A Publication of Fuchun Primary School

Newsletter 2013 Issue 1 May

W e started the year 2013 with the happy announcement that our school has been awarded the niche status in Brass Band by the Ministry of Education. This is indeed an

affirmation of the school’s music education especially in Brass Band. More about the niche in Brass Band is featured in this newsletter along with other achievements of our pupils.

As a school, it is important that we ensure that our pupils’ learning journey is a meaningful one. Thus, early this year, we re-defined our school vision ensuring its relevance to today’s educational landscape.

Our school vision to create “A Nurturing School that Inspires a Passion for Life-long Learning” has been the aspiration for both our staff and pupils in Fuchun Primary.

In the school, every staff and pupil is unique, and has his or her individual talents and skills. Thus, we aspire to create a nurturing

school that appreciates and affirms the talents and uniqueness of each member; show care for all and strive for excellence in whatever we undertake. Such a nurturing environment will enable our pupils to harness their potential to achieve their best, and for staff, to develop themselves to be caring and competent educators.

While we work with our pupils to develop their talents, we want to ignite in them, the passion for life-long learning so that they are positive towards acquiring knowledge and skills for continued growth. We hope that our pupils will be enthusiastic and motivated to continuously learn through the array of programmes and activities in the school. As individuals, they will be reflective in their learning and be willing to actively share their knowledge with others.

We would like to thank our stakeholders for your support and dedication in working with us to achieve our vision.

Mrs Yap Dai JeePrincipal

Principal’s Foreword

Music is the soul of language.Max Heindel

Our VisionA nurturing school that inspires a passion for life-long learning.2

Brass Band – Shine Through MusicWe are proud to announce that our school has been recently awarded the Niche Status in Brass Band by the Ministry of Education (MOE). This niche status is in recognition of our school-based music programme from P1 to P6, particularly the brass band, in providing strong educational value in music development as part of holistic education for our pupils.

We wish to thank our community of enthused pupils in music, teachers, supportive parents and partners who have believed and worked with us in our cause towards developing our pupils in our music programme.

The effectiveness of the brass band niche is undergirded by the school’s approach to the learning of music. Through the music programme, the pupils learn skills such as listening, singing, conducting and instrumental. For instrumental, the pupils learn four instruments in their six-year education in the school, namely, recorder, pianica, cornet and guitar of which the first three instruments are related to the brass band. The music skills are not taught in isolation but put in context for our pupils to develop further to “aesthetic respond”. Through “aesthetic response”, we aspire to enable our pupils to critically appreciate music, that is, to create music forms which are expressive of life through feeling, senses and imagination.

The Brass Band members, through the CCA programme, develop the technical facility in playing the Brass Band instruments. Their music skills are enhanced by the school’s music programme whereby they become literate, critical and creative in musicianship.

About the Fuchun Brass Band

Rich in history, Fuchun Brass Band has come a long way since 1994 to establish itself as being one of the best primary school bands in Singapore. With an enrolment of about 100 members, Fuchun Brass Band has clinched several Gold and Silver awards, including Gold with Honours (in 2012) at the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Central Judging of Primary School Bands and international competitions. Being a reputable band, we have been invited to perform at various events outside school. Last year, the band was invited to perform for the third time at the Istana during its Open House as well as at the SYF Band Presentation.

With a strong retention rate of Brass Band members whose talents are identified through auditions and practices, the members undergo a structured skills and talent development programme. This includes opportunities for them to perform and also additional chances to undergo experiential learning.

Band performance at the Istana Open House on 1 May 2012

Fuchun Primary Awarded The Niche Status For Schools

Music is always changing and the changes are unpredictable.Billy Sheehan

Our MissionTo develop a learning and caring community of creative and innovative students,

competent teachers and supportive stakeholders, through collaboration.3

Excited band members gathered at the airport for a group photo before departure.

Trombone section had a fruitful masterclass by a pupil from the Kunitachi College of Music Phua Yong Jun, from P6E, performed on the cornet at the ABRSM High Scorers’ Concert on 5 Jan 2013.

