Sunday, January 30, 2011

SST Leadership Camp

3:01 PM Posted by Cherin No comments
28 and 29 Jan 2011

Day 1 (28 Jan)

Halogen Foundation Singapore, came back to SST to conduct a Leadership Workshop to around 50 selected SST students. This camp is a 2-day non-residential camp conducted in ADMT room 1. The objective of this camp is to equip students with the skills to work together, to motivate them to become better leaders and to foster the school spirit.

At 2pm, people were streaming in to the room, getting their name tags on and drawing on the whiteboard. Upon closer inspection, majority of the scribbles were math formulas. It all started when ice-breakers were played, with everyone getting to know each other and just having fun with each other. One of the lessons learnt is  that everyone is definitely good and not as good in many different areas, but as a group they cover everyone’s weaknesses.

This was followed by team forming, where the students are split into 4 different groups.
This is followed by them reflecting on their own social identity and sharing to their group.
Each person must have values that guide them along, but to refresh their memories on what are their values, they did the exercise of crossing out a list of values until they have 5 values left.

With the group’s values, they made their group’s unique flag, to be used the next day.
The flags ranged in all different colors and designs from abstract art to hot dogs.

After dinner, the students were given a treat, to have a Movie Night-- without the popcorn. 
As they watched ‘Coach Carter’ , a story about basketball athletes turning from zero to hero, anxious parents were waiting in school for their children. Surprisingly, the camp has past the supposed end timing for the day, 9pm.

As these tired students trudged back home, they know that the camp is not over yet, but just getting started.

Day 2 (29 Jan)

As these students come back to SST, although tired, they were pumped up by the instructors as they did warm-ups. This was followed by a quick recap of what they have learned and playing ‘paper basketball’. They sat back down to think about their 4 goals they want to accomplish, with the help of the instructors. A short break later, they were listing how to motivate themselves and others. 

With knowledge gained from the lessons, the students get started on creating their SST flag, SST school song and SST handbook. These are to be presented later, close to the end of the camp.

As lunch arrives, the students are hungry, but they have not finished. Some stayed to continue, while some quickly get their food, coming back later to work.
They then heard about living up to their own potential. Followed by the highlight of the day--the Battle of the 4 Kingdoms!

With paper vests and water guns as their weapons of defense, each team was to take a piece of their flag to a safe area and assemble it, without getting wet.

Although the excitement was on high for the first 2 rounds, the sudden rain spoiled the rest of the game. With everyone wet and dissapointed, they changed and came back to find out that there are 2 groups of winners: Cow and Dog.  
The groups cheered for everybody.

With short videos of a soccer match ( AC Milan vs Liverpool ), they learned their one last thing, not just to win, but to win well.
The rest of the time was spent on touching up their own products and looking at other’s products. 

In the late evening, Mrs Chiew came to judge the products made by the students. Unfortunately, these products are not finalized yet, but will be soon.

It was hard work done by the students and the teachers, along with Mrs Chiew was impressed.

At the end of the camp, everyone waved goodbye as they set off for home, taking their newfound knowledge with them.

This reporter asked Pearl Pang if she would like to have a camp with these students again.
Her reply was, “ Yes, I really would like to have a camp with you guys again. (Be)cause you know why? You guys are really…….I can see the earnestness and the willingness to learn and I like the dynamics amongst everyone in class and yeah that makes it all the tiredness and all these, all worthwhile.”


Written by Cherin Tan

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

MOU signing between SST and RDFZ Xishan School

3:02 PM Posted by Seah Yen Sin No comments
Photo taken with SST students and staff and RDFZ Xishan School students and staff




On 25 January 2011, SST and RDFZ Xishan school signed the Memorandum Of Understanding in SST, in front of the whole SST cohort, the 30 students from RDFZ Xishan school, who were here on a learning journey, and the teachers from both schools.
That morning, the teachers from SST showed the students a video about the memories between both schools in 2010, which includes teachers from RDFZ Xishan School being interviewed on how SST is like, during their previous visit. This is followed by Mr Chua and Mr Shu,the principals of SST and RDFZ Xishan school respectively, signing the Memorandum of Understanding.
After the documents were signed, Mr Chua presented to Mr Shu a token of appreciation.
This is followed by the teachers and some students from both schools coming together for a photo taking session.
(as shown in the picture above)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Badge Ceremony

4:25 PM Posted by Michelle Lim No comments

Secondary 1s wearing their badge.

