Harmony@Senja 2007 - 3rd March 2007

In conjunction with Chinese New Year celebrations, together with Zhenghua-Senja RC, School Advisory Committee, came together on the morning of 3rd March 2007 at Senja Grand Amphitheatre. MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Mr Liang Eng Hwa, was present to give away mandarin oranges and F&N drinks to the residents. The mandarin oranges were contributed by West Spring PSG.

The MP was welcomed ceremoniously by the school's Malay Cultural Kompang & Silat. He was escorted by the Kompang Group while Sec 4 students all lined up clapping away as he passed by them. As we reached the amphitheatre, the 24 Drums started beating while the Lion Dance followed soon after. Senja Grand residents were seen at their balconies and windows looking upon us. Soon, some even came downstairs to have a closer look. Mr Seet gave his speech, followed by the MP. Before Mr Liang distribute the festive goodies, he was treated to a Silat performance. We then proceed to one of the designated blocks where Mr Liang together with Mr Seet, SAC members and the RC began distribution. The students were earlier assigned to each block to distribute the goodies.

Residents were seen to be very happy to receive Mr Liang at their doorstep wishing them a prosperous Year of the Pig.

Blogged by Rosita

Chinese New Year 2007 - Mr Seet's Invitation

PSG members were invited to Mr Seet's place for a dinner gathering. It had rained earlier but we were all excited to be there! We toasted Yi Sheng for prosperity and good luck for all. The buffet spread was delicious and we just had to have second helpings. Thank you Mr Seet.

Gong Xi Gong Xi!

Blogged by Rosita

Parenting Talk - 27th Jan 2007

PSG Exco with Mr Seet, Jason & Joanne

It was raining on the day PSG held our first parenting talk of 2007 with the topic of "Understanding the psyche of your teenagers and work alongside them" Two sessions were held, one in English and another in Mandarin. Mr Jason Ng was the speaker for the English session while Mdm Joanne Zheng in Mandarin. Both sessions were so brilliantly presented that it extended to another half an hour. Parents were seen very eager in asking questions and participating in dialogues with the speakers. All of us came away feeling more knowledgeable in handling our children. Look out for more of such talks & workshops...

Blogged by Rosita

West Spring Sec. Sch. Open House 2006

25th Nov 2006

The morning was promising with clear skies ahead. Visitors started streaming into West Spring even before 10am. Tour registrations were done right after they arrived. Each family were escorted by a student leader. This was evident as whenever I turn around I could see every family was accompanied by our students. The school band was in full swing playing their tunes and the 24 Drums...beating to my heartbeat, each taking turns to greet the visitors with their melodies.

Our PSG volunteers, Mdm Karen Eiw, Mdm Judy Tan and Mdm Ang Y K, came punctually for their duties. I deployed Mdm Ang over to the drink stall while Judy and Karen were at the barbeque pit. For myself, I was ushering parents, handing them files with information about the school with student leaders giving out mineral water bottles away as they enterd the auditorium. All seats were taken up very quickly as the crowd kept coming. Christopher manned the library, talking to parents, giving information whenever needed and going back and forth to the auditorium.Once the door of the auditorium was closed, I went down to check on our parent volunteeers....(not wanting them to feel left alone)

Mrs Yip (teacher in charge) was more than gracious to our parent volunteers, making them feel at ease in doing their duties. It was as though we were barbequeing on the beach at East Coast. Thank you Mrs Yip! The Entrepreneur Club students with trays of barbequed sausages were fantastic walking around the school offering them free to the visitors and selling them for 50 cents each to students. The atmostphere was buzzing with calls like, "Come get your sausages, free sausages!!" was heard all around school.

The weather was turning on us....it started drizzling and soon after it was pouring. Barbequeing was halted. Metal covers were put over the pits to keep them dry. As the lunch buffet was ready..I invited the 10 to 12pm parent volunteers over. Our 12 to 2pm shift came soon after, making sure they join the lunch buffet before they start their duty. It stopped raining and barbequeing continued.Even with the rain, visitors kept coming in droves. As a result, an unscheduled principal's talk was put in place at 11.45am immediately after. The auditorium was fully seated again and Mr Seet kept going...and going.....with performances by the Chinese and Malay dance, Dikir Barat, Guitar Ensemble, School Band, etc.

Yvonne was wonderful helping out with parents who queried in Mandarin. There was quite a number of them. Good job Yvonne!! The crowd was encouraging and that spurred both us to do a better job in engaging more parents to choose West Spring as their 1st choice. While Yvonne entertained questions in Mandarin, I did mine in Malay. Most of them thought we are teachers until they see our ID pin which proudly says, 'West Spring Sec School - PSG'. Mdm Siti Hajeer came very early despite her 12 to 2pm shift and stayed on till the end at 4pm. Mdm Norizah Goh came even with her baby in the pram from 12 to 2pm to help in the barbeque. Tina Tan and Cynthia Tan helped ushering in parents into the auditorium from 2 to 4pm, while Mdm Seri and Jenny Yim continue barbequeing from 2 to 4pm.

May I say that all did their duties with conviction and perseverence, even in the rain!! In all, this event was a success in pulling together new parent volunteers towards PSG. Though tired, I left West Spring yesterday with a sense of satisfaction knowing we did the best job possible with our limited resources.

Thanking all parents involved in this event and may we meet again in future endeavours.

Blogged by Rosita.

Hari Raya 2006 - Ketupat & Rendang

It was noon on the first day of Hari Raya, PSG members came to my place promptly. Soon laughter and merry making came buzzing. Mr Seet came with his 2 sons. Ketupat was served along with mutton rendang, chicken korma, sambal goreng, butter prawn among other festive goodies. To cool off those spicy food down, I served sweet juicy watermelons all round.

Picture from left to right...Yvonne, Tina, Maricel, Rosita, Christopher, Cheng & Mr Seet.


Blogged by Rosita

Teacher's Day Celebration 2006

It was the 31st August 2006 and the day started off with the Dancethon where students & teachers danced side by side enjoying themselves. This event was followed by a concert brought on to celebrate the teachers with items performed by students and teachers alike. There was an award presentation brought upon by voting from students. Lastly, PSG represented by our Vice-Chairwoman Mdm Maricel Kuek presented a bouquet of lovely orchids with home-baked cookies to Mr Seet on stage while Chairman Mr Christopher Syn and myself distributed the rest. Both teaching & non-teaching staff received the same home-baked cookies and those lovely orchids too. The cookies were baked by Mdm Maricel & myself the night before. Everyone enjoyed them. We were just so glad to have celebrated this event together.

Blogged by Rosita