Singapore, 10 October, 2007 - The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) announced today the appointment of Mrs Deborah Tan Mei Lun as the new Principal for the Singapore Sports School (SSS) with effect from 1 January 2008.
Mrs Tan, 48, has been the principal of Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) since 1999. Prior to that, she was Vice-Principal of Hwa Chong Junior College.
Mrs Tan holds an Honours degree in Microbiology from the National University of Singapore (NUS), and a Post-graduate Diploma in Education specialising in Biology and Physical Education from the National Institute of Education. A keen sports person, Mrs Tan had represented Combined Schools and the National University of Singapore in softball during her school days.
Mr Moo Soon Chong, 60, the incumbent SSS Principal, will assume the role of consultant to the school from January 2008, before retiring on 1 April 2008. Mr Moo has been the Principal of SSS since the institution enrolled its first intake of students in January 2004. He has been instrumental in developing the school's integrated academic and sports training programme, as well as fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders.
Mr Niam Chiang Meng, Chairman of SSS and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports applauds Mr Moo's contributions. He said, "Mr Moo joined our Ministry in 2002 and quickly assembled a core team to start the Sports School. Although the school is less than five years old, its achievements to date would not have been possible without Mr Moo's passion and dedication, and above all his excellent leadership. On behalf of the entire Sports School community, I would like to thank Mr Moo for what he has achieved for the Sports School and I wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said that he is grateful to Mr Moo for laying a strong foundation for the Sports School. He added, "I am pleased that Mrs Deborah Tan, who has such a strong record in school leadership, has decided to come on board the Sports School. We extend a warm welcome to her in joining the sporting fraternity. I am confident she will continue to build on the achievements and the strong foundation laid by Mr Moo in nurturing top-class youth athletes while providing them a wholesome education.”
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Issued by:
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS
10 October 2007
For further information, please contact:
Ms Yvonne Lum
Assistant Manager
Communications and International Relations
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
DID: 6354 8174
HP: 9090 3051
Email: Yvonne_LUM@mcys.gov.sg
Annex A
Biography of Mrs Deborah Tan Mei Lun
Mrs Deborah Tan, 48, is currently the Principal of Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary), a post she has held since 1999. Prior to that, she was Vice-Principal of Hwa Chong Junior College.
Mrs Tan holds an Honours degree in Microbiology from the National University of Singapore (NUS), and a Post-graduate Diploma in Education specialising in Biology and Physical Education from the National Institute of Education.
During her tenure as Principal of Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary), Mrs Tan led the school in the design and implementation of the Raffles Programme, the Integrated Programme of RGS. She also guided the school towards achieving the School Excellence Award in 2006, the pinnacle of MOE Awards.
Mrs Tan is also the Chairperson of the Singapore Regional Committee for the International Future Problem-Solving Programme since its inception in 2005. The programme helps young people develop critical, creative and futuristic thinking skills.
Mrs Tan was awarded the Efficiency Medal and Public Administration Medal (Silver).
Mrs Tan is a keen sports person. She represented Combined Schools and the National University of Singapore in softball. She was also vice captain of the softball team and house vice captain in Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary). Besides softball, she is also a 23 handicap golfer.
Annex B
About the Singapore Sports School
The Singapore Sports School is a specialised independent secondary school providing an integrated academic and training environment for youth aspiring to be elite athletes. Under the oversight of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports, the school was officially opened by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 2 April 2004.
Today, the school boasts over 360 sports athletes who have benefited from the flexible academic setting, enabling them to balance their academic pursuits with intensive sports training. The youth reside five days a week on a seven-hectare campus that comes equipped with world-class sporting facilities. Students at the Sports School undergo a modular yet comprehensive curriculum that allows them the flexibility to balance their sports training and competitions.
The Sports School athletes have been doing well in their sporting accomplishments. Since the school’s inception in 2004, its athletes have broken 11 National Records, 29 National Age-Group Records, 12 National Schools Records, 21 School Championship Records and the U17 Triple Jump record at Birmingham Indoor Games 2006. Some of the athletes have also represented Singapore at the international sports arena and won top accolades. Among them are three World Champions, two Asian Gold Medalists, one Commonwealth Games Gold Medalists, two SEA Games Gold Medalists, one World Youth Champion, three Asian Youth Champions and two National Champions.
