Victoria School

[kiaaik]

Going the distance for her students

April 12, 2012 - 1:03am
By: Jethro Wang

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TNP PICTURE: NG JUN SEN

Sat, Apr 14, 2012
The New Paper

SINGAPORE - After Harold Ong finished the race, the first thing he did was to hug and thank his teacher-in-charge.

It did not matter whether the team had won the title or not, what mattered was that he completed the race, and finally felt good about himself.

And the one person he wanted to thank most was his school's cross country teacher-coach Sheikha Fadzleen, the only one who believed in him and gave him the opportunity.

Said the 16-year-old student from Victoria School (VS): \"I wanted to give up running to focus on my studies as I wasn't doing well in school.

\"But Madam Sheikha was very understanding. She gave me the necessary encouragement and support I needed.

\"During the race, I told myself that I wanted to make her proud. I couldn't have done well without her.\"

Sheikha sets the example of a truly inspirational teacher, who shoulders additional responsibilities as both a PE teacher and coach.

Over the years, she has groomed numerous sporting stars from scratch.

But Harold was one of those who truly inspired her. From a student who was viewed as a \"slacker\" by his peers, Sheikha transformed him into a top runner in VS.

She said: \"I invited Harold to join the cross country team towards the end of last year as he didn't have a CCA (Co-Curricular Activity).

\"I realised his potential after I saw his NAPFA (National Physical Fitness Assessment) results.

\"Initially, I had to call him every day to attend our morning trainings as he couldn't wake up on time.

\"His attitude gradually improved, and his efforts paid off when he finished 14th at the nationals (National Inter-School Cross Country Championships).

\"After the race, he hugged and thanked me for everything. It's a feeling money cannot buy. To me, this is a defining moment as a teacher.\"

Last week, despite being more than seven months' pregnant, Sheikha led her charges to yet another National Inter-School B Division Cross Country title.

Since she took over the sport in 2007, VS has won six titles.


Rough times

Her journey with the team has been especially rough this year, as she was expecting her first child.

However, the selfless teacher drew strength from her students, who continue to inspire her year after year.

\"The people who keep me going are my students,\" said the 31-year-old.

\"This year has been particularly difficult as I'm pregnant. I feel really restricted and I get tired easily.

\"But I'm proud of my students, their successes inspire me.

\"Winning many titles is not my target. Allowing my students to achieve their goals is more important. \"I see myself as a teacher, not a coach. I always tell them to win with humility.

\"It's my job to develop not only good sportsmen, but also to develop youths with right values.\"

Sheikha, an NUS graduate, first joined VS in 2002 as a contract teacher, before attending NIE the following year.

In her first stint at the school, she became the third teacher-in-charge of the cross country team, when her colleague Ho Kiat Chong roped her in.

Said Sheikha: \"Mr Ho, the main teacher-in-charge and coach of the team, saw my interest in running. He asked if I wanted to get involved and I agreed.

\"However, I had to leave for NIE soon after. Even while I was attending NIE, I still came down on weekends to help out during trainings.

\"I wanted to return to VS after NIE. And thanks to Mr Ho, who probably put in a good word for me, I returned in 2005.\"

Not long after Sheikha's return to VS, Ho entered his retirement year and was looking to pass on the baton.


Taking charge

He had two candidates in mind - Tan Chong Kiat, then second-in-charge, and Sheikha. As Tan was already training the track and field squad, Sheikha took over the reins from Ho.

Initially, the team's results did not go Sheikha's way.

She recalled: \"In my first year as coach, I saw myself as a failure as we didn't win the title. We've always finished in the top four and won at least a title each year. It was a great setback for me as VS did the double - winning both the B and C Divisions - the previous year.

\"However, Mr Ho continued to encourage and mentor me. Hence, I decided to stay on. Fortunately, we did better the following year.\"

Since then, few have questioned her abilities as she continued to produce the goods.

Apart from bringing in titles, she has also touched many lives within her team.

Marcus Ng, a runner-up at the National Inter-School Cross Country Championships, was grateful for Sheikha's commitment to the team. Both Marcus and Sheikha live in VS' boarding school.

\"Madam Sheikha's my teacher mentor in the hostel, she's like a mother to me. She's also very dedicated to the team and takes time off her busy schedule to train us,\" said the Sec 4 student.

