DAMAi COMMUNiqUE - Damai Secondary School

June 2013
Damai Communique
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Principal’s Message
Water is the source of all life. Water is compassionate as it serves
and nourishes everyone, regardless of their race or religion. It creates
opportunities for swimming, surfing, fishing, drinking, growing and an
endless list of benefits for anyone who cherishes it. Water adapts to
the contours of its container without betraying its nature. Water also
exemplifies humility as it allows gravity to draw it towards the lowest
level, but it is not degraded by doing so. Water takes the path of least
resistance and gradually removes all obstacles in its path to achieve
its end. Water is resilient.
Like water, Teng Yong Hao, a Damaian Alumni, from the class of 2007, had taken the ITE
route after his GCE ‘O’ Level exams before joining Temasek Polytechnic. While it was a longer
path, his efforts and resilience paid off when he was awarded the “Tay Eng Soon”
Gold Medal upon graduation in May 2013. Other inspiring alumni include Ham Gao
Xiang, an A STAR scholar (2012) and Yeo Joey, a STU Book Prize winner (2012), who have
achieved their goals through resilience but remain modest about their achievement. They
personify the leadership qualities of Commitment, Competence and Compassion we would
like all Damaians to strive and acquire.
Similarly, our persistent efforts in providing a unique Damai Experience to all our pupils through
water sports over the last four years have earned us the Niche status for “Developing
Committed, Competent and Compassionate Leaders through Water
Sports” this year. I am happy to announce that we will be extending a warm invitation
to all PSLE graduands with leadership attributes and/or water sports
talents to join us through the Direct School Admission Exercise (DSA)
from 13 May to 22 July 2013.
Instead of resting on our laurels, we will continue to enhance the quality of our current Student Leadership Development Framework
through Water Sports using the unique qualities of water to distil leadership lessons anchored in core values to prepare our pupils for
their leadership roles in the 21st century.
The process of growing leaders with the right values is similar to cupping our hands to contain a small amount of water. The small
volume of water is analogous to the basic knowledge of the values that is transmitted to our pupils through various programmes and
activities. While it might be relatively easy to comprehend (and grasp) these values, it can be rather challenging to retain (or apply)
them without letting them slip through our fingers.
As reminded by the Chinese proverb “饮水思源”, when we “drink water, we must be grateful to its source”. I would like to express my
heartfelt gratitude to our School Advisory Committee, our parents, our teachers and all other stakeholders for their collective efforts in
contributing to the “fruits” of our labour. May our pupils continue to celebrate success through your continued support!
Mr Toh Thiam Chye
Principal
Editor’s Desk
The theme of our Newsletter is Acquiring Values, Develop Character,
Growing Leader. This theme runs through all our articles. In Damai,
we encourage leadership. We nurture good values. We role model
strong character traits. We aim to produce leaders of great character
tomorrow. Enjoy reading and experiencing the Damai Spirit!
- Mr Benjamin Seethor
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Values. Character.
Leadership through
Workshops and Camps
Sec 1 Leadership Workshop
Nicole Wire 1E3
In three days, we learnt what it takes to become a leader. It includes influencing
people in the right way, teamwork and how we need to lead ourselves before we
lead others. We also played some games that involved everyone’s participation
on peer influence. The game that I enjoyed most was the scavenger hunt. It
was challenging but fun at the same time. During the games, the teachers were
very supportive, cheering us on from the sidelines and telling us never to give
up. I think the workshop was worth every cent spent and I would definitely
participate in future workshops organized by the school.
Sec 2 Malacca Trip
Miss Kirsten Francisco
History, culture and geographical landscapes. These three
elements formed the backbone of the trip to Malacca. During
the trip, the Secondary Two students saw their textbooks come
alive. At the same time, it develops their sense of independence,
as it was the first time going on a trip without their families for
the majority of the cohort. Their schedules were jam-packed
with various activities, ranging from making popiah to visiting
oil palm plantations. They also managed to get in on the local
kampong action by trying their hands at weaving baskets
and learning the art of spinning tops. Despite being under the
merciless sun for hours at a time, everyone came back happy
and a little sun-kissed.
