Concern for the community is rooted in Xingnan’s beginnings as a school set up by village leaders to educate poor children.

A culture of care and concern

"Compassion" and "A Spirit To Serve" form part of Xingnan’s core values and vision. “’Continuing a Culture of Care and Concern’” is the first of five strategic thrusts of the school,” says Principal Mr Gau Poh Teck. “We strongly believe that this aspect of the school culture that has lasted 75 years should be sustained as it provides the nurturing environment necessary to support the holistic development of the pupils.”

Stakeholders such as the School Advisory Committee and the Parent Support Group (PSG) also actively raise funds for pupils in need. They have helped realise initiatives that remind as well as further Xingnan’s ethos of care, such as a school museum and life-sciences laboratory. The PSG also gives academic awards to deserving pupils each year.

A team of counsellors also offer their time and empathy in intervention programmes for pupils facing emotional or behavioural issues. Reaching out further to students with troubled families is a STEP-UP Programme (conducted with the Whispering Hearts Family Service Centre and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports) that teaches life skills such as dealing with negative feelings, managing anger and avoiding conflict. The Programme is an integral part of the school’s weekly timetable.

Ms Vicky’s daring move to shave her head helped students at Xingnan identify with the plight of children with cancer.

Losing hair to give hope

This sense of duty and care is clearly contagious. For adjunct teacher Ms Vigneswari d/o Thilgarajan Suppiah (known as “Ms Vicky” to her students), shaving off her locks for the Hair For Hope campaign was an act of solidarity with children suffering from cancer. Organised by the Singapore Children’s Cancer Foundation, the campaign seeks to encourage children undergoing and experiencing the side-effects of chemotherapy that they are not alone in this fight.

Although many heads did turn when she turned up with a bald head, Ms Vicky does not see her choice as a very big sacrifice. “I feel that I am truly blessed to be what I am today, and that I need to do my part for the children who are not as fortunate as others,” she said. “It is like icing on the cake when my Principal gave me his blessings too.”

“Every teacher needs to be an influential model of values,” remarked Mr Gau of Ms Vicky’s heart for the children. “I am happy to support Vicky in her decision as I feel that our pupils, too, have much to learn from her meaningful gesture.” These words rang true as during one assembly, the hall fell silent while Ms Vicky explained to pupils how her action offers comfort to cancer-stricken children.

For steadfastly helping his wheelchair-bound classmate, Derek Ting received the Friend of Singa Award from Xingnan Primary School’s Vice-Principal Ms Chan Yan Hoon.

Meanwhile, Derek Ting, a Primary 6 pupil, was presented the Friend of Singa Award for going the extra mile to help a wheelchair-bound classmate. Knowing that his friend needed someone to wheel him to school and back home, Derek took on that responsibility everyday. His selfless act touched the hearts of many teachers. When he was short-listed to receive the award, Derek told his teacher that he was reluctant to receive it as he had helped his friend without expecting anything in return.

Another pupil, Tien Zhi Jun, collected aluminium cans and made artworks. These creations were sold to fellow pupils and teachers and the proceeds given to the family of a classmate who was in need.

Derek and Zhi Jun are just two examples of how pupils have imbibed Xingnan’s culture of care. “They show the way for the rest and their acts of kindness give us the confidence that our life skills programme has reached out to the pupils in the right way,” concludes Mdm S. Seetha, Xingnan’s Head of Pupil Development Department.

Contributed by:
Faridah Beham
Teacher
Xingnan Primary School