The Academy of Principals (Singapore) [APS] represents a unique and vibrant partnership with the key players in Singapore education: the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the National Institute of Education (NIE) to provide an unparalleled level of support for our school leaders as they lead our schools into a new and exciting era of educational changes.

More importantly, the Academy serves as an important platform for our school principals to reach out to local and overseas colleagues from affiliated associations, institutes of higher learning, corporate and industry partners to share ideas, debate issues and discuss policy initiatives, all of which will contribute towards building sustainable leadership through strong and mutually-beneficial networks.

Feature Focus

Mentoring Touch Point 2 2024

A Mentoring Touch Point 2 for Mentors and Mentees was conducted on 22 October 2024.

Session 2 of the Mentoring Touch Point 2 for Mentors and Mentees was conducted on 24 October 2024.

In Conversation with LEP 2024 Participants

A Dialogue session with the LEP 2024 participants was organised on 7 October 2024 at CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School.

16th CJ Koh Professorship Public Lecture: Sustainability and the Future of Education

Learning Journey to Bird Paradise 2024

A Learning Journey to Bird Paradise was organised on 20 August 2024.

School Leaders' Workshops 2024

A "Developing Better Decision-Making Skills for Leaders" Workshop was conducted from 31 July to 1 August 2024.

The 2nd run of the "Empower Your Team: Building Psychological Safety for Effective Leadership” Workshop was conducted from 24 to 25 July 2024.

Mentoring Closing Ceremony for Year 2 Principals 2024

We were honoured to have the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Lim Wan Yong to have a dialogue with the principals of the Peer Mentoring Programme for Batch Year 2 on 19 July 2024 at Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre.

Learning Journey to Changi Experience Studio@Jewel 2024

A Learning Journey to Changi Experience Studio @ Jewel was organised on 9 July 2024.

Mentoring Touch Point Sessions 2024

A Touch Point Session for Mentees was conducted on 9 July 2024.

A Touch Point Session for Mentors was conducted on 11 July 2024.

15th Global Educational Leadership Conference 2024

The Academy of Principals (Singapore) organised the 15th Global Educational Leadership Conference (GELC) on 28 June 2024. Our theme for this year’s GELC is "The Future of Education and Education of the Future". The conference was attended by more than 750 local school leaders and middle managers as well as participants from Australia, Argentina, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands, Nepal, United States of America and United Kingdom. We were honoured to have Minister for Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing, to grace the occasion and the Permanent Secretary, Ms Lim Wan Yong, to deliver the Closing Address at the Conference. 

GELC Pre-Conference - Leading with AI Workshop 2024

A "Leading with AI" Workshop was conducted on 27 June 2024.

Leadership Learning Series 2024

A Leadership Learning Series was organised on 6 May 2024 with Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry as the Speaker on the topic of "Youth Empowerment: Education, Aspirations and Civic Engagement".

School Leaders' Workshops 2024

A "Communicating for Impact and Influence" Workshop was conducted from 14 to 15 May 2024.

The "Empower Your Team: Building Psychological Safety for Effective Leadership” Workshop was conducted from 29 to 30 April 2024.

Mentoring Conversation for Year 2 Principals, 2024

A Mentoring Conversation for Year 2 was organised on 19 April 2024 with Ms Joan Swee from Whispering Hope as the Speaker to address the principals on the topic of “Looking At The Whole Person”.

23rd Annual General Meeting 2024

The 23rd Annual General Meeting was held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel on 22 March 2024. We were honoured to have the Permanent Secretary, Mr Lai Chung Han to have a dialogue with members at the AGM. We have our election for the 12th Executive Board and Dr Shirleen Chee was re-elected as President of APS.

Peer Mentoring Programme 2024

The Peer Mentoring Programme for the newly appointed Principals was conducted on 5 March to 6 March 2024.

Start of School Year 2024

The Start of School Year event was held at the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre on 19 January 2024. We were honoured and privileged to have Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings and Laguna Resorts and Hotels, for an engaging conversation with our participants. The event was further highlighted by a vibrant Lo-Hei ceremony, celebrated three weeks before the Lunar New Year. This auspicious start to our festivities was a highlight for all attendees.

