Media Highlights

 

1.      FSBB Pilot Schools:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/28-pilot-schools-to-push-ahead-with-full-subject-based-banding-and-new-form

2.      Sustainability Projects:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/students-work-in-teams-to-solve-problems-in-water-energy-and-food-sustainability

The Green Innovation Centre | Swedish Chamber of Commerce Singapore

3.      A Caring and Nurturing School Culture:
https://www.schoolbag.edu.sg/story/helping-kids-feel-good-about-themselves/

4.      Intergenerational Project in collaboration with NUS:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/playing-mahjong-and-kahoot-nus-students-tackle-ageism-creatively-to-promote-bonding-with-seniors

5.      Community Youth Leadership Project:
Students make scrunchies, keychains to raise funds for ST School Pocket Money Fund | The Straits Times

6.      2025 Alumni Homecoming Event:
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/lifestyle/history-heritage/story20251207-7897086

---

Queenstown Secondary School: Passing the Technical Torch Through Seven Decades - Published by Zaobao in 2025

Queenstown Secondary School, originally Queenstown Secondary Technical School, was among Singapore's earliest technical institutions. Through hands-on courses in woodwork and metalwork, it cultivated a skilled technical workforce that powered the nation's industrial development. As the school prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2026, Principal Sim How Chong is rallying alumni across generations, hoping their stories of dedication will keep the "technical" spirit alive for years to come.

Homecoming: Where Memories Never Fade

Following a campus open day on 29 November, the school welcomed back alumni spanning decades. Over a hundred former students gathered for a meal in the familiar hall, wandered through old classrooms, and later hand-designed clay tiles for a commemorative 70th-anniversary wall. This collaborative artwork will adorn the staff room as a vibrant testament to their shared legacy.

The Technical School Era: A Forward-Looking Education

Established in 1956 as Queenstown Secondary Technical School, the institution was among Singapore's pioneering technical schools, alongside Tanjong Katong Technical Secondary School. Both began as boys' schools with a bold vision.

陈维新, 86, was among the 92 students in the inaugural cohort. "Technical schools were truly star institutions then," he recalled. "We learned industrial drafting and developed hands-on skills in school workshops. With industrialisation looming after the war, this was remarkably forward-looking education. I'd already spent two years at an independent Chinese school but chose without hesitation to restart from Secondary One here."

He added with evident pride: "While most schools followed the Cambridge 'O' Levels, technical schools adopted the London 'O' Levels, considered more advanced at the time."

陈维新 remembered the school's first year as "very unsettled." The campus wasn't ready, so students moved three times across three terms—between two former primary school premises in Jalan Eunos and Mountbatten (both since closed) and the newly built Tanjong Katong Technical Secondary School. The school's workshop wasn't completed until his Secondary Three year, meaning he missed the practical classes entirely.

Building the Nation, One Skill at a Time

陈佳材, 80, who enrolled in 1959, was among the first to experience workshop classes. Students chose between woodwork and metalwork. "I chose metalwork and made tools like vernier calipers," he said. "Woodwork students crafted furniture—cabinets and the like."

Beyond technical subjects, the curriculum included English literature, history, geography, mathematics, mechanical principles, and technical drawing. 陈维新 recalled with amusement that teacher shortages meant many instructors attended evening classes at Singapore Polytechnic and taught secondary students the next day. "The knowledge was fresh," he laughed.

After graduating in 1962, 陈佳材 enrolled in electronic engineering at Singapore Polytechnic. Though financial constraints prevented completion, his technical foundation enabled him to continuously upgrade his skills through Singapore's technological transformation. He fondly remembered extracurricular life: for just $4 monthly, he joined the sea scouts, boarded British warships, participated in live-fire training using wooden crates as targets, and played rugby. His outgoing nature led him to the debate team—skills that later proved invaluable in his career as a printer industry salesperson, where technical knowledge met communication prowess.

陈维新 noted that many alumni joined the Public Works Department and Public Utilities Board after Singapore's independence in 1965, becoming key contributors to nation-building. Notable graduates include former Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Education Lee Yock Suan, and former Changi Airport Group Chairman Liew Mun Leong.

