november periwinkle newsletter

November 2011 (Finale Issue)

My dearest Periwinkle children,

I am going to miss all of you!

I pray that I have inspired you to be lifelong learners and to always be curious to wonder why and don’t give up till you have your questions answered!

Indeed I have been told many times that change is the only constant. So my dearest boys and girls, it’s time to metamorphosise ... We have to give up being Caterpillars and fly high as Butterflies but always stopping to smell the flowers and enjoy all of God's creation and wonder!

I have been touched and inspired by each and everyone of you! You have made this year very special and meaningful despite the many challenges. You have been the many reasons to wake up and be in school! Thank you!

A special shout out to our assistant teachers Ms. Cecilia and Ms. Jas, Li Lao Shi and Pei Lao Shi from Chinese Class, Coach Felix from Sportsball, Mrs Yeo & Ms Koh, our computer class teachers, Ms How from MindSparks and not forgetting Sister Liza (FMM) for all her bible stories!

Parents ... Thank you for being friends first and for understanding and most of all for sharing and trusting your children in my care! Let this be the beginning of a new journey ... Always remember not the destination but the process and your child's well being and needs always first! Love them as you would like to be and hold them even on days you don't want to ... They are God's gift to us!

My love and prayers with all of you! Lots of Love, Ms. Chrishirl

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The Periwinkle Monthly

K2 Graduation Concert RehearsalCheck out the behind the scenes to our K2 Graduation Concert...

(Above Left) Ashley Mei and Larissa perfecting the art of being angels(Above) Robert James as the letter “A” (We missed you at the graduation concert!)(Above Right) Taking a minute to rest and pose for the camera :)

(Above) Practising the Chinese Shapes Dance(Left) Nativity Play

(Left) Practising the Maris

Stella School Song

Periwinkle Boys

(Above) Our Graduating Class of Periwinkle 2011!(Left) Periwinkle Kids doing the Chinese Shape Dance

(Above) Nativity Play(Left) Singing the Maris Stella School Song

Periwinkle Boys

YesteryearsAs our children graduate from kindergarten this week, let’s take a moment to look back at how big they have grown through their time here at Maris Stella...

(Top Left) Bead threading exercise

(Top Right)Learning about plants

(Right) Nursery Field trip toAir Force Museum

(Left) Exercises to train motor skills (Right) Scissors cutting practice

Periwinkle Boys

(Top Left) Nursery teacherMs. Wheatley cutting open a durian for the children to try

(Top Right)Victoria, Michael and Haydee trying a fruit

(Right) The children showing off their transportation vehicles made out of recycled material

(Top)

Alicia, Ashley Mei, Sze Ann,

Greta and Kay

(Left) Ashley Tan, Sybil, Joel, Robert James and Yun Khai

(Left) Haydee, Vinothan, Ethan, Michael, Linus, Victoria and David

Periwinkle Boys

Sportsball in Action

Periwinkle Girls

Periwinkle Boys

It has been a sporty year with the addition of Sportsball in our curriculum. We tried basketball, golf, baseball, tennis, soccer etc. and

had so much fun!

(Above) The children trying out handball

“OHANA” means family. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten (remember the movie Lilo and Stitch?). I am proud to say that we practice this in Periwinkle class! We ensure that we find the time to sit down with the child and make sure that he or she understands the lessons or discussions that we have.

It may look like an ordinary class from the outside, but inside, Periwinkle is a class filled with warm, loving and respectful children.

They may only be five or six years old, but they are responsible individuals. They pass important messages to their parents without fail, and they are also the first ones to pay for excursions. There is a strong bond of unity and trust amongst the children, and it feels wonderful to be part of this family!

I may have spent only two terms with them, but they have made me feel as if I have been with them for the whole year. The students have accepted me and made me feel that I belong. They include me in their conversations and even share common topics such as their holiday and weekend plans with me!

I am grateful for the guidance and support that Ms. Chrishirl has shown me. She has inspired me to coach and handle the class with a profound enthusiasm to bring out the best in each and every one of them.

To the Periwinkle Class 2011 (AM), I wish you all the best!

Sincerely, Ms. Cecilia

Farewell note from Ms. Cecilia

李老师 Li Lao Shi

谢谢李老师这一年的教导！

Thank you for teaching us!

Thoughts and drawings from Periwinkle Children and parents

To celebrate our year together, we have put together a compilation of drawings and thoughts from Periwinkle children and parents on what they loved here at Maris Stella and what they will miss. Enjoy...

