Kellock Connects! - CHIJ (Kellock)

Kellock Connects!
Issue 2
26 March 2015
A Christ-centred learning community where every child will develop
her unique giftedness to lead and make a difference.
From the Vice-Principal’s Desk…
As we enter into Term 2, let us recollect the exciting and eventful first term of
2015! It was an action-packed term as we witnessed various exciting
programmes and events. Many of such programmes are the result of close
collaboration between our departments and the Parent Support Group (PSG).
In our endeavour to deliver a holistic education where every child is important
to us and where we hope to develop every child’s unique gifts, we need the
entire community to work with us. It has been said that it takes ‘a village to
raise a child’ and this is especially true as we see our PSG collaborating with
the school in many of the events and programmes this year.
We began the new year with our annual PSG Welcome Breakfast and was
pleasantly surprised by the huge turnout of over a 100 parents who attended
the meeting and signed up to volunteer in various events. We are especially
thankful that some have generously contributed to our Student Welfare Fund,
Sponsor-A-Child, to help the less privileged girls in our midst. It was heartwarming to see many of our parents giving themselves to serve in the different
sub-committees lined up by the PSG. We partnered with the PSG who spearheaded Tutti-Frutti Tuesdays, serving fruits at recess to complement the
school’s effort in educating our students to eat healthily. Partnership with
parents extended to the organising of Careers Day with the CCE Department
where all our girls had the opportunity to hear from professionals from the
corporate world and different industries. They showed our students what it
takes to be an author, lawyer, pilot, choreographer, sailor, flight stewardess,
journalist, Olympic hurdler, scientist, game scientist, sports trainer and
designer. Each of the 12 professionals shared their expertise, and the skills
and demands required in the different fields of work, and also urged our
students to cultivate the right attitude and passion to stay on the job.
In this issue …
1. Remembering
Mr Lee Kuan Yew
2. SG50 Celebrations
@ Kellock
3. Voice of our Heads
of Departments
3.1 English Dept.
3.2 MTL Dept.
3.3 Mathematics
Dept
3.4 Science Dept.
4. Updates/
Announcements
4.1 Staff
Appointments
4.2 Safety &
Security
4.3 International
Friendship Day
4.4 Founder’s Day
4.5 Parents’
Symposium
4.6 Assessment
Matters
The development of character and citizenship in our children is influenced by
what happens in school, in the family and in the wider community. The
learning of values, skills and competencies will be more effective and
enriching for our children if what is taught in school is reinforced by what is
practised at home and what is endorsed by the community. Home-school
collaboration becomes therefore, a needful component in raising a healthy,
well-adjusted child. To foster greater home-school collaboration, CHIJ Kellock
attempts to engage parents through various platforms such as, briefings for
parents, beginning-of-year meet-ups with the Form Teachers, mid-year parentteacher conference, parental involvement in class-based activities and the
conduct of various workshops and events for parental involvement.
1 Bukit Teresa Road, Singapore 099757
Tel: 6273 0096, Fax: 6273 1710, Email: [email protected]
http://www.chijkellock.moe.edu.sg
4.7 Calendar
5. Parents Support
Group Matters
To this end, we are launching our inaugural Parents’ Symposium, themed Engaging and
Empowering Parents to provide parents with an insight to the academic curriculum and how it
is taught in school. At the symposium, parents will have the option to choose from 12 of the
breakout sessions which will cover the different academic subjects as well as parenting skills.
A keynote speaker has also been invited to touch on ‘Good Cyber-Wellness Values’ with an
emphasis on Resilience, a much needed value that is especially important during the growing
up years when our children face challenges, pressure and rejection from peers.
When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children
tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more. Let us work together to
bring out the best in our children and to continue to nurture in them values that will prepare
them for a lifelong journey.
Yours sincerely,
Yap Tsui Lan (Mrs)
Vice-Principal 2
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1.
The staff and students at CHIJ Kellock are deeply saddened by the passing of
Mr Lee on Monday, 23 March 2015. As the leader among the core group of founding fathers of
Independent Singapore, Mr Lee has been pivotal in shaping the course of our nation’s
history. He had dedicated his life to the building of a prosperous and cohesive country where
Singaporeans can pursue the ideals of democracy, justice, peace, progress and equality. The
passing of Mr Lee is a deep loss to all of us.
As a mark of respect to Mr Lee, the State flag and school flag will be flown at half-mast from 23
March 2015 to 29 March 2015. The observance ceremony on 24 March 2015 including a minute
of silence after the pledge allowed all staff and students to reflect on, and pay respect to, the
immense contributions of Mr Lee in our nation-building. Resource packages, customised for the
lower and upper primary levels, were provided by the Ministry of Education to engage students
in reflection on the passing of Mr Lee.
