Aspire and Achieve

Aspire and Achieve

Monday, March 30, 2009

The Bridge Project: The Winter's Tale

The Winter's Tale

On 28 of March 2009, the Creative Circle members and selected Sec 1 Literature students got a special treat as we got to watch a play at a world-class facility, Esplanade-Theatres on the bay, with Miss Mazlinda, Mr Sam Soo, Ms. Ho Wei Ling, Ms Loola, Mr Shahril and even the HOD of English Language/Literature, Mdm Kesavan.

It was the much-anticipated Bridge Project, The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare – directed by none other than Sam Mendes. The Bridge Project is a major transatlantic venture for Director Sam Mendes, Brooklyn Academy of Music and The Old Vic in London whose Artistic Director is Kevin Spacey. Sam Mendes directed the play with a stellar cast comprising of Simon Russell Beale, Sinead Cusack, Rebecca Hall and Ethan Hawke.


We were thrilled to be able to watch another excellent production which was presented by The Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT). In fact, we were so grateful that our EXCO members, Hana and Narimah prepared a token of appreciation for SRT. We have always enjoyed watching plays, both local productions as well as international ones. We hope that we will continue to enhance our cultural awareness and appreciate the Arts on top of improving our English Language and Literature through more of such productions.



Here is a brief summary on the play.

King
Leontes of Sicilia begs his childhood friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia, to extend his visit to Sicilia. Polixenes protests that he has been away from his kingdom for nine months, but after Leontes's pregnant wife, Hermione, pleads with him he relents and agrees to stay a little longer. Leontes, meanwhile, has become possessed with jealousy--convinced that Polixenes and Hermione are lovers. He orders his loyal retainer, Camillo, to poison the Bohemian King. Instead, Camillo warns Polixenes of what is afoot, and the two men flee Sicilia immediately.

Soon, Hermione gave birth to a daughter named Perdita. Perdita was not accepted by King Leontes because he taught that Perdita was not his daughter. Perdita was raised by a shepherd. After 16 years, Perdita fell in love with Florizel, Prince of Bohemia, who is the son of Polixenes. Polixenes did not accept Perdita because she is poor. Both of the lovers, Perdita and Florizel ran away to Sicilia to get blessing from Leontes.

At Sicilia, Leontes was moaning in pain because he has lost both his son and wife. When Perdita and Florizel came to Sicilia, many thought that Perdita looked like his wife. The King showed Perdita the sculpture of the Queen. Unexpectedly, the statue moved and came to life. Actually, the queen did not die. She lied about it to teach the King a lesson. In the end, everyone lived happily especially Leontes.



Done by : Nurul Ayu ( 2 Integrity)

Hafieqa Ismail (2 Integrity)

Illa Haziqin ( 2 Aspire)

SPH Media Workshop





On 25th of March 2009, the Creative Circle members, together with Ms Lynn See, went to the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) to attend a talk by The Strait Times Media Club. We were given notebooks and a biography on Yip Pin Xui, a paralympic who was born with muscular dystrophy.

Once we settled down, Mr. Peter Khoo, the Vice President and the Head of the Editorial Projects Unit, welcomed us warmly and then introduced Mr. Marc Lim, the News Editor for the Sports Section. He explained to us, that "apart from being a sports nut, sports writing is conductive to develop writing skills."

He got inspired to be a sports journalist, after his many failed attempts to be a pro athlete. Different sports pictures were shown and he told us that pictures and headlines for an article should be interesting so as to capture people's attention. He mentioned that we should be prepared with materials. For example, pictures, interviews and ideas for a headline.

We were taught methods of interviewing and the steps to writing an interesting article. As student reporters, we paid full attention as where else can we get better tips other than those coming from the editorial board of our national newspaper, Singapore Press Holdings? One of the basic steps to writing an article is to have information about the topic that we were given. After he gave the explanation, Yip Pin Xui came. Each and every school got a chance to interview her.


