PARENTS’ LINKA Newsletter for Parents

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ISSUE NO. 2 2015

In this issue, we bring you updates on the exciting events that took place in Term 2 and 3.

This year, we held our 36th Speech & Prize-Giving Day on 10 April 2015. This year’s theme “Together As One” reflects our the school’s mission to Nurture Students, Change Lives and Serve Our Nation. All of us at Bedok View will continue to work together towards the aspiration of a brighter future. The school was honoured to have our alumnus, Mr Mohd Faizal, who is also our School Advisory Committee Chairman, to be the Guest-of-Honour of our 36th Speech & Prize-Giving Day. Our annual Speech & Prize-Giving Day aims to give recognition to our students who have excelled academically and also to allow our students to showcase their talents in the Performing Arts and in the Uniformed Groups. This year, the school also collaborated with our valued partner, APSN Katong School, to put up a joint performance with the Guzheng Ensembles. The event would not have been a success without the dedication and contributions of our students, teachers and valued partner as we come “Together As One” in celebration of our students’ success.

TERM 2 and 3

Speech & Prize-Giving Day – “Together As One”

Parade by Uniformed Groups featuring Girl Guides, National Cadet Corps (Boys & Girls), National Police Cadet Corps and St John Singapore

Prize-presentation by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Mohd Faizal, School Advisory Committee Chairman, General Counsel and Director of the Legal Division, for the Singapore Medical Council.

Life Science Camp

A two-day Life Science Camp was conducted by our very own science teachers during the June holidays. Secondary One students played the role of forensic scientists to help solve a crime involving five suspects. In order to do so, they utilized a range of skills and techniques learnt in the camp; dusting weapons and surfaces to uncover important fingerprints and collecting blood samples and DNA samples from the scene. Students carried out their investigative work at the CSI-like crime scene scenario. As they did a thorough sweep of the scene, they found DNA present in many different substances such as blood, hair and perspiration. Based on the DNA profiles of the suspects, our students matched the markers on the DNA with that of the suspects’ profiles. Our budding scientists took the responsibility very seriously as they worked feverishly to piece together evidences to uncover the identity of the suspect. They collaborated in groups to share their findings and presented their analysis at the crucial moment. Much to the satisfaction of their teachers, the mystery was finally solved!

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Undeterred by the crime scene, students raced against time to solve the mystery

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The Jubilee Run The arrival of the morning sun at the Singapore Sports Hub was warm and welcoming, as Bedok View Secondary School arrived in Main Hall 1 for their first-ever Cross Country at Marina Bay. Being the first school to hold the Cross Country in the new premises, it was history in the making. Students were more than prepared for the daunting 4.8km route, while the staff members were mentally ready to clock in new personal best timings. The students and staff admired the scenic route as they jogged past the majestic Benjamin Sheares bridge and along the Bay East Gardens. Upon reaching the East Coast end of Marina Barrage, runners took a U-turn and raced towards the finishing line at the Water Venture Centre in Tanjong Rhu. At the end of the Jubilee Run, Bedok View came together to commemorate SG50 with a resounding rendition of local songbird, Kit Chan’s ‘Home’.

Competitors commencing on their cross country run

Enjoying a scenic run along the Bay East Gardens

Persevering to the end!

Teachers’ Day Celebration 2015

This year, our school was privileged to have part of our celebrations hosted by The Celebrity Agency(TCA) from Mediacorp. YES 933 DJ Chen Ning hosted the session with Mediacorp’s budding stars, Mr Ian Fang and Ms Jayley Woo. The trio were dynamic and interactive, sharing their personal school experiences with students. The artistes also gave our students the opportunity to ask questions and generously gave relevant, purposeful and practical tips and advice. Next, the audience was immediately treated to the annual singing competition, BV Superstar 2015, which saw six competitors vying for the top spot. Our competitors wowed the audience with their raw energy and amazing stage presence. As our contestants showcased their vocal talents and creative renditions, their peers put on well-choreographed dance routines while others did short skit performances as tributes to their teachers. Their levels of commitment and hard work put in for the concert was impressive as many of them spent hours of rehearsals to prepare for that performance. It was truly a special and memorable way to end the term by celebrating and remembering the contributions of all teachers.

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Posing for a photo with the celebrities Han Teng and Hanif deliver a well-executed rendition of Ed Sheeran’s Give me Love

Dancers from the Dance CCA, putting up a confident and brilliant routine

Student Leaders Investiture

The 2015/2016 Councillors and CCA leaders were formally inducted and introduced to the school through a meaningful ceremony in front of the entire school on 3 Augut 2015. The newly-elected Student Council President, Kawaguchi Ryo, spoke of having a Bedok View spirit and moving forward together. As we bid farewell to the former leaders, it is with no doubt that they have passed on much of their wisdom to the new leaders and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours. For the new leaders, it is time for them to prove themselves worthy of the title and bring their respective CCAs or and the school greater heights. The investiture ended on a high note with a memorable performance of “Graduation, Friends Forever”, led by the outgoing leaders.

