Dunman High Leadership Dsa
Francoise Witsell
Leadership development is self-development. Every student possesses a unique blend of abilities, inclinations and talents. He/she is able to make a positive difference in his/her way, within his/her sphere of influence.
Leadership competencies, values and attributes ought to be taught and assessed. Every student should be equipped with the requisite leadership competencies to be better prepared to assume posts/ roles, for effective leadership. This includes creating opportunities/ platforms for students to practise leadership for authentic learning.
All students are introduced to fundamental leadership skills and knowledge through mass leadership programmes that foster the development of self-awareness and relationship management competencies. Each year focuses on different leadership domains, spiralling up from Self Leadership (Year 1 and 2), to Team Leadership (Year 3 and 4) and to Thought Leadership (Year 5 and 6). Through Year 1 to Year 6, students revisit and put these competencies into practice in the various aspects of their student life in Dunman High.
Students with all-round achievements who display high leadership potential take on leadership positions in their CCAs, the Class Committees and the Student Council. Each CCA conducts their own differentiated leadership training program to equip CCA leaders with project management and people management competencies. Through level and class activities, Class Committees are given platforms to serve and lead their peers while developing a strong class spirit. Ample opportunities are also given to the Student Council to demonstrate leadership competencies within the context of inspiring and effecting positive changes and fostering a strong family culture in the school.
In Senior High, students have the autonomy to be part of a variety of independent student-led activities (e.g. Sports Leaders Programme and House activities) that may interest them. One notable opportunity would be our annual Dunman High Leadership Symposium, which is entirely organised by student leaders and involves reputable guest speakers from various sectors and approximately 300 participants, both Dunmanians and beyond.
Secondly, in P4, I was given the rare opportunity to go for an interschool Chinese Cultural Camp at Mee Toh Primary, which strengthened my passion for my mother tongue and its rich culture; thus, boosting my interest in bilingualism and biculturalism.
Furthermore, we also had a P4 Cohort Camp which really pulled our rose-coloured glasses off as it made us realise how important self-management was and appreciate our parents in their absence. Moreover, it enabled us to forge even more wonderful memories with each other and it knitted us even more tightly together; thereby, helping to develop our social skills.
In addition, at P5, I was selected to be a Mother Tongue Programme Captain, I had a blast with my fellow captains as we attended leadership training programs together and conducted Mother Tongue Fortnight activities for the entire school. It was a wonderful experience as I got to educate others on the various cultures of other races and simultaneously hone my leadership skills and ability to work with other.
To me, Horizon Primary School is like a garden. This is a place where we enter as seedlings and are nurtured with the right values to blossom into flowers. This is a place where flowers like us are taught the right values. The teachers are very passionate in teaching and strive to bring out the best in us.
Being a school that emphasises the seven habits, we learn more than just academic curriculum. We are taught not only to excel academically, but also to explore our interests. Through my CCA, international dance, I had the opportunity to represent Horizon in numerous dance competitions. These opportunities are invaluable in shaping us holistically as individuals.
Horizon primary made a positive impact in my life. It gave me strength and many opportunities that allowed me to challenge myself, and to be a better version of me. Horizon taught me how to lead, inspire and build better relationships with my peers.
Horizon Primary School has contributed greatly to my growth in a variety of ways. In the academic aspect, the engaging and knowledgeable teachers have impacted my studies positively by boosting my understanding on the various concepts for the respective subjects. They have also catered to my learning style to keep my passion for learning burning in my heart. Also, being the outspoken person that I am, Horizon Primary School has also presented a wide array of opportunities for me to take part in competitions where I had to speak in front of a large audience. This greatly enhanced my ability to present ideas on public platforms and allowed me to learn how to speak confidently.
To Horizon Primary School, I wish you the best for the future. Continue being the fun-filled and well-rounded school that I remember fondly and the school that will lay the foundation for the learning journey that the students would go through as they progress further in life and grow up to be young and admirable individuals. I hope you will impact every student who walks through those gates like how you have impacted me and ignite a spark in them that will give them a dream to strive towards and motivation to never give up when they fail.
