Friday, January 25, 2008

St. Louis de Montfort Church: A history
By Hermine Lees
http://www.the-tidings.com/2008/012508/montfortside.htm

Founded: 1963
Location: 5075 Harp Road, Santa Maria, Los Angeles
Santa Barbara Region: Deanery 1

The roots of this Santa Maria parish go back more than 100 years --- and beyond, including the Chumash Indians who long ago hunted deer, bear and rabbits in the wild unconquered land. The city, named for an unknown Indian, finally was incorporated in 1905 after various land grants, ranchos and enterprising pioneers settled the land. That same year the first Catholic Church was established in the area, St. Mary of the Assumption.

That parish also included the settlements of Los Alamos, Sisquoc, Bettaravia and Orcutt. To attend Mass, people traveled many miles in different directions until the first 50 families formed the nucleus of St. Mary's. Then, time, progress and expansion filled the next 60 years. All led to the early '60s decision of Cardinal James Francis McIntyre to divide the parish in half to accommodate the ever-increasing growth of the Santa Maria area.

St. Louis de Montfort was named for the 18th century French saint, who founded the Company of Mary and was one of the greatest apostles of the Rosary in his day. The saint's spirituality has been espoused by millions, especially Pope John Paul II whose motto was "Totus Tuus" referring all to Mary. Pope Pius XII canonized St. Louis in 1947 and his feast day is April 28.

His namesake parish officially started on March 2, 1963 when Father Vincent McCabe became the first pastor. The 42-year-old priest from County Leitrim, Ireland, knew the area well; he had served as an associate at St. Mary's. During his 11 years at St. Louis, he built the school, new church and in 1967 established the mission church of St. Anthony in Los Alamos. That little mission chapel --- started in 1905, administered by priests from Santa Ynez, Lompoc and St. Mary's --- received much-needed repair through the efforts of Father McCabe and the local community.

The first services for St. Louis de Montfort were held in an old airport mess hall at Goodwin and Industrial Roads. A 10-acre site was purchased in 1964 at Clark and Harp Roads and on Jan. 30, 1966, Father McCabe celebrated the first Mass in the new church when it was listed in Orcutt. The concrete masonry building seated 1,000 persons with the altar facing the people. Msgr. McCabe later headed San Roque parish in Santa Barbara for 14 years; he is presently a chaplain at Santa Teresita Medical Center in Duarte.

The Josephite Fathers were given permission to administer the parish in 1975 with the appointment of Father Anthony Runtz as pastor. A native of Staten Island, N.Y., he had lived in England for 28 years and served with the British Army signal corps. Ordained in 1958, Father Runtz was assigned to the U.S. in 1964 and was an associate at St. Mary's for nine years before his pastorate at St. Louis.

For eight years he headed the parish, added the parish hall, built a new rectory and school playground and helped in restoring the historic San Ramon Chapel in Sisquoc. A talented woodworker whose cabinetry and furniture were evident at the parish and at the missions, Father Runtz died in 2006 at age 78.

The little church in Sisquoc (a Indian name for quail) built along Foxen Canyon was completed in 1875. Services were held once a month until 1908 when the chapel was turned over to St. Mary's. By 1967 San Ramon was dedicated as Santa Barbara's first historical landmark after extensive restoration work was completed. Father Bertin Foxen, great-grandson of Captain William Foxen, who helped build the original chapel, celebrated the 100th anniversary Mass in August, 1975.

From 1985 to 1990, Josephite Father Guillermo Garcia, a native Angeleno, served as pastor until his appointment as Superior General of the order and then lived in Belguim. The Josephites were founded in that country in 1817 by Father Constant Van Crombrugge who also founded the Daughters of Mary and Joseph. They came to California in 1963 and expanded their ministry to parish work and education, particularly at St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria. The Josephites' principal work remains the formation of youth into a love of Christ and the Church.

Josephite Father Mark Newman, from England, served the parish for 11 years, having previously been principal of St. Joseph High. The current pastor is Father Charles Hofschulte, from South Gate, also a teacher and former local superior of the order.

