NDP Blog Battle

NDP organisers again held contest in the NDP website. I entered its blog battle contest. Singaporeans are invited to blog about, 'What does the Singapore Spirit Mean To You?' So I began writing my blog....this is what I had to say.....

The Singapore Spirit is a 'Never Say Die' kind of attitude that has been embedded within each & everyone of us who are proud to be known as a Singaporean.

It determines who we are actually. Look at where Singapore is today, it is impossible to be where we are if not for this Singapore Spirit. Most of us exhibit qualities or attitudes that one would associate with the Singapore Spirit, in one way or another – we ARE, after all, in our totality, Singapore.

Picture: Night skyline

What is so unique people may ask....read on, and you will agree that the following traits are indeed within us.


Well, to me, the Singapore Spirit encompasses these five traits:

Unity. Singaporeans have a sense of community and are firmly rooted to the nation. We stay united, braving different issues, tackling each problem as it confronts us. Despite our diversity of ancestry and religions, our solidarity has allowed us to live in harmony during good times, and stay cohesive during times of adversity.

Picture:
Yvonne & myself during NDP2007 Observance Ceremony at West Spring Secondary School




Resilient. Singaporeans are determined and have the will to succeed in every tasks or endeavour. Our ‘Can Do’ attitude, tenacity, discipline and perseverance in pursuit of our hopes and dreams, are at the root of our success as a nation.


Picture: muky66 (photobucket.com)






Hardwork. Singaporeans are prepared and optimistic. Our competitiveness, integrity and vitality has helped us to strive towards doing our best and forging ahead to build a brighter future for our next generation.

Picture: All aboard






Dynamic. Singaporeans are creative and versatile. Our ability to accept change and adapt to new challenges allows us to excel in the global environment. It also cultivates the urge to explore new niche areas and build competitive advantages for continued successes.


Picture: My daughter, Siti Aishah at NDP 2007







Compassion. Singaporeans are gracious and caring. As we move ahead, we also reach out to those in need and give what we can.










The Singapore Spirit might not be something that Singaporeans mention on an everyday basis during casual conversations. Yet there is little doubt that it thrives in our deeds and actions as we go about our daily lives. The Singapore Spirit will never die!

Blogged by Rosita

http://www.ndp.org.sg/contests/blog/blog_battle.php

It was a surprise to have won 1st prize (Handphone) To me, having won something is just a bonus. I love writing. Its a passion that drives me further. As a mother to 3 school going kids, I believe I must show by example, that reading & writing well goes hand in hand. Needless to say all my kids love to read. Being a housewife, does not limit that creativity in me. We parents, must be involved in our child's education as a sign that we care and is there for them when the going gets tough.

Open House 2008

Racial Harmony Day 2008

How do we do a good job of passing on our values to the next generation?

Dear Parents

This has always been a major job of fatherhood, but it's harder nowadays. We will reflect on which values we want to pass on, how we might do it similarly or differently from our own fathers, and how we can be effective teachers of our children in a confusing world. To address this issue, we have invited Dr William Doherty, a renowned family therapist from the University of Minnesota, USA to conduct a Parenting Seminar on

Date: 17 August 2008 (Sunday)

Time: 3.30 – 5.30 pm

Venue: York Hotel, Singapore

Registration Fee: $25/pax, $35/couple

Attached is an e-flyer (with registration form) to encourage you fathers (and mothers) to join us for the programme. Should you like to publicise the event to your organisation, we will be happy to provide you with an e-poster for this purpose.


Dance with Your Child - a Hip-Hop Dance and Movement Workshop for Father and Child

Dancing is a great way to communicate and bond with our children. It’s soothing and relaxing, the music and rhythm help father and child to connect with each other. Fathers – do join us for this time of bonding, on 1st September 2008

Ms Irene Lee, Administration Manager
____________________________

Centre for Fathering
(O) 6252 8408


Registration Form
FATHER-CHILD DANCE WORKSHOP @ THE ESPLANADE

Date: 1 September, 2008 (Monday)
Time: 7.30 – 9.00 pm (Dinner starts at 5.45 pm)
Venue: The Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive, S038981
Registation Fee: $35/pair (includes dinner)
*One father to bring one child from Pr 4 – 6 (limited to 10 pairs)


Name : (Father)______________________________
(Child) ______________________________

Address : _________________________________________
Phone No: (H) ________________ (O) ___________
(M) _____________

Email : _______________________________________

Enclosed is my cheque no. _________________ for $_________
(please issue cheque to: Centre for Fathering Ltd and mail it to
Blk 128A Lorong 1 Toa Payoh #01-01, Singapore 311128)

National Heritage Festival 2008

Singapore HeritageFest 2008, one of National Heritage Board's major outreach events, will be held from 12 to 27 July 2008 and this year's festival's tagline is "Who's Your Hero?". As there is a wide range of programmes for everyone, young and old, please encourage teachers and students to participate in the festival on their own or with their families and friends, as there are many exciting outreach activities, especially over the weekends. Below is an emailer on Fun On Foot, The Heritage Marathon, which is very popular amongst schools, and Uniformed Groups had participated actively in previous FOFs. There are many interesting programmes with subtle NE messages, where students could enjoy and have fun, and at the same time, learn more about Singapore history, our pioneers and heroes who have lived, or are still living. For more details about the festival, you can visit www.heritagefest.org.sg or call the festival hotline: 6736 0503.

