Montfort Plate Champs 2009

The Montfort Rugby C Div team emerged as Plate Champions in the National Schools C Division Championshiop after beating Greenridge Secondary 26-22 in a hard-fought final played on Friday 21 August at Saint Andrew's Secondary.

Both teams played a pulsating match that saw both teams giving their best performance for this season.

Both teams scored four tries each but it was the deadly goal-kicking of Montfort Captain Mohd Shamir that sealed the match for Montfort.

Montfort converted three of the four tries whilst Greenridge was only able to convert one of their tries.

Both sides showed great spirit.

For Montfort, the front row of Matthew Ho, Alvin Yap and Lewis Syn dominated their opponents with deadly scrummaging.

The second-row partnership of Kenny Lee and Azhar gave the much-needed push in the scrum's engine room.

The loose forward trio of Kang Dong Wan, Chinnakrit and Eugene Sito were at the breakdown almost instantenously.

The backline was well-marshalled by Captain Mohd Shamir who linked up well with our Kiwi scrum-half Harry Stokes who gave it his all despite the sweltering heat and suffocating humidity.

Centres Kirish and Ivan were devastating in the line-breaks and defensive tackling duties whilst Dominic Daniel was his usual calm self in the full-back slot .. cooly cleaning up high balls.

Wingers Musli and Randell were equally tenacious in the tackle counts.

Above all the match today was a great advert for rugby. The Montfort boys consoled their beaten compatriots from Greenridge at the end of the final whistle by referee Mr Mohd Azhar Yusof.

In the end, the real winner of today's Final was rugby as both sets of players set aside their rivalry and shared a combined team group picture after the match. They truly deserved the applause from the spectators, made up of parents, old boys and school senior management, who thronged Saint Andrew's.

Scorers:
Tries: Mohd Shamir (2), Kenny Lee, Kang Dong Wan
Conversions: Mohd Shamir (3)

Montfort Rugby Lions vs Greenridge
Props: Matthew Ho and Alvin Yap
Hooker: Lewis Syn
Locks: Kenny Lee and Azhar
Flankers: Eugene Sito and Chinakrit
No 8: Kang Dong Wan
Scrum Half: Harry Stokes
Fly-Half: Mohd Shamir (C)
Centres: Kirish Deepan and Ivan Lim
Wingers: Musli and Randell Toh
Full-Back: Dominic Daniel
Subs (Used): Syahiran

http://montfort-rugby.blogspot.com/

Mr C Kunalan Visits Montfort Sec on IPW Day - 14 Aug 2009

Mr C. Kunalan, dubbed Singapore's fastest man with the national 100m record for over 30 years visited our school on the 14th of August. Mingling with the lower secondary students during their recess, the lighthearted former sportsman viewed the Sec 1s IPW projects. The students got a chance to explain their projects to him and many crowded around just to get a photo with him.

Later on, I got a chance to conduct an interview with him.

As a runner, what was your motivation that kept you going and trying?

“I just wanted to see how much stronger and faster I could become”. Mr Kunalan further explained that he started running in 1963 and in only 3 years already won in the Asian Games. This pushed him to go further and try to get more in running. Mr Kunalan went on to be Singapore’s Sportsman of the Year for 1968 and 1969.


Did all the publicity and media hype ever affect your career?

“I think after every competition I’ll look for two things. Number 1 was the 9 o’clock news. Number 2 was the next day’s newspapers.”Also, the school would announce his wins as he was a teacher at that time.


When competing, do you think winning is everything? Or are there more important values involved?

“At that time, we never heard of these Olympic motto and values. My thinking is, don’t do anything stupid. Because it will embarrass your friends, your colleagues, your family…” Of course, if he didn’t well, he would feel really sad for days even.


Talking about the Youth Olympics, are you afraid that young athletes might think of going for gold rather than upholding that true Olympic spirit?

“No. I hope they will go for gold but at the same time uphold that spirit.” He spoke about how even by not winning, every participant can uphold that spirit by being gracious and saying that they’ve tried their best, that many people have contributed to them being able to reach such a far stage. “If you start saying winning is not important, then nothing’s at stake.” Mr Kunalan then spoke on how in sports, we get tested many times. “When we pass many of these tests, you will be prepared for life.”


