MAGAZINE ARTICLES.

You are the sportswoman of the year. The editor f the school magazine asked you to write an article on the importance of exercising to keep fit. You believe strongly in aerobic exercise. Write an article entitled, The E-word – Exercise.

The E-word for a Beautiful Meby

Kong Pik Kuen

Taking care of our health is not an option. It is our responsibility and we can reach our fullest potential and have a beautiful healthy body with exercise. The newspapers, magazines, billboards and advertisements are saturated with information on how exercise keeps us fit and helps prevent diseases. There is a wide variety of exercises that we can do. Young adults can do brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming and playing games for thirty minutes a day, three times a week. One exercise programme that is highly recommended is aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise, if done consistently, helps to boost metabolism. It promotes cardiovascular fitness by making the heart and lungs work harder. The heart pumps more blood and this help prevent the build-up of fat and clotting of blood in the arteries. The lungs receive more oxygen during the activity and this makes them stronger. Another benefit is the control of weight and increase in the flexibility of muscles and joints. Exercising or doing workouts at the gym two to three times a week is enough to increase our fitness level. The frequency depends on one’s fitness level and time. It should be done as a form of relaxation, not a burden. One can supplement these workouts with brisk walking or jogging in the park during the week. This will help to maintain and keep the habit of exercising alive. It can become a way of life. Every session or outing can take about 30 to 45 minutes. When working out, keep the pace brisk and relaxed not tense. One should feel comfortable and not be panting or out of breath. The key to a good workout is to do it with a companion. To take the monotony or tedium out of exercise, exchange opinions and comments to encourage or discourage with your companion. It is also encouraging to have someone to compete with, albeit on a friendly basis. All these exercises will not be beneficial if one’s diet is not in tune with the body. Eat moderately and healthily. Do not overindulge as overeating is, at the risk of sounding mundane, bad for health. Discuss this with a dietician if you are not sure. So, the E-word for a beautiful me is exercise but have a good balance with whatever form of exercise you take and follow a proper diet.

You are the student counselor and have attended a seminar on how to be an A-Star student. Write an article on Study Smart and Do Well In Exams for the school magazine.

How to prepare for and do well in examinationBy

Anne Khoo

The topic of how to prepare and do well for examinations haunts us from primary school to secondary school. This is due to the three public exams we have to face in Year 6, Form 3 and Form 5. they are the bugs that make schooling tedious and stressful. Yet, we are always told the best times of our lives are the schooling years. Can this be true? It is true provided we observe the golden rule of making studying enjoyable. When this is enjoyable, examinations become a breeze. Learn to study smart. First of all, stay healthy by making sure you get enough exercise and rest. A positive attitude is always important. Try saying positive things like ‘I can pass this exam!’ rather than negative ones like ‘I’ll fail for sure…’ Read through used textbooks, past years exam papers and notes to give you an insight into the exam format. Be attentive in class and stay focused. This will help you to learn more than attending tuition after school. Try not to miss the first and last few minutes if class as important tips and announcements are usually made at such times. Immediately after a lesson, review the notes even if it is for a few minutes. There is a variety of study techniques which works well generally. Sometimes it helps to read aloud as it keeps sleep away and it sounds as if someone is talking to you. Use short notes and revisions cards which you can carry around for quick reviews. Keep your short notes as brief as possible with only the main words if possible. When we review frequently, this helps to the facts be transferred from short-term memory to long-term learning. So, you are learning and not just cramming facts. Plan a schedule and study in short bouts. Long hours of cramming do not help much. During exams, choose the questions carefully. Understand the essence of the question by looking for key words and concepts. Be thorough and focus on the question asked. Keep tab of the time. The exam setting requires self-discipline and give a good answer within the time set. Organize your thoughts quickly and decisively as some subjects require that you answer four or five questions. So, by now, after going through some tips on how to study smart and do well in examinations, you should have more confidence to do well in all examinations.

NEWSPAPERS ARTICLE.

Write an article about the dengue problem in Malaysia.

