Tanjong Katong Secondary School, 2013 Issue 1

TK welcomed our new Principal, Mdm Haslinda Zamani on 15 Dec 2012. Communicare interviews Mdm Haslinda to find out her thoughts about leading Team TK, and what the first five months into the role have been like.

To begin, how does it feel to be Principal of TK? What surprised you the most when you first joined TK?

I’m very happy to be leading TK. Even before joining the school, I’ve heard about TK’s tradition of developing strong all-rounders, students who excel both academically and in their CCAs. I’m proud to be part of a team of educators here who are committed to value-adding to students holistically. I have grown very fond of TKsians. They work hard, they play hard, and they are serious and thoughtful about contributing to the well-being of others. One of the earliest surprises I encountered had to do with TKsians giving back to society. On a Saturday morning in December last year, I was in school to move some of my books to my new office. When I arrived that morning, I saw that there was a bus parked in school and it was getting ready to move off. Curious, I boarded the bus. The students on board were TK footballers, who told me that they would be providing community service as part of TK’s Good Goal initiative: for every goal our footballers scored that season, TK staff pledged to donate $1 each to support the less fortunate. A corporate donor had also volunteered to contribute a supply of rice. The team’s brilliant season that year thus translated into more support for the needy. That morning, the boys were on their way to do their final rounds of delivering rice and provisions to needy residents in neighbouring estates. I was surprised and impressed by the thoughtfulness in the approach the footballers had taken, to give back to society. Since then, I’ve encountered many more instances of TKsians working hard to meaningfully contribute to others, both within TK, and in the community. Since I’ve joined TK, I’ve also seen numerous instances of TK teachers going out of their way and often beyond the call of duty to give their time and energies in helping TK students. TK teachers’ deep conviction, and the care they demonstrate to our students have also impressed me.

Based on the past 5 months’ experiences, what has Team TK come to mean to you?

One of the lines in our school song: “It’s one for all, and all for one” captures the essence of Team TK. Team TK refers not only to our teams that represent the school in competitions: be they our netballers, floorballers, basketballers, or TK Drama, choir, the band, or our team of debaters. Team TK is all of us, who cheer our hearts out for the TKsians on the pitch, on the court, or on stage. When the football team is playing, every member of the TK family cheering on, forms the 12th player of Team TK. Team TK is also about strong relationships amongst members of the school: TK students and teachers together doing their best for TK, and being committed to bring our school to greater heights. I also see our partners as being part of Team TK. We are very fortunate to have a strong and supportive SAC, and we have caring partners in TK parents. The TK PSG is made up of an amazing group of parents, who are proactive in finding ways to support the school. Just last month, the PSG sold hotdogs and red velvet cupcakes to raise funds, that would go towards supporting the Sec 4s’ meals during the evening study period before the GCE ‘O’ Level examinations. I’ve enjoyed my interactions with parents, and look forward to working closely with the PSG.

What are some of your hopes and goals for TK?

TK is doing very well in many key aspects of providing Student-Centric, Values-Driven education. Our TK curriculum emphasises both academic rigour and holistic development through rich experiences in the co-curricular programmes. We are known for providing values-driven learning experiences. Some of the bigger changes required for TK to become a lot stronger in supporting engaged, student-centric learning were already in place when I came along. TK teachers all belong to professional learning teams; those teaching the same subject and level come together every week to discuss the design of lessons, and to evaluate and refine lessons that have been taught, so that learning becomes more engaging and student-centred. We must continue to enhance our efforts in this area. All TK teachers share the same goal: to develop learners who are passionate, motivated, self-directed and confident. In the coming months, we will, as a faculty, have further conversations centered around achieving our vision for learning at TK, and together draw up strategies to develop TKsians into future-ready learners.

An Interview with

Principal“A successful team is a group of many hands but one mind.”

Stephen Covey

“Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success.”

Ryunosuke Satoro

“The 5Ss of Sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit.”

