Mother Tongue Language

Department Goal:

Joyful and active learners of the Mother Tongue Languages and Cultures

Chinese Language

Vision:

Every Fernvale Pupil an Effective and Confident User of their Mother Tongue Language and take pride in his/her cultures.

Mission:

M1: To develop our pupils into avid readers, budding writers and effective speakers in their Mother Tongue Language through programmes infused with 21st Century Competency skills.

M2: To inculcate in our pupils a sense of love and appreciation of the Language Culture.

Department Programmes:

1. 2024 Chinese New Year Celebration

On 9th February 2024, Fernvale Primary School ushered in the Year of the Dragon with a host of activities which are planned for the pupils.

Our school leaders kick-started the entire celebration by sharing their childhood experience of Chinese New Year, followed by the Chinese New Year Concert, where we have our very own Guzheng team that performed 2 songs “Jasmine Flower” and “Nuo Wen Ji Ya”. In addition, we also invited Mr Joe to put up an exciting puppet show for the pupils. Besides the above, the Chinese department also organized a Lion Dance troupe and Wushu performance. Last but not least, we ended our concert on a high note with our sing-along session. After the concert, the pupils returned to class to carry out their classroom activities.

It is great joy to see pupils of different races, coming together to celebrate Chinese culture and traditions.

2. Reading Programme

The CL Dept Reading Programme has been rolled out this year and our target audience is the lower primary pupils. Structured time for teachers to carry out the programme has been planned and incorporated into the Scheme of Work. The programme comprises activities such as a story-telling session conducted by our own CL teachers, the making of mini story-book, role-play as well as activity sheets where the children write a book review and reflect on the learning points gleaned from the programme.

3. Mother Tongue Fortnight 2024 (CL)

The end of Term 2 was an exciting one, with Mother Tongue Fortnight Language Fortnight activities conducted for the pupils. The pupils learnt to appreciate the Chinese Language and its culture by participating in a series of performance, competitions and a wide range of cultural activities organized for them. The activities include hand drum painting, spinning tops painting, trying on traditional clothing, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese idiom Rubik’s cube and carving of Chinese seal.

Through the various cultural activities, the pupils had the opportunity to make different traditional crafts and try out traditional games. Besides cultural activities, the pupils also learnt Chinese songs and poems.

The Primary 1 pupils performed Chinese songs with the hand drums they made during a showcase for the lower primary pupils in the hall. The Primary 2 and Primary 5 pupils had mini class competitions using the spinning tops and Chinese idiom Rubik’s cube they made during the activities too.

Majority of the pupils feedback that they enjoyed the activities and had learnt to appreciate the Chinese Culture more after participating in these activities.

4.P6 Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme 2024

Our Primary 6 CL pupils went for a Learning Journey at Hokkien Huay Kuan under the Cultural Performance Exposure Scheme on 3 May 2024.

They watched a play titled《周处除三害》 (Zhou Chu Gets Rid of the 3 Evils). It is about the main character Zhou Chu and how he became a better person after getting rid of the three evil characters in the story.

For most of the pupils, it was the first time that they are watching a play, and they cherished the opportunity to watch it with their peers. The cast also did a brilliant job of engaging and interacting with the pupils and some of them also got a chance to act in one of the scenes! It is indeed a valuable experience to learn about Chinese culture in a fun and interactive way.

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Malay Language

Department Goal

To enable our pupils to communicate in Malay Language effectively and confidently.
To inculcate the love and appreciation of the Malay Heritage and culture in all pupil.

Department Vision

“To produce Arif Budiman “

Department Programmes:

1. Mother Tongue Language Fortnight 2024 (ML)

The MTL Fortnight activities provide platforms for pupils to actively learn MTL and the associated culture to experience MTL as ‘a living language’. The activities provide authentic opportunities for pupils to use MTL and experience the culture. Through cultural activities such as singing Folklore songs, Puppetry storytelling, Silat, the initiative fosters a deeper connection to heritage, ensuring that the rich history, values, and customs of the Malay community are continuously enhancing pupil’s learning.

Primary 1	Traditional Folk Song
Primary 2	Traditional Folk Song
Primary 3	Traditional Martial Arts (Silat)
Primary 4	Traditional Malay Dance
Primary 5	Traditional Malay Dance
Primary 6	Traditional Malay Dance

Primary 1 & Primary 2 - Song & Dance of Folklore Songs

Our pupils enjoyed learning and singing a traditional folk song such as “Bangau Oh Bangau!” They are also given the chance to perform on stage in front of their friends.

Learning to sing folk songs helped pupils to expand their vocabulary; and improve their pronunciation and linguistic confidence.

Primary 3 - Silat Our pupils gained new experience by learning Silat, a traditional Malay martial art, which enriched their understanding of their heritage. The hands-on experience fostered a strong sense of pride and connection to their roots, making the process both enjoyable and culturally enlightening.

Primary 4 - Traditional Malay Dance Our pupils enthusiastically engaged in learning Malay traditional dance, which enhanced their appreciation and understanding of their cultural heritage. Pupils expressed joy and pride in learning the beauty and grace in the Malay traditional dance.

Primary 5 - Kompang Pupils are introduced to Kompang, a traditional Malay musical instrument, learning basic beats and rhythms. The process not only fostered a stronger connection to their roots but also enhanced their musical skills, discipline, and teamwork.

Primary 6 - Wayang Kulit Pupils are exposed to Wayang Kulit, Malay puppetry. The pupils enjoyed crafting their own puppets and watching the show. This hands-on experience expanded their vocabulary and storytelling techniques.

2\. Hari Raya Celebration

The Hari Raya celebration, “Rasa Rasa Raya 2024”, themed around traditional kuih, significantly boosted pupils’ confidence and fostered collaboration across various CCA groups and departments. Pupils from diverse backgrounds worked together to prepare and present performances significant to the traditional Malay delicacies, enhancing their teamwork and organizational skills.

Performances, showcasing cultural dances and music, provided a platform for pupils to express their talents confidently. The event’s vibrant and joyous atmosphere was a testament to their collective effort, promoting unity and cultural appreciation. This collaborative endeavor not only celebrated heritage but also created lasting memories, reinforcing the importance of teamwork, and boosting overall pupils’ morale and confidence.!

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Tamil Language

Department Vision

Every Fernvale Pupil to be an Effective and Confident User of their Tamil Language and take pride of their culture.

Department Mission

M1: To develop our pupils into avid readers, budding writers and effective speakers of their Mother Tongue Language through programmes infused with 21st Century Competency skills.

M2: To inculcate in our pupils a sense of love and appreciation for the