Sec 3 Adventure Camp
Muhammad Raihan B Abdul Rahman 3E2
The Secondary 3 camp was more fun than I had expected! The games
during the camp gave me the opportunity to show my creativity and ignite
the leader in me. It allowed me to lead the class in a few cheers and hype
up the atmosphere. The games we played also involved critical thinking
and decision-making skills. The best part of the camp was the campfire. It
was undeniably everyone’s favourite. I wish I could turn back the clock to
when we first reached St. John’s Island.
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Values. Character. Leadership through Water Sports
Canoeing
Miss Teo Swee Wah
Canoeing is an interesting CCA that inspires building character traits like discipline,
independence and commitment. Sportsmen excel through its rigorous training in individual
and team races.
In the recent National Inter-School Canoeing Championships 2013, our ‘B’ Division Girls
have maintained Top 4 position in the Overall Team Category while our ‘C’ Division Girls
have clinched 5th position. Our girls have also attained a total of 1 Gold and 3 Bronze in
the K4-500, K2-500 and K4-1000 events. Teamwork is very important in this CCA. Canoeists have bonded well in the training, rain or
shine. We always have fun and train hard for each and every competition with the awesome
attitude of never letting our teammates down!
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Achievement of Niche Status for ‘Developing Committed,
Competent and Compassionate Leaders Through
Water Sports’
Mr Tan Heng Loon
Background
Damai Secondary School embarked on a re-strategizing exercise at the end of 2008
using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) tool. In alignment to the ministry’s call for schools
to develop different peaks of excellence, one of the school’s main objectives during the
re-strategizing exercise was to create ‘signature dishes’ which will provide a unique and
enriching educational experience for our pupils. With the emphasis on pupil-centricity, the
school realigned its focus and developed the following six strategic thrusts pertaining to
pupil outcomes: (i) Cognitive – Academic excellence; (ii) Cognitive – Self-directed learners;
(iii) Social, Moral and Morale – Leaders of good character with a sense of belonging to
school and nation; (iv) Leadership – Influential and strategic thinkers, who are innovative,
equipped with lifeskills and can lead by example; (v) Aesthetics – Appreciate and engage
in the aesthetics; (vi) Physical – Achieve excellence in water sports.
School Processes for Achieving Excellence in Water Sports
At Damai Secondary, we equip all pupils with basic water survival skills and water sports
lifeskills, and also provide specialized training for selected pupils in the water sports CCAs
(namely canoeing and dragonboat). Our water sports programme is also a platform for
character development and values inculcation. The school’s vision ‘Learning in Damai today,
growing to be leaders of tomorrow’ is realized through the pupils’ active participation and
learning of lifeskills in water sports, their purposeful contribution back to society through
community involvement projects, and their influence over future generations through role
modeling the values and attributes derived from their participation in water sports.
The school’s mission ‘We nurture our students to be committed, competent and compassionate
leaders’ is supported by the initiatives of the cohort 4-year structured water sports programme
which provides basic water sports skills training and values inculcation, the provision of
opportunities for pupils to participate actively in water sports beyond school hours, as
well as the provision of coaching resources to drive achievement in the canoeing and
dragonboat CCAs.
After the re-strategizing exercise at the end of 2008, the Achieving Excellence in Water
Sports initiative was piloted in 2009 with the Sec 1 Swimming, Sec 2 Kayak 1-Star and
Sec 3 Dragonboat Exposure programmes. The initiative has grown over the last four
years to also include Sec 4 Water Sports Electives, Inter-House Canoeing & Dragon Boat
competitions and also a Sec 3 CIP waterways cleanup project whereby pupils utilize their
kayaking skills to contribute back to society.
Pupil outcomes
Since the inception of the programme in 2009, the number of pupils participating in water
sports and percentage of the cohort achieving certification has increased over the years.
The percentage of pupils who have indicated satisfaction of the water sports programmes
offered has also been consistently above 75%.
Moving forward
With the achievement of the Niche Status, we will now be able to allocate even more
resources to develop character through the water sports programme. We will also seek
to enhance our partnerships with stakeholders such as parents and the community through
water sports exposure programmes, and with external stakeholders such as PUB and
Waterways Watch Society through collaborative efforts like the Water Ambassadors and
Waterways Clean-up Programmes.
