d'hour
Insider Scope -
2021 ISSUE 1
Find out more about TEACHERS & EAS STAFF and their lives beyond DHS
DRAKIHONNU Horoscope -
What does your house REALLY tell you?
EXCLUSIVE
interview with principals and ex-principals!
The 65th Puzzle Piece
EDITORIALS Hello Dunmanians!
I am deeply honoured to have the opportunity to address all of you on this special occasion - Dunman High’s 65th anniversary!
To celebrate the past and welcome the future, our team has tirelessly worked to present this D’hour issue, ‘The 65th Puzzle Piece’. It tells the story of Dunman High and how we have reached the watershed milestones we hold dear to our hearts. But more importantly, it tells the story of us - the many puzzle pieces in the larger jigsaw puzzle - by presenting a kaleidoscope of unheard voices and perspectives on our Dunmanian journey.
To spice up your reading experience, we have designed this particular issue to resemble a lifestyle magazine with mini-advertisements, quizzes, comic strips and even a horoscope! Along with articles that revolve heavily around actual first-hand recollections, we hope that these will be a pleasurable read for you.
For 65 years, Dunman High has provided a second home for many Dunmanians to learn and grow comfortably. For 65 years more, we hope that Dunman High can continue to do so for the future generations of Dunmanians to come. - Wong Yee Ching 6C11
德明学子： 大家好！ 德明政府中学于1956年成立至今，一路走来，风雨飘飖，十分不易！今年，她将迎来65周岁的生日！ 为此，德明高中出版社精心筹划了一期以“德明65周年校庆”为主打内容的特刊，希望大家喜欢！ 为了能够让大家切身体会“德明65周年”的珍贵与不易，出版社将携大家抚今追昔，回到过去，重温 德明的历史。出版社采访了德明历届校长、德明校友、德明师生以及非教职员工等多位德明人，通过他们 不同的视角、经历与感受分享德明的往昔，展望德明的未来，多方面地呈现出丰富多彩但又不失真实的德 明校园生活。 回望过去是为了更好地展望未来。希望大家读了本期杂志后，更加了解德明的历史，为自己是“德明 人”而感到自豪，带着一份感恩之心继续努力，发扬德明的精神，让“年过花甲的德明”继续充满活力， 蓬勃发展！ 最后，我们要衷心感谢出版社的负责老师们——Mdm 最后，我们要衷心感谢出版社的负责老师们——Mdm Hong Lan 洪澜老师 和 Mr Mark Ho。有了你们 Ho。有了你们 的细心教导和支持，我们的杂志才得以顺利出版！ - 张昱浩, Zhang Yuhao 6C37
2
CONTENTS Principals
Principles of a Principal . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 4-5
“校”谈德明. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 6-9
History
Our Dunmanian History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 10-12 校园历史知多少? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 13
华文特选学校之路：德明政府中学的今朝往昔. . . . . .Pg 14-15
Staff The Daily Grind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 16-19 Word Search! Teacher Edition . . . . Pg 19
The Secret Life of Teachers . . . . . . Pg 20-22 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 23
欢庆65，不忘师恩 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 24-25
Students Our After Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 26-27
Through the years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 28-29 你的德明血统有多纯真? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 30
幕后的德明人 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg 31-32 What’s your Drakihonnu horoscope? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg 33 Everyday Dunmanian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg 34
3
by Wong Yee Ching (6C11), Beatrice Teh (6C42), Chew Jing Yi (5C21), Woo Yu Ning (5C11)
“... But above all, develop character. Calmness, confidence and conviction will help you to be poised for tomorrow. Happy 64th Birthday, Dunman High.” -- Mr Tony Low, Principal of Dunman High School. This is a quote from Mr Low’s birthday message to Dunman High last year. Ever wondered what our principal is really like? In this article, let’s see what Mr Low has to say for Dunman High’s 65th birthday, and perhaps discover another side to his life as a principal.
Life Outside School Let us now take a look at a typical rest day of our principal. Since Mr Low and his family would prefer to stay indoors, they usually engage in meaningful conversation over a meal or watch a nice movie in the comfort of their home during weekends or school holidays. Although these activities are not extravagant, the quality time spent together as a family is extremely valuable to Mr Low, as it helps to bring his family closer together especially during tough times. In terms of his hobbies, thanks to the Circuit Breaker which enabled him to spend more time at home, Mr Low has recently picked up cooking again! Although the dishes are simple, the pleasure he gets from seeing his family enjoy the meals he has prepared for them is beyond words. Not surprisingly, being a principal is no easy feat and requires an immense amount of dedication and time. Time management and work-life balance are hence extremely vital to Mr Low’s job. However, as we will come to know, each and every stage of our lives will demand a different wayof allocating our time, hence striking a perfect balance is near impossible. Mr Low likens the concept of time management to that of a pendulum, one where we are constantly toggling between two extremes. At times, he finds himself so busy at work that he hardly has any ‘me time’ or family time. At other times, he is able to be in a world of his own or be with his family, taking a break from the tough workload. Sounds familiar right? But according to Mr Low, striking a balance between work and personal life is not all that difficult. The key is to appreciate that such ‘extremes’ do exist, and that it is quite futile to chase after the elusive ideal of perfect time management. It would be more helpful to take steps to ensure that we are not stuck at one extreme for a prolonged period of time, so that we are able to persevere whenever the going gets tough and to strike a balance between work and personal life.
The School Compound
Q) Mr Low:
Which canteen stall do you frequent the most? Is that canteen stall your favourite one? I don’t have any ‘favourite’ canteen stall, but I am a creature of habit. For breakfast, it is usually the chicken chop from the western stall, and lunch the economic rice from the Chinese stall or fried bee hoon from the Vegetarian stall. The stall aunties and uncles know what I want even before I open my mouth! Other than your office, which part of the school do you spend the most time in or find the most interesting? Is there any particular reason?
4
Q)
If y ou
co u
Q)
If you are in school early in the morning or very late in the afternoon, you may at times find me on one of the benches around Zheng Xin Yuan. I like to watch the willow leaves flutter in the gentle breeze. It gives a feeling of serenity in the hustle and bustle of our busy school life. Another thing I do from time to time is to feed the koi fish and watch their graceful moves. It is my way of giving myself a little respite from the hectic work schedule. Mr Low:
Office Life We’re sure that many students are curious about what Mr Low’s typical day at his office is like. Does he follow a timetable just like us? Surprisingly, for Mr Low, there is hardly a ‘typical’ day in his office life as situations are dynamic all the time. Regardless, there are still certain observable patterns and routines that keep him grounded in a volatile work environment. For instance, his work day is usually a 12-hour shift, which begins around 6.45 am and ends around 7.00 pm. His morning routine includes drawing up the day’s to-do list so that he will stay focused, and checking the day’s schedule. Mainly, his work involves clearing his in-tray and emails, writing his speeches and preparing for the next sharing, which are continuous processes. He also attends to people and goes for meetings and walkabouts in school. Speaking about walkabouts, you’ll be surprised to know that Mr Low’s daily interactions with students has actually brought him takeaways that are applicable to his work life! In his past 4 years of service, Mr Low has always been impressed with Dunmanians’ care for one another, as well as their self-motivation to do their best. He sincerely appreciates this drive that Dunmanians possess and how they juggle between the many demands on their studies and other commitments. Setting the stage for Dunmanians to taste success while creating learning opportunities that equip us with what it takes to become leaders of honour - these are end-goals that Mr Low views as his responsibility to achieve.
Thoughts on Dunman High’s 65th Anniversary What is the significance of this anniversary for you? How is it any different from the previous anniversaries that we have celebrated? Q)
Like every anniversary, it is a homely affair for us where the school community – alumni, parents, teachers and students, supporters – come together to be thankful for the many who have walked before us, the many who walk with us, and the many who will come after us. As the 65th anniversary is a special milestone for the school, the format and scale of the event may be different from previous anniversaries, but the spirit and intention remain unchanged. Mr Low:
The Future
Moving forward, what is something you hope to achieve or impart to the Dunmanian Family before eventually leaving the school? Q)
Mr Low: Dunmanians are always reminded to be a better version of themselves each day. Shaping the Dunmanian DNA is a never-ending work-in-progress. What I hope to create is for Dunman High to be an empowering crucible for Dunmanians to learn to care, serve and lead. By that, I mean that Dunmanians will have a safe environment to find their voices, experiment and take calculated risks, learn to take failures/criticism in their stride, stand up for their beliefs and take ownership of their destiny. The world of tomorrow, the one that Dunmanians are going to inherit, will be a very different world from the one we know today. A linear causal relationship between having good academic results alone and success in life is no longer a given. Living up to our school’s vision, Dunmanians must strive to be a blessing to their loved ones, as well as being active contributors in the larger community they are part of.
world, in the y? r e w wh rpo and
k pe su u pic y o n y a
whuld h at a
ve ould
Mr Low:
w
Joy. Joy to take on the day’s challenges, joy to talk to people, joy to meet deadlines, and so on. Joy is a ‘superpower’ that is around us, but yet evaded by many because we choose otherwise. Life is already not easy, so why be laden with past disappointments and unhappiness when we have a choice to put on a smile and face the day? Also, don’t you think it is easier to be drawn to people who radiate joy with a smile on their faces? Genuine joy is infectious. I want that for myself, the school, and for Dunmanians.
