Principal’s Message for NAPS 70th Anniversary Spectrum 2010

I recall the words of John Dewey, an American educational reformer whose ideas have been very influential in education: “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” I am often overwhelmed by the depth of the meaning of the statement. It evokes the mix feelings of trepidation and hope. Fear - at the thought of the impact my decisions can have on my children. Hope - at the possibilities that can be paved for them.  When I watch kids walk into 344 Marine Terrace on their very first day of school, I think about what I want them to be like when they walk out on their last day with us, and on the day I bump into them 15 or 30 years later. Over the last five years watching kids walk into the school, it has become clear that I want them to SHINE with brilliance and in harmony with the community. I want them to be ..............................Successful individuals ..............................Healthy individuals .......................with Intergrity ...with Love for our Nation, Singapore with the tenacity to Excel in whatever they do

I want pupils to learn to use the resources around them, to read something they are interested in and follow up on it. I want them to have an idea and then talk to people about it, pick up a book and read more about it, or sit down and write about it. When I imagine them as adults, I see thinkers and doers who follow their passions.

I also see them as ones with strong body and strong mind who can withstand the tests of life. They feel good about themselves and are good and honest people in the way they live their lives. They have the courage to stand up and speak for what they believe is right, and to do the right things. They respect others and care about the people around them and the world. Their love for the Nation is the reason for them to excel in whatever they do. They move from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. Such is their tenacity to excel.

When I see someone gives, I see the person shines. It is befitting to have ‘Giving’ as the theme of our 70th Anniversary Celebration. It is in giving that we live. Ngee Ann Primary has been born out of the selfless giving of our forefathers and continues to exist because of the generous giving of Ngee Ann Kongsi. To mark the 70th year of the founding of the school, we set a corporate target of giving $70,000 to MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore) through the funds raised from ‘Culture Alive!’ and Banquet. With the staff, pupils, Kongsi, parents, ex-pupils and partners united as one, I believe we will achieve the target.

‘Culture Alive!’ is also the means by which the school is giving to the community. During the 2-day event, school grounds are open to the community to experience the richness of the cultures of our four ethnic races. It signifies the school’s commitment in providing the common space for pupils of varied cultural and religious background to learn together and build strong bonds. It is of significant that ‘Culture Alive!’ will be launched by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on 26 March 2010. I hope it will become the periodic event of character which the community looks forward to.

In terms of personal giving, I want to grow in the following four areas and I hope every member of the Ngee Ann family grows in these areas too:

• Giving Grace
  choose to forgive than to get even
• Giving Encouragement
  catch others doing right and praise them
• Giving Effort
  learn continuously and diligently so that I am skillful in serving
• Giving Money
  give generously and cheerfully from whatever I have

As I was admiring the sculpture beautifully crafted for the school by sculptor Mr Chua Boon Kee to depict the school motto ‘Onward in Unity’, I was reminded of the importance and the power of unity. Our nation could only be as strong as the unity forged among the people of different races. Our school could only fulfill the goals of education when school management, school leaders, teachers, parents and partners work together in unity. I value greatly the strong collaboration among various stakeholders. As we relentlessly strengthen the team capacity and team work, we will see every pupil who comes through our school SHINE with brilliance and in harmony with the community.