Mentoring Closing Ceremony for Year 2 Principals 2023

We were honoured to have the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr Lai Chung Han to address the principals of the Peer Mentoring Programme for Batch Year 2 on 20 July 2023 at Orchard Hotel.

Exclusive Learning Journeys for Members 2023

A Learning Journey to ZTO Singapore was organised on 19 July 2023.

A Learning Journey to NTUC FairPrice Supply Chain Ops Centre was organised on 11 July 2023.

14th Global Educational Leadership Conference 2023

The Academy of Principals (Singapore) organised the 14th Global Educational Leadership Conference (GELC) on 30 June 2023. Our theme for this year’s GELC is “Leading with Hope in a Polarised World". The conference was attended by more than 600 local school leaders and middle managers as well as participants from Australia, Argentina, Brunei, Netherlands and Philippines. We were honoured to have Second Minister for Education, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, to grace the occasion by delivering the Opening Address and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr Lai Chung Han, to deliver the Closing Address at the Conference. 

Mentoring Conversation for Year 2 Principals, 2023

A Mentoring Conversation for Year 2 was organised on 28 April 2023 with Ms Joan Swee from Whispering Hope as the Speaker to address the principals on the topic of “Looking At The Whole Person”.

Leadership Learning Series 2023

A Leadership Learning Series was organised on 12 April 2023 with Brigadier-General Lee Yi-Jin, Chief of Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), as the Speaker on the topic of "Defending the Digital Domain".

22nd Annual General Meeting 2023

Peer Mentoring Programme 2023

The Peer Mentoring Programme for the newly appointed Principals was conducted on 28 February to 1 March and 7 to 8 March 2023.

Start of School Year 2023

Learning Journey @ Dhoby Ghaut 2022

ICP Council + Meeting 2022

From 27 to 30 October 2022, the Academy of Principals (Singapore) had the privilege to host the council members from the International Confederation of Principals at the Raffles City Convention Centre. Over 60 Head of Principals’ Associations from all over the world attended the council meeting.

The meeting agenda was about how to address, and best manage the ever-increasing pressures and responsibilities of leading schools in a world that is both emerging from a Pandemic and seeking to respond to the challenges of education in the 21^st century. The theme of the Council + is ‘ Future Leaders: Future Schools’.

The Annual General Meeting of the International Confederation of Principals (ICP) was also held at the Council + Meeting on 29 October 2022.

Dialogue Session with LEP Participants 2022

A Dialogue session with the LEP participants was organised on 30 August 2022 at the Viewing Gallery of Anglo-Chinese Junior College.

Mentoring Closing Ceremony for Year 2 Principals 2022

We were honoured to have the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr Lai Chung Han to address the principals of the Peer Mentoring Programme for Batch Year 2 on 20 July 2022 at Orchard Hotel.

13th Global Educational Leadership Conference 2022

 The Academy of Principals (Singapore) organised the 13th Global Educational Leadership Conference (GELC) on 8 July 2022. Our theme for this year’s GELC is “Neither New Nor Normal: Rethinking Educational Leadership”. The conference was attended by more than 700 local school leaders and middle managers as well as participants from Australia, Argentina, Brunei, Canada, Ireland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. We were honoured to have the Minister for Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing to grace the occasion by delivering the Opening Address and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr Lai Chung Han to have a dialogue with participants at the Conference. 

The speaker and panelists at this year conference were Mr Joshua Morris, Ms Aw Kah Peng, Mr Choe Peng Sum, Mr Aaron Maniam, Assoc Prof Ong Biauw Chi and Mr Shee Tse Koon.

Leadership Learning Series 2022

A Leadership Learning Series was organised on 12 April 2022 with Mr Li Hongyi, Director of Open Government Products, Government Technology Agency, as the Speaker on the topic of Digital Transformation and Inclusion.

