Imagine walking through the gates of Bartley Secondary School. This school has seen decades of change. It stands as a testament to Singapore’s commitment to education.
Bartley Secondary School first opened its doors on February 18, 1952. Chua Leong Hean was the first principal. The school started with 81 male and 10 female students. It was a co-educational pioneer.
The school is named after William Bartley. He was a significant figure in Singapore’s history. Bartley served as acting collector-general of income tax in the 1920s. He also presided over the Municipal Commission of Singapore from 1931 to 1946.
In 1953, Bartley Secondary School adopted its motto. “Facta Non Verba” is Latin for “Deeds not words.” This reflects the school’s emphasis on action and achievement. By 1954, Bartley had grown. It had 600 pupils in 16 classes.
The year 1955 saw the introduction of the school song. Principal E.W. Jesudason wrote the lyrics. That year also marked the first publication of the “Bartley Annual” magazine.
1956 brought significant changes. The female students were transferred to Cedar Girls’ Secondary School. Bartley became a boys’ school in the secondary section. However, female students could still attend pre-university level courses. That same year, Bartley pioneered the National Police Cadet Corps unit.
David Lim represented Singapore in water polo at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. He was a Bartleyan. Janet Jesudasan, also from Bartley, represented Singapore in athletics.
In 1992, Bartley relocated temporarily. It moved to the former Mount Vernon Secondary School site. This allowed for the construction of a new school building. Bartley moved to its current premises at 10 Jalan Bunga Rampai in 1995. It began admitting girls again at the secondary level. The pre-university section was phased out by 1996.
Major upgrades occurred between 2003 and 2005. These upgrades were part of the PRIME scheme. A dental clinic was added. A new school hall was built. Additional classrooms and a library with a cafe were also created.
Bartley Secondary School offers three academic courses today. These include the four-year Express course. There is also the Normal Course. The Normal Course has Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) tracks.
The Express Course prepares students for the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level examination. The Normal Course leads to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Normal Level examination. Students in the Normal (Academic) course take 5-8 subjects. These include English, Mother Tongue, Mathematics, and Combined Humanities. Students in the Normal (Technical) course focus on technical-vocational education.
In 2016, Bartley Secondary School merged with First Toa Payoh Secondary School. This merger was due to low student enrollment. An exhibition showcasing First Toa Payoh Secondary’s history was established.
Bartley Secondary School stands as a beacon of education. Its history reflects Singapore’s journey. From its humble beginnings to its modern facilities. Bartley continues to shape the lives of its students.