DIM SUM FOR THE FAMILY

On 25 February 2012 at TK library, about 50 TK parents including TK PSG & school staff attended the parenting seminar with the theme "DIM SUM". From DIM SUM program to DIM SUM refreshments & DIM SUM book each autographed by DIM SUM author, all went home smiling & satisfied that their Saturday afternoon was well spent at TK!

Our appreciation to Dr John Ng for such an entertaining session whilst dispensing useful tips to the participants. Our gratitude also to EMCC (of which Dr John Ng is Honorary Chair of Eagles Mediation & Counselling Centre, EMCC) for providing complimentary books to the participants.

The idea was mooted by TK PSG Seminar Team based on the interesting content of the book entitled "Dim Sum For The Family" filled with simple wisdom of marriage & family life & practical tips written by Dr John Ng. It was a 7-month period planning to kick off the 2012 Parenting Event in order to secure most sought after trainer like Dr John Ng... all the efforts were worth it!

It was a packed two & half hour program focussing on Managing Parent-Teen Conflict including a video clip, some real life experiences of the author & parents facing day-to-day challenges. The trainer presented the session with humour covering issues like "Worries & Wishes in Parent-Teen Conflicts", "Triggers or Hot Buttons"& "Stategies to Manage Conflicts". Participants also enjoyed the question & answer session with Dr Ng as well as the interaction with other TK parents & TK PSG during the break time whilst savouring delicious Dim Sum selected menu & pastries with hot coffee & tea.

General feedback received clearly demonstrates a good understanding of the subject matter at the end of the session by the participants & their various comments point to the fact that the speaker, being able to relate the subject matter with his own personal experiences (similar to the audience's), has made the overall experience meaningful & helpful in the participants' application back home. At end of session, Overall, it was thumbs-up to TK PSG for organizing the parenting event!

The DIM SUM book gave a good form of follow-up reading for the participants. DIM SUM means "touching the heart" - The author shared from his heart. By doing so, he hopes that it will touch hearts of the readers as he discusses issues & challenges about marriage, parenting & managing parent-child conflict. The beauty in the book lies in the way it was written - in small, bite sized chapters for busy couples & parents, covering topics that range from the easy-to-comprehend "Great marriage: Myth or Reality?" to the more complex subject of "Transforming conflict into opportunity." So for TK parents who'd missed this enjoyable seminar, do get a copy of this book..... hopefully it will equip you with practical tools in your personal tool box of relationships!

Author: Sylvia Wandly, organizer of the seminar, PSG

TK1 Nite 2012

“Welcome to one of the most enjoyable events of the year for parents at TK!” Parents who had registered for this amazing event were greeted with this phrase at the registration booth at the foyer by the enthusiastic PSG members. Upon entering the school compound, new parents had anxiousness and excitement written all over their faces. Indeed, they were looking forward to the wonderful event. The event focused on allowing parents to get acclimatised to the school environment and also get to meet the staff members of the school.
After registration, the parents were ushered to the school canteen by Emily and her PSG team as well as Mdm Halilahs efficient and extremely helpful Student Councillors. This was done to initiate the first part of TK1Nite which was the school tour. The parents got to view the conducive school environment and also bear witness to the numerous facilities that the school has to offer. Furthermore, they got to see the classrooms in which their child/children were studying in! The students had an assignment previously to design a table top to beautify their desks and also reflect their targets for the year. Undoubtedly, parents were impressed with this and also wrote down notes to further motivate their children.
In the auditorium, the Principal introduced the subject teachers. This was followed by a short talk to the parents to help facilitate the transition of their child from primary to secondary school. At the end of the auditorium segment, the Principal handed out letters of appointment and appreciation to both the new and old PSG members.
Next came the hall segment. A montage about the school was displayed and our PSG Chairperson, Norsiah gave an insight on how the PSG works and also encouraged new parents to join the PSG family. The parents then had a scrumptious dinner with the Principal and teachers on wonderfully decorated tables. The ideas on how to decorate the tables come from creative new PSG members. Furthermore, Norsiah gave a brilliant idea which was to thank parents by giving them mouth-watering cupcakes that had initials “TK PSG” on them.
After the event, Sec 1 parents gave back feedback forms that reflected very positive results. The feedback showed that the event was a fun, enriching and unique experience for them. Indeed, this was a reward for PSG members, staff members and student councillors for all their hard work to make TK1Nite a success. A big thanks to all and looking forward to next years TK1Nite!Article written by Rinku

