Pathlight School's 21st Anniversary
(In my role as a volunteer co-founder and supervisor of a special school, Pathlight...)
On 18 November 2025, we celebrated two very special milestones – Pathlight School’s 21st anniversary and, with it, the official opening of the second purpose-built Pathlight (Tampines) School.
Personally, it’s a miracle to me—as I recall the really tough start with only 41 students willing to join a special school—and today’s 2,100 students.
Turning 21 is often seen as the “coming of age”. We have learnt much and matured.
The new Pathlight Tampines campus will be an innovation hub to testbed some ideas to future-proof our students.
I also unveiled the vision of a lifelong education village as the model for our next school in the Ponggol District; a school without walls. More details next time.
A highlight of the afternoon was a MUSICAL, tracing Pathlight’s 21-year journey, brought to life by many of our students and staff; with that “let’s go for it” spirit in the Pathlight story. We laughed and teared as we remembered those moments. Thank you Victor, Irene, Jo Tan and Grace and all staff who took our dream and made it such a heartwarming reality in 6 weeks (?).
From our first cohort of 41 students, trembling with anxiety and potential, to the community of over 2,100 students we serve today—the school’s journey has been a journey of faith and grit.
It is a journey we did not walk alone.
During our most challenging start-up phase 20 years ago, we were blessed to meet many angels.
We owe a deep debt of gratitude:
To the pioneers from the Reach Me Project and the Autism Resource Centre, Pathlight’s parent charity, who saw the need long before many others did
To our early donors, who took a leap of faith on a school that existed only on paper; your cheques were not just funds, they were votes of confidence that kept our lights on and our hopes alive. To our current donors and partners, your continued belief fuels our innovation
To the political leaders and government agencies, satellite partners, who moved beyond policy papers to partner with us in action – MOE our chief grantor, MSF, NCSS, SG-Enable, SEAB, NIE, and our partners in healthcare—your collaboration has been critical and the bedrock upon which we’ve built
To our volunteers who quietly plod behind the scenes, whether in the classroom, library or boardroom, you are our unsung heroes
Most importantly, to our amazing and dedicated STAFF led by Senior Principal Linda, Principal Wilfred, Deputy Principal Sheau Mei, VP Joey Lim—you are the heart of Pathlight. You have been the steady hands that never gave up, whether in strategic new ventures or seeking and praying for our students who went missing
The rest of the angels, you know who you are. Many of you are not here but your presence and support over the years are strongly felt! Hoching, Pres Tharman, SM Lee and so many more.
Thank you to the 200 friends who came and our Guest of Honour Education Minister Desmond Lee, from Tampines GRC Min Masagos and Mayor MOS Baey Yam Keng, SPS Eric Chua and Dr Syed Harun. Everyone is a VIP!
Big thanks too to many of you out there who believed in Pathlight; and quietly supported the team all these years.
God bless you all!