The Dengue MenaceBy

Ang Mei Yee

Health experts in Malaysia are alarmed at the sharp rise in the number of dengue cases. The number of dengue cases has risen alarmingly with 20,658 victims admitted to hospital between January and May 2006 compared with 13,313 cases in the same period last year. On paper, there was an increase of 7345 cases. The number of deaths has also increased from 28 last year to 48 this year. There were 20 more deaths within the same time frame (January to May of 2 years : 2006 and 2007). According to the table, the worst hit areas are the major urban centers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Perak and Kelantan. The total number is 15,090 cases with Selangor topping the list. Could it be that urbanites are not so health-conscious or uninterested in maintaining the overall cleanliness of their surroundings? Health authorities have attributed the rise in dengue cases to the current rain and warm weather conditions plus the spread of different strains of the mosquito-borne virus. Mutation of the mosquito-borne virus is common in hot wet weather. Prevention is better than cure. Besides the efforts to reduce the number, everyone has to contain the spread of the disease before it claims more lives and turns it into an epidemic. Efforts to reduce the number involve fogging, “gotong-royong” activities, destroying the aedes mosquito breeding grounds and, of course, the necessary enforcement action. In addition, a concerted effort is necessary to stop this menace from escalating. Efforts need to be taken by the public, local authorities, government departments and agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. Furthermore, the public need to ensure that their own backyards are clean and free of mosquito breeding grounds. Then the interior of homes have to be mosquito-free breeding places like water in flower vases and water displays and landscaping that have seen better days. Commercial undertakings have to play their role too. Shopping complexes, food eateries, construction sites should be kept clean and free of hidden mosquito breeding grounds. What is more effective is to have enforcement units being more ‘caring’ in the way enforcement I carried out. Firmness is necessary but advice too must be forthcoming. Not everyone is knowledgeable about how to maintain a mosquito-free environment. Aggressive enforcement is imperative on all fronts. You and I have to be actively involved in contributing our energy to contain the dengue menace.

LETTER TO ASK PERMISSION FOR EDUCATIONAL VISIT.

You are the secretary of the Science Society SMK Sri Gading. The society members will be making a trip to KL for an inter-state quiz. As part of the trip, they would like to make a visit to the Coin and Natural Science Museum. Write a letter to the curator of the museum asking for permission to make the visit. Wee Beng Huat,Secretary Science Society,SMK Sri Gading,27200 Kuala Lipis,Pahang Darul Makmur. The Curator,Coin and Natural Science Museum,34000 Kuala Lumpur. 23 FEBRUARY 2010

Dear sir,

Permission to visit Coin and Natural Science Museum

I am writing on behalf of the members of the SMK Sri Gading Science Society to seek permission to make a visit to the Coin and Natural Science Museum.

2. Members of the Science Society will be making a trip to Kuala Lumpur on 10th to 13th March. The objectives of the trip are:

To make a visit to the National Education Fair in PWTC. To make visits to some places of educational interest in Kuala Lumpur.

3. One of the places of interest that we would like to visit is the Coin and Natural Science Museum. We would like to study the history of Malaysian coins and currency from the past to the present. As science students, we are also interested in knowing about natural science.

4. Details of the group and itinerary:a) Number of students – 40b) Number of teachers – 3c) Date of visit – 11th March 2010

5. We would be most obliged if you could provide us with a guide to take us round the museum and give information about the exhibits. If the day and time of arrival are not convenient, we are willing to adjust our itinerary to suit your time. Please feel free to contact Cik Salmah, teacher-in-charge, at 012-2106177.

Thank you and we hope to hear from you soon.

Yours faithfully, Wee Beng Huat(WEE BENG HUAT)(Secretary)

LETTER OF COMPLAINT.

You stay in Taman Pelandok. The residents of the residential area are not happy about the constant use of the playing field for commercial activities. So, out of concern, you decide to write a letter of complaint to the local authority.

Bryan Chen,34, Taman Pelandok,34000 Taiping,Perak Darul Ridzuan. The Supervisor,Municipal Council,34000 Taiping,Perak Darul Ridzuan. 7 AUGUST 2010.

Dear sir,Re: Commercial Activities on Playing Field in Taman Pelandok.

I would like to bring to your committee the problems faced by the residents in Taman Pelandok whenever the ‘circus comes to town’.

2. Taman Pelandok, like any other residential area has a children’s playground. We are lucky, apparently, to have a big field nearby for the older children to play ball games. We did not realize how lucky we were until the ‘circus comes to town’. Yes, the grounds are used for many public and entertainment events, like the Indian Circus, the FAMA Exhibition, Floral Display, Aerospace Show, Food and Fun Fair, and so on throughout the year.

