NEWS www.apsn.org.sg March 2015 Issue MCI (P) 061/02/2015 pg Dialogue session pg OSTA Awards 2014 25 with Minister of State 18 were won by APSN School teachers pg Building and programming pg Farewell DSS Principal 19 robots on iPad @ TS 09 Mrs Liau pg07 APSN Exco at The Purple Parade pg10 Best Buddies Camp with C FA Official Launch of On 20 November 2014, The National Council Sun Ray of Social Service launched a new career scheme called Sun Ray, for the social service sector. The launch was graced by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister of Social and Family Development. Sun Ray is a career scheme to develop individuals with strong leadership qualities to lead professional practices and organisations in the social service sector. The scheme aims to deepen professional and leadership capacity in the sector and meet social service agencies’ manpower needs by widening the leadership pipeline. APSN is committed in supporting and partaking on this scheme. APSN President, Mr Chan Chee Keong Minister Mr Chan Chun Sing presents token to Mr Chan Chee Keong was presented with a token of appreciation for our efforts in partnering with them in this latest scheme. Association for Persons APSN Centre For Adults APSN Delta Senior School APSN Tanglin School APSN Katong School APSN Chaoyang School with Special Needs 29 Jalan Tembusu 3 Choa Chu Kang Grove 143 Alexandra Road 900 New Upper Changi Road 18 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9 900 New Upper Changi Road Singapore 438235 Singapore 688237 Singapore 159924 Singapore 467354 Singapore 569767 Singapore 467354 Tel: +65 6346 2425 Tel : +65 6276 3818 Tel: +65 6475 1511 Tel: +65 6445 8027 Tel: +65 6456 6922 Tel: +65 6579 6252 Fax: +65 6346 7518 Fax : +65 6468 3608 Fax: +65 6472 0408 Fax: +65 6445 6313 Fax: +65 6456 2030 Fax: +65 6479 6272 Committees & Officials 2015 Executive Committee Schools Management CFA Management Editorial & Publicity Committee Committee Subcommittee President Mr Chan Chee Keong, PBM Chairman Chairman Chairman Mr Chan Chee Keong Mr Winston Wong Dr Francis C. Chen Emeritus President Dr Francis C. Chen, PBM, BBM Hon. Treasurer Hon. Treasurer Secretary/Photographer Mr Gwee Sze Chuan Mrs Rose Ng Ms Ufairah Akram Vice-Presidents Mr Winston Wong Secretary Staff Member Reporters Dr Victor Tay Mrs Liza Ow (P,TS) Mr William Tng Mr Ravin Kumar Ms Norlidah Shahrin Hon Secretary Committee Members Committee Members Ms Leong Yun Har Ms Annabel Moore Mrs Ruby Cheah Ms Donna Canestra Ms Nur Raihanah Bte Rahmat Dr Victor Tay Mrs Janet Fong Hon Treasurer Ms Jayanthi d/o V Mr Winston Wong Mr Bill Bowman Mr Gwee Sze Chuan Vathalingam Mr Kwok Yan Hoe Staff Members Ms Nor Farhani Bte Mohd Hon Assistant Treasurer Mrs Annabel Claire Moore Mr Kenneth Tham (CEO,APSN) Hamzah Mrs Ruby Cheah Mdm Yazilah Bte Amir (P,CYS) Ex-officio Mr Nelson Kang Committee Members Mdm Lim Cheng Liew (P,KS) Mr Kenneth Tham Ms Zuliyah Bee Bte Lalkhan Ms Seet Chor Hoon Mdm Aslinah Binte Ahmad (P,DSS) Reporter/Photographer Mr Bill Bowman MOE Representative Ms Karen Tan Mr Royce Seah Ms Teo Siew Khim Mr Kelvin Yong Mr Chinnu Palanivelu Mr Tan Cheen Chong Ex-officio Ex-officio Mr Kenneth Tham Mr Kenneth Tham 2 Mrs Michelle Liau - a Retrospective Mrs Liau with DSS staff On an outing Mrs Michelle Liau joined APSN as the Principal of Delta Senior School (DSS) on 15 December 2011. After 3 years with APSN, she is set to move on to the next chapter of her life. Before her departure, we had a heart to heart talk on her journey with APSN and DSS. Q) In your many years with APSN, what learning points They will always be able to magically lift up my spirit and have you gained from a SPED school compared to make me feel that all the challenges are worth the while. being in a mainstream school? Q) What have you learnt that you will bring along to Diversity – There is a lot more diversity in SPED and it is your next career venture (whichever place it may be) even more critical to focus on person-centred practices The emphasis on self-determination will help every to cater to the diverse needs of learners in the SPED child, not only in SPED, to achieve success. Similarly in schools. adults, this spirit of self-determination will support us Redefining Success – Success as defined in SPED is just in challenges that will come along our way in whatever as individualised. To each and every child, success is career venture we will be in. to be able to be the best that they can be, given their abilities and unique talents in their own ways. Q) What do you hope to see in the future of DSS? Inclusiveness – It will take the society to embrace DSS will continue to groom