By : Evangeline Tan (Hua Yi's Alumni)

"Be part of Hua Yi Secondary School's family!" This short but powerful phrase caught my eye when I first laid my hands on the 2011's Open House flyer given to me by one of the school councillors.

Indeed, Hua Yi had been a family rather than a school to me. As I walked through the school compound, which I admittedly dragged my feet through over the four years studying in the school, I felt a sense of pride and was glad to be back. It was about 11 am then. It was heartwarming to see the students and teachers make a special trip back to give support to the performances and displays on a Saturday morning.

Some things have not changed. The support, love and care not just expressed by words but also action by the various teachers have made learning in Hua Yi vibrant and fun. I saw in the different classes, teachers and students sharing snapshots of learning experiences in Hua Yi.

I met Mr Ariffin, a class of 2007 graduate in the school canteen. He said, "Although it had been years since I graduated from Hua Yi, whenever I step into the classroom, it brings a warm feeling and I am glad that the school had groomed and developed me into the person I am today, an SAF officer maximising my full potential." Indeed, Mr Ariffin has done very well - owning a car and earning an above average income.

If you have selected Hua Yi but unsure if you have actually made the right decision, as an ex-Hua Yian, I would say, YES! You have actually made the right choice. Welcome to the Hua Yi Family!

Open House 2011

PSLE results are released today and congratulations to the students for completing their primary school education.

It is the time for students and their parents to decide which secondary school to go to.

Come and visit us at Hua Yi Secondary School and discover what Hua Yi has to offer in enriching the learning experience of our students.

View the slides for some of the events and activities held in 2011.

Winners of QOTW 2011

Congratulations to the winners of Quote of the Week presentation 2011.

The winners are:

Secondary Two
First

Sec 2T1 –Appreciating the Malay Culture (Hari Raya Puasa)
Second

Sec 2E3 –Cultural Exchange 3: Appreciating the Peranakans
Third

Sec 2E4 –Culture Exchange 5: Appreciating the Sinhalese

Secondary Three
First

Sec 3E4 –NATIONAL DAY THEME: Majulah (Singapore Spirit)
Second

Sec 3T1 –Culture Exchange 2: Beliefs and Cultures of the Koreans
Third

Sec 3N1 –Upholding integrity and treating others with fairness

Secondary Four and Five
First

Sec 4E3 –The impact of youth gangs on Singapore
Second

Class 4C– NE MSG 4. No one owes Singapore a living. We find our own way to survive and prosper, turning challenge into opportunity.
Third

Sec 5N2 –How can New Media promote unity and togetherness

Track & Field Meet 2011

Hua Yi's Track and Field Meet 2011 was held on 28 July 2011 at Jurong West Stadium. The weather was to the favour of our athletes who were eager to participate in the race. Students and staff cheered enthusiastically for their houses during the different races. Highlight of the event was the staff and support group race, which was won by the Parent Support Group.

Guest-of-Honour, Mr Goh Khong Shung graced the event and awarded the winning trophy to the champion house.

Fortius House emerged as the champion house for 2011.

Congratulation Fortius!!

Youth Day 2011

Hua Yians celebrated Youth Day 2011 with a fundraising carnival of fun-filled games and activities, scrumptious food and delightful drinks.

Shooting water balloons with Nerf guns, unlocking almost 20 locks in 60 seconds, playing the human table soccer (Human Foosball) and enjoying food and drinks such as cheese fries, cupcakes, sushi, sausages, popcorns, fruit mocktails and flavoured popsicles, Hua Yians displayed the spirit of togetherness with their great teamwork, working together to make the carnival successful and fun event for everyone.

Congratulations to the winning games/snacks booths.

Most Supportive Stall
Sec 1E2
Sec 2N2
Sec 3E4
Sec 4E3

Most Entrepreneur Stall
Sec 1N2
Sec 2N2
Sec 3E4
Sec 4E5

Most Creative Idea
Sec 1N2
Sec 2N1
Sec 3E4
Sec 4E5

Best decorated Stall
Sec 1E4
Sec 2N2
Sec 3E1
Sec 4N1

Together with teachers, alumni, parents and families, Hua Yians exceeded the targeted amount of $7 000 and raised $12 517 for the Community Chest. Kudos to all Hua Yians and let us keep up the spirit of benevolence.

International Friendship Day Drawing Competition

Congratulations to the winners of the International Friendship Day drawing competition.

Singapore Youth Festival 2011

RESULTS

Congratulations to Hua Yians who participated in the Singapore Youth Festival 2011.

NRIC Presentation Ceremony 2011

This week, students from Secondary 3 classes who are Singaporeans were presented with their National Registration Identity Card (NRIC). A special NRIC Presentation Ceremony was held during the morning assembly to present the students their NRIC.

For the students, receiving their NRICs symbolises their nationality as young Singaporeans. It is also a form of formal identification for them. We hope the students understand the significance of the NRIC and proud to be a Singaporean.

Congratulations to all students who received their NRICs.

International Friendship Day 2011

The World at Home

International Friendship Day, a day dedicated to create awareness among us on Singapore’s relations with other countries. It aims to cultivate the spirit of friendship and togetherness in our students with other people in Singapore or from other countries.

