Dunman Secondary School

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Not to be confused with Dunman High School.
Dunman Secondary School (DMN)
德明中学
200px
Knowledge - The Torch of Life
Location
Tampines/ Singapore
Information
Type Autonomous Secondary, Co-educational
Established 1963
Session single session
School code 3207
Principal Suresh Balakrishnan
Colour(s) Beige, brown, white
Nickname Dunmanites
Website http://www.dunmansec.moe.edu.sg

Dunman Secondary School (Abbreviation: DMN) is an autonomous co-educational secondary school in Singapore. The school was founded in 1963, and is located in Tampines in the eastern part of Singapore.

Principals

Since the school establishment in 1963, there have been 12 officially appointed principals in office.

  • Mr Au Keng Chu (1963 – 1968)
  • Mr Tiong Dak Yu (1968 – 1971)
  • Mr Chiu Hock Seng (1971 – 1975)
  • Mr Poon Meng Seng (1975 – 1982)
  • Mrs Janette Ho (1982 – 1985)
  • Mr Johnny Lau Hwa Pak (1985 – 1989)
  • Mrs Tay Sor Har (1989 – 1993)
  • Mr Tng Kim Guan (1993 – 1996)
  • Mrs Chua Siew Eng (1996 – 1997)
  • Mr Gan Chin Huat (1997 – 1999)
  • Mrs Mah Kwee Hua(acting) (1999 – 2001)
  • Mrs Edelweis Neo (2001 - 15 December 2009)
  • Ms Beatrice Chong (2010 - 2013)
  • Mr Suresh Balakrishnan (2014 - )

School history

When Dunman Secondary School was founded in 1963, Singapore was still part of the Federation of Malaya.

1960s

Back in the early days, the school was known as Dunman Integrated Secondary School. The school was named after Thomas Dunman, the first Commissioner of Police in Singapore from 1856–1871. It was the first integrated school in Singapore—an experiment to develop a common educational experience for children of different races and languages. Dunman Secondary Integrated School was situated at Haig Road and shared a large field with Dunman High School and Dunman Primary School.

Its first principal was Mr Au Keng Chu, who created the school badge and school motto.

Pupils were enrolled into the school even as the building was under construction. Nine English-stream secondary one classes were conducted at Matter West Vocational Institute while three Malay-stream secondary one classes were at Tun Seri Lanang school. Mr Felix Chew and Mr Abdul Kadir headed the respective schools. The completed school consisted of three buildings. The main building had four floors of airy classrooms and staff rooms. The science laboratories were in a shorter building opposite the main building. Next to the laboratories was a strip of garden where the science teachers grew plants used in the botany class. The school hall was one floor above the canteen or "tuck-shop" (as it was called then).

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

The most dangerous time for the school was one year after it came into existence. On 21 July 1964, a race riot broke out in Singapore but the school was spared any problem because classes were not in session. However, six weeks later, fresh riots broke out at Joo Chiat area. This unrest was two kilometers from the school. In the words of Mr. Au Keng Chew, "On 3 September, we had wind of communal unrest occurring in the Joo Chiat area between Chinese and Malay gangs, and as soon as parents phoned in to inquire about their children’s safety, I decided to close the school. I ordered the gates to be manned by teachers and the watchman..."

Parents started to appear at the school gates. For students whose parents did not come to get them, Mr. Au organized the teachers and staffs to ferry them home. The neighbors who lived around the school were to be commended for their kindness and help. When the news of the riots broke, all the canteen operators fled. Thus during the ordeal, there were no foods or drinks for the staffs and students. It was the neighbors of all races who brought biscuits, drinks and other foods.

"When school re-opened," wrote Mr. Au, "the pupils returned to school surprisingly unaffected by the scary reports of the past few days of fights in their locality. I believed that the conduct of the teachers of the different language streams working solidly together to see to the safety and the welfare of the pupils regardless of their race could have impressed them and their parents that all could be well if we could put aside our differences. The conduct of my staff was exemplary."

1970s

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 an 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 a rare honour as Dunman was the only school invited to do so that year.

A new block was erected in 1971 to meet the needs of the students.

Staff members who had served more than 10 years were awarded medals by the SAC.

1980s

In 1982, the school had its first lady principal — Mrs Janette Ho.

The former Dunmanite’s Association (FDA) was formed in 1985.

The PCCG programme was piloted; Dunman Focus, a quarterly newsletter, made its debut; and the first Students’ Council was founded and the Prefectorial Board became defunct.