Ashley Mei

It seems like it was only yesterday when I accompanied Ashley on her first day of school at Maris Stella & sat in with her during her first day at Nursery. Ashley was all excited in her new blue & white school uniform, and I the very proud mum. My thought then was ‘My liCle girl is all grown up & aCending proper school!’

Three years have passed in an instant & Ashley is graduaGng from Kindergarten this week! I can’t help but marvel at how much she has grown, not just physically but academically, socially & emoGonally too. I have grown to love the Maris Stella family; its teachers, staff, fellow parents & all of Ashley’s liCle friends. Not forgeLng Sister Anne of course! All of you have contributed to Ashley’s development in one way or another & I am grateful!

We are very sad to hear that Sister Anne will be stepping down as Principal, but I’m sure the spirit of the school will never change. My second-‐born Cameron, will be starGng at Maris Stella next year & I’m glad that our family’s associaGon with the school will conGnue with this next phase. I’m looking forward to it.

A very special shout out to Ms Chrishirl, who has inspired Ashley the past year. Ms Chrishirl, you are a wonderful teacher! Thank you for your paGence, perseverance & the tremendous effort you’ve put in to beCer my precious liCle girl! Ashley is going to miss you loads when she leaves school. To my fellow parents, it has been a great pleasure geLng to know you! It’s nice having a chat, whether it’s at school or at birthday parGes! Do keep in touch so our kids can too.

Here’s wishing one & all Happy Holidays, a very Merry Christmas & an even beCer New Year!

Amanda Vella (Ashley Mei’s very proud mummy)

David Francisco

As the school year ends, it's time to bid farewell to preschool and get ready to embark on a new chapter of our kids’ journey in life... It will not be as simple as it used to, but it is part of growing up.

Saying Farewell means saying goodbye to all the good friends, teachers, staff, parents and the school building which we have all learn to love so much.

Maris Stella Kindergarten has been like a second home and parting away from it is sure an emotional event. It is hard to find the right words when it comes to expressing my feelings.

I would like to Thank the Periwinkle teachers who is a guide, a friend, a mentor and one who imparts knowledge selflessly to our kids.

To the parents I hope this is not the end, so I will not say Goodbye but instead See you all soon...

Love,Liyah Medina (Francisco David's mom)

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Larissa

“ It was an emotional day for my husband and I when we attended Larissa's graduation concert last Thursday for it seemed like only yesterday that our little girl entered Maris Stella Kindergarten. From a shy and timid girl who cried for almost a month in Nursery class, Larissa has blossomed into a confident girl who enjoys school tremendously. As an only child, Larissa looked forward to each and every day in school where she would be in the company of her dearest friends. She has made many good friends in Periwinkle, especially those in the Blue team. She loved relating her experiences in school to me and more often than not, these were happy and exciting ones for her. Ms Chrishirl never failed to make school fun for the children and she was always sensitive to their emotional needs. Her enthusiasm and dedication to the class really shone through in all that she did for the children. It was her constant encouragement and support that helped Larissa grow in confidence and maturity. Ms Cecilia and Ms Jaz have been wonderful with the children too and I would like to thank them for their selflessness and hard work throughout the year. As Larissa starts a new chapter in her life, I am certain that the values that she has learnt in Maris Stella will guide and help her make the right decisions in whatever she does. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the other Periwinkle children the very best in their new schools and may they always be proud of being a part of a very special class!”

-Alysia (Larissa’s Mom)

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Joseph

“We entered this school year with great excitement as this is Joseph's first year of community schooling. So it is really wonderful to see him enjoying school. He finds learning fun in the company of caring teachers and friends.

Thank you Ms Chrishirl, Ms Vera, Ms Cecilia, Ms Jess, 李老师 and

裴老师 for your love and guidance.

You have made this year a beautiful and blessed one for Joseph and his family. We will miss Maris Stella Kindergarten!”

