Issue 1 / Mar 2021
THE BROOKSIAN TIMES Latest news from Northbrooks Secondary School
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE By Mr Nick Chan
Dear parents and the Northbrooks community, With the Covid-19 pandemic still looming over us, Team Northbrooks has continued to ensure that safe management measures are in place. From daily visual screening to temperature screening of students, it has certainly been an intense period for staff with this added workload. For this, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to all my colleagues for rising to the occasion and working assiduously to make the school a safe place for all. I would also like to thank our closest affiliated partners, the Parent Support Group (PSG) and parents for contributing to the school in various ways.
For example, it is heartening to see the PSG and parents distributing food during our Open Breakfast Programme for needy students and our new initiative, Project Sunshine, for needy families. A number of parents even went on to contribute grocery items towards Secondary 2T1’s donation drive for migrant workers, Project #TeamWorkers. These acts of volunteerism are exemplary and help Brooksians learn that as a community, we care for one other. We are also encouraged by our students’ adoption of technology to enhance their learning. The school has successfully redesigned our teaching to leverage technology with the National Digital Literacy Programme (NDLP). Our Secondary Two and Three cohort has started using iPads during their lessons since February while our Secondary Ones will join their seniors in April. It is indeed a wonderful sight to see our Brooksians using apps like OneNote and Padlet even outside their classrooms. This was made possible by working closely with the Ministry of Education’s Learning Partnership in Educational Technology Division and
Besides the NDLP, our school is wellprepared to gear our Brooksians towards being future-ready with other 'Learn for Life' programmes such as Full Subject Based Banding and Blended Learning. We also have a new studentinitiated platform, Brooksian Time, where our Brooksians champion various causes such as the environment, and mental well-being. Every student can actively contribute to class discussions, learn valuable social and life skills for character building and problem solving. To conclude, while this period of time has been challenging, there is a lot of good which has and can come out of it. So, let’s continue to encourage one another. To encourage someone is to give heart to and give courage to that person, as well as to show care. Let’s show that ‘I Care’ and ‘We Care’ in our individual and team capacity. Thank you. Soaring Yet Rooted!
was his tough childhood that inspired him to work hard.
FACES OF NORTHBROOKS
"It's those days of hardship that drove me to be where I am today."
Bringing you closer to
Indeed, several decades on, Dr. Chandroo has achieved his dream and is now a successful businessman. He is the Chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) and Modern Montessori International (MMI), an international group of companies with over 100 teachertraining centres and pre-school centres all over the world. In addition, he also serves as the MMI Group’s CEO.
Dr. T. Chandroo By Ahmad Mikhail Rauff (4G) & Yohannce Tan SY (4G)
Growing up as a young boy from a humble background, Dr. T Chandroo would wake early in the morning to wash his father’s taxi before rushing to school. In the afternoon, upon returning from school, he would then bring the family’s goats to graze grass. To help ease the load of his father, who was the breadwinner for his family of seven, Dr. Chandroo would also supplement the family income by selling curry leaves at the nearby market on Saturday mornings. While carrying out these seemingly menial tasks, the young Dr. Chandroo would often dream of a future life of success and wealth. Speaking to The Brooksian Times from his office in South Bridge Road, Dr. Chandroo shared that it
supported by the Apple Education Team. You can read more about our school's use of iPads for teaching and learning on pages 3 and 4.
Dr. Chandroo remarked: “There’s nothing wrong in you being born poor but you should not die as a poor man. If you are born poor, it is unfortunate. But if you die poor, then blame yourself because you have your lifetime - seventy, eighty years – you should make full use of it.”
It’s those days of hardship that drove me to be where I am today.
It is with this belief that has also led Dr. Chandroo to use his success in a meaningful way – by helping students, Continued on page 3.
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The Brooksian Times / Issue 1 / Mar 2021
HIGHLIGHT S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (4 JAN)
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION (12 FEB)
Brooksians reflect on their hopes and dreams for the brand new year ahead before penning them down on colourful paper planes. They then watched their dreams soar as they launched their planes in their classrooms. "I hope the pandemic will be over and we can officially not wear masks and I want to do better in my studies this year," said Muhd Rosly Erdanny Bin Erzan Eusope (2E).
VEGETABLE HARVEST (25 FEB)
1T1 boys enjoy their meal as they gather with the entire Secondary One cohort for a cohort breakfast. “I think it was great bonding over food and I also got to know my new classmates better," said Mohamad Naufal Bin Mohamad Nazrin.
3I students proudly display their class’ lion head during the school’s Chinese New Year celebration. “It was tough getting everyone to come together after school to make this lion head but we eventually did and it was a great class bonding activity. It was fun and worth it because we won,” said Class Chairperson Nur Aisyah Binte Mohamed Ismail.
LEVEL CAMPS (9-12 MAR)
Students and teachers from the Environmental Art Club harvest their very own homegrown vegetables to share with residents living near our school. “Not only was it meaningful, my CCA friends and I had fun growing our own vegetables and and harvesting the fruit of our labour,” said Gwendolyn Neo Su Ping (4D).
SEC 1 COHORT BREAKFAST (26 JAN)
@ NORTHBROOKS
Secondary Three students embark on their long-awaited level camp in the last week of Term One. They travelled to Pulau Ubin to cycle, hike and kayak and also took part in team-building games in school. "I enjoyed cycling through the different terrains and had a lot of fun with my classmates," said Mak Gao Ming Jerryl (3T).
