IT Awards, Band Awards & Odyssey of the Mind

1. Bronze Award in World Media Masters for Educational Games Development organized by the Ministry of Information and Communication for the Arts (Lower Sec Boys)

Our boys were disappointed despite being voted in as "Most Voted School" by the public.

2. Band Awards

The school band was awarded a certificate of merit for competition. Marching category.

3. Softball.

Montfort School beat North Vista 12-2 this week on 14/4/2008.

4. Odyssey Of the Mind

Mr Christopher Foran's team emerged fourth in the OM competitions! Hip Hip Hurray!

CCA Achivement 2008 Update

Badminton
- North Zone (NZ) Champions for 'B' & 'C' Divisions

Softball
- NZ 'B' Division Runners-up
- SRC Carnival 'B' Division Runners-Up

Rugby
- M1 Touch Rugby U-14(10 aside) - Plate Semi-Finalist
- U-17 National Schools Rugby Tournament (Main) - Plate Semi- Finalist

Canoeing
- Singapore Canoeing Marathon - Goh Shao Jie, 2nd Place
- National Junior Championship - Goh Shao Jie, 3 Golds, 1 Silver for C1 & C2 500m & 100m Category

Tennis
- Combined Schools Team: Abdul Hakim

Wushu
- 1 Gold in National Competition
Matthew Alex Voon (B Category)
- 1 Bronze in National Competition
Koh Sheng Shong (C Category)

MOE Award
- School Awarded 1st SAA(Sports) in 2007

Scouts
- Frank Cooper Sands Awards (Gold)

NCC
- Best Unit Proficiency Award (Silver)

NPCC
- Best Unit Proficiency Award (Silver)

MOE Award
- School retained its 5th SAA (UG) in 2007

Exam Strategies

STUDY STRATEGIES FOR EXAMS

Mr Lloyd Yeo spoke about exam strategies and the 5 legged stool. It was the last time the 4E/4N/5N would meet as a group before the rest of the schoo lreturned and he mentioned that he felt it was important that they understood how to translate learning to wisdom.

He told the boys that 'exam' was the easy part and then ran through various strategies which could be used to do well in the coming mid-year exams.

1. Scheduling of revision

Find out which is the last paper for the exams. Begin revision with the last paper. (Eg. Science). Also find out what your first paper is (Eg. History)

Begin revision by studying your last paper first. Spend at least 2-3 days on intensive revision for a single subject.

Why do you begin revision with your last paper first? By advancing your revision towards your first paper, you only revise your first paper 'once', thus saving time.

2. Methods for revision

a. Spend about 2-3 days for intensive revision per subject. Have at least 1-2 months revision time.

b. Different subjects have different methods for study.

Languages

Change the mindset that English Language and Mother Tongue languages can't be studied. They can. Study useful phrases and vocabulary items that you can use for your essay. Collect and collate good essays for intensive revision. Mr Lloyd Yeo shared about how through this method (he was horrible in his mother tongue), he was able to get a B3 for his Chinese (but failed oral exams). It also helped him achieve distinctions for his language.

Science, POA and Maths

Practice makes perfect. Look through the different kinds of questions they set or you through your 10-year series or assessments. Try out ONLY the difficult ones. Find out how to do them and TAG them. Revise by trying them out during your revision.

Humanities (History, Geography, Social Studies)

Organize and collate your notes. There are only about 2-3 key questions which they can test you on. Your job is to know what they are for each chaper and to make notes based on them. Studying whould not be 'reading the textbook'.

Examiners twist and turn, changing the questioniong style and focus. As a student, your job is to understand the question, organize your answer and write clearly and logically. Be clear about what you are saying and give the relevant details.

3. Atmosphere and Environment

Mr Lloyd Yeo also emphasized that it was important to know the atmospher and environment which was suited for your method of study. Mr Lloyd Yeo shared with the school that he believed that special places had 'special vibes', vibrating at different speeds, suited to the individual's study needs.

He gave the example of how he could never study in the bedroom because it was too near his bed and he'd fall asleep. He could never study near a TV or computer, it was too much of a distraction and temptation. He could never study in the day-time, it never seemed quiet enough.