Ken Doherty

Well done Faries Dzulmatien for your spectacular win in the ‘C’ Division 200m held on Monday, 15 April, 2013! Faries ran exceptionally well in the 200m, winning the Gold Medal for this event. The whole school was elated as it was a great achievement for athletics—the last time we won this event was in 1990.

Faries did it again! In the 100 metres, ‘C’ Division held on Wednesday, 17 April, Faries took 2nd place, clocking a time of 11.87 seconds. This was another remarkable feat by him. Our heartiest congratulations to him.

Stay motivated always.

This season has been a special and memorable season for the ‘B’ Division Floorball girls as it was our first ever ‘B’ Division tournament. Despite being the pioneers, the team put their best foot forward--we drew one match and won all the remaining matches in the preliminary and quarter final rounds. In the semi-finals, the team had to play against Teck Whye Secondary. Although we lost this match, we definitely did not go down easily and the girls played with all their might until the last whistle. The team’s perseverance and resilience did not waiver at any point and this setback only made them more determined to win their next match at the finals.

The match against East View Secondary was exciting right up to the last minute. With 6 minutes left in the game, and despite being down with a score of 5-2, the girls remained undeterred and rose to the occasion. We played our best and within those 6 minutes, we claimed back goal for goal and equalised the score, making our way to the penalty shoot-out. The penalty shoot-out worked in our favour with our goal keeper, I’zaaz of 3H, saving 2 of the 3 penalties. Victory was ours to taste and the Bronze Medal was ours to keep!

This would not have been possible if not for our supporters: our Principal, Vice-Principals, teachers, our junior players and students who cheered on the team.

“The season ended on a happy note and our victory was well-deserved: thanks to all the girls’ hard work and determination. Now, we are looking forward to greater success in the following years!”

Floorball Teachers “It has been a great season for the girls. I have learnt that without communication and teamwork, we will not be able to go this far. Also, if we don’t believe in ourselves, we will not be able to achieve this result. With hard work and perseverance, we will be able to win the championship trophy next year.”

Nur Qistina (3G)Captain

“ A skilled judoka never anticipates his action in a match, but his mind is as clever as a polished mirror which enables him to foresee precisely anything to happen and he displays freedom of his physique to cope with any change.”

Mifune’s Canon of Judo

The school allowed Keith Chan (1H) to continue his pursuit in Judo although the sport is not in the school’s CCA list. TK recognises his talent and keenness in Judo, and with strong parental support, he was able to achieve success at the 47th National Inter-School Judo Individual Championships held on 9-10th April 2013. He clinched the 2nd place in the middle weight category by winning the Silver Medal. The announcement of his success at the assembly plaza after the flag raising ceremony drew enthusiastic applause while the Honour Bell was being rung.

“Do not look for approval except the consciousness of doing your best.”H. Jackson Brown

Floorball

54th National Inter-School Track and Field Championships 2013

47th National Inter-school Judo Championships

2. School Excellence

Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” Vince Lombardi

Both ‘B’ and ‘C’ Divisions persevered through the month of April to compete in the National rounds: our ‘B’ Division emerged 3rd runner up—against Singapore Sports School at the National Finals (3rd/4th placing) while our ‘C’ Division made it through to the Quarter Finals.

Our girls were able to cope with their studies and their vigorous netball training schedules, as a result of the continuous support from the school in providing make up lessons for our girls, in addition with the overwhelming support from the girl’s parents by coming down to every match despite their busy schedule to provide our girls with energy drinks, cold towels and food. Without their support, the girls would not have achieved what they had achieved so far.

Last November, five students from the AV Media Club participated in the Schools Digital Media Awards 2013.

The competition was jointly organised by the Ministry of Education and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (School of Film and Media Studies). In total, there were a total of 538 entries submitted by 208 schools.

