Oct 2008 - Methodist Girls' School

Give Peace a ChanceImagine all the people, living life in peace... sharing all the world!At the 2 nd Regional Youth Conference (RYC) organized by MGS, it was obviousthe youth of the region, from Malaysia to Indonesia, India and Singapore, areready to play their part in building peace in the world. The RYC which took placeon Friday 18 July and included an extended programme of activities on Saturday19 July, urged the young participants to Give Peace a Chance. The Conferenceprovided the platform for future leaders, from diverse backgrounds, to connectwith one another and work towards eliminating the ills of the world.Brigadier-General (NS) Goh Kee Nguan, CEO, Singapore Youth OlympicsGames Organising Committee, was the Guest of Honour. The speakers includedBrigadier-General Tan Chuan Jin , Commander 3 rd Division SAF, Mr WarrenFernadez, Foreign Editor of The Straits Times and A/P C Kunalan, Olympian andSingapore’s greatest sporting inspiration. Mr Ashraf Safdar, famed for his role inThe Arena, was the Facilitator at the Conference.The participants who came from various schools in Singapore were joined bytheir peers from Mount Carmel School, New Delhi, Vidya Mandir Senior School,Chennai, St Georges’ Girls School, Penang, St Mary’s Kuala Lumpur, WesleyMethodist School, Kuala Lumpur, Raffles International Christian School, Indonesiaand Zhejiang No 1 Experimental School, China.Mount Carmel, Vidya Mandir and St Georges’ are partnersof MGS in a long-standing twinning programmewhich allows the students to share ideas,knowledge, skills and everythingelse, and cherish mutual trustand respect.Imagine all the people... Sharing all the World!

Shine for SingaporeIn true Singapore Spirit, MGS celebrated National Day 2008 and the nation’s pridein its sovereignty and achievements. At the Observance ceremony led by the GirlGuides and the Girls’ Brigade, the MGS family, all dressed in red and white, pledgedas one united people to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress, and prayedfor God’s blessings.The National Day Concert, organised by the student leaders in Secondary 3 wasspectacular. Phua Chu Kang and Tan Ah Teck made an appearance to show howexciting it is to live and work in Singapore. The leaders also introduced an interactivegame where students and teachers competed to show off their knowledge ofSingapore.Then the school, joyfully and in one voice, sang, “This is home truly, where I know Imust be, where my dreams wait for me.” They were ready to Stand up for Singapore,to stand together and hear the lion roar. There is only one Singapore, a nation freeand strong forever more.

Tea @TCTFThe Tan Chin Tuan Foundation (TCTF) celebrates the birth centennialof Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan in 2008 with a series of activities forits beneficiaries. MGS, founded 121 years ago, has long benefitedfrom the philanthropy of Tan Sri Tan, who was once a pupil, albeitfor a brief period, at MGS. It was also at MGS that Tan Sri Tanmet his wife, Helene, one of the few girls to pass the Cambridgematriculation at the first attempt and at a time when girlswere not encouraged to attend school.On Thursday 4 September the Puan Sri Helene TanScholars from MGS were guests at Tan Chin TuanMansion to pay tribute to the man whose undyingpassion was for sharing the fruits of his labour andthe happiness he enjoyed. The TCTF presented thescholars with tokens to affirm their achievements in educationand their commitment to make an impact in the community andleave a legacy as mother and wife, the way Puan Sri Helene Tanherself did.Before tea, the guests were taken on a tour of the Tan Chin TuanMansion, which is conserved for heritage, and had a feel of thewealth of experiences that Tan Sri Tan enjoyed. Over tea, theylistened to the many heart-warming stories that made Tan Sri Tanand his wife so special, especially in the annals of MGS.10 th Asia -Pacific Conference on Giftedness (APCG) Youth SummitThe APCG Youth Summit was jointly organised by the Ministry of Educationand the National Institute of Education. Participants at the summit which tookplace in July at Raffles Institution, Raffles Girls’ School and Rosyth Schoolcame from Taiwan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and South Korea.The summit provided gifted youths from the region, including Singapore, theopportunity to discover and develop their individual talents. It allowed theparticipants to share their knowledge and build lasting relationships, andencouraged them to serve as ethical leaders in the community.Amaris Lee (Sec 3G) and Carissa Loh (Sec 3T) were at the summit whichboth agreed took them to places they could never gone on their own. Amarisconfides, “I would give the world to have another chance at the summit.” Shehas learnt that “nothing is unattainable if one works hard enough at it”, just asProfessor Francoy Gagne explained.

