Welcome to our new Vice-Principal

Dunman Secondary School would like to welcome its new Vice-Principal, Mdm Ong Lay Ling to Dunman Secondary School. We would like to thank our former Vice-Principal, Mr Ling Khoon Chow for all the hard work and commitment to the school and wish him all the best in his new posting.

Celebrating 45 years of Distinction

Dunman Secondary celebrates 45 years of history this year. In this milestone year, as we upgrade our premises to one befitting of an autonomous school, we want to recognise the contribution of our Senior Teacher, Mrs Wee-Quek Jee Eng who as of this year, has served 40 years in Dunman Secondary School making her the first teacher to hit the 40 year mark. We will be acknowledging Mrs Wee's contributions at our Anniversary Dinner on 15 November 2008 and hope that ex-Dunmanites including those who have been taught by Mrs Wee will join us that evening.

"In the 40 years I have been with Dunman, I have watched the school grow and move with the times, evolving into a dynamic and vibrant learning institution ready to take on the challenges of the future. I am glad to be part of this dynamic, forward looking and far-sighted team of leaders in their quest to bring Dunman Secondary to greater heights as embodied in our current school logo, with the flaming torch and the lion symbolizing courage and daring, ready to face the next phase with zeal and fortitude," Mrs Wee Quek Jee Eng, Senior Teacher, Dunman Secondary School, 1968 - present

Dunman Secondary School (1963 - 1989)

Dunman Secondary School started in Haig Road in 1963 two years before Singapore achieved its independence. It was then known as Dunman Secondary Integrated School. Mr Au Keng Chu, the first Principal set the course for the school with the motto, 'Knowledge the Torch of Life'. The School Badge was designed with the message that all students should leave the school imbibed with wide knowledge and fine character. In 1964, Dunman became the first integrated school with 3 mediums of instruction. At Dunman Secondary's Speech and Prize-Giving Day in 1972, Dr Chong Yean Chiong, Vice-Chairman of the SAC announced to all, "my message is this - we have every intention of making our school the prestigious school for Katong first, and finally the prestigious school for the whole of Singapore... this is no pipe dream. It is an attainable goal. It may take time, but I am serious - we shall overcome." Over the years, the school has not lost track of the vision set by its SAC and has progressed steadily overcoming many challenges and milestones.

1963

1976

Dunman Secondary School (1990 - 2007)

In 1990, Dunman Secondary began a new phase in its history with its move to Tampines New Town. In 1975, the Dunman students statue was completed by Mr Lim Nang Seng, the originator and sculptor of the Merlion statue, to instil the Dunman spirit in all pupils. When the school was relocated, the statue made its way to Tampines New Town.

The 5 D's of a Distinctive Dunmanite was formulated at this time to focus students' attention on attaining discipline, diligence, determination, discernment and duty. The current Dunman torch incorporated into the current badge was created at this time. With a fresh start in a new environment, the school progressed steadily. Dunman entered the new millenium as an autonomous school ready to face the challenges of the twenty-first century with its knowledge based and technologically driven society. It became critical to instil in all Dunmanites values and skills needed to face the challenges of the real world. The Dunman lion became a symbol not only of courage and duty but daring to experiment and forge breakthroughs. A 6th D 'Daring' was added to the Dunmanite Creed in 2001. The creative and innovative spirit of all Dunmanites is constantly being nurtured with the students achieving distinction in many areas. The blazing torch closely associated with Dunman serves as an inspiration to students to not only imbibe knowledge but be discerning in their use of knowledge, to create even more knowledge and to achieve breakthroughs. Dunman soon achieved the distinction of being an innovative school clinching the National Thinking Culture Award for 4 consecutive years from 2005 - 2008. The DARE (Dunman All Round Excellence) Framework was conceptualised to ensure that all Dunmanites leave the school equipped with the 12 essential skills required for the 21st century based on the EnGauge Model of Digital Age Literacy, Inventive Thinking, Effective Communication and High Productivity. All students in Dunman Secondary are assessed based on these skills throughout their years with the school.

Dunman Secondary School (2008 - )

The school has not lost sight of the vision of its pioneers to make it the best school in the district if not the republic. This year, the school is proud to announce that after 4 years of continuous improvement in its academic results, it has reached Band 2 in the academic rankings for the express stream and has the lowest L1B4 nationally for the normal stream where it holds a Band 1 position. 97.1% of express stream students qualify for Junior College. The school also attained Sustained Achievement Awards in Academic Performance, Uniformed Groups, the Aesthetics and Physical Health. Having attained the School Distinction Award in 2007, Dunman aspires to achieve the School Excellence Award in the near future and to attain Band 1 status for its express stream. Dunman's progress and achievements would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff, pupils and all those closely associated with the school especially our School Advisory Committee, Dunman Dedicated and Supportive Parents' Group (DSP) and DSA (Dunman Secondary Alumni) who have rendered us unstinting support.

