SPEECH BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN
AT THE CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT OF
CHUNG CHENG HIGH SCHOOL (MAIN)
ON SUNDAY 10 SEP 2000 @ 7.35 PM
AT CHUNG CHENG HIGH SCHOOL, 40 GOODMAN ROAD

Mr Wee Cho Yaw,
Chairman of the School Management Committee

Mrs Lee Miew Boey,
Deputy Secretary (Services)

Mr Yang Che Kay,
Principal, Chung Cheng High School

Parents, Alumni, Teachers and Students

1         I am pleased to join you at this ceremony to mark the completion of the redevelopment of Chung Cheng High School.

2        Chung Cheng High School is a school steeped in history and tradition. Founded in 1939 as a private Chinese school by a group of entrepreneurs and community leaders, Chung Cheng High School is associated with many well-known individuals who had made a mark in Singapore's history. The late philanthropist Mr Aw Boon Haw was the Chairman of Chung Cheng High School's first Management Board. Mr Lim Bo Seng, a great national hero who fought the Japanese and died honourably, was your first supervisor. The late Dr Chuang Chu Lin, a renowned scholar was the school's first principal. The entrepreneurs and community leaders who founded the school had recognised the importance of education as a means to preserve Chinese culture and traditions.

3         Your school has witnessed the major milestones in Singapore's history, and our transformation from a British colony to a sovereign state. When Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools were established in 1979 to preserve the unique culture and traditional values taught in the old Chinese schools, Chung Cheng High School was one of the nine secondary schools selected as SAP schools. Since then, your school and your staff have succeeded in providing a conducive environment that develops your pupils to be well-rounded individuals with a keen understanding and appreciation of Chinese values and culture. Yet, the school is also mindful of the need for your students to interact with the other races to better understand the other ethnic communities and promote racial harmony.

4         An autonomous school since 1996, Chung Cheng High students have excelled academically and in co-curricular activities. In this year's ranking of secondary schools, Chung Cheng High School was placed 16th in the Special/Express stream. Through the years, Chung Cheng High School has succeeded in blending the old with the new as it prepares students for the new challenges of our world today. For example, your efforts to develop an IT culture in the school have been rewarded by the awards won by your students at national IT competitions such as the Webpage Design Competition in 1999 and the Virtual Teachware Competition in 2000.

5         I am pleased to learn that your students have also made significant achievements in co-curricular activities. The school's Chinese orchestra, choir, band and English drama have won many gold and silver awards in the Singapore Youth Festival and other competitions over the past two years. Indeed, your school's emphasis on all-round development has paid off handsomely. I am happy to note that the school also received the Sustained Achievement Awards for Uniformed Groups and Physical Fitness this year. I congratulate the students and staff of Chung Cheng High School for these achievements, and urge you to continue your good work.

6         The completion of Chung Cheng High School's redeveloped campus marks another significant milestone in the school's development. This impressive campus and enhanced facilities symbolise your commitment to provide an environment which would allow staff and students to continue their pursuit of excellence. New features such as the lecture hall, bigger classrooms and a wide range of sports facilities have been made possible because of strong support from students, your alumni and the school management.

7         From its founding, Chung Cheng High School has benefited from contributions from members of the community. In turn, the old boys of Chung Cheng High have distinguished themselves in many fields and made significant contributions to Singapore's development. Many old boys are present this evening to celebrate this significant event with their alma mater. I hope their presence will inspire present and future generations of Chung Cheng High students to live up to the spirit of your founding fathers and seek to contribute to the community so as to share with others the opportunities you have enjoyed.

8         It is now my pleasure to declare the new Chung Cheng High School campus open.