Workshops & Talks ~ 4th, 5th and 6th Jan 2011

Hi Parents

The following woyrkshops/talks will be held at the Xishan's AVA room during the 1st three days from 4th Jan - 6th Jan when school reopens.

The topics are relevant if your child is starting Primary 1 in 2011; especially if you would like to pick up tips on how to help your child ease into the primary school environment.

Please do make time to attend.

Date : 4th January 2011
Time : 8am to 9:00am
Topic : Helping your child to cope with P1 Education - Social emotional issue/Making friends/Getting use to school routine & long hour

Date : 5th January 2011
Time : 8am to 9:00am
Topic : Preparing your child to succeed in school - Supervising their home work/Manage their school/Time management

Date : 6th January 2011
Time : 8am to 9:00am
Topic : Parent-Child Communication

Update ~ Mr Kiran – Dance Fest 2010 - Next PSG Meeting

PSG & Mr Kiran
Many of us would have already read from Mr Kiran’s email to all Xishan PSG Members sometime in mid-Oct about his new posting to another school at the end of 2010. [Rotating of principals after a 6 to7 years of tenure is part of the MOE’s policy.] If you have not read the email, a copy has been put up earlier.

At the P6 Dance Fest 2010 on 19th Nov 2010, in appreciation of his contribution to Xishan Primary School in the 7 years he has been principal, the event committee put up a slide presentation and presented a gift for the departing Mr. Kiran.

In his speech, Mr Kiran thanked the Teachers and the Parents to have journeyed with him, “without them I would not have achieved so much.” He also mentioned about the “excellent support” that the PSG has given to the school ~ PSG who have been eager to do things for the school.

The PSG on behalf of all parents of Xishanites, would like to thank Mr Kiran for his support given to the PSG. Given our very limited pool of resources, Mr Kiran has always been very appreciative and encouraging towards participation from the PSG in the various school activities.

We would also like to wish Mr. Kiran ALL THE BEST in his new posting!

PSG & Dance Fest
Speaking of the Dance Fest 2010, all at the school were treated to dance items put together by the graduating P6-ers.

What is PSG’s involvement?

To quote from the Teacher-IC, Miss Kong, in her Thank-you email:

“... appreciation to ...”
“The PSG members for helping to make and/or create the costumes for the pupils, and being the make-up artists for the pupils on the actual day.....”
“The success of the Dance Fest 2010 wouldn't be possible, if without your help.”

Just to go a-little-off the point from Dance Fest, the PSG gets Thank-you notes all the time from the Teachers in the school, - sometimes in the form of emails, other time SMS-es and very often verbal “Thank You”! – Whenever we participated in any events. Wanted to mention this, just so to make sure that all parents who have participated in the school events and activities to know that you are being appreciated for your time and effort. Always!

Next PSG Meeting

The next PSG Meeting has been scheduled for 11th Feb 2011, Fri.

[Details to be confimed.]

Please mark that on your new calendar as we will be looking forward to your attendance.

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Here's wishing all Parents of Xishanites Happy Holidays!

Please enjoy the school holidays as much as our children will enjoy theirs!

Posting and Change of Principalship for 2011

Dear Parents and PSG members,

The Ministry of Education has a policy of rotating Principals after a period of 6- 7 years tenure at a school. I have been recently informed that at the end of this year, Xishan will be having a new Principal posted in and I shall be posted to Sembawang Primary School with effect from 15 December 2010.

It has been a challenging yet enriching 7 years that I have had in Xishan and we as a community have grown to effect many changes both in structure and programmes to benefit our children in Xishan. The school environment is never complete with the support of the PSG and its members and I would like thank you all for your support in the last few years for the school programmes and working closely with our staff members in establishing a strong and collaborative school-parents community in Xishan.

I am confident that you will continue to grow and support the school under the leadership of the new Principal and do wish you all the best in your future endeavours with the school for our Xishanites.

