28 Sept 2007 - Montfort Sec Sch Essays

These are some essays which our boys wrote. The title of the essay was: "The things which make me proud of my school"

1. L.S.D, Secondary 4E5, 2007

There are many things in my school which make me proud of it. Here are some of them. We have a lan gaming centre which is called "Valor@Montfort". There is a cafe next to the General Office known as "Cafe De'Mont". We also have a porgramme every Wednesday and Friday called the Mass Workout.

The thing that I love most about the lan gaming centre is the terms and conditions. Sutdents have to finish all their homework if they want to use the centre. However, even finishing your work is not enough. You have to get an approval and sigature from your teacher on an admission card which allows you to enter the gaming room. This wound ensure that discipline and homework go hand-in-hand with enjoyment. The "Valor@Montfort" creates a better learning experience becaue it helps me to work hard and play hard. This makes me happy and proud because finally the school understands the needs of the students.

Yet another thing which makes me feel porud is the new cafe. The "Cafe De'Mont" sells snacks and drinks which I like and not only that, I can study or watch performances by talented students in my school. This makes learning more relaxed and enjoyable. It is a kind of "chill out" place for students who have worked real hard for the day. IT also allows teachers to realx here after a hard day of marking and teaching.

We also have something called the Mass Workout. This is when we get up earlier in the morning at 8am every Wednesday and Friday. We do exercises conducted by Mr Faizan, our Head of Physical Education. Funky music is played to get everyone into the mood. This programme was initiated to get students to be more alert and energeised for their lessons to come. This would make students less taciturn and more zealous for classroom lessons.

All the programmes my school introduced makes me glad to know that my school actually takes so much time and effort to think about ways to engage us better. It makes me feel that they really care for our needs. Not only has the school made learning fun, they have also made school experience more enjoyable. That is why I am proud of my school.

2. ML, 4E2, 2007

I am proud of my school for many reasons. The main reason is that I am proud of the history of my school

Montfort Secondary School is named after St Louis Marie de Montfort. It was founded in 1916 and run by the Brothers of St Gabriels. The school was built at Upper Serangoon school next to the 126-year old Church of the Nativity. Although most of the school buidlings are no longer there, the very first building of the school still stands today. This gives me a tremendous amount of pride whenever I travel past the place.

Since moving to our new school premises in 1991, there have been many changes. Now, our classrooms are air-conditioned for the comfort of our schools. This suits the hot climate of Singapore very well. Our huge school hall is also air-conditioned through the sponsorship of an old boy of the school. We have activities and programmes in the hall without having to bear it in the stifling heat. The most wonderful aspect of our air-conditioned comfort is that our school fees have remained the same. We pay only $13 every month. I am therefore very thankful and proud to be a student of Montfort.

Another special thing about my school is that we start school at 8:30am apart from the other schools which starts at about 7:15 am. This ensures that the students would not be late for school. They would be able to take their breakfast before school and spend good quality time with their parents before they leave for work. This also saves the hassle of councillors who have to deal with latecomers.

Our school has such a long history and I am very proud to be part of it. We have been Badminton National Champions for seven years in a row. And of course, there are also so many other co-curricular activities which have reaped in so many prizes, medals and trophies to fill up our trophy display cabinet.

Recently, our school just opened a brand new gaming centre which was the hot topic of discussion amongst the students for a few weeks. Fully equipped with I-Mac Computers, the gaming centre attracts many students. Students have to purchase tickets the day before and allow their respective teachers to sign on their tickets. This ensures that students finish their homework and prevents them from skipping their co-curricular activities. After every one hour of gaming, the students have to rest for fifteen minutes with eye massagers or by just looking at the numerous plants placed around the room.

These things would not have been possible if not for our Principal, Mr Simen Lourds. We are currently in the midst of "Flight 36K@Montfort" which brings the schol to greater heights. Mr Simen is the most interesting Principal I have ever seen. Which principal in the whole of Singapore cooks curry for the whole school?