In the video category, 2 Gold, 2 Silver and Merit Awards were given out to the contestants. Li Wee Shyan (3H) was the Team Leader of our school team which clinched the Silver Award. Our video entry was entitled, “Bully-Me-Ah: Fighting Bulimia. “

“Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way.”

Les Brown

1. ‘B’ Division Female Black Belt under 48 kg Nur Fadzlyn (3G) won a Gold for two consecutive years

2. ‘C’ Division Female Poom Belt under 66 kg Tan Si Yin (2C) won a Silver

3. ‘C’ Division Female Poom Belt under 66 kg Nur Syafiah (2B) won a Bronze

4. ‘B’ Division Male Black Belt under 52 kg Kyle Deen Muir (3F) won a Bronze

These participants were able to take Taekwondo as their CCA although it is not in the school’s list. The school gives every opportunity to develop our students’ talent in this sport where they have a passion for it.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”Mohandas Gandhi

Our congratulations to Lean Ying Jie (4B), who is on the extreme left of the photograph, for clinching the Red Cross Director’s Award. This prestigious award is presented to the best cadet annually. Only one award can be given per school. This award recognises the cadet who has exemplary conduct, and for her outstanding contributions and achievements for four continuous years.

Red Cross Youth

The group comprised (from left to right): Li Wee Shyan (3H), Desiree Kan (3H), Ashley Huang (3C), Mdm Haslinda (Principal),Toni Celine Gutierrez(3A) and Danish Aqid (3E)

AV Media Club“None of us is as smart as all of us.”

Ken Blanchard

Netball

(From left to right): Nur Syafiah (2B), Nur Fadzlyn (3G), Kyle Deen Muir (3F) and Tan Si Yin (2C)

Taekwondo

3. School Excellence

This competition is in its 16th year this year. It’s an annual inter-schools artistic Malay poetry competition organised by Nanyang Junior College. This competition is held to preserve the art of Malay artistic poetry, with the hope that as a medium, it will also be able to inculcate the passion for Malay stage arts among youth. The TK team from EMAS has emerged as defending champion this year. We have also clinched two special awards, namely the Best Props and Costumes award and the Best Script award.

The team consisted of: 1. Muhamad Rais Raiyan Bin Md. Redza (3D)2. Farah Bte Abdul Rahman (4G) 3. Nursiah Bte Razali (4G)4. Nurul Raudha Bte Md. Rafi (4G)5. Sufy Ashraf Bin Shukarman (4G)6. Izzah Diyana Bte Zulkiflee (4J)7. Muhammad Amirul Hakim Bin Md. Helmy (1C)

“I have learnt the skills of theatre performance like voice projection, dance and acting. I have also become a more confident performer.”

Nurul Raudha (4G)

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

PlatoOur congratulations to the Aesthetics CCAs for making the school proud by winning accolades for the school.

First, we have the TK Band which participated in the biennial Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation (formerly known as Central Judging) of Concert Bands on 4 April, 2013. Our school Band won the coveted Certificate of Distinction. A total of 153 secondary schools participated in the presentation. The news was received with much jubilation.

Then we have the TK Choir which was one of the 127 secondary schools that participated in the SYF Arts Presentation for Choirs at the School of the Arts. Our Choir won the Certificate of Distinction as well. The TK Choir has been excellent in their performances in every outing.

Last but not least, we are also pleased to announce that the TK Drama Club (English), Chinese Society (Drama) and TK Dance Club for achieving the Certificate of Accomplishment.

Gema Puisi Artistik“In his whole life, man achieves nothing so great and so wonderful as what he achieved when he learned to talk.”

Jespersen, Otto

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.”

Leon Joseph Suenens

We would like to congratulate the following uniformed groups for achieving Gold in the Best Unit Competitions:

For the NPCC, the NPCC Unit Overall Proficiency Award (UOPA) is conferred annually by NPCC HQ. It is awarded by assessing the overall performance of NPCC school units in an academic year. In the assessment year 2012, a total of 79 units were awarded the Gold Award, with 43 units awarded the Silver Award and 24 units were awarded the Bronze Award. TK NPCC unit clinched the Gold Award for the second consecutive year.

