GESS Assembly talk cum roadshow on Cyberwellness on 4th March

Parents are invited to attend the following assembly talk on 4th March in our school hall from 1.30p.m. to 2.15p.m. Please contact Mdm Foo Lee Lian(foo_lee_lian@moe.edu.sg) to reserve a place. The details are below.

"The ICT department of our school is working with the Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) to organize a road show in school for the coming Cyberwellness Week (Term 1 Week 9). The road show will cover topics like 'Respect for Interllectual Property', 'Cyberbullying' and 'Internet Addiction'. SCOGA will also conduct the assembly talk for the Upper Secondary levels on 4th March, and they will be speaking on Gaming Addictions in relation to Self-Control and Time Management. Every year, MDA partners with SCOGA to bring the message of Cyberwellness to schools. MDA would thus like to feature the upcoming Cyberwellness Roadshow at GESS in their next publication."

Celebrating Lunar New Year cum Total Defence Day @ GESS on 12 Feb. 2010
By Mdm Foo Lee Lian

31 parents, Mr Nicholas Tang(from GESSOSA) and 10 senior citizens from the Thong Kheng Senior Activity Centre  joined our school in celebrating the Lunar New Year and Total Defence Day in our school. All joined in the celebratory mood to receive blessings from the Chinese Lion Dance troupe. We also receive blessings from the Chinese God of Longevity, God of Fortune and the little “Tigers” who are our Gessian Teachers and Pupils donned in their respective attire.  The auspicious mood was sustained continually with captivating performances like the singing of the Chinese New Year songs led by two teachers(Ms Gladys Tan and Mr Isaac Phoon) and dance.

The performance on the need to be prepared for Total Defence by our pupils from all the uniform groups reminded us the value of peace and importance of preparedness.

Our parent activists then assisted in running some of the segments together with our teachers to promote Chinese Culture such as making of lucky symbols like Tang Yuan, and  fish and golden ingots from Chinese Ang Pow wrappers and setting up a store in the canteen to sell some goodies to raise fund for PTA.

The day ended with a tea session with our principal to strengthen our ties.

We would like to thank five parents(Mdm Myat Sundee Win, Mdm Moe Myat Wein, Mdm Michelle Lim, Mdm Susan Chua Ah Guat and Mdm Kelly Mak Lai Kam) to represent our PTA to shower the second year of caring and sharing in the Project Abundance spear-headed by our principal, Mrs Carolin Tan to deliver 5-kilogram of rice to the homes of 22 pupils under financial-assistant scheme.  

We would also like to thank Mdm Michelle Lim, Mdm Myat Sundee, Mdm Moe Myat Wein, Mdm Kelly Mak Lai Kam and Mr Andrew Yeo for sponsoring the service of the Chinese Lion Dance Troupe, rental of customs, operation cost of teaching Chinese tea appreciation and the ingredients for the Chinese Tang Yuan.

We are all proud of all the exemplary actions of these great PTA activists. We look forward to future collaborations with all these and all other parents for the benefits of our pupils.

Fathering Matters dated 8th Jan. 2010
(from Mr Emerson Foo, teacher-in-charge of Fathers-For-Life Programme) http://www.fatheringmatters.com

3 FAMILY TYPES

1.    Autocratic Family
This is where one or both parents rule the family with absolute authority. Here the parenting style is rigid, domineering allowing very little freedom or responsibility for the children. Children are pressured to fit into a mould determined by parent(s) with punishment and rewards. Such children struggle to think, feel, believe, and even dream independently outside their parent’s wishes. As a result, the children have serious difficulties establishing their independent self-identities as they grow up. Rules in autocratic families tend to the inflexible, inappropriate, and rigidly enforced. Unquestioning obedience rather than healthy development is fostered. Such children tend to have weak self-ego, co-dependent on others, emotionally delicate and indecisive.

2.  Permissive Family
Permissive families reject the harsh and uncompromising stance of autocratic parenting styles, preferring not to accept responsibility for creating a mould for the children to conform. Instead they are encouraged to chart their own course and do their own thing. Little emphases are given to family order and routine. Consequently few boundaries are drawn leading to inconsistencies in family relationships and loose family ties. As a result the children are confused leading to their insecurity and poor socialization abilities. Whereas autocratic families have too much control and too little freedom, permissive families have too much freedom and too little control. This can be a very confusing environment for child.

3.  Nurturing Family
Nurturing families place a high value on freedom, equality, and responsibility. The primary focus is on meeting individual needs of all family members and promoting their personal growth and development. Family rules in nurturing families are both flexible and appropriate as they are consistently maintained. Personal freedom is encouraged but with limits to proper consideration for others. This builds healthy ego boundaries and socialization skills amongst the members.
Family types are not static but dynamic. At any given moment a family might assume a structure that includes the characteristics of one or more of the 3 family types ensuring that family rules mirror the typical changes in the family structure and according to the developmental stages in their children's lives.

Reflection pointers for fathers ...

What do you think is your family type, autocratic, permissive or nurturing? Is it appropriate and effective in promoting healthy developments in your children?
What adjustments do you think you would like to make, if any, to further improve the development of well-being and socialization for your family today? You may wish to discuss your thoughts with your spouse and later with the whole family for greater participation from them as you seek to promote healthy growth through the stages of life for them.

Action pointers for fathers ...

Set up a family spring cleaning this weekend. Assign tasks appropriate to their age of your children, giving them ‘total responsibility’ and ‘dependence’ on them doing this part of the cleaning. Praise them for a job well done and have a reward meal for dinner.
Hold a post new year party for your child /children and have them invite their friends. This will allow you an insight into their friends and their world.

A Message from Mdm Zahara Hosni (School Staff Developer)

It was of great delight to have the News (all 4 languages) featuring our school’s event last night.

The event went on smoothly as everyone was focus on one goal and with one Gessian spirit.

We would like to thank every member of the Gessian community which includes our students, staff, HODs, AM, OM, EAS members (office, D n T, Science) our contract cleaners, contract workers, CCPE, printer, senior Gessians, librarian, security guards, canteen vendors, bookshop vendor, IT personnel, parents of Sec 1 students, PTA members, OSA and SAC committee members.

The reporters have also given good feedback to us; they were impressed with the orderliness of the event and the students, esp when we had to change plan to bring all the students down to the arena.

Some OSA, SAC and PTA members who had to leave early due to other commitments make alternative arrangements and decided to stay to be part of the community for this eventful and meaningful event.

To all members of the staff who have volunteered your assistance in one way or another, our heartfelt gratitude to your contribution, including the form and buddy form teachers who were at the frontline in the classrooms to motivate and support the desired objectives and target.

Most importantly, we would like to thank the 3 key champions who have been working very hard since end October 2009 to make it happen well yesterday. They are Ms Thng Lay Kheng, Mr Chan Hoong Leong and Mr Kevin Kung.

The 3 champions have enabled more than 100 Student Leaders to hone their leadership skills in project management. It is a pleasure working with this team, aided by the other YCs (Teo Peng Kee, Tan Kian Beng, Paul Lee and Ong li Pei),  as we grow and learn together; both staff and students.

To our Principal, Mrs Carolin Tan and Vice-Principal, Mr Au Yong, thank you for leading and guiding all of us.

First Day of School, 4 Jan 2010, is indeed a pleasant memory for the entire Gessian Family!

10,000 Fathers Reading! 2010

Principal Meets Secondary 1 Parents cum PTA AGM
27th January 2010, Wednesday, 6.30pm-9pm

Year 1 Admission Exercise 2010

Report by:  Rohana Bte Ithnin(mother of Jamalul Nannah Jasin(1G) and Jamil bin Jasin(2G)

23rd December 2009 marked a day in the calendar where GESS welcomed a new batch of families in its abode.

11 PTA members spearheaded by Andrew and Suzanne were actively involved in explaining briefly to parents the content of the Admission Exercise Package and distributing PTA pamphlets and souvenir pen. 

We assisted to induct the new parents with essential school information in the Sec One Registration package while they were waiting for their turns for registration. This had ensure meaning and smooth flow of parents from 7 classes, thus shortening the queue and waiting time.  1A, B and C were held in the Indoor Sport Hall and the rest in the school hall, 

We began from 7.30 a.m and with great teamwork. This exercise finished at 10.00 a.m. (earlier than expected).