The only place he could study was on a hard, wooden chair in the kitchen during the early hours of the morning when it was quiet and silent.

"You know you've found your spot when you are able to sit there for 2-3 hours at a stretch", he said.

4. Know the kind of learner that you are

Mr Lloyd Yeo told the audience that he could never study with music on. It was too much of an interference, especially songs with lyrics. He would start humming or singing, then he would be intent on taking down the lyrics.

Mr Yeo said he could only study in absolute silence or for a change, with classical music, marches or music without lyrics.

He also mentioned that he was a kinaesthetic learner. Kinaesthetic learners are those who have 'worms in their pants' and need constant movement and physical activity to focus.

He told the school about how when he was in varsity, he would walk around with his notes and pace the corridor to study, he would chant and read aloud, he would also stand on the table or chair with his notes his hands, balancing and bouncing his body up and down on the bench as he studied. He did this when no one was looking in a corner of the school because he knew it would've looked weird and was inappropriate in a formal study atmosphere.

5. Discipline + Focus = Performance

STUDY SKILLS FOR LIFE

El Guapo (Spanish for The Handsome One)

Mr Lloyd Yeo made a mistake and called frog El Guapo. Actually, it meant handsome one.

frog (Spanish) : rana
toad (Spanish) : sapo

Anyhow, his main point was to use the initials of G-U-A-P-O to emphasize how you could succeed in life. This, he metioned is called, wisdom.

The first three letters are taken from Mr Simen's earlier accounts of the Three Legged Stool.

(i) Generative Conversation - The way to react was not to be cynical but to have good ideas and strong, meaning, deep conversations. The focus should be on "Yes" and continued flow of ideas, generating greater enthusiasm and interest. It should not be "Yes Buts" conversation which focus on the negative. "Why?" but not "Why Not". Teamwork is the basis for this.

(ii Understanding Complexities - Nature is simple but man is not. We have a tendency to complicate it. This is why it is important to have systems thinking and think about issues at a deeper level. It means to think and sort it out at deep level, not in an emotional, instinctive manner.

(iii) Aspiration - Personal Mastery and Shared Vision. Personal mastery is important is because only when you master your own emotions, put your life in order, can you set your mind to any task.

Mr Yeo added a fourth and a fifth.

(iv) Prayer & Reflection - Quiet time is important to recharge your batteries and put all before God, trusting that in his infinite wisdom, he'll know what is right and guide you on the right path. That way, you can do your best in what you do. Age Quod Agis. It would also put all your worries and concerns aside.

(v) Organization - You also need to get yourself organized, know where things are, and know what approach you are going to take, in order to be successful.

So, El Guap = Wisdom & creating the desired future you want for yourself



(Rich Garces, Major League Reliever, Pitcher, Arriba, arriba!)

Coach Carter - Mr Edmund Lim's Motivation Talk

Mr Edmund Lim gave a motivation talk using the example of Coach Carter to inspire the 4N/4E/5N students.

Here's one student's reflection from his blog:

" Watched Coach Carter the movie, in sch. Caught only part of it. The session was called Motivational Talk.

Well, i think its good. Yup. but, i seriously like this movie. From the bottom of my heart, i think is a great great great movie. This movie should be publicised to all schs man. Hope all the teachers in all schs in Singapore are dedicated and willing to push to the limits to let their students do well.

Im lucky i came to montfort,the teachers are well better than other schs, and they're dedicated.

hmm.A Conditioned body is required to attain a high level of discipline.That's what i need.

PERIOD OF CONDITIONING.It is easy to be successful, but its the choices we make in life, thus we sufferthe rightful consequences.

JUST MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

Quote from Coach Carter :Our deepest fear is not that we're inadequate, Our deepest fear is that we're powerful beyond measure.It is our life, not our darkness that most frightens us.You playing small does not serve the world but there is nothing in life enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.We were all meant to shine as children. It's not in some of us but in everyone.And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give permission to other people to do the same.As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.- Timo Cruz from the movie

The charism of St Louis Grignion De Montfort

St Louis Grignion De Montfort had a special devotion to Mary.

