The Perse Post AY23/24 T1 WK4

❖ Introduction from The Principal

❖ Key stage news

❖ Physical Education

❖ Drama

❖ Music

❖ Chinese

❖ Houses

❖ Upcoming events

❖ Pupil Voice

❖ Spotlight on people in our community

❖ Updates from Perse Parents Association

❖ The Perse School Singapore- In the News!

❖ News from Perse School, Singapore

❖ Parent guidance for online safety and social safeguarding

❖ Important contact information including Safeguarding update

This weeks Perse Post appears to have taken a rather nostalgic tone in places I feel. The family shipping has arrived this week and whilst we are obviously happy to be reunited with some items. Despite numerous relocations , the usual expatriate question in such cases has arisen. Why did we feel this item was an essential to pack? Quite often this similar thought arises in a school context. What makes this essential to learning? Why should we include this in our 'baggage'? What quality does it add to our community experience?

As a staff we continue to strive to provide more opportunities for our community but as always with everything we do, the intention is purposeful. We enjoy spending time with our community and the upcoming mid autumn festival evening, the "Inspirational Insights" experience and the time spent with Dr Sinclair and her engineering discussion are all elements to recognise the essentials we see in developing and enhancing our school learning experiences. As I unpack the fourth skateboard, the books which we could not bear to part with, several favourite espresso cups and other 'essentials' including my original 90's schoolbag, I realise one thing. These items form a part of my character, a foundation to who I am and influenced by those around me, I continue to appreciate the value not necessarily in what these essentials were used for but what the memories attached to them mean to me and how they influence what I do and who I am.

As always , I strive and hope that the opportunities and positive memories we strive to provide for our community in time are reflected on in such a way. The 'hidden essential', the opportunity which forges who we are and the memories which enhance our learning journey. Now where did I put that mini-disc? Have a great weekend ahead.

Introduction from The Principal, Nicholas Belcher.

"Inspirational Insights".

A new school wide community and learning engagement opportunityis our "Inspirational Insights" initiative.

Here at school, we are very fortunate to have a diverse range of people who can inspire, motivateand engage our students (and parents!) with their careers, adventures and experiences. If you are able or know of someone who would be willing to give some time to delivering to students or parents , please direct them to completing this form.

Inspirational

Insights

at The Perse School Community Events

In addition to providinga learning experience to our students, we also appreciate the valueof life long learning in adults learning from one another and we are happyto host an evening coffee and Inspirational Insightsto enable this. Please use the same form above if you are interested in facilitatingthis. From your adventuresof extreme ironing in the wilds of waddy to what it's really like to work with adult conversation in an office (crazy we know!) , we want to hear from you!

Year Two Sounds Write

Key Stage One (Year 1-3) Sounds Write

Sounds Write is an approach to reading and spelling that works from ‘sounds to symbols’.

Pupils build their knowledge of the alphabetic code and extended code to gain a deeper understanding that letters are symbols (spellings) that represent sounds and work towards developing the knowledge that these symbols can represent more than one sound. (think 'ow' in cow and 'ow' in throw).

Pupils then apply this knowledge and use their skills of blending and segmenting to help them read and write words and sentences.

Year One Sounds Write

Our Phonics Lead, Ms Joachim, is delighted to maintain a close relationship with Sounds-Write UK—one of the few phonics approaches accredited by the UK government—with their developer dropping in for training earlier in the year.

Sounds-Write also offer a free course for parents. If you would like to know more please visit https://www.udemy.com/course/help-your-child-to-readand-write/

Reading is a fundamental skill that opens doors to a world of knowledge, creativity and inspiration. It plays a pivotal role in a child’s development, fostering language skills, cognitive growth and a lifelong love for learning. In this week’s assembly, pupils discussed enthusiastically about their favourite book, the benefits of reading and how they can help one another become reading champions.

On this note, we’d like to encourage parents to engage in meaningful conversations with their children about what they are reading. As you ask them about their books and listen to their thoughts, you’re providing them with valuable one-on-one time and creating a bonding experience.

So, take a moment each day or week to dive into a book with your child, ask questions, share your own insights and explore the worlds of literature together.

It’s a powerful way to connect, learn and grow together, one story at a time.

Key Stage 3 (Year 6-8) news.

On Wednesday Year 6, 7 and 8 took part in an exciting engineering day with Dr Stacy Sinclair from the Perse UK. The lesson was about how we can create NetZero buildings which can help tackle the climate crisis by switching to more renewable resources. Stacey was very impressed with Singapore which is already working towards NetZero buildings through their huge use of plants in the city. The pupils were given a challenge to build buildings (out of cups) which had light bulbs generated by wind power (hair dryer!) All the pupils showed huge engagement, asking brilliant questions and building unique buildings. This weeks homework for KS3 science it to further develop this interest by designing their own NetZero buildings. I cannot wait to see what the pupils come up with!