Then, all the 11 PTA members namely Andrew, Suzanne, Raymond Lim, Therese Woo, Teo Lee San, Kelly, Rohana, Flora, Chris, Jagwinder and Siew Geok had a great bonding cum ‘makan session’ in the canteen accompanied by Madam Foo Lee Lian(PTA teacher-in-charge)after the great collaboration with the school.  We look forward to continual partnership with our Gessian community to jointly nurture our children.

Holiday Greetings to all parents.

All parents and teachers are members of PTA.

Why be ACTIVE in PTA?

Studies have found a positive and convincing relationship between family involvement and benefits for students.

The benefits are students are likely to :

1. earn higher grades and test scores
2. enroll in higher-level programmes
3. be promoted to next higher level, graduate and go on to higher education
4. adapt well to school and attend school regularly
5. have better social skills and behaviour

How?
Contact Mdm Foo Lee Lian(teacher co-ordinator)
@ www.gess.edu.sg

Perfect Night 2009(Graduation Nite) on 18th November 2009
By: Loh Li Sin and Tay Wei Lun ( Class of 4H 2009)

It was a night to be remembered for a lifetime.

Other than the two hundred and thirty six graduating students that attended the event, we have the honour of having Dr Khor (SAC member) to be the guest of honour, our Principal Mrs Tan, Vice Principal Mr Au Yong, sec 4&5 form teachers and also members of the GESSOSA (Mr KC Teo, Mr Dennis Chua and Mr Tang )and PTA (Mdm Myat, Mrs Suzanne Lee and Mdm Chris Ong) were also in attendance.

I believe that many of us had a great night. For me, it was like one of the best nights I had for the whole year. It was a night where friends gathered and had fun together. Although it was like the “last night” for many of us, it was like the night where everyone was bonded together. Regardless of teachers or students, we all went crazy together and enjoyed the event.

The events and activities kept us entertained. The attractive prizes to be won from the lucky draw(which were sponsored by members of the PTA and GESSOSA) were another highlight that kept our emotions at a peak. On this night, although it was really sad that most of us are going to move on separate ways, we were able to enjoy ourselves totally and most importantly, laughed wholeheartedly together. It was the night where the graduating cohort of 2009 was bonded as one.

The event have certainly become better and better every year. I am sure that next year’s Prom Night would be even more exciting than this year’s.

As the saying goes, “Once a GESSian, Always a GESSian”. We will always remain GESSians no matter where we are. ONWARD!

Done By: Loh Li Sin
Tay Wei Lun
Class of 4H 2009

Dear Parents,
 
Please be informed of an important contest(see below) on some great
ways for all fathers to bond with your children.  Ladies - Please encourage
your spouse to take part and Gentlemen - do take part. 
Even mothers should practise the recommended ways to strengthen our bonding
with our children. I am actually quite guilty of not doing enough. 

BACK TO SCHOOL WITH DAD 2010 - CONTEST
(organised by Centre for Fathering)

The "Back To School With Dad 2010" initiative strives not only to promote Father-Child bonding, it also aims to encourage families to be active together. Some ways to enjoy a deeper connection and build a special bond with your child on the journey to school can include walking or cycling from home to school, alight one bus-stop earlier or take MRT and walk the rest of the way.
To capture these precious moments with your children, the Back to School with Dad 2010 contest has been launched for all fathers.

Fathers can participate in this contest by taking a photograph of you walking your children to school. You can then submit your photograph via email to: cats6@sph.com.sg with a short write up of no more than 35 words and stand to win $100 sporting gift vouchers.

Should you require more information on this event, please feel free to contact Mr Danny Teo from Centre for Fathering at 62528408 or danny@fathers.com.sg. You may also visit this website: http://fatheringmatters.com/dpl/node/23 for more details."

Dear Parents,
  
The Nov and Dec CCA Calendar 2009 are posted on GESSPortal
Thanks to VJ who created a link to them.
Parents can refer to the calendar.
Pls note that it is correct as at 30 Oct 2009.

Breakfast with Our Principal, Mrs Caroline Tan
on 27/10/09 in our AVA studio

24 parents, our VP(Mr Au Yong) and 6 members from the SMT(Senior Management Team) attended this interactive and informative session.

The parent participants expressed that the session has helped them to understand the challenges and needs of our GESSIAM family better. The following is extracts from the feedback form at the end of the session.

1. What the participants like about this session:
• Communication with teachers & parents.
• Good info of the school goal and school vision.
• Able to communicate with parents with different concern in their bids.
• Understanding what the school is going ahead. Knowing more of the same level parents and the problems they are facing.
• A good communication platform with the school in an informal arrangement.
• The staff are very forthcoming and helpful. Parents are open about their children.
• Overview of the Sec 3 streaming program.
2. One thing participants found most useful.
• Knowing about what the school is planning for next year.
• The school plan for the student of GESS.
• To address the weak areas of my son's performance & to understand the more of the whole picture.
• Knowing how the school is developing our children academically and in their character development.
• Able to know what to expect in the coming months & the school's direction.
• The sharing of school's vision and real life story narration by the P.
• How to study hard all the time to strive for good result.
• Able to communicate my concerns to the school.
• Can have a closer and friendly chat with teachers and Principal to understand the new system in GESS.
3. Suggestions for activities by PTA in 2010.
• More on 'O' level preparation.
• Cooking classes.
• More parent and parent session together to share views.
• 1st quarter - lantern with ang pao, 2nd quarter - dumplings, 3rd quarter - like this year, tea-session
• More parents involvement at PTA.

It was a great opportunity to be invited to attend the COMPASS Convention 2009, this event is held once every 2 years. The word ‘COMPASS’ means COMmunity and PAarents in Support of Schools. Mdm Foo, Mdm Amutha and I had a great time understanding the 3 main concerns that all parents, principals and teachers are facing.

The Guest-of-Honour was Ms Grace Fu (Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development & Ministry of Education and the Chairman of COMPASS).

The three great speakers and their sharing were

1. Dr Munidasa Winslow – talked about “Body, Mind And Spirit – Teamwork for Peak Performance”.
   We learn to understand the 2 types of stress and how/ways to tackle it.
2. Dr Priya Sen – talked about “SEX in the City – What our Youths are up to?”
   We learn how to talk to our children about the sensitive issues.
3. Mr Poh Yeang Chern from Touch Community – talked about “Please give me 5 More minutes”
   We learnt how that photographs posted on Facebook cannot be revoked. Games like ‘War Craft’ and ‘Maple Story’ are to be played with care as playing them is highly addictive.

Mid Autumn Festival Celebration 10 October 2009

Message from Mdm Kelly Mak - PTA Treasurer /Representative of the Organizing Committee

Mid-autumn in the Chinese cultural heritage is a symbol for “family reunion” and hence we thought of organizing the gathering to have an opportunity not only for family/teachers bonding but also to revisit and share this important heritage and values with our family, our children, non-Chinese friends and foreign students who study in GESS. Two activities were organized

Afternoon - Culinary Day at GESS – Halal Dumpling (Shui Jiao) Making
The heavy down pour on the 10 Oct. 09 morning did not deter the enthusiasm of teachers and parents coming with their children for the Halal dumpling (Shui Jiao) making. 41 teachers, parents and students were present. Though it was slightly chaotic,it was heart-warming to see the school home economic room filled with teachers, parents and children engrossed, working closely in preparing the dumplings then the joy and laughter in sharing the “fruits” they made.




Evening - Mooning By GESS Pond (Lantern Festival)
The event delivered a different experience from the norm - serious studious environment to a beautiful scenic and relax ambience that guests were enjoying, relished and rejoiced in the Chinese culture appreciation by the GESS Pond. Children were happily socializing with one another, playing sparkles, while guests and parents were sitting in groups, appreciating the tea they brewed, trying the different goodies brought by guests and parents. A setting just like a big family festive celebration in a courtyard we used to have in our younger days.




The organizing committee were encouraged to see more than 60 guests from SAC, GESSOSA , teachers, parents and students turned up for the event. This has endorsed our confidence in organizing more of such events.

