Unity Sec Term 4 Newsletter (2022)

UNITY SECONDARY SCHOOL TERM 4 2022

TERMLY NEWSLETTER

BEYOND CLASSROOM LEARNING As part of the Leadership Learning Week, our Secondary Three Unitians had the opportunity to be outdoors. They tested their physical prowess during the Kayaking Challenge in Sentosa. Embracing The Leadership Challenge model, they challenged the process by thinking of ways to manoeuvre their kayaks and coordinate with their partners to paddle forward. Unitians modelled the way by displaying perseverance, ruggedness and the adventure spirit as they worked alongside their peers to try out a new water sport.

Page

01

From the Principal's Desk Dear Parents/Guardians Term 4 has passed on very quickly. Our teachers have been busy designing revision lessons and preparing our students for the End of Year Examinations (for Secondary 1, 2 and 3) and National Examinations (for Secondary 4 and 5). We have also observed Unity Secondary students putting in their all for the examinations. It has been a common sight to witness students having one-to-one or group consultations, remedial sessions, or revision classes with teachers after school.

Generally, the Secondary 1, 2 and 3 students have done well to move on to their next level. Students who did not make it through or have marginally passed have been identified for the Academic Bridging Programme for their core subjects. This is to ensure that they spend their holidays revising their learning materials to be ready for the next academic year.

With the gradual return to normalcy after two years of Covid-19 restrictions and Safe Management Measures, we were able to carry out special programmes for our students during this year’s Leadership Learning Week (25-27 October 2022). Students in Secondary 1, 2 and 3 participated in a wide range of outdoor learning experiences such as Archery, Inline Skating, Muay Thai, Orienteering, Backwoodsman Cooking, Dragon Boating, Kayaking, Trekkers Challenge, and Amazing Race. These outdoor learning experiences aim to equip our students with social-emotional competencies (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management and responsible decision-making).

They are also aimed at strengthening peer support and relationships.

Page

02

We closed the 2022 academic year by encouraging our students to reflect on their educational journey – by revisiting their goals, what worked well for them and what are the areas for improvement or further growth. We hope that such exercises would strengthen their self-belief and their resolve to achieve their goals during their education journey at Unity Secondary School.

As a school, 2022 witnessed teaching and learning innovations in the areas of academia and student development. In classroom teaching, teachers adopted the Active Learning approach using technology where students do to learn, think and apply what they have learnt and refine their thinking. Students were also taught to assess their own learning and learned to receive timely, targeted, and actionable feedback.

Through this Active Learning Process, we hope to shift the students’ learning from surface level to deep learning. At the same time, we aim to develop our students to be: Confident Persons who can think independently, question, persevere and use technology adeptly to curate, communicate, collaborate, and create; Conscientious Learners who take ownership of their learning, manage and monitor their own learning, reflect, and learn beyond; Critical and Inventive Thinkers who explore possibilities and generate ideas, exercise sound reasoning, decision making as well as manage complexities and ambiguities; Concerned and Caring Citizens who empathise and respect others, are aware of the community and national issues and play their part to improve the community and nation as well as being aware of the global issues and trends, and their implications on Singapore.

Page

03

In student development, through our “4+1” school curriculum structure, we now dedicate every Friday as a Character Day. Lessons on Fridays focus on Character and Citizenship lessons as well as CCA training. The CCA-centric form classes provide opportunities for our senior students to lead the juniors during the CCA trainings every Friday. This helps to hone the leadership competencies of every Secondary 3 student who are also CCA leaders. The CCA training on Fridays provide opportunities for our Secondary 3 CCA leaders to demonstrate the following 5 leadership practices: Model the Way Inspire a Shared Vision Challenge the Process Enable Others to Act Encourage the Heart We have received encouraging feedback from students about our Active Learning processes, CCA centric form classes as well as Student Leadership Development opportunities. We will continue to strengthen these processes to achieve the desired outcomes.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all teachers in Unity Secondary for working so diligently to transform teaching and learning in both academic and student development areas to move a step closer to achieving our goals and dreams. I would also like to thank our students for their active participation in all the Learning Experiences that the school has implemented.

Page

04

I would also like to thank all parents/guardians for your trust and cooperation with the school throughout this academic year. Your trust and partnership have given us the strength to innovate and the confidence to continue to develop our students holistically.

I will be retiring at the end of this year. To all past and present parents/guardians, School Advisory Committee and Alumni members, thank you for the strong partnership, for always supporting the school’s initiatives and for working hand-in-hand with the school to develop our students to be Resilient and Future-Ready.

I am pleased to announce that Mdm Ong Liang Fung will be the next Principal of Unity Secondary School from 2023 onwards. I am confident that with her knowledge and experience, she will lead the school to soar to greater heights.

