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Ang Mo KioSecondary SchoolIssue 1 MAY 2014

“AMKSS Family Day” is an annual event organized by the school. We will be able to interact in a more informal setting with our teachers, friends and even invite our family members to join us on this joyous day. This year, the event was held at Tanjong Beach on Sentosa Island. There were exciting events such as beach soccer, dodge ball and the highlight of the day was the telematch!

For the telematch, we had to form a team together with our form teachers to complete a series of challenges such as piggy-bagging a classmate from point A to point B, forming a wheelbarrow with a partner, forming a chain with hula-hoops and putting together the words “AMksians As One” at the last station. The team which managed to emerge the champion for the upper sec group was class 3/4. One of the members of the team Aceson Han commented, “The telematch not only encouraged all the participants to work together as a team but also promotes class spirit as many of my classmates were seen cheering for the participants. It was a great moment when we managed to reach the finishing line and clinch the top position.”

The emcees of the day were Miss Jasvir Kaur and Mr Daniel Lim. Although it was their first attempt at hosting a school event, they did a fantastic job with their humourous commentaries on the different games. The sec 2 classes played an exciting game of beach soccer. It was a very close match between 2/1 and 2A but finally 2/1 won with a score of 1-0. The referee for the game, Mr Ridhwan said, “Both teams were very good. 2/1 made use of their chances very well.”

Alumni of the school also came back to enjoy the lively atmosphere and relive their secondary school days. Miss Izzah Ibrahim, who graduated in 2011 said, “Wow, the Family Day Celebration is getting more and more fun every year. I don’t mind coming back next year if it’s going to be as exciting!”

It was definitely a fun and fulfilling day for all of us and we look forward to the next Family Day!

By Toh Rui Fang and Lim Jen Hui 3/4

AMKSS Family Day

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AMKSS’ Alumni Gathering “The Green Party 2014” organised by Mdm Yeo Leng, Mdm Ng Kae Pheng, Miss Tan Hui Teng and Miss Ang Xiu Qin was held on the 28th of March. On this night, alumni who graduated as recently as 2013 and all the way back to 1979 were invited to come back to AMKSS to celebrate the school’s 35th Anniversary together as a family. This was a good platform for the alumni to relive the fond memories of being a student here in AMKSS. This night was also an opportunity for ex-staff and students to reunite after many years. Many had gone on to pursue different paths in life. Those who attended were impressed by the elaborate decorations and displays put up for this special event.

At around 6.30 pm, the guests gradually streamed into the school’s compound and registered at the reception desk. They were then ushered by the student councillors to their seats. At 7.30pm, our Principal, Mr Abdul Mannan, officially opened the event by giving a heartwarming speech to welcome the ex-AMKsians and ex-staff back. After which, the dinner commenced. During the dinner, many performances were put up to entertain the guests. The students from the various performing arts CCAs such as our school’s Jazz

Band, Contemporary Dance Club, Choir, Malay Dance and even our Uniformed Group, NCC Land Precision Drills Squad put up exciting performances. There was also a special item performed by our alumni Shuai Hua and Keidi, who graduated from AMKSS in 2013. All the performances were very well-received and captured the attention of the guests throughout the dinner.

There were many interesting activities such as the lucky dip where attractive prizes could be won as well as a photo booth for guests to take pictures together. The photographs were printed on the spot and given to the guests as a keepsake of that memorable night. Goodie bags were also handed out to the guests that night as a door gift.

The atmosphere throughout the night was very lively and warm. It was a night of nostalgia - people re-connected almost instantaneously as they reminisced about the good old days. One alumna who is currently teaching in her alma mater, Mrs Jocelyn Luei commented, “I feel very familiar with the place and it is like coming back to my family”.

“The Green Party 2014”Alumni Night

By Cheryl Ong 3/4

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Chinese New Year is an event celebrated by most Chinese in Singapore. It is an important festival that brings together families, friends and the community. In AMKSS, we usually welcome the start of Chinese New Year by organizing a series of events and this year, it is no exception.