Prior to International Friendship Day 2011, a skit was presented by performers from Singapore Discovery Centre on 1 April 2011. The skit conveyed the International Friendship Day theme, which is “The World at Home”.

Singapore, a place we call home, a place where we live, work, play and a place where we have our family and friends with us. Have we ever wondered what is it like for someone from another country to live in Singapore? What is it like for Singaporeans who live in other country to work or study? What challenges do they face and how do they fit into the society where they live? All these were portrayed in the skit with the aim of getting the students to understand how it feels for someone from another country to live in Singapore and how it is for a Singaporean to live abroad.

To commemorate International Friendship Day, two classes presented the Quote of the Week. Sec 4N1 presented on "We must uphold meritocracy and incorruptibility" and 4N2 presented on "Graciousness".

Upholding meritocracy and incorruptibility is important, as it ensures success not only to ourselves but to the society and our country. With meritocracy each of us has equal opportunity to learn, work and excel in what we do. Singapore is able to maintain racial harmony as meritocracy is practised. With meritocracy, we can avoid incorruptibility, which has damaging effects on all aspects of our life.

Being gracious reflects your behaviour and attitude to others. To be gracious you can start with very small acts, such as greeting the teachers and your school mates OR picking up litters. Be conscious with what we do and say so as not to offend others. Do kind acts and say kind words to others and you will feel good and make others feel good too.

Happy International Friendship Day!

'Open Library'

To bring the library closer to Hua Yians and to encourage every student to read, the Media Resource Library (MRL) started an ‘Open Library’. Two shelves of books are placed near the school’s canteen and near the back gate.

Students are encouraged to pick a book or two to read. You can read it during recess time, before and after school or you may bring the book home to read. Once you have finished reading, you just need to place the book back onto the shelves. For those who like the book, you may keep it. Otherwise, we encourage you to place the book onto the shelves so that others will get to read the book too.

Grab a book today and discover the world with reading!

Bonsai Appreciation Programme 2011

All Secondary One students were involved in the Bonsai Appreciation Programme conducted on 26 March 2011 and 2 April 2011.

Objectives

1. To inculcate the values of rootedness, perseverance, togetherness and resilience through the nurturing and shaping of bonsai plants

2. To serve as a platform for parent-child bonding

3. To relate the Bonsai plants to the legacy of the school

The collaborative effort with the various Bonsai Clubs* and the Singapore Penjing and Stone Appreciation Club introduced to the students and their parents on how to care and nurture the Bonsai plants. Each student worked on a pot of Bonsai plant and at the end of the session, the students brought home their Bonsai plants for them to care and attend to.

Introduction to Bonsai - a talk by Mr Tay Kiah Phuang from Yuhua Community Club.

Students were shown how to re-pot, trim and wire Bonsai plants.

*Includes the Bonsai Clubs from Ayer Rajah CC, Yuhua CC, Kampong Kembangan CC, Kim Seng CC, Siglap CC, Tanglin CC and Tanjong Pagar CC

Distribution of the Ready Bag to residents of Ho Ching Road

On 15 February 2011, in line with Total Defence Day, a group of Hua Yians worked together to distribute Ready Bags to the residents of Blk 116, 117 and 118 of Ho Ching Road.

The students informed the residents on the use and purpose of the Ready Bags. Their actions help to create awareness of the Ready Bag among the residents.

Briefing before proceeding to Ho Ching Road

Checking the contents of the Ready Bags.


Arrived at Ho Ching Road

Distributing the Ready Bags to the residents

Satisfied and happy Hua Yians

The SCDF Ready Bag

During the Character Development lesson this week, all Hua Yians were introduced to the Ready Bag by the One Advocates of their class.

Ready Bag is a bag, which is ready in an emergency such as fire, air raid or in any dangerous situation.

What do you need to have in a Ready Bag?

• SCDF Emergency Handbook
• Torchlight and/or candles with matches
• Transistor radio with additional batteries (for tuning in to war time emergency broadcasts)
• Spare batteries in vacuum packs
• Whistle
• Essential personal medication
• First-aid kit
• Copies of important documents (identity card and passport) in a waterproof folder
• Child care supplies and/or other special care items

You can also put in any other items, which you think is important and essential for yourself and your family during an emergency.

Where can you get a Ready Bag?

• Singapore Civil Defence Association
• Or any water proof bag will do

For more information on Ready Bag, please visit:
SCDF - Ready Bag or Singapore United

Ready Bag demonstrations by One Advocates.

Chinese New Year Celebration 2011

Hua Yians celebrated Chinese New Year 2011 with great performances by the students and staff.

To make this year’s celebration special, elderly residents from Ho Ching Road were invited to join Hua Yians in the celebration.


The celebration started with a performance by the Lion Dance team, who did a great stunt climbing up a pole to roll down a banner wishing everyone a prosperous Chinese New Year.


The hosts for the celebration.


The Chinese Dance performance.


Gu Zheng performance


Students presented on the traditions and customs of Chinese New Year



New teachers' performance



Performance by Hip Hop Dance Club - Zephyrs


Students enjoyed the performances.

Finale - students and performers sang Chinese New Year songs.