This is the Daythe Lord Has MadeOn Monday 4 August the Prefects were officially installed in their role as leaders of the schoolpopulation. The Guest of Honour was Ms Patricia Yeo, high-flyer in the corporate world and ahumble servant of God in mission fields. Formerly a prefect at MGS, she is remembered byher juniors at school as the ‘smiley prefect’ whose routine duties included holding the busdoor to allow the girls to alight.Ms Yeo assured the prefects that it was not by accident that they were chosen tolead at school; indeed it was by design that they are prefects. Their peers have fullconfidence in their capacity to lead, especially by example, and the teachers andadministrators have readily endorsed their appointment.She urged them to look to God for help and guidance as they embark on theirjourney to master, to grow, and to serve. “Let the favor of the Lord our God be uponus; and establish the work of our hands for us….” (Psalm 19:11)Ms Yeo reminded the prefects to reach out to the marginalized, to those in need andto God. They will create a community of care where God willing, their talents andresources continue to multiply. They will be online with Jesus all the time to seek hispresence that his plan for them could be joyfully realized.The prefects, led by the Head Prefect, Eva Cheung and the Vice-Head Prefect,Sharanya Thiru, dedicated themselves to the service of God and school. They wereready to shout and sing of MGS and lift high her banner.

Magic in Sharing and LearningForty-nine pupils from Suzhou Pin Jiang Experimental School were at MGS on 16 Julyand 17 July on a immersion programme. They were accompanied by five teacherswho took the opportunity to engage in professional dialogue with their counterparts inMGS.The pupils from China attended lessons, specially designed for them,in English, Art and Craft, Music and Physical Education.They were also in class with their Primary 5 buddiesto have a taste of life in a typical classroom inSingapore.The immersion programme is a two-wayexchange experience which allows thepartners to learn about, understand andappreciate the differences in their culture,their way of life and their education. It is anannual event from which both schoolsreap lasting benefits.National Day AwardsMGS congratulates Ms Tsien Jiuan Jiuan for winning the National Day Award - Efficiency Medal, andMrs Janet Ng, Mrs Elizabeth Lee, Mrs Tong Mei Jit, Mrs Magdalene Sim and Miss Chuah Cheng Kimwho have been presented the National Day Award - Long Service Medal.Staff NewsThe school welcomes to the fold, Miss Lim Aik Wang, Miss Carolyn Newall,Ms Leong Si Min Joanne and Ms Liang Seok Peng Emmeline.MGS is grateful to Mdm Ng Gek Cheng who gave so many good years in service to the school.

Innovation andInventionThe annual Young Innovators’ Fair, organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and supportedby Intellectual Property Of Singapore (IPOS) was held at Nanyang Polytechnic on Friday 22August.This was the opportunity for the young innovators and inventors from Primary 5 andSecondary 2 to showcase a prototype of the product they had developed over themonths.Two teams of three girls each from Primary 5 SBC represented MGS at the Fair;Lim Qi Min, Andrea Tay and Lydia Lee formed the team that produced the Omni-hookholder, and Abigail Ong, Elizabeth Lee and Nicole Tan invented the Gaia Duster. The teamsfrom Primary 5.6 were awarded a distinction each for their inventions.The Omni-hook holder and the Gaia Duster were displayedat the MGS booth at the exhibition where, with thehelp of colourful posters, the girls promoted theirproducts.Nature Learning CampIn the second semester the Primary school, in collaboration with the National Institute ofEducation (NIE) and schools in the West Zone organized a Nature Learning Camp whereparticipants carried out studies on the natural environment.Thirty-five girls from Primary 4 SBC took part in a number oflearning activities at the Eco-garden and the ResourceLaboratory at MGS. Three lecturers from NIE,Dr Lee Yew Jin, Dr Tan Aik Ling and Ms Jennifer Yeowere at the camp to guide, support and inspirethe girls in investigating the natural environmentand build their knowledge on four aspects ofNature – Reservoir, Soil, Forest and Stream.The school uploaded what the girls had learnt onto theportal, Knowledge Forum for discussion by interestedparties.

