MOE officers visit ACCS

The Ministry of Education's Civics and Moral Education (CME) Unit sent 14 of its officers for a visit to ACCS and the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) church.
The purpose of the visit was to gain more knowledge and understanding of Christianity.
The visit began at the IHM church where Fr Stanislaus Pang briefed the visitors on the common rituals, rules and regulations to take note of at a place of worship. This was was followed by a tour of the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre and the ACCS office.
After that, Ms Wendy Louis, executive director of ACCS gave the visitors a briefing on the main belief system of Christianity and some common practices of Christianity and their rationale.
This was followed by a briefing by Arthur Goh, director of the Singapore Pastoral Institute. He provided a brief introduction of the main Catholic religious texts and their significance as well as common misconceptions about Christianity and how to address them.
The visit ended with a dialogue session.

Talk for Preschool Educators by Sanjay Kumar

Sanjay Kumar is a pediatric occupational therapist and on the 22nd of October he shared with 45 preschool educators on "Identifying and Handling Preschool Children with Individual/Special Needs".
The programme contents included:

1. Issues of Children in Preschool
2. Building a broad categorization of children with odd behaviours.
3. Analysing observations in a structured manner.
4. Implications of fractured play behaviour.
5. Use of Music Listening Therapy in schools to address academic, emotional, cognitive and social challenges.

The attendees were presented with a certificate of attendance after the four hour talk.

October Marian Programme: Following Her Ways: To Jesus Through Mary

We are a few days away from October, the month celebrated in honour of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. During this month, we especially remember what God has done through Mary and continues to do with her for us.
We have prepared a set of the Marian Prayer booklet for use in Catholic schools. In this prayer series we would like to encourage one another, especially the students to imitate her and to live as she did and still does – giving glory to the Lord and rejoicing in God her Saviour!
The overall theme of the sessions is “Following Her Ways: To Jesus through Mary.” The materials were written with clear guidelines making it possible for students with facilitating skills to lead the programme in the absence of the teacher, if necessary.
There are a total of 5 booklets: 
1. To Jesus, through Mary – an introductory booklet that contains the introduction and some relevant information on the use of the materials.
2. Week 1 – Praying with the Rosary.
3. Week 2 – Feast days of Mary.
4. Week 3 – Mary in the Scriptures.
5. Week 4 – Shrines dedication to our Lady
RE teachers who have not received this programme may contact ACCS Project Director (RE-Secondary Level) Jeanette

Towards a Shared Vision for Catholic Schools in Singapore 3

In the last of the cluster meetings addressing a shared vision for Catholic Schools in Singapore held on the 17th of September at CAEC, the participants came from the Canossian schools. Ms Wendy Louis, executive director of ACCS and Mrs Ursula Quah were also present.
The conversation centred around a number of subjects such as the humility of Catholic schools, government schools catching up in teaching values to their students, the perceived lack of academic vigour in Catholic schools and the need for schools to be closely linked to the parishes.
The proceedings were again led by Christine Kheng.

School Chaplaincy Training

The last two modules of the School Chaplaincy Team training were held on the 8th and 15th of September at the Church of the Risen Christ.

In the second last module, Ms Soh Lai Leng spoke on the Educational Context Today - Learning Environment and Ms Michelle Soliano spoke on Working with Schools - Today's Youth Culture.
In the last module, Bro Collin Wee, FSC spoke on Children in Early Years and Ms Merilyn Dasson spoke on Human Development & Faith Formation - Needs of the Young.

The participants also received their certificates of attendance and will go back to their respective schools armed with fresh knowledge.

Teachers' Day Celebration 2010

Some Three hundred teachers from both Catholic and non Catholic institutions attended yesterday's Teachers' Day celebration at SJI International.
His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia celebrated mass with Msgr Eugene Vaz and Fr Gerard Louis. After mass the teachers were invited to a tea reception where they mingled and were given more information on ACCS programmes.
Watch the video of the Archbishop's homily below:

Citizenship in the Community

After four consecutive days of delivering lectures for chaplaincy teams, Fr Ron Bagley delivered his last lecture on "Citizenship in the Community" on the 27th of August. It focused on Catholic Social Teaching and how it applied to the situation in Singapore Catholic schools. Teachers from a wide cross section of Catholic schools attended the talk which included sharing local experiences and watching a ten minute video.
The video above is part of the talk and the picture below is a view of the audience.

