Olympic Day Run

A group of rugby and softball players went for the Olympic Day Run last Saturday morning, 12 July at West Coast Park. It was an enjoyable non-competitive 3km run. They enjoyed themselves, mingling with 3500 runners from schools and organisations such as Singapore Sports Council, Macdonald's, Montfort Junior School and North Vista Secondary School.

2 July - NCC Day

Montfort School celebrated NCC Day on 2 July. All decked out in green, the NCC formation snapped to attention and loudly affirmed their loyalty to the nation by singing the national anthem with gusto. They took a pledge to the nation and to their corps with the kind of bravado and courage that Olde George Patton would have been proud of. They so amazed the school with their spirit that many of our fellow Montfortians could only watch and gawk with awe-inspiring admiration.

3 July - Visit By Jakarta School, SMK 105




All decked out in their colourful and groovy batik-style uniforms, 40 students from SMA (Sekolah Menengah Pertama) 105 from Jakarta visited Montfort Secondary School.

They were hosted by Mr Edmund Lim and Mr Faizan. Student counsellors and our Indonesian badminton students brought them around the school.

Their program included morning lessson with us and also a joint morning workout with us. It was a real good 'sweat-out' with out Indonesian counterparts. Even the girls joined in and put many of our Montfort students to shame with their fitness and discipline! The picture above shows them at our assembly in the school field.

Charity Begins at Home - Treat for the Needy and Most Improved

Friday (28 June 2008)

The Concert Treat

2 students from each class were given a TREAT! Tickets were given free to the most improved student to watch a concert put up by the Hosanna Music Ministry entitled Planet Love. Two of our former Montfort boys, Stefan and Andrew played drums and bass on the band. The concert was held at Jubilee Hall, at the prestiged Raffles Hotel.

Proceeds to ticket sales goes towards the opening of a new chapel and education center for Montfort youths in Sabah. The new institution is the Montfort Youth Training Center in Sabah.

Some of the most touching parts of the concert was when one of the singers spoke about their personal life and choices. One had lost her aunt, her dad and found out that she had cancer. Yet, she willed that she would live on as joyfully as she could because "her act of love" for her mom and brother, being responsible for them, demonstrated that love can influence and inspire others to make the same choice with someone else. The more you choose to love others, the more you are creating opportunities for others to do the same.

Visitors commented that our boys were well-behaved. They greeted Brother Dominic at the door and were in their best weekend outfits. For some, it was their first concert and evenining spent at a posh hotel like the Raffles. (The $5 price tag to the drinks were a shock to many at the intermission)

Charity Begins at Home - Our Work in Sabah

In the same spirit, the Brothers of St Gabriels have been reaching out and changing the lives of the less privileged youth in Sabah, East Malasia, since 1999. The spirit of St Louis Marie de Montfort is liave at the Montfort YOuth Training Centre set up in Donggongon, Penampang, to cater for youth who have not had the chance to continue their educaiton. They receive a craft/ voaction like metal fabrication, motor mechanics, carpentry and are challenged to grow in a holistica programme under the guidance of brothers.

In very simple and touching fashion, Jude Anthony, a 17 year old previous substance abuser Montfort student at the center said, "Before I came to Montfort (Youth Training Center). I don't like to study and as working away from home as a shop assistant. I did whatever I like. I took drugs, alcohol and smoked. NOBODY COULD STOP ME. Until, one day, I was caught and jailed for a night. I was tested positive for drugs. The policeman let me go but told me that if he caught me again, he will put me in jail forever. My parents were very angry. I was very angry and didn't know what to do. A Sister at St James' Church in Tenghilan told me about Montfort and advised me to apply. I waited a month and was vey happy to get in!For the first month, I could not speak English and felt very lost. Now I can speak English and feel good about myself. Montfort programmes are different from others and have taught me to have a good attitude. A thousand thanks to the Brothers, Sisters, Staff and my family for not giving up on me"

Lorenzo Juli, a graduate from the center also shared his life, "Montfort asks of me to teach and correct my friends and whoever outside there to come back to live better lives and wake-up from being blind to what is happening to the family and in this world. Even though I hated what my father was doing to our family, i myself went down the same path. Montfort taught me the good values and to live my life with confidence. If not for MOntfort, I cannot see any future in teh way I was living my life. Drinking and smoking did not solve any of my problems but added to them more and more. i still love my parents. I wished they had guided me more and I wished that our family circumstances were not so bad. I now want to help my younger brothers and sisters. uring my semester breaks, I visited my father and I believe that through my prayers and seeing the changes in me, he is beginning to change too. He is not drinking so much now. He told me he was sorry he failed me when we were young. We can talk openly now. Today, I thank everyone at the Center who helped me in so many ways in shaping my life to meet the challenges of the world. Without you all, I believe that I would remain just another one of the boys in my kampung who does not know how to be focussed on building a good future".

