The Mayflower Promise (Issue 3, 2023)

MFSS Publicity Team Presents

THE MAYFLOWER MAYFLOWER PROMISE Issue No. 3| 2023

Our celebrations are never limited to achievements and events alone. At Mayflower Secondary, we are also dedicated to promoting a culture of gratitude and kindness. Besides organizing community service projects, we are committed to staying connected to our community. Our students were given the opportunity to give back to the community that supports them. Our Performing Arts groups, Chinese Dance and Choir, as well as our NCC cadets, took part in the National Day Celebrations organised by Kebun Bahru CC.

In This Issue: embracing challenges!

Racial Harmony Day

LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

National Day

Mother Tongue ALP

Teacher‘s Day Seniors’ Cohort Programme

C Div Sports

Literature LJ

Competitions Outdoor Education Camps

PROGRAMMES & CELEBRATIONS!

UGs in the Community

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LnO Competition

RACIAL HARMONY DAY CELEBRATIONS! Singapore: Our Multicultural Mosaic In line with this year’s theme, "Singapore: Our Multicultural Mosaic”," our students and staff commemorated Racial Harmony Day during the week of July 17 to 21, 2023. Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) lessons saw students engaged in discussions aimed at deepening their understanding of different cultures and learning to be more sensitive and respectful towards one another. The week-long celebrations culminated on July 21, with both staff and students donned in traditional outfits, participated in a forum theatre-based play titled “Flight,” by the Interaction Drama and Arts Network, during our Assembly period.

The Mother Tongue [MT] Department aligned their Mother Tongue Fortnight with the same theme too. Through the MT programmes, our students explored and appreciated various cultural art forms; creating Chinese fans, face masks, and batik painting were just some of the many experiences they went through. It was a great chance for our students to nurture their appreciation for cultural diversity.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE!

The school celebrated the nation's birthday with a week filled with activities. In class, our Cyber Wellness Ambassadors took over CCE lessons with presentations on Singapore’s digital defence. They taught their peers about the different types of scams prevalent these days, how to identify them as well as the steps they can take to protect themselves from being targets of such scams. A pop-up store named “MF Provision Store” brought back a slice of Singapore’s past in a fun way.

Students were treated to childhood games and snacks.

Majulah Singapura!

Click here to see more of our fun activities!

On August 7th, the school was abuzz with carnival spirit as staff and students relished an afternoon filled with fun, laughter and local food fare (Putu Piring, Putu Mayam, and Ondeh Ondeh!)

On August 8th, we began the day with a focused effort to contribute to the environment—by reducing waste and upcycling unwanted t-shirts into tote bags.

The week-long celebrations culminated with our very own National Day Musical, produced and enacted by a group of staff and students. The celebration reached its climax as the whole school joined in the singing to the melodies of our National Day Parade songs.

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Teacher’s Day!

Role Reversal: Back to School

The celebrations kicked off with our teachers enjoying a delicious lunch, courtesy of our SAC committee, where they participated in mocktail making, games, a lucky draw and were treated to a stunning performance by our Mayflower alumni, Ms. Paige Chua, and her Chinese flute teacher, Mr. Jonathan Tan. Our very own Mr. Gabriel Cheow joined in for a surprise rendition of “Home” too!

During the school-wide festivities, teachers took a break as they got to go “back to school” with the entire day helmed by our Student Leaders. From serving them breakfast to planning classroom activities, the entire day was packed with activities organised for teachers by their students. The day ended with the traditional garden party concert where Mayflowerians young and old returned to school to show their appreciation for their teachers’ hard work.

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Enhancing Language Education

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM The Mother Tongue Language Department showcased the Enhanced Applied Learning Programme (ALP) for Mother Tongue Languages at the Mother Tongue Languages Symposium 2023. The department shared the school’s authentic learning approach that expands curriculum beyond Myself, Family, and School to the Society (MFSS).

Our curriculum is crafted to incorporate real-world tasks, empowering students to utilize language and social-emotional skills in authentic situations beyond the classroom, thus fostering effective communication.

