YMCA SCC @ TAO NAN January to June 2018
Dear Parents/Guardian, The following is a snapshot of the exciting programmes and experiences specially organised for students at YMCA Tao Nan Student Care Centre from January—June 2018. We thank all students, parents and mentors for sharing their lives, joy and laughter with us.
The Good Character Award recognises students who demonstrate exemplary character and outstanding personal qualities through their daily actions and behavior. The award undergirds YMCA’s ongoing efforts in inculcating and enhancing desired values in all students.
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR We kicked off the year of the Dog with an exhilarating celebration of the 2018 Chinese New Year. The students did an amazing job decorating the Centre with oriental lanterns using recycled red packets brought from home. The younger children also learned about the traditional symbols and elements that mark the Chinese New Year Celebration. The legend behind these traditions and the zodiac animals from the Chinese calendar were relayed too.
Students from all levels all dressed up in their traditional Chinese ethnic costumes
Pri 1 showing off their Chinese New Year craft
Primary 1 — Hester Chua
Primary 2 — Elenor Quah
Primary 3 — Keith Oh
Primary 4 — Rachel Lee
Primary 5 — Natalie Wang
Primary 6— Lee Tze Rui
YMCA SCC @ TAO NAN January to June 2018
February is always a busy month full of special occasions. Valentine’s Day normally serves as a day for passion and romance. The children did not forget about their loved ones, specifically those who gave them life—their parents. They know that their parents love them most. Thus they were sure to return their love at least once a year, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to spread the affection.
Easter is one of the most festive events among Christians worldwide. The students love the process of colouring the eggs—the colours are so bright and beautiful!
The students love decorating the noticeboard with their Easter egg
Budding junior chefs from the Primary 3 and 5 classes also spending some time whipping up a little Easter Magic by making an easy dessert with marshmallow and chocolate. Pri 2 children with their DIY artwork filled with a message of love
Pri 4 children expressing their heartfelt emotions through the power of words
Left to right - Anna & Emma adding chocolate syrup and rainbow rice to their marshmallow
Pri 4 girls are extremely proud of their artwork
Pri 3 students with their delicious Marshmallows!
YMCA SCC @ TAO NAN January to June 2018
The students started Y Sport Stacking, also known as cup stacking or speed stacking in Term 1. It requires the students to stack and unstack cups in various specific formations as fast as possible. According to recent studies, sport stacking improves concentration and hand-eye coordination, and utilises both the right and left brain. It also improves bilateral coordination, the ability to use both sides of the body at the same time in an organised manner.
Term 2, the students did Imagination Gone Wild which provides children with the foundation knowledge of Art Principles and the Elements of Art. It equipped them with basic colour rendering skills. The children worked on a different theme each week including ‘Monsters’, ‘Space’ and ‘Birds’.
Pri 4 mentor, Ms Ilah demonstrating on the theme “Monsters”
Left to right - Teck Wee & Yiok Kiat practicing for their upcoming Y Sport Stacking Competition
[Children at work after mentor’s demonstration]
Our boys in Upper Primary relay team in action—Ong Yiok Kiat (P3), Ong Teck Wee (P3), Valerie Seng (P3) & Fang Hong Bo (P3)
Through the foundation programme, we aim to nurture the children into confident learners who can freely express their ideas and passions in life creatively through art. We also hope to instill values such as responsibility and compassion to nurture children into caring individuals in society. Using coloured pencils as a medium, the children look at the world from the perspectives of different artists, learn about their artistic intentions and proceed to create artworks which convey their dreams and aspirations.
YMCA SCC @ TAO NAN January to June 2018
Mother’s day is a celebration honouring the hard work and love of mothers around the world. On this very day, the students decided to spoil their mothers to express their utmost gratitude for their unconditional love.
P4 students with their bouquet of flowers for their mothers
P2 students with their DIY pop-up cards for their mothers
Right after Mother’s Day, Father’s Day came soon after, and there was nothing our fathers appreciated more than a handmade card from their children.