A reformed and inspired believer, Clementine Bede Gungkit, 1919 shared, "my father tried to put me in jail because of my problems and I did not listen to him. My mother was very angry with my father and she snt me to study in Montfort. I had never found a better place to study, not even in my former school. But I am blessed because God gave me this opporturnity to study in Montfort where i learn about discipline, honesty and God. I am more disciplined, honest and my attitude changed. I would like to say a big "THANK OU" to Brother Francis, Sisters, staff, instructors and my family members, especially my parents, without them I would not be what I am today".

JUBILEE HALL

Designed in late Victorian style by theatre specialist, Charles Cosler of New York, Jubilee Hall features 388 luxurious seat velvet curtains, a balcony and an expansive stage.

A magnificent oil painting on canvas (oleo) depicting an old Singapore town scene forms the frontdrop of the stage. Complementing the grand oleo on the outside walls of Jubilee Hall are classic fresco murals of landscapes of old Asia by renowned artist, Carlo Marchiori.

The gracious setting of the Jubilee Hall is the ideal venue for corporate events such as trade launches, seminars, lectures and award ceremonies. When night falls, the Hall presents a variety of plays, musicals, recitals, dances and films.

Adjacent to Jubilee Hall, the foyer area serves as a venue for exhibitions, morning coffee breaks, afternoon teas or cocktail receptions.

Visit by Indonesian College

Indonesian College Students and their Cikgus and Principals, visited Montfort Secondary School. They were from Government Senior High School 7 in Surabaya, Indonesia. Their morning featured a walk-about and dialogue session with Mr Simen and the Vice-Principals. The students and teachers were inquisitive, asking many interesting and insightful questions. They also sampled our canteen food and were very glad to be able to interact witho our Lower Secondary students during recess time. They were also delightfully surprised to meet and speak to our Indonesian Lower Sec badminton stars - Ricky and Chandra.

Emeritus Archbishop Gregory Yong Passes On

June 30 2008, Monday - Emeritus Archbishop Gregory Yong Passes On

The school spent a moment of silence as we prayed and remembered Emeritus Archbishop Gregory Yong who passed away on Saturday.

Gregory Yong Sooi Ngean (May 20, 1925 – June 28, 2008) was the Roman Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Singapore.

Born in Taiping, Malaya on May 20, 1925, he was educated at St. George's Institution and St. Michael's Institution in Ipoh, Malaya. In January 1941, he entered the Minor Seminary and in 1944 graduated to the Major Seminary. He was ordained in 1951 and posted to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Singapore. Hence his close association with our school.

In 1953, he left for studies in Rome where he was conferred a Doctorate in Canon Law, the very first local priest to achieve the distinction. Back in Singapore in 1956, he was sent as assistant Parish Priest to the Church of the Sacred Heart. In the following year, he joined the teaching stuff of the Minor Seminary. After a short stint as assistant Parish Priest at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, he was appointed to a teaching position in the Major Seminary, again, the very first local priest to be thus honoured.

On July 1, 1968, he was consecrated Bishop, and took over the Diocese Of Penang from Bishop Francis Chan who had died on October 27, 1967. Bishop Francis Chan was also closely connected with Montfort School when he was parish priest of the church of the nativity and came to several of our school funfairs.

(Brother Louis Gonzaga and Bishop Francish Chan)

On February 3, 1977, Archbisop Gregory Yong was appointed to succeed Archbishop Michel Olçomendy as the first of the local clergy to lead the Church in Singapore. On April 2, 1977, he was officially installed as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore. He was the second Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Singapore, which was formed in 1972 when the Archdiocese of Malacca-Singapore split and held the office until retiring on October 14, 2000. Archbishop Gregory Yong also officiated over the ground-breaking ceremony of Montfort Secondary School's groundbreaking ceremony at its new premise in 1991. He died on June 28, 2008 at St Joseph's Home, Singapore of a heart failure

Archbishop Emeritus Gregory Yong will lie in state at the Good Sheperd Cathedral on Monday and Tuesday. There will be nightly masses at 8pm. The funeral mass on Wednesday, July 2, is at 1:30pm. Catholic students are encouraged to attend the wake and pray and reflect on the good works of His Grace.

Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS) Meeting at Montfort School

The ACCS conducted their meeting at Montfort School on Friday 28 July 2008. Leaders from the various Catholic schools were at the meeting, including our own Management Chairman, Mr Chua Cher Choon.

Some of the Catholic missionary groups who run schools in Singapore are:


a. The Brothers of St Gabriels (1936) / St Louis Grignion De Montfort - Assumption English School (1953), Assumption Vocation Institute (1938), Montfort Junior School (1917), Montfort Secondary School 1917), St Gabriels Primary School (1953), St Gabriels Secondary School (1953)



b. The Canossian Sisters / Canossian Daughters of Charity (1894)/ St Magdelene of Canossa - St Anthony's Canossian Primary School (1894), St Anthony's Canossian Secondary School (1894), Canossa Convent Primary (1941)



c. The Marist Brothers / Little Brothers of Mary (1949)/ St Marcellin Champagnat - Maris Stella High School (1958)



d. Franciscan Missionaries of Singapore (1954) / St Mary of the Passion/ St Francis of Assissi - Hai Sing Catholic School (1959)



e. Sisters of the Good Shepherd/ Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (1940) St Euphrasia Pelletier - Marymount Convent School (1957)



f. Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus / Les Dames De Saint-Maur (1854) / St Nicholas Barre - CHIJ Primary & Secondary (Toa Payoh) (1854), CHIJ (Katong) Convent (Primary and Secondary) (1930), CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (1933), CHIJ St Theresa's Convent (1929), CHIJ St Joseph's Convent (1938), CHIJ OUr Lady Queen of Peace Primary (1955); CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity Primary (1957); CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel (1960/ Cooling CLose COnvent); CHIJ Kellock Primary (1964)



g. Lasalle Brothers / De La alle Christian Brothers (1852) / St John Baptiste La Salle - St Joseph Institution (1852); De La Salle School St Joseph's Institution International (2007); St Patrick's School (1933); St Stephen's School (1957); St Anthony's Primary School (1879)

h. Parish Schools / Church of the Nativity - Holy Innocent's High School (1920); Holy Innocents' Primary School (1920)



i. Parish School / Church of St Peter and Paul - Catholic HIgh School (1935)

j. Catholic Junior College (1975)

Perak Regards

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of Miss Xu Wanjing, I am pleased to inform that all 63 students and 10 teachers who took part in TravelBug@Montfort to Perak have arrived home safely.

Our Montfortian Giants had behaved well whilst on tour. Their behaviour drew praise from the Tour Manager from Transinex and the Adventure Specialist Manager from NOMAD Adventure.

Our Giants were really lived up to their Man For Others tag - Their team spirit was evident whilst overseas when the stronger boys helped the less able ones tackle the caves and rapids. I for one had a lot help during rafting from the 3E1 and 3A1 boys.

I hope that form teachers who had boys who went for the expedition leverage on the "can do" spirit manifested by the lads during the trip. If they can tackle Gua Tempurung and Sungei Kampar, the Year-End exam is a breeze.

.....

Finally without God's blessings, this overseas expedition would not have been as smooth and hassle-free. HIS watchful presence kept our boys well clear of trouble.

Many Thanks to Tour Organisers Hazel and Mary from Transinex and Connie from NOMAD Adventures (Malaysia) for a smooth and safe Overseas Expedition. Their professionalism, expertise and passion for outdoor adventure pursuits left an indelible mark on all participants.

Here's to more TravelBug@Montfort expeditions in the future.
Best Regards,
Xu Wanjing and Jasbir Singh

TravelBug@Montfort in Perak (The Second Wave)

The 2nd batch of Montfortian Giants came up to Perak on the morning of 27th June to emulate the adventurous spirit of their first wave peers by tackling the dark musty Gua Tempurung Cave, fast-flowing Sungei Kampar and vertigo-inducing trek up to an Orang Asli village.

Montfort Secondary teacher, Mr Jasbir Singh, who had stayed behind in Ipoh after the first frame to receive the second wave of Giants filed this report about the exploits of the second wavers as well reflecting the common qualities of the Giants of both the first and second wave:

"The night before our Giants arrived in Ipoh, the skies opened up over the capital of Perak. I was genuinely concerned that this sudden thunderstorm and lashing rain would pose an even greater challenge for the second wavers who would arrive on Friday morning.
The sustained rain spell would mean that the underground caving expedition to Gua Tempurung would be more challenging because the water levels would have risen dramatically in the underground caverns.
True enough, when I stepped into the underground cave on Friday morning with the second wave, it confirmed my worst fears.
The second wavers were caving in waters deeper than their peers from the first wave. But I was thoroughly impressed with the gung-ho attitude of the second-wave boys who were made up of mostly boys from Sec 3E3, 3E4, 3A1, 3A2, 3AA and 3AB as well as a smattering of lower secondary boys who were unable to join up in the first wave.
The heavy rains of Thursday night had also caused the Sungei Kampar to swell and was more fast-moving.
But once again our second wave Giants rose up to the challenge of the rafting in deeper and faster waters. I was lucky to be in the same raft as four boys from Sec 3A1 - Ben Matchap, Lewis Stokes, Stanley Lim and P Aravind. They were a fearless bunch, just like the first wave of rafters from Sec 3E1 and Sec 3E2 that I had hitched a ride with [Thanks to Danial, Saravanan and pals for assisting me down Sungei Kampar.
Now that both frames have successfully completed their TravelBug@Montfort a few things striked me as the co-facilitator of this trip {The other co-facilitators were Mr Faizan and Miss Xu Wanjing}
1) Our Giants Fear Nothing But Respect Everything Whilst In The Arms of Mother Nature - They tackled the caves, rapids and jungles with a gung-ho spirit but always respectful towards the force and awe-inspiring qualities of Mother Nature.
2) Our Giants Are Truly Man For Others - The stronger boys chipped in to help the weaker team-mates, constantly encouraging and giving a helping hand to their mates. Truly a Man For Others.
3) Our Giants Are True Gentlemen - As a teacher-in-charge for Rugby as well NPCC these past decade in three other schools, I have brought many boys abroad for more than 10 training tours and adventure expeditions ranging from New Zealand to Australia to Indonesia. This batch of Montfortian Giants in Perak were probably the most well-behaved and disciplined lot I have ever led. They kept to strict timings and their behaviour on-and-off the adventure sites were impeccable. To the extent that the tour organisers from NOMAD Adventures and Transinex were thoroughly impressed with our Gentlemen and said that they would love to work with Montfort again.
4) Our Giants Are True Nationalists - They looked out for their fellow Singaporeans whilst abroad always mindful that once abroad, we stand united as Singporeans irrespective of race, language or religion."

To cap a great week of adventure, TravelBug@Montfort is pleased to announce that all 29 boys and six teachers (Mr Tan Thor Cher, Mr Danny Ng, Mr Chris Foran, Miss Rashidah, Miss Xu Wanjing and Mr Jasbir Singh) from the second wave arrived home safely on Sunday night.

Many Thanks to Tour Organisers Transinex and NOMAD Adventures (Malaysia) for a smooth and safe 2nd Frame.

TravelBug@Montfort Day 2 in Perak (The First Wave)

Our Montfortian Giants experienced the tough living conditions of the indigenous Orang Asli people of Perak when our 34 Giants and five teachers undertook a four-hour land expedition deep into an Orang Asli settlement situated about 50km from Ipoh town on Wednesday.
Bouyed by the exhilirating experience of overcoming the caves and rapids on the first day, our Giants woke up bright and early for their jungle trek raring to go.
Our Giants traversed a rugged mountaineous terrain for two hours before we finally reached the Orang Asli jungle settlement. Once there, our Giants picked up practical Orang Asli jungle survival skills like trapping a mousedeer and wild boar using bamboo sticks. Our Giants learned also how to use a blow-pipe to maim wild animals like monkeys. We also experienced a refreshing dip into a fast-flowing 25 metre water fall.
Today's experience was wonderful because we had a chance to sample the day-to-day life of an Orang Asli when we visited a small Orang Asli hamlet. We saw how the Orang Asli led simple yet meaningful lives.
In the afternoon, we visited the oldest tin-mining town in Southeast Asia, Papan. Papan is a small vibrant village of people who work as shopkeepers, farmers, professionals, labourers, builders, contractors, welders and a few tin-miners.We visited Sybil's Clinic where we learnt about a heroic nurse, Sybil Kathigasu, who during the Japanese Occupation risked her life to assist the anti-Japanese resistance fighters. It was a really moving experience to learn about how she single-handedly took on the wrath of the Japanese.
A message from our Gentlemen in Perak as summed up by Kingston Tan (2E3): "We had a safe expedition today because of the thoughts and prayers of everyone back home in Montfort. We missed our teachers and classmates so much, but we learnt a lot from the Orang Asli people today." We are also glad to announce that as of the second day in Perak, the teachers are pleased to inform all participants' parents that there was NO CASUALTY and all boys are safe and sound.
Our 34 Montfortian gentlemen and teachers, who are the first wave of TravelBug@Montfort participants, will be leaving Perak for Singapore on Thursday morning and are expected to be back in Singapore by Thursday evening.
A second wave of 30 students and six teachers headed for Perak will be departing at 11pm on Thursday.
Many Thanks to Tour Organisers Transinex and NOMAD Adventures (Malaysia) for a smooth and safe 1st Frame.
Look out for their reports to be filed on Friday and Saturday nights, which will have a more "human interest element"