Secondary One Orientation 2007 - Guest Post By Tan Jian Yang

Westwood secondary school. Orientation night 2007

The day was 3rd of January, even before the camp started me and Jaclyn is
that excited that we have already starting to think of many names for our
own respective class, of course, the name is not logical and pretty dumb.

The day started with the secondary ones sitting together with the seniors of
the school, after the assembly, the secondary one move up to the hall for a
talk by the Principal, Mrs. Betty Chow, A talk of discipline by Miss Laura
Lau, Pastrol care by Mrs. Verges and last of all Mr. Ramesh who will be
giving the CCA talk for them.

Throughout the talk, class facilitator and the SL/SC involve in the camp was
gathering at the front of the hall, receiving briefing, halfway through
that, some SL / SC was called down to help the teacher in giving out the
handbook contents, by the time we have finish giving out the handbook
content, the SL/SC who helped has left a small amount of time to rest before
meeting our respective class.

The first thing we did (in my case) was ice breaker game, we have polar
bear, it was a bit of a difficult time for the facilitator because for some
reason, they just don't mix =) and just getting them stepping into their new
class is hard as well, why? I don't know, probably because they was very
shy, stuff went on as smoothly, the day was short, it ended at 1pm or around
there and they are released.

The 2nd day, 04/01 the secondary ones is going to have their first camp in
Westwood secondary school, It started off with the usual morning ritual and
we are off to meet our class! Okay not really, they will be having game
station! It seems fun for the secondary ones, as for me I felt kind of
frustrated cause most of the secondary ones misunderstood my instruction,
but never mind! They will learn to someday! After their respective games
they have their principal talk, while for the SL, that means bonding with
each other! Well not really, some of us were receiving instruction for the
night game by our dearest chief coordinator, Mr. Fernanders kok chan sam.

After the principal talk, we have the nomination of names (my case again)
yea, lots of cranky names and many other out of your imagination name as
well, 1 carebear, anyone?

Right after this was singing for the secondary ones with Miss Pauline Fong!!
The ever so most cute and bubbly music teacher in Westwood secondary school!

Then later in the late afternoon they have a inter class competition, the
CAPTAINS BALL! Yup, as for my case again my class had fun! As well as the
girl cause they claim that taking care of wallets is fun for them.

And so they proceed on to have their dinner, a punishing dinner, they
received scolding after scolding, waves and waves of hand signal then and
only then can they start on their food cheer and start eating together!

Right after this was the night activity, the Kidnap game! Westwood secondary
was dark, still a stranger place for secondary ones but anway, before the
game start, Me and other SL/SC went on to teaching them the fun clap "every
body dance now!" its fun just to learn it the SL teaching them have a lot of
fun teaching them too! So without any more delay the game continues, it's a
game that can be summarize as "fun cause it made me scream my lung out!"
After the whole game we have the winner "1G1 AND 1G2" congratulations for
sweeping away the first and second place 1G! So as a reward, the SL decided
to treat them supper, and off they go to the cafeteria and have their
supper, a cup of milo, even though it's a cup of milo, its not as peaceful
cause they receive scolding after scolding and many hand signals, yet they
can't keep quiet but it still went on smoothly as the classes went for their
bath.

The 3rd day, the secondary ones have their singing practices with miss Fong
again =) then folk dancing! It's a tough time teaching them how to dance but
luckily we have miss Joy Chen to teach! Thanks Miss Chen again =)

after their breaks they come back to class for touching up of their class
decoration and also getting their campfire items ready! It took us the whole
day but nonetheless a meaningful one, after that the secondary ones will be
learning camp fire cheers by their beloved facilitators, then was dinner,
not as torturing as the one they had previously but I lost my voice halfway
through, teaching them the banana dance x).

And here it goes, the campfire time! Everything went on smoothly but halfway
through the rain came in and they have to settle in the hall, working very
quickly with the help of NPCC cadets we were able to arranged the chair just
in time for the teachers and parents and off we go to proceed on for their
campfire item! *claps* hooray secondary ones! You guys are already confident
communicator just being able to stand in front of everyone and delivering
your items! Don't worry if you guys feel that you are not as good, but you
still have stand and deliver! So by then show us that you guys are better
and improved!