Japan grant for Montfort youth training centre

Japan grant for Montfort youth training centre
BERNAMA

KOTA KINABALU, Sat:

The Consulate-General of Japan here has presented a grant of RM275,326.51 to the Montfort Youth Training Centre (MYTC) here for its new campus in Kinarut, Papar.

A contract offering the grant was signed here today by Consul General Koichi Morita and MYTC Director Francis Chua. It was witnessed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, who is also the chairman of the MYTC board of directors.

Morita said the Japanese government decided to continue with its Grassroot Grant Assistance Programme in Sabah, which began in 2001, so that the youths in the rural areas of the state could improve their skills and techniques through vocational training.

Chua said the new centre was expected to begin operations at the end of February and would enrol new students in June.

He said the new centre, which took about a year to complete at a cost of RM5.5 million raised by the MYTC, would be able to accommodate 125 students compared with only 60 at the existing campus. — BERNAMA

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/NewsBreak/20080119132844/Article/index_html

http://sanctuaryofhope.blogspot.com/2007/07/monfort-youth-training-centre-mytc.html

NE - Be Engaged, Alert and Always Ready

1. NE Speech - Be Engaged,Alert and Always Ready to Serve

Mr Simen delivered a speech to the boys about National Education.

He thanked Junjie and Roy for beginning the day so well with the National Anthem singing and drill commands in the morning assembly. There was the right rhythm, melody, tone, pitch, intonation with the right amount of gusto and ultimately deep meaning. Junjie and Roy are Sec Two students who both demonstrated and led ALL on how the morning assembly should be done and are a real source of pride to both school, community and nation.

Mr Simen then read out an article from a book written about Great Captains and Architects of Singapore's success. The book was titled 'Heart Work'.

He read excerpts of an article about Phillip Yeo and how he graduated from engineering, remained unemployed for 3 weeks and was finally given a Public Service Commission (PSC) posting to the Ministry of Finance.

(The Public Service Commission has awarded scholarships since 1961. The objective of PSC scholarships is to enable the civil service to attract its fair share of talent. It is a tool to help the civil service meet its manpower needs in key areas, as well as to develop a pipeline of public sector leaders)

He first worked as a budget officer in the Ministry of Finance and was in charge of acceding and working out budgets for the Ministry of Health. It was a task seemingly irrelvant to his training as an enginner but to him....

"IT WAS BETTER THAN BEING UNEMPLOYED AND IDLE AT HOME"

Yeo then worked as a systems engineer in the Ministry of Defence, and worked under Dr Goh Keng Swee (He is the "Economic Architect" of Singapore, contributing greatly in shaping to Singapore's development as Finance Minister, Defence Minister, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Education and Chairman of Monetary Authority of Singapore and Chairman of several government-led companies). Yeo had to deal with the economic problems associated the British closure of their military basis in Singapore in 1967. For both Goh and Yeo,

"STAYING EMPLOYED WAS NOT AN OPTION. IT WAS A NECESSITY"

For both Yeo and Goh, creating jobs, seizing opportunities, staying relevant and always having an eye to the future are important milestones. For them,

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO SECURE THE FUTURE THAN TO GO AT IT AND CREATE IT

Mr Simen told the school that we are who we are because pioneers set out before us to secure the future by creaing it, not by giving up and succumbing and becoming victims to it. He told the school that if you don't value and put in effort like our pioneers, we would lose what we have achieved. He told the school that the affluence makes you think that 'it'll last forever'.

"YOU NEED YOUR OWN HARDWORK OR IT WILL VAPORIZE"

Mr Simen told Montfortians to have confidence in the future. But in order to do so, they cannot remain idle and disengaged. They have to be engaged, alert and ready

"THE IDLE MIND IS THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP"

He linked it to the school's value - passion and perseverance . As a student, you must have

HARDWORK AND HEARTWORK"

"Passion drives values", Mr Simen added, "approach things in school with passion. Be pro-active rather than just let things happen. If you have no heart, you will be aloof and withdrawn, and have to drag yourself to school".

