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Townsville Primary School

Our Origins

Discover the rich history behind Townsville Primary School and its proud heritage.

Last updated on 14 September 2026

School History

Circular badge with an open book, rising sun, blue waves, Chinese characters, and a red banner reading Townsville Primary School.

In April 2021, MOE announced the merging of our school with Guangyang Primary School/Townsville Primary School. The English name of Townsville Primary School and the Chinese name of Guangyang Primary School (光洋小学) have been retained. In summary, the name in the four official languages is:

Sekolah Rendah Townsville
光洋小学
டவுன்ஸ்வில் தொடக்கப்பள்ளி
Townsville Primary School

Blue and yellow shield badge for Guangyang Primary School showing an open book with Loyalty, Courage, Diligence, Honesty.

Guangyang Primary School, originally named Kong Yiong School, was started by a group of Chinese education enthusiasts in 1918. It offered Chinese as the first language. The school was temporarily closed during the Second World War, and reopened in September 1945.

In 1959, the school offered secondary classes and was renamed Kong Yiong High School. In 1984, the primary and secondary schools were separated, and the primary school became a government school in 1986. In 1988, the name of the school was changed to Guangyang Primary School (光洋小学). 

In 1993, Guangyang Primary School relocated to its current premises at 6 Bishan Street 12. In 2011, Guangyang Primary School completed the PRIME upgrading. In 2018, the school celebrated its 100th anniversary. That same year, Guangyang Primary School was accorded the Learning for Life Programme in Music and Performing Arts, with emphasis on talent and character development.

Three photos showing Guangyang Primary School: current entrance, a 1948 black-and-white photo, and a modern aerial view.

Principals of Guangyang Primary School by period of service

Principals

Mr Liang Pidu (1918–1920)

Mr Huang Yiyuang (1920–1929)

Mdm Zhang Qiangbao (1929–1939)

Mr Wu Fulin (1939–1955)

Mr Zheng Yunwen (1956–1964)

Mr Willian Shen (1965–1983)

Mr Loong (龙厉权) (1984–1985)

Mr Ang Mah Chew (1985–1986)

Mdm Zhang Qiangbao (1929–1939)

Mr Wu Fulin (1939–1955)

Mrs Soh Chin Wah (1986 – 1996)

Mr Goh Kian Guan (1996–2003)

Mdm Kit Gek Wah (2004–2009)

Mdm Wu Siew Fong Susan (2009–2013)

Mr Vimalenthiran Vijayasingam (2013–2020)

Mr Enoch Lau (2021-2022)

Red-bordered blue triangle badge with white text reading Do Our Best and Townsville, with two T letters in the center.

Townsville Primary School was established in 1983, originally located at Ang Mo Kio Street 32. In 1985, the school was officially declared open. In 1989, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain visited the school.

In 2000, the school moved to its present location at 3 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10. The following year, it merged with Chong Shan Primary School, which had earlier amalgamated with Chong De in 1998. Townsville Primary School’s new campus was officially declared open in 2002.

In 2013, the Ministry of Education granted the school niche status in visual arts under the Programme for School-based Excellence. Through the visual arts programme, Townsville Primary aims to develop students’ communication, critical and creative thinking skills.

In 2017, Townsville Primary School celebrated another milestone with its 35th anniversary in educating and developing students to be future-ready.

Three-panel collage showing an old building, a woman in floral dress greeting people, and Townsville Primary School entrance.

Principals of Townsville Primary School by period of service

Principals

Mr Tan Bee Yong (1982–1983)

Mrs Daisy Tay (1984–1989)

Ms Teo Lian Geok (1989–1995)

Mr Tan Yan Song (1995–2000))

Ms Chiang Wai Leng (2000–2007)

Mr Eugene Ong Kai Tiong (2008–2011)

Mrs Liu-Loh Wee Cheng (2012–2016)

Mr Victor Tan (2017–2022)