ascendsembawang secondary school 2011

Anxiety looms every time students await the results for the national examinations. For some, it is a moment to celebrate their good achievements For others, it is a time of reflection as they think of the next course of action. Our heartiest congratulations to the current batch of Sec 4E/5NA students for their sterling results in the ‘O’ Level Mother Tongue examinations 2011!

National Examinations

Passes Distinction

School National School National

Sec 4 Exp 100.0 % 97.0 % 26.8 % 26.1 %

Sec 5 NA 96.0 % 89.2 % 12.0 % 9.8 %

CHINESE LANGUAGE

Passes Distinction

School National School National

Sec 4 Exp 97.1 % 98.9 % 22.9 % 22.7 %

Sec 5 NA 100.0 % 96.8 % 5.9 % 12.0 %

MALAY LANGUAGE

Passes Distinction

School National School National

Sec 4 Exp 100.0 % 98.5 % 42.9 % 24.5 %

Sec 5 NA 100.0 % 96.9 % - 10.2 %

TAMIL LANGUAGE

AC ADEMIC“Strive, Serve and Soar!” The

school motto guides us in planning the programmes for students to ensure that 2011 is a memorable year for one and all in Team Sembawang. We recognize that each individual who steps into the gates of Sembawang Secondary School aspires to be successful ‘inspiring leaders in a dynamic community’. Guided by the school vision, programmes were lined up to develop the leadership potential of our students so that they will be successful individuals. With various exposures, we hope that they will be able to discover their strengths and continue to develop themselves so that they will be successful individuals, prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Just like the theme for this year’s Speech and Prize Giving Day, “Bringing out the best in our learners,” the students in Team Sembawang have definitely done us proud. The GCE ‘O’ Level Mother Tongue results this year was very commendable, with 23 of our students obtaining a distinction. Achievements were also made at national and international level. Our Mediacomm Club won the Best Presentation Award in the Panasonic Kids Witness News Global Contest.

To achieve such success, the staff of the school played a pivotal role in ensuring the necessary structures and processes are in place. This year several new initiatives were

put in place to assist the students in achieving greater heights. This include the intensive programme for our graduating students to provide them with greater support as well as an incentive trip for the students who did well or imprvvoved significantly for the mid-year examinations. These students were treated to an incentive trip to Universal Studios Singapore, generously sponsored by the School Advisory Committee.

We recognize the child as being at the centre of what we do. Thus, we continue to strive towards excellence in our quest for the holistic development of the child. As said by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and the Ruler of Dubai, “In the race for excellence, there is no finish line”.

P R I N C I PA L’ S M E S S A G E

Mrs Tan Lay HongPrincipal

“It’s the results I want!”

“Congratulations!”

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Lessons come alive! To experience how lessons learnt in the classroom are useful in our daily lives, the Secondary Ones went on an enriching learning journey to Sungei Buloh

Epicurean Hunt

Wetland Reserve on 30 August 2011. Knowledge on nature as well as mathematical concept of estimation are just some things students acquire in their quest in Sungei Buloh.

The June Incentive Programme at Universal Studios Singapore (USS) was definitely a much awaited event for the graduating students. Sponsored by the School Advisory Committee, this trip recognised the excellent academic efforts of students. 35 students went to USS and had a smashing good time on the various rides.

Universal Studios

Learn English in a fun-filled manner. That was the main purpose of the E.L Fiesta held in July in Term 3. The school was abuzz with a myriad of programmes for students such as Show & Tell, Storytelling and Public Speaking.

Partnership with parents is important to ensure students success. As such, Sec 1 - Sec 4 Meet-the-Parents sessions were held in Term 1 to communicate the school’s efforts to develop the students holistically. Time was also set aside for parents to meet teachers to discuss their child’s progress in school.

Meet-the-Parents

A kaleidoscope of events were conducted for students to appreciate other cultures and languages. It was certainly an interesting time, gathering new experiences from one

another.

Mother Tongue Fortnight

E.L. Fiesta

At the broadwalks of Sungei Buloh “The answers must be in here!” Spotted something unusual?

A reptile decided to join in

“Once upon a time...”

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CHARACTER& CITIZENSHIP EDUC AT IONW e l c o m e t o

the family! Amazing programmes were lined up by the student councillors to ensure that the Secondary One students assimilate well into Team Sembawang. Activities were conducted to allow

Sec 1 Orientationstudents to get to know one another better as well as to understand the life of a Sembawang Secondary student. Through these activities, the Sec One students got familiar with one another and the school.