He concluded his speech with the thought for the day:

"BE ENGAGED, ALERT AND ALWAYS READY TO SERVE"

2. Prize Presentation - Banner competition

Mr Faizan spoke about how 70% of students were so engage in the mass workout on Wednesday. He also highlighted that on Sec One Orientation Day, the CCAs created banners and participated with full fervor and zeal. It was an example of being engaged, alert and service.

Hampers were given out to students who did well in the banner competition

Champion Banner - IT
Winners - Scouts, NPCC, Art, Intectual Games, NCDCC

Jan 17 - Phillip Yeo

Philip Yeo served in the Administrative Service from June 1970 to 31 March 1999. He served in various appointments in the Ministry of Defence, including Permanent Secretary for logistics, technology research & development and defence industries. He left MINDEF to assume the appointment of Chairman, Economic Development Board in January 1986.

During his EDB chairmanship, Yeo redirected EDB's focus from the traditional fields to new areas of business. These included: Internationally exportable services; developing high-tech industries like biomedical science, [4] [5] semiconductors, aerospace and specialty chemicals;[6] nurturing local small and medium-sized enterprises and encouraging Singapore companies to make direct investments abroad. Yeo pioneered Singapore's participation in overseas infrastructure development projects such as those in the Bintan Industrial Estate and the Wuxi-Singapore Industrial Park in China.[7]

During this time, Philip Yeo also served as the first Chairman of the National Computer Board (now Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore from 1980 to 1987[1]. He played a leading role in formulating and championing Singapore's first national computerisation plan to evolve the nation into the information age.[8]


Yeo graduated in 1970 in Applied Science (Industrial Engineering) from the University of Toronto under a Colombo Plan scholarship.[1] He obtained a Master of Science (Systems Engineering) from the University of Singapore in 1974. In 1976, he obtained a Master in Business Administration from Harvard University under a Fulbright scholarship.

Yeo has been conferred honorary PhDs from University of Toronto, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Imperial College of London for his work in Economic Development in Singapore and Asia.

Yeo was Board Member (from 1980) and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Singapore Technologies Holdings from 1987 to 1993. He also served as Chairman of Sembawang Corporation (1994 - 1998) and the successor SembCorp Industries (1998-1999), Pidemco Land (1999 - 2000) and CapitaLand formed from Pidemco after a merger (2000 -).

Yeo stepped down as Chairman of A*STAR and become chairman of the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (Spring Singapore) on 1 April 2007[9]. He was also appointed senior adviser on science and technology to the Minister for Trade and Industry. In his role as Advisor for Economic Development in the Prime Minister’s Office, Yeo will assist the Prime Minister’s Office in establishing new economic links with interested foreign governments who value Singapore’s development experience, and provide strategic inputs to establish strategic partnerships and open up opportunities with other fast-growing economies

Jan 15: Pongal, Pongal, Pongal!

1. Pongal Festival

Montfort School celebrated Pongal festival in a meaningful way. Mr Kaliyaperumal, Mdm Uma, Mrs Prema, Miss Gayanthri and Mr Jayakumar, as well as volunteers from the PSG prepared a special treat for all students. They highlighted the meaning of the Pongal (Boiling Over) Harvest festival and demonstrated how sakarai pongal (sweet pongal) is cooked. They also conducted quizzes for the students. There was great enthusiasm and interest generated by this because many students had not seen this festival before

While we were waiting for the Pongal dish to spill over, members of the Ecumenical Council shared their insights into the Pongal festival through the lens of their respective religions - Taoist, Christian, Islam, Buddhist. The common areas were highlighted: a. Understanding of each other's culture & graciousness b. Thanksgiving c. Respect and love for nature. A useful tip was given to the students - Return to nature in quite reflection and prayer to seek inner peace and the presence of God, especially when troubled or confused.

For the school, the Pongal festival was more than just a racial harmony event, it also represented school leaders and all teachers putting their ingredients and good work into students, sowing, weeding and tending the field like patient and hardworking farmers, awaiting the nurturing and bountiful harvest of students who lived up to the mission and vision ofthe school.