dignified and contributing inclusiveness for more opportunities to be available to individuals who will do the school and nation proud. our students in SPED schools. Our students do not need As a school, DSS will be progressive and achieve more sympathy as many in the mainstream may think, they breakthroughs in the future. need avenues to showcase that they too can contribute Q) What would you miss (the most) working in APSN? if given the right environment and support. Self-determination – Driving self-determination is the The beautiful people in APSN - the support provided by key to the success of students in SPED schools. This CEO, HQ staff, fellow Principals and Dir/CFA has been can only be achieved with concerted effort from all very much appreciated. The guidance and support from significant others of the child. Self-determination comes President and SMC members are equally critical in my with realistic expectations in order to realise the full learning journey. potential of students with special needs. I will definitely miss all my staff who have believed in me Q) State some unforgettable moments you have had and supported me, especially my Heads of Departments as Principal of DSS and Coordinators who without whom, DSS will not have achieved so much. For every moment that my students shine, it is unforgettable to me. Q) Last words of wisdom Q) What brings you joy when you were in DSS? We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of The students are my source of joy and motivation. dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to Whenever the going gets tough, all I need to do is to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing. step out of the office and interact with the students. - Louisa May Alcott 3 In Conversation with Mdm Aslinah Mdm Aslinah Ahmad joined APSN as the Principal of Chaoyang School (CYS) on 15 June 2011. After 3.5 years with CYS, she is geared up for her next challenge as Principal of Delta Senior School (DSS). We had the privilege of catching up with Mdm Aslinah with Chaoyang Staff the new DSS Principal before her major move… Q) What challenges are you expecting from this move? • CYS was my first posting to a SPED school, and it gave me a first-ever experience in leading a school for special needs. It has been a rich learning ground for me. That experience gives me the confidence as I move to DSS, in taking on the varied responsibilities that are in the role of a SPED school leader. In line with the “many helping hands” approach, there may often be a need for reference, primarily to APSN HQ, MOE SPED Branch, NCSS or other relevant stakeholders, as I undertake any critical issue that may surface. In this regard, the network of contacts Mdm Aslinah with Chaoyang Staff or references that I have established in my first stint in SPED will certainly be useful, including that with Q) In your many years with APSN, what learning points fellow Principals in APSN. have you gained from being the Principal of CYS? Q) What challenges are you expecting from this move? • The education and development of each special • Constantly connecting with the diverse staff & needs child require the support of multiple student population, many of whom are not always stakeholders or significant others – teacher, physically in the DSS campus. This is due to the therapists, parent/caregiver, government/help nature of DSS curriculum, where students are at agencies, etc. All hands need to be on deck and work sites at different parts of their course. work together in a concerted manner to bring about the best outcome possible for the child. • The student issues in DSS will definitely be different from those I have experienced in Chaoyang. I am • Teachers and other staff in the school need caring keenly aware that the DSS student population too. The support that the school leader gives to the ranges from adolescents to young working adults. staff goes a long way in motivating them to give Accordingly, I will be faced with the relevant issues their best for the students, however tough the day of this age group. gets. • Leading DSS poses the challenge of the limited • Being the Principal of a SPED school is truly multi- time left to deliver the ultimate goal of educating faceted, in terms of its job description. There are our APSN students – that they are reaching their full varied accountabilities, and one has to be deft in potential as independent and integral members of meeting all the needs and requirements. society when they graduate. While it might not be Q) State some unforgettable moments you have had said in the same words, parents and the community as Principal of CYS.