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|image = [[File:DunmanHighSchoolCrest.png|120px|center|Crest of Dunman High School]][[Image:DunmanHighSchool zhengxinyuan.jpg|300px]]
|image = [[File:DunmanHighSchoolCrest.png|120px|center|Crest of Dunman High School]][[Image:DunmanHighSchool zhengxinyuan.jpg|300px]]
|motto = 诚信勇忠 (Honesty, Trustworthiness, Moral Courage, Loyalty)
|motto = 诚信勇忠 (Honesty, Trustworthiness, Moral Courage, Loyalty)
|established = [[14 October]], [[1956]]
|established = [[14 October]], [[1956]] ({{How Long Ago|year=1956|month=10|day=14}})
|type = Autonomous, [[Integrated Programme]] school
|type = Autonomous, [[Integrated Programme]] school
|session = Single session
|session = Single session

Revision as of 14:41, 27 September 2009

Not to be confused with Dunman Secondary School.

1°17′56″N 103°52′58″E / 1.29889°N 103.88278°E / 1.29889; 103.88278

Template:Infobox Singapore School Template:ChineseText

Dunman High School (DHS) (formerly known as Dunman Government Chinese Middle School) is an autonomous co-educational secondary school in Singapore offering the Integrated Programme. It is generally recognised as being one of the top schools and has always been the top co-educational secondary school in Singapore in terms of academic results.[1][2]

In 2009 the school moved back to the Tanjong Rhu campus, which has been expanded to 7 hectares, making it one of the largest government schools in Singapore in terms of physical area.

Its Chinese name Démíng (德明) is a transliteration of "Dunman", named after an English governor, Lord Dunman. The meaning of its name in Chinese is derived from a line in the Book of Rites (大学之道，在明明德) which is a statement that has influenced the Emperors of the glorious Han, Tang and Song dynasties in Imperial China. Written in ancient and refined wenyanwen, reflecting traditional Confucian intellectual and moral scholarship, it can be roughly translated into modern English as "the Dao (path) to the greatest learning lies in understanding the brightest virtues".

History

Establishment

On 14 October 1956, in the midst of the Chinese middle schools riots, the Ministry of Education of Singapore established the predecessor of Dunman High School — Kallang West Government Chinese Middle School, along with other schools like River Valley High School.

In the Chinese middle schools riots of October 1956, Chinese middle school students who subscribed to the communist ideology staged sit-ins and demonstrations, disrupted classes and in effect shut their schools down. The simple function of the newly established Kallang West Government Chinese Middle School was to allow students who had no wish to be embroiled in communism to have a place to study.[3] The premises of a newly built primary school at Mountbatten Road were loaned, and the initial enrolment included about 100 boys from The Chinese High School,[4] with 10 teachers. In December 1957, the school moved to Dunman Road and was renamed Dunman Government Chinese Middle School.[5]

Special Assistance Plan

In 1979, the school was selected to be one of the nine Special Assistance Plan (SAP) secondary schools. The school was renamed "Dunman High School" and began to offer both English and Chinese languages at the first-language level. When the Music Elective Programme (MEP) was introduced by the MOE in 1982, DHS was selected to implement the programme for musically gifted students.

In 1990, the school expanded its physical area by taking over the neighbouring former premises of Dunman Secondary School at Dunman Road. It then became a single session school (previously the school was divided into the "morning session" and "afternoon session" so that two classes of students could share a classroom). It was one of six schools to go autonomous in 1994. The school moved to its current location in Tanjong Rhu on 27 May 1995. It was made the 7th Gifted Education Programme centre in Singapore in 1997.

Dunman High Programme

Main article: Dunman High Programme

From 2005 the school has implemented a customised version of the Integrated Programme called the Dunman High Programme (DHP), which allows all students to bypass the 'O' Level examinations and directly take the A-Level examinations.

50th Anniversary

The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. A time capsule was launched on the opening ceremony of DHS's 50th anniversary celebrations on 31 March 2006. The time capsule will be opened in 2031 on Dunman High's 75th anniversary. Significant items, such as the existing DHS uniform and the 2006 student handbook, were placed in it. A letter by the current Principal of the school is also included.[6][7] In addition, a Heritage Run was also organised that day.[5] There were also many performances, including a dance by the school's Chinese Society, and a drumming performance by the percussionists from Chinese Orchestra and Symphonic Band. There was also a special 50th anniversary song, written by Kelvin Ang Chin Yuan and played by Clara Ng Yi Wen, sung by the school.[citation needed]

PRIME

Dunman High School embarked on U.S. high-school styled 6-year Integrated Programme called the Dunman High Programme.

