From the Principal’s Desk - Hougang Secondary School. Quicklinks... · 2016-01-25 · Airport...

2 Hougang Street 93 Singapore 534256 Tel: 63851990 Email: :[email protected]

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Parents,

I hope you have had a good time bonding with your children during their June school holiday. In this issue of Parent's Connect, I would like to encourage you to continue to partner the school through "GRC Star - Superhero at Home", one of our school’s signature programmes to develop Grateful, Respectful and Compassionate students in HS. This year, our school has been encouraging our students to help their parents to do housework in any of the following ways:

Ironing the family's clothing – Ironman Cleaning the spider webs at the corners of their home - Spiderman

Vision: Grateful Children, Respectful Pupils, Compassionate Citizens.

Mission: Care. Lead. Inspire. Partner. (CLIP) Values: Gratitude, Respect, Compassion.

HS PC 2015 Issue 3


Fixing broken things at home - Thor Help their parents to carry heavy bags home from the supermarket or wet market - Hulk

Shield the family from shame and blame by being a good student in school and in the community - Captain America You can partner the school by constantly providing opportunities for your children to help you in your housework and to affirm and appreciate them when they have done so. I look forward to receiving good reports from you with regards to your children becoming a superhero at home. Thank you.

Mr Ng Tiong Nam Principal Hougang Secondary School


Strategic Thrust 1: Achieving Academic Excellence 1.1 LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM @ HS

In HS, we believe in creating experiences beyond the classroom that will greatly enhance the learning of our students. Besides helping our students see the relevance of what they have learnt during normal lessons, these activities also aim to cultivate their interest in the learning of various disciplines and developing in them thinking skills and a good learning attitude. During the first half of 2015, a range of activities spanning across disciplines, levels and streams were organised for Hougeans.

Mathematics Programme Level Dates

Secondary One Math Trail @ Changi Airport

As a post-exam activity, all Sec 1 students went on a Maths Trail At Changi

Airport Terminal 3 to explore application of Maths in their everyday life.

All Sec

1

19, 20

May

2015


Power of collaborative learning – we work together and resolve differences in a

highly competitive setting.

Mathsmagic @ HS

Sec 2 students, guided by their Maths Teachers, discover how magic tricks can be explained using Maths concepts.

All Sec 2

27 May

2015


Humanities Programme Level Dates

KITE FLYING @ MARINA BARRAGE

By learning about the operations of the Marina Barrage, our students

understood the importance of continuous development in maintaining

Singapore's water supply.

Sec 4

15 Apr,

22 Apr

Interdisciplinary Programme Level Dates

SCITECHUMATICS (SCIENCE, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY,

HUMANITIES AND MATHEMATICS)

Through SciTechHuMatics, students learnt how to integrate classroom

learning across different subjects into different challenges, presented

in a fun and engaging manner.

Sec 3

15 Apr


Science Programme Level Dates

NUS Outreach Programme – NUS Demo Lab

Students participated in a programme organized by NUS Science

Faculty, NUS Demo Lab Programme II where they explored physics

concepts in the design of toys and were brought on a Lab Tour.

Sec

2E

25 May

2015

Nurturing Every Student’s Talent (NesT) Programme Level Dates

Our NT students applied what they have learnt about force and momentum

by creating their own model roller-coaster, after watching a roller-coaster

ride at Universal Studios.

Sec 1

& 2 NT

22 June

2015


Strategic Thrust 2: Cultivating Character Excellence

2.1 CCA ACHIEVEMENTS

PHYSICAL SPORTS

49TH SSSC NATIONAL INTER-SCHOOL JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS

TEAM EVENT

C Division Girls 2nd

INDIVIDUAL EVENT

C Division Boys (Extra Light Weight) Adrian Heng 3rd

C Division Girls (Middle Weight) Alicia Shufen 1st

B Division Girls (Middle Weight) Sheriyl Chai Hui Tong 3rd

C Division Girls (Light Weight) Kohwan Neng Summer 3rd

B Division Boys (Extra Light Weight) Gu Jia Yao, Hu Hao Tian 3rd

Singapore Youth Festival

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Gamelan Ensemble – Certificate of Distinction

English Drama - Certificate of Distinction

Angklung Ensemble – Certificate Accomplishment

Symphonic Band - Certificate Accomplishment

Modern Dance - Certificate Accomplishment

Guitar Ensemble - Certificate Accomplishment

Guzheng Ensemble - Certificate Accomplishment


2.2 OVERSEAS SERVICE LEARNING (24-28 MAY)

GRC Beyond Borders : Cambodia (3E4 and 3A3)

Class Photo with our Principal and Vice-Principals at Changi Airport, prior to departure

“We have learnt as a team on what we can do to make a difference as an active contributor.

