Message from the Vice Principal

In This Issue

National Day Celebration

P1 & 2 Dance Fest

Teacher’s Day Celebration

Life Skills Programme

A newsletter for the Parents & Pupils

As we move towards the end of the year, I will like

all to reflect on the key events that happen this year

and how they have influenced you. As we celebrate

our Golden Jubilee year, we need to constantly

remind ourselves to appreciate what we have

experienced thus far. The sacrifices of our

forefathers whose pioneering spirits have literally

built Singapore from scrapes, from a Third-World

Country to one of the youngest First-World Nations, must be remembered

with heartfelt gratitude.

The loss of one of our founding fathers, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, has brought

Singaporeans together as we grieved and recollected the selfless

contributions and the visionary leadership he displayed that led to the success

of Singapore. Our September General Election sent other important

messages for us, as Singaporeans, to recognise the importance of staying

connected to our country and the need to be open-minded as we seek first to

understand, then be understood when we formulate policies for key changes.

Last but not least, the October haze situation sends yet another reminder for

us to be more environmentally conscious as we need to step up on our efforts

to save Mother Earth.

Before the year closes, let us reflect on these key events and how all these

new experiences have shaped our views and influenced our thoughts. As we

navigate uncharted waters to make Singapore a better home for each and

every one of us, let us continue to be innovative and stay resilient whenever

we encounter challenges. Thank you.

A sea of red and white filled CHIJ Primary on 6 August 2015 as we gathered to celebrate Singapore’s birthday as

one people. The theme for this year was, ‘Majulah Singapura- Our Golden Jubilee.’ To mark Singapore’s 50th

birthday, 50 grandparents had been invited to grace the occasion. This served as an opportunity for us to honour

and thank them for their contributions towards nation building over the years.

The celebration commenced with the observance ceremony led by the invited guests. Thereafter, we proceeded to

the hall for mass, followed by a tribute to our late founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, as well as a sharing by a

pioneer and the cake cutting ceremony. The concert segment for this year was a special one as it had been put

together by the pioneers for the pupils. It kicked off with Mdm Rahimah Rahim’s unique rendition of the well-loved

NDP song, ‘Home’, while the rest of the pioneers performed a variety of song, ukulele and dance numbers for our

pupils.

Pupils were amazed by the talents possessed by the pioneers and appreciated every effort that they had put in to

make the occasion a memorable one for all. Pupil representatives presented all the invited guests with a token of

appreciation before they proceeded for a reception. The sing-along session consisting of national day and

community songs which pupils had been eagerly waiting for wrapped up the event for the day. It was indeed a

celebration to remember.

Ms Rohini Visva Nathan

Subject Head, National Education & Social Studies

National Day Celebration

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P1 And 2 Dance Fest – Viva Spiritus

FANTASTIC! – WONDERFUL! – SO PROUD OF THE GIRLS! - were some of the comments made by parents and teachers at the Viva Spritus concerts put up by our Primary One and Two pupils. The Primary Two pupils held their concert on 17 September while the Primary One pupils had theirs on 21 September. The annual concerts aim to showcase the pupils’ potential and talents in Dance. Pupils from both levels could hardly contain their excitement on the performance days as they had put in a lot of hard work throughout Term 3 to practise and perfect their movements and choreography. All the pre-performance jitters disappeared once they were on stage and saw their parents’ encouraging faces in the audience. Congratulations to all the Primary One and Two pupils! They had certainly done themselves proud by putting up superb shows! We can’t wait for Viva Spiritus 2016! Ms Yeo Bee Leng Primary 2 ALL

Teacher’s Day Celebration

On 3rd

September, the school celebrated Teachers’ Day with a series of meaningful and engaging programmes. In

appreciation of their mentors, the pupils put up stirring performances much to the delight of the teachers. The

celebration started with Para-liturgy in the school hall. After spending some time with their Form and Co-Form

teachers, pupils returned to the hall in anticipation of the day’s events.

In our school, we are passionate about inculcating in our pupils the love for our environment. Our pupils dug deep

into their creativity to weave fashion out of recycled materials. This annual affair, “Trashion”, never fails to generate

excitement in the audience. As the Trashion models from Primary 5 and Primary 6 classes sashayed down the

fashion runway in the hall, pupils clapped and cheered for them. Teachers marvelled at the aesthetic abilities of our

budding designers.

