Tanjong Katong Primary School
Encyclopedia
Tanjong Katong Primary School is a government primary school, located on Seraya Road in Tanjong Katong, under Marine Parade Planning Area
in the East Region
of Singapore
.
's (MOE) Programme for Rebuilding and IMproving Existing schools
(PRIME). PRIME is a programme that was initiated by MOE in 1999 to upgrade and rebuild school buildings in Singapore, providing a physical environment conducive to learning
. Schools with small enrolment and which are near another would be merged to optimise the use of resources. A new school building was built on Seraya Road for Tanjong Katong Primary School's merger in 2001.
The school was officially opened by then-Minister for Community Development Abdullah Tarmugi
on 15 July 2004.
community in Singapore. 40% of the school's enrolment are foreigners, with the school's 1,700 pupils coming from 39 countries in 2007. As a result, Tanjong Katong Primary School has the most diverse student population among all government-operated schools in Singapore. First Toa Payoh Secondary School comes in at second place with students from 19 countries.
When Tanjong Katong Primary School opened in January 2001, about 100 foreign children registered for places at the school. Today, the school is well-established, resulting in high local demand and limited places for foreign students. As a result of its diverse student population, the school has earned the reputation of being the "local international school" and a "mini United Nations
". Many of these expatriates preferred to enrol their children into a local government school as school fees are less expensive than those at an international school
.
While South Korean, Chinese
and Indonesian
pupils outnumber the rest, there are also children from more distant countries such as Yemen
, Norway
and Israel
. The foreign children enrolled have had to adjust to the Singapore school system
due to different language
abilities. Teacher
s also faced different parental expectations: Foreign parents usually ask that their children be given a lighter workload while local parents ask for the opposite.
, though citizens and permanent residents who have yet to secure a place could also apply. Places are usually given out on a first come, first served
basis.
When Phase 3 registrations started on 30 August, there were still 6,000 available places across all primary schools in Singapore. Principals had advised parents against homing in on certain schools since all schools provide quality education. In spite of this, camping
tent
s were set up at Tanjong Katong Primary School, maid
s were asked to queue, and parents came prepared with packets of food and blankets. On 29 August, MOE had informed the parents that the school had only one place left, and that place would go to the first person in the queue as ballot
ing would not be carried out unlike in the earlier phases. Despite this, four of the original 11 parents continued to remain in the queue.
In view of the school's popularity, parents, both locals and foreigners, have already signed up to do volunteer work so that they can enjoy priority in enrolling their children for the 2009 intake. MOE has assured that while parents may not obtain a place at the school of their choice, there are enough places in schools for all eligible Primary One children to receive a quality education.
The Student Leaders are identified by wearing the Student Leaders' badge and tie, and a special designed Leaders t-shirt. Student Leaders receive the badge through an investiture, signifying their public office and responsibility to the school.
About 45 students are selected to be part of the Student Leader Council each year. They were chosen from a 3-day camp. Their roles include leading the school in cheers when taking part in school-wide events, camps and Sports Day. They also participate in school events like the annual Open Houses and Teachers' Day Celebration. The Student Leaders organise and involve in almost every events throughout the year. They also have Community Involvement Programme to local places and oversea schools, i.e. Camp Alpha, Batam, and an Omega challenge in their early Primary 6 to Mount Kinabalu.
The Student Leaders take their guidance from the teachers - who directs the student leaders on their conduct and grooming, as well as the activities that they undertake.
s such as Spring @ Katong, The Carpmaelina, The Shelford and Glentrees were selling well, despite the oversupply of condominiums in 2005. The report attributed this to their location within 1 kilometre of popular schools like Tao Nan School
, Tanjong Katong Primary, Nanyang Primary School
and Henry Park Primary School
.
Marine Parade
Marine Parade is a town and an urban planning area in Singapore directly to the east of the Central Area, Singapore's central business district.-Location:...
in the East Region
East Region, Singapore
The East Region of Singapore is one of the five regions in the city-state. It includes six urban planning areas. As its name implies, it is the easternmost region of Singapore.The land area is about 11,000 hectares.-Urban planning areas in East Region:...
of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
.
Establishment
Tanjong Katong Primary School was a new school which began operations on 2 January 2001. It was formed with the amalgamation of three schools — Fowlie Primary School, Haig Boys' School and Mountbatten Primary School — under the Ministry of EducationMinistry of Education (Singapore)
The Ministry Of Education is a ministry of the Government of Singapore that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to education in Singapore.-Statutory boards:...
