GMS (Pri) Newsletter - Geylang Methodist School

GMS (P)
A Newsletter by Geylang Methodist School (Primary)
Issue 51
4 Geylang East Central Singapore 389706 Tel: 6748 6746 Fax: 6748 8980 Website: www.gmsp.edu.sg
Principal’s message
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” Matthew 22:37
Dear Parents and pupils,
Thank you for giving your best during The Methodist Schools
Walkathon 2013. With your generous support, we raised $80,000
for our school’s upgrading project- SUPER!
Indeed, the first semester has shown us how depending on our God
has been most crucial as we decide on the fund- raising projects for
building a strong sense of school pride and belonging to GMSP.
Our goal at school is to grow a school community that helps our
pupils build the 21st century skills they need to prepare life in the
future effectively.
Our work is to create a sense of community where students feel like
they belong and can connect, often for the first time in their lives.
We seek to build the 4 Ds- Determination, Discipline, Diligence and
Dedication to goals in every pupil.
Through these traits, our pupils will become courageous learners,
self- directed, compassionate leaders and responsible and useful
citizens of the future.
Whilst our staff at GMSP are remarkably warm, patient and
compassionate with our pupils which naturally fosters belonging,
how can our parents and pupils nurture a strong sense of pride and
belonging to school?
Our pupils are filled with both resilience and vulnerability but whom,
I think, are defined by society for their worst and hardest moments.
How can we help our pupils to learn better now for the future?
SUPER at school is not just about raising the funds, $2.1 million for
the upgrading project. More deeply and importantly, it is about
engaging our whole school community to be excited about learning
and thriving in the future through enhancements of our present
school environment.
Through engaging everyone, including the teachers, pupils and
their families in voting for the school building colours, the school
SUPER carnival and our upcoming 90th Anniversary preparations
for 2014, we are nurturing a strong sense of community and pride
at GMSP. Whilst we are also focussed on giving, we can also be
thankful for amazing pupils, parents and staff and to work at GMSP
and the many blessings we have received thus far regardless how
challenging things are for us sometimes in school, at home and in
our personal lives.
We thank God for the following achievements this semester:
1. Gold awards for BB/GB
2. Sports excellence in Badminton , Skipping and Athletics
3. School niche award for ‘Using ICT to develop 21st century
competencies in pupils.
4. Arts excellence for Singapore Youth Festival, Youthphoria
5. Launch of Environmental Education and Earth Warrior
6. Strong partnerships especially in upcoming SUPER fund raising
projects- golf tournament , alumni dinner, Carnival and activities
by PALS and Dads for Life
Let’s continue to love our God by pursuing excellence in everything
we seek to do at GMSP!
Have a restful and refreshing June break , everyone!
Strategic Thrust 1
2
GMSP Learner (Academic Excellence)
P.R.A.I.S.E@SAM Programme
P.R.A.I.S.E@SAM Programme is a collaboration between GMS(P) and the Singapore Art Museum (SAM).
It is an interdisciplinary programme that integrates Art and Crafts, Social Studies and English together with
Museum appreciation and understanding skills. This programme aims to guide and mould our Primary
Four pupils to be self-directed and inquisitive learners who are rooted in Singapore and proud of their
local talents and heritage.
P.R.A.I.S.E stands for:
Find one thing good in the art work
Praise
Think about the message that the artist is trying
Reflect
to convey
The effort put in by the artist, the creative
Appreciate
process and the art form
Link the artwork with our Asian / Singapore
roots through art-making, learning journey to
Integrate
Fort Canning, journaling and presentation
Seek knowledge; through research, self-directed
Seek
inquisitiveness and discussions
Explore the wide range of artwork, experience
Explore,
the processes in art making and be motivated
Experience
and excited about the possibilities of creating
and Excite
their own masterpiece.
