Principal’s Message for NAPS Newsletter 2009 In the Year of Excellence, last year, we learnt the 3 R’s to excellence: Remember the values of our forefathers Recreate a new mould in our minds Rebuild a strong relationship among us

Indeed, 2008 was a year of excellence as we saw the tremendous growth in the holistic development of our pupils. Our Primary School Leaving Examination PSLE) results continued to surpass the national average in terms of overall and quality passes in most subjects. Our top pupil, Tan Wei Ler, achieved an aggregate of 275 and sustained the record high aggregate set by Jolyn Khoo in 2007. In addition, our pupils won at least 55 high awards in national and international competitions in the various academic fields.

In aesthetics, we received a total of 6 medals in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF):

1. Gold with Honours for Chinese Orchestra and Chinese Dance
2. Gold for Guzheng Ensemble and Malay Dance
3. Silver for Indian Dance and Choir

The excellence of our Chinese Dance was further recognized by the Ministry of Education (MOE) when they were selected to present at the SYF Dance Concert. Our Chinese Orchestra Percussion Ensemble was also selected to perform at the Opening of the inaugural Chinese Orchestra Conference organized by MOE, and at the Opening of the East Zone Centre of Excellence for Creative Arts.

In sports, our table tennis Junior Boys and Senior Boys emerged as the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up respectively in the East Zone Inter-Schools Table-Tennis Tournament. A team of five pupils, Leon Goh, Arnold Teo, Shasqil Rukirsor Sofyan, Lee Yan Ru and Lee Yan Liang were selected to represent Singapore in the World Sports Stacking Championship held in Denver, Colorado, and emerged as 1st runner up in the under-11 division.  Arnold, Shasqil and Yan Liang also won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals respectively in the individual events.

We have also initiated many creative and effective programmes to develop pupils in 21st century skills and to develop them holistically. Examples include Chinese Cultural Camp, Structured Curriculum on Character Education, Enculturation Trip to Sabah for Needy Pupils, iLearn Programme, Cultural Village on Racial Harmony Day, and the numerous community involvement activities which are focused and meaningful.

As we remembered the values of our forefathers, we reviewed and revised our school values to a set of four core values:

Every member of the Ngee Ann family shall continuously be mindful of these four values which must act as guides for every decision we take or action we initiate as we move towards the school vision.

2009 is a Year of Transformation. Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, we are to transform ourselves to live out the power and the beauty that are already within us. This year, we will do three things:

1. Think Positively
There are qualities of goodness, power and beauty in you. Believe that.

2. Take Responsibility
Use the talents and capabilities in you for good work. Work hard.

3. Love Your Neighbour as Yourself
Do everything out of love for others. Be a blessing.

Let us put on a positive mindset and carry out our responsibilities diligently, motivated by love for others.
I wish all of you a Year of Transformation!