Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Our school's LONG, LONG history (do not fall asleep)

Although only 15 years old, Ngee Ann Secondary School has inherited a rich historical heritage stretching back to the 1840's, from the Ngee Ann Kongsi, the body responsible for her founding as well as her growth. Through the advice and the financial support provided by the School Management Committee, the school has made firm progress.
The Kongsi, established by the Teochews during the colonial era was an altruistic clan which sought to look after the welfare of the Teochews. Its philanthropic endeavours include channelling its resources into developing youths in field of education. The Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Primary and now Ngee Ann Secondary are glowing examples of its sincere commitment to promote quality education for the successive generations.
With the closure of Tuan Mong High School along Tank Road, the idea of Ngee Ann Secondary was conceptualized as a successive link to the existing Ngee Ann Primary in Marine Terrace.
With the help of the Ministry of Education, the Management Committee, our dedicated Ngee Ann staff and all well wishers, the school will forge ahead, to provide quality education which seeks to maximise the potential of individual student.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Coping with new subjects

Subjects in Secondary:
English
Mathematics
Science
Chinese
Geography
History
Design and Technology
Home Economics
Art

Try to cope with 8 subjects (excluding Art) is hard, however there are useful ways and methods to overcome such difficulty;
- It would be a good idea to always listen to teacher in class, so that when you study, you will have a better understanding of the topic.
- Note-taking is an important thing to do during lesson, take down notes provided by the teacher, take down those notes that are not provided in your textbooks.
- Get enough sleep in order to listen well in class instead of building sandcastles in the air.
- Whenever you have any questions, do ask the teacher during lesson, or if you’re too shy, ask them after lessons are over.
- After coming home from school take a bath so that you’ll feel refreshed and take about 30 minutes or more to go through what you have learnt for the day.
- Take about 10 minutes of nap after school everyday, to replenish your energy. After that, make sure you take a quick rinse, before doing your homework.
- Taking about 10 minutes breaks between long hours of studying.
- If possible, get mock papers/assessment books, to give your brain some exercise and allow yourself to have a better understanding of the subject. (mock papers are provided by the library available for printing, IT'S FREE)
- Sleep early, at least 7-9 hours of sleep.
- If you have not finished your homework before the designated date, do not copy your friend’s homework as it will soon become a habit if you do that, and you would ignore your own studies and homework, as you think that you can depend on your friend for everything.
- As you revise everyday when you come home from school, before the exams you would not need to revise much as you’ve done that everyday already. Like that, you’re able to relax before examinations, and that will allow you to stay calm during exams.
- Have a time table of your own, if you can, so that you could schedule on what subjects to revise each day.
- Do not use the computer regularly as it is a bad habit. Use the computer for only 2 to 3 hours at most, and do not use it everyday. (it's a habit for most of us already, addicted but as long as you study its fine. or at least pay attention in class)

These ways/methods have been used by different students, and they have been useful, so why not try using them for a term and see if it works, lastly, do not stress yourself too much, it can affect your studies. Ask your seniors for studying methods to help you. (they're really useful unless they are so smart that they don't have to study to do well, like in some cases...)

Getting to know Teachers and staff

ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

School Management Committee

Chairman Mr. Richard Lee Sew Iam
Vice-Chairman Dr. Wu Chiaw Ching

Committee Members Mr. Teo Chiang Long
Mr. Goh Kim Hock
Mr. Lee Siew Khwang
Mr. Baey Theng Mong
Mr. Tan Meng Kow
Mr. Teo Miang Yeow

Consultant Mr Lim Nai Yan

Ngee Ann Kongsi Management Committee 2005-2006

President Mr. Lim Kee Ming
Vice-President Mr. Teo Soo Chuan
Mr. Teo Chiang Long
Honorary Secretary Mr. Richard Lee Sew Iam
Honorary Treasurer Mr. Tan Kien Lip

Key School Personal

Principal Mr. Adrian Lim Lye Heng
Vice-Principle 1 Ms Tan Ke Xin
Vice-Principle 2 Mr. Ng Boon Kiat

