Speeches
Speech by Mr Masagos Zulkifli BMM, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Home Affairs, at Qiaonan Primary School's 75th Anniversary Dinner on Thursday, 31st July 2008, at 8.00pm at Qiaonan Primary School
Mrs Mary Koh
Superintendent
Cluster East 3
Ms Violet Khor Khim Heng
Principal
Qiaonan Primary School
Mr Pang Kok Leong
Chairman
School Advisory Committee
Mr Luo Jiru
Principal
Meishan Dabeijie Primary School
Ladies and Gentlemen
I would like to extend my congratulations to the Principal, staff, pupils, parents and members of the School Advisory committee on the occasion of Qiaonan Primary School’s 75th Anniversary.
This special day commemorates decades of rich history, progression and accomplishments of the school. It is certainly a time to rejoice and to look forward to greater plans and achievements in the future.
Established in 1933, Qiaonan Primary has certainly seen much change through the years. Through all these times, however, one thing that has remained constant is the spirit of tenacity, perseverance and excellence, which both leadership and staff have sustained and kept alive.
It is this spirit of tenacity, perseverance and excellence that has seen the school move from strength to strength. Besides building a rich, holistic and engaging learning environment, the school has also sought to create a variety of platforms to realize in all pupils, the school vision of “Every Child Can Achieve Excellence”.
I am pleased to note that the school’s achievements in both the academic arena as well as in the CCA arena have led to it garnering a string of well-deserved awards in recent years. Well-done, Qiaonan Primary!
The Value of Partnerships
Partnerships and strong links with the community have also enabled the school to expand on its strengths. Further supporting the learning of its pupils and seeking to provide them with exposure to different cultures and environments, the school has collaborated on an exciting twinning programme with Meishan Dabeijie Primary School in Sichuan, China. Locally, the school has also partnered the community in a range of projects, from providing event management support to Sheng Yong Temple to engaging in Community Involvement Projects with partners like Changkat Community Club and the Tampines Regional Library. These collaborations are commendable for they provide valuable experience and insights for both the teachers and pupils, giving additional depth to the good work already present in the school.
It is also heartening to note how the school’s dynamic partnership and collaboration with its Parent Support Group (PSG) help enrich learning and build mutual support. Besides being actively involved in organizing and implementing a variety of school events, Qiaonan’s PSG has been instrumental in helping prepare a number of teaching resources for use in the classroom. I understand that the PSG is also deeply involved in the “Reading Mummies” programme, a school-led initiative which organises after-school reading programmes for lower primary pupils. Such support from the PSG is crucial because it fosters a purposeful partnership and a synergistic culture of collaboration. Active involvement from PSG members also provides our pupils with exemplary role-models, highlighting the value of volunteer and community work and most importantly, the intrinsic satisfaction one can gain from contributing back to society and country.
With forward-looking and dedicated staff, supportive parents and community, I am confident that Qiaonan pupils will receive an education that will give them a head start in their educational journey. In line with the school’s mission of being committed to providing an environment where each child GROWS to have a Good character, a sense of Resilience and Open-mindedness, a Well-balanced lifestyle and imbibed with feelings of Social Responsibility, I extend my heartiest congratulations once again to the school on its 75th anniversary and wish her continued GROWth and success in the years ahead.