5
“校”谈 德 明 (6C37 文稿: 张昱浩
)
德明政府中学于1956年成立至今，一路走来，风雨飘飖，十分不易。德明办学成功，离不开历届校长 们的奉献与心血。2021年，德明政府中学迎来65周年纪念。在这一特殊的日子里，我们有幸邀请到了两位 德明前任校长——孙振炜校长与符传丰校长接受我们的采访，向我们分享他们的治校生涯。
第一章：经历与感受
Q: 得知自己将上任成为德明校长，您当时是什么样的心情？
孙校长：考虑到德明已是久负盛誉的学府，而我毫无领校经验，内心可说是忐忑不安，怕德明毁在自己手 中。 符校长：既为可以回母校效劳而感到开心，又为自己能否承担一定的压力，把学校发展得更好而感到担 忧。我当时希望自己不辜负大家，能够在历任校长的基础上，把德明带上另一个高峰！更不会辜负前教育 部总司长黄庆新先生对我的期待：“把学校带上新高峰，培养老师成为领导人，提供机会给学生发展”。
Q: 能简单谈一谈您第一天上任校长时的经历吗？ 当时有什么有趣的事发 生吗？
孙校长：当我以候任校长的身份，于2004年9月来德明报到，陈添福校长让我在 中四生的周会上致词。考虑到中四会考将至，我在周会上鼓励同学们不要担心 会考成绩——只要尽了力，不论成绩，他们都是德明的骄傲。周会后，一位同 学发了封电邮给我，说他当天原本想逃课，因为备考的压力让他有点喘不过气 来，但是听了我的周会分享后，心里的压迫感减轻了。这件事不算有趣，但对 我来说意义非凡。我一直把这封电邮保留至今，借它提醒自己去认真对待每一 次和同学们的交流。 符校长：上任后我经常在餐厅走走，跟学生聊天。有一天，在餐厅遇到一位 学生在用餐，我上前跟他打招呼，很轻松地问他在吃什么。他看了我一 眼，告诉我，作为校长应该问他更高层次的问题。我顿时傻眼了，一时 不知道如何回应他，之后默默地离开，还蛮尴尬的。后来，我把这 事告诉老师，一位老师说他很可能是学校高才班的学生，平时上课 时老师会要求他们进行高层次的思考方式，这可能影响了他吧！ 后来，我每次遇到学生，我都会调整和他们的聊天方式，时而轻 松，时而严肃，也因此认识了不少很有个性与才华的德明学生， 有一些至今还跟我保持联系！
Q:在您任职德明校长期间，德明给您留下印象最深刻的 地方是哪里？
孙校长：“正心园”。“正心园”象征着德明校园的中心，提 6
醒着代代学子“欲修其身者，先正其心”。我喜欢它的寓意，也乐于看到德明学子闲时聚在园子边或亭子 里聊天、阅读的情景。我们教职人员每天在德明忙忙碌碌，不外乎是想提供一个像家一样的，轻松的学习 环境给孩子们。正心园的场景往往让我有这种感觉。 符校长：德明的校园很美，处处有其特色, 而我最喜欢，也最常去的三个地方分别是——餐厅 (Canteen)、 会议室 (Conference Room)、咖啡座 (Cafe)。餐厅——我在这里吃早餐、午餐，也可以轻松地跟老师、学 生们交流，让我印象深刻。会议室——每星期我和主任们、老师们都会在这儿开会，制定学校发展方向， 做出重要决定等。家长与学生们也会参与一些会议，提出他们的意见和看法。咖啡座——下午我一般会在 这里喝咖啡，看看书和文件，跟老师们讨论一些问题。当然也会趁机跟放学的学生们聊天，开玩笑，让我 的工作不会太沉闷。
Q: 德明给您留下的最美好的回忆是什么？
孙校长：我们在礼堂外摆了一台钢琴，让同学们随时弹奏。我们宁愿这钢琴因为同学常用而损坏，也不要 为了怕损坏钢琴而限制它的使用。在任职期间，我经常会在校园里听到琴声，感受到同学们对音乐的喜爱 和对真、善、美的追求。在校园里被学生们兴致所至的音乐所触动是我很珍贵的回忆。 符校长：每天早上，我会对全校说：“德明，早安！”，“ Welcome to No. 10 Tanjong Rhu Raod”。这 些可以把全校师生凝聚在一起的时刻，永远让我难忘！当然，德明美丽的校园、辛劳的老师、用功有礼的 学生，这一切都给我留下了最美好的回忆。
第二章：对德明师生、员工以及自己的看法
Q:在您任职德明校长期间 Q:在您任职德明校长期间， ，德明的老师 德明的老师、 、学生以及员工给您留下了什么样的印象？
孙校长：因为重建的关系，德明在2007年必须从东部搬迁到西部的临时校舍。虽然校方通过延迟上课时间 和安排校车接送来缓解不便，但这搬迁对德明师生来说，还是一大挑战。可是在这过程中，德明师生没有 怨声载道，没有消极情绪。反之，他们展现出对校方的体谅，还有和学校共进退的决心。那感觉就像一家 人，因为同心协力克服难关而变得比之前更坚强和团结。 符校长：德明的老师都很尽心尽力地教学，对学生也很亲切，愿意为学生付出很多。 德明的学生很乖巧，对师长有礼貌，很自律，会给自己压力，追求好的成绩和发展 机会，不会让老师太担心。德明的非教职员工也很负责任，为德明校园的清洁和行 政工作付出很多努力，是很难得的一群员工，我很开心能够在这样的环境中治校， 也很有成就感。
Q: 在您任职德明校长期间，您觉得自己最大的成就是什么？您觉得自己 对德明最大的贡献是什么？ 孙校长：成就说不上，但是能够在德明面对开办直通车课程、重建校园、搬迁等 挑战时，和全体师生一起同甘共苦是件特别幸福、荣幸的事。
7
符校长：在我的领导以及主任, 老师们的共同努力下，德 明6年综合课程有了更好的衔接和更有系统的规划。我们 开办了许多新的课程供学生修读，也整修了德明一部分的 校园环境，改善了一些设施。其中，通过组织各类活动， 例如：教育部评估会议，新校舍开幕，SG50，德明60等活 动，把全校师生、校友、家长凝聚在了一起，营造了德明 良好的校风。
Q:纵观您在德明当校长的整个阶段，您曾留下什 么遗憾吗？
孙校长：因为校园重建耗时两年，故直通车第一批高中毕业生经历了搬
迁之苦，虽然和学弟学妹们一样为重建做出贡献，却无法在毕业前享受 到新校园的设施。这是我一直为之遗憾的地方。
符校长：没有遗憾，但还希望可以做得更多。因为教育工作是做不完
的，只有在不断的改革过程中精益求精，才能更上一层楼。
Q:如果能重来一次，您会做出怎样的调整？
孙校长：若能重来，我希望能加快规划重建的过程，让这批学生也能享受到新校园的美好。
符校长：在原来的基础上，提供更多机会给学生，让他们发挥更多的自主性，并发掘他们的各种才华和潜 能。同时也希望能让更多学生掌握双语、双文化，成为我国未来双语、双文化的领导人才！
第三章：离开德明之后的后续发展 Q:请问您卸任德明校长一职后，现在在哪里高就？
孙校长：我目前在教育部任职，负责规划和检讨小学、中学和高中的所有课程。
符校长：我离开德明后，在新加坡华文教研中心当院长，继续推进新加坡华文的教与学。
Q:您觉得现在的工作与德明校长这一职位最大的不同是什么？您又是如何看待及作出调整 的？ 孙校长：最大的改变是无法和师生有直接的互动。能够每天都看到学生的成长，对我和其他教师来说，是 一种无法取代的推动力和满足感。离开了学校，有点“身在楚国心在汉”的感觉。在心态上，我必须提醒 自己，总部的工作总得有人做，不能让想回归校园的情绪影响份内工作。 符校长：校长的工作是为学校的发展制定方向，推进各种课程和活动，让师生得到更好的发展，在“为 人、为学”方面做出努力。当然也对学校的日常运作负责，例如：安全，卫生，确保大家顺利完成每天的 课程和活动，开开心心上学来，平平安安回家去。而我目前的工作，主要是对新加坡华文教师的培训、教 学研究和教学资源负责。每天面对的是大专学府，教育部和各种机构人员。负责联系与协调各种培训、研 究、出版等工作。少了校园学生的笑声和活力，这里更多的是思维的讨论和思想的交流。
8
第四章: 针对新冠疫情以及德明65周年纪念日的看法
Q:今年新冠疫情来势汹汹，您的生活与工作受到了一定程度的影响，能简单分享一下您是如 何应对并作出调整的呢？ 孙校长：和其他国人一样，我也必须学习如何保持社交距离、减少外出、展开远程工作。这样的 调整，难度在于持之以恒。德明一向对学生自律自省的教育和要求，让我能够比较从容地去面 对这些转变。 符校长：今年面对新冠状病疫情，确实改变了我们的日常作息。在危机时刻，如何从危机中掌 握契机，是考验我们这一代的最大挑战。在新格局的影响之下，我们必须不怕困难，坚持初 衷，改变工作和生活上的固有习惯和方式，以新的思维面对一切，在掌握新技术的同时加强人 际关系和人文素养的修炼，必定能够适应新的环境，克服困难，面向更好的未来。
Q: 针对今年的疫情，您对德明的师生员工有什么忠告以及寄语？
孙校长：新冠疫情考验了我们的社会责任感、应变和承压能力。希望德明师生在国家面对这疫 情时，能够体现出“诚、信、勇、忠”的精神，尽一己之力协助国家克服难关。 符校长：德明的校训“诚信勇忠”是很好的指南针！每一代的德明人都为新加坡做出贡献，我希望未来的 德明人更能够挑战自己，带着理想去处事，以不亢不卑的精神，去克服一切的挑战和困难！
Q:德明于1956年成立至今，一路走来十分不易，这其中离不开您的帮助与扶持！2021年德明 迎来65周年纪念日。 在这一特殊的日子里，您有什么想对德明师生说的吗？ 孙校长：教育的方式和形态会因社会和时代的变迁而有所调整，但是教育的中心理念和精神是不变的。德 明创校不是为了追求好成绩或排名，而是为了培养具有道德勇气、拥有崇高理想、能够为国为民奋斗的国 人。希望代代德明师生不忘此初衷。
符校长：德明65年来培养了几代学子，给人的印象是彬彬有礼，工作认真的双语人才。德明人所具有的气 质是谦虚而不自卑、自信而不骄傲的君子。我希望一代又一代的德明人都能够发挥“诚信勇忠“的精神， 体现德明的使命：关怀、服务、领导（To Care, To Serve, To Lead）在各自的领域作贡献！也希望大家 永远怀念德明六年生活，记得有空时回家走走，德明政府中学是一个像家一样的学校！
第五章: 校长感言
孙校长：希望德明学生谨记德明教诲，一生过 得坦荡、精彩、有意义。 符校长：传承诚信勇忠，融合东西文化，引 领未来发展：成为真心关怀、勤奋服务、有 智慧的领导，在各自的领域发挥才能，为新 加坡做出贡献！ 读了校长们的所见所感,相信同学们无 论是对德明的历史,课程还是校园文化都有 了更进一步的了解。在德明65周年纪念日来 临之际,希望同学们能谨记校长们的教诲, 共同努力,将德明带上新的高峰!
9
As we celebrate our school’s 65th birthday, have you ever wondered what our school was like in the very beginning? What makes Dunman High, Dunman High? In this article, we have gathered accounts from past Dunmanians and alumni, revealing what Dunman High was really like outside of a history book. These different perspectives can help us better understand how Dunman High came to be. After all, what is a school without its students and the memories they have created?
199
1956
Moved from Dunm to Tanjong
Dunman High was founded, though originally named Kallang West Government Chinese Middle School
1979
Became a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school
