Zhonghua Secondary School

Infobox Singapore School
name = Zhonghua Secondary School
中华中学


motto = Courteous Righteous Edified Dignified
established = September, 1911
type = Autonomous/Mixed
session = Single-Session
principal = Mrs Dolly Ong
city/town = Serangoon
enrollment = 1431
school code = 3240
colours = Green, White
homepage = [http://www.zhonghuasec.moe.edu.sg Link]

Zhonghua Secondary School (ZHSS) is an autonomous secondary school located in Serangoon, Singapore. Zhonghua Secondary School is a mixed school, catering to students taking the Special/Express Course as well as students taking the Normal(Academic/Technical) Course.

Zhonghua Secondary School provides the standard four-year programme for Special/Express Students, preparing them to take the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level Examination (commonly known as the GCE 'O' Level Examination) which is a collaboration by the Ministry of Education Singapore (MOE) and Cambridge University at the end of their four/five years in the institution.

Statistically, Zhonghua Secondary School is ranked amongst the top secondary schools in Singapore, attracting students with PSLE aggregates of around 240-270 for the Special/Express Stream. The class of 2007 has done the school proud in their GCE 'O' Level Examination, allowing Zhonghua Secondary School to achieve the status of a Band 1 Secondary School.

The current principal of Zhonghua Secondary is Mrs Dolly Ong who took up the post after the previous headmaster, Miss Tan Hwee Pin, left the school at the end of 2007.

History

Zhonghua Secondary was first established in 1911 initiated by Dr Sun Yat Sen. The school was founded by Mr Tay Peng Teng, Mr Puan Yeow Pong and the Chinese community who wanted to provide basic education for girls in the Chinese community. Chung Hwa Girls' High School was also the first Girls' School to be opened in Singapore. Originally, the first location of the school was at Mohamad Sultan Road.

In its 90 years of history, the school has shifted fives times.

In 1925, it moved to Niven Road and its name was Chung Hwa Girls’ High School. In order to cope with the increased enrollment, it shifted to Bartley Road in 1951 and secondary classes were conducted at these larger premises.

In 1967, a new 4 storey block was built, comprising the General Office, Staff Room, Home Economics Unit as well as the Science Block, Geography Room, the Music Room and the AVA Theatrette. The indoor gymnasium is the first of its kind in Singapore.

In 1987, the school moved to Serangoon New Town at Serangoon Avenue 4 and it was named Zhonghua Secondary School.

In 1999, a new school complex at Serangoon Avenue 3 costing an estimated $23 million was completed. The new school premises offer a wide spectrum of facilities. As of 2008, construction works have begun on the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.

School Badge

The school crest takes the shape of the Begonia leaf. The begonia is a red-flowering plant with dark green leaves. It is a hardy plant which survives naturally in almost any kind of condition. Some believe that the Begonia leaf is shaped such that it resembles the outline of China.

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 at all times to emulate such enduring qualities as the Begonia:

To be Steadfast and Strong

To be Determined and Decisive

Students are encouraged also to cultivate qualities such as Excellence and Endurance, Faith and Hope, Promise and Goodness.

School Mission

Graduates from Zhonghua Secondary School will be able to meet the challenges ahead and to contribute positively and actively to society as effective citizens, having developed morally, intellectually, physically, socially and aesthetically to their fullest potential.

School Vision

Towards an Outstanding Institution

To make Zhonghua our Second Home

School Core Values

Integrity

Fortitude

Responsibility

Care and Compassion

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 fulfill 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
好好的耕种 礼义廉耻
十二守则要躬践
励行五育发南天
爱护我们的山河
建设我们的乐园.

Dress Code

Female:

All: White blouse with green skirt. (Formerly, the girls wear white below the knee pleated skirts. The change from white to green skirt took place in the Year 2002, where there were complains regarding white skirts being easily dirtied.)

Male:

Lower Secondary Males: White shirt with white shorts.

Upper Secondary Males: White shirt with white long pants.

All

White Socks and Shoes.

No Accessories.

Academic

Academic Achievements

In 2007, the graduating class (Express Stream) of 2007 did well in their GCE 'O' Level Examinations, allowing Zhonghua Secondary School to hold the status of a Band 1 (Express Stream) Secondary School under the Ministry of Education.