Showcasing P2’s Fathers’ Day Card
Showcasing P4’s Fathers’ Day Card
P3 students with their handmade cards for their mothers Lee Tse Rui (P6) working on her Fathers’ Day Card
YMCA SCC @ TAO NAN January to June 2018
Explorer Junior: Cranky Robot
Explorer Junior: Design a Drawbot
In this workshop, students will be taught the basics of wheels and axis. Using the knowledge acquired, they will be tasked to build a Cranky Robot with the materials provided.
This workshop introduces children to the fundamentals of electrical circuit and how we can tweak it around to make a robot. A simple Drawbot has a mechanism that holds a pen and motors around a piece of paper.
The students painting their Cranky Robot with their favourite colours
The students sketching what they think their robots will look like
From left to right: Lucas (P1) & Ethan (P1) assembling their robot
The students are guided step by step on the process of making the Drawbot
Look! Claris (P1) done with her drawbot
Aiden Goh (P3) testing out his Cranky Robot
YMCA SCC @ TAO NAN January to June 2018
Toa Payoh Safra: Kidz Amaze Kidz Amaze, Safra Toa Payoh holds the distinction of being Singapore’s most exciting indoor playground. This is clearly evident when you step through the doors of the play space inside.
There are air fountains that send foam balls flying into the air
Movie Magic: Duck Duck Goose! The students often want to spend more time with their friends in school. This is a perfect opportunity for them to enjoy their favourite movie together. It would be more enjoyable when they watch it on the movie screen complemented with surround sound which adds on the fun to their experience. The students waiting eagerly for the hopper to tip over
The children enjoying their popcorns and drinks before the movie The three-lane slide provide another fun option to descend from level 2 to level 1
The play area has comfy looking bean bags for the children to rest after they are tired from running around
Watching a movie together is also a great way for the mentors to spend time together with the students. After watching the movie, mentors can also take time to have a conversation about what they watched.
YMCA SCC @ TAO NAN January to June 2018
We hosted our annual Y Junior Entrepreneurship Programme to continue our fundraising efforts for Tao Nan School Students Pocket Money Fund. This year, we made Shrinky Dinks from recycled plastic. We also made bookmarks and table mats.
Ezra Wong (P3), one of our student volunteers making his rounds to sell the bookmarks
From Left to Right: Valerie (P3) and Reymus (P4) are our student volunteers for the day
PM Lee Hsien Loong gracing the event
Senior Mentor, Ms Tan, displaying good sales technique to her “prospective clients�
We hope this encourage the children to show love and care for the people around them especially the needy by taking part in fund raising activities.
Large crowds appeared early at our booth
YMCA SCC @ TAO NAN January to June 2018
Hiroshima Peace Lantern Programme 2018 Once again this year, we participated in the Hiroshima Peace Lantern Programme 2018. The ceremony began several years after Hiroshima experienced the tragedy of the atomic bombing that took away many lives. In memory of this bombing, people gather at the riverside at the Peace Park and make Peace Lanterns decorated with paintings and messages to express their hopes and wishes for peace. Students were taught the importance of peace and universal love.
Our final product!
We have come to the end of another busy semester and we would like to thank all parents, mentors and students who work together to contribute to a great centre we have here.
From left to right, Caleb (P2) & Yiok Xuan (P1) doing their best for the community
We have wonderful, enthusiastic students who put their very best foot forward every day. They have shown how kind, caring, welcoming and friendly they are; and they have worked hard on all of the in-house activities their mentors have planned for them. In addition, they have represented our centre very well in events outside the school. Sadly, we have to say goodbye to Ms. Jein, Ms. Wen Fei and Ms. Victoria who have worked with us for the past 6 months and supported the students in their learning. We wish both of them well and continued success in their studies.
YMCA Student Care Centre @ Tao Nan 49 Marine Crescent Singapore 449761 Le Ying (P1) displaying her artwork in front of the camera
Tel: 6244 0681