Head of Departments

English & Literature Muneira Bte Daud (Mdm)
Mother Tougue Thong Wee Sin (Mr)
Mathematics Alice Chua (Ms)
Science Chee Meng Teck (Mr)
PE & CCA Wong Keng Tong (Mr)
Craft & Technology Samuel Ong (Mr) – Internal
Student Development & Leonard Tan (Mr)
Management Commitee
ICT/ MRL Steven Wong (Mr)
Special Projects Lim Bock Boon (Mr)
School Staff Developer Lai-Ng Kee Yah Theresa (Mrs)

Subjects/ Level Heads
Corporate Communications Lee Chai Noi (Mdm)
Humanities Lee Chin Li (Ms)
Science Sharizah Md Amin (Mdm)
Mother Tougue Tan Yan Peng Jamie (Ms)
Student Development & Lee Vincent (Mr)
Management
PE & CCA Teo Benson (Mr)
Mathematics Pauline Thiong (Ms)
ICT/ MRL Lee Chin Teck (Mr) – Internal
English Azrina Bte Salleh (Mdm) – Internal

Level Managers

Secondary 1 Vincent Lee (Mr)
Secondary 2 Sharizah Md Amin (Mdm)
Secondary 3 Benson Teo (Mr)
Secondary 4 & 5 Pauline Thiong

Master Teacher Tah-Yau Li Heong (Mrs)

Discipline master Leonard Tan (Mr)

Senior Teacher

Science (Physics) Abu Bakar Bin Farid (Mr)
Malay Language Zainal Abidin Hasim (Mr)
Education Technology Alvin Tan (Mr)
Biology Ashikin (Mdm)

Administration Manager Chin Chung Sheng (Mr)
Ng Bee Heng (Miss)

Operation Manager Ong Hwee Ann (Mr)




English Department

Head of Department Mdm Muneira

Teachers Mdm Lee Chai Noi
Mr Benson Teo
Mdm Azrina
Mdm Norani
Ms Zahra
Mr Christopher Wee
Mdm Nor Hasni Yanti
Mdm Jamilah
Ms Susana Tan
Mdm Noorashikin
Ms Grace Wong
Ms Nellie Lim
Ms Lavania Prabha
Mr Lim Shi Zhi
Mdm Noor Azean
Mrs Lock
Mdm Norsarah

Mathematics Department

Head of Department Mrs Chua Siew Ling Alice

Teachers Mr Wong Keng Tong
Mr Steven Wong
Ms Pauline Tiong
Mr Vincent Lee
Mrs Pong Biau Choon
Ms Sayuri
Ms Sharon Ong
Mdm Wee Gim Hui
Mr Chris Lai
Mr Lee Sze Lin
Mdm Nor Hasni Yanti
Mdm Noor Azean
Mr Eric Ong
Mr Teo Sonn Ann
Mr Hazmi
Ms Lynda Marie Toh
Mr Joseph Teo

Science Department Mr Chee Meng Teck

Teachers Mdm Sharizah Bte Mohd Amin
Mr Alvin Tan
Mrs Teh Yau Li Heong
Mr Abu Bakar
Mdm Ashikin
Mdm Lim Mee Lan
Mdm Gan Bee Yong
Mr Joseph Lim
Mr Lee Chin Teck
Ms Lynda Marie Toh

Humanities Department

Teachers Ms Lee Chin Li
Mdm Jamilah
Ms Susana Tan
Mdm Noorashikin
Ms Grace Wong
Ms Nellie Lim
Ms Lavania
Mr Lim Shi Zhi
Ms Michelle Low
Ms Gloria Tan

Mother Tongue Department

Head of Department Mr Thong Wee Sin

Teachers Mr Zainal Abidin
Mdm Nor Hayati
Mdm Julinda
Mr Liu Liming
Mdm Lei Mee
Ms Zhou Yun
Mr Fong Peng Siong
Ms Toh Sock Hui
Mdm Goh Yee Bin
Mr Heng Soong Phiau
Ms Jamie Tan
Mdm Liu Xiaomei
Mr Wang Qiang
Mdm Zakiah
Ms Xu Yuan
Mdm Lim Soon Jong

Craft and Technology Mrs Theresa Lai
Department

Teachers Mr Vincent Lee
Ms Lim Hui Min
Mr Hazmi
Ms Gloria Tan
Mr Samuel Ong
Mr Joseph Teo
Mdm Norsarah
Ms Mushtafiah
Ms Sophia Coelho
Mr Vincent Tang