The team has to stay united and make

decisions collectively. We should care

for everyone. As a unit, we need to

persevere till we achieve our group

goals. More importantly, we have to

be honest with giving and receiving

feedback. If we were to facilitate future

activities for our peers or juniors, we

will exercise more initiative,

confidence and responsibility.”

– Neo Jia Xuan, Nur Hasnita, Toh

Ting Wee, Heng Jia Hao, Nur

Ashikin, Louis Seng and Md

Zulfadhli of 3A3

3A3 interacting with Primary School pupils from Tropeng Po Primary School, Cambodia

“It was my first experience, as a Character Coach, to be on an Overseas Service-Learning

trip, with my CC class. Together with my co-CC, Ms Serina Tan, accompanying HOD, Mdm

Lim Choon Ling and the class’ Geography teacher, Mr. Ng Wee Chung, we facilitated and

observed the growth of all 37 students in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The students were tasked to

paint the compounds of a village school in the morning and to conduct English lessons for the

primary school students in the afternoon. Through these experiences, they exercised their

school values of gratitude and compassion and became more aware of their strengths and

weaknesses. Accordingly, they set personal goals at the end of the trip to be more self-

directed in their studies and more active and earnest in their contributions in other endeavours

in life.” – Miss Quek Yibing, Character Coach of 3A3


GRC Beyond Borders :Batam (3A1, 3A2, 3E2)

3A2 students have reflected feeling more humble after witnessing how optimistic the children are despite having to learn in unfavourable circumstances such as outdoors under the sun (picture on right). We would like to thank the school and parents for allowing us to have the opportunity to participate and aid the less fortunate people. This service learning trip has been a real eye- opener as we finally understood the true meaning of poverty. The 4-day Batam trip was an invaluable experience as it gave us the chance to foster bonds as a class working together to complete all the tasks we set out to do. To you, the future students of Hougang Secondary, who will be embarking on this very same trip, we hope that you will undergo the same life-changing experiences we had and be able to overcome the ordeals which will be in your way. Remember, 'Sometimes, it's the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine.' We learn that the ordinary can do the extraordinary especially when they work as one.

Gina & Ethan, 3A2

Through this trip, I have learnt that teaching is not easy. At first, I thought it was all because of

the language barrier but then I realized that it was actually difficult to gather all their attention.

It was difficult to try and make them listen to us. It was difficult to engage them in our lessons.

Can we show more empathy to our HS teachers who teach us tireless daily?

When we first arrived at the orphanage, I felt deeply

dejected looking at the condition. I truly did not think it

would be that bad but such a condition does exist. Due to

the rain, it was muddy all over. I was complaining about the

mud but at that moment, I also saw some orphans running

around with no slippers on. In that instance, I realize that

sometimes other people have it worst.

Although it was only 3 days, my classmates and I have all

grown attached to the orphans. And surprise! Instead of the

girls, it was the boys weeping when we had to part.

I am grateful to the school for allowing me go on this

meaningful trip. It was eye-opener and I will not take things

for granted anymore. I will always cherish everything I have

and keep my laments to myself because there are people

who are in worst situations.

Lastly, I would also like to thank 3A1 and the teachers- Ms

Kitty Tan, Mr Quek Yong Cai, Ms Annizell Chan and Mdm

Radza who took good care of us for making the trip a fun

yet meaningful one. Farhana,3A1


GRC Beyond Borders : Malacca (3E1, 3E3 and 3T1) It's been 6 years since we started our OSL journey. This year was special as I was able to assist in conducting leadership lessons for students from Malaysia as part of our service. I experienced much joy when I saw the sparkle in their eyes when I went through the lesson. Hope both sets of students benefited from this experience.

Mr Edwin Cheong, HOD-in-charge of 3E3,

who has been with OSL trips every year

since 2010.