WAFF: The Carnival 2008WAFF: The Carnival which took place on Sunday 13 July at the*scape Youth Park encouraged the public to help raise fundsfor children with craniofacial conditions. All proceeds from thecarnival were donated to Kandang Kerbau Hospital Cleft andCraniofacial Centre (KKH CCRC).What exactly was WAFF, and what was MGS doing atthe carnival? WAFF is the acronym for a Warm And FuzzyFeeling, and the carnival was organized by the NationalUniversity of Singapore (University Scholars Programme)in collaboration with Operation Smile Singapore. Itprovided the opportunity for the young to exercisetheir creativity and showcase their business skillsand entrepreneur spirit in an inter-school fund-raisingcompetition.The girls from Secondary Two were ready to experience thatwarm and fuzzy feeling as they put heart and mind to playing theirpart for the good of others. Ruth Gan, Kelley Wong, Sabina Loke,Rachel Lee, Shermin Tan, Choo Yuen Han, Julena Lim and Natasha Blakely(all from Sec 2D) launched Winky Wolla, the business enterprise, and set up astall, Tuki-Tuki to sell slushies, Coolios, chocolate cupcakes and chocolate chipcookies. Their stall was open from 11 am to 9 pm.They spent an entire day baking the cookies and preparing theingredients for their food items. Prior to that they had to attend a workshopon entrepreneurship conducted by Assistant Professor Eric Tachibanaand write a proposal for their ‘business’ project; they sold coupons toencourage people to spend at the carnival, learnt all about runninga business from the experts and worked to make their stall the mostattractive possible.Winky Wolla was the brainchild of a small group of girls, but itcaptured the attention of their schoolmates and friends who rallied tocheer Winky Wolla on. The girls’ classmates Willabelle Ong and AlyssaNg, one in a hula outfit and the other wearing a colourful signboard,walked the length of Orchard Road to promote Tuki-Tuki and enticepotential customers.All their efforts paid off when Winky Wolla won the third prize in the YoungEntrepreneur Competition.

O Brave New WorldAn African proverb teaches that‘Tomorrow belongs to the peoplewho prepare for it today’. Inspiredby the wisdom of time, MGSheld Careers Fair 2008 early inSeptember.Careers Fair 2008 isone more tool that theschool uses annually toencourage the girls tothink about and createtheir future. With support from parents, the alumnae, and friendsfrom industry and institutions of higher learning, MGS brings theresources and opportunities to the girls to help them understand whatthe future holds for them.For two days, 9-10 September, the girls listened to experts from variousorganizations and professions talk about their careers and experiences; theyasked many questions and cultivated interest in specific fields of work.At an exhibition in the Bamboo Courtyard, the polytechnics and otherinstitutions provided an insight into education beyond the secondaryschool. Representatives from various countries were alsopresent to offer the girls alternative pathways tohigher education.Careers Fair 2008 is the beginning in the journey to a bravenew world for the girls.10