Mr Teo was part of “the from Dunman Road to Ta when he was Secondary “very meaningful cerem entire school] marched f all the way to the new Rhu”.
1981
Took over the compounds of Dunman Primary School
1990
Took over the compounds of Dunman Secondary (Next to Dunman Primary) Mr Teo remembers the initial Dunman Road campus as “a huge megasite where you had two school campuses”, housing both Dunman Secondary School and Dunman High School. Dunman Secondary shifted to Tampines in the 1980s, thus the old school then became an amalgamation of 2 campuses. There were two canteens, three halls, and a lot of greenery, including the iconic casuarina trees. His “favourite place [in the Dunman Road campus] was the area outside the art room, ... because there was a huge fish pond and a pavilion down there so it’s a very nice area to relax.” 10
2007
By: Wan Shi Yun (6C11), Gillian Tan (5C44), Shirica Leong (5C12), Ong Yee Huan (5C34)
Relocated to Mount Sinai for upgrading works (addition of JH blocks) Container classrooms were used in order to help accommodate students. During her junior high years, Ms Low recalls that the school underwent a relocation to Mount Sinai. They had metal container classrooms. “It consisted of this area which was even further than the school field, very ulu corner at the back and it was literally metal containers. There was a small flight of stairs that led into the classrooms. I didn’t study there but my best friends were there, so I often went there to find them”. Moreover, “[the] band room was also underground. It was a pain because the flight of stairs down the band room was so long. Our instruments were okay but the students with percussion instruments had to bring the entire thing up.”
95
man Road Rhu
e batch that shifted Tanjong Rhu” in 1995 y 3. He remembers a mony whereby... [the from Dunman Road campus at Tanjong
2004
Introduction of Integrated Programme (IP)
2001
Hostel Opening
2006
Dunman High’s 50th anniversary
Ms Low Xin Tian spent her first year in DHS at the old Tanjong Rhu campus, during which the school celebrated her 50th anniversary. “At that time, it wasn’t called DH50, it was just called 50th anniversary. We actually had the whole school gather around Zheng Xin Yuan and that was extremely memorable”, especially since she was a new student. The school “had a whole series of celebrations”, including a navy blue 50th anniversary t-shirt as a gift. Ms Low feels “very lucky to have witnessed the school achieving these major milestones” such as the 55th anniversary, SAP40 and now DH65 celebrations too. 11
2009
Returned to Tanjong Rhu, introduced Kong Zi!
When the Tanjong Rhu campus’ renovation works were completed, the iconic Confucius statue that overlooks Zheng Xin Yuan was introduced. It was donated by Mr Ho Kiau Seng, a member of the School Advisory Committee. According to Mr Teo, the actual process of shifting the Confucius statue was done in the holidays of 2008, and it was “quite a major thing”. While he was not present during the process, he heard about it. As the statue was very huge, they “had to get a big crane to lift it over the four stories [of the administrative block] and put it into the garden itself”.
2016
Dunman High’s 60th anniversary Megan Han Ying was in Year 3 during the anniversary and was involved as part of her Student Council duties. She remembers being in charge of “scooping the… kachang puteh for the guests” and the “really nice” photobooth. “A lot of people including the ministers and alumni came and they transformed the entire parade square into this sheltered place”. As for then Symphonic Band member Joshua Lim Tze Kang, he recalls various performing arts CCAs performing East meets West fusion pieces and the school song. He was in Year 2 back then and it was particularly interesting for Joshua to truly experience “the whole idea of bilingualism and infusing both cultures” without the clear distinction between Chinese and Western elements. It was celebrated with “a dinner” with alumni speeches, and “part of the event was to walk down the heritage room, through the school and reminisce about how the school has progressed.” He “felt proud to be part of this legacy ... [the school was] commemorating all the hard work that built this legacy and how [it has come] so far.”
Once a Dunmanian, always a Dunmanian. This is a salient memory ingrained in all Dunmanians, past, present and future, and it truly comes to life when we leave the sheltering walls of Dunman High. From our alumni, it is obvious that the memories we have made here will remain etched in our hearts, shaping the person we are today. For the past 65 years, Dunman High has changed thousands of lives, and allowed us to change her in return. Although each batch of Dunmanians is different, we are ultimately still the same in our common memory of our school, and the values we will carry with us for the years to come.
Happy Birthday, Dunman High!!
