Perspectives on the National Day Rally 2010
Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong delivered the National Day Rally Speech last Sunday, 29 August 2010. He touched on important issues namely the economy, immigration, education and the Singapore Spirit. In the two-hour speech, PM Lee assured Singaporeans that the government is aware about their concerns regarding the rising number of foreigners, but he maintained that they play a pivotal role in the economy. In addition, he commended Singaporeans for a job well done in hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG). He also said that the government will invest more in education, as reflected in several new policies and measures that will be carried out in the near future.
Several teachers shared their two cents’ worth:
“PM Lee again focused on pertinent issues crucial for the future of Singapore, such as immigration and education.” – Mr Rion Ang, English Department
“There is a greater effort to look into welfare of Singapore citizens especially the low income group and National Service men. There is also an urge for us to help the foreigners to integrate well with them but priorities should still be on the citizens.” –Mdm. Siti Zubaidah Zainee, Business Department
“I think the new education policies such as having more specialised schools and allowing N Level students to go through foundation year in a polytechnic allows students to explore more alternatives.” – Ms Quek Si Min, English Department
The move to open up Singapore to foreigners is a bold move as it comes at the expense of the happiness of some citizens. However, this move will only prove to be beneficial in the long term. – Mr. Melvin Koh, Business Department
“I think it’s time for Singaporeans to look on the positive side and stop complaining about the ‘problems’ immigrants cause. They are contributing to our economy, and we should be grateful for that. After all, Singapore is a migrant society.” – Ms Jamaliah Othman, English Department
“In Singapore we trust! The success of Singapore is nothing but a miracle. To have so much constraints and yet continue to achieve economic growth to ensure high quality of life for our future generations… we are in good hands.” - Mr Chua Kok Chiow, PE Department
“It was a reminder on how hard it is for us Singaporeans to ‘craft’ a national identity. Honoring our founding fathers is a good way to do so, though it does not sufficiently solve the problem.” - Mr Jaron Pow, Maths Department
- Mr Tay Yong Sng, Mother Tongue Department
“It is heartening to know that in spite the importance to stay open in view of the critical need for foreign talents, the Singapore government is making concerted efforts to make citizens feel appreciated. In addition, measures such as the opening up of education opportunities to cater to a broad base learning for differentiated learner are welcoming. The new “through train” for Normal Academic students seemed particularly interesting.” – Mr. Wee Chong Lin, Maths Department
“I felt that the National Day Rally Speech by PM Lee Hsien Loong was pertinent to our Nation to go beyond and be recognized as a global city with not only a positive economic outlook but as a nation which is entrenched with social responsibility. With the much needed improvement to the healthcare system to cater to our aging population and constant development of the education system in tandem with the national and global demands, it is apparent that the growth and welfare of the citizens is at the core of our Government’s initiatives.” – Ms. Sathiabhavani Subramaniya Pilli, Business Department
“It is good to provide more options for the less academic. It will be better if the income divide amongst Singaporeans can be addressed.” - Mr Ting Hock Cheh, Science Department
“While the speech focused on planning for the future, the lower income group might have been left out in terms of helping them cope with rising costs – in housing, transport and other daily necessities.” - Mr Tan Ee Wah, Arts Department
“The issue on housing will quell gripes amongst the sandwiched group but the increase in supply might not address the issue of affordability; especially in the resale market. With no solution to housing, the birth rate is unlikely to be positively affected.” - Ms Hong Xiaohui, Arts Department
I am especially happy to hear of the government providing more opportunities for all students and not just the elites. The idea of opening more schools with IP programmes and the through- train programmes for Normal Academic students are great initiatives. – Mrs Koh-Chee Poh Ling, Business Department
I am glad with the new initiatives of the government to have a more integrated education system with various different opportunities catered to different students. – Ms Cherie Chua, Business Department
Chronicles of a Liaison Officer
