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Boon Lay Secondary School Principal’s Report (April 2018 – April 2019)
Last year, I reported extensively on how we have progress in our trifold approach as a family oriented, CCA-centric and aspiration focused school. This has impacted positively on all our student outcomes – attendance in school and CCA, attention in class, assignments and tasks, and improvements in school and national assessments. Besides our own records, MOE’s Quality of School Experience Survey as well as the school’s GCE N and O level results 2018 also firmly attest to continued improvements in these areas. We also see more awards and accolades in recent times.
GCE O & N 2018 2017 2018 vs 2017
4N-ELMAB3 17.8 18.0 0.2
4E-L1B5 23.9 25.9 2.0
5N-L1B4 22.5 22.5 0.0
The key events and the awards/achievement of our students and the school are in Annex A clearly show that the school is on the high as our students are more focus in school, more ready to work hard and more willing to learn.
Beyond these awards, I want to share a few stories to show that there are real and
deep changes and improvements which are seen and felt across a large section of
people in and out of school.
Compared to the past when we often get complaints from the public, we are now
getting more compliments as well as numerous positive media reports about our
students and the school. On 30 Aug, a letter to Straits Times Forum praised our
Chinese Orchestra students for enthusiastically engaging senior citizens in the
community and teaching them to play the orchestra musical instruments. On 30 Oct,
one of Sec 3 netball girls then, Nur Hidayah, administered first aid to an old lady who
fell at the lobby of block 638C Jurong West Street 64 till the ambulance arrived. A
member of the public and SCDF separately commended her for her kind act with
emails to the school and SCDF presented her with the Community First Responder
Award.
Just last week, during the SYF performances, I witnessed the fabulous performance
by our Malay Dancers who achieved a distinction. What was amazing is to see the
camaraderie and drive for excellence amongst the members and teachers as a CCA
family supported by a large number of parents coming to cheer them on. At the
Chinese Orchestra performance, I took time to speak to the instructor Mr Tong Wei
Jie, who is a 2005 alumnus. He affirmed that the new emphasis on the CCA family
has brought about many positive effects on students – such as a greater sense of
support for each other regardless of streams and levels and the senior students have
risen up to take on more responsibility for the CCA! Compared to his time when he
was a student, he remarked that this new structure is clearly so much better. I
visited all our performing arts groups during their training and preparation for the SYF.
The energy and discipline was high; the readiness to improve and strive for excellence
was palpable. I am confident they will do well and better.
But we are not resting on our laurels. There is more that we have yet to achieve. I
believe our students and staff can and will do better. On the GCE results, I took time
to share the detailed analysis with our children, expressing my hope for better results
and my key concerns. In particular, I pointed out that further improvements in English
Language and Mathematics grades are critical for their progression to post-secondary
education. The efforts on improving these subjects take time especially given the weak
foundations that our students come into Boon Lay Secondary with. I urged everyone
to always start early, in secondary 1 is best, and to put in their efforts to improve all
the time, over their time in school and continue on beyond.
Indeed, the most affirming of it all is when the Minister of Education Mr Ong Ye Kung made mention of Boon Lay Secondary in Parliament this year. Let’s re-capture a part of the parliamentary proceedings as we view the video post on MOE facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/moesingapore/videos/beyond-sbb-at-boon-lay-secondary/264788334447682/
As the school comes to a steady-state, the school leadership team took time at the
end of last year to clarify our understanding of our vision, our beliefs and also define
our key approaches. (#26) Our vision is to be an extended family to bring out the
greatness in every child. Greatness now means being the best version of ourselves
while enabling others be their best. (#27)
We embrace the principles that every child is unique and every child can learn and
achieve. Our approach is to customise to individual needs, empower each one so that
they have the capacity and drive to achieve on their own. The school will continue to
create the opportunities for our students to discover, explore, aspire and achieve. We
have embarked on ensuring everyone succeeds better with greater customisation,
empowerment and opportunities.
Therefore, the theme of the 42nd Aspire & Achieve Day is “Empowering every child for Greatness”. We want to ensure that our children have the keys to a better future through further education beyond the secondary years. We have been digging deeper to ensure that everyone improves and no one is left behind or left out.
Let me share a few new initiatives we have piloted this year with the view of fully
implementing them in the next 2-3 years.
One term has passed since we offered the Modular Academic Curriculum (MAC) to
our sec 3 students. MAC is our online curriculum which runs parallel to classroom
teaching by teachers. MAC was offered to all 141 sec 3 students and 17 applied and
completed various online courses and submitted the required assessment. 7 students
have successfully met the requirements and decided to take on the new subjects in
term 2. Of these 7 students, 5 switched into subjects within the stream, and 2 students
will take subjects at a higher stream. MAC was conceptualised last year with the view
of allowing our current SBB students to continue to be able explore out-of-stream
beyond their current SBB subjects when they reached Sec 3. When fully implemented,
MAC will be ready for full SBB. In fact, MAC can offer much more beyond SBB. MAC
through online learning will benefit all students, and not just the SBB-interested
students. The resources can be used for off-school learning, revision and even
additional learning without taking the examinations. Of the 17 students, one when
asked why he is taking MAC, his answer: “just for fun!” That to me is the joy of learning
at the most optimal level.