To meet the needs of the Integrated Programme, the school moved to a holding school in the former Raffles Junior College at Mount Sinai in December 2006 to allow for upgrading of the current site at Tanjong Rhu.

The land area of the expanded campus increased from 4 hectares to 7 hectares, making Dunman High School one of the biggest government schools in Singapore.[8]

Completion of essential facilities

In December 2008 essential facilities like classrooms, general office and staff rooms of the Tanjong Rhu Campus were completed, and the school officially moved its operations back to the Tanjong Rhu campus.

File:Dunmanhighschool dec2008 panorama.jpg
A panoramic view of Dunman High School's newly upgraded campus along Tanjong Rhu Rd.

On 2 January 2009 the school opened to a new year with an opening ceremony named "Homecoming"（回家）to welcome students and staff to the newly upgraded campus.

On road to full completion

Performing Arts Centre

In March 2009 the Dunman High Performing Arts Centre (PAC) was officially opened. It is a 800-seater concert hall, and public concerts such as the "Rhapsody of Spring" (《青春旋律》) by DHS's Chinese Society, the "Spirit of Strings" by DHS's String Ensemble, "EDS Nite" by DHS's English Drama/Dance Society & "RHYTHM XXIII" by DHS's Symphonic Band have been held there.

Library

On 15 May 2009 the Dunman High library was officially opened. It is a two-storey fully air-conditioned library, including discussion rooms, DHP academy pillar rooms like MSP, HAP, etc., and a cafe, to be opened in July 2009. The library was originally planned to open in March 2009, but due to delays by its PRIME contractors, the completion and opening date was set back by two months.

Track and field

On 25 May 2009 the track and field was officially opened for physical education lessons, CCAs, students and staff to carry out activities there. The field has been in use since 3 August 2009.

Achievements

Dunman High School has been given various Sustained Achievement and Best Practice Awards by the Ministry of Education in Singapore, receiving both special awards as well.

Best Practice Awards

  • Teaching and Learning (2003) (2008, re-certification)
  • Staff Well Being (2004) (2008, re-certification)
  • Student All Round Development (2004) (2008, re-certification)

Sustained Achievement Awards

  • Uniformed Groups (2006) (6th Award)
  • Physical Fitness (2006) (9th Award)
  • Arts (2006) (3rd Award)
  • Sports (2007)

Special Awards

  • School Excellence Award (2005)
  • School Distinction Award (2004)
  • Outstanding Development Award for Character Development (2007)
  • National Arts Education Award, Gold (2006)
  • National Education Award (Development) (2005)
  • Singapore Quality Class (2005)

Other Achievements

  • A*STAR Talent Search (School), First
  • EDB-VJC Economics Symposium, First
  • National Chinese Story Telling (Group) Competition 2007, Champion
  • National InnovateIT Competition 2007, First Runner-up
  • National eBay Enterprise Day Challenge 2007, Third
  • Theatresports Competition (Macau Open), Third

[9]

Principals

Since its establishment, DHS has had seven principals. They are:

  • Sun Hwan Sin (孙焕新）(1956–1959)
  • Chen Jen Hao (陈人浩)(1959–1969)
  • Shu June Mai (许锦美)(1969–1978)
  • Lim Nai Yan (林乃燕)(1978–1993)
  • Cheah Chak Mun （谢泽文）(1994–1998)
  • Tan Thiam Hock （陈天福）(1998–2004)
  • Sng Chern Wei （孙振炜）(2004– Present)

School Song

德明中学 矗立加东

亭亭松影 习习海风

集我英才 汇于一家

文艺科学 同冶同攻

树模楷 教诚信

立风范 诲勇忠

吾学兮博通 吾德兮高崇

师生共陶镕 浩气干长空

爱护我德明 永志乎五中

光大我德明 永志乎五中

School crest

File:DunmanHighSchoolCrest.png
Dunman High School Crest

The school crest of DHS was designed by the late Chen Jen Hao, its second principal, and Liu Kang, a pioneer in local fine art and former Art teacher of the school.[10] The two Chinese characters read, from right to left, Dé míng, the Chinese name of the school. The characters are written in seal script.

