Tanjong Katong Secondary School
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| Motto | Diligentia, Ingenium, Dexteritas |
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| Established | 1956 |
| Type | Automonous, Single |
| Principal | Priscilla Chan |
| School code | 3512 |
| Colours | Green |
| Locale | Katong, Singapore |
| Enrollment | 1500+ |
| Website | Link |
 Republic of Singapore |
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Tanjong Katong Secondary School, or known affectionately by her students as TK, is an Autonomous co-ed school in Katong. Before 2005, TK remains the only non-Independent and non-Autonomous secondary school in Singapore offering solely the Express stream. This ceased when TK was granted Autonomous status in 2004. Before that, it was frequently named 'The Best non-Independent and non-Autonomous Secondary School' by MOE. TK is also one of the first batch of 12 secondary schools, along with top schools, receiving the prestigious School Distinction Award. Her current principal is Mrs. Priscillia Chan.
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[edit] School History
The school was founded in 1956as Tanjong Katong Technical School. Its early humble beginning saw it inhibiting a plot of swampy mash next to the river Tanjong Katong. The old address of 369 Tanjong Katong Road situated it along a belt of upper-middle suburban housing and old Joo Chiat and Katong shophouse nearby. Its early years were rocky as there was a common misconception about technical schools that only less-academically inclined boys attend it. In 1969, the school became a co-ed school. This revolutionized the school culture by instilling less roguish behaviour from the male half of the school population as well as galvanizing the students to shed its back water quaintness and charm, to focus more intensely on academia and result orientated activities. The added competition of new neighbouring secondary schools in the Katong area also meant that TK had to fare better academically as most family had originally automatically sent their children to the nearest school(TK) in the area. The added option of having Pre-U classes help in this area as the number of junior colleges in the East where paltry in the 80s.
In 1993, the school was renamed Tanjong Katong Secondary School. This event sparked a minor outcry from TK alumus. The idea, from Principal Mr Wong (1992 - 1996) took issue with the MOE decision to add an extra stream of 'Normal Technical' to the current 'Normal' and 'Express', being that the school might be disregarded by primary school leavers from opting for the school, based on misformation that the school only took in Normal Tech cohorts. In 1995, the school achieved a coup de grace, of sorts. It took over the school premises of a neighbouring girls' school and began operating single-session. The added area made previously cramped study surroundings more expansive and conducsive for after school activities, CCA and other remedial classes. The old world charm of swaying palm trees, late after breezes and surrounding pre 70 buildings and shophouses made TK one of the more sought after PSLE graduates destination then. The school had also by then became an oddity, in that it keep appearing in the top 25 schools ranked school in Singapore before auxiliary considerations like Value Added were implemented and based solely on the Mean Subject Grade of O Levels takers. All working with normal government grants and resources san SAP (Speacial Assistance Programme) or Independent backed resources from religionous or other organisation monies.
In 1997, the school took an even better turn. GCE 'O' Levels results peaked at a Mean Subject Grade of 2.82, and this was used as a benchmark for schools in the area.
In 1998, the school moved to her new premises at 130 Haig Road. The Opening Ceremony of the new campus was held in 2000. The school continued to do well in the GCE 'O' Level examinations year by year and attained the Sustained Achievement Award for value-addedness. In 2004, the school attained a breakthrough by attaining a 98% distinction rate for Chemistry for its whole cohort of graduating students in the GCE 'O' Level examinations.
2004 proved to be the harvest year for TK as it received a slew of prestigious awards. The school was finally accorded Autonomous status after its fine tradition of excellence performance. In addition, the school received the Singapore Quality Class award, School Distinction Award, Best Practice Award for Teaching & Learning and the Sustained Achievement Award for Uniformed Groups, Physical Fitness and Value-Addedness respectively.
In 2006, the school will be celebrating her Golden Jubilee - 50 years of establishemnt. As an early gift, it was presented the Sustained Achievement Award for Aesthetics and Best Practice Award for Student All-Round Development, two highly-acclaimed award presented to very few schools. Not only that, The renowned school band also bagged the 'Best Display Band of The Year' award for 10 years running, a feat no other secondary school in Singapore has ever achieved.
[edit] School Crest
The historical significance of TK school crest remains a distinctly confusing affair shrouding in urban myth. Officially, the bearded man on the school crest is supposed to be Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most famous artist, inventor and philosopher. He represents the school's aspiration to produce pupils of similar abilities and greatness. In the crest embossed around with the school's mottos is a diorama of da Vinci studying the flight of a white dove with a weighted plum tied to one of its leg. This plum had always sparked much debate about its function but most teachers on being questioned have given the reason that the weighted plum made flight so tiring that the bird could not escape from da Vinci once he released it. The icons of "flight" in the school's emblem, the bird and the flying machine, instills in the students the desire to go beyond the realms of ordinary imagination and to achieve goals which were never envisioned.
[edit] School Motto
Ingenium: Ingenuity
Dexteritas: Dexterity
Diligencia: Diligence
[edit] School Song
The School Song was composed in 1960 with lyrics by Mr N. Vaithinathan, the school's first principal. Music by English Literature teacher, Mr A.V Miles. It is sung every Monday during morning assembly and at the end of special events( Sports Day, Road Run,Speech Day e.t.c)
- On the seashore of the endless world
- With the mind and with the body
- We'll work together and we'll play
- It's one for all and all for one
- Chorus:
- We'll seek and find
- we'll make and mind
- However hard
- We'll strive to reach the goal
- O Rutherford, Da Vinci, Tagore and Albert Einstein
- We hope we have rightly invoked
- Your aspirations and your fame
[edit] School Mission
To nurture our students to their fullest potential, developing in them sound values and leadership skills, in an environment that encourages creativity and dynamism.