Literature Arts Seminar2008On Saturday 23 August, twenty-eight SBC students attended the Literature ArtsSeminar organised by the Gifted Education Branch, Ministry of Education. This is anannual event that provides a platform for students from schools offering the GiftedEducation Programme (GEP) to share what they have learnt at school.In the morning, participants were treated to a poetry slam featuring reading by thestudents, two local poets and Chris Mooney Singh, the guru himself. Subsequently,they attended concurrent workshops conducted by journalists, lecturers from theNational University of Singapore (NUS) and theatre practitioners.The sharing session took place after lunch. Colette S.Chiaranussati, Ng Tze Shien,Chan Yan Yee and Angelica Ho ( all from Sec 2G) presented their research projecton the epic, expressionist and absurdist movements in theatre, which was part oftheir Literature enrichment programme, Drama through the Ages. The girls alsodramatized an excerpt from SamuelBeckett’s Waiting for Godot.38 th Colours Award Presentation 2008On Friday 26 September, twenty-seven athletes from MGS were commended for their outstanding performances in various National Interschoolcompetitions. At the Awards ceremony held at Hwa Chong Institution, MGS was ranked third among Secondary schools and JuniorColleges in the West Zone for its large number of awardees. Hwa Chong Institution and Anglo-Chinese Junior College had the highestnumbers.The winners of both Zone and National awards includedKok Jo Ee and I Gusti Ayu Prahandari Sara Oka (Golf)Rachel Yip Yan Yi and Chloe Chan Su Lin(Gymnastics – Artistic)Jaime Lye May Yee (Netball)Christel Fung Shufen, Rachel Goh Wen Li, andAdeline Shu Jian Winata (Swimming)Clare Anne Fong Yoke Kum andJulienne Keong Si Ying (Tennis)Aw Jia Hui, Wong Jia Xuan Rachel and Yeo Jing Yi(Tenpin Bowling)Alexandria Wong Hui Shi and Clara Wong Wan Qi(Cross Country).The girls who won Zone awards were Phoebe Nichole Tan,Shermin Tan Jin Min and Asha Lakshme (Golf), Nicole LimShen-Yi (Gymnastics Artistic), Bernice Chan Mei Hui andHannah Lee Jingwen (Squash), Clara Wong Wan Qi and OrisaNgampakdeepanich (Swimming), Diane Low Ching Wen andWee Khee Yen (Tennis) Denise Chan and Genevieve Gan HuiLing (Tenpin Bowling).11

Bowling Champions 2008From 9 July to 19 July 2008, the MG bowling team participated in the 15 th National SchoolsC’ Division Tenpin Bowling Championships. After five days of gruelling competition, the girlstook the Championship title.Team MGS put up a stellar performance throughout the championship and wonmedals in all categories.Genevieve Gan(Sec 2S) and Daphne Aw(Sec 1S) were 2 nd in theDoubles category. Genevieve and Daphne formed the quartet withYeo Jing Yi(Sec1H) and Rachel Wong (Sec 1I) to win in the teamevent. Genevieve was also ranked 3 rd for the all-events.Genevieve, Daphne and Joelle Fung (Sec 2D), rankedamong the top 10, also qualified for the Masters event, atwhich each bowled a lengthy 9-game series. Daphnelater qualified for the stepladder finals where shewas crowned Masters Champion.THE 7 th National Inter-Primary Schools Tenpin Bowling Championshipstook place in the first two weeks of July. After twelve months of trainingand mental preparation the senior team was gratified to be crownedchampion; the junior team was ranked 4 th in the tournament.The MGS bowlers were also selected for the master’s event.Darolyn Tan (P6.5) went on to win the Masters Championship inthe senior category.12

Bowling Camp 2008It was a sunny day in June when the MGS bowlers checked in at the Aranda Country Clubto reinforce the esprit de corps of the team.They spent two days together playing games and engaged in activities that tested theirteam-work, resilience and sense of commitment in the face of adversity. The AmazingRace was of course the favourite activity!There were also lessons to be learnt from the coach whom the girls affectionatelyaddressed as Uncle John. Their coach and mentor urged them to set goals, realistic andchallenging, for themselves as individuals and for the team.Team MGS returned from the camp with a more profoundunderstanding of one another and a readiness to worktogether for the good of the team and the school.They do appreciate that their differences are in factthe strength of the team.13

The Spice of SportsCompetition, it is said, is the spice of sports. And satisfaction, according toMahatma Gandhi, “lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is fullvictory.” Champions keep going until they do it right in their effort.On Thursday 25 September, the effort made by MGS to excelbeyond the classroom earned the school the Sustained AchievementAward for Sports; this is the tenth year running that theSecondary school has won the award. MGS is ranked2 nd among the schools for achievement in sports (forgirls) in 2008.Team MGS is the champion in Bowling, Golf,Tennis and Gymnastics in the C Division, andGolf and Cross-Country in the B Division.The Primary school also received the SustainedAchievement Award for Sports 2008; this is theschool’s third award. Team MGS (Primary) is thechampion in Artistic Gymnastics (‘C’ Novice),Bowling (Senior) and Tennis (Junior).14

