2023
North Vista Primary School | Page 1
THE VISTA TIMES From the Principal’s Desk Year 2023 is special for North Vista Primary School (NVTPS) as we celebrate the significant milestone of 15 years since its founding in 2008 and continue to build on our success. This occasion is commemorated with the theme ‘Onward’. As we recognise our past achievements, we will also be reviewing our current practices and programmes to ensure their relevance in the years ahead. As the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child." The school pays tribute to the School Advisory Committee (SAC), which has been a steadfast pillar of support over the years. Members, including Chairperson Mr. Tarn Sien Hao who has contributed for more than a decade, and the SAC play a crucial role in connecting the school with partners, initiating and sponsoring Growth Mindset awards for staff, and promoting a caring culture within the school. We would also like to give a shout-out to parents and in particular, members of our Parent Support Group for their unwavering support and willingness to assist with various school activities. Amidst the school activities, one would invariably associate NVTPS with Softball, Choir, Uniform Groups, and its Applied Learning Programme which harnesses coding to develop students into computational and logical thinkers. When one steps into the school, one can sense that the school also has a vibrant aesthetic programme in the area of Visual and Performing Arts. These are important as they not only impart knowledge and skills but also 21st Century Competencies such as Critical, Adaptive and Inventive Thinking; Communication, Collaboration and Information Skills, as well as Civic, Global and Cross-Cultural Literacy. A new addition to the school's infrastructure is the Makerspace, equipped with 3D printers and other tools for students to experiment, problemsolve, and apply their skills to real-life scenarios. In line with our mission of igniting the passion for learning and character building, we continue to leverage Edtech to make lessons interesting, piquing students’ curiosity and motivating them to learn. The Ministry of Education supports this effort by providing AI tools to assist teachers in their work and deliver customised lessons that meet the students’ learning needs. The school values its dedicated teaching and non-teaching staff, many of whom have been part of the school since 2008. The commitment, care, and quality of our educators are essential in bringing the school's plans into action. Finally, NVTPS congratulates its 2023 P6 cohort and is proud to have provided them with a strong foundation to face the challenges that lie ahead as they move on to the next stage of their education.
Ong Lye Whatt Principal
Highlights
01 02
Foreword Every Parent A Supportive Partner
03
Caring Leaders
05
Caring Citizens
06
Critical Thinkers
08
Appreciators of the Arts
09
Active and Healthy Lifestyle
10
Joy of Learning
14
Confident Team Players
16
NVTPS Where We Belong
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Every Parent A Supportive Partner | Page 2
Parent support group @ Vista PSG@Vista aims to partner the school to create a nurturing and vibrant learning environment for our Vistalites. This year, many of our parent volunteers have come together to support numerous school and PSG-organised activities and initiatives. The events met with resounding success, and this could not have been possible without the support and contribution of our dedicated Parent Volunteers. Let’s take a look at some of the exciting events that we had in 2023!
Scan the QR code to join our PSG family!
Our Bistro Angels who are ever-ready to help
Helping out in various school celebrations such as Hari Raya and International Friendship Day
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Caring Leaders | Page 3
Growth Mindset
Encouragement packs brought smiles to P6 students
In support of our P6 students, the Parent Support Group (PSG) prepared a special event on 20 September. Encouragement packs were distributed, and a video showcased the students' six-year journey as they overcame challenges and difficulties with a Growth Mindset. We are very proud of them!
Student voices
Twinning with North Vista Secondary Secondary Three Prefects from North Vista Secondary School (NVSS) organised an engaging Emerging STARS Prefects Workshop on 12 January. The workshop aimed to hone the leadership skills of our prefects and equip them with the principles of Servant Leadership. Our prefects also gained valuable insights into effective communication and facilitation strategies, enabling them to excel in their roles as confident student leaders.
Dialogue with Mr. Teo Ser Luck On 13 April, Mr. Teo Ser Luck graced our school and delivered a motivational talk to our P5 and P6 students. His inspiring life experiences left a lasting impression on our students, encouraging them to adopt a Growth Mindset in the face of challenges. We believe that his words will resonate with our students and inspire them to strive for personal growth and development.