's (MOE) Programme for Rebuilding and IMproving Existing schools
Programme For Rebuilding and IMproving Existing schools
Programme for Rebuilding and IMproving Existing schools is a programme initiated by the Ministry of Education in 1999 to upgrade and rebuild school buildings in Singapore.-Flexible School Infrastructure :...
(PRIME). PRIME is a programme that was initiated by MOE in 1999 to upgrade and rebuild school buildings in Singapore, providing a physical environment conducive to learning
Learning
Learning is acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, animals and some machines. Progress over time tends to follow learning curves.Human learning...
. Schools with small enrolment and which are near another would be merged to optimise the use of resources. A new school building was built on Seraya Road for Tanjong Katong Primary School's merger in 2001.
The school was officially opened by then-Minister for Community Development Abdullah Tarmugi
Abdullah Tarmugi
Abdullah Tarmugi was the Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore as well as the Member of Parliament of East Coast Group Representation Constituency from 1996 to 2011.Born to a Javanese Father and Chinese Mother...
on 15 July 2004.
Foreign students
Tanjong Katong Primary School is a popular school with the expatriateExpatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
community in Singapore. 40% of the school's enrolment are foreigners, with the school's 1,700 pupils coming from 39 countries in 2007. As a result, Tanjong Katong Primary School has the most diverse student population among all government-operated schools in Singapore. First Toa Payoh Secondary School comes in at second place with students from 19 countries.
When Tanjong Katong Primary School opened in January 2001, about 100 foreign children registered for places at the school. Today, the school is well-established, resulting in high local demand and limited places for foreign students. As a result of its diverse student population, the school has earned the reputation of being the "local international school" and a "mini United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
". Many of these expatriates preferred to enrol their children into a local government school as school fees are less expensive than those at an international school
International school
An International school is loosely defined as a school that promotes international education, in an international environment, either by adopting an international curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International Examinations, or by following a national...
.
While South Korean, Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Indonesian
Indonesians
Indonesians may be:*any nation or ethnic group of Indonesia**see Demographics of Indonesia**see Overseas Indonesians**see Ethnic groups in Indonesia**see Native Indonesians...
pupils outnumber the rest, there are also children from more distant countries such as Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. The foreign children enrolled have had to adjust to the Singapore school system
Education in Singapore
Education in Singapore is managed by the Ministry of Education , which controls the development and administration of state schools receiving government funding, but also has an advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools...
due to different language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
abilities. Teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
s also faced different parental expectations: Foreign parents usually ask that their children be given a lighter workload while local parents ask for the opposite.
Primary One registration in 2007
Due to the popularity of Tanjong Katong Primary School with expatriate parents, parents anxious to get their children into the school started queueing for Phase 3 of the Primary One registrations from 8 p.m. on 27 August 2007. This was despite the registration starting only in the morning of 30 August. Phase 3 registration is meant for foreigners who do not have Singapore permanent residencyPermanent residency
Permanent residency refers to a person's visa status: the person is allowed to reside indefinitely within a country of which he or she is not a citizen. A person with such status is known as a permanent resident....
, though citizens and permanent residents who have yet to secure a place could also apply. Places are usually given out on a first come, first served
First Come, First Served
First Come, First Served is the third studio album by American emcee Keith Thornton, better known as Kool Keith. Released in 1999, it is his first release under the alias Dr. Dooom.- Production :...
basis.
When Phase 3 registrations started on 30 August, there were still 6,000 available places across all primary schools in Singapore. Principals had advised parents against homing in on certain schools since all schools provide quality education. In spite of this, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
tent
Tent
A tent is a shelter consisting of sheets of fabric or other material draped over or attached to a frame of poles or attached to a supporting rope. While smaller tents may be free-standing or attached to the ground, large tents are usually anchored using guy ropes tied to stakes or tent pegs...
s were set up at Tanjong Katong Primary School, maid
Maid
A maidservant or in current usage housemaid or maid is a female employed in domestic service.-Description:Once part of an elaborate hierarchy in great houses, today a single maid may be the only domestic worker that upper and even middle-income households can afford, as was historically the case...
s were asked to queue, and parents came prepared with packets of food and blankets. On 29 August, MOE had informed the parents that the school had only one place left, and that place would go to the first person in the queue as ballot
Ballot
A ballot is a device used to record choices made by voters. Each voter uses one ballot, and ballots are not shared. In the simplest elections, a ballot may be a simple scrap of paper on which each voter writes in the name of a candidate, but governmental elections use pre-printed to protect the...
ing would not be carried out unlike in the earlier phases. Despite this, four of the original 11 parents continued to remain in the queue.
