Unity Sec Term 4 Newsletter (2023)

UNITY SECONDARY SCHOOL TERM 4 NEWSLETTER 2023

#OPPORTUNITY

DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP BY PROMOTING CYBER WELLNESS & MENTAL HEALTH Cyber Wellness and Mental Health Education are key elements in the CCE curriculum. What better way to raise awareness about taking care of one’s mental health and spreading cyber wellness messages than a Wellness Carnival which was one of the main activities during the Leadership Learning Week. Peer Support Leaders from all levels modelled the way by taking ownership of educating their peers on these issues by hosting various booths. Students were issued a ‘Wellness Passport’ and upon completion of all the activities at these booths, they were awarded stamps, which could be used to redeem mini prizes.

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From the Principal's Desk (TERM 4) Dear Parents/Guardians As we wrap up this term, I'm thrilled to share the remarkable journey of learning, growth, and development our students have undergone. Their dedication to studies and End-of-Year examinations is commendable, and we take pride in their The photo is taken with our NCC students and teacher during our 2023 Open House. achievements.

Our students clinched the first prize in the 'Bulky Waste to Wonder Competition'

by NEA, creatively transforming bulky waste into functional furniture. Their success is featured in the "Zaobao" newspaper; do check out their story in this link: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20231029-1446594.

Closing Term 4 on a high note, our Leadership Learning Week (LLW) was the highlight. After examinations, students were engaged in diverse experiences — from CCA Mixed Form Class Bonding to Sports Fiesta and Mental Wellness Carnival. The LLW not only strengthened students’ friendships with one another, but also equipped them with life skills, showcasing their commendable enthusiasm, sportsmanship and collaboration.

To kick off our new 2-3 CCA form class model positively, we introduced Circle Time, fostering bonds among Mixed CCA Form Class students through activities and games. Evident seeds of friendship have sprouted, breaking the ice and igniting connections. The year concluded with a successful Open House, where students confidently led prospective parents and students through booths and performances, sharing their positive experiences.

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As your child/ward take the time to unwind, I encourage you to prompt your child/ward to reflect on their 2023 learning and experiences. Celebrate successes, big or small, and acknowledge their hard work.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in shaping a well-rounded educational experience together with us. We eagerly anticipate the next term in nurturing each child/ward's potential. Wishing you and your family a welldeserved and joyous break.

To all our unitians, utilise this holiday to recharge, explore new interests, and cherish your family and friends. Take good care!

Regards, Mdm Adel Ong Principal

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GRADUATION CEREMONY The graduation ceremony for the Secondary Four students this year was all about glam and glitz! Based on the theme, Hollywood, students were dressed in black and gold, and they were entertained by various performances put up by their Character Coaches. Students reminisced their times in Unity Secondary through the photo montage, and this was followed by the valedictorian speeches and the crowning of the Best Dressed (Prom King and Queen) and the Unity Stars. The ceremony ended with bitter sweet memories as teachers performed the special finale song - A million dreams. The school wishes our Sec Four students all the best for their national examinations and future endeavours.

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LEADERSHIP FIRESIDE CHAT On 24th October, the student leaders attended the Fireside Chat session with our esteemed School Advisory Committee (SAC) members, Mr Ng Sey Ming and Dr Francis Chin. During the session, Mr Ng and Dr Chin shared their leadership journeys, life philosophies, and personal experiences being a lawyer and doctor respectively. Their candid discussion focused on the challenges and failures they faced, reinforcing the message that with determination and resilience, students could similarly pursue their dreams, regardless of their current abilities.

The session offered the student leaders a unique platform to learn from the experiences of professionals, emphasising the importance of leadership development and personal growth. Mr Ng and Dr Chin also encouraged a love for reading and highlighted the importance of effective time management and strong relationships as key elements for personal development.

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SPORTS FIESTA Apart from promoting a healthy lifestyle among Unitians, Sports Fiesta was held to enable students to play in a competitive setting, inculcate sportsmanship and foster class spirit.

This year, the lower secondary students played football, while the Secondary 3 students participated in both recreational and competitive volleyball.

As students took turns to compete in the different rounds, the burst of exuberance and enthusiasm could be observed as their peers clapped and cheered loudly for each other. Our LLP leaders also stepped up to be umpires and referees for these games.

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LEADERSHIP LEARNING WEEK During the Leadership Learning Week, Unitians engaged in differentiated activities like reflecting on their learning and growth this year (using MySkillsFuture portal), sharing ways to monitor their well-being during the school holidays, as well as preparing for the coming year.

Mixed-class Bonding: There were varied bonding activities to facilitate interactions among students in their mixed classes - consisting of students from different CCA groups - a new class structure to be introduced from next year.

Wellness Carnival: The carnival, facilitated by Peer Support Monitors, promoted mental & cyber wellness tips to equip students with requisite strategies to monitor their well-being during the school holidays. Students collaborated to create Cyber Wellness messages - ‘Be Kind’ (Sec 1), ‘Be Safe’ (Sec 2) and ‘Be Smart’ (Sec 3) in an inter-class competition.

Caring for Oneself using PIES Approach: Students were encouraged to think of ways to make their holidays fun and meaningful, and reminded of monitoring their well-being using PIES (Physical-Intellectual-Emotional-Social) strategies like maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, managing their emotions using self-regulation strategies, continuing to stay curious and learn, and connecting with family and friends.

Eat with Character Coaches: Students also had an opportunity to bond with their new CCA peers and Character Coaches through food.

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STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENTS QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION (QCEC) 2023 Congratulations to our Leaders in English Programme (LEP) students, Riko Lim Xinni (Sec 3-1), Deekshita Muralikrishnan (Sec 3-2) & Kate Yee Xinyun (Sec 3-1) for their fantastic achievement in the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) 2023. It is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools and it seeks to foster an empathetic and openminded world view in the next generation of Commonwealth leaders.