First of all, we started with an interesting hands-on activity. A few of our classmates who had attended a training session on ‘Creating a Chinese knot’ taught us how to do it . After we had successfully created our Chinese Knot, we exchanged it with other classmates. The word “knot” in Chinese, means reunion, friendliness, warmth, and love. The word when spoken in Mandarin, sounds much like the word that means anything auspicious, including, wealth, happiness, longevity, health and peace.

After that, we proceeded to the parade square for performances put up by the Contemporary Dance Club and the school choir. Our guests from the Overseas Family School also put up a music performance that really impressed the audience. We also witnessed the lion dance performance! One student Daren Tok from class 3/4 commented, “The Chinese New Year performance is a memorable one and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. The dance put up by the modern dance group definitely hyped up all the students.”

Overall, I believe that everyone had a great time watching all these exciting performances and we look forward to the Chinese New Year celebrations in 2015!

Chinese New Year Celebrations By Toh Rui Fang 3/4

“The Green Party 2014”

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On 29th January 2014, 20 students from the Overseas Family School arrived in AMKSS for a 2-Day exchange programme. After being given a short presentation about AMKSS and Singapore education system, the OFS students were introduced to their buddies who are students from the AMKsian Scholar Programme.

Their first lesson in AMKSS was Home Economics and so they were taken to the Home Economics room for dumpling making. They had to marinate, wrap and cook the dumpling together with their AMKSS buddies. Although the students from both schools had just got to know one another, they soon let go of their initial inhibitions. During this activity, everyone had a lot of fun ‘cooking up a storm’ and smiles could be seen on everyone’s face.

After their dish was completed, it was time to have a taste of their dish! The group proceeded to the canteen for recess. While sampling their creation and eating food purchased from the canteen, students from both schools took the opportunity to find out more about one another and it was definitely a fun bonding session for everyone.

Next, the students went to the Design &Technology room to have some hands-on activities. The task was to make an acrylic photo frame. It was a novel experience for the OFS students and they were worked on their product enthusiastically. They learnt how to melt, bend and polish their work and at the end of the session, as they looked at their finished products, there was a palpable sense of accomplishment on their faces.

On the second day of the exchange programme, AMKSS celebrated the Chinese New Year with much aplomb. The OFS students joined their buddies in the classrooms and learnt the traditional craft of Chinese flower knot making. The students from both schools enjoyed the various performances put up by the performing arts CCAs, contemporary dance, choir as well as a 3-member band from OFS. Afterwards, there was a ‘Lo Hei’ session and an exchange of token of appreciation between both schools. This event has allowed the students from OFS to experience life in a local school and forge close ties with their counterparts in AMKSS.

AMKSS - Overseas Family School (OFS)

By Teo Kia Joo and Cheryl Ong 3/4

Exchange Programme

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The visit to the Overseas Family School (OFS) was certainly an eye-opener. When the High School Principal, Ms Bentin, gave us a brief overview of the school, I was quite surprised to know that there are over 3000 students in the whole of OFS, from kindergarten to high school. We were also given an overview of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, which is equivalent to the A levels. It made me realise that the systems in schools can be vastly different, even if they are schools in Singapore. One marked difference between AMKSS and OFS is that the students in OFS have to move to different classrooms for different subjects instead of their teachers coming to them.

During the PE lesson that we attended together with our buddies, we found out that the PE department in OFS not only focuses on teaching the students how to play sports but also on teamwork and communication through various activities. For instance, during the first activity, we all had to shut our eyes and tried to form a shape with the rope that we had. The second activity had us trying to move in-sync with each other by moving our legs together in order to move the wooden board forward in the shortest time.

Finally, the visit to OFS ended with the ‘Open Mic’ session. To me, the ‘Open Mic’ session is an excellent platform for students and staff of OFS to showcase their musical talent. It was a rather informal session so there was a sense of warmth and closeness to it. There was an array of performances put up by the OFS students and staff and what really struck me was how spontaneous and encouraging everyone was. The last performance put up by group of students was a medley of songs and it was truly mesmerizing!