CHIJ Kellock will be involved in the state ceremony on Thursday morning, 26 March. As every
school will be involved in paying of respect during the Lying-in-State at Parliament House, only
the principal, Ms Magdalene Chin, together with 4 staff and 15 students, will attend the
ceremony. To allow more members of public to also pay homage to Mr Lee, Heartland Tribute
Sites are also established in some of the neighbourhood estates. For students who could not
be included in the school-organised paying of respect at Parliament House, they are strongly
encouraged to find out the Heartland Tribute Site nearest to their homes and pay their respect
there.
Tributes written by staff and students of CHIJ Kellock will be posted onto the school website. If
you would like to write a tribute in remembrance of Mr Lee, you may do so at
http://www.rememberingleekuanyew.sg/.
A tribute from Kellock to
Mr Lee Kuan Yew…
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2.
SG50 Celebrations @ Kellock
CHIJ Kellock celebrates Singapore’s 50th anniversary of her independence with the theme
Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present & Co-creating the Future. To help our students
develop an awareness, understanding and appreciation of The Singapore Story, we have lined
up an array of exciting activities and events commemorating the different eras in Singapore’s
history. These will be spread over the four school terms as follows:Terms
1
2
3
4
Theme
Honouring the Past
Honouring the Past
Celebrating the Present
Co- Creating the Future
Era
1960-1970s
1980-1990s
2000-2015
2015 and Beyond
Kick-starting the SG50 celebrations in Term 1, was the Chinese New Year concert. The theme
was Our Heritage, Our Pride which focused on getting our students to appreciate their roots.
Various activities were planned to increase students’ awareness of the different languages and
dialects used in the 1960s and 1970s in Singapore. Keeping in line with the theme of Honouring
the Past, senior citizens from Radin Mas Residential Community and the grandparents of our
Primary 1 and 2 students were invited to our Chinese New Year celebration. The gratitude
shown to the pioneers who had sacrificed much in the building of Singapore was indeed very
heart-warming. Both the young generation and the pioneers gamely took part in many activities
specially planned during the celebration. Involving the pioneer generation in our programmes
and activities will be a running theme throughout the year.
Singapore Time Machine
To help our students better appreciate and understand the journey Singapore took to become
what it is today, our very own Singapore Time Machine, a monthly morning assembly segment
will feature significant milestones in the history of Singapore. Students will also learn more
about the living conditions, education system and Singapore’s pioneers through the fun and
interactive assembly sharing by our very own ‘legendary’ school characters Dola and Lola.
These activities will propel our students to actively participate in celebrating Singapore’s 50th
birthday and cultivate a sense of belonging and love for our nation.
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3.
Voice of our Heads of Departments
3.1
English Language Department by HOD/English, Mrs Jean Toh
At CHIJ Kellock, the English Language (EL) Department aims to provide effective and engaged
learning and teaching in Standard English to our students. Our key emphasis is to create a
vibrant environment that promotes and encourages proper expression in Standard English for
our students. As such, the department’s programmes and initiatives have been planned to
achieve the department’s vision:
English Week 2015: Good English – Any time, Any place, Anywhere! (2 Mar-9 Mar)
The EL Department commemorated the launch of the school’s annual event, English Week, in
Term 1. EL Week aims to provide platforms and opportunities for students to develop a love for
the language through a variety of interesting and meaningful activities planned for the week. As
a lead-up, two students, Ananya Sharma of Primary 5 Ixora and Deborah Ng of Primary 5 Lily,
played the roles of superheroes to educate their peers on the importance of speaking good
English in order to be understood by others. Following the lead-up, the school was honoured to
have Ms Tan Ter Cheah, author of the book titled ONE – a true story of grit and courage, to
speak with the students about her love for English and how she used her flair in writing to share
her personal story so as to inspire and motivate people around her. On top of that, to
encourage and motivate students to think, write, read and speak clearly and effectively, there
were also exciting level-wide activities from Primary 1 to Primary 6 tailored to suit the different
age groups. We had Kellock’s very own signature programme known as Speak Proper English
At Kellock (SPEAK) Award Competitions, an interesting story-telling session by Master Storyteller – Ms Kamini Ramachandran, a session with author – Ms Jessica Alejandro and a writing
workshop conducted by authors – Ms Monica Lim and Miss Lesley Ann-Tan.
In CHIJ Kellock, we are committed to recognise, nurture and develop the potential of each
student. As such, the EL Department is implementing the Stretch and Support Programme after
school hours to cater to the different needs of the students.
EL Stretch Programme @ Kellock
Targeted at stretching students with an excellent grasp of the language, the Stretch Programme
comprises specially tailored curriculum which is extended beyond the basic syllabus in depth
and breadth. It is designed to stimulate individual growth and help students realise their full
potential by providing an array of opportunities to deepen student’s repertoire of skills and
knowledge with regards to the English Language.
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EL Support Programme @ Kellock
The Support Programme at Kellock is aimed at students who face challenges in the English
Language. It is designed to support students’ mastery of specific language skills and
fundamental knowledge through a specially designed curriculum. With a smaller class size,
specific remediation can be done. By providing these students with a strong foundation, they
will be better able to gradually grasp basic language concepts and progress towards being a
more competent user of the English Language.