Our dedicated Alumni and prefects returned to school to create heartfelt Teachers' Day gifts for our staff from 15 to 20 June. Their hard work and dedication in crafting these gifts were a testament to their appreciation for the tireless efforts of our teachers. We are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support and believe that their kind gesture will go a long way in strengthening the bond between our students and staff.
Creation of Gifts for Teachers’ Day
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Caring Leaders | Page 4
To start every Vistalite's day on a cheery note, Vista Bears from P4 to P6 stationed themselves at various gates and outside classrooms for morning greetings duties on a weekly basis. Vista Bears from P6 stepped up to mentor their P4 juniors, taking part in the Peer Support Structure Programme to share their valuable experiences.
P4 Vista Bears completing an activity to understand the impact of positive and negative words on others
Putting them selv
Vista Bears
es in the shoe
s of others
Starting the day on a cheery note
Student Well-Being Vista Care Day Vista Care Day takes place in Week 5 of each term. In Term 1, students engaged in various activities to familiarise themselves with their Vista Buddies, and in Term 2, they focused on learning to navigate and manage their differences. In Term 3, students were given the opportunity to demonstrate the culture of care. The students wrote heartfelt notes of appreciation and encouragement to various groups of people, such as school staff, parent volunteers and the graduating students. Students also showed appreciation to their Vista Buddies through handmade cards, notes and gifts in Term 4.
Notes of appreciation to canteen, bookshop vendors and school staff
Notes written by P5 students to encourage the P6 graduating cohort
Our very own Vista Bear mascot
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Caring Citizens | Page 5
Values In Action P5 students learnt about being caring commuters through a project tied to our Character & Citizenship Education programme. This project was an extension of their English lesson, ‘Ride On’, which focused on Singapore’s Public Transportation. The students learnt about empathy (Awareness, Action, Advocate) and pledged to become caring commuters. With a better understanding of hidden conditions and inspired by their classmates’ stories, the students are motivated to be caring commuters and contribute to the well-being of society.
Working together to craft their pledges to be caring commuters
Character & citizenship education
Students with their pledges
Manga artwork by Kysha Ng (P5-4)
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Critical Thinkers | Page 6
Applied Learning Programme (ALP) at NVTPS aims to develop future-ready problem solvers through authentic real-world applications. The programme takes a broadbased approach to the main curriculum, providing opportunities for P1 to P5 students to become critical thinkers and expressive communicators through play, cocreation of prototypes, and sharing them with peers. By fostering critical thinking, creativity and collaboration through real-world applications, the programme helps students develop the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.
Exploring the coding
functions in Scratch
applied learning programme Computational Thinking P1 to P4 students work on creating digital storyboards centered around the theme of environmental sustainability. By collaborating with others, they learn about computational thinking, a vital problem-solving skill in the digital age. This approach helps students develop their creativity and innovation while also honing their ability to work collaboratively.
Students expl orin
g the coding
functions in Sc
ratch Jr
Design Thinking P5 students take their learning to the next level by exploring design thinking to improve users’ experiences in their daily lives. This design thinking approach allows students to gain experience in identifying problems, empathising with others, and developing creative solutions that meet the needs of their target users. Students sharing about their digital artefacts
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Critical Thinkers | Page 7
Infocomm and innovation club At the Infocomm and Innovation Club, passionate learners of the ALP deepen their coding skills as digital makers and apply their problem-solving abilities to real-world challenges. They gain hands-on experience in coding with micro:bit, Scratch, and Thunkable app design. Using technology, they learn how to problem-solve and use upcycled materials such as cardboard to create useful artefacts. They also learn how to design and build their own Strawbees structures by applying computational thinking and design thinking constructs. Students even had the chance to attend a field trip to Headrock VR, one of the largest Virtual Reality (VR) parks in Singapore. They explored how VR can be used across various fields and industries, and even had the opportunity to experience some of the thrilling rides. They went on a ride down raging river rapids and travelled through a blizzard on a dog sled, thanks to the immersive technology of VR.
