MAY 2014 - St. Margaret`s Primary School

ISSUE 46
MAY
2014
A PUBLICATION BY ST MARGARET’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
99 Wilkie Road,Singapore 228091
Choir – Performance
at Charity Dinner
PAGE
2
•
Tel: 6339 4247
Taiwan Trip
PAGE
3
•
Fax: 6339 4264
•
P1 – A New Beginning
Sports Day &
Games Carnival
PAGE
6
E-mail Address: [email protected]
PAGE
4
Internationalization
Trip to Malacca
PAGE
CNY – A Time to
Show Our Appreciation
5
PAGE
7
Ms Janet Lim’s Visit
PAGE
8
2
Principal’s Foreword
At St Margaret’s Primary, we endeavor to develop the talents
of our pupils by providing varied opportunities to groom
and grow their interests and celebrate their efforts and
achievements. It is our pride and joy when our girls make
progress and develop confidence in themselves and what
they do. More importantly, we rejoice when they learn to
share with and care for others.
Term 1 is more special than usual as we welcome our
alumna, Ms Janet Lim and her family, to the school. Her
visit is a great opportunity for us to remind our girls of our
unique heritage. Her life story teaches our girls the values
of courage, resilience, diligence and selfless contributions
Taiwan Trip
to society. According to Ms Janet Lim, “The CEZMS* School
not only gave me my education, but also a home, security,
affection and personal guidance.” We hope that our pupils
and many generations to come will see SMPS as a second
home where they experience and learn the values that will
stand them well in the challenges of life.
Do celebrate with us as we attempt to leave indelible marks
in the lives of our pupils.
*St Margaret’s School was known as Church of England Zenana
Missionary Society (CEZMS) School from 1900 to 1949.
Key learning experiences
Learning Objectives
A Cultural Immersion Tour to Taiwan was organized for our
Primary 5 pupils during the November-December school
holidays in which 35 selected pupils and 5 teachers went on
this trip. The 7-day programme including school immersion,
cultural enrichment activities, educational tours. The
objectives of this immersion trip is to enrich pupils with the
Chinese culture, and to enhance enthusiasm among pupils in
the learning of the Chinese language through exposure to the
Chinese culture which extends beyond the classroom.
Having fun
with
Shadowplay!
Our school choir was invited
to perform at a charity dinner
jointly organised by St Andrew’s
Missions Hospital (SAMH). and
Singapore Anglican Community
Services (SACS). The SAMHSACS charity dinner was part of
the celebration of 100 years of
community services. It was held
on 19 December 2013, at Shang-rila
Island Ballroom. Our Prime Minister Lee
Hsien Loong graced the occasion.
Ms Christina Yong
When we planned the 100th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, the organizing team wanted to
involve the Anglican family. SMPS hosted the first office of the Singapore Anglican Welfare
Council in 1967. So there was a tie, a connection. Seeing the young ladies perform with zest
and aplomb brought smiles to everyone as they symbolize our hope and our future. I was
also personally impressed that throughout the event, the girls acquitted themselves with
grace and a desire to excel. Their three songs which opened the Dinner set just the right
celebratory tone. To God Be the Glory.
Reflection by:
Lucilla Teoh
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Singapore Anglican Community Services
3
Our pupils attended lessons at the renowned Jiangcui
Elementary School where they had opportunities to
interact with local students. They were immersed
in an environment that enabled them to learn the
language and experience daily activities of a student
in Taiwan. Through this platform, it has helped our
pupils to cultivate self-reliance, independence and
foster camaraderie.
In addition, the enriching activities and beautiful
scenery of Taiwan has indeed left them with wonderful
memories.
Learning
together!
t
learnt abou
is trip, I have
th
s,
e
gh
u
m
ro
ga
h
l
a
“T
dition
culture, tra
Taiwanese
rigin. I am so
o
ir
e
nd th
to
practices a
pportunity
t I had the o
It
s.
te
a
thankful tha
lm
o
my scho
h
it
w
n
a
iw
go to Ta
n!”
was really fu
p Su Yi, P6
— Alayna Ya
Patience
“On the last
day of scho
ol, our new
friends prep
ared a fare
well party
for us, and
I think it wa
s
one of the
most enjoya
ble and unfo
rgettable
experience
s during the
tr
ip
. I hope to
have a chan
ce to visit th
em again.”
— Nicole Se
ow , P6 Kin
dness
Harmonica Performance
Buona Vista
Through performing at public places, I have become
more confident in playing the harmonica. Although it
was not easy, I realised that to play well, I must learn
to persevere and everyone in the harmonica group
must work as a team.