Excited Faces Before
Entering SAM
Learning Journey
to SAM
P4 pupils with their
friend, Wally
High Ability Learners (HAL): Wits and Words
Inter-School Debating Championships 2013
On 22nd March and 6th April 2013, a team of Primary 5 High
Ability Learners (HALs) from Geylang Methodist Primary competed
in Wits and Words Inter-School Debate Championships 2013. The
preliminaries which consisted of 3 rounds were held at Raffles Girls
Secondary School.
Through a careful selection process that began in November 2012,
the dedicated lot of 10 students learnt their craft well in the short but
effective 6 training sessions that began in early February conducted
by qualified trainers from Core Teaching Solutions Pte Ltd.
This year, they sparred against teams from Singapore Chinese Girls
School (SCGS) to better prepare them for the actual competition.
This was a move that paid off with our first win in 2 years against
Admiralty Primary School in round 1.
The Bosnian National Debating Coach who was the chief judge
for preliminary rounds 1 and 2 was left very impressed with the
high standard and engagement of the debate and the quality of our
speakers which really spurred the pupils on.
Our school debate team has grown from strength to strength since
our maiden journey in 2012. GMPS is ranked in the top 5 schools
out of 17 schools that competed in the East zone. Our third speaker,
Goh Xinyi Jessi from 5KI, was ranked third in the top ten debaters
amongst the 183 students that represented 61 schools in this year’s
competition.
We believe that the pupils have gained valuable debating
experience to value-add to their learning journey here in GMSP
and with their determination, the best is yet to come!
The motions “The House will scrap the compulsory CCA system”,
“This House believes that E-learning is the way to go” and “This
House believes that video gaming should be made a sport” were
challenging and most of the teams comprised of older primary
six students. However, our
speakers rose to the challenge.
The team that did our school proud!
3
High Ability Learners (HAL): Destination
Imagination (DI) 2013
Destination Imagination is an international competition that seeks to provide
a platform for pupils to showcase their creative thinking and problem solving
skills. The culmination of this event is the Global Finals held at Knoxville,
Tennessee in USA this year.
Prior to the Global Finals, teams would have to first qualify in Destination
Imagination (Singapore) 2013 which is hosted by Anglo-Chinese School
Junior (ACSJ). Schools can send teams of up to 7 pupils and they must choose
an intriguing category to participate. They would also have to perform an
Instant Challenge segment that tests their creativity, teamwork and problemsolving skills within a very short amount of time.
Team Thunder
14 high-ability learners(HALs) who had undergone a 3-term enrichment
module when they were in primary 4, through our in-house HAL programme
participated in this year’s DI on 30th Mar 2013, Saturday. They had been
hard at work since January to prepare for this competition.
They took part in Category D: “In Disguise” which required them to enact a
story without any spoken or written words, involving a morphing mask and a
decorative mask that add a definitive impact to their stories, all in 7 minutes.
We were up against teams from Rosyth and ACSJ in this category.
Team Phoenix
Although they did not win, it was certainly a fruitful experience for the pupils.
They practised self-leadership as they analysed the different ideas presented
by the other schools. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) was also evident as
they reflected on how they could make improvements in their own maiden
performances and encouraged each other to do better.
They also made new friends and benefitted
immensely from the positive and constructive
feedback given by the panel of 5 judges. At
the end of a tiring day amidst the laughter and
celebrations, the pupils are determined to come
back stronger next year!
Speak Good English Movement
Speak Good English Week was held in Term 2 Week 1 this year. It aims to
inculcate the need to speak English that is universally understood in pupils. Other
than Tongue Twisters for all levels and Storytelling at the library for Primary 1
and 2, pupils also took part in such activities as Spot the Mistake (in signs and
advertisements), Catch Phrases and Idioms and Spell the Picture. To add to the
merriment, the Air Studio was alive with our own GMSP Speak Good English
rap and our own pupils trying out their skills as DJs for the day. For Assembly, two
Primary 5 pupils did a tongue-incheek skit to emphasize the need
to speak English, not ‘Singlish’.
