Connecting Parents with School

TOWNSVILLEIssue 4 2014

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Dear Parents,

As the academic year draws to a close, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my teachers and allied educators for going the extra mile for our students. My sincere gratitude also goes to our admin and support personnel who played their part to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for all.

Rise & Shine! Morning Session For All 6 Levels In 2015All of us at Townsville are looking forward to the new facilities in our Indoor Sports Hall block come 2015, which will enable us to accommodate all six levels in the morning. Going single-session will give our students and teachers more time and space to develop themselves. Do take note of the reporting (7.30am) and dismissal (1.30pm) timings as well as the after-school schedule that has been given out to your child.

Encourage A “Growth Mindset” (Carol Dweck) This year, my colleagues and I spent time reading about the “growth mindset” advocated by Stanford University psychologist, Carol Dweck. I found her research quite illuminating and would

like to share it in brief with you. According to Dweck, people with a “fixed mindset” believe that their qualities like intelligence or talent are simply fixed traits… and spend time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. On the other hand, people with a “growth mindset” believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.

In her book “Mindset: The new Psychology of Success”, Dweck encouraged us to praise our children for their effort (and not their ability). In a world that is increasingly complex and fast-moving, it is to our children’s advantage to be able to initiate and sustain their passion for learning.

When you next encourage your child, try to focus on his / her effort and hard work.

I wish all parents, students and staff a restful and invigorating year-end break.

Warmest wishes,Mrs Liu-Loh Wee ChengPrincipal

Townsville has been undergoing upgrading works in line with the 2008 Primary Education Review and Implementation (PERI) recommendations. From 2015, our students will benefit from new facilities such as:

• Indoor sports hall• Band room• Dance studio• Fitness playground • Outdoor Performing Stage at Parade Square

From the Principal’s Desk

New Indoor Sports Hall & School Facilities in 2015

Advisor : Mrs Liu-Loh Wee Cheng Editor : Miss Nur Shameem Abdul Gafoor

Photographs : Mr Lim Boon Hai, Mr Darren Li, Mr Hadirman Shah and Mr James TeoLayout & Design : Incisive Design N Print

Acknowledgements:

Indoor Sports HallFitness playground

Tribute to Our TeachersThis year’s Teachers’ Day Concert on 4 September was a memorable and entertaining one organized lovingly by our Townsville Parents United (TPU) volunteers. Our Principal, Mrs Liu, led all teaching staff to recite the Teachers’ Pledge as an affirmation of our commitment to our mission. Mrs Liu also paid tribute to two teachers, Mrs Karen Silva and Mrs Tan Chor Hiang, who were the subject of a compliment letter from a P6 parent.

Thanks to Mdm Jessileen Tan (TPU Chairperson) and all TPU members, Townsville teachers and staff were brought close to tears by the fantastic performances and thoughtful gestures of appreciation.

The annual All Children Exercise Simultaneously (ACES) Day took place on 4 September as part of a national effort to promote a healthy lifestyle beginning with good fitness practices. This year, three of our teachers led the school in an aerobics workout – Mr Vincent Poh, Miss Lin Huixian and Mrs Pamela Chan. Our students certainly had fun working out to the beat of familiar popular songs.

Our young charges had a blast on 2 October as it was their turn to be entertained by members of the school community. Following our Principal’s speech, the concert kicked off with our P5 & P6 teachers’ rendition of a synchronised swimming presentation (on land, of course). The students squealed in delight when they spied Mdm Esther Tan prancing about in her “Despicable Me” Minion character costume. This performance was followed by a fractured fairy tale (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves) presented by the P1 & P2 teachers.

Our Mother Tongue teachers and parent volunteers showcased their dancing prowess with K-Pop inspired dances. Our EAS team did not disappoint with their rendition of a popular Chinese song.

Not to be outdone, our P3 & P4 teachers presented Townsville’s very own MTVPS hosted by Mdm Saleha. Many were amazed by their teachers’ impersonation of celebrities such as Lady Gaga (Mrs Polly Chin), Psy (Mr Bernard Ng) and Justin Bieber (Mr Dickson Tan). Even our guests from Pathlight School could not help but jump to their feet to dance.

The highlight of the concert was a video produced by Mdm Esther Tan – featuring Townsville staff dancing along to Pharrell’s “Happy” song.

Celebrating Children’s Day with a Blast!

Having fun in a mass workout session Energetic workout led by Mr Vincent Poh,

Miss Lin Huixian and Mrs Chan

Lovely song tribute from our P1 and P2 students

ACES Day

Our energetic Parent Volunteers dancing to a popular Korean song

Our talented EAS team belting their hearts out to the delight of our students Prince Charming out to help Snow White Townsville’s very own ‘One Direction’

Artistic glockenspiel quartet’s rendition of some classic pieces Our lovely girls performing “Malu Tapi Mau”

I only w

ant The Minion

Junior Sports CarnivalAs part of our efforts to instil a love for sports and fitness amongst our lower primary students, the school held its annual Junior Sports Carnival on 31 October. Our SAC Chairman, Mr Seet Choo Chua, graced the event as the Guest-of-Honour.

Our enthusiastic young charges had plenty of exhilarating fun as they took part in the various stations. Whilst the P1s had fun dribbling and jumping, the P2 pupils showcased their tossing and skipping skills. The highlight of the event was the Parent-Child Game where our parents sportingly teamed up with their children to compete in the obstacle race.

P1 & P2 Speech and Drama ProgrammeAt the end of their Speech & Drama programme, our P1 and P2 students showcased their oratorical skills and performing talents to their parents in a mini performance on 3 September.

It’s Rolling Time as a P2 girl aims at her target A P1 boy jumping past hurdles in Leap and Go Lots of laughter during the Parent-Child Game

1st prize for the P1s– 1 Joy 1st prize for the P2s – 2 HonestyFull of concentration as he dribbles

The vibrant performances put up by our talented P1 students

Our P2 students showcasing their talents on stage

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Contact us at townsvilleps@moe.edu.sg or +(65) 6457 4345http://www.townsvilleps.moe.edu.sg

Townsville GemsTeck Ghee CC Open House Art CompetitionCategory B winners

OCTOBURST! Drawing Competition 2014 Category B Merit Winners

Townsville Staff Awards 2014Townsville Team Player Award 2014 - Skilful Teacher PD Team

Townsville Caring Staff Award- Miss Pearl Ang Shi Yin

Townsville GEM (Going the Extra Mile in Service Excellence) Award - Mrs Lam Siew Chin

BEST

From left to right:

Mrs Jeya LawrenceMrs Latha JosephMrs Janice TanMrs Agnes LimMrs Liu-Loh Wee Cheng (Principal)

Mrs SukumaranMdm Cheng Kah YongMr Ghazali

- Fong Hui Ting (P2)3rd prize – Loke Wen Xin Erica (P2)

- Sim Le Jia (P2)- Consolation Prize – Sim Le Jia (P2)