REAP & READ @ Kellock
Reading is an important key to unlock our students’ ability to be confident and effective
communicators. It exposes our students to knowledge and experiences, widening their
perspectives and enabling them to communicate confidently. Through reading, students gain an
understanding of the beauty and power of words, giving them an edge in communicating and
writing effectively.
To encourage our students to read, READ & REAP @ Kellock comprises a series of outreach
efforts to expose students to the different genres of books and to enthuse them to read widely.
These efforts include Read-Swop-Share, Books-to-Go and Book Buzz. This year, the English
Department has successfully implemented Super Storytastic!, a fortnightly storytelling session
for students during silent reading in the morning. Facilitated by parent volunteers, students will
be treated to age-appropriate stories where a rich discussion may follow after the reading of the
story.
To further promote reading, the department will be introducing the Book Crossing programme
in this term. Book Crossing is defined as ‘the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be
picked up and read by others, who then do likewise’. In order to make the whole school a
library, corners will be set up in the school hall for students to share their books with others or to
pick up a book of their interest to read before returning it for others to enjoy. To keep this
sustainable, students will be strongly encouraged to bring a storybook to school to share with
their friends on 21 April, in conjunction with International Book Crossing Day.
SG50 Commemoration
To celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday, the English Department will be spearheading a
publication of fifty stories contributed by our budding writers. This is in collaboration with the
Mother Tongue Department and the Character and Citizenship Department. With Singapore’s
history as the setting for their stories, students will learn to appreciate Singapore’s heritage and
use their imagination to create beautiful stories set in different eras. To achieve this, selected
writers will work closely with authors in residence as they learn strategies in creative writing and
apply the skills taught in their final stories which will be published in a book. An electronic
version of it will also be made available for download towards the end of the year.
Do visit the school’s website, www,chijkellock.moe.edu.sg, to learn more about the English
programmes in the school.
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3.2
Mother Tongue Language Department
by HOD/MTL, Mdm Wong Foong Li & SH/TL & ML, Mdm Tunisha
Mother Tongue Fortnight 2015 (5 Feb - 18 Feb)
This is the fourth consecutive year that the MTL Department has organised Mother Tongue
Fortnight for students in CHIJ Kellock. The theme for this year’s fortnight was Our Heritage, Our
Pride. This was part of the school’s celebrations for SG50, where our students learned about
their roots by increasing their awareness of the different languages and dialects used in the
1960s and 1970s in Singapore. Another objective of the fortnight was for students to appreciate
the contributions made by the pioneers of that era. The Mother Tongue Fortnight ended on a
high note with the Chinese New Year (CNY) concert on 18 February.
To celebrate Singapore’s 50 years of independence, the CNY celebration was used as a
platform to pay tribute to our pioneer generation. Therefore, besides the senior citizens from
Radin Mas Residential Community, the grandparents of our P1 and P2 students were invited to
join in the festive celebration. The pioneers greatly enjoyed the concert and the grandparents
participated enthusiastically in the craft making sessions with their granddaughters. This activity
which provided an opportunity for the grandparents to bond with their granddaughters was very
well-received.
P4 Mother Tongue Language (MTL) and Cultural Camp 2015 (13 July)
Besides the Mother Tongue Fortnight, the MTL Department will also be organising an annual
Language and Cultural Camp for our P4 students. The objectives of this camp are to provide an
immersive environment for students to learn and use MTL and to appreciate the different MTL
cultures through hands-on activities.
Educational Exchange Programme to China (24 May – 29 May)
The Chinese Department will be organising a 6-day China Educational Exchange Programme to
Xiamen, Chaozhou and Yonding in May 2015.
This programme integrates the learning
outcomes of the CL Department’s school-based curriculum of “We are Campus Reporters”
(WeCaRe) programme and “We are Bilingual” (WeB) programme. The main objectives of this
exchange programme are:

to extend the WeB programme beyond borders so as to provide opportunities for the
students to reinforce and apply the knowledge they have learnt from the WeB
programme and the WeCaRe workshop;

to immerse the students in the rich culture and history of China so that they are able to
appreciate how the different cultures have influenced the language;

to enhance students’ learning of the Chinese Language through the learning tasks
assigned to them during the trip.
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CHIJ Combined Schools Malay and Tamil Languages Cultural Camp (16 March)
Our P6 students participated in the Tamil Language IJ Cultural Camp while both our P3 and P6
students attended the Malay Language IJ Cultural Camp. These camps are organised annually
by our IJ cluster to increase cultural awareness in our students. The focus for this year’s camps
is to enhance students’ knowledge of the historical and cultural heritage of the Tamil and Malay
Languages. Our students had the opportunity to interact with students and teachers of the
other CHIJ schools using their Mother Tongue languages through the various activities. The
camp was held on 16 March from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. at CHIJ (Katong) Primary School.