To round up the activities for the
week, there was a quiz to test
pupils on their ability to spot and
correct mistakes.
Beaming teams with their teacher-in-charge, Mr Saravanan
Strategic Thrust 1
GMSP Learner (Academic Excellence)
Strategic Thrust 1
4
GMSP Learner (Academic Excellence)
Mother Tongue Department Fortnight
The Mother Tongue Department organised the inaugural Mother
Tongue Language Fortnight from the 25th March to 4th April. The
MTL Fortnight aims to create a learning environment for pupils to
learn more in depth about their culture and interact with one other
in their mother tongue.
For the Chinese department, cultural lessons such as Chinese
Opera Mask Painting, Chinese Chess, Chinese Paper Cutting and
Bean Art for different levels were conducted during curriculum
time. The lessons provide opportunity for pupils to have a handson experience to appreciate Chinese culture and traditional arts.
Pupils also get to participate in Quiz, riddles and song dedication
during recess.
as they tasted the cookies
demonstrated how much
they enjoyed themselves. The
P2 pupils also had a story
telling session with Ms. Jeeva
Ragunath, a well-known story
teller from India. The pupils
were seen participating actively in the interactive story-telling
experience. The P4 & P5 pupils played a traditional game called
‘Kabadi’. The P6 pupils participated in a Debate Competition.
P4 to P6 pupils also learned how to make a traditional dessert.
All these activities helped pupils to learn more about the Indian
Culture. It also built good teacher-student relationships.
As for the Malay department, the pupils were exposed to a wide
range of traditional activities which promote active involvement
and participation. These activities include cultural games, singing,
making of “onde-onde” and to wrap up the programme, we had
an Amazing Race.
The MTL Fortnight is truly an enriching experience for the pupils as
they demonstrated the 4Ds: Dedication, Discipline, Diligence and
Determination. Furthermore, aligned with the school’s vision “To
Grow in Stature with God and Man”, the pupils have definitely
shown great leadership and cooperation throughout the activities.
The Tamil Department also organized baking sessions for the P1
pupils to bake Tamil Alphabet cookies. The smiles on their faces
Some of the artworks done by our pupils
Time to make onde-onde!
看，这脸谱画得多好看啊！
“I want some onde-onde too!”
Let’s play congkak!
!
et cookie
y alphab
m
t
a
e
to
ait
I can’t w
剪纸，不是只有华人才会。
我虽是非华族，但也能剪
出好窗花。
哦，原来如此。成功了！
Debate in progress
5
P1 Healthy Sandwich Making
Competition 2013
During the annual Health Month 2013 in GMSP, a slew
of activities was organised to advocate leading a fit and
healthy lifestyle among staff and pupils. In order to promote
using healthier options in food preparation, a HealthySandwich Making Competition, sponsored by Gardenia,
was implemented for the P1s.
This activity was in conjunction with the English STELLAR
Programme where pupils have learning experiences in
context of the unit themed book that they are reading. In
order to prepare the sandwiches, the pupils discussed with their teachers and decided on the
ingredients they wanted to purchase at the “GM Minimart”. They used cubes to purchase the
ingredients and learnt to make their own sandwiches in class before writing a personal recount
using the Modified Language Experience Approach. This activity also integrated Mathematics,
Health Education and Social Studies as recommended
by the SEED programme.
On 10 April 2013, it was a fabulous experience
indeed for the little ones in when they made their own
sandwiches with their classmates and parents who came
down to help out with
the ingredients. The little
sandwich chefs’ creative
creations
included
sandwiches with themes
of the beach, a butterfly
garden and animals in
the zoo.
