Unity Sec Term 1 Newsletter (2024)

#OPPORTUNITY

Termly Newsletter

Secondary 1 Orientation

Unity’s 2024 batch of Secondary Ones went through Orientation Week to enable them to transition smoothly from primary to secondary school and to integrate into the new environment. Through the orientation, students could familiarise themselves with the school’s layout, facilities, and culture: the values and expectations of the school community, and setting the tone for positive behaviours and attitudes. It helped to reduce any feelings of disorientation and anxiety and also provided opportunities for students to meet their new peers and form friendships. Ice-breaking activities and group exercises encouraged interaction and collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds.

From the Principal's Desk (TERM 1)

Dear Parents, Guardians and Unitians,

The dawn of 2024 marked a fresh beginning and opportUNITY abounds for Unitians. We kicked off the year with our Leadership Learning Week, profiling each student to identify their core strengths. This self-awareness empowers students to effectively manage themselves, leverage their strengths for learning, foster positive relationships, and lead others. Our Secondary Ones were also officiated into Unity Secondary family with our signature campfire.

One of our goals is to cultivate Unitians into Conscientious Learners— individuals who exhibit commitment and taking responsibility for their own learning. This involves adeptly managing and monitoring their learning, while developing the skills to reflect and self-regulate, moving their learning forward. Term 1 emphasizes on self-regulation habits with the reinforcement of our ‘GReAT’ and Active Learning routines. To be an Active Learner, Unitians have been told to move from ‘participating’ where they take part in learning activities to ‘investing’, devoting extra time and effort to deepen their learning to ‘driving’ where they take control of their own learning.

In our weekly assembly, we use powerful stories of Unitians who role model our school values and are self-driven in their actions. One such example is our graduand Chen Soon Cheng, who demonstrated resilience, making great leaps in his academic progress, transiting from Normal Technical stream (Secondary 1) in 2020 to Normal Academic Stream (Secondary 2) in 2021 and Express stream (Secondary 3) from 2022 onwards. He did exceptionally

Mdm Adel Ong (centre), Ms Jenny Ng (left) and Mr Alan Lim (right) at our Chinese New Year Celebration

well with an overall L1R5 of 7 points for his ‘O’ Levels examinations. His inspiring story was featured in multiple news media such as:

· Today: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/guardian-angels-studentspraise-inspiring-teachers-beat-odds-olevels-2340381

· Zaobao: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story202401111461546

Term 1 also began with creation of opportUNITY for students to explore. Our Sec 2-4 students were led through a VIA Fair where students employed their design thinking skills to interview a myriad of beneficiaries to ascertain their needs and explored organisations whom they’d like to support in their VIA efforts. School events such as Cyberwellness Fair, Chinese New Year Celebration and Mass ‘Loh Hei’, Total Defence Day Commemoration and Unity Run forged stronger school identity and pride, and enabled our students to deepen their understanding of the issues through experiential learning modes. Post-covid, we also welcomed our first overseas exchange trip partnering school ‘Jingmei Junior High School’ and students from both schools befriended and learned with each other in Unity Secondary. Our school also hosted a Bruenian School Principal for 2 weeks and our staff got to interact with him to deepen their educational perspectives and crosscultural understanding.

Students were greeted with a fresh coat of paint on our school building, with colours of red and green signifying our school’s crest colours of red banner (pride and honour) and our royal palm green (rooted and upright). Our newly minted foyer promises multi-usage, serving as another welcoming space for students and guests to mingle and interact. Our teachers’ and students’ hard work and efforts also paid off with Unitians performing well in their 2023 National Exams:

100% of 4NT students progressed to ITE

84.5% of 4NA students are eligible for Sec 5NA (Exceeding National Average of 77.2%)

65.3% of 4E students are eligible for JC and 96.7% are eligible for poly 72.22% of 5NA students are eligible for poly

USS remains a choice school in the Yew Tee Community with our 2024 Sec 1 AL score for G3 (13-19), G2 (21-24) and G1 (25-28) and a significant average of 81.9% of Sec 1s chose USS as their 1st and 2nd choice school. The diverse opportunities created for students’ holistic experiences and platforms for student leaders to lead and serve contribute to developing Unitians as ‘Lifelong Learners and Inspiring Leaders’.