Alivin Yik Puay Ling Primary 4 Patience
4
P1 – A New Beginning
CNY – A Time To Show Our Appreciation
Write-up by parent volunteer, Ruth Taguchi
This year, I had the opportunity to volunteer to
assist the teachers in the Primary 1 classes
during the first 3 days of school. I was very
surprised to find that there was not much
crying at all. When it was time for recess,
they had some fun with their new friends
and big sisters from Primary 4, who were
very attentive and helpful to their young
charges (well done!). It was also very
touching to see some of the other girls
comforting their new friends when they
were feeling a bit scared and home-sick.
I think all the girls did very well in adjusting
very quickly to the routine and expectations
of Primary 1.
I was also in awe of and very impressed with the way the
teachers managed a class of 35 girls single-handedly and with
cool and calm confidence. The teachers also showed great
care and concern for the girls in making sure that everyone had
brought their money or food for recess and that all questions
were answered. It was a very interesting experience and I am
very glad I had the opportunity to be part of this milestone in
the lives this group of 200 or so 6 year olds entering Primary 1.
Buddy Sister Programme
“I found the Buddy Sister
Programme beneficial as I learnt to
be responsible by taking care of the
Primary One pupils.”
Chinese New Year Celebration 2014
Park Seo Yeon 4 K
“I found taking care of the Primary
One pupils fun yet difficult at times.
This is because the girls did not
cooperate at times. I had also
learnt to press on and not
give up half way.”
Natalie Ng 4 J
This year, the Chinese New Year celebration is aligned to our school’s 2014 theme ‘Every
SMPS Pupil, a Value-Centred and Engaged Learner’. Our Chinese New Year celebration
consisted of two segments: The Chinese New Year concert and the class activity.
“My buddy sister was very kind and
helpful. She helped me feel less
afraid.”
Amelia Shee 1D
“I like my buddy sister. She helped
me buy food and count money. She
also brought me around the school
and told me the school rules.”
Z’ann Lia Ong 1D
The Chinese New Year concert was a joyous celebration, with exciting programmes put
up by our teachers and pupils.
During the class activity, the pupils made greeting cards for the school operational
support officers, contract cleaners, security guards, bus drivers, dental nurse, office
administrative and executive staff, canteen and bookshop vendors, thus exhibiting our
school value of showing care and concern. This was a great opportunity to enable pupils
to show appreciation to the people in school and as well as to thank this special group of
people for providing excellent services to the school.
5
6
Sports Day & Games Carnival
Internalisation Trip to Malacca
Games Carnival
P1 & P2 Sports Day
The school organizes the annual sports day to promote physical activity among the
pupils and to encourage pupils to be involved in sports. It is also a good platform
for pupils to practise the Olympic values of Friendship, Respect and Excellence.
The P1 & P2 Sports Day took place on Tuesday
11 March in the school hall.
This year SMPS tried out a new model and organised a Games Carnival instead of
the annual track and field meet. The purpose of the change is to achieve maximum
participation and to promote teamwork among our pupils. Instead of selecting a
handful of pupils to represent their Houses in track and field events, all Primary 3
to Primary 6 pupils were grouped into teams based on their Houses to participate
in games to earn points for their Houses.
Through participating in games in teams, we hope to provide the opportunity for
our pupils to learn to work with others to achieve a common goal.
After almost 2 and a half hours of fun and hard work, Fearon emerged the Overall
Champion House with a total of 898 points.
I loved the Games Carnival. My teammates were
great as we cheered and helped each other. This
carnival made everyone feel like a winner.
Vineeta, 4 Kindness
It was a day worth remembering. The games were
exciting and everyone in my team contributed to it.
My team members worked hard leading, strategizing
and taking turns to do different things. Although our
house did not win, we did our best and we know it!
Tamana Hassan, 4 Joy
7
Peranakan wedding
This year, the school decided for the Primary
2 pupils to also have their own Sports Day in
school like the Primary 1 pupils so that they
could participate in sports in a cozier setting.
The Primary 1 pupils competed in obstacle
relays while the Primary 2 pupils displayed
speed and baton passing skills in Shuttle Relay.
The most exciting events for the day were the
Parents’ Race for both the P1 and P2 parents.
They were as excited as their children as they
competed to see who could balance a ping
pong ball skillfully. Both pupils and parents
did their part in contributing points to the 4
Houses. At the end of the P1 & P2 Sports Day,
Tolley House led with a total of 39 points.
Sport’s Day was fun. I get to compete with my
classmates. My aunt came to support me and that
made me want to win!
Caitlyn Wee, 2 Devotion
We enjoyed ourselves. I love to watch the parents
race as it was exciting.
Nur Rishda Taryna, 2 Charity
The Primary Fives went for their Malacca trip from 14th to 15th March 2014. They
were very excited for the trip, as many of them were already in school by 6a.m.! By
6.45a.m., all the pupils and teachers have arrived and they were ready to set off.