PE/Music Department

Head of Department Mr Wong Keng Tong

Teachers Ms Michelle Low
Mr Benson Teo
Mr Teo Soon Ann
Mr Eric Ong
Mrs Lock

ICT/MRL Department

Head of Department Mr Steven Wong
Mr Liu Liming
Mr Joseph Teo
Ms Sayuri
Mdm Julinda

Student Development and Management Committee

Chairperson Mrs Theresa Lai

Vice-Chairperson Mr Vincent Lee
Mr Wong Keng Tong

Special Programme Ms Zubaida
Coordinator

Members Mdm Ho Gum Hui
Mr Chris Lai
Mrs Lim-Yap Mee Lan
Mrs Corrine Liu
Ms Zhou Yun

The neighbourhood we are in

We are enthu people in our own ways. We cheer for ourselves during combined sports day, we cheer in class and in the MPH (multi-purpose hall) for practically anything from having no homework for the day, to not having to wear ngee ann. socks to school (you still have to wear white socks though, must be brand-less e.g.: no addidas, puma or Nike logo) We cheer for our CCA’s when they get a award (which is often because ngee ann. is the best!) We are also friends with our teachers. We chat with them on facebook, msn, etc, etc. We are Singaporeans we are kiasu. We don’t want to lose and we are competitive. Obvious in our grades and everything. Everyone wins or loses to someone by only a small margin. So if you think you can slack and get first in ngee ann.? Fat hope. We are kind people also,( do not be intimidated by some of our ahbeng and ahlian look alikes) we all try to help for the community, as punishment or for a special event. Like FIESTA, a carnival held by sec 2’s every year, and you having to serve CIP in an old folk’s home in GEYLANG if you are late for 3 times in a row. So overall we are very kind-hearted, smart, pro , kiasu and enthu. What better neighborhood can you ask for???
***P.S: ngee ann. has somehow a reputation among students from other schools for having chio girls. Whether it is true is still unknown…just that we have very chim teachers who like to use chim words on students.

Getting around NAS

1. The teachers have very kindly printed out classroom layouts of every classroom block and pasted them next to every staircase. So instead of asking everyone where is your class, you can find it yourself =) (independence people!!!)
2. Auditorium is always at the bottom of the gigantic red tower in the middle of the school compound. The library is on the fourth floor, not the third, of the big red tower. If you have nothing better to do after school, you can always go right to the top of the tower and enjoy the nearly fresh air. If the auditorium’s position is still unknown to you, there is always a way to remember where it is. The auditorium is where the uncle sits outside at during recess to catch smugglers (people who bring drinks and food to classrooms) seriously, you do not want to smuggle anything. In the library, you can borrow a laptop to use. In exchange for your ez-link card of course.

3. Have no idea where the general office is??? Never fear, the general office is painted by our very own schoolmates during the 15 hour challenge. It’s practically a jungle. (trust me, there is a jungle version of Ben and jerry’s painted there.)

4. Looking for your teacher for overdue homework??? The staff room is just behind the general office. The teacher’s pigeon holes are there, with a list of the teacher’s pigeon hole numbers. Gone are the days where students have to repeatedly ask their already very irritated teacher for their pigeon hole numbers.

5. REMEMBER THIS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO PLAY SOCCER. The soccer field is in front of the teacher’s car park. (in front of the ‘go’ aka: general office) CHOPE THE Field before OTHERS IF NOT YOU CAN KISS YOUR SOCCER TIME GOODBYE. Another place for soccer is the raised court near the back gate, which below is actually a bomb shelter turned CO (Chinese orchestra, we’re famous for it) practice room. Every Friday you can hear the music coming from the practice room. Fyi: bring a pe t-shirt if you want to play soccer, or the discipline master give you a scolding, and ban you from soccer)

6. Ever want to go to the computer lab to get free computer access without the nagging parents??? Ngee ann. lets students use the computer labs after school, everyday. There are printers and paper provided also. (no more excuses for late projects) Even if the computers are not equipped with the latest windows vista and is old and laggy, at least you don’t have nagging parents next to you. The computer labs are located at the classroom block near the big grey circle surrounded by plants (insects not included, we killed them) that is also where the d&t workshop and the dance studio

7. One of the most crowded places in ngee ann. has to be the café. It sells waffles, hot dogs and chips, serves all-time Singaporean favorite bubble tea and our very own Milo dinosaur. Get there early or be prepared to queue for a long, long time.

