SSM SY 2010-2011 STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTED
We can sum up this year's Student Council Elections in one word, "Whew!". We didn't know what to expect, but because of our convictions and our desire for a natural high, we went for it.
We decided to run for the Student Council because we want to help the students through serving them and making a change. We want to experience having the ability to make everyone's life a little better. We want to make the student's experience in school the best in every little way we can.
The campaign was the most interesting, yet stressful time for us candidates. We had to balance schoolwork with tasks related to the campaign. We spent a great deal of time brainstorming on different ideas and projects to do for the year. We went from classroom to classroom, where we got to know our fellow schoolmates better. We had to make posters and other materials. During this time, we learned what hard work is really about. In the end, it was all worth it. The experience was exhilarating, specially because we had the chance to work with friends.
When election day finally came, to hear that we won was indeed life changing for each of us. We realized how much the students trust us to do our jobs well. In gratitude, we each have promised to be responsible and to prove to all that they have chosen the right people. We will do our tasks to the best of our abilities, becuase we know how much we are trusted. With this, we declare again that we are the Singapore School Manila Student Council of SY 2010-2011, and we will not disappoint.
Student Council Chairman: Marquel Jude Narca
Vice Chairman: Elijah Edejer
Club Representatives: Alexine Martina Beltran
Andrea Georgia Beltran
Jose Luis de Jesus
Richelle Natalie Uy
Class REpresentatives: S3 Kyle Zachary Tan
S2 Davina Jenny Chen
S1 Jaime Antonio Gimenez
P6 Miguel Atienza
P5 Kim Chan Woo
P4 Lester Jone Tajan
P3 Leon Gomez
P2 Patrixia Castillo
P1 Enrique Beltran
BEIJING, CHINA TRIP(Summer 2010)
by: Teacher Lynn Chen
In the early morning of April 9, Ms. Karen, Teacher Jim and I met up with excited Beijing-bound SSM students at the Centennial Airport. Though our flight was a bit early, it can be felt that everybody awaits to see the historical and culture-rich country. Upon arrival at the Beijing Capitol Airport, one can't help but notice the cold and comfortable air of this big city. Our group was welcomed by Teacher Lin, and Teacher Xu who sent us to our host school campus, Beijing Huijia Private School.
As we entered the Huijia Private School, we were amazed by the huge and vast campus the school has. We were instructed to sit in for the welcome remarks of the School Principal and were later led to our respective dormitories. Our school participants were housed in 2 dormitories. Daily Chinese buffet meals were served in the school's Canteen Building. Aside from the earlier-mentioned school buildings, the school also houses 4 basketball courts, driving range, gym, table tennis room, salon, medical building and students' convenience store.
The first three days of our stay saw us visiting Changping District, the amazing Great Wall of China; the most magnificent Ming Dynasty Tombs which served as an imperial tomb cluster for thirteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); Forbidden City which are both grand and historical tourist attractions in China.
Day four to seven of our stay saw our students sitting in for their daily class routines. Subjects included were: paper-cutting, ceramics and pottery classes, Chinese calligraphy, painting, Chinese history, Chinese language and writing, golf, Wushu, table tennis, basketball, Internet surfing, and film showing. The students liked the ceramics/pottery, Chinese calligraphy and the painting lessons. Huija School faculty and teachers-in-charge were all so warm and accommodating to all our students as our students tried to converse in their best efforts using Mandarin.
Day eight to nine saw us touring the beautiful Summer Palace, 2008 Olympic's Bird's Nest, Water Cube and the Beijing Zoo. Our students also prepared a fellowship night for thanksgiving an din celebrating Elijah Edejer's birthday. It was indeed a very memorable trip for all the participants as they all went home with the memorabilia and photos taken during the trip. On top of that, we will always remember the laughter and the food which enticed our palates for ten days' stay. And this was our BEIJING EXPERIENCE...
SSM TEACHERS IN VIETNAM
by: Teacher Mika Tesalona
The heat is definitely on in Saigon! On the scorching afternoon of April 5, the SSM teachers arrived at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was a lot like Manila, except that instead of jeeps and buses, the motorcycles or mopeds ruled Vietnam’s streets. We were welcomed by our singing tour guide Henry and the jolly old Mr. Michael the tour bus driver. Five minutes after we have arrived in the city, most of us have already decided that we liked this friendly place.
Excited and eager to explore, the teachers went around the Dhong Koi district (by foot!) and had a taste of some authentic pho and spring rolls. Our little adventures brought us to quaint little ice cream shops and boutiques. The half day city tour was truly a learning experience for all of us as we found out about Vietnam’s rich and profound history and culture. We were in awe of the wonderful architecture of the Reunification Palace, The Notre Dame Church and their Post office. Like most of the hotels and restaurants around that district, these places mirrored the French-influence in Vietnam.