Role of Chaplains in Catholic Schools

Over the space of four days beginning from the 23rd of this month,  Rev Fr Ron Bagley CJM delivered a series of talks aimed at new members of the School Chaplaincy Teams.
In the video below, Fr Bagley provides a summary.

Towards a Shared Vision for Catholic Schools in Singapore 2

In the continuing effort towards having a shared vision for Catholic Schools in Singapore more principals, supervisors and SMC chairmen met at CAEC on the 23rd of August. This time the participants came from the La Salle brothers, Gabrielites, Good Shepherd Sisters and the Diocesan schools as well as His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia. Also present was Sr Maria Lau and Ms Wendy Louis were also in attendance.
The proceedings were again facilitated by Christine Kheng.

Road Show at Christ the King church

We had a road show on the 14th and 15th of August at the church of Christ the King. The aim was to acquaint parishioners on the work ACCS does, to contact teachers from non Catholic educational institutions and to look for volunteers amongst the parishioners for service at the various schools.
Announcements and a brief were made at the three most well attended masses, Sunset 5.30pm, 9.45am and 11.30am. We received some thirty written requests and countless inquiries.
ACCS would like to thank Rev Fr Peter Koh for use of the church.
More photos may be viewed at our facebook page - www.facebook.com/singaccs

Towards a Shared Vision for Catholic Schools in Singapore

In a continuing effort towards having a shared vision for Catholic Schools in Singapore some principals, supervisors and SMC chairmen met at CAEC on the 3rd of August.
The participants came from the Gabrielites, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, the Marist Brothers and Holy Innocents as well as His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia and ACCS Chairman, Mr Bernard Chen.
Sr. Maria Lau, Ms Wendy Louis and Mrs Ursula Quah from ACCS were also in attendance.
The proceedings were led by Christine Kheng and consisted of the participants breaking into three groups and then sharing discussions with the main body of participants.
The meeting ended at 6pm.

Picture shows ACCS chairman Mr Bernard Chen delivering the opening speech.

3rd Communio - Common vision and mission

The 3rd Communio of 2010 was held today, the 30th of July at CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel. The objective was to discuss the possibility of a common vision and mission for our Catholic Schools.
The occasion was graced by Archbishop Nicholas Chia who, in his address said that "As a family of Catholic schools within the education system in Singapore we have a common context and share in the Mission of Christ and the Church. It is very important that we see what is common in our mission and purpose and highlight that especially when we gather as a group of schools." His Grace went on to mention that the search today is for what binds us together and gives a stronger common purpose.
Christine Kheng led the day's activities which consisted of two group discussions focussing on a particular school's charisms and "What makes a Catholic School Catholic?" and summing it up with a plenary.
ACCS executive director, Wendy Louis wrapped up the day's proceedings with a synthesis.
ACCS would like to thank the principal Mrs Catherine Seah for the usage of the school's facilities as well as refreshments for tea break.

As You Sow Workshop

Ms Wendy Louis conducted a  workshop for Civics and Moral Education / Religious Education Teachers & Coordinators on the 12th of July at CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School.
The session underpinned the schools’ efforts to develop students to become men and women for others. It reinforced the whole idea of service and the call to be a neighbour to those in need. The topic offered more meaningful insights into the teacher’s role in forming ‘missionary’ students capable of making choices in life.

FPE Graduation Ceremony

The graduation ceremony for the FPE, Formation Programme for Educators was held on the 9th of July at CAEC in Highland Road. A Mass preceded the ceremony and was celebrated by Msgr Eugene Vaz and Fr David Garcia. The following teachers received their certificates:

1. Thomas Aldrin John, Catholic High, 
2. Agatha Poh Hui Lei, St Theresa's Convent
3. William Ng, St Gabriel's Secondary
4. Ian Sim Tsi Tang, Holy Innocents' High
5. Cynthia Lee Hui Hui, Catholic High
6. Preston Tay Tzu Lin, Hai Sing Catholic School
7. Amenda Fernando-Haizal, St Theresa's Convent
8. Wendy Wong, CHIJ Toa Payoh 

A tea reception followed the ceremony.
The FPE programme was spread over a two year period and consisted of the following subjects:

1. Anthropology of the Christian Vocation
2. Prayer
3. Principles of Religious Formation
4. Philosophy
5. Contextual Theology
6. Moral Theology 
7. Social Teachings
8. Theology of Dialogue
9. Salvation History

Picture shows Louis Oo with some of the recipients.