Educational Tours to JB/Malacca and Sarawak (25 May-26 May)
P5 students who are learning Tamil will be involved in an Educational Tour to JB/Malacca in this
term. The objectives of the trip are to create opportunities for them to learn the language beyond
the classroom and at the same time, understand the Indian culture and traditions. P5 students
learning Malay will take part in a similar educational trip to Sarawak in Term 4. More
information will be furnished nearer to the dates.
Hari Raya Puasa & Deepavali Concerts and Activities
The Malay Department will be collaborating with the Creative Arts Department to conduct
activities for Hari Raya Puasa. One interesting activity which will be conducted during recess is
the ketupat weaving. In keeping with the school’s firm belief of home-school partnership, the
grandparents and parents of the students learning the Malay Language will help during the
ketupat weaving activity.
Similarly, the Tamil Department will organise recess activities and a concert for the Deepavali
celebrations. Activities such as saree tying and Rangoli / Kolam drawing have been planned for
the recess activities. These activities will be facilitated by volunteer grandparents and parents
similar to the Malay Department’s. There will also be a Deepavali concert for the whole school.
3.3
Mathematics Department by HOD/Mathematics, Mrs Arif Hong
Mathematics underpins many aspects of our everyday activities. The learning of Mathematics
provides an excellent vehicle to train the mind and to develop the capacity to think logically,
abstractly, critically and creatively. These are important 21st century competencies that we must
imbue in our students (CPDD, MOE, Mathematics Syllabus Primary, 2013, pg 3). In Kellock, we
engage our students in a variety of Mathematics learning experiences to develop positive
attitude and love for the subject. At the same time, Kellock focuses on the development of
problem solving skills in our students to ensure that they achieve a level of mastery that will
serve them well in their lives and to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The mission of the
Mathematics Department is:
To develop the love of mathematics learning and mathematical problem
solving abilities in our girls
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Problem Solving Package (PSP)
The programme, Problem Solving Package (PSP), aims to equip our students with various
thinking skills and heuristics to help them develop their problem solving skills in Mathematics.
Each skill or heuristic is taught under a key concept or strategy. This programme aims to
develop appropriate problem-solving skills in our students at the different levels from Primary 1
to Primary 6.
Some of the thinking skills and problem solving heuristics are:
Thinking Skills
Heuristics









Identifying patterns and relationships
Comparing
Sequencing
Analysing part and whole
Induction
Deduction
Spatial Visualisation
To give a representation e.g. draw a diagram, make a list
To make a calculated guess e.g. guess and check, look for
patterns, make suppositions
 To go through the process e.g. work backwards, before-after
 To change the problem e.g. restate the problem, simplify the
problem
In equipping the students with problem solving skills in Mathematics, the department has
adopted the Polya Model for Problem Solving. Using the acronym, UPER, we hope to scaffold
students’ thinking process in their approach to problem solving.
Step 1 (A) : Understand the
Problem
What are you asked to find/solve?
What facts do you have?
What do you know that is not stated in the problem?
Step 2 (B) : Plan
What strategies do you know?
Try a strategy that seems workable
Step 3 (C) : Execute the Plan
Write out the steps
Think of the big steps first, and then do the little steps
Step 4 (D) : Review
Re-read the question
Did you answer the questions asked?
Does your answer make sense? How do you know?
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3.4
Science Department by HOD/Science, Ms Lui Ling
There is always something new to learn about science and the environment! There is no better
time than now, in Singapore’s 50th year, to reflect on our natural heritage. The Science
Department, in conjunction with SG50 celebrations, will be rolling out a series of level-based
activities to celebrate the nation’s 50th birthday through the course of the year.
In alignment with the key tenets of the school’s vision to Learn, Lead and Make a Difference, it
is the mission of the Science Department in CHIJ Kellock to inspire a passion for science in our
students through engaging programmes and inquiry-based activities. With your support as our
partners in education, as well as the community, we aim to develop scientifically literate
students who can make informed decisions based on scientific evidence - students who not
only love science, but who also enjoy the learning process in Science!
To this end, the Science Department continues to engage students through enrichment
programmes such as the Young Scientist @ Kellock Programme, where activities in the Young
Scientist Card series have been integrated into the school-based Science curriculum to make
learning real, rich, relevant and rewarding. This year, students are further guided in the
completion of the cards through the implementation of take-home weekend assignments
through which parents can bond with their daughters while completing science assignments that
require further exploration of their surroundings or more in-depth study of science topics.
Going beyond the confines of the syllabus, the Young Scientist @ Kellock Programme this year,
will be extended to include a Scientist in Focus series. Through mini articles, students will be
introduced to scientists who have made significant contributions through their scientific
discoveries. It is intended that these articles extend classroom discussions to include the value
of science and values in Science. School values as demonstrated by these featured scientists
will provide the reflective learner with much food for thought. In this term, in support of the
Student Management Department’s Women in Leadership series, Scientist in Focus will feature
prominent women in Singapore who have contributed to Singapore’s society in the areas of
science, the environment and research.