Band performed at the SYF Central Judging 2012 and clinched a Gold with Honours Award

ABRSM Accreditation for Talented Pupils

As part of our school’s talent development programme for pupils in the Performing Arts groups, pupils are identified for the ABRSM accreditation. Last year, among the Brass Band members who took the exams, 46% and 59% of them scored distinction/merit for theory and practical respectively. This accreditation serves to stretch the pupils’ potential as well as provide a means for those who are interested to apply for Direct School Admission (DSA) to secondary schools via music. Last year, our Brass Band pupil, Phua Yong Jun from P6E, sat for the ABRSM Grade 2 Practical Examination and scored the highest in Singapore for that particular grade and instrument. He was invited to perform at the prestigious High Scorers Concert on 5 January 2013.

Brass Band Overseas Exchange Programme

The Brass Band members have the opportunity to go on overseas exchange programme. This programme aims to provide a platform to nurture music excellence in Brass Band and instill confidence, musicianship and sportsmanship in our band members.

The Brass Band members went to Japan from 22 to 27 November 2012. The members attended master classes conducted by college pupils at Kunitachi College of Music. The Kunitachi College of Music was founded in 1926 as the Tokyo Conservatory of Music. Our members gained valuable insights on producing quality intonation and appreciating music. Besides attending master classes, the members performed at the Sakaine Nishi Primary School where they had a school exchange. Sakaine Nishi Primary School has a strong band that won the Elementary School Band Championships 2012. Language has never been a barrier for these pupils as they made friends through the common language of music.

During the trip, the members went to various tourist attractions such as the Edo-Tokyo Museum and Mount Fuji where they learnt about the history, culture and traditions of Japan. They also had a fun-filled trip to Disneyland! Aside from having loads of fun, our pupils learnt about teamwork, caring for others and being independent throughout this wonderful journey. This was definitely an enriching experience for our young musicians!

Mrs Gan Ping FongPerforming Arts Coordinator

Aesthetic Department

P4 Mother Tongue Camp

A total of 182 pupils participated in the annual P4 Mother Tongue camp, which was held on 18 March this year. The objective of the camp is to promote cultural awareness of the different races in Singapore and to inculcate an interest in understanding of the pupils’ own culture. In this camp, the P4 pupils learnt the making of cultural crafts from the different races and visited the National Museum of Singapore. Pupils and teachers found the camp both fruitful and enjoyable.

Mrs Chong Wing Yi CL coordinator

MT Department

kidsREAD Club @ Fuchun

The English Department, in collaboration with the National Library Board, launched the kidsREAD Club on 27 March 2013. kidsREAD aims to provide pupils with the exposure to various literature and to inculcate the love of reading among them. Altogether, 30 P2 pupils signed up as members of kidsREAD Club. The reading sessions take place in the Library every Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The Department is fortunate to have six Parent Volunteers who have come forward to run the weekly sessions. The weekly sessions incorporate the following activities:

a) Tuning In

b) Story Time

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.William Butter Yeats

Core Values: CareA person who is caring acts with kindness and compassion.

He contributes to the betterment of the community and the whole.4

Making Wayang Kulit is fun!Pupils learnt more about film making in the 60s in the Living Gallery.

I can make my own chinese knot. Pupils exploring the interactive stations in the Museum.

Pupils listening attentively to the tour guides in the History Gallery and Living Gallery.

Pupils listening attentively to a story read by Mdm Kiran.

Group activity after story time. Enjoying a quiet time reading.

Primary Two Chinese LanguageDrama Camp

The P2 Chinese Language Drama Camp was successfully conducted on 19 March 2013. The objective of the camp is to inculcate an interest in the learning of the Chinese language.

Using the famous Justice Bao as the story backdrop, pupils role- played the judge, focusing on observation, reading aloud and projection of voice. On top of that, pupils also had some hands-on activities in costume and prop making.