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

1990s

On 20 May 1990 DSS began a new phase in its history at Tampines Street 45.

1997

Dunman, together with six other schools, formed EastOne Cluster under Superintendent Mrs Yu Sing Tong.

In December, Mr Gan Chin Huat became the school’s 10th principal — a former student of Dunman. He was the first former Dunmanite to be appointed a Principal.

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.

2000s

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.

Dunman Secondary today

In 2006, the school revamped the basement from student's suggestions. The doors to the basement were painted to create the illusion of a dark tunnel. A jamming room equipped with guitars and drums for the musically-inclined Dunmanites was added. The corridors outside the Design and Technology room were given a fresh new look. However, the PRIME project has demolished the basement and the C and T block is to be demolished soon.

The former Dunman Secondary school logo with the motto Pengetahuan suloh hidup in Malay, which means Knowledge: The torch of life. The new school logo design is simplified with a lion and a torch. The school motto is also re-interpreted as Dare to achieve your dreams,[1] in line with Dunman's DARE (Dunman All Round Excellence) framework.[2]

The school campus is being upgraded under the Programme for Rebuilding and IMproving Existing schools by the Ministry of Education. The school is being expanded and improved. The school hall is being made twice as big and will have air-conditioning. The school will have an indoor sports hall.

In 2005, after the Boxing Day Tsunami, an ex-student, Mohd Faiz Bin Mohd Rashid, approached the school with an idea: to organise a concert to raise funds to aid the victims. Arrangements were made for celebrities and students to perform at the event. The concert raised S$35,000.

In 2008 DSS proposed a change to their logo and motto. This caused an uproar among former students of the school. Neo has commented: "The school and teachers with the support of stakeholders would not have effected a change in the badge if it did not feel that it was necessary. We understand the sentiments of Dunmanites who, like us, love the school very much but hope you can appreciate the need to stay relevant to the 21st century. Our motto and school song will remain with us. The former badge that has served Dunman so well through the years will always be preserved and a part of our heritage. The school is setting up a Heritage Centre and I hope you will channel your energies to support your alma mater in bringing the school to the next level.. All are welcome to be a part of Dunman as we progress."[3]

Uniform

Dunmanites wear the full school uniform, with their tie and nametags (beige blouse and brown skirt for girls; white top and bottom for boys) every Monday. For the rest of the week, they are allowed to come to school in the school's polo tee (brown or white), with their nametags. School councillors wear the full uniform every day of the week, including a golden council badge (pinned at the upper top left of uniform) and golden nametag (pinned at upper bottom left of uniform). The school PE uniform is orange and the pants are brown. Attire checks are conducted every Monday during the morning assembly.

Culture

All secondary four and graduating classes study in air-conditioned classrooms while the rest of the students have fan-equipped classrooms. Students are allowed to study anywhere in the school, which has more than 20 benches in the campus. The library is open for students to print, photocopy and use the computers/ iPads.

There are altogether about 15 computer, science and animation labs in the school.

School awards

Special Awards

  • School Excellence award (2011-)
  • School Distinction Award (2007–2011)
  • Ministry Of Education School Excellence Award 2010

Environmental Awards

  • Sustained Lotus Achievement Award (2008–2010)

Only school to get the Singapore Greenplan 2012 award, Gold Award in NEA's Recycling Competition.

Awards

  • Singapore Quality Class
  • People Developer award
  • Sustained Achievement Award
  • Best Practice Award
  • Greenplan 2012 Award
  • Innovator Award in Innergy Award 2005
  • Sustained Lotus Achievement Award from the Singapore Environment Council.
  • National Champions in The C Division Category for netball in 2007
  • IT MAP Challenge 2007 2nd Secondary Schools Category
  • Dunman NCC (Air) awarded with a Gold under the Best Unit Competition for eleven consecutive years since 2002.
  • Dunman Choir was awarded a Gold with Honours for the Singapore Youth Festival 2007 Choir Secondary School Category.
  • Dunman Choir was awarded a Gold with a score of 92.8 over 100, in the Under-16 category of the International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music 2007 in Bratislava. This was second place for the category.
  • Dunman Choir was awarded a Gold with Honours for the Singapore Youth Festival 2009 Choir Secondary School Category.
  • Singapore Service Class

Notable alumni

References

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  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ http://dunmansec.egenie.org/home/aboutus/badge.htm

External links

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