3. The authorities seem to have overlooked the welfare of the residents when approving permits for such events. Whenever such activities are carried out, we, the residents face uneasiness and discomfort for the following reasons.

a) This is a small, middle-class, residential area with serene, quiet and healthy surroundings. The public and entertainment activities leave us totally exhausted because of the noise and the traffic congestion. The noise and the bright lights affect our sleep. Children are unable to get a good night’s sleep and worse still are distracted by the activities. Visitors to the event park their cars haphazardly, all over the place and in front of our gates too. This results in traffic congestion and a lot of inconvenience.

b) Rubbish is strewn all over the place on the grounds and the surroundings. The outside of our houses look filthy with spilt drinks, cans and food wrappings.

c) During the weekends, we look forward to having a good rest after working all week. But, come weekends, the situation gets worse. Very often, these events last for two weeks. The traffic and noise then doubles and trebles.

4. I would like to reiterate here that we are losing our green lung. Please consider this very seriously. We are appealing to you on compassionate grounds.

Thank you and we hope to have our green field again.

Yours faithfully,Bryan Chen

LETTER OF INVITATION.

Your pen friend, Mark, from Australia is interested in making a visit to Malaysia. Write a letter to Mark inviting him to visit Malaysia telling him about activities we have for tourists for the whole year. Invite him to make a visit at any time of the year.

22 Jalan Kubu, Kampong Kubu,

57000 Melaka, Malaysia.

23 February 2010.

Dear Mark, Thank you for your letter which I received three weeks ago. I’m glad to hear that you would like to make a visit to my country. It will be a pleasure to see you and to take you around my hometown, Melaka.

Melaka, with its rich colonial past as attested by the many historical buildings, its cosmopolitan people and its present progress, is considered a melting pot of the past and present. As you know, Malaysia is a country of varied cultures and traditions and this is what you will be able to experience in Melaka itself.

You will be taking a step back into history when you visit historical sites and buildings like the Hang Li Po well built in 1459, the A Famosa, a fort built by the Portuguese, the red-coloured Stadhuys built by the Dutch and the Anglican Church built by the British just to name a few. The houses along Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (formerly Heeren Street) are replicas of Dutch houses. When you walk along Jonker Street, you will see many shops selling antiques. The street is a pedestrian mall on weekends and is a colourful sight to behold.

Residents in Melaka are cosmopolitan in more ways than one. We have a good mix of the major races, Malays, Chinese and Indians. In the midst of this are the Portuguese who live in what we call Portuguese Settlement and the Straits-born Chinese, also known as Babas and Nyonyas. The latter are descendants of mixed marriages between the Chinese immigrants and local Malay women. The food we take also reflects our cosmopolitan ways. For example, I am a Chinese but my parents serve rending, a Malay dish for our festivals. The Baba-Nyonya cuisine is unique in that it reflects Malay and Chinese way of cooking. Wait till you sample this and you will understand what I mean. Melaka used to be called ‘sleepy hollow’ but now it has earned the right to reject this nickname. It is now a bustling, commercial city with all the trappings of city life. At the same time, it has not lost its rustic charm. As a student of history, I know you will enjoy visiting Melaka. Just let me know when I should expect you and I’ll plan a programme you will enjoy and appreciate.

That’s all for now. Bye.

Yours sincerely, Edward

LETTER OF APOLOGY.

You are studying at a residential school. During your holiday at home, you had a disagreement with your parents over the purchase of a computer. Write a letter of apology, expressing regret over your attitude and concern over losing temper, to your parents.

SM Sains Sungai Petani,

O8000 Sungai Petani, Kedah Darul Aman.

6 March 2010.

Dearest Papa and Mama,

I have reached the school hostel safely. The rest of my dormitory mates are also back. We have just had our dinner and now is the rest hour before bedtime. I’m taking the opportunity to write to both of you to beg your forgiveness for yesterday’s incident. I’m very sorry for all that I said. I must have hurt you a lot. I asked for a computer although I know that the family has financial problems. When you refused and tried to explain to me, I refused to listen. It was very rude of me. In fact I was so upset that I kicked and broke two pots of mama’s favourite plants too.

Papa, my attitude towards our family situation is highly regrettable. In the hostel here, a few of my dorm mates come from well-to-do families. When I see the things they have and I do not have, it makes me feel deprived. I know this is wrong but I can’t help comparing our situation with theirs.

I need a computer because I need to do research for my projects. During the term, I can use the school or hostel computer. But, during the holidays, I can’t do any work. However, that does not give me the right to lose my temper. I’m really sorry. I promise that it will never happen again. I will be more careful of your feelings and Mama’s. I can always go to a cybercafé to surf the Internet. To solve the problem, I have promised myself to start saving my allowance and also do part-time work during the holidays. Eventually, I will be able to buy a computer on my own.