Well, of course, it would have to be our very own Principal! He never fails to entertain us during assemblies by singing, playing the guitar, telling jokes and most memorable of all, telling us about his life story. I must agree that he is undisputably the best Principal ever. This makes me proud to be a Montfortian!

These are the many things which make me proud of my school. The history of the school and the daily happenings in school never fails to excite me. I would gladly tell my other friends and family members about how great my school is. And this is the school where I hope I will one day return to contribute as an alumni member when I grow older.

Montfort Boys Town News - Fiji

Tadra in the Fijan language means Dream and Kahani in Hindustani means Story - together the "Dream Story Stage Show". This will be the fifth year for Tadra-Kahani although the original concept began in 1995 under a different name.

Tadra-Kahani is a show that is about young people between the ages of 6 and 19 years (primary, secondary & tertiary) expressing a theme (their `dream story') using creative arts in dance and music. Tadra-Kahani provides an opportunity for these young people to produce a piece of live entertainment set to contemporary music. Participants learn about the numerous elements of producing a production from design & music, choreography & set building to budgeting & fundraising. One of the objectives of Tadra-Kahani is of fun, entertainment and team building

Montfort Lives the Dream - Fiji Times, 17 Sept 2007

MONTFORT Boys Town won the Tadra Kahani for a record fifth time last week and for a group of young men, there is no better way of passing their message than through music and dance.

One of the students has been behind the two-years-in-a-row win.

He is Ledua Sigani, 20, an automotive engineering student from Waciwaci Village on Lakeba in Lau and the team leader.

"I believe that through music and dancing we are able to spread the message youths would like to share with the world," he said.

Ledua said one could always associate youths with music so it was easy for them to use music as a tool to highlight their concerns about issues affecting youths.

"We are grateful that such events are being organised and we are able to participate."

Ledua said the event was something the boys of Montfort at Veisari looked forward to every year.

He said the show brought out a lot of characters in the participants which the school was not aware of.

"With the show we are able to see some of the hidden talents my peers have and we often joke about it.

"For some, dancing is something we think only takes place in nightclubs but we have come to learn that music and dancing can be a tool of passing our thoughts and views on issues that concerns us."

Ledua said the Tadra Kahani had become a property of the school and it was something they would defend to the death. "I can say the competition every year has been really tough and it is getting tougher and we were glad to be able to take out the overall crown again this year."

Their theme this year was 'Inner Power Struggle' and all who watched the show at the Vodafone Arena will not dispute that Montfort Boys Town's performance was unique and a class of it's own. Ledua said the theme motivated the students to put up a vibrant and colourful performance. "The theme depicts the struggle we face from the womb to the tomb.

"Our hearts and minds are withered with insensitivity, self-righteousness and judgmentalism.

"We have to be life-giving people and celebrate life." He said the 60 students who took part were able to pass on the message in an award winning way.

"Montfort's performance was different from all other schools.

"It was simple but extravagant in the sense of the choreography of the dance moves.

"Our costumes, paints and background was simple and I believe that it was the choreography that made the difference." Montfort was the last school to go on stage, as defending champions, and they stunned the audience and won the accolades of the crowd.

Ledua said the win was a result of the effort put together by the students and staff of the school.

"Our principal was the driving force behind the scene and we also had staff members such as Master Ravin, who was always there for the performers." Ledua said they practised for one and half hours everyday during their free time and classes were not affected by their practice.

"Putting together the show was not easy and a lot had to be sacrificed but it was worth it."

He said the opportunity to give the performers a chance to show the God-given talents they had is something the school will always be proud of. He said the win was an added bonus to the boys and he dedicated it to all the staff and students who worked tirelessly behind the scene.

"This award is also for the old boys who won the award during their years at Montfort."

The school won the Tadra Kahani show in 2001, 2002 when it was known as the Rock Challenge and in 2003 and 2006.