In view of the school's popularity, parents, both locals and foreigners, have already signed up to do volunteer work so that they can enjoy priority in enrolling their children for the 2009 intake. MOE has assured that while parents may not obtain a place at the school of their choice, there are enough places in schools for all eligible Primary One children to receive a quality education.
Student Leaders Council
The Student Leaders Council is the primary student leadership council in Tanjong Katong Primary. It was established in 2008 of which the Prefectorial Board and Sports Leaders were merged together to form Student Leaders Council and has been serving the school ever since. The first batch of Student Leaders Council was led by Sroun Devid as the President of the council. The purpose of the Student Leader Council is to groom student to become leaders through their individual characters and actions.The Student Leaders are identified by wearing the Student Leaders' badge and tie, and a special designed Leaders t-shirt. Student Leaders receive the badge through an investiture, signifying their public office and responsibility to the school.
About 45 students are selected to be part of the Student Leader Council each year. They were chosen from a 3-day camp. Their roles include leading the school in cheers when taking part in school-wide events, camps and Sports Day. They also participate in school events like the annual Open Houses and Teachers' Day Celebration. The Student Leaders organise and involve in almost every events throughout the year. They also have Community Involvement Programme to local places and oversea schools, i.e. Camp Alpha, Batam, and an Omega challenge in their early Primary 6 to Mount Kinabalu.
The Student Leaders take their guidance from the teachers - who directs the student leaders on their conduct and grooming, as well as the activities that they undertake.
Highlights and achievements
- Tanjong Katong Primary School offers unusual co-curricular activities such as golfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, cricketCricketCricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
, bowlingBowlingBowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
and potteryPotteryPottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
.
- The school is one of the schools under the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme which is a charityCharitable organizationA charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
under the auspices of Singapore's National Council of Social Service. RSVP champions volunteerism by senior citizenSenior citizenSenior citizen is a common polite designation for an elderly person in both UK and US English, and it implies or means that the person is retired. This in turn implies or in fact means that the person is over the retirement age, which varies according to country. Synonyms include pensioner in UK...
s, who helps to mentor latchkey children from the school.
- In 2001, 1,326 bottle capBottle capBottle caps are a type of closure used to seal the openings of bottles of many types. They can be small circular pieces of metal, usually steel, with plastic backings, and for plastic bottles a plastic cap is used instead. A bottle cap is typically colorfully decorated with the logo of the brand...
s were collected by the school to raise funds for the Society for the Physically Disabled. The school collected the most caps among the nine schools which took part in the charity drive. The metal from the caps were donated to the Prosthesis Foundation in ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
to make artificial legs.
- In 2007, the school was awarded a Bronze for the National Arts Education Award by Singapore's National Arts CouncilNational Arts Council SingaporeThe National Arts Council of Singapore was established in September 1991 "to nurture the arts and make it an integral part of life in Singapore.-History :...
.
- In 2008, The Tanjong Katong Primary Netball Team were champions in the East-Zone Netball Championship for both Senior and Junior Team. This is the 2nd year in a row the school has achieved that.
- In 2009, the first Student Leaders Council won the Gold Award from the National Youth Council for their Community Involvement Programme to Batam.
Further reading
Private condominiumCondominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
s such as Spring @ Katong, The Carpmaelina, The Shelford and Glentrees were selling well, despite the oversupply of condominiums in 2005. The report attributed this to their location within 1 kilometre of popular schools like Tao Nan School
Tao Nan School
Tao Nan School , is a co-educational primary school in Singapore. One of the five Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan schools, along with Ai Tong School, Chongfu Primary School, Kong Hwa School and Nan Chiau Secondary School, Tao Nan School is among the 30 most popular primary schools listed by the...
, Tanjong Katong Primary, Nanyang Primary School
Nanyang Primary School
Nanyang Primary School is a co-educational primary school in Singapore, normally covering ages 6 to 12. It is situated in Bukit Timah , which is a private housing district near Coronation Plaza. The principal is Mrs Lee Hui Feng. Although it is not run by the government of Singapore, it receives...
and Henry Park Primary School
Henry Park Primary School
Henry Park Primary School is a very large primary school in Holland Grove Road, Singapore. The school began functioning with 287 pupils on 22 March 1977. It was officially opened by Member of Parliament for Ulu Pandan, Dr Chiang Hai Ding, on 7 April 1978. Henry Park has a student population of...
.