8. Science labs, the home econs (home economics) kitchen are located at the block beside the canteen. That was where our old science labs and kitchens were, along with our library and counseling room.

The new facilities in school

WE have our FULLY air-conditioned indoor sports hall (ISH) and multi-purpose hall (MPH *not a book store*) THIS IS A RARE LUXURY!!! Many schools don't have air-conditioned halls or even in indoor sports hall. (ngee ann is rich =D imagine the zeros at the monthly utility bill)
The Amphitheatre allows us to present our ideas or thinkings to our fellow NASians, which gives us a chance to improve our speaking ability.
The auditorium is also one of the new facilities in school, compared to the past, the Auditorium is now bigger and better. We use it for our school's choir practice, and for speeches and other purposes.
We have a food court style canteen (like banquet, not kopitiam to order kopi-o) We have a standing area in the canteen so if you are just having a snack you can stand and eat instead of looking everywhere for a table to sit at.
WE HAVE A CAFE!!! A REAL CAFE!!! The cafe sells waffles, ice cream, hotdogs, Singapore's famous bubble tea, sodas, coffee, and MILO DINOSAUR!!! It isn't like starbucks or Gloria jean's but it is still a cafe. A cafe is a cafe through and through.

School and class activities 2009

January
1st
New Year's Day Holiday

5th - 6th
Sec 1 Orientation Camp

14th - 16th
Sec 3 Overseas Camp

15th - 16th
Outdoor Learning Experience (OLE)

23rd
Chinese New Year Celebration

26th - 27th
Chinese New Year Holiday

February
2nd & 16th
Start of GCE 'N' Level Registration (Tentative)

13th
Total Defence Day/School Emergency Exercise

25th - 27th
CA 1 for Sec 1-5Exp/NA

March
2nd - 6th
Creative and Healthy Lifestyle Week

13th
Combined School Sports Meet 1st Final

23rd
Founder's Day

April
6th - 8th, 13th - 17th
GCE 'N' Prelime EL Oral Exams (4E/5NA/4NA)

6th
Biology SPA Assessment (Skill 1 & 2)

7th - 8th
Chemistry SPA Assessment (Skill 1 & 2)

8th
Physics SPA Assessment (Skill 1 & 2)

9th
Combined School Sports Meet Grand Final

10th
Good Friday

13th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 22nd& 24th
Sec 3-4 Exp/NA/NT & Sec 1-2 NT MT Oral Examination

17th
International Friendship Day

29th - 30th
SA1: Sec 1-5 Exp/NA/NT (MT/HMT/EL exams only)

May
1st
Labour Day

7th - 8th
SA1: EL/HMT

9th
Vesak Day

11th
Vesak Day School Holiday

13th, 14th, 21st & 22nd
SA1: Sec 3/4

15th - 20th
SA1: Sec 1-5 Exp/NA/NT

June
1st
GCE 'O' Level Exam CL/ML/TL (Tentative)

1st - 5th, 22nd - 26th
Sec 4 EAP

1st - 5th
Sec 1-3 RP

July
2nd - 3rd, 7th - 16th
GCE 'O' Level Oral Exam - CL/ML (Tentative)

6th
Youth Day Holiday

7th - 20th
GCE 'N' Level Exam - EL (Tentative)

22nd
GCE 'O' Level Listening Comprehension - CL/ML/TL (Tentative)

24th - 6th Aug
GCE 'N' Level Oral Exam - CL/ML/TL,BCL/BML/BTL (Tentative)

August
1st - 6th
GCE 'N' Level Oral Exam - CL/ML/TL,BCL/BML/BTL (Tentative)

3rd, 11th - 12th &14th
Sec 1-2 Exp/NA/NT & Sec 3NT MT Oral Exam (Int)

7th
National Day Celebration + FIESTA + Racial Harmony Day (To Be Confirmed)

10th
National Day Holiday

12th - 13TH
Chemistry SPA Assessment (Skill 3)

17th
Biology SPA Assessment (Skill 3)

17th - 28th
GCE 'O' Level Exam - EL (Tentative)

20th - 21st
Prelim Exam for Sec 4C1/4 Exp/5NA - (MT/HMT/EL only)

