6th Student Leaders' Investiture

The 6th Student Leaders' Investiture was held on 29th February. The Guest of Honor for the event was Mr James Tay. The theme was 'leadership, the hidden quality within'.

After the arrival of the councillors, the opening prayer and a video presentation by the council, Mr Tay spoke about being a good leader. He said that real leaders are ordinary people, and they must learn to respect others. He spoke of a few key points that a leader should:

-let go of his ego
-first become a follower of others
-build positive relationships and values
-work to excellence
-be disciplined

Mr Simen said that all student leaders play an important role in the school to guide the rest of the students and are expected to be role models. Student leaders must know and embody the school values.

He told a short story of a mother bringing her daughter, who eats too much sweets and cannot stop her, to Mahatma Gandhi. After thinking for a while, he told them to visit him again 3 weeks later. When they came 3 week later, he simply told the young girl that eating too much sweets were bad for her and would give her tooth aches. The mother of the girl was a bit surprised, and asked "you could have told this to us the first time we came, why do tell us now?' Gandhi replied "3 weeks ago, I too had a problem of eating too much sweets, so I put myself to the test and stopped eating sweets before I could give that piece of advice."

This means that if we want to tell our schoolmates to follow certain expectations, we must be sure that we can follow these expectations ourselves.

As Zerah Goh, the former president and R. Saravanan, the current president said, student leaders must be servant leaders, uphold the morals and values of the school and should be initiative and strive to be a gentleman, leader, sportsman, scholar and above all a man for others.
They must have team spirit to carry out their responsibilities entrusted to them.





















Links: Council video presentation
Presentation of badges for Executive committee of 2008
Presentation of LOA to Sec 2 General Councillors

By Brian Theng, 2E4

Sporting Victories & Losses

1. Sports News

Montfort Rugby - Montfort beat Evergreen 21-10 and lost out narrowly to SJI 19-14

Montfort Softball - Montfort were Northzone B Boys Runners Up. They lost out to Maris Stella 10-9. They are in the midst of the National Championship and have won all games - beating Yuying 10-2.

Montfort Sepak Takraw - Montfort beat Naval Base Sec. 2-1. They lost out narrowly to other teams in the tournament.

2. Be on your guard. Awaken the Giant in you

Mr Lloyd Yeo spoke about awakening the giant in you. He told the school that it was always important to be alert and to do the right things. Citing examples of how Montfort boys had prevented a gang fight by contacting the police and how others had contacted the police when they spotted suspicious teens breaking into a house, Mr Yeo emphasized the importance of civic virtue and civic consciousness.

He then read out excerpts from the Straits Times about Mas Selamat Kastari, the JI leader, who fled from Internal Security Department's Whitley Road centre on Feb 28. He had allegedly planning to crash a hijacked plane into Singapore's Changi Airport. Mr Yeo told the boys to be on the lookout for strangers in the school and for suspicious looking people in public places. He also flashed the wanted man's list to the school.

Mas Selamat had earlier been arrested in February 2003 in the island of Bintan to assist Indonesian police in their investigations of several bombings in Indonesia in 2001 and 2002. Mas Selamat had changed his identity, assuming the name of Edy Heriyanto and obtained an Indonesian passport. Found in his possession were literature on making bombs. He was jailed for 18 months in 2003 for immigration offence. On 20 January 2006, he was arrested again for using a fake identity card in Java, where he was visiting his son who was said to be studying at a religious school there. Singapore requested for Mas Selamat's extradition and he was handed over to Singapore on February 3

World Scouts Day - 22 Feb 2008

1. World Scouts Day

"Today is WORLD SCOUTS DAY. Scouting turned 101 years old.the parade went pretty well.It reminded me that scouting has a very rich history and that i should be pride to be a scout. I realized how much i needed this reminder." - Muthusalami.blogspot.com

Thus ends a Montfort School boy's blog about world scouts day.

Mr Aloysious Low read a meaningful message about the scouts and Mr Lloyd Yeo spoke about the history of the scouts movement and read excerpts of Baden Powell's (scouts founder) last letter to the scouts.

"...I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have a happy life too. I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness does not come from being rich, nor merely being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man. Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one. But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. 'Be Prepared' in this way, to live happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout Promise always - even after you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do "

2. House Captain Elections

Montfort School had their House Captain elections today.

The houses are named after the pioneering brothers who helped establish Montfort School. The house masters and mistresses who take charge of the CCA carry on that legacy.

