Camp Aspire!!

It started out when the Girls Brigade teacher approached me to source out for vendors to conduct a camp for 20 girls. After sourcing and looking at the quotes we gathered from various vendors, ATN was chosen for its availability and lowest cost.

The timing was just right as I was then posted to HQ as a roving CCPE. Rockey then got me in the team with Sylvia to run the camp. Then Andrew came along being the only MAN in the whole group. By then, we had 2 weeks to start planning and making arrangements for budget, accommodation, food, insurance, programme and logistics. The initial stage was quite hectic as we had to run from places to places to gather all the items we needed. Special thanks to our AZM Farhan for providing us with the solid fuel. J

As the camp aim was to inculcate a spirit of adventure and discovery to approach life challenges, the programme had to cover the adventure criteria as well as activities that touch on important values that one face in life…

Then came the day CI Sylvia, CI Salina and CI Andrew get rolling…The first main activity was kayaking at Sembawang Yacht Club and it was conducted by our very own Fauzun. It was a nice bright sunny day and the girls were tired out by the end of the day even though it was an introductory course. We had a nice time showering as the yacht club were having some piping works and we had to find means and ways to shower with just a tiny stream of water coming out of the shower heads. It’s a good experience! Students also had the fibre glass effect (if you get what I mean) and started to use masking tape to wax their legs! *shakes head…GIRLS…*


After kayaking, we went back to the school and we had group breaking activities followed by ‘lee wee brothers nasi lemak’ dinner (Yummy!). After eating to their hearts content, we conducted mass games and the night ended with reflections and daily evaluation.



On the 2nd day, the 3 of us brought the students trekking at Bukit Timah Hill. We took on the yellow route up and down by the Green route. We expected the students to take more time but they were just too energetic to rest! At the summit, we conducted reflections and we were proud to see values such as perseverance, resilience, care & concern being brought up. Students even realize that going up and down the hills and steps are just like the ups and downs we face in life and through perseverance and resilience, it is possible to conquer. Yes, DEEP…



When we arrived in school, the girls had the most refreshing shower and we then went on to our teambuilding games, outdoor cooking and activities at night include candlelight fight, testi- whereby participants have to write nice things about one another and the night ended with our very own modified epitaph.


To me, the second day was the most fulfilling as the girls were already very soaked into the camp and we even had breakdown cases while conducting the activities. No im not being mean but when the girls cry, I had a sense of satisfaction as it shows me that they take things seriously and through debriefing, they shared their concerns and it reassures me that they really learn something. Sweet success…

The 3rd day was short and sweet. With the help of Mud, the CCPE at Outram Secondary School, we had the introductory course for rockclimbing. The great thing about it is the fact that the course was conducted by the Sec 1 students! What a way to encourage student leadership and active participation. When we went back to school, we had area cleaning for break camp and had photo taking and debriefing before we went our separate ways. I just hope that all the girls benefited and have a broader mind after Camp Aspire!

Special thanks to fellow CCPEs, Fauzun @ Coral Prmary & Muhammad @ Outram Secondary for their assistance in the conduct of kayaking & rock climbing. It worked because we were together…

Cheers!
- Salina Ahmad Shah -
Aka Salinasaurus (RAWRR!!)

Introducing... Faceball...

So yeap! Looks good aint it?

This is my proposal.....

Lets have it during DnD!!!!

Ok guys. Keep the smile on. ;)

-Muhammad-

Go Flea-ing!!!!

What’s free, fun & filled with good stuff going cheap cheap cheap?
Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun (http://community.livejournal.com/fleaflyflofun) Flea Market!

No, flea markets are not for fleas to shop for groceries. It’s a rojak market selling all sorts of fashionable clothes, funky items & a variety of second-hand goodies.

If you’ve missed out on all the joys of flea-ing, here’s your chance:

What: Flea.Fly.Flo.Fun Flea Market (Le 2nd Anniversary)

When: Saturday, 25 October 2008, 1pm – 6 pm

Where: Singapore Conference Hall (7 Shenton Way)

(How to get there: Tanjong Pagar MRT, Exit E. Walk along Maxwell Road for 5 mins and you'll arrive at the venue.)

See you there!
Nad
(le avid flea-goer)

(p.s. Yours truly have a flea stall this Saturday somewhere amidst all the chaos. Come find me!)

CCPE Adventures: The Kayaking Story

by Nur Huril Ain


Day 1: Saturday, 23 August 2008


What do you do on Saturday & Sunday rainy morning? Sleeps...sleep...sleep & sleep!

But sadly no, 13 of us didn’t.

13 of us decided to be "badak berendam" (floating hippopotamus) for the two days. So dear readers, welcome to the 3rd instalment of CCPE kayaking one-star Level course.