Amidst the lively MFSS booth, our Secondary 3 students showcased their dedication to learning and promoting the use of Mother Tongue Language.

Their presentations truly reflected their passion for the subject.

In addition, they organized an engaging 'Five Languages of Love' game, involving everyone at our booth. As a team, our students wove a narrative of inspiration and hard work, leaving a heartfelt impact on all who visited our booth.

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FOSTERING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Our Commitment to Prepare Students for the future The Mother Tongue Language Department curates communication trainings for all students, with the option of additional coaching for further development as part of the Enhanced Applied Learning Programme.

This term, our Secondary 3 Chinese language students participated in a Translation Camp aimed at improving their English-Chinese translation abilities.

Simultaneously, our Secondary 2 students had the opportunity to experience a live traditional opera performance, 'Journey to the West' under the Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme (CPES).

Mayflower's dedication to nurturing effective communication skills in our students underscores our commitment to preparing them for success in an ever-more interconnected global landscape.

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These accolades underscore the excellence of our students and the efficacy of our Enhanced Applied Learning Programmes.

On July 22, our students exhibited their language prowess at the 6th National Text Recital Competition. Achievements include Silver Awards for Celeste Wong Rui Yi (1A), Chen Xuan Wen (1A), and Tao Yixuan (1I), along with Gold and Outstanding Awards for Kher Pei Xuan (2B), Liow Ler Enn (2A), and Lee Xin Ting (2A). Furthermore, Celeste Wong Rui Yi (1A) and Jiang Yuanhe (2A) participated in the National Mandarin Oratorical Competition on the same day. Celeste's performance earned her a place in the finals, with the Outstanding Award.

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LITERARY & ORATORICAL CLUB

Enhancing Rootedness through Creative Competitions

LnO sent representatives to the 2023 Tote Bag Challenge and the team of shortlisted winners attended the Kebun Baru Community Club National Day Observance Ceremony on 9 August with their designs on display. The students enjoyed the design experience as it required them to delve into their connection with Singapore and tap into their appreciation and love for the country to create meaningful designs.

Jade Nguyen Xuan Loc of 3B was one of the winners whose design was printed on tote bags to be distributed during National Day. Her inspiration is the Lavender, which symbolises connection and unity. Echoing the key themes of this year’s National Day, her design reminds us to stick with one another through thick and thin, help one another in adversity and stay brave and strong in face of national challenges.

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NATIONAL SCHOOL GAMES ‘C’ DIVISION

In Term 3, the lower secondary bowlers eagerly participated in their first secondary school bowling competition. The team consisted of 23 lower secondary bowlers, with the Secondary 2 members taking on the roles of supportive big sisters and brothers for their younger and less experienced team-mates. Throughout the event, these senior players were observed offering words of encouragement to the Year 1 members, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

Impressively, each participant demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience, refusing to be swayed by the pressures of the competition.

The unwavering spirit displayed by every team member was truly commendable.

Kudos to all the ‘C’ Division boys and girls for their outstanding performances. This competition not only highlighted their bowling abilities but also their unity and resilience as a team.

MFSS C Division Football started their 2023 campaign with 1 win and 3 losses in the preliminary rounds. They proceeded to the 3rd League due to goal differences.

However, against a much stronger opponents, our C division boys was unable to make it through to the quarter finals of League 3.

Muhammad Zaheed Ayubbi Bin Roslan and Afliqhnastiar Putra Bin Zainudin from S2A were the team captains for our “C” Division footballers.

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UNIFORMED GROUPS

Our Uniformed Groups had a busy Term 3. From attending camps, to participating in community events and conducting house visitations to spread awareness on keeping crime at bay, they have made their presence felt in the Kebun Baru community.

Here are some photographs of our National Cadet Corps (NCC) boys at the Kebun Baru Community Centre for the National Day Celebrations.

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Here are some photographs of our National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) cadets at work. They conducted many house visitations at the resident blocks in the neighbourhood around our school. The cadets displayed their community spirit and dedication to service through these visits where they spread awareness on safety like preventing bicycle theft and theft-in-dwelling.

