Bukit Merah Secondary School

Ending Term 3 on a high note, our graduating Merahans enjoyed the annual Milestone Celebration designed to strengthen our students’ resilience and sense of community. 🤩 The day started with a workshop which focused on empowering students to identify and reframe self-limiting thoughts, with an interactive emotion card game. 👍🏻🎉

The cohort watched a movie 🎟️ in our school hall and was pampered with freshly fried churros, bubble tea and popcorn. 🍿 They enjoyed the movie "The Greatest Showman" and learnt to conquer the fear of failure, dream big, and build strong relationships. We ended the day with a blast when the students were able to have lunch together with their form teachers and classmates. 🎊

A huge thank you to the teachers for making this event such a success, uniting students in a shared experience of growth and camaraderie! 🥰🤩

Lastly, we wish our N level students all the best in their N level exam next week! We are rooting behind you! 💪🏻

"What a teacher is, is more important than what he or she teaches." ❤️

Are you thinking about visiting your dearest teachers tomorrow (29 August 2024) to celebrate Teachers' Day? 🥳 We welcome alumni to join us at Bukit Merah Secondary School to thank our staff for the different ways they have positively impacted your lives. 👩🏽‍🏫🧑🏻‍🏫

Do note that the school will be dismissed at 10.30am, so do make your own arrangements with your teachers if you are coming later! See you! 🤩

In July this year, students from Jiangnan Middle School 🏫(JNMS) in Wuxi, China visited BMSS as part of our Global Merahan Programme (GMP) 🌎. The Merahans at BMSS were thrilled to reconnect with their buddies 🫂 from JNMS, whom they had not seen since March 2024.

During their two-day visit, the JNMS students participated in a series of engaging and hands-on activities 💪, including a comprehensive school tour, a Malay music workshop, an Indian garland-making workshop, and a Design and Technology lesson.🪚Visiting staff also had a chance to observe lessons and learn more about Singapore’s educational landscape through a dialogue session with our school leaders and teachers.

This visit provided an excellent opportunity for cross-cultural exchange 🌎🫂 and allowed the students from both schools to build strong bonds of camaraderie. 👥️

Overall, it was a valuable experience for both schools 🏫, strengthening the bonds between JNMS and BMSS.💗 The students involved in this programme were left with a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunities provided and returned home with cherished memories 💭. The continued success of this exchange has left an indelible mark on both schools, enhancing our commitment to fostering international connections and understanding. 😻

(Caption by Ho Wanjing, 3E2)

On 24 July, the Bukit Merah Concert Band participated in the 9th Singapore International Band Festival, a biennial festival organised by the Wind Bands Association of Singapore. 🎺🪈🎷🥁This prestigious event was an excellent opportunity for our students to learn and perform through a showcase of their repertoire on a public platform. This was also a useful opportunity to prepare our lower sec students for the 2025 Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation. 🎶Through this experience, the band was able to challenge itself and received invaluable feedback from the judges. 👍😊

Mother Tongue Fortnight for lower secondary students was filled with fun and enlightening activities. 🤗😀This year, the Chinese language students customized their own Chinese fans. 🪭 Using given templates, students traced pictures of pandas 🐼 or lotus flowers 🪷 on their fans and painted them in colours of their own choice. Lower secondary Malay language students learned some Silat moves, such as sikap pasang, the ready stance and the ten different movements to defend themselves. All students enjoyed their respective activities and gained a better understanding of their Mother Tongue language cultures. 😊💚

(Caption by Er Phei Ern, 2I5 and Shaikh Sakina, 2I4)

The Sec 3 NRIC Presentation Ceremony represents a significant milestone in our Merahans' journey as Singapore citizens, marking an important moment as they reflect on what it means to be a Singaporean. 🇸🇬Receiving their identity card is a rite of passage all Singaporean students go through, and the NRIC is more than just a symbol of nationality or an official identification. Through the simple presentation ceremony, we hope our students were instilled with a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities as Singaporeans. 🤩

Mother Tongue Fortnight in July aimed to deepen students' understanding and appreciation of their Mother Tongue languages and cultures.🗣️💚

Our Malay language students enjoyed an authentic wayang kulit performance, a traditional shadow play 🎭 that recounted tales from the ancient Hindu tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata. 📖 They also learned about the role of the puppeteer who brought the characters to life and captivated the audience with intricate storytelling skills.