The End-of-Year School Holidays have started. I wish all parents/guardians and students a restful and revitalising year-end break! Please note that school re-opens on 3 January 2023 (Tuesday) and that all students are expected to be in school by 7.25 am in proper school attire and hairstyle.

Yours sincerely Mdm Aini Maarof Principal (2016 - 2022)

Page

05

GRADUATION CEREMONY Graduation Day 2022, a celebratory event for our graduating students, was organised on Friday, 30 September. There were various memorable and exciting activities like a cohort montage of memories, table games like quizzes and Bingo, a special performance by teachers, Awards presentation for Role Models, high tea, photo booth and mass dance.

Page

06

Page

07

Page

08

Page

09

DEEPAVALI CELEBRATION The school celebrated Deepavali with a cultural appreciation concert.

The Indian Orchestra, clad in bright and colourful costumes, performed several harmonious musical pieces. This was followed by dance and singing performances as well as a vlog of Unitians visiting the bazaar in Little India to shop for this joyous occasion.

Page

10

Page

11

LEADERSHIP LEARNING WEEK SEC 1 The three-day leadership learning week was filled with elation and excitement as the Secondary One students learnt the importance of working in teams and helping each other through various sports like tag archery, inline skating and Muay Thai or self-defence sessions.

On the last day, they also went through lessons on orienteering, as well as injury and risk assessment management.

Page

12

Page

13

Page

14

LEADERSHIP LEARNING WEEK - SEC 2 The Leadership Learning Week for Secondary Twos consisted of thrilling outdoor activities where students were required to collaborate with others to create a positive outcome. The activities included Amazing Race and Team Challenges @ Sentosa, Orienteering @ Jurong Lake Gardens, Dragon Boating and Trekkers Challenge @ Kallang and various other exciting activities like Backwoodsman Cooking, Low Elements, Nerf War, Gladiator and Knots and Lines.

Page

15

Page

16

Page

17

LEADERSHIP LEARNING WEEK - SEC 3 Additionally, the Secondary Three students experienced a slew of engaging outdoor activities like Orienteering Race @ Sentosa, Low Elements @ Grass Patch, Ultimate Survival Challenge @ Cooking Pits, Upcycling, Outdoor Cooking and Archery Combat.

Read More

Page

18

Page

19

PRINCIPAL'S FAREWELL CELEBRATION On the last day of school, we celebrated our Principal's 40-year life journey in the education service. Special guests ranging from Mdm Aini's former colleagues, close friends and family members graced the surprise celebration. Unitians put up a panoply of performances as we took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing the times when Mdm Aini was an educator. The school would like to wish Mdm Aini a happy and fulfilling retirement and thank her for her mentorship!

Page

20

Page

21

Page

22

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS English Poetry Competition Our Secondary 3 Leaders of English Programme (LEP) student, Chloe Sng Yu Ting, participated in a English Poetry Competition organised by the Majulah Book of World Records for secondary school students in Singapore.

Chloe wrote a poem on the theme of environment, and it was selected as one of the outstanding poems, together with ten others. She was presented with a medal, a record certificate and her poem will be catalogued in the Majulah Book of World Records.

Goodbye Nature

Sun-rays, once gentle and caressive, Now harsh and ruthless.

Blares of the sun, blinding.

Withering everything in its path.

Once a river of life, Now all dried up.

The dense forest, now scarce, Was a place for fauna, To breed and feed.

But taken away, Due to man’s insatiable needs.

The moon and stars disappeared.

The sky now pitched black.

Mother Nature cries for help.

A word of advice, answer…

Page

23

Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2022 Congratulations to our Secondary 4 Leaders of English Programme (LEP) students, Elfie Peh Xin Yu and Jovan Lim Jing Xiang for their fantastic achievement in the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) 2022. It is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools and seeks to foster an empathetic and open-minded 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, inclusion, the role of youth leadership, and gender equality.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2022 required the entrants to explore the positive impact that can be achieved through dedication and selfless commitment to the Commonwealth in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Silver Award Winner Elfie Peh Xin Yu, Symphonic Band

Bronze Award Winner Jovan Lim Jing Xiang, Drama

Page

24

NCC Air Competition 2022 Each year, National Cadet Corp (NCC) organises the annual Air Competition to encourage NCC cadets to hone their aeromodelling skills. One of our Secondary One NCC cadets, Lee Shao Ming Cedric, took part in the Radio Control Simulator Category for the annual Air Competition on 22nd June.

The competition requires cadets to demonstrate aeromodelling flying skills by manoeuvring a simulated remote control plane through an obstacle challenge using a transmitter. Shao Ming has successfully clinched 2nd place despite the stiff competition from other participating schools in the air district.

CCA ACHIEVEMENT Football ‘B’ Division Team: Fairplay Award For demonstrating exemplary behaviour and promoting the spirit of fair play in the National School Games Football ‘B’ Division Championship.

Page

25

With pride & joy, we invite you to our school's Open House!

Page 26

See you next year!

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