What's next with our Learning?

-We aim to provide formal feedback to parents at least once a term. Our next point of feedback is our parent-teacher conferences in November which will emphasise pastoral matters, but please find our whole academic calendar below.

-Please also find the subject weekly content for you to enjoy.

Subject weekly content Week 4.pdf

Physical Education

This week has seen KS1 practice throwing and aiming at targets to improve their hand eye coordination. The whole of Year 3 managed to win a house pointeach by working together to 'beat the hoops' in a very tense game that involved putting their accuracy skills to the test!

Years 4 - 8 have been working on their gymnastics skills in their lessons on site with a notablemention to KS3 who have attempted many new skills in rhythmic gymnastics where this week they added a ball to their skill set! Just a reminder to those students who havea PE lesson outside – please can you make sure you have a hat – 5.1 and 6.2.

Please be aware that students should not be wearing watches or jewelry in P.E. lessons, students will be asked to take them off in lessons and put them in a safe place to prevent injury to themselves or others.

Mrs Belcher

PE Schedule for Term 1 : Years 1 to 4 at Turf City

PE Schedule for Term 1: Years 5 to 8 at Temasek Club

Performance and Arts

The Year 8 drawing each other and from different perspectives. Some drawing the person in front and some listen to the descriptions of a face. A lot of fun to had!

Music

This week the Music Department has been buzzing with many excited students attending their first instrumental and Trinity Drama lessons. I had a chance to witness a few lessons and is equally excited watching them truly enjoying their lesson time with their dedicated tutors with some already aspiring to work towards a performance item. Very well done to our aspiring musicians, actors and actresses. There are still some available slots for our Instrumental Music and Trinity Drama Solo Performance Arts Program if you would like to register your child or would like to find out more information. Ms. Sara (Head of Music)

Every child possesses unique talents waiting to be discovered. Whether your child craves the spot-light or is shy with a hidden talent, our Performance Arts Programme will help them grow into expressive and self-assured individuals, ready to conquer any stage life brings their way. Imagination will take flight as they craft stories, bringing characters to life, and light up the stage like sparkling stars.

Graduating with flying colours, your child will earn a Trinity College London Grade Certificate, a badge of their achievement

Enrol them into the SHINE LIKE A STAR - Solo Performance Arts programme so they can illuminate the skies with their bright light.

*To register your interest click https://forms.gle/FzcVDtN6jsm6ozM36

*To make an enquiry email us on hello@playhouseworkshop.com

*Or to find out more visit www.playhouseworkshop.com

Promoting a love for reading Mandarin language books is a wonderful way to connect with Chinese culture and language. Parents interested in nurturing this passion in their children can explore several excellent resources, includinglocal bookstores with dedicated Mandarin language sections, libraries, story-telling sessions and onlineplatforms.

Beginner’s level: https://www.youtube.com/wa

tch?v=HH7k4xDZ7VI

Below are some of our recommendations:

Bookstore:

Onlinestore: Flip for Joy

https://www.flipforjoy.com.sg/ My Story Treasury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop &v=Eo8vEf__Mik

Blk 231 Bain Street #03-07 & #03-11

Bras Basah Complex

Singapore180231

https://mystorytreasury.com/

Intermediate/Advancelevel :

https://www.youtube.com/watch

?v=IfqJEdCSD7g

Under the Moonlight

https://www.underthemoonlightsg. com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch

?v=LnaPvS0BCRE

Well-done Corinthians on a huge win this week. A special shout out also goes to Oliver in 3.1 who had 25 house points for Corinthians, brilliant!

Upcoming events

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important Chinese festival. It is celebrated as a day of reunion and for families to spend time together. This year, we’d like to welcome families to join us for an evening of fun activities and our first ever lantern walk!

Scan the QR code below to register your interest by 22 Sep 2023.

Alternatively, you may also click on this link: https://forms.office.com/r/ww1rJKiPCH

Spotlight on people in our community

Hello everyone! This is May. I come from Ipoh, Malaysia. I am now a Permanent Resident of Singapore.I have three children, and they are all very accomplished.When I'm at work, I use simple English, Mandarin,and Cantonese. In my free time, I enjoy making desserts. Tofu pudding and lemon tea are my specialties.

