Issue 2 / July 2021
THE BROOKSIAN TIMES Latest news from Northbrooks Secondary School
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE By Mr Nick Chan
Dear parents and the Northbrooks community, In the blink of an eye, Semester 1 2021 has come to a close. In spite of constraints the Covid-19 pandemic has posed, our school managed to implement most of our planned programmes for the semester successfully. Our Secondary 1s and 3s enjoyed exciting Level Camps and the entire school community came together to celebrate Northbrooks’ 21st birthday on our annual Speech Day. During this period of time, Brooksians, Staff, Parents, the School Advisory Committee and Alumni have also involved themselves in doing good and helping others, such as helping someone in distress and contributing to another person or welfare associations in need.
These actions exemplify our school's Vision 'Every Brooksian a Champion, Impacting the Community', and I am elated and proud to see such kind and positive deeds emerging from our school. In addition, we have also collaborated with a number of Partnersin-Education to co-create extension programmes such as Project Sunshine (PSG/ parents), Morning Breakfast Programmes (PSG/ parents), ACE! Programme (ACCESS Singapore), NWCDC Green Living Programmes, authentic Service-Learning programmes (Heartware Network), and many more which are distinctive and authentic for both our students and staff, with several also impacting the community-at-large. This year, Northbrooks also kicked off three major MOE initiatives to benefit our Brooksians for the long haul. These initiatives are Full Subject Based Banding in Term 1, the National Digital Literacy Programme in Terms 1 and 2 as well as Blended Learning in Term 2. We had planned for the implementation of these programmes since mid-2020 and we are glad to already see their positive impacts on our Brooksians.
In this issue, we shine the spotlight on three well-regarded colleagues who have served tirelessly in the education service. They are Mrs S. Singh Jasvindar, Mr Omar Ismail and Mr Tang Kin Hua. These individuals share one very similar amazing trait: their steadfast dedication and passion for teaching and moulding the younger generation. Lastly, with the Covid-19 situation here taking a more concerning turn since 14 May (Phase 2 - Heightened Alert), we have stepped up our school’s safe management measures to safeguard the Northbrooks community. From 19 May, all schools, including Northbrooks, shifted to full HomeBased Learning till the end of Term 2. Since 1 June, MOE has commenced the COVID-19 vaccination for students in schools and Institutes of Higher Learning as part of the national vaccination exercise. Northbrooks has been encouraging our graduating batch and Sec. 1-3 students to book their vaccination appointments so as to protect themselves and their families.
Despite the uncertainty that we face now, with strong support from our Home-SchoolCommunity partnership and our Team Northbrooks’ commitment to the education service, I believe the Northbrooks Community Similarly, as in past newsletters, we will continue to thrive and flourish. make special mention of noteworthy individuals who have made outstanding Thank you. contributions. Soaring Yet Rooted!
FACES OF NORTHBROOKS Featuring Mrs S. Singh Jasvindar, Mr Omar Ismail and Mr Tang Kin Hua By Nur Aisyah Batrisyia Binte Salimi (3G), Reuben Chia Chong Wei (3F) & Miss Chelsea Mun
“Teachers wear so many hats! I have always loved the challenge of trying new job scopes.” - Mrs Singh
From using chalk and blackboards when they first started teaching to embracing the current digital wave in educating the students of today, Mrs S. Singh Jasvindar, Mr Omar Ismail and Mr Tang Kin Hua have seen it all. Yet, in spite of the numerous changes the education landscape has been through, these three veteran Brooksian educators have not wavered from their calling - to mould leaders of tomorrow and the future of Singapore.
in their performance."
Mrs Singh, who is the school’s Head of Department for English Language and Literature, began teaching in 1985 and was recently awarded the MOE Long Service Award for 35 years of service. Mrs Singh says that she loves "seeing her students improve their linguistic competencies, develop confidence and feel motivated when they see progress
She also cherishes the opportunities she had to travel with students for ServiceLearning / Twinning programmes to New Zealand, Thailand and China. These experiences were special as they helped students gain a wider perspective of the world and an appreciation for other people's ways of life, while feeling grateful for their own.
“The company of young minds makes me feel lively and reenergised. It keeps my mind active.” - Mr Omar
Similarly, Mr Omar who began his teaching career as a Malay Language teacher in 1963, even before Singapore gained independence, has a simple teaching philosophy for the past 57 years: he believes in not only imparting knowledge to his students but also planting the seed of self-confidence in their hearts. Continued on page 3.