Presentation on the Sec 1s orientation.

The badge ceremony for the new Secondary 1s was held on 14 January 2011. Parents were gathering in the classes of their children when they were presented on what their child did during their two week's orientation. They had different reactions, happy, eager or excited, as they saw their child's experience in the school.

Soon, parents were ushered to the hall. Followed by the secondary 1s marching into the hall. While they were settling at the back of the hall, the parents where eagerly taking photos of the secondary 1s. After the marching in, Mrs Chew made a speech acknowledging her gratitude to the PSLs for their hard work in the two weeks of orientation. Soon after, the time for the Secondary 1s to take their badges reached. One by one, they received their badges. During that time parents were eagerly taking photos of children when they were receiving their badge. Finally, the Secondary 1s were cheering the 3 cheers they had learnt in the two weeks of orientation.

Then, the second Badge Ceremony for SST ended successfully. It was a memorable experience for the Secondary 1s and the teachers.

Written by: Michelle Lim

Friday, January 14, 2011

Orientation Week

3:47 PM Posted by Bing Jue No comments
"Its the second intake of SST students, so how do their integrate into the SST community?" This report tells you how.

Day 1

The 1st day of School, definitely a start of a new year in SST, especially  for our fellow secondary one students.

As fresh new faces joined inside our SST community, you could see a few enthusiastic secondary ones entering from the main and sides gates, as early as 7.15am, approaching the boards,to find their names for their classes to settle down in the hall as PSLs(Peer Support Leader) help and usher them and get around the SST environment.


Secondary 1s and 2s assembling in the Hall
Secondary 1 students listening to the talk by Mr Chua.



After the Secondary 2s were dismissed,they were told of the SST values and things to note by Mr Chua and Mr Aidil respectively.This was followed by dances and cheers made by the PSLs over the holiday.
The dance were led by Davina and Shamemi to the song "Fireworks" by Katy Perry.

This was followed by the 3 cheers,"SST dynamite","SUPER SOLID" and the original SST cheer led by Jun Hui and Arthur Lee and Jin Qian from 2-06 and the rest of the PSLs as the school's cheer and dance.

Form Teachers welcoming and introducing to the class



The secondary 1s were then led back to their classes where they will get to know their form teacher and friends.There are 4 PSLs in each secondary 1 class and will be helping them during the entire orientation.

Ice breaker games were then played for the students, Form teachers and the PSLs to get to know each other and bond.
Ice Breakers Games with PSLs
Learning the Batch Dance



The students proceeded to the hall for SST sparks where they learnt the 3 SST cheers and SST dance.There were a bit confusion at first but everyone learned some dance moves and cheer by the end of the programme.

After a short break,they were ushered back to class for their mac activities where they will learn how to use their Macbook (Learning Device).This activity is led by the PSLs which will goes through the different activities with them and clarify or answer their doubts regarding the Macbook (Learning Device).

You might think that the secondary ones were really "clueless" about the mac but they aren't. Some of them were using iphoto,preview and even Adobe Photoshop!

Then followed by the reflections for the day led by the form teachers.

Even as they leave the school,you could see some smiles on their faces on their journey back home...

Day 2


Its another day of school,but this time you could see a few energetic and committed secondary 1s walking up to the hall.

Their first activity of the day, the yearly Batch Challenge--Towering above the Rest.

Their task is to make towers out of straws,cups,paperclips,wire and rubber bands but with a time limit of 1 hour.They then have to select a tower to represent their class that is able to hold the weight of 10 marbles and must be taller than 30cm.

There are some trying to make their towers first before planning and others who already have their plan.You could see the secondary ones working together to come up with their ideal tower to represent the class on stage.

There were a few very creative designs,and some can even hold more than 60 marbles!

With their very own towers , the PSLs and teachers helped to test the different towers and measured their height to help the class decide which tower to represent their class.


Back at the hall, after the towers have been set up. Marbles began to drop one by one as the competition gets heated up. After marbles dropping on the floor, towers dropping, slightly disappointed faces showing,S1-08 Wins with around 80 marbles and still standing! 

Next up,was MAC attack 2. They learnt about using keynote to present about their batch challenge during the batch ceremony where they will be presenting their ideas to their parents.


The PSLs showed them the different functions of keynote like animations,transitions,theme,bullets for example.Where they will be stating the description of their tower and what they contributed to make the tower perfect and strong.

