Perak Trip Nov 2010

In Nov 2010, Student Councillors in Secondary 2, as well as the Executive Committee of the Council and new CCA Heads embarked on a 3D2N trip to Perak, Malaysia, for a leadership expedition. Led by Mr. Chui, Ms Tang, Ms Tay and Ms Hu, the kids took an overnight coach deep into the Peninsula. They arrived near to the biggest cave in Perak for fresh Nasi Lemak breakfast, before proceeding straight to a waterfall nearby for what would be for most of them a once-in-a-lifetime experience!!

The student councillors learned about the art of abseiling, and then witnessed professionals abseiled down a waterfall. To most of the student leaders, abseiling itself is already a feat that they would be able to boast about. To add a waterfall to this accomplishment is more than most of them could bear! But true to the adventurous spirit of youths, the councillors all attempted and completed the task, to the deafening applause of their fellow councillors!

The next activity on the menu is white-water rafting. The students got into groups of sixes, and together with an instructor, braved rapids and rocks to travel down a fast-moving river. Along the way, some of the rafts capsized and all the other rafts surrounding the capsized group were very anxious. However, they all managed to come back up to the surface and got back into the raft, undaunted and ready to face the next rapid! Every team was cheering everyone else along, and it was very heartening to see the rapport being built among the student leaders of Henderson.

The councillors stayed in a cosy resort, and they and the teachers had a meaningful night bonding and sharing. The next day, the councillors undertook the last activity for the trip: caving in the biggest cave in Perak. They braved the cold, the wetness, and the darkness to walk, climb, and sometimes swim through the cave. The councillors cheered and supported one another on the way, sometimes using their torchlights to shine the way for their peers. Everyone finished the caving activity tired but immensely satisfied.

After an afternoon of R&R in Ipoh, the entourage took an overnight coach back to Singapore, bringing back with them memories of the meaningful trip. =)

Teachers' Day 2010

It's Teachers' Day once again! This year, the Council decided to do something different: the Councillors prepared cards for all students to write for their respective subject teachers, so that all the students would have an avenue to express their gratitude to their teachers. Some of the cards were very nicely decorated, and most of the students penned down their appreciation for their teachers. The Council had to coordinate the writing of the cards, as some of the subjects were banded, so the students taught by a teacher for the same subject could come from different classes. However, the councillors who were helping out felt that the hard work was worth it as they were able to help bridge the communication between the student body and the teachers.

On Teachers' Day itself, as was the custom of Henderson Secondary School, the students came in their own clothes. Some of the students were very creatively dressed, and they were chosen by their teachers to participate in the Be Yourself Day competition. The emcees for the Teachers' Day celebration were all councillors, with Gina (3E3) and Fernando (2E1) being the main emcees, Fayiza and Angelica (both from 1N1) helping out with Be Yourself Day segment, and Erica and Pei Yi (1E3) being the comperes for the Guess the Teacher game. The entire school enjoyed the celebration very much, and the teachers especially felt their hearts warmed by the gestures of gratitude by the students. Some students sang (and even composed) for their teachers, and some students danced!

A special item put up by the Student Council Exco was a skit protraying some teachers and typical Hendersonians. The script was written by Tan Hui Yee, our very industrious and talented President, and all the actors and actresses were members of the Exco. The skit was very well-received by the audience, for it was a humourous yet accurate protrayal of the actual situation in the classroom.

Happy Teachers Day to all teachers!! Our gratitude goes out to you =)