The red colour symbolises passion and the drive for success. The blue colour signifies peace and dignity, while the circular border represents wholeness and unity, as well as the pursuit of universality, as defined in the Confucian classic Book of Rites.

School uniform

The prescribed uniform for all students is a short-sleeved white top, dark blue bottoms and white shoes with matching socks. Lower secondary boys wear short trousers while upper secondary boys wear long trousers. All girls wear blouses and skirts, with some choosing to wear shorts underneath. The shirts and blouses of DHS differ from most other schools in that they use metal buttons instead of plastic ones. This tradition is shared by the former Chinese schools such as The Chinese High School, Catholic High School, Chung Cheng High School, Nan Chiau High School, Anglican High School and River Valley High School.

Students wear badges depicting the school crest on the left side of their uniforms. On Mondays they also put on the dark blue school tie. The school councillors wear a slightly different badge. All councillors wear the school tie at all times. In addition, the committee members of the Student Council clip on a tiepin as well.

From 2007, a new Senior High uniform was launched. The school badge was replaced by a collar pin, while the metal buttons were dropped. Senior High students follow the practice of wearing the school tie on Mondays. All councillors at Senior High level don the school tie and the Senior High Student Council tiepin. Senior High House Committee members also wear the House Committee pins.

Relations to other schools

Dunman High School is not officially affiliated with any school.

It holds an annual sports meet with Chung Cheng High School (Main), Ngee Ann Secondary School and Temasek Secondary School called the Four-School Combined Athletes Meet since 1980, in which students aged 13 to 16 from the four schools compete in different sports events.[11]

Student Council

The DHS Student Council (DHSSC) was set up in mid-2004. One of the objectives was to streamline the system of student leadership, for the school's application of Best Practice Award (Student All-Round Development) and also for DHP.

The DHSSC is separated into two sections, one for the Junior High section made up of Year 2-4 students, and a Senior High section made up of Year 5-6 students.

The Junior High section of the DHSSC (JHSC) was formerly divided into 3 main departments, General Affairs, Event Management and Pupil Mentoring, each headed by a Vice-President of the Student Council, and overall headed by a President. This structure was modified in late 2005, into 6 departments, namely Level Council, Student Welfare, Communications and Publicity, CCA Council, Corporate Relations and Internal Affairs. As of late 2006, the Junior High SCs has been categorized under four departments, Level Council, Internal Affairs, Corporate Relations and Student Welfare.

In 2007, with the pioneer batch of Senior High students, the Senior High Student Council (SHSC) was set up. It was headed by an Executive President (EP) who would also oversee the Junior High Student Council (JHSC). The Senior High Council was also headed by a Vice-President and 4 HODs, who form the Executive Committee(EXCO) of the Senior High Council. From 2008, the Senior High Council EXCO was restructured. It is now led by the Executive President (EP), President(Senior High), 4 HODs and 1 Secretary-Treasurer. The EP now coordinates the Junior High, Senior High Councils and the House Committee(SHHC).

On 23 February 2009 the Junior High Student Councillors were invested on their 5th anniversary, with the investiture called De5ined.

In July 2009 the Level Council department Junior High section was merged under Student Welfare. The JHSC now has three departments: Internal Affairs, Corporate Relations and Student Welfare.

Co-curricular activities

DHS offers an extensive array of Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), including competitive sports, uniformed groups, musical groups and assorted clubs and societies. The school's traditional forte has been Chinese orchestral music.[12] However, it should also be noted that the Uniformed Groups have a strong presence in Dunman High School, with the various CCAs like Saint John Ambulance Brigade, Scouts, Girl Guides and National Police Cadet Corps all achieving top honours in their respective fields.[13]

Junior High CCAs

Chinese Orchestra

The Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra (DHSCO) was formed in 1973 and has since matured into a fully developed orchestra with a current strength of over 200 CCA members and 100 alumni members.[14] Under the baton of Mr Tay Teow Kiat, and with the guidance of four other teachers-in-charge and 9 professional instructors, DHSCO is now one of the most well known orchestras in Singapore.[15]

Since 1983 the orchestra has participated in the biennial National Music Competition (Chinese Music Section) and has won several prizes in the various sections categories.