This year it was changed from Tadra Kahani to the Dream Story and Montfort Boys Town gave them something to dream about.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=70688

Passage to India - Be Prepared

A. A Passage to India

Mr Simen spoke about a literature classic which he read called "A Passage to India (1924) by E. M. Forster. The theme was to 'be prepared' and to be aligned with the school environment and culture.

Set against the backdrop of the British Raj and the Indian independence movement in the 1920s, Foster's book (since then made into a movie) revolves around Adela Quested, a young Englishwoman, who travels to India in the late 1920s to visit her fiance, a British judge, Ronny Heaslop who is posted to a small town. Adela's companion is Ronny's mother, Mrs. Moore. They want to see something of the country and to meet everyday Indians, but are frustrated by the British colonial attitudes which prevail. The colonial mentality is that relations with the locals are best experienced from a distance. Finally, they make the acquaintance of Dr Aziz who brings them on an outing to the nearby caverns to view the real India.

The visit is a disaster. Mrs Moore is unable to take the heat and hears an echo in one of the caves which shakes her confidence in everything she believes in. She experiences an overwhelming sense of horror which completely overcomes her good naturedness and sense of good good humour; Afterwards, Mrs. Moore becomes sullen and depressed and soon dies from heat exhaustion on the journey home to Britain.

B. Be Prepared

The key theme is to "Be Prepared". It is very important to be "in-sync" with the school culture and tone.

Mr Simen spoke about how it would have been convienient and easy to get the discipline master to pull out those with long hair, to get a scissors and snip their hair. There would be 100 percent compliance.

However, he told us that it was not the Montfortian way of doing this. How else could you teach students discernming in accordance to the school mission and vision? How else could you teach them gentlemanliness and initiative? He gave the students with long hair till Friday to get it cut. He also challenged all to do what is right and to exercise good judgement by simply looking at the school visio and mission.

C. The Rest of the Passage to India

After the visit to the cave, Mrs Moore's companion, Adela has delusions that Aziz is making sexual advances toward her. She flees the cave in a panic and is discovered running headlong down the hill, bloody and disheveled. Aziz is immediately jailed to await trial for attempted rape, and an uproar ensues between the Indians and the English.

Her condition was brought about by the remorseless heat, the strangeness of her surroundings, her growing dismay over her future husband's character, and (perhaps) her feelings of attraction, fraught with shame, for Dr. Aziz

As the trial proceeds, matters get more exciting. Mrs. Moore's feelings concerning old age and her impending mortality haunts her. She firmly believes in Aziz's innocence but refuses to testify before deciding to leave for England.

Fortunately, Adela's mind gradually clears and she realizes she has made a mistake. Adela clears Dr. Aziz in open court. The English are forced to make an ignominious retreat while the Indians carry Dr. Aziz out of the courtroom on their shoulders, cheering wildly. In the aftermath, Adela breaks off her engagement and leaves India, while Dr. Aziz doffs his Western attire, dons traditional dress and withdraws completely from Anglo-Indian society. Although he remains angry and bitter for years, the final scene shows Miss Quested at home in England, reading a letter from Dr. Aziz conveying his thanks and forgiveness

Lee Chapman

Lee Chapman was a classic brave centre-forward for Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and several other clubs. He scored more than 200 goals as a striker. He is the son of former Lincoln City, Port Vale and Chester striker, Roy Chapman.

Chapman began his career at Stoke City, but made his league debut whilst on loan at Plymouth Argyle. On his return to Stoke, Chapman quickly became a first team regular, scoring made 34 goals in 99 appearances between 1979 and 1982.

However, between 1982 to 1986, Chapman failed to establish himself as a consistant goal scorer with Division One teams - Arsenal and Sunderland. He only made 23 appearances for Arsenal and scored four goals. His career was resurrected only when he joined Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds.