Updates

At the end of June we published an article in the Catholic News "What's the point of a Catholic Education?". This was in response to the registration exercise for pupils going to kindergartens and primary one in 2011. We felt parents of these children needed to reminded of the value add of the Catholic schools.
The full article can be viewed here
Our next activity is a talk by Wendy Louis on the 12th of July, "As You Sow" for teachers. This session underpins the school's efforts to develop students to become men and women for others. It reinforces the whole idea of SERVICE and the call to be a NEIGHBOUR to those in need.

Pre-school teachers meet at St Francis of Assisi Kindergarten

It was the 8th of June and in spite of a drizzle, fifty pre-school teachers and principals turned up at St Francis of Assisi Kindergarten in Jurong West for the second day of their get together.
The morning's activities were a talk by Merilyn Dasson who, amongst other points, graphically showed the educators the importance of a positive attitude towards the pupils by a simple experiment using a container of water, pepper, a small bar of soap and two teaspoons of sugar.

Dr Honey Ng later spoke on "How Words Can Hurt" and also gave a graphic demonstration on how words can inadvertently be used by getting the educators to participate in a memory game.

Lunch followed and after another session the day ended with mass being celebrated by Fr Remi Liando SSCC.

Pre-school educators Get Together

Monday the 7th of June saw 52 educators from 12 kindergartens gather at the Holy Trinity Kindergarten in Tampines.
The programme for the day was a talk and dialogue session delivered by Merilyn Dasson, ACCS Project Director for pre-schools, who explained ACCS role with the Catholic pre-schools.The topics of supporting curriculum, maintaining a network amongst teachers, bi-annual interaction and kindergarten fees were amongst the topics discussed.
In addition, the host kindergarten also organised some active team building sessions with the participants.
The day ended with a "show around" of the Holy Trinity kindergarten by the hosts.

CHIJ cluster meeting - "What is Catholic Education"

The second event on the 2nd of June was the cluster meeting amongst the SMC chairperson, Ms Donne Aeria, CHIJ principals and vice-principals and IJ supervisor Sr. Deirdre . It was held at CAEC in Highland Road. His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia, Msgr Eugene Vaz and ACCS deputy chairman Mr John Yip were also present. The topic was "What is Catholic Education?". It was facilitated by Christine Kheng.
The agenda for the day consisted of a reflection on articles and questions, common elements of a vision of Catholic education and feedback on future plans and needs.

Social, Emotional & Spiritual Literacy

Dr Janet Smith, an educator and consultant today delivered a talk on developing your student's social, emotional & spiritual literacy, SESL, at Catholic Junior College. Some 70 people turned up to listen to Dr Smith's comparing and contrasting cognitive intelligence, emotional/social intelligence and spiritual intelligence. She also discussed how SESL could be introduced and embedded in curriculum and then maintaining a culture that is supportive of it.

Marian Programme for Catholic Schools

Twenty One secondary students from four schools - CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School, CHIJ St Joseph's Convent, Maris Stella High School and Assumption English School today attended a Marian Programme for Catholic Schools at CAEC in Highland Road.
The programme was designed to enhance the student's knowledge of Our Lady and also for them to initiate a Marian programme in their schools for the month of October.

Enhancing CMECS

In a continuation of the "Enhancing CMECS" programme, the second part of the workshop for educators was held on the 18th of May at St Nicholas Girls' School (Secondary). Eight teachers from the school attended the two hour session which was facilitated by members of the ACCS office; Wendy Louis, Jeanette Atabelo and Raymond Lee.

The CMECS is the civics and moral education subject of which a version suited for a Catholic school is taught. It is gradually being introduced to Catholic secondary schools since being started some two years ago.