GymnasticsIn July (15 th -18 th ) the MGS Gymnastics Team took part in the National Inter-Schools GymnasticsCompetition held at the Bishan Sports Hall.The C Division team - Grace Mun (3.1), Joy Chin (3.3), RebeccaRajakumar (3.4), Cheryl Lam (3.4), Rachel Ma (4.2), Clara Grace Loo(4.4) - overcame the tough competition from nineteen other Primaryschools, to win the Team Championship. In the Individual All-aroundChampionship the girls won all the medals – Rachel won the Gold, Clara, the Silver andGrace, the Bronze!Clara and Grace were ranked 2nd in the Vault event; Rebecca and Cheryl were ranked 2ndand 3rd respectively in the Uneven Bars event; Cheryl and Grace were ranked 3rd in the FloorExercise and Rachel was ranked 1st, Clara 2nd and Grace 3rd in the Balance Beam event.The ‘B’ Division team took the 4th position in the Championship. The team includedJillian Wong (3.2), Sonia Wee (4.3), Neo Ting En (5.3), Michelle Muk (6.1),Caitlyn Joy Loo (6.3), Yeoh Yi Shuen (6.6)World Schools ChessChampionships 2008Esse Chua Ai Xin (Sec 1E) played in the World Schools ChessChampionships held in July in Singapore.Earlier in the year, she was ranked 6 th in the Under 13category at the 60 th National Schools IndividualChess Championships 2008,organised by SingaporeChess Federation.MGS 15th CommendationAwards Ceremony 2008The Commendation Awards Ceremony was held at MGS on Thursday 28August. Miss Joscelin Yeo, MGS alumna and Asian Games medalist, was theGuest of Honour.The many awards presented to the girls in recognition of their achievements insports and other co-curricuar activities included the following top awards:Model Student Award - Sofilia bte Zaidee (P6.3)Lydia Huang Award: Stacey Teng Shu-Shan (Sec 1E)Outstanding Sportsgirl 2008 Award :Kok Jo Ee (Sec 2M) and Julienne Keong Si Ying (Sec 2E)Wee Kim Wee Award: Eva Cheung Cher Qi (Sec 3O)15

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Andthere is always a time to celebrate the great things He has done.On Friday 25 July, MGS celebrated Founder’s Day in honour of a missionary andfounder whose vision continues to touch generations of girls. This was also a time topay tribute to the many who have enriched the colourful legacy that is distinctivelyMGS and applaud outstanding students, past and present.Mrs Shirleen Ong, the Principal rejoiced that MGS is a community growing in extentand infl uence, and enjoying the abundant blessings of God. She expressed gratitudefor the school’s success in the many fi elds of education where the girls and theirteachers have dared to do mighty things, in the spirit of Sophia Blackmore herself.MGS is unique for its signature programmes which extend from ROCs (RealityOutside the Classrooms) to SBL (Sophia Blackmore Lectures) to the RYC (RegionalConference), the Twinning Programme and the inaugural Festival of Arts, which arethe cornerstone of excellence. All these reinforce the MGS tradition of educating theyoung to take their place among the best in the community, the nation, the world.The school was especially delighted that some of its President’s Scholars hadreturned to celebrate MGS and to witness the unveiling of the Roll of Honour.16

Dr Anne Tan Kendrick, President’s Scholar 1982, was the Guest of Honour. Truly a woman ofexcellence, Dr Kendrick has left indelible footsteps in medicine and other fi elds here in Singaporeand throughout the world, where her expertise, knowledge and perspective are highly valued. Inher address to the graduating class, Dr Kendrick urged the girls to challenge themselves andcultivate excellence wherever possible.17

