School's History

Explore the rich history of Bartley Secondary School, from its founding in 1952 as Singapore's first co-educational secondary school to its many milestones over the decades.

Last updated 5 July 2026

Old black-and-white photo of Bartley Secondary School building with a sign, captioned 50 Years Ago - Our First Home.

1952 - Founding of Bartley Secondary School. Formation of 3 Standard 6 classes with 91 students- 81 males and 10 females. First co-education secondary school in Singapore under the stewardship of Mr Chua Leong Hean.

Shield crest with open book, gold lion, stone tower, red stripes, and banner reading FACTA NON VERBA.

1953 - Formation of school motto 'Facta Non Verba' and Crest.

Two black and white photos of a two-story colonial-style building surrounded by trees.

1954 - Full secondary school with 600 pupils in 16 classes.

Printed school song lyrics for Bartley School of Singapore with the title in teal cursive at the top.

1955 - Introduction of School Song with lyrics by the Principal, Mr E.W. Jesudason. First of publication of 'Bartley Annual' Magazine.

Black and white group photo of students in uniforms with ties, posed in three rows, some wearing graduation caps.

1956 - Transfer of female students to Cedar Girls' Secondary to start the girls' school and Bartley became a boys' school in the secondary section. However, female students were admitted into the Post-Secondary Section (Pre-University level ) which was started in the same year. Formation of the first National Police Cadet Corps Unit- in Singapore.

Black and white group photo of eleven men in suits and white hats, one man in back row circled.

1956 - David Lim represented Singapore in Water Polo in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. Another Bartleyan, Janet Jesudasan represented Singapore in athletics.

Black and white photo of uniformed officers marching in formation, with a leader saluting at the front right.

1956 - David Lim represented Singapore in Water Polo in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. Another Bartleyan, Janet Jesudasan represented Singapore in athletics.

Old sepia photo of two people standing on a raised platform with a microphone, addressed by a crowd outdoors.

1976 - The school's Silver Jubilee in 1976 saw the upgrading of its Science Laboratories as well as the renovation of its tuckshop to create more space for its growing population. This was officially opened by Senior Minister of State for Education, Mr Chai Chong Yii.

Two-story school building with red brick accents, large windows, a pitched roof, and trees visible behind it.

Black and white school class photo with students in white shirts and striped ties posed in three rows outdoors.

1995 - Another milestone for Bartley was re-admiting of female student into Secondary One after 39 years.

A woman in a white blouse sits at a desk with hands clasped, in a black and white office photo.

1995 - Another milestone for Bartley was re-admiting of female student into Secondary One after 39 years.

Three people on a stage unveiling a plaque draped in red cloth, two men and a woman clapping.

1997 - Official opening of new campus by GOH- Minister of Community Development, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi. Bartley was a pioneering member of the N1 Cluster. Formation of the first Student Council. Introduction of the Bartleyan Creed.

Two group photos of students in uniforms posed before a Student Council Investiture banner on a stage.

2001 - Most improved school in 2000 GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations. School Hall was air-conditioned.

Circular collage of eleven black-and-white portraits of named school principals from 1952 to 2001, arranged around a student on sand.

2002 - Celebrating 50 years of shaping lives and shaping the nation.

A school campus with multi-story buildings, a basketball court, trees, and a sign reading My Learning Suite under blue sky.

2002 - Celebrating 50 years of shaping lives and shaping the nation.

2005 - Official Opening of Centre of Excellence for Innovation and Enterprise (BICE). Achieved People Developer Standard (Spring, Singapore). Attained Thinking Culture Award-Best School (Zone).

Students in various uniforms march carrying colorful flags in a school courtyard parade, watched by crowds on upper floors.

2006 - Achieved Character Development Award. Attained Sustained Achievement Award (Uniformed Group).

Girl in black sprints on a red track holding a relay baton, with other students and an Excellence banner behind her.

2006 - Achieved Character Development Award. Attained Sustained Achievement Award (Uniformed Group).

A group of teenagers in white shirts with lanyards posing in front of an ancient stone wall with large tree roots.

2008 - Introduction of Overseas Service Learning Trip (Cambodia).

Two adults and six students in school uniforms pose together smiling in an indoor gymnasium.

2009 - Achieved Sustained Achievement Award (Academic- Value-added for Express). Recognised as achieving Business Excellence Niche Standard (People) by Spring, Singapore. Overseas Service Learning Trip to India.

2012 - Opening of air-conditioned classrooms for graduating students.Celebrating 60 years of nurturing resilient and responsible Bartleyans.

2015 - Completion of Indoor Sports House (ISH)

2015 - Introduction of Learning for Life Programme

Four people in white lab coats gather around a table examining small vials and a wooden box of samples.

2016 - Introduction of Applied Learning Programme

Two school campuses side by side, one with a courtyard and colorful facade, the other an aerial view with sports courts.

2016 - Introduction of Applied Learning Programme

Large group of students in red uniforms seated on a gym floor, with two adults holding a certificate in front.

2018 - Singapore Guinness Book of Record - Largest National Day Dikir Barat

Two adults in red shirts guide two boys building a small wheeled robot with wires on a round yellow table.

2019 - Introduction of Mobile Robotics as a subject.