“Together Achieve Personal Excellence.” That’s Yuying Secondary School’s motto. Founded in 1910, Yuying Secondary School has a rich history. It began as Yock Eng School. Seven Hainanese community leaders established it. The school started at Prinsep Street with just 15 pupils.
Let’s step back to that time. Imagine a small group of students learning in Chinese. The school grew quickly. By 1939, they needed a new building.
In 1941, Yock Eng School moved to Tanjong Katong Road. World War II disrupted their progress. The Japanese armed forces occupied the school. It became their Military Police HQ. After the war in July 1946, the school reopened. Six hundred pupils returned. The school flourished. By 1958, enrolment peaked at 2400.
The 1960s brought changes. English medium education became more popular. In 1981, Yock Eng High School admitted its first English stream pupils. The last Chinese stream pupils graduated in 1988.
The government planned to acquire the land. A new school was built in Hougang New Town. It cost about $10 million. The government would cover half. In 1984, the school board needed to raise $5 million. Without the funds, the school would become a government school.
In December 1985, the school moved to Hougang Avenue 1. It was renamed Yuying Secondary School. The official opening was in August 1987. Today, Yuying Secondary School continues as a government-aided school.
Yuying emphasizes values. These are integrity, resilience, respect and responsibility or IR3. The school nurtures every child’s potential.
Yuying also offers many co-curricular activities. Students can join basketball, concert band and others. Yuying Secondary School even has a CDAC Tuition Centre. It serves the Hougang community.
Yuying has produced notable alumni. Han Sai Por is a sculptor and Aloysius Pang was an actor.
Remember Yuying’s journey. From a small school to a modern secondary school, Yuying continues to educate and inspire.