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FMS Annual 2022 - Message from FMS(P) Principal
Message from FMS(P) Principal
2022 is a remarkable year for our school as we slowly resumed many of the learning activities and experiences that were put on hold in the last two years. Many school activities and programmes that can be carried out face to face were brought back for our students. Our students went on learning journeys to the supermarket to learn life skills like budgeting, planning and teamwork in Maths. They also went to places of heritage and historical significance like Kampong Gelam, Little India and Chinatown to learn about the diversity and vibrancy of our society. Our students participated in Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation, held at various performing arts venues, giving them authentic experiences to perform on stage with their peers that would promote team spirit and unity. Our sports CCAs played against other schools, giving them the experiences of competitive sports to promote the spirit of excellence. They have all done well and we are very proud of their efforts and achievements.
The last two years of the pandemic also saw education leapfrogging into the virtual environment of home-based learning, where digital technology is used in a big and pervasive way. This year, the school has equipped every Primary 5 student with a laptop in class for our teachers to use at any time. With such a transformation in the classroom, our students learn to be more independent and more collaborative. Our teachers also upped their e-pedagogy through developing interesting online teaching resources and digital tools. They also shared their ideas in online Interest groups, at conferences and in school. There were breakthroughs in innovations as teachers tried new tools and applications, explored new methods of teaching, all the while keeping abreast of developments in pedagogy and technology. We are very heartened that one of our projects that harnesses technology to help students practise oral skills and reading was awarded the MOE Innergy (Gold) Award for innovations that are developed and implemented in schools.
But we do not jettison traditional practices and resources that are good and effective, and have served us well. In addition to online resources, our teachers are also very creative in producing materials in hardcopy that students can feel, touch, smell, and of course, read. Our Chinese Language teachers have published another story book “花菲乐游记” (A Tale of Fairfield Carnival) for our lower primary students to enjoy. The English Language Department also put together the second publication in the trilogy, a comic book entitled ‘It’s at Fairfield, at Fairfield!’, in celebration of Fairfield’s rich history and tradition. We look forward to the third and final publication that would be unveiled and gifted to every student in 2023, as we celebrate Fairfield Methodist Schools’ 135th Founder’s Day!
As I reflect on the last two years leading Fairfield students and staff through the pandemic, I’m reminded of what Paul says of himself in 2 Corinthians 12:10b - “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Indeed, if there were any achievements that I want to highlight, it is our students triumphing over challenges and overcoming difficulties that they had experienced. Yet in spite of the weaknesses and limitations, they have demonstrated strength of character, resilience, care and compassion for others. Fairfield remains committed to ensure that our Character and Citizenship Education lessons are refreshed; our National Education, Values-in-Action and cyberwellness programmes are rigorously carried out, and social and emotional learning remains core in our curriculum. In whatever we do, we want to be the best that God wants each of us to be – a future-ready leader, who can master ourselves, relate well and care for others, and who can serve God and the community. And these are the hallmark of every Fairsian, whether they are in school or at home, whether they are physically present or in virtual space, and whether it’s in the now or the future.
To God Be The Glory!