The last time Yours Truly went Kayaking was back in 2006 for an expedition. Being the facilitator back then, it was quite a challenge bringing the kids without having any certification. Even when the HOD asks, Yours Truly could only give her best crooked Darlie smile. So now when the opportunity came to own that certificate, Yours Truly felt like jumping into the water immediately without listening to all the necessary theory needed. Lucky for us, Fauzun don't drone like half lecturers do, but stuttered when necessary. He ensured that we pay attention to every single nautical, mileage, PFD, strokes definition and terms.



Despite the heavy rain, all of us (mostly first-timers) were quite excited to launch the kayak. After being instructed to carry the kayak from the shoreline and to wear our PFD (Personal Floatation Device), we were then told to hold each other’s hands and in a circle formation, slowly walk to the sea. To test our PFD, we were instructed to float on our backs while holding each other’s hands. If no one drowns, the PFD is safe to use. Right after that, Fauzun tested us on our water confidence by making us swim 50m to a pontoon.

After the 50m pontoon test, off we go with our respective kayaks. We did forward and reverse strokes including raft up. It was quite amusing seeing us do the “Raft up”, what with a lot of crashes; the panicky situations; some kayaks going out of direction. We had fun. Not even the heavy rain dampened our mood and Yours Truly wished at that very moment not to let Mr Sun come out. He never did.


Anyway, lunch was a total ROC (Relax one corner). Who cares about sitting prim and proper and dry? Even the pack Nasi Lemak got drenched with us.

After lunch, all of us went dizzy with 360 sweep strokes. Imagine 12 of us doing the same sweep strokes simultaneously. It’s just like water ballet but without proper synchronisation. The next thing we knew, the draw strokes were being drilled into us. Two draw strokes; The “J” and “classical” strokes are meant to “push” your kayak nearer to the expected objects, i.e. two kayaks, 5m apart and side by side. In order to raft out faster, we use the draw strokes.

Day 2: Sunday, 24 August 2008

Mr Sun came out to play with us for half a day and by then; we learnt new stuffs and perfected our strokes.

Capsize Drill is fun! Despite all the nonsensical stuffs gushing into our nostrils, everyone’s comical reactions were the butts of jokes the whole day.

Baizura is an expert in capsize drill. She managed to capsize with full confidence but unfortunately her capsized kayak refused to budge along with her as she swam towards the shore. *GRIN*


That aside, we also learnt TX rescue; either with 3 people (mainly the Lead Rescuer, the assistant and the victim) or 2 people (The lead rescuer and the victim). It was hard work though, and you could see all our rippling muscles after that - from carrying and sliding the water-filled kayaks. It’s not easy being the rescuer or the victim; it was totally mind-boggling and all our inner strengths started to drain out when we found ourselves stuck and almost giving up. It was a good drill that tested our mental capabilities.


Another draw stroke was taught: the “classical” stroke. Yours truly admit that this is the best and nicest style amongst all three strokes. You can practically see Fauzun waltzing ala Zapin (Malay dance) on the water. So delicate and fragile and yet with the powerful strokes you find yourself at the other side.

With that, we ended our Kayaking journey. Mean time, feel free to view the pictures in the album!

Toodles! :-D

Yours Truly,

NurHuril Ain
Marymount Convent

1st Dinner and Dance

Hello CCPEs!

Ever wanted to be a STAR? Tired of queueing for buffets? Want to play dress-up, look glamourous and oh so cool? Coming this December, Aspire! will be having our 1st Dinner & Dance. It's the night that you'll be treated like a star in our Gold Class themed event. So get your bling-blings and stilettos, and step on to the Red Carpet with your partners and friends cause we promise you an extravagant night filled with exciting line-ups. Attractive prizes to be won too!! Plus you'll get CCPE points just for having fun!! Don't wait up, grab your seats now! First-come-first-serve basis! This event is FREE for CCPEs.

Pls reply your name with a Yes or No, Dietary preference (vege, non-vege), INDICATE if you are bringing along your spouse / partner and send to dnd.2008@yahoo.com.sg by 3rd Oct 2008.

*There will be an admission charge of $50 for spouse / partner.

Details of the event:(Also see attached poster)

Date: 26 December 2008

Venue: Furama City Centre Hotel

Time: 6.30pm

Dress code: A touch of Gold / Movie Star

FIRST EVER DnD!! NEW STYLE, NEW CONCEPTS, NO BUFFET LINE UP! BE THE STARS OF THE NIGHT!!! MANY NEW FEATURES!!An Event Not 2 BE MISSED!! Don't WAIT! RSVP to the event NOW!!

Brought to you by D&D Comm 2008

Let’s Play Ball!

Written by: Nadia Lye (CCPE, Yuying Secondary)
Contributed by: Mohammad Shaifudin (GM, Bossaball Singapore)

Event: BossaBall Bonanza @ Yuying Olympic Gala 2008
Date: 4 – 8 August 2008
Venue: Yuying Secondary


Last month marked the 3rd year of Olympic Education Week in Yuying Secondary School.

