Maundy Thursday, 1st April

What is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.

It is the beginning of the three day celebration of Easter - the most important time in the year for Christians. This period ('The Triduum') is a big celebration, remembering the last supper, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus, and the Resurrection to new life.

The name Maundy Thursday arose from a medieval custom whereby the English royalty handed out "maundy purses" of alms to the poor before attending Mass on this day.

Customs and Practices

The Maundy Thursday celebrations in the United Kingdom today involve the Queen offering "alms" to deserving senior citizens (one man and one woman for each year of the Queen's age). These "alms" are coins, known as Maundy money or Royal Maundy, are distributed in red and white purses. This custom dates back to King Edward I.

Each recipient will be given the red and white purses. The red purse contains regular currency and is given in place of food and clothing. The white purse contains currency in the amount of one penny for each year of the Queen's age. Since 1822, rather than ordinary money, the Queen gives out Maundy coins which are specially minted 1, 2, 3 and 4 penny pieces, and are legal tender.

In 2009, the red purse contained a £5 coin celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Ascension of Henry VIII and a 50p coin to mark the founding of Kew Gardens. The white purse contained 83p in Maundy coins because the Queen was 83 years old that year.

 The service at which this takes place rotates around English and Welsh churches, though in 2008 it took place for the first time in Northern Ireland at Armagh Cathedral. Until the death of King James II, the Queen would also wash the feet of the selected poor people.

Adapted from Wikipedia

Jogathon, 12th March 2010

It was a cloudy day on Friday, 12th March 2010 but nobody minded it, as it was the perfect day for a Jogathon at MacRitchie Reservoir.

Waiting for the Jogathon to start

Doing some warming-up exercises before the Jog

Our Guest-of-Honour, Alvin Soh (PSG Chairman)

PSG manning the drinks stall

Run...run...run...

Non-competitive event (Sec 1)

Winner, Sec 1

Top 3 winners, Sec 1

Winner, Sec 3

Other Prizes

Finishing Line

Let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of faith... (Heb 12:1 & 2)

Photo credits : Ang Lee San

Parent HugS - An Ice Cream Treat!

Monday 9th Mar, 2010 saw a special day of treat.... an Ice-Cream treat!

This is the first of "treats" which demonstrates the love and concern of the parents to our children - hence the name "Parent HugS".

On the previous Friday, students were reminded to brace themselves for a TREAT on Monday, and were urged not to be absent on that day, or they will miss out on this special occasion. The cups of ice-cream were delivered during recess time, and PSG as well as other parent volunteers ensured a smooth distribution of the various flavours of the ice cream.

 

There were 5 lovely flavours to choose from - Strawberry Surprise, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cookies and Cream, Mint Choc Kisses and White Chocolate Raspberry from New Zealand Natural Ice Cream.

A "Parent HugS" stamp has been specially designed and made for this occasion, and every student who has been given an ice-cream will have his/her hand stamped.

Yummy!

PSG and Parent Volunteers

See the pure enjoyment on their faces!

                   

                   

For those missed this Ice-cream treat, do not fret as there will be more to come.  Although it may not be ice-cream, the treat will be equally welcomed!

If you have any suggestions for treats, please do not hesitate to post a comment on this story, with your contact details. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

Special thanks to Lynn Quek & Noriko for taking the photos;
and Wendy Yang for the design of the Parent Hugs logo.

"Parent HugS" - A new programme

Parent Volunteers needed!

Date: Tuesday 9th Mar, 9am to 11am

PSG, together with the school, has decided to give our students and staff a TREAT. This programme is simply titled "Parent HugS".

This first treat to be served is New Zealand Natural Premium Ice-cream.  We need at least 6 to 8 parent volunteers to serve 1500 cups of ice-cream to them during recess time.

You can be sure of the thrill to see their happy faces as you serve them!

God's Boxes - Count your blessings; Let go your sorrows

I have in my hands two boxes,
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box,

And all your joys in the gold."

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes,

Both my joys and sorrows I stored,

But though the gold became heavier each day,

The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black,

I wanted to find out why.

And I saw, at the base of the box, a hole,

Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,

Why the gold and the black with the hole?

"My child, the gold is for you to count the blessings,

And the black is for you to let go."