I have to end here as it is already ten o’clock. I hope Papa and Mama have forgiven me. Please write to me. Bye for now.

Your loving son, Farid

LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS AND SUPPORT.

Your younger sister who is studying in a sports school has won a bronze medal in the State Swimming Competition. She is not too happy about it. You talked to her coach and learned that she has the potentials to excel in diving. Write a letter to congratulate her and to offer your support if she takes up diving.

Inti College Nilai, Jalan BBN 12/1,

71800 Bandar Baru Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

16 April 2010.

Dearest Mariana,

How’s the family sportswoman getting on? I heard from Mum that you won the bronze medal in the Inter-State Swimming (Free Stroke) Competition and congratulations are in order. You have done well and lived up to my expectations.

It may be a bronze but it is a good start. This is your first national competition so you should feel proud of yourself. You might not be happy with this achievement now but reflect on it and you will understand what I mean. You are a first timer and you have defeated others who are more experienced.

I called up your coach to inquire about how we can help you to improve as I know you are sensitive about your third placing. According to him, you are good in style and strokes but you lack stamina. He says that you have the potential to excel in diving. He has seen you on the springboard during practices and feels you will do better in diving. I am not sure how you feel but if your coach feels that way, you should give it some thought.

Whatever your decision, you know that the whole family will support you. Diving is more challenging than swimming and requires skills. But, I know that you are disciplined and will be able to acquire the required skills. Be brave enough to take up the challenge. Think hard and deep as it is a drastic change.

That’s all for now and call or write and let me know your decision. I’m on my way to the library to read up on strategies of diving.

Your loving sister, Mashitah

LETTER OF COMPLAINT.[TO NEWSPAPER]

The field behind your house in your residential area has been cleared of grass and trees. The residents are very unhappy and would like to voice their unhappiness through the newspaper. Write a letter on behalf of your friends and residents to the newspaper with the hope that this will not happen to other residential areas.

4, Bandar Puteri Indah, Jalan Kuala Ketil,

08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah.

3 May 2010.

Dear Editor,

Not a blade of grass or a shady tree left.

I am writing on behalf of my friends who meet every Saturday and Sunday for games at the field behind our houses in Bandar Puteri Indah, Sungai Petani. We can no longer play games like captain ball, Frisbee, softball, volleyball, football there anymore as the incomprehensible has happened. The field has disappeared! The residents cannot take strolls or sit under the shady trees anymore. The trees have disappeared!

The green grass that was a mattress each time we fell, the field that was our meeting place over the years had been cleared, every bit of it. We are left with nothing but earth and tree stumps. The trees have been chopped down and the trunks taken away. The ground has now turned into rivers of mud with every downpour.

The residents are especially unhappy because the field was a favourite leisure spot for adults and children. The trees have bee around for 20 to 30 years. The area is now denuded of trees and grass. Now, only the stumps and roots are in sight. But, apparently not for long, because the authorities plan to dig them out too.

What has happened to all the talk about the importance of trees and grass for rainwater retention to prevent flashfloods? What about the efforts to raise the standard of Malaysian sports when even the basic public amenities such as a green field for youths to develop a love for sports do not exist? What about the health of the people? There is no green lung for them to breathe fresh air and to exercise.

The concrete jungle is so attractive that we forsake human development. The field has served us well and faithfully over the years. I kicked my first ball here and so did most of my friends.

I’m writing this letter with the hope that the authorities will take note and not do the same to other residential areas. We need the fields, big or small.

Voice of unhappiness

NEWSPAPERS REPORTS.

You are a newspaper reporter. You have been sent to the scene of a peaceful demonstration by a group of residents from a housing estate.