Mr Adrian Leow told the touching story of how Lee was always a mediocre player and how his father's death transformed him. Although he was granted bereavement leave, Lee still appeared in the locker room the next day and insisted that the manager play him. In the game, Lee did extremely well and scored the winning goal. Lee subsequently told his manager that his father was a soccer player who had gone blind. All he could do was listen to games on the radio to imagine his son playing. With his passing, Lee told his manager that his dad would be able to look down on him to see him playing again.

Mr Leow told Montfortians that life-changing events occur to us all the time. With the examinations around the corner, it was time to turn things around and do well in the final lap.

The Great Waffle Fundraising

Mr Andrew Koh, an old boy of the school who graduated in 1969, has set up a store selling ice cream waffles in school to help the Gabrielite Foundation raise funds. It's a big hit with the boys!

Everytime you pass by the store, the sweet sensation of freshly baked waffles assails your senses, raising a mouthwatering thirst for ice cream, enticing you to chew on freshly-baked waffles.

It's a great way to raise funds! All proceeds go to the Gabrielite Foundation.

20 Sept, Thursday - Mr Andrew Koh addressed the students. He mentioned that he was a student of Bro. Andrew. Mr Koh thanked the school for all they had done for him. He mentioned how blessed and fortunate he was to be able to return to school to aid in its fundraising attempts. He encouraged students to always remember the school and return to contribute.

"If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go." - James Arthur Baldwin (August 2, 1924 – November 30, 1987) American novelist, writer, playwright, poet, essayist, and civil rights activist best known for his novel, "Go Tell It on the Mountain".

Picture from Matthew Yang. Student blog

The Final Dash - 13 Sept 2007

Story 1. 2007 Athletics World Olympics Meet in Osaka. Tyson Gay is 100m world champion

US athlete Tyson Gay is the world champion. He beat Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell.

In a 100-meters final that delivered all it promised Sunday, Gay was slower out of the blocks. Once his legs got pumping, he caught and surged past Asafa Powell to claim his first gold medal at a major international championship in 9.85 seconds.

"After 60 meters I saw that I could catch him -- and it worked," the former Arkansas Razorback said. "I stayed relaxed and believed in my top speed even though I had a bad start."

Powell was third in 9.96, and even though he is co-holder of the world record at 9.77, admitted he ran scared.

"I panicked. I felt him coming on," Powell said. "That slowed me down ... I made a big mistake."

Gay pumped his arms, beat his chest and shouted in delight in the victory that ended weeks of nervous preparations.

Gay, regularly slower out of the blocks than Powell, had feared a false start, which would put him even more on edge. But the race went off smoothly. And with his head wobbling from side to side, Gay hit his groove.

The Associated Press, Aug 27 2007. http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/news/story?id=2991777

Story 2. Johore State Athletics Championship

Mr Simen shared about one of his races at the Johore State Athletics Championship. It was the 800 meters championship. Mr Simen had a cold and was running against the state champion and record holder.

The approach and style was to pace the leader till the 200m mark. Using the natural ability and experience as a sprinter, the final spurt would usually win Mr Simen the championship. The flu medication taken which dried up the fluids left Mr Simen dehydrated, preventing the usual ploy from being used. It was on his mind throughout the race - 'When should I make my move'.

The expected dash only took place at the 50m mark. Despite the late surge, Mr Simen and his arch-rival were neck-to-neck and both athletes tipped forward at the finishg line. In a celebrated photo-finish, Mr Simen had lost by a whisker. It was a little too late and till today, the thought still lingers, "What could have happened if I started the dash earlier"

4. The Lesson

Mr Simen told the boys that term 4 was here. The examinations are just around the corner. Like running the marathon or any great race, now was the time to make the dash and surge ahead. Having a great start, past laurels, personal problems, interests and hobbies, socializing - EVERYTHING was now immaterial)

a. Like all athletes at the starting block, it is important to feel relaxed and not tensed up about the examinations.

b. Have discipline and focus in the weeks to come. Go into your stride and start pacing well for the exams in the weeks to come. Have a strategy and approach.

c. In the final stretch, give it all you've got. The discipline and focus will pay off.


"Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood.
If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts.
Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move.
Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society
The social ramble ain't restful.
Avoid running around at all times.
And don't look back
Something might be gaining on you"
- Satchel Paige, Cleveland Indians Pitcher http://www.biographybase.com/biography/Paige_Satchel.html http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/submit/Frommer_Harvey19.stm

Teacher's Contact Time - Sept 13 2007

1. New Awards

Montfort is due to receive some sustained and new awards. It has been a meaningful year. The news is embargoed till the awards ceremony at the Ministry of Education.

2. Montfort Long Service Awards

The following teachers received awards for their long service to the school.

Mrs Lim Song Chua, Mother Tongue HOD - 5 years
Mr Tan Hee Pheng, PCCG - 5 years
Miss Ang Guat Hong - 5 years
Mr Towhid - 15 years

3. Vision-Mission-Values

Mr Simen read and shared a meaningful passage from Jack Welch's book entitled Winning. Welch was Chairman and CEO of General Electric between 1981 and 2001. Welch gained a solid reputation for uncanny business acumen and unique leadership strategies at GE. During his tenure, GE increased its market capitalization by over $400 billion.

The following points were mentioned:

a. The vision, mission and values of any organization is mutually reinforcing and extremely important. The connection between them is the key ingredient to success.

b. Organizations fail and breakdown because of little day-to-day incidents which fail to connect with the mission, vision and values. Conversely, organizations succeed because of the little day-to-day incidents which connect with the school's mission, vision and values.

c. The mission ,vision and values is translated into a Behavior Over Time (BOT)graph. Our BOT ensures that we are consistent and not seond guessing. It looks good

d. The organization's vision, mission and values sometimes intertwines and clashes with personal vision, mission and values. The more they intertwine and are combined as one, the better the performance and the happier the individual. It ensures that you act with initiative based on the organization's values, avoiding being a schizophrenic, paranoid, fear-driven member of the organization always awaiting further instructions from the immediate boss.

e. Your personal values is 'What I want'. The area which intersects with the organization values is 'What I need'. It makes you feel more involved.

g. It's not about number of programs. It's about points of leverage for programs. One time preperation and multiple deliveries / results

4. National Education Matters

There was a continued appeal to be vigilant about NE matters.

NE indices describe current reality accurately and help us devise better communication plans and programs. Our goal was to cover up these gaps and we have done very well. The school's plan was to focus on National Education at the begining of the year and we have done well.

NE goes beyond programs but must and should filter into the day-to-day events and little daily anecdotes of life. Mr Simen shared about how he saw Chinese students holding sepak takraw balls and playing them at the quadrangle, particularly after badminton lines and takraw lines were drawn into the assembly area. He spoke about how NE should not be left to chance but shaped consciously.

5. Discipline

Mr Simen spoke about discipline matters and reminded teachers to be vigilant and to take heed on such matters.

6. Zig Ziglar and note taking

Mr Simen shared about the US author, salesperson and motivational speaker from Alabama, Zig Ziglar. He spoke about how reading was important and how notes should be taken as you read.

Zig's message: You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.

Traits Zig considers most important in a leader: Integrity, honesty, courage, commitment, wisdom, humility, consistency, faith.

Zig’s advice to aspiring leaders: Set the example; be a constant student, a “good finder” and encourager.

http://www.leadernetwork.org/zig_ziglar_november_04.htm

Montfort in International News

1. Montfort Academy opens its doors to girls in Katona, New York, USA

Montfort Academy opens its doors to girls

By SWAPNA VENUGOPAL RAMASWAMY
THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: September 9, 2007)
KATONAH - On a crisp fall morning last week, Montfort Academy, a Roman Catholic high school that, since its inception five years ago, has prided itself on "Forming Men for all Seasons" and catered to "Boys who dream of Harvard and Heaven," had 13 of its students wearing skirts.

Dressed in navy blue V-neck sweaters and gray skirts, the girls were part of the new freshman class, the first females accepted to join the all-male student body.

