RICHIE’S BULLETINTerm 1 2020

Hi everyone! A brand new year has begun! I hope all of you had

a restful December break. Let’s take a look at what our school

has been up to recently.

I proudly present “RICHIE’S BULLETIN 2020/1, the termly

newsletter which captures some of the rich learning experiences

in TKPS.

Enjoy reading!

5D4N Bicultural Immersion Programme To Shanghai

Students from the Broadcast Journalism Club (BJC), Art Club and Wushu went for a 5D4N Bicultural Immersion

Programme to Shanghai from 7 to 11 November 2019.

Students visited Langxia Primary School and Zhu Jing Primary School. They experienced, first-hand, how lessons were

conducted in Shanghai. Students and teachers from both countries had meaningful interactions one another, forming

cross-border friendships. The students also visited the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, the Shanghai Art Museum, the Wuzhen

and Chenghuang Temples, and the China Wushu Museum, which deepened their understanding of Chinese culture.

It was enlightening to know that our students were highly praised throughout our trip by staff at hotels and eateries as

well as the cabin crew of Singapore Airlines. The tour manager and his assistant were also impressed by the harmony and

camaraderie displayed by our young students. They were always looking out for one another. They exercised sense of

responsibility and self-discipline throughout the trip, being great ambassadors of TKPS and Singapore!

TKPS students taking over lesson time in Shanghai Bonding with new friends through a game

Contributed by Mrs Lim Yew Hock & Mr Roland Ng

Primary 1 Orientation Programme

We welcomed the 2020 Primary 1 cohort with engaging classroom activities, a school tour and a musical performance on

19 November 2019. Themed, ‘Joy In Learning’, the Primary 1 Orientation Programme aimed to familiarise the new

students with our school.

Our former principal, Mrs Charis Wong, the emcees and Richie welcoming new students and parents

Students leaders and staff lending a helping hand to our new Primary 1 students

As the students toured the school, they could not hide their excitement and were earnestly asking questions about the

Games Room and School Library. They were thrilled to see Richie and awed by the Primary 1 emcees who co-hosted with

the P6 students.

As they bade their new teachers and friends farewell, they shared that they were amazed by the size of the school

grounds and had a memorable time. They could not wait to meet each other again when school starts on 2 January 2020.

A back-to-school experience for parents Dancing energetically to the beat of the song

Contributed by Mdm Rashidah

Primary 5 Level Camp

Telok Kurau Primary School’s annual Primary 5 camp was successfully conducted from 16 to 18 January 2020 in line with

the theme, “A Growth Mindset”. The camp was also a good opportunity for teachers and students to get to know one

another better. This was done through a myriad of specially-designed activities carried out by the Primary 5 teachers,

the PE department and alumni.

“Here comes baby bumblebee... “ “One, two, three... jump!”

Campers were engaged in a variety of station challenges and a Night Walk in the school. They also came up with the

design for this year’s National Education (NE) Show school t-shirt. The last night of the camp was commemorated by a

“fireless” campfire performance! The “fireless” campfire was constructed with a high powered air blower, LED lights and

a 3-metre long yellow sleeve. At the end of the camp, everyone agreed that while the camp was tiring, it was a

memorable and meaningful experience.

Good interception! All it takes is perseverance and concentration to get the ping pong ball in the tube.

Contributed by Mr Jeffrey Tan

Chingay National Education (NE) Show

A group of dedicated teachers brought our Primary 4 cohort to the Formula 1 Pit Building for the Chingay NE Show on 18

January 2020.

Chingay is one of Asia's largest street and float parades that showcases the dynamism of Singapore's vibrant and multi-

cultural society. The year 2020 marks 60 years of community building by the People's Association. The theme for

Chingay 2020 was 'Colours in Harmony’.

Seated and ready for a spectacular show

Students were treated to a parade that offered a

treasured glimpse into Singapore’s vibrant multi-

culturalism and exciting global cultures.

Our students and teachers were mesmerised by a

dazzling extravaganza of colourful lights, costumes and

props. Everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, language

and creed, come together to celebrate as one.

Through the Chingay Parade, our students learnt to

better appreciate the importance of diversity and how

the different cultures and ethnicities in Singapore co-

exist harmoniously together.

Highlight of the parade: the world’s longest 108-metre flying dragon helmed by a team of 12 craftsmen

Contributed by Mdm Christine Chua

Celebrating different cultures with a dazzling extravaganza of colours

Chinese New Year Celebrations

The festive mood was in the air as our school ushered in the lunar year of the Rat with a Chinese New Year concert on 24

January 2020. A myriad of colours filled the school hall because students, teachers and invited guests came dressed in

festive apparel.

During the two-and-a-half-hour long Chinese New Year celebration, all of us were treated to a fantastic array of

performances. Besides enjoying various items put up by TKPS students from various CCAs, the concert also featured a

skit by a team from the People’s Association and a group of festive drummers. Our mascot, Richie, the God of Fortune

and a rat mascot joined us during the festivities too. We also had a Lion Dance, performed by our Lion Dance CCA - a

must for every CNY celebration at TKPS!