1. Berthomieu House (Brother Noel)
2. Gonzaga House (Brother Louis)
3. Proulx House (Brother Albert)
4. Majella House (Brother Gerard

The Series of great events

YuanXiao

Being the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, called YuanXiao or the lantern festival, Mrs Lim told the school the story behind the day and why we were about to eat TangYuan. TangYuan is a Glutinous rice ball filled with peanut or sesame seeds.
Next, Mr Victor Ong, proceeded and announced that the whole school was going to eat TangYuan, all 1400 of us simultaneously and make a record. After a short "3, 2, 1, MONTFORT!" everyone ate their own share of TangYuan while a Chinese Newspaper recorded the event. After this momentous event, the school headed for the school hall, where more was in store for them.


Sports, sports, sports!

After everyone had settled down, Mr Yeo spoke about humility. Stating that Jesus washing the feet of his disciples was a sign of humility, he said that when the teachers gave out the TangYuan, they too were showing a sign, or act of humility.

Mr Faizan took over, and said that the sporting spirit in the school was very much alive, like the sporting spirit of Singapore, as it was bidding for the First Youth Olympic Games. A bid that was successful, after the results were announced at the Padang in the evening.

First up on stage were the rugby boys. Mr Toh said that the rugby boys of the opponents school stated that they would 'thrash us 80-0', but our giants proved them down right wrong and took them down 38-17.

Mr Faizan was back, together with the sepak takraw boys. The sepak takraw was created last year and after they lost their first two games, Mr Faizan challenged them to win their last, and they did so. The B Division team showed the Montfortian sporting spirit and defeated Naval Base Secondary 15-12.

Mdm Nora came up with the badminton boys next. Montfort were the North Zone Champions of both B and C division, a great triumph. In the finals, the C division beat Singapore Sports School 4-1 and the B division boys beat Sports School 5-0! These results were greeted by loud cheers from the whole school.

Mr Simen's Brithday Celebrations
Mr Yeo stepped on to the stage and said that there was going to be community singing, by Mr Ong, Mr Azman, Mr Edwin Lee and Mr Yeo himself. They sung a original tune, titled dede, because when they wrote the song, they did not know what to call it, and called it dede which was what was played on the guitar. The first verse went:

There was a man
His name was Simen
and Simen says
We'll take you high
How high my friend
Up 36K
The air is thin
I cannot breath
BUT......hallelujah (x2)

He brought us to

A land of Giants

He showed us how

To be a Man.

What kind of man

A gentleman

A Man for Others

and a leader too

AND...hallelujah (x2)

He crafts a plan

with his masterhand

We're on a quest

to the promised land.

He'll take us there

We're right on track

Take a look around

(hey there, why are you not singing)

Why're you so glum

Happy Birthday x4

A note from the badminton team stated that the team wishes our principal a happy birthday, and would continue to win trophies for our supportive and sporting principal.

The drumline, teachers and councilors greeted Mr Simen a belated birthday as he got onto the stage for the cake cutting ceremony.

He said " Colleagues, gentlemen. I'm overwhelmed and didn't expect this. You shouldn't have done it. But it's a very nice gesture. I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. My wish is for all of you to be self-disciplined, focused and to perform well in whatever you do. That is the formula for success. I wish that we all could be successful. Including the staff."

He then proceeded to cut his cake and everyone sang the birthday song for him. He did agree for a half day, although we would not have it today, as we had one on 19th Feb.

Youth Olympics
At about 7.15 in the evening, the president of the IOC (international Olympic Committee), Jacpues Rogge, announced that Singapore was going to host the very first Youth Olympics in 2010. This was welcomed by thousands who gathered in the Padang, including Prime Minister Lee. I'm sure everyone in Singapore is very proud of this achievement.

This has been an eventful day for all and will definitely be remembered for years to come.



By Alvin Lim and Brian Theng, 2E4

19 February 2008 - Brother Rene Delorme Visits Montfort School

1. Report on Brother Rene, Superior General of Brothers of St Gabriel visit

Brother Rene visited the school on 19 Feb 2008. In his own words, he felt the exuberance, warmth, cheerfulness and happiness in the school. The most heartwarming part of his visit was when he was at the koi pond platform and students from all around the balcony cheered and applauded to welcome him. He visited the I-Mac Lab and spoke to teachers and students in the D & T workshops, Art class, Science Labs and Chinese classes. Boys scrambled to pay their respects and to greet the boys.