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Values. Character. Leadership through SYF and Sports
Symphonic Band Exchange & Cultural
Immersion Programme in Japan
Miss Fiona Tay
In preparation for our SYF this year on 3 April 2013,
our band members had the opportunity to participate in
the Symphonic Band Exchange and Cultural Immersion
Programme 2012 in Japan, Osaka and Kyoto last December.
In this six-day learning journey, members were exposed to a
variety of playing techniques of their musical instruments, and
developed an appreciation for the Japanese culture. Besides
having a musical exchange with 2 Japanese high school
bands, our students also toured various attractions such as
the Osaka Museum of History, Uzumasa Movie Village, and
enjoyed a day at Universal Studios. It was an educational and
memorable trip which spurred our members to become better
musicians. Their hard work and perseverance has paid off
and the band was awarded the Certificate of Achievement
in this year’s SYF.
Modern Dance
Sofia Samadi, 4E2
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As the Chairperson of Modern Dance, I feel
privileged to have been a part of this year’s SYF.
Our practice sessions were undoubtedly tough but
all our hard work and sacrifices paid off on the big
day. We were really nervous but I told my dancers
to ‘relax, smile and most importantly to have fun!’
We gave it our all and danced like it was our last
performance. Although we stumbled along the
way, we had a blast and I am really proud that
our team gave our best and clinched the Certificate
of Accomplishment. Participating in the SYF was a
wonderful experience and I thank my teachers for
this unforgettable opportunity!
Ethnic Dance
Nursyafiqah Rosidi 4A2 and Nurul Lasyiliah 4E3
Our journey to SYF day was truly amazing. Despite the
intensive practices, we enjoyed every single moment with
our dance mates. This year’s contemporary piece was more
challenging as we had to learn to express the correct emotions
through our facial expressions and body language, in order to
tell the story. Thus, nothing can beat the joy we felt when we
were awarded ‘Distinction’ for our performance! Being part
of the team has taught us that there is no shortcut to success
and determination, commitment and discipline are important
values towards achieving our goal. We are going to miss
Ethnic Dance when we graduate!
National Inter-School Softball Championships
Bertrand Wee Ren Chong 4E1
The numbers were staring at us in the face. We were down with a score of 1-6. We needed
an overwhelming comeback to win the game. But we were undaunted even in the face
of such an adversary. With only the thoughts of winning in our heads, what seemed so
impossible became possible. The sound of metal striking leather echoed throughout the field
until finally, we won with the score of 8-6!
Winning is not everything for the Damai Softball Eagles Team. What is truly important is that
in everything we do, we give it our best and never give up. With the help of our Coach
and the teachers in-charge, the team tasted some successes as well as some setbacks
throughout 2013 playing in the School’s East Zone Softball Tournament and the School’s
National Softball Championship. The thing that we are most proud of is our undying will to
play and enjoy the game of Softball despite the odds. This trait has always been and will
always be passed on from generation to generation. This is what truly defines the Damai
Softball Eagles Team!
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Values. Character. Leadership through Acting and
Character Building
Pengalaman menceburi bidang Teater
Muhd Asyraf Arifin 3E3
Semasa ditawarkan untuk menyertai satu perkhemahan teater anjuran Universiti Nasional
Singapura (NUS), saya rasa begitu gembira kerana saya tahu ianya salah satu peluang
keemasan untuk meluaskan pengetahuan saya dalam bidang teater. Selepas dinobatkan
sebagai pelakon lelaki terbaik dalam peraduan Xpresi Citra pada tahun lepas,saya lebih
berminat dan tidak segan untuk berlakon depan khalayak ramai. Arif, rakan sekelas saya,
turut menunjuk minat dalam bidang lakonan dan menyertai perkhemahan itu juga.
Di perkhemahan itu,saya pelajari,semua perkara asas dalam bidang teater. Saya pelajari
bahawa sikap dedikasi komunikasi dan kerjasama itu amat penting.Semestinya, menerusi
perkhemahan itu saya berjumpa dengan ramai rakan yang baru.