One-to-One Teacher-Pupil Interaction
The school believes that good Teacher-Pupil Relationship is
important in cultivating good learning habits and nurturing pupils
to maximise their potential. Knowing pupils beyond the classroom
context is important as it gives teachers a more holistic understanding
of how he/she is at home, his/her interaction with others and his/
her learning habits. Beyond academic development, the school
Supporting each other socially and emotionally
hopes having an interaction session will also be an opportunity
for teachers to build positive bond with the pupils to influence an
all-round development of the child. Hence in Semester 1 , either
the Form or Co-Form Teachers of the class have conducted such
sessions with pupils during pre-assembly slots or recess.
Getting to know the pupil well
Strategic Thrust 2
GMSP Citizen (Character Excellece)
Strategic Thrust 2
6
GMSP Citizen (Character Excellece)
Student Leadership 2013
With the underlying belief that ‘Every pupil a leader’ , our school aims to
provide the necessary training, leadership opportunities and platforms to
equip and develop our pupils in the skills and values needed to become a
confident, self-directed and compassionate leader.
Customised leadership cum lifeskill training was conducted for all pupils
by our school counsellors. These trainings focussed on a specific skill
at each level, encompassing SEL competencies, that builds their selfleadership skills. For example, P6 workshop focussed on self-motivation
and goal-setting. Thereafter, teachers will follow-up with the pupils using
FTGP journal as they re-visit what they have learnt and apply them.
Strategizing ways to solve problems
Mass Leadership Workshop was conducted to cater to pupils with
class leadership potential (i.e. class committee). Besides increasing their
awareness and understanding of the qualities of a GMS(P) student
leader through activities focusing on these qualities and theme of the year
(Leaders of Stature), the workshop will also convey and allow them to
understand their respective roles and responsibilities.
To develop pupils with higher leadership potential, workshops such
as the Prefects’/ Junior & CCA leaders’ workshop and Prefect Council
Retreat equip them with communication, creative problem solving, conflict
management and planning skills. This will enable them to perform at their
level platforms such as sharing their views and promoting values through
the air studio and assembly talks. These platforms, ranging from school
based activities to external Values-in-action projects, are provided to
enable student leaders to display their leadership traits and skills.
Team work in action!
We will continue to strive towards a values-driven education, building
each child’s capacity so that they will ‘Dare to Lead, Lead to Serve, Serve
with Compassion ’!
Working together towards a common goal!
Learning the importance of trust and communication as a leader
Class librarians trying out their cataloguing skills
during mass Leadership Training
Staff Welfare Committee
GMSP believes that the well-being of the staff is integral to the success
of our education service in nurturing the young. A deep sense of wellbeing will energise staff and enable them to connect their life and work to
their inner calling and larger purpose of making a difference to the lives
of others and shaping the future of the nation. This year, our focus is in
promoting active living through health & fitness programme for our staff.
The Singapore Health Promotion Board has granted a fund in support to
our Health and Fitness initiatives. All staff were encouraged to get active
together through events such as Staff Exercise Day, where we participated
in a Mass Kickboxing session, and MOE Healthy Lifestyle Day where we
took part in different sport activities. Some of the staff joined in a Fun &
Fitness Champion Programme to lose weight and to get fit. Let us grow
in Friendship, Body and Mind. We hope that GMSP will become a great
place for us to Grow, Connect and Impact lives.
Skillful Teacher and
Peer Observation
With key focus on c2015 student outcomes of education, staff
are building knowledge, skills as well as constantly refining or
changing our mental models towards teaching and learning.
This has created an understanding of the importance of building
a wide repertoire of strategies to engage pupils and how these
strategies must be carefully matched to the right situation and
context. This is incidentally the key concepts of The Skillful Teacher,
which has provided a clear outline of all the areas of performance
our teachers need to build up on moving towards becoming a
Skillful Teacher.
In Terms 1 and 2 , the staff looked at the chapter on Assessment,
in which the purpose of assessment and the twelve components
were shared–determining the task, communicating standards
of performance, assessing prior knowledge, collecting data
and providing feedback to inform instruction and student selfassessment.
