a sense of interconnectedness, and Character Education emphasizes ethical values, nurturing principled and compassionate citizens. The integration of technology into teaching and learning further enhances the educational experience, allowing students to engage with innovative tools and methods. This holistic approach ensures that students of Zhonghua embark on a journey of personal growth and societal contribution.

Principals:
- Mdm Yu Diazheng (1911–1919)
- Mdm Wen Caiyun (1920–1924)
- Mdm Ruan Qiao (1925–1933)
- Mdm Liu Zhiling (1934–1939)
- Mdm Wang Yuchong (1939–1951)
- Mdm Huang Siou Chyn (1952–1954)
- Mdm Sheng Peck Choo (1954–1977)
- Mdm Sim Miaw Chan (1978–1985)
- Mrs Ng-Gan Lay Choo (1986–1995)
- Mrs Chua Yen Ching (1995–1998)
- Mrs Chang Swee Tong (1998–2002)
- Ms Tan Hwee Pin (2002–2007)
- Mrs Dolly Ong (2007–2013)
- Mr Loh Leong Beng (2014–2019)
- Ms Cindy Low Shiok Cheng (2019–2024)
- Mr Tan Kim Koon (2025–present)

Key Milestones

School Motto

Courteous, Righteous, Edified, Dignified
禮義廉恥

School Crest

The school crest takes the shape of a begonia leaf. The begonia has dark green leaves and produces red flowers. It is a hardy plant that survives naturally in almost any kind of condition. The colour green signifies freshness, youth, growth, life, vitality and resilience. The colour white is the emblem of purity, virtue and brightness.

Students are encouraged to emulate the enduring qualities of the begonia – to be steadfast, strong, determined and decisive. Students are also encouraged to cultivate qualities such as excellence, endurance, hope and goodness.

School Song

We, sons and daughters of Zhonghua
Are to be courteous and righteous
And edified and dignified
Zhonghua our centre of knowledge
Onward together strive with fervour
To fulfil our aspirations
Stand up for Zhonghua! Stand up for Zhonghua!
Pledge to Zhonghua we’ll do our best
In whatever we pursue

我们是中华的儿女   我们是社会的中坚
这是我们的天府   这是我们的学田
好好地耕种礼义廉耻     十二守则要躬践
励行五育，奋发南天 ， 爱护我们的山河
建设我们的乐园