Our History

Discover how Dunearn Secondary School has grown since 1962, from its roots as a Chinese middle school to its present campus in Bukit Batok.

Last updated 21 August 2026

History

Dunearn Secondary School was established in 1962 as Dunearn Government Chinese Middle School . In 1969, it amalgamated with Dunearn Vocational School to become Dunearn Secondary School. The Chinese stream was phased out in 1986.

The former school logo and motto is show below.

Shield-shaped badge for Dunearn Secondary School featuring a gear, flame, open book, and Chinese characters.

Emblem with a flame over a bowl, Chinese characters, and the words Diligence, Prudence, Honour, Courage below.

A glimpse of the "life and times" in the former school can be seen in the Dunearn Secondary 10th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine 1969 -1979.

In 1993, the school moved to its present site at Bukit Batok.

The school provides a holistic education for all its pupils. We believe that all pupils have the potential to learn and that, through determination and discipline, they will achieve optimum growth, in a challenging, supportive and caring environment. The school received Academic Value-Added Award (Bronze) for the Express stream in 2007 and the Normal (Academic) stream in 2009. In addition, the school received the Sustained Achievement Award for Uniformed Groups in 2009 and 2010.

Front entrance of Dunearn building with white facade, red and blue accents, and a grid gate below the sign.

In 2018, the school upgraded its campus. An indoor sports hall and a new admin and teaching block were added. In 2024, the school welcomed its first batch of Full-SBB cohort students.

Over the years, the school has been ably led by experienced and respected Principals:

Principals of the school from 1962 to present

Jan 1962 – Jun 1962	Mr Liu Meng Cheng
Jun 1962 – Jun 1968	Mr Wong Kai Ping
Jun 1968 – Dec 1971	Mr Tsai Tswai Lin
Dec 1971 – Jun 1975	Mr Wee Heng Tin
Jun 1975 – Dec 1978	Mr Wong Kai Ping
Dec 1978 – Sep 1980	Mr Sim Hock Hye
Sep 1980 – Dec 1982	Mr Ho Juan Beng
Jan 1983 – Dec 1983	Mr Tan Kiok Ngiap
Dec 1983 – Nov 1987	Mr R. Ramachandra
Dec 1987 – Dec 1991	Ms Peck Soo Hong
Dec 1991 – Dec 1997	Ms Tay Bee Hian Dorothy
Dec 1997 – Dec 2003	Mrs Catherine Seah
Dec 2003 – Dec 2009	Mr Wong Lok Oon
Dec 2009 – Dec 2015	Mr Boo Hian Kok
Dec 2015 – Dec 2024	Mdm Tan Miao Ling
Dec 2024 - current	Mdm Soh Beng Mui