Despite the worry that the trip would be cancelled due to worsening haze condition,
it was really a big relief to see the bright clear blue sky when we arrived in Malaysia!
The pupils finally arrived at Kampong Parit in the early afternoon and they learnt
much about the lives of the villagers there. They visited the traditional Melaka House
and it was amazing how the weather was scorching hot but yet it was really cooling
inside the house. Afterwards, the pupils did basketry, gasing, silat activities, ketupat
and even learnt how to make ondeh-ondeh, a Malay delicacy. It was delicious!
Making of
the green
balls
The highlight of the night was the traditional Baba Nyonya Wedding Ceremony held
at the hotel. There were many beautiful ladies in their traditional wear and it was
indeed a pretty sight. What was really memorable was the part where almost every
one rushed to the stage to take a picture of the cock and hen as the pupils were so
used to seeing the frozen chicken at supermarket or the fried chicken in fast food
restaurant.
Satisfying
kampong lunch
On the second day, the pupils tried batik painting as well as visited the Cheng Ho
museum where they had a guided tour by experienced guides. The pupils also
walked along the streets and did some last minute souvenir shopping. After that, it
was a long bus ride home. The teachers certainly looked tired but the pupils were as
energetic as ever! The knowledge and experience gained from the trip by the girls
is invaluable and precious.
Dear Mrs Wong
The Games Carnival was a showcase of team spirits, togetherness, good sportsmanship
and leadership throughout the carnival. The girls managed their small group well and
everyone took care of their team members, doing headcount before moving on to the next
station. They waited patiently for their turn at each station, behaving well while others
were having their go at the games. :)
As a parent, I am glad that I got to ‘participate’ in their games, watching them up close
certainly made a great difference than watching them run on the track and field in stadium.
The sports carnival transformed every girl into a sports girl and every sports girl into a
winner! Well done SMPS! :)
Faith
(parent)
Ms Lam Si Xiao
Kampong
House
My trip to Malacca was very enjoyable. I
will never forget the times my classmates
and I had. We learnt to weave baskets
and make ondeh-ondeh together. I
will remember how much fun we had
over meal times, eating and laughing
together, especially when I found myself
near a swarm of disgusting flies at a
Peranakan restaurant!
Malacca is a beautiful place. It has many
interesting things there. I enjoyed the
shopping and I have learnt many things
such as weaving baskets. I have also
learnt to look after myself as well as my
classmates. Since we were in a foreign
country, we needed to look out for each
other and stay as a group wherever we
went. It was a fruitful trip overall.
Olivia Chean Primary 5 Joy
Shaila Shehereen Primary 5 Charity
We
ar
No e ok
ha !
ze
!
8
Ms Janet Lim’s Visit
“I would like to take this opportunity in thanking you
and your staff at St Margaret’s Primary School in such
a moving, memorable and humbling experience.
The family members were so overwhelmed by the
event. We appreciate that organising such an event
and interrupting the daily timetable of the school,
its staff members and students is a big feat in itself;
we thank you for this.
We also hope that the students took something away
from the visit as we surely did. The trip to Singapore
was an exciting although emotional journey for the
family; visiting mum’s school was such a special
occasion and one that will be remembered for a
long time into the future. Again, thank you for your
time and efforts in making a visit to St Margaret’s
such a memorable one. Kindest regards and God
Bless! “
Annie (Ms Janet Lim’s daughter)
“I want to commend the
school for a visit that
was very well planned
and carried out.
Think the family was very touched,
especially by the enthusiasm and
sincerity of the girls.”
Dr Lee Hoon Hwee
(President of St Margaret’s ExStudents Association (SMESA)
“Ms Janet Lim is not only part of
our school heritage, she is also our
nation’s heritage. Hence, it was
an honour to be involved in the
programme during her visit to SMPS.”
“Ms Janet Lim is an important part of
our school history, so I felt nervous yet
honoured when she visited our school.”
Reflection by Kelly Wu of 5 P,
Heritage Room Ambassador
Reflection by Deborah Chee of 4 K,
Heritage Ambassador
CCA
Competition / Event
Achievement
GIRL’S BRIGADE
Drill competition 2014
Bronze
Gold award for 2013
Sustained achievement award
CHOIR
Performed at the St Andrew’s Mission Hospital – Singapore
Anglican Community Services Charity Dinner on 19 December
2013 to celebrate 100 years of community services and the GOH
was PM Lee Hsien Loong.
BOWLING
National Age Group Championships 2014
Date of Event: 15-18 March 2014
Doubles Event (2nd)
Team Event (1st)
NETBALL
Blaze Carnival 2014 (Junior Division)
Date: 8 March 2014
Junior Champion