Cyber Wellness 2012

This was the third time which I attended cyber wellness workshop in TKSS. The content was kept up to date. Besides gaming, this year included social media perils. It was an eye opener that the trend of kids engaged with computer for non-academic purpose was getting higher and could be worrisome for parents. The library was at full house with parent participants. One of the points which I took away from this workshop was to remind my children to be more wise about social media and also to understand the possible pitfall of silly posting. The workshop aimed to equip the parents with the knowledge to guide their children and appropriately manage the situation before it becomes a strain on the family.

Posted by Hei Tong (PSG member)

CCA day

It was CCA day. Parents brought their children along to help understand the purpose, benefits and participation requirement/ options. Holistic education and leadership development are opportunities not to be missed. After briefing by the Principal and head of CCA, parents accompanied their child to stream through the labyrinth of displays put together by the students of various CCA groups.
At regular intervals, CCA groups performed on the parade square. Precision drills, hip-hop, marches, live band music and first aid demo were eye catching and interesting.

Seniors manning the display booth of various CCAs were on hand to brief the parents and secondary one students and guided them through interactive activities. The confidence of the seniors do give parents a sense of excitement to think their child would, in due time, be molded likewise if the child engages and grow with the CCA.
PSG volunteers were on hand to help ease the visiting parents with their personal experience of managing their child through 4 years of CCA and the joy of discovering the leadership growth and maturity CCA brought.
PSG volunteers were also using the occasion to connect with the new PSG members once more (all parents of TKSS students are automatically PSG members). Response from visiting parents was good to the activities planned by signing up for events at the PSG counter. The events opened for registration were TK1 Nite and parenting seminar “Dim Sum for the Family”. The cheerfulness among the PSG volunteers was a clear display of friendship developed across ethnicity through participation in PSG activities. The PSG volunteers are driven by a common goal … to partner with the school in engaging parents for the benefit of the students. The next four years will be a new and exciting journey for the sec one students and their parents.

Welcome to TKSS.

Reaching out to New Parent

The new cohort of students came to register for 2011 secondary one in TKSS. Parent support group were organized and on hand to simultaneously welcome the new parents who were accompanying their child. The preparation work were put into effect with well thought through brochures and stationaries to help in enagaging the parents. Partnership between the school and parents is forged through engagement, participation and involvement. TK1 Nite is one of the major events for sec 1 parents. Principal and Heads of Departments leverage TK 1 nite to give finer points on collaboration for the benefit of the student.
PSG committee is also organizing a parenting seminar for the benefit of all PSG members to learn more about managing parent-teen conflict. Dr John Ng has been arranged to speak on this topic. He is well sought after for his renowned "Dim Sum For the Family" seminar. 20 copies of his book relating to the seminar will be given to 20 lucky participants. Seminar is to be held on 25 Feb, 2:00 to 4:30pm, TKSS library. This event is supported by school and School Family Education (SFE).

Welcome to the new academic year 2012

Welcome to the parents of sec 1 TKSS students, 2012. The year ahead will be a new phase for your son and yourself, as parents (especially if the child is the eldest of your children). Holistic education is the aim of TKSS. Students will have opportunities presented to them for development. Parents play a crucial role in providing support and encouragement for the child to grow and excel in secondary school education.
PSG (Parent Support Group) aim to strength the partnership of parents with the school for the development of our child. PSG organises activities for parents to engage with the school as well as programs on parenting. We hope you will participate in these activities. For parents with a strong sense of volunteerism, PSG and TKSS school management will welcome any help we can get. From tending to libraries to working on projects. If your profession can offer students education opportunities, do approach the school. When participating, you can form your parents network and make friends along the way. Do scroll through the previous blog postings to get a flavour of the PSG activities.
You can contact the school office or PSG committee members to get involved.
Welcome to an exciting 2012.
Hei Tong,
Vice Chair and blog adminstrator of PSG Committee.

Under One Roof... Racial Harmony Day in TK

Writtern by : NORLIA EMBONG

Photo by : CLIFF HEW & MEGA