Jointly reported by:
Chloe Soh Ke Er Sr1ScH
Chok Jia Yien Sr1ScH
Chloe Chan Po Yi Sr1ScC
On the 5th of January 2024, Kuen Cheng High School was filled with hustle and bustle, once again, after the term holidays. At 7.40 a.m. Senior Middle One Science stream students went into the auditorium for a brief yet meaningful school opening ceremony, while other students stayed in their respective classes watching the event live.
It is important to begin with the salutations to teachers, singing of the national anthem and the school anthem, and followed with the reciting of the virtues of students. As and when all students and teachers were properly seated, the ceremony proper began. The theme for this year’s ceremony is “Embracing Difficulties at Young Age”.
Students reciting the virtues of students
First, Principal Chua Lee Lee gave an opening speech. She introduced the school’s new administration team and new teachers who came in with their readiness as well as passion to nurture the youth.
Next, she talked about reading culture. She emphasized on the benefits of reading. Reading improves our concentration, expression and communication skills, interdisciplinary thinking, imagination, and self-learning skills. Therefore, the school has always implemented a short reading session immediately after the daily flag raising ceremony.
Lastly, she talked about how to plan our yearly learning program. She mentioned the SMART method, which stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. She also reminded us to choose our learning materials wisely, develop the discipline to study and take care of our health.
After the principal’s speech, it was time for the teachers of each department to brief the students about the school’s management system. First up was Madam Loh from the Academic Department. She mentioned that the school modified the daily timetable, there was a 3A period which takes up 30 minutes. Next, she informed the Junior Middle Three students on the details of the JUEC exam 2024. For school events, there will be an annual calligraphy competition for the whole school on 3rd February 2024. Lastly, she wished every student to achieve their goals in the new academic year.
Next to speak was the Discipline Department Admin Head, Ms. Lim. She talked about the rules of the uniforms of the school. Difficulty buying school shoes in white was rising, so starting from this year, the school accepts black school shoes. Next, the rules for smartphones were still the same, except that the student in charge of taking the phone boxes to and from the discipline department will be the student in charge of general affairs. She also talked about developing courtesy in every student.
The last teacher to talk for the day was Madam Hee, who represented the Co-curricular Department. She said that the co-curricular activities will start from 11th March and end around September. She also reminded the Senior Middle One students to complete the input for Student’s Performance Record so that the department could print out and provide it to students.
Before the end of the ceremony, a taekwondo performance was presented by the Taekwondo Club. They broke wooden planks and showed off simple movements. After that, students went for recess and returned to their respective classes.