As Sheikha awaits motherhood - her child is due late next month - she realises that juggling the additional responsibility will be challenging.

Said Sheikha: \"I want to continue what I'm doing. But I've promised my husband that I'll dedicate my time to our child.

\"I'll only reconsider my responsibilities if I cannot cope.\"

This article was first published in The New Paper.


http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20120412-339331.html

[kiaaik]

Photo of students chummy with foreign workers stirs debate

by Zayne Heng
inSing.com - 1 day 18 hrs 2 mins ago

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It is a seemingly innocent photograph.

A group of junior college students in school uniform poses with foreign workers at a HDB void deck. All of them are grinning.

That photo is now making the rounds on Facebook and has gotten netizens talking.

The photograph was posted by Darren Chan, believed to be a second-year integrated programme student at Victoria Junior College.

In a note with the photograph, Darren said the photo was taken as part of his school’s “Service Learning Project”.

He and four other school mates were wandering around a HDB estate looking for inspiration for project when they came across a group of three Bangladeshi workers taking a nap at a void deck during their lunch break.

The boys decided to interview the foreigners.

Through a chat with them, Darren and his friends learnt about the plight of foreign workers from the point of view of the workers and he was moved by what he heard.

By sharing the picture, Darren said he aimed to “raise awareness about the discrimination of the foreign workers here in Singapore, and hopefully to try to improve the situation by encouraging others to be more accepting towards them”.

His photo and words prompted many netizens to take to their keyboards to air their views. Many lauded the boy’s effort while others felt he was too naïve and that there were Singaporeans in similar plights.

By late afternoon on 13 April, the photograph had been shared 1,400 times and garnered 43 ‘Likes’.

Student Jeremy Ong echoed Darren’s call to “appreciate” foreign workers because many of them built Singapore’s infrastructure.

“Without them, we won’t even be living in houses, shopping in malls, walking on pavements and driving on roads,” said Jeremy, a design student. “They are the true blue foreign talents of this nation.”

Another netizen, M Suhaimi Ismail, recounted a foreign worker’s decision to work in Singapore in order to support his wife’s medical study fees.

“That’s a sacrifice. How many of us willing to do so?” he asked.

Minister of State for Manpower and National Development Tan Chuan Jin also lent his support.

He tweeted the word “Respect” and shared the photo on his Facebook wall.

While many agreed with Darren and acknowledged the contributions of foreign workers, some were sceptical and criticised Darren and his friends for their naivety.

“These kids haven't start (sic) work so they don't know what's going on in the outside world,” said Kai Ali.

Another netizen Alex Tan said there were also Singaporeans in bad situations, not just foreign workers.

“What if they took a picture with a super hungry and bankrupt Singaporean?” he asked. “I see many Singaporeans more poorly dressed and thinner all around.”

Some were outright sarcastic.

“Good job boys. Now go exchange places with them for one day and tell us what you think,” said Matno Rohdiansteien.

Other observers, however, said the animosity should not be directed at blue-collar foreign workers.

Rather, the issue is the influx of “foreign talents” taking up white-collar jobs. Some say the problem lies with policymakers and their inability to deal with the rapid influx of foreign talent.

“(The issue) is the massive importation of PMET (professional, manager, executive, technician) level foreigners that depress wages that Singaporeans actually want to do, even while living costs rise relentlessly,” said netizen Tat Tong.

Darren did not reply to a request on Facebook for his comment.

http://news.insing.com/tabloid/photo-of-students-chummy-with-foreign-workers-stirs-debate/id-4f413f00

[kiaaik]

Another Outstanding Performance in Sports and CCA Achievements


Congratulations to all Victorians for another outstanding performance!

Over the past two terms, our Victorians have worked hard and excelled in sports, uniformed groups and the performing arts. For sports, our boys have achieved 10 national top 4 positions and 6 zonal top 4 positions. Our NPCC, Red Cross and Boys' Brigade have also clinched gold medals for unit excellence. Our Performing Arts CCA Groups have also treated the Victorian community to 5 weeks of performances, talks and various arts activities. Please click here for details.

We would like to encourage all Victorians to continue to strive for excellence and to keep VS' flag unfurled.

We look forward to more achievements when the sports and CCA season continues in Term 3!

Nil Sine Labore.