The National Cadet Corps (Land) not only won the Best Unit Gold, but also the Most Outstanding Cadet Award 2013. This honour goes to Daniel Khoo (4D) and we congratulate him for this achievement.

The National Cadet Corps (Sea) not only clinched the Gold Award for the Best Unit Competition, but also won the honour for being the Best Sea Unit in the whole of Singapore.

The TK Seladang Scouts not only won Gold for the Frank Cooper Sands Award, but also the Honours Pennant 2013. This award is bestowed on Units which have consecutively achieved the Gold Category of Frank Cooper Sands Award for 5 years from 2008 to 2012.

Uniformed Groups Achievements

SYF Arts Presentation 2013

4. School Excellence

It was comforting to see last year’s Sec 4 students neatly dressed in their school uniform and well-behaved, returning to school on Thursday 10 January, 2013 to receive their GCE ‘O’ Level Examination results.

The results were good: the L1R5 was 12.5 and based on our estimates this presented a value-added performance for this particular cohort. Improvements in quality grades were shown in Combined Humanities, English Language, both Mother Tongue Languages (CL & ML), Physics, Biology, and Design and Technology. 17.6% of the students attained at least 7 distinctions, and 49.4% of students attained at least 5 distinctions “All students have the potential to be all-rounders,” reiterated Ms Haslinda Binte Zamani, the Principal, when she was asked to comment on the ‘O’ Level results by a Berita Harian reporter. She added that success was not determined by the number of A1s scored in the GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations. She emphasised that a student was only successful when he had developed himself and his capabilities to help others.

Shafiqah Shahrin (4A) was highlighted in the Berita Harian for her successes in her CCA, Choir, where she held two posts as Vice-Chairman and Secretary and in the GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations where she scored eight distinctions. For her outstanding achievement in both, she was able to secure a place in Victoria Junior College through the Direct Admission Programme.

Skilful management of time is fundamental to finding a balance for academic work and CCA. As the school focuses on the total development of an individual, Shafiqah was also exposed to a wide range of experiences: this enabled her to acquire sound values, such as developing a passion in whatever she undertook, to be resilient and compassionate.

Naman Milan Parikh (4H) had this to say about his English Language teacher Mdm Rogayah Osman:“I, no doubt, enjoyed your lessons: you not only taught me English but also taught me valuable life values and morals. This is priceless and has definitely improved my character. I also really appreciated your spending your weekends marking my tests and assignments. I couldn’t have obtained a B3 for my English Language without your help. Thank you very much for teaching me.”

TK is on track in providing an all-round education to its students.

“Doubt whom you will, but never doubt yourself.” Christian Nestell Bovee

2012 GCE ‘O’ Level Examination Results“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

Robert Collier(1885-1950)

5. School Excellence

Our Girl Guides and Girl Scouts celebrated “World Thinking Day 2013” on Friday 22 February.

Various activities were organised to celebrate “World Thinking Day 2013”: one was a Garden Trail at Gardens by the Bay on 16 February. It was a wonderful occasion for our girls and their family members to learn together and further strengthen their family ties.

This year, for the 4th time running, our Girl Guides have clinched the Gold Award. Amidst loud applause from the whole school, the honour bell was jointly rung by Marini Murni (4D) and Manda Lee (4F).

World Thinking Day 2013“Successful people do not have 100% of everything but they put 100% of their everything in their work.”

Qaiyuum

Two students from our school were among the top 20 Speakers in Division III. They were Li Wee Shyan (3H) who was placed in 12th position while Ryan Koh Xian Qi (3B) was placed in 18th position in the Debating Championships for Division III.

