henderson secondary School
total defence celebrations in henderson secondary school (15th february 2008)
Henderson Secondary School began the commemoration of Total Defence Day 2008 a week before the 15th February 2008. We began with a mounted poster exhibition focusing on “Women in Total Defence”, “Bouncing Back from Crisis”, “World War II Heroes”, “Do you know?” – In-place Protection & Security and Terrorism and Conflicts in the school foyer and NE Square. This exhibition gave students more knowledge about Total Defence as they learned how we have become stronger and successfully recovered from various crises from the Bukit Ho Swee Fire in the 1960s to the more recent SARS outbreak. The theme for this year follows the Total Defence theme “There is a part for everyone”. Three days before the actual day, our NE ambassadors carried out a Total Defence Quiz which was open to all staff and students in the school. Some teachers brought their classes to the NE Square in Henderson Secondary School to participate in the Total Defence Quiz and explained to students the importance of Total Defence, using the murals at NE Square and the mounted poster exhibition. Teachers also recapped and emphasised the six NE messages. The Total Defence Quiz was very well received by both staff and students. The students had to guess the names of the teachers who played a role in each of the five aspects of Total Defence. This quiz helped to raise awareness about each of the five aspects of Total Defence and how everyone can help to contribute to them. An example of the Quiz is given below:
The principal then gave a talk on the importance of Total Defence and NE and how it all relates to Hendersonians being responsible citizens. Following that, prizes were given to the winners of the Total Defence Day Quiz. This included prizes to staff who participated and helped to promote NE passionately. The picture below shows a staff who was awarded for her numerous contributions and constant efforts to consciously promote and inculcate NE values in her students. The sounding of the siren at 1205 was followed by the The Secondary 3 students went to the Singapore Discovery Centre for the Total Defence Exhibition while the remaining students went to the hall where a senior SAF Officer, COL Tay shared his experiences in the army and his overseas experience providing humanitarian aid to people living in areas of Acheh devastated by the Tsunami in 2005. Through his use of colourful and interesting PowerPoint slides and thought provoking questions, the teachers and students were treated to an entertaining presentation about Total Defence. After the session, students had given feedback that they were proud to be Singaporeans when they learnt that a small country like Singapore could play a huge role to save and improve lives in Aceh. This was the first time that a high ranking officer had come down to share his experience with our students and the students clearly appreciate him and this was shown by their enthusiastic applause for him at the end of the talk. Feedback forms were then given to the students and the response collated for further improvements in NE.
Staff and students left Henderson Secondary that day with the theme that “There is a part for everyone” firmly imprinted in their minds. Submitted by: |
On the 15th February, the teachers were encouraged to come to school dressed in their SAF, SCDF or Uniformed Groups’ uniform. This was a huge success as our staff in uniform saluted the flag and led the school in the singing of the national anthem and the reciting of the pledge. This was unique and refreshing to the students. This is in response to last year’s review of Total Defence Day 2007 where students are curious and surprised to see their teachers in NS uniform. It is also a simple yet effective way to allow students to see that all, including the teachers, have a role to play in Total Defence. With active participation of both staff and students, meaningful discussions were generated.
delivery of the Civil Defence Message by one of our NE Ambassadors.