Stay CLOSE@BatamOne of the highlights

of the Sec 2 programme was Stay CLOSE@Batam, which is a cultural-cum-service learning programme. Through this, students taught English to their counterparts in various schools in Batam. Students were also involved in various character building activities such as high elements and trekking to develop their leadership potential.

V e n t u r i n g i n t o the community and offering assistance to the needy helps students to empathize with others. Through the varied programmes planned, students gain exposure to the needs of the various groups of people, both locally and regionally, so that they will be able to help improve the lives of others.

Community Involvement Programme

Green OlympiadThe Green Olympiad

is a recycling outreach programme organized for the primary school students in Singapore. Students took part in an environmental Science and Maths challenge regarding current environmental issues and played the wide range of green games designed by our own students. Supported by the National Environment Agency and Vopak Terminals Singapore Pte Ltd, the Green Olympiad taught students to be conscious of the environment in a fun-filled manner.

The Sec 2s with their Batam counterparts

Engilsh lessons in progressTeam Building Games

Taking the Quiz Playing the Green Games

“Did I win?”Sec 3T1 at Joy Centre

5A1 at Pertapis Children Home

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A sea of red greeted the school on the morning of 8th August as students and teachers a l ike celebrated the Nation’s 46th birthday. Students took the lead for the observance ceremony, guiding their peers as well as taking the lead in recollecting Singapore’s

development. Immediately after the observance ceremony, staff and students took part in the 5th Annual SMB Youth Run. This represents the school’s dedication to promote a healthy lifestyle amongst both students and staff.

The history and heritage of Singapore came alive for the Secondary One students as they went around Singapore River in their groups with the clues obtained in the netbooks. In order to navigate round the Singapore River, students relied on the map-reading skills learned during lessons. Questions to be answered were also based on subjects such as Maths and Geography. It was truly an enriching experience for all students!

“I will beat her!” National Day Observance Ceremony

National Day Celebrations& SMB Youth Run 2011

“Am I the first?”

ExCITe@Singapore River

Getting warmed up and ready!

3T1 students guiding their juniors

Commemorating significant milestones in our nation’s history is important in ensuring that we appreciate where Singapore is today. Our school did not miss out on opportunities to enable us to improve our knowledge on these

National Education Commemorative Events

“It’s there!”

aspects. Total Defence Day and Racial Harmony Day were commemorated while International Friendship Day and National Day were celebrated to remind us of the importance of Singapore as well as its people in our lives.

The staff dressed in various ethnic costumes

Racial Harmony DayInternational Students in SMBSS shared about their

own cuisine during International Friendship DAy

Total Defence Day - What does home means?

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PEOPLE DEVELOPER STANDARD CERTIFICATION

2010 - 2013 SILVER (2010-2011)

CHampioning Efforts REsulting in Improved School Heaelth

(CHERISH)SUSTAINED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Schools Green Audit

OUTSTANDING DEVELOPMENT AWARD (NE)

MOE Masterplan Awards (2008-2012)

DEVELOPMENT AWARD (CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT)

MOE Masterplan Awards (2010-2012)

SUSTAINED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Recycling Outreach Programme

SILVER (2010-2011)

SYF Central Judging: Art & Craft (Category A)

OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARD

Scientific Thinking Programme

MERITORIOUS DEFENCE PARTNER AWARD

Total Defence Awards (Employers)

2ND POSITION

National Reading Superstar Competition 2011

BEST PRESENTATION AWARDKWN (Kids Witness News) Global Contest

PLATINUM AWARD

Mediacomm Club

Schools Digital Media Awards 2011

GOLDMalay Dance

SYF Central Judging 2011-2012

Archery Club

National Inter-School Archery Championship

‘C’ DIVISION BOYS - 4THGolf

National Inter-School Golf Championship

TEAM KNOCK-OUT - 1ST‘B’ DIVISION BOYS TEAM - 3RDINDIVIDUAL KNOCK-OUT - 1ST

INDIVIDUAL ‘B’ DIVISION STANDARD BOW - 2ND

BRONZE

Red Cross Youth

Excellent Unit Awards

SILVERCommunity Service Award

BRONZENational Police Cadet Corps

NPCC Unit Overall Proficiency Award

BRONZENational Cadet Corps (Sea)

NCC Best Unit Competition

Founder’s Award

Boys’ Brigade

SILVERJ M Fraser Award Excellence

Tay Joo Koon (5A1)Marcus Chua Sheng Juang (5A1)