While the boys and girls will be in the same school building and take the same courses, they will not be sharing classrooms.

"It will be co-institutional, but not co-educational," said David Petrillo, Montfort's president.

The girls' program will be run separately by its own administrator. But the students will share the cafeteria and mingle during extracurricular activities, such as the drama club, said Petrillo, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.

"We believe boys and girls learn differently, and so, while we will have the same curriculum, the emphasis might be different," he said.

Yonkers resident Lavern Lawrence accompanied her daughter, Trianna Nunez, 14, to her first day at the school. Lawrence said she was most impressed by the curriculum and its focus on classical education and Western civilization. With a liberal arts bent, the school also offers courses such as astronomy, theology and even chivalry for boys.

"I want my daughter to be an articulate person and a good conversationalist in real life," said Lawrence, whose daughter had attended Emerson Middle School in Yonkers. "Astronomy is a great conversation piece, but studying biology in great depth does not help with that."

Clarice Chastang, 13, switched to Montfort from St. John the Evangelist School in Mahopac because of the smaller class size.

"Here there will be just 13 students in our class, and we will get all the attention we need," she said.

For Callaghan Bradley, 14, a home-schooled girl from Shrub Oak, not having boys in the same class has definite advantages.

"It will make it easier to concentrate in class," she said. "And it's not like we won't get to see them. We'll see them in the cafeteria."

Parents of boys at the school who were interviewed were also supportive of enrolling girls.

"I think they have to know how to relate to girls. It's a plus to learn to treat them with respect," said Carmen Kearny of Yorktown, whose son Marc is a senior.

Steven Edleson, 17, of Ossining, who attends Montfort's voluntary Mass every day, said he was glad to see the girls would get the same quality of education as the boys.

"I am curious to see how this would affect Montfort life," said Edleson. "It is good to co-mingle. We know how to treat women with respect. Hopefully, they will see us as an example of how they should expect to be treated by men."

Alessandro Marchetti, 16, of Stamford, Conn., saw another perk in having girls at his school.

"At least now the boys will not have to dress up like girls in the plays," he noted.

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070909/NEWS02/709090363/1024/RSS0105

2. St Louis de Montfort Craft Fair, Oak Lawn, Illinois USA

http://artsandcrafts.about.com/od/craftshowsinillinoi1/qt/081307b.htm

PRIMEd for the Gabrielite Foundation - PRIME and Gabrielite Foundation Flag Day

1. Programme for Rebuilding and Improving Existing Schools (PRIME)- 2010 to 2011

Montfort School is going to undergo PRIME and we are moving off-site from Jan 2010 to Dec 2011. We are moving to Serangoon North Ave 1, near the vicinity of Serangoon Gardens Secondary School. Those in Secondary One would be affected for 2010.

It'll help us get a spanking brand new and refurbished school with larger classrooms. Some look at it with a tinge of sadness because they might not be at Montfort in 2010 / 2011, others might mix it with nostalgia or green-eyed envy. Come what may, it would still be our school with St Louis Grignion De Montfort and the Brothers of St Gabriels casting its blessings down on our endeavour.

2. Gabrielite Foundation Flag Day

The St Gabriel's Foundation was set up to help in the management and running of all Gabrielite schools in Singapore. We've benefited quite a bit from the fundraising efforts but because we are a mission school alway serving the needs of the less privileged, charity and fundraising is always part of our business.

Students who benefit from the school's financial scheme have received pocket-money for meals, free uniforms and textbooks, free newspaper / magazine subscriptions and course applications. Substantial items. These are non-standard privileges not providied for by the government's Financial Assistance Scheme. Other non-standard facilities not found in other government schools are also paid for on our own.

Hence our mission of serving the needs of the less privileged by doing well at charity drives and the mission of being that Man for Others.

Mr Wu Tian Hwee gave out details of the Flag Day. All Secondary Threes would be involved in this fundraising drive. Our target is $100,000. Age Quod Agis.