Mentoring Conversation for Year 2 Principals, 2022

A Second Mentoring Conversation for Year 2 was organised on 6 April 2022 with Ms Gracie Mak from Whispering Hope as the Speaker to address the principals on the topic of Managing Well-being.

School Leaders' Workshops 2022

A Communicating for Impact and Influence Workshop was conducted on 5 to 6 April 2022.

A Cultivating A Leadership Signature That Counts Workshop was conducted on 26 to 27 April 2022.

A Reinvigorating School Processes and Programmes with Lean Agile Workshop was conducted on 10 to 11 May 2022.

21st Annual General Meeting 2022

The 21st AGM was held virtually via Zoom Meeting Platform on 25 March 2022. We were honoured to have Mr Wong Siew Hoong, Director-General of Education, Ministry of Education as the Guest of Honour to address the AGM. The virtual AGM was attended by over 90 members.

Peer Mentoring Programme 2022

The Peer Mentoring Programme for the newly appointed Principals was conducted on 2 to 3 March and 9 to 10 March 2022.

Start of School Year 2022

The Academy of Principals (Singapore) organised the second virtual Start of School Year on 18 January 2022. We were honoured to have the Minister for Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing to grace the occasion and engaged in a dialogue with the participants. The event was attended by over 170 School Leaders and Officials from MOE.

Leadership Learning Series September 2021

A Second Leadership Learning Series was organised on 23 September 2021 with Mr Aaron Maniam, Deputy Secretary (Industry and Information), Ministry of Communications and Information, as the Speaker on the topic of Leadership in the Never Normal:Endemic COVID and Other Certain Uncertainties for Educators.

Mentoring Closing Session for Year 2 Principals, 2021

We were honoured to have the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr Lai Chung Han to address the principals of the Peer Mentoring Programme for Batch Year 2 on 6 July 2021.

12th Global Educational Leadership Conference 2021

The Academy of Principals (Singapore) organised the 2nd virtual Global Educational Leadership Conference (GELC2021) on 21 to 22 June 2021. Our theme for this year’s GELC is “Embracing Diverse Learners.” The 2 days conference was attended by more than 500 educational leaders with participants from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Fiji, Thailand and USA. We were honoured to have the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr Lai Chung Han to grace the occasion by delivering the Opening Address followed with a Q&A session on the first day and the Minister for Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing, to deliver his Opening Remarks and engaged in a dialogue with participants during the “In Conversation with Minister for Education” session on the second day of the Conference. 

The speakers at this year conference were Dr Daniel Fung, Assoc Prof Mariam Aljunied, Professor Tracy L. Cross, Mrs Lucy Toh,  Mr Jonathan Mooney, Professor Ho Yew Kee and Mr Simon Leow.

Mentoring Conversation for Year 2 Principals, 2021

A Second Mentoring Conversation for Year 2 was organised on 14 May 2021 with Mr Tony Lai from The Idea Factory as the Speaker to address the principals.

Learning Journey to ECO-ARK® ACE Fish Farm 2021

A learning journey to ECO-ARK® ACE Fish Farm was organised on 23 April 2021.

Leadership Learning Series April 2021

Academy of Principals (Singapore) organised a virtual Leadership Learning Series on 13 April 2021 with Dr Darryl Tan, Senior Resident Physician, Psychiatry, from Ng Teng Fong General Hospital as the Speaker on the topic of Mental Wellbeing and Self-care for Educators.

20th Annual General Meeting 2021

The 20th AGM was held virtually via Zoom Meeting Platform on 26 March 2021. We were honoured to have Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Education as the Guest of Honour to address the AGM. The virtual AGM was attended by over 65 members.

School Leaders Workshops 2021

A Change Management workshop was conducted by Blended Learning of 4 half-days in March and April 2021.

A Leading from Within workshop for Vice Principals was conducted by Blended Learning of 6 half-days in February and March 2021.

A Culture Building workshop was conducted over 4 half-days on 3, 4, 10 and 11 March 2021

Peer Mentoring Programme 2021

The Peer Mentoring Programme for the newly appointed Principals was conducted on 2 to 3 March and 9 to 10 March 2021.