Din and pollution ire residents

Tawau, Sat. – Residents of Hibiscus Garden held a peaceful demonstration against the noise and air pollution from the construction site of a multi-level market on a plot of land beside their housing estate in Tawau here today. The group of residents from Hibiscus Garden said they were badly affected by the recent increase in noise and air pollution caused by the irresponsible and inconsiderate contractor of the new market. Work on the project started abut six months ago. The residents are happy about having an indoor market but they have to put up with a lot of inconvenience and they are highly irritated and disturbed. There is incessant noise from the generators, cement mixers, earth movers and heavy vehicles. Work is carried out throughout the day and into the night and the residents have not had any peace and quiet since work on the project started. The noise from the piling machines is unbearable and while babies cry a lot, school children cannot concentrate on their studies. The environment is heavily polluted from the black smoke emitted by the machinery and the dust created by the earth movers. The residents claim that due to this people are falling sick more often. There are sleepless nights and it is a strain on them. Some people have moved out of the area. The contractor does not seem too overly concerned about safety. Mounds of earth are found along the road and especially around the playground. This has caused inconvenience to pedestrians who have to walk around them and get their shoes muddy. Some children have fallen over these mounds of earth. The work site is not screened off and the residents are worried for their safety. The residents handed a list of demands to the official of Department of Environment who had been invited to the demonstration. The residents want the department to issue a warning to the contractor to be more disciplined. There should be better supervision of the work-site. All work should stop by 6.00 p.m. and the machinery should be properly maintained so the environment will not be so polluted. The lorries should be well covered and not litter roads with earth. Finally, the work-site should be screened off for the safety of the residents. The residents dispersed after their list of demands was accepted by the contractor and witnessed by the official of the Department of Environment.

SCHOOL SOCIETY’S REPORTYou are the secretary of the English Language Society. Your society is planning a trip to one of the following places as proposed: caving in Gua Tempurong, jungle trekking in Taman Negara or water activities in Pulau Redang. Write a report to the teacher advisor on the preference of the members after your meeting with them.

Report on preference of members for trip in August.To: Puan RosarioDate: 12 April 2010Time: 4.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.Venue: School LibraryAgenda: Society’s Annual trip in August.

The president conducted the meeting to find out the place of preference of the members for the annual trip in August. Details of the meeting are as follows:1. Destinations and activities and a brief description of each place were given to the students. Caving cum camping at Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak. This is one of the most popular limestone caves in the country. There are fascinating rock formation of stalactites and stalagmites and pillars, some of which are thousands of years old. Nearby there are caves to be explored. One of these requires sliding one way through the cave through narrow pathways and emerging into forest areas. Another cave which is known as Gua Angin has a breezy wind tunnel. Furthermore, other activities that are available are white-water rafting along the rivers nearby. There are campsites with activities such as abseiling, rock climbing and flying fox. We can go for camping at these campsites. Out of the 40 members, 25 are in favour of this place. Jungle trekking in Taman Negara, a popular national park. The park has green valleys and scenic rivers that are suitable for jungle trekking. The park has many attractions like animal observations, salt licks, canopy walk, angling, bird watching, photography and rock climbing. There are exotic and rare flora to be seen here. The type of accommodation available is chalets at reasonable prices with meals included. Nine members voted in favour of going to Taman Negara. Water activities in Pulau Redang. This island is off the coast of Terengganu and offers many activities like picnics, beach volleyball, swimming and snorkeling. There are other activities like canoeing and boating. Most of the resorts here provide chalet-type accommodation. The charges are higher than the other two places. The remaining six members voted in favour of this place.2. Reasons for student’s choices: Caving at Gua Tempurung is the choice of the students. They like the idea of camping out for the whole trip as this would be a welcome change from the normal school trips. Some of them have experience with this type of trip while others who have not are game for it. Those who opted for jungle trekking and water activities did so because they have not been to these places before. Cost-wise, caving in Gua Tempurung is cheaper as the campsites are free of charge. The only charges are for the use of the tents. Prices for accommodation in the other two places are negotiable but will still be costly.

That’s all for the outcome of the meeting.

Submitted by,Alice LeongALICE LEONG(Secretary)

CURRENT ISSUES.