St. Louis Marie de Montfort created a theology revolving around this concept. He stressed that the quickest way to Jesus is to go to Mary. After all, She is His Mother, the Queen of Heaven, and Our Mother also. Plus, She is the only human (besides Jesus) to be immaculately conceived. Therefore, Montfort said that the most humble way to pray is through Her.

Likewise, Montfort spoke about being slaves of Jesus by having a devotion to His Blessed Mother. One of the best ways to do this is by making an official consecration to Her.

St. Louis de Montfort suggested taking 33 days as a preparation period for this consecration, and renewing this consecration through the same prepartions each year.

Each of the 33 days consists of readings and prayers.This consecration starts with twelve preliminary days, which help one to recognize the spirit of the world.

This is followed by three weeks dedicated to growing in the knowledge of 1) ourselves, 2) Mary, and 3) Jesus Christ.

St. Louis Marie de Montfort's Prayer to Mary was as follows:
Hail Mary, beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father.
Hail Mary, admirable Mother of the Son.
Hail Mary, faithful Spouse of the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, my Mother, my loving Mistress, my powerful sov­ereign.
Hail, my joy, my glory, my heart and my soul.
Thou art all mine by mercy, and I am thine by jus­tice.
But I am not yet sufficiently thine,
I now give myself wholly to thee without keeping anything back for myself or others.

If thou seest anything in me which does not belong to thee,
I beseech thee to take it and make thyself the absolute Mistress of all that is mine.

Destroy in me all that may displease God;
root it up and bring it to nought.
Place and cultivate in me everything that is pleasing to thee.
May the light of thy faith dispel the darkness of my mind.
May thy profound humility take the place of my pride;
may thy sublime contemplation check the distractions of my wandering imagination.
May the continuous sight of God fill my memory with His presence;
may the burning love of thy heart inflame the luke­warmness of mine.
May thy virtues take the place of my sins;
may thy merits be my only adornment in the sight of God and make up for all that is wanting in me.

Finally, dearly beloved Mother, grant, if it be possible, that I may have no other spirit but thine to know Jesus, and His Divine Will; that I may have no other soul but thine to praise and glorify God; that I may have no other heart but thine to love God with a love as pure and ardent as thine. I do not ask thee for visions, revelations, sensi­ble devotions, or spiritual pleasures. It is thy privi­lege to see God clearly, it is thy privilege to enjoy heavenly bliss; it is thy privilege to triumph glori­ously in heaven at the right hand of thy Son and to hold absolute sway over angels, men and demons. It is thy privilege to dispose of all the gifts of God, just as thou willest.

Such, 0 heavenly Mary, the 'best part', which the Lord has given thee, and which shall never be taken away from thee - and this thought fills my heart with joy. As for my part here below; I wish for no other than that which was thine, to believe sincerely without spiritual plea­sures, to suffer joyfully without human consolation, to die continually to myself without respite, and to work zealously and unselfishly for thee until death, as the humblest of thy servants. The only grace I beg thee, for me, is that every moment of the day, and every moment of my life, I may say "Amen, so be it, to all that thou art doing in heaven. Amen, so be it, to all thou didst do while on earth. Amen, so be it, to all thou art doing in my soul," so that thou alone mayest fully glorify Jesus in me for time and eternity. Amen.

Adapted from http://sanctafamilia.blogspot.com/

News from Brother Rene in Rome

Praise for Gabrielite schools here
By Joyce Gan (Singapore Catholic News)

SINGAPORE – The Superior General of the Brothers of St. Gabriel Congregation, Brother Rene Delorme, is encouraged by the work of Brothers and laypeople involved with the seven Gabrielite schools in Singapore.
They all have “the same community spirit, and a lot of commitment to help the students grow”, he said at the end of a two-week mid-February visit to Singapore to learn about the programmes and challenges of the Gabrielite Brothers here. This was Brother Renes third visit to Singapore.