Message from Mr Kiran,
Principal

[Event CANX] Reading Together on 18th Sept, 10am - 12noon

Updated on 15th Sep @ 3pm ~

Event has been cancelled due to unforeseen logistic issue.

Maybe be re-scheduled to Term 1, 2011.

With apologies.

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Reading is a big topic with parents nowadays.

Some of us, might have started reading to our little babies before they could do the kick while still residing in the mummies wombs. Kiasu as it may sound, we simply should not ignore the importance of reading.

However, reading is a habit that needs to be nurtured and it takes the Daddy and Mummy a great deal of effort and time to mould a child into a book-loving one.

If you are a parent who would like some tips:

1. To get your child to read;
   
2. To get your child to read beyond those books on the bestselling list;
   
3. To rekindle your own interest in reading [bearing in mind that parents are the best role models for our own children]

The Xishan-SFE has invited Mrs Aow Meow Kiang who "is especially keen to help parents nurture a love of reading in their children" to share with us this session "Reading Together".

When: This Sat, on 18th Sep 2010 from 10am to 12 noon

Where: Xishan Primary School, Admin Block, (either the AVA Room L4 or the Library L2)

Fee $: It is "FREE" for parents. With thanks to the Xishan-SFE!

If you are attending, please regsiter with your name and your child's class on the comments boxes below so that we can put your name on the registration list.

PSG In Action II ~ Racial Harmony Day

For Racial Harmony Day, the PSG held a sharing session on "Rojak Making" with the P4 children.

The preparation work before each session ~ putting up the cleaned utencils and apportioned ingredients ready for the children working in groups of 4.

The session began with introduction to the 'what' that goes into the rojak making.

Demonstrating the ingredients in their "raw and pre-prepared" form.

We were totally amused by the children's replies wheneven Mdm Sakdiah-kakak asked them for the name of THIS item in her hand.

Answers from the different sessions had been mostly: Potato!

Sharing the smell of ginger bud which gives the fragrance to the rojak. Since so little is used, there is not be much usually to be seen when it is mixed with rest of the ingredients.

Nothing beats a hands-on session for the children with some help from the PSG Members.

After some twirling and swirling of the ingredients in the sauce, the children tasted the finished product.

Three "O-YEAHS" for the "Rojak Making" Team!

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Other than these activities posted here with pictures, there are a lot that has taken place. Too bad that we do not always have pictures to show for each and every event.

For example, during the International Friendship Day, PSG Members also came together to prepare food for the children to sample. There were the Thai-styled papaya salad; Malay-styled Black Glutinous and the Filipino-styled Chicken Macaroni, Sopas.

There were pre-preparation work of planning and marketing etc. On the day itself, the PSG Members gathered at 6 plus 7 in the morning to make sure that the food is ready for the children during their recess. These dedicated PSG Members derived loads of satisfaction from the cooking to seeing how much the children had enjoyed yumming down the food.

If you are keen to join us at our events, please let us know via email: xishanpsg@gmail.com or just post a comment with your name and contact number. We would love to hear from you.

Please also help to pass the word around to the other Xishan Parents.

PSG In Action I ~ Xishan Open House

During the Xishan Open House on 20th Jul 2010, the Xishan-PSG, with collaboration from the school teachers, put up stalls for food demonstration for Muah Chee, Teh Tarik and Roti Kirai.

PSG members gamely took on questions from our teachers to prep them for questions that might come from the genuine food samplers.

A teh-tarik master in the making..... Teacher Ms Gaya.

Roti Kirai

On the same day, we also had Beth, Cecilia and Ella helping out with hair do for the Malay Cultural Dance Group.

P4 Heritage Trail on 4th Aug, Wed

P4 Learning Journey ~ Heritage Trail

Rescheduled to 4th Aug, 10 Wednesday

We need 5 parent volunteers.

Date:4th Aug 10, Wednesday

Time: 2.00pm - 5.00pm

(Meet at 1.45pm in the school canteen)

Please register by leaving your names and contact numbers in the comments box below.