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Student Leadership Training Camp (9th Sept 2015)

Bedok View student leaders, comprising the Councillors, Class Chairpersons and CCA leaders, had a rousing time getting to know one another, learning leadership skills and reflecting on their own qualities as leaders through a one-day training programme created by the Student Leadership Committee. Student Leaders were able to discuss and present their ideas to one another and the teachers on how to improve issues in the school. The Sec 2 leaders also went on a Values-in-Action (VIA) activity at East Coast beach. All the leaders agreed that they have benefitted from this event and would apply the skills that they have learnt to good use. The training ended on a rousing note with each group presenting a cheer that they would want to teach the school.

Clarissa Seow, Council President 2014/2015 passing on the lighthouse, a symbol of leadership in Bedok View, to Kawaguchi Ryo, Council President 2015/2016

Leaders listening intently to the training sessions based on the Leadership Challenge Model (LCM)

Sec 2 student leaders cleaning ECP as part of a Values-in-Action activity during the Student Leadership Camp

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National Day Celebration – SG50 Commemorations

This year’s National Day Celebration marks the 50th Anniversary of our independence. The theme this year was “Majulah Singapura”. Bedok View Secondary commemorated National Day on Thursday, 6 Aug 2015. It was a day marked by a celebratory atmosphere. Joining us for the celebrations this year were students and staff from APSN Katong School. The day started off with the solemn but meaningful Observance Ceremony, followed by the reading of the National Day Message by the Principal. The students then adjourned to the classrooms for a curricular engagement segment during which they collaborated to build their vision for Singapore’s future in the Building My SG CCE lesson. Students used the LEGO building bricks to create a model to represent what he/she hopes to see in Singapore in the future. After explaining their vision of the future with their classmates, they were encouraged to upload a photo of their model in the Building My SG website. It was indeed very apt that the next part of the celebrations was on Singapore’s Heritage buildings. A speaker from the National Heritage Board shared interesting insights on the significance of many historical buildings in Singapore that bore witness to significant milestones in Singapore’s history. Students from the drama club put up a special drama performance. We were also privileged to have students from the APSN Katong School perform an Indian Dance item for the school. They received a rousing response from an appreciative audience.The highlight of the day was the Community Singing, when the school, led by enthusiastic BV Superstar participants, sang a medley National Day classics as well as this year’s theme song. However the song that got the crowd on its feet was Kit Chan’s familiar favourite, Home. The day was capped by the NCC Precision Drill squad that wowed their schoolmates with their flawless display of teamwork and slick precision moves.

Teachers and students in a rousing rendition of national day songs

Our impressive NCC Precision Drill Squad

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Racial Harmony Day 2015Racial Harmony Day (RHD) in Bedok View was commemorated on 20 th and 21st July 2015. Bedok View’s RHD commemoration revolved around understanding and respecting the customs and traditions of the different races and religions so as to co-exist peacefully. To encapsulate the spirit of racial harmony among students and staff, all were encouraged to wear ethnic costumes from different races. They were also encouraged to wear costumes from another culture by exchanging costumes. Many students and staff responded positively and were decked in various ethnic costumes on Monday’s Assembly Period. All staff and students were then treated to a video “Wa is for Wayang”, an inter-cultural story of a young Indian boy (Raja) on his quest to learn how to perform in a Chinese opera. This video was well received by the students who saw how Raja pursued his dreams despite the odds against him.Students also had the opportunity to participate in two exciting events, the Racial Harmony Quiz and BV MasterChef. A RHD booth was set up in the canteen during both recesses for students to participate in the quiz on 21st July. The BV MasterChef Competition was conducted in semester 1 by the Home Economics teachers. This was an interesting competition as students had to create dishes that best represent Singapore. Through these two events, students learnt to appreciate the multiracial aspects of our nation.Through the activities planned for RHD 2015, students & staff of Bedok View are more aware of Singapore’s success as a racially harmonious nation and we show our appreciation by celebrating our differences.

All decked up in ethnic costumes. Racial Harmony Day Booth

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Hari Raya CelebrationThe Hari Raya celebration was a joyous occasion that everyone looked forward to. Students had the opportunity to show off their diverse hidden talents and immersed themselves in the celebration. The upper and lower secondary students got together to put up an interesting performance. The enthralling song and dance items were proudly choreographed by the students themselves. The BV staff also very spontaneously joined in the celebrations by wearing their traditional costumes to school.

Students grooving to the music

An intriguing song item that kept the audience mesmerised.

The teachers joining in the sing-a-long