As part of the Science Department’s SG50 celebrations, a theatre group engaged by NParks,
has been invited to stage the play Secrets of the Swamp in Kellock. Based on the book of the
same title written by author and journalist Neil Humphrey, the story follows the adventures of
siblings, Alfie, Luke and Pacey, as they go in search of horseshoe crabs in a mangrove swamp.
Besides encouraging children to develop a relationship with their natural environment, the play
aims to raise awareness of Singapore’s biodiversity by featuring native species of flora and
fauna. Full of twists and turns, it also reminds children to do their part in keeping our garden city
a beautiful place to live in.
The staging of Secrets of the Swamp heralds the start of a series of SG50 activities to be
conducted at the various levels, including the following highlights:

Primary 3: National Butterfly Campaign

Primary 4: Nocturnal Animals of Singapore Workshop (P4 Camp)

Primary 5: DNA Model Making – The Kellock DNA

Primary 6: Animate to Advocate – Kellock Video Awards
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Our littlest scientists in P3, who are working on the Young Zoologist and Botanist cards,
embarked on an Imaginary Animal Project under the DIVERSITY theme in the Science syllabus.
Students did not merely dream of, but actually created a 3D model to bring to life an imaginary
animal using both Science knowledge as well as art and craft skills. This challenge will
culminate in an exhibition to be held in the library in late March. Our P3s will also get the
chance to get up close and personal with the American Bull frog species in the upcoming Social
Studies / Science learning journey to the Jurong Frog Farm in Term 2, where students will be
expected to apply science, as well as ICT skills, to create a comic strip (Comic Life) to illustrate
the different stages in the life cycle of the frog.
Working in teams, our P4 students put their engineering skills to good use in an attempt to
breathe life to their models of the Human Digestive System. As part of their study of the human
body under the SYSTEMS theme, students had to select appropriate materials, relating property
of materials to the intended function of the organ. The objective is to build and create realistic
3D models that simulate the functions of the Digestive System in humans. Lower primary (P1
and P2) students will get a glimpse of what learning Science as a curriculum subject is like
when they get invited to view an up-coming exhibition of students’ works to learn more about the
Human Body Systems.
Still on the theme of SYSTEMS, our P5 students will be going on a Science Learning Journey to
the Science Centre’s DNA Lab where they get to be a forensic scientist for a day! Students will
be engaged in activities that lead them to unravel the mysteries of life, and in the process, give
them a deeper understanding of life Science topics (Cells, Genetics and Heredity) and bioethical
issues. This event will end off with SG50 – the Kellock DNA.
Moving on to the theme of INTERACTIONS, our P6 students will foray deep into the heart of the
Sungei Buloh mangroves to discover the diversity of local flora and fauna species found in this
local natural heritage. The inter-relationships between the environment and the organisms
living there will fascinate our young explorers, who will take home with them the key messages
of nature conservation and preservation in a world coping with climate changes. Back in the
classrooms, students will reflect on and log their outdoor experiences, applying their research
and learning in a Science animation project on environmental stewardship.
By engaging students in the above manner, we hope that our girls, your daughters, will see the
value of science in their everyday lives and relate daily events to their understanding of Science.
It is our hope that the enthusiasm and curiosity for Science developed through the Primary
school years will continue throughout their lives as students grow in knowledge of themselves
and the scientific world around them.
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4. Updates / Announcements
4.1
Staff Appointments
We are pleased to announce the following new appointments to our School Executive
Committee (EXCO) Team:
•
•
4.2
Mrs Janet Tan
- Upper Primary Year Head
Miss Chan Wen Hui - SH PE & CCA
Safety and Security Matters
Temperature-taking and Haze Management
We started the year with a temperature-taking exercise on 7 January. All Primary 1 students
were issued a thermometer. After the temperature-taking exercise, students were encouraged
to always keep their thermometers in their school bags, ready to use, when the need arises.
We also conducted a briefing on haze management in Term 1 to ensure that students are
prepared if there is a need to evacuate. The school has also arranged to provide our students
with packed meals at $1.50 to be consumed in the allocated areas should the air quality
deteriorate to the point where dining in the school canteen is not recommended.
In-Place Protection
As the safety and health of our students and staff are of priority to us, the school conducted an
In-Place Protection exercise in conjunction with Total Defence Day. This exercise is aimed at
safeguarding the lives of students and staff in the event of the release of toxic gas into the
atmosphere and it involves everyone staying indoors and shutting off windows and doors to
reduce potential exposure to the hazard.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
The automated external defibrillator (AED) is a medical device that analyses the heart’s rhythm
and delivers an electrical shock (defibrillation), if necessary, which helps the heart re-establish
an effective rhythm. Thus, in the event of anyone experiencing a heart failure, the AED helps to
increase the person’s chance of survival. Three AEDs have been installed in the school and all
staff has undergone training in the use of the AED and CPR awareness.