Each year, young people write on a theme that explores the Commonwealth’s values and principles, with recent themes including the environment, inclusive society, the role of youth leadership, and gender equality. To mark the 50th Anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Commonwealth Heads of Government declared 2023 a year dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development and called on a renewal and strengthening of our commitment to youth engagement and empowerment. Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 required the entrants to explore the power young people hold within the global community and consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Riko Lim Xinni, Girls’ Brigade

Deekshita Muralikrishnan, Girls’ Brigade

Kate Yee Xinyun , Girls’ Brigade Page

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CCA EVENTS SYMPHONIC BAND - SCHOOLS IN CONCERT @ SOTA On 7 November 2023, Unity's Symphonic Band CCA had the honour of participating in Schools in Concert 2023, which was held at Schools of The Arts (SOTA). The Schools in Concert event, now in its fourth instalment, is a remarkable initiative organised by the Band Directors’ Association Singapore (BDAS) with the mission to provide young talents a prestigious platform to shine on stage, in a formal concert hall setting. This enriching experience not only allows students to exhibit their musical prowess but also equips them with invaluable stage performance skills and creates opportunities for students to share their passion for music with the broader public.

Our Band performed several music pieces including Lighthearted March by Yo Goto, Gustav Holst’s Planet’s Suite, Jupiter, a medley which features George Gershwin’s work like Strike up the Band, I’ve got Rhythm and S’Wonderful. Lastly, they performed My Neighbor Totoro, one of the most famous animations created by Studio Ghibli.

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CCA EVENTS INDIAN ORCHESTRA - PERFORMANCE @ POLICE ACADEMY Unity’s Indian Orchestra CCA performed at the Jurong Division Police NPC during the Deepavali Celebrations on 9 November. The orchestra performed two pieces, ‘Dhesh’, a classical piece and ‘Thodakkam Mangalyam’, a semi-classical piece from the movie, Bangalore Days. Both these musical pieces which the students performed delighted the very appreciative Police Officers. The orchestra’s rich and vibrant costumes too, captivated the audience. Well done Indian Orchestra!

CCA EVENTS NPCC - CARNIVAL ON ANTI-SCAM AWARENESS Unity’s NPCC unit collaborated with De La Salle Primary School’s Cyber Wellness Committee to organise a carnival to raise awareness on anti-scam measures.

The theme of the carnival was Be Kind, Be Safe and Be Smart. Through this engagement platform, our NPCC cadets had the chance to contribute to the community and deepen their own understanding.

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CCA EVENTS TABLE TENNIS - FRIENDLY MATCHES Unity’s Table Tennis CCA hosted friendly matches with Bukit View Secondary School and Kranji Secondary School to promote skills development. Playing friendly matches also promotes good sportsmanship and respect for opponents. Students learn to win with humility and lose graciously, which are important life skills. Besides that, students got an opportunity to practise and refine their table tennis skills in a competitive but low-pressure environment. It allowed them to work on improving their techniques and strategies. Facing different opponents in such friendly matches exposed students to different playing styles and strategies. This broadened their understanding of the game and would help them in adapting to diverse challenges.

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CCA EVENTS BASKETBALL - TRAINING TRIP TO BATU PAHAT AND MUAR After a two-year hiatus due to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Unity Basketball Team seized the opportunity to reignite the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie by embarking on a training trip to Batu Pahat and Muar in Nov 2023.

This training trip provided a platform for our basketball players to engage with stronger teams from our neighbouring country. The challenges posed were opportunities for growth and self-discovery. It became a crucible for honing their skills and a chance to showcase their growth and adaptability. Whether it was refining shooting techniques or mastering defensive strategies, the trip contributed significantly to the overall enhancement of our team's basketball prowess. The trip also emphasised the importance of teamwork and team dynamics, encouraging players to rediscover their synergy on the court. The team learned to trust each other's abilities, fostering a sense of unity that transcended the boundaries of the basketball court. Effective communication was crucial as they had to convey their strategies and intentions to team members, reinforcing the idea that effective communication is the backbone of successful teamwork. Beyond the basketball courts of Batu Pahat and Muar, the trip also instilled in our students an appreciation for the stability and available resources in our country.

Interactions with the local communities served as a stark reminder of the privileges they enjoy in Singapore. This realisation fostered a sense of gratitude and a commitment to use their skills to contribute positively to their local communities upon returning home.

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CCA EVENTS BASKETBALL - UNITY BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL GAMES In line with our school's commitment to fostering community ties and expanding our reach through Direct School Admission (DSA) Outreach programme, the Unity Secondary School Basketball CCA organised the Unity Basketball Invitational Games. We welcomed the spirited participation of eight primary schools, marking a successful milestone in our outreach efforts.

The games presented a valuable opportunity for our Basketball students to play a pivotal role beyond the court. They served as ambassadors, playing host to primary school groups and creating an environment that was not only competitive but also supportive and inclusive. This interaction enabled our students to share their passion for basketball, mentor potential players, and establish connections.

Furthermore, our Basketball students took on roles such as scorers and assisted in various set-up activities, thereby gaining hands-on experience in event management. This multifaceted engagement not only enhanced their leadership skills but also instilled a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes efforts that contribute to the success of a sporting event.

In essence, this event served as a bridge between our secondary school and the primary school Basketball community. It not only promotes the sport but also nurtures mentorship, leadership, and teamwork among our students, contributing to the holistic development of both the participants and our Basketball students.

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See you next year!

Visit our school website: http://unitysec.moe.edu.sg/ Follow our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/unitysec/