24th - 26th
CA2 - Sec 1-5 Exp/NA

24th - 31st
Prelim Exam for Sec 4C2/4NT

September
1st
Teacher's Day

2nd - 4th, 14th -18th
Prelim Exam for Sec 4Exp/5NA

7th
GCE 'N' Level Listening Comprehension - EL (Syll T) (Tentative)

7th - 9th
GCE 'N' Level Exam (Tentative)

8th
GCE 'N' Level Listening Comprehension - CL/ML,BCL/BML (Tentative)

14th - 25th
EL Oral Exams for Sec 3E/3NA/4NA

15th
GCE 'N' Level Computer Application Practical Exam

17th
GCE 'N' Level Music Practical Exam (Tentative)

21st
Hari Raya Puasa Holiday

25th
Graduation Day

28th
GCE 'O' Level Oral Exam - CLB/MLB/TLB (Tentative)

October
1st - 2nd
SA2: Sec 1-3 MT/HMT/EL Exam Only

5th - 12th
GCE 'N' Level Exam (Tentative)

12th - 16th
SA2: Sec 1-3 EOY Exam

13th - 20th
GCE 'O' Level Science Practical Exam (Tentative)

17th
Deepavali

19th
Holiday (in-lieu of Deepavali)

20th, 22nd & 26th
Hard Science Research (SPARKS I)

21st - 22nd
Post Exam Activities

26th - 19th November
GCE 'O' Level Exam (Tentative)

November
1st - 19th
GCE 'O' Level Exam (Tentative)

6th
School Reflection Day

21st
Open House + Student Learning Festival (SLF) + Service Learning Fair (To be Confirmed)

27th
Hari Raya Haji

December
25th
Christmas

Balancing CCA and studies

Co-curricular activities (CCA) plays an important part in developing each and every student. The activities require teamwork, leadership, discipline and in other cases, patience as well. We learn to work well and accomodate others, therefore, CCA is as important as our studies.

Studies are all about grades. Now that we have moved on to secondary schools, the expectations that everyone have in us are of a higher level. We are supposed to know how to manage our time well as some students have tuitions or other home assignments and end up not having enough time to finish their homeworks. Time management is actually very important at this stage.

Time management

In our daily lives, we have other things to sure other than study, i am quite sure of that. That's where time management comes in. Sometimes we play more than we study, and our grades will drop. We should study more than we play. However, studying too much results in stress and that is also not wise.


CCAs, mostly performing arts, provides an opportunity for students as they get to "show off" their skills on the stage. They may be challenges as well, and whe

School activities that we enjoyed


Combined sports day... Some people took the pom poms for wigs, others do homework and play games on handphones...or eat smuggled in mcnuggets(hehehe...) *so much for school spirit, no wonder we lost*


Chinese new year notice board decoration contest (above)




1. life science (cell and DNA)
Not long ago, our school organised a programme for us to learn more about cells. firstly, we would work in groups of 5 and go get the materials we needed. we were each given a container of jelly and we have to find other food to replace the organelles in the cell, judging by the shapes, to create the "cell". the smiles on the students' faces proved that it was indeed fun and the teachers took photos of us working together.

2. NAS "15 hour challenge"
Not only can we raise funds for the community, we could also have fun as well. Our class' job is to collect signatures from every student in the school, along with the well wishes. we could go around the school, class to class and ask for signatures, meet other students who were also working at their challenge. We have chances of meeting seniors and understand more about their work (folding straw hearts, cranes, etc)

3. charades (?)
After exams, our teachers allowed us to play a game where we imitate other students for fun. each of us had a fun time guessing who's the one being imitated and it is also a good way for us to relieve stress after exams.

4. "Don't forget the lyrics"
Recently, our english teacher, Miss Marie Lee, choose a game for us to play for the upcoming national day celebration, also trying to teach us about the ways to write a composition, like how the lyrics can create a feeling or "atmosphere". The students will choose a song and sing it, with the whole class cheering them.
5: Chinese new year notice board decoration contest
Before chinese new year, to prepare ngee ann for the festive season, we held a notice board decorating competition. It was fun while it lasted as sadly...WE DID NOT WIN. But winning is not everything.( though it is nice to brag about *we have bragging rights*)

6: Combined sports day
we had a combined sports day with many schools one of which includes Dunman High (SMART PEOPLE) it was very enjoyable as we had alot of fun cheering for our school...though we did not really win.