Lim Boon Kong Andrew
Principal


VS 2012 CCA Achievements (as of 20 April 2012)
http://vs.moe.edu.sg/temp12/Sports%20and%20CCA%20achievements%20%2820%20April%202012%29.pdf

[kiaaik]

Singapore's Father of Physical Education - Old Victorian Dr Lau Teng Chuan


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[kiaaik]

Nil Sine Labore Song - Celebrating the Victorian Spirit & 135 Years of Victoria's History

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4xIBMpdjiM&feature=related

[kiaaik]

Obituary – Dr Lau Teng Chuan


It is with a great sense of loss that the OVA announce the passing on of Fellow Old Victorian Dr Lau Teng Chuan on 8 May 2012. He was 83 years old. The Victorian Family has lost an extraordinary Son.

As reported in The Straits Times (9 May 2012 Home Section Pg B11), “The Singapore sports fraternity yesterday lost one of its most well-known figures …”.

Teng Chuan was a student in Victoria School in the 1940′s. He excelled in both his studies and sports. Teng Chuan was not just an avid sportsman, his love for sports extended way beyond being only a player to being the “Godfather” of sports promotion and education in Singapore.

He was among the country’s best badminton players in his young days, and trained with team-mate Wong Peng Soon, a world renown legendary player who became a four-time All-England Champion in the 1950s. In the 1960s, Teng Chuan volunteered to serve as national Badminton coach out of passion for the sport and love for the country. He was subsequently asked to take over the helm at the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) in 1975, which he served to the early 1990s.

Teng Chuan was from Victoria’s “Golden Era” – the 1940s to 1950s – a period in Victoria’s history when Victoria School was famous throughout the whole of Malaya (Colonial Singapore + Peninsula Malaysia) for producing the best in sports and education.

Victorian Olympians who represented Singapore in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Vijiaratnam (90 years old now), Kesavan Soon and Jeyasureh (both in their 70s), all remember Teng Chuan with fondness and respect.

[Vijiaratnam is the only person who ever represented a country in four sports - Hockey, Football, Rugby and Cricket; Kesavan Soon was the fastest man in the whole of British Malaya and the only school boy who competed in Athletics in the 1956 Olympics; Jeyasureh was in Singapore's 1956 Olympics Hockey team which trounced USA 7-0; he also represented VS in soccer, cricket and athletics].

Teng Chuan is however best known for his affectionate personality, his spirit of volunteerism, his humility and the “heart” to educate and help others, and of course his giant contribution to Sports and Physical Education in Singapore. Here are some of the tributes to Teng Chuan:

“Mr Lau was a true gentleman, always calm, considerate, kind and fair with people…” – DPM Teo Chee Hean

“He was one of those great, gentle people who lived by simple principles: Do good. Be honest, be kind. Act from your heart. Make the world a better place. He lived his values and in doing so, had a profound impact on our lives.” – SSC Chairman Richard Seow

“Singapore has lost someone who spent his life in humble service to our country. He was a teacher, a coach, a mentor and a friend to anyone in need of sound advice and a helping hand ….You can see the influence of his fine mind and the greatness of spirit…” – SSC CEO Lim Teck Yin.

Dr Lau Teng Chuan was indeed an exemplary Victorian – a Gentleman, Professional, Sportsman.

Singapore and Victoria have lost a great Son. As Victorians, let us unite our hearts in remembrance of a great Singapore legend and our beloved Victorian brother. Farewell Teng Chuan.

http://blog.ova.org.sg/2012/05/obituary-dr-lau-teng-chuan/

[ManU123]

Direct School Admission to 2013 Secondary 1

1. At Victoria School, we nurture outstanding students into Gentlemen, Professionals and Sportsmen who make tangible contributions to their family, work, community and nation. As a dual track school, students can choose between our 4-year 'O' level Programme or the 6-year Victoria-Cedar Alliance Integrated Programme (VCA IP) jointly offered with Cedar Girls' Secondary School (CGSS) and our affiliated college, Victoria Junior College (VJC). Students in the VCA IP will spend four years in VS and two years in VJC leading to the 'A' Level Examination.

2. VS invites talented Primary 6 boys to apply through the categories of DSA(Sports/O-Level), DSA (Integrated Programme) and/or DSA(Integrated Programme/Sports).