A student from Sec 4E5, on his own accord, even gave Brother some oranges for luck. Some lower Sec Bstudents also gave small handwritten notes of thanks and messages to him.

As the boys were dismissed from classes, Brother Rene, Brother Gaspar and Brother Emmanuel were near the staircase well on the first floor, greeting, shaking hands and exchanging well-wishes to almost every single student who walked past. Now that's a class act!

I think one of our fellow Montfortian's blog says it all:

"School ended dam early today because Brother Rene, head of the Brothers of St Gabriels, come down today and also because of the win over Sports school for the C div North Zone (badminton) title. The brothers came into my class during Chinese lesson.they were pretty cool..before recess, classes came out to fill the corridors. Everybody faced the centre of the classroom blocks where the pond is to welcome the Brothers. The Brothers stood in the center of the classroom block at the ground floor. They were being towered by masses of students all the way to the 4th floor. Everybody cheered and applauded. It was pretty awesome."

2. Excerpts of Brother Rene's message to school

Excerpts of Brother Rene’s Speech to Teachers

"I have found my visit to Montfort school very impressive. There is lots of creativity and life here. There are many innovative things you have done to engage the students. For this, I thank the teachers and congratulate all of youAs we went around the classes, we saw many students who were enthusiastic, cheerful and happy. They were working on projects and after greeting us, they returned to their work and did them diligently. There is so much application.We went around shaking hands and sharing words with many teachers and students. It gave me the opportunity to ask them, "Do you like coming to school in Montfort?" . Many told us they liked coming to school and they found it fun. There was so much enthusiasm, cheerfulness and happiness here. I have been involved in schools for 28 years and loved every aspect of it- the enthusiasm, the sense of warmth, the cheerfulness the life. Everytime, I return to the school for visits, I get that same sense and I miss it. It shows us that you have continued Montfort's work here very well. He lived 300 years ago and his vision was for a god centered education for students. His vision was for love of god and other-centeredness. The brothers came to help run Montfort School in 1936 and you have carried on in that same spirit and mission very well.

The mission was to teach the young about God's love and service to others, to help them be aware of their talents, to develop them, to help them grow, to build character and personality and make a difference in this world and tommorow's world and to be men for others. The education we provide is important because it has consequences for the future. They will grow up to have be parents, workers and this process of learning and education has no end. There are currently 1270 of us in the world in 35 countries and on behalf of them, we thank you for the work you have. Without you, many things could not be accomplished. There is not a single day that passes when you are not in our prayers.As the superior general, I have 4 assistants. One from Senegal in Africa, two from India and one from France. Our mission is to meet the brothers around the world and the people working and learning in our schools. We see the joys, listen to the difficulties and help the whole Montfort project to go on beautifully. We cannot do this alone because there are too few of us. Alone, this would not work.

It is because there are thousands like us who believe in this beautiful adventure who make it a reality. For this, I am grateful to so many of you who try to make it a world of harmony and peace.In Montfort Secondary school, we were welcomed by the students along the balcony with so much exuberance and enthusiasm. It says much about the leadership in the school and with them, the department heads and teachers. In your slides, we got to know of the many successes and awards you have achieved - academic, non-academic and also spiritual. Many of them are also sustained and I understand, that’s not easy. For this, I thank you all.

I would also like to thank and congratulate Mr Chua Cher Choon, the School Management chairman for the good work he does. He returns time and again to help with the many challenges the school faces.I would also like to thank Brother Emmanuel and Provincial Superior Brother Gaspar for supervising our schools here. Their warm welcome everywhere they go shows that they have done a great job in our schools. They represent the pioneering brothers who were here, those who had contributed so much and given quality education with their whole heart and mind through their concern for others. For this, I thank them and thank you for the visit.

Brother Rene
19 February 2008
Montfort Secondary School

Singapore's cleanliness / Visit by Brother Rene Delorme

18 Feb 2008

Mr Yeo spoke about the vows that all Brothers take. The vows of poverty, obedience and chastity. The vow of poverty means that the Brothers give all their money to the poor or the Treasury of the Brothers, which helps maintain all the schools. The vow of obedience means that Brothers cannot say 'no' to the superior-general, Brother Rene Delorme. If a Brother, no matter how long he as stayed in a country for, has to move to another country as ordered by the superior-general, he would have to. The vow of chastity simply means that a Brother cannot get married.

