Total Defence Day 2012

Total Defence Day is marked annually on February 15 in Singapore to commemorate the anniversary of the surrender of the British to the Japanese on February 15, 1942, precursoring 3 years and 8 months of Japanese Occupation.

Introduced in 1984, the concept of Total Defence (TD) was adapted from the experiences of countries like Switzerland and Sweden. As a young nation with a small population and a conscript armed forces, we needed to draw on the different strengths and abilities of our community to augment our defence capability.

 

Total Defence has five aspects - Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence. These five aspects represent the key sectors of society.

This year Total Defence Theme is IT'S MY TURN.

The school had a drama performance tilted Me, Myself & My Country on 10 February 2012. The 45 minutes drama is about 4 friends and how they juggle their own personal problems with the challenges that Singapore faces. Issues like home ownership, immigration and further education are explored. Through their ordeals we learn about the 5 pillars of Total Defence and how it shapes the Singaporean identity. The 2010 Total Defence Message “I Will…” is also explored in the play. What WILL you do for Singapore?

NE Lesson Package for the various levels and streams were also crafted and implemented as a post-event reflection. For lower secondary, the focus will be on Social and Civil Defence. For upper secondary, the focus will be on all pillars of Defence (With more focus on Economic, Psychological and Military Defence)

The importance of Total Defence is communicated to the students through the wide variety of programs, In addition, the programs serves as a reminder to students that Singapore is defensible and is worth defending, and only Singaporeans would have the will to defend Singapore.

Changi NE Trail

A Changi National Education Trail was incorporated into the Orientation Camp from 11 - 12 January 2012, with the purpose of integrating character building and National Education. 

During the trail, the Secondary 1 students visited the following Heritage sites: Changi Museum, Changi Prison, Johore Battery (The Bunker), Changi Village and Changi Beach. These places were chosen because of the significance these places had with Singapore’s past and their links to present challenges. In addition, the trail also emphasised the need for the students to be united and resilient and not to take things for granted.



1T1 with their Form Teachers: Miss Joanne Ong Yi Boon and Miss Teo Wan Choo




1N1 with their Form Teachers: Mdm Shereen Ling and Mdm Emilia




1N2 with their Form Teachers: Mr Elmi and Miss Farhana



Seeking shelter along the way

After lunch at Johore Battery..time to set off to Changi Beach!



Cheering and singing in high spirits. All for One, One for All!  




We can do it! 



Determined to complete the journey together as a class!

We finally reached Changi Beach!!!



Racial Harmony Day 2011

This year’s Racial Harmony theme is "Joint Hopes, Shared Memories". The theme seeks to bring together the aspirations of our future together as a nation and the recollections of our past moments of joy shared with our friends from all races.

We celebrated this occasion on 18 July 2011. Students were encouraged to wear their ethnic costumes or orange t-shirts on the day as the colour orange represents harmony and anti-discrimination worldwide. It is a colour of warmth and kinship.

Here are some photos of the students:

The best dressed male teacher was awarded to:


Mr Shamsul

 The best dressed female teacher was awarded to:

Ms Sally Neo

Best dressed teachers

Lastly, the best dressed class was awarded to:

4N1

In addition, the Sec 1 students had organised a carnival for the rest of the school which is part of the CME-NE projects.

Sec 1E1, 1T1 and our Parent Support Group:
- Set up booths to sell various traditional food

Sec 1E2
- Set up various tradditional games stalls

Sec 1E3
- Set up sourvenir booth for students to exchange for their sourvenirs once they have completed their Racial Harmony Day passport

Sec 1E4
- Publicise about the carnival and sell tickets for the purchase of food item.

Sec 1N1 and 1N2
- Write and decorated boards with articles about the different races tradditions for gallery walk.

Some photos of the carnival:

NE Staff Learning Journey (Kampong Glam)

On 24 June 2011, the staff went on a self-guided NE learning journey to Kampong Glam, the heart of Singapore’s Malay and Arab communities.

This learning journey serves to allow the staff to better appreciate the historical, geographical, cultural and social aspects of Kampong Glam and hence develop a greater sense of belonging to Singapore. In addition, it also provides them with a common experience to come together, have fun and foster friendship.

 

Staff at Masjid Sultan
(One of the oldest Sultan mosques in Singapore)




Learning Journey to Singapore Discovery Centre

A learning journey was organised for the Secondary 4 and 5 pupils to the Singapore Discovery Centre on 14 February to commemorate Total Defence Day 2011.

The objectives of the learning journey are:
- to enable the pupils to understand the importance of Total Defence
- to strengthen the pupils’ sense of belonging to Singapore



SDC guide welcoming our students.






Students taking up the firefighter’s challenge.




Let’s work on the cards to win some prizes…




Is it heavy?




Look at me… I can put out a fire!




Macho guys at work!




Exhibit by the Singapore Civil Defence Force:

Light Fire Attack Vehicle




Exhibit by the Singapore Civil Defence Force:

Basic Fire Safety At Home




Exhibit by the Singapore Civil Defence Force:

Personnel Decontamination Vehicle



Changi NE Trail

The Changi National Education Trail was incorporated into the Secondary 1 orientation camp from 17 - 18 January 2011. During the trail, the Secondary 1 students visited the following historical sites:

1) Changi Chapel and Museum

2)      Changi Prison

3)      Johore Battery

4)      Civil Defence Volunteer Training Centre

5)      Changi Beach Massacre

These places were chosen because they remind the students of Singapore’s past and present vulnerabilities. In addition, the trail also emphasizes the need for the students to be united and resilient, and not to take things for granted.





Reflection session and cheer leading by the student leaders before
proceeding for Nasi Lemak lunch at Johor Battery.

  


Post event reflection and consolidation of learning at Changi Beach site

 


Student completing their NE trail booklets at Changi Beach site




Bonding games facilitated by student leaders




Class 1T1 with their Form Teachers at Changi Beach site




Class 1N2 with their Form Teacher at Changi Beach site