For low progress learners and those with special education needs, we have embarked
on 2 initiatives to upskill our teachers to better understand these students and
customise their teaching approaches. Students will then be better engaged in their
learning and so have better opportunity to level up.
In line with our CCA-centric approach, we have started identifying and training our Sec
3 seniors to be Student Outreach Ambassadors. It is well known that students respond
best to their peers and fellow students. Hence, SOAs will for a start reach out to
students with poorer school attendance and manage the After School Engagement
activities. Then, students will be in school instead of going back to an empty home
when everyone is at work or worst roaming the streets and shopping centres.
Through all these, we want to continue to build on our success story. I am deeply grateful to be able to garner the collective energies of our staff and stakeholders to continue this journey together. Again, I must say hand-on-heart that I have been blessed by the amazing grace and fervour of my colleagues and I am absolutely grateful.
I call on the support of my parents, alumni, SAC and Superintendent and Zonal Director to continue to have faith in us. We purposefully want to bring out the greatness in every child. Continue to support us and encourage us so that we can be energised to press on.
I challenge all students, our children, to respond positively to our clarion call to achieve their own greatness for self, family, and nation as chorused in our school song. Arise, Boonlayian, Arise! Finally, I would like to congratulate the award recipients. For students, congratulations and well done but do note that your glory is also the work of many who walk the journey with you. Be grateful especially to your parents at home and your teachers in school. For teachers and the SAC, your passion and support for our cause in education is much appreciated and valued here. Do continue with verve as we purposefully forge ahead. To our alumni, friends and parents who volunteer time to serve our students, please continue to support your alma mater, your beloved family. Let all the worthy award recipients today set the example and inspire us on to greater efforts and better achievements as we realise our greatness by being the best version of ourselves while helping others be the best. Thank you and have a great evening with us in celebration of Aspirations and Achievements!
Tan Chor Pang
Principal
BOON LAY SECONDARY SCHOOL ANNEX A
14 APRIL 2018 – 11 APRIL 2019
1. Major School Events
S/no Date Events
1. 18 & 23 Apr 2018
Art collaboration with the Boon Lay CC Community Arts and Culture Committee in the large format art “Animal Kingdom”. Students and residents worked together to paint the animals with different colour schemes, bringing out the vibrancy of their community. These paintings were displayed at various locations within Boon Lay Constituency.
2. 15 May 2018
Student Council Investiture. SAC member, Dr Gideon, as the Guest-of-Honour officiated the appointment of CCA Leaders and Subject Monitors. Student Leadership is the foundation of CCA-Centricity, where the seniors lead and care for the juniors.
3. 15 May 2018
School Games Day 1. The objectives of Games Day are to achieve mass participation and promote healthy lifestyle through active engagement in sports and games. It is a CCA-centric based event started in 2017 that provided students and CCAMs an opportunity to bond as a CCA family.
4. 25 May 2018
Parent Teacher Interaction 2. School Leader’s Address to Parents of Sec 3 students.
5. 8 Aug 2018 National Day Celebrations. The Guest-of-Honour was SAC Vice-chairman, Mr Lawrence Kim PBM. The celebrations demonstrated a blend of CCA-centricity through the Parade and Singapore Icon showcase by the CCA groups and Aspiration-focused when students showcased their talents and skills learnt in the Student Development Modules during the Concert part of the celebrations.
6. 8 Aug to 11 Aug 2018
CCA-Learning Beyond Boundaries (CCLBB) Programme – KL, West Malaysia. The trip included CCA-related experiences, country and cultural appreciation, foreign language learning/exchange, school immersion and homestay/home-visit. The objectives are to develop in students 21st Century Competencies such as global awareness, cross-cultural skills and communication, collaboration and information skills as well as deepen commitment and rootedness to the extended family of the school and to Singapore as ambassadors.
7. 28 Aug 2018
Minister of Education, Mr Ong Ye Kun, visited Boon Lay Sec to learn more about the school’s Family-focused, CCA-centric and Aspiration-driven approach.
8. 30 Aug 2018
Teachers’ Day Celebrations. Student Leaders had another opportunity to demonstrate their leadership by taking full charge of the planning and execution of the celebrations. Teachers’ Day Lunch hosted by SAC in celebration of Teachers’ contributions.
9. 23 Oct 2018
School Games Day 2. The event was also a developmental opportunity for Student Leaders from the Sports CCA group to exercise their leadership in the execution of the event. Student leadership is a key element in realising CCA-centricity.
10. 25 Oct 2018
Family Outing 2 – Picnic at Choa Chu Kang Park.
11. 26 Oct 2018
Parent Teacher Interaction 3.
12. 15 Nov 2018
Staff Learning Festival (am) Staff Learning Journey (pm)
13. 16 Nov 2018
Staff Forward Planning
14. 16 to 28 Nov 2018
CCA-Learning Beyond Boundaries (CCLBB) Programme - 7 trips to China, India, Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong. The trips were CCA-centric based as students selected to visit each country were by CCA cluster and had a planned CCA-related experience (Service, Sports, Arts, Adventure) in a different geographical and cultural context. The programme also included country and cultural appreciation, foreign language learning/exchange, school immersion and homestay/home-visit.
