Our History

Trace the rich history of Bendemeer Primary School, from its origins in 1977 to its current form following several mergers.

Last updated 12 August 2026

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

Green triangular badge with a star, mountain shape, text "ATTITUDES" and "BENDEMEER PR. SCH." in bold letters.

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 neighborhoods 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)

Blue square emblem with white horizontal lines at top and dark blue letters "bwps" in a bordered box.

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)

Beng Wan Primary School's Journey

Key Milestones
1977	Establishment of Beng Wan Primary School.
1978	Official opening of Beng Wan Primary School.
1990	Became the first primary school in Singapore to introduce Hindi classes.
1997	Celebration of 20th anniversary.
2004	Merger with Bendemeer Primary School to become the present Bendemeer Primary School.

Yellow shield-shaped badge with red letters BF, reading Learning Together, Moving Forward, Bendemeer 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)

Bendemeer Primary School (Est 2004)'s Journey

Key Milestones
1977	Establishment of Bendemeer Primary School.
2004	Merger with Beng Wan Primary School.
2005	Relocation to present site following PRIME upgrading.
2007	Official opening of new campus and 30th anniversary celebration.
2010	Concert Band received its first Singapore Youth Festival Gold with Honours Award.
2011	First Sustained Achievement Award in Aesthetics.
2012	Addition of new classroom blocks and indoor sports hall under PERI upgrading.
2014	Accorded first Learning for Life Programme in community involvement and student leadership, 'Every Bendemeerian A Leader'.
2017	Accorded second Learning for Life Programme in music and performing arts, 'Bendemmer's TEMPO'.
2019	Merger with Balestier Hill Primary School

Gold and blue shield crest for Balestier Hill Primary School featuring a globe and ribbon banner.

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)

Balestier Hill Primary School's Journey

Key Milestones
2002	Establishment of Balestier Hill Primary School from the merger of Moulmein Primary School and Swiss Cottage Primary School.
2003	Successfully hybridized orchid Doritis Pulcherrima Balestier United.
2004	Official opening of Balestier Hill Primary School by Mr Khaw Boon Wan, then Minister of Health.
2007	Lotus Sustained Achievement Award for Green Audit by Singapore Environment Council.
2012	Attainment of Character Development Award and National Education Development Award.
2013	Grow-up-with-a-Tree Programme.
2014	New Vision, Mission, School Values.
2015	Implementation of LLP - The ALTOS Experience@BHPS.
2016	Championship Award in National Junior Robotics Competition (Open Catefory); Represented Singapore in World Robot Olympiad 2016, New Delhi, India.
2019	Merger with Bendemeer Primary School to become the new Bendemeer Primary School.

Shield crest with globe, BPS text, red lion, handshake, and banner reading Today's Learners Tomorrow's Leaders.

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.