16 November 2002

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1 COMPASS(COMmunity and PArents in Support of Schools) is launching its publication entitled "Creative Partnerships" and presenting the inaugural PARTNERS (PARents, Teachers and NEighbourhood Resources in Synergy) awards to schools on 16 November 2002. Minister for Education, RAdm (NS) Teo Chee Hean, is the Guest-of-Honour.

In recognition of their excellent achievements and commitment in collaborative practices.

3 The PARTNERS Award is presented from 2002 to recognise schools' efforts in promoting and strengthening partnerships with the key stakeholders in education. The Award will be given out biennially to tie in with the 2-year term of office of COMPASS members. The inaugural PARTNERS sub-committee was chaired by Mr John Lu, COMPASS member. A total of 95 schools applied for this year's PARTNERS Award, representing an application rate of about one in four schools. The overall response is encouraging and indicates that many schools have taken a keen interest and have made positive efforts to foster collaborative partnerships with parents and the wider community.

4 Evaluations of applications are based on three broad areas, including impact and success of collaborative efforts; processes that ensure sustainability of partnerships; and evidence of a collaborative culture among school staff and stakeholders. By 2004, PARTNERS Merit awardees can be considered for the Outstanding Awards. Each award winning school will receive a trophy, specially designed by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (see Annex A).

5 Launched at the same ceremony, "Creative Partnerships" is a compilation of successful and inspiring stories on collaborations between schools, parents and the community, including accounts from PARTNERS award-winning schools. Led by Mr Paul Beh, another COMPASS member, the editorial committee hopes that this particular collection will inspire all schools through a variety of positive experiences in partnership efforts and serves as useful reference for schools in developing and establishing successful partnerships with their stakeholders. "Creative Partnerships" will be presented to all guests at the ceremony, and distributed to all libraries and key community institutions.

1 The partnership logo is a symbol that represents the efforts made by schools in promoting and strengthening collaborative practices with their stakeholders. Constructed with five identical structural shapes extending outwards from the centre, the logo represents the five key stakeholders of parents, alumni, school advisory/management committee, community groups and business organisations. The 3-dimensional ball in the centre of the logo signifies cohesiveness and excellence in partnerships. The colour theme aims to create a contemporary, refreshing appeal with a touch of warmth. It comprises three main colours: red symbolising strength and vibrancy, grey a sense of prestige and honour, and navy-blue signifying dynamism and expansiveness.

2 Each Merit awardee will receive a "silver" trophy with the following specifications: 50mm diameter, 260mm height; silver-plated finishing stainless steel material with a 10mm diameter quartz clear crystal ball. Each Outstanding awardee will receive a "gold" trophy with the following specifications: 50mm diameter, 300mm height; gold-plated finishing stainless steel material with a 10mm diameter quartz clear crystal ball.

3 Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts has also specially designed a large PARTNERS trophy to be sited in MOE HQ where names of schools receiving PARTNERS Outstanding Awards will be engraved on it as an official record and historical reminder. Almost half a metre in height, the large trophy will be housed in a display showcase with a 1-metre tall stand.

4 The logo and trophies are designed and developed by a team of 3 members from the School of Visual Arts at NAFA. They are:

Mr Eric Tan holds a Master degree in Design from Curtin University of Technology (Western Australia) and was a scholarship holder of Singapore Trade Development Board (1994), Chee Swee Cheng & Co Pte Ltd and Curtin Overseas Scholarship (1997). He has been lecturing at NAFA since 1998, and has won several national and international awards. His involvement in governmental design projects ranges from NDP logo to those of main Ministries in Singapore.

Mr Kurtis Pek graduated from Curtin University of Technology on the Curtin Overseas Scholarship with Honours (Product Design) in 1992, and has since been lecturing at NAFA and Ngee Ann Polytechnic. He is currently running a business in retail and manufacturing in fashion accessories. His area of specialisation includes product design, packaging design and 3-dimensional visual display.

Mr Tan graduated from Taiwan Normal University with Bachelors of Arts (1980), followed by postgraduate certification from Manchester Polytechnic, UK (1990). He is presently the Head of Visual Communication Department at NAFA. Mr Tan has served as a judge on many major design award panels, including MPH Design Award since 1995, Taiwan Times Advertising Award since 2000, and Taiwan Graphic Design Biennial Award since 2002. He recently presented a paper on "Graphic Design Education in Singapore" at the International Council of Graphic Design Association (ICOGRADA) Design Education Symposium.

	Anglo Chinese (Junior) School
	Broadrick Secondary
	CHIJ St. Nicholas' Girls
	Gongshang Primary
	Pioneer Secondary
	Radin Mas Primary
	Raffles Institution
	St. Margaret's Secondary

	Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
	Henry Park Primary
	Nanyang Primary