By: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and 2nd Minister for Trade and Industry
9 September 2005, 10.30 am
Mr. David Poh, Chairman, School Advisory Committee
Mr. Tan Kee Yong, Deputy Secretary (Services), Ministry of Education
Mr. Eric Low, Advisor to Hougang Grassroots Organisations
Mr. Harphal Singh, Principal, West Spring Secondary School
Distinguished guests, parents, teachers, pupils
Ladies and Gentlemen
Introduction
A very good morning to all of you. I am very happy to join you this morning to witness the opening of West Spring Secondary School's new campus.
I understand that West Spring has been a nomad for five years now. You have been putting up at various sites -Zhenghua Secondary School for one year and three years in the former Teck Whye Secondary School. I am sure you are very happy to finally have a permanent home.
I would like to congratulate the School Advisory Committee, the Principal, staff and students of West Spring Secondary School on the official opening of this new campus. Credit should go to the Principal and staff for transforming the school from a simple building into a ''five-star resort'' with beautiful landscaping and excellent facilities within a short span of only eight months.
We should always remember, however, that an impressive facade or school building, is meaningless without its people. It is up to the staff and students to work together to create a responsible and enterprising community committed to quality. (Note: This is the school's vision).
Academic Achievements
I am happy to see that West Spring is a truly first-class learning community. You have excelled academically and produced value-added results in last year's 'O' level examinations.
Develop Capabilities and Contribute to the Community
There is more to a school's track record than simply academic results.
After all, academic excellence alone does not produce a whole person. That is why we try to give you a wide range of opportunities to develop yourselves and fulfill your potential. One way is through Co-Curricular Activities. Here, in West Spring Secondary School, you can choose to do CCAs in the performing arts and in various sports activities. I understand that the school has won several awards at the Singapore Youth Festival. It has also done well in soccer and shooting. I believe you also launched a golf programme earlier this year.
You can also learn much through community work. I am happy to learn that the students here are involved in a number of activities to promote care and awareness for the environment. One of them is the ''Seashore Life Programme'', where students play their part in cleaning up the shores of Singapore.
The possibilities do not end there. As you may have heard, my ministry recently launched the Young ChangeMakers scheme. This scheme enables students and young people to make a difference and contribute to the community. We will give you seed funding up to 80% of the project cost or $3,000, whichever is lower. A panel of young people between 15-30 years of age will decide on the amount of funding for your project. Youth volunteers who have had experience in handling community projects will also be there to guide your project team. I strongly encourage the young people here today to share with us your ideas and apply for the funds through the National Youth Council.
There are many ways for you to fill your life with interesting and exciting projects. I know it may be tough juggling school work and project work nowadays. But I assure you it will be worth it. Yes, academic work is important. But the character-building and values that you pick up in the course of your CCAs or community work, such as teamwork, integrity and other life skills will be key traits that will serve you for many years to come. And when you grow older, the most memorable times will not be those spent inside the classroom, but the fun times you had with your friends and classmates on the stage, in the field, or by the beach.
Conclusion
I want to end by emphasizing the value of friends. The friends you make in school are precious, because some of them will become your life long friends, who have grown up with you, and seen you through thick and thin. Take every opportunity to build and strengthen these relationships. And as you grow up and leave the school, remember that the staff and students here will have left a permanent imprint on your identity, your values and your future. I hope you will also remember to contribute to the future development of this great institution. On this note, let me wish the school and each of you every success in the future.
Thank you.
MCYS SPEECH NO: 50/2005
DATE OF ISSUE: 09/09/2005