Start of School Year 2021

The Academy of Principals (Singapore) organised the first virtual Start of School Year on 22 January 2021. We are privileged to have Dr. Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Second Minister for Education to grace the occasion as well as having a dialogue with the participants. The event was attended by over 170 School Leaders and Officials from MOE.

11th Global Educational Leadership Conference 2020

The Academy of Principals (Singapore) organised the 1st virtual Global Educational Leadership Conference (GELC2020) on 7 September 2020, which was attended by over 800 participants. The Minister for Education, Mr Lawrence Wong, graced the occasion by delivering the Opening Address followed with a Q&A session together with the Director-General of Education, Mr Wong Siew Hoong. For the first time, participants watched the pre-recorded keynote presentations before attending the virtual conference and engaging the speakers through the live Q&A Sessions. The speakers at this year conference were Mr Aaron Maniam, Ms Melissa Kwee, Dr Chris Jansen and Dr Megan Tschannen-Moran. The GELC2020 concluded with a live session with the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr Lai Chung Han, who also delivered the Closing Address.

School Leaders Workshops 2020

A Leading from Within (Part 1 and Part 2) workshops for Vice Principals were conducted on 10 February to 11 February and 10 March to 11 March 2020.

A Change Management workshop was conducted on 18 February to 19 February 2020.

A Culture Building workshop was conducted on 10 February to 11 Februay 2020.

Peer Mentoring Programme 2020

The Peer Mentoring Programme for the newly appointed Principals was conducted on 5 to 6 March 2020 and 11 to 12 March 2020.

19th Annual General Meeting 2020

Start of School Year 2020

School Leaders Workshops 2019

A Growth & Renewal (Part 2) workshop for Vice Principals was conducted on 7 May to 8 May 2019

A Culture Building workshop was conducted on 24 April to 25 April 2019.

A Growth & Renewal (Part 1) workshop for Vice Principals was conducted on 1 April to 2 April 2019

A Change Management workshop was conducted on 4 March to 5 March 2019.

14th Convention of ICP 2019

President Dr. Shirleen Chee, 1st Vice President Mr Tony Low, Executive Board Member Mr Low Chun Meng and Exceutive Director, Mr Ezra Ng attended the 14th Convention of ICP from 23 to 25 October 2019 in East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.The theme of Convention "Connecting Leaders, Creating the Future".

ICP Council Meeting 2019

President Dr. Shirleen Chee and Exceutive Director, Mr Ezra Ng attended the ICP Council Meeting from 20 to 22 October 2019 in East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.

Mentoring Conversation for Batch Year 2

We were honoured to have Ms Seah Jiak Choo as the Guest of Honour to address the principals of the Peer Mentoring Programme for Batch Year 2 on 17 July 2019 at MYMCA. 

Visit from Holdsworth Center, Texas

APS hosted 16 Officials and Superintendents from the Texas-based Holdsworth Centre on 17 July 2019. The delegates visited St Margaret’s Secondary School and was briefed by the Principal, Mdm Lee Lin Yee. After the School’s visit, a dialogue session with a few Board Members from APS were held over lunch.

APS Distinguished Speaker Series

In collaboration with Apple, Academy of Principals (Singapore) organised a Distinguished Speaker Series Talk on 25 April 2019 at Apple with Dr John Nash from the University of Kentucky as the presenter. This was a fantastic opportunity for professional learning and networking among the fraternity.

10th Global Educational Leadership Conference 2019

The 10th Global Educational Leadership Conference (GELC) was offically opened by the Second Minister for Education, Ms Indranee Rajah on 27 March 2019 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Our theme for this year’s GELC is “Leading Our Community for Innovation.” At this GELC, we have invited speakers to share with us what it takes to grow our community and understand the obstacles that hinder progress as well as to rediscover the tools to enable us to build strong communities in the midst of transition. The 2 days conference was attended by more than 350 educational leaders with participants from Brunei, Thailand and Slovenia.

For more updates, please visit www.gelc.academy.

Visit from Sarawak Ministry of Education, Malaysia