Percentage of students eligible for Junior College:
2003: 97.5%
2004: 89.5%
2005: 96%
2006: 95.4%
2007: 98.7%

Percentage of students eligible for Polytechnics:
2003: 100%
2004: 99.6%
2005: 100%
2006: 100%
2007: 100%

Mean L1R5 Aggregate Grade (Special/Express):
2003: 12.5
2004: 12.9
2005: 12.1
2006: 11.5
2007: 10.9

Academic Value Added (Special/Express) Achievement Award (2007) - Gold

Co-Curricular Activites (CCA)

CCAs

Zhonghua Secondary School is a recognised institution of the Fine Arts and the Performing Arts. Though placing a wider emphasis on Aesthetics and The Arts, the institution has began to widen the scope in the ring of Sports. In 2008, construction began for the proposed Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. The institution is also well-versed in the Uniformed Groups, which strives to inculcate moral values within the cadets while fostering and building team spirit within the CCA body.

Student Leaders

Students' Council

Monitor Board

Sports Leaders

NE Leaders

Performing Arts

Chinese Orchestra

Choir

Dance

Guzheng

Symphonic Band

Chinese Drums

Sports

Badminton

Basketball

Gymnastics

Shooting

Volleyball

Uniformed Groups

Boys' Brigade

Girls' Brigade

Girls' Guides

National Cadet Corps (NCC)

National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC)

Scouts

St. John Ambulance Brigade

Clubs and Societies

Arts and Craft

Chinese Calligraphy

CLDDS

ELDDS

Library

Publication Board

Infocomm Club

Others

Green Activists

Results Management Team

School Co-ordinating Mentor

National Youth Achievement Award (Bronze/Silver/Gold)

CCA Achievements

On a biannual basis, the Performing Arts take part in the Central Judging of the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF). Based on skills and etiquette, the awards are given to the various CCAs.

Performing Arts

Symphonic Band (SYF 2007 - Silver)

Choir (SYF 2007 - Silver)

Dance (SYF 2007 - Silver)

ELDDS (SYF 2007 - Bronze)

Guzheng Ensemble (SYF 2007 - Silver)

Chinese Orchestra (SYF 2007 - Gold)

Uniformed Groups

Boys' Brigade (Silver)

Girl Guides Singapore (Bronze)

Girls' Brigade (Gold)

NPCC (Gold)

NCC (Gold)

Scouts (Gold)

St. John's Ambulance Brigade (Silver)

National Achievements

School Awards

Zhonghua Secondary School has attained several National Achievements, most of which are sustained over the previous years.It has to be noted that some of the awards such as the Special Award for School Distinction (SDA) as well as the Best Practice Award (BPA) for Teaching and Learning are given only to the most outstanding and deserving schools.

Academics School Banding

Band 2 (2007)

Band 1 (2008)

Achievement Award

Academic Value-Added (Special/Express) (Gold)

Aesthetics (Level 1) (2007 - present)

Singapore Quality Class (2005 - present)

Development Award

Character Development (2006 - present)

Cherish Gold Award (2005 - present)

National Education (2005 - present)

Special Award

School Distinction Award (SDA) (2007 - present)

Sustained Achievement Award for 2007

SAA Physical Fitness - 9th Award

SAA Uniformed Group - 5th Award

SAA Sports - 1st Award

SAA Green Audit - Lotus

Teaching & Learning

Best Practice Award for Teaching & Learning (2007 - present)

School Facilities

ports

Street Soccer Courts
In 2004, construction began for the Street Soccer Courts, as well as the third Basketball Court.
In 2005, the courts were opened for usage in addition to the two re-furnished existing Basketball Courts.

Multi-Purpose Sports Complex
In 2008, construction began for the huge-scale project for the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in the school.

The Arts

Art Gallery
In 2005, construction began for the Art Gallery.
In 2006, the Art Gallery was opened, attracting key figures in the Ministry of Education, as well as serving as a platform for students not only in Zhonghua, but in other schools, to showcase their wide array of works. The Art Gallery adds on to the foundation that Zhonghua Secondary School has laid for being a Centre of Excellence for the Arts.

Special Features

Holistic Education (cognitive, moral, social, physical and aesthetics) for all Zhonghuarians.

Centre of Excellence (Visual Arts) for Cluster S6.

Offers People's Republic of China (PRC) School-based Scholarships.

Location

13 Serangoon Ave 3 Singapore (556123)

References

1. Zhonghua Secondary School, http://www.zhonghuasec.moe.edu.sg, Accessed July 2008

External links

* [http://www.zhonghuasec.moe.edu.sg Zhonghua Secondary School]
* [http://app.sis.moe.gov.sg/schinfo/SIS_SearchDtls.asp MOE Directory]