Principal’s Message

Principal’s address 2024

Welcome to Queenstown Secondary School!

As I embark on my third year at Queenstown Secondary School (QTSS), I continue to be inspired by the deep sense of love that permeates our school community. In my interactions with staff, Queenstownians, alumni, parents, and members of the School Advisory Committee, it is evident that QTSS holds a special place in the hearts of many.

In QTSS, I am fortunate to work alongside a strong core of dedicated key personnel as well as teaching and non-teaching staff, many of whom have served as steadfast stalwarts. Indeed, connecting through the generations of school staff is our school’s philosophy – we believe in the unique worth of the individual, the enhancement of his well-being, and the symbiotic relation between himself and society.

The unique worth of the individual

Over the past two years, I have had individual chats with every graduating Queenstownian to hear their dreams and hopes for their future. These exchanges have been both humbling and inspiring, as these Queenstownians passionately shared about their diverse interests that drive them to make positive changes for themselves and those around them. Their enthusiasm for life and self-belief instill in me the confidence that they will undoubtedly achieve success on their own terms and time. Through their stories, it is evident that while each student might have faced unique challenges in their quest to learn, they are grateful for the tireless encouragement and motivation from their teachers to overcome these challenges. I am confident that this growth mindset and resilience will propel Queenstownians toward success in the future.

The symbiotic relation between the individual and society

In my message last year, I wrote about the rapid emergence of AI and its impact on shaping the landscape of the future, underscoring therefore the importance of orienting our Queenstownians for the future. Simultaneously, the COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a profound disruptor, compelling various sectors to challenge the status quo. The pace of change in the working world is accelerating, necessitating our Queenstownians to cultivate new mindsets and acquire new skillsets for sustained success.

To that end of ensuring that our Queenstownians are well-prepared for the fast-evolving world of learning and working, the school has significantly expanded our Educational and Career Guidance programme, for one, by forging partnerships with industry leaders such as IKEA, Singapore Hilton Hotels, The Polyolefin Company, Seagate, Micron, the Maritime and Port Authority, Elsie’s Kitchen, Tetra Pak, Swedish Chamber of Commerce, as well as esteemed educational partners like Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the National University of Singapore (Residential College 4). Working with and learning from these partners will afford our Queenstownians a broader perspective of the world and provide a keener awareness of the opportunities that they will gain from focusing on learning well in school.

Furthermore, given the rapid pace of technological development, it is now more imperative than ever that our school’s Total Curriculum remains dedicated to fostering in our Queenstownians a growth mindset and competencies that are distinctly human and challenging for machines to replicate or attain. The acquisition of 21st Century Competencies, especially adaptive thinking and inventive thinking, communication, and collaborative skills, along with future literacies such as digital literacy and sustainability literacy, is crucial to ensure that our Queenstownians are prepared, not just for life in school, but also for the school of life.

The enhancement of the individual’s well-being

Key to the effectiveness of our Total Curriculum is our thriving school community. One example of this is a school-wide peer support and buddy system through which Queenstownians care and look out for each other. This was featured previously in the Ministry of Education (MOE)'s Schoolbag newsletter. Strong teacher-student and student-student relationships are foundational in creating a positive learning environment. In our school, form teachers are known as Class Mentors (CMs), assuming the crucial role of significant adults in our students’ lives. Our CMs invest time in building strong relationships with Queenstownians to ensure their well-being and guide them to be anchored in our school values. Queenstownians are also placed in the same mixed form classes throughout their years in our school, allowing them to build deep relationships with their CMs and classmates.

Finally, our school motto, “Berani Berkhidmat – Dare to Serve”, has left an indelible mark on generations of Queenstownians, inspiring them to embody this call to service and leadership. I am dedicated to nurturing and amplifying our staff and Queenstownians’ ‘Dare to Serve’ spirit.

I look forward to journeying through 2024 with our QTSS community!

Berani Berkhidmat,
Mr Sim How Chong
Principal