Prefectorial Board

The 4th Prefectorial Board finally stepped down on 17th April 2008 after a year long’s work of events. Events included our everyday duties like flag raising, late coming, assembly; and larger events like Parent-Teacher-Meetings, Speech Night, and other school events that needed our service in organizing everyone. Sometimes it was tough being a prefect because we had to be role models and also spare our free time in helping our at the events where the rest of the student population had the day off. Through this one year I got to know the other prefects, and we were able to always work towards a common goal. Goals were as simple as every student wearing a tie at chapel, or setting a higher standard for the conduct of our students. We were also ambassadors of the school and some of us attended other school student leader investitures. Being the Head Girl of the 4th Prefectorial board, I was exposed to meeting many new people including Guest of Honours such as Ministers, and the ACS Chairman of the Board. I have also been able to work closely with the principals and members of the staff that are always doing what’s best for the students. I am very thankful to have been appointed this position, and am very honoured to have contributed towards my school in some way or another.

 

Service Hours Completed – 30hours

Orientation 2009

The preparation for Orientation was a killer! It took almost ALL of my free time during the holidays. We were heading back to school, dry-running games, itenararies, OGL items, decorations, etc. IT WAS TIRING! Sometimes, I felt like giving up because it took so much time and effort, and it was also emotionally draining. We had disagreements, arguements, quarrels over decisions, etc. We were against each other quite alot and sometimes it was a wonder how we had the same goal in holding a very awesome orientation yet we wanted to do things so differently.

We had alot of meetings, talks and towards the nearing of the event, we managed to settle all differences and work towards our common goal. On top of that, I forged stronger bonds and friendships with my existing friends, and got closer to others whom I hardly even talked to in school.

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Orientation was a physically and emotionally demanding event. However, I am very thankful for the Year 1 group I got. They were cooperative, creative and very obedient. I had an awesome time letting them get used to the school and showing them around and letting them have alot of fun. They were also very thankful of my partner and I as we were very patient and always doing what was best for them. Although it is my last orientation in this school, I am glad that I managed to end it memorably! (:

Yunan Service Trip Preparation and Execution

The Yunan Service Trip is a first ever student council service trip. In preparation of the trip, we were delegated to create lesson plans which covered Dental Hygiene, Smoking, and Simple English sentences. It was very new to all of us; what do we know about teaching primary school children, in CHINESE! We drew the human breathing system on huge posters and printed our English words that ranged from everyday words like “Good Morning” , “Thank you” , “My Name Is”. We were also sponsored by Kodomo and were given a few boxes of toothbrush and toothpaste to bring to the children there.

We held a few events in our own school to raise money to buy equipment for the trip. We also set aside money to buy new sports equipments like basketballs, soccer balls, ball pumps, and jumping ropes for the school in China. We left on the same night we organized Prom and it was pretty hectic getting home, grabbing our lugguage and heading to the airport for an unearthly timing flight!

The Service Trip was amazing! We were taken out of our comfort zones and exposed to a whole different level of comfort. We were sleeping in sleeping bags, we cooked our meals from a simple pot, and had to bear the cold that did not spare us at night. We had no showers, no proper toilet facilities, and home seemed so far away. We had to carry out lesson plans, game activities, and build a new basketball court. It might all sound very tedious to you, but I enjoyed every single bit of my time there.

The children were so precious. They were very thrilled that we were there and they never failed to make sure that we were entertained. They were very polite to us and always greeted us as teachers and were always smiling. They brought us to their homes which showed the extreme differences our own homes were like. They had little of the comforts we experience back in Singapore. They didn’t have a neighbourhood playground like most of us would. All they had were plantations, valleys, caves, streams. They had little toys; and all around they had many pigs, puppies and ducks that were wondering freely. Instead of getting a culture shock, I was very happy because I could finally see with my own eyes, how fortunate I am compared to these children. Yet, they find so much joy in the simple things that I think most Singaporean children would not.

Although our days there were a mere 4-5, I had learnt so much about their world and their culture. I felt so inspired to come back next year and try and give back even more than I could this time. Although I cannot contribute significantly in monetary value, I know that I have made a significant contribution to their happy childhood.

I have also gotten much closer to the 4th Student Council members. We had strengthen existing friendships and pulled through all obstacles that hindered our journey. I will never forget a service trip as memorable as this. (:

Touch Rugby (Coaching)

Although I have stepped down as Captain of the Touch Rugby Girls team, Ms. Haseena has allowed me to assist her in coaching the younger players and the even newer ones. I have been playing Touch Rugby since Year 3 and I thought it was only right that I could pass on my experience and knowledge of the game to my juniors. Touch Rugby has allowed me to keep fit and challenge my mind as it is a pretty fast game which involves alot of running, diving, sprintings, etc. I was also able to bond with the girls and enhance friendships with some of them. Through the game I have laughed, cried, argued, screamed, lead, and haave fun with the girls and our coach. The tournaments such as M1 touch rugby series and clinching medals from these tournaments are merely bonuses to being part of the team. It reminds us of what we train so hard for. I am glad to be part of ACS (International) ‘s pioneer touch rugby girls’ team and stay through with it till I stepped down.