On 11 Aug 2010, I officially became a liaison officer (LO) of the inaugural Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Before anything else, I would like to take the opportunity to commend the efforts of the people of the transport desk and information desk at Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Without their assistance, my involvement in the Games would not be as smooth- sailing and fun as it was. The principal I was attached to was Mrs. Masoni De Morea Alicia, Argentina’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) vice-president. I have never met a South American before, so I admit I was a little apprehensive and unsure how the first meeting will turn out. The night before, I did some research on the cultural and social norms of Argentina, in the hopes of avoiding any awkward situations. However, when we met for the first time, her warm smile and friendly gestures put me at ease instantly. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
The first two days of her stay in Singapore was quite problematic as there were many procedures to adhere to. Many of the volunteers were also unsure of the protocol; as such I had to constantly ask around. There were times when I got answers like ‘I do not know, please ask someone else maybe?’ It was then I questioned the reliability of an information desk - they could not give me answers in the first place! Mrs Alicia was with me all the while and the longer it took to acquire the answers, the more desperate I became. It was only through sheer luck and perseverance that I managed to pull through. After the opening ceremony on 14 August, the first few matches began. Over the next few days, we went to Kallang Tennis Centre (KTC), Sengkang Hockey Stadium, National Sailing Centre, Bishan Stadium and Singapore Indoor Stadium (SIS). Each venue had different atmospheres but the most memorable matches that I attended were in KTC and SIS. This is because I managed to witness the endeavours of two Singaporean youth athletes. The support from Singapore was marvelous. Although both outcomes were losses, the spirit which they showed during the match was inspiring. This is especially so for Isabelle Li who competed in table tennis. She was down by two sets for her match against an opponent from Japan. However with her ‘never-say-die’ spirit, she managed to draw the game to claw back in. The cheers she got from our supporters were just unbelievable. Although she lost the last set, she still received a standing ovation from the crowd, including myself.
I could only enjoy watching matches after I have completed my duty as an LO. Before going to each venue, there were many things that had to be done. The most basic tasks are arrangement of transport and confirming the schedule of the day. The tougher challenge is ‘leaving’ our delegates to the venue protocol officers. As we are not allowed into the hospitality areas, we had to trust the venue protocol officers to help look after the delegates. It was during those times where I have to be a lot more vigilant to know what was going on and keep track of time. Also, I had to be flexible and think on the spot when unexpected challenges arose. As Mrs Alicia did not possess a local line, there was no way we could contact each other. There were cases where fellow LOs “lost” their delegates and I was lucky I was not one of them. I had to thank the venue protocol officers for assisting me well.
Blazing the Trail, Living the Dream
The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international event where friendship is forged, records are broken and dreams are realised. The arduous journey taken in order to host the inaugural YOG in Singapore bears testimony to the spirit and oneness of the community. It reflects the concerted effort of every individual, young and old, in contributing to the success of the nation’s goal. I believe that this same passion and energy will carry our young athletes far in the Games and beyond. YOG is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone. It is not going to be held in Singapore for many years to come. Let us take this opportunity to contribute in the best manner that we can as we await to welcome the world. I am looking forward to celebrate the roaring success of another world-class event which, in generations to come, I can proudly declare “I played a part in it”.
Faculty’s Fresh Faces – Part II
In this current digest, we would like to feature another five beginning teachers namely Ms. Vera Lim, Ms. Poh Lilin, Ms. Er Ka Hui, Ms. Sathiabhavani Subramaniya Pilli and Mr. Wee Chong Lin, who have joined Millennia Institute at the beginning of Term 3. These teachers will share with us some insights and reflections on how exciting their journeys have been as beginning teachers. They will also talk about some challenges they have faced along the way. Having gone through an intensive year of training in NIE, I feel that being a teacher has given me a sense of direction. Being a teacher has taught me that I should always have an end in mind so that I will always have an aim to strive for. Of course, it is always easier said than done. It took some stumbling and bumping through my life to learn this important lesson. But ever since I became a teacher, I realised that besides helping them achieve their best in academia, I want to help my students acquire an aim in their lives and find a direction to get to that aim.