Common Space in Catholic Schools

On the 23rd of April, 40 Principals, teachers, parents and staff of the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools gathered in the Training and Development Centre of Catholic Junior College to exchange and explore the meaning of “Common Space” for Catholic Schools in Singapore. The occasion was the 2nd of the ‘Communio’ series organised by ACCS to bring together educators around topics of concern and interest in education today.

The term “Common Space” came into the public eye when it was mentioned by the Prime Minister last year during his National Day Rally Speech. He even used an example of a Catholic School to show how a school with religious affiliation can be a ‘common space’ where all Singaporeans feel they are respected and can thrive.

Read more...http://www.accs.sg/Common Space.html

CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel's 50th Anniversary

The 23rd of April marked an important date in the history of CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel. The school in the Serangoon Gardens area celebrated the occasion with a series of events, the highlight being today's feast day.
Mass was celebrated by His Grace the Archbishop Nicholas Chia and was followed by up a speech given by the school's principal, Mrs Catherine Seah.
On behalf of the school's board Sr Celine Low later addressed the gathering.
The school had earlier, on the 5th of February, organised a golf tournament and had raised funds for Catholic Welfare Services. It raised five thousand dollars and a cheque was presented by Mrs Seah to its Executive Director, Mr James Chew.
The morning's events continued with awards being given to former principals of the school.
The school's choir also lent their melodious voices to the day's activities and led the assembly in singing a specially composed song "With Your Grace" to mark the school's 50th anniversary.
The day's activities ended with the burying of a time-capsule which contained mementoes of the day's celebration. It will be re-opened in ten years time.
It was a joyous event and very clearly, judging by the detail which was put in, one which the organisers should be proud of.
The picture shows (in the front row) teacher Ms Constance Tan, Vice-Principal Angelina Lim, Head Prefect Michelle Lee, Msgr Eugene Vaz, Principal Mrs Catherine Seah and His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia.

Blessed Easter

Greetings and a Blessed Easter to all our friends, educators and collaborators. Our office will re-open on Monday the 5th of April.

Walking with Jesus - Use of music

This is the first of 3 videos which we recorded during the recent "Walking with Jesus" workshop. This sector concentrates on the music aspect and is conducted by musician Trevor Nerva.

Walking with Jesus workshop

Holy Innocents' Primary School played host to the second "Walking with Jesus" workshop today.
The facilitators, in sequence, were Msg. Eugene Vaz, who provided the biblical basis for the series,  John Chan who again touched on the WWJ programme itself, Trevor Nerva who spoke on the use of music and Ms Wendy Louis who provided the synthesis.
A total of 20 teachers and parent-volunteers attended the session which included active role play in the form of planning and delivering an actual lesson and enthusiastically took part in the music section.
Additional copies of the WWJ books and complimentary materials were also made available for sale.
Picture shows the participants demonstrating an actual lesson. Watch the videos here http://www.youtube.com/user/accscommunion

Walking with Jesus Refresher Workshop

Twenty Five primary school teachers attended the "Walking with Jesus" refresher workshop on the 11th of March at CHIJ Katong Primary.
Msgr Eugene Vaz shared on Using the Bible, Salvation History and Our image of God, as well as answered some of the difficult Biblical questions that teachers encountered in class.
Ms Wendy Louis shared on Word as Sacrament, Spirituality of the Child and Use of Music in the series as well as revisited the history of this programme.
John Chan, project director, RE (Pri Schools) touched on the WWJ programme itself as well as how one can use Multiple Intelligence & Learning Styles to teach WWJ.

Catholic Ethos

In his final workshop today Fr Norbert Menezes interacted with nineteen educators on the topic of Catholic Ethos. Combining a lecture with an opportunity for the individual attendees to voice their concerns and experiences the experienced Jesuit spoke on a number of issues. Amongst them were a fundamental question of what is a Catholic school and what makes a Catholic school Catholic.
He also spoke on the need for an education that leads the young into the sacred space of the human person and of every person making them aware of the inalienable human rights of every individual and group.
Those present included Administration Managers, Principals and teachers.

