IN TOUCH Bedok South Secondary

Inside this issue:

'The Future of Us' Exhibition…………. 2

MTL Fortnight and CNY…………………..2

Hamper of Love Project………………….2

CCA Fair and Aesthetics Showcase…. 3

Total Defence Day………………….……...3

BDS Annual Cross Country……………..3

Geography Fieldwork…………………….4

Level Camps…………………………………..4

SHAPE@BDS…………………………………..5

LJ to Old Ford Factory…………………....5

BDS Debate Programme………………...5

PSG Welcome Session………………...….6

FOREWORD Dear BDSians,

Many exciting and meaningful school events and programmes took place in Term 1. Recognising that learning should never be confined to the four walls of the classrooms, our teachers have created many experiential learning opportu-nities that support students in applying their knowledge to learning outside the classrooms. As our students benefit greatly from such learning, they must not forget the hard and heart work of their teachers who have spent many hours designing these lessons. They must also be appreciative of the parents and guardians who have volunteered as chaperons for some of these trips and pro-grammes. Earlier in the year, our Secondary Four and Five students received their O levels results. We would like to congratulate all of them for achieving stellar results. Their journey was not without challenges. We are heartened by the many suc-cess stories which point to our students’ tenacity. By upholding the school val-ues of accountability and courage, and in striving towards excellence, they have demonstrated the truth in our motto ‘Success through Endeavour’. We wish them all the best for the future. Again, we must never forget the unwavering commitment of our teachers who laboured alongside our students in providing an all- round education through their 4-5 years at BDS.

We are always mindful and motivated by the mission of the school in Building character, Developing leaders of tomorrow (who will) Serve with conviction be-cause our children (students) are the future of our nation. Our students must recognise that they will take on the stewardship of this country when they grow up. To prepare them well to be Leaders of Tomorrow, the responsibility weighs heavily on our shoulders and we will never waiver from this and do everything possible to prepare them for it. To our students, may your years at BDS fortify your character and help you to be firmly anchored by the values of integrity, courage, accountability, respect, ex-cellence and care (ICARE).

Warmest Regards

School Leaders

Term 2 2016

MTL Fortnight and CNY 2016

As part of the school's effort to create a vibrant environment that is conducive for mother tongue language learning and usage, the MTL Department held the first part of the annual MTL Fort-night this year from 1-4 February. During the MTL Fortnight, a wide range of activities (including quiz-zes, riddles, a singing competition and various cultural related work-shops like cooking and traditional food tasting, seal carving, fan painting and lantern making) were organised to encourage students to use more of their mother tongue languages and help students gain more exposure to their respective cultures. The finalists of the singing competi-tion also performed at the Chi-nese New Year concert to wel-come the Year of the Monkey. The second part of the MTL Fort-night will be held from 17-20

2016 marks the 2nd year that BDS organised the

Hamper of Love Project in conjunction with the

Chinese New Year celebrations. Like in the previ-

ous year, our school partnered with Siglap Com-

munity Centre (CC) to help spread some festive

cheers to our neighbouring community. Each class

was tasked to make two types of hampers: a sta-

tionery hamper for the needy and food hamper for

residents in the Moral Home for the Aged and Sick.

This year’s hamper-making effort was initiated by

the students, giving them the opportunity to take

responsibility for their hampers with some facilita-

tion from their form teachers. Not to be outdone

by the student community, the staff also prepared

hampers for 9 needy families with elderly mem-

bers. The hampers were then sent to Siglap CC and

the Moral Home for the Aged and Sick with the

help of some NPCC and NCC cadets.

'The Future of Us' Exhibition

Hamper of Love Project

In Term 1, all classes, in batches, had

the opportunity to embark on a learn-

ing journey to view 'The Future of Us'

Exhibition before its closure on 8 Mar.

The ‘Future of Us’ Exhibition offered to

BDS students an insight into what

SG100 would look like, allowing them

to better appreciate the meaning be-

hind the National Education message

of ‘we have confidence in our future.’