Idealistic as it may sound, we all need to ask ourselves a question: Aren’t we always stumbling in one way or another? But it would help tremendously if we had, at least, an idea of where we’re stumbling towards. Since I am now a teacher in MI, I think this ideal would help my students, and myself included, find a way to get through the torturous process of studying the GCE ‘A’ Levels syllabus and the torrents of emotions that follow.
"As I was once a student of MI, being a teacher in MI feels like I’ve been given a second chance. Even though I’m on the other side of the playing field now, I believe it is necessary that I bridge the two sides because it is from where I came that made me who I am today. When I was a student, I learnt that I write my own life and now as a teacher, I learnt that I need to always have a goal to reach towards. Hence, like all good writers do, we need to know our ending before we can begin to pen the adventures and climaxes of our stories. But metaphors aside, it is how my tutor in NIE always puts it, “Know your output before you begin input”. – Ms Vera Lim
“Being a mid-career personnel, I have a genuine feeling that this new phase has provided with a fresh beginning that offers me with exciting opportunities as well as endless satisfaction. The MI setting has eased this transition by providing sound induction and steadfast guidance. I am looking forward to assimilating myself further into the MI culture. One of the key challenges that I have identified in my journey ahead is the attempt to find the 'switch' in our students and to unlock the potential in them. With the support of the MI family, I am confident that I can depend on the many support platforms to help me overcome this challenge.”—Mr. Wee Chong Lin
Before I went for training at NIE, I was doing contract teaching at Pioneer Junior College (PJC). The students there were attentive, willing to learn and very competitive. However, I applied to teach at MI instead of PJC because I like the idea of a Business School. It is more related to what I am teaching now, which is Economics. When I started teaching at MI, I had a culture shock. I feel that our students could be more motivated. This reminded me of my past - I was not a JC student. In fact, I did not do very well for ‘O’ Levels, especially for my English Language. Thus, I could not enter a JC and went to a polytechnic instead while all my close secondary school friends got into JCs. I was terribly upset and I felt very inferior. At that point of time, I was confused with what I want in life. I dreamt to be a dentist when I was in secondary school but then, I realised that I can never fulfill that dream. However, I did not give up because I knew that I need to be resilient. I wanted to prove to others that GCE ‘O’ Level results should not determine my destiny. Hence, I worked even harder, more diligently than the rest of my classmates. I hope that this real-life story will reach to the hearts of MI students and motivate them to strive hard. As the saying goes, If there’s a will, there’s a way. I hope with my hard work and sincerity, my students will appreciate and take me as a role model. – Ms. Poh Lilin
It is unbelievable that six weeks are over! Reflecting back on the past weeks in Millennia Institute, I just cannot be any more thankful that I got an opportunity to be here. Friendly colleagues who are always there to help in some way and a bunch of cheerful, warm students make my day so worthwhile that I keep looking forward to more! And as for the challenging few, from my experience with the rest of the students, I am so sure that it is only matter of time before I reach out to them. Thank you for the wonderful days Millennia!—Ms. Sathiabhavani Subramaniya Pilli
Live Our Dreams, Fly Our Flag
It’s 20 July 2010 and I’m sitting in the rear cabin of my command vehicle penning these thoughts down. Lightning risk and inclement weather have provided a much needed respite to the outfield exercise that commenced at dawn yesterday. As I take a pause from the high tempo training, around me, the smell of wet in the air, the brown of mud and dirt, and the faces of my sleep-deprived command team, all serve as unwilling muses to my pen.
I think about this year’s National Day Parade theme song - “Song for Singapore” and it immediately strikes a chord with me. In it, Corrinne May, the singer-songwriter of the celebratory anthem vocalises a line that humbles me: “In all I’ve done, I’ve been nurtured in your arms, and you’ve carried me this far.” I am left reeling from the realisation that in these past 27 years, I’ve grown, learnt, played, studied, cried, loved, worked, lost, and dreamt in an environment that not only permitted me to do so but also encouraged me to. Clothed in field uniforms, drenched in a mixture of sweat and rain, with mud on our faces, and insect bites on our limbs, my compatriots and I probably understand why we do what we do even if we sometimes choose not to admit it.