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Our Scouts participated in a mini Orienteering Hike at the Ang Mo KioBishan Park to prepare for the upcoming Advancement Camp and Day Hike in November.

They also participated in the South Area Founders Day Campfire held at Beatty Secondary School.

Looking forward to more of such activities in Term 4!

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Building Resilience & Friendships Secondary 1 & Secondary 3 Outdoor Adventure Camps

In July 2023, Secondary 1 and Secondary 3 students embarked on outdoor journeys that not only tested their courage but also cultivated friendships and instilled life skills.

The Secondary 1 cohort ventured to Home Team NS Bukit Batok Adventure Camp and various external venues including Sentosa island and Sports Hub for an immersive 3-day, 2-night adventure experience from 24 to 26 July. They honed outdoor skills, mastering tasks like tent pitching, outdoor cooking, navigation, rafting, dragon-boating during the camp.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Building Resilience & Friendships Secondary 1 & Secondary 3 Outdoor Adventure Camps

In July 2023, Secondary 1 and Secondary 3 students embarked on outdoor journeys that not only tested their courage but also cultivated friendships and instilled life skills.

The Secondary 1 cohort ventured to Home Team NS Bukit Batok Adventure Camp and various external venues including Sentosa island and Sports Hub for an immersive 3-day, 2-night adventure experience from 24 to 26 July. They honed outdoor skills, mastering tasks like tent pitching, outdoor cooking, navigation, rafting, dragon-boating during the camp.

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The students developed their team building skills through various fun-filled activities and bonded with their classmates through the overnight camp.

Meanwhile, Secondary 3 students embarked on the 5-day, 4-night MOE-OBS (Outward Bound Singapore) Challenge Programme, spanning four different camp sites from 24 to 28 July. They learned to become confident individuals capable of managing challenges positively and making choices that influence their circumstances.

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Lim Huai Min (3B), who was at the OBS Pulau Ubin campsite, shared that the camp was a thrilling opportunity to nurture resilience and teamwork while fostering stronger bonds with his peers. Moreover, it facilitated valuable interaction and communication among students from various schools.

In summary, these outdoor education experiences have proven to be transformative for the Secondary 1 and Secondary 3 students, equipping them with life skills, fortifying their resilience, and refining their teamwork capabilities. These programmes exemplify the dedication of educators to empower students for the challenges of the 21st century, all while fostering lasting bonds and cherished memories.

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SEC 4 COHORT PROGRAMME UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

In June, the Sec 4 cohort went for their much awaited Universal Studios outing. Some of the objectives of the cohort bonding programme included promoting collective resilience through the level bonding activity and allowing students and teachers to bond through activities that may be out of their comfort zone. Additionally, it also sought to emphasise positive peer influence and resilience.

Part of the Sec 4 cohort programme included a Motivation Programme where the students went out to visit their choice Universities. The afternoon ended with the STAR programme held in the school hall with the students dancing and belting out popular tunes. This was a day that definitely helped to relieve their stress and provided an avenue for them to grow closer as a level.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Secondary 2 Literature Learning Journey to the Peranakan Museum

The Secondary 2 Literature students embarked on a Learning Journey to the Peranakan Museum at the start of Term 3. They were brought around the museum by docents who introduced important artifacts and spoke about the rich history and heritage of the Peranakans.

Students were able to learn about the social, economic, cultural and historical background of the Peranakans, which provided an enriched understanding of the context to the play they are reading as their set text, Emily of Emerald Hill.

My learning journey to the Peranakan Museum was truly an unforgettable experience. As a History fanatic, I had so much fun looking at the different artifacts on display while hearing and reading more about the significance and stories behind them. I also learned more about the culture of the Peranakans and their way of life back then. This helped me to better visualise the play we are reading now, Emily of Emerald Hill, a lot better since the play is set in a Peranakan household. Many of the furniture and clothing stated in the play could be found in the museum and I found it rather refreshing. I hope to do more of such learning journeys in the future! - Hazel, 2A 16

What's Next?

Cultural Exchange Trip Overseas VIA Trip MF Got Talent Graduation!

Staff Retreat Open House and more!

See you soon!

@mayflowersec

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