Our students gained better under-

standing of the early life of Singapore’s

independence and were also en-

thralled by the possibilities that the

future would hold for them - from the

possibility of a high technology moni-

toring system for the police and wea-

ponry for the army to the generation of

environmentally-friendly electricity in

our very own HDB flats. At the end of

the exhibition, our students had the

opportunity to write their reflections

and messages for Singapore’s future

which were projected onto the dome

screen. Here’s to the future of Singa-

pore in SG100!

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Total Defence Day 2016

‘Together We Keep Singapore Strong’ was the theme for Total Defence Day 2016. It was an apt theme in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Jakarta. In the weeks lead-ing up to the actual day, stu-dents were reminded of the importance of Total Defence during the NE Wednesday assemblies. During the CCE lessons, students also used different articles from the IN Straits Times publications for discussions on important is-sues. The upper secondary students examined the topic on terrorism whereas the low-er secondary students looked at Singapore cases from the Hotel New World collapse to the clamping down of the Jemaah Islamiah. The discus-sions helped students to re-flect on the importance of the five pillars of Total Defence in keeping Singapore strong. This was then complemented with a NE drama performance put up during assembly .

CCA Fair and Aesthetics Showcase 2016

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The annual CCA Fair and Aesthetics showcase

held on 22 Jan 2016 provided Sec 1 students and

their parents an opportunity to explore and en-

gage with members of the various CCAs. The

groups participating in the showcase comprised

the Choir, Chinese Orchestra, Symphonic Band,

Malay Dance Ensemble and Dance Society. In the

performance segment, the audience were given a

glimpse of the intended outcomes of Performing

Arts CCAs. Parents were able to observe how

participation in these CCAs could develop their

children’s musical or dance skills. The competen-

cy in the various art forms displayed by our stu-

dents also gave parents an insight into the perfor-

mance character values that would be cultivated

through these CCAs, specifically perseverance,

diligence and responsibility. The performances

were well-received and certainly inspired many to

join these CCAs.

In the parade segment, the Guest-of-Honour

gracing the occasion was the Vice-Chairperson of

our Parent Support Group, Ms Florence Chan,

while the Guard-of-Honour was our National Civil

Defence Cadet Corps. They were supported by

our other Uniformed Groups - NCC (Land), NPCC,

Scouts and Guides. Collectively, they demonstrat-

ed the resilience, leadership qualities and life

skills that had been acquired from all their train-

ing sessions. The combined UG parade certainly

wowed many among the crowds.

The Physical Sports groups also displayed their

training routines and skills at their respective

booths to the budding sporting talents while the

clubs and societies showcased their projects to

students who might want to develop their areas

of specific interests.

With the school’s CCA vision for all students to be

BDSians of exemplary Character and Abilities, it is

hoped that the preview of all the Co-Curricular

Activities available has helped the Sec 1s make a

more well-informed decision on their choice of

CCA. The Sec 1 students commenced CCAs from

29 January onwards.

BDS Annual Cross Country On 26 Feb, BDS held her annual cross country event at Bedok Reservoir Park. The event included not only the PSG but also alumni members who competed with the BDS staff in the Open Category. The event saw students from all levels competing with one another to clinch the top titles. The top 10 winners were then invited to represent the school in the National Inter-School Cross Country Championships in March. The annual event ended with the students doing their part for the environment by cleaning the park.

Sec 1 MacRitchie Geogra-phy Fieldwork

As part of their Geographical Inves-

tigation (GI) this year, the Sec 1Exp

and 1NA students embarked on a

fieldwork to MacRitchie Reservoir

to collect data based on their inves-

tigation topic ‘What Makes

MacRitchie Reservoir an ABC

(Active, Beautiful and Clean) Site?’

in Term 1. Apart from observing the

unique ABC Waters design features

of the reservoir, the students also

tested the quality of water in the

reservoir using water testing kits

and data loggers. The students also

put their photography and sketch-

ing skills to practice during the

Forest Trail walk when they studied

the characteristics of the tropical

rainforests surrounding the reser-

voir. Through this fieldwork experi-

ence, they not only acquired skills in

conducting Geographical Investiga-

tion but also developed a greater

awareness of protecting our water-

ways and reservoirs.