Action Hours Completed – 30 hours

Sports Module – Tchoukball Instructor Assistant

Although I have taken the Tchoukball Sports Module last term, I couldn’t keep away from the game. The PE teachers have allowed me to assist the instructors in teaching the game to my other classmates. It was thrilling to be teaching the sport from a different perspective and also increasing the awareness of the sports to my classmates. I am very glad that some of them increasingly enjoy the game after each session but there are still others who do not share the same joy. However, Tchoukball is a very new sport in Singapore itself and I know that it’d take some time for it to become a popular sport. Tchoukball is addictive!!

 

Actions hours completed – 6 hours.

Tchoukball A’ Division Tournament

It is my first A’ Div Tchoukball tournament and I had managed to gather a few other girls to take part in the competition. We had no coach to train us for this tournament and I was the only one who had experience as compared to the other girls. The team commited themselves to trainings on Wednesdays, after school, and this was at our own private time and sacrifice. When the competition was nearing I was very nervous because I felt that I had to hold the team together and also encourage them because most of them were very new to the game.

At the end of the competition we came in 1st runner up and I am very proud of the girls for putting in all their time and effort for achieving as such. Despite not having a coach, I think we did pretty awesome. There’s always next year! (:

Standings – Girls

No.	Girls Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
1	Nanyang Junior College	2	1	1	0	44	28	3
2	ACS (International)	2	1	1	0	44	32	3
3	Innova Junior College	2	0	0	2	26	54	0

Taking an exchange student on a trip around Singapore

An exchange student from England’s school, The Leys, is here on an exchange programme with a classmate of mine. Together with about 2 other classmates, we decided to show him around Singapore by taking him to the highlight attractions of Singapore. We brought him to the Night Safari, Botanic Gardens, Esplanade, etc. It was nice getting to know someone living on the other side of the world and still share similar taste in trends, music and etc. Although we got to know Piers within a short period of about 2-3 weeks, we managed to forge an unforgettable friendship and still keep in touch once in awhile.

 

Service Hours Completed – 5 hours

Asia Pacific Tchoukball Competition 2008

WOW. Representing Singapore in the Asia Pacific Tchoukball Tournament 2008 has been one of my life’s hugest privilege. Although I have only been playing Tchoukball for a month or so, I was selected to be in the main Women’s team to play in the tournament. Training for the tournament was a big commitment. Not only had I needed to catch up with the other team mates as I was the newest member, I had to devote most of my weekends to travelling down to the training grounds and train for up to 4hours.

The APTC was held in Hong Kong. Our first again was against the Hong Kong team and it was the most nerve-wrecking game as it was officially my very first game. However, minutes into the game I was more relaxed and was able to be much more focused in playing instead of panicking. The game was intense because we had to win Hong Kong to qualify for the World Games next year. Only 2 countries from the Asia region are allowed to play at the World Games 2009. The pressure was on us. At the last period of the game, the time was up, and we won Hong Kong by 1 point! We were thrilled! We had a chance at the World Games!

I am very proud of the Women’s team to achieve this because almost half of us were very new players and to achieve second place in the region is something so unexpected of such a young and new team. Now, to train for the World Games 2009.

 

Action Hours Completed – 30 hours

Performing Arts Concert – La Passion Dev Reves

The performing arts concert was held on the 16^th and 17^th of May at Mrs. Lee Goon Huan Hall in ACS (Barker). I was given a chance to be the ambassador for this event. Two weeks prior to the event, Benedict, Tabitha and I took turns to go on stage and introduce short extracts from the musical and try to encourage the rest of the school population to attend this event. There were many different arts group going on stage every few days. There were short performances by the choir, to the guitar ensemble, to the string ensemble and so on. I believe that the short extracts gave people an idea of what the concert was going to offer. Although I didn’t have to attend the huge rehearsals that some of the students were involved in, I could tell it really drained a lot of people of their time and energy. The best part I like about this event was blowing up close to 500 plus balloons (with the help of student councilors and delegates) in preparation for the finale. The result was stupendous and everyone commended that ending the curtain call with the many balloons was spectacular! I am glad to be part of this event that would go down in the history of ACS (international).

Sports Module : Tchouckball

Tchoukball is a very new sport to me. When I had my first lesson I was completely lost because of rules I was unaware of. Like no more than 3 steps can be made, you can’t hold the ball for more than 3 seconds, etc. Even the scoring of points is very different. I thought it’d be something like handball but it wasn’t that simple! After the second or third session, I slowly got the hang of the game and more tactics and positions of each player were taught. I enjoyed playing games the most because not only do we learn more about the skill and the game, we also have fun with each other. Out of classroom activities like this create a medium of bonding and communication with my other peers. I realize that I don’t just have to hang out with them through schoolwork but also through sports activities. It’s one of the lessons in school I always look forward to. I can’t wait for the next sports modules the school is going to offer.