SAC, GESSOSA & PTA Bonding @ Mooning by GESS Pond
on 10th October

From left: Wong Meng Kit(Teacher), Francis Liew, KC Teo, Mrs Carolin Tan(Principal), Arthur, Benny Yong & Teo Peng Kee(Teacher)

Invitation to join your children in Post-Final Exam
Physical Activities 2009

All parents are invited to join your children in our GESS Post-Final Exam Physical Activities. Please contact Ms Sally Lim (64745594 ext 292) for details and book a place before 15th October 2009.
There are 4 exciting and enjoyable activities.They are

1. dragon-boating at Kallang Water Sports Centre,
2. bowling at Westwood Bukit Batok CSC,
3. paintball at Sembawang Camp Challenge (must wear long sleeve blouse/shirt and long pants), and
4. inline skating at Eact Coast Park.

Dear Teachers/Parents
You are invited to attend the following sessions.

I)  Culinary Day at GESS – Halal Dumpling(Shui Jiao) Making
 
An essential tripartite-bonding  (parents/teachers/students)activity organized by PTA and supported by SWC. Family bonding is also promoted.  It also aims to foster racial integration and assimilation of foreign pupils.
It is going to be a fun-filled dumpling making day under the guidance of 3 culinary experts (teachers)- (Mdm You Chang Ying, Mdm Tang Xiao Lan, Mr Liu Yong Feng and Ms Hoe Hui Choo).
 
Date:                                10/10/2009 (Saturday)
Time:                                3.00 to 6.00pm
Venue:                              Home Econ Room GESS
Fee:                                  S$7.00 per person including all ingredients 
Condition for parents:    One parent and child (pupil of GESS).
One Home Economics room is for father-child teams and another for mother-child teams.

Note:  
You have to bring a rolling pin with a diameter of approximately 1 1/2 inches and a container to take home your very own dumplings.

II)   Mooning By GESSPond (Lantern Festival)
To share our great food and interact with members of the staff, parents and Ex-co of SAC and GESSOSA.
Concurrent sessions on Chinese Tea ceremony, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese drawing and Chinese TCM conducted by our teachers will be held too.
Date:           10/10/2009 (Saturday)
Time:           6.00p.m. to 8.30p.m.
Venue:        GESSGarden @ Ecopond
Fee:             S$1.00 per person
Please contact and confirm your attendance by 1/10/2009(Thurs) through e-mailing Mdm You Chang Ying( you_chang_ying@moe.edu.sg)
The list for Members of the Staff is outside Mr Au Yong's office. Please tick to indicate your interest to attend by 1/10/2009.

(PS:  We also welcome teachers who are experienced in making dumplings to share with us their expertise in making delicious dumplings. You can contact Mdm You at ext.255.)

We look forward to your participation!  

Parent-Breakfast with Principal on 14th Sept. 2009( 7.30a.m. tp 8.30a.m.)

37 parents attended this session. Our principal, Mrs Carolin Tan updated the parents with the development and direction of our school. All enjoyed the session and found it informative according to the feedback received. Mdm Zahara(School Staff Developer), Mdm Pauline Chia(HOD, EL), Mdm Foo Lee Lian(ST) and Ms Eunice Lim(FTSC) also joined this interactive session. They look forward to more of such informative interaction with members of the staff.

The next Breakfast session with our principal is scheduled to be on 27th October 2009 from 7.30a.m. to 8.30a.m. Interested parents are to contact Mdm Foo Lee Lian at www.gess.edu.sg. before 1st October 2009.

The following is a set of photos of that Breakfast Session with Principal.

Teachers' Day Celebration 2009

1. Message from Mdm Kim - PTA Vice President

   Teaching is one of the oldest and most sacred of professions. Generations would not have evolved successfully without teachers.

   Think about the inspiring teachers you experienced, when you were at school. Many of these inspiring teachers demonstrated traits such as having a positive outlook, the ability to build rapport and relate well to the students and most importantly, show genuine concern for the student through empathy. So, long after the lesson is over, even if we forget the specifics of the subject, we remember the experience of learning and the teacher who shared with us.

   Therefore, on behalf of our children, we would like to thank both the teachers and the non-teaching staff of Gan Eng Seng School. Besides helping our children acquire knowledge, you help to build character, inspire the learners, and help to create a safe environment in the school.

   
   

2. Message from the Organising Committee of the Teachers’ Day Luncheon @ Furama Hotel on 21 August 2009 by Mdm Chris Ong

   We, Mdm Myat Sundee Win, Mdm Michelle Lim, Mdm Susan Chua Ah Guat and Mdm Chris Ong, were glad to support Mr Au Yong(VP) and Mr Niu Zibin from the Staff Welfare Committee with the Teacher’s Day Luncheon. We helped in an additional touch of beautiful balloons and greeting all teachers and guests with door gifts. We were very happy that PTA’s ‘little’ door gifts for all teachers were what they wished for (a laser pointer). We took the opportunity with Mdm Myat giving a speech. We also thanked 3 special persons and gave them each a little gift. 1st - Mdm Foo (for coordinating and helping so much), 2nd - Mr Au Yong (for being present and support in our PTA Monthly Meeting) and 3rd - Mrs Carolin Tan (the special lady that keeps GESS ONWARDS! wonderfully).

   We definitely had a great time with Mrs Tan, Mr Au Yong, SAC, GESSOSA and all the teachers. The ‘Body Parts’ game was with lots of fun as well as the ‘Movie’ game and not forgetting the delicious food served. We hoped to be able to partner our school and give even more support to do better next year.

   WISH ALL TEACHERS A WONDERFULLY TEACHER’S DAY!

3. Report by Mdm Foo Lee Lian on Teachers’ Day Celebration by PTA and GESS Student Leaders Committee in School Arena and Hall on 31 August 2009

   Five parents(Mdm Myat Sundee Win, Mdm Michelle Lim, Mdm Chris Ong, Mdm M. Amutha and Mdm Susan Chua Ah Guat collaborated with our GESS Student Leader Committee to organize the Teachers’ Day Celebration in our school arena and hall.

   These parent-representatives participated in our school Mass Skipping with rope exercise alongside their children’s classes. They also joined our school in celebrating in the arena and Mdm Susan Chua gave away token of appreciation to our Principal, Mrs Carolin Tan, our Vice-Principal, Mr Au Yong Po lung and Mdm Foo Lee Lian, PTA-coordinator.

   Next they personally served the teachers with delicious cakes and sumptuous kueh which they had baked at the buffet table. They also enjoyed the concerts and slide-show to honour teachers and the games organised by the Student Leaders. Then they proceeded to join the class parties of their respective children and their teachers.

   
   

Report on GESS Terrarium Workshop 22 August (9.30 – 11.00 a.m) @ Physics Lab. 1 of GESS by Mdm Myat Sundee Win (Kim), Vice-President, PTA & mother of Magnus Min Aung Zin of Sec 3H and Hayley The Ei Win of Sec 1E.

Don’t we all like the idea of having a garden at home, without much work? Yes we do, but how is that possible?

On the 22 August, we, 7 parents brought empty recycling glass bottles together with our precious children to the Terrarium workshop which was jointly organised by our school Green Committee and PTA and headed by 3 teachers(Mr Paul Lee,Ms Kong Ching Ying and Ms Arlene Pang, teachers-in-charge of Green Committee).

We were guided step by step by the teachers and students in-charge to make a pretty miniature garden of our own. Soon after, our bottles were filled with rocks, soil, plants and water. During the workshop, some made mistakes, some did well, but we had a great time sharing this moment with query, laughter and finally with accomplishment.

We were so glad that we went home with bottles of “zero maintenance gardens”, greater awareness of “Go Green” concepts and best of all it was a meaningful and memorable day bonding with your children

Guess what? We were also awarded with a Certificate each.

Mega Learning Camp by STU

STU(Singapore Teachers Union) is jointly organizing another Mega Learning Camp with DMG Capital Corporation to give students the opportunity to enjoy this enriching and exciting experience.

The team of qualified facilitators is led by Dr Mel Gill, a well-known Psychotherapist, TV and Radio personality. They are trained in Superlearning; using proven Accelerated-Learning techniques and NLP strategies combined with Whole-Brain learning.