[edit] School Values
The School Values are considered an integral part of a TK student's life. Students are encouraged to practise these values even outside the school compound.
We believe in our Ability to Succeed.
We embrace Ingenuity in the pursuit of creativity and innovation.
We value Integrity as it guides our every action.
We inculcate Loyalty to our school and nation.
We cherish Charity as it is a noble act to serve the community
[edit] Uniform
Boys wear white short-sleeved shirt of fairly thick material. The school badge is worn on the left pocket. Lower Secondary boys wear white shorts and do not need to wear belts Upper Secondary boys wear white pants with black belts which can be purchased from school.
Girls wear short sleeved blouse of fairly thick material with the school badge on the left at the front of the uniform. The sleeves of the blouse are folded until a distance of 3-fingers from the elbow. this is done to differentiate TK girls from other schools that have a similar uniform. The skirt is jade-green in colour with box pleats. It is interesting to note that the TK's girl's uniform was designed by one of its first female students, Ms Lim Soo Lan.
The previous TK PE uniform consists of a white/beige coloured shirt which has the school crest embedded on the left. Students wear bluish-green shorts.The latest version( since 2006)of the uniform consists of a white shirt with a green stripe on the left and right of the shirt. The school crest is embedded on the left. Black shorts are worn.
CLass/CCA T-shirts Class T-shirts can be worn during PE lessons and on Saturdays. Class T-shirts come in many varieties and are desined by each of the respective classes. Design is submitted to the school management for approval. CCA T-shirts cannot be worn during PE lessons and can only be worn during CCA sessions/meetings and on Saturdays.
50th Aniversary T-shirt This is a special school T-shirt that is made for the 50th aniversary celebrations in 2006. They are distrubuted to the 2006 batch of students.They can be worn at most informal occasions and 50th aniversary events like the Golden Run and games Carnival. There is also a teachers' version of the shirt which has a more mature design.
[edit] Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)
TK holds some of the best CCA groups in the nation.
The TK Band, as representation, is the pride and joy of the school. The TK Band has its roots in the school bands of former Tanjong Katong Technical School (now Tanjong Katong Secondary School)and Tanjong Katong Girls' School. The bands started separately in 1965 with only 26 members. In 1967, the two bands came together for a combined performance that marked the beginning of their long and close relationship. The combined band known as The TK Brass Band achieved a critical mass in terms of membership, and was able to take on more challenging music and more ambitious outdoor displays. Under the leadership of their first Bandmistress, Miss Irene Joseph, the band grew by leaps and bounds. By 1972, it won its first Mace of Honour, an award given only to the top three school bands each year.
From the very beginning, the band was well known for being able to execute displays and formations smartly on the field. Many who were involved in the outdoor band scene during those years remember TK Band's impressive displays at outdoor competitions. The Band's versitality has been proven over the years as it has also done well on the concert stage and in many indoor competitions.
Throughout the 1980s, the band continued its winning form. When it split in 1989, with TKGS going its own way, Miss Irene Joseph continued to lead the TK Band until she retired in 1992. Since 1998, TK Band has maintained its throne as the 'Best Display Band'. The TK Band is now the only secondary school band taking part in the Outdoor and Indoor competitions and achieving the Gold Award for both. In December 2006, the TK Band alumni started the Irene Joseph Award in honour of their first Bandmistress Miss Irene Joseph.
The TK Choir is another jewel of the school. It is currently one of the few secondary school Choral-Excellence Choirs in Singapore. Formed in 1992 and within a short timespan of just 7 years, it awed its more established competitors and triumphed its way through to be crowned the 'Top Secondary School Choir' in the 1999 SYF Competition. The TK Choir has also represented Singapore in various International Choral Competitions, bringing home Gold Awards to its name.
Both the TK Band and TK Choir are presently the 'Gold with Honours' awardees.
In 2006, TK was awarded the Sustained Achievement Award for Aesthetics.
The Uniformed Groups is the main component of TK's CCAs. Each UG has won top awards through the years, with the NCC (Land), NCC (Sea), NPCC, Seladang Scouts and Red Cross Youth being Gold Units. TK has been awarded the Sustained Achievement Award for Uniformed Groups for 7 consecutive years, since the award was introduced.
Both the NCC (Land) and NCC (Sea) units have been named the Best Unit in 1995 and 2006 respectively.
The Sports Group has its fair share of awards. On the lead, the Sailing group has constantly be awarded the National Schools Colours and East Zone Schools Colours Awards. The Soccer and Netball teams are in the top positions in the East Zone.
The CCAs are grouped in four broad categories: Uniformed Groups (UG), Aesthetics, Sports and Clubs/Societies.
- UGs
There are six UGs: National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land), NCC (Sea), National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC), Girl Guides, Red Cross Youth and the Seladang Scouts Group
- Aesthetics
The school has five aesthetic groups: TK Band, TK Choir, Drama Club, Art Club and the Dance Club.
- Sports
TK has 9 Sport CCAs: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Table Tennis, Netball, Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Soccer and Golf
- Clubs/Societies
There are four clubs in TK: AVA Club, Chess Club, Computer Club and the Media Club
- Student Council
The TK Student Council was formed in 2002 from the TK Prefectorial Board.
[edit] Notable Alumni
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister of The Environment and Water Resources
Mr James Sim, Senior Vice-President, Hong Leong Finance
Dr Kirpal Singh, Associate Professor, Singapore Management University