Categories
Details
Criteria

VCA IP
DSA(Integrated Programme)
DSA (Integrated Programme) is for students who are interested in the Integrated Programme and with special talents and achievements in academic areas such as English, Mathematics and/or Science.
Applicants should have excellent academic results and achievements (e.g. international and/or national competitions), leadership skills and are active in CCAs.

Applicants, except those currently in the Gifted Education Programme, are required sit for the General Ability Test (GAT)b.

Shortlisted applicants are required to attend an interview in July/August 2012.

DSA(Sports/Integrated Programme)
DSA (Sports/Integrated Programme) caters to students with talents and aptitude in selected areas of sportsa and are also suitable for the integrated programme.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to sports selection trials in Term 3 Week 1 – 2 (i.e. 25 June – 7 July 2012).

Applicants, except those currently in the Gifted Education Programme, are required to sit for the General Ability Test (GAT)b.

Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend a short interview in July/August 2012.

O-Level
DSA(Sports/O-Level)
DSA (Sports/O-Level) caters to students with talents and aptitude in selected areas of sportsa and are interested in the 4-year O-Level programme.
Students with good academic results as well as talents and achievements in the sports listed will be considered. Examples of sporting achievements include having represented school at zonal, national and/or international level competitions

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to sports selection trials in Term 3 Week 1 – 2 (i.e. 25 June – 7 July 2012).

Shortlisted applicants are required to attend an interview in July/August 2012.




a) The following sports will be considered :

Track and Field
Cross-country
Sailing
Cricket

Tennis
Table tennis
Volleyball
Football

Floorball
Hockey
Badminton
Wushu




b) The General Ability Test (GAT) will be administered by Principals Academy Inc (PAI). Applicants should register with and pay directly to PAI at http://www.gat.sg. Registration is to be made at least 2 weeks before the preferred test date. Applicants who are currently in the Gifted Education Programme are exempted from the test. Please go to http://www.gat.sg for more details on the GAT (e.g. fees, dates and venues).



Application Process
1. DSA application for 2013 Secondary 1 is to be done strictly via this online form (link to dsa form). Application closes on 1 July 2012 and applications results will be released by 31 August.

2. Applicants applying for the 6-year VCA IP, and who are currently not in the Gifted Education Programme, are to register with the Principals Academy (PAI) for the GAT date on 9, 16, 23, 30 June or 1 July 2012. Registration can be done through the website (http://www.gat.sg) at least 2 weeks before the test date. A fee of $50 is to be paid to PAI for the test. PAI will notify applicants of the specific time of the test after registration.

3. Sports trials will be conducted for shortlisted applicants for DSA (Sports) during the month of July 2012. Shortlisted DSA (Sports/O Level) and DSA (Sports/Integrated Programme) applicants will be notified of the dates for sports trial in due course.

4. Interviews will be conducted for all shortlisted DSA applicants in July/August 2012. The following supporting documents are to be submitted when the shortlisted applicants come to the school for sports trials and/or interviews :

a) Certified true copies of Primary 4 and 5 overall and Primary 6 mid-year results
b) Certified true copies of certificates of CCA participation and leadership roles in school
c) Certificates of achievements in academic areas (e.g. University of New South Wales competitions, Olympiad)
d) Certificates of achievements in CCA areas.

5. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by 31 August 2012. Successful DSA applicants will be admitted if they accept the DSA offer and qualify for the Express course after the release of the PSLE results.

6. Applicants who are not successful in the DSA Exercise may still apply to VCA IP and/or Express tracks using their PSLE results under MOE's Secondary 1 Posting Exercise. There are different option codes for the 'O' level programme and IP. Students (and parents) should indicate if they are selecting the 'O' level programme (3014) or IP (9151). For example, a student may choose VS (IP) as a first choice and VS ('O' Level Programme) as a second choice. The PSLE cut-off scores for both tracks vary every year depending on the PSLE T-scores of the applicants in that year.



For clarifications
9. Please provide us with your email address via this link to receive regular updates on admission issues. You may also post your questions via the link. We will respond to your query within a week.


http://vs.moe.edu.sg/admissions.html

http://freeonlinesurveys.com/v1/rendersurvey.asp?sid=ar9xqc22vhaw4pq1038387

[ManU123]

Admission to 2013 Year 3 Integrated Programme

1. Victoria School (VS) invites outstanding Secondary 2 students (who are currently not in VS) to apply for admission to Year 3 of the Victoria-Cedar Alliance Integrated Programme in 2013. Successful students will spend two years in VS and the final two years in Victoria Junior College (VJC), leading to the GCE 'A' level examination.