News

SINGAPORE PARENTING CONGRESS 2008

A Great Relationship with Your Child - Do You Have the Tools?

We invite all parents with teenage children and educators to join us at this most popular parenting conference of the year, Singapore Parenting Congress 08, and hear from international and local speakers like Dr William J. Doherty (Professor and Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Programme at the University of Minnesota) and Dr John Ng (President of Meta and Honorary Chair of the Eagles Communications Board of Governanc) on how to be an empowered and confident parent.

Organised by MediaCorp Radio and supported by MCYS, National Family Council and Singapore Totalisator Board, the Singapore Parenting Congress has been a sold-out for the past 4 years. The Congress will be held on 16 to 17 Aug in NTUC Auditorium. Parents can choose from a series of 5 seminars in 4 languages.

For more details, log on to http://www.mediacorpradio.sg/spc2008/index.htm . Get your tickets now to avoid disppointment!

This MCYS-supported programme can be counted as part of SFE's family life education (FLE) programme. Schools can tap on the SFE funds and include the FLE hours as part of the SFE hours.


SFE PARENT FACILITATOR TRAINING - OCT 08

Following the Parent Facilitator Training in May 08, the next run of Parent Facilitator Training is taking place in Oct 08. Schools are encouraged to start looking out for suitable parents to nominate them for the course. Priority will be given to parents with younger children studying in the school (i.e. in Pri 1-4 and Sec 1-2). This 40-hour training for parent facilitators (parent volunteers) facilitates the running of FLE programmes and also help them form parent support groups and be mentors to other parents.

Visit the SFE website at www.sfe.org.sg for application forms and details.

TRAINING FOR SFE COORDINATORS

SFE coordinators play a pivitol role in ensuring the successful implementation of SFE in the schools. There is a list of training programmes coming up from July to Oct 08. These programmes aim to equip coordinators with information and skills to help the schools implement tailored family life education programmes to meet the varied needs of the target groups and to become better coordinators.

For the month of July to Aug 08: Programmes include workshops to learn how to enhance publicity efforts and your message by creating power-packed flyers using powerpoint; pick up effective communication skills that you can apply to your work in the SFE schools and in your personal life.

For the month of Sept to Oct 08: Programmes include workshops to learn to connect with people using psychological techniques; and the skills to deliver engaging presentations and speeches with ease.

The training course is fully-funded by MCYS, so sign up for this exclusive training! Visit www.sfe.org.sg to find out more about these series of exciting programmes for SFE coordinators!

SFE COORDINATOR NETWORK

The SFE Coordinators Network was set up in 2006 to provide a platform for all SFE coordinators to network, learn new skills and share best practices. The SFECON will organise programmes and activities such as talks, workshops and other events to help its members become better coordinators.

For those who have yet to register as a member, they can do so by completing the registration form and email to cafe.secretary@gmail.com. There will be a registration fee of $20.00 per year which will go towards subsidising group activities. Registration forms can be found on www.sfe.org.sg

ARTICLE

This article 'Parent-Teens Communication' is contributed by Mr Jeremy Koh, Parent Volunteer.

Parent-Teens Communication?

Communicating with teenagers actually is no different from communicating with adults. The only difference is that they are ‘family’ and we have a tendency to take family members for granted and have more expectations.

How could a relationship have deteriorated? Click here to read more or the article can be view on www.sfe.org.sg

SFE e-newsletter - July 08

Dear SFE Partners,

Welcome to the SFE e-newsletter. The SFE e-newsletter aims to provide updated information on SFE and other family life education programmes and happenings. We will also be sharing some short articles and family life tips with you in this e-newsletter.

The highlights of the July 08 issue of SFE e-newsletter include Singapore Parenting Congress 08, SFE Parent Facilitator Training Oct 08 and SFE training for coordinators.

We would like to hear from you on how we can make this e-newsletter and the SFE programme better. If you have any suggestion or feedback or wish to contribute to the e-newsletter, please contact us at mcys_sfe@mcys.gov.sg

The SFE e-newsletter can also be viewed at www.sfe.org.sg . We hope you will enjoy reading this SFE e-newsletter.