Imagine students bustling through the corridors of Commonwealth Secondary School. This school has a rich history. It’s a place where young minds are shaped.
Commonwealth Secondary School started as Tanglin Integrated Vocational Secondary School in 1964. Singapore was a year away from independence. The school was one of the first built in Queenstown. It served the area’s growing student population.
In 1969, it became Tanglin Secondary School. Then, in 1972, a change occurred. It was renamed Commonwealth Secondary School. This commemorated Singapore hosting the first meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government.
New symbols marked this change for Commonwealth Secondary School. There was a new uniform, a school crest, and a school song. Mr. J de Souza composed the song. Mr. Gurdip Singh wrote the lyrics.
By 1977, Commonwealth Secondary School had grown. It had 1842 students. There were 933 boys and 909 girls. The school expanded its facilities. It added a Prefect’s Room, a larger library, and a music room. This room housed the school’s first military band.
In 1989, Commonwealth Secondary School moved to Jurong East Avenue 1. A significant milestone was achieved in 1995. The Ministry of Education granted the school autonomous status. This recognized the school’s continuous progress. It also acknowledged its high-quality education. Commonwealth Secondary School students proudly uphold this status. They maintain high standards and a good reputation.
The school also strengthened its focus on art. In 1995, the Alpha-Omega Walk-in Art Gallery was established. A grant from the National Arts Council funded it. The gallery hosted 22 schools in its first year. In 1999, students painted The Sungei Buloh Mural. Mr. Richard Hale unveiled it. He was the CEO of Hongkong Shanghai Bank Singapore. He was also instrumental in establishing the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
The new millennium brought more change. In 2006, Commonwealth Secondary School moved to its current campus. It is located on West Coast Road near Pandan Reservoir. Many signature programs emerged during this time. These included Environmental Education and the Performing Arts. More recently, the school has focused on creativity and innovation. Key programs include Design Thinking and Maker Education. Commonwealth Secondary School also strengthened character development. It adopted the Servant Leadership model. It enhanced teaching and learning. This was done through Differentiated Instruction.
Commonwealth Secondary School celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. Around the same time, it introduced design thinking and maker education. It also improved school infrastructure. The school reinvented practices. This included teaching, learning, and administrative procedures. In 2016, Commonwealth Secondary School was recognized as a Centre of Excellence for Design and Innovation.
The school crest reflects the values of Commonwealth Secondary School. The flames represent a commitment to self-improvement. They signify constantly adapting to changing times. The gold represents faith and fruitfulness. The blue represents infinite resourcefulness.
Commonwealth Secondary School’s motto is “Ever With The Best”. The school aims to nurture every student. It wants them to be a self-assured learner. It wants them to be a caring leader. It wants them to be a creative trailblazer.
Today, Commonwealth Secondary School continues to thrive. It provides opportunities in innovation, environmental education, and the performing arts. It prepares students to be champions today and leaders tomorrow.