Kindergarten Teachers' Thanksgiving Day

Principals and Teachers from the various kindergartens gathered at St Joseph's Kindergarten in Bukit Timah yesterday for a day of getting together and for some learning experiences.
The event, which was organised by ACCS, started with a briefing and updates on Catholic Preschools followed by a tour around the hosting kindergarten. This was followed by an Art Therapy workshop conducted by Caroline Essame, a creative art therapist with 24 years of experience.
After lunch a talk by was given by Dr Margaret Anne Carter from James Cook University. Dr Carter discussed the difference a teacher could make in the life of a child and then went on to discuss various behavioural patterns.
The day ended with a special Mass celebrated by Msgr Eugene Vaz.

ACCS Attachment Programme for students

Five students from CHIJ (Toa Payoh) were attached to the ACCS office for 5 days - 31st of Oct to 4th Nov.
The School’s Programme Objectives were:
a. To prepare IJ girls for the world of work
b. To provide IJ girls the opportunity to taste the world of work
c. To help them to make informed decision regarding career selection
d. To build up their life skills and team work for the world of work
In additional the objectives by the ACCS were:
e. To reflect on the value of work in our changing world today.
f. Pray for the grace of wisdom to discern the right career choice and the courage to pursue it.
g. To explore one’s own strengths, limitations and career possibilities in order to make a choice and commit to it.
The Schedule of Daily Activities
Students worked as a team in planning for the Kindergarten Bible Camp Event on the 28th and 29th November 2011. They did creative planning, research work on the significant landmarks of our Catholic tradition in Singapore, and developed activities for children as well as educational brochures. At the end of each day’s work, students came together to pray and reflect on their experiences. They were given the opportunity to know themselves more, explore career possibilities and reflect on the ways in which their choices are made.

5 New Principals for Catholic Schools

Singapore's Ministry of Education announced the appointment of 47 new principals of which five are for Catholic Schools. They are: Assumption English School - Mrs Mabel Leong
CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School - Mrs Tan Wai Lan
St Patrick's School - Mr Tan Chin Eng, Adolphus
De La Salle School - Mdm Poon Chor Choo, Daphne
St Gabriel's Primary School - Mdm Moo Mee Koon, Catherine
The principals will be presented with letters of appointment at an Appointment and Appreciation Ceremony on the 30th of December. ACCS would like to take this opportunity to warmly congratulate the new Principals on their appointment and record our thanks and appreciation for the outgoing principals.

Who Is the Learner?

Fr David Garcia OP, conducted a workshop on the 20th of September for Catholic teachers and staff in Catholic and non-Catholic schools. The topic was "Who is the Learner? Designed and Called to Become" The two and a half hour workshop was held at Assumption English School. Fr Garcia guided participants to a deeper reflection of the uniqueness of the Human Person. It was designed to enrich the views and appreciation of God's creative power and love. It also aimed to enhance the understanding of the Person of the student whom the teachers meet every day.

CMECS Meeting for Principals and Vice Principals

Twenty Two Principals and Vice Principals gathered at Catholic Junior College yesterday for a briefing of the new Civics and Moral Education syllabus that could be used in Catholic Secondary Schools. The purpose of the meeting was to update the school leaders of the programme as well as its status. ACCS Executive Director Ms Wendy Louis (picture above) led the session along with Ms Jeanette Atabelo and Mr Edward Dass.

Teachers' Day Celebration

 

ALL teachers are invited to our Teachers' Day Celebration on Saturday the 27th of  August. It's to be held at SJI International, 490 Thomson Road from 3pm. Mass will celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Nicholas Chia followed by a mini concert and reception. Please register here or call 68587080.

Walking with Jesus - July 2011

The Biblical based programme "Walking with Jesus" was the focus of a workshop conducted on the 6th of July 2011. Teachers and parent volunteers from Catholic High, St Gabriels and SJI junior attended the three hour session.
Ms Wendy Louis, Executive Director and Msgr Eugene Vaz conducted the sessions which was aimed at providing the groundwork for the teachers.
The topics covered were:

1. How a Para Liturgy could be conducted
2. How Scripture is used in Walking by Jesus
3. Music in the programme
4. Preparing to teach the sessions.

Lastly, a presentation of how a session with the children could be conducted  and an evaluation was carried out.

Kindergarten Parents' Information Session

On the 14th of May, parents of St Francis Xavier Kindergarten attended an information session organised by ACCS. The aim of the session was to provide information about the operational and curriculum aspects of the school. This also enabled the parents to give suggestions and work in partnership with the school.
Some fifty people attended the two hour session which was given by Merilyn Dasson from ACCS and Shirley Tan. The parish priest, Fr John Bosco, who is also the kindergarten supervisor was also in attendance.

