CCPS ENewsS e m e s t e r 2 V o l u m e 5

Greetings from all of us in CCPS as we end the year.

2015 has been a very memorable year for the school. Having settled in to the upgraded premises, the school focussed its efforts on ensuring quality holistic education experiences for our girls; from sharpening our school Strategic Plan, to continued improvement in the teaching and learning experiences, to enhancements in the physical environment to foster engaged learning. A particularly significant milestone was the installation of our school’s Heritage panels which give interesting insight to the contributions our Canossian sisters have made in education,

healthcare, and building families. These panels formed a part of our school’s SG50 celebrations which showcased the talents of our performing arts groups. We wish to highlight our appreciation for the support provided by the Ministry of Education and our cluster Superintendent Mrs Marian Chia, the National Heritage Board, as well as the commitment and creative talents of our staff and students and the supportive presence of the Parent Support Group members. With our collective collaboration, we celebrated an important historical milestone as one community. This platform together with other school programmes serves to nurture Compassionate Leaders and Passionate Learners in the service of God, country and family.

This edition of the newsletter highlights the school’s various celebrations and significantly the platforms provided for our girls to develop 21st Century Skills such as communication skills, working in groups, critical and inventive thinking skills. Together, these 21st Century Skills help prepare our girls to be future ready. As we close 2015 and reflect on the past year, we are thankful for what we have achieved, and work on how we can do things better so that we can do better things.

I wish everyone a restful holiday and time with the family.

God blessMs Grace Tan

On Hari Raya eve, we watched a performance and later learnt some moves. The performers taught us how the moves

should be like. I like the baju kurung they were wearing. It was very beautiful

and colourful. The performers also asked some pupils to go up the stage and they had a chance to try on the baju kurung. We learnt that there were many different styles and some do not need any pins!

When the concert was over, all of us smiled and clapped. We learnt so much while enjoying ourselves.

Performers demonstrating dance steps for pupils to follow

Pupils participating enthusiastically

Pupils dancing on stage during the grand finale of the concert

A student happily trying on the baju kurung on stage

Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration

Written by Melissa Soo Yan Yee (5 Joy)

Cindy Tan Xinyi (5 Hum)

On the 21 July 2015, pupils commemorated Racial Harmony Day, and to celebrate Singapore’s success as a c clothes to school. “My classmates look beautiful in their traditional clothes!” exclaimed Haritha from P1 Humility. It was indeed true as the school was bright and colourful with lots of pupils in their traditional clothes.

On that day, all pupils had the opportunity to play traditional games like Five Stones, Capteh, Pick-Up Sticks, Hopscotch and Kuti-Kuti. P 3 Charity, P3 Faith and P5 Faith

Racial Harmony Day Celebration

“We are having so much fun!”

Written by Julia Chiang & Valerie Kee

(5 Faith)

Racial Harmony Day Celebration

pupils manned the traditional game stations during their recess. It was a fun-filled day. We bonded with our peers during these games.

An assembly programme “Racial Harmony through Music” was a performance where different ethnic musical instruments permeate seamlessly to produce beautiful music pieces. Pupils swayed and clap to the lively performance.

It was truly a wonderful day with lots of things to be thankful about. We reflected and reminded ourselves how cultural diversity can be harmonious if we appreciate everyone in our homeland. Like the theme “Harmony In Our Hands”, all of us have a part to play in ensuring Singapore’s peace and harmony.

Pupils discussing how to teach their peers how to play the traditional games

“Come on, you can do it!”

MOE SG50 Youth Celebrate! Choral Dance Performance

Ms Tan and our teachers came to give us their support! Our smiles say it all - We were so happy and excited. We had so much fun!

Wowing the crowd with our moves! - taken during one of our rehearsals

On 26 July 2015, my friends and I were very honoured to perform in the MOE SG50 Youth Celebrate! Choral Dance Performance at the Singapore Sports Hub. The event was organised by MOE to celebrate Youth Day and also to officiate the opening of Singapore Sports Hub.

We started the preparation last year and had gone to many combined rehearsals at different venues to practice with dancers from other schools. It was a very wonderful experience as we had

made once-in-a-lifetime friends from Marymount Convent and Xinmin Secondary School.