2. Target Setting

Mr Edmund Lim also spoke to the boys about Target Setting, highighting the achievements of retired High Court judge, Mr Goh Joon Seng, who is now a Presidential Council Member and the exploits of Sir Edmund Hillary. Students used their praise and grace journals to set their targets about where they wanted to be in the future. He also read a meaningful poem to the boys

3. YCS - Ngee Ann Polytechnic Exhibition

Students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic set up an exhibition in the school to help the elderly. They appealed to the students for volunteers to the Bukit Batok Old Folks Home. 20 students from the YCS would be helping out. The YCS motto is : See, Judge, Act

11 Jan 2008 - CCA Day & Welcome Ceremony for Sec Ones

On 11 Jan 2008, Montfort school held its CCA Day and Welcome Ceremony. The rain failed to dampen the spirit of the event.

In his address, Mr Simen introduced the key personnel of the school and the form teachers of the Sec One classes. Each class was trying to drown out each other's applause, showing appreciation for their teacher who had stayed with them at the Orientation Camp and led them through the first two weeks of school. In his address, Mr Simen also spoke about the 4 strategic thrusts of the school - Leadership Strategic Thinking; Student-Focussed Processes; Staff Development; Resources. Mr Simen highlighted the school's achievements and rounded his speech with a promise, "I promise you that from today onwards, your child's PSLE results will means nothing here at Montfort School" because the measure of his success for his future cannot be determined by his PSLE scores."

Mr Simen highlighted how the school had students of 217 T-Scores scoring 7 A1s in the 2006 O level exams. Not even students with 260++ PSLE T-Scores could achieve those results. He also highlighted the story of how students with 110 T-Score had climbed through the NT Stream, to the NA Stream and eventually scored 5 distinctions at the O levels, eventually becoming a student in University now.

On 13 Jan 2008, Mr Simen addressed the school highlighting the following points:

1. He recalled how Sec One parents told them how proud they were of sending their children to Montfort School. Some parents were 'iffy' about Montfort Sec and wanted to transfer them, but after the spirit demonstrated at the Sec One ceremony, they were sure it was the right choice. Other parents heaped praises on the CCA demonstrations and meaningful evening.

2. Mr Simen also spoke about appreciation of the school song. To understand music, harmony, the lyrics, pitch, tone and the SPIRIT of the school has to be in sync. He urged form teachers to encourage students to understand the meaning of the song and to understand the 'Semangat Yang Baru' of the anthem.


Mari kita rakyat Singapura (Come, fellow Singaporeans)
Sama-sama menuju bahagia (Let us progress towards happiness together)
Cita-cita kita yang mulia (May our noble aspiration bring)
Berjaya Singapura (Singapore success)

Marilah kita bersatu (Come, let us unite)
Dengan semangat yang baru (In a new spirit)
Semua kita berseru (Let our voices soar as one)


Majulah Singapura (Onward Singapore)
Majulah Singapura (Onward Singapore)

January 10th January - Graciousness

Mr Lloyd Yeo read out a newspaper article about graciousness

He quoted MM Lee as saying "'I will not see it, maybe you will live long enough to see it; I wish you well A gracious society will not happen so fast. 'I think it will take more time to develop and mature culturally as a people.Even the British, he said, were 'sitting at a very high level over an empire for nearly 150 years before they developed their culture and then being invaded by football hooligans and foreigners who are now joining them and coarsening their society''So it's very difficult to get a rough society onto a cultivated plane and it's very easy to bring it down. The idea of a gracious society - 'where people are considerate to one another, where you don't make more noise to upset your neighbour than you need to, where you tell the other motorist, please have the right of way' - was 'harder to come by. 'It will take time, but I hope it will come with cultivated living over a long period of time.' Mr Lee recalled how, 45 years ago, Singaporeans wanted to take their chickens with them when they were resettled from kampungs into high-rise flats. 'So it took some time to get them adjusted. A more cultivated way of life takes a very long time,' he said.

http://valuesnews.blogspot.com/2008/01/gracious-singapore-not-in-my-lifetime_10.html

Students were taught how to take notes as the article was being read:

Step 1: Concentrate on what is being said.
Step 2: Do not try to write down every word (The average person speaks approximately 125-140 words per minute, and the average note-taker writes at a rate of about 25 words per minute. )
Step 3: Translate ideas into your own words.
Step 4: Be brief. Write down only the major points and important information. Don't worry about spelling and grammar
Step 5: Organize notes into some logical form

Once notes are being taken. We begin reflection

Forms of Note-Taking

Outlining

I. Topic sentence or main idea
A. Major points providing information about topic
1. Subpoint that describes the major point
a. Supporting detail for the subpoint

Patterning: flowcharts, diagrams
Listing, margin notes, highlighting

Mr LLoyd Yeo mentioned that every key talk or lecture has got but one main thesis topic or main point. Students took notes and reflected in the assembly. They were to hand them in to their form teachers for evaluation.

They were challenged to think on whether they, their class and their families were gracious. What could they do about it? What could the school do about it?

Passing of Mr Lee Mui Song

Mr Lee Mui Song, our former Discipline Master, Geography Teacher and NCC Commanding Officer, passed away on 6 Jan 2007. He passed on from cancer.

He graduated from school in 1956 (Form V) and taught in the school from 1958 to 2002. He had more than 44 years in service as a teacher in Montfort. He was educated in Montfort and spent all his working life as a Montfortian. He would have joined Montfort in 1946 as a student and spent more than 56 years as a Montfortian.

Always humble, hardworking, discerning and compassionate, we remember him in our prayers.

A eulogy and memorial was held for him in school. The morning began with prayers, followed by a special assembly to remember Mr Lee.

It was a tearful and sad farewell. After Mr Yeo delivered his introduction, Mr Simen addressed the students and tried to control his sadness, pausing several times to find composure in bidding farewell to Mr Lee. This was followed by several eulogies to Mr Lee.

1. Eulogy by Mr Charles Phang and Mr Seah Kok Woei

Mr Phang and Mr Seah recalled Mr Lee as a disciplinarian who was always fair and moulded their characters as the discipline master of the school. They never smiled much but he cared very much for his students. He also brought students on Geography field trips and taught them that "If they believed in themselves, they would see it"

Every Chinese new year, he would also collect canned food from students. After the new year, when everyone was home early after the Chinese new year celebrations in school, he would visit the Old Folks Home to visit the home with Montfort School's contributions.

2. Eulogy by Mr Tan Thoh Cher.

Mr Tan Thoh Cher was several years Mr Lee's junior. Mr Tan penned his reflections and titled it 'A Man for Others'. He called Mr Lee a Man for Others because he was the livewire in the staff room. In the lounge, he would always talk to teachers, encourage them, support their endeavours and offer advice to new teachers. The most touching moment was when Mr Tan mentioned that after Mr Lee left, the staffroom lounge was never the same again.

3 Eulogy by Mr Edmund James.

Mr Edmund James reflected on Mr Lee as a colleague. Always cheerful, jovial and wise in his ways, Mr Lee loved his students and his school very much. He served in many capacities in the school as netball teacher-in-charge, as NCC master, as discipline master, as teacher as a true contributor to Montfort.

A special board was also set up to display the highlights of Mr Lee's career. He received a PBM and BBM, achievements given only to those who had contributed much to the nation. If he were in England, we would have to address him with the title 'Sir Lee Mui Song'

(The PBM and the BBM are two public service awards given to those who have contributed much to the people of Singapore, or the grassroots. It is usually awarded during the National Day period. The PBM is the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat, or Public Service Medal, while BBM stands for Bintang Bakti Masyarakat, or Public Service Star. The BBM is a higher award.The Public Service Medal was instituted in 1973 and the recipient may be anyone who has served the public commendably or has distinguished oneself in the field of arts and letters, sports, the sciences, business, the professions or the labour movement. For instance, you may be awarded the PBM if you have held an appointment in a grassroot organisation for a number of years. The award is usually decided by the advisors to the grassroots organisations, usually the MPs, who will consult other grassroots committee members.If you continue to serve for more years and keep up your contribution, say, by holding a more responsible position (chairman of the CCC, for example), you may attain a BBM. The BBM was instituted in 1963.)