Overall, the visit to OFS gave me an opportunity to take part in some activities and lessons which I would otherwise never have experienced. It has given me a new perspective of school life.

By Matthew Yeo 3/4

A visit to Overseas Family School

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This year’s Junior Show was held on the 8th of April. Unlike past years, where the exhibition of the students’ work was held in the Arts Room and workshops, this year, the entire exhibition was held in the hall. Different areas of the hall were sectioned off to display works of the different levels. One area was designated for artwork display, while others showcased the students’ projects for Design and Technology.

The secondary 2 students were tasked to create a toy boat and the exhibition displayed their design journals and their final artefact. A new segment included this year was the toy boat race. A portable pool was placed in a corner of the hall and in groups of 3, the students competed against each other to find out whose boat was the fastest. It was an entertaining scene as the spectators cheered and laughed when the boats raced forward only to stop half way and veered off course and the respective designers desperately attempted to direct their own boats.

Lam Jia Yi from class 22, who won the Creative Innovation Boat Award, said, “I learned to use the machines in the workshop to cut the wood and put in my best effort. I am satisfied with my results.”

Amos Lim from class 24 who won the Creative Aesthetic Award gave credit to his D & T teachers for his win. “My D & T teachers, particularly Mr Wilson Koh, were very helpful, patient and encouraging. I really enjoyed the practical lessons. I hope to create products that will be recognised by everyone!”

Over at the Food and Nutrition corner, the Secondary One students introduced their projects with informative power slides and posters. Ng Ai Jia and Nellie Ng from class 11 won for Best Teamwork. Ai Jia said, “I think we won this award because the cooperation between my partner and I was very good. I am very happy!” Parents who came to view the exhibition and support their children were also impressed by the quality of the work. Mrs Ng, whose son is in 2A said, “I see him putingt in a lot of effort in this art work. The art pieces on display are so good that I can’t decide which to vote for.”

Overall, the Junior Show was a huge success!

Junior Show 2014

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I had the opportunity to participate in the International Exchange Programme to New Zealand. It was a privilege to be able to embark on this trip. It exposed me to so much more than I could ever have been to the operations of the Artillery profession of the SAF. It also allowed me to forge new friendships and experience so many new things.

We were thrust right into the heart of the action when we travelled to the large open spaces to see the artillery unit up close and personal. My interest in the SAF was definitely piqued as the mysteries of the artillery were unearthed. Other than learning about the SAF, I was also better able to appreciate the symbiotic relationship between Singapore and the New Zealand defense forces. Without the space provided at Waiouru Camp, it would have been difficult for the SAF to find space to train and conduct Exercise Thunderwarrior. The operations also caused me to value our bond with our partners in New Zealand more.

Other than that, I managed to make many new friends and have fun during our free times. The weather was also cooling and comfortable which was just nice for outdoor games. Another valuable experience was white water rafting. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and unforgettable experience as we also learnt to work as a team. The exhilarating sensation of rumbling over rough currents and working as one with my team will stay with me forever.

To end off, learning was the main activity of this trip; learning from experience, learning from friends and learning from the professionals. But it was everyone’s adventurous spirit and sense of curiosity that made the trip extraordinary.

By Marcus Tan 4/1

International Exchange Programme to New Zealand Exercise Thunderwarrior

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Antara Program Dwi minggu Bahasa dan Budaya Melayu yang telah dianjurkan untuk para pelajar ialah Bengkel Gamelan, Bengkel Gerak Tangkas dan Gerak Seni. Bengkel-bengkel yang dianjurkan oleh Unit Bahasa Melayu Sekolah Menengah Ang Mo Kio memberi kesempatan kepada para pelajar mempelajari budaya Melayu dengan lebih mendalam. Bengkel-bengkel ini bukan hanya khusus untuk pelajar Melayu, malahan ia juga terbuka untuk pelajar bangsa lain yang mahu mengenali budaya Melayu.