We express our gratitude to parents and guardians for your staunch support and partnership. Let us continue working together in shaping resilient and future-ready Unitians with a passion for service and leadership. Take care and may your child/ward be well-rested as they embark on Term 2.

Best Regards,

Mdm Adel Ong Principal

SEC 1 ORIENTATION

CCA OPEN HOUSE

Unity Secondary prides ourselves in having the mixed-CCA form class. On 5 January, the Secondary One students were given the opportunity to experience the diverse range of CCAs that Unity Secondary offers, from Sports to Uniformed Groups, and Clubs to Performing Arts groups.

SportsCCATrials

Football TableTennis

Volleyball

Basketball

UniqueDanceFusion PerformingArtsGroups

Symphonic Band

Unique Voices Speech and Drama

UniformedGroupsandClubs&Society

Boys’Brigade

LEADERSHIP LEARNING WEEK

Leadership Learning Week (LLW) in Week 1 of school provided an opportunity for students to foster positive relationships with their classmates and Character Coaches through various planned learning experiences. It also developed students to be leaders of self and others. To prepare the students for the new academic year, time was dedicated for Character Coaches to conduct warm-up activities like circle time and to check-in on their emotional well-being. Furthermore, students spent time on bonding games and enjoyed catered food together with their Character Coaches and peers during recess time.

Customised level-wise strengths-profiling workshops were carried out to help students identify their strengths and be more cognizant of how they could leverage their strengths to develop social awareness and positive relationship management (Sec 2), build teams (Sec 3) and prepare for higher institutes of learning (Sec 4 & 5). The week concluded with a learning orientation activity via the Learn@Unity microsite, during which students were introduced to strategies to manage their learning and study environment. Additionally, Character Coaches guided students to set their learning goals for the year and plan specific actions to achieve them.

O LEVEL RESULT RELEASE

The highly anticipated ‘O’ level results were announced on 11 January, to thunderous applause and tears of joy. 84% of our 5N students have obtained 3 ‘O’ Level passes, while 91% of our 4E students have achieved at least 5 ‘O’ level passes. More than 98% of our 4E cohort qualified for Junior College or Polytechnic.

Congratulations to our 2023 cohort of Sec 4E and 5NA students! The school applauds their achievements in the ‘O’ Level examination. Like the Unity Eagle, we hope they will continue to soar to greater heights in their educational pursuits.

Top scorers from the 2023 cohort for the ‘O’ Level examination

PLD ONBOARDING

As part of the National Digital Literacy programme, the Sec 1 students participated in the Personal Learning Device (PLD) onboarding exercise, which would enhance their learning experience through technology. The PLD, a Chromebook, is intended to facilitate personalised learning, where students can access digital resources, collaborate with peers on projects, and engage with interactive educational materials on a learning management system called the Student Learning Space (SLS). By integrating technology into education, the initiative aims to equip students with digital literacy skills, prepare them for the demands of the 21st century workforce, and create a more engaging, student-centric learning experience. Additionally, the PLDs provide opportunities for teachers to employ innovative teaching methods and tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs of students. Overall, the initiative reflects Unity's commitment to leverage technology to improve educational outcomes and ensure that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the future.

HOSTING TAIWANESE SCHOOL

On 31 January, Unity welcomed students and staff from Taipei Municipal Jing Mei Junior High School. The objective of the trip was for Taiwanese students to be exposed to and experience the learning culture in Singapore, as learning in a multi-cultural and technologically-driven environment might be less familiar to them. The day started with Madam Ong’s sharing of our school’s history and our journey in Edtech, followed by the sharing by our Unity Council President, Ng Jing Le Clarine, on her school life. This was followed by classroom immersion and recess, where the Taiwanese students had a chance to experience recess in the canteen, something that they do not experience back home. Their buddies assisted them in purchasing food and they were allowed to choose from the variety of food offered. The recess experience would not be complete without lively conversations, as they shared on common topics such as entertainment and games.

During the classroom immersion, the Taiwanese students were paired with some of Unitians. Half of them attended Literature lessons, while the other half attended Geography lessons, which was appropriate as there was a segment on Taipei 101 and natural disasters. They also went for more practical lessons like D&T, where they designed and created their own pencil-holder, while others attended the NFS lesson, where they made ‘ondeh-ondeh’ and ‘tang yuan’. Both staff and students from the two schools benefitted greatly as they learnt from each other on this day.