15. 1 19 Nov 18 Graduation Night held at Chevron.
16. 2 28 – 31 Jan 2019 1 Feb 2019
Level Camps Sec 1 – Camp Discovery Sec 2 – Camp Aspiration Sec 3 – Camp Resilience Sec 4/5 – Camp Excellence Family Movie-Out @ Lot 1 – Mia and the white lion
17. 3 9 Feb 2019 Project Joy – Hamper Distribution to Needy families in Nanyang & Boon Lay Divisions. Mr Patrick Tay, MP for West Coast GRC (Boon Lay Division) and Advisor, Boon Lay Grassroots Organisation, and Mr Yee Chia Hsing, MP for Choa Chu Kang GRC and Advisor, Nanyang Grassroots Organsation joined joined our students, Teachers and School Leaders in distributing 38 hampers to identified needy families in the respective constituencies.
2. Competitions and Achievements 2018
S/N Competition Achievement
Staff / School Awards
1. National Day Awards 2018 Ms Ang Hui Bing, Commendation Medal
Mdm Eng Yoke Mooi, Long Service Medal
Mr Alan Loh Kah Liang, Long Service Medal
2. ASEF 2017 –Merit Award Ms Felicia Tay
Miss Syamira
3. Innergy & Outstanding Innovator Awards 2018 (Silver Award) Creating Possibilities and Realising DREAMS through Student Development Modules@BLS
4. CD Ready School Award 2018
5. School Green Awards 2018 Yellow Flame Award
6. Green Schools @ South West 2018
Gold Award
Student Awards
1. Sports (Football)
NSG U17 Zonal Football Competition Singapore
1st Runner- up
S/N Competition Achievement
Pools-FAS Inter-School Futsal Challenge 2018 – U14
Netball – M1 Schools Challenge League
Quarter Finalist
‘B’ Division Girls – 1st and 2nd Runner-ups
‘C’ Division Girls – 2nd Runner-up
2. Choir - Singapore International Choral Festival
Bronze Award
3. Uniformed Group Unit Overall Proficiency Award 2017
NCC
NPCC
NCDCC
SJAB
GB
BB
Gold Award
Gold Award
Silver Award
Gold Award
Gold Award
Bronze Award
4. NPCC - Jurong Division Youth Video Competition
People’s Choice Award
5. SJB - St John Brigade Zone 9 Inter-corps Footdrill Competition
1st Runner Up
Best Commander Award
6. Clubs & Societies
Environmental Defenders
CyberAce
Silver Award Community in Bloom Competition
Core Value Award First Lego League 2018
7. National Secondary Schools Editorial Competition
Lower Secondary Category First Prize & The Best Title Award
Upper Secondary Category Second Prize
8. National Chinese Fiction Writing Competition
Merit Award
9. National Chinese Challenge Indvidual Merit Award
10. National Poetry Competition 2018
Merit Award
11. Bahas 4PM National Debating Competition (Secondary Level)
Coolest Debator Award
12. National Quiz Competition (Tamil)
Merit Award
13. National Essay Writing Competition 2018 (Tamil)
Merit Award
14. Budding Writers’ Competition (Tamil)
2nd Prize
15. National Animation Competition 2018 (Tamil)
Motivation Award
16. National Library Board & Microsoft National Digital Storytelling Competition 2018
1st Runner-up
17. National Library Board SURE! Prove It Contest 2018
Merit Award
S/N Competition Achievement
18. Yellowren Canvas Art Competition 2018 - Secondary School
Gold Award
19. Republic Polytechnic Digital Business Pushcart Challenge 2018
Most Innovative Team
20. Nanyang Polytechnic Science & Technology Challenge 2018 Wind-Powered Racer Category
Most Innovative Team
21. Ngee Ann Polytechnic Caloric Hunt 2018
1st Runner-up
Most Creative Team
Best Performance Team
Extraordinary Team
22. W3 Cluster Culinary Competition 2018 (Hosted by BLS)
2nd Runner-up
Most creative award
23. APS Baking Competition 2018 Finalist team
24. Australian Mathematics Competition
4 Distinction and 21 Credit Awards
2. Competition and Achievements 2019
S/no Competition Achievement
Staff / School Awards
1 GCE ‘N’ Level ( Nov 2018)
In general, the results were an improvement from 2017 results, especially the 4N course.
2 GCE ‘O’ Level (Jan 2019)
School has done well and is showing steady improvement.
Student Awards
4 Uniformed Group - Unit Overall Proficiency Award 2018
NCC
NCDCC
SJAB
NPCC
BB
Distinction Award
GOLD Award
GOLD Award
GOLD Award
Silver Award
5 National Schools Games 2019 Badminton B Boys
2nd Round of competition
6 Singapore Youth Festival 2019
Malay Dance
Chinese Orchestra
Distinction
Distinction
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