Yip was born with muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder that slowly breaks down the muscles, and a nerve condition that affects eyesight. When she was 5, she started swimming to improve her health and strengthen her muscles.

Nevertheless, by the age of 11, she had lost her ability to walk and had to use a wheelchair. The youngest of the three children in her family, she studied in Ai Tong Primary School and Bendemeer Secondary School. Yip started swimming competitively when she was 12 years old. After losing her ability to kick, Yip switched from the front crawl to the backstroke.

Yip was away from school a lot and it was difficult to juggle school and swimming. She got sick often when she was in Secondary 2 and this caused her not to experience much of secondary school life. When she was in Ai Tong Primary School, she got bullied a lot and not a lot of people were supportive of what she was doing at first. Theresa Goh then became her motivation.
Yip has a special diet by her own personal nutritionist and has hydration tests every morning. She has 12 sessions of training per week before her paralympics. She felt confident then because she could beat world records in trainings. Her parents have no objections when she does competitive swimming, in fact, she even offers 20% of the monetary award to her parents.

Yip thinks that the press is too serious and causes her to feel demoralised sometimes. Now, she gets more media exposure than before and is recognised on the streets. Yip Pin Xiu left the auditorium with her famous last words: "Nothing is very impossible."
Done by: Siti Hajar and Hafieqa Ismail (2 integrity)

Evergreen's First Ever Olympics!!!



Sports Day 2009-EVG Olympics

On the 13th of March 2009, Evergreen Secondary School organized its first-ever EVG Olympics. Instead of having it at the stadium, this year, the Sports Day was held as a sports carnival in the school premises. Other than having only track events, the PE Department under the lead of Mr. Taufiq Sanusi has introduced new events, mainly in the form of games; Inter-House Staff Telematch and Inter-House Students Telematch.

The results are as follows:

Inter-House Staff Telematch


1st= Green House
2nd= Red House
3rd= Orange House
4th= Yellow House

Inter-House Student Telematch





Lower Sec CHAMPION= Yellow House
Upper Sec CHAMPION= Orange House

Inter-House Mass Run


Lower Sec CHAMPION= Red House
Upper Sec CHAMPION= Yellow House

There were also other inter-house game categories such as soccer for boys and girls, bowling, kabaddi and dragon boating. Through EVG Olympics 2009, our Vice Principal, Mrs. Theresa Lim felt that the change of the location of the annual Sports Day reflected the theme of 'Metamophorsis.' This has benefitted most of the students as there were more varieties of activities, in turn, leading to more school participation. She also "hopes for more fresh changes in the following years so more students will participate actively."

As most EVGians are aware, Green House has been the defending champion since year 2006! According to Mr. Shahril, the ex House Master for Green House, "the secret to their consecutive victories is the cooperation from other teachers and the students’ enthusiasm."

Here is the up-to-date results:

1st= Yellow House
2nd=
Orange House
3rd= Green House
4th= Red House

This result has yet to be finalized. Will Yellow House's Thunderbirds stay in the lead? Or will The Vipers be able to defend their title for another year? Or will the Red Crusade and Orange Warriors be able to emerge as the ultimate champion? Catch the results in Term 2 after the Mass Run!


Done By: Zakiah Binte Ishak of 4 Aspire

Monday, March 9, 2009

Asian Civilisation Museum




On the 27th of March, The Secondary One classes visited the Asian Civilisation Museum as part of their National Education Learning Journey. The primary aim of this visit was to understand the culture and history of civilization in China, India and Southeast Asia better.

People have lived in Southeast Asia for thousands of years in close harmony with nature. Till today, their culture and objects still display the many signs of this intimate relationship. The Asian Civilisation Museum uncovered the many mythical and real creatures that inhabit Southeast Asia and what they mean to the people.


After a whole afternoon of fun discovery, the Creative Circle members managed to gather feedback from their schoolmates:

What do you think about this learning journey?