Hi everyone, my name is Xiong Qinghua(熊庆华). I come from Wuhan City, Hubei Province. I have a wide range of hobbies; I enjoy dancing in the public squares. Currently, I am a member of the NanyangHong Xiang Ling Art Association.In Singapore, I often participatein meaningful volunteerwork in my spare time. I volunteerwith the Lions Clubs Singapore。Thepicture attached is a photo of me with Minister Ong Ye Kung（王乙康).

Spotlight on people in our community

Hi everyone, I'm Pan XueXiang (潘学祥), and I'm 63 years old from Hubei, China. Because my son immigrated to Singapore,my wife and I came here to take care of our grandson, which is why I'm in Singaporenow. I really enjoy being around children, and I find great joy in working at Perse. I've been working here for six months now. I have a passion for musical instruments, such as the hulusi（葫芦丝）, clarinet (单簧管), and bassoon (黑管), among others.

Pupil Voice

So far being in Year 6 has been so great, especially with all the positive changes such as having new subjects such as drama and swimming this term. I have found some of the subjects harder but that is because we are being challenged which makes me feel accomplished.We are also doing more interesting projects, such as in science we are going to be dissecting a fish soon which will be awesome. Another great change is going outdoors for playtimeto the park, it is nice to get the fresh air and run around with my friends.

I have also enjoyed the new product and design ECA which is about Malaysian art. So far we have been doing lots of symmetrical paintings, and sometimes we do very complicated drawings of dragons and birds. Lastly, I am happyto be a house captain as I can be a role model to the younger years. Every Mondaywe get to collect all the schools house points and next week we have a planningsession with all the house captainsto design a fun Halloween house event.

Maira – Year 6

Updates from The Perse Parent's Association

You may have seen our media posts this week regarding the launch of our reading nook borrowing and lending systems! We are very grateful that to complete the epic task of cataloguingthe books that our PPA were able to deliver an assembly for us, once again demonstratingto our students the importance we put on 'the community approach' in school.

We look forward to working on more celebratoryevents in the near future. A huge thank you to all involved in our libraries project this year. I cannot wait to get into the nooks and explore the books with the children!

We are lucky to have a wonderful team of PPA members (Perse Parent Association).

If you would like to become a member please contact our Head of PPA Sumbal Waqas, she and our other members would love to grow our team.

Sumbal's email is: sumbal.waqas237@gmail.com

Smart Wearables and phones in schools

As a youngster, I remember being gifted a watch to teach me how to tell the time. Everyone remembers their first phone.

I remember using it to give three rings because a text (SMS) and a call was too expensive. Later, an upgrade still did not allow me the luxury of 'freedom calls' but it did allow me 50 texts a week and endless games of snake. As I got older , I remember enviously watching my friends get all the answers right in maths due to their 'CASIO' watch upgrade and latterly as a result the introduction of examination rules which made teachers check wrists and subsequent banning of watches. How time has changed (excuse the pun) and future ready we have become.

The hottest debate and an issue we are beginning to see in some of our youngest is the introduction of the smart wearable. Whilst we understand the safeguarding aspect for coming and going from school and convenience for some applications (such as Glucose monitoring) as well as trend, we are insistent that students should not be receiving or sending texts during the day and phones should be safely stored in bags.

Watches should be used to 'tell the time' in school with notifications turned off.

The safety guidance for parents around smart wearables is in essence the same as that for mobile phones.

As a general global indication, it is illegal to record or take the photograph of someone without their permission.

Many of the latest smart wearables have this function and parents should be aware of the content their child is viewing and sharing.

Please help us to keep our school safe and student experience an enjoyable one by maintaining awareness and responsible education at home around new gadgets as well as in school.

Important information

There are two days set for parental communication of whole school information. These days are set to Tuesdayand Friday at 16.00. The purpose of this is to ensure efficiency of key information and clarity for your parent inboxes!

. . .

For classroom information, 'lost lunch boxes' and key updates/events which will help teachers and your child please contact the classroom teacher directly via email.

For an appointmentwith the Principal, please use admin2theprincipal@perse.edu.sg so that a convenienttime can be allocated to ensure we can give you the full attention which it deserves.

Please may I ask that student issues are firstly communicated with the form tutor and key stage tutor to ensure full pastoral care before 'escalating' to the Principal , Deputy Principal or Assistant Headteacher. As educatorswe have regular communication channelsto share appropriateinformation. . . .

Please find our parent handbook by clicking on the link Parent Handbook

Contact Information

Phone No.: +65 6971 8210

Admissions: student.services@perse.edu.sg

General Queries: questions@perse.edu.sg

Safeguarding: safeguarding@perse.edu.sg