It would be interesting to note that the year Dunman Secondary School was founded, Singapore was still part of the Federation of Malaya. At 45 years in 2008, Dunman’s history precedes our nation by two years.

Dunman through the decades…

1963

Mr Au Keng Chu, the first Principal of Dunman Secondary School

Back in the early days, the school was known as Dunman Secondary Integrated school.

Pupils were enrolled into the school even as the building was under construction. 9 English stream sec one classes functioned at Matter West Vocational Institute while 3 Malay stream sec one classes were at Tun Seri Lanang school. Mr Felix Chew and Mr Abdul Kadir headed the respective schools.

In August, the school building was completed and the 12 classes settled in their classrooms. Assisted by Senior Assistants Mr Wallace Muthu (English) and Mr Abdul Kadir (Malay), Mr Au Keng Chu was appointed the first Principal of Dunman.

Mr Au set the course for the school with his motto “Knowledge the Torch of Life.” He was also responsible for the design of the school badge.

On the 16th October, Mr Ng Yeow Chong, then the Assemblyman for Mountabatten, officially declared the school open.

1964
Only a year after its opening, Dunman’s enrollment increased dramatically with 22 English stream classes and 21 Malay stream classes.

Dunman also achieved a distinction of sorts when it became the first integrated school with 3 mediums of instruction – 10 classes of Chinese stream students were integrated into the school.

1965
The Malay stream classes were transferred to Telok Kurau Secondary School.

1968
The school song was composed by Mr John de Souza in this year. It expresses the purpose and mission of the school.

In September, Mr Tiong Dak Yu became the second principal. The school’s first Advisory Committee was officially formed.

Mr Tiong Dak Yu

The 1970s

Quietly, Dunman was slowly emerging as a school with its own distinctiveness.

1970
Even in its early days, Dunman Secondary students and staff were in a class of their own. Less than ten years after its inception, in 1970, Dunman put up a Youth Day performance.

A pioneering staff of the school, Mrs Ng-Tan Eng remembers that staff and students did everything on their own – from the choreography to the costumes – and put up a very impressive display. In fact, so impressive were they that the school was invited to put up the same item for that year’s National Day Parade. It was indeed a great and rare honour as Dunman was the only school invited to do so that year.

1971
The third principal, Mr Chiu Hock Seng, was appointed.

Mr Chiu Hock Seng

A new block was also erected to meet the needs of the students.

1975
Mr Poon meng Seng became the fourth Principal.

Mr Poon Meng Seng

By this time, Dunman had already celebrated its tenth anniversary. For the first time, staff members who had served more than 10 years were awarded medals by the SAC.

English stream students who opted for technical education were allowed to complete their education at Dunman.

1978
The school celebrated its 15th anniversary.

The school library and parade square were extended.

The 1980s

1982
Dunman saw its first lady principal in office when Mrs Janette Ho became the school’s fifth principal.


Mrs Janette Ho

1983
Another milestone as Dunman celebrated its 20th anniversary.

1985
Mr Johnny Lau Hwa Pak became the 6th principal.

Mr Johnny Lau

The former Dunmanite’s Association (FDA) was formed.

1987
The Pre U classes started, and the Students’ Council was formed.

A computer laboratory was set up..

1988
The school turned 25 and new initiatives were started: the PCCG programme was piloted; Dunman Focus, a quarterly newsletter, made its debut; and the first Students’ Council replaced the Prefectorial Board.

The school also repeated its remarkable achievement of 1970 when the students participated in the Fan Dance Display for the SYF Opening ceremony and the National Day celebrations.

A Walk-A-Jog Fund Raising Project was started.

The staff marked the school’s 25th Anniversary with a special dinner and a concert at the Drama Centre.

1989
Mrs Tay Sor Har, who was Vice-Principal from 1985 - 89 became the 7th principal.

The 1990s
The 1990s saw a plethora of new initiatives brought into the education system. At the same time, Dunman Secondary School began a new phase in its history in Tampines New Town.

Mrs Tay Sor Har

After the relocation to Tampines, as Dunman moved into the nineties, it became increasingly obvious that it was transforming itself into an institute of reputation. The early years had laid the foundations for the success and achievements that unfolded with its entry into a new age.

1990
On 20th May, the school was relocated from Haig Road to its present Tampines site.

It was also in this year that the idea of the Distinctive Dunmanite was born with the engendering of the 5Ds.

1993
On 3rd April, Dunman was officially declared opened by Mr Sidek Saniff, Minister of State for Education and a Member of Parliament for Eunos GRC.

In the same year, Dunman saw its 8th principal, Mr Tng Kim Guan.

Mr Tng Kim Guan

1996
Mrs Chua Siew Eng helmed Dunman as the 9th principal.

1997
Dunman together with 6 other schools formed EastOne Cluster under Superintendent Mrs Yu Sing Tong.

In December, Mr Gan Chin Huat became the school’s 10th principal. With his appointment, there is a sense of completion as Mr Gan was a former student of Dunman. He was also the first former Dunmanite to be appointed a Principal.

Under his leadership, several innovations in teaching strategies and learning environment were introduced.

1999
A new block of classrooms was completed and the school went single-session.

Mr Wilfred James received the prestigious President’s Award for Teachers while Mr Poh Yong received the Inspiring Chinese Teachers' Award.

2000
It was announced that Dunman Secondary School would be an autonomous school in 2001

The School received the Thinking Culture Award, Best School East Zone as well as the most improved school.

2001
As it entered into the new millennium, Dunman Secondary school welcomed its 11th Principal, Mrs Edelweis Neo

Dunman Secondary School was one in 5 schools to receive the Singapore Quality Class, the first schools in Singapore to receive the Award

A 6th D - "Daring" was added to the Dunmanite Creed

The school adopted the All Saints' Home.

2002
The Dunman Life Sciences Training and Research Centre was launched by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development

The School received the Thinking Culture Award, Best School East Zone.

Mrs Mah Kwee Hua received the Inspiring Chinese Teachers' Award

2003
Dunman celebrates 40 years of history.

The school received the Lotus Award from the Singapore Environment Council

The school received the Thinking Culture Award, Best School East Zone and the Best Practice Award for Staff Well Being

2004

Dunman Secondary was successfully revalidated for the Singapore Quality Class

The school received the People Developer Standard

2005

Dunman Secondary received the Thinking Culture, Best Schools East Zone Award as well as the National Thinking Culture Award

The school received the Greenplan 2012 Award from the National Environment Agency and the Sustained Lotus Achievement Award from the Singapore Environment Council

2006

Dunman Secondary receives the prestigious Public Service Award for Organisation Excellence from SPRING, Singapore. It also received the Singapore Innovation Class and the Partner's Award.

2007

Dunman Secondary receives the School Distinction Award, Sustained Achievement Award for Academic Excellence, Character Development Award and National Education Award. It also received the East Zone and National Thinking Culture Award valid for 2 years.

The school moved up the academic rankings to Band 2 for the Express Stream and Band 1 for the Normal Stream.

Dunman Secondary School undergoes upgrading under PRIME.