29 October 2002

SPEECH BY RADM (NS) TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT THE APSN-GEP GAMES DAY 2002 ON TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER 2002 AT TANGLIN SPECIAL SCHOOL @ 4.10 PM

1 A very good afternoon to all of you. I am very happy to join you for this very special Games Day, for the second consecutive year. I am delighted to note that we have an even bigger event this year.

2 This occasion is a fine example of the collaborative efforts among the private sector, through Keppel Corporation, the public sector, through the Ministry of Education and the APSN schools, and the volunteer movement, through the National Volunteer Centre (NVC), to come together for a worthwhile cause. It is an admirable reflection of active citizenship at work, reaching out across boundaries to bring communities closer together.

3 For GEP pupils, such events encourage the development of a social conscience and a sense of commitment to contribute to society, while for APSN pupils, it is an opportunity for greater interaction with others in society. Of course, beyond these, ties of friendship have also been forged; ties which, I am glad to note, will continue after the event, in the form of various collaborative activities between the APSN and GEP schools.

4 Sports and games provide an excellent platform to promote friendship and bonding. The experiences of cheering for your team mates, supporting one another in completing a game, winning with humility, and accepting defeat with grace, help to promote bonding and understanding amongst participants.

5 Those of you who attended last year's Games Day will remember that it involved students from three APSN Primary Schools and four Primary Schools offering the Gifted Education Programme. Well, this year, thanks to the efforts of the organisers, we have 15 schools participating, six from APSN and nine from the Gifted Education Programme. It is, indeed, heartening to see how alive the spirit of giving, sharing and community bonding is amongst the participants here. These qualities of heartware are the social glue that help us to bond together as a society that cares and looks out for each other.

6 I would like to thank all the schools involved for channelling your resources towards today's event. In doing so, you are providing your students with the opportunity to see the world beyond the four walls of the classroom. I would also like to commend Keppel Volunteers for another successful partnership with schools to make this Games Day possible. And many thanks to NVC for having brought the various parties together and for continually inspiring the spirit of volunteerism.

7 As with all games and sporting events, we are winners just for having been here. I hope all of you have had an enjoyable and meaningful afternoon; I know I have. Good Day to all of you.