Ang Mo Kio Secondary School

History

Ang Mo Kio Secondary School was the first secondary school to be established in Ang Mo Kio New Town. It began operations on 2 January 1979 in the premises of Hwi Yoh Secondary School, with 12 Secondary One classes.

On 12 July 1979 the school occupied its premises at Ang Mo Kio Street 22 and was declared open on 20 September 1980 by Mr Yeo Toon Chia, then Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio. In December 1999 it moved to temporary premises at Hougang Street 93 to enable rebuilding on the former site. From January 2002, Ang Mo Kio Secondary School started operating at its newly built premises in Ang Mo Kio Street 22. The new building was declared open on 13 July 2002 by Mr Seng Han Tong, Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC.

The school's first principal was Mr Tan Joo Kheng, followed by Miss Monica Quek Swee Imm, Mrs Tan Guat Kim, Mdm Doreen Yip, Miss Paramita Bandara, Miss Tan Siew Piang and Mr Tan Chee Siong. Since December 2010, Mr Abdul Mannan has been principal. In 2015, Mr Tom Chan has replaced Mr Mannan and is currently serving as principal.

School motto

Always Strive For The Best

Academics

AMKSS has always been ranked in the top 50 based on the annual GCE 'O' Level results by the Ministry of Education.

AMKSS was ranked 18th in the annual Singapore Straits Times Ranking of schools.

Biannually, the school puts on its NOMAD (Night Of Music And Dance) festival, whose origins lie in the AMKSS Integrated Arts Programme (IAP) for all Secondary 1 and 2 students. It was established in 2003 to encourage an exploration of the arts, and allows students to work with practising artists in music, visual arts, dance and drama.

Discipline

Behavioural standards are maintained through the use of a merit/demerit points system. Each student starts with 75 points. Demerit points are awarded for minor misbehaviour, and a girl who reaches 55 points is put in detention for five days; a boy receives corporal punishment from the Discipline Master.

For major offences, including truancy, smoking and vandalism, girls serve several detentions and boys are always caned in front of their classmates for a first offence, and in front of an assembly of the whole school for a second offence. The cane strokes (usually two or three) are delivered to the seat of student's trousers or shorts. Major offenders also receive counselling, are issued six demerit points, and are placed under the Student Reformative Programme for a period of time as stipulated by the Discipline Committee.

There is also a Peer Mediation Programme for the resolution of disputes.

Notable alumni