In the afternoon and evening, our school leaders, teachers who knew him and many old boys visited his wake at Blk 337, HG Ave 7.

Eulogy

delication

This post is delicated to Mr Lee Mui Song, Geography teacher/disclipine master in Montfort Secondary while I was there from 1998-2001. Mr Lee passed away on 6th Jan due to cancer and his wake will be held on blk 337, hougang ave 7.

Dear Sir, I still remember when I was sec 3 that time, you scolded me for doing something not right. Even though you didn't teach me before, you knew I was one of the good student in school and when I made that mistake, you didn't hesistate to correct me in a harsh manner. Even after I left school, sometimes I do see you around in the neighbourhood and it's something that I will never encounter again. There and then, I heard you retired and inside I really wished you were going to do something that you hoped to do; you mentioned about being a farmer. When I heard that, I was young, I didn't understand, but now I do. I'm sure it's something closely related to your first love, Geography.

Sir, I'm not good with words, please forgive me if I couldn't describe you in a better way possible. I'm very sure your teaching will stay with me for years down the road. I promise to become a better person, and will contribute to the society whenever I can, as you have done over these years.

Farewell, Sir
Chua Ziwei http://siansianla.blogspot.com/2008/01/delication.html

My Eulogy of my beloved teacher amd mentory
Mr Lee was my history teacher when i was in the class of 3 Arts 1 and 4 Arts 1 in 1987/1988.
I can never forget how he inspired me personally in history c lass. He always brought history to life with his vivid analysis and interpretations of the various epoch of Southeast Asian history.

His dedication and passion would later on inspire me to top the subject in class and school for my Sec 3.I also achieved a distinction for O levels. It was Mr Lee who gave me the love of history - he taught us that one should never forget his roots - and keep my passion going (I would also score a distinction for my A levels)

Mr Lee was also a patriot and his love for his country and his experience during the tumultuous years of our nation building led him to become a fervent activist at the grassroots level. He understood that every contribution, no matter how insignificant, will play a part in the creation of a good living environment.

Although I have met him only occasiona.ly along the streets over thesxe 20 years, he always had a special place in my heart as a revered mentor, teacher, listener and spiritual fater.

Montfort has lost a distinguised son who had given 44 years towards the grooming of Montfortians. My heart is deeply grieved and saddened with his passing. May our Lord bless this great man who had given much to the pedagogical cause of Montfort

mr Lee will live eternally in my memories and I shall never forget that such a great man had once guided my path and set my feet on the right way of righteousness.

Farewell Sir, till we meet again in the presence of Lord Jesus.

In fond memories,
James Tan

7 Jan Effort vs Effortlessly

Mr Simen began his speech speaking about a documentary he saw which featured Koreans seeking tonic medicine as a way of improving their health. For thousands of years, Koreans have had an unbroken lineage of traditional medicine, known as Hanbang. Although heavily influenced by the traditional medicine of China, the Korean tonic medicne tradition has never really been broke.

The suppression of Korean traditional medicine during the Japanese occupation of Korean (1910 to 1945) did have some negative impact. But Hambang was not stopped but came back very strongly with government support after the Korean War.

Mr Simen then used a parable about a daughter-in-law preparing, pounding, concocting and brewing Hanbang for her father-in-law, asking her father how it tasted.

"Hmmmmm.....Goood", said her father-in-law, "although he thought there was still room from improvement but appreciated her effort". What would make the daughter-in-law an expert in hambang? Effort...and with time, this would be effortless.

Mr Simen explained dictionary definitions of effort and effortless:

effort = 1. The use of physical or mental energy to do something; exertion.
2. A difficult exertion of the strength or will: It was an effort to get up.
3. A usually earnest attempt: Make an effort to arrive promptly.
4. Something done or produced through exertion; an achievement

effortless = Calling for, requiring, or showing little or no effort. (But there is effort, it's just that he/she has become an expert in it through hard effort)

Mr Simen told the boys that mental and physical powers were necessary to break old habits and make each day useful and meaningful. Discipline and focus and putting in effort (mental and physical powers) would make Montfortians true gentleman. With time, the exercise in disciplie and focus would be effortless.