Thought immediately shifts to the words “Live our dreams, fly our flag”, the theme for this year’s NDP and the possibility that it means different things to different people. To me, I see it as a clarion call for all Singaporeans to unite and embrace each other in fraternal bonds. To aspire to achieve not only our individual ambitions and dreams, but also to strive as one towards achieving our nation’s goals. Over the years, our society seems to emphasise more on individual gains rather than the pursuit of communal benefits. We have become petty, short sighted people who value being treated “fairly” and the attainment of personal success with paramount importance.
Thankfully though, for my battery and I, National Service seems to be able to bridge part of that gap. Just moments before the torrential downpour, our sister battery lost one of their howitzers and I had to mobilise our men to complete the mission that our fallen brothers had failed in. I heard one of my men gasp on hearing that they would be continuing with more missions even though they had completed their fair share and should have been allowed to rest. Before the fury in me exploded in a maelstrom of fiery words best kept away from print, the corporal beside him calmly said “It’s a battalion mission, let’s just help them and complete our mission as a battalion.” I smiled and heard no more of this for the remainder for the exercise.
Very often in our lives, there are conflicts between groups, between colleagues, between friends and organisations which impede the advancement of the greater good. To ask Singaporeans to live our dreams, calls for all to look beyond their immediate allegiances and to take a unified step towards dreams of a better future for Singapore even if it means having more work or less benefits than what is deemed fair. To move forward towards a future we can be together be proud of and say to the world that this is Singapore.
The signal set suddenly crackles to life. I see my men jump from their seats: an impending fire mission. The weather has cleared and it’s time we resume our training. Training to defend what we hold dear; to fly our flag high and provide the platform for everyone else to live their dreams. Training to live our dreams as one Singapore. Happy Birthday my Singapore.
Embracing Diversity, Building Harmony
I enjoy people-watching when I take the train to school in the mornings. As much as my students gripe about the daily grind of school, it is precisely these routines and rituals which make them stand out from the working population who jostle for space on the same trains. It is very easy to notice when schools are celebrating special events. The train carriages are made more vibrant by the sight of pockets of students in their ethnic costumes or in national colours, chatting away animatedly; totally oblivious to the sedate men and women around them on their way to yet another day at work. As we observe Racial Harmony Day on the 21 July, it is very easy for us to be absorbed in the hustle and bustle of school life and dismiss it as another blip in the school calendar. Because we live in a time of (relative) peace, our present generation see racial harmony as a given. But not too long ago, our nation’s founding fathers were worried enough about the tension between the races to immortalise this as a commitment that is shared by all Singaporeans to “pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion.” Racial Harmony Day commemorates the 1964 race riots, which took place on 21 July 1964. By recalling the bleak consequences when people of different races distrusted each other, it serves as a reminder for us to treasure the social unity we have achieved as a nation.
At Millennia Institute, the 7th National Education Council has taken pains to make this year’s Racial Harmony Day celebration a memorable one. In preparation for the event, the councillors gathered informal feedback from their peers as well as their seniors to fine-tune the programme.
Wong Si Ying, the Programme Director for Racial Harmony Day says, “When I was in secondary school, Racial Harmony Day was a one-day event. We would wear traditional clothes to school and celebrate by playing traditional games or sampling food from different cultures, but normal lessons would resume for the rest of the day. When I came to Millennia Institute, we learnt the CIMO dance during our PE lessons as part of Racial Harmony commemoration. It was a lot more engaging. Being the Programme Director for this year’s Racial Harmony Day is a learning opportunity for me in organising an event for the school population, and I hope to make this year’s celebration a meaningful and enjoyable one. “
I look forward to 21 July, when we remember the promise we renew every day in our pledge, as well as a day of fun and laughter that our National Education Council has planned for us.
