JUL-SEP

2019ISSUE #51

IN THIS ISSUE

Announcements / New MembersPERI-Upgrading at SMPS

St. Andrew's Cathedral Home for the Aged (Chaplaincy Programme)

SMPS Green Dot Day

Talk on Estate and Wills

SMSS Racial Harmony Day / Traditional Games

SMSS Speech & Prize-Giving Day

Teachers’ Day High Tea

SMESA Members’ Activity K-Pop Workout

UPCOMING EVENTS

SMESA visit to St.Andrew’sCathedral Home for the Aged (Outreach Programme)Saturday, 19 October 2019 at 2-4pm

SMSS APPRECIATION TEASaturday, 12 October 2019, SMSS2.30-4pm

SMPS APPRECIATION TEAFriday, 25 October 2019, SMPS8.30-10.30am

ST. MARGARET’S 177th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONSaturday, 16 November 2019,Lunch at SMSS(See details in the poster at this page. Ticket Purchase Form attached)

SMESA MEMBERS’ TEASaturday, 11 January 2020, SMSS2-4pm

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For enquiries to the above events, Please e-mail us at smesa.sg@gmail.com

SMESA BOARD MEMBERS 2019/2020

President

Ms Chew Siew Kheng

1st Vice-President

Ms Pamela Rachel Kwan Ka Foong

2nd Vice-PresidentMs Lina Wee Mei Ling

Honorary Secretary Ms Irene Fong Wei Wei

Assistant Honorary Secretary

Ms Hui Choon Wai

Honorary Treasurer Ms Kalavathy Suppiah

Assistant Honorary Treasurer

Mrs Tay-Lang Ren Jee Renata

Committee Members

Ms Lee Soo KwanMs Pixie Ho Pik YewMs Brenda Lan Shu MeiMs Juliana TengaraMs Lee Mian Jun

Co-opted Members

Ms Susan WijayaMs Vani Aaliyah

Auditors

Ms Joy Gillian QuekMs Jenny Koh Kah Noi

EDITORIAL BOARD

ChairmanMs Lina Wee Mei Ling

Editor

Mrs Tay-Lang Ren Jee Renata

Layout Artist

Ms Lina Wee Mei Ling

AdvisorsMs Pixie Ho Pik YewMs Lee Soo Kwan

St. Margaret's Ex-Students' Association 111 Farrer Road, Singapore 259240www.smesa.org.sgwww.facebook.com/smesa1842smesa.sg@gmail.comFax: (65) 6534 5127

LEGAL AWARENESS TALK ON ESTATE MATTERS AND WILLS

By Hui Choon Wai

Our SMESA member, Lawyer Ruby Lee (NUS Law Pro Bono Office), kindlyarranged for two of her NUS Law students Sophie Ang and Charis Sim to presenta talk on estate matters and wills on 20 July 2019.

The talk started with an explanation of the similarities and differences between aWill, Lasting Power of Attorney and Advance Medical Directive. This was followedby what happens if a person dies without leaving a Will, that is, intestacy. TheIntestate Succession Act prescribes who are the beneficiaries and how yourassets will be divided amongst them.

This was compared to when there is a Will. In this situation, executor(s) areappointed and decisions on beneficiaries and how one wants the assets to bedistributed are included. The attendees at the talk were also enlightened on whatthe Will cannot cover, such as, insurance monies where one nominates abeneficiary, CPF monies, monies in a joint bank account, and real property heldunder joint tenancy. It also covered the usefulness of a residual clause; theappointment of testamentary guardians to ensure that the needs and interest ofone’s children are taken care of in case both the person and the spouse die; andalso the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act will allow certain beneficiaries notmentioned in one’s Will to make a claim against one’s estate and how to avoidthis. It also advises on what executors should do when one dies and also thesurvivorship clause, where one should keep one’s Will, what the Wills Registrydoes and how a Will can get revoked.

Attendees were encouraged to consult a lawyer to have the Will properly drawnup in compliance with the strict legal requirements of the Will, so as to avoidcourt proceedings brought by claimants who challenge your Will.

The session ended with Q&A conducted by Ruby. Participants enjoyed lightrefreshments thereafter.

We thank Ruby, Sophie and Charis for the very enlightening talk.