Bengkel Gamelan mengajar para peserta untuk lebih mengenali dan menghargai muzik tradisional yang jarang dipelajari di sekolah. Bengkel Gerak Tangkas pula mengajar para peserta cara bela diri masyarakat Melayu, iaitu seni silat yang boleh dimanfaatkan dalam kehidupan seharian kita. Peserta Bengkel Gerak Tangkas dibimbing oleh salah seorang pesilat negara, Encik Muhd. Imran Abdul Rahman. Sungguh bertuah pelajar-pelajar kita, ya?

Para pelajar yang menghadiri Bengkel Gerak Seni pula telah diajar gerak tari tradisional Melayu. Bengkel ini dikendalikan oleh seorang pereka tari profesional iaitu Encik Rizman Kassim. Seni persembahan tari memerlukan koordinasi seluruh badan. Para peserta telah berjaya menguasai gerak-gerak tersebut dalam hanya beberapa jam sahaja. Syabas!

Oleh Haikal Fikri (Menengah 4/4)Budaya Melayu 2014

Program Dwi Minggu Bahasa &

Melalui bengkel-bengkel ini, para pelajar akan lebih menghargai budaya dan menyedari kepentingan melestarikan budaya Melayu. Selain itu, mereka juga dapat menimba pengalaman baharu; dengan mencuba alat-alat gamelan yang berbeza dan gerak-geri silat serta tarian. Sebagai juru kamera, saya rasa kesemua bengkel ini amat bermanfaat dan berguna untuk pelajar. Jarang sekali para pelajar berpeluang untuk mempelajari budaya tradisional kami kerana sibuk dengan pelajaran, kelas tambahan dan aktiviti seharian. Kebanyakan pelajar juga menganggap bahawa bengkel-bengkel ini amat berfaedah. Muhammad Arsyad daripada kelas 3A2 mengaku bahawa bengkel silat yang dihadirinya amat berfaedah kerana ia boleh digunakan sewaktu kecemasan. Dia turut berpendapat bahawa jangka bengkel silat tersebut boleh dipanjangkan supaya para peserta boleh mempelajari gerak silat dengan lebih mendalam lagi.

Pada 28 Mac 2014, Program Dwi minggu Bahasa dan Budaya berakhir dengan Acara Kemuncak. Acara Kemuncak ini ialah anjuran gabungan Unit Bahasa Cina dan Unit Bahasa Melayu. Pemenang Bintang anugerah, pasukan Drama Tekad dan pelajar-pelajar Cina turut membuat persembahan pada hari tersebut. Acara pada hari itu amat menghiburkan. Setelah itu, para pelajar dapat mencuba jamuan ringan ‘Makanan Etnik Singapura’. Makanan tahun ini berbeza daripada tahun-tahun sebelumnya. Setiap pelajar diberi roti kirai, kuih lapis dan murukku. Mohammad Adli daripada kelas 4/3 berpendapat bahawa makanan yang diberi tidak selazat dan sebanyak tahun lepas. Pengalaman memakan Nasi Ambeng pada tahun-tahun yang lalu tetap menjadi pilihan pelajar.

Sebagai wartawan dan juru gambar bagi Program Dwi minggu Bahasa dan Budaya ini, saya akur bahawa program-program yang telah dianjurkan amat menarik. Sedih rasanya kerana tahun ini tahun terakhir saya menyertai program tersebut. Saya harap akan ada lebih banyak program dan aktiviti pilihan yang lebih menarik yang akan dianjurkan untuk para pelajar Sekolah Menengah Ang Mo Kio pada tahun-tahun akan datang.

(10 Mac 2014 – 28 Mac 2014)Unit Bahasa Melayu

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“Saya telah menyertai pameran yang dikendalikan oleh para pelajar Menengah 2 dan 3. Pameran mereka sungguh menarik kerana terdapat permainan yang menarik seperti congkak, batu seremban dan lain-lain lagi. Setelah bermain permainan yang disediakan, kami mendapat habuan yang lumayan iaitu lontong serondeng dan air batu Malaysia.”

