YMCA CHIJ (TOA PAYOH) STUDENT CARE CENTRE NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 – DECEMBER 2015
Inside this issue: THE BEST OF 2015 1 JACOB BALLAS GARDEN PERANAKAN MUSEUM 2 TEACHER’S DAY CONCERT KIDZ AMAZE STORY TELLING FINALS 3 MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL CHILDREN’S DAY PARTY MARINA BARRAGE 4 TRAMPOLINE PARK BATIK PAINTING FUN BOWLING 5 DIGITAL ART WORKSHOP ASEAN PARA GAMES 6 EDU FARM TRAIL DESIGN A COIN BANK CHRISTMAS PARTY 7 ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS UPCOMING EVENT 8
The Best of 2015 With the year’s winding down, there is no better time than now to take stock of all that whizzed by in the past six months and recap some of our best programmes and outings for the second half of 2015. In keeping with YMCA’s values-driven programmes, our children had a busy time making key chains and photo frames to sell and raise funds under our Junior Entrepreneur programme which inculcates values of responsibility, generosity and care We take this opportunity to thank parents for their generous support as we managed to raise a total of $ 317.25 for the school fund. In addition, we also thank parents for their contributions and presents that were given for Teacher’s Day, Children’s Day and Christmas last year. Parents, your kindness is very much appreciated. We would also like to commend our P1 & P2 girls who performed a heartwarming song, “In This Moment” for their school’s Teacher’s Day Concert. All in, it was a wonderful year in 2015 and we wish for an even better 2016.
Best wishes, Janice and Team .
Excursions & Specials (July – December 2015) Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden 20 August 2015 Story Telling Finals 10 September 2015 Trampoline Park 23 November 2015 ASEAN Para Games 8 December 2015
Peranakan Museum 21 August 2015 Mid Autumn Festival Celebration 25 September 2015 Batik Painting Workshop 25 November 2015 Edu Farm Trail 15 December 2015
Teacher’s Day Performance 3 September 2015 Children’s Day Party 9 October 2015
Kidz Amaze 9 September 2015
Fun Bowling 1 December 2015
Samsung Digital Art 7 December 2015
Design a Coin Bank 16 December 2015
Christmas Party 23 December 2015
Marina Barrage 19 October 2015
1|P age
YMCA CHIJ (TOA PAYOH) STUDENT CARE CENTRE NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 – DECEMBER 2015
Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden (20 August) A day out to Jacob Ballas Garden was not all about play only. The girls also got to learn the basic knowledge of harvesting energy from human movement at the Magic of Photosynthesis five podiums and differentiating the different herbs through smell and texture of leaves at the Sensory Garden. They also learnt all about nutrient cycling and colour dyes from plants.
The children had fun cranking the lever on the water podium very quickly to see mists exuding from the tree.
Trepidation gave way to courage as the girls start to enjoy the thrill of crossing the suspension bridge. After a day of exploring and learning, it’s playtime at the sandpit and tree house!
Peranakan Museum (21 August) Aspects of Peranakan life from cradle to grave were explored in ten permanent galleries, with highlights including the elaborate 12-day Peranakan wedding, prominent Peranakans in Singapore's history, as well as Peranakan food and feasting. The children were also provided a glimpse of how modern-day Peranakans have evolved with their culture.
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Learning all about the elaborately embroidered sarong kebaya.
The children were surprised to learn that among the famous Peranakan personalities who had shaped Singapore are the late Mr & Mrs Lee Kuan Yew, Mr Gan Eng Seng, and philanthropist Mr Tan Tock Seng. 2|P age
YMCA CHIJ (TOA PAYOH) STUDENT CARE CENTRE NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 – DECEMBER 2015
Teacher’s Day Performance (3 September) Our P1 and P2 girls did us proud when they performed a heartwarming Teacher’s Day song, “In This Moment” for their teachers during their school concert.
Singing the finale song for the CHIJ Teacher’s Day Concert
Kidz Amaze (9 September) The children really let their hair down and had endless fun climbing, sliding, rolling, romping and exploring the many nooks and crannies of this massive 17000 square feet playground at Safra Jurong. Resting and having fun in the small ball pit.
Left: The girls squealing in delight after firing the canon balls.
Story Telling Competition (10 September) Four girls represented CHIJ (Toa Payoh) for the 3rd Story Telling Competition held at YMCA of Singapore on 10th September. The theme was “Singapore Stories” in line with the nation’s SG50 celebrations. Parents came out in full force to give moral support to their children on the day of the competition.
3|P age
YMCA CHIJ (TOA PAYOH) STUDENT CARE CENTRE NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 – DECEMBER 2015
Mid Autumn Festival Celebrations (25 September) The children had an enjoyable time singing “moon-themed’ Mandarin songs and watching a video on the legend of Chang’e and Hou Yi. After learning all about the origin of the festival, the children had fun guessing riddles on the lanterns. Those who had the correct answers got to keep the lanterns.