You may want to log on to our website for poster and application forms:
http://www.stu.org.sg/Professional09/megacampPoster2FA.htm

An Invitation from Our Principal

Beginning of Term 4 Breakfast sessions with parents

All parents are invited to the First Breakfast session for parents with our principal, Mrs Carolin Tan : 14 Sept(Monday) from 7.30a.m. to 8.30a.m.

Dear Parents

I hope you will reply to Mdm Foo Lee Lian, as our PTA Co-ordinator at gess@moe.edu.sg by 28 August 2009 so that catering arrangements can be made. I look forward to seeing you, the parents.

Perhaps some single parents would like for me to address their challenges and needs too. I will be happy to do so but I do recognise that parents may be sensitive about identifying themselves. A good way to help me understand better how this might be approached will be to have a separate dialogue with those who will be willing to do so. Can I ask that single parents, that is, those who are widowed or divorced, could drop Mdm Foo or our FTSC(Full-Time School Counsellor), Miss Eunice Lim an email at gess@moe.edu.sg? We will facilitate a time for us to have this separate dialogue.

Thank you for the chance to serve.

Mrs Carolin Tan
(Principal)

Celebrating National Day @ GESS on 7th August 2009

53 parents joined our school in celebrating National Day on 7th August from 7.20a.m. to 12 noon. The guest-of-honour was Mr C. Kunalan, former 100m national record holder and now lecturer @ NIE. We also celebrated the opening of our Indoor Stadium and Sports Fiesta which engaged our pupils in different forms of games and sports. Mr Victor Giam, our former principal was the GOH for this opening. We were also very happy to have Mdm Yogesuary Retnam, former PTA President joining us in this joyous occasion. Our PTA sponsored and operated 2 stalls selling Indian finger food, souvenirs and bags. Mr Daniel Yip, a nutritionist and father of Gavin Yip of Sec 2C sponsored health screening(anti-oxidant level) for GESSIANS. All proceeds from the 3 stalls will be for our needy pupils.

Report by Sub-committee Head of School Opening/Racial Harmony/National Day /Sports Fiesta PTA Stall Mdm M Amutha, mother of C. Sasidaran of Sec 2E.

It was a great time, as PTA set up stalls selling muruku and Myanmar souvenirs such as paintings, postcards, hand made bags, purses, photo frames, earrings and rings. We thank Mrs. Carolin Tan (Principal), Mr. Au Yong (Vice-Principal) our guest of Honor Mr Giam (Ex Principal), C. Gunalan, teachers, staffs and parents and Mdm Foo promoting the items during the ceremonies. We truly enjoyed ourselves.

Truly a moment @ 8.22p.m. on 9th Aug for all Singaporeans

Let’s Reaffirm our Commitment to Our Singapore @ 8.22p.m. on 9th August 2009 - Our National Day no matter where we are.

National Day shouldn't be only about the parade. We should participate and be involved in any little ways we can. Let’s take our pledge together with our children.

Singaporeans are invited to Come Together for the Pledge Moment. We can choose to shout out the Pledge as we take it, hand on chest, or we can take the pledge silently while reflecting on the deep meaning behind it. All Singaporeans must, will and should take 30 seconds of our time on 8:22 pm to recite Our Pledge together.

The National Anthem in Different Languages
Malay (Original)
MAJULAH SINGAPURA Mari kita rakyat Singapura Sama-sama menuju bahagia Cita-cita kita yang mulia Berjaya Singapura Marilah kita bersatu Dengan semangat yang baru Semua kita berseru Majulah Singapura Majulah Singapura
English
ONWARD SINGAPORE We, the people of Singapore Together march towards happiness Our noble aspiration To make Singapore a success Let us all unite In a new spirit Together we proclaim Onward Singapore Onward Singapore
Chinese
前进吧，新加坡！ 来吧，新加坡人民， 让我们共同向幸福迈进； 我们崇高的理想， 要使新加坡成功。 来吧，让我们以新的精神， 团结在一起； 我们齐声欢呼： 前进吧，新加坡！ 前进吧，新加坡！
Tamil

Sports Fiesta has been changed to 7 August, Friday

This is so that the event will be held in conjunction with the National Day Celebration. We look forward to collaborating with the PTA again to create yet another wonderful school experience for our pupils!

Date: 7 August, Friday 2009
Time: 7.20 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Venue: GESS

PTA-GESS Celebrating AYG(28th June 09)
Reported by Mdm Suzanne Liu (mother of Sean Lee of Sec 2G and Felicia Lee of Sec 3H), PTA Honorary Secretary

Singapore hosts the 1st Asian Youth Games (AYG) from 28th June 2009 till 7th July 2009. GESS is proud to be one of the 45 schools selected as one of the passing point of the second phase of the torch relay. "The flame symbolises the endeavour for perfection, the struggle for victory, peace and friendship that transcends countries and boundaries. It unites the people who come together for the games".

Mrs Tan, Principal and staff extended a warm welcome to PTA members to witness and be part of GESS when the torch relay passed through.

PTA formed a sub-committee to celebrate this great day with our the school and our children. First, we helped to turn designs drawn by students into button badges which were then pinned up to form the word – “Friendship”. To add atmosphere to the celebration mood, PTA decided to set up two stalls, one selling pop-corn and the other candy floss. We also managed to negotiate for a complimentary foam bubble machine that created a party atmosphere!

PTA members then donned on our very own “uniform” and got down and dirty into popping corns and making candy floss on sticks! After couple of hiccups with our twists and turns, our candy floss on sticks finally began to take shape. With burns and cuts on the parents’ hands selling the pop-corn, we were finally churning out pop corns like a pro. We had our fair share of fun when students try to bargain down our price from $1 to 50 cents. Some even cheekily asked “aunties” like us to give them a bigger candy floss!

As AYG brings sporting youths in Asia together, it is indeed heart-warming that PTA members gel as one through sticky fingers and burnt hands. PTA members had donated a total of $600 (thank you for the generosity) as capital for our “business venture” and we had made a profit of about $140 (details in 5th PTA meeting minutes). The total amount will be rolled over as capital for the Sports Fiesta cum Racial Harmony day on 31st July 2009. We have also formed a sub-committee headed by Mdm M.Amutha(mother of C.Sasidaran of Sec 2E).

Please come and see for yourself what we will be selling next. Better still, Come and Help!

We would like to take this opportunity to extend our invitation to all parents to join us, get to know the children, be familiar with the teachers and environment where our children are spending most of their time. So, let’s reach out, reach out to our teenagers, be part of their school’s life!

See u there!

RESULTS OF THE PTA QUIZ

Congratulations to all 14 parents who took the Knowledge Quiz on GESS on 9th July 2009. We are so proud of you!

• 100% passed
• 8 scored full marks

1. Gan Eng Seng School was set up in
   A. 1885
   B. 1900
   C. 2000
   D. 2004


2. The Motto of Gan Eng Seng School is
   A. "Onward"
   B. "Strive to Excel"
   C. "Nurturing Success"
   D. "The Best is Yet to Be"


3. All of the followings are true about Gan Eng Seng School (GESS) except
   A. It was founded by Mr Gan Eng Seng.
   B. The two main colours for our school crest are white and green.
   C. GESSOSA stands for Gan Eng Seng School Old Student Association.
   D. It was the first school in Singapore to form a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).


4. All of the followings are true about the 3 Strategic Thrusts of GESS except
   A. Achieving Excellence in Academics and Niche CCAs.
   B. Building Student Character, Citizenry and Leadership.
   C. Building Staff Competency and Promoting Staff Well-Being.
   D. Promoting Productivity through Creativity, Autonomy and Team-work.


5. GESS nurtures 8 Core Values. The acronym for these values are DIR3CPT.
   "D" stands for _______________ and "I" stands for __________________.
   A. Diligence and Identity
   B. Discipline and Integrity.
   C. Dependence and Intelligence.
   D. Determination and Involvement.