2.3 LOCAL SERVICE PROGRAMME

While their peers were involved in overseas service learning, a group of 30 secondary three students put their commitment to community service into action by serving the school and community. The raison d'etre of this 4 day local service programme was to foster social cohesion and civic responsibility among our students, as well as imbuing them with the school's core values of gratitude, respect and compassion. On the first day, students lent a helping hand to the school landscapers and I.T. support staff in maintaining the cleanliness and aesthetics of the school premises. The subsequent three days saw students partaking in meaningful interactions with residents from the Institute of Mental Health, the Singapore Cheshire Home and the Golden Care Group for the elderly.

The team with elderly residents from Golden Care Group.

The local service learning programme also had a distinctive student-driven thrust – the planning and execution of most activities were spearheaded by our very own students. The roles and responsibilities as members of the sing-along team, iPad games team, art and craftwork team etc. enabled students to be active contributors and responsible team players, with a common goal of making the experience both a memorable and enjoyable one for the beneficiaries. It was indeed heartening to see some students step out of their comfort zones by championing various activities.


“Although I have stage fright, I tried my best to overcome it and took the lead in the sing-along sessions. Thankfully, my classmates felt less inhibited after that and joined along in making the session more engaging and fruitful for the residents,” confessed Sarah from 3E4. Overall, the students displayed a great deal of spontaneity and adaptability in modifying some of the activities on the spot to suit the residents’ needs.

Strategic Thrust 3: Enhancing Staff Capacity

3.1 NEW TEACHERS POSTED TO HOUGANG SECONDARY SCHOOL The following teachers have been posted to Hougang Secondary School. We welcome them to the HS family.

No Name Subjects

1 Mr Andy Chong Weng Keong History, English Language

2 Ms Lee Min Chemistry, Mathematics

3 Ms Sisca Christine Haryanto Biology, Geography

4 Ms Tan Wei Jing Food and Consumer Education


Term 3 Calendar 2015

Dates Events

29 Jun – 3 Jul 4E/5N PRELIM 1

2 Jul – 14 Jul MT O LEVEL ORAL EXAM

6 Jul E-Learning Day

7 Jul – 14 Jul EL GCE N LEVEL ORAL EXAM

8 Jul Funtasia

15 Jul ALP 'Live' Broadcast (2E/NA/NT)

17 Jul Hari Raya Puasa

20 Jul MTB O LEVEL ORAL EXAM

21 Jul MT/MTB O LEVEL LC EXAM (SCHOOL WILL BE DISMISSED AT 1 PM)

22 Jul ALP 'Live' Broadcast (2E/NA/NT)

23 Jul PTM 3 (Sec 4 and 5) 4-8pm

24 Jul Racial Harmony Day cum Youth Day Celebrations USS LJ for Graduating Classes Racial Harmony Day ALP Student Journalism (1E/2NA/2NT)

26 – 27 Jul Youth Day Holiday

28 Jul – 3 Aug MT N LEVEL ORAL EXAM

28 Jul Geographical Investigation Field Trip (GI) - 2E2 and 2E4

29 Jul Geographical Investigation Field Trip (GI) - 2A1 and 2A2 ALP 'Live' Broadcast (2E/NA/NT)

3 – 5 Aug 4NA & 4NT Prelim 2

4 Aug Geographical Investigation Field Trip (GI) - 2E1 and 2E3

5 Aug ALP 'Live' Broadcast (2E/NA/NT)

6 Aug National Day Celebrations National Day ALP Student Journalism (1NA/NT/2E)

7 -11 Aug National Day Holiday


13 Aug – 27 Aug GCE O LEVEL EL ORAL EXAM

13 Aug Historical Investigation Field Trip (HI) - 1E1 and 1A2

17 – 21 Aug 4N Prelim 2

18 Aug Historical Investigation Field Trip (HI) - 1E2 and 1E3


20 Aug Historical Investigation Field Trip (HI) - 1E4 and 1A1

22 Aug Lit Festival

27 Aug Termly Student Leaders - School Leaders Meet

28 Aug – 2 Sep 4E/5N PRELIM 2

31 Aug – 1 Sep SEC 1E/NA/NT ENGLISH INTERNAL ORAL EXAM

2 Sep ALP 'Live' Broadcast (2E/NA/NT)

3 Sep Teachers’ Day Celebration Sec 1-3 Progress Report Day

4 Sep Teachers’ Day (School Holiday)

*Night class for graduating classes (Mon / Wed / Fri) will commence on 3 August 2015.

From the Principal’s Desk - Hougang Secondary School. Quicklinks... · 2016-01-25 · Airport...

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