Level Camps for 2016 “Grow Week”

For the first time, BDS embarked on a coordinated

school-wide programme where all levels went

through 3 days of camp throughout Singapore in

the second week of Term 1 from 13-15 Jan. The

Sec 1s had Camp Unity which was an orientation

camp while the Sec 2s had Camp Challenge, an

adventure camp at Jalan Bahtera Outdoor Adven-

ture Learning Centre. As for the Sec 3s, they had

Camp Endeavour with expeditions taking them to

various parts of the island. The Sec 4s and 5s had

‘Camp Success’ which was a personal development

programme to prepare for their national examina-

tions ahead.

Sec 1 Camp Unity:

Camp Unity was a 3-day 2-night residential camp

programme conducted in school. About 275 Sec 1

students attended this camp along with 30 Sec 2

prefects and peer leaders who helped to organise

the camp. Their form teachers stayed with them

throughout the camp, strengthening bonds with

their form classes. Students participated in activi-

ties that developed their class spirit and identity.

The highlight of the camp was the campfire where

a huge screen was constructed at the quadrangle

displaying the amazing campfire.

Sec 2 Camp Challenge:

Camp Resilience was conducted at Jalan Bahtera

located at the western end of Singapore. There

they participated in adventure activities like abseil-

ing, high and low ropes courses, caving and an

expedition to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. The

students were placed outside their comfort zone

and they had to overcome the individual and group

challenges placed before them. They were led also

by Sec 3 prefects and peer leaders in the activities.

Sec 3 Camp Endeavour:

Camp Endeavour was a series of three expeditions.

The first was a 8km long orienteering trail at Pasir

Ris Park. Students get to practise their navigation

skills. The second was a 11km trail around

MacRitchie Reservoir where the students navi-

gated themselves around the Nature Reserve of

MacRitchie Reservoir, the Central Catchment Area

and the Tree Top Walk. The third expedition was

the Southern Ridges Trail which was about 12km

long. There they walked up and down Telok Blan-

gah Hill, Mt Faber and crossed the beautiful Hen-

derson Waves Bridge ending the hike at HortPark.

Sec 4 Camp Success:

Camp Success had the Sec 4s and 5s undergoing

training sessions to develop their time manage-

ment skills and life skills needed to chart their

future. They had courses in resume writing and

interview skills to help prepare them for their

future. They also had sessions where they discover

and explore their future education and careers.

Overall the camps marked a good start for each of

the levels. These set a good tone and signalled a

good start for the year ahead for all.

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Starting this year, the school will go into full swing with our school’s Learning for Life Pro-

gramme through Sports and Outdoors - SHAPE@BDS with key programmes for Sec 1: Swim-

mers for Life; Sec 2: Outdoors for Life; Sec 3: Active Movers for Life; Sec 4/5: Fitness Enthu-

siasts for Life. The aim is to provide experiential learning for the students as the school

seeks to inculcate in them values, impart life skills and hone their social and emotional com-

petencies.

Inter-School Steps Challenge (ISC 2016)

On 20 Jan, the school launched the Learning for Life Programme - SHAPE@BDS in conjunc-

tion with the roadshow by Health Promotion Board (HPB) for the Inter-School Steps Chal-

lenge 2016. All students were given a steps tracker each to encourage them to lead a physi-

cally active lifestyle anytime, everywhere.

Students from over 20 participating schools will be rallying together to clock in as many

steps as possible in order to win the top 3 prizes for their schools during the official chal-

lenge period from 15 Feb to 22 Apr. More importantly, our school’s aim is to have every

individual clock in at least 10,000 steps a day – the target World Health Organisation rec-

ommends for a healthy lifestyle. The Inter-School Steps Challenge strives to motivate stu-

dents to make a conscious effort to increase their daily physical activity level and to “Sit

Less, Move More”.