Dunman has begun the next phase in its history with the commencement of its PRIME project. Much careful thought and planning among staff and those closely associated with the school has been invested to transform Dunman Secondary into a truly modern and future school to realise our vision of becoming a leading environmental - life sciences research, ICT and technology centre as well as producing Dunmanites of fine character equipped to deal with the uncertainties of a knowledge based economy while still keeping our precious links with the past. With its emphasis on Science Dunman currently boasts 7 state of the art labs including a high end life-sciences research facility.

The air-conditioned Dunman Multi-Purpose Hall can accomodate the entire school. A state of the Art Indoor Sports Hall has been constructed with a sheltered basketball court cum amphitecture build below it. Our canteen has been enlarged and all CCAs have been assigned a room. Our administration block has been completed and work will now start on our classrooms and transforming our library into a truly modern one with an outdoor gallery. Our Heritage Centre will be located above the library, the second level of which is accessible by a spiral staircase located in the garden. The area beyond the stained glass occupying the roof of the porch will be transformed into a science and environmental research and learning station. The Heritage Centre which is open to all associated with Dunman Secondary, past and present will capture Dunman's rich history.

Our statue of the boy and girl will be refurbished and will occupy a prime position at the new porch created with PRIME. The lion that is closely associated with Dunman will reflect the bold, daring spirit of Dunmanites as well as their duty to serve the nation. The Dunman torch will remind Dunmanites that they have to be versatile and continually keep pace with the demands of society. As Alvin Toffler tells us, "the illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn." Our new badge integrates our vision, motto and values. It was conceptualised after much deliberation to reflect the present spirit of Dunman while still retaining the symbols of the past. The badge draws students' attention to the two important symbols which our students today can easily identify - the lion and the torch. At the same time, it focuses their attention on the 5D's of a distinctive Dunmanite. The 5 strands on the lion's mane encapsulates the 5 D's of a Distinctive Dunmanite. The current badge will reflect both our motto 'Knowledge the Torch of Life' and our theme, 'DARE to achieve your Dreams'. Dunmanites will embrace the courageous, daring and dutiful spirit of the lion and keep the knowledge, the torch of life blazing. At the same time, they will exhibit the Dunman values of determination, daring, discipline, discernment and duty. As Dunman goes global, it was important to incorporate the full name of the school and the word 'Singapore' into our new badge.

With the support of the School Advisory Committee, Parents' Support Group and Dunman Secondary Alumni, the new badge came into effect in May 2008.

45th Anniversary Celebrations Cum Fund-Raising for Dunman Heritage Centre

Dunman Secondary School will be celebrating its 45th Anniversary on the evening of 15 November 2008. Our Guest of Honour for the event is none other than our very supportive Chairman of the School Advisory Committee, Mr Ng San Tiong, PBM. One of the first batches of students to graduate from Dunman Secondary School, Mr Ng has done the school proud by being conferred the Businessman of the Year Award for 2008. Mr Ng has contributed much to Dunman's success over the years together with the other members of the SAC, 4 of whom are also old boys of the school. We hope all those associated with the school will join us as we celebrate 45 years of Distinction.

"As an old boy of the school and a member of the School Advisory Committee since 1984, I have kept in close touch with the school and participated in shaping the school and helping it to move forward. While I treasure the school's heritage, I also understand the need for the school to evolve and remain relevant to today's world. I am proud of all that the school has achieved and appeal to all those associated with Dunman Secondary to support the school in realising its vision and mission," Mr Ng San Tiong, PBM, Chairman, School Advisory Committee.

I would like to appeal to all Ex-Dunmanites to contribute items from the past to the Heritage Centre. I appreciate the feelings and endearments of all Dunmanites towards the school as it reflects the richness of your experiences in Dunman Secondary. Those who have lost touch with the school and who would like to render your support to the school or give us ideas on how we can transform Dunman into a unique, distinctive and futuristic school, can contact the school or send me an email or sms me at Edelweis_NEO@moe.edu.sg or 98305443. We will be happy to hear from you.

Our Dedicated Staff

The school would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the fine staff of Dunman Secondary School. Without their hard work and commitment, Dunman would not have progressed as much as it has done. Our Executive and Administrative Staff have also contributed greatly to our progress. We would like to congratulate Ms Khng Swee Lian who has served more than 35 years in Dunman Secondary School on attaining the position of Administrative Manager.