Psychological Adjustment and Coping with Life Stress

Download Abstracts 2a

31 July 2009, Friday [0730 hrs to 1300 hrs]
Special Event: Official Opening Ceremony of Indoor Sports Hall
Guest of Honour: Mr Victor Giam, Principal
Boon Lay Secondary School

Singapore Parenting Congress 2009

Parenting can be tough but valuable parenting tips can make the experience easier.
How do you develop happy achievers?
How do you communicate issues of sexuality and cyber addiction with your child?
How do you share life’s lessons to nurture and build your child’s resilience to embrace challenges and recover from failures?
Learn how to strengthen family resilience in this year’s Singapore Parenting Congress.
Choose from 5 seminars conducted in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

For more details and purchasing of ticket, kindly check out http://www.mediacorpradio.sg/SPC09/

A Learning Journey with GESS Teachers and Staffs
by Mdm Chris Ong(Exco-member and mother of Javier Sai of Sec 1F)

2nd of June 2009 was a special Tuesday, I was invited to be with so many teachers and staffs on their learning journey. I was glad that my son, Javier, was there with me to have this opportunity of learning. They were given 6 clues to where they should meet (which is at Outram Secondary School). The teachers had fun grabbing a 'teacher driver' to drive them there. At the AVA theatre, 4 teachers from Outram Secondary School shared with us on how they got 'South 4 Cluster Centre of Excellence for Business & Enterprise'.

Before our morning break, we were introduced to their students NE Ambassadors. After the break at their wonderful Library, the NE Ambassadors were assigned to guide the individual groups of teachers & staffs for the learning trail of their school. They have a 'Heritage' room where they pictured famous people like our former President - Mr Wee Kim Wee, MediaCorp artist – Gurmit Singh who had their O' level graduated there. They also had 2 beautiful 'Cultural' rooms, 1 of which shows Malay & Indian wedding’s items, traditional costumes and many other vintage items. The other room is with antique Chinese cultural displays. The room is also used for showing and teaching the making and understanding of Chinese Tea. One of the teachers had taken her time in showing us the art.

After the walk and sumptuous lunch, we were back to the library where Mrs Carolin Tan showed us a short and humorous clip show on "Happy MAD's Day". It shows how much both parents and teens know about each other with 5 questions. MAD is the acronym for Mums And Dads Make A Difference. Thereafter, we ended our journey leaving them for further discussion.

Asian Youth Games Singapore(AYG)

Dear Parents/Guardians of GESS

1. Over the last 2 months, you would have heard/attended sharing sessions facilitated by Ministry of Education (MOE) on the inaugural Asian Youth Games Singapore 2009 (AYG). This Games hosted by Singapore from 29 Jun 09 to 7 Jul 09 is co-organised by MOE and Singapore Sports Council (SSC). MOE's objective for our involvement in the Games are as follows:
   • Promote National Pride, Bonding and Harmony
   • Raise Singapore’s international profile as an education hub
   • Encourage sports excellence and the importance of a healthy lifestyle among students
   • Inculcate Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect in our students
   • Develop skills such as leadership and social-emotional competencies in our students
   • Build a global outlook among our students
2. The AYG offers many learning opportunities for staff and students, not just the athletes. The Games can serve as a platform for the youths to experience the first international sporting event. We have received extremely good response from schools to participate in the torch relay, culture and education programmes and in the different areas of work as volunteers. For students who are not yet involved, they have the opportunity to be involved as spectators. Through their involvement as spectators, students will develop national pride, learn about teamwork and sportsmanship and the sport they are watching. For your information, Singapore will be fielding teams for most of the sports. We do hope our students can be present to cheer the Singapore teams. At the same time, we would also like students to cheer teams from the other Asian NOCs as they will not have the benefit of the home crowd.
3. Ticket sales for the AYG has commenced. Tickets for Opening Ceremony are almost sold out. Tickets are still available for the 10 sports.
4. Tickets may be purchased through the SISTIC website

Learning Journey to St Margaret Secondary Secondary(SMSS)

Four parent representatives(Mdm Myat Sundee Win-2nd Vice-president, Mdm Moe Myat Wein-1st Auditor, Mdm Michelle Lim-2nd Auditor and Mdm Chris Ong-Exco member), our school principal and 1st Vice-president, Mrs Carolin Tan, Ms Eunice Lim, our school full-time school counselor and Mdm Foo Lee Lian, teacher-representative had an invaluable learning journey to SMSS on 7th May 2009 from 9a.m. to 10.45a.m. to understand how the Parent-Support Group(PSG) of SMSS operates.
The team learnt many useful ways to be adapted by our PTA to provide greater collaboration with our school for the holistic development of our pupils. One great possibility is to operate a PTA stall during recess to sell recycled things such as uniforms and books to Gessians to raise funds for our needy pupils. Another is to have parents assist in invigilation for tests and conduct post-examination workshops like making custom-jewellery.
Mdm Chris Ong also shared with SMSS PSG her knowledge and experience in contributing to the PSG of her child’s school and her participation in School Family Education programme conducted by the Ministry of Community Development and Sports(MCDS). We will explore the possibility to collaborate with MCDS on conducting this programme for parents so that they will be able to improve on their parenting skills to make their children, our pupils enjoy their school life and learn optimally.
We hope to extend the umbrella of collaboration by starting our networking with PSGs and PTA of other schools through exchanging of ideas through e-mailing and joint activities to have mutual benefits. We will start with SMSS.
The attachments are the group photographs of our representatives and the Executive Committee of SMSS(Mrs Betty Chai-Chairman, Mrs Caroline Teo-Vice-chairman, Mrs Zarene Gazder -alumnus and Mrs Catherine Chong - Secretary).
We would like to thank SMSS PSG for providing this great opportunity to learn from it.

Prize-Giving Ceremonies(2009): Note of Appreciation to Parent-Representatives and Attendees

73 parents attended the Sec 4 & 5 Prize-Giving cum Principal Meets the Parent Session on 27 Feb. The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Lim Ban Lee of the School Advisory Committee. Mdm Myat Sundee Win, 2nd Vice-President of PTA and mother of Magnus Min Aung Zin of Sec 3H represented the PTA to give away 3 top awards namely the PTA sponsored prizes for the Best Performance Award for GCE Normal(Technical) Level Examination, Best Performance Award for GCE Normal(Academic)Level Examination and the Gan Eng Seng Book Prize for Best All-Round Student 2008.
Special Awards for Partners were given to Mdm Apple Ng and Mrs Margaret Phang for their contributions to PTA for their four years of service as honorary ex-co members of PTA.
82 parents attended the Sec. 3 Prize-Giving cum Principal Meets the Parent Session on 13th March. The Guest-of-Honour was Mdm Michelle Lim, 2nd Auditor of PTA and mother of Chow Ming Xuan of Sec 3H.
112 parents attended the Sec 2 Prize-Giving cum Principal Meets the Parent Session on 3 April. The Guest-of-Honour was Mdm Suzanne Liu, Secretary of PTA and mother of Sean Lee(Sec 2G) and Felicia Lee of Sec 3H.

Sec 4&5	Special Award
Sec 3	Sec 2

Envisioning Workshop for Ex-com of PTA GESSSOAon 28th March 2009 @ School Conference Room

It was attended by Myat Sundee Win, Moe Myat Wein, Lim, Suzanne Liu, Andrew Yeo, Raymond Wong, Amuthu, Kelly Mak,Cheng Lay and Daniel Yip. It was a rare opportunity to explore all possibilities with ex-com members from GESSOSA(Gan Eng Seng Old Students Association) the areas to boost our school spirit.  There was greater understanding between these two school stakeholders to work towards greater holistic development of our school community.
The workshop has consolidated our directions, spirit and vision for our school.

School Annual Cross-Country on 27th March 2009 @ Chinese Garden

Mr Andrew Yeo, Mdm Shwe Zin, Mdm Vivien Liu, Mdm Chris Ong, Mr Raymong Wong, Mr Thay, Mdm Myat Sundee Win, Mdm Moe Myat Wei and Susan attended it. They participated as Prize Presenters and Starters of the races for the different school levels.  Some volunteered to prepare the Balloon decoration and distribute the bottles of Newater and packets of Milo. At the end of the event, all of them collected, packed and distributed the ice-cream which was sponsored by our principal to all pupils and members of the staff.  We especially their children are so proud of their contributions to make this great school event a memorable one.