The event's highlight ✨ was when students actively participated in the stories, taking turns to play the roles themselves. 🤩 They were also taught to play the gamelan that provided the traditional background music 🎶 for the performance. To wrap up the session, secondary 4NT students collaborated to brainstorm and showcase a short skit entitled "Kom". It was a challenging yet fulfilling experience to narrate the story in 5 minutes while providing background music, and their hard work received warm praise from the organisers. 👍👏😀

(Caption by Daniel Iqmal Khan, 4T2)

🎉✨🌈 Our Racial Harmony Day celebration was a vibrant display of Singapore's multicultural spirit!

✨ Merahans and staff shimmered in dazzling ethnic costumes, creating a lively atmosphere buzzing with energy. 🥻👘

Additionally, the Funplay Workshop's LIVE theatre performance, "Together We Defend," captivated everyone with its powerful message on unity and digital safety when the stage came alive with drama and emotion.

🌎 Meanwhile, our CCE ambassadors shared fascinating cultural taboos from diverse backgrounds, sparking lively discussions and providing intriguing insights. The quiz that followed was a real test of knowledge, enticing participation with exciting prizes for the winners!

🎨 Furthermore, the Parent Support Group's henna art booth at The Galaxy was a creative sensation, offering unique designs and a special experience for our guests from Jiang Nan Middle School, China. The air was filled with the scent of henna and the sounds of laughter as guests adorned themselves with beautiful henna art, immersing themselves in this rich cultural tradition and experiencing the beauty of another culture firsthand.

It was indeed a fruitful and meaningful Racial Harmony week! 🌈🎉

(Caption by Durai Sahana and Rengaswamy Radha Lakshmi, 2I1)

Our Secondary 3 students had an electrifying week exploring the world of science and discovery! 🚀

First stop: the "Energy Story" exhibition where our Physics students dove into six interactive zones, unraveling the secrets of energy sources, transformations, and the future of Singapore's energy sector. 🌱⚡

Next, our Biology enthusiasts went down the drain (literally!) at the "Know Your Poo" exhibition, uncovering the fascinating history of sanitation and the crucial link between good hygiene and health. 🚽🧼

Lastly, our budding forensic scientists solved royal mysteries in the "Finding the Lost Princess - A Forensic Approach" workshop. 🧬🔬 They traced the Romanov legacy through DNA analysis, mastering micropipetting and DNA inheritance along the way.

From energy to hygiene to forensic science, our students are well on their way to becoming the scientists of tomorrow! 🌟🔬

On 11 July, our Merahan St. John Brigade (SJB) proudly commemorated SJB Day. The event began with a video message from our Chief Commissioner, delivered by Staff Sergeant Grace, which highlighted the values and dedication of our cadets. 🎖️

Mr. Gaius recognized our cadets' exceptional achievements in the National Day Parade, Trooping of Colours, and Instructor Courses, emphasizing their hard work and commitment. 🏅

The 2023 Gold Corps Achievement trophy was then presented to Mr. Chong by 2023 Corps Sergeant Major Christine, showcasing our cadets' high standards. 🏆 Before concluding the ceremony, Mr. Gaius reminded everyone that the cadets' hard work extends beyond the CCA itself and acknowledged their unwavering dedication as standby first aiders at every school event, emphasizing that SJB is a CCA in service to humanity. ⛑️

The ceremony concluded with the SJB Pledge led by Staff Sergeant Min Han, reaffirming the cadets’ commitment to brigade values, followed by the dismissal drill. 📜

SJB Day 2024 successfully showcased our cadets' dedication and achievements. Happy St. John’s Day! 🎉

(Caption by Zin Min Han, 3E2)

Have you heard about Project Wolbachia? Did you know that male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes 🦟 are released every Tuesday and Friday morning around the residential blocks and common corridors in the Bukit Merah–Telok Blangah area?