Assumption Pathway Blessing

The Blessing of Assumption Pathway School was conducted by His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia on the 11th of May.
The new building, completed last year, houses the administration, multi purpose hall, canteen, gymnasium and library has freed up space in the previous building which can now accommodate more classrooms. The building, which faces Cashew Road, took about two years to reach it's completion in late 2010.
Amongst the dignitaries present were the SMC chairman, Mr Gabriel Teo, Bro Dominic, Bro.Emmanuel, and Gabrilite school principals, Mr Andrew Tan, Ms Genevieve Chai, Ms Antonia Teng.
Assumption Pathway caters to students that are more inclined to a less academic course of study and undergo a three year programme which leads to qualification of a ITE skills certificate.

Christopher Walker 2

The Christopher Walker workshops ended yesterday, the 14th of April.
They did not purely cover musical techniques for specific groups but extended to liturgical practices and their relationship to music and many could be used for all age groups.
They were delivered through entertaining, fact filled sessions that seldom had a dull moment. Christopher also delved into the fundamentals on which a liturgical musical foundation could be built.
Our sincere thanks to Christopher for his time and enthusiasm.

Christopher Walker

Christopher Walker, the lecturer and composer renown for his liturgical music went into his second day of workshops at CAEC this afternoon. His audience was pre-school teachers and they were enthralled throughout this delightful man's presentation. Christopher will be conducting another eight workshops up until the 14th of April.

Supervisors Meeting

 

Supervisors of Catholic Schools gathered today at the SPI conference room for their regular meeting. On the agenda today was the discussion on the  common purpose and goals of Catholic Education; growing towards becoming a family of Catholic Schools.

Present at the meeting were Bro. Emmanuel SG, Fr Frederick Quek, Sr Maria Ng FMM, Christina Kheng, Fr Henry Siew, Sr Delphine Kang RGS, Sr Cecily Pavri FDCC, ACCS Executive Director Wendy Louis and ACCS Executive Secretary Ursula Quah.

Evaluating a Catholic School

Fr Norbert Menezes continued his series of discussions at the Church of the Risen Christ last night. A group of Catholic School leaders, which included Chairmen of SMCs, Supervisors and ACCS Commisioners,  as well as Msgr Eugene Vaz, gathered to discuss the evaluation of Catholic Ethos within a Catholic school.
The sub topics covered included:

1. A Vision, Mision and Culture
2. Civics and Moral Education/ Religious Education
3. Partnerships/ Communitarian Involvement
4. Holistic Education
5. Spirituality
6. Gospel Witness

Leading a Catholic School

Principals from Catholic schools gathered on the 28th of February at the Church of Christ the king for a discussion on Leading a Catholic School. Facilitating the discussion was Fr Norbert Menezes.
Amongst the topics discussed was the challenges principals faced such as shifting priorities, over-emphasis on the externals, inadequate time for religious education, respect to diverse philosophies and ideologies and lack of Catholic Teachers and students.
The principals also deliberated on the identity and distinctiveness of a Catholic School and covered topics like the inspiration of a supernatural vision, being rooted in Sacramentality and being directed by faith and reason.
The principals represented the Catholic kindergartens, primary, secondary and junior college. Also present were Msgr Eugene Vaz, the vicar general and Ms Wendy Louis, executive director of ACCS.

Integral Pedagogy - Fr Norbert Menezes SJ

Jesuit Father and educator Norbert Menezes returned to Singapore to conduct another series of Integral Pedagogy centred talks aimed at Catholic school teachers, principals, religious education teachers and members of SMCs and Supervisors. The talks and workshops started on the 22nd of February and will continue till the 5th of March. In all, he will meet with groups of educators on nine occasions.
Amongst his topics are: The Core Aspects of Catholic Education, Reflection Skills in Teaching, Leading a Catholic School and How do you evaluate Catholic Ethos.
Fr Menezes is currently the secretary for Jesuit Education for South Asia. He holds 2 Masters degrees - in education as well as Science (Mathematics). He has also authored a total of seven books on education.

Walking with Jesus Workshops

ACCS organised 2 workshops, on the 26th of January and the 9th of February for teachers of the "Walking with Jesus" biblical based programme for Primary School Catholic students. The programme compliments the CCC based "Call to Faith" programme taught in the parishes.
The session was divided up into three parts; A Biblical overview by Msgr. Eugene Vaz, Music and the programme structure by ACCS Executive Director, Ms Wendy Louis.
The sessions were attended by forty one teachers over the two days.
The video below is the first of two videos of the Biblical Overview.

Fr Norbert Menezes SJ

Fr Norbert Menezes, the Jesuit priest renown for his talks on Integral Pedagogy will return to Singapore from the 22nd of February to the 5th of March this year.
He will be presenting a number of talks and workshops to various groups of educators in Catholic schools.
His first talk will be over three sessions, the 22nd, 26th of Feb and the 1st of March on Integral Pedagogy for Secondary School educators.
Contact our office at 68587080 for further details and registration.