Fruit Basket Programme 2010

The Fruit Basket Programme started in October 2007. 

It is a gesture of on-going encouragement from parents to teachers for their hard work and dedication to the students.  Since its commencement, the programme has fostered better co-operation between school and parents.

The fruit basket is delivered to the school (General Office) every Friday morning.  The fruit basket will then be presented to the teachers during their meeting on every Friday afternoon.

We are extending an invitation for this weekly pledge.

3 EASY STEPS TO PARTICIPATE:

1. Contact PSG that you want to make a contribution. We will advise you of the slot/date available.  You may email us at the email address on the left bar of the blog.

2. Prepare your fruit basket ( worth at least $25) and deliver it to the General Office on the Friday morning you have been assigned. Useful tips: Buy whole fruits that do not require cutting e.g. bananas, apples, pears & grapes . Place them in any basket you have. If you want to be creative, go ahead and decorate the basket to your liking. If you do not have a basket, you can use any receptacles eg trays, fruit bowls etc etc.

3. Prepare a card/ note with words of encouragement for our teachers. Our teachers need encouragement too! Remember to put your name and your child/ward's name and class on the card/note as well. Then, deliver to General Office on that day.

We are planning our roster once again and would like to receive your commitment to the date/s you are available. Slots are available from Jan 2010 onwards!

However, if for some reason you have committed but you are unable to fulfill the pledge allotted to you, please let us know in advance so that we can arrange alternatives.

We look forward to your contributions.

Another Year is Dawning

Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be,
In working, or in waiting,
Another year with Thee.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face.

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of service,
Of witness of Thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven
Another year for Thee.


--Francis Ridley Havergal (1874)

JESUS is the Reason for the Season

When the gifts have been opened

And the songs have been sung

And we’re gathered ‘round the tree

Let’s not forget the reason

Christmas came to be

It was God in all His wonder

Who sent the greatest gift of love

A child, His Son, born in Bethlehem

Sent down from up above

Secondary One Registration, 23-Dec-2009

This morning was the Sec 1 Registration for pupils entering PHS in 2010.

Principal, Lim Yan Hock presented a brief introduction and VPs, Heads of Level and the respective form-teachers were introduced. The Discipline Master gave a concise description of the proper hair and school attire, and to highlight the prohibition of mobile phones and among other things to the attentive parents and their children.

It was indeed a scene of activity - parents asking the same questions - "Must my child wear the newly-bought uniform?" "What time does the school book-shop closes?" "I forgot to bring the Report Book. Can bring on 4th Jan?" "Must bring the Health Booklet too?... ok".  Form teachers, co-form teachers (and aided by a PSG member) were accustomed to such questions and fielded them efficiently.

The important instructions were impressed upon each parent & pupil patiently. These instructions included the time at which school commences on 4th Jan 2010, the compulsory Adventure Camp on 7-8th Jan 2010, CCA Open House and the Meet-the-Parents session on 9th Jan.  In no time at all, the registration was over, and parents and their children were busy with the measurements of the PE attire and school jacket, and their purchases of school uniforms and text-books/stationery.

By 11.30am, school councillors were seen clearing the chairs from the Bethel Hall.  PSG members are now concerned with plans for the coming activities, the first one being the Adventure Camp on 7th-8th Jan.

We are encouraged that at the end of this day, many new parents have signed up to join the PSG.  It is our hope that these new parents would be active in volunteering their time and effort for the benefit of the school and in turn, their children.

Finally, we would like to welcome the new pupils in the PHS family for the next four years, and even more, as Alumni members.

2 Recipes for Christmas - Cookies

It's the season for Christmas.  Here are 2 simple healthy recipes for cookies, which you can give as gifts for Christmas.

Whole grain flour is used in place of plain flour, canola oil instead of butter/magarine and applesauce is a healthy alternative to sugar.