ISPR WELCOME TEA @ UNITY

Singapore, being a global hub for trade and industry, attracts talent from different corners of the world. Hence, at Unity, we receive international students every year. Integrating international students not only fosters an inclusive and nurturing environment for them, but also enables Singaporean students to learn about different cultures, and exposes them to varied perspectives, which promotes tolerance, understanding and critical thinking. Research strongly suggests that diversity in the classroom can enhance learning outcomes for students.

Unity welcomed our new batch of international students and permanent residents (IS/PR) with a Welcome Tea on 2 February. Our Secondary Two students played host to the new Secondary One students. Advaitha from 2 Serve 3 shared about her hometown, Trichy in India, with the students. Students had an opportunity to meet others and exchange their common experiences in Singapore. They also played a Kahoot game to test their knowledge about Singapore. It was a fun-filled session with lots of laughter and forging of new friendships. The Secondary One IS/PR students look forward to learning more and contributing to Unity and Singapore at large.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Unity celebrated Chinese New Year with fanfare on 9 February, welcoming the auspicious Year of the Dragon. The day started with a rousing dragon dance performance and the unveiling of a couplet to commemorate our school’s 25th anniversary. After the mass ‘Lohei’ session, students and staff were treated to an exciting line-up of performances, from our school’s performing arts groups to our staff sing-along to the highly anticipated face-changing performance. The God of Fortune paid us a visit too.

YEW TEE CC CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Our school’s Symphonic Band had the honour of performing for the Yew Tee CC Chinese New Year Celebration 2024 on 17 February. On this festive occasion, the audience clapped and tapped their feet to the catchy, melodious tunes of CNY songs such as ‘Gong Xi Gong Xi’, ‘Da Di Hui Chun’ and ‘Xi Shui Chang Liu’. We were delighted to have the Mayor of North West district, Mr Alex Yam Ziming as well as our Principal, Mdm Adel Ong to grace the event with their presence.

CYBERSECURITY ASSEMBLY

On Monday, 29 January, in conjunction with Safer Internet Day, Tan Rui Yuan

Brandon (Basketball) and Sim Zhong Heng, Justin (Media Production) presented an informative session on being responsible PLD users and safe cyber citizens. They highlighted key points like:

Following classroom routines: This includes proper device care, responsible use during class, and secure storage.

Protecting personal information: Keep private details like your address and phone number online.

Combating cyberbullying: Report it to a trusted adult or relevant authorities if you encounter it.

Practicing online safety: Think before you post, use strong passwords, and be cautious with links and downloads.

Maintaining digital etiquette: Treat others online with respect and kindness.

Following these guidelines will enable us to navigate the the online world safely and responsibly, while fostering a positive digital community.

Besides that, students delved into the complexities of online scams through an interactive skit that was inspired by real case studies. The school collaborated with the Cybersecurity Agency of Singapore where we were provided with "Be Cybersafe" pop-up box, featuring interactive digital panels and a gaming vending machine. Our students are now better equipped with good cyber hygiene habits.

TOTAL DEFENCE

Unity commemorated the 40th anniversary of Total Defence (TD40) on 16 February 2024, in order to highlight the importance of our collective role in Singapore's readiness and resilience. The TD40 commemoration included Uniformed Groups Parade and various level activities like basic First-Aid skills lesson facilitated by the Sports CCA Leaders, playing of the Guardians of the City II card game which was facilitated by the UG CCA Leaders, listening to National Service sharings by teachers and school alumni, and engaging in a black market trade simulation during food shortage. The whole school also participated in a unique TD40 Food Resilience Experience. Through these school-wide experiences and classroom discussions, students learned:

how to respond and help one another calmly and responsibly in circumstances of disruption, the need for everyone in Singapore to be ready to respond to the everevolving threats and challenges to our nation, how everyone in Singapore can work together and play our part in Total Defence, in order to remain a strong, united and resilient people, in alignment with this year’s theme, ‘Together we keep Singapore strong’.