19 Feb 2008
Singapore's cleanliness

Mr Simen read an article from the Straits Times Forum, which can be found in the 'Home' section.

The letter, from an American visitor, about the difference of Singapore's cleanliness between 1988 and now. During a visit in 1988, she was impressed with the cleanliness of Singapore. And she recently came back for another visit. Even though she liked the fact that Singapore had the likes of a 'garden city', it was not as clean as 20 years ago.

Mr Simen said that Civic Education meant something to people 20 years ago, and teenagers today take the fact that Singapore has many cleaners for granted and therefore litter. He also stated that other countries used to use Singapore as a benchmark for their own country's cleanliness, but over the years, instead of improving the standard, the cleanliness level deteriorated. This is because the effort to keep Singapore clean is lax, Singaporeans become complacent on cleanliness. This affects Singapore's image as a clean country.

Grooming

A student text-messaged Mr Simen regarding grooming checks and that "even though our hair is long but we keep it neat, we still have to cut." Mr Simen explained that these measures the school takes are for us to understand the importance of grooming, especially when we grow up.
In St. James Power Station, there is a policy that states only people above the age of 23 are allowed to enter. This is because people at this age have most likely completed university and has started working, and therefore are able to present themselves well. Most people think that teenagers dress untidily and do not present themselves well, so these grooming checks ensure that the Montfortians are prepared for the future and should take these in the right spirit.

Visit by the Superior General of the Brothers of St. Gabriel, Rev. Brother Rene Delorme

Brother Rene, accompanied by Brother Emmanuel and Brother Gasper, entered Valor@Montfort just before the Angelus. Afterwards, they were greeted by class 2E4 and toured the lab while Mr Simen spoke to him about the lab. From there, he proceeded to the pond area where he was greeted by loud cheers and screams as the whole school had a chance to see him. This visit is a great honor and we could see that Br. Rene was impressed. A very humble man, Br. Rene is in his 2nd term as the Superior General. School was dismissed early at 12.30pm and Br. Rene spoke to the staff in the hall. It was a privilege for us to meet him and we sure no one would forget today.



By Alvin Lim and Brian Theng, 2E4

Our Montfortians Unite! Total Defence Day

Our Montfortians sealing up the class for the simulating chemical attack.
Our Montfort Military Band
Our Montfort NCC unit.
Our Montfort NPCC unit
Our scouts setting up a fire using natural resourses.
Our NCDCC demostrating CPR.
Mr Lloyd Yeo spoke about being prepared. He said when one loves something or someone, for example our country, it entails a sacrifice. Uniform groups usually have their trainings on Saturdays. They turn up for training because they love their CCA, and taking time out on Saturday is sacrificing their time.

Mrs Faith Yeo then explained the importance of commemorating Total Defence Day.She said that we should not think that we can only play a part when we are in National Service, as we can play our part in the other 4 aspects of Total Defence.

Next, representatives from the various uniform groups (UG) spoke about how their UG has taught them to play their part in Total Defence. The NPCC were first and said that being in NPCC has developed in its members the social aspect of Total Defence. Included in this aspect is respecting others and giving equal opportunity to everyone. The NPCC participated in the President's Star Challenge in 2006 which had them helping the needy, also part of social defence.

Then, the NCC spoke about military defence. Projects required members to research more on Total Defence. This, widens their understanding. The NCC also organizes several camps, projects and exchange programmes to expand everyones knowledge on Military Defence.

Psychological Defence can be on the individual, national or international level. As a Band member explained it, we can't have what we can't defend. Singapore also has nation building events, like singing the National Anthem or the National Day Parade.

The Scouts put up a display on how to create fires using dry materials such as branches and leaves. The Scouters learn any skills during training, all applicable in times of crisis. Skills like building shelters, making fires can be used when Singapore is in crisis.

Next, the NCDDC displayed life saving techniques like CPR. These techniques can be used to save other lives , including family members. Mr Kevin Pang said that anyone suffering a heart attack would require assistance by someone who knows CPR. With these skills, we should always be prepared in case of a sudden situation.

Mr Yeo concluded by saying that in times of crisis, there would surely be a sort of discomfort, as the Montfortians were about to find out when they sealed up their homerooms later on, simulating a chemical attack. We should not only tolerate this discomfort, but respond to it.


Done by,
Brian Theng and Alvin Lim from 2E4