-- Sheri Bin (Joseph’s mother)

Kay

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“It has been the most special journey for us to see Kay grow up with her group of wonderful friends from Maris Stella Kindergarten. Over the past three years, we have witnessed the kids transform from the little ones in nursery to the confident kids with high spirits today. We have always felt fortunate for Kay to be with Periwinkle. Ms. Chrishirl has in many ways been a special one-of-a-kind teacher! We hope Kay find lasting and enduring friendships!”-Kay’s Mom

“2011 has been a terrific and fun-filled year for Joel and I. We feel very blessed and happy to have Ms Chrishirl to teach the Periwinkle boys and girls. Her dedication, passion for teaching and creativity has made learning so fun. Joel has never enjoyed school this much! He will definitely miss Ms Chrishirl, Ms Cecelia, Ms Jas, Li Laoshi and Pei Laoshi and all his classmates very much. Thank you teachers and parent volunteers (for their time and generosity) for a wonderful K2 year for the children of Periwinkle! Fond memories of our time at Maris Stella will remain in our hearts forever! “ - Christina (Joel’s Mom)

Joel

Greta

Greta’s pre-‐school years in Maris Stella Kindergarten is coming to a closure soon. I feel sad that she has to leave her friends and teachers whom she knows so well and loves dearly but I am more worried about her transi@on to primary one next year. Not only has she to part ways with her friends, she needs to adjust to a new environment, make new friends, cope with new rou@nes and learn new things. As I am thinking about all these, God brings to my memory how Greta has grown physically, mentally, emo@onally and socially in these three years. From a very @mid, careful, reserved and quiet girl, she has become more confident, expressive (both in speech and wri@ng) and vocal. She has indeed bloomed under the guidance of all the teachers who have taught her and are teaching her this year. She is so blessed to have very dedicated teachers who truly teach and nurture with great passion and pa@ence. To all the wonderful teachers in Maris Stella who have taught Althea and Greta, my sincere thanks to each one of you. May you all be richly blessed and strengthened by God as you con@nue in your labour of love.

Lynn and Khen Seng (+ Althea and Greta)

Linus

As Linus graduates from kindergarten this week, I look back at the last three years and see how far we have come.

I love how Linus loves school and is raring to go each day. I love how encouraging and positive the teachers are here at Maris Stella. (Special shout out to Ms. Chrishirl for seeing the positive in each of our children!)I love how our children are encouraged to be curious and ask questions I love how the school is so natural and open with the bird aviary, fish ponds, multiple playgrounds.

My daughter, Amelia, will be joining the nursery class of Maris Stella next year and we can’t wait! She has seen how enthusiastic her brother is about school and has taken to wearing his uniform wanting to go to school too! (That’s when we know we have chosen the right school, and yes...we got Amelia her own Maris Stella uniform the next day!)

Primary school is going to be different, but I’m so grateful to all the teachers who have nurtured and taught Linus the last three years. Because of his time here, I know he is well-‐equipped and ready for the next phase of his life.

Have a great holiday and please keep in touch!-‐ Hooi See (Linus’ Mom)

“It seems like only yesterday that Alicia stepped into Maris Stella Kindergarten in her oversize blue uniform and started her journey of fun learning with her first year in Daisy (nursery class). She had some great teachers along the way and enjoyed her kindergarten days. She shared many stories with us on her school day and what she did with her friends in school. Special thanks to Ms. Chrishirl who have made the children's final year a enjoyable and memorable year in Maris Stella Kindergarten.”

-‐-‐ Doreen (Alicia’s Mom)

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Alicia

“I'd like to express my hearPelt thanks to Ms Chrishirl who dedicated her @me, love and pa@ence to the kids of Periwinkle. Ms Chrishirl is a great teacher, full of energy, strength and love to our kids. Brandon is very fortunate to be in this class, with such wonderful teachers and friends.

A big thank you to Hooi See as well, for all the coordina@on and follow-‐up with us parents on the events and happenings of Periwinkle. We are going to miss the @me, teachers and friends at Periwinkle, as well as the frequent updates we receive from Ms Chrishirl.

It is going to be a whole new experience for Brandon in his primary school and I hope Brandon and all the children of Periwinkle will be able to adjust well in their new school.” -‐-‐ Chris@na (Brandon’s Mom)

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Bhumi

“Maris Stella Kindergarten is the first place where Bhumi came to learn. Maris Stella Kindergarten is the place where she is prepared to face the world.

All the teachers from Nursery Tll K-‐2 and especially Miss Chrishirl have helped her to develop basic learning, become emoTonally stronger and physically able to go to Primary School and beyond..

My special thanks to Sister Anne, Miss Chrishirl , Miss Agnes and Miss Wheatley for nurturing my child so well.

I am proud to be a parent of MSK graduate student!

Watch out The Primary , Secondary Schools and University ..here comes the MSK graduate.....” -‐Nidhl (Bhumi’s Mom)

Nemiel: I will miss all my teachers in Maris Stella. I enjoyed every day of the 3 years that I spent in my school. I love all the subjects and enjoy singing and dancing with my friends. Most of all I will miss my Periwinkle friends and I will never forget my K2 year and feel very blessed to have Ms Chrishirl as my teacher."

