The Third English Camp was successfully held on 2nd. July 2011 from 9.00 am till 4.30 pm. The objective of the camp was to provide an environment where the students could learn and use ENGLISH IN A FUN-FILLED WAY.
A total of 75 students from Form 1 and 2 joined the camp. 55 student facilitators volunteered their services to help in the running of the camp. I was very touched by this spirit of volunteerism and their show of support for the camp. Who says students have to be forced to serve ?
The camp was launched by the Principal and the PTA committee members. This was followed by the ice breaking activities facilitated by the camp coordinator, Madam Chen. The students were each given a piece of jigsaw puzzle and they had to look for their group members in order to complete the jigsaw puzzle. The completed jigsaw puzzle had to be pasted on to a piece of cardboard and they had to guess the proverb illustrated in the jigsaw puzzle. With much excitement and eagerness, the students located their group members and completed the task. This was followed by Kim's Game, a memory game where they had to write down the list of things shown to them from memory.
 |
| Opening Ceremony by the principal and PTA committee members |
 |
| Students engrossed in the jigsaw puzzle activiy |
 |
| Students trying to guess the proverb |
Next, the students participated in the station games. A total of 12 stations were set up with different English language activities such as wordsearch, scavenger hunt, poster making, completing the proverbs and other language games. Each group gathered at one station and they were given 10 minutes to complete the task. After 10 minutes the groups changed stations until they had completed all the activies at the various stations. There was much fun, excitement and laughter as the groups raced against time to complete the task. The winner was the group that had accumulated the highest points from all the stations. This activity was carried out well and the students were fully engrossed and engaged in all the activities. Many thanks to all the teachers who had prepared all the interesting activities. Miss Shahrini did a well planned and excellent poster activity. Well done for the good job done.
 |
| Students discussing about the station game activity |
 |
| Student excited about the station games activity |
 |
| Students doing the scavenger hunt |
 |
| Students designing the poster |
 |
| Completed work of art |
 |
Students completing each of the station game activity
|
After the station games, the students were ravenously hungry and they truly deserved their lunch for doing such a good job so far. Although lunch was a simple meal, the students enjoyed themselves as they mingled and chatted happily with their friends.
 |
| Enjoying lunch... yummy food.. |
After lunch, it was time to test their creativity and presentation skills. They had to create a team logo and present it to everyone. After this, they were given some recyclable materials and they had to invent something useful with it. The students had very good ideas and were indeed very creative but their setback was their inability to present their finished product to the audience. Besides their lack of fluency, they were shy and lacked confidence while speaking in public. This issue needs to be addressed and the school has set up the Gavels Club, which is similar to the Toastmaster's Club to help students improve their public speaking skills.
 |
| Students busy designing their team logo |
 |
| Talented and creative |
 |
| Students making their logo as attractive and colourful |
 |
| Finish work of one of the team |
 |
| Students presenting their team logo |
 |
| Another group explaining their team logo |
 |
| Big and bold eagle |
 |
| Angry bird... |
 |
| Inventing something with recyclable material |
 |
| Brain storming... |
The next activity was a Treasure Hunt planned and prepared by the Interactors. The students enjoyed themselves tremendously as they raced through the school grounds, leaving no stones unturned in search of clues.
 |
| Getting ready for the treasure hunt |
 |
| At a pit stop |
 |
| Peek-a- boo, where are you? |
 |
| "I found the clue!!!" |
 |
| 'We need to strategize!' |
 |
| Solving the clue |
The icing on the cake was the prize giving ceremony, as the students waited excitedly to receive their prizes, which was given out by the head of language department, Madam Lee Phek See. All good things must come to an end and it is with much reluctance we bid farewell to the third English Camp.
 |
| Finalizing the scores |
 |
| Students anxiously waiting for the winner to be announce |
 |
| Presentation of prizes by Madam Lee |
 |
| Debriefing by Madam Chen |
 |
| Let's divide our treasure... |
Last but not least, I would like to thank everyone who has helped in one way or another in the planning and running of the camp.All the English Language teachers have worked their hearts out to make this camp a runaway success. Besides them, the student facilitators also helped tremendously in the smooth running of the camp. The Electronic Club, the ICT Club. the English Language Society and the Interactors also worked very hard. I wish to thank everyone who has helped and supported us in this camp. Many thanks and appreciation also goes to the principal, Madam Siew, the senior assistants, Mr. Wong Kum Ming, Mr. Soo and Madam Ong, the afternoon supervisor, Madam Chan, the head of language department, Madam Lee and the ICT teachers Madam Ooi and Mr. Thoo.
We look forward to next year's camp which is hoped to be held in a more relaxed and wonderful resort. However. we need sponsors in order to make this dream a reality. Anyone out there interested in sponsoring, please feel free to contact us. Any contribution is much appreciated.
Report by,
Madam Chen Yoke Chee
Head of English Panel