Qiara Athirah Nur Jannah (4B) mengenai Galeri Permainan Budaya Melayu

“Penglibatan saya dalam Program Drama TEKAD telah memberi saya peluang untuk berjinak-jinak dalam drama dan Sastera Melayu. Saya juga belajar tentang kepentingan lontaran suara dan intonasi ketika membuat sesuatu persembahan.”

Muhammad Hakim Mohd Yusoff (4/2) mengenai Program Drama TEKAD

“Pada mulanya saya berasa risau dan gelisah kerana hendak mengelakkan kesilapan sewaktu menjadi pengacara pada Acara Kemuncak. Walau bagaimanapun setelah banyak berlatih, saya berasa lebih yakin dan dapat mengacara dengan baik.”

Bukhari Isa (3/2) mengenai pengalaman menjadi pengacara

“Saya suka makanan etnik yang disediakan selepas Acara Kemuncak. Saya dapat menikmati roti kirai, kuih lapis dan murukku. Kami makan bersama-sama dan dapat mengeratkan persahabatan kami terutama sekali kerana ini ialah tahun terakhir saya di sekolah ini.”

Fasihah Mohmad Azhar (4/3)mengenai Makanan Etnik Singapura

“Suasana Acara Kemuncak yang diadakan pada hari terakhir amat meriah. Saya berasa bangga memakai baju kurung bersama rakan-rakan yang lain. Saya juga amat terhibur menonton nyanyian ‘Pop Yeh Yeh’ oleh peserta Bintang Anugerah.”

Nurul A’fifah Azmi (4/3) mengenai Persembahan Acara Kemuncak

“Aktiviti Plot Spontan yang dijalankan di dalam kelas melatih minda saya untuk berfikir pantas ketika menjana idea dan menyambung cerita dalam masa terhad. Walaupun mencabar, aktiviti kumpulan ini menarik dan sangat menyeronokkan!”

Nuriqqah Abdul Majid (4/4) mengenai aktiviti kelas Plot Spontan

“Saya berpeluang untuk mengambil bahagian dalam Bengkel Gerak Tangkas. Saya dapat mempelajari seni silat mempertahankan diri dan seni silat pengantin. Bengkel ini mengajar saya tentang budaya orang Melayu dan pentingnya berbaik dengan orang lain.”

Siti Hannah Bte Md Noor (4A2) mengenai Bengkel Gerak Tangkas

Sembang-sembang tentang Aktiviti Dwi-Minggu Bahasa & Budaya...

BERITA HANGAT!Sekumpulan pelajar melayu Sekolah Menengah Ang Mo Kio telah mewakili sekolah dalam satu Pertandingan Drama

‘BLACKARENA’ anjuran Kumpulan Celik dengan kerjasama MAEC dan disokong MLLPC pada 15 Mac yang lalu.Pertandingan ini diadakan untuk memanfaatkan teks sastera TEKAD yang sudah sedia ada dan mengaplikasikan teknik

kesusasteraan, mengekalkan kerelevanan sastera dan menyemarakkan minat generasi muda dalam dunia sastera Melayu di Singapura.

Tahniah kepada Nur Atiqah Juma'at (1B) , Nur Nathalia Abdullah (2C), Muhammad Salihin Sulaiman (3B), Muhammad Hakim Mohd Yusoff (4/2),

Mohammad Qalifa Munir (4/3), Muhammad Adli Sanif (4/3) dan Norhazirah Ruba'ee (4A2) kerana telah mara ke peringkat akhir yang akan berlangsung pada 19 April 2014. Mereka akan berentap bersama empat buah pasukan lain untuk

merebut gelaran JUARA. Semoga berjaya!

Nantikan keputusan dan laporan tentang pertandingan ini pada edisi akan datang!

