River Valley High School, Singapore

River Valley High School was founded as Singapore Chinese Middle School. It was the first Chinese middle school set up by the government and occupied the premises of Seng Poh Primary School. It was later renamed Queenstown Government Chinese Middle School and subsequently River Valley Government Chinese Middle School when it was moved to Strathmore Avenue.[3]

River Valley High School admitted its first batch of English-taught pupils in 1979 when it was selected as one of the nine pioneering Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools in that same year. It moved from its River Valley campus to a new campus at West Coast in December 1986. Due to the smaller school campus at the West Coast site, the school became a double-session school. It reverted to a single-session school in 1993 after new blocks were constructed. It was among the first six schools in Singapore to become autonomous in 1994. For its achievements in its CCAs, it was also one of the first schools to receive all three available Sustained Achievement Awards when it was first offered by the Ministry of Education in 2001.[4]

In 2006, River Valley High School was officially designated a 6-year Integrated Programme school. Under the programme, students do not sit for the GCE O-Level examinations at Year 4 (with the exception of the Higher Chinese subject) and instead sit for the GCE A-Level examinations at Year 6. The final batch of GCE O-Level students graduated from River Valley High School in 2007.[5][6]

At a press release held by the Ministry of Education on 21 September 2018, it was revealed that River Valley High School would be participating in the JAE as of 2019, and will accept GCE O-Level graduates from other secondary schools. The first batch of JAE students were admitted into the school in February 2019.[7]

River Valley High School retains its school song in Mandarin Chinese. The song, with close links to the school motto, represents the heritage of the school and the aspirations of the founders' hopes in educating the next generation. Students are reminded to bring glory to the school through excellence in both academics and behaviour. The school song is written in literary Chinese, giving it a poetic touch. The lyrics are written in verses of four characters, a parallel to Chinese idioms, with the exception of the last two verses.[8][9]

River Valley High School's crest is made of the school initials "RV", with the letter "R" in red colour and "V" in blue colour. The colour of red symbolises radiance, progress and vitality, the colour of blue symbolises steadfastness, graciousness and serenity, while white symbolises purity and receptiveness to innovation.[10]

River Valley High School's Year 1-3 school uniform is unique to the school, one of the most outstanding and identifiable uniform designs in Singapore. Male students wear an all white shirt with white shorts, while female students wear a white pinafore. Both the shirt and pinafore bear the school initials "RV", with the letter "R" in red colour and "V" in blue colour at the front left chest level.[10]

The Year 4-6 school uniform is a plain white shirt or blouse complemented with blue skirt or white pants. A collar pin is worn on the left collar, which bears the school crest.[10]

River Valley High School is known for its popularity in composing and singing campus songs and Xinyao, a genre of songs originated in the 1980s that is unique to Singapore. River Valley High School have its collection of songs written by its former and present students.[11] This associates River Valley High School with institutions that have strong cultural background and influence in Singapore's music scene, such as Hwa Chong Institution and Jurong Junior College.[12] River Valley High School graduates are also seen taking an active role in the continuation of Singapore's song writing heritage.[13]

The River Valley High Student Hostel is located adjacent to the school campus, consisting of two 12-storey buildings and one 15-storey building (Halls 1, 2 & 3 respectively). It provides accommodation for up to 500 boarders and 25 teacher mentors.[15] The building features a dining hall and is supported with internet access.[16] However, this hostel closed in late 2016.[17] As of 2019, the hostel is now privately operated by 85soho, a hostel operator.[18]

From 2006, River Valley High School offers the 6-year Integrated Programme, allowing its students to take the GCE A-Level examinations at the end their sixth year (JC2) in the school. It also offers the Bicultural Studies Programme (Chinese), joining Dunman High School, Hwa Chong Institution and Nanyang Girls' High School. The programmed is aimed to nurture independent and passionate individuals who uphold strong moral character, effectively bilingual in English and Chinese language, and have a global perspective that allows them to face challenges in the changing world.[19][20]

The Construct, Integrate, Differentiate (CID) Programme is an integrated curriculum under the RVIP that focuses on knowledge construction with differentiation features to cater to the diverse talents and interests of the students.

The CID Programme provides students with opportunities to construct their own learning by integrating knowledge from various disciplines, using modes of inquiry appropriate to the subject or project that they are working on. In the CID Programme, students spend their freed time constructively on inquiry-based and research-oriented project work. Teamwork is emphasised through collaborative and co-operative learning.[21]

The programme is designed with the objectives of providing students with the opportunities to engage in individualised research in an area of strength. All students will complete coursework in Research Methods, an in depth learning of the quantitative and qualitative methods appropriate to individualised researches. With the completion of the Research Methods coursework, students can opt to undertake research in one of the following programmes: the Junior Scientists Programme (scientific research work), Innovators Programme (engineering and design), Mathematics Talent Programme and the Explorers Programme (humanities). Students can also seek attachments at the local or overseas institutes for the CID Extended Learning. Opportunities for further learning are also provided through overseas exchange programmes.

CHAMPS is an acronym for "Character Education; Health Education; Active Citizenry; Moral Philosophy; Physical Education; & Student Leadership Development". It is a unique and integrated Pupil Development Programme (PDP) designed by the school. It focuses on the development of values and character. It seeks to develop life skills, and the social, national, cultural and moral consciousness of the students. ASK will be infused in the teaching and learning of PDP. Besides the core modules in CHAMPS, students would complete at least 1 PDP elective module each year.

River Valley High School, being a Special Assistance Plan school, has a very strong Chinese environment. Chinese language, culture and history are often emphasised in the School. It is compulsory for all Year 1 to 4 students to take up Higher Chinese as a subject, Chinese culture lessons are also mandatory in lower secondary and students can opt for Chinese Literature in upper secondary.

River Valley High School is one of the few institutions in Singapore to offer the Bi-cultural Studies Programme. The 4-year programme, which is offered at Year 3 level, aims to nurture a bi-cultural orientation amongst a core group of students.[22] River Valley High School's BSP includes camps, enrichment electives which complements the ministry's programme.[23]

• Ang Mong Seng: Former Member of Parliament
• Peh Chin Hua: Former Member of Parliament
• Goh Meng Seng: Founder and Secretary-General, People's Power Party; Former Secretary-General, National Solidarity Party

• Kym Ng: Television host and actress
• Marcus Chin: Television presenter, actor and comedian
• Wendy Cheng (Xiaxue): Prominent blogger

• Tham Yew Chin: Prominent Writer; Cultural Medallion Recipient - Literary Arts