Our History
OUR HISTORY
School History & Background
Bendemeer Primary School started in 1977 and was officially opened by Mr Sidek Saniff, Member of Parliament for Kolam Ayer on March 1978. Under PRIME, the school merged with Beng Wan Primary School on Jan 2004. Balestier Hill Primary School was established in January 2002 following the merger of Moulmein Primary School and Swiss Cottage Primary School. The school was declared officially open on Nov 2004 by Minister of Health Mr Khaw Boon Wan.
In 2019, Bendemeer Primary School and Balestier Hill Primary School merged to form the new Bendemeer Primary School. Our new mission is to nurture and inspire every student to be the best that they can be. The school will strive to give every student the best experience in their 6 years of primary school and to build their self-confidence and leadership qualities as they develop into young adults who will contribute to the nation.
Our Origins
Bendemeer Primary (1977)
Bendemeer Primary School first began operating in 1977. Mr Sidek Bin Saniff, Member of Parliament for Kolam Ayer, officially declared the school open on 10 March 1978.
The school served the neighbourhoods of Bendemeer, Whampoa, Kallang Bahru, Boon Keng and Geylang Bahru.
The school building then shared the same compound with Beng Wan Primary School and Bendemeer Secondary School and later Woodsville Secondary School.
This 3.3-hectare plot of land was owned by one of Singapore’s well-known pioneers, Mr Hoo Ah Kay, better known as Whampoa.
Former school principals:
· Mrs R Vallipuram (1977 to 1984)
· Mrs Maria Phua (1985 to 1994)
· Mrs Doris Sum (1995 to 2001)
· Mr Koh Chee Seng (2002 to 2004)
Beng Wan Primary School (秉文小学)
Beng Wan Primary School started operating on 2 January 1977 with students from Griffiths, Beatty, Balestier Boys, Balestier Girls, Balestier Mixed and Kwong Avenue schools.
The school was officially declared open 25 July 1978 by then Member of Parliament for Kolam Ayer, Mr Sidek Bin Saniff.
Former school principals:
· Mr Teh Swee Chin (1977 to 1983)
· Mr Foo Siang Juan (1984 to 1988)
· Mr Han Mok Puek (1989 to 1992)
· Mr Stephen Lu (1993 to 1998)
· Miss Lim Kuek Heng (1999 to 2002)
History of Bengwan Primary School
Merger between Bendemeer Primary School (Est 1977) and Beng Wan Primary School
Under PRIME, these two schools merged on 1 January 2004 forming Bendemeer Primary School (Est 2004).
The school staff and students then occupied this present building with an enrolment of about 1200 students.
Former school principals:
· Mr Koh Chee Seng (2004 to 2006)
· Miss Lim Poh Suan (2006 to 2008)
· Mrs See Lai Kwan (2009 to 2015)
· Mr Tan Siew Tiong (2016 to 2018)
History of Bendemeer Primary School
Balestier Hill Primary School (博理小学)
Balestier Hill Primary School was established in January 2002 following the merger of Moulmein Primary School and Swiss Cottage Primary School.
The school was declared officially open on November 2004 by then Minister of Health, Mr Khaw Boon Wan.
Former school principals:
· Dr Irene Ho (2002 to 2011)
· Miss Tay Chay Eng (2012 to 2018)
History of Balestier Primary School
Merger between Bendemeer Primary School (Est 2004) and Balestier Hill Primary School
In 2019, Bendemeer Primary School (Est 2004) and Balestier Hill Primary School merged to form the new Bendemeer Primary School.
The school’s new mission is to nurture and inspire every student to be the best that they can be. The school will strive to give every student the best learning experience in their six years of primary school and to build their self-confidence and leadership qualities as they develop into young adults who will contribute to the nation.
The current school principal is Mrs Tan-Lim Kim Gek.
The school celebrated its 45th Anniversary in 2023.
For more information, please click here.
The new Bendemeer Primary School crest (Refer above)
The new school crest will hereon serve the new Bendemeer Primary School to forge the school’s identity and strengthening the school’s purpose of existence.