From the high level of enthusiasm from the pupils during the camp, it was clear that they had a fun and meaningful time.

Mdm Goh Sock ChengTeacher-in-charge

CL Department

Pupils displaying their creativity during prop making session.

We can do a good job, even if it is a tree.

Pupils were participating actively.

c) Group Activities

d) Independent Reading

The P2 pupils look forward to the weekly story-telling session and various group activities planned for them.

Mdm NorsiahTeacher-in-charge

EL Department

Fuchun Play Day 2013

On 8 February, John made his way to school for Fuchun Play Day. He was ecstatic as his class was going to compete against the other P6 classes in Ultimate Frisbee. Having trained hard for the past few weeks, John was confident of beating the competition and hoisting the overall champion’s trophy at the end of the event. John recalled his teacher saying that this was the first year that all the classes playing the sports of Captain’s Ball, Floorball and Ultimate Frisbee were scheduled to play against the other classes in their level and he beamed with anticipation.

Soon, the games began and the school was completely overwhelmed by cheers of excitement from the victorious and groans of disappointment from the recently defeated. Although the games were competitive, the pupils personified the spirit of the event, summarised in the sentence, “Win with humility, lose with grace”. At the end of the competition, participants lined up facing one another to shake the hands of their respected opponents, further highlighting the noble objectives of the event.

Everywhere he looked, John saw pupils utterly engrossed in their tasks at hand. The “telematchers” played their hearts out and worked seamlessly to complete the challenges placed before them while the “orienteerers” sped around the school compound like busy bees collecting clues and returning to their “hive” in the canteen to share the information and solve their given puzzles.

Although John’s class did not clinch the overall championship as they had hoped, they left the school with a deeper bond of camaraderie among themselves that could only have been gleaned from an arduous journey towards a common goal. In addition, they developed a newfound sense of appreciation for the spirit of respect and fairplay in competitive games.

Mr Francis MahTeacher-in-charge

PE/HE Department

Education is not preparation for life; Education is life itself.John Dewey

Core Values: IntegrityA person of integrity upholds ethical principles and has

the moral courage to stand up for what is right.5

Fuchunians in action during the Telematch competition.

P4 pupils exhibiting the values, Respect and Sportsmanship, by shaking their opponents’ hands at the end of their game.

P5 pupils’ celebration of success.

P6 pupils trying to catch the Frisbee. Teachers encouraging pupils to hit the shuttle using a racket into the hoop.

Learning English beyond Classroom

“Hey, let’s go to the English Interactive Corner during recess to get more information about Space Junk!” Zul of P5D tells his classmates. This year, the English Interactive Corner aims to further support our pupils’ learning beyond the classroom through the provision of useful information related to the various STELLAR themes. For example, for the topic Space Junk, the pupils can access the information that they require, to complete their English worksheet from the posters and interesting facts displayed at the corner. Additionally, pupils can also participate in quizzes designed to make learning enjoyable. From the feedback given by teachers and pupils, it is evident that the new addition to the EL corner is indeed beneficial to the pupils’ learning!

Ms Syahidah Rasid AED (T&L) EL Department

Caught in the act! P2 pupils having fun learning about the life cycle of a mosquito and lady bug!

“I think the answer is here!” Some P5 pupils having their “Eureka!” moment at the EL Corner.

“It only takes 10 minutes to learn something new!”

“Let’s take a quick rest while the girls look for the information …”

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.Confucius

6

Learning Journeys

The school organises learning journeys to heritage centres such as Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India for the P3, P4 and P5 pupils respectively. The learning journeys include visits to prominent places like Sultan Mosque, Sri Veeramakaliaman Temple and Thian Hock Keng Temple. The objective of these learning journeys is to instill in the pupils a sense of appreciation towards the different ethnic identities through the culture, food and religion that they come into contact with during the trails. While visiting these sites, pupils understand the heritage and legacy left behind by the early settlers in Singapore better. The trips also provide ample opportunities for the pupils to bond as a class and realise the uniqueness of being Singaporeans.