It was truly a once in a lifetime experience for all of us!

Written by Isabel Khoo (5 Faith)

SG50 Celebration

Humility and Janette from P3 Faith were chosen for the building competition at the end of the play. They had to compete with two pupils from another school to put the buildings back together in the fastest time. When they won, all of us screamed happily and clapped loudly to show our support! After eating our snacks, we went on a tour around the Esplanade. The tour guides brought us to one of the auditoriums. They taught us about how sound travelled in the auditorium and basic etiquette. We even sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to one of the tour guides as it was her birthday that day!

We felt happy at the end of the LJ and were amazed by the play as well as the Esplanade itself. We hope to go for more exciting and interesting plays in the future.

On 28 July 2015, the P3s went for an LJ to Esplanade. I have been there before but it was the first time for some of my friends. We were all feeling very excited to watch a puppet play about Samsui women!

The play was called ‘Samsui Woman – One Brick at a Time’ and it followed the lives of three Samsui women. We enjoyed the play very much as some parts made us laugh out loud while some parts made us tear a little. We learned that Samsui women were very strong and determined when they were building the HDB flats. We cheered loudly when Ting Zhen form P3

Ting Zhen and Janette were both nervous

and excited to start the

competition!

We were surprised by how big the auditorium was!

P3 Learning Journey To Esplanade

Written by Dimasuay RB Gyl len Elisterio

(3 Hum)

This year is Singapore’s Golden Jubilee and CCPS celebrated this joyous occasion over two days. During the two days of celebration, participants were brought through a heritage trial where they learnt the key events in the history of Singapore and how our school and Canossian Eduplex were founded in 1941. CCPS showed how the school had been part of Singapore’s

SG50 Celebration Written by Julia Chiang (5 Faith)

history and how CCPS has contributed to the community through 2-D display and artefacts. During the trail, participants had interactive iPad activities to complement their learning.

Pupils and participants also interacted with each other and immersed in the different uniquely Singaporean experiences like singing Singapore songs, eating Kacang Putih, Henna painting, doing traditional crafts – Bean Art and Paper Cutting, playing traditional childhood games, such as Chapteh, Hopscotch, Zero-point and watching cultural performances.

Participants reflected and jotted down their thoughts on the tags.

A docent from P1 sharing with the participants about her artwork and art-making process.

Docents sharing with participants the key events in the history of Singapore.

Cultural performances put up by the members of our Performing Arts CCAs.

Participants doing traditional crafts – Bean Art and Paper Cutting.

“Majulah Singapura” National Day Celebrations and Lower Primary Games Day 2015

Our school was abuzz with excitement as we participated in Singapore’s Jubilee celebrations which mark 50 years of our independence. A special SG50 celebration throughout the week and it culminated with our annual National Day Celebrations and Lower Primary Games Day on 6 August 2015.

Held in our new Multi-purpose Hall, pupils celebrated it meaningfully. They witnessed the solemn marching-in of the National Flag and School Flags, recollected the contributions of our pioneer generation, sang their favourite community songs and made their commitments to care for Singapore. The special theme for the celebrations was Majulah Singapura, Our Golden Jubilee, which means Onward Singapore! It calls all Singaporeans to remember our roots, reflect on our achievements and anticipate the future with optimism.

Marching-in of National Flag and School Flags

Pupils reciting the Pledge

Pupils sang National Day Community Songs enthusiastically. It was led by Ms Tye and Mrs Pong.

The upper primary pupils participated in Building My SG. Teachers taught about the heritage of the buildings as pupils built landmarks of Singapore and created the future Singapore they hope to see with their building bricks. Through these activities, pupils were able have a better appreciation of Singapore’s heritage. They also learnt the importance of connecting well with one another, and understood the importance of taking ownership in shaping a future Singapore that is inclusive and caring.

Building My SG. Concentrating on completing my building.

Building My SG. Fully focused.I am excited to get my

own building bricks

Helping one another complete the building project

Completed Our Creation

Creating Our Future SG together

This festive mood was carried into the Lower Primary Games Day as the Lower Primary pupils had their games and the inaugural Parent-Child race. Parents came to the school to either watch their children participate in their games or to participate with their child in the Parent-Child race. The theme of the Lower Primary Games Day was Back to Kampong Games, where pupils competed through playing games such as “zero point” and “hopscotch”. Each team was rewarded for their participation and effort at the end of the games.

