2011 Celebrations@SST

On this grand day parents gathered to see their children go up stage to receive their very first award at SST. The juniors who watched the pioneer batch receive awards might get even more motivated to study for their next 4 years in SST. 

The day kicked off with the arrival of the Guest of Honor, Dr. Su Guaning. 

Award Recipients listening to Mr Dr Su Guaning's speech.

This was followed by Mr. Chua, the principal of SST, giving his speech about how SST started, how it has progressed through the years and to thank the staff of SST and everyone who had been there to support the school. Throughout the speech, he showed presentations and videos of the students participating in events like the "Apple Leadership Summit" and the GCP trips. 

Mr Chua, our principal is giving his speech

After his speech, Dr. Su went up on stage for his speech about working with SST to create a new study environment for students. 

After that, the prize-giving ceremony took place. It was what everyone, especially the parents were anticipating for as they took out their cameras, wanting to get a snapshot of their child on stage receiving a prize. First up was the SST Book Prize, followed by the Edusave Entrance Scholarship, the yearly Edusave Independent Schools, SST Entrance Scholarship, SST achievement award and lastly the Top Student award, which was won by Lai Zi Ying of S2-01.

Lai ZiYing of class S2-01 . Top student of pioneer batch.

After the prize giving ceremony, it was time for the performances to begin. Two enthusiastic emcees went up on stage to introduce the first performance, Daryl Lam playing the tune "菊花台" on the guzheng (古箏). 

Daryl Lam playing the guzheng.

Next up, the SST wushu team showed their incredible martial art skills. With energetic music blaring through the sound systems and the team displaying their skill, it made everyone energetic . 

Then, Ng Kai Chek from S2-01 sang Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours"

After that melodic performance came another one, Chio Jia Le playing Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu". 

Finally, SST's first speech day ended off with the guitar ensemble playing harmoniously, ending the first ever Celebrations@SST.

Written by: Justin Lim
Photos by: Mavis Cheng

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"How do the teachers view it?": Mr. Irfan and Mr. Tee

New people, New faces, New resolutions.

Do you ever wonder what do the teachers do, whats their favorite colour and so on?

This post is part of a few part series on : "How do the teachers view it?"

Here's an interview with Mr. Irfan, a ADMT teacher:

Here's another interview with Mr. Tee, one of the new Science teachers in SST:

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"How do the teachers view it?":Mr. Max Lam

New people, New faces, New resolutions.

Do you ever wonder what do the teachers do, whats their favorite colour and so on?

This post will help you get to know our new Vice-principal, Mr Max Lam. 

He is not a teacher, but he's new to SST.

This post is part of a few part series on : "How do the teachers view it?"

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

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Chinese New Year 2011@SST

On the 2nd of February, Chinese New Year's Eve, SST celebrated her second CNY event. People were full of excitement. They were excited to come to school, to celebrate with their schoolmates.

There was much anticipation to what performances will be displayed.

All the students were given two gold-oranges packed in a cheerful red SST bag

In 2011, SST also brought in some new activities for Chinese New Year. Of course we still had our yearly presentations on Chinese New Year and what that year's zodiac animal represented. 

CNY Presentation by NE Committee

After that, we had something that most of us have not done together! Our very own class "Lo hei"!

Of course, we had to spend sometime cleaning up the place. But, moving right along.

                

                               Our Guitar Ensemble putting up a display of tranquility and peace in their tune!

The Wushu Club performing a wide range of Martial Arts moves. Dazzling the crowd!

Alpha Chua also put up some magnificent solo moves too.

Too the joy of the Media Club, an animation clip developed by them was displayed. It was a montage of the zodiac race.

SST students engrossed in the animation

We then had our closure to the "Best Decorated Class" Competition with the prize giving. Congratulations to all the winning classes!

Representative of a winning class proudly receiving the prize!

Another prize giving event was also held to congratulate the winning entries for the Super Hero Bunny Drawing Contest.

1st place of the super Bunny Drawing Contest!

Then, FINALLY, the moment we've all been waiting for...In every Chinese New year event, there is one thing that NO ONE would want to miss. The LION DANCE!

The Lion Duo taking SST by storm as they enter the stage!

The Character showing some moves with one of our Wushu student's sword.

The Chinese God of Fortune Shaking hands with the audience, "granting them good luck".

Vice Principal of SST, Mr Max Lam, standing with the Lion Dance gang!

After that exciting performance, SST had come to the end of the Chinese New Year event. As the school ended early, students rushed to join their friends to visit their previous schools, celebrate at different places or just go back home to spend time with family and relatives. It has been a very enjoyable Chinese New Year for the SST family. What will next year's Chinese New Year bring?

Below are videos of the  performances:

Videos of performances by SST staff and students

Lion Dance performance by an external party

                                        
Written by: Hardy Shein
Videos by: Lee YuChong

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SST Leadership Camp

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

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MOU signing between SST and RDFZ Xishan School

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)

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Badge Ceremony

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

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Orientation Week

"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

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