VR Learning journey to Headrock
Achievements Students displayed their coding skills and earned recognition in various competitions: The ‘Food Buddy’ project received a Commendation Award at the Pei Hwa Hackathon. The ‘RevSmart’ project was shortlisted for the Swift Explorer Singapore (SES) Showcase and made it to the Top 15 Finalists in the National Primary Games Creation and Coding Competition (NPGCC). In the DrCT competition, they won 3 Gold, 10 Silver, 15 Bronze, and received 8 Honourable mentions.
Writing codes for their Strawbees structures
Using Strawbees to construct structures
Project Presentation at SES
Presentation to panel of judges at IDE 2023
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Appreciators of the Arts | Page 8
Learning to handle and play the Djembe
Learning for life programme ArtsAlive! Students in the Modular ArtsAlive! CCA had the chance to explore both music and visual art forms, immersing themselves in a diverse range of creative expressions and fostering an appreciation for the arts. With the focus on music in Semester One, students were exposed to Djembe, an ethnic instrument. They learnt about the history of Djembe and how to play cohesively as a group. In Semester Two, students learnt to communicate through art using various methods of printmaking, including cyanotype, linocut and silkscreen printing.
Linocut printing on tiles featuring Peranakan designs
Cyanotype printing which involves exposing a special coating under UV light to create a print
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Active and Healthy Lifestyle | Page 9
Programme for Active Learning To provide a holistic learning experience for our P1 and P2 students, the PAL programme aims to develop personal, social and emotional competencies. Every student goes through four different modules: Outdoor Education, Sports and Games, Performing Arts and Visual Arts.
Watching out for one another through bouldering during Outdoor Education module
PE, Art & Music SwimSafer Programme
In collaboration with ActiveSG, P3 students participated in the SwimSafer programme which comprises comprehensive swimming lessons led by experienced coaches over eight weeks. This initiative instils vital swimming skills and promotes water safety and confidence in our students upon successful completion of the programme.
Sports Day Sports Day, a highlight of our Children's Day celebrations, took the form of inter-class games competitions. P1 to P3 students engaged in three relay-style novelty games. P4 students participated in the game ‘Strike it, Knock it, a challenging test of striking accuracy and teamwork. P5 and P6 students engaged in ’Captain’s Ball’ matches within their respective tiers. Overall, the Sports Day was a great opportunity for students to showcase their athletic abilities and build lasting memories.
Art Showcases Exhibition of students’ works
Music
me
Ga
on
The school held an annual art exhibition at Sengkang Library from 1 to 28 August. Six different themes of art, namely, Fashion Flowers of ASEAN (P1), Papier Mache (P2), Photography Diorama (P3), Photography (P4), Paper Pulp Sculptures (P6), and ceramics works of the students in Vista Art Excellence CCA, were featured. In this year’s SYF competition, students’ works were exhibited at Stamford Arts Centre from 18 to 30 July. Inspired by Han Sai Por's "Black Forest", students created a piece consisting of vessels with seeds, to educate visitors about seeds that give life while spreading the message about the importance of protecting the environment.
This year, our students embarked on enriching and immersive music programmes such as Music and Movement (P1), Boomwhackers (P2), Ukulele (P3), Dikir Barat (P4), Beatbox (P5) and GarageBand (P6). These programmes provided our students with integrative experiences in listening, creating and performing music, and allowed for deeper engagement in their musical learning. School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Joy of Learning | Page 10
Posing at the beautiful wedding dais
Mother tongue MT Fortnight
Learning to cut the auspicious “ “ for weddings
双喜
Creating paper dolls wearing traditional Malay costumes
Using creativity
The Mother Tongue Department collaborated with the National Education and Social Studies (NESS) Department in the annual Mother Tongue (MT) Fortnight which ran from 10 to 21 July. In our multicultural society, this is an opportunity for our students to learn about the other races’ wedding customs and to live in harmony.
to create henn a designs
Students delved into the cultural richness of Chinese, Malay and Indian weddings through engaging real-life exhibitions and classroom activities. Chinese Language students explored traditional wedding paper cutting and Nonya wedding shoe design. Malay Language students crafted bean portraits, paper dolls, Bunga Telur, and Bunga Manggar, among other creations. Tamil Language students participated in coconut rolling games and learnt the Kummi Dance.
