Ai Tong School

Ai Tong School (Chinese: 爱同学校; pinyin: Àitóng xuéxiào) is a primary school located in Bishan, Singapore. It is one of the five affiliated primary schools under the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan. The name 爱同 is derived from 博爱 and 大同 which means 'Love for all mankind' and 'Equality/Harmony' respectively.

Motto and logo

Motto

"Sincerity and Perseverance", meaning "Be sincere with all people. Be persevering in all endeavours."

Logo

The school logo resembles a flying wheel. The sign gives the school its name, Ai Tong School. The pair of wings symbolises the school soaring into greater heights, seeking higher aspirations and excellence. The circles symbolise the cohesive spirit of the teachers and pupils working together towards a common goal.

History

The school started as a private Singaporean Chinese primary school founded by educational philanthropist, Tan Kah Kee, in 1912. The school was one of five primary and secondary Chinese schools that were founded by Tan in Singapore.

As a Chinese-medium school, Ai Tong emphasizes strongly on the learning of Chinese culture, language and values.

In 1957, the private school became a government-aided school, and started teaching English as the first language and Chinese as the second language from 1984 onwards.

Housed at the Methodist Church, Boon Tat Street, in its early days, the school shifted its premises three times, and is now located at 100, Bright Hill Drive.

Timeline

• 1912: Ai Tong School was established at Methodist Church, Boon Tat Street with 30 pupils.
• 1917: The school was re-sited at 209, Telok Ayer Street.
• 1929: The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan took over the autonomy of the school.
• 1946: The school rented the premises of the old Gan Eng Seng School to start a branch school. Enrolment increased to more than 1,600.
• 1956: The main school moved to the Hokkien Huay Kuan Building at 137, Telok Ayer Street.
• 1957: The school became a government-aided school.
• 1961: The total enrolment of the main and branch school reached approximately 2,360.
• 1978: Construction work for a new school building began at Ang Mo Kio, Ave 3.
• 1979: 887 pupils had their classes at Mayflower Primary School and Ang Mo Kio Primary School.
• 1980: The 887 pupils moved to the new school building. Total enrolment, including the new intake, was 2,025. The school functioned as an integrated school.
• 1981: The new school building was officially declared open by the Parliamentary Secretary (Education), Ho Kah Leong, on October 9, 1981.
• 1984: All pupils took English as the first language, and Chinese as the second language.
• 1990: The school became a "SAP school. The pupils took English and Chinese as their first language.
• 1992: The school was relocated to 100, Bright Hill Drive, Singapore 579649, on July 9, 1992.
• 1993: The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wong Kan Seng, officiated at the relocation ceremony on July 9.
• 1998: The extension block housing special rooms was completed.
• 2000: The extension block was officially opened by Wee Cho Yaw, the chairman of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan.
• 2002: Ng Keng Song took over as Principal.
• 2004: The Programme for Rebuilding and IMproving Existing schools (PRIME) was completed.
• 2002: The school started on-site PRIME on November 2002.
• 2010: Mr Tan Yap Kin, former Vice-Principal of Tampines Primary School, took over as Principal of Ai Tong School.

External links

• Official website