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(L – R)Sophie, Charis, Siew Kheng, Lina, Pamela, Ruby & Choon Wai

Reports of Events

Appreciation gifts presented by Siew Kheng

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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PERI-Upgrading at SMPS

We welcome aboard the following new members :-

NEW MEMBERS

Congratulations for receiving the National Day 2019 Awards

The Public Administration Medal (Bronze)Mdm Toh Susan, Vice-Principal, St.Margaret’s SecondarySchool

The Commendation MedalMs Ang Siok Phing, Vice-Principal, St.Margaret’s PrimarySchoolMdm Lim Fook Chiew, Lead Teacher, St.Margaret’sSecondary School

The Long Service MedalMdm Tan Li Ling, Principal, St.Margaret’s Primary SchoolMdm Endang Ingriani Bte Shakni, Teacher, St.Margaret’sPrimary SchoolMs Lim Hui Kheng Linda, Vice-Principal, St.Margaret’sSecondary SchoolMdm Ang Siew Chin, Subject Head, St.Margaret’sSecondary SchoolMdm Azizah Bte Rabunam, Head of Department,St.Margaret’s Secondary SchoolMdm Khaw Kee Wan, Teacher, St.Margaret’s SecondarySchool

(Support Our PUP)

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been upgradingprimary school infrastructure to support holisticeducation and the use of engaging teachingmethods.. As such, facilities like Subject BasedBanding Rooms, Learning Support Rooms, IndoorSports Hall (ISH), Dance Studio will be provided inPERI Upgraded schools.

SMPS will be undergoing PERI Upgrading in 2020. Itis also timely for SMPS to upgrade her infrastructureas the school was last upgraded almost 20 yearsago in 1999 under PRIME (Programme forImproving Existing Schools). SMPS will need to raiseS$1.26million but the figure is expected to rise toinclude some non-standard items to supportteaching and learning.

“Support Our PUP” (PERI Upgrading Project) is thetag line coined by the fundraising committee. Theschool will embark on various fundraising activitiesto raise funds for this project the next two years.

To kick-start the fundraising, SMPS held its mini-Funfair on 6 July 2019, helmed mainly by the staffand students and strongly supported by SMC,SMESA and PTA (Parent-Teacher Association). Thefund raised, which surpassed the school’s target by25%, was an encouraging start.

To facilitate the extensive two years’ upgradingwhich involves demolition and rebuilding, the schoolwill be moving to a temporary site at 2 Mattar Road(previously Macpherson Primary School) on 18November 2019.

We would like to thank the many hearts and handsthat come together to raise funds and contributetowards providing a better and more conducivelearning environment for our girls. We look forwardto your support and would like to appeal to you todonate* generously to the building fund to “SupportOur PUP”. Your donation will go a long way tobenefit future generations of SMPS students.

(* Cheque can be made payable to ‘St Margaret’sPrimary School’ or you can contact SMPS GeneralOffice at 6339-4247 for assistance)

SMPS SMSS1. Dr.Tanujaa Rajasekaran 1996 20002. Lim Pei Hua 2000 20053. Lim Meow Luan 1989 19934. Toh Lydia Jilynn 1996 -5. Leo Jenna Yan Ling 1997 20016. Ee Nicole Pey Min - 19997. Gaytri Meriange Sundra 1997 -8. Stephanie Lim 1999 20039. Kalavathy Suppiah 1997 2002

10. Claire Woo - 200411. Koh Li Ping 1993 -12. Pearly Tan 2000 200413. Tan Kia Leng Cindy 1991 -14. Jennifer Kwek Xiao Jia 1997 2002

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Reports of Events

Visit to the St. Andrew’s Cathedral Home for the Aged(Chaplaincy Ministry)

By Jenny Koh

Every quarter, SMESA members participate in the Chaplaincy ministry for the St Andrew Cathedral Home forthe Aged.

On 17 August 2019, we reserved our Saturday morning to spend time with the elderly folks at the Home.Many interesting and fun activities were planned for them from 9.30 am to 11.30 am.

We started with a simple warm up exercise to “wake up” their sleepy bones and joints. After which theyhad a chance to practice their vocal cords with worship songs. The group then split up for Bible story, ballgames and art & crafts.

At the end of the morning, all of them were so excited and proud to show off their finished work.