The LifeMore AbundantArt, we are told, is the means to a life more abundant. Through the ages, great philosophers and artists in every fi eld have extolled the enduringbeauty of the arts. R Tagore saw the arts as the “response of man’s creative soul to the call of the Real”; to E M Forster the arts were the “lighthousewhich cannot be hidden... the best evidence we can have of our dignity”.Research studies show that in school the arts are inextricably linked to an increase in the student’s critical and creative thinking skills and herunderstanding of self, the community, the world. Active participation in the arts strengthens the self-esteem, and nurtures a willingness to takerisks and the capacity to work with others.At the start of the second semester, MGS launched Xpressivo!, its Festival of Arts 2008 as an opportunity for students and teachers toenjoy and celebrate the creative arts; it was a timely showcase of talents in dance, drama, visual arts, music, poetry and media, andacknowledgement of the contribution that the arts make in the life of the school.Dance Night 2008 took place on Saturday 5 July at the ME Lau Hall. The Guest-of-Honour was Ms Priscilla Shaw, Chairman of theAsian Civilization Museum. Dancers from both the Primary school and the Secondary school performed in a variety of dances, thehighlight of which was Bliss, the dance which was awarded Gold with Honours in the Singapore Youth Festival 2007. Dance Night alsofeatured a guest item by the NUS Dance Ensemble and another by the MGS Dance Alumnae.The Gift of Music, a concert staged on Sunday 6 July in the MGS Auditorium, showcased the many talents among theSecondary 3 students in the Music Elective Programme (MEP). The girls performed solo, in duet or as a quartet; othersperformed in string and guitar ensembles and song items.Daisy Pulls It Off, a three-hour production on the school life of a girlon scholarship at Grangewood, an elite school, was presented by twodifferent casts on Friday 11 July and Saturday 12 July in the MGSAuditorium. The performance on Saturday included a special item fromMount Carmel School, Delhi, a twinning school of MGS.18

Symphony MG08 FM was held at the Singapore Conference Hall on Sunday20 July. It featured three instrumental groups from MGS: the String Ensemble,Handbell Choir and Guitar Ensemble.Cantabile, the annual choir concert, was held on Friday 15August at the Victoria Concert Hall. There were songs in variouslanguages and from different countries including a medley ofABBA songs performed to dance magically choreographed.Cantabile was the exuberant fi nale of a Festival to inspire thefuture of the arts.19

The longest day at school was all of 15 hours for the graduating class. On Friday12 September the girls had lessons as usual from 7.40 am to 2.00pm; thereafter itwas time to reminisce on friendships made, pleasures shared and lessons learnedapace. The graduating class was ready to celebrate the years spent at MGS andenhance the ties that bind.The afternoon began with an unforgettable praise-and-worship session wherethe Class of 2008 offered thanks to God for His grace and mercy and for themany good years they had at MGS. Out in the open, the girls played games andposed for photographs, and enjoyed themselves thoroughly, singing, dancing andhamming it up round a bonfi re.As the witching hour drew near, the student leaders brought out a scrumptiouscake to be shared by all, teachers included. The Longest Day came to a close witha heart-warming rendition of the school song.20

NEAR RESTFUL WATERSHE LEADS METhe Roman poet, Ovid (43 BC – 18 AD) was convinced that “What is without rest will notendure”. And on Monday 4 August MGS harkened to his call to “take rest”, mindful that “afi eld that has rested gives a bountiful crop”.Away from the classroom, some members of the staff were inspired by Rev Dr Peter Wongto revive their drooping spirit. He encouraged the teachers in particular to nurture their owngarden in faith that God has blessed each one with the capacity to be abundantly fruitful,and He affi rms their good work. Fresh and green were the pastures where they enjoyedpeace of mind, and took time to refl ect on life and its many perils.Another group found the National Museum of Singapore a refuge for tired minds.The teachers strolled through the corridors of Singapore’s history, starting from its humblebeginnings in the 14th century until the island became a British colony and then throughtumultuous times and racial riots to the present. In the Singapore Living Galleries theyrecalled the good old days when there was more to life than increasing its speed. Thecamaraderie was palpable as the teachers connected with the itinerant hawker, hungryghosts and wayangs, and even Michelangelo’s David in the pink.A third group working hand in hand with some students cleaned the homes of the elderlyliving on their own. The chores were demanding, but the rewards were truly satisfying. It wassheer delight to behold the joy on the faces of those who benefi tted from the group’s visit.Lenovo Innovation Award 2008Mdm Norbi Mohd Salleh and Ms Sopianti Abdullah won the Bronze award in a competition organized by Lenovo Singapore in collaboration withthe Ministry of Education (MOE).The Lenovo Innovation Award 2008 recognises school teachers for their innovative use of ICT in education. Its objective is to encourageexperimentation of innovative ideas and practices for teaching and learning.The Bronze award comes with $1500 worth of Lenovo products.21