The concert ended with everyone singing a medley of CNY songs in high spirits!

The festive drummers wowed the audience.Students welcoming the rat mascot

Contributed by Mdm Melody Tan

Celebrating cultural diversity regardless of ethnicity and religion The Lion Dance Troupe never fails to excite the audience.

Total Defence Day

Total Defence Day (TDD) fell on a Saturday this year. As such, our school commemorated TDD from 10 February 2020

(Monday) to 14 February 2020 (Friday). The theme for TDD 2020 was ‘Together We Keep Singapore Strong’.

We commemorated Total Defence Day in the classroom and during FTGP lessons. Primary 1 and 2 students learnt about

the three core pillars of SGSecure - stay united, stay alert and stay strong. Primary 3 and 4 students enjoyed reading

the SGSecure storybook with their Form Teachers. Primary 5 and 6 students enjoyed learning and searching for TTD-

related actions in a Where’s-Wally-styled puzzle and the SG Unite Card Game with their classmates.

TDD classroom activities

In collaboration with the Mathematics department and the TKPS Parent Support Group (PSG), TDD-infused Math

activities were planned for our students during recesses on 12 February 2020.

The recess engagement focused on economic defence. Students from the lower primary learnt more about how to spend

within a given budget while students from the upper primary learnt about currency exchange rates. These activities

developed students in financial literacy while honing their decision-making skills.

TDD-infused recess activities

Contributed by Mdm Christine Chua

TDD-infused Math booths during recess

Students also had their maiden experience of the Wipe-Down Routine during their respective recesses on 14 February

2020. This experience aims to promote social responsibility, national resilience and personal hygiene in line with the

commemoration of Total Defence Day. Everyone played their part in making this year’s TDD an unforgettable one.

After-recess wipe down routine

P1-P5 Recess Buddy Programme

During the first two days of school, some of our Primary 5 students were involved in the P1-P5 Recess Buddy Programme.

Primary 5 students were assigned two Primary 1 students each as their buddies for recess. The aim of the programme

was for the Primary 5 students to help the Primary 1 students during recess. They guided them on how to buy food and

drinks from various stalls and ate together at their designated tables. Through this programme, the Primary 5 students

exhibited the value of care by helping out their Primary 1 buddies to order and buy food. They also accompanied their

Primary 1 buddies to the restrooms after eating.

Getting to know each other

Contributed by Mr Roland Ng & Mdm Aznizah

Helpful buddies watching over me.

Recess with my Primary 5 buddies

In addition, the Primary 1 students were taught to keep their tables clean after eating and where to return the utensils.

The younger ones learnt the value of responsibility from the older ones. They also learnt the value of resilience by

adapting to the new routines during recess as part of their primary school life. At the end of the 2-day programme, the

Primary 5 students enjoyed the experience and felt a sense of pride when they were able to guide, advise and support

the Primary 1 students during this transition to primary school.

11th Global Village Children and Youth Bilingual Speech Competition

Our students have done us proud in the 11th Global Village Children and Youth Bilingual Speech Competition. With

participants from both Singapore and China, this competition provided an opportunity for participants to appreciate one

another’s language and culture. Our students spoke confidently about their idols, which was the topic for this year.

Contributed by Mdm Melody Tan

Inaaya and her team mate

In the Singapore Division Semi-final, Darien Goh Seng

York of P5 Care clinched the bronze medal. Alam Inaaya

Zahra of P5 Respect qualified for the Singapore Division

Final and eventually emerged as a Gold Award winner

with her team mate from China! Though this was the

first time Inaaya had participated in the competition,

she enjoyed this learning experience tremendously. She

was also thrilled to win the competition!

“During this competition, I made a new friend from

Xiamen. She is my team mate. Although we faced many

challenges and other stronger opponents, with resilience

and teamwork, we managed to achieve our target

successfully!”-Alam Inaaya Zahra.

‘Pongal’ Learning Journey to Little India

The Pongal Festival, also known as the ‘Harvest Festival’, was celebrated on 10 January this year. Originating in India,

the festival is a thanksgiving celebration during which the people thank the Sun, cows and farmers for the food on

their plates.

On 10 January 2020, the Primary 3 and 4 Tamil Language students went on a learning journey to Little India. They

visited the exhibition held in conjunction with the Pongal Festival. Our students were greeted by the hosts who gladly

shared interesting information on the festival.

Primary 4 students performing their newly learnt dance steps on stage

Primary 3 students playing the Parai instrument

Contributed by Mdm Sathya

The host explaining to the students about the importance of cows in the festival

Students pouring milk into mudpots

The students had so much fun participating enthusiastically in the activities. They poured milk into traditional mudpots

and shouted “Pongalo Pongal!” when the milk boiled and spilled over, symbolising an abundant year ahead. They were

very excited when they saw cows, calves and goats. Some students tried their hand at the traditional Parai instrument

and others learnt the folk dance, Oyilaatam. Everyone learnt something new on this learning journey!

RICHIE’S BULLETIN EDITORIAL TEAM

Mrs Nalani Raj

Mr Jonathan Tan

Ms Felicia Goh Xiu Xian

I never dream

of success,

I work for it!