Di akhir perkhemahan itu,setiap kumpulan akan mementaskan skrip yang diberikan kepada
mereka.Saya bangga dengan kumpulan saya kerana dapat mementaskan cerita yang agak
rumit,Hikayat Malim Deman.Dalam perkhemahan itu juga,saya dinobatkan sebagai pelakon
terbaik bersama dengan 11 pelajar dari sekolah-sekolah menengah di seluruh Singapura.
Selepas beberapa bulan, saya dipanggil untuk menyertai ujibakat Pentas Budaya , acara
tahunan yang dianjurkan oleh NUS. Saya lulus ujibakat tersebut dan sekarang saya salah
satu dari pelakon utama bagi Pentas Budaya 2013,sama juga dengan Arif. Semasa latihan
mingguan kami, kami akan ulang kaji cara untuk berlakon teater dengan baik. Sekarang
kami masih tekun berlatih lantas nantikan persembahan kami pada 28 dan 29 Jun ini di
Blackbox Theatre, United World College.
一位有爱心的同学
Fan Jihao, 2E1
灯火已暗淡，人群已散去，走廊一如往常的寂静，花岗石地板上横斜的几张碎纸片和尘埃絮结在一起。望着剥落的褪色墙
纸，我无言地叹息。
暮春三月，杨花如雪。那天日落时分，干燥的空气使人心中的仓皇如枯叶般易燃，斜照的夕阳射进褚红的光，燃起人们内心
的焦灼。
我俯伏在白色瓷砖拼接成的矮墙前，用胶带一点点把我的素描作品补好，画上遍布恶意损毁的痕迹，一个脚印横贯整张纸，
是我仿佛能看见某同学在玩伴的围绕下戏谑的飞起一脚，正踏在画的中央。我只是低头，不忍注视。
“在干什么？”身后传来了挑衅的声音，我向后斜瞥，发现四五个同学围着我放肆的笑。我还能做什么？我扯下一截胶带，
在手中搓捻着，装作没听见。“这黑白画破了就破了，还补什么补？”为首的语气轻佻，另有人附和：“我们要漫画。”我
将胶带抛开，站直盯着画纸的一角，愤怒已烧到了耳根。忽然那群人四散抛开，又将我的画团团围住，又极迅速地跑开，墙
上的画，已变作碎纸片在空中飘零。
一幅作品仿佛灵魂的一部分，我震怒了整个下午，心在绝望中挣扎，放学后我独自骑车进了那条深巷，回家的必经路。
昏暗的灯光在青石板小径上拉下我孤独的影子，我捡起一颗石子，向前方的黑暗中奋力掷去，一群麻雀嘈杂的乱飞。我忽然
看见前面的路灯下，有个人影，有些臃肿，脸色略显苍白，我将头压低，贴着墙想避开他的目光。“喏。”他极羞怯的支吾
让我不忍无视地走过，我从镜框边沿扫了他一眼，他便踌躇，脸因发窘而通红，在淡黄的灯光下有些发绿，“我……我很喜欢
你的画，我帮你补好了。”
我惊愕地凝视着他乌黑的瞳仁，对，我认识这双眼睛，当我在素描本上涂鸦时，正是这双眼睛顽皮的注视着我；当我感到自
卑而紧咬笔杆时，他给了我继续作画的信心；当我看着自己的作品被破坏而无能为力，欲哭无泪时，他又让我相信一切都会
好起来。这双眼睛始终在我视线内，始终在我需要时，给予帮助，而我却在意气风发时轻蔑地认为这只是欣赏我的好心陌生
人。
此时，画的一端握在他手里，而我攥着另一端，我本有机会对他说：“朋友，谢谢你。”但我却只拽过这粗糙的画纸，头也
不回地骑车离开了，消失在我平生见过最深的黑暗里，不知他看着我转瞬即逝的背影呆了多久，不知他微胖的身体承受了多
久湿热的风，我不知他是否可以原谅我，一如往常的欣赏我，一切的期盼，却都在小巷尽头幻灭了。
如果有机会，我可以实现我最迫切的梦想，我会回到那小巷深处，再见一次那位有爱心的同学。
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