Last term, the National Environment Agency visited our school to raise awareness about Project Wolbachia, mosquitoes, and dengue prevention. ⛔ They set up a booth featuring a cage of male Wolbachia-Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, allowing lower secondary science students to interact with these non-biting insects firsthand. Merahans visited the booth at scheduled timings and during their break times to learn about innovative approaches to combat dengue and safeguard community health. We are sure Merahans will do their part to prevent dengue fever! 😇

Lights! Camera! Action! 🎥 On the 3rd of May, Bukit Merah Secondary School hosted Festivo VII at the NUS University Cultural Centre. The large-scale musical, "Stay True", featured our talented students from the Drama Club 🎭, Modern Dance Club 💃🏻, Concert Band 🎺, and Secondary 2 Aesthetics Education Programme, and marked our first major public performance since COVID-19. 🙌

The show revolved around three friends navigating the challenges of social media 🤳🏼, brought to life through a blend of interpretive dances and heartfelt acting. 🥹 The dedication and vision of our performers were truly inspiring, with each student overcoming stage fright and stepping out of their comfort zones to showcase their skills. 👍

The resounding applause 👏 from the audience affirmed that all the hard work, endless rehearsals, and support from families, teachers, and friends had paid off. This unforgettable event highlighted not just artistic growth, but also self-confidence, resilience, and the spirit of teamwork among our 200-plus students. 🤩🤗

A huge thank you to everyone involved for making Festivo VII a heartwarming and unforgettable milestone in our school's journey. 🌟👏 (Caption by: Ho Wan Jing, 3E2 and Jason Gabriel Fadjar, 3E2)

Happy Youth Day, Merahans! 😎🥳

What better way to celebrate Youth Day than let the youths take over? 😉Together with their teachers, Merahans put up a vibrant concert with song and dance items to wow the rest of the school. 🥳 Interactive games kept everyone engaged and energised while a hilarious skit showcasing the acting talents of teachers and students caused the hall to resound with the audience's laughter. The celebration concluded with a sweet treat as everyone in the school enjoyed a traditional wafer ice cream 🍦during recess.

Merahan Olympics Day (MOD) is one of the PE department’s signature programmes where the whole school participates in a variety of physical and cognitive sporting competitions.🏅Classes formed teams to compete in sports such as football⚽️, basketball🏀, floorball🥅, tchoukball🤾, ultimate frisbee🥏, and modified netball🏐, mind games such as Boggle, Sudoku, Uno King, and a photography 📸challenge. All Merahans participated actively and helped their classes win games, exhibiting good sportsmanship and care for others.

The highlight of the event was the floorball exhibition match between Merahans and our partner school, APSN Tanglin. Lastly, the event ended with the widely anticipated handball match between the teachers and Merahans. This brought the whole event to an exciting conclusion as Merahans showed their resounding support for their schoolmates and teachers in a series of fast-paced matches.👨‍🏫

Overall MOD was an enjoyable🌟and engaging day for us and most Merahans would agree that this day was one of the most exciting days this term.🏆

(Caption by Shaikh Sakina, 2I5 and Jaz Farzana Puteri Jumat, 2I6)

It was a day of learning for BM teachers as the semester was brought to a resounding conclusion with a staff seminar 📖📔and fun learning activities. We were privileged 🙏🏻to have knowledgeable staff from APSN Tanglin school share about their programmes and strategies to manage differentiated instruction in an inclusive classroom. Then it was time to indulge in a slew of activities ranging from latte art ☕and baking 🍰to macrame 🪢and kokedama 🪴. There was much laughter 😀 and light chatter as the teachers put together their various prodcts. It was indeed a refreshing end to the term for all involved. 🥳😊😌

The self-management workshop for Secondary 3 Merahans aimed to equip them with essential skills for facing challenges. Through this workshop, they learned mental fortitude to maintain a positive outlook even in tough times💪, patience, and unity in building a sense of community and shared purpose.

