THE BROOKSIAN TIMES
Issue 2 / 2018
Latest news from Northbrooks Secondary
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
students to coach them in specific issues. In addition, we have started catering breakfast for our FAS students every morning, which is appreciated by the students who arrive early in the canteen so as to enjoy it.
By Nick Chan
Dear parents and the Northbrooks Community, Here at Northbrooks, to support the holistic development of our students, we have recently introduced the Heart to Heart (H2H) sessions, as well as the Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) time. Twice a week, during the morning assemblies, Brooksians read to widen their knowledge, while our teachers speak with individual
FACES OF NORTHBROOKS: Bringing you closer to
I’m heartened to share with you that we have attained some improvements in our 2017 ‘O’ and ‘N’ level results. Still, we also know that grades are not everything. With emerging threats to our social fabric, such as fake news, it is even more vital that we build our character and critical thinking skills. These skills are vital to Singapore’s survival. The school sets out to foster the Champions’ Learning Mindset in all
our Brooksians, This issue explores some of the ways we develop their gritand resilience -- through role models like Mdm Nair, new student spaces like the gym, and school events such as Cross-Country. Let’s continue to work together and promote a stronger home-schoolcommunity partnership so that we can build the “gotong royong” spirit among our community, and better prepare a stronger generation for the future.
The school sets out to foster the Champion's Learning Mindset in all our Brooksians.
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Mdm Nair By Licia Tay
Mention 'student discipline' at Northbrooks Secondary School and one of the first names that comes to mind is Madam Nair. Mdm Nair - whose full name is Mdm K Madavy Nair - is the school's discipline officer, a job she she has held for almost 13 years, since retiring from the Singapore Police Force in 2005. As a discipline officer, her role is to help maintain the school's overall discipline and this spans from conducting attire checks to providing 'free' haircuts to students.
being like a mother to us," writes one student in one card. Mdm Nair says she enjoys disciplining students as she finds it "immensely rewarding" when she notices positive changes in a student's behaviour.
"It is truly fulfilling to see that a student has changed for the better," she says.
While a much-feared figure in school, Mdm Nair is also respected and well-loved. Cards thanking her line her workstation.
A lesser-known side of Mdm Nair to most Brooksians is that sports is also another great passion of hers.
"Thank you Mdm Nair for
:Sports is in my blood. It is like
an addiction to me. If I do not exercise for just a day, I find there is something missing." Among her notable achievements in sports is representing Singapore in competitive walking at the 1981 SEA Games in Manila and coming in 4th position in the 5km and 10km walk.
When asked if she has any words of advice for Brooksians, she says: "Focus on your studies. Also, age is no barrier for sports. It's all in the mind and it takes willpower to overcome. I strongly encourage all students to keep fit and exercise regularly,"
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The Brooksian Times
HIGHLIGHTS
@ NORTHBROOKS
By Fanny Sim (4F) & Mr Ivan Wu
RECYCLATRON 5 FEB
CHINESE NEW YEAR 15 FEB
Sec 1D students are all smiles after collecting recyclables from Yishun residents. They were participating in Recyclatron, an annual school event which promotes public spiritedness and recycling. Even though it has only been a month since they joined the Northbrooks family, they displayed fortitude and teamwork throughout the event.
TOTAL DEFENCE DAY 14 FEB
Parade commander, Mr Toh Chin Hwee, executes a salute after bringing the school’s attention to the national flag. Moments earlier, as part of the commemoration of Total Defence Day, staff members shared about how each of them contribute to Total Defence. They ended by saying, emphatically, “I’m proud to be a Singaporean.”
Brooksians cheer in excitement as their very own class lions emerge from the back of the hall, performing creative lion dance moves while making their way to the stage. Each class created a lion out of recycled items as they vied for the honour of 'best lion' in their level. To add on to the festivities, many students, teachers and alumni members also came clad in red outfits. The celebration ended off with the school singing popular Chinese New Year classics such as 'Gong Xi, Gong Xi' and 'He Xin Nian'.
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CROSS COUNTRY 23 FEB
What Say You?
By Nuh Muhammad (4F)
"WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TODAY?" It's a opportunity to bond not just with our child but also with the school, so we can understand the school better. After a month of intense training in school, Secondary 3 boys finally set off for their run through Macritchie Reservoir. This is the second year that the school's cross country run is held at the reservoir and the event also saw the school's alumni and parents taking part.
Mr Desmond Soh and Mrs Vivien Soh, parents of Jerome Soh (1G)
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The Brooksian Times
EXCITING NEW SPACES IN NORTHBROOKS!