"I am very happy with the progress of my son during his K2 year under the guidance and teaching of Ms Chrishirl..he has improve tremendously academically and in his behaviour. I am very proud of him. Thank you Ms Chrishirl and all the assistant teachers Ms Cecilia and Ms Jas that mould my son into a better child!!" --Amor (Nemiel’s mother)

Nemiel

Ashley Tan

“Three years at Maris Stella Kindergarten have been a fun learning journey for Ashley- an

indelible memory. I have noticed her transition. She is now independent and responsible and I

am proud of her. I have to attribute her progress to all the teachers who have taught her.

Thank you Maris Stella!”

- Audrey Yap (Ashley Tan’s Mother)

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Yun Khai

“Yun Khai does not want to leave Maris Stella. He

says he will miss all the outdoor activities, sportsball and speech and

drama the most. Yun Khai has really grown up after

these three years. He has now become an independent and confident

boy.”-Viet Phuong (Yun Khai’s

mother)

Victoria

“Victoria has grown from a starry-‐eyed child in Nursery to one who shows wit, humour and imagina@on with a much increased vocabulary. Some@mes, we are just so surprised/amused by what she says! I can s@ll remember her excitement in being able to use money in school (she has since added several erasers to her collec@on!) and choosing which of her pink wallets to use.

Some@mes, when she misbehaves at home, we get upset. But, I always think back to the leZer given to us during the last PTC in May (dear mummy and daddy…), everything is put back in perspec@ve, reminding and humbling us with these thoughts: Our child is learning and growing. We have to tell her what, why, how. We cannot lose pa@ence with them and we have to understand them as children.

We really appreciate the dedica@on and teaching style of Ms Chrishirl, and the pa@ence and help of her able assistants with our rowdy children, and to wish them well in their future undertakings. Thank you!

In addi@on, we would also like to wish the Periwinkle 2011 children and parents the best as they embark on the next phase of their exci@ng journey in primary schools!” -‐-‐ Linda Chan (Victoria’s Mom)“

Michael

My brothers and I have had such a memorable and fun time at Maris Stella. My older brother Matthew is now in Pri 2, and my younger brother Marcus is in Nursery (Daisy).

We all attended Ms Chrishirl's Speech & Drama since Nursery, and I am so fortunate to have Ms Chrishirl as Periwinkle's teacher this year!

Thank you dear Ms Chrishirl for showering us with your love and dedication and for all you have taught us! Thank you Ms Cecilia and Ms Jas for your guidance and patience!

Love, Michael

Jeina

“How time really flies! Can't believe that Jeina has already been in Maris Stella for 3 years and she will start formal school soon. As she embarks on a new journey in Primary school, I am sure she will miss her teachers and friends dearly. We are grateful to have had Ms Chrishirl as the form teacher of Periwrinkle, who has been so committed, engaging and caring. The many events and activities in Maris Stella have also given us opportunities to foster friendships with the children and parents and we hope to continue to stay in touch.” -Alicia (Jeina’s Mom)

“I really take my hat off to your energy and commitment to the school and class. I am already @red just sibng down enjoying the concert and a liZle socializing in class! I don’t know how you do it! I really appreciate Ms. Chrishirl’s effort for the past year and Eli is very lucky to have you and the rest of the teaching staff!

Thank you very much!” -‐ Jennifer Massimini (Eli’s mother)

Eli

Sze AnnHi, I am Sze-Ann from Periwinkle.

I have a best friend called Greta. At first, I was a little shy so i talked to her. Then we found ourselves liking each other more and more. Then we became friends and then we became best friends. But we often quarreled so she did not want to be my best friend after a few days. I got an idea and I begged her to be my best friend again. She said yes and became my best friend again! I will always remember Greta and the good times in Periwinkle.”

“I remember my kindergarten years vaguely-- perhaps because the friends I had made are but faint memories. Sze-Ann's final year in Maris Stella Kindergarten has rekindled these dormant embers. I cannot help but smile when I receive daily updates about the trials and tribulations of a 5-year-old. I wait breathlessly for reports of changing friendships, alliances and the inevitable scuffles and petty quarrels that mark the passage from Daddy and Mummy's baby to precocious, independent students of life.