Then come the very moment, the awards for the classes! There is many
classes! But I will like to point out this class the SEC 1A hooray for you
guys! You guys won a lot of prizes and has shown that the normal technical
in Westwood is INDEED special! The classes who didn't won any prizes do not
fear, you guys have many other competition in your coming day in Westwood
sec, So live strong and do your classes proud!

That's it for the secondary one camp! Type by : SL/SC , Tan Jian Yang.

Secondary One Orientation 2007 - Guest Post By Jacklyn

The night before Day One of Orientation 2007.

Yes, i remember still. Jian Yang & I were laughing our heads off, joking about the incoming batches of secondary ones. Not about how they behave or how they look, but more of their new class names(shall not be revealed). Doesn't sound very nice, but it gets us in the mood for the orientation as we would be leading, together with a great bunch of student leaders.

Day One.
3rd January, 2007.
The new morning went off well, other than the fact that the talks took up much more time than supoosedly to, however that didnt bring the energy level of the student leaders down, they kept their enthusiasm running while receiving instructions from teachers, as well as the in-charge then. After the talks ended, class facilitators were finally able to interact with the class. Getting the new seedlings of Westwood secondary school to interact with their classmates wasn't a very easy job, mind you. As they are not used to the new environment, facilitators have to make use of their creative juices to get their classes all hyped up! It was definitely a job well done.
For the first day of orientation, it was, overall, a good job. Duties were fulfilled &i believe that the secondary ones had fun. Though i didn't get to interact with my class at all, due to overtime parent-entertaining after school tour for the parents, i got to know that they are a lively bunch of students, very independant too! It was a short day, ended really early at 1300h. It sure took the energy out of the student leaders, but that definitely didn't stop there.

Day Two.
4th January, 2007.
The usual, morning silent reading, Westwood tradition, or so to say. Off with the singing of the National Anthem(my favourite song!)&the pledge. A little gathering interaction for the student leaders with their classes & off they go for station games! I didn't really know what happened during the games, all i remembered was lazing in the council's room for a little while before heading to the school hall. hahaha, typical student slacker. anyways, the classes in the hall were having alot of fun. They were playing the game, "Caterpillar" if i am not mistaken. It was really fun, wanted to join in though, but realised that, if at any time i fall from the chair, i might just squash them under me. hahaha, alright. not very funny.

Following after the station games, it was a dialogue by our principal, Mrs Betty Chow, while the student leaders had a little bonding time. Receiving instructions by the chief co-ordinator, Fernanders Koak, for the game that would be taking place that night. Then, it was the time that Jian Yang & I, enjoyed. Name giving session for the classes! I guess, during this session, the facilitators would get to know their class a wee-bit more than before, bringing them closer together. My favourite time of that day, singing of school anthem&school cheer with Miss Fong! It was really fun, i enjoyed it a whole lot.

Then we had an inter-class competition of Captain's Ball! i believe they enjoyed themselves to the fullest, while the rest of the facilitators and i entertained ourselves by chatting the time away. Dinner time! Though it wasn't a very quiet dinner, the secondary ones had a fun time cleaning the cafeteria up! Good job, secondary ones!

They had a night walk, after dinner. However, i went home that night so i didn't catch what happened, but i did have a great time with the sec ones.

Day Three
5th January, 2007.
I only started taking over as facilitator for my class, they were doing decorations for their classes at that time. They ae a very independant class, i'm proud of them for winning the second place in class decorations! Over to the campfire programme that night, the opening ceremony was awesome, but it rained halfway throughout the programme. Kind of anti-climax though, but we had an evacuation towards the hall & thanks to the NPCC members, the stimulation of the campfire was set up quickly. Performances by the secondary ones were great, though new to the school, there were confident communicators deliverng their skits. Excellent! hahaha.
At the end of the campfire, the secondary ones must have had a great night, shouting&cheering. The student leaders had a great time, i believe. They were, too, tired.
The day ended on a good note and praises were received, commenting on the student leaders.
A job well done, student leaders!
&to the secondary ones, have fulfilling years ahead in Westwood!
All the best!

Jacklyn Lee.
(SC/SL)