Students who do not put in effort would find such practices a chore. They need to be prodded, coerced, forced, disciplined. This generates tension and unhappiness, the antithesis to the quest for 'effortlessness'. Such students do not demonstrate effort and gentlemanliness.

He encouraged all Montfortians to strive for 'effortlessness' through effort.

If you find this a little deep. Don't worry, here are some quotes from prominent men about 'effort' to help you:

1. Aesop Fables: Little by little does the trick.
Men who do things without being told draw the most wages.

2. Dale Carnegie (US writer and lecturer and the developer of famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking and interpersonal skills. He wrote 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' first published in 1936)

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.

William James (pioneering American psychologist and philosopher who developed the notion of emotion. The theory holds that emotion is the mind's perception of physiological conditions that result from some stimulus. In James' oft-cited example; it is not that we see a bear, fear it, and run. We see a bear and run, consequently we fear the bear)

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second. Give your dreams all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.

Jim Ryan: American politician who served two four-year terms as Illinois Attorney General

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

Harry Emerson Fosdick: Clergyman. Fosdick became a central figure in the conflict between fundamentalist and liberal forces within American Protestantism in the 1920s and 1930s.

No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No stream or gas drives anything until it is confined.

Sec One Camp

Jan 3 and 4 - An OGL is not a kind of ogre bent on doing evil. At Montfort School, OGL stands for Orientation Group Leader. CCA leaders banded together and helped the Sec One form teachers lead their classes in an overnight camp in school.

Highlights included telematches where prizes were awarded and a guided tour through the school's Heritage Gallery. Form teachers were the guides and did a great job!

The form teachers were:
1E1 Chong Sin Pei
1E2 Violet Chan
1E3 Norazidah
1E4 Ang Guat Hong
1E5 Teo Lai Huat
1A1 Ho Chi Cheng Co-Form: Gayathri
1A2 Lim Kim Huat

Story-telling sessions ended Day One. On Day Two, the camp ended at 5:30pm. By then, many of our 'litt'e fellas' were bushed. Parents waited eagerly to bring their students home and to hear stories of their adventure in school.

Opening Week

2 Jan 2007 - First Day of School. The first day of school began with prayer for a new year and moment of silence for Mr Hiah, one of our school workers who passed away during the school holidays.

Mr Simen then welcomed the students back to school. There were several staff changes:

New Teachers

1. Uma -. ML
2. Danny Ng -. PE / Sc
3. Gwenda Goh - Maths/Physics.
4. Daphne Lee – Sc / Maths
5. Jasbir Singh. Humanities
6. Bao Hong Liang. - CL
7. Christopher Mark Foran - EL
8. Eve Mo – D & T

B. Staff Redeployed

1. Adrian Leow (Vice-P)
2. Wu Tian Hwee (Vice-P)
3. Tan Hee Pheng (Subj Hd PCCG)
4. Howard Tan
5. Stanley Kwek
6. Kang Luojun
7. Liu Changyu
8. Liang Min
9. Lee Swee Hoon
10. Lisa Tan

Montfort School thanks all of the teachers for their many years of contribution to the school.

New positions were also appointed for some teachers.

1. Ong Chooi Lean - Subject Head Maths
2. Edwin Lee - Science HOD
3. Edmund Lim - Vice-Principal One
4. Lloyd Yeo - Vice-Principal Two, HOD Humanities/EL
5. Lim Shong Chuan - Vice Principal Three, HOD Mother Tongue

Outstanding Teacher Awards were given out during the staff meeting to:

1. Mr Faizan - Individual Award
2. Character Development Committee - Team Award
3. Academic Team (Value Added Award Express) - Team Award
4. CCA teachers from Scouts and NCC - Team Award

Some incidents remind us of the Biblical Quote:

He told them this parable: “ No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews on an old one. If he does, he will have torn that new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.”

If he does, he will have torn that new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.”

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins"

Live the new year anew.