The Singapore Secondary Schools Debating Championships 2013

From left to right: Li Wee Shyan, Justin Ong (Team Captain) and Ryan Koh Xian Qi

An Education Seminar and Fair was held for the first time on Thursday 7 March, 2013 from 1.15p.m. to 4.30p.m. for our Secondary Four students.

The objective of the event was to provide our Secondary Four students and their parents with information about post-secondary education, scholarships and choosing suitable career paths. Representatives from higher institutions were invited to provide information to our students on tertiary education.

Experts suggest that students should be asking these questions when choosing courses suitable to them.What are my natural talents? What are the tasks that come easily to me? Knowing my natural talents will be the key to choosing my career path.What is my work style?In what environment do I tend to strive?Where do I like to work?Do I enjoy social interaction?How important is it to me my work-life balance?Am I comfortable in the public eye?

With these questions in mind, it was hoped that the Education Seminar and Fair would provide some information about how to go about choosing courses for which they have a passion for in pursuing their future career.

A formidable number of educational institutions participated in the Education Fair. They included four Junior colleges, five polytechnics, three universities and IDP Education Pte Ltd. A handful of parents and more than 300 students attended the Fair; a few schools in the cluster were also invited to participate in the Fair.

Students visited many booths to learn about the special courses and programmes offered by the participating institutions. Their keenness was shown by the numerous questions they asked from those who manned the booths.At the end of the day, it was evident that students learned something valuable that would help them to decide the type of course they should pursue for their post-secondary education.

“Those who have the ability to be grateful are the ones who have the ability to achieve greatness.”

Steve Maraboli

This year, the TK Student Council embarked on the annual Moral Character Campaign during the first week of Term 2. The title of this year’s campaign is “Compass,” which is derived from this year’s theme of Compassion, which refers to the moral compass in every individual and the tagline is “Leading you the right way”.

The objectives of the campaign are to increase social awareness as well as to develop moral life skill in every TKsian for our overall character development. With Compassion as our main arc, we elaborated in depth on the topics of Appreciation and Empathy, values which we feel are essential in developing compassionate TKsians.

The campaign was carried out through a combination of Assembly programmes, CCE lessons and recess activities. One of the main highlights was the Secondary 4 Assembly programme where the students wrote notes of appreciation to their teachers and the notes were used to decorate the wall of the entrance of the new Staff Room. CCE lessons were also specially designed by the Student Councillors for the various levels and interactive games and activities were added to make the lessons more fun-loving and engaging. In addition, to show their appreciation to the environment, students were also encouraged to donate bottle caps which the Student Councillors then used to form a mosaic of a tree. At the end of the campaign, all staff and students were given a keychain in the design of a shoe to remind us to always put ourselves in the shoes of others!

In all, the campaign proved to be a resounding success yet again and the Student Councillors had further honed their leadership and project management skills through the organisation of this campaign.

Mr Clarence Lim

“This campaign has helped me learn how to do presentations and how to manage projects effectively. It was really satisfying to see our hard work coming to fruition during the assembly programmes and CCE lessons. The entire team of Student Councillors has bonded from this experience and we are confident that this will put us in good stead for our future projects.”

Sharifah Khadijah (3D)

“No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Theodore Roosevelt

TK Education Seminar and Fair“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you can do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

Bud Wilkinson

Compass: Leading You The Right Way

7. Student Voice& Student Development

“A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers and woods, but it is a principle: and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.”

George William Curtis

On 15 February, 1942, Lieutenant-General A. Percival surrendered Singapore to the Japanese. As it just took seven days to capture the Island, Singapore was totally unprepared to defend itself. It was a great humiliation to the British to see their colony fall so easily to the Japanese.

It is a stark reminder that Singapore is just as vulnerable as any other country to external threats: it must also safeguard itself against transnational terrorism. “Terrorism” is the most powerful word, say some experts, as it poses a very serious problem worldwide. One expert defines “Terrorism” as “the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aim. “ It targets most often non-combatants, slaughtering defenceless victims.