Integral Pedagogy

 

Fr Norbert Menezes SJ today delivered his third talk in  two days at CAEC. This time addressing a few principals of Catholic schools and tailoring his discussion to a summary of Integral Pedagogy as a vision of what Catholic schools should have. He reiterated its value as a way in which teachers accompany learners in their growth and development. It is an art and science of teaching and cannot be reduced to methodology. And lastly that it must include a world view and a vision of the ideal human person to be educated. The two hour session also included a question and answer time frame.

Integral Pedagogy - A Way Forward

Fr Norbert Menezes,  the renown secretary of Jesuit education in South Asia conducted a workshop for civics and moral education teachers at CAEC, Highland Road today. His topic, Integral Pedagogy, is basically a teaching model that seeks to develop more integrated men and women for others. It is a process whereby a teacher accompanies the students in their intellectual, spiritual and emotional development.
Fr Menezes took the extra step of arriving in Singapore a few days early to familiarise himself with various classroom situations. He also visited local families to be more acquainted with the local conditions.
The session will be for a day and a half with the concluding session tomorrow.
Picture shows Fr Menezes addressing the thirty five educators at a group discussion.

Chaplaincy Team Communio

St. Anthony's Cannossian Secondary School in Bedok played host to the first "Communio" session of the year on the 26th of February. Entitled "Practices in Catholic Schools/ Chaplaincy Team", it sought to give greater insight to the concept of Chapliancy teams in Singapore Catholic schools.
It was a lively three hour session and was delivered by Ms. Daisy Tan from the host school, Ms Soh Lai Leng & Sr Assunta Cheng, FMM from Holy Innocents' High School and Friar Michael D’Cruz OFM from St Joseph's Institution. A total of 58 educators coming from a cross section of Catholic schools attended the dialogue session which ended with a synthesis by Fr Norbert Menezes, SJ.

Enhancing CMECS - CHIJ St Nicholas

In the second of the series, Enhancing CMECS, 16 teachers attended a workshop on the 23rd of February.
The CMECS or Civics and Moral Education for Catholic Schools, was hosted by CHIJ St. Nicholas. The programme for the day included talks, group discussion, role play and a question and answer session. The purpose was to explain the lesson plans that the secondary school is trialling out.  It was facilitated by ACCS executive director Wendy Louis and project director (Secondary) Jeanette Atabelo. 
The feedback received was encouraging as participants felt the lesson plans were detailed and helpful.

Who is the Learner

CHIJ Katong Convent played host to a workshop led by Fr. David Garcia OP today. A total of 15 teachers from Assumption English School, St Patricks, St Joseph's Institution Independent and CHIJ Katong Convent attended the two hour workshop.
The session examined the person of the learner who is at the heart of the teaching - learning process. It was aimed at the Civics and Moral Education teachers as well as those involved in RE, religious education.

Call to Discipleship

On the 9th of February, sixty four students and eight teachers from nine Catholic schools gathered at CAEC for the "Call to Discipleship" Lenten journey preparation. The students will in turn go back to their schools armed with the skills they picked up at today's session.
It encompassed the following:
1. Appreciating their role as a Catholic student leader.
2. Learning about their role as facilitators and the skills required in handling small groups
3. Familiarisation with the Lenten booklet.
In addition, the participants were provided with a copy of the 52 page Lenten booklet, a purple cloth to signify Lent and a cardamom seed representing the strong influence that the student leaders can have amongst their fellow students.

Why Teach in a Catholic School

As part of Catholic Awareness week which ends today at the National Institute of Education, ACCS held a talk for the undergraduates on "Why Teach in a Catholic School".
The speakers were Mdm Quek Seok Noi, principal of Holy Innocent's Primary, Mr Andrew Tan, principal of Montfort Secondary and Mrs Christine Anne Kong principal of Catholic Junior College. Summing up was Ms Wendy Louis, executive director of ACCS.
A total of 27 people attended and after a short individual talk by each principal a question and answer session followed.
Essentially the merits of teaching in a Catholic School were discussed (whether being a Catholic or not), the expectations of principals and how to go about applying for a position in a Catholic school.

What is a Catholic School?