12
知 多 史 历 少 园 ? 校 Illustration by Janell Wee (6C45)
“一日德明人，一生德明情”。 “一日德明人，一生德明情”。这是每一位同学都耳熟能详的话语。 作为一名德明 人，我们对德明都有着深厚的感情。 可是，你真的了解德明吗？ 从建校伊始到发展至今， 德明走过了无数个风雨岁月。 特别是成为一所特选学校后，德明独特的校园文化更加 浓厚。 所以，本次期刊特别推出 “校园历史知多少” 的小游戏，快拉上身边的小伙伴，一 起来看看吧！ 1) 德明政府中学成立于哪一年？ A. 1955 B. 1956 C. 1957
2) 德明政府中学创校时的名字是什么? A. Chinese High School
B. Dunman Government Chinese Middle School
C. Kallang West Government Chinese Middle School
3) 德明政府中学在哪一年成为自治中学？ A. 1989 B. 1994 C. 1996
7) 德明政府中学的校训是？ A. 诚信勇忠 B. 自强不息 C. 勤慎端朴
8) 以下哪一位德明校长参与了校徽的设 计？ A. 许锦美女士 B. 陈人浩先生 C. 林乃燕先生
9) 德明政府中学在哪一年成为特选中学？ A. 1977 B. 1979 C. 2000
4) 德明政府中学第一任校长是谁？ A. 孙焕新先生 B. 林乃燕先生 C. 孙振炜先生
5) 2006年3月31日，德明政府中学师生 在校园内理下了一颗时间胶囊，请问这颗 时间胶囊的开启时间是？
10) 德明政府中学在哪一年开办了六年制 的直通车课程？ A. 2002 B. 2003 C. 2004
A. 65周年庆典 B. 70周年庆典 C. 75周年庆典
6) 德明政府中学的校树是？ A. 木麻黄 B. 青龙木 C. 黄盾柱木
答案:
答对8-10题:
恭喜你!你对德明的历史已经烂熟于心了,可谓 是一个“货真价实”的德明人。
1.B 2.C 3.B 4.A 5.C 6.A 7.A 8.B 9.B 10.C
答对5-7题: 答对5-7题:没有关系,通过今天的测试, 你可以增加对德明的了解,认识不一样的德明!
答对3-4题: 答对3-4题:不错不错,看来你对德明已经有了基本的了 解,但是仍然可以对她有进一步的了解。
答对0-2题: 哎呀!看来你对德明并不是很了解呢!不过,不用灰心,凡事都要慢慢来。
13
华文特选学
文稿：
杨雅琦 （6C22）
德明政府中学
陈铭 （6C12）
2020年10月14日
星期四
庆祝65
1977年,
是一个传统华校风雨飘渺的时代。
那一年，报名进入华校的小一新 生仅有10%，比上一年的14%还要惨 淡。 走在新加坡教育变革的道路上，传 统与华语沦落至一种尴尬的地步—— 保留还是淘汰？
1979年,
德明政府中学，1980年。 特别辅助计划推出，一场华校的革命 和重生悄然降临。许多师生站在当时的 选择路口，眼见风云千樯，却不知道他们的选择看似普通，却是命运的变更。 九所华校中学被选为特选学 校，德明政府中学也是其中之一。
“
我们敬爱的前校长林乃燕先生这般回忆道：
当时政府是在没有办法的情况下推行特别辅助计
划，否则让华校自生自灭，最后再也招不到学生。 传统华校是在穷途末路，接受了政府的特别辅助才 生存下来，这在当时是不能不走的路。
”
转眼,德明政府就要走过六十五个春秋岁月。 在这六 十五载中，她以惊人的速度成长——名列前茅的学术成 绩，多姿多彩的课外活动，最重要的是——成功地传承了 优良的华族文化，保留了传统文化底蕴。 林乃燕，德明政府中学前校长。
14
当今社会力求创新，误以为传统与创新相对，却忽略
学校之路：
学的今朝往昔
6345 0533
5周年
售价$1 了，或许是我们发展的错误方式导致了两者的对立。 现代不是无源之水，无木之土，凭空而生。 而是在传 统的肥沃土壤上生发出来的一颗参天巨树，是在过去的脉络中走出来的一种历史走向.
传统文化是民族认同的根本存在， 古往今来多少前人思想温润着无数谦谦 君子。 从唐诗宋词到民族习俗，无不以他 们的方式展现着华族文化的博大精深。 作 为特选学校的学生，我们肩负着传承华族 薪薪之火的重要责任。 华校所倡导的母语教育绝对不是“死 掉的过去” ，相反，我们要向世界证明，特 选学校和其独特的双语教育正以充满活 力的姿态，渗透进我们生活和社会的方方 面面。 经过历史的洗涤和一代代人的修 整，特选学校为新加坡保留下来的华族文 化之价值和魅力无与伦比。
德明政府中学，1980年。
-完广告
ADVERTISEMENT DUNMAN STATIONERY
Want to expand your stationery collection? Say no more. We’ve got pens, files, keychains… the list of practical yet uniquely-Dunman stationery we offer is never ending!
SENIOR HIGH HOUSE TEES
Drakon. Kirin. Homa. Bennu. It doesn't matter which house you’re from. As long as you want to celebrate the Drakihonnu spirit, these comfortable and minimalist house tees are meant for you.
Calling ALL Dunmanians! It’s time for YOU to shop to your heart’s content! Ranging from stationery, shirts to even Dunman High mascot toys, our diverse and specially curated range of merchandise will definitely cater to your needs.
DUNMAN TEES
Dri-fit and aesthetically pleasing, these are the perfect shirts to wear to showcase your Dunmanian identity. Complete your collection and get these exclusive shirts in 2 colours - red and blue!
DHS MASCOT SOFT TOYS
They’re soft, cuddly and the perfect size for you to snuggle with at night! Guess what - they even come wearing DHS’s very own school uniform in both genders.
15
E V I S U L EXC !! p o O C S inside
i a D e h T Ziqi (5C4 C21), He 6 ( w o az L By: J n e t t Wri
am 0 3 . 9 - d u l Ra z a h
of book harge c n ,i d assisting ian ing an r a ith loans. br elv ts w Li sh uden st
3.3 ua Tuan Hock
m - 5. 3 0 p m p 0
E:
M Mr C
h
e Noor Moham
The chime of the school bell signifies the start of a hectic day of lessons for us students, but what about the EAS staff? In this section, we explore what our hardworking EAS staff are up to behind the scenes.
TI
You are jolted awake in a cold sweat, and heave a sigh of relief that it was just a nightmare. A nightmare that can very well turn into reality if one disregards the indispensable role of EAS staff and underestimates their inherent value to our school life.
te of s e g r a h in c udio E Sit ian, stalling a ent c i M n m in ech p and eo equip the T I M dm T d AV ing u d vid aroun ool. n t c a s h ah i Sy
harge of cond c i e n t i f i c i nv e u c t i n g s xperiments ti.
On your way to school, you are left bewildered by an uncanny sight. The turnstiles refuse to budge, adamantly letting no one in. The classrooms and staircases are locked, shutting out the chaotic static of the outside world. A wave of disturbing silence sweeps over the school compound. There is no familiar announcement over the PA system and not a trace of life in the science laboratories. You feel an eerie chill creep up your spine as you sink to the ground in quiet despair...
:7
amh Binte Ab 0 . 3 ira
ed
- 3.30 pm az
I share a tight-knitted relationship with the entire EAS Staff, and they are the reason I have stayed on in Dunman High for seven years. If not for our deep bond, I doubt I would still be here today. The school leaders are a great source of motivation as well, and in particular, I work closely with Ms See Pei Loo, our Vice-Principal (Administration). Despite our shortcomings, she is extremely supportive and encouraging, and this is heartening to me. Working with students is always a pleasure, as I receive a boost of energy from their youthful exuberance and endless passion.
lR
m Md 16
ah
Q. What makes your job in DHS worthwhile?
Si ti S du yahirah Binte Ab
-Mdm Siti
i ly Gr ind TIME:
Iris N g Hw ee S im (5 C21
9.30 a
Ms Chan L
ai Len
g
m-
11.
Q. what was the most memorable incident you encountered? One student who perpetually comes to the sick bay whenever he wants to skip classes.
30 Ch
Q. What are some difficulties you have encountered?
am
ook
ME
One difficulty is office politics, which is always a challenge wherever you go. It’s very difficult for everyone to have a similar perspective on a project, and is a skill that requires lifelong learning. -Ms Goh Chor Hoon June
:
oh Chor H
1 1. 3 0 a m
Ms G
ffice (GO) S al O t a ff, ner s a multitu ar d e Ge e e o nag ma ntly, from kee f tas ce p k r re cu s borrowed ing a a m ite s i s t i n g i n nd r r as Th e to ir ge n g u a tran d La s a n g e me n arr
TI
and Student S ervice Ms C e n t re Yvo sible for t he co ( S S C) is nne llecti and teach o m n ainl ers, a of it y s e m w r esp ve n d o r s . T ell a s pa s by st onhe ude yme basis, com y operat n n e ts ts t pletin on a administ g an sem o ext r a t i ve y ern ia task neces e ve n h a al s, a sar d hoc ndle nd y the and fou lost nd.
It is through experience from previous jobs and life skills throughout the years.
)
po
oo
-1 .
n J un
o wh st ni io r pt fo o n rd s c eco ed, rn tu
pm 30 e
7 ) , Ko r X u a n ( 5 C 4 3),
Q. How did you learn to juggle so many tasks simultaneously ?
Q . What is the most interesting or memorable item a student has lost and come to the SSC to ask about? A student asked about a used eraser, and we once found a wallet with more than $500 inside!