Thank you, classmates of Sze-Ann, for your laughter and your words of encouragement on your learning journey. Thank you, teachers of Sze-Ann, for your patience and your dedication in feeding her ever-growing curiosity. And, thank you, the parents of Periwinkle, for the parties, gifts and outings which Sze-Ann will surely remember well into her adult years.” -Lye Kok Leong (Sze Ann’s father)

“Robert James' father is a very loving man and for him to be able to share something traditional within the family with his kids is a rewarding fulfillment. Soon there will be 2 Maris Stella Old Boys in the house!

Thanks to all the teachers for making it the first of many more life long achievements for Robert James!” -Ead (Robert James’ mother)

Robert James

Haydee

“Time flies.. Haydee has come to the end of her pre-school life. We have accumulated lots of memories through the stories Haydee has brought back each day on the activities in school, school work and the great birthday parties, sports day, graduation day etc., all packed throughout the whole year.

We are grateful to have a team of great teachers, coaches and not forgetting Hooi See, who have done so much to provide us with valuable memories of our daughter in prints.

Last but not least, we are thankful to Ms Chrishirl for your unique way of teaching, your patience and guidance to Haydee during the time when she was in anxiety. I 'm very sure Haydee is going to miss Maris Stella, her teachers and best friends very much.”-Rachel (Haydee’s mother)

Max

“I can’t believe how quickly Max’s time at Maris Stella Kindergarten is fast coming to an end. I can still remember Max’s first day at Ms Wheatley’s class. All the children looked so nervous and all the parents so anxious. We have all come such a long way since then.

The young man in front of me now is neither nervous nor frightened. Maris Stella Kindergarten has helped us nurtured Max into a confident, independent, thoughtful and sensitive young man.

The class friendships were also formed early on and Max has made so many wonderful friends in his three years at Maris Stella. It is almost heartbreaking for him and me to know that next year the Children will be going on to different schools. Max tells me he will miss so much not being in the same class as Michael, Linus, Eli and Vinothan, his four “best friends forever” and he hopes that they all will still be able to keep in contact and see each other as often as possible. As a parent who has been involved in the school for the last six years, with first our eldest Alex and now with Max, I am now feeling this loss even more. I always tell Ben, Max’s Dad, “no where else, will you be welcomed by happy smiling faces, then Maris Stella each and every day”.

This year the Children have been especially blessed to have Ms Chrishirl as their Form Teacher. There are Teachers and then there are Teachers. Chrishirl belongs to that special group of Educators who do more then just teach. Chrishirl inspires and makes her lessons come alive. The Children have also been empowered in so many ways, that as parents we know they will not find the move into their new schools overwhelming and daunting. They have even been able to practice making their own purchases in their Cuddles and Kisses shop in Class.

I know all the Children are ready and well-equipped for the next chapter in their lives.

Please keep in touch everyone and a Blessed Christmas to you all and your families!”-- Michelle (Max’s Mum)

Let’s

Keep

in

Touch!

Child Name Parent Name Email Tel. No

Alicia Yip Doreen Oh [email protected] 93894218

Ashley Mei Vella Amanda Ho [email protected] 9857 0597

Ashley Tan Audrey Yap [email protected] 9871 7227

Bhumi Gupta Nidhl Gupta [email protected] 8591 8901

Greta Lee Lynn Teo [email protected] 9756 9194

Haydee Ng Rachel Ng [email protected] 9238 8820

Jeina Pang Alicia Yong [email protected] 9741 5449

Kay Lim Krystin Kee [email protected] 9047 8123

Larissa Chan Alysia Ling [email protected] 9650 9851

Lye Sze Ann Cleophina Chan [email protected] 9691 0020

Victoria Ip Linda Chan [email protected] 9244 9921

Brandon Law Christina Lee [email protected] 9757 1175

David Maximillian Lim Michelle Tan [email protected] 9754 3800

Eli Massimini Jennifer Tan [email protected] 9232 2504

Francisco David Borja Medina

Liyah Medina [email protected] 8128 4530

Joel Loh Christina Tan [email protected] 9665 5065

Joseph Bin Sheri Bin [email protected] 9821 1712

Linus Hoon Ng Hooi See [email protected] 8188 0356

Michael Ng Michelle Ng [email protected] 9633 8236

Robert James Yang Ead [email protected] 82239883

Robert Nemiel Palino Salumbides

Amor [email protected] 8181 6838

Teo Yun Khai Nguyen Thi Viet Phuong

[email protected] 9060 3192

Vinothan Panneerselvam Thanasekar.g [email protected] 8290 2231

Form Teacher: Ms. Chrishirl CamposForm Teacher: Ms. Chrishirl Campos [email protected] 9795 3156

november periwinkle newsletter

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