" I feel that this learning journey is good for students to learn History and this great opportunity should not be wasted."


Riana Bte Rizal Of 1 Aspire



"Well, it is fine...I think with this Learning Journey, I could improve my knowledge in History."


Jin Wen Of 1 Aspire
What have you learnt from this Learning Journey?


"I have learnt to understand the different races and get to know more about other cultures, religions and rituals.'


Fazil & Haziq Of 1 Achieve



Which artefact do you like the most?Why?


"The Sleeping God. The artefact is unique and it can hold many things in 4 hands like the lotus and discus."


Claudia, 1 Integrity



Which artefact do you like the most?


"Osa-osa. It is truly magnificent. It is meant for noble people and it shows a sign of respect."


Chelsea,1 Integrity



Which is your favourite artefact?


"Ganesha. He looks enchanting and his elephant head is huge. I have never seen it before because this is my first time visiting the museum! That is why it is interesting to me."

Hazirah, 1 Achieve



What can be improved for this learning journey?



"It was so short! It will be nice if we had a break. But overall, I was pretty surprised that the museum is so huge!"


Musliha and Norlina, 1 Achieve

Why is this learning journey beneficial for the students?

"Yes. It is good that the whole school goes to learn something beneficial and meaningful together and this helps them to learn better."

Ms. See Toh, History teacher

Done by: Rumaizah,Syafiqah,Azmah 1 Aspire

Hamper Distribution on 8th February 2009








Hamper Distribution
8th February on an early Sunday morning, Mr Chan, Mr Viknesh, Prefects, Photographers as well as us, the Roving Reporters from Creative Circle, were at Block 852 Woodlands Street 83 ready with a truckload worth of hampers with one mission, to do our part for the community.
The hampers which have been generously contributed and decorated by EVGians were neatly displayed and ready for distribution to the recipients.
This is a shining example of our Vision of " A Thinking and Caring EVGian with Enterprise, Vision and Graciousness."
Well done EVGians for your commendable effort!

Guest of Honour: Ms. Ellen Lee PBM,
MP for Sembawang GRC
Adviser of Woodlands Grassroots Organisations
Ms. Ellen Lee, who do you think benefit most from this event?

The residents have benefitted the most. It is important to let them know that they are not alone. With the care and concern from the contributing members, the needy residents will not feel that they are alone.Being part of a community, we should help one another, regardless of race or religion.

This event will prove to be a learning experience for the students. The Principal and teachers can impart moral values to the students. Simultaneously, the students will also be able to show their care by actively contributing to the community.


What do you think of the hampers made by our students?


They are indeed a thoughtful gesture. This shows that the students are concerned about the community. Even though there is an economic crisis and Singapore is going through a difficult time, we are still willing to help each other out. Such concern must persist, come what may.


How do you think schools should improve in our contributions to the community?

I think the schools should continue to show concern in many other more practical ways, such as providing tuition for students in primary schools. Having students at different levels of the education system interacting, the older ones can help guide the younger ones academically, as they have the experience and knowledge. Education is paramount to achieve social progress. We do indeed possess the relevant resources and man-power, and should therefore deploy them accordingly.


_________________________________________________________
Mr. David Sim,Representative of Woodlands RC
Mr Sim, do you think that this is a good effort put up by the school? Why so?
Yes, the school is showing that they care for the community and is reaching out to the community. They are reaching out to the community that the school is a part of.
Do you think other schools should also be involved in this activity?
Yes, actually we have invited other neighbouring schools to events such as this. Actually, schools like Riverside have contributed by donating newspapers and selling them in order to donate money to community.
How do you feel about today's event?
Oh, it feels great.This feeling cannot be expressed even in a thousand words. Just seeing their smiles upon receiving the hampers, touched me.
How do you think this year's event is different from last year's?
Oh well, I see more helpers and especially more hampers . I think some classes even donated more than one hamper. If I'm not wrong, we have up to 4 hampers from a class alone(3 Achieve).
How do you think this event could be improved?
Well, they can have this event at the school if they prefer .But other than that ,everything is good.
__________________________________________________________
Mr. Chan, Principal
Who do you think benefit most from the event?