Q. Are there any misconceptions about the SSC that you would like to clarify?
ts
tio rta .
n
an, in Technici ing L ab pport and su s and gation
Ms Musfi
TIM
E:
rah Bin
1.30 p
SSC not only handles collection and the lost and found, but also backroom administrative work for changes of address, dropping of subjects, etc. We also cannot fulfil requests immediately because sometimes, we have to obtain a signature from a higher authority.
n
oo
Ch La
ne
a Ch Ms
We tell students that there will be no reprints for certificates but some of them still lose their things. It makes us think that they take us, and our words, for granted. -Ms Chan Lai Leng and Ms Yvonne Chook
k
Q. Have students ever asked FOR help for a peculiar or unreasonable matter?
i Len
n vo Y s g a nd M
17
Q. What is the most interesting situation you have encountered during a lab session in DHS? During Biology practical lessons, the sessions where we have to prepare sugary fruits unavoidably attract pesky mice! I remember comically chasing the mice out of the lab with a broom to prevent them from disturbing the class.
M Ms
us
fira
ha me d
Q. What is something that people might be surprised to find out about your job?
o M h Binte Noor
Unexpectedly, my team and I are the busiest during school holidays as we have to clean the labs thoroughly. Considering the COVID-19 situation, sanitisation of the labs has never been a more pertinent task. In addition, we have to carry out inventory checks, clear unwanted items as well as prepare chemicals for the new term or year. These are the most hectic times! -Ms Musfirah Binte Noor Mohamed
Q. How do you handle so many requests from students, especially during the peak exam season? What are some challenges you face? We have machines that students can use to check out books themselves. It also provides other services. However, when we have requests, we will assist them on a first come, first served basis, which the student librarians will also help with. The most challenging part is the follow-up of overdue fines, which is done via email unless it is long overdue, after which I will seek assistance from their form teacher.
Q. What is something that people might be surprised to find out about your job? It needs a lot of communication, support and cooperation with school teachers and students in order to provide excellent service quality and delivery. -Mr Chua Tuan Hock
School’'s Out! The school bell rings once again, this time signaling the end of a tiring day. The EAS staff return home to relish in their hobbies, which is a portion of their lives that students rarely get a glimpse of. Mdm Siti Syahirah Binte Abdul Razah: I fell in love with photography the moment I purchased my very own DSLR. Taking portraits and candid pictures has become one of my greatest joys! I also enjoy cycling recreationally, and I often embark on long cycling trips with my family. Ms Chan Lai Leng: I love cooking. Recently I made baked rice and everyone here loved it! I’m not really specialised in cooking though, it’s just a normal mother’s home-cooked food. I also take walks and eat dinner after with 18
Ms Yvonne Chook. We once went on a three-hour walk to Changi Airport! Ms Yvonne Chook: I love gardening. I have been gardening on the path between the SSC and the GO for six to seven years. I am currently growing ladies fingers and cherry tomatoes. The cherry tomatoes are already ripe and I will try to cook them soon. Ms Goh Chor Hoon June: A new-found hobby that I have pursued during the quarantine period is crochet. I also have regular Tabata workouts on Sundays via Zoom and pilates in the evening on some weekdays. Ms Musfirah Binte Noor Mohamed: I have a myriad of hobbies: from hands-on activities such as baking and cooking to intellectual pursuits like reading books and visiting museums, but that’s not all! Hiking in the outdoors and connecting with nature as well as volunteering with the community are meaningful activities I enjoy too. Mr Chua Tuan Hock: I love cooking, exercising and traveling. I always indulge in my self-cooked meals with my family and find time to exercise twice a week, where I jog or swim. I travel within Singapore to discover new places too. Occasionally, I also go to the cinema for a blockbuster movie some weekdays. As John F. Kennedy once said, “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives”. Dunmanians may take the very things that most deserve our gratitude for granted. Just like how the hidden roots of the Casuarina tree allow it to stand tall, the EAS staff are deeply embedded in the history and success of Dunman High. For 65 years, they have aided us unwaveringly behind the scenes and we are indebted that they will continue to do so far into the future.
- end -
! WordTEACHER SearchEDITION Q: What is the biggest Senior High humanities department? Word: ECONOMICS
Q: How many Year 1 form & co-form teachers are there? Word: EIGHTEEN
Q: How many Senior High Geography teachers are there? Word: THREE
Q: How many teachers are involved in the Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP)? Word: TWELVE
Q: Which canteen vendor has been in our school for the longest time? Word: DRINKS
Q: Who is the Head of the Physical Education (PE) Department? Word: MRCHEW
Q: How many senior teachers are there in our school? Word: NINE
Q: How many security guards are there in our school? Word: ELEVEN
M J E V T H R E E Z
R S C I D J B A X S
C X O E E L E V E N
H D N X E M J P P J
E R O Q D R I N K S
W U M H T W E L V E
X H I R F V K S J N
C A C D A S L X G I
I E S N W I H I J N
E I G H T E E N S E 19
THE SECRET LIVES OF
TEACHERS
by: Lecia Cheok (6C32), Sie Hao Yang (6C44), Ng Yen Nee (5C43), Ang Kah Ling Nicole (5C34)
A role model is someone that inspires, empowers and encourages us to strive to become the best versions of ourselves and to ultimately live to our fullest potential.They are someone that we admire and aspire to be like. For many of us, that role model would be our teachers. Teachers are busy people. Too often, we see them tirelessly preparing for our lessons and grading our assignments to the point that we cannot imagine them doing something else other than teaching. Nonetheless, a teacher’s life is so much more than their teaching profession. Despite their hectic schedules, it is amazing how our teachers manage to find the time to pursue their own interests besides teaching. have you ever wondered what thoughts our teachers have during classes? Do you want to learn more about their teaching experience, but lack the chance to do so beyond the classroom setting? Do read on! Firstly, we have Ms Vora, an English Literature teacher who has accumulated a wealth of knowledge from interacting with her students over the many years she has been in Dunman High.
Q) How has the culture of DHS changed through the years that you have been teaching here? I joined DHS in 1992. I have seen many changes in the school the physical locations, the academic environment as well as the culture. When I first joined, I was surprised by the extremely strict discipline in the school and the almost clockwork efficiency in the way the school functioned. There were many strict rules regarding attire and behaviour that all students followed without hesitation. Fast forward 28 years later - I do see a difference in the way discipline is handled in the school. Although rules are loosened with the times, the high level of discipline remains and the culture in DHS has not changed in the ways that matter. Students remain disciplined, respectful and hard working and the close rapport between teachers, students and amongst staff has remained unchanged.
Q) What is something students would be surprised to learn about you? I am vegetarian - have always been. In fact my whole family is vegetarian. Also I have a deep, unexplained phobia of cats!
Q) What are some hobbies/activities you enjoy during your free time? I love to cook for my family. I also enjoy reading and listening to music (Bollywood)!
20
Q) What is DHS to you? Clichéd as it may sound, DHS is like my second home. It is like my second family. I have spent so much time here and built strong relationships.
Q) Who is someone you consider a hero in your life? Why? I actually consider my parents to be the biggest heroes of my life. I have always seen my parents giving and loving my siblings and myself unconditionally. They were amazing role models and taught us the importance of family and the importance of good character. If I can be half as wonderful as my parents were, I would consider myself very blessed.
Q) Could you tell us about your most memorable moments in the classroom? There are far too many moments and it is difficult to think of just one. There are moments when students respond especially enthusiastically and give thought-provoking answers to questions put to them or when an especially quiet student opens up and starts contributing in class. These moments can be extremely gratifying. There was also an occasion when my entire form class put up a concert for the form teachers. However, I would like to share in particular two very special episodes. One has to do with a particularly shy student who wrote me cards every day for more than a year after leaving my class because she felt I had made a difference to her life. In fact with her show of gratitude, she made a great difference to mine. Also about two years ago, when I was going through a tough time with my mother being ill, one of my literature classes wrote me many encouraging notes. This meant a lot to me and it was extremely heart-warming. I cherish all the students who come back to visit and continue to keep in touch long after graduation. This is what makes teaching so rewarding and fulfilling.
Q) If you could describe yourself using only three words, what would they be? Passionate, Personable and Dependable. Next, we have an exclusive interview with one of the newer members of our Dunmanian Family – Mr David Laurens De Winne.
