|
|
This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications.
Primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of the article are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please include more appropriate citations from reliable sources, or discuss the issue on the talk page. (December 2007) |
Nanyang Primary School is a primary school in Singapore, situated at 52 King's Road in Bukit Timah (District 10) which is a private housing district near Coronation Plaza. The current principal is Heng Boey Hong. Although it is not run by the government of Singapore, it receives government aid. NYPS is affiliated with Nanyang Girls' High School and Nanyang Kindergarten, and is part of the Nanyang Family.
The school's alumni includes a few famous people such as the current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Stephanie Sun.
The school's vision is to be a world-class primary school.
History
The school was founded in 1917 by Tan Chu Nan and Teo Eng Hock as the Primary section of Nanyang Girls' High School with a pioneer enrolment of 100 pupils. It functioned in a rented shophouse at 7 Dhoby Ghaut, adjacent to the Cathay Cineplex. In 1927, the school moved to its current premises at King's Road. It was the then-chairman Lee Chin Tien and principal Liew Yuen Sien who revamped the school and it started gaining recognition and respect from the society.
During World War II, the school campus was used as a field office by the British Army. When the Imperial Japanese Army captured Singapore, it took over the premises. The entire school was destroyed as a result. After the war in 1945, when the British returned, the school was restored back to its previous state before the war.
In 1948, a new block comprising 10 classrooms and an office was built to accommodate the increasing enrolment. This building was again rebuilt and extended in 1974 to include 25 classrooms.
1978 saw the school expanding its intake of students and to facilitate more effective management, the primary school which had over 1000 pupils in 28 classes was separated from Nanyang Girls' High School and was given its current name.
English classes were introduced in 1983, and the school was selected by the Ministry of Education to be one of the four bilingual schools under the Special Assistance Plan, and pupils took two languages, English and Chinese as a first language.
As more students joined the school over the years, the School Management Committee decided to extend a new wing on a newly acquired piece of land at 51 Coronation Road in 1981. It was completed in July 1985.
In 1993, the now defunct Farrer Primary School premises at Lutheran Road was acquired for Primary 1 and 2 students. The school hence functioned at two campuses.
Some rooms in the school were converted into classrooms to accommodate Primary 3 classes such that all classes were able to function in the morning session. However, as the intake of students increased, Primary 3 classes had to revert back to having lessons in the afternoon.
When Nanyang Girls' High School moved to a new campus at Linden Drive, the school took over the site. The former building was demolished and a brand new building with six storeys was built to accommodate all pupils in the same campus.
June 4, 2003 saw the school moving to the new and present campus at 52 King's Road. When the students returned from the holidays in Term 3, the school started fully functioning. The old hilltop block of the school was renovated and has been in use since 2004 in order for the school to function as a single-session school.
The current principal is Mdm. Heng Boey Heng and the vice principal is Mdm Jocelyn Lim Bee Kim. Mr. Loh Yun Por is the other vice principal, in charge of administrative works.
Nanyang Primary School celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2007.
School Logo
The school logo comprises three circles borne by a triangle.
The 3 circles symbolise the concerted effort of the students, teachers, and parents.
These are supported by the triangle which symbolises the School Management Committee, the Ministry of Education and the Community at large working in unity to help the school to achieve excellence and success.
Uniform
Nanyang Primary's girls' uniform is similar to Nanyang Girls' High School's; the only difference is the font of the Chinese characters "南洋" - and it is unique and easily recognised in Singapore. It comprises a white sleeveless cotton blouse with small slits at the side edges of the uniform, and an accordion-pleated cotton skirt, which is long enough to cover the knees. It is convenient to wear as the blouse does not need to be tucked in, and the sleeveless cotton uniform provides good ventilation especially in Singapore's tropical heat. The uniform is simple in design, in line with the school's motto "Diligence, Prudence, Respectability and Simplicity". However, due to its colour, the uniform can be easily and obviously stained, and ironing the 16 pleats takes some effort.
Nanyang Primary girls are required to keep hair short enough not to touch their collars, unless they have a hair-pass that can be acquired in the form of a letter from their dance or ballet teacher. Even so, they have to keep their hair neatly tied or the hair-pass will be taken from them. Girls may choose to wear shorts under their skirt.