PROJECT SUNSHINE (6 FEB)
NRIC CEREMONY (10 - 13 FEB)
“Together with the Parent Support Group, student and staff volunteers pack grocery items for families in need from the school. "I volunteered for Project Sunshine as I wanted to help the community. I hope we can distribute groceries to needy residents around our school as well, " said Choo Hao Ming, Raphael (2T1).
4G students proudly display their identity cards as they pose for a class photo. "I am the youngest in the family and I am excited to go through this rite of passage and finally collect my NRIC," said Ahmad Milkhail Rauff (4G).
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The Brooksian Times / Issue 1 / Mar 2021
NATIONAL
iPads in Class
Digital Literacy Programme
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Students from 3T proudly present their newly-acquired iPads during the Device Handover Day on 08 February. For some students, this is the first time they have a computing device to call their own.
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Students from 3I listen attentively to their form teacher Mrs Carolyn Leong as she conducts a basic iPad training session for the class. She was supported by staff from the Ministry of Education and Apple, as they walked around the classroom to ensure that everyone followed the training closely.
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2E students enthusiastically explore the features of the iPad during a training session in school. They learnt about the various apps and features of the iPad that they could use for learning in class.
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2I students store their iPads in the new storage cabinet in their classroom. These cabinets are found in every classroom and help students keep their iPads safe when not in use.
FACES OF NORTHBROOKS Continued from Page 1.
Featuring Dr. T. Chandroo
especially those who came from a Dr. Chandroo also remarked that while similar background as he did. the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has affected many businesses globally, This was why he accepted the invitation including his own preschool chain, last year to become Northbrooks young people should continue to strive Secondary’s first Patron. Previously, he during this uncertain period of time and had also served as the Chairman of the pursue their passions. School Advisory Committee. “Don't postpone the start of your passion “Northbrooks is a very special school. Its because ultimately, it is up to us to unique teachers and hardworking decide our future and achieve our leaders go beyond the call of duty to dream,” he shared. help students and make a difference in their lives. I am honoured to be able to He urged Brooksians to embrace and give back to the community in such a accept failures that may come their way. spectacular way,” Dr. Chandroo shared.
“Life is a journey full of challenges. But one must accept the challenge, each obstacle, each stumbling block. You transform these boulders, these rocks into opportunities. Accept them, challenge them, demolish them, and transform yourself and the challenges into something successful.”
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The Brooksian Times / Issue 1 / Mar 2021
I LOVE MY IPAD BECAUSE...
What Say You? By Uzma Haziqah Binte Mohd Shafie (2I), Ayra Amberlynn Binte Mohamed Amin (1E), Noor Billah Batrisyia Binte Saleem Akhter(4E), Mirrah Rifqah Hazwani Binte Mohd Ridzuan (4E)
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR BROOKSIANS USING IPADS FOR LEARNING? iPads will revolutionise the way Brooksians learn. Students will also have access to the technological world of vlogs, podcasts as well as augmented and virtual reality programs. I hope that students will master digital literacy and learn how to verify the authenticity of Internet sources. This will also engage students in active learning. Dear Brooksians, I also hope that you will uphold our school values of G.I.F.T.E.D. as you use your iPads to learn.
Ascendas Teo (3I)
the iPad has many apps that are useful for drawing. For example, I have learnt about different types of brushes that can be used for painting and the effects they create from the Sketchbook app. I also find it easier to draw and erase on an iPad.
Jannah Batrisyia (2E)
Mdm Poh Shi Hui (Vice-Principal)
Graciousness: You should be polite and civic-minded when posting comments online. Integrity: You should have the moral courage to do the right thing when you see injustice online such as cyber-bullying. Fortitude: You should have the determination and perseverance to press on when you encounter difficulties and distractions that impede your learning. Teamwork: You should strive to collaborate harmoniously with your peers through technology. Empathy: While online, you should show kindness and put yourself in someone else's shoes. Discipline: Most importantly to me, you should know when to fold your device and spend time outside of technology.
COMING SOON!
during Physics lessons, I use an app called Sketchbook to sketch graphs for kinematics. It has been beneficial for my learning as I can ensure the graph is of the right coordinates more easily. I also do not need to invest a lot of time to erase my drawings when I make mistakes.
Muhammad Fitri (3D)
during English lessons, I am able to type down notes with my iPad, and it makes my learning so much better! With the iPad, my English lessons are way more enjoyable with all the Kahoot games my teacher, Mr. Khairi, sets for us. The iPad has changed my way of learning, and I am happy to have it.
it makes lessons more intriguing. It also helps me to not lose my notes as most of them are digital now. However, the use of iPads in lessons also has its disadvantages as I can be distracted by it during lessons. Nevertheless, I am learning to cope by being self-disciplined and using my iPad for the right thing at the right time.
EAGOR says ...
Wow! We're really starting off 2021 with a bang!
Catherine Baliad (2I)
CREDITS Editors Mrs. Jasvindar S. Singh Mr. Gavin Ler Mrs. Carolyn Leong Ms. Audrey Chong Mr. Zest Tan Miss. Chelsea Mun Mr. Jason Chua Mr. Muhammad Khairi Photography & videography Neo Jun Jie Hagen (4G) Maya Alisa Binte Muhammad Aliff (3T) Nur Suhada Ramadhani Binte Zulkiflee (3E)
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