Q) What was your first impression of DHS and how has your experience been so far. The first thing I noticed was the statue of Kongzi in the ZXY. Birds often rest on him and I find it very picturesque. I decided to start off a GP lesson on statues with a picture of our ZXY and looked at what makes a statue different from a painting or a relief on a coin and why people were tearing down statues in the West. It’s always nerve-wracking starting somewhere new – but everyone has been very kind and understanding in helping me adapt to the new school environment by making me feel welcome especially in this COVID situation, and I really appreciate that. It has been difficult to meet new people due to the masks. It makes it hard to recognise and remember who’s who as well as to initiate small talk. Nonetheless, I shall make more of an effort this new year to get to know people outside of Staff Room 4!
Q) What are your thoughts on joining a SAP school? I love languages, and it’s always good when students are passionate about being multilingual. When I was a student, I regret to say my school’s student culture took some pride in being bad at Mandarin. Speaking English for the Chinese Language Oral exam was something that people would joke about and unfortunately, I didn’t appreciate the Chinese lessons at the time but now with hindsight, I wish I had been more serious. I would struggle through Primary School because Mandarin was not a language I often spoke at home. Ultimately, I took French as my second language (which you can ask for special permission, if one of your parents is a PR). Nevertheless, being multilingual opens so many many doors: friendships, job and experiences.
Q) Who is someone you consider a hero in your life? Why? When I was younger: James Lye. He used to act in this widely popular Channel 5 television programme called Triple Nine, a police drama. I used to rush home after school to watch the reruns of old episodes of Triple Nine at 2 or 3pm. Actually, I met him once in person, a few years ago. We shook hands and I was too tongue-tied to say anything meaningful. What a wasted opportunity! Nowadays, I don’t think I have any heroes. There are plenty of individuals I respect and whose opinions I value, but no heroes.
Q) What is something your students would be surprised to learn about you?
Q) What are some hobbies/activities that you enjoy during your free time? I have the standard nerdy hobbies: reading, watching films or tv shows, playing steam/board games. I cook about 4 times a week on average. Nowadays, I bake less often but I do enjoy making my own bread. This year, my wife and I have decided to eat less meat, so I’ve been experimenting with cooking vegan/vegetarian alternatives at home.
Q) How is the culture in DHS different from other schools you have taught in? This is the first IP school I’ve taught in and it’s always a little surprising to see Secondary 1 students running around (“they’re so small!”). There’s also the bowing to teachers, which I return because I think it’s quite sweet and respectful. I think Dunmanians are superhuman – some of you have 2 or 3 CCAs and independent VIA projects. Even so, you still find time to study and come to class prepared. There’s a culture of motivation and hard work here that is very inspiring. As a teacher, nothing motivates more than students who want to show you that they’re ready to learn.The cliche about Dunmanians being a bit shy seems true. I miss having a few ‘class clowns’ or boisterous boys/girls who add humour to the lesson and entertain their classmates. I follow your Instagram meme page @dunmanhighaf (as do many other teachers!) – so I know there is a light-hearted side to the student culture here too. Don’t be afraid to show us the more carefree side of yourselves!
Q) What makes a ‘good day’ at school? A good day begins with me getting to school early about 7.10 a.m. in dry clothes. In my second week I got horribly drenched on the way to school, even though a very kind student shared her umbrella with me. A good day will also involve teaching a class – preferably the kind of lesson where we get some good interesting discussions about my favourite pet topics (media, politics, linguistics etc); not a drilling-Paper-2-SSQs kind of lesson. It might also feature some consultations where students are engaged and I’m helping them fix their problem areas. A good day also entails having good chats with the other teachers. The social aspect of my job is something I really value. It includes speaking to my colleagues such as Ms Karuppiah, Mr Deric Low etc. about current affairs, philosophy or even linguistics. An excellent day would also include lunch with colleagues at Old Airport Road Hawker centre (apparently voted Singapore’s best hawker centre!). Every time I get to eat there is a good day. The Vietnamese food there is great. A superb day ends with me going home and not having to do any marking when I get home.
This is a difficult one. Uhm, I swear I’m a real Singaporean, even though I don’t sound it…
21
Next, we also have Mr Goh Wei Bin, an ex-Dunmanian.
Q) What is something your students would be surprised to learn about you?
Q) What are some hobbies/ activities that you enjoy during your free time?
I have been riding a motorbike since I was in university. It is perhaps surprising because I do not appear to fit the biker stereotypes.
I bake during my free time. I really enjoy baking because it’s similar to performing experiments in the lab. To me, exploring the science behind baking further ignites my interests in Chemistry.
Q) Could you tell us about your most memorable moments in the classroom? My most memorable moments in the classroom were largely the most vulnerable moments where I had to step out of my comfort zone. Those moments continue to serve as reminders for me to challenge my limits to be a better version of myself.
Q) Who is someone you consider a hero in your life? Any ordinary person who makes himself extraordinary. We are the heroes of our own stories, so think beyond yourself and add more meaning to your life.
Q) How has the student life in DHS differed back when you
were studying here? We had more social interactions back then with less frequent use of electronic devices, especially smartphones. We also conversed more frequently in Mandarin than in English. Discipline in school was also more authoritative.
Q) How do you feel about coming back to your alma mater to teach? I am thankful to have the opportunity to contribute and give back to the school that has played an important role in shaping who I am today. It is also a rewarding experience to be working alongside my teachers and fellow ex-Dunmanians. I also feel nostalgic about my school days in DHS.
Lastly, we have Ms Pear Siew Lee, a senior teacher who has taught in DHS for many years.
Q) How has the culture in DHS changed through the years that you have been teaching here? When I first started teaching in DHS, most teachers had to accumulate and prepare one’s own resources before every lesson. However, with time, the teaching culture in school has become more collaborative. There is a common pool of resources that teachers have access to and this really helps teachers who just began teaching or those who are required to teach multiple levels. The language medium has also changed massively. Previously in the 70’s or 80’s, students mainly spoke to each other in Chinese. The introduction of the JAE programme has also taught Dunmanians to be more inclusive. Q) What would your students be surprised to know about you? I actually have this special hobby of reading children’s storybooks during the school holidays, mostly those that are well-illustrated. Most of the time, it’s the illustrations that attract me to the book, and not the plot. I really enjoy looking at the colourful drawings of the characters in these books. The graphics and storyline in children’s
books really intrigue me and I often find myself reading those purely out of interest. Two children’s books that I’ve recently read are: Tom’s Midnight Garden, and a Chinese one by a Beijing author, though I’ve already forgotten its title. Q) Could you tell us about your most memorable moments in the classroom? One of the more memorable moments in the classroom was in 1995, early in my teaching career. There was this major teaching observation that I had to pass as a new teacher and I informed my students about this before the lesson began. What happened was that my students purposely “overperformed” to try and help me pass the observation. I could feel that they were really geared up to help me in any way they could as they were behaving rather differently. That day, I remember that I was running a little late for the lesson which caused a bit of worry amongst my students. However, they really went all the way out to assist and help me! I felt really gratified afterwards! I really enjoy seeing my students enjoy my lesson (this doesn’t happen all the time!), or when I conceptualise the lesson and it actually turns out better than expected. I feel a great sense of fulfilment and sat-
isfaction. To me, my students’ learning experience and growth are sometimes more important compared to their final grade. Q) What is DHS to you? Dunman High School is actually the very first school I have taught at and it truly is like my second home. I spend most of my time here and I really enjoy interacting with my students. The idea of one Dunmanian family is something that really resonates a lot with me. I cannot imagine myself working in another school. Q) How do you remember all of your students’ names? Usually, for my form classes, I would try to call the names of every student at least once in the first week of school. I would actively try to match faces to their names. Sometimes, if no one corrects the way I pronounce their name, especially for the quieter ones, I would continue calling the wrong name for the entire year without realising! Q) Differences in morning vs afternoon classes? I prefer morning classes at 9am, as long as it isn’t immediately after
school starts as students are usually fresher and sharper during morning lessons. Also, as many other teachers will tell you, none of us are fond of the so-called “graveyard shift”. This is the slot after lunch in the afternoon, where everyone, including the teachers, are sleepy. As a result, the class is unusually quiet. It makes me really appreciate those who try their best to keep track of the lesson. Q) If you had a chance to go back to when you first came to DHS, would you still have stayed for such a long period of time? In hindsight, I would have taken the chance to experience other schools’ culture for my own development and growth. Nonetheless, I quite enjoy working at our school. The school gives us a lot of freedom and this really helps us teachers develop our own teaching style. In my opinion, Dunmanians are generally motivated and cooperative! (Although there are some exceptions.) In short, those with a passion to teach, like myself, would find great satisfaction in Dunman High!
All in all, our teachers do not only impart knowledge to us students. They are also unique individuals with various hobbies, passions and interests besides teaching. Within the four walls of our classrooms, we students tend to see them only as teachers, but there is so much more to their lives than what meets the eye. Though our teachers may sometimes have a hard time managing us, the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment they feel when they observe students learning and growing is what keeps them going. Without our teachers, Dunman High would never have become what it is today. Let’s all appreciate and care for our teachers more!
