17 November 2000

Speech by Dr Aline Wong, Senior Minister of State for Education, at the Red Swastika School P6 Graduation Ceremony on Friday, 17 Nov 2000, at 4.00 pm at 350 Bedok North Avenue 3

1. It gives me great pleasure to join you at this Graduation Ceremony for the Primary 6 pupils of the Class of 2000 of Red Swastika School. This is an important event of the school calendar as it marks a significant milestone in the lives of these 392 P6 pupils, who will soon embark on the next lap of their learning journey.

2. For many of you in Primary 6, this is a meaningful occasion. I am certain that the joy and happiness of today’s ceremony will linger in your memory as one of the more enjoyable occasions you have had in this school.

3. The academic success of Red Swastika School is the result of the many years of hard work on the part of both the pupils, the teachers, and the many members of the school community. The school’s academic achievements are evident in that the school has achieved 100% or almost 100% PSLE passes every year since 1995. More than 85% of the pupils have been posted to the Special or Express Streams. Today, we are giving the school’s top awards to the 25 pupils who did very well at last year's PSLE. Many of these pupils had scored 4A*s. Credit is due not only to the pupils themselves, but also to the teachers and leadership of the school.

4. It is also gratifying to note that while Red Swastika School has spared no effort in ensuring that a rigorous academic programme is made available to all pupils, it has also put in place a school culture of encouraging pupils to excel. Every pupil, who has spent his/her formative years at Red Swastika School, has been encouraged to perform to the best of his/her ability and to constantly make progress. Specially designed badges (e.g. reading badges) and prizes and incentives are given to students in recognition of every good effort made by them to improve themselves.

5. Besides academic pursuits, Red Swastika School has also aimed to develop well-rounded pupils by offering a holistic and well-balanced education through the various school programmes. Pupils demonstrate the virtues that are taught in the school, such as compassion and generosity, when they care for the less fortunate. Through Community Involvement Programmes, pupils from Red Swastika visit Homes for the Aged to befriend the senior citizens and also put up performances for them. The pupils also demonstrated their care when they gave their time and money to participate enthusiastically in raising funds for community organisations.

6. Other school activities, such as the Heritage Trail, Poetry Recital Competition, Creative Writing Competition, Healthy Sandwich Competition, Mass Trail, Chinese Calligraphy Competition, have also enriched the students and given each child a special and different experience. These programmes provide opportunities for the pupils to develop socially and aesthetically.

7. In all, these pupils have reaped the full benefits of the educational programmes provided by the school. The variety of programmes is aimed at fulfilling the vision of the school to ‘nurture future leaders'. With continuous support from the school, parents and the community, I am certain the pupils will grow into teenagers we can be proud of - teenagers who have developed as individuals and who are also committed members of our community.

8. On this note, I congratulate all awardees at today's ceremony and wish all P6 pupils a bright, happy and fulfilling future.