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Joy of Learning | Page 11
Storybook characters came alive in Term 3 as students from P1, P2 and P3 transformed into their favourite literary characters, creating a magical atmosphere of imagination. The day not only celebrated literature but also fostered a love for reading. In class, students eagerly discussed their chosen characters and the stories they came from. During assembly, the students watched a skit performed by the EL Literary Club members. Teachers and parents joined in the fun too by parading as famous storybook characters! Laughter and excitement filled the air, making it a day of both fun and learning.
Storybook Character Day
English Singlit Appreciation
Classroom and Library activities to promote the joy of reading
NVTPS played host to the authors of Sherlock Sam, Adan and Felicia (AJ Low), on 26 July. Our P5 Vistalites had a fruitful assembly learning about the importance of characterisation and the writing process. To top it off, students had the chance to meet and greet our guests up close! Leading up to the visit, Vistalistes were given their very own autographed copy of ‘Sherlock Sam and the Digital Detectives on Instanoodlegram’, and went through a Literature Appreciation Programme. After the visit, students showed their appreciation and reflected on their key takeaways by writing a postcard to the authors to conclude the programme. Students from various levels were also given the opportunity to participate in the ‘Name the Icons’ and ‘Book Bingo Challenge’ library activities during recess. It was an eye-opening experience indeed! School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Joy of Learning | Page 12
Math Trail
MATHEMATICS
The Math Trail was conducted for the P1 and P3 students in Term 3. During the trail around the school, P1 students participated in activities to learn about division, number comparison and shape identification. P3 students, on the other hand, learnt about length and estimation, planning and budgeting of money and place values through a range of hands-on activities. The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves through the authentic learning experiences and realised how Math can be applied in the real world.
P1 students forming division equations using number blocks
P3 students measuring the length of the table at the Bistro
Students working collaboratively to solve the tasks
Math, Science and Environmental Education Fair
Applying logical thinking in Sudoku
Learning the science of rainbow through food colouring
Using the concept of Ratio to make playdough
The very first NVTPS Math, Science and Environmental Education Fair kicked off on 25 May. Students learnt more about Math, Science and the environment through activities such as Make Your Own Playdough, the Biodiversity Trail and Science Buskers activities. They also had the opportunity to adopt a plant and showcase their airplane folding skills at our signature Paper Airplane Competition. Who said Math and Science are boring? With so many exciting games and activities, the students definitely had a blast!
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Joy of Learning | Page 13
Science & environment Urban Farming
It has been a journey of discovery and green-thumb cultivation right here at NVTPS as our P4 students rolled up their sleeves and immersed themselves in the world of agriculture in the Urban Farming project. They planted seedlings on floating boards, then transferred the thriving saplings to our hydroponics structures. After four to six weeks of nurturing, a bountiful variety of vegetables including chye sim, kang kong, and red spinach were harvested. In addition to the seamless alignment to the Science syllabus, this practical and hands-on experience also fosters a deep sense of responsibility for the environment.
Students harvest after 6 weeks and celebrate their green success with homegrown veggies!
Biodiversity Trail In alignment with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, the Science and Environment Club has been working tirelessly to nurture the next generation of eco-stewards. The heart of this initiative lies in empowering students to become environment champions as these dedicated young leaders guided their peers through an engaging and enlightening journey within our school garden during the Math, Science, and Environment Education Fair. Armed with iPads, they facilitated an interactive experience that not only educates but also inspires. Through this immersive learning opportunity, our students gained a deeper understanding of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Environment champions taking up the role of nature guides
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Confident Team Players | Page 14
sports & uniformed groups Basketball In a season that has been memorable in our school's sports history, our Basketball CCA achieved unprecedented success. Our senior boys skillfully refined their abilities and employed strategic tactics to secure the 4th position in the fiercely competitive North Zone, earning them a spot in the Nationals. Meanwhile, the Junior Boys’ team, participating in Tier 2, clinched a well-deserved 2nd place in their debut competition. Senior Team receiving trophy at the North Zone Finals
Rugby Vista Rugby Seniors team fought hard in the NSG
Softball
Our Vista Rugby boys achieved remarkable success by securing 2nd place in the classification rounds and a hard-fought 3rd place in the Tier 1 Competition. Our Vista Rugby boys displayed the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the competitions. Win or lose, they conducted themselves with grace, respect, and a sense of fair play.