It is impossible to despair when you remember your Helper is omnipotent (Jeremy Taylor)

'Found this to be a good article.  Starting each day with great cheer from our Lord' - Contribution from Mrs Judy Tan (whose son is Travers Tan Guan Wei from 2 Compassion)

(with minor editions)

Parenting Talk 1 : "Cyberwellness & Cyber Etiquette"

Dear Parents,

PHS has organised a series of PARENTING TALKS, that are very helpful in bringing up our teenagers.

Parenting Talk 1 : CYBERWELLNESS & CYBER ETIQUETTE, will give us an insight as to how to keep pace with the cyber activities of our children.

Date : 10th Apr 2010
Time : 9.30 am - 12 pm
Venue : PHS, Chapel
Organisers : AMK Presbyterian Church, PHS & PSG
Speaker : Touch Community Services

Programme:
9.30am - 10.15am : Cyberspace today
10.15am - 10.45am : Tea Break
10.45am - 11.30am : Your child's cyber responsibility
11.30am - 12.00pm : Question & Answer

Fees : $10 per parent or $15 per couple

The school will issue circulars soon.

We encourage parents to attend this talk, so as to beware of the cyber-activities of our children, and to inculcate proper cyber etiquette.

Coming Activities - Feb / Mar 2010

Hello parents!

Following are the coming activities for Feb / Mar 2010:

• 9th Feb  : Financial Assistance Programme - Giving out of vouchers
• 26th Feb : Toss-to-Spring 'Lo-Hei' Dinner
• 12th Mar : Cross Country @ MacRitchie Reservoir

Please put these activities on your calendar.  The school will also be giving out circulars to the students in due time.

Coming....
Parents HugS : A Treat Programme

Watch out for it!

Photos of the Campfire at Dairy Farm Adventure Camp, 7th & 8th Jan

Here are a few photos of the Campfire. Thanks to Mrs Noriko Ide, PSG member.

  

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21)

In our secular society, often encouraged are personal and self-interests. In times of recession, society tends to withhold rather than give freely to those in greater need. All of us have a roof over our head, from single- or double-income families; perhaps owning a car, coupled with credit cards and even a domestic helper. While we are the privileged, let’s consider for a moment, those families who have no income, with school-going children, less to say, no credit cards, car and domestic helper. Day-to-day, paying for the utilities’ bill is an issue and putting food on the table is unthinkable.

If your child has a friend, a classmate who falls under the Financially-Assisted (FA) scheme, where his/her family is unable to provide the child with pocket money etc., and if “charity begins at home”, shouldn’t we look more closely as how we can as a “family” within the school community, help these families who are in need? Shouldn’t we send the message across to our own children that “it is blessed to give”?

Each year, the PHS-Parent Support Group raise funds for the FA families, so that each family can have a little something to enjoy during the festive season; be it Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali.

We are seeking your support and encouragement to show that we care and would like to share with those in greater need.

If you are able to contribute towards this fund-raising project, please email to us at presbyterianhighpsg@gmail.com and advise your mode of contribution. You can arrange to send a cheque to Äng Lay Kian or a bank transfer to the PSG account 014-7-046598 DBS Saving Plus Account and notify us of the contribution so that we can account for it.

Sincerely,

Alvin Soh

Chairman

PHS – PSG 2010

Warmest Greetings from Parents Support Group

A new beginning, a brand new experience awaits for you.

For parents whose child is in Presbyterian High School for the first time, we would like to extend a very warm welcome to you.

For parents whose child is already in Presbyterian High School, a very happy New Year to you.  Now that your child is ‘settled’ in school and each year comes a new batch of Secondary 1s, have you considered being a part of PSG? How about helping with the various school activities and programs that we have in-store for you?

For 2010, the PSG ExCo has a new committee assigned to partner with you and they are:

• Mr. Alvin Soh – Chairman
• Mr. Ang Lee San – Vice Chairman
• Mrs. Jenny Chin – Secretary
• Mrs. Elicia Soh – Treasurer
• Mdm Wendy Yang – Program / Activities committee
• Mrs. Noriko Ide – Activities (School-related)
• Mrs. Celia Lee – Publicity (Blog and Noticeboard)

Each year, PSG receives contributions from parents to support various student-related causes such as:

• Financially-assisted families – Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepaval
• Financially-assisted families – school-related study trips (Taman Negara) etc.
• Teacher’s Day celebrations
• Graduation Day

Your contributions, in one way or another helps in the funding of these activities and is greatly appreciated.