The children having fun guessing the answers to the riddles hung on the lanterns
Children’s Day Party (9 October) A day of fun and frolic, presents and yummy food! The children first enjoyed a sumptuous feast of fried macaroni, chicken wings, fishball, popiah and a variety of local kueh, followed by endless rounds of games and songs. Every child went home happily with a goodie bag too!
Marina Barrage (19 October)
The guide showing how the gates open to release excess storm water into the sea when the tide is low. When it’s high tide, giant pumps whirr into action, draining water into the sea.
The girls having fun under the sun as they frolicked in the water play area.
The children were first taken on a guided tour of the Gallery which showcased the dam and showed how the nine gates and pump work to control water in the dam. Unfortunately, when we visited, the haze prevented the children from flying kites on its rooftop but they still had lots of fun playing with water at the fountains. 4|P age
YMCA CHIJ (TOA PAYOH) STUDENT CARE CENTRE NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 – DECEMBER 2015
Trampoline Park (23 November) First stop for the year end holidays - Amped Trampoline Park. Our students literally went crazy jumping, bouncing and hurling themselves against and off the walls.
Having a whale of a time on the trampolines .
Batik Painting (25 November) The children had an interesting time when they attended a “Batik Painting Workshop” during the holidays and learned how to paint vibrant colours on a piece of prewaxed satin cloth to create their own handcrafted batik art piece. The batik piece was then air dried and framed. Learning how to pre wax the design with hot wax to prevent colour- run. Focused concentration.
Beautiful batik pieces from our girls.
Fun Bowling (1 December) Without doubt, the outing to the Bowling Centre at Orchid Bowl, Chevrons, was an exciting one. The children squealed with delight when they took to the lanes, rolling the balls like little professionals under the watchful eye of the coach. Some, who had never bowled before, had so much fun that they requested for more time at the lanes and a repeat programme in future. 5|P age
YMCA CHIJ (TOA PAYOH) STUDENT CARE CENTRE NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 – DECEMBER 2015
Coach Lee explaining to the children how to insert the fingers correctly in the bowling ball to get a good grip.
Getting the correct posture before rolling the ball.
Digital Art Workshop (7 December) Students were taught to use the digital medium to unleash their creativity and create beautiful art pieces with the theme SG50. It was fun as the students could undo and redo their designs and see their completed artwork uploaded online immediately.
Students hard at work designing and creating their artwork.
8th ASEAN Para Games (8 December) The ASEAN Para Games – a biennial multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities – was hosted in Singapore for the first time in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th birthday celebrations. Our girls were first introduced to the various sports played at the Para Games through specially designed activities to provide them insights of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. When they watched the Wheelchair Basketball Game later, they were able to empathise and respect the athletes’ indomitable spirit. Top Right: Feeling her way around blindfolded.
Bottom Left: A challenge to toss the ball into the pail without moving from the chair.
6|P age
YMCA CHIJ (TOA PAYOH) STUDENT CARE CENTRE NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 – DECEMBER 2015
Edu Farm Trail (15 December) Our girls immersed themselves in the Kranji countryside of Singapore when they went on a Edu Farm Trail with Uncle Williams. They learnt about vegetable farming and mushroom growing in Singapore, touched American Bullfrogs and chicks and visited a bird’s nest museum! They even had the chance to feed the rabbits, tortoises and goats at Farmart.
Listening attentively to the guide as she explains how bird’s nest is extracted and produced.
Taking turns to feed the goats.
Design a Coin Bank (16 December) The girls learned how to knead, shape, roll, flatten and add texture to craft dough to create their own coin bank. The more creative girls were able to personalize their ‘house’ coin bank by adding distinguishing features like chimneys and window curtains too! Hard at work designing their coin bank.
Christmas Party (23 December) The girls had fun selecting props for their glamorous shots at the Photo Booth before lunch. After a lavish lunch, the girls were also treated to chocolate dip fruits and ice cream.
MERRY XMAS!
Best Friends Forever
Then it was time for a sing-a-long session of Christmas songs followed by games and non-stop fun.
7|P age
YMCA CHIJ (TOA PAYOH) STUDENT CARE CENTRE NEWSLETTER JULY 2015 – DECEMBER 2015
Enrichment Programmes Fun With Chinese (Term 3)
Children learning how to read the Chinese phrase, its meaning and associated words and things.
Y Basketball (Term 4) Students were introduced to basic basketball skills, rules, methods of playing, teamwork and character development. Practices were held once a week and a friendly match was organised at the end of the enrichment programme.
The girls learn basic ball throwing and catching skills.
Junior Entrepreneur Program ( June – August ) Our students learned to be young entrepreneurs by making and selling products to raise money for their less privileged friends in school. This year’s program was successfully concluded in August with $317.25 raised for the school’s Pocket Money Fund. Keychains
Colourful photo frames
YMCA Student Care Centre @ CHIJ (Toa Payoh) 628 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh Singapore 319765 Tel: 6259 4577 Email: ijscc@ymca.edu.sg
Upcoming Event Chinese New Year Celebration Friday 5th February 2016
8|P age