Singing worship songs Painting our National Day Flag on paper plates

Finished product (1st art & crafts)

Sticking Bible verse on the cross made out of ice-cream sticks

Finished product (2nd art & crafts)

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SMSS Speech & Prize-Giving DayBy Pixie Ho

Every time when I attended the SMSS Speech & Prize-Giving Day, the feeling of nostalgia especially when the SchoolHymn and Song were sung would overwhelm me. It was no different on Friday, 26 July 2019.

Rev John Lin, representative of the the School Management Committee (SMC) began the ceremony by welcoming theGuest of Honour, other guests, members of the St Margaret’s Family comprising the parents, teachers, staff, ex-students and present students who were there to receive their prizes, members of SMESA, Parent Support Group andSt. John’s Chapel.

The Principal, Mdm Lee Lin Yee, proudly announced the achievements of the School in its Academic fields and CCA. Shealso highlighted the programmes which the School embarked on such as the DOTS (Development of Talents to Service),Salt & Light Programme – service learning for the community based on their needs; and other programmes to imbuestudents with excellence-driven initiative, and qualities of a passionate inquirer; a critical thinker; a leader with moralcourage and other-centred contributor.

As always, Mdm Lee would end her speech with an inspiring story. This time, it was the story of her grandmother whohad colon cancer at a later stage of her life. She was operated on and her health deteriorated subsequently. This wascontrasted with her health when she was younger. She was healthy, robust and strong and was able to raise 4 sons.The moral of her story is: “Not to judge someone by just a single season of his or her life. Extra dose of understandingwould have made someone’s life better”.

The Guest of Honour, Dr Mary George, and SMESA’s President, Chew Siew Kheng presented the prizes to the winners.60 students scored 5 or more distinctions in the 2018 GCE-O Level Exams. The top scorer is Loh Li Xuan with 9distinctions. Tang Sze Yin who won the Top All-Round Student 2018 Award, Dean Dumper Trophy and the SMC Award,delivered the Valediction.

The Guest of Honour, Dr Mary George, delivered this speech entitled “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart”. Shechallenged us to give thanks even when we are not having a good time and when we hate what we are doing. Shereminded us that the Bible exhorts us to give thanks at all times, not because God needs our gratitude, but because it isgood for us. She also quoted “ Rev. Edmund Chan, senior pastor of Covenant Evangelical Free Church, who shared thatthree things can compromise our gratitude: a complaining spirit, a critical spirit, and a comparing spirit. He urged us toavoid these so that we are genuinely grateful. He reminded us of the illustration of the half-empty/half-full glass andchallenged us that even if the glass is totally empty, we should still give thanks that we have a glass with lots of spacefor all the blessings coming our way in the future.”

Before the curtains came down, all guests present were entertained with Modern and Indian dances and songs from theSchool Choir. The event ended with a sumptuous dinner.

Anna Ong with SMESA Trophy for Student Council PresidentTang Sze Yin with Top All-Round Student Award, Dean Dumper Trophy, SMC Medal & Valedictorian

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SMSS Racial Harmony / Traditional Games Week

Racial Harmony Day 2019By Susan Wijaya

The theme for SMSS Racial Harmony Day this year was“The Singapore connection”. The celebration includeda food bazaar and a week of playing traditional games.

The BazaarThe bazaar was held in the school canteen on 25 and26 July. There were several stalls selling traditionalfood of the different races, such as satays, tutu kueh,otak-otak, rojak, candy floss, honey cone, ting tingcandy and muah chee. SMESA members helped in the

running of a few stalls.

Traditional Games WeekBy Jacintha, Sec 3/1

The SMSS Library Club organized a week of traditionalgames, in partnership with SMESA, for students tolearn more about their cultural roots. Students wereinvited to play a different game each day of the week,including Tikam Tikam, Zero Point and Chapteh. Thepurpose was to encourage students to be more awareof the games their ancestors played.

As the games were made entirely out of recyclablematerials such as plastic bottles and paper, studentswere also encouraged to save the earth by goinggreen. I liked the fact that there was a large variety ofgames to choose from. We could therefore pickanother game to play if we did not enjoy one or werenot particularly good at it.

From this event, I learn that we do not need to destroythe earth to have fun, and that games made ofrecyclable materials are just as fun. I also learn to beresponsible in caring for the environment and aboutthe importance of staying connected to our roots bybeing aware of our cultures.

Candy floss, honey cone, popcorns etc.etc.