Playground Updates
A thorough safety review of the school playground was completed in Term 1, with the help of a
Senior Specialist from MOE. Students have also been briefed both at assemblies and during
PE lessons on the appropriate use of the playground equipment. As with Term 1 guidelines on
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the use of the playground, the school playground continues to be accessible to students during
recess, under the supervision of our school teachers.
School Gate Opening Hours / School Passes
As safety and security are very important issues in school, we appeal to parents and guardians
to help us to promote a safe and secure learning environment for our students. We seek your
kind understanding in obtaining a Visitor’s Pass in exchange for your Identification Card if you
need to enter the school.
For parents who are using the side or back gates, the information below will help facilitate your
drop-off and pick-up of your daughters/wards.
Side Gate A (Bukit Teresa Road) Opening Hours During School Days
Morning
Monday - Wednesday
6.30 a.m. - 7.30 a.m.
Afternoon
1.30 p.m. - 2.10 p.m.
3.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Thursday - Friday
6.30 a.m. - 7.30 a.m.
1.00 p.m. - 1.40 p.m.
3.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Back Gate C (next to the Church) Opening Hours During School Days
Morning
Monday - Wednesday
6.30 a.m. - 7.30 a.m.
Afternoon
1.40 p.m. - 2.10 p.m.
3.00 p.m. - 4.20 p.m.
Thursday - Friday
6.30 a.m. - 7.30 a.m.
1.10 p.m. - 1.40 p.m.
3.00 p.m. - 4.20 p.m.
Traffic Updates
We would like to thank all parents for cooperating with the school in facilitating the smooth
arrival and dismissal of your child. With the LTA’s implementation of No Right Turn to Kampong
Bahru Road, we are happy to announce that traffic at Bukit Purmei has been smoother and less
congested. We continue to appeal to you to be patient and to slow down when approaching the
school as there are many parents and children walking to school from Bukit Purmei, Kampong
Bahru Road and Bukit Teresa Road.
To further enhance road safety, we would also like to inform you that LTA carried out the
following works during the March school holidays:
a)
Widening of the turning radius from Kampong Bahru Road towards Bukit Purmei Road to
make it safer for cars turning in.
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b) Building additional walking path from Kampong Bahru Road to Bukit Teresa Road
(AYE Side) to make it safer for both parents and students walking to school.
4.3
International Friendship Day – Deepening International Friendships
(10 Apr)
Celebrating International Friendship Day (IFD) provides us with a great opportunity to help our
students learn and appreciate other cultures in cosmopolitan Singapore and nurture in our
students the spirit of friendship and collaboration among different people. The theme for this
year is Deepening International Friendships. As we get more globally connected, it is important
to develop an appreciation of and celebrate the diversity of the different nationalities, cultures
and religions amidst us. It is important to maintain good relations with our neighbouring
countries and celebrate the vibrancy of the different nationalities who live next to us.
A series of exciting activities have been lined up for students to deepen their understanding of
the relations that we share with other countries:
1. A series of pre-assembly talks will be conducted during IFD week to help students
understand the importance of having a harmonious relationship with our neighbouring
countries and to develop an appreciation for the different nationalities and cultures.
2. The Finger Players, one of Singapore’s leading theatre companies, will be presenting a
special assembly programme, My Friend, A Japanese Soldier, on 7 April, Tuesday.
Revolving around an unlikely friendship between a Japanese soldier and a local boy, this
performance is a powerful, educational drama about survival and courage.
3. The main event will be an international fiesta where students get an opportunity to learn
more about the culture and food of other countries. To enhance the learning experience,
students will have extended recesses on IFD. All students are also encouraged to
come dressed in traditional costumes of countries around the world on IFD, 10 April.
4.4
Founder’s Day (28 May)
On Founder’s Day, we remember the founder of all the IJ schools, Blessed Nicholas Barrè. The
Founder’s Day celebration will begin with a Eucharistic celebration at the Church of St
Teresa at 7.45 a.m. In conjunction with the celebration of SG50, the focus of the 2015
Founder’s Day celebration will be on the contributions made by the pioneer educators of CHIJ
Kellock with a tribute and a short play in the school hall. We will be taking this opportunity to
show our respect and appreciation to the contributions made by our pioneer educators to CHIJ
Kellock.
In addition, the Primary 5 students will participate in a heritage trail where they would learn more
about Blessed Nicholas Barrè and his contribution towards the founding of the CHIJ Schools
around the world and in Singapore. The heritage trail will take place on this day and the venue
will be within the school compound. This trail will allow students to better understand our
founder and the IJ mission. Lessons will resume in the second half of the day for the rest of the
levels after the celebrations.
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4.5
Parents' Symposium 2015 – Engaging and Empowering Parents (18 Apr)
We are pleased to organise the Parents' Symposium 2015 for all CHIJ Kellock parents. The
theme for this year’s symposium is Engaging and Empowering Parents. We hope that through
the enriching workshops, sharing sessions and activities planned in this programme, parents will
be engaged and empowered to guide their daughters in the learning of the various subjects, as
well as receiving parenting tips on family and parenting issues.