In addition, the orchestra has won the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Award of Distinction consecutively since 1987 till the last SYF in 2007. The Orchestra has also held the distinction of being the Best Chinese Orchestra of the Year in the SYF Chinese Orchestra Competition Finals since 1997.

DHSCO has also received the Gold with Honours award in the 2005, 2007 and 2009 Singapore Youth Festival. In 2009 the senior high section of the orchestra took part in the SYF for the first time, winning Gold with Honours, together with its junior high section and guzheng section. [15]

Infocomm Club

In 2006 the Dunman High Infocomm Club (DHSICC) was formed under IDA's Infocomm Clubs Programme as a secondary CCA for students.

It became a 1st CCA in 2007 and was extended to the Senior High section in the same year with the pioneer batch of IP students.

CHAMPS-STARS! CCA Framework

In January 2008 Dunman High embarked on a new CCA framework called the "CHAMPS-STARS! CCA Framework" that aims to stretch students' potentials in different areas.

Senior High CCAs

Along with the pioneer batch of IP students in 2007, many CCAs have been extended into the Senior High branch, and new CCAs that were not found previously in the Junior High section were also founded.

Uniformed Groups

All four uniform groups CCAs, NPCC, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Scouts and Girl Guides, have been extended to include students wishing to continue in their respective uniform group CCAs.

Chinese Society (Senior High branch)

In 2007 the senior high section of the long-standing Chinese Society was formed as well, as a student-initiated CCA. It consists of 3 sections, namely Drama, Airwaves and I-Theatre.

In 2009 DHSSHCS also produced the first of its annual public performance series, 戏聚木麻黄之启点. The name was derived by capitalizing on the rich heritage the school shares with the Casuarina tree, or 木麻黄.

Guitar Ensemble

The Dunman Senior High Guitar Ensemble was officially formed in February 2007 by a group of enthusiastic students from the pioneer IP batch.

The ensemble plays a mixture of pop and classical pieces, and held its first concert in April 2008 at the DBS Auditorium.

In 2009 the ensemble participated in the SYF competitions for the first time, and won the Gold with Honours Award.

Sailing Club

A slightly later addition, the Sailing Club was also formed as a student-initiated CCA in 2008, obtaining funding from MOE's Co-Curricular Activities Branch Sea Sports Programme.[16] The club recruits 12 sailors each year, who compete at the National Interschools Sailing Competition.[17]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ "Dunman High School academic achievements". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
  2. ^ "Our Best 'O' Level Results in 10 Years!". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
  3. ^ "Speech by Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister, at Dunman High School 50th anniversary dinner, 14 October 2006". Retrieved 2006-10-14.
  4. ^ Dunman High School 40th Anniversary memento magazine. 1995. p. i.
  5. ^ a b "Dunman High School milestones". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
  6. ^ "A Letter to Future Dunmanian". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
  7. ^ "半个世纪，德明情". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
  8. ^ "A New School for Dunman High". Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  9. ^ "Dunman High School Academic achievements". Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  10. ^ DHS Handbook 2009.
  11. ^ "DHS Sports CCA". Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  12. ^ "Dunman High School CCA achievements: music". Retrieved 2006-04-15.
  13. ^ "Dunman High School CCA achievements: UG". Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  14. ^ "Dunman High School Music CCAs Page". Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  15. ^ a b "Dunman High School Music CCAs Page". Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  16. ^ "Co-Curricular Activities Branch - Sea Sports Programmes". Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  17. ^ May Chen, "New at sailing and proud of it", The Straits Times, Singapore, 1 May 2009.
  18. ^ Chuang Peck Ming, "It pays to be crazy sometimes", Business Times, Singapore, 9 February 2004.
  19. ^ Lorna Tan,"She doesn't stint on the three Fs", The Straits Times, 19 August 2008.
  20. ^ "Lunarin, The Chrysalis" (press release).
  21. ^ My Alma Mater VJC - Guest Judge for D&D - deliberations and aspirations.
  22. ^ The Straits Times - President's Scholars 2009.
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