Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School

Infobox Singapore School
name = Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School
国专长老会中学
Sekolah Menengah Kuo Chuan Presbyterian


motto = Aflame for Truth
established = 1924
type = Government-Aided, Secondary
principal = Mr Tony Low
session = Single session
colours =
enrollment =
city/town = Bishan
school code = 7028
homepage = [http://www.kcpss.moe.edu.sg Link]

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School (Abbreviation: KCPSS) is a co-educational government-aided secondary school located in Bishan, Singapore.

Brief History

*1924 - 2 Christian Ministers founded Katong Girls' School
*1925 - The school then moved to Koon Seng Road and was renamed Choon Guan School
*1934 - Miss Margaret Dryburgh was appointed Principal
*1936 - The English section of Choon Guan School became a separate school called Choon Guan English School
*1938 - Choon Guan English School became a "grant-in-aid" school for boys. Mr J R Richardson became the Principal
*1938 - A School for girls called Kuo Chuan Girls' School was opened at 36, Joo Chiat Lane. Miss Margaret Dryburgh became Principle of the School
*1941-1945 - During the Japanese occupation, the girls' school was closed while the boys' school became a Japanese school
*1945 - The boys' school reopened again with Mr Richardson as Principal. Dryburgh English School was established and functioned in the afternoon
*1947 - The girls' school reopened with Miss Monica Sirkett as Principal
*1949 - The first group of boys sat for the Cambridge School Certificate Examination
*1950 - Choon Guan English School was renamed Presbyterian Boys' School
*1951 - Mr B F Atherton became Principal of the boys' school. Kuo Chuan Girls' School became a full government-aided school
*1952 - The first group of girls sat for the Cambridge School Certificate Examination
*1958 - Mr Gay Wan Guay became Principal of Presbyterian Boys' School(PBS)
*1961 - Dryburgh English School was merged with Presbyterian Boys' School under Mr Sia Kah Hui (1961-1963). Succeeding Principals were Mr Wee Choon Siang, Mr Poon Meng Seng and Mr Tan Choon Yan
*1970 - A school song was adopted
*1972 - Miss Sirkett retires after 25 years of service. She was succeeded in turn by Mrs Lee Choon Neo (1972-1977) and Mrs Mabel Lew (1978-1983)
*1984 - Madam Kang Swee Chin became Principal of KCGS
*1985 - KCGS and PBS amalgamated to form Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School under Madam Kang Swee Chin as Principal
*1987 - Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary developed into 2 schools named Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School and Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School
*1988 - The secondary school moved to 10, Bishan Street 13
*1991 - Mr Low Eng Kee became Principal
*1998 - Mr Wong Lok Oon became Principal
*2001 - The secondary school moved to holding site at 15 Rangoon Lane
*2004 - Mr Goh Lay Guan became Principal. The secondary school moved back to Bishan in June
*2005 - Mr Tony Low became Principal

School Motto

Aflame For Truth

School Crest

Crest The school crest is circular in shape. In an inner circle, a book rests on top of a shield. This book is the Bible. A band of gold, representing the light of God, runs across the shield.

In the center of the shield are the flames and the burning bush. The flames are red and they do not destroy the green bush because these are the supernatural flames of God.

At the base of the shield, the sun radiates out in gold and this, with the gold band on top, completes the omnipresence and sovereignty of God, the Light.

The book and shield is set in a sea of dark blue with streams of white. The dark blue represents the stability of the Christian faith and white is purity and the grace of God.

Encircling this inner circle which contains the burning bush is the motto, ‘Aflame For Truth’, taken from the Book of Exodus, Chapter 3, verses 1-12.

The school is the place where students are taught the truth of God’s Word and the importance of always upholding the truth. The motto thus reminds students to uphold Truth in Action, Speech and Thought because God is Truth. In this way, the school acknowledges the presence of God in our midst, guiding and inspiring our students to become upright and responsible people. The burning bush’ is thus a befitting emblem to the school’s unfailing quest for Truth, with God as our Mentor and Guide.

School Song

Verse 1

"We pledge to thee our School, our loyalty,

Our faithful service render we to thee.

Here, ‘neath thy banner we shall take our stand,

Thy precepts we shall cherish and defend.

‘Aflame for truth’ our motto ever be,

Our sacred emblem the Burning Tree."

Verse 2

"Teach us to build a brotherhood of man

Till truth and justice o’er the world shall span

Grant us the strength to love, the will to give,

The grace to live, the gladness to forgive.

Teach us, in faith, to trust GOD’s Fatherhood,

His plan for man, His purpose for our good."

Verse 3

"Stand like the brave United we shall be

One happy, strong and peaceful family

Here ‘neath our flag the anthem loud we raise

Together we shall sing our song of praise

Together we shall strive courageously,

GOD bless our school and may we steadfast be."

Manic Monday

With the start of the school year in 2006, several new initiatives were implemented, one of which was the "Manic Monday" initiative, as reported by several newspapers such as "Today".

The "Manic Monday" initiative encourages all students to report to school only at 9am, instead of the usual 7.30am. However, school staff continues reporting to school at the usual time to engage in social activities such as sports, as well as professional sharings. A monthly breakfast and birthday celebration is held after these activities for the teachers, before school starts at 9am. Students though, still can report to school at their usual 7.30am, if they want to.

Affiliation

KCPSS is affiliated to
*Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School
*Saint Andrew's Junior College

External links

* [http://www.kcpss.moe.edu.sg KCPSS Web site]