Our Vista Softball boys and girls achieved remarkable success in the zonal competitions this year, securing 4th place for the Senior Girls, 1st place for the Junior Boys and 2nd place for the Junior Girls in the Tier 2 competitions. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, the Vista batters distinguished themselves with their unwavering commitment to fair play and a respectful attitude towards both referees and competitors.
Softball Junior Girls getting ready for the right hit
Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades BB contingent at the NVTPS National Day Parade.
Boys’ Brigade members undergo weekly parades that contribute to their development in Global Awareness, Community Spiritedness, Personal Mastery, and Leadership. This year, our school’s BB100J company achieved Distinction for the J M Fraser Award for Excellence, in recognition of the BB companies’ achievements.
The Girls’ Brigade Junior programme encourages members to explore the world around them and cultivate a heart of service through practical workshops and activities. Our unit has been awarded the Bronze Award in the Junior Leaders being appointed during the GB Junior Leadership Training Camp Girls’ Brigade Foot-drill Competition. School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
Confident Team Players | Page 15
performing arts
Opportunity to perform, interact and learn from other primary schools’ bands
Choir
Band
This year, our Band hosted our first band exchange with Concorde Primary School, Casuarina Primary School and Hougang Primary School. During the exchange, band members received specialised tutelage for their respective instruments, allowing improvement in instrument proficiency. It was an enriching experience where the students learnt from one another to work on their musicianship, gained more friends, and increased their exposure to more band pieces.
Living by the motto, “We Sing. We Inspire. We Bring Joy”, the Les Vista Choristes hope to inspire and bring joy to people around them through their singing. The choir was invited to perform at the Esplanade Concourse on 1 July, as part of the “Shall We Sing” platform of the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Celebrations. They put up a splendid performance, making the numerous hours of practice worthwhile. Through this experience, the choristes have gained confidence in public performance and become more dedicated to improving themselves.
Performing at the Esplanade Concourse
Chinese Dance
With the aim of promoting cultural awareness, physical fitness, creativity, and teamwork, our Vista Chinese Dance troupe has a vibrant and inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity and encourages the students to embrace the beauty of Chinese dance. Some key performances this year include the Lunar New Year celebrations and the school’s Open House. Giving our best in all trainings
International Dance International Dance CCA is an excellent platform for our students to tap into their artistic potential and display their talents. Through dance, our team of dedicated teachers and instructors instill resilience and discipline, alongside other school values. On 27 May, our dancers staged a laudable performance for the school’s Open House. Their energetic dance performance was a crowd puller and it got them an outstanding ovation from the audience. All ready to shine
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony
2023
NVTPS - Where We Belong | Page 16
P5 Camp S t u d e n t b o n d i n g In addition to honing their outdoor skills, such as navigating, kayaking, and trekking, Vistalites also developed stronger bonds with their classmates during the P5 Camp. They learnt to communicate effectively and support one another while facing challenges. These experiences enriched their understanding of the outdoor environment and instilled the school values in them.
Kayaking experience in Seletar Reservoir
Pushing on with our hike
Supporting one another in harmony
Working together to navigate
Staff bonding Teachers’ Day Celebration
Reciting the Teacher’s Pledge
Performance by Oscar Pan (P6-2, Class of 2022)
e
un tim
ing a f rs hav e h c a Te
achers eciation to te Heartfelt appr
pport Group
by Parents Su
Teachers' Day celebration was a heartwarming occasion, filled with gratitude and admiration for our dedicated educators. The event was a testament to the strong bond between teachers, students, parents, and alumni. The deep appreciation and creative tributes left our teachers truly touched. Teachers also recited the Teachers’ Pledge as we remain committed to serve and bring out the best in our students. Teachers enjoyed a sumptuous lunch before spending time with one another in the after-school celebration segment. It was a day filled with fun, love and appreciation, a beautiful reminder of the profound role teachers play in our lives.
EL Publications Team: Mr Nelson Ong, Mrs Eng I-Ling, Ms Jen Gan, Mr Ralph Ong, Mdm Roxanne Chua
School Core Values: Respect . Resilience . Responsibility . Integrity . Care . Harmony