Our pupils also possess the skill of agility and value of perseverance. There is no better way to showcase this then

in our entertaining “Cheerleading” competition. Teachers and pupils alike were enthralled by the synchronised and

athletic sequences of the performing groups. Cheerleaders from each of the four houses, St Theresa, St Cecilia, St

Bernadette and St Joan, executed energetic and breath-taking dance moves which were the result of many hours of

dedication to their craft.

This celebration also serves as a platform to showcase the diverse talents of our girls in the aesthetic arenas of

music and dance. After the two competitions, the teachers were treated to several fantastic performances by the

various CCA groups. Teachers and pupils were mesmerised by the lovely tunes played by girls from the Handbell

ensemble. The girls demonstrated a level of team work which could only be achieved with hours of commitment put

in for the performance. The choir girls specially belted out a feet tapping medley of familiar songs for the teachers to

show their appreciation to sway along to. Girls from Ukulele CCA also sang their hearts out accompanied by their

trusty string instruments. These tunes were specially selected for the teachers on this special day. Pupils were also

treated to an exuberant performance by our Gym girls. Their routines had our audience glued to the stage

throughout the entire sequence.

Our younger pupils were not to be outdone by their seniors too. Talent surfaced as a Primary one pupil wowed the

audience with a rhythmic tap dancing item. The Dance Club girls had everyone in the hall moving along to a bright

and perfectly timed dance performance.

As a fitting round up to the day’s festivities, our Primary one and two pupils from IJSCC (YMCA Student Care

Centre) entertained the crowd with their rendition of “In this Moment”, a heart-felt song with lyrics which conveyed

the a deep appreciation for the teachers in their lives. Finally, our principal, Mrs Margaret Tan presented the “Caring

Teacher Award” to Mrs Nancy Tan. This award is a recognition of the care showered upon our girls by the teacher

receiving this award.

Ms Rohini Visva Nathan

Subject Head, National Education & Social Studies

Issue 4 2015

Issue 4 2015

Mrs Stephanie Goh

HOD (CCE)

Teacher’s Day Celebration

Issue 4 2015

The Department has planned a variety of Life Skill activities earlier this year for our Primary 1 to Primary 6 pupils to

equip them with self-sufficiency skills to help them look after themselves. It was part of the school's vision in

providing a holistic education that prepares pupils to meet the challenges of life. The programme was also part of the

school’s character development plans as such appropriate age-group skills teach pupils to be independent and self-

reliance.

In partnership with the Central Parent Council (CPC), the following Life Skills activities were carried out with the help

of the Parent Volunteers (PVs) and teachers.

Level Name of Activity

Primary 1 Getting Ready for School

Primary 2 Personal Grooming

Primary 3 Preparing Breakfast for Self

Primary 4 Basic Needlework Skills

Primary 5 Needlework Skills (Making an Accessory)

Primary 6 Hamper Wrapping

The Primary 1 pupils were taught how to dress themselves, fold their blouse and pinafore neatly, as well as tie their

shoelaces while the Primary 2 pupils learnt how to tie their hair neatly as well as cut their nails.

Life Skills Programme

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Issue 4 2015

The Primary 3 pupils were taught how to prepare their own breakfast – an egg sandwich and a cup of orange juice.

PVs shared their needlework skills with the Primary 4 and 5 pupils. The Primary 5 pupils used the basic needlework

skills they had learnt in Primary 4 to make an accessory while the Primary 6 pupils were taught how to create a

hamper with 3 food items.

This year, as the Department integrated the Value in Action (VIA) Programme with Life Skills Programme for the

Primary 5 and 6 pupils, the accessories sewn and hampers made by the pupils were given to a Children Centre and

a Dementia Day Care Centre in the community respectively.

At the end of the programme, many pupils enjoyed learning the different life skills from the mothers. The pupils also

appreciated the PVs for their selfless contribution as they had learned a skill which will carry on for life.

Ms Sharryl Tang Subject Head (Pastoral Care / VIA)

Life Skills Programme