PTA Meeting

Date: 21 April 2009(Tuesday)

Time: 7.30p.m. to 9.30p.m.

Venue: School Conference Room

Chinese New Year Celebration

Our school would like to wish all of you a very Happy and Blessed Chinese New Year. All of you are cordially invited to join our pupils and members of the staff in our Chinese New Year Celebration on the 23th Jan (Friday) from 7.25a.m. to 8.30a.m. in our school arena. Hope to see all of you this coming Friday morning.

Letter from Mdm Yoges, President 2008

Happy New Year to you

PTA is starting the new year with the making of lanterns.
In conjunction with our 1st. meeting to elect office bearers for year 2009,
we managed to roped in a talented lantern maker to demonstrate the art of lantern making.
It has been scheduled to start at 2.00pm just before our meeting.
 
Do join in and show your hand craft in lantern making
Please bring along your own materials
1) Ang Pow packets (lots of it ) (red / green / yellow) all colours are welcome
2) Glue
3) A pair of Scissors
4) Rag cloth (to clean keep your hands)
5) (Most important material) Your support and cooperation

We look forward to see you on Saturday 17/1/2009 @ 1.45pm at the Conference Room

PTA's strength is your support and cooperation.

Thank you
Bye and have a nice day.

Warm Regards
Yoges Retnam

Invitation to share your Expertise in Making Lantern for CNY

As the Chinese New Year is in the last week of Jan., our school(led by the Mother-tongue Department) hopes to bring up the atmosphere through decorating the whole school. We hope to get parents that expertise in making New Year decorations and have them to help out to teach our interested teachers and students in making lanterns from hongbaos.

It will also nurture our students in creativity and promote greater racial harmony and conservation through re-using hongbaos. Also it will definitely promote greater partnership with members of the staff and strengthen better family ties if all family members (parents and children-Gessians) are involved.

Please contact us(Mdm Foo Tel: 64745594 Ext243 or e-mail to: foo_lee_lian@moe.edu.sg) if you are able to assist us to discuss the details of suitable time, duration and other related matters. Probably it will be on a Saturday morning in our school. We only have three Saturdays when school re-opens to have this meaningful activity.

We would really appreciate if you can share your skills and knowledge with our students and teachers.

Bidding Farewell to Mr Giam and Welcoming Our New Principal, Mrs Tan

PTA would like to thank Mr Giam for supporting and leading enthusiastically in all our past activities to develop Gessians holistically.
We would like to welcome Mrs Carolin Tan, our new principal (from the 15th of December 2008).
We look forward working closely with Mrs Tan to continue to strengthen our partnership with the school and all our school partners like GESSOSA and SAC for the holistic development of our children.

PTA AGM 2009

All parents and guardians are invited to attend the coming PTA AGM cum Principal-Meets Parents Session on 9th January 2009 in our school hall. The following is the programme for this day.

All parents and guardians will receive a copy of the letter of invitation to attend this AGM through your child or ward. Please return the Reply slip to your child’s/ward’s form teacher by the deadline given.

Farewell Dinner for our Principal (Mr Victor Giam) on 28 Nov 2008

Our principal, Mr Victor Giam will be leaving our school on 15 Dec 2008 to be the principal of Boon Lay Secondary School. Mrs Carolin Tan, principal of Presbyterian High School will take over as our new principal from 15 Dec. GESSOSA, supported by SAC and PTA, hosted a Farewell Dinner for Mr Giam. Twenty members of the staff(teachers and EAS) also attended it. It was a heart-warming gathering to express our appreciation to Mr Giam.

Graduation Nite (17 Nov 2008) at Holiday Inn Atrium

GESSOSA, PTA and a team of Sec. 4 teachers organized the Grad. Nite. It was a great success with twenty –two tables for ten each fully taken up by our graduating classes. PTA secretary, Mdm Suzanne Liu , PTA treasurer, Mdm Tng Kek Lee, GESSOSA president, Mr K.C. Teo with his three committee member, our principal, Mr Victor Giam, vice-principal, Mr Au Yong Po Lung and ten teachers joined our students for that occasion. Our partners from GESSOSA and PTA, teachers and students had a memorable and enjoyable night. The PTA looks forward to collaborating with GESSOSA and our school in organizing the grand Grad. Nite next year.

GESS Graduation Day 2008 "Nostalgia"

On 26 Sept. 2008, 71 parents attended our GESS Graduation Day "Nostalgia"
from 10a.m. to 12.55p.m in our school hall. They also joined our pupils and staff
for a buffet lunch in our canteen. There was a gallery viewing,
live performance by our school pianists accompanied by
photo slideshow, class reflection, video presentation and
recitation of rite of passage by our student leader.

Dated: 26 September 2008

Lantern Festival. in our AVA theatrette on 12 Sept. 2008 from 6.30p.m. to 9p.m.
An Evening of Spirit of Togetherness

15 parents attended the Lantern Festival organized by SWC (Staff Welfare Committee) on 12 Sept. 2008 from 6.30p.m. to 9p.m. in our school.

The attendees from the parent committee were :
1) Mdm Suzanne Liu
2) Mr Koh Peng Boon
3) Mrs Koh Teng Kek Lee + son (Koh Chuan Chye from Team 2D)
4) Mdm Apple Ng
5) Mrs Josephine Koh Chew
6) Mdm Jasmine Lew
7) Mdm Moe Myat Wein
8) Mdm Myat Sundee Win
9) Mdm Jacqueline Lim + mother-in-law
10) Mrs Michelle Lim
11) Mrs Margaret Phang
12) Mr Daniel Yip
13) Mrs Flora Yip + son ( Yip Tsun Hang from Team 1C) and 2 younger
sons
14) Mdm Betty Chew Tze Leng
15) Mdm Yogesuary Retnam

We enjoyed a sumptuous spread of buffet and the children of the coaches of the parents had an unforgettable night of making their own lanterns, displaying them and playing with sparklers in the school arena.  Mdm Yoges and Mdm Josephine Koh were the judges for the lantern making competition.

There was great interaction among the principal, vice-principal, parents and the coaches. We learnt the fine art of preparing Chinese tea and drank different types of exotic Chinese tea which went well with the delicious moon-cakes and pomeloes sponsored by the PTA executive members.

There was also great fun in the guess the riddle and peeling of the pomelo skin competitions which many parents took part with the coaches.

The night ended with the children parading around the arena proudly with their self-made lanterns together with their parents.

Dated: 19 September 2008

Educating Junior Hand-in-Hand

Dear parents

Ever wondered how to get more involved in your child’s learning experience? Do you know what sort of difference you can make if you get more involved in your child’s school? How do our schools work with parents to benefit our children?

Tune in to “Educating Junior, Hand-in-Hand” on Channel NewsAsia on 1st and 8th October 2008 at 9.30pm to find out how parents and teachers enrich the learning experience together. The programme will also be shown on Mediacorp 8, Suria and Vasantham.

The detailed broadcast schedule is:

You could also get a sneak preview of the programme on Schoolbag.sg (http://schoolbag.sg/). Schoolbag.sg is MOE’s online newsletter for parents, where you can read about education news, information for parents and also articles contributed by schools and parents!

Thank you

Dated: 17th September 2008

Parental Workshop( Sharing the Journey) on 30 August 2008 from 1p.m. to 5p.m. in our AVA theatrette.

41 parents and 8 coaches attended this workshop. There were 2 parents from Year 5 cohort, 11 from Year 4, 3 from Year 3, 9 from Year 2 and 16 from Year 1.

There were 2 sessions.

The first was on the challenges facing parents of teenagers and the possible solutions to alleviate them.  It was conducted by our school FTSC, Ms Eunice Lim, parents volunteers, Peter and Siew Lian and an invited guests, Ms Alice Lee.

The second was on post-secondary education by a former Gessian,  Mr Francis Hoong, manager of School Relations of the Department of Corporate Commuciations of the Singapore Polytechnic.

Peter and Siew Lian(2 parents with children from other schools) had shared their personal experience and their successful ways in building trust and communicating with their  teenaged children so that parents can better understand their child/ward and win their confidence. They advocated the importance of negotiation, firmness rather than harshness with teenagers, keeping promises and showing appropriate love (i.e. bribing versus gifts giving). Ms Eunice Lim and Ms Alice Lee also shared their invaluable ideas and provided many other possible tips to improve parent-child relationships.