UNITY YOUNG WRITERS FESTIVAL

Unity Young Writers Festival has always been one of the flagship events in school organised by the Leaders of English Programme (LEP). In view of the school’s 25th year anniversary, our theme for the literary event this year is ‘If’, celebrating the endless possibilities and potential for growth as our school continues to stay committed in instilling values in our students and to help them find their purpose in life.

On 22 February, Unity Secondary School open its doors to budding student-writers around Singapore in celebration of poetry and flash fiction. Hosting 7 writing workshops, the school is privileged to have 7 renowned writers such as Jennifer Anne Champion and Tse Hao Guang to share their expertise and let the students explore different writing styles.

YEA & USPE

Unitians attained the Bronze Award in the Unity Scientific Innovation Challenge with SP & ERI@N (USPE) 2023. The project was titled, "Implication of Hybrid Ventilation to Improve Energy Efficiency in Shopping Malls." In recognition of their outstanding work in scientific research and applied learning, they were awarded the Young Engineer Award (YEA-Achievement) by Singapore Polytechnic.

The students are Ng Jing Le Clarine, Sutharsanan Narmitha, Saravanan Deepakumar and Kate Yee Xinyun.

Students involved were Caitlyne Ong Moon (Wang Man), Chan Shi En Abby, Calyn Sim (Shen Lexin) and Santos Isabelle Pastor.

We are pleased to share that our students came out on top of a pool of 29 teams from 25 schools to clinch the Gold Award at the Final Judging of USPE 2024. They had conducted research on the relationship between the diet of Malaysian Blue Worms and the pH of vermicompost. Using their research findings, they also built a prototype of a battery that runs on vermicompost. Their project, titled “Worming Our Way to a Greener Future, ” was part of the Young Scientists Programme (YSP) in Unity Secondary School.

UNITY RUN

Unitians had fun galore during our annual Unity Run. This year’s event was special as we are celebrating our school’s 25th Anniversary and so, apart from the 2.5km competitive and mass runs for students and staff, there were Challenge 25 stations where students were involved in exciting challenges related to the number 25, like Cup 25 (stacking of cups), Ball 25, Skip 25 and History 25 (Quiz on 25 years history of Unity). To promote healthy living and choices, this year’s Healthy Lifestyle week featured activities like Vlog on healthy meals and mass exercise. It was the first time Unity Run was carried out in the House system challenge format and we witnessed students from mixed CCA groups enthusiastically cheering and supporting those from other CCAs, within the same house.

UNITY BONDING DAY

On the last Friday of Term 1, t d for an afternoon of fun and con Council. The objectives were to strengthen bonds among students and staff outside the traditional classroom setting and create a shared identity in Unity. The activities included sports and games like Captain’s Ball and Badminton to promote teamwork and healthy competition among students and character coaches, while Art Jamming activities like Marbling and Zentangle allowed for creative expression. The event successfully promoted physical well-being, artistic exploration, and shared cultural experiences, fostering meaningful discussions beyond the classroom. The laughter, collaboration, and creativity that characterized Unity Bonding Day resonated as a vibrant tapestry of unity and camaraderie.

As we bid farewell to Term 1, let's carry these memories forward, creating a school environment where everyone feels valued and connected. Stay tuned for more exciting events and community-building activities in the upcoming term brought to you by our Unity Council!

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Chen Soon Cheng from Sec 4 NPCC, garnered attention in various news platforms following the announcement of his O-level results. His success is a testament to the outstanding support provided by our nurturing teachers, who have played a pivotal role in his academic journey. Soon Cheng expressed his gratitude for the guidance and encouragement he received from his teachers. He attributes his personal growth to his parents, supportive teachers, leadership opportunities and diverse platforms provided to him, contributing significantly to the development of his character and leadership skills. He is not only an academic achiever but also an allrounder. We are proud of Soon Cheng and our school for creating an environment where students can thrive and excel in various aspects.

CCA ACHIEVEMENTS

Basketball Boys & Girls teams exhibited strong character & tenacity against tough opposition in the West Zone competition.

Our Boys team achieved 3rd placing and has qualified for Nationals. Congrats to both teams!

National Police Cadet Corps (below) achieved 1st Runner-up in a comic design competition for the Community and Safety Security Programme (CSSP) organized by the Singapore Police Force

Table Tennis students sustained 4th placing at the West Zone Competition and qualified for Nationals.