October 2007 Archives

Problem-solving in Jurong Lake Park

October 31, 2007

Outdoor lessons make Science come alive for students at Jurong Secondary School.

Under the warm morning sun, the usual quiet of Jurong Lake Park was broken by groups of enthusiastic young scientists at work. Equipped with cameras, video cameras and notebooks, they recorded information such as the amount of dirt and rubbish at various locations in the park, to investigate the impact of human activities on the ecological system. These young scientists are Sec 1 students from Jurong Secondary School, whose school is located right across the park. Outdoor scientific investigation is just one of the many interesting learning activities that make up their Science lessons. It’s not just about test tubes and droppers either; these students were working in research groups like real-life scientists, using tablet PCs to search for and store information, and getting the most out of their online discussions.

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Power to Your Project

October 30, 2007

Project Work teacher Mr Heng Kai Le with some of his students.

Project Work (PW) is part and parcel of the junior college and pre-university curriculum, but often it marks the very first time many students encounter a formal subject in which they have to collaborate with their peers on a research project. Thus, PW may seem daunting to some at first. However, my experience at Yishun Junior College has proven that it doesn’t have to be. With proper preparation and the right mindset, PW is in fact a great avenue to develop the personal values that will serve students well in the task of conducting thorough research and managing conflicts or differences in opinion with their peers.

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Travel Blog Keeps Parents in Touch

October 29, 2007

Blog updates enabled parents of Rivervale Primary School pupils to “follow” them around on their overseas trip to Kuching.

To our pupils at Rivervale Primary School and their peers, blogging is nothing new. But Jasmine and her schoolmates still got a real kick out of hearing from their families while they were on a school trip to Kuching, Sarawak. For their families, our school’s travel blog was a novel and convenient way to be assured of their children’s whereabouts overseas.

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Ready, Aim, Draw!

October 26, 2007

Heroes or zeros? Provocative cartoons prompted in-depth discussions on how historical events were perceived by different people.

Angry chanting of slogans, protests and scenes of torture and unbridled fear; the distinctive red-and-white Japanese flag is raised, and the equally recognisable red-and-blue British flag is angrily torn down and stomped upon. Thankfully, these are only scenes from the political cartoons produced by students from Catholic High School as part of an investigation into Japanese wartime propaganda. Blending Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with political cartoons, History teacher Miss Thian Wan Eng has energised the process of exploring and experiencing the lives of peoples from another age.

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Switching To A Faster Lane for Mid-Career Teachers

October 24, 2007

Mdm Norlizan switched from nursing to teaching as she wanted to make a difference.

Mr Ng Teng Joo was a civil engineer. Mr Vincent Lim used to be a corporate banker. Mdm Norlizan Binte Ahmat's first job was as a nurse. What unites these and nearly 6,600 other professionals, who at first glance have little in common? At some point in their former careers, they all seized the day and went into the world of teaching.

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Look Out for Singapore’s Very Own Boarding Schools

October 22, 2007

New boarding school programmes will give students more opportunities to develop teamwork and learn outside the classroom.

There won’t be any Sorting Hat or any Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. But the magic and charm of life in boarding school is on its way to becoming a reality for students at five Integrated Programme (IP) institutions. Come 2008-2009, they’ll be the first to enjoy new programmes that will turn school life into a daily adventure. Boarding schools won’t just be hostels for a stay away from home. From the camaraderie of inter-hall games to musical drama productions, there’ll be a host of lively opportunities for students to get out of their rooms, pick up new skills and interact with fellow boarders from different backgrounds and countries. And it isn’t necessarily all just fun and games.

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New Pickings Galore on the Normal Course Menu

October 19, 2007

New learning experiences are in store for students in the Normal course.

Sec 2 N(A) students at Si Ling Secondary School use tablet PCs and software manipulation tools in an ICT-enhanced Interactive Mathematics programme, turning a basic subject into an extraordinary experience. Meanwhile, students at Shuqun Secondary School are discovering how different machines work using an e-learning portal. They then apply this knowledge to real-life situations, such as combining two simple machines to create a new device for a games booth at the school’s National Day Carnival.

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Students Steal the sCene with a Festival of New Media Arts

October 17, 2007

Students get hands-on media skills at sCene 3.

What would you say if someone offered you the chance to learn new media skills from the professionals, create your own digital production, and be an advocate for your chosen charity at the same time? Over 160 secondary school students said yes - and what an exciting learning journey it turned out to be!

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Choosing the Right Secondary School

October 15, 2007

Secondary schools offer diverse programmes for students with different talents.

Still remember your child’s first day in primary school? Maybe you were initially worried about his ability to cope, then as he settled in, you began looking forward to his many firsts: first exam, first report card, first overnight camp, first school performance, first full marks for a test the list goes on. But before you know it, he’s waving goodbye to six years of primary education and moving on to a secondary school. As your child faces this new milestone, you must be eager to find a school that will continue to nurture and bring out the best in him. Short of gazing into a crystal ball, here are some things you can think about while deciding which six secondary schools you will choose in the coming Sec 1 posting exercise.

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Preparing and Supporting Your Child in Primary School

October 12, 2007

Primary school can be a fun learning experience.

Entering primary school is a milestone for many children. It marks the beginning of their formal education and can be a huge leap from the more relaxed setting of a kindergarten or pre-school. For some children, this change can be scary, especially on their first day in a big school building surrounded by unfamiliar faces. What can you, as a parent, do to reduce the level of anxiety and stress for your child and make it a pleasant and happy experience?

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Choosing the Right Primary School

October 10, 2007

The right primary school environment can help a child take his interests and talents even further.

How do you choose a suitable primary school for your child? Before you decide to pour in 40 hours of voluntary service, here are some other factors you could consider to help you in choosing a school that best fits your child.

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Tamil Website a Hit with Pupils

October 8, 2007

Colourful graphics welcome students to the Namnaadi website.

“Can everyone win a prize please? “How about different prizes? We’ve had the same one for two months already!” Feedback like this has kept MOE Tamil language website Namnaadi buzzing since its new look was launched in May this year. It has a huge following among its target audience of Pri 4 to Pri 6 pupils, while teachers have asked that the interactive games section be updated only bi-monthly instead of monthly, so that their pupils have more time to enjoy each game before a new one takes its place.

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More than Just a Taste of Racial Harmony

October 5, 2007

One of the three winning dance teams from Katong Convent performed a fusion dance.

Hungry? Walk into any food court or hawker centre and more likely than not, you’ll have a wide variety of food readily available - Chinese, Malay, Indian or even international cuisine - thanks to the presence of the different races in our country. Being multi-racial has no doubt brought a whole slew of gastronomic delights, much to the glee of our food-loving nation, and being multi-religious has seen us experience a myriad of fascinating festivals and celebrations (and more public holidays!). However, these ingredients that have made our country more interesting and colourful could also be the very ingredients for a destructive brew.

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University Education for 1 in 3 Students by 2015

October 3, 2007

Liberal arts training, specialised programmes or technical skills - the jury is still out on the exact nature of Singapore’s fourth publicly-funded university, and possibly a fifth. But the good news is, Singaporeans can now look forward to more university places, more universities, and a broader range of courses to choose from.

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Mastering a Third Tongue for a Regional Outlook

October 1, 2007

Malay and Bahasa Indonesia - these are two languages that we may hear more students speaking in the near future. At the National Day Rally 2007, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke about how Singaporeans need to equip themselves early with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage regional and global counterparts. In particular, Singaporeans should make the effort to learn Malay and Bahasa Indonesia to better understand our neighbours and seize the opportunities available in the region.

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