The school invited Mr Salim Mohamed Nasir, an Associate Research Fellow at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research to share his insights on “Terrorism” and its social impact on the community. Our Sec 4 students were very attentive to his talk as his PowerPoint presentation included some of the deadliest terrorism strikes that occurred across the world. On the 11 Sept. 2001, the crashing of hijacked planes into the World Trade Centre, toppling down the Twin Towers was devastating: some 3 000 innocent people perished and an estimated 9 000 injured. The mid-air bombing of Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland on 21 December, 1988 where 270 passengers died was another example of a brutal attack on innocent people. The message on the dangers of terrorism was well taken by the students.

In commemorating Total Defence 2013 (on Friday 15 February) with the theme, “ Will You Stand With Me? “, the NE Committee carefully crafted activities and implemented them to send the message that it is the duty of every Singaporean to play his or her part to defend the nation.

One activity was to view the videos on selected topics in their respective classes: the NE representatives led the discussion in answering the questions after viewing the video. Selected students shared their answers to the questions on the topics in front of their classes.

Yet another activity was to send some 50 Sec Two students to the War Memorial Service held at the War Memorial Park (Connaught Drive) as part of Total Defence Day, 2013. The students had a glimpse of the memories of many people who died during the Japanese Occupation.

All these activities were aimed at impressing our young minds that:We must show our deep appreciation to those who serve National Service and for the sacrifices they make to defend our country; they should feel it worthwhile to defend the country which they call their home; we owe so much to generations of Singaporeans who have never waivered to stick together to bring Singapore of what it is today; we must continue to work hard together with determination to make Singapore a better place for everyone to live in peace and ensure its continuous progress.

“Leadership is action, not position.”Donald H. McGannonSecondary One Orientation Programme

Commemorating Total Defence Day 2013

Our student councillors are to be congratulated for planning the Secondary One Orientation Programme and effectively implementing it from Wednesday 2 January to Monday 7 January, 2013.The councillors acted as one, believing in each other and committing themselves to excellence in conducting the programme they so carefully planned. They understood the fears and anxieties of the Sec 1 students in a new environment: the immediate task was to help them overcome their fears and anxieties. This they did by being friendly to them. The councillors were also mindful of their needs.

“This year we planned a slightly different programme. We had a different theme for each day. The theme for the first day was “TK Chemistry” while “TK Graduate” was for the last day. The fun activities for each day suited the theme for that day. These activities were aimed at inculcating right values and provide knowledge of the school to our Sec 1 students.For instance, “TK Prodigy,” which was an amazing race, was conducted on the second day. It was about the school’s history. In TK “Showdown,” each class had to perform on stage to showcase its talent.As a Secondary 1 student a few years ago, I enjoyed the fun and laughter while participating in the many fun activities with new friends. A few weeks ago, I experienced the joy of seeing our Secondary One students having the time of their lives in making new friends. However, even without comparison, I must say the orientation was an enjoyable experience not only for the Secondary 1 students but also for us, the student councillors, who were running it. We faced many challenges, but were able to overcome them and accomplish what we set out to do.”

Marcus Tan (4D)

“As a Peer Support Leader of Secondary 1H this year, I found it such a joy to help the new Secondary 1 students adjust to their new phase of life. I could see their enthusiasm during the orientation and I was sure they would be a batch to be reckoned with.I felt that the orientation this year was better than the orientation I had been through last year. The activities that were organised for the Secondary One students had more significance to us as TKsians. The activities helped the new students to bond together as a class. The “TK Prodigy” was especially interesting as the Secondary One students got to learn about TK History in a fun and interesting way. I was amazed at the efforts put in by the student councillors to ensure that this programme was beneficial and interesting to my juniors.I was very happy that the new Secondary One students had enjoyed the activities planned for them. On behalf of all the Peer Support Leaders, I would like to say that “We are very proud to welcome our juniors to TK!”

Wilbert Tan (2H)

7. Student Voice& Student Development

There was no lightning or sudden showers as Nature was so gracious to allow the whole school community, senior citizens and parents to participate in the Lo Hei Yu Sheng Festival. It was held on Friday 8 February, 2013 at 8.30a.m. at the assembly plaza and the school canteen. It was a raucous celebration to welcome the arrival of the Year of the Snake to bring good fortune and good health.

Everyone was in a joyous mood as they mixed the ingredients with their chopsticks and raised them as high as possible that symbolises long life. They were wishing aloud that the Year would bring prosperity, good luck and excellent health.

Our SAC members, Mr. James Sim Hwee Meng, Mr. Chia Chor Meng and Mr. Teo Hong Lim who sponsored the Lo Hei were present to grace the occasion.

All were then entertained to a concert which started at 10.00a.m. The audience was amazed at the skills displayed by some of the actors. Some of the items were also hilarious! The Lion Dance received a tremendous applause.

At the end of the concert, the school staff and guests received two oranges from students: it is the traditional way of wishing them good luck.

It was the first time all students, some 1 200 of them, 100 staff members, 50 senior citizens and 30 parents took part in this year’s mass celebration. They all left with a cheerful mood and looking forward to attending the traditional reunion Chinese New Year Dinner.

Let’s sweep away the misfortunes of the past in order to welcome good luck and prosperity for the future.

Lo Hei - Chinese New Year8. Staff Development& Staff Welfare

Celebration

Staff Bonding Activities9. Staff Development& Staff Welfare

Celebration

“Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”

Albert Camus

This was the 4th cultural exchange programme to Kasetsart University Laboratory School. Twelve students and two teachers were involved in this programme that took place from 9 to 14 November 2012.

We visited many places of interest, such as Ayutthaya, the Chao Phraya River, the National Museum, and The Royal Grand Palace. In Ayutthaya, we were able to visit one of our Thai friends’ home. The house was made of wood and stood on stilts. This was the place which was badly hit by the great flood in 2011. We had the opportunity to try our hand in making a dessert which was unique—it was made from duck egg yolks and syrup cooked in water. Indeed, we had a glimpse of the lifestyle of ordinary Thai people.

In the programme, we also had the opportunity to experience the life of a Thai student. This we did by attending classes with them. The school we attended was huge and the compound was amazingly large—it had luxurious facilities to accommodate 3 000 students. We made many friends, as they made our stay there very comfortable and welcome. Although we had some difficulties in communication, this did not adversely affect very much our interaction with the Thai students; and teachers had the opportunity to learn more about their education system.

“The Thais were friendly, very cheerful and showed eagerness in their everyday life. Our trip was indeed very memorable.”Phyo Thi Han (4A) and Lee Yue Yang (4D)

“In our trip to Ayutthaya, because of heavy rain, our vehicles were stuck in the mud. Without hesitation, we alighted from our vehicles and joined forces with our hosts to push the vehicles out of the mud. It was fun. This trip was memorable to me as I learned many new things about Thai culture.”

Lee Yue Yang (4D)

“This trip has made me realise how important it is to establish close relationships with people of other countries: the value of establishing good international friendship. We promised to communicate with each other through Facebook and many other platforms of communication.”

Phyo Thi Han (4A)

“Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.” Aristotle

Exchange Programme to the Kingdom of Thailand

10. Synergistic Partnerships

“Experiencing a new culture can help us better understand ourselves and the world around us. Learn about the benefits that the cultural exchange offers.”

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange Programmes

In Term 1, TK students hosted a group of 26 students and 3 teachers from Hangzhou 15th Educational School from 14 Feb. to 19 Feb, 2013.

The PRC students attended lessons with their buddies in our Sec 1 and Sec 3 classes. They attended lessons in the morning and visited major attractions and places of interest in the afternoon .The homestay programme was an eye-opener for our guests. The weekend stay with their buddies enabled our visitors to learn something about a Singapore home and what the family did on weekends.