Parents were grouped into learning circles to share the challenges they were facing and the possible measures in building better relationship with their wards with the facilitations from the three speakers and teacher-representatives.

Mr Francis Hong provided useful information for parents particularly of current secondary 4 and 5 students to guide their children in choosing their path after secondary education. The list of essential points mentioned were: the difference between Poly and JC, different diploma courses available, career prospect, cut-off points and chances of getting a place at different institutions of higher learning.

The tea-break also provided great interaction opportunity for all the 41 parents and 8 coaches. The feedbacks from all  participants were positive and they look forward to more of such interesting and beneficial workshops. 

Written: Mdm Foo Lee Lian
Dated: 30 August 2008

SUPPORT FOR GESSOSA Anniversary Dinner
Eleven parents attended the GESSOSA Anniversary Dinner on 22nd August 2008 in our School Hall. Three of them even brought their sons (present Gessians) to support this great dinner. They are son of Mrs Josephine Koh ( Koh Kang Liang of Team 4H), Mdm Yoges Retnam (Cooberan Thambirajah of Team 4H) and Mdm Jackie Tan (Ng Chin Yuen of Team 4G).
We had an enjoyable time together and also got to know many senior Gessians who are now successful in their respective careers.

On behalf of PTA, our president, Mdm Yoges Retnam baked a huge two-tier fruit cake for this event. There was a ceremonial cake-cutting ceremony by Gan Seow Peng (President of Gan Clan Association), Mr Mr Victor Giam (our school Principal) and Mdm Yoges Retnam (our PTA President), Mr Tan Tong Hai (Special Guest from Class of 1978) and Mr Teo Kim Ching (GESSOSA President) to start the dinner. They are named according to their position from the left in the photo attached below.

The four parents in the front row of the photo taken on that memorable night attached below from the left are Mdm Jackie Tan, Mrs Josephine Koh, Mdm Yoges Retnam and Mrs Margaret Phang.
The parents standing behind from the left are Mrs Flora Yip, Mr Daniel Yip, Ms Carol Kwok, Ms Myat Sundee and Ms Moe Myat Wein. Mdm Foo Lee Lian(PTA coach-in-charge) was standing at the extreme right.

We, the PTA, look forward to future collaboration and meetings with GESSOSA and the Gan Clan Association.

PTA-SWC Culinary Session
( Shanghainese Pancake & 2 types of Chinese Dumplings)

10 parents, 11 coaches from our school, 1 coach from St. Theresa Convent and 1 pupil participated in the culinary session on 16th August 2008 from 9a.m. to 12 noon. in our School Home Economics Room.

We had an enjoyable time to learn the special skills of preparing three special Chinese food from the 4 coaches(Mdm Jing, Ms Hoe, Ms Regina Lim and Ms Amy Shan) led by MdmYou. , two parents(Mdm Alice Chew, Mrs Jiang Ming Ming) and 1 coach from St Theresa Convent(Mdm Chen Lan Qing).

This session provided the invaluable opportunities for interaction and between PTA and SWC(coaches).  We learnt that everyone has some special skills and knowledge in cookery and other interests. The tripartite relationship was strengthened and we look forward to more of such interactions. Mdm Yoges(President of PTA) has proposed that there should be a friendly culinary competition between PTA and SWC. She suggested pineapple tarts. Mr Jeffrey Phua(Chair person of SWC) will consider the proposal.

The 10 parents were Mdm Yoges, Mdm Zarinah Amat, Mdm Moe Myat Wein, Mdm Amutha, Mdm Jacqueline Lim, Mdm Koh Teng Kek Lee, Mdm Apple Ng, Mdm Betty Chew, Mdm Alice Chew and Jiang Ming Ming. Special mentions must be given to the last two parents who had helped out in the demonstration during the group sharing session.

The 11 coaches were Mr Jeffrey Phua, Ms Sally Lim,  Mr Derek Tan  Mr Tan Kian Beng,  Ms Thng Lay Keng, Mdm Foo Lee Lian, Mdm You Chang Ying, Ms Hoe Hui Choo, Ms Regina Lim, Ms Amy Ng and Mdm Jing Liyun.

The coach from St. Theresa Convent is Mdm Chen Lan Qing. She was invited to help to coach in the session. We really appreciate her kind assistance and we hope to have more of such inter-school sharing session in any form.

The pupil is Koh Chuan Chye of Sec 2D. More pupils should be encouraged to join in such activities in the future.

We were also very glad that our principal, Mr Victor Giam and our vice-principal, Mr Au Yong Po Lung were able to take time off in their busy schedule to give us their support by joining us.

We look forward to the next joint culinary session for PTA and SWC.
                                                
By: Mdm Foo Lee Lian(PTA coach-in-charge)
Dear Mdm You
Thank you for leading a great team to share the fine culinary art of Chinese cooking with parents, fellow coaches and a pupil. We had really enjoyed and learnt from the session today.
We look forward to more of such great "treat" and sharing.

Report on Parental Involvement in NE experiential learning to different places of interest in Singapore

1. Bollywood Veggies Farm
2. Singapore Army Museum
3. Urban Redevelopment Authority(URA)

This year, the National Education (NE) Committee organised 4 field trips for the school to promote citizenship education to the Gessians. Year 4 and 5 students visited the Singapore Army Museum, in conjunction with International Friendship Day celebration, to boost students’ confidence for Singapore’s future. Year 3 students visited the newly opened Singapore Army Museum to learn about the importance of everyone’s role to build confidence in Singapore’s future. Year 2 students visited the Bollywood Veggie Farm at Neo Tiew Road to understand the challenges Singapore is facing and how to turn challenges into opportunities and Year 1 students visited the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to appreciate Singapore as their homeland.

School National Day Celebration 2008

SPECIAL THANKS to the following PTA members and their family!

We would like to express our special note of appreciation to Mdm Jacqueline Lim, Mdm Vinayagi Shanmugam, Mdm Yoges Retnam, Mdm Annie Tan, Mrs Flora Yip, Mdm Apple Ng ,Mdm Tng Kek Lee, Mdm Serene Koh, Mr Koh & Mrs Josephine Koh, Mdm Michelle Lim and husband and Mdm Moe Myat Wein and her father who were able to join us in celebrating our 43rd National Day in our school arena.
 
They witnessed the solemn ceremony of the march past by all our uniform groups and then the wonderful and unforgettable moments of creative performance by our pupils, your children. We also had an enjoyable the tea session after the parade and the performance.

Report on National Day Award(Certificate of Appreciation) to Parents

This year, Gan Eng Seng School had the privilege to invite and involve six parent volunteers from the Parents Teachers’ Association (PTA) to participate in the NE learning journey.

Let's Celebrate/Enjoy with our Pupils!

All parents are invited to join our school in celebrating/enjoying

1. Racial Harmony Day in our school arena on 22 July 08 ( 7.40a.m. to 8.15a.m.)
2. School Annual Cross-Country at Chinese Garden on 25 July( 7.20a.m.to 11a.m.)
3. School National Day Celebration in our school arena on 8 Aug(7.20a.m. to 10a.m.)

Emotionally Intelligent Parenting Workshop

Sat 12 July 2008 9.00am at St Andrew's Sec School

Click the image above to view the flyer

09 July 2008

PTA WORKSHOP

• "Communicating as Parents with your Teenage Child" by Mdm Zahara



• "Target Setting for Academic Success" by Mr Lim Choon Beng

A PTA workshop was organized on Saturday 26 April from 2.30pm to 4.30p.m. at the AVA Room. It saw an overwhelming response from parents. Altogether 73 parents and 10 coaches attended the very informative and engaging session conducted by our two HODs, namely Mr Lim Choon Beng and Mdm Zahara.

Mr Lim briefed the parents on how to set realistic targets for their children and also showed then the many paths that were open for their children.

Mdm Zahara discussed a very important yet difficult topic on how to raise their children, knowing the multiplicity of challenges that parents are bombarded with daily. She also gave a few pointers on how to best handle children in the different circumstances involved.

