Sally Cheah - Johnson

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Students,

A Reflection:

I would like to share with you some reflections about this most unique school term and the very challenging times that we are faced with because of COVID-19.

The coronavirus outbreak has forced school closures for more than half a school term.  We were all compelled to learn new ways of teaching and learning.  My personal reflections are mostly positive and I am delighted that as a school community we have prevailed and have been most successful.  We have acquired and accomplished skills in a very short period of time and adapted to the changes as quickly as we could.  The coronavirus school-closures and the subsequent schooling through remote learning, have positioned the education system to become more resilient, creative and innovative.

Most of us shared stories and reflections of the last couple of months in an optimistic and positive way.  Teachers talked about new discoveries of lesson planning, greater student empowerment and transference of the responsibility of learning onto the students.  Students talked about learning to be more self-disciplined as they had to ensure that they got to ‘class’ on time and become engaged.  Anecdotal feedback from parents about the remote learning was that families became more involved in the curriculum and their child’s experience as a learner.  

The key element in our success throughout the challenges of the last couple of months is trust.  Teachers have trusted in their own innovative ways of teaching remotely with a new set of pedagogies and redesigned lessons; and the trust in students to learn with greater responsibilities.  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the parents for their trust in us in bringing remote learning practice to its best.  As a community, we have not only adapted to the changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, we have prevailed and brought on changes for the ‘new normal’. We have achieved against the odds through our determination, dedication and commitment to ensure that learning goes on as best as it could.  Together, we have committed to ‘The Show Goes On’! 

Current World-Wide Events:

For the last few weeks we have seen news of tragic events in the United States which brought on protests which cried out for ‘Black Lives Matter’.  Such occurrences makes me think of our students.  This generation will step into their adulthood with issues of humanity, justice and respect for everyone.  I have strong faith and hope that our students and their generation will lead changes for a world that has humanity as a foremost priority. I have hope that our students will be the future leaders to lead with the conviction to ensure that humanity is in everything that they do.  Our students can create the ‘new normal’ with a strong humanitarian vision and mission for a world that could be and should be.

New Awards:

I am delighted to inform you that our Humanities Captains (Gavin Li and Alicia Wong) have presented a proposal for a new set of awards.  The newly proposed award is the CARES Awards.  ‘CARES’ is an acronym for attributes of Cooperation, Acceptance, Respect, Effort and Service.  This award is a recognition of the student’s commitment to service for the school community with the above attributes.  The CARES Awards will be presented at House Assemblies and at the end of year Awards Presentation Night.  Nomination of the CARES Awards will be proposed and confirmed by the student body and by the staff.  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Gavin Li and Alicia Wong for the initiative and subsequent proposal.

Harmony Day:

One of our most important cultural traditions of the school is our Harmony Day.  This year it has been postponed until Term 3 because of the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.  The Harmony Day will be on Wednesday 15th July, commencing at 2.30pm.  The Harmony Day presentation and concert will be conducted online.  A link will be sent to all students for their remote viewing and participation in this Harmony Day celebration.  I invite our parents and all students to attend this remote online Harmony Day assembly.  

Harmony Day has always been an important tradition for us at JMSS as we affirm our commitment to one of our Four Pillars of Learning: ‘Learning to Live Together’.  

Happy Holidays:

To conclude, I would like to wish everyone in our school community a very restful and well-deserved holiday. Take care and stay healthy.

Best regards,

Sally Cheah-Johnson

Assistant Principal