46 schools to get new principals – 22 taking on role for first time

Forty-six schools will receive new principals at the start of the school year in 2025, as part of the Ministry of Education's (MOE) annual reshuffle exercise.

- Elisha Tushara

Of these appointments, about half - 22 principals - will be taking on the role for the first time. They will join the other new principals at the 22 secondary schools and 24 primary schools.

One of them is Mr Julian Lew, vice-principal of St Hilda's Secondary School. He will take over as principal from Madam Janice Heng, who will be rotated to Montfort Secondary School as principal.

Mr Lew, 49, told The Straits Times that he is deeply honoured to be taking over as principal of a school that has a rich history and strong foundations laid by former principals like Madam Heng.

He hopes to tap the experience and expertise of the staff, some of whom have been with the school for many years. St Hilda's Secondary celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2024.

“I can sense the camaraderie between the teachers, who want to do good for the students. And I think this is something that I want to leverage,” he said on Oct 9.

Recounting his journey, Mr Lew said he did not start out as a teacher after graduation. Armed with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of New South Wales in 2001, he spent more than three years in Sydney as a project manager in the telecommunications industry.