Is there anything you’ve learned through sports that can be applied in other aspects of life?

It is important to remember the Olympic values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship, Mr Kunalan expressed how it would then be easier to do things in life itself. And despite the troubles we may face, we can use our strengths to keep us strong. He himself would remind himself of his sporting achievements to get him through tough days. “Sports kept me strong.” But this need not be limited to sports only. Everyone can use their own strengths to keep them confident.


That being said, sometimes students who completely devote their time and effort to their CCA or sport neglect their studies. What do you think of this?

“That is why we have the Olympic Motto (Citius, Altius, Fortius; meaning Swifter, Higher, Stronger).”

He mentioned how everyone could have the 5 Olympic rings etched in their mindset, with the motto of 'Citius, Altius, Fortius' as the top 3. He suggested having 'Encouragement & Perseverance' as the other 2 rings' as a personal goal

Referring to the Olympian value of Excellence, he said, “Excellence includes studies. Especially in Singapore where without academic qualifications, it would be hard. ”

Over the years, how have your focuses, hopes or dreams changed?

“Some people have dreams. I never had dreams. I just wanted to do well.” Mr Kunalan recounted a proverb learnt in primary school – “If a thing is worth doing, it is a thing worth doing well.” He never knew that he would be a teacher, or even a sportsman. He simply did these and he did them well.

Lastly, do you have any advice for our students?

“Listen to the teacher or coach. And communicate with them. Then you would understand what they mean when they say things. That’s when you can use my proverb, ‘If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well.’ Otherwise, don’t do it.”


Brian Theng, 3E1

44th National Day Celebrations

Singapore's birthday was commemorated in our school on 7 August.

The day started with the observance ceremony in the field and the uniformed groups were out in full force for the parade.
The parade started with the marching in of the contingents followed by our national flag. The song, 'My People, My Home' was sung during the ceremony. Mr Tan read the National Day Message from the Minister of Education. In particular, he recalled how in the PM's National Day Rally a few years back, the PM spoke about it raining on one of the first national day's in Singapore. No one moved even though it poured to show their commitment and love for their country.
Returning to class, the students were treated to cake, as a symbol of it being Singapore's birthday. Our Principal and Vice Principal went around the classes and took part in celebrating with the students. Though school ended early, it was truly a memorable day and I'm sure everyone went home proud of being Singaporean.

Brian Theng, 3E1

Students' Council Ex-Co 2009-2010

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

Brian Theng, 3E1 President

Tay Wi Li, 3E2 Vice President, Head of Discipline
Ng Kang Jie, 3E1 Head of Communications and Events
Muhd Fareez, 3E1 Head of Communications and Events
Hang Ying Wei, 3E1 Head of Administration and Human Resource
Anthony Tan, 3E2 Head of Service and Welfare
Lim Chu Rui, 3E1 Head of Training and Development
Isaac Heng, 3E1 Head of Resource Management

Kwan Yi Yan, 2E4 Assistant Administration and Human Resource (Internal Appointment)
Clarence Lim, 2E2 Assistant Service and Welfare (Internal Appointment)
Dennis Tan, 2A1 Assistant Training and Development (Internal Appointment)
Terry Chia, 2E2 Assistant Resource Management (Internal Appointment)

Not in Picture - Amos Kwek, 2E2 Internal Assistant for Communications and Events (Internal Appointment)



The new Executive-Committee (Ex-Co) for 2009-2010 has been selected. There are 5 secondary 2s (internal appointment) who will be assisting the Ex-Co in their work.

Communications and Events refers to mainly student welfare and student needs, event planning and Service Learning Club projects Also, school morning assembly and announcements and deployment for school/external events.

Administration and Human Resource oversees the Provisional Councillors, attendance and paperwork, councillor review, the contact lists.

Service and Welfare takes charge of the internal council welfare; council feedback & suggestions, the contact relay system, internal announcements, and council service awards.

Training and Development involves training schemes and programs, platforms for council discussion, in-service training and general development for councillors.

Resource Management takes care of council resources, event resources and is in charge of the council room, as well as managing the council files, blazer loan etc.

Discipline involves maintaining the high standard for councillors, day-to-day duty deployment, council grooming and attire.