Prior to the official challenge, the school has collaborated with HPB to provide a series of

mass aerobic workout sessions (e.g Zumba, Kickboxing and Bollydance) by levels and

streams so that students will be better prepared for this challenge.

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SHAPE@BDS - A School of Healthy And Physically Educated Enthusiasts

Historical Inquiry Learning Journey to the Old Ford Factory Museum

Over 3 days in Jan, Sec 2Exp and 2NA students made their way to the Memo-

ries@Old Ford Factory Museum as part of their Historical Inquiry Learning Jour-

ney. At the museum, the students worked together to investigate the various

aspects of the lives of teenagers during the Japanese Occupation. Students dis-

played the BDS values of Respect and Excellence as they worked together in

groups and put together their creative and inquisitive minds to good use to find

out more about the Japanese Occupation. They viewed the artefacts on display

and empathised with the lives of the pioneers during those difficult days as they

reflected on the impact of the Japanese Occupation on the youth of that time.

BDS Debate Programme

Bedok South Secondary School Debate Programme aims to nurture students to be critical

thinkers and be able to express themselves confidently with finesse and decorum. Practices

and drills are conducted to reinforce our debaters’ debating skills. Opportunities are also

provided to our debaters to hone their skills in debate competitions and other oratorical

competitions organised by external agencies.

In Term 1, BDS debate team participated in the Division III Debate Competition organised by

Debate Association. Our debaters did their best and two of our debaters were amongst the

top 20 debaters in the competition. Our team is currently participating in the prestigious

Singapore Secondary Schools Debating Championships organised by Julia Gabriel Centre. So

far, our debate team has done well. The team will continue to give their best in all competi-

tions they take part in.

On 30 Jan, The BDS PSG had its first welcome session with Sec 1 parents. They had a good turn out with about 22 par-

ents who attended that session on that early Saturday morning. It was indeed encouraging to see more parents

(especially fathers) taking their precious time out to spend time with the PSG in school. The intention of the welcome

session was not only to meet the new PSG members but also to share with them the school vision the framework of PSG

and upcoming events of the school which involves PSG support.

The meeting started with an introduction speech by the Principal, Ms Fun. She touched on the school vision and core

values and how the PSG could support the school. Thereafter, Ms June Tan, the Chairperson of the PSG EXCO informed

parents about the framework of the PSG and how they could support the PSG activities. Ms Fun then presented Certifi-

cates of Good Service Award to long-serving PSG members, namely Ms Aurora Kaur and Ms Junainah.

The session ended with a parenting talk on character building for teens titled ‘Character Matters’ by Ms Joyce Theng, a

trainer invited by Mdm Janice Tay of Family Matters. Ms Theng spoke candidly on the importance of character building

as well as the how-tos for parents. The parents were actively engaged with the speaker as they asked questions and

gave feedback as well.

After the parenting talk, Mdm Janice Tay kindly organised a sumptuous brunch for the course participants before they

were whisked off to Clark Quay The Central for their family bonding activity – Lockdown.sg.

Lockdown.sg is a real-life room escape adventure game in Singapore where players must exploit their surroundings to

escape from a locked room.

Overall, it was a Saturday morning well spent by the parents and their children. The PSG is thankful for the support from

the school and Family Matters (MCYS) in organising the event.

Testimonials from parents on Lockdown.sg

“We went to Lockdown at The Central, Clark Quay that was arranged by the school PSG and our kids. The kids had a

great time there as they managed to catch up with their school friends as well as make new friends too. We also man-

aged to know one another better too. Thanks to those who have helped to arrange this outing (Janice and June). We

really appreciate it” – Julia Tan, parent of Sec 2 student

“Thank you June and Janice and all who organised Lockdown for us and our kids today. It was fun though the kids were

the ones solving the mysteries so much faster and left us overwhelmed. However the time spent together was great as

we watched them mingle happily with their schoolmates and we with the parents ourselves. Thanks for the wonderful

breakfast and once again many thanks for the time and effort spent in helping us bond with our kids” – Jaslyn Chia, par-

ent of Sec 2 student

PSG Welcome Session cum Family Outing