My success is attributed to Horizon Primary. Over the course of six years, the once shy and timid girl had grown to become a more confident and responsible individual. Horizon Primary had taught me many life skills such that I am able to become the leader I am today. Although I was less outspoken than my other friends, I was still given opportunities to lead. The school had taught me well, grooming me into a more sociable person, allowing me to build better relationships with peers.
Through the 7 habits, I had learnt to organise my time more efficiently and know how to work with my friends. The school values would forever be instilled in me, becoming part of my moral principles; to treat others with respect and compassion, to have integrity, and always strive to be exemplary in whatever we do.
Horizon Primary will always be a part of me, for shaping me to be what I am today. This year, Horizon is celebrating her 10th year anniversary, I sincerely congratulate her on her achievement as she continue to strive beyond the horizon and achieve greater heights.
My time spent with Horizon Primary School had been most enriching and memorable. I am thankful to have been taught by so many passionate educators, not only wanting to educate us but also nurture us to be better people of good character. Through the 7 habits, it taught me how to be an effective team player and how to be efficient in what I do. These 7 habits continue to guide me and serve me well as I embark onto my secondary school journey. Amongst the four school values, compassion had also taught me how to listen better and be more approachable. This, in turn, made me many new and sincere friends.
What I hope to share with my juniors is this; time will pass by quickly and it will be lost forever. So, we must seize every minute and second to learn and to be better. And when we do learn and become better, it is our duty to repay what we have learnt to help others be better.
Happy Birthday, Horizon Primary School! Wishing Horizon a smooth journey ahead with many more 10 years to celebrate! Hope Horizon Primary will have an abundance of future successes and will be nurturing many more generations of remarkable students in the years to come. All the best in your future endeavours!
One of the pieces of advice I would give to the current students of Horizon Primary is to study hard. I would really want to emphasise on the importance of this as it affects which secondary school you would be going to and more. Of course, if you aspire to be a doctor, teacher or pilot, your scores will need to make the mark. You may not realise it now but it will definitely help in the near future when you get a job.
Secondly, try to have good relationships with your peers. Not only your family but friends are also important too. When you are in school, they are the ones who keep you accompanied, help in your school work or play together and have fun. Imagine without having friends, how sad would that be? So try to establish good friendships, in case you need help in future, you always have someone to turn to. Your lives will surely be more interesting too.
Last of all, cherish the present. You may feel negative emotions about misunderstandings or other unwanted matters. But, look towards the bright side! In your life, schooling days are the most relaxing and fun period especially in primary school. So stay happy and live every day in your school to the fullest. Now, in secondary school, there are more subjects, homework and it is more tough and challenging.
Horizon Primary School had always nurtured me to reach my potential and prepared me for what was ahead, be it new experiences or special opportunities that had helped me to soar to even greater heights. There was definitely no exception for my very last year there, where I had countless fond memories.
As I was going to enter secondary school, Horizon Primary helped me to understand more about secondary school life and the options I had for my next crucial phase in life. Posters about secondary school open houses and Direct School Admission (DSA) time periods were always a common sight in school. During Leadership Day, the school also invited our seniors to share about their secondary school lives and advise us on how to cope in secondary school. This helped by informing me about what to expect in secondary school and how to better transit from primary school to secondary school.
I am also grateful that Horizon Primary School provided me with so much valuable opportunities and platforms to further develop myself and experience learning in a fun and interesting way. Such opportunities and platforms include the chance to participate in Singapore NDP 2015, the chance to hone my leadership skills by appointing me as a Vice-Head Captain, the chance to go to Xiamen, China for a cultural exchange programme, the chances to represent the school by performing in public and participating in competitions with my CCA members, and many more. These opportunities helped me to learn beyond the textbooks and develop myself overall as a confident person. Without the school making efforts to provide such special and valuable opportunities, I definitely will not have had the same learning experiences and be who I am today.
c80f0f1006