Overall, many parents found the session meaningful and an eye-opener.

A parent commented, "I am glad I came to the session. Now, I am better able to understand my son who has become such a different person ever since he entered secondary school. I hope to win his confidence and be an effective mother."

09 June 2008

Dear parents:
Please access the following website to share the fun of learning of our Year 3 pupils from the Humanites dept. in UK(Wales). There are interesting photos and daily reflections on learning and practising especially our 8 core values of our pupils for their holistic development.

http://gesshumanities.edisi.com.sg/subindex.asp?id=A018_08

"As many hands build a house, so many hearts make a school."

06 June 2008

Dear Parents:

Please be informed that a group of students from Team 3A and 3B is given a project related to their subject Elements of Business Skills (EBS) to set up a stall at Anchorpoint on 7 & 8 June 2008 (Sat & Sun) from 11.30 a.m to 8.00 p.m.

They have worked hard and even created a blog with pictures of the Merchandise they are selling.
http://gess-bazaar.blogspot.com/

Online purchase is accepted too!

Part of the proceeds earned will go to the Disaster Aid Fund.

Anchorpoint has recently gone through a revamp so there are several new shops and restaurants that you can visit with your family members.

Do come down and support them this Sat and Sun!" - message from Coach-in-charge Ms Thng Lay Keng

We are all very proud of them. So please join them to celebrate and witness their enterpreneurship and community spirit.
Onward Gessian !

Dear parents:

5th PTA Meeting

Date :16 July 2008 ( Wednesday)

Time: 7.00p.m. to 8.30p.m.

Venue: School Conference Room

Dear parents:

We would like to share with you that our GESS Carnival on 23 May 2008 was indeed a success. We would like to give special thanks to parents who had taken their time and effort in contributing to this event. In total our school had raised about $3000 from this event!
We are also proud to announce that the highest number of coupons raised by GESSians is from Team 3X. It sold a total number of 316 coupons plus $26 in cash! Indeed it's the true Gessian spirit (whole school, including parents) that make this 1st Gessian Carnival dream come true.

Our 2 committed PTA Senior teachers (Mdm Foo Lee Lian & MdmYou Chang Ying) with the parents at the GESS Carnival Parent's Booth on 23 May 2008

Dear parents:

We would like to share with you that ST and WB reported on 17 & 20 May
respectively on the Gan Eng Sng School Straw Car Race which is part of the school's TLLM Ignite! project supported by MOE.

At the S4 Cluster Meeting with Principals & Vice-Principals on 22
May, Mr Ang GC(HOD/Maths), represented the project team to share how our staff members have worked together to stretch the students' thinking &
learning through an inquiry-based approach.

Another good news is that our Home Economics Teacher, Ms Haryani Borhan (now on study leave), clinched the top prize at the "Search for The New Singapore Dish" Contest.

27 May 2008

Dear PTA members,

Please be informed that the Direct School Admission( DSA ) Exercise for Sec 1 Admission in 2009 is now open to all Primary Six pupils. Being a niche programme school in Uniformed Groups, GESS is involved in this DSA.
Information on application procedures and criteria are available in our school website. If you are interested to send your children who are in Primary Six this year, please submit the application form by 7 Jul 2008
Thank you

22 May 2008

To all PTA members:

Reference to our last PTA meeting held on 20/5 (Tuesday)
NE Learning Journey.

Ms. Eunice has requested for parent volunteers for the NE Learning Journey details as given below.

Parents who are interested may email me(yoretnam@hotmail.com) or Ms. Eunice(goei_hwee_cheng@moe.edu.sg) directly as per your preference.

• Sec 1 NE Learning Journey
  1. Venue: URA
     Date: 8th July 2008 (Tuesday)
     Classes: Teams 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D
     Need 3 parent volunteers
     
  2. Venue: URA
     Date: 10th July 2008 (Thursday)
     Classes: Teams 1E, 1F and 1G
     Need 3 parent volunteers

• Sec 2 NE Learning Journey
  1. Venue: Bolly Veggie Farm
     Date: 30th July 2008 (Wed)
     Classes: 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D
     Need 3 parent volunteers
     
  2. Venue: Bolly Veggie Farm
     Date: 31st July 2008 (Thursday)
     Classes: 2E, 2F and 2G
     Need 2 parent volunteers

Thank you

Warm regards
Yoges Retnam

22 May 2008

Dear Parents:

MOE would like to invite all parents to this year's MOE ExCEL (Excellence through Continuous Enterprise and Learning) Fest to be held on the 5 Jul 08 at Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre.  The theme for the event is "Nurturing Every Child for the Future". The event will include seminar talks, classroom experiences and exhibitions showcasing ongoing innovative efforts in our schools' journey to improve the quality of teaching and learning for the benefit of our young.

Registration for talks and sharing sessions are on a first-come-first-served basis. Visit www.excelfest.com for information on the various interesting sessions

Places are limited, so do sign up early to avoid disappointment!

Registration can be done using personal email accounts.

If you have any queries, pls feel free to call the event hotline at 68740267, or email MOE at moe_excel_fest@moe.gov.sg.

Thank you very much.

11 May 2008

Letter to PTA-N Level & TLLM :

Dear PTA members:

Wishing you a Blessed New Year.

As we start the New Year, we are pleased to share with you two good news:

1. Good GCE N-Level Exam Results;
2. Selection by MOE for the Teach Less Learn More (TLLM) Ignite! Package

Please click here for details.

Thank you for your strong support given to the school and we look forward to a fruiful year in 2008.

09 Jan 2008

Parenting Seminar at ITE College Central(Bishan Campus)
Theme : Parent-Teen Divide"
Five speakers : One counselling psychologist, a Senior Staff Sergeant fron the Police Force & 3 ITE staff
Fee : $10 per participant inclusive of lunceh and a goodie bag.
Date : 17 Nov. (Sat.) @ 8.15a.m. at Bishan Campus auditorium."
Enquiries : Contact Ms Annie Wee at 65805560 or Annie_Wee@ite.edu.sg

Parent as Mentor or Coach Talk

All are welcomed to attend PTA organised talk on Parent as Mentor or Coach Talk

Date: 22^nd Sep 2007 (Sat)
Time: 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm (Please be seated by 2.15 pm)
Venue: AVA Room
Speaker: Mr. Mui Chee Yin
Mr Mui was the school's discipline master since 1999 until he was posted to Northlight School in Jun 2007. He specialises in teaching Physical Education and Mathematics.

Schoolbag

The Corporate Communications Division of MOE has launched Schoolbag.sg, a new online newsletter for parents (www.schoolbag.sg). Schoolbag.sg is revamped from Contact Online. The revamp arose out of a review of MOE’ and schools’ efforts to reach out to parents and the public.
Schoolbag.sg aims to keep parents informed of news and developments in education in Singapore, provide insightful school stories, and highlight pertinent parent and teacher matters.
With Schoolbag.sg, MOEhopes to enable parents to better partner schools and to make informed choices about their children’s education.

3 Stories in Schoolbag.sg are found in these sections:

• Education News – articles reporting on developments on the education front in Singapore, e.g., policies, MOE events
• Parents’ Corner – stories on school/MOE events that parents are involved in, tips for parents, contributions from parents
• In the Schools – school stories on school trips, school events, school programmes or projects
• Teachers Today – stories on teachers’ professional development and their work, e.g. work attachment, school counsellors, teachers helping students with special needs.

Schoolbag.sg will continue to feature stories contributed by teachers and schools for these stories give parents and the public insight into our teachers’ work and into the various interesting programmes run by our schools.

Racial Harmony Day

20th July 2007, Friday, was our school's celebration for Racial Harmony. During the week, students gathered in groups during their Civics and Moral Education lessons to engage themselves in quality conversations to discuss about how their classmates and school mates have helped them during their times in Gan Eng Seng School. They wrote appreciation notes to these friends and these notes were then put up on the Racial Harmony Tree.

Meantime, students and parents from PTA also gathered in their own groups to design and create symbols to represent peace, love and harmony amongst races in Singapore. They used window paints to create these pictures and dried them using hair dryers. After the paintings were completed, students decorated their classroom windows using these paintings.