Faculty's Fresh Faces
As we step into a brand new term, we welcome some of the new beginning teachers who have just graduated from the National Institute of Education (NIE) to join us in this dynamic environment. These teachers who came from all walks of life have come together to make a difference to the life in Millennia Institute. Some of the teachers have shared with us their views about starting a new phase of their life in MI:‘I know that working as a teacher here in Singapore can be challenging in the sense that we are made to take on many roles, not just a teacher, but as a mentor, an administrator and at times, a parent. Although things can get a little unfavourable when you feel that you are so rushed for time and that there are too many things to be done within a short period of time, I am always determined to keep a positive mindset.’ – Ms Azyyati Adnan (MOB/Business)
‘Now, the roles are reversed. I am no longer the student sitting behind a desk, twiddling a pen while trying hard to stay on task. I am the teacher now, a mentor or a friend as well. Finally, I am entering a new phase of my life. No doubt there are butterflies in the stomach, especially when facing new challenges but I am excited and eager for this brand new start!’ – Ms Tan Shu Yan Ginny (Mathematics)
‘As a geographer, ‘Place Matters’. I feel that everyone serves a different purpose when we are at different places. As a beginning teacher in MI, the only institute in Singapore, I am glad that I am given a unique opportunity to work with a varied student profile. I am excited to be able to spread my passion for Geography to students and hope that they will be able to bring away with them geographical knowledge that will follow them to every part of the world. I also hope to be able to relate to students in different aspects and allow for meaningful interactions, such that they will have a meaningful stay in MI.’ –Ms Veron Kho (Geography/Arts)
‘As a beginning teacher, I have mixed feelings about the challenges that lie ahead of me. The wide diversity of students that we encounter in Millennia Institute is certainly going to be highly interesting and challenging. The opportunities of getting in touch with such a broad spectrum of students are definitely going to help me in shaping my pedagogy and raising my classroom management proficiency.’ – Mr Adrian Tan Jian Zhong (Biology/Science)
‘The journey has just begun for me, now that have completed my training in NIE. Teaching will be a chore if treated as a job, however it can be very fun and fulfilling if taken as something which I want to do. After all, I passed the interview simply by saying I just want to teach. ‘ – Mr Melvin Koh (Economics/Business)
‘As a student in school, my teacher was the ruler of my school life. They storm in, sweep you completely off your feet and bring you on a unique journey of a lifetime. I want to be the person who can bring my students on this journey. The first step is always the hardest to take. Now that I have taken the first step, I am confident that I will be taking each and every step in this journey till I reach the end.’ – Ms Cherie Chua (Economics/Business)
Food from the Heart
During the first week of the June holidays, a group of teachers from the English department carried out a “mini-CIP” project during the first week of the June holidays. We collaborated with Food from the Heart, an organisation that oversees voluntary food distribution programmes. On 2 June 2010, several teachers (some even brought along their children) went door-to-door collecting food items from residents of Bukit Batok St 51 and Hillview Avenue. Prior to that day, we distributed flyers to inform them of the day of collection. The value of the food items that we collected was approximately $1315, exceeding our initial target of $1000. Two teachers reflect on their experience:“I enjoyed working with my colleagues and friends to do our bit for the community. Initially I had my reservations about the amount of response from the residents. Thankfully, there were more than a few good souls out there who went out of their way to contribute. It was also a good opportunity to experience what our students have to face when they were sent out for CIP, especially since the PU1 this year did more or less a similar activity. While it was certainly a good experience, I would also like to try other forms of community service in the future.” – Ms Lee Nian Tjie
"Initially, I wondered why we couldn't just dig some money out of our pockets and purchase the rations -- a much quicker, more efficient and certainly a more convenient way to do our part for the community. But, clichéd though it may sound, I realised that it was in the giving that I too received. Mother Teresa's words come to mind: give until it hurts - God will not be outdone in generosity. It was an experience to be cherished." – Mdm Elizabeth MesenasAs students you should not just regard CIP as an opportunity to “fulfill the hours”; it is important to realise how CIP or service learning helps to develop you as a person. It is easy to overlook the people who require assistance in our society – not everyone are as fortunate as most of us. As I was going door-to-door asking whether they had food items to donate, I noticed that many of the flats were bare and families were living with the bare minimum. Nonetheless, they did not have qualms about donating – never mind if it was only one can of sardines or a tin of condensed milk. The spirit is in the giving, however little.