As a mark of respect during this period of national mourning on the demise of our Founding
Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, this event has been postponed. The details are as follows:Date:
18 April (Saturday)
Venue: CHIJ Kellock, School Hall (Level 2)
Time: 8.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. (Light refreshments will be provided.)
We would like to thank the parents who have registered for the workshops for their support.
As parking lots are limited in our school compound, please park at the nearby public car park on
the day of the symposium. Your kind understanding on this matter is greatly appreciated.
4.6
Assessment Matters
This term, Primary 3 to Primary 6 students will be having Semestral Assessment 1.
This assessment carries a weighting of 40% for Primary 3 to Primary 5 students, while for
Primary 6, it is 100%.
The following table shows the schedule for Semestral Assessment 1.
Day
Monday
&
Wednesday
Date
20 April
&
22 April
Subject
English Language Orals & Mother Tongue
Language Orals
Level
P6
(after school hours)
Monday
&
Thursday
Tuesday
27 April
&
30 April
28 April
English Language Orals & Mother Tongue
Language Orals
P5
(after school hours)
English Language Orals & Mother Tongue
Language Orals
P3
Wednesday
29 April
P4
Monday
4 May
English Language Orals & Mother Tongue
Language Orals
Higher Mother Tongue Language Paper 1
P5 & P6
Wednesday
6 May
English Language Paper 1
P3 – P6
Thursday
7 May
Mother Tongue Language Paper 1
P3 – P6
Friday
Monday Thursday
8 May
11 May –
14 May
Higher Mother Tongue Language Paper 2
Written Papers – English Language, Mother
Tongue Language, Mathematics and Science
P 5 & P6
P3 – P6
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We would like to remind parents to ensure that your child is present on the examination days. If
your child is unable to sit for any of the above papers, a medical certificate is required for her
absence.
The table below indicates the various codes which will be printed in the Result Slips of students
who are absent for any paper/components during the examination.
Code
AB
MC
VR
Reasons for Absence
Absent without a valid reason
Absent with Medical Certificate
Absent with valid reasons (Official supporting
document must be submitted. Please note that
letter of excuse from Parent/Guardian is NOT
acceptable.)
Follow-Up Action by School
Score of ‘0’ is entered for the
component(s)/paper(s) missed.
Component(s)/Paper(s) missed will
not be used for the computation of
the overall results.
More information on the duration of each paper, the topics and components to be tested for
Semestral Assessment 1 will be given to you in a separate circular.
4.7
Calendar
We have received positive feedback from parents on the newly-introduced K-Bites, a monthly
update on the School Calendar. Thank you for your support and encouragement. Below is a
snapshot of key events in Term 2, for you to take note of. The April 2015 K-bites will be
distributed by 31 March 2015.
Date
31 March
Event/Programme
Prefects’ Investiture
06 April
NAPFA – 5-items (P6)
13 April
NAPFA – 5-items (P4)
17 April
NAPFA – 1.6 km run (P6)
18 April
Parents’ Symposium (8.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.)
24 April
NAPFA – 1.6 km run (P4)
22 May
E-Learning cum Administrative Day
27 May
Parent-Teacher Conference & SA1 Results Day
28 May
Founder’s Day
29 May
Founder’s Day School Holiday
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5. Parents Support Group Matters
CHIJ Kellock PSG
Welcoming
New Parents,
Unfolding
Great Ideas
“When we give cheerfully and
accept gratefully, everyone is
BLESSED”
From The Chairperson
Kellock PSG had an astounding Term One, filled with
activities of celebration, making new friends and launching
new initiatives. The Exco, our newly formed SubCommittees and adhoc parent volunteers worked very hard
but the responses from the children and teachers made it
all worthwhile. A big thank you to all volunteers who have
taken the step forward and made a difference!
05.01.15 PSG Welcome Breakfast
The training room was filled to the brim with over 100 new P1 parents and P2-P6 parents,
wanting to learn more about our PSG
activities and events. Parents were briefed on
how they can play a more proactive role in
school and learnt in greater detail the different
areas they could contribute to. Kellock PSG
rolled out 3 new initiatives this year: Tutti
Frutti Tuesdays, Reading Mums & Dads and
Dads For Life. Each committee set up booths
around the room and the signup rate was very
encouraging. We thank all who came and
showed us your support; it truly boosts our
motivational levels as well. 
28.01.15 – 12.02.15 CNY Cookie Sale ~ Fund-raising for PSG Fund
The PSG Fund supports the activities and events organised by Kellock PSG for the school, its
students and its community. This fund allows the continuity of these activities that promote
parental involvement and bonding with their children, enriching our young and helping those in
need. We raised $1,209 from this year’s sale of CNY cookies and we hope you enjoyed the
delicious cookies made by Cambridge Deli.