Spiced Molasses Cookies

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time : 10 mins

Total Time : 17 mins

Serves 42

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole grain flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 large egg whites

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180 deg C.  Coat 2 large baking trays/sheets with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves and salt.
3. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, applesauce, oil, molasses and egg whites.  Using an electricer mixer on medium speed, beat for 1 minute, or until well-combined.  With the mixer at low speed, gradually beat in the flour mixture.
4. Drop the dough by level teaspoons about 1" apart on the prepared baking trays/sheets.
5. Bake 1 sheet at a time for 10 mins, or until lightly browned.  Cool on a rack for 2 minutes.   Remove cookies from the sheet/tray and place in the rack to cool completely.

Oatmeal Cookies with Cherries

Prep Time : 15 mins
Cook Time : 10 mins
Total Time : 27 mins

Serves : 30

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole grain flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups rolled-oats
• 3/4 cup dried cherries

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190 deg C.  Coat 2 large baking sheets with cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
3. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar and granulated sugar, applesauce, oil, egg and vanilla. Stir until well blended. Add the flour mixture and stir until combined. Add in the oats and cherries.
4. Drop the batter by rounded teaspoonfuls, 2" apart, onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 mins, or until gold brown. Let stand on the baking sheet for 10 mins before removing to a rack to cool completely.

We hope you would try these recipes. Do drop us a comment on your review of these recipes. We welcome any tasting opportunities if you require a second opinion!

Coming Events 2010

Dear Parents,

The following are the events for Dec - Jan 2010:

1. 23th Dec-2009 :  Sec 1 registration
• We require 9 parents to assist the teachers in registering new students for Sec 1.  The respective class teachers will provide instructions on that day.
• 3 more parents will be required to promote PSG activities on that day.
2. 04th Jan-2010 :  Commencement Service at 8.00 am (Bethel Hall, PHS)
3. 07-08th Jan : Sec 1 Camp
• 3 - 4 parent volunteers are needed to help the organisers/alumni/school counsellors
4. 09th Jan :  Meet-the-Parents Session & CCA Open House

 Interested parents can reply to this post, by leaving their names and contact details in the "comments".  We will get in touch with you for more details.

Staff Annual Dinner 2009

Theme : "Back to School"

Venue : Bethel Hall, PHS

On Wed, 25th Nov, the school staff were remembered for their faithfulness and dedication. 

This was also the night where teachers (and principal, admin personnel etc) "let their hair down" and came in school uniforms of PHS, other secondary schools and junior colleges. There was even a Japanese girls' school uniform.

According to some teachers, they borrowed their uniforms from their students, nieces, friends' jc kids...  Some even wore their children's uniforms! This must be an achievement for some teachers because they can still fit into the uniforms!  One is never sure if any student 'sneaked in' as the staff looked like students in their uniforms!

Bethel Hall was appropriately decorated with things reminding us of school - giant pencils, calculators, blackboards and there was a even huge chalk drawing for Hopscotch on the floor. 

Teachers challenged each other in school games like "chaptek", blowing 'sticky bubbles', folding and throwing paper aeroplanes, and guessing song/movie titles, movie characters/actors and actresses, song origins. There was even a contest of guessing which old school/childhood photos matched the teachers.

 The food was excellent - with a good mix of Malay and Chinese dishes. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal, eating their satay, naan, mee goreng and munching away their favourite 'kacang puteh'.

One of the main highlights of the evening was the Presentation of Awards which gave due recognition to the various teachers for their faithful service rendered. 

These awards comprised :

- Outstanding Contribution Award

- Innovative and Enterprise Award

- Healthy Lifestyle Award

- School Vision Awards ie Promise-Keeper, Hope-Builder, Servant-Leader

- School Core Values ie Fairness, Integrity, Trust, Teamwork, Steadfastness, Humility, Valuing Individual, Prudence

- Service Excellence Award

It was an enjoyable evening and kudos must be given to the committee for their hard work in organising this event. As the 2009 draws to a close, we are reminded of the FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy Hand hath provided

Great is Thy Faithfulness,

Lord unto me.

For the Lord is good and His Love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalms 100:5

We all look ahead to the new year and draw encouragement from the faithfulness of God as PSG will continue to work closely with Principal and all staff (teachers, admin personnel etc) in 2010.