You See White Spaces
You see white spaces. This is the Day. Your favorite GP teacher had set a tough paper and you knew you are going to ace it. anyways. All those late nights and grueling hours at the MI library would all be worth it. And the next moment, your head is spinning and you cannot make sense the sudden jab of fear that pierced right through your mind. All of a sudden, your mind goes blank and you cannot stop talking gibberish. Someone walks towards you and forcefully takes away your exam scripts. You yelled but nothing comes out of your mouth.
Scream.
You were thrown out of that white space. That's it. And you faintly heard someone announcing over the microphone, "You have 15 minutes left. No one is supposed to leave the hall…"
You woke up in cold sweat. It is 2 a.m. in the morning. Nonetheless, it was great relief to know this is just a horrifying nightmare, a far cut from reality. After a speedy recovery from all such awful panic seizures, it is time to shake off any possible traces of that 'loser mentality' and get on with the programme.
Exam is the "E" word that would really scare the living daylights out of any sane individuals – students doing the A level examinations. It spells psychological trauma in the mind, an emotional struggle in the heart and more pangs of anxiety to get over the academic morass of readings, notes and tutorials during the last hour. There is often no time to waste. It is either you are 'in' for a good ride or 'out' of the rat race for university entry.
Top 10 Action Signals for Dealing with Negative Emotions
Negative emotions are signals that something needs to change. Pay attention to your feelings and use the information to create positive long lasting change in your life.
1. Discomfort "Boredom, impatience, unease, distress or mild embarrassment are all sending you a message that something is not quite right" in how you are living your life. Check out what you're doing now and try slightly different approach or angle.
2. Fear "Fear is ...the anticipation that something that's going to happen soon needs to be prepared for". What's causing the fear? What can you do to prepare for that eventuality? Do it!
3. Hurt "Feelings of hurt are usually generated by a sense of loss." Do a reality check. Have you really experienced a loss? Maybe your perceptions need to change or maybe you need to communicate your feelings and a request for change.
4. Anger "The message of anger is that an important rule or standard that you hold for your life has been violated by someone else or .. you." Have you misinterpreted the situation? Have you communicated your standards clearly?
5. Frustration "Frustration ... means that your brain believes you could be doing better than you currently are." Great! Brainstorm, ask for inputs and innovate a new way of handling the situation.
6. Disappointment "An expectation you have had ... is probably not going to happen." Change your perspective, figure out a new goal, learn something good from this situation and get a better plan.
7. Guilt "Guilt tells you that you have violated one of your own highest standards." Take responsibility for it and change this behavior so it NEVER happens again. Role-play possibilities for new behaviors.
8. Inadequacy "This feeling of inadequacy occurs anytime we feel we can't do something we should be able to do." Are you holding yourself to an unfair/unrealistic standard? Change your perspective or get some training or help to do it.
9. Overload or Overwhelm "Grief, depression and helplessness are expressions of feeling overloaded or overwhelmed.... The message is that you need to reevaluate what's most important." Make a list, pick out the most important thing and break into steps. Do one thing at a time, finish it, and then do the next. Take baby steps.
10. Loneliness "The message of loneliness is that you need a connection with people." What kind of connection do you need? Reach out and make a connection with someone.
This piece was originally submitted by Julia Ruskell, consultant, trainer, and empath, who can be reached at jruskell@mindspring.com. Julia Ruskell wants you to know: I am an empath who helps others develop their abilities to strengthen their lives. The original source is: Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins.