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BEDOK VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL

PARENTS’ LINK

Term 1 2018

Mother Tongue Language Fortnight

Learning Journey to Art Stage 2018

Historical Investigation: Secondary Two

Learning Journey to former Ford Factory

Museum

Total Defence Day

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Secondary One Level Camp

Secondary Two Level Camp

Secondary Three Level Camp

Secondary Four and Five Level Camp

Events in Term 1

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BEDOK VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL

PARENTS’ LINK

Term 1 2018

The school carried out the first part of our Mother Tongue Languages

(MTL) Fortnight from 15 to 19 January with a series of activities for the

various language units. The objective of this programme is to provide

opportunities for the students to learn more about their Mother Tongue

Languages and for them to understand their own culture through

active participation. We also aim to allow our students to experience

the joy of learning through authentic usage and exposure to MTL.

Lastly, through participation in cross-cultural activities, we hope to

promote better understanding of MT cultures in Singapore.

Some activities that were carried out were a drama appreciation

session and reading programmes for the Chinese Language students.

The Malay Language students had the opportunity to experience Silat

(a form of Malay martial art) training, communal dining and a learning

journey to learn about herbs. Not forgetting the Tamil Language

students who had lessons on creating an artwork using coconut

leaves.

Lastly, the Secondary One to Secondary Three students had

participated in a combined “Pongal Rice Harvest Festival” activity

where they have learnt more about the festival and its tradition. They

also got the opportunity to participate in a dance item.

Through the enthusiastic response of our students during the various

activities, we hope that we have inspired the students to love and take

interest in the learning of their MTL.

Mother Tongue Languages Fortnight

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Learning Journey to Art Stage

On 26 January, a group of Upper Secondary Art students embarked on

an Art learning journey to Art Stage Singapore over at the Marina Bay

Sands Exposition and Convention Centre. Featuring the best of Asian

Contemporary art, it is a space where art and collectible designs come

together, overlapped in their unique identities, tradition and culture. This

learning journey aimed to provide a platform for students to tap on the

rich learning opportunities through the art galleries. This would enable

them to grasp insightful knowledge through the interactive discussions

on contemporary art between artists and collectors. The objective was

for the students to understand the importance of the role of artists and

curators in developing a vibrant art scene.

This Art learning journey programme has provided the students with a

wide range of experiences where they are able to put their learning into

practice. The students were given a task to select and curate the best

three Asian Contemporary artworks using the DAIE (Describe, Analyse,

Interpret and Evaluate) method. It was intended to empower them to

take charge of their own learning and to help them through their

thinking processes for their coursework.

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Historical Investigation: Secondary Two Learning

Journey to former Ford Factory Museum

On 22 January, 29 January and 5 February, the Secondary Two

students embarked on a learning journey to the newly-renovated

Former Ford Factory which was the site of the historic surrender of the

British to the Japanese. It was aimed to enhance what the Secondary

Two students have learned about what Singapore went through under

the Japanese Occupation during World War II. The students walked

through the museum which contained various artefacts and visited an

outdoor garden where they saw the crops that people grew during the

Japanese Occupation. It was an enriching experience for them as they

were able to interact with the artefacts which included videos and voice

recordings of the war survivors. This learning journey has no doubt,

improved the students’ understanding of the people’s experiences

during the war as well as instilled in them a sense of appreciation for

the comforts they enjoy today.

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Total Defence Day

The theme for Total Defence Day 2018 is ‘Together We Keep

Singapore Strong’. It is to reaffirm the solidarity, strength and values

that have brought the nation to where it is now and that will bring

Singapore forward into the next phase. During the commemoration of

this event, BV students have learnt to appreciate the roles played by

different individuals and groups of Singaporeans through Total Defence

Day lessons and programmes.

To commemorate Total Defence Day, Bedok Viewans were exposed to

an array of programmes, ranging from level-based differentiated

activities to an upcoming Air Force Exhibition at our Bedok Heartlands.

The programmes included a “First Aid Bandaging Activity” for the

Secondary One students and a very interesting Total Defence card

game called the “Guardians of the City” for the Secondary Two

students. As for the Secondary Three students, they enjoyed a special

lesson entitled “React & Survive” based on the Straits Times IN Edition.

To spice up the event, a Total Defence booth was set up in the canteen

by our very own Red Dot Ambassadors. With our strong partnership

with Nexus, Major Sam Ong gave an inspiring speech to the Secondary

Four and Five students regarding Singapore’s Military Defence.

Overall, the various Total Defence Day programmes sought to convey

the message that we are able to enjoy what we have today because of

the determination, resilience and hard work of many generations of

Singaporeans who have stuck together to overcome many challenges

to bring Singapore forward to where it is today. As long as we remain

united as one, we will succeed in building a secure and bright future for

ourselves and our children.

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Chinese New Year Celebration

Bedok View ushered in the year of the Dog with a classroom decoration

competition, two Values-In-Action Projects and a rousing concert

performance.

Students exercised their creativity and love for the environment by

making use of recycled materials to decorate their classrooms. We

were heartened to see the students coming together as a class to come

up with creative designs for their class décor, which added to the festive

mood.