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母语双周 Fusion

2014年3月10日，我校迎来了一年一度的母语双周。为了配合这个特殊的节日，学校母语部主办了一系列既有趣又有意义的活动。中一的亲子阅读活动不仅促进了学生和家长的亲子关系，也扩大了学生的阅读量。中一生还踏上了学习之旅，他们去了历史悠久的新加坡河，一条早期为新加坡的发展做出重大贡献的河，参观了许多富有纪念性的标志和建筑，这次的旅途教会了他们饮水思源。而京剧的演说和示范让中二学生们更了解华族的传统文化，并被其魅力所深深吸引。另外，学校还请来了实践剧场的演员们为中三生表演了《童年不同年》的短剧，沿用时下最流行的穿越题材，成功吸引了同学们的目光。《与棋会友》让象棋爱好者互相切磋棋艺，认识志同道合的朋友，争夺棋王之位。而一直备受瞩目的《茂桥好声音》也提供给同学们一展歌喉的机会，发掘茂桥中学里具备歌唱才华的学生。

要学好一门语言不仅要多听多说多写，大量阅读也是极其重要的。学校的华语部门就是深谙此理，所以每周三都有订阅《联合

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早报》和学生报《逗号》给学生们看。为了给学生们提供一个活学活用母语的环境，学校母语部门举办了“《逗号》难不倒”知识竞赛让学生们参加。每个中四班都会派出三个代表来参赛，而剩下的同学则见证了比赛的过程。竞赛的题目范围很广，除了要学生解释词语和成语，还考学生有关华族文化、时事以及体育方面的知识。“成语‘负荆请罪’的‘荆’指的是什么？”要是没有读过这个历史故事的人一定不会知晓答案。由于抢答这道题的组员不甚了解这个成语的来历，于是他们毫不犹豫的选择了现场支援。最终他们班上的一个同学说出了正确的答案。原来这是赵国名将廉颇因为一时不服气赵国谋士蔺相如靠智慧得到的官职比劳苦功高的他大，而扬言要当面羞辱蔺相如，却在得知蔺相如心胸宽广的一番话后感到羞愧，于是脱去上衣，背着荆条，去蔺相如的门前请罪的故事。受访学生黄欣恩说：“没想到仅四个字的成语背后竟然有一个意义深远的故事，这让人不禁感叹于中华文化的博大精深。”

3月28日是母语双周的闭幕式，也是母语双周中全部比赛的颁奖仪式，学校特意邀请了前任的母语部高华主任王翠兰女士回到学校作为颁奖嘉宾。今年《茂桥达人秀》华语团体组的冠军是来自41班的赖思言和王嘉夕。她们把周杰伦的歌《七里香》改编成她们自己的演唱歌曲《花香》，评委都对她们改过的歌词赞赏有加。赖思言说：“参加这次的比赛让我受益良多。从一开始抱着好玩的心情到最后全力以赴的去比赛，这整个过程都让我很享受。通过这次比赛我还跟嘉夕建立起了更深厚的友谊，一起选歌改歌词，还和别的参赛者也当上了朋友，所以我十分珍惜这次的经历。虽然明年没有机会参加母语双周了，但是我坚信明年的参赛者一定会和我一样受益匪浅。”现任母语部主任陈水銮老师说：“母语双周中的所有活动都是希望学生们在玩乐的同时也学会如何好好使用华语，达到“乐学善用”的最终目的。”在热烈的掌声中，2014年茂桥中学母语双周终于落下帷幕。

12a touche design production @ 6659 1876

A PRODUCTION OF THE INFOCOMM MEDIA CLUBAdvisors: Mr Abdul Mannan, Mdm Tong Wai Han and Mdm Amy Ng

Teacher Editor: Mdm Komathi and Mr Pang Han TongTeacher-in-charge: Miss Tan Chui Ling

Student Reporters: Toh Rui Fang 3/4, Lim Jen Hui 3/4, Cheryl Ong 3/4, Matthew Yeo 3/4, Marcus Tan 4/1Student Photographer: Toh Wei Jun 4C

This year, the Staff Welfare Committee organised a series of bonding activities such as badminton games, yoga and charades. The staff had fun bonding with each other over the friendly matches and games. Let’s have a look at the good times they had!

Staff Welfare Activities

BadmintonYoga

Charades