Our Sec 3 students who visited Hangzhou school in May/June 2012 were happy to meet their friends again in this visit. During the homestay segment, our students took their friends to places within their neighbourhood for the heartland experience.It was the first time our Sec1 students were involved in this exchange programme. They were very excited to meet them; they interacted well with each other and soon became good friends.

Before our friends left for Hangzhou, they promised to communicate with each other via emails periodically. Our students and the Hangzhou visitors hoped to meet again in the near future.

Exchange programmes help us to understand the value of learning other cultures, which is especially important in our global community. The mixing of cultures and backgrounds provides young people with an unforgettable awareness and lifelong experience of each other.

“Time flies, but the memories collected along the way can never be replaced.”

Ashley Tisdale

“Time flies!” exclaimed many students who graduated in 2002.

“It’s 10 years already since we left school. Let’s get together for a reunion dinner.” One of them, Ms Dawn Teo, by creating a Facebook event, contacted her friends in her batch about getting together for a reunion dinner.

A dinner was held in December in the school hall to celebrate their 10th anniversary since leaving school in 2002. It was a time to reminisce and catch up with old friends and even to make new friends. The occasion was also a time to pay tribute to their former teachers, many of whom were also present at the dinner. It was a time of fun and laughter.

It is hoped that many would come forward to offer their services to the school.

“When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.”

Chinese Proverb

Hangzhou 15th Educational Group

TK Homecoming 2012

11. Synergistic Partnerships

“I’d trade all my tomorrows for one yesterday.”

Kris Kristofferson

About thirty former students who call themselves, TK Alumni Class of ’63 got together to celebrate their 50th year after graduating from their alma mater in 1963.Three of the former teachers, Mr Howe Soo Chye, Mr Peter Syddal and Mr S. T. Robinson were present.

It was a moment to remember. There was much fun and laughter when they recalled with nostalgia the special moments which they seemed to remember so vividly. Some referred to the idiosyncrasies of their Geography and English Language teachers. However, all acknowledged that their teachers’ hard work paid off. Many

were successful entrepreneurs, businessmen and civil servants. Their contributions to society were enormous. The average age of this group is 65, many of whom have now retired.

Even after a lapse of 50 years, their loyalty to the school has never faltered. They make it a point to attend major school functions like our 50th and 55th school anniversaries. We look forward to seeing them in bigger numbers for our 60th anniversary due in 2016.

“Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to forget.”From “The Wonder Years”

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” Ryunosuke Sataro

It is amazing that this group of former students who calls themselves “TK Alumni Class of ‘70s” continues to be closely connected to their alma mater even though they had graduated from the school some forty years ago. The more active ones numbering 80 meet regularly once a month. Usually, they meet at a restaurant for dinner: some of their former teachers attend these gatherings.

This group lends its strong support to the school. The meeting at such social functions, offers the opportunity to raise funds for the school. This time round, they raised $6 000. Three representatives from the class of ‘70s, Messrs. James Loh, Jeffrey Lee and Jeffrey Liew visited the school on Monday, 4 March to present the cheques to the Principal. The discussions they had with the Principal were enlightening: it centred on how the school and parents could support children overcome their personal challenges and problems.

This partnership has been of mutual benefit to the school and the former students. May it continue to do so in the years ahead.

Class of ’63 Celebrating 50th Anniversary – 11 March 2013

TK Alumni Class of ’70s

12. Synergistic Partnerships

Photo shows TKT class of 70s at a dinner at the Golden Wing Restaurant on 3rd April 2013. Principal, Mdm Haslinda Zamani, Vice Principal, Mr. Koh Tong Seah and Mr. S.T. Robinson were invited to the dinner.

“Your love for your alma mater and for the friends you made in school, only inspires us to work harder for TK students......”

Mdm Haslinda

With Complments: Designed by Mr Derek Toh Kian Sian. Printed by Colourscan Co Pte Ltd