Reflections of teachers on preassessment strategies
To put in practice what was learnt, teachers embarked on peer
observation where they go into each other’s classrooms to observe
how they conduct their lessons and whether the pre-determined
area of focus, in this case pre-assessing strategies are practised
in their lessons. Teachers were able to learn from each other’s
lessons and their understanding of assessment was deepened as
they gave constructive feedback to each other.
Discussion on peer observation
7
Strategic Thrust 3
GMSP Professional (Staff Excellence)
Strategic Thrust 4
8
GMSP Link (Partnerships and Organisational Excellence)
Involving Stakeholders in GMSP’s
Environment Education
Our school’s Strategic Thrust 4: GMSP Link outlines the efforts we
take towards partnership and organisational excellence. This year
we are excited to include our stakeholders with the approach to
Environment Education relating closely to the Character Education
program.
The Open Terrace known as Green Cove is primed to become
a new environment education venue where teachers can bring
their pupils to as an addition resource for the teaching of science
and other subjects related to the environment. It is also a place
that inculcates school values: Honour God, School & Nation
and Respect & Compassion. What we hope to achieve with this
renovated place is also for stakeholders and external organisations
to use as an exhibition area where they can share about their
programmes and get students involved. With more awareness of
environment education, it is the school’s aim to develop everyone
to Be an Earth Warrior.
The Rooftop Garden is also in the works to become a vibrant
area where we can get stakeholders to be joint partners in the
taking care of the plants. The existing decorative plants have been
cleared due to water seepage problems. Crops, vegetables and
herbs are now planned to be planted in the eleven planters. The
purpose for the GREEN ROOF @ GMSP is not only for the students
to use in the teaching about plants but also as outreach to the
community.
We are very grateful to South East CDC, SMRT and NEA for
supporting us through the GO GREEN SEED FUND @ SOUTH
EAST on this rooftop garden project. The other partners include
Loystel’s Toy and Papa Palheta for giving us used coffee grinds
and chaffs as compost. The main objectives of the project are to:
Pupil’s
Plegde
Creating our own terrariums
Green cove
Pupils working together
with recycled materials
It is also the South East CDC’s desire to see the fulfilment of the
following six drivers:
Bonding: Space of rooftop garden can be used for bonding
activities or events.
Bridging: Participants can be all types of students, staff and
community can be involved.
Linking: Common links to help would be the love for planting and
sharing the harvest.
Sustainability: Program is self-sustainable with the school
caretakers and environment club helping each other.
Capacity Building: Sharing sessions would be included for the
community to be involved.
Multiplier: Benefits for the project would get the needy to receive
the harvest, teaching of skills and knowledge.
1)Create a sustainable garden where
the harvest can be used to support the
school’s outreach efforts.
2) Make better use of an existing space
with activities for pupils, staff and even
the community to bond at.
3) Avail new resources for the teaching of
science and plants for pupils.
Learning Festival for GMSP
Parents 2013
Workshops for Parents at GMS(P) have been conducted for many years but they
used to be on an ad-hoc basis. Through the positive feedback of parents and other
stakeholders, they have become an annual event. The GMS(P) Learning Fest 2013
was held over 2 Saturdays in February this year, with 5 sessions on Mathematics
and Science conducted on 16 February and 6 sessions on languages conducted
on 23 February. New MOE initiatives such as the Peri Holistic Assessment and
changes for PSLE 2015 were shared with parents, and strategies and approaches
in tackling difficult areas in the core subjects were covered to equip parents with
necessary skills and knowledge so that they can better supervise their children at
home. Many parents were pleased with the takeaways and asked for more of such
workshops to be conducted in the future.
We believe that ‘it takes a village to raise
a child’. It is important for schools as an
educational institution to link up with likeminded partners and organisations to invest
in the lives of pupils. It is hence a goal for us
to see every pupil entering the school to learn
and use what they learn when they depart to
serve the community as a concerned citizen.