Male students wear a white short sleeved shirt and khaki shorts.
Shoes worn to school have to be white-based.
Socks worn to school have to be white based, and must cover the ankles. The only picture allowed on school socks is the Nanyang Crest.
The collared PE attire is standard for both genders, consisting of a shirt pocket with the Nanyang logo on it, and the house colour and house character (one of the Chinese characters of the motto) at the back of the shirt.
Pupils holding special positions such as Discipline Monitor or Prefect wear sashes. The colours vary according to position. Discipline Monitors wear purple sashes, Prefects blue and Environment Monitors green. This system makes it easy to spot student leaders, but it can also create inconvenience for those holding more than one position, especially if they are running errands for teachers that require entering the staffroom and having to wear the yellow class sash also known as the Movement sash. As a solution to this, some students choose to only wear one sash, or the sash that is most relevant to their situation at the time. For example, Prefects on duty may remove their Discipline Monitor sashes if they have any, while putting it back on during class. However, because the teachers have more trust in student leaders, the staff room is now accessible to Prefects and Discipline Monitors, but they must be wearing their sashes for identification. Subject representatives from each class are also allowed into the staff room, as they often run errands for their respective subject teachers. However, the yellow sash is not always worn. Pupils usually state the purpose of their visit to teachers who may ask them as they make their way around the staff room. This is usually accepted along with wearing the yellow sash.
Discipline
Nanyang Primary School maintains high discipline standards within the school. Many offences, including the use of vulgarities, stealing, copying work etc. will result in the pupil receiving a pink slip and his/her parents will be notified.
If the pupil has three pink slips, he/she will be sent for detention with the current discipline master, Mr. Ting Huat Seng. If the pupil receives more pink slips for committing more crimes, the punishment will be more serious and that could lead to punishments such as suspension and even public caning or expulsion.
Nanyang is currently focusing on preventing the use of vulgarities and profanities, as well as bullying. The assembly period has been sometimes used for such lectures from the discipline master.
Traditions
Nanyang Primary School has 4 classes each for the P4, P5 and P6 GEP. The approximate number of pupils for each GEP class is 25 pupils. However, it may vary according to enrolment and suspension rates, as well as the number of pupils opting out or being expelled from the GEP.
It also has a varying number of mainstream classes, all of which have a standard number of 40 pupils. Again, it may vary according to how many pupils there are who transferred into/out of the school, went into the GEP in other shools, or are suspended or expelled.
The school has a well-established tradition and attributes its present status to the hard work and dedication of the SMC, the staff, pupils and the whole-hearted support of parents, alumnae and community leaders over the years.
Facilities
The school occupies a large compound. Its facilities are for the sole use of its students and teachers.
It includes a triangular running track, a basketball court as well as a multi-purpose court. The multi-purpose court can be used for soccer, tennis and many other forms of sports.
There is also a two-storey library, full of both Chinese and English books, in addition to some academic-related board games such as "Scrabble" and some school-related VCDs.
There are also many rooms in the library, used for many purposes, such as to conduct lessons or health check-ups, or even to watch a movie.
There is also a huge canteen behind a clay duplicate of an anchor.
In front of the anchor is a meeting point where parents pick up their children, and that place displays latest news about the school and the board which depicts the schedule for their co-curricular activities.
An elevated courtyard is also sometimes used for morning assembly and sports and games. However, the steep staircase poses a danger to students, and the students are only allowed to climb the sides with the staircase handles.
Culture
Nanyang's values are based on traditional Chinese cultural values, as it has ninety years of history behind it. It was founded as a school for the Chinese children of the then by-far uneducated Singapore. Year 2007 is its 90th anniversary.
Today, it has produced many scholars which rank at the top, based on national examination results, and many have come from its prestigious Gifted Education Programme. It was the fourth primary school to have the programme in 1990.
Co-Curricular Activities
- Sports and Games
- Uniformed groups
- Performing Arts
- Clubs and Societies
- Special Interest Groups
External links
|