On the day of celebration, the Secondary One students went on a

Values-In-Action Project, “Spreading the Joy”. The students made

festive greeting cards and distributed mandarin oranges to residents

around the school vicinity to spread the joy and cheer of the festivities.

The Secondary Two to Secondary Five students had a cultural lesson

about the traditions of Chinese New Year, as well as a hands-on craft

activity with their form teachers. Class 4E4 also collaborated with an old

folks’ home to bring the elderly over to Bedok View to join us for our

concert celebration and a light reunion breakfast prior to the concert

segment. Most importantly, as part of the preparations for the festive

New Year, students had to do spring cleaning for their classroom before

proceeding to the hall for the concert performance.

The concert items prepared for this year varied from our usual student

performances. The school invited external vendors who showcased

traditional lion dance and Chinese face-changing performances. The

concert ended on a high note, with the school showing our appreciation

to the non-teaching staff by presenting them with individual hampers

lovingly prepared by each class. This was followed by the presentation

of mandarin oranges to all staff to wish them a prosperous year ahead.

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Secondary One Level Camp

In Bedok View, we believe in providing a holistic education centred on

values and character development of our students. To promote this

belief, the school organised a 3-day 2-night level camp for the

Secondary One students in March 2018. Themed “Believe in Yourself -

The Bedok Viewan Family”, the level camp was an opportunity for

Secondary One students to develop their class spirit and strengthen

their sense of belonging to the school.

Students learned to develop their social-emotional competency in

making responsible decisions through a variety of team-building

activities. For instance, through the dragon boating experience,

students learned to care for each other and the importance of acting

responsibly to oneself, others and the environment.

Students also developed a deeper understanding of their strengths and

weaknesses as they went through the low-elements activities. The

obstacle challenge provided the students the opportunity to develop

problem-solving skills and situational awareness.

During the camp, students also came together to share their

perspectives and reflect on their interpersonal relationship skills, self-

management skills and problem-solving skills through Circle Time

facilitated by the teachers. When students shared and reflected in a

circle, they learnt how to communicate confidently, listen actively, and

to respond respectfully to others.

Finally, students came together to plan and put up public performances

during the campfire which provided them a platform to develop a

stronger class and level spirit.

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Secondary Two Level Camp

The Secondary 2 Level Camp was held from 7 to 9 March 2018. It

marked the highlight of the term for the students. The camp is an

integral part of the character education programme in Bedok View and

is also part of the school’s Learning for Life (LLP) Programme. Geared

towards adventure-based activities and developing teamwork, the

students underwent a series of challenging activities that aimed to help

them conquer their fears and overcome self-limiting beliefs. These

adventure-based activities included the High Ropes activities, water-

based activities and raft-building. They also ventured into the city centre

of Singapore as part of their orienteering activity where students

explored historical landmarks in the area. Lastly, the students also took

part in many other team-bonding activities and were introduced to

outdoor cooking. It was evident that the students had thoroughly

enjoyed the camp and have forged closer bonds with their classmates.

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Secondary Three Level Camp

The Secondary Three Level Camp took place at the CherryLoft Resorts from 7 to 9 March. The three-day, two-night camp took place after two weeks of intensive planning by the students for their very own Values in Action (VIA) programme. This was the very last overnight camp that the cohort will experience together.

The objectives of the camp were to foster a strong level and class spirit through the development of service and excellence. In addition, the students were expected to exhibit our school values of 2RISE and also learn to be reflective learners.

The highlight of the camp was no doubt the VIA programme that they had thoroughly planned and executed. For example, the students from 3E2 and 3T7 went to Thye Hua Kwan Home for the Disabled to spring-clean and also conduct activities for the residents. They learnt to be more empathetic and patient in ensuring effective communication with others. Also, the students from 3N5 organised their sale of cookies creatively in order to raise funds to purchase necessities for their beneficiaries. This VIA activity served as a great platform for the students to showcase their leadership skills and teamwork, both of which are essential skills for their future endeavours.

Other than the above, the other core activities included indoor bouldering and water-based team building games. They allowed our students to step out of their comfort zone and challenge their limits. At the same time, they encouraged one another to face their fears and gained courage in the process. The camp ended with a blast where all the students sang their hearts out during the campfire, and where many hidden talents surfaced spontaneously!

At the end of the camp, the Secondary Three students have acquired a stronger sense of belonging to the class, to the level, and to the school.

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Secondary Four and Five Level Camp

The objective of the Secondary Four and Five camp is to provide

students with the skills necessary to succeed in school and in life. The

Secondary Four students had a 2-day workshop which focused on

building students’ personal brands, honing their interview skills and

learning stress management techniques and revision strategies. There

was also a component where students learned about professional

grooming, and social and dining etiquette in a restaurant. For the

Secondary Five students, they were given the opportunity to visit Adam

Khoo Learning Centre for a short work-shadowing experience. The

students were thoroughly engaged throughout the duration of the camp

as they discovered the various techniques and strategies that will help

them present themselves appropriately in formal and professional

settings. The camp ended with a career seminar on the third day where

speakers from various Junior Colleges, Polytechnics and ITEs gave

talks on the courses available in their respective institutions. Through

this seminar, students understood the entry requirements to the institute

of their choice and would be better able to make informed decisions

about their post-secondary education and future career.