Nanyang Primary School was founded in 1917 by Mr Tan Chu Nan and Mr Teo Eng Hock as the Primary Section of The Singapore Nanyang Girls' School with an enrolment of 100 pupils. It functioned in a rented shophouse at No. 7, Dhoby Ghaut, next to Cathay Cinema. Mdm Yu Pei Gao was the first principal.
In 1927, the school moved to 52, King's Road. In the same year, Mr Lee Chin Tien, the Chairman and Mdm Liew Yuen Sien, the Principal at that time totally revamped the school. This was when the school started gaining recognition and respect from the society.
During the Second World War, the school was used as a field office by the British Army. When the Japanese Army captured Singapore, it took over the school premises. School facilities were destroyed as a result. In 1945, the Japanese surrendered and the British returned to govern Singapore. The school was slowly restored to its former glory with the concerted effort of the Board of Directors, teachers, student and alumnae.
In 1948, a new Primary Block comprising 10 classrooms and an office was built to accommodate the increasing enrolment. This building was again rebuilt and extended in 1974 to include 25 classrooms.
In 1978, to cater to the expanding intake of students and to facilitate more effective management, the Primary Section which had 1069 pupils in 28 classes was separated from Nanyang Girls' High School and was officially named 'Nanyang Primary School'. Madam Ho Chin Geok was appointed as its first principal.
English Stream classes was introduced in 1983, and in 1984, the school was selected by the Ministry of Education to be one of four Bilingual Schools, teaching pupils 2 languages viz English and Chinese at first language level.
To cope with the ever increasing demand for places in the school, the School Management Committee (SMC) decided to add on a new wing on a newly acquired piece of land at Coronation Road in 1981. Funds were raised and construction began in February 1984. The new building at 51, Coronation Road was completed in July 1985.
In 1990, the school was selected as the fourth primary Gifted Education Programme (GEP) centre.
In 1993, the former Farrer Primary School premises at 1A, Lutheran Road, was acquired for use by the Primary 1 and Primary 2 levels. The school hence functioned at 2 campuses.
In 1994, some rooms were converted into classrooms to accommodate the Primary 3 level classes so that all classes can function in the morning session. However, increasing intake of students meant that the Primary 3 level had to revert back to functioning in the afternoon session later.
In 1998, Mdm Ho Chin Geok retired as Principal and she was succeeded by Miss Lim Poh Suan.
In 1999, when Nanyang Girls' High moved to its new campus at Linden Drive, Nanyang Primary took over the land at 52, King's Road. New buildings were built to accommodate the all pupils in one campus.
On 4 June 2003, the school began a new chapter in its history with a symbolic move to its grand new campus at 52, King's Road. From Term 3 in 2003, staff and pupils finally came under one roof and functioned at one campus.
The hilltop building of the old premises will be renovated and from next year onwards, all classes will be able to function in the morning session.
After Miss Lim Poh Suan left to head another primary school in December 2002, Mdm Heng Boey Hong took over at the helm of the school. Beginning with 2010, the new Principal of our school is Mrs. Lee Hui Feng.
Nanyang Primary School has classes for the Gifted Education Programme as well as the Main Stream. The school has a well-established tradition and owes its present status to the hard work and dedication of the SMC, the staff, pupils and the whole-hearted support of parents, alumnae and community leaders over the years.
Source:
The information provided above is culled from the NYPS' website.
More about our school's vision, values and thurst you may find at our school's official website.