You could see some of them adding different colors as the PSLs seek help to them when they face any problem.

So they went home to finish their end of day reflections and their "digital"homework.

Day 3(First Day of Orientation Camp)


Secondary Ones arriving at the camp at Shines Outdoors



The Orientation Camp was a chance for the secondary ones to get to know their classmates,and bond with them.


Its the PSLs job to actually closer up the gap between classmates,helping them make friends and break an unbreakable bond with their friends.

That day, heavy bags are dragged into the buses as everyone, including the PSLs, have to squeeze into 6 buses to head to the campsite --Shines Outdoor


There were a few secondary ones who have forgotten to bring either their thermometers or utensils and its all thanks to the PSLs who borrowed utensils from the chinese stalls and malay stalls so that they can eat at the camp with these utensils.

After the secondary 2s were dismissed,the classes were told of which buses they would be taking to the camp.

When they reached the camp,the juniors hastily took their bags and alight the bus while the PSLs check whether they have left anything else on the bus.The camp site is like on old school,there is a bus stop nearby and traffic lights.

Playing Ice Breaker Games with their Facilitator


After that,they were asked to assemble at the hall first where they were asked to put their bags on the side to make space for the students to play ice-breakers with their facilitator such that the facilitator can get to know them better while the PSLs do their final briefing before they join in with their class.

After Ice-Breakers, the students have lunch and then given a break.Followed by our trainer which introduce the PSLs and students the "Comfort Zone Theory".

Its is about the outer most square being the "Panic Zone"where you will get stressed out,panic,anxious,scared,afraid like when you are holding a real life snake,you will feel scared and afraid.

Followed by "Learning Zone",where the students will learn like where you will be when you are swimming when you are learning how to swim and lastly the "Comfort Zone"where you will feel easy,comfortable with things like where you will be about how you bond with your classmates,learning,comfortable or panic.

After that, there were some small team activities like "helium stick",where students would have to hold up a stick using only their index fingers.The stick will start from ground to eye level of the shortest player in the team and the stick cannot be slanted.

Groanings and arguings occur as they played the games.

After Dinner,the students and the PSLs played a mass game related to trains.
Everyone was scurrying around as the hall turned into a traffic jam where everyone was moving about.

Then the facilitators and the PSLs got the students to write their end of day reflections on a booklet.


Tired students quickly went to bathe and sleep, on the floor.

Secondary 1 students washing their plates after lunch



Day 4(Second Day of Orientation Camp)


The secondary ones woke up at about 7a.m. and then showered,brushed their teeth and prepared themselves before they assemble. The students did
area cleaning before they had their breakfast.

Facilitators Showing Students the safety procedures during high ropes.



After breakfast,they had a briefing on the safety procedures before our first high rope session where the PSLs would be doing their briefing with the students who were attempting the high ropes course and then debriefing after that.


There were a few challenge rope courses for the secondary 1s.The students were a lot "hyper" and enthusiastic this time round when we are doing the ropes course than yesterday team activities.

During lunch, they started brainstorming about their cheer and skit they would have to do during campfire later that night.Then they attempted the ropes course again but this time its another different course.There would be a total of 3 challenges for the ropes course.

The students can blindfold themselves,walk from backwards or walk as a pair or not holding the belaying rope depending on what type of challenge they wanted to challenge themselves.

Secondary Ones Belaying and Supporting their friends
One of the Secondary 1 students attempting the high ropes
Secondary Ones Trying out Rock Climbing


Camp Fire!



After that they were given time to prepare for their performance.

During Campfire,we sang songs and dane and cheer as we drum rolls and watch other class performances as everyone gets HIGH and shout for their class while some secondary ones show off their talents like beat-boxing,singing and dancing.We even have songs like Campfire burning down,good job cheer,macho clap,sexy clap.

Everyone was so ENTHUSIASTIC and attentive,everyone joins in even when our favorite songs were played loudly not eh speakers.We clap and sing.It was a good experience.

Before everyone had to sleep, there was the shifting of positions to allow everyone to sleep properly that night.

Day 5(Last Day of Orientation Camp)


Team activities, like Whacko and MRT game were played the first thing after they woke up.We played different games like Wacko and the MRT game.

Then we have breakfast before we proceed to area cleaning.After area cleaning,the secondary 1s proceed to play small team games before assembling at the hall for closure and end of day reflections.