They were encouraged to adopt a help-seeking mindset, recognizing when they need support and not being afraid to ask for it.🧩 Additionally, they learned to build positive relationships and manage conflict through acceptance and empathy.

🤝 A highlight of the workshop was a team bonding activity that fostered collaboration and problem-solving, demonstrating the power of teamwork in overcoming obstacles. 🏆🎈 Overall, it was a fun and insightful experience, helping our Merahans better understand and manage themselves both academically and personally. 🌟💡✨

(Caption by Zin Min Han, 3E2)

In May, Secondary 3NA Merahans visited ITE College West to gain an insight into possible choices for their post-secondary education. 🎓🎒The students learned more about the courses offered by the School of Hospitality, School of Business and Sciences, School of Engineering and School of Electronics and Info-comm Technology. There were plenty of hands-on activities from putting together a robotic motorcar 🏎️ to taking in the impressive sight of a drone and robotic display. 🤖 On a tour of the campus, the students were mesmerised 🤩 by the large school campus and marvelled 😮 at the advanced facilities and equipment, particularly the MRT carriage in the engineering room! 😳 Overall, it was a fulfilling, fun and engaging learning experience that gave Merahans a taste of life at ITE and an alternative route for further studies. 🛣️📚👨🏼‍🎓👨🏼‍🎓👩🏻‍🎓

(Caption by Chloe Onwara Koh, 3N1)

In line with the level theme of ‘BM Shine’, our secondary two students participated in a workshop on "Uncovering Strengths and Empowering Selves". 😎👍🏻The aim of the programme is to help Merahans identify their strengths and develop a personal growth roadmap to boost their self-belief and confidence. 👏🏻 They were also taught to hone a resilient mindset to overcome challenges. 💪🏻

As part of the activities, students created vision boards and wrote positive affirmations to motivate themselves. 🎉 They explored effective time management strategies and devised schedules to work towards their goals.

This comprehensive approach ensures that they are well-equipped to navigate their personal and academic journeys. 🤩
(Caption by Tejashri Navithaa, 2I6)

As part of the ECG programme, our Sec 4 and 5 students participated in an Interview Workshop 📑 to prepare for this year’s Early Admission Exercise (EAE) and Direct School Admission (DSA). 🧾 They received expert guidance 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 and time to craft compelling personal statements highlighting their strengths and talents. 💪Students enthusiastically participated in mock interviews, refining their skills to shine in any scenario.

Nakshatra from 4E1 took away skills in adopting an engaging posture, and how to appear calm and relaxed by using positive gestures. Jasmine, also from 4E1, learned the importance of interview etiquette and enjoyed listening to classmates share passionately about their desired courses.

With their talents and positive attitudes, we are confident our Merahans will triumph in their EAE or DSA applications! 😀👌

Earlier in May, our 3NA/NT students dove into various Applied Learning Modules, experiencing hands-on activities and real-world learning through various modules. 📑🧾

In the automotive engineering module, they explored old and new car technologies using driving simulators, RC cars, and real cars, through visits to Bridgestone Tyres HQ and the Eurokars Showroom featuring luxury cars like BMWs and Rolls Royces. 🚗🛞🚘

Another group delved into food sustainability in the culinary arts, mastering kitchen hygiene, food preparation, and plating. They crafted a fusion menu with dishes like Japanese Kanikama Salad, Korean Spicy Tteokbokki, and English Blueberry Cheese Tart, and enjoyed making mocktails and kebabs at Kebabs Faktory. 🥙🥘🍛🍴

In the Social Media Content Creator module, students learned about content creation and cyber wellness, enhancing their video skills using “CapCut” and conducting interviews at Terminal 1 and Jewel Changi Airport about Singapore’s attractions. 📹