Tutu kueh & Satay stalls

Showcase some of the games our ancestors played

Chapteh, Snakes & Ladders, Kuti Kuti, bottlecaps are some of the games the student picked

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TEACHERS’ DAY HI-TEA

By Sharifah

좋은시간It means “such a good time !”

SMESA’s K-Pop X Fitness !!!Five words…..InnovativeEntertainingEngagingInfectiousCute

KPOP – a music genre originating in South Korea that is characterized by a wide variety of audiovisual elements.So, We Danced. We Sweat it out. And we certainly Grooved to the cool beats of the trendy and bubbly KPOP tunes !What a great way to have spent my Saturday afternoon on 14 September 2019. As good as it was to see my fellow friends from theAlumnae, it was also a solid workout session for all of us, I am sure !

Keeping up with our Energizer Bunny instructor Cindy, was not easy but I think we did well. The jumps, the sways, the bounce keptour adrenaline pumping. I would love to think that I have all the energy in the world but sadly not as much as I used to, but it wasprobably the atmosphere and seeing all these ladies putting their heart into the dance moves that made me feel like I can doanything !

Cindy was very patient and such a fine instructor she was. I have always loved the cuteness of the KPOP culture and this is my firstattempt at one. My verdict…..Totally entertaining and I would do it again !

KPOP dancers are a BLAST to learn ! Music does not require an understanding of the language that it speaks. Music is said to be auniversal language for all.

Thank you SMESA for organizing this ! Needless to say, that was my cardio workout session for the next few days !

SMESA K-POP WORKOUT

VIP TABLE 2 – SMESA Members

Winner for the Best Dressed

By : Joy Quek

St. Margaret’s Primary and Secondary celebrated Teachers’ Day with a hightea at Singapore Recreation Club on 5 September. The theme of the eventwas ‘Boarding Pass Around the World’. Everyone was dressed to the theme.

The event started with everyone excitedly flying paper aeroplanes to thevarious tables. This was followed by the opening prayer and grace by RevTimothy Chow, after which teachers helped themselves to a wide spread ofsumptuous food.

The games and competitions were based on the theme. For the best dressedcompetition, the winner of the ‘best dressed table’ was the ‘Cabin Crew’ withtheir very creative and realistic looking outfit. Of the shortlisted for the bestdressed individuals who were dressed in different costumes, eg. Korean,Tibet, Russia, Mongolia, Japan, China, Antarctica and that of a pilot, the pilotin her helicopter taking off to the Antartica emerged the winner for theindividual prize.

The challenging table quiz required the teachers to use the given brochures,maps, newspapers and magazines to answer a list of questions. The photobooth with props related to the theme was very popular with the teacherstoo.

The event ended at 4.30 p.m. with Prof Boo giving the closing speech andRev John Lin the closing prayer.

Best Dressed Table – Cabin Crew

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SMPS GREEN DOT DAY (Mini Funfair)By Vani

SMPS held the Green Dot Day – Support our PUP Mini Funfair on 6th July 2019. The fundraising event was in support ofthe school’s PERI Upgrading Programme. The event provided opportunity for students and ex-students to return to theirprimary school to take photographs and reminisce the good old days while contributing towards the fundraising. This wasespecially meaningful as part of the school will be torn down. The school will be moving to a holding school at the end ofthe year to allow for the upgrading to take place in the next two years.

At the event, there was a splendid array of food sold – from local delicacies such as malay kueh, otah, prawn noodles andlaksa to others such as pizza, hot dog buns, cheesy fries and candy floss. There were also craft stores and a nail salonwhich saw a long queue of girls waiting to have their nails painted. Pupils’ creativity was evident too. Two pupils were seenenthusiastically calling out for players while walking around with a board hanging from their necks with a game named‘Toilet Bowl’.

Memorabilia such as the pokka-dotted umbrellas, teddy bears and mugs were on sale. The books entitled ‘Great is ThyFaithfulness’ which carry the story of St. Margaret’s School in Singapore were on sale at a steal of $5 each.

The mini funfair was indeed a success. The school raised more than the targetted $30,000. SMESA, with sponsors fromboard members and friends of SMESA, have chipped in more than $10,000 to sponsor all the food and drink stalls, thephoto booth, a manicure salon and a stall selling cute little things.

SMESA would like to thank all who have helped in the planning, setting up and running of the stalls, and in coming forwardto help in whatever way on the actual day.