03.02.15 Tutti Frutti Tuesdays ~ Launch Day
In line with the school’s healthy living initiative, Tutti Frutti Tuesdays was started in a bid to
encourage more students to have fruits to complete a well-balanced meal. To make our launch
more attractive and to spread our message across to the girls, our very creative mum, Betty,
created 4 fruit costumes out of everyday items – don’t they look awesome! Special thanks to our
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mascot parents: MK as Wang Wang, Katherine as Mei Mei, Juliana as Gua Gua and June as
Tao Tao! Not forgetting our group of Tutti Frutti parents, led by Lynn and Germaine, who
specially got certified by NEA in order to cut and serve fruits in a safe and hygienic manner.
Since the launch, we have sold over 1,800 packets of fruits priced at 20 cents only!
We hope to be able to continue this
meaningful and healthy initiative.
If you
are a NEA certified parent or wish to be
NEA certified and want to support the Tutti
Frutti Sub-Committee, please contact
Committee Head – Christine Lee at
[email protected]. With enough
support, we can expand this to Tutti Frutti
Thursdays too!
04.02.15 – 13.02.15 Valentines’ Day Sales ~ Fund-raising for the
Sponsor-A-Child Fund
Love was in the air as a group of 15-20 parent volunteers led by SubCommittee Heads, Karen & Puja, handcrafted more than 20 varieties of
lovely gift items ranging from super hero lollipops, pencils with words of
appreciation and washi-taped glass jars. An estimated 900 items were on
sale and everything was sold out! A total of $1,600.35 was raised for the Sponsor-A-Child
Fund. Thank you for your generosity!
13.02.15 Total Defence Day ~ Strength of Our Nation
As Kellock PSG’s support towards this NE
Commemorative Day, Committee Head, Celine,
and her group of Tutti Frutti parents prepared an
estimated 1,000 pieces of sweet potatoes for our
girls to sample. Celine also prepared a poster
explaining the different foods sold during TDD,
their nutritional values and why these foods were
eaten during the Japanese Occupation when
water and food were scarce.
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17.02.15 Careers Day ~ Exploring Horizons
An SIA pilot, research scientist, sports management
entrepreneur, journalist, children wear designer…
these were some of the occupations presented by
our parent volunteers for Careers Day. Kellock was
also honoured by the attendance of an ex-Olympic
hurdler, Dipna
Lim
Prasad,
who shared her
experiences to
our upper primary girls. The school also invited a special
guest, celebrity and author, Edmund Chen, to talk about
his profession as an author. The girls were delighted to
meet him in person but I think the teachers may have been
more excited than the kids this time!
24.02.15 Reading Mums & Dads ~ Launch Day
Reading Mums & Dads is a joint effort by the
English Department, Mother Tongue Department
and Kellock PSG with the aim to promote reading.
The programme is currently conducted for English
and Chinese reading in 2 formats and are both held
before morning assembly:
1) Super Storytastic! – A fortnightly English story-telling segment for different levels on a
rotational basis.
2) Buddy Reading – A weekly English and Chinese reading session targeted to level up
weaker readers by pairing up with a student buddy and mentor.
The programme has so far been well-received by our girls and we hope to continue this effort. If
you would like to be a part of the Reading Mums & Dads Sub-Committee, do contact Maura
Fogarty at [email protected]. We are in need of more parents to assist with the Chinese
Buddy Reading programme, so do let us know if you can support in this area.
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Coming Up in Term 2…
Phew! That was quite a number of events that happened for Term One, wasn’t it? The
preparation time, planning and execution required a concerted effort and loving hearts of our
parent volunteers.
Be a part of our Sub-Committee and the PSG community!
The PSG activities will taper down in this term but we will be lining quite a few activities in the
2nd half of this year. Hence, the PSG Exco will be recruiting more Sub-Committee volunteers for
Terms 3 & 4 in May and we need all the help we can get! Look out for our broadcast via email
for a recruitment drive in May.
Alternatively, you can email Sabina Wee at
[email protected] or [email protected] to put your name down or for more enquiries.
Visit Us @ Parents’ Symposium 2015
Do visit our booth at the Parents’ Symposium on 18 April 2015 where we will showcase events
that we have organised and share some details on upcoming events. Come by and have a chat
with our parent volunteers and the EXCO. Do take the opportunity to sign-up for upcoming
events as well.
Help Needed: International Friendship Day – 10 April
We need 15-20 parent volunteers for IFD on 10 April to assist with setup and
manning of booths during recess. There will be 7 booths representing 7
countries. Do let Committee Head, Celine, know if you can volunteer. Her email
is [email protected]. Closing date to volunteer: 31 March 2015.
Kellock PSG Webpage
We are currently at the last phase of updating the page’s content and will upload more photos
and announcements on the various PSG events. Our page is on the school’s website at
Parents' Portal > Parents Support Group. We appreciate your patience.
We remain contactable at [email protected].
~~~ Volunteering Is A Work of Heart ~~~
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