We would also like to thank Mr Wilfred James, our School Counsellor (2004 - present) and former teacher of Dunman Secondary School, (1984 - 2003) for his care and support of teachers and students.

"Change is never easy yet change is necessary if we are not to stagnate. Realignment need not dislocate but rather reflect a rich evolution of ideas, principles and values towards a new relevance as we embrace new horizons, aspirations and needs." Mr Wilfred James, Dunman HOD Pupil Welfare, (1984 - 2003) and School Counsellor, 2003 - present).

The School Advisory Committee

The Dunman School Advisory Committee has rendered its unstinting support to the school. Mr Ng San Tiong, Chairman, has served the SAC since 1984. In addition to the great support rendered to the school, Mr Ng gives out the Ng San Tiong scholarship to the top students for the GCE 'O' levels and 'N' level examination. We are grateful to all members of the SAC for their continuous support to our Financial Assistance Scheme as well as their active involvement in all areas of the school.

45th Anniversary and Prize-Giving Day 2008

Mr Leck, GOH at our Musical Performance at VCH, 2008

Ms Dilys Yong, GOH at our National Day Celebrations 2008

Dr Phua delivering the keynote address at Dunman Career Seminar 2008

The Dedicated and Supportive Parents' Group (Dunman DSP)

For 2008, Dunman Secondary welcomes Mr Thurairajah as the new President. Mr Thurai has been very involved in the DSP activities over the years.

"The Dunman Dedicated and Supportive Parents' Group has been actively involved in working with the school in envisioning for the future, planning programmes and activities as well as raising funds for needy students. As a member of the Pupil Development Steering Committee, together with 2 other members of the DSP, we want to applaud the school's effort to prepare our students better for the future and to focus their attention on the skills and values applicable to the 21st Century." Mr Thurairajah, Chairman, Dunman Dedicated and Supportive Parents' Group.

The Dunman DSP has been most proactive in organising and assisting in activities related to health, the environment and fund-raising for needy students. On behalf of the school and DSP, I would like to thank Mr Nadarajan who was President of the DSP from 2001 - 2007. During this time, Mr Rajan contributed greatly to the progress of the school especially in the area of pupil development. Mr Rajan was a member of the Pupil Development Steering Committee and rendered valuable assistance to the school in this area. Many events centred around racial harmony, health and the environment were co- organised by the DSP and school under his term of office.

We would like to thank parents for their commitment and dedication to the Dunman CARE and SHARE Day in 2008 which helped to raise about $30,000 for needy students (including direct donations). We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our SAC Chairman, Mr Ng San Tiong for gracing the event as our Guest of Honour.

The Parents' Support Group outdid itself in assisting the school in the 2nd EZ Environmental Life-Sciences Symposium. Their booth attracted an endless stream of visitors.

Dunman Secondary Alumni

Dunman Secondary is grateful to the Dunman Secondary Alumni under the Presidentship of Mr Bernard Quek for its continuous support of school activities. Each year the DSA gives out the DSA Award to the Normal Technical Student with the best results. Their support of Dunman Care and Share Day, our Enviro-Life Sciences Symposium as well as our 45 Anniversary and Prize-Giving Day is greatly appreciated.

Zhuo Dao Quan Secondary School, our Partners in Wuhan, China

In 2007, Dunman once again welcomed its partners from from Zhuo Dao Quan Secondary in Wuhan, China who were such perfect hosts to our students who visited in 2005, 2006 and once again this year. We thank them for the lovely performance they put up for our students in which the Principal, Mr Xu Xue Wu sang a lovely song for the entire school. In 2008, we were privileged to have our partners join us for our 45 Anniversary and Prize-Giving Day. I would like to thank the school for giving us a warm welcome this year and for allowing me to conduct a workshop on the teaching of English to teachers of more than 20 schools in the district of Wuhan.

Our Many Partners

Dunman Secondary would like to thank its many partners especially SIA, the Rotary Club of Marina City, All Saints' Home, Temasek Polytechnic and many more. The support of its partners and stakeholders is greatly treasured.

Mr Sum, SIA receiving a plague from our GOH, Mr Ong Kian Min, MP for Tampines GRC at the 2nd Enviro-Life Sciences Symposium 2008.

SIA renders unstintingly support to Dunman's environmental and life-sciences endeavours.

Mrs Edelweis Neo

Principal Dunman Secondary School, (Dec 2000 - present)