On the 2nd and 3rd of February a total of 20 Operation and Administration Managers of Catholic schools, gathered at the FMM House of Prayer and Formation at Holland Road. The occasion was an induction and half-day retreat on the theme of "What is a Catholic School?"
It aimed to explain the basic tenets of a Catholic School and to expound on the ethos that a Catholic school educates the whole person.
Conducted by Bro. Dominic Yeo SG, the 4 hour sessions were tailored for operation and administration managers separately.
Participants commented, "It creates awareness of working in a Catholic school as compared to a normal school" and "Sharing with our brothers and sisters, it helped me to understand the basic tenets of a Catholic School".

Civics and Moral Education Workshop

On Tuesday the 2nd of Feb, St Gabriel's Secondary School played host to a workshop on Enhancing CMECS, Civics and Moral Education for Catholic Schools. A total of 26 teachers from the school attended the two hour session.
It aimed to provide an overview of the programme which is to be initially taught in stages to Secondary One students at the school.
The workshop consisted of talks by ACCS executive director, Ms. Wendy Louis and project director (secondary), Ms Jeanette Atabelo. It also involoved role play by the participants and served as a platform for feedback from the teachers as well.

Taizé – An Ecumenical Evening of Prayer

Taizé, the renowned, meditative prayer style, was brought to life in a three hour prayer session with the Prior of Taizé, Brother Alois. On the evening of 29th January Catholics and people of various Christian denominations prayed in a packed Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.
The Taizé community is a “parable of community” that wants its life to be a sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and between separated peoples. They aim to give greater visibility to the communion which, in Christ, already exists between all who are baptised.
The three hour meditative prayer session was punctuated by a welcome from the Archbishop and a meditation from Brother Alois and a prayer around the cross.
The event was organised as part of the Taizé “Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth” event in Manila. ACCS sees this as a way of encouraging prayer amongst older students and teachers.

Principals' Commissioning 2010

The 5th Principals' Commissioning was held at the Church of the Holy Family on the 23rd of January. The occasion saw His Grace, Archbishop Nicholas Chia celebrating mass and commissioning 18 new principals as well as leading the prayer of commitment for some 70 principals and vice-principals of Catholic Schools.
In his homily, the Archbishop asked the congregation to truly search in their hearts and ask what they were doing in their life and their schools. He also encouraged the reaching out to non Catholics in our schools as they too were children of God. In conclusion, he thanked the school leaders, committees and boards for bringing quality education to the some 50,000 students and assured of the Church's support and prayers.
A dinner at the church's function room followed the mass.
Two video clips of the event may be viewed here.

St Nicholas has 14 top girls

In today's release of the 2009 "O" level results, the Straits Times reported that the top student came from St Nicholas - Malaysian Lai Kai Rou who scored 10 A1s. The school also produced 14 of the 42 best scorers.
The complete story is here - St Nicholas has 14 top girls

Walking with Jesus Workshop

The new year saw the "Walking with Jesus" introduction and refresher workshop for teachers taking place on the 7th of January. It was held at CHIJ Kellock Primary. The overall aim of the programme is for the Bible to come alive for children and that they recognise Jesus speaking to them in his word.
Four speakers, Msgr Eugene Vaz, Ms Wendy Louis, Trevor Nerva and John Chan presented the topics.
These were:

1. The role of scripture, silence, music, prayer, experiential learning & memory.
   
2. How Scripture is used in the programme.
3. The objectives, methodologies, scope and sequence of WWJ.
4. How RE in primary school complements the parish catechism classes.
5. Learning styles and multiple intelligences.
6. Word as sacrament - spirituality of the child.
7. Music in WWJ programme
8. Group work and sharing
   

Taizé - An Evening of Prayer - 29th January

Join us on the 29th of January, 8pm at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd for an evening of prayer with Bro. Alois of Taizé. Watch the video above for a previous performance.
Taizé (Tay-ZAY) prayer is a style of Christian worship that combines song, scripture, silence and intercessory prayer. It often takes place in a candlelit setting around a cross. The style is based on the communal prayer of an ecumenical community of brothers in Taizé, France, whose lives are dedicated to living out the Gospel message of peace and reconciliation. The meaning and practices of Taizé have spread throughout the world. In Fresno, there are three locations that hold monthly Taizé prayer services.
The picture below are our local youth practising for the big day.