“In particular, I am very impressed by the work done in Boys Town,” he said. “Their work in helping the young men to learn a trade and having a wellrounded formation in terms of learning different subject matter, living in community, developing social relationships, is beautiful.”
Brother Rene is based in Rome. For up to six months every year, he and four councillors visit countries where there are Gabrielite missions to learn what their needs are and see how to address those needs.

There are 1,270 Brothers working in about 250 schools in 35 different countries. The Brothers run academic schools ranging from kindergartens to universities, technical schools and schools for the blind and deaf. There are also many Brothers involved in “all kinds of projects for human development”.

“My role is to coordinate all of that,” Brother Rene said. “When the councillors and I return to Rome after our visits, we share among ourselves what we have seen and heard – the joys but also the difficulties and situations that need to be improved.

“I find a very professional approach here” to helping students, he observed. “[But] most of the places the Brothers are working in are with people living in poor conditions. Sometimes, they need help.”

In Africa, for example, not everyone can go to school. In keeping with founder Louis de Montfort's spirituality, the Brothers make their presence available in such places to try to give an education to those who would otherwise be denied it.

In many countries, the Brothers run Centres for Street Kids, which is, in a sense, a humble way of starting a school. Brother Rene was born in St. Michel des Saints near Montreal, Canada. He has two brothers and two sisters. He studied at a Gabrielite High School and was impressed by the Brothers there.

“Because of their testimony in living and working, I felt I would like to have a life like that too,” he recalled. “Little by little it developed in my mind. I think that's what vocation is about. God doesn't come to you and tell you, "I want you to be this and that. It's a feeling in your heart.”

Upon graduation at 17 years of age, he asked to join the Gabrielite Brothers and took his first vow at 19, in 1964. He spent 28 years from 1970-98 working in schools before he became Provincial. Brother Rene was elected Superior General of the congregation in 2000. He was 55.

“It's a journey full of challenges and there are many problems in different institutions and projects, but through it all I find lots of joy. As a congregation, we feel a responsibility to make Montfort's charism go on and we do it with many laypeople. Here at Boys' Town, you call Montfort a man for others and (teach students) to do things for God. This is important because everyone is an image of God.”

“I'm very happy to be a Brother of St. Gabriel,” he added. “And if I could do it again, I'll do it the same way.”

Brother Rene visited the Gabrielite Brothers in India before coming to Singapore. He has left for Malaysia.

Presently, there are 33 priests in the Archdiocese who have attended Gabrielite schools at one time or other.

http://www.catholic.org.sg/cn/wordpress/?p=2041

ExHilirate Week

This week, the whole school is out on camp:

a. Sec Ones - Sentosa (High Elements, Pet Rocket & Maths Trail)
b. Sec Twos - Changi (One * Kayaking, High Elements)
c. Sec Threes - Ubin (Kayaking, High Elements, Jetty Jump)
d. Sec Fours - Intensive Revision, Archery, Fine Dining

Desiderata Wisdom - "desired things"

Mr Yeo shared the story of his life with the Sec 4s and Sec 5s.

He began by asking if the students liked coming to school which drew about '20 hands' from the audience. He then spoke about his life and how he too had trouble liking school because his personal life was not in order.

He emphasized the importance of having your personal life in order (personal mastery) before you could succeed in life. He also spoke about how it was important to move from data-knowledge-application of knowledge - to wisdom.

Sharing and printing a copy of the Disderata, he spoke about how it could be a guide to wisdom:

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrenderbe on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery,
and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.Strive to be happy.
(Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.)

"Desiderata" (Latin for "desired things", plural of desideratum) is an inspirational prose poem about attaining happiness in life. It was first copyrighted in 1927 by Max Ehrmann.

In the 1960s it was widely circulated without attribution to Ehrmann, sometimes with the claim that it was found in St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, Maryland, and was written in 1692 (the year of the founding of St. Paul's). Nevertheless, the estate of Ehrmann has kept various editions of the work in print. A spoken-word recording of the essay was made by Les Crane and reached #8 on the Billboard magazine charts in late 1971.