22
10
5
9
6 7 11 8 1
4
2
3
The teacher who has a famous cat on Instagram is Mr 4.____ ____. The strict yet loving Physical Education (PE) teacher that most of us encounter in Year 1 or Year 2 is Ms 5.____ ____ ____.
Teachers have their 8 A.M. meetings on 7.____. Teachers’ Day is celebrated in the month of 8.____. A good teacher can inspire 9.____, ignite the 10.____, and instill a love for 11.____. Ans: Fridays, September, Hope; Imagination; Learning
A teacher takes a 1.____, opens a 2.____, and touches a 3.____.
The teacher who is particularly strict about attire and will not hesitate to call you out in good heart is Ms 6.____ ____ ____. Ans: Hand; Mind; Heart, Royston Han, Lee Siew Choo, Fang Chye Pin
23
s r u o H r e t f Our A
(6C 45) 32) , Cla ire Liew Yun Yi (5C 12) , Hen g Kai En (6C Tai Yue Lim lph -Ra nar d Lee ng Ka Mu n (5C 12) , Leo By: Cel est e Cla ire Cho
Beyond just a place where we come to have lessons each day, our school is also where our lives are packed with vibrant after-school co-curricular activities (CCAs). Undoubtedly, each student has a unique experience in their own CCA, whether they are a part of the Clubs and Societies, Performing Arts CCAs, Sports CCAs, Uniformed Groups, or Interest Groups. Despite these differences, one thing is for sure: these after-hours have given us a space to learn and grow immensely through the years, playing an integral role in shaping who we are as Dunmanians.
From writing proposals in late-night calls to department dinners after meetings, she looks back at these memories with fondness and nostalgia as she recalls how Student Council has truly been a second family and home to her. It has pushed her in so many ways to be a better leader and showed her the true meaning of servant leadership. Student Council is where she will always be thankful for the memories, experiences, and people that have made the journey so fulfilling and memorable.
A Love for Servant Leadership Always seen donning their ties and badges, the student councillors are the servant leaders who manage and organise all major school events such as Teachers’ Day, and initiatives like Friendship Week. These initiatives spruce up students’ lives and foster a stronger and more vibrant school spirit. For Ng Xinyu, head of the School Synergy department and a member of the Student Council for the past three years, her biggest takeaways are the friendships forged, and the many opportunities received which encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone to grow and shine.
A Unified Passion for Performance Whether it is dance, music, or theatre, the performing arts always have a way of tugging at our heartstrings. Walking along the school corridors in the afternoons, we often hear the familiar sound of dancers’ footsteps or the melodious ringing of instruments, and it reminds us of the embedded sense of discipline, strength, and passion rooted in each performer. Through the performing arts, many Dunmanians have gained values that they hold close to their hearts. For Justin Ng of 6C22, a member of the Chinese Orchestra for the past five years, the most valuable thing he has uncovered from the CCA is the friendships forged from the shared passion for music and their common experiences. As a longtime member of the CCA, he never fails to be moved by the strength of Chinese traditional music in bringing people together and giving them the chance to connect with their roots.
26
The Solidarity of Sports that Strengthens
The Group that gets “Tekan-ed” Together Sticks Together
Athletes, always seen staying late after school to practice and train in their respective sports, yet still remaining enthusiastic every time.
Every Dunmanian is bound to have seen the different Uniformed Groups practicing their drills around school in full uniform – these groups being the very embodiment of the word “discipline”.
While most people often see the hard work, discipline, and motivation that an athlete has, the synergistic aspect is often overlooked. Sports requires coordination, trust, and loyalty between teammates. They always have each others’ backs to push themselves to their fullest potentials, and the mutual hardships they undergo in their rigorous training helps to share the pain of the physical strain amongst them. For Sum Sze Lok who has been a member of Softball for the past four years, the most cherished memories of her CCA come from the camaraderie that she and her fellow CCA members share amongst themselves. The bonds that they share will always make her reminisce about the times that they have shared together in her Dunmanian journey and provide her with the strength to overcome any obstacles that she faces in the future.
Truly, the Uniformed Groups stand out in Dunman High with their strong sense of discipline, resilience, respect, and togetherness, formed as the members go through thick and thin together. While the Uniformed Groups have a reputation for being extremely strict on members in general, this did not deter Lim Wei En, Wayne of 6C32, currently Cadet Inspector, to join NPCC. He was drawn into NPCC by both the uniquely smart uniform of the CCA, as well as the passion and enthusiasm exuded by the members. Without a doubt, in a CCA where members get tekan-ed (punished) together, the bonds forged through mutual support and encouragement along the way are bound to last a long time. For Wayne, Cadet Inspector Rachel Koh Ming Hui of 6C46, Cadet Inspector Chong Chi Hsuan of 6C21, and Cadet Inspector Trainee Lau Yi Lin of 5D, who continue to serve in NPCC in Senior High, although not every member they have been with in Junior High has continued up with them, NPCC has provided them with an avenue to interact with the teammates whom they cherish, especially after years of strict training together.
27
by: Liew Zheng Yuan (6C35), Steffie Tan Ling En (6C48), Phua Ying Jie Klare (5C21), Jesline Yu Ziting (5C22), Lee Xin Yi (5C21)
Graduating at the age of 18, we would have spent a third of our lives in our second home, Dunman High School. As we look back, precious memories that were made in our past few years will undoubtedly be kept close to our hearts. Let us explore the various milestones of being a Dunmanian through the lens of our schoolmates.
Y1 Orientation The first day of school is always exciting, but being in an unfamiliar environment and surrounded by strangers can also be nerve-wracking. Thankfully, the Y1 Orientation, which is organised by the student councillors, allows the new students to get to know the campus better and forge precious friendships that will support them throughout their Dunman High journey. These three days are accompanied by loud cheers across Block G and Y1s running around during activities and games. The Orientation then ends with the iconic finale concert, in which each class presents a performance to the cohort. Side effects of participating in the Y1 orientation include a sore throat and aching limbs from running about, but the Y1s are left with sweet memories as they embark on their six years in Dunman High.
Y2 This year marks the first milestone in every student’s Dunman High journey, as it would be the first time they have to choose a subject combination. This decision is sometimes difficult to make, and students have to consult their teachers as well as consider their interests and strengths to come to the best conclusion. To secure the combination that they want, students study harder and do all they can to improve their grades throughout the year. However, this year is also not without enjoyable experiences. Held right before the June holidays is ‘Level Night’, in which classes bond as they go about preparing for a performance and presenting it to their cohort. After the end-of-year exams, students also get to go out of school for activities with their classmates. Some batches even get to go to Malacca to broaden their horizons and learn more about Southeast-Asian cultures!
28
Y4 CCA Handover Our CCAs play a tremendous role in our Dunmanian journey. Having spent hours each week on rehearsals and training sessions, and forging many close, meaningful relationships with other like-minded people, it is understandable why saying goodbye to them could be so difficult. Sadly, time waits for no man, and in Year 4, we all have to bid farewell to our companion of four years. For Chan Xin Wei from 4L, leaving her CCA was bittersweet. Understandably, she feels sadness at having to part ways with what has accompanied her through the years at Dunman High. Yet, more than a farewell, the CCA handover is also the start of a new chapter. It represents the last few pages of her Junior High life and symbolises the beginning of a new era brimming with possibilities.
SH Orientation Orientation gave us the spark to power through the arduous final stretch of our DHS journey. The unforgettable friendships forged through tackling the challenges and games were invaluable and the event remains one of the most outstanding highlights in our Dunman High life. Although our seniors spoke of the humdrum days of senior high and toiling to prepare for our ‘A’-levels, Orientation made us feel that we were ready for anything. Janell Wee of 5C45 recounts the cheer battle as a stand-out moment from the event, expressing that the deafening cheering, stomping, and other hilarious shenanigans enabled her to sense the unswerving loyalty of students to their houses. She also opines that the fun yet incredibly intense competition was imperative to making Orientation a wholly enjoyable experience.
Graduation And with that, it was time to bid farewell to the people and walls we had grown so attached to and familiar with over the years. As we gathered to take candid shots by the Confucius statue and looked back on the time we had spent in Dunman High, we collectively could not help but feel a tinge of melancholy at the thought of having to leave our beloved second home behind. Nevertheless, we continued to remain hopeful and excited for what the future holds. To Ernest Tay of 6C41, preparing hand-made goodies for his friends to bring home, or simply trying to search for them in the sea of faces at the 正心园 to take a final photo before leaving school were especially poignant moments. The ceremony had forced him to look back on the past six years and take in the progress he had made. To him, the graduation ceremony was a moment of respite in the perpetual cycle of “study-eatsleep-repeat” that many Y6s had gotten acclimated to, and it was something that he appreciated very much. 29
你的德明血统 你的 德明血统
有多纯正?