The girls from Primary 3 did not just celebrate Children’sDay, they remembered the children with special needs.They crafted special Children’s Day cards for 470 childrenat Rainbow Centre.On Monday 29 September, the girls had the chance tointeract with some of the children who were guests at MGS;they presented the cards, each attached to a small gift, tothe children who were accompanied by two teachers fromthe Centre. This was part of the Community InvolvementProgramme (CIP) undertaken by the Primary 3 classes.27

The Sporting SpiritWednesday 6 August was an exciting day for the girls in Primary Five.They were ready for some action in the inter-house competition. Thegirls assembled in their houses – Blackmore, Jackson, Lee and Olson– and battled to score in soccer and tee-ball. After three hours ofchallenges and lots of fun, Jackson House was declared the Championfor soccer and Lee the Champion for tee-ball.On Thursday 7 August the girls in Primary 1 and Primary 2 enjoyedthemselves at Games Day 2008. As this was the day before theOpening Ceremony at the Beijing Olympics, it was fi tting that GamesDay 2008 in MGS should have as its theme: One World One Dream. Intrue Olympic tradition, a representative from each of the four houseswas chosen to run the torch relay round the track. Thereafter, theGames began.Led by their teachers, the girls went from station to station to maketheir skills count; many of the sports and games however had to bemodifi ed for the little ones. The mini-Olympics at MGS included amongother sports, Toy Archery, Water Pistol, Sprints and Badminton.Parents and guardians took time off from their busy schedules, to manthe various arenas where they provided clear instructions, and evendemonstrated the art of the sport. For all that sweat and toil, the hoarsevoices and sore backs, the parents were delighted their girls enjoyedthemselves thoroughly.All the girls were given medals for their achievements.28

National Inter-Primary SchoolsSoftball Tournament 2008The softball team from the Primary school fought tooth and nail throughout July to get into thefi nal round of the National Softball Tournament 2008. In the end Team MGS was ranked fourthamong the fi nalists. This was no mean achievement; indeed it is from this platform that theteam expects to pitch for success, with God’s grace, at the highest level.Heroines at SYF2008 Central JudgingThe Primary school took part in the Singapore Youth Festival(SYF) Dance Competition in April 2008. Twenty-nine youngdancers were Heroines of Atlantis seeking peace and happiness.They endured long, gruelling hours at practice and rehearsal toperfect their movements and style. And they found their treasure– a Bronze award. The girls in their pirate costumes and makeupthat Long John Silver might have envied, drew a resoundingapplause from the audience.29