Mdm ParameshwariNE/SS Coordinator

Cyber Wellness Monitors’ Outreach to Peers

Our dedicated P6 Cyber Wellness monitors distributing flyers promoting Cyber Safety to their peers in the school canteen.

A P5 Cyber Wellness Monitor inviting his peers to visit the booths and view the Cyber Wellness videos.

Another P5 Cyber Wellness Monitor sharing healthy gaming tips with her peers.

Total Defence Day Total Defence Day (TDD) was commemorated on 15 February to mark Singapore’s fall to the Japanese in 1942. This year’s theme “Will You Stand with Me?” was aimed to convey the message that the success we enjoy today is due to the determination and hard work of all Singaporeans. Our forefathers overcame challenges and stayed united to ensure that Singapore is a secure and prosperous nation for future generations.

A range of activities was conducted in school to instill the message in the pupils that this is their home and they need to protect it themselves. Some of the activities included sampling of sweet potato, yam and tapioca in order to understand what their forefathers had experienced during wartimes. Classroom activities, assembly talks and fire drills not only emphasized on the theme and its relevance in today’s context but also provided ample opportunities for pupils and staff to realise the importance of TDD.

Mdm ParameshwariNE/SS Coordinator

Mdm Hanim, Mr Aziz, Mr Faris and our pupils enjoying their sweet potato during recess.

P3B pupils at Kampong Glam

Our newly-appointed P5 and P6 Cyber Wellness monitors were given the opportunity to positively influence their peers on safe and responsible use of technology. They promoted Cyber Wellness messages and conducted booth activities for their peers during the P5 and P6 recesses in Term 2 Week 4 this year.

Walking around in billboards to promote Cyber Safety messages and giving out flyers to raise awareness of cyber issues from gaming addiction to cyber bullying, the Cyber Wellness monitors have made a small but sure step towards promoting a Cyber Safe Culture in our school!

Mr Joshua LengLH/ICT

Core Values: RespectA person demonstrates respect when he believes in

his own self-worth and the intrinsic worth of all people.

This event is meaningful because it gave me the chance to help my friends understand how to be safe online.

Consigliere Charmaine AlyssaCyber Wellness monitor of 5F

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.Theodore Roosevelt

Core Values: ResponsibilityA person who is responsible recognizes that he has a duty to himself, his family,

community, nation and the world. He fulfils his responsibilities with love and commitment.7

Fuchun Values Awards

As part of the school’s value-centric education, the Bi-monthly Fuchun values award was introduced last year. This award serves as a platform to affirm Fuchunians who display the school’s values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILTY, CARE, INTEGRITY AND PERSEVERANCE.

P1 to P6 recipients are nominated by their teachers and presented certificates during assembly by the school leaders. Their names and photographs are also put up on the Values Notice Board as an encouragement to their peers to emulate good behaviour and strong values.

Fuchun Value Cards Fuchun Value Worksheets

P6 Awardees for ‘RESPECT’

Value cards and bronze, siver and gold pins Samples of pupils’ reflection on the Fuchun Value worksheets

International Friendship Day 2013

The school also believes that values are not only taught but also caught. P1 to P3 pupils who are ‘caught’ displaying the school values are presented with bronze, silver or gold collar pins on completion of the Fuchun Value Cards.

P4 to P6 pupils are also given worksheets on the five school values whereby they reflect and pen down their thoughts. These are then shared with their peers during their Civics & Moral Education(CME) lessons. Selected worksheets are put up on the Fuchun Kudos Board.

Our school commemorates International Friendship Day annually and this year was no exception. International Friendship Day fell on 12 April 2013. The staff and the pupils celebrated and had a memorable time through a range of activities which were carried out during Week 3 of Term 2. From assembly talks and slides shown on the School Messaging System to fun and interesting classroom activities, the pupils learnt the importance of appreciating cultural diversity and cultivating friendship with international peers.