，你 和同学交流时 在学校与老师 文两种语言。 会用英文和中 。 A. 经常这样做 时 我没有选择的 当 ， B. 有时候 候。 C. 不，不会。
发现有同学被其他 同学孤立，此时你 会：
你曾经对正心园里的孔 子雕像祈祷。 A. 经常这样做！我爱孔 B. 有时候，特别是考试
子。
A..主动和那位同学一起行动， 必要的时候告知老师。
放学后，你会在教室、 食堂或者图书馆继续 学习。
B. 默不作声，背地里悄悄帮助 被孤立的同学。 C. 冷眼旁观，不予行动。
A. 经常这样做！一分 耕耘，一分收获。 B. 有时候，特别是考 试之前。临阵磨枪，不 快也光。
食堂里贩卖食物的安哥和安娣与我 很熟悉。
C. 不会这样做。
答应了朋友放 学要和他一起 学习，但是有 其他同学约你 出去玩，此时 你会： A. .拒绝同学 ，遵守与朋友 一起学习的约 定。 B.告诉朋友原 因，并邀请他 一起出去玩。 C. 不告知朋友 ，直接与同学 离开。
A. .当然，我喜欢和他们聊天。 B. 有时候，心情好的时候。 C. 和他们不熟。
收到试卷后 发现老师算 错 分数，多给 了你两分， 此 时你会： A. 立刻告诉 老 扣掉。分数 师，将分数 可以减，品 德不 能丢。 B. 再三确认 后再告诉老 师。 虽然很不情 愿，但是需 要做 正确的事。 C. 当作没有
发现有同学被其他同
发现。
学孤立，此时你会： A.. 主动和那位同学一起行 动，必要的时候告知老师。 B. 默不作声，背地里悄悄 帮助被孤立的同学。
：
恭喜你！你身上的德 明血统纯正度达100% ！ 相信你在德明生活得很开心，也谨遵校 训，是个严于律己的德明人。希望你在 接下来的日子中能够继续加油，不忘初 心。加油！我们以你为荣！
30
雕像...
唱国歌和校歌时，你会： A. 认认真真，感到自豪。 B. 随随便便，唱完就好。 C. 完全不唱，对嘴型就好。
C. 冷眼旁观，不予行动。
回答多数为
A
之前。
C. 没有这样做过。什么
B 恭喜你！你身上的德明血统纯正度 达80%！你和大多数德明人一样处 于成长的阶段，看到你如此努力， 我们很欣慰。希望你能够加油补 足自己，向着更高的目标前进。加 油！我们以你为荣！
C 恭喜你！你身上的德明血统纯正 度达60%！你可能对德明还不太 了解，不过没关系，相信你通过与 德明人的相处，会对自己的定位有 更加清晰的看法。期待你的蜕变，加 油！我们以你为荣!
德 明 的 人 后 幕 一涵 （6C31）， 俞紫婷 (5C22) 文稿： 黄
2021，注定又是不平凡的一年。这一年，德明政府中学建校整整六十五周年。风霜六十五载，德明始终 不忘初心，砥砺前行。这其中，校内丰富多彩的活动,令一代又一代德明人记忆深刻，获益无穷。但是，在精彩 活动的背后，又有多少人了解幕后策划者的努力与艰辛？因此，本文将在德明六十五周年之际带领大家走 进幕后默默付出的学生领袖们的生活，一起聆听他们的故事。
自从建校以来，中一迎新会一直是学生理事会成员策划最久，最花费心思的活动之一，它旨在让新生熟 悉校园环境。时光荏苒，岁月如梭，六十五年里，德明迎接了一批又一批的新生,迎新会俨然已经成为了学校 每年必办的的”传统”活动。 3D班的龚奕真是2021年迎新会的策划人之一，她受访时说： “这是我第二次策划中一迎新活动，虽然 准备工作和往年大致相同，但受疫情影响，大部分的活动虽然仍可以在线下举行，但需要遵守安全距离措 施。 ” 策划小组也必须调整或重新设计小组游戏来代替往年全年级参与的游戏和表演，这让他们面对前所 未有的挑战。在此，我们也希望迎新策划组能排除万难，将德明这一优良“传统”延续下去。
中一迎新活动
作为传统华校，中秋佳节历来是德明师生欢聚一堂的时刻。每一年的中秋庆祝会更是经过了双文化学 生理事会与语特理事会的精心筹划。2020年，由于疫情的缘故，中秋庆祝会转为线上，筹委会面临了前所未 有的挑战。双文化理事会主席冼奕彤（6C37）表示他们无法参考往年学长学姐的策划案，完全得靠自己想出 新的活动，并通过这些活动，让大家在云端也感受到浓厚的中秋佳节气氛。 六十五年来，中秋庆祝会俨然成为了德明的一个传统。在此，我们也衷心希望疫情能早日过去，大家重 新相聚中秋，共庆佳节。
31
中秋庆祝会 正所谓“教诲如春风，师恩似海深” ，作为一所传统华校， “尊师重道”这四字已经刻在了一代又一代的 德明人身上。每一年，德明学子们都会举办教师节庆祝活动，向悉心教导我们的教师们表示感谢。从2011年 开始，大众传媒学会的成员每年都会在庆祝会上呈现富有趣味性的视频，博大家一笑。据学会副社长顾睿琳 （6C31）表示，2020年的教师节视频拍摄，他们花了一周时间写剧本，两周时间拍摄，四天时间剪辑视频。 在制作过程中，他们需要不断地修改计划，还需要确保演员、摄影师和老师们能凑到一起拍摄。这一切，实 属不易。
教师节大众传媒学会 建校以来，德明在学生领袖们的带领下一次次创造辉煌。在六十五周年校庆之际，让我们向学生领 袖们致敬，为德明喝彩！ 32
33
甲在镜前梳妆打扮...
开学第一 天，一定要 元气满满！
甲在上学的路上...
想不到我校 的学生这么 注重华族传 统文化！
呼！清晨的空 气真清新，真 令人神清气 爽！
* 同学们 在拍照 *
新来的 甲老师
乙老师
* 一脸欣慰 *
路过正心 园...
周一
甲老师，你 误会了。
甲站在校门口， 默默看着进校的 同学们...
7:45 am
Die liao...
Please leave your house earlier next time... * FT facepalms *
Student checks phone to see when the next bus will arrive...
Mountbatten bus stop, student running to catch the bus...
Story and Illustration by:Kai En 6C32 Illustrations edited by: Shi Qi 6C32
Dunmanian
Well... you see
everyday
* 一脸疑惑 *
原来是 因为我 没戴领 带！
Why were you late for flagraising?
34
这是我校高一学生的传 统，他们每年这个时候 考完PW后都会到孔子雕 像面前合影留念。
乙老师无奈地笑着解释...
I just came out of a practical session.
Chemistry teacher is asked a question...
Why do you look so tired?
Sorry, I’ll try.
Chaotic scene in lab...
CHER, MY TEST TUBE BROKE!
Teacher clearing away glass shards...
CHER,my burette tip cracked! HELP! I dropped my beaker, I need more solution!
Student runs up to teacher who’ who’s mopping up the split solution... Please go use the eyewash.
I think something went in my eye ...
Students, please be nice to your teachers and be more careful in the lab.
OUR TEAM Wong Yee Ching Zhang Yuhao Wan Shi Yun Jaz Low Heng Kai En Lecia Cheok Yun Zhen Lim Jia Hui
Teh Eng Hui, Beatrice Sie Hao Yang Liew Yun Yi Claire Steffie Tan Ling En Liew Zheng Yuan
Chen Ming Chua Wengyan Yang Ya Qi Huang Yihan
Ang Kah Ling Nicole Chew Jing Yi Woo Yu Ning Shirica Leong Xinyi Celeste Claire Chong Ka Mun
Tan Tze Ling Gillian He Ziqi Ng Yen Nee Leonard Lee-Ralph Lim Yue Tai Phua Ying Jie Klare
Jesline Yu Ziting Ong Yee Huan Kor Xuan Xia ChuanJiao
Chen Ming Tew Jia En Heng Kai En
Lecia Cheok Yun Zhen Lim Jia Hui Lu Jia Qi, Celestine
Liew Zheng Yuan
Chew Jing Yi Tan Tze Ling Gillian He Ziqi
Ng Yen Nee Ter Wan Wenn Avriel Lee Xin Yi (Lee Xinyi)
Tay Zi Yun Teryl
Kwek Shi Qi Marielle Louise K
Mr Mark Ho Mdm Hong Lan
35
Proudly brought to you by:
DHS Publications (Senior High) 德明政府中学出版社（高中部）