Enthusiastic parents at the Lower Primary Games Day

Pupils competing.

Mr Lee giving out prizes.

Parents and children in action.

Ms Tan giving out prizes to the winners for the Parent-Child Race.

P4 Learning Journey to Sculpture Walk

On 17 August 2015, the entire Primary 4 level went for a ‘Sculpture Walk’ along the Singapore River as part of our Aesthetics Learning Journey for the year. I was very excited as I have always enjoyed lessons outside the classroom.

Our guide showed us many fascinating statues along the Singapore River. She also informed us that most of the sculptures along the Singapore River reflected what life was like along the river in the past. I really like the sculpture named ‘First Generation, Fullerton Hotel (2000)’ by Chong Fah Cheong. The sculpture showed how it was not an uncommon sight to see naked boys swinging from trees beside the river and jumping into the water with gusto as our Singapore River was once the lifeline of our

country in the past, when the first migrant communities settled around here.

We also walked across the Cavenaugh Bridge where we learned that the bridge was named after the last governor of the Straits Settlement under the Government of British India, William Orfeur Cavenaugh. The bridge was originally built by the Indian convict labour in 1868 but it was refurbished and strengthened in 1987.

The Sculpture Walk was a very valuable experience for me and my fellow schoolmates. It is much more interesting to learn about Singapore’s history this way.

We are listening attentively to instructions given by the tour guide!

We are all excited to start our learning

P5 Learning Journey to Science Centre

(Diversity of Cells)

Written by Amethya Alma Arielyn

(4 Faith)

Written by Andrea Bol liger

(5 Faith)

This is really interesting! I can adjust the microscope to enlarge the specimen.

We are listening attentively to the instructor’s briefing..

August was an exciting month as the P5 pupils made a trip to the Science Centre on 24 August 2015. The objective of this learning journey was to enhance our knowledge on the different types of cell.At the Science Centre, we went to the DNA Laboratory to have our lesson and we conducted experiments. Everyone had to wear a white laboratory coat which made us look like young scientists! A trained instructor gave us a briefing on how to use the microscope. We rubbed the

inside of our inner cheek with a tooth pick to obtain cheek cells and then we dyed the cell sample using iodine so that we could study our cell using the microscope.

“I have never used such an advanced microscope to look at my own cheek cells! It was amazing!” said Julia Chiang from P5 Faith. At the end of the session, everyone was reluctant to go home…

This learning journey will be etched in our minds for a long time…

Teachers’ Day Celebration

Written by Phua Lock Hian

(5 Faith)

The P3 pupils holding light sticks during their performance.

Blanca, from P1 Faith and the parent volunteers from the Parent Support Group (PSG) put up a Spanish dance performance for the teachers.

The Sunshine Club put up a djembe percussion performance for the school.

William A. Ward said ‘The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.’ Indeed, teachers are special and their impact lasts a lifetime.

Canossa Convent Primary School celebrated this special event on Thursday, 3 September 2015 during morning assembly.

Teachers’ day is also known as Music Day in our school. It is a platform for pupils to put up performances on the school’s stage to show their appreciation to their teachers. The event started off with the P1 pupils. They put up an adorable dance performance for the school. “The most

memorable performance for me was the skit by the primary five pupils. The drama videos brought a lot of laughter to the celebrations. I was so excited seeing myself on the screen’ said Noval from P5 Faith.

Another highlight of the event was the ‘Guess the Teacher’ quiz where pupils have to look at baby photos and guess the teachers. This quiz tested pupils’ observation skills and brought much hype to the celebration.

The event ended with a prayer for teachers and mini celebrations in the classrooms.

CCPS Children’s Day Celebration - The Rainbow Connection! Written by

Julia Chiang & Chai Gien Kay (5 Faith)

On 8 October 2015, CCPS celebrated Children’s Day with much anticipation and enthusiasm. Following closely to our theme - “The Rainbow Connection!”, pupils from the various levels came to school dressed in the colour designated to their level, thus representing a colourful community in CCPS; one that is diverse in culture and beliefs but stand united as ONE.

Teachers’ Day Celebration

The teachers started off the event with their funky and entertaining K-Pop dance which was greeted by a thunderous applause from the pupils. Kudos to all our teachers who went all out to prove to pupils that not only do we celebrate pupils’ talents and individuality on that day but we would also like to lead by example and show our support for the pupils by staging a “choreographed” dance performance.

For the Best Dressed Contest, selected pupils from different classes were invited to go up on stage in their dazzling outfits, forming the colours of the rainbow! Our pupils do have a fine taste in choosing their outfits, which ranged from classy princess-like dresses to trendy hip-hop outfits. There were also some who were so creative that they came dressed in outfits that they had put together on their own such as those who turned up as ‘hula’ dancers and even minions!

The event finally culminated into the long-awaited moment – our very own CCPS Superstar! Our superstars had worked very hard in rehearsing and preparing for the event, from their auditions till the day of their performances. Needless to say, their efforts had paid off and every one of us will agree that our superstars are truly outstanding and talented! Congratulations to our top three winners: Hong Jimin, Lugtu Andrea Ysabelle Chua,, Caranto Janika Reese Siy & Arnal Pascual Matisse Angelique, from 1 Faith, Diane Shaqira Binte Rohaizad, from 3 Humility and Anastacia Mary Chieng Zhi Wei, from 5 Humility.

This year, we have added a new segment known as ‘Most Popular Performance’. Pupils were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite performance after the concert and the winners for this segment went to Vijayakumar Atharshlakshmi and Sim Zhi Yu Jerlene from 4 Faith. A resounding applause and a big thank you to these girls for their contributions! The celebration did not only end with the concert but it continued till pupils’ recess time where pupils were enticed to join in a “flash mob” dance performed by our Parent Support Group (PSG). Pupils were taken by

surprise when they heard the hit song “Shake it Off” being played ten minutes before recess was over. They were even more thrilled when our PSG stated dancing to the song, followed by some of their teachers. Soon, pupils started to lose their inhibitions and started dancing to the song too. The response was so overwhelming that the song was played for the second time!

All in all, the celebration has brought about a fun-filled time where pupils get to enjoy the different talents showcased by their friends, teachers and parents. Indeed, it was a special event for everyone in CCPS!

Mother Tongue Fortnight Activities 2015

Written by Julia Chiang & Chai Gien

Kay (5 Faith)

MTL Fortnight activities were carried out over two weeks, once in each semester, as part of post exam activities. The primary objective of MTL Fortnight activities is to enable students to use their mother tongue and to speak reconnect with their respective culture. Various activities are planned for different levels.

Chinese Department had activities like finger painting, clay modelling, Speech and Drama, Chinese Calligrapy, tea appreciation, modern rhythmic dance, Xin Yao and an understanding of festival such as Dong Zhi.

Malay Department had activities like bunga manggar, batik painting, traditional Malay games, kite-making, basket weaving, khat calligraphy, 5 basics steps of Malay dance as well as speech and drama.

Tamil Department had activities like clay modelling of Peacock, designing of Kolam, henna, Thoranam, as well as Indian dance.

Parents and children in action.

The theme for Primary 4 Mother Tongue Camp is on Customs and this year the focus was on how Weddings were carried out in the different cultures. We hope that our student can reconnect with their roots, to understand the symbolic significance of their respective customary wedding practices. In addition, three different ethnic groups had the opportunity to visit the booths of other races, to understand customary wedding practices of other races. Such interaction helped to promote racial harmony as pupils learnt more about one another and appreciated each other’s cultures.

Primary 4 Mother Tongue Camp 2015

Written by Julia Chiang & Chai Gien

Kay (5 Faith)

On 7 October 2015, we ended our Primary School Leaving Examinations. All of us were over the moon. After the exams, our teachers organised a few post-exam activities for us.

P6 Post-PSLE ActivitiesWritten by

Shannon Yip and Sakthivel (6 Cha)

Our guitar instructor was very friendly and we had learnt a lot of tips on how to play the guitar better.

