A Brief History Of Our School (an extract)

"It was a peaceful morning in January 1932. The first Principal Mrs Downe and her staff of three stood at attention as the Union Jack was raised to the strains of 'God Save the King'. Behind them stood the first sixty pupils of the school facing a new building from bricks and sturdy teakwood.

Bukit Panjang English School (as it was then known) was one of the very few primary schools in the northern part of Singapore. The first principal Mrs Downe and her staff had to go round Bukit Panjang Village and district to persuade parents to send their children to school. After much effort together with the assistance of Mr Goh Tong Liang , a prominent resident, they managed to enrol the first sixty pupils.

A week after the school started Mrs Downe and a teacher were transfered out because of the small enrolment. Another teacher Miss Alvis, was appointed the new headmistress. She teamed up with another chinese lady teacher to teach all the pupils. Words soon spread about Bukit Panjang English School. From a humble beginning of two classes, the school grew from strength to strength. By 1941, there were classes from standard one to standard six. By this time Singapore's first civil airport was opened at kallang in 1937 and a giant naval base,King George VI Dock was opened in 1938.

In 1941, Japan declared war and joined the fray of warring nations in the Second World War. A few months later the Japanese occupied Singapore on 16 February 1942. It is believed that the Imperial Army occupied the school building during the war.

On 12 September 1945 the war ended when the Japanese surrendered to the British but the school did not reopen until January 1948. The principal, Mr C A Peterson took office and left transfered in 1951. He was succeeded by Mr Wee Loh Siew. By then the enrolment had steadily increased to 350. To cope with the increasing demand for places, Bukit Panjang Government Afternoon School was opened in July 1952, with an initial enrolment of 112. During this period, the school published an annual magazine under the editoralship of Ms Boswell. These magazines provide an invaluable record of the school in the fifties.

In 1955, this Afternoon school was moved out to form the nucleus of Princess Elizabeth School. In its place, the Bukit Panjang School II was opened with six classes and a staff of seven. With each passing year, the enrolment of both sessions increased substantially and by 1959 all classes both in School I and II were full.

In 1959, Singapore gained Independence from Britain and the People's Action Party swept into power. Mr Lee Kuan Yew became the first Prime Minister of Singapore. In Bukit Panjang English School, Mr Wee Loh Siew was succeeded by Mr Felix Choo in 1959. Due to the growing enrolment, two classes had to function temporarily at the Bukit Panjang Community Centre until 1965.

Meanwhile in 1962, Mr C B Jesudason was appointed the principal. During the sixties, the school excelled in the field of athletics. On 8 August 1965, the Repulic of Singapore was born. It was a period of changes in the new born nation.


In Bukit Panjang Primary School, Mr C B Jesudason was succeeded by Mrs J Thanabalasingam in 1970. The following year, Mr Chen Yoon Chee took over as the head for the next 13 years. During his tenure, much emphasis was placed on academic excellence. He was succeeded by Mr Chew Soi Tee who served as principal from June 1985 to June 1989. During his term the school maintained high academic standard. The present principal, Ms Ng Chwee Poh was appointed in June 1989. Soon after, plans were set in motion in anticipation of the school's relocation.

A year later in June 1990, Bukit Panjang Primary School moved into its spacious, bright new pemises at 109 Cashew Road auguring a new beginning. "

(extracted from the School's official opening of the new building and 60th anniversary on 3 July 1992)