Awards wonby the EnglishDepartmentGMAC Student Reporters’ Challenge 2008(Inter-school competition organised by GeneticModifi cation Advisory Committee)In the Lower Secondary Category, the team ofChan Hui Xian, Claire Teng Shu-Min, Tabitha LeeEn Ting, Hannah Tan Wen Xiu (all from Sec 2T) wasranked second.In the Upper Secondary Category, the teamformed by Madeline Ang Yen Yin, Deborah LinJingfen, Gillian Peck Zhining (all from Sec 3G) andSherri Lee Jia Yu (Sec 3T) was placed third.10th World Children’s Haiku Contest 2008Diana K. Lee Hui Ying (Sec. 2G) took part in the Haiku Contest organized by Japan Airlines, and in July she was awarded acertifi cate in recognition of her outstanding achievements. Diana not only created a haiku based on the theme given but also apicture to accompany the haiku.Talkin’ ‘bout my Generation Poetry Writing CompetitionIn this international competition organised by Young Writers UK, the works of several girls from MGS were selected forpublication.The girls are Nicole Chee and Angela Ng (Sec 3G) , Alison Kuah, Chin Xiu Qi and Minerva Lim ( Sec 2T). Chen Zhi Lin, EleanorKoh Ching Ern, Angelica Ho Mun Ci, Grace Ng Mei Fong and Diana Lee Hui Ying (from Sec 2G). Nicole’s writing was acclaimedthe Best in the Edition.Creative Arts Programme – MentorshipThe girls enrolled at a fi ve-day camp at the National University of Singapore (NUS) where they attended talks and workshops onthe Creative Arts.Grace Ng Mei Fong and Angelica Ho Mun Ci (from Sec 2G), Sherrie Lee Jiayu (Sec 3T), Deborah Lin Jingfen and Amaris LeeLi Ling (Sec 3G) were each awarded a nine-month Mentorship Attachment with the opportunity to work under the guidance of awriter, and learn from the mentor’s expertise and experience. The mentorship began in August 2008.Future Problem-Solving Programme Australia Scenario-writing Competition 2008Carolyn Soo Jia Ying (Sec 2G) won the second prize and Gong Xing Xing (Sec 2T), the third in the National competition. They willbe in Melbourne, 16-20 October to attend the prize-giving ceremony, and to represent Singapore at an on-site Scenario-writingcompetition.Friend ofSinga 2008The Friend of Singa Award is given in conjunction with the SingaporeKindness Movement. It acknowledges the exemplary conduct ofstudents who are courteous and kind, and show respect to youngand old.The Primary school’s recipients of the Merit award include thefollowing:Claire Gan Wei-Ying (P6.6), Chou Ying Yuan Ta (P6.5), FionnaLeong (P6.3), Deborah Yap Yue Ling (P6.2), Inez Goh Sheen(P6.1), Stephenie Theng (P5.6), Adeline Ho (P5.1), Sheryl Lim(P4.6), Sarah Ser (P4.3) and Lynn Yeo (P4.2).The Secondary school recipients the Merit award are as follows:Esther Lee (Sec 1O), Janine Quek Zixuan (Sec 1I), Rachel Chew(Sec 2G), Ling Xi Yun (Sec 2T), Eva Cheung (Sec 3O), Gillian PeckZhining (Sec 3G), Rachel Choe (Sec 3I), Grace Chan (Sec 4G),Jacqueline Shum (Sec 4I) and Kendra Ang (Sec 4M).30Tan Li Wen (P6.6) and Anjie Tjisnoyo (Sec 4O) both received theMost Courteous Student Award.

More Awards for MGSOn Thursday 25 September at the MOE Work Plan Seminar 2008, MGS received number of awards.The Primary school received the Sustained Achievement Award for Sports (3rd Award) and the Sustained Achievement Award for Physical Fitness(10th Award)The Secondary school won the Sustained Achievement Award for Sports (10th Award), the Sustained Achievement Award for Physical Fitness (7thAward), the Sustained Achievement Award for Aesthetics (1st Award) and the Sustained Achievement Award for Academic Value-added (10thAward).President’s Scholar 2008Louisa Jean Lim is the latest President’s Scholar from MGS. She has also been awarded the Overseas Merit Scholarship (Open) and will be readingEconomics, Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick, UK.Louisa was the Head Prefect (2004-2005) in MGS and Captain of the Netball Team (2003).She was in the committee that organized Bittersweet Symphony 2005, to raise funds for St Luke’s Hospital for the Elderly. In 2005 Louisa and herBittersweet team received the Youth Embrace Social Services Special Merit Award from the National Council for Social Service. She is a volunteerat the Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore.Louisa scored 10 distinctions for her GCE ‘O’ Level examinations in 2005, and 5 distinctions in the ‘A’ Level examination in 2007. For her achievementsin both academic and co-curricular fi elds, she received the Outstanding All-Round Students (OARS) Award from the North West CommunityDevelopment Council (CDC) in 2005, and the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Award for All-Round Excellence in 2007.GOLD Honour RollNishanti Wijedasa Han Ying (Sec 3T) has been awarded theGOLD Honour Roll for her achievements in the YMCA PlainEnglish Speaking Awards (PESA) competition 2008. The Awardis an acknowledgment of her consistently superb performancein the rounds leading to the fi nal challenge.Nishanti received the Award on Friday 22 August at the PESAPrize Presentation Ceremony held in the Lee Kong ChianAuditorium, YMCA Singapore.Yeo Hui’En Melissa (Class 0f 2004) has beenawarded the Flagship Infocomm Master’sScholarship by the Infocomm DevelopmentAuthority of Singapore (IDA); the scholarship isfrom the IDA’s prestigigious National InfocommScholarship (NIS) Programme. Melissa graduatedfrom the School of Information Technology,Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) in 2008 with a Diplomain Information Technology (with Merit).31