Guitar lessons- Grooving with guitarsDuring our 4-day guitar lesson, we learnt how to play the guitar better. We even had the opportunity to showcase what we learnt to our teachers and friends during the P6 Guitar Level Performance. Every class did their best and we enjoyed one another performances. Through this experience, we learnt about resilience, team spirit and compassion. We learnt to encourage and not criticise one another. The guitar performance ended on a high note when the guitar instructors played for us the songs that we loved.

inside of our inner cheek with a tooth pick to obtain cheek cells and then we dyed the cell sample using iodine so that we could study our cell using the microscope.

“I have never used such an advanced microscope to look at my own cheek cells! It was amazing!” said Julia Chiang from P5 Faith. At the end of the session, everyone was reluctant to go home…

This learning journey will be etched in our minds for a long time…

The spectators cheered heartily for the team players who were determined to bring glory to their class.

Our friends from P6 Charity and their K2 Magdalene Kindergarten buddy in the canteen. The K2 children were giving the opportunity to apply what they learnt about money to buy food from the canteen.

The Post-PSLE activities brought joy to everyone and we thanked our teachers for organising them for us.

Taken outside ‘The Pernankan Museum’ - We had so much fun.

P6 Peranakan Museum Field TripAll the Primary 6 pupils went to The Peranakan Museum on 3 different days. We were split into 3 groups and were brought on a guided tour around the museum. We learnt more about the peranakan culture and how their lives were like in the past. We really enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

Hosting the Magdelene Kindergarten K2 Children P6 Charity had the honoured of hosting 35 K2 children from Magalene Kindergarten. The programme on that day were co-planned by us and our teacher. The activities included an interaction session, a game of charades, a music lesson with our music teacher and a Mathematics lesson on money. We had fun teaching the younger children how to count and use money. At the end of the day, we even bought the children to the canteen to buy food. This experience had taught us patience and the skill to work with others better, especially young children. This was indeed an unforgettable experience!

P6 Games DayWe also had our P6 Games Day where two teams of four represented their class to compete in a game of Captain’s Ball with one other. It was a fierce and exciting competition as all the skilful team players fought hard to bring glory to their class. The spectators were also very excited and all of us cheered very loudly for the players. It was also on this day that we witnessed the Primary 6 pupils demonstrating the values of commitment, compassion and cheerfulness. In the end, P6 Charity won. Congratulations P6 Charity!

Taken outside ‘The Pernankan Museum’ - We had so much fun.

On 9 November 2015, the P6 pupils spent the day showing their appreciation to their teachers and peers. They thanked everyone for being there for them throughout the year and their time in CCPS. They were also given the opportunity to express their appreciation through a performance.

Photos of how they were previously till current were shown and pupils became teary eyed when they recalled how they have blossomed from a P1 pupil in 2010 to a young lady in 2015. P6 pupils promised to go off to their secondary school with the 3Cs (Commitment, Compassion and Cheerfulness) that CCPS have inculcated in them. They also promised to visit and celebrate their successes with the teachers even when they are in their various secondary schools.

The Appreciation Day was a great way to celebrate pupils’ successes and mark their 6 wonderful years in CCPS.

P6 Appreciation Day

Pupils were given the opportunity to take the mic and thank everyone.

Ms Tan addressing pupils during her Opening Speech

Pupils performing on stage to show their appreciationWritten by

Shannon Yip and Sakthivel (6 Cha)

On 16 November 2015, the P5 pupils invited some elderly from CARElderly to CCPS and spent the day meaningfully with them. They took this opportunity to emulate what St Magdalene would have done for the elderly.

The elderly and pupils bonded as they did bag painting, played games and even ate lunch together. The day ended with the pupils putting up performances for the elderly. Magdalene Kindergarten pupils also prepared some performances for the elderly. The elderly clapped along to the lively and cheery performances.

The elderly went homes with smiles on their faces and their lovely personalized photo frame with a photo taken with our P5 pupils. What a memorable memento to end this memorable day!

P5 Values-in-Action (VIA)Ms Tan talking to the elderly at CARElderly

Personalizing their colourful photo frames

Beautifying their bags

Playing games

Magdalene Kindergarten pupils performing for the elderly