In view of the current dry season and the possibility of water rationing, the resident’s association in your neighbourhood has invited an official from the Water Department to give a talk on the value of water.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is good to see such a good turn out for this evening’s talk. I am Encik Rashid from the Water Department and have been invited to talk to you about the value of water and ways to use water wisely. Malaysia is rich in water resources as we receive about 3000 mm of rain a year. Unfortunately, rainfall is not evenly distributed in terms of time and place. While certain parts of the country experience floods, other parts may be relatively dry to the extent that there is a possibility of drought. Currently, we are facing dry season and possibility of water rationing. Therefore, the public must be educated on the value of water and taught how to use water wisely. Water is very precious and we must make every drop count. We do not want to have a water crisis on our hands. Simple and painless measures can be taken by everyone to reduce water waste. When we get up from bed, our very first action of brushing teeth can and should set the pace for the day. When brushing teeth, use a glass of water rather let the water run until we are ready to rinse our mouth. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth! The weather in Malaysia can be very humid and we feel uncomfortably sticky. Therefore, many of us take at least two showers a day. This should be sufficient. If you are one of those who take four showers a day, cut down to two. This will help conserve water and your water bill too. Turn off the tap when soaping and shampooing. Also, avoid taking baths in bath tubs. It needs at least four times the amount of water. Another area to help water conservation is flushing after toilet use. You could install the half flush system after urination or flush only after the second urination. But, make sure your hygiene is not jeopardized. One flush is about nine litres of water. Do the calculation and you will see how much water and money you will be saving. Most Malaysians have the habit of using the running hose for washing cars. We should instead use two pails of water which should be enough to clean even a Mercedes Benz. Wash clothes only when you have enough for a full load. You can make a difference with these small steps by making every drop you use count. Thank you for your attention and I hope that you will join us in our water conservation efforts.

SPEECH OF FAREWELL.

You are the Head Prefect of SMK Sri Damai. The senior assistant (academic) of the school is going on retirement. You, as the Head Prefect of the school, have to give a farewell speech at the assembly.

A very good morning to Mrs. Rachel Tan, the Senior Assistant (Academic), Puan Hasnah, the Principal, teachers and fellow students. This morning, we have a special assembly, to bid farewell to our beloved Mrs. Rachel Tan. Mrs. Rachel is going on retirement after an outstanding career in the education service. Mrs. Rachel is the most dedicated teacher I have ever known. She has been a teacher for 20 years and a senior assistant for 10 years. Mrs. Rachel taught English and History in Melaka High School before coming to our school as senior assistant ten years ago. In the ten years that Mrs. Rachel has been with our school, she showed fantastic dedication to her vocation and did her best to improve the academic level of the school. The school’s results in PMR and SPM have always been around 55% pass rate only. Mrs. Rachel worked hard to improve the passing rate. She encouraged students by counseling them to work harder. She gave teachers and students a target to work for. Consequently, the PMR and SPM results have improved until last year we had a record 100% pass rate. One of the steps introduced by Mrs. Rachel and which is very popular among the students is the buddy system for weak students for tuition. I myself have been involved in this system for the past two years and it has benefited both me and the Form 3 students I have tutored. I have learned to be patient and appreciative of my fellow schoolmates. Mrs. Rachel’s two favourite projects are the Computer Lab and the Art Centre. She took a personal interest in these two projects and was responsible for raising the funds needed for the projects. Now, the school boasts of a state-of-the-art Computer Lab and a spacious Art Centre which caters for handicraft and art lessons. The school will lose a gem. However, all said and done, we have to let her go. I, on behalf of the student body, wish her happy retirement and the best of health. Thank you for your attention and now I would like to present Mrs. Rachel a bouquet of flowers.

SPEECH ON ANNUAL ACTIVITIES OF SCHOOL SOCIETY

As the newly-elected president of the English Language Society, you have to make your maiden speech at the first society meeting. In your speech, you thank the members for their support and inform them of the society’s activities for the year. Write out the speech.

Good afternoon, teacher advisors, Mr. Leong and Puan Laila and all members of the society. First of all, I would like to thank everyone here for placing your confidence in me as the new president of the Science Society for the coming year. Congratulations to the members of the committee. I promise that the committee and I will do our best to take the society to new heights. The Science Society is very popular with the students. Our membership has increased from 300 to 390 and this makes us the most popular society this year. As such, we, the committee and I need to prove that we are worthy of your support and confidence. I would like to outline the programme we have planned for the year and hope that it will be accepted. Of course, each one of the activities will be put to the vote at subsequent meetings before they are implemented. The annual programme has been divided into the following categories:1. Trips

National Science Centre – hands-on experiments and robotics Shell Refinery – process of gas extraction and refining National Mint in Shah Alam – minting of coins

2. Talks Flora and fauna – endangered species Ozone depletion and effects Herbs and organic food – methods of cultivation and effects.

3. Projects Science garden and greenhouse plants – hydrophonic gardening Fish pond and rockery near school gate Social service – tuition for weak students

4. Fund-raising projects To buy computers for the Science Society room. To sponsor students for the inter-school science quiz and National Science Championship

in Sabah. That is all for the annual programme and I hope that you will give us your support. We are open to suggestions. Thank you.