Please note that our PSG Account has been changed to

DBS Saving Plus: 014-7-046598

Account name : ANG LAY KIAN

You can contribute through the above account via Internet banking or ATM (fund transfers).

If you would like more information on how you can be a part of PSG, drop us an email at presbyterianhighpsg@gmail.com.

With warmest regards

Elicia Soh
PSG Treasurer- 2010

Sec 1 Adventure Camp, 7th and 8th Jan 2010

This year, 2010 saw the new Sec 1 students experience the climax of their Orientation at Dairy Farm Adventure Centre on 07th and 8th Jan-2010.

Dairy Farm Adventure Centre (DFAC) is located at 30 Dairy Farm Road Singapore 679058, at the fringe of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve near the Dairy Farm Quarry.

The centre’s ideal location offers students many opportunities to learn about Singapore’s natural heritage. The 163-hectare Bukit Timah Nature reserve retains one of the largest tracts of primary rainforest left in Singapore. Together with the Central Catchment area, these nature reserves are home to more than 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals (including butterflies).

The biodiversity of the nature reserves offers many opportunities for learning outside the classroom. With treks varying from 45mins to 2hours and beyond, field trips of different focus can be conducted. Students can research on the local flora and fauna as well as the bio-system (Science), see first hand the huge water pipes that channel water from Malaysia to Singapore (National Education) and study the impact of human and nature on the quarry (Geography).

The centre has a multi-purpose hall, 1 training room, 1 block of teacher room and 6 blocks of student dormitories that can accommodate 250 participants comfortably.

Left photo : Dorms (air-conditioned) : 1 block (4 rooms)

Right photo : Dorms (air-conditioned) : 6 beds

Dorms with fans (6 blocks)

  

Hall on the Ground Floor

The centre is equipped with a full range of adventure facilities such as Challenge Ropes Courses, Abseil Tower and General Stations.

Challenge Rope Course (CRC)

Tower

We hope that the experience at the Dairy Farm Adventure Camp will promote bonding among the Sec 1 pupils and help them to adjust to their new secondary school life.

Adapted from http://www.innotrek.com.sg/

Meet-The-Parents Session on Sat, 9th Jan 2010

Speech by Ang Lee San, Vice-Chairman, PSG

Dear Parents, Mr Lim and teachers,

Parents Support Group are :

Promise Keepers

Hope Builders

Servant Leaders

to bless their world always.

We are a group of enthusiastic parents who are with the Parents Support Group.

We exist because we believe that each child in an individual that needs to be nurtured into a responsible and compassionate being.

Each PSG volunteer is a servant-leader, ready and responsible to work alongside with the school to make it a better place for our children.

Our participation reflects our commitment, as well as, our belief that the students will be inspired by our actions.

Why Join the PSG?

At PSG, we aim to

• support and encourage the teachers and pupils through participation in organised events and functions;
• enhance parent-child relationship and bonding;
• provide a platform for parents to network amongst themselves;
• provide feedback for improvement.

At PSG, you will be enriched as

• a more contented person as you get acquainted with school culture and learning environment; and
• a more more caring parent as you personally experience a taste of school life and its learning environment

Learning from one another...

• Lantern-making and Chinese New Year cookies
• Teachers' Day Celebrations
• Card and Craft-making workshops
• Door gifts for Grad Night
• Evening Academy

PSG-initiated activities include Jewelry-making, where one can learn a skill and more...

-  Fruit Basket Programme

School-related activities

- Thanksgiving and Honours Night

- Chinese New Year "Lohei"
- Sports Day / Jogathon

- Racial Harmony Day, Total Defence Day, Easter and other events

Teachers' Day Celebrations

Invitation

Be a Parent Volunteer...
For events as such:

Accompany pupils on Learning Journeys /National Education Excursions

PSG Photographer

Sponsorship for Overseas learning trips, Grad Nite, Teachers’ Day etc.

Evening Academy – study night duties with graduating students

Editorial – School magazine, PSG Newsletter, PSG blog

Supporting Thanksgiving Day, Teachers’ Day, Grad Nite, International Friendship Day, Racial Harmony Day

Conducting workshops – IT, cooking, craft, videography etc

How to contact us?

Email: presbyterianhighpsg@gmail.com

Look out for PSG updates at
http://www.presbyterianhighpsg.blogspot.com/

Finally,
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.  (Eccle 9:10)

We look forward to your support.

Volunteer now!

Thank you.