Bartley Secondary School

The school was founded on 18 February 1952 with Mr Chua Leong Hean as the first principal and an enrolment of 81 boys and 10 girls.

In 1955 the science laboratories, school hall and tuck shop were built. In 1956, the female population of Bartley was transferred to the newly completed Cedar Girls' Secondary School. The school then became a boys' school in the secondary section. Post-secondary classes were also started in the same year, and female students were admitted to that level. The school also pioneered the National Police Cadet Corps with the first unit being established in 1959.[1]

In 1992 the school moved to the former Mt. Vernon Secondary School premises while a new school was built. In 1995 Bartley moved to new premises at 10 Jalan Bunga Rampai, and began admitted girls at secondary level again that year. Pre-university classes were phased out from the school in 1996. The school was upgraded under the PRIME scheme in its present site from 2003 to 2005.[2] The new school had facilities such as a dental clinic, a new school hall, additional classrooms and a library with a cafe.[3]

The school was banded for the first time in MOE's annual school ranking exercise in 2009. The school attributed this success to a lower student-teacher ratio.[4] In 2010, the school received the MOE Master Plan Award 2010, Band 9 in Express and Band 5 in Normal Academic Course. Also, the school achieved SAA for Academic (Express), SAA for Uniformed Group (5th Award) and SAA for Aesthetics (1st Award).

In 2011, the class, 2E2, was the winner for the Teachers' Day Dedication on 5, which dedication messages was showcased on the Channel 5 Television Show, The Noose on 1 September 2011. The dedication was filmed with Andre Chichak at Bartley Secondary School.[5] In 2012, air-conditioners were installed in the classrooms of 8 graduating classes.

In 2014, it was announced that Bartley Secondary School would absorb First Toa Payoh Secondary School, in order to ensure a sufficiently large student population and modern infrastructure.[6] A school with a rich history, First Toa Payoh Secondary School when founded in 1968 was the first secondary school to cater to the population of Singapore's second satellite town of Toa Payoh.[7]

The schools were merged at the beginning of the 2016 school year and in order to ensure the students were acquainted with each other, a lesson on the history of both schools and icebreakers were conducted. An exhibition space dedicated to First Toa Payoh Secondary's achievements and heritage was also set up.[8]

The Express Course is a nationwide four-year programme that leads up to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level examination.[9]

The Normal Course is a nationwide 4-year programme leading to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Normal Level examination, which runs either the Normal (Academic) curriculum or Normal (Technical) curriculum, abbreviated as N(A) and N(T) respectively.[10]

In the Normal (Academic) course, students offer 5-8 subjects in the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Normal Level examination. Compulsory subjects include:[11]

• English Language
• Mother Tongue Language
• Mathematics
• Combined Humanities

A 5th year leading to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level examination is available to N(A) students who perform well in their Singapore-Cambridge GCE Normal Level examination. Students can move from one course to another based on their performance and the assessment of the school principal and teachers.[10]

The Normal (Technical) course prepares students for a technical-vocational education at the Institute of Technical Education.[11] Students will offer 5-7 subjects in the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Normal Level examination.[11] The curriculum is tailored towards strengthening students’ proficiency in English and Mathematics.[11] Students take English Language, Mathematics, Basic Mother Tongue and Computer Applications as compulsory subjects.[11]

One of the stronger areas of Bartley Secondary School is the Student Leadership Development Programme and the CCA Programme. The school has the Student Council Board, Class Committee Council and Co-curricular Activity Leaders (formed by the top two leaders from all Uniform Groups, Performing Arts, Sports and Games and Clubs and Societies). Each of these group of Student Leaders receive training and development through their stint of duties and responsibilities in their respective areas. The annual Combined Student Leadership Camp was started in 2006. In June and November, the top two or three student leaders from every CCA come together to learn and grow together as part of their leadership training. The Combined Student Leaders Investiture was conceptualized from 2007 and it remains a highlight in the School Calendar.

• Mr Hri Kumar Nair (student, 1979–1982), lawyer and Member of Parliament (2011–2015) representing the Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC.[12]
• Mr Wong Shoon Keat (student 1971–1974), 1983 Southeast Asian Games Badminton men's singles gold medallist.
• Maliki Osman (student 1982–1984), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mayor of the South East District.
• Mr Chen Yuen Cheong Albert (student 1978–1981), (Singapore Armed Forces) - Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (PRSM) in National Day Parade 2010 @Padang - Singapore 45th Birthday Celebration.
• Ms Shirley Ng (student 1991–1994), first female Red Lion parachutist to jump at the National Day Parade in 2014.[13]

• Chandra Das: Member of Parliament, Cheng San GRC, 1980-1996
• Ang Hin Kee: Member of Parliament