First Toa Payoh Secondary School

First Toa Payoh Secondary School (FTPSS) (Chinese: 大智中学; pinyin: Dàzhì zhōngxué) was a former secondary school in Toa Payoh, Singapore. Founded in 1968, the school was the first secondary school to cater to the population of Singapore's satellite town, Toa Payoh. First Toa Payoh Secondary School was merged into Bartley Secondary School in January 2016.

This article is about the former First Toa Payoh Secondary School, a former secondary school in Singapore, merged into Bartley Secondary School in 2016. For the merged institution, see Bartley Secondary School.
First Toa Payoh Secondary School
大智中学
Sekolah Menengah Pertama Toa Payoh
Campus of First Toa Payoh Secondary from 2004 to 2015 prior to the merger into Bartley Secondary School.
Address
580 Toa Payoh East 319133

Toa Payoh

Singapore
Information
TypeGovernment
Co-educational
MottoTo The Years Ahead
Established1 January 1968 (1968-01-01)
StatusMerged into Bartley Secondary School in 2016.
Closed2016
WebsiteHeritage Website

History
School campus at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 (1969–2003)

The pre-university course lasted only a decade and was phased-out in 1991 to accommodate the transformation of the school into one of the pioneer single-session secondary schools.

The school operated at two campuses up to 2003. In 2004, First Toa Payoh Secondary School merged with Upper Serangoon Secondary School, and moved from its original site, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, to new facilities at Toa Payoh East. It was officially opened on 1 April 2005 by Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Member of Parliament for Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC, also the Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Education.

First Toa Payoh Secondary School was merged with Bartley Secondary School in January 2016.

Principals
  1. Mr. Yang Chien Hua (1964–1969)
  2. Mr. Fong Fook Chak (1969–1970)
  3. Mr. Loh Yee Chong (1970–1971)
  4. Mr. Chiu Yew Yean (1971–1972)
  5. Mr. Loh Yee Chong (1973–1983)
  6. Mr. Loo Pui Wah (1984–1986)
  7. Mrs. J Narayanaswamy (1987–1992)
  8. Miss Winne Tan (1992–1994)
  9. Mrs. Sia Heng Yee (1993–1996)
  10. Mr. Ng Hok Siang (1997–2000)
  11. Mr. Loh Ai (2000–2003)
  12. Mdm Aini Maarof (2004–2009)
  13. Mr. Lim Kok Hwa (2009–2015)

Identity & heritage

Crest and motto

The school crest and emblem consist of a torch set within a wheel. The torch signifies enlightenment and knowledge, while the wheel represents progress. This symbolizes effort in striving for progress and achievement through education.

The school motto, "To the Years Ahead", reflects aspirations to ensure students are ready for the future while grounded in strong values.

Community

Although most of the students come from the Toa Payoh neighborhood, it is a diverse neighbourhood with students from countries such as Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar, South Korea and Nepal.

To forge stronger bonds with community partners, the school spearheaded the Love Toa Payoh East movement in 2004, which later became the basis for the Toa Payoh Trail in 2009. As a testament to its commitment in instilling into students a responsibility towards community service and pride, and loyalty towards the country, the school was accorded the Development Award for National Education in 2011.[1]

To leverage on its strength in experiential learning, FTPSS was also awarded the niche status (Secondary) for Outdoor Experiential Learning (OEL) in 2013.[2] The school successfully re-positioned the niche as the Learning for Life Programme (LLP) in 2014.

Notable alumni
  • Mr. Hri Kumar Nair (student, 1979–1982), lawyer and Member of Parliament (2011–2015) representing the Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC.[3]
  • Mr. Wong Shoon Keat (student 1971–1974), 1983 Southeast Asian Games Badminton men's singles gold medallist.
  • Dr. 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.[4]
  • Apple Chan

References
  1. First Toa Payoh Secondary School S.P.I.C.E Magazine 2011.
  2. "Outdoor Experiential Learning Niche Area" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-17.
  3. First Toa Payoh Secondary School S.P.I.C.E Magazine 2012.
  4. First female Red Lion. "Second chance for first female Red Lion at National Day Parade". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
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