CHAMPIONS' LODGE Officially opened in October 2017, the Champions’ Lodge is a specially-designed physical space for all Brooksians to unwind after school. The lodge is run by a group of students who were elected as members of the lodge's executive committee. The lodge's tagline:
'By Champions, For Champions'
'STRESSED'
spelled backwards is
'DESSERTS'
illustrates the objective of developing a culture of peer leadership among students and the executive committee.
By Gabriel Asaween (4G) & Hawwa Surayya (4G)
Teenagers often face stress, be it from social issues or studies. But, when managed well, stress can also motivate us. How can we turn stress into a sweetener in our lives?
Equipped with comfortable furniture and a wide range of games students love and, the Champions' Lodge is open twice a week for students to play the available games or simply chat with fellow Brooksians.
For Students
Prioritise Your studies, friends and leisure activities are important, but so is your mental health and happiness. Know what is most important to you, and plan your time wisely.
R.E.P.S. GYM
Take a break If you are feeling overwhelmed, stop for a moment. Give yourself some space for a breather and rest.
Located at Level 1 of Block C, the R.E.P.S. Gym attracts both staff and students. R.E.P.S. can either stand for the positive traits we want to see in all Brooksians, such as being Resilient, Energetic, Persistent and Selfdisciplined, or actions that users can perform in bicycles, a squat / power a gym, such as Run, rack and an 8-station Exert, Pedal and Stretch. multi-gym., There is also a free space area for With an area of 70m², it is users to lift free weights more spacious than most or carry out flexibility school gyms and exercises and treadmills, 2 stationary calisthenics.
Talk it out It is helpful to talk it out with someone, be it a friend, a parent, a teacher or even one of our friendly school counsellors. We hope to attract Brooksians to step inside for some physical training activities after school, and to
celebrate health.
For Friends Listen Be a willing listener to your friends' troubles. They will feel truly lucky to have you as a friend, and they'll have your back when you need a listening ear too.
Have fun together
"WHAT KEPT YOU GOING DURING THE RACE? The tough terrain made running difficult, but I'm happy I persevered. Hidayat Abdullah (2D)
My willingness to reduce my weight and train hard helped me to improve my stamina and complete the run. Low Hong Kai Leo (4E)
I was motivating myself, and telling others I met along the way, "You can do it!" Nur Syaura Qistina Bte (3T)
Want a short getaway from the routines of being a student? Why not just relax at the Champions' Lodge with some friends?
For Parents Just be there Simply encouraging and supporting your child could make a big difference. Even when teenagers don't want to talk, we usually don't want our parents to leave us alone.
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The Brooksian Times
SEC 1 - 4 LEVEL CAMPS (6 - 9 MARCH) These camps exposed Brooksians to a series of customised programmes, tailored for active learning and challenging their limits. In addition, they reinforced the school's values, developed social and emotional skills and leadership qualities, in safe environments.
SEC 1
SEC 2
SEC 3
Students from 3G and 3I have fun in the sun as they make their way across a water obstacle course at Koref Eco Farm in Desaru, Malaysia.
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COMING SOON!
SEC 4
CONNECT WITH US
CREDITS www.northbrookssec.moe.edu.sg
Editors Mrs Carolyn Leong Mrs Jasvindar S. Singh Mrs Wright Yi Na Resident Writers Gabriel Asaween (4G) Hawwa Surayya (4G) Licia Tay (4G) Nuh Muhammad (4F) Fanny Sim (4F) Photography Photography Club Mr Muhammad Khairi Ms Joscelin Chew
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The Brooksian Times
LEVEL CAMPS (6 - 9 MARCH)
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These camps exposed Brooksians to a series of customised programmes, tailored for active learning and challenging their limits. In addition, they reinforced the school's values, developed social and emotional skills and leadership qualities, in safe environments.
Students from 3G and 3I have fun in the sun as they make their way across a water obstacle course at Koref Eco Farm in Desaru, Malaysia.
COMING SOON!
Students from 3G and 3I have fun in the sun as they make their way across a water obstacle course at Koref Eco Farm in Desaru, Malaysia.
EAGOR, our mascot
CREDITS Editors Mrs Carolyn Leong Mrs Jasvindar S. Singh Mrs Wright Yi Na Resident Writers Gabriel Asaween (4G) Hawwa Surayya (4G) Licia Tay (4G) Nuh Muhammad (4F) Fanny Sim (4F) Photography Photography Club Mr Muhammad Khairi Ms Joscelin Chew
CONNECT WITH US www.northbrookssec.moe.edu.sg