Mdm Ang Chia ChiaTeacher-in-charge

NE/SS Department

In small groups, P5 pupils had to build a structure depicting friendship and then complete a write-up explaining how their structure signifies friendship.

Lower Primary pupils had fun with the classroom activities that were carried out. P6 pupils embarked on a project with the International Friendship Day theme of “The World In Singapore”.

Structures built by P5 pupils.

Mr Wong Weng ChoyHOD/PM

Leadership is inf luence.John C. Maxwell

Core Values: PerseveranceA person who displays perseverance in the face of challenges has emotional strength.

He manifests courage, optimism, adaptability and resourcefulness.8

Student Leadership

Prefect Investiture

The Prefectorial Board held their annual Prefects’ Investiture on 22 and 23 April during the assembly sessions. The Prefects, Prefect Managers and Mentors donned their ties and vests proudly as they made their way up to the stage where they received their badges from our school leaders. The new Head Prefect and Vice-Head Prefects for the year 2013 were also introduced during the ceremony. They are:

Head Prefect Mentor: Raeann Teo of 6F

Head Prefect: Long Yi Xuan of 5E

Vice-Head Prefect: Angell Wu Jia Li of 5E

Vice-Head Prefect: Chuah Wan Hooi of 5E

During the investiture, the prefects recited their pledge with the promise of serving the school to the best of their abilities, being good role-models and exhibiting the school values at all times.

Class Committee Leadership Training

On 8 March, the annual Class Committee Leadership training was conducted for the various class committee leaders such as Class Monitors, Mother Tongue Monitors, Green Monitors, Cleanliness Captains, Cyber-Wellness Monitors and PE Monitors. The class leaders were briefed on their duties and how they should carry them out as responsible leaders, setting good examples for their classmates and assisting their teachers on a daily basis.

In collaboration with Fuchun Secondary School, their student leaders organised leadership training games for our class leaders. Through the training session, the class leaders learnt how to be more responsible and effective in their roles, aiming to inspire their fellow classmates in exhibiting the five school values.

Ms Denise WongTeacher-in-charge

Student Leardership Department

Class Committee Leadership Training in Action!

(From Left: Raeann Teo, Long Yi Xuan, Chuah Wan Hooi, Angell Wu Jia Li)

Ms HaslindaTeacher-in-chargePrefectorial Board

If you can dream it, you can do it.Walt Disney

Core Values: CareA person who is caring acts with kindness and compassion.

He contributes to the betterment of the community and the whole.9

P5 Camp 2013

For most of the P5 pupils, the P5 camp was a novel experience. The pupils went through experiential learning with the camp objectives in mind to acquire responsible decision-making and risk-taking skills and foster personal leadership and team spirit.

There were activities such as Field Cooking, Spider Web-Climbing, Trolley System and the Campfire Performance which helped the pupils in exhibiting their leadership skills. To draw them out of their comfort zone, the pupils had to spend a night sleeping in tents.

The pupils were introduced to soft skills, on what it takes to be a good leader. They were taught how to understand themselves better and also how to work best with others. The pupils brought back lifeskills from this camp that can serve them well throughout their lives.

Mr Abdul Aziz Zul HakeemAssistant Camp Commandant

Student Leadership Department

These are comments made by our pupils:

Some of the outdoor activities

Spider Web-Climbing

Trolley System

Field Cooking

Shemaiah Jenn Gongon Dacanay5D

The outdoor activity was enjoyable! I liked the Spider Web activity as it was challenging and fun. Through this activity, I learnt about the value of Perseverance - not giving up easily!

Muhammad Hassan Al-Mukhriz5F

As a leader, I learnt about being responsible and caring towards my team members. I enjoyed the team building activities very much. I also like the field cooking where we got to learn how to cook using the mess tin.

(From Left: Raeann Teo, Long Yi Xuan, Chuah Wan Hooi, Angell Wu Jia Li)

Things do not happen.Things are made to happen.

John F. Kennedy

Core Values: Integrity A person of integrity upholds ethical principles and has

the moral courage to stand up for what is right.10

Achievement

Five pupils from our school were presented with the Silver Award for their video entry titled “My School Days, My Defining Moments” in the Schools Digital Media Awards Competition held at the end of last year.

Organised by the Educational Technology Division, Ministry of Education, and the School of Film and Media Studies, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, the national competition attracted a total of 537 student entries.

Under the patient guidance of our teacher facilitators, our pupils were taught the skills of script writing, storyboarding, acting and video editing through this event.

Participating in this competition had been a truly rewarding experience for our pupils as they learnt the values of teamwork and harness technology to create meaningful and impactful messages.

To view the pupils’ video entry, visit the SDMA website at http://sdma.moe.edu.sg.

Mr Joshua LengTeam Advisor (SDMA 2013)

ICT DepartmentIt’s all smiles for the camera as our pupils celebrate their achievement! Well done boys!

(From left: Judd Denzel Garcia Mondina, Or Hai Tao, Alfred Tay Chee Heng, Muhammad Danial Arfan B.A and Jorissen Pang Jia Sheng) and their teacher facilitators (Ms Audrey Lau & Ms Nur Ain) posing for the camera at the Schools Digital Media Awards (SDMA) 2013 presentation ceremony held at MOE.

Schools Digital Media Awards Competition (SDMA) 2013

Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.John D. Rockefeller

Core Values: RespectA person demonstrates respect when he believes in

his own self-worth and the intrinsic worth of all people.11

Odyssey of the Mind 2013

Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an annual international competition that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from as young as kindergarten through college. The team members must apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to compete at the national and international level.

Thousands of teams from all over the world participate in this programme. We are proud to say that we came in first in two categories of the competition and we believe that this is an opportune platform to showcase our pupils’ creativity and spontaneity. We have done well and have qualified for the OM World Finals in Michigan. USA, here we come!

Here are what some of our OMers feel about joining OM:

It was awesome to have the opportunity to participate in this

competition as it trained us to overcome stage fright and produce

creative answers to spontaneous questions.

OM is a very fun and enjoyable activity! I learnt many things from

it, especially the importance of teamwork and having confidence in

ourselves.

Titus Low (5E)

Yeo Shi En (5E)

Ms Clare LimTeacher-in-charge

EL Department

Joel Zhang“Hello, my Mummy is Mdm Sng Yi Hui .”

Zahra Umairah“Hello, my Daddy is Mr Rohaizad Bin Juri.”

Zhang Yuhan“Hello, my Mummy is Mdm Wu Jianhong.”

Core Values: Responsibility A person who is responsible recognizes that he has a duty to himself, his family,

community, nation and the world. He fulfils his responsibilities with love and commitment.

Welcome to Fuchun Family

Arrivals of Newborns

North Zone Badminton Championship

The North Zone Badminton Championship 2013 was held at Monfort Junior School from 21 January to 22 February. This year, our school sent a total of three teams for this annual competition, namely, the Senior Boys, Senior Girls and Junior Boys teams. All the teams fought hard throughout the tournament. In particular, our Badminton Senior Boys team had done us proud by emerging 2nd runner up in their division and qualified for the National rounds. Well done boys!

Mrs Chong Wing Yi Overall teacher-in-charge

Badminton

The Senior Boys team at the North Zone Prize Presentation Ceremony . Senior Boys and Senior Girls teams

Junior Boys team

To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.Mother Teresa

TeachersMr Mo LiwenMiss Jeanie Lee

Part-Time School CounsellorMr Mohamed Noor Bin Fahat

Editorial TeamAdvisor: Mrs Yap Dai Jee (Principal) Mr Long Tien Ho (VP/ Admin)

Editor: Mr Tan Boon Leng Mdm Hajjah Marzia A. R

Corporate Support OfficersMdm Adelin Loy Soo FoongMdm Shirley Lim Yoke Kheng