Samuel Joshua s/o Yogendran (4A1)

SILVERGirls’ Brigade

The Girls’ Brigade Singapore Company Awards

SINGAPORE REPRESENTATIVESMohd Firas Hamka (3E2)

Thomas Tien (3A2)

World Youth Tchoukball Championship

CELEBRATING OUR

ACHIEVEMENTS

NATIONAL DAY AWARDS - LONG SERVICE MEDAL

Mrs Goh-Kok Mei Leng, HOD Mathematics

SILVERNational Sports Safety Video Competition NATIONAL DAY AWARDS -

COMMENDATION MEDALMr Lee Kah Siong Jimmy, Vice-Principal

SPORTS & HEALTH

Our third annual Sembawang Youth Games took place on 8 April 2010 at the Woodlands Stadium. The Games continue to serve as an important plat form for Team Sembawang to establish new bonds and reinforce friendships among and between teachers and students. During the Games, students apply

SMB Youth Gamestheir knowledge and values learnt during PE lessons. The focus this year was on building “Champions of Character, Characters of Champions”. The entire stadium reverberated when Red Lions emerged the overall winner in this year’s Games. Green Falcons clinched the Best Cheerleading Award.

The first House Meeting on 23 February marked the beginning of the year’s House events. It served as a platform for staff and students of the same house to meet and bond through the introduction of new members, photo-taking and cheering sessions. The house members got excited when they see their mascots for the first time for the year. Following the first House Meeting were the Track & Field heats and finals for some events in a run-up to the actual event – the SMB Youth Games.

House Meetings

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CCAs offered

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Sports & Games

Uniformed Groups

Clubs & Society

Performing Arts

National Cadet Corps (Sea)

Girls Brigade

National Police Cadet Corps

Boys Brigade

Red Cross Youths

MediaComm ClubAesthetic Club

AVA ClubGreen ClubMalay DanceSembWinds

SoccerVolleyball (Boys & Girls)

NetballGolf

BadmintonArchery Club

CELEBRATIONSChinese New Year

The Chinese New Year celebrations proved to be a resplendent spectacle, with exciting performances and a wonderful atmosphere. Staff and students alike turned up in red, in line with the celebratory tunes in the air. The day ended very meaningfully with our principal, Mrs Tan, leading our school in reciting ten of the most meaningful blessings for Chinese New Year.

Hari RayaEveryone enjoyed the

festive cheer during the Hari Raya celebrations. A ketupat-weaving competition was held for students and teachers! The concert was a bedazzling extravaganza - one where they demonstrated the common practices and culture of Muslims in Singapore.

Teachers’ DayT eachers’ Day was a

memorable occasion this year, with students expressing their

heartfelt gratitude to all their teachers with gifts, cards and

performances. Teachers also renewed their pledge of commitment during

this occasion. Teachers’ Day celebrations was more memorable this

year as our SAC members were present to join in the celebrations. The Guest-of-Honour, DDSN

North, Mrs Yu Sing Tong, was also present to officially open Mdm Norlita’s Solo Art

Exhibition in the school.

13th Speech & Prize Giving Day

The hard work of students culminated into a day of proud recognition, as they were given awards for their excellent academic achievements by many guests, including our Guest-of-Honour, who

was none other than our ex-principal, Mrs Elsie Rajaratram. The wide smiles on the students’ happy faces perfectly suited the Sunflower theme adopted this year.

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11 March 2011

STAFF BUZZ

VisitorsSembawang Secondary School played host

to various groups of people from within and outside Singapore. It is a platform for teachers to share ideas and strategies with one another to improve students’ holistic development. Through these sharings, more ideas were gathered and it spurred the school to continue to Strive, Serve and Soar!

Staff Development Activities

Teachers in the school don’t just work hard, they play hard too! Programmes and events were organized to allow teachers to understand strategies to improve teaching and learning, understand more about Singapore, stay fit and also have lots of fun with one another. Through these, teachers will be better equipped to help students achieve greater heights. As mentioned by the UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and the Ruler of Dubai, Mr Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, “In the race for excellence there is no finish line”.

Guest from New York High School for Youth and Development

Guest from Hong Kong University Graduates Association

Humanities sharing with Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School

Guest from Hong Kong University Graduates Association

Guests from Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri 1 Padang Padang, Indonesia

ACE Challenge at Chinatown

NE Staff Special

Staff Games Questioning Techniques Workshop

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ACE Challenge at Chinatown