Evolution: From Technical School to Comprehensive Education

Queenstown Secondary Technical School introduced pre-university classes in 1965 to facilitate entry to Singapore Polytechnic. It began admitting girls in 1971 and started offering both academic and technical streams in 1993, when it was renamed Queenstown Secondary School.

赵慧玲, 50, who graduated in 1992, recalled the school's predominantly male character. "There were five express classes, A to E. The first four were all boys; only Class E was all girls. In the normal stream, Class F was all boys, and my Class G was the only mixed-gender class. Perhaps there weren't enough students, so they combined us," she laughed.

Despite the gender imbalance, school life thrived. Her most vivid memory was a school-wide English musical adaptation of Thunderstorm, staged at the Drama Centre in Dhoby Ghaut. "Everyone collaborated—from creation and staging to promotion." She actively participated in the dance club, military band, and liaison club, experiences that nurtured diverse interests that shaped her life.

Reconnecting Past, Present, and Future

Principal Sim How Chong explained that the Queenstown Secondary Technical School Alumni Association, established in 1977, was among the earliest for government secondary schools. However, activities eventually waned. "When I joined in 2022, I noticed many students were unaware of the school's rich history. An active alumni association became essential as a bridge connecting past, present, and future," he said. "A strong alumni network helps students understand their heritage and allows graduates to continue benefiting long after leaving school."

Under Sim's leadership, the school began welcoming younger alumni in batches from 2023 and opened its doors to all alumni for the first time in 2025. The 2026 celebration will feature the unveiling of the commemorative tile wall and a refreshed school history corridor.

The school now collaborates with the alumni association on the Quest-Vantage programme, which includes career and guidance education talks by alumni, learning journeys to companies like Airbus, and job shadowing activities. Secondary Two students interview alumni for history inquiry-based projects, gaining understanding of both school and Singapore history through firsthand accounts. "These interviews showcase how alumni proactively navigate life's challenges and live out our school motto, 'Dare to Serve,'" Sim said. "These life stories inspire students to carry forward this spirit."

Pride in the Technical Legacy

As one of the last graduates before the school's renaming, 赵慧玲 reflected: "If I could choose, I wish the school hadn't changed its name. The word 'technical' might seem old-fashioned as times change, but it represents our glory, our unique identity, and our sense of pride."

Emdhyas article - Published by Tamil Murasu in 2022

The circumstances at home was not quite suitable for education, however that wasn’t a barrier.

Emdhyas Ahmed, a Child raised by a single parent, lead to losing interest in education and faced multiple challenges.

Amidst the challenging situation at home he managed to successfully complete the course with outstanding performances & desired to pursue his higher studies in cybersecurity.

When he initially joined the Queenstown Secondary School he was a student that lacked passion & involvement in his studies, he was found to be disinterested in computer related subjects. However, with constant encouragement & support from friends, family & teachers his interest in studies gradually grew & he also wanted to become a computer expert like his brother.

He was awarded the EDUSAVE excellence award for his generosity to help various communities.

Emdhyas used his spare time in lending a hand to the school cleaning staff for preparing food. He mentioned to Tamil Murasu, that recognition needs to be given to these staffs that relentlessly serve us. He was appreciated by many for his selfless character.

NPCC candidate Emdhyas, used to patiently teach all the activities & exercises to his fellow students.

He said that his Mother, Grandmother, Grandfather, Younger Sister & older brother’s support played a vital role in him.

Especially his Grandmother used to encourage him to inculcate good characteristics everyday.

In addition to this Emdhyas mentioned that without the constant support & patience of his teachers it wouldn’t have been possible for him to achieve all that he has today. He said, he was forever grateful & thankful to them.

The governments support, his grandfather’s income & the schools financial assistance are the key players that helped him & his family greatly.

During the pandemic, there was no such facility that was suitable for online classes at his home. However, he never considered this to be a barrier in accomplishing his goal.

He has great interest in watching anime & has a very strong desire to learn the violin. His ambition is to constantly aim for success & achieve more laurels in the future.