2. Applicants should have:

a) PSLE T-score of 250 and above (excluding bonus),
b) Excellent academic results in Secondary 1 and 2,
c) Excellent academic achievements (e.g. international/national competitions),
d) Excellent leadership skills, and
e) Active participation in CCAs

3. Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be notified by the Admissions Committee to sit for the General Ability Test (GAT).

4. Shortlisted applicants are required to sit for the VCA IP Mathematics and English Admission Tests on Saturday, 21 July 2012
9am – 11am (tentative), and to attend an interview in August.



Application Process
5. Application is to be done strictly via this online form (link to Year 3 IP application). Application closes on 1 July 2012 and late application will not be considered.

6. Shortlisted applicants will be notified of the dates for the interview in due course. The following supporting documents are to be submitted when the shortlisted applicants come to the school for interviews :

a) Certified true copies of PSLE results,
b) Certified true copies of Secondary 1 (full year) and Secondary 2 (mid-year) results,
c) Certified true copies of certificates of CCA participation and leadership roles in school,
d) Certificates of achievements in academic areas (e.g. University of New South Wales competitions, Olympiad),
e) Certificates of achievements in CCA areas.

7. If required, applicants are to sit for the General Ability Test (GAT), which will be administered by Principals Academy Inc (PAI). Information on GAT will be provided to applicants who are required to sit for it.

8. Interviews will be conducted for shortlisted applicants in July/August 2012. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by September 2012. Successful applicants will be admitted if they accept the offer.



For clarifications
9. Please provide us with your email address via this link to receive regular updates on admission issues. You may also post your questions via the link. We will respond to your query within a week.




http://vs.moe.edu.sg/admission_year3_ip.html

[ManU123]

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Welcome to Victoria School (VS).

To be a Victorian is the dream of many. Those privileged to be one know they belong to a school which is known for its rich history and great tradition of excellence. Since its establishment in 1876, Victoria School has made significant contributions to Singapore by producing Queen's scholars, lawyers, doctors, engineers, educators, sportsmen, military and police chiefs, businessmen, Permanent Secretaries, Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers and Presidents. Today, we continue to nurture outstanding students into Gentlemen, Professionals and Sportsmen who make tangible contributions to their family, work, community and nation.

As a dual track school, students can choose between our 4-year ‘O’ level Programme or the
6-year Victoria-Cedar Alliance Integrated Programme (VCA IP) jointly offered with Cedar Girls’ Secondary School (CGSS) and our affiliated college, Victoria Junior College (VJC). The VCA IP draws on the outstanding track records of CGSS and VS and builds on the very successful Victoria Integrated Programme (VIP) in VJC. Both programmes are equally stimulating and challenging, with a rigorous academic curriculum, a wide array of enrichment programmes and an emphasis on character and leadership development.

At Victoria, our students will experience the ethos and privilege of an all boys’ education, participate in joint programmes with our partner schools and enjoy the full range of co-curricular programmes such as sports, performing arts, uniformed groups and leadership development programmes. For greater engagement in learning, our students will have opportunities to learn through internationalisation trips, student exchanges, local and regional community service projects, and industry attachments. Through these experiences, our students discover their passions, develop the dispositions of passionate learners, hone their cognitive abilities, and apply what they have learnt to solve real-world issues. With a better appreciation of what it takes to be successful and community needs, our graduates are well-positioned to be leaders in social innovation.

In the school song which every Victorian loves is a refrain that he will not forget – “Victoria is something more, The school that watch'd us grow”. Every Victorian who passes through the hallowed portals of Victoria inherits this affection for, and pride in the school. They carry with them the intent to keep the school flag unfurled, whichever field they are in.

Journey with us and embrace the Victorian spirit today.

Nil Sine Labore.



Lim Boon Kong Andrew
Principal
Victoria School


http://vs.moe.edu.sg/message.html

[New Doggy]

Refering to the DSA (Sports) this year, was quite disappointed to see that Wushu can be considered for 2013's intake but not for 2012's intake (last year's DSA).