I think the students have benefitted as it is a chance for them to engage in projects that are meaningful. Even though there is an economic crisis this year, it is important to show care and seize the chance to contribute to the community. I believe that the residents will be very happy and grateful for what the students have done.


What do you think of the hampers made by the students?

I think that they are very creative and they have put in their best effort. Most importantly, they had fun and enjoyed doing this meaningful work.
_________________________________________________________
Mr Viknesh, Subject Head of Pupil Leadership
Why do you think this event is important to the school?
The hamper giving activity is one of the ways Evergreen Secondary School is reaching out to the community.This event has become a recongnisable symbol to the school since it started in 2007, and through this,parents are also ensured the students receive a well-rounded education through interactivity in society.
What do you think of the hampers made by the student?
I believe the students have put in a lot of effort in making the hampers and the response from them has been fantastic .
What happens to the hampers which are not collected?
They will collect their hampers at their own time.
Is there any difference between this year's and last year's events?
In comparison to 2008 ,there has been a greater participation and involvement among the students,with more contributing to the hampers .More basic items were used in retrospect to last year , when mostly snacks made up the entire food hamper! The event may be further improved by holding it biannually instead of only once.Perhaps we can hold it during Hari Raya rather than just on Chinese New Year.The CCAs groups could also pitch in to improve the event.
_________________________________________________________
Hamper Recipients
Particulars of the hamper recipients are kept confidential.
How do you feel upon receiving the hamper?
What do you think of this event?
Do you think that we should organise more of such events again?
Resident A: I am very happy as this is the first time I'm receiving a hamper. I think that this event is good and helpful. This is because my wife and I are childless
and old. We are unemployed and my wife has a mental illness.Hence, I believe this hamper will allow us to have a fruitful and enjoyable Chinese New Year.
Resident B: I am very happpy. I find that this event is very good and caring. I certainly hope that there will be more of such events.
Resident C: I am very glad. I feel lucky to be able to have the hamper as I think that there are many more people who are still suffering from hardship. I hope more of such events would be organised as your contributions will be recognised and other schools will follow suit.
Resident D: I feel that this event is very good and more of such events will be organised as the reception is not bad. I think helping others is good. Perhaps, one day I will be doing this also.
Resident E: I feel happy. I like it, and I think this is something the school should continue doing. It gives the students a sense of responsibility since they actually have to do it themselves. I think that the students should include more canned food and cooking ingredients instead of snacks.
_________________________________________________________
Secondary 3 Prefects, Ridzuan, Mai Can, Shahir, Hadi, Kexin
What do you think are the benefits of this event?
We can socialise with the members of the community. We can also help those in need and at the same time, establish a good reputation of our school.We can help the residents with their financial problems and this will lighten their burden.
How do you feel upon being part of this event?
I feel proud as I can help other people who are in need. I also find it meaningful to help other people.It makes me feel happy.
What are some of the difficulties you faced when you organised this event?
Some classes handed in the hampers without their class names and there was a time when we had no space to store all the hampers.
How do you think this event should improve?
Maybe more time should have been allotted for the hampers to be ready.Instead of providing hampers, the school could conduct lessons or provide worksheets for students who cannot afford tuition.
Do you think that the class which has decorated the tallest/nicest hamper should be given a prize?
Yes, they do deserve a prize. The school could include a system of points for the classes in which the class with the nicest/tallest hamper, gets the highest score and the class with the most points at the end of the year wins the 'Best Class' award.



Roving Reporters on duty....
Sec 4 Exco members:Narimah, Rennie, Zi Yu & Faizah
Posted by: Rumaizah, Syafiqah & Azmah of 1 Aspire