The PSL debriefed the secondary ones about what they think was most memorable for them and why,and how would they apply to real life and how would they action or strive to reach their goal.

After debriefing ,each class was given a piece of A2 paper where they would draw a square inside the paper and then write and decorate the square with their class together and then on the rest of the space,they were told to write down what they wish to achieve by the end of the year.

Lastly,the students were given time to acknowledge the person they wish to thank and shook hands with the teachers,PSLs,students,classmates and facilitators.


As we close off the orientation camp by the school dance and cheer as everyone carried their bags heavily and tiredly as they walked home with a sense of joy and we know that they have enjoyed the camp very much…….

Written By:Bing Jue
Photos by:Hardy

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

CCA Fair

10:53 PM Posted by Emily No comments
On 12 Jan 2011, SST had our first CCA fair. Although there was not much buzz pior to the fair, there was still much excitement when it was finally time for the fair.The fair took place between 2:30 to 4:30 pm this very afternoon. In this fair, seniors promoted their CCA to their juniors, in an attempt to make them take it up as their CCA. 


The 11 CCAs are : Guitar Ensemble , Badminton , Cross Country, Media Club , Soccer, Basketball, Drama Club , Robotics Club, Wushu , Floorball and Cricket. The 3 newly added CCAs,Taekwondo, fencing and Singapore Youth Flying Club(SYFC), also opened their booths and joined the fair.

Things started and ended on a high note. Even before it was 2.30pm, students had already started filling in to the different venues of the various CCAs.Since each CCA was located in a different place from the other CCAs, there was action in all corners of the school.


The guitar Ensemble put up a performance for their juniors.

The Drama club members and juniors getting ready for a rehearsal session.

While the members of Guitar Ensemble put up little performances at 3pm and 3.30pm to attract new recruits, the Drama Club allowed the juniors to participate in an actual rehearsal just to let them have a feel of things. 

For the sports CCAs, such as soccer,badminton, Cricket, Floorball ,Basketball and Wushu, the members actually played against the juniors or strut their moves in front of them to ‘win their hearts’. Cross Country gave out pamphlets , briefly explaining their CCA , as well as little snacks as welcome gifts to the juniors. As for the Media Club, they treated the juniors with a gallery of their best works , explaining clearly to them the production process that happened while making the product.

The Robotics Club Chairman briefing the students.

The Robotics Club also had its fair share of fun as the student got their hands and minds moving as they tried to make different robot models with the parts they were given while following a guide, which they were also provided with. Because there was no existing members for the three new CCAs, external venders set up their booths and promoted the CCAs.

To end off, the seniors did their very best trying to promote their CCAs. I am sure some of them has already lost their voice from all the shouting . As they say , ‘All for one, and one for all’ . One must definitely sacrifice for the sake of the team , or in this case , for the sake of the CCA.


Written by: Emily Wu

Photos taken by: Reuven Lim


Secondary 1 registration day

7:56 PM Posted by Cherin No comments
26 November 2010 must definitely be a memorable day for the Primary 6s who have a confirmed offer to SST. They get to see the new textbooks, the uniform, their learning device (Macbook) and of course, who are their pioneers. Their parents were eagerly anxious to see how their child can prepare for their child’s first day of school.
Unlike the previous major events, the PSLs (Peer Support Leader) were the only students helping out in this event. Some of them were helping to welcome the parents & students, others were answering common queries of the parents, the rest were registering the P6s or doing some logistics work.


Registration at the Cafeteria

From 7.30am onwards, the crowd started streaming in and more and more people filled the once quiet SST campus. Everybody had the smile on their faces as they greeted the parents & students. Once they had registered, they received a folder with important information on payments ad what they needed to buy. There was a few talks by the Principal and a few of the teachers in the hall.

Principal Talk by Mr Chua Chor Huat


CCA Talk by Mr Lam Hin Chew

After the talks, there were booths set up to let the parents know different things about SST. Such as PforSST (Parents for SST), Q&A booths on financial matters, Mother Tongue Languages and CCAs. They were also booths that sell books, uniforms and the learning devices, which had long queues.

P for SST booth

Purchase of learning device

Though it was incredibly busy day for all the helpers, it was a rewarding one too. They got to see how their juniors were like and set the atmosphere when the P6s students come back again next year, as Secondary 1s. The next time we see them again, will be on the first day of school.

Photos and edited by Ms Seah Yen Sin