Amities 2016 Issue 3

A newsletter for Parents and Pupils

CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh)

Dear Parents, we would like to once again thank you for supporting Celebrating Talents 2016 and making it a success. The funds we raised will go to our CHIJ needy pupils.

The Department had 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 is part of the school's vision in providing a

holistic education that prepares pupils to meet the challenges of life. The programme is also part of the school’s character

development plans as such age-group appropriate skills teach pupils to be independent and self-reliant.

In partnership with the Central Parent Council (CPC), the following Life Skill 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 Advanced Needlework Skills

Primary 6 Hamper Wrapping

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

shoelaces while the Primary 2 pupils learnt how to tie their hair neatly, cut their nails and the proper use of chopsticks.

Primary 1 Life Skills – Getting ready for school

Primary 2 Life Skills – Proper use of chopsticks

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Life Skills Programme

The Primary 3 pupils were taught how to prepare breakfast for themselves by making an egg sandwich and a cup of

orange juice.

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

such as threading a needle and sewing a button while the Primary 5 learnt how to do hemming and how to sew an eye

and hook.

Primary 3 Life Skills – Making egg sandwich + fresh juice

Primary 4 Life Skills – Basic needlework skills

Primary 5 Life Skills – Advanced needlework skills

Life Skills Programme

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Primary 3 Life Skills – Making egg sandwich + fresh juice

Primary 6 pupils were taught how to create a hamper with food items.

This year, as the Department integrated Value in Action (VIA) Programme with Life Skills Programme for the Primary 6

pupils, the hampers made by the pupils were given to a Dementia Day Care Centre in the community.

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 contributions as they had learned a skill which they could apply for life.

Ms Sharryl Tang Subject Head (Pastoral Care / VIA)

Primary 6 Life Skills – Hamper wrapping

Life Skills Programme

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On 21 July, we celebrated Racial Harmony Day in school. Pupils and staff came dressed in their traditional ethnic costumes. It was such a sight to behold! The theme for this year was Our Cultural Heritage. This year’s Racial Harmony Day kick-started with CCE lessons where pupils learnt about how to appreciate the diversity in Singapore, strengthening our friendships, promoting harmony, our shared heritage and our shared family values. On the day of commemorating Racial Harmony Day, we had three programmes in place for our pupils. The first was kindly supported by our canteen vendors. They had specially brought in traditional ethnic food to introduce to the pupils. Examples of such food items were Vadai (by Curry flavour), Hainanese chicken rice (by Bento box), Png Kueh and Soon Kueh (by Asian tradition), and many others. By bringing these food items to pupils, they were able to experience and taste different food items that belong to each traditional ethnic group that makes Singapore unique. Pupils enjoyed the food items so much that the tasty morsels were sold out by the end of the third recess! The second programme was effectively coordinated by our Central Parent Council, where parent volunteers came forth readily to render their assistance. Various traditional games were set up in the hall to allow pupils to experience the different games played by each ethnic group. This helped to build friendship among friends from other races while playing and learning about them together. Pupils had a whale of a time in the hall! Dressed in their lovely ethnic attire, pupils were encouraged to find out more about their particular attire in order to talk and introduce it to their fellow classmates. The person who was best able to talk about her attire was named the Best Dressed and was presented a token for her effort. By the end of the day, pupils had learnt more about the various ethnic groups that make up the diversity in Singapore through food, games and attire. Pupils had an enjoyable day indeed! Ms Lynette Chan (On behalf of National Education/Social Studies Department)

Racial Harmony Day

23 Primary 3 to Primary 6 pupils from our handbells ensemble, Les Clochettes, went on a learning journey to Hong Kong

from 24 May 2016 to 27 May 2016. The main aims of the overseas trip were to provide our pupils with an experience that

allowed them an opportunity for musical growth, give our pupils an opportunity to perform publicly and a chance to attend

educational workshops convened by respected musicians and clinicians.

With great excitement and anticipation, our pupils assembled at Singapore Changi Airport at 6.30 am on 24 May 2016 for

the four-day long trip. When they reached Hong Kong, they attended the first of their daily Handbells Performance Training

Course under Dr Kevin Mazimas Ko. On the second day, our pupils performed at the Hong Kong International Handbell

Festival 2016. They played a total of 6 songs under the baton of our instructors Mr Myren Mak and Ms Jessie Tan.

We were heartened that some parents flew all the way from Singapore to Hong Kong to show their support and attended

the ticketed concert. Our pupils had a school exchange with ringers from Po Leung Kuk Mrs Chan Nam Chong Memorial

Primary School on the third day. Amidst their busy schedule, our pupils took in the sights of Hong Kong’s panoram ic view

at the Victoria Peak, admired the architecture of 1881 Heritage and the marvellous skyline when they watched the

Symphony of Lights in the evening.

It was truly a memorable trip for our pupils who would not have otherwise had a chance to meet and work with peers within

the region to establish friendships. This overseas trip definitely provided an avenue for them to increase their understanding

of different cultures.

Ms Nina Mark

Teacher-in-charge

Handbells Ensemble

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Handbells Learning Journey to Hong Kong

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The annual Mother Tongue Language Fortnight aims to allow pupils to experience the Chinese culture through participating in various cultural activities.

This year, our pupils tried their hands at cultural activities such as bean artwork, paper cutting, Chinese mask painting, Chinese knots making, Chinese painting and Chinese calligraphy. The pupils listened to some interesting facts about each art form before they started working on them.

The P1 pupils tried their hands at bean artwork. They were given some sample pictures according to various themes and they had to do their bean art in accordance to one of the themes. The pupils had fun as they meticulously pieced their beans together to make their own art work.

The P2 pupils did paper cutting and they had fun cutting various interesting pictures on coloured paper while following the instructors’ instructions.

Mother Tongue Fortnight

The P3 pupils tried their hands at Chinese Mask painting by using different colours to represent different characteristics of a character.

The P4 girls were busy with Chinese knots-making while the P5 pupils created exquisite pieces of artwork using Chinese ink and brushes.

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Mother Tongue Fortnight

Last but not least, our P6 girls honed their strokes of writing Chinese characters and developed their patience through calligraphy.

Pupils expressed that they found the activities interesting so let’s look forward to the next Mother Tongue Language Fortnight as we continue to nurture lifelong learners of the Chinese language!

Ms Lui Zihui

Chinese Teacher

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Mother Tongue Fortnight

A sea of red and white filled CHIJ Primary on 8th August 2016 as we gathered as one people to celebrate the 51st anniversary of Singapore’s independence. The theme for this year was, ‘Building Our Singapore of Tomorrow.’ The celebrations in school commenced with our morning observance ceremony led by parent volunteers. Thereafter, pupils proceeded to class for their National Day classroom programme and hands-on activities. Teachers from the Music Department conducted a ‘Don’t Forget the Lyrics’ gameshow for the pupils when we gathered in the hall for a mass sing-a-long session consisting of National Day and community songs. Pupils participated in the gameshow with much excitement and enthusiasm. It was a memorable celebration for all. Ms Rohini Visva Nathan Subject Head, National Education & Social Studies

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National Day Celebrations