We were also moved by the exhibits in the War Museum and the complexities of the Cu Chi Tunnels. Learning about the Vietnam War could have not gotten any better than this. The visit to the museum allows one to understand the certain sadness you see in the eyes of the friendly locals. The Vietnamese teaches us that although it is never easy to recover from war, you can always do it with great dignity and grace. So much has been written and said about Vietnam, but you will never understand it, until you set foot in the country.
The teachers definitely had a grand time in Vietnam. We have brought home a lot of souvenirs to remind us of Vietnam, like the delicious weasel coffee, “Good Morning Vietnam” shirts, banana chips and turongs (their local hat), of course! But more important and priceless than our souvenirs, we have brought home lessons learned and nothing but fond memories of Vietnam.
SINGAPORE MATH TEACHERS' TRAINING PROGRAMME
SSM teachers Jing Liu and Erwin Manuzon, together with SSM Managing Director, Analei Atienza attended a three-day intensive workshop in Singapore from March 15 to 17,2010, with Dr. Li Hongmin and Dr. Lu Jitan. Important topics in Primary Maths including the Singapore New Syllabus and the Trend of PSLE Questions were discussed, as well as other problem-solving processes and heuristics.
Dr. Steven Lu is the Academic Director and the Course Designer of Great Minds. He is also the author of a number of Primary and Secondary Maths books, while Dr. Li Hongmin is the Principal of Greatminds Singapore. (see gallery for photos)
SSM IS NOW A MEMBER OF COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Singapore School Manila is now a member of CIS,a premier organisation in international education. CIS is a non-profit organisation of a truly worldwide international education community comprising over 650 member schools and 450 colleges and universities in more than 100 countries.
The central purpose of CIS is to enable member organisations to achieve and deliver the highest standards in international education and continually improve the outcome of student learning.
SSM AWARDED MEMBERSHIP OF THE CIPP BY UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS (CIE)
Singapore School Manila has been awarded membership of Cambridge International Primary Programme by University of Cambridge International Examinations.
SSM will now be able to use the Cambridge International Primary Programme (together with the Singapore Curriculum) which helps teachers develop Mathematics, English and Science skills and knowledge in children aged five to eleven. The Cambridge International Primary Programme provides guidance for curriculum develpoment and classroom teaching and learning, and it allows teachers to assess children's learning as they progress.
Ann Puntis, Chief Executive of University of Cambridge International Examinations, said: "We are delighted that Singapore School Manila has taken this step to provide young students with the best possible education. By integrating the Cambridge International Primary Programme with the Singapore Curriculum, SSM is now using an international curriculum that will be of great benefit to their students."
Karen Tan, SSM school administrator, said: "Singapore School Manila is proud to be associated with Cambridge. The Cambridge International Primary Programme allows us to extend our service to local community."
SSM IS MIND-MAPPING!
In the age where we are bombarded with so many facts, figures, and statistics...information overload is inevitable! With so many choices and alternatives offered to us, we are always left in a limbo and confused about which road to take.
Fortunately, the SSM teachers have discovered a way of organizing and synthesizing information that the world has to offer! Through the Mind Mapping workshop of Tony Buzan, the power of the human mind has been revealed to us.
Tony Buzan is the creator of the Mind Mapping thinking technique (also known as the “Swiss Army Knife of the Brain”). Most of his teachings involve: awareness of the extensive capabilities of the brain and its function, memory skills, reading skills, mind map note-taking, creativity, and how brain functions can be improved over time. He explained that in spite of all the knowledge and information that we have gathered in this day and age, only 1% of the power of the human mind has actually been utilized. He also described how the human brain is naturally wired to work through association (associating images to words). From his studies about the human brain, he was able to come up with a technique that uses concise words and images to help the brain remember and synthesize knowledge and information. The Mind Mapping thinking technique makes use of the natural associating tendencies of the human brain which makes it easier for us to remember and organize information. The technique taps the natural ability of the brain to remember colours, images, and brief words. This technique is widely used for reviewing, note-taking, and sorting & comprehending loads of knowledge and information.
The SSM teachers are now enlightened by the power of the human mind! Now, it’s the SSM children’s turn to unleash the power of their brain. Through slowly integrating the mind-mapping technique in each of the core subjects, SSM children will also discover the limitless power of their minds!
SINGAPORE SCHOOL MANILA OFFERS NEW RANGE OF QUALIFICATIONS
Singapore School Manila has been awarded International Centre status by University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). Singapore School Manila will now offer a range of internationally accepted qualifications including Cambridge's Checkpoint.
CIE is the world's largest provider of international qualifications for 14-19 year olds. CIE offers a broad range of qualifications which include Cambridge IGCSE and International A/AS Level. These qualifications are taken in 150 countries and recognised by universities, educational providers and employers across the world.
Ann Puntis, Chief Executive of University of Cambridge International Examinations, said: :We are delighted to announce that Singapore School Manila has become a registered Centre and look forward to a long and productive relationship which will be of great benefit to students throughout the region."