Preparations for the event started only in mid-May. Why? …because the PE department is short-handed. In spite of that, we unanimously agreed to make this year’s event more refreshing and different from previous years.

‘If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?’- Joe Namath

Thus, began our intense research on an ‘elusive’ new sport that has not been introduced to the school. We were still clueless! Undaunted, we called Bossaball Singapore to gather more information. After much thought, discussions, numerous phone calls, negotiations and meetings, we decided to bring in Bossaball for Yuying’s Olympic Gala.

Weeks before the official opening, a site inspection was conducted by the Bossaball Team and it was decided that the bossaball activities be held in the school hall. Even though the school hall would be perfect for the unpredictable weather, we were worried that the ball would hit and ruin the false-ceiling installed in the school hall. That too, did not stop us from moving forward with our plans!

Ultimately, it boiled down to the event day; the Olympic madness came too soon!

The opening ceremony, held on 4th August, began with a captivating and motivating talk by former Olympian sprinter, Professor C. Kunalan who shared his truly inspirational Olympic journey. Right after that, Bossaball Singapore Team worked their magic. They set up the inflatable court within 2 hours and we were all geared up to start.

The Sepak Takraw C Division boys, student ambassadors for Bossaball Singapore, made their first demonstration to the entire school. It was soon followed by class participation, where they were briefed on how to play the sport and the rules of the game by Bossaball Singapore instructors.

…And The Fun Begins!

We started off with a Bossaball Inter-Class Competition.The students went crazy with excitement!,They tried to find the best players they could in their class so that they could win the match.

The educators didn’t want to miss out on all the excitement too. Teachers who signed up for the sport were scheduled to play on 5th August, with a tryout session followed by a friendly game with Yuying Secondary Alumni. In that same afternoon, invited students and teachers from Bedok View Secondary participated in a bossaball sports clinic.

The day ended with a friendly competition between the teams from Bedok View Secondary School, followed by a prize presentation ceremony. After an intense workout, the students went home feeling exhilarated and satisfied.

Where Sports Meet Music

On the last day of Yuying Olympic Gala, we went to Bishan Park for a Jog-a-thon and yes, we brought Bossaball along with us! The energy level at Bishan Park was higher than it was in school; thanks to the Samba music during the finals, courtesy of the school concert band.

Samba and Bossaball really go well together! We felt the essence of Bossaball - a cross-road where sports meet music!

And that was it.

A whole week of Bossaball in Yuying Secondary. A whole week of mad rushes for the people involved and a whole week of endless fun for the students who could not stop asking for more. Indeed, it was a successful event!

Even the students have become a crazy bunch of Bossaball-ers!

LIVING OUR VALUES

I am sure all of you are aware of our values which are built around our acronym ASPIRE!

• Attitude - In all that we do, we will do our best.
• Service Excellence - We strive to deliver quality and timely service for our customers all the time. We are always prepared to go the extra mile.
• Professionalism - We value the spirit of professionalism. We have a clear sense of commitment, perspective and direction. We have the knowledge, skills and training to do our job well.
• Innovation - We are a learning community. We are continually finding ways of doing new things or doing the same things better.
• Reliability - Our customers trust our capability to support them well and to their satisfaction.
• Ethics - We are honest, and we act with integrity in all that we do .
  

Values are not just words. They are our guideposts that lead us to our goals. To be effective we must live our values on a day-by-day basis. I am sure many of you are doing this, some without even being aware of it.

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you an outstanding example of how one of our CCPEs, Chow Yeow Teck from Pasir Ris Secondary School lived the values in an event that he experienced.

Yeow Teck has been a CCPE for only a few months. On Thursday 7 Aug 08, he accompanied some students for golf practice. One of the students was hit at the back of her head by a golf club during the practice. Yeow Teck contacted her mother immediately after the accident. Subsequently he updated the mother on her daughter’s condition and assured her she was well taken care of. She was not seriously hurt and only complained of slight pain due to a bump on her head.

Upon returning to school Yeow Teck sent the student home by taxi and accompanied her to the lift. Yeow Teck contacted the mother a few times and reminded her to take her daughter to the doctor. The family doctor examined her and confirmed she was well. The next day Yeow Teck spoke to the student’s father enquiring on her condition.

Both parents were very touched by Yeow Teck’s gesture and they really appreciated the help from the school. .The mother wrote a letter of appreciation to the school. Much of the information here is extracted from that letter.

The above incident and Yeow Teck’s response showed clearly the living out of our values of Attitude, Service Excellence, Professionalism and Reliability. Well done Yeow Teck. Keep the ASPIRE! flag flying high in your school.

I am sure that Yeow Teck is not the only CCPE who has lived out the ASPIRE! values in school. If you have, and would like to share the experience with others, please do so. Tell us how you felt and how your response to a particular incident helped you to grow as a person.

Victor Pinto