The Sports & Wellness module introduced students to careers in sports management and fitness, covering exercise physiology, anatomy, and safety, and practicing kickboxing and HIIT at Muay Arts Fitness. 👟🎽

Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Our Merahands definitely had an enriching time of active engagement and experiential learning through their ApLM. 😊🤓

Our Merahan version of cross-country, Heart X Sole, was held at Jurong Lake Gardens in April. 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏽‍♂️ After much preparation during PE lessons, Merahans assembled with much excitement that morning, ready to run with speed, stamina and agility. They competed against each other to complete the winding 2.4 km route in the shortest time possible. 🏅🏅 Our warm congratulations go to all Secondary 2 and 4 students who passed their NAPFA test. and to the top 10 runners of each level! Don’t be disheartened if you were not able to make it into the top 10 this year. Train hard and try again next year! 👍🏻👏🏻

This year, Merahans who finished their race also took to the field for games under the sun ☀️, or they crowded at the Parents’ Support Group booth to play various games in the hopes of scoring an icy cool drink🥤. This year’s Heart X Sole brought all Merahans together for a stimulating run and engaging activities throughout the morning. 🥳🤩 Our thanks go to all our PE teachers who spent so much time training with the students, and all the teachers and PSG members for making this event a roaring success!

(Captions by Er Phei Ern and Emma Dumadi, 2I5)

Our Merahan Tchoukball Boys and Girls recently took part in the ActiveSG and Tchoukball Association of Singapore (TBAS) B Division Inter-School Tchoukball Competition on April 15th and 16th, 2024. 🏐 Despite the boys' team having limited game experience, they fought admirably, showcasing their determination and grit on the court. 💪 Meanwhile, the girls' team achieved an impressive feat by securing the 3rd runners-up position, highlighting their skill and teamwork.

Throughout the matches, both teams exhibited outstanding sportsmanship, resilience, and camaraderie, even when up against tough opponents. 🤝 The girls' team extends heartfelt gratitude to their families and friends who made the effort to support and cheer them on during the competition. 🙌

The Bukit Merah Secondary School St John Brigade (SJB) participated in the annual competition conducted by the St John Southwest District. Our Merahan teams comprised of seven cadets from the Nursing Cadet team led by Christine Fan Chu Han from 4E2, and six cadets from the Ambulance Cadet team led by Zin Min Han from 3E2. We are proud to share that our Nursing Cadet team clinched 2nd Runner-Up in this competition! 🏆🥳

Both teams began their training in November 2023 with the help of dedicated SJB alumni. Through this competition, the cadets learned to equip themselves with knowledge of first aid, transportation of casualties, home nursing, and foot drill. At the same time, team members have also cultivated esprit de corps, and their bonds of friendship have strengthened. 🤝

May our SJB cadets continue to live out the motto of St John – Pro Utilitate Hominum – In the Service of Humanity! ✊️

The Sustainability Design Competition, organized by Temasek Polytechnic School of Design, serves as a collaboration between two subjects: Design & Technology and Geography. 🌱 This competition is a melting pot of creativity and environmental consciousness. 🎨 Three teams from our school demonstrated their ingenuity by presenting innovative solutions to reimagine everyday items such as paper packaging, single-use plastics, and fast-fashion textiles, all in the name of promoting sustainable living.

Among our Merahan teams, Elizabeth Wong and Julia Young from Sec 4E1 shone brightly, securing a spot among the top 15 finalists out of 65 teams. 🌟 They eloquently presented their idea via Zoom to the judges and felt immense pride seeing their product displayed at the Design Show 2024 Exhibition. 🏆

Elizabeth and Julia graciously shared their experiences throughout this journey, shedding light on the challenges they encountered and the invaluable lessons they learned about consumer needs and effective pitching. 💼 Let's continue our journey of transforming waste into beauty! ♻️

As part of ELL Week, Lower Secondary G1 classes and Upper Secondary NT classes applied English Language skills on their learning journeys. The Secondary 1 students explored S.E.A. Aquarium, marveling at vibrant marine life🐠🐡, including majestic sharks 🦈. The Secondary 2 students immersed in Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, posing with idols. While the 3Ts visited Trick Eye Museum and experienced augmented reality exhibits, the 4Ts embarked on a virtual journey to Gather Town, solving a mystery 🕵️‍♂️ involving humans and robots🤖.

Through these journeys, students engaged in discussions on topics like artificial intelligence, enhancing their language skills and critical thinking.

Our Merahans returned with a wealth of knowledge and unforgettable experiences. Continue to explore the world around you with enthusiasm and passion, Merahans! 🌟📚

International Friendship Day is about building bridges between people of different cultures and communities. 🤝At Bukit Merah, we commemorated this day during assembly and through a Photo Challenge. 📸The assembly programme brought together a tapestry of ASEAN cultures as we invited some of our students to introduce their cultures from our neighbouring nations of Myanmar 🇲🇲 and Philippines 🇵🇭. In addition, our IFD 2024 Photo Challenge stirred creativity and camaraderie as students expressed the essence of International Friendship Day through photos🤳🏼 that spoke volumes about unity and appreciation for our shared humanity. 👥

Let's carry forward this spirit of togetherness and cultural appreciation beyond IFD Week, fostering lasting bonds and celebrating diversity every day! 😊🥰

(Caption by Benedict Lee, 4E1)

📚💭 During English week, students engaged in a plethora of immersive and exciting activities and games, exploring the intricacies of the English language with laughter and fun.

Our Secondary One students showcased their creativity and breathed new life into recycled materials which they used to dress their peers up as their favourite literary heroes🦸‍♂️ while our Secondary Twos battled heads on against each other in word wars online, unscrambling hundreds of words. 🥷💥

The Secondary Three students had unspeakable fun playing the game of Taboo in their own classes and strengthened their student voices to inspire and amuse their peers with engaging impromptu speeches in a level competition.🗣️ Our Secondary Four and Five students, in teams, pitted their wits against each other in the Pyramid Game. Outside the classroom, students from different levels participated in entertaining challenges such as the Escape Room in the library and the Flash Fiction Contest, with the winners walking away with attractive prizes. ✨

(Captions by Angelina, 4E2)

The rhythmic beat of the kompang, expertly played by the talented troupe from Wira Budaya, reverberated through the school hall, breaking the silence and heralding the start of our festivities. 🎊 Our school leaders were escorted to light sparklers and the vibrant celebration unfolded, weaving together a rich tapestry of culture and talent from our Merahans. From showcasing their agility and skill in silat to the elegant and graceful Malay dance performances, and even crafting their own Malay poetry for the Dikir Barat drum performance 🪘, our Merahans truly shone on various platforms. We were also treated to a captivating live band performance 🎤 and a stylish fashion walk featuring both teachers and students. ✨

In addition to the captivating performances, our Merahans also participated in interactive activities such as quizzes and a 'kain samping' competition. The celebration was not just educational but it was also deeply meaningful as our dedicated performers worked tirelessly to preserve our Malay heritage.

As we enter this festive season, may it bring us joy, peace, and countless blessings. Wishing everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin! 🥳

The eagerly anticipated inaugural Student Council Investiture took place in April this year. 🎉 This marked a significant milestone for our Student Councillors as they transitioned from roles in the Prefectorial Board. During the momentous ceremony, the Secondary 4 prefects were recognised for their exemplary leadership, wholehearted dedication and invaluable contributions. 👏🏻🎖️ The morning was filled with emotions as the Student Councillors bid farewell to their Secondary 4 seniors. 😢 Badges and certificates were also presented as the Secondary 2 and 3 Student Councillors were officially appointed. We congratulate and offer warm support 👍🏻 to our newly-elected President, Muhammad Irfan Hakim from Sec 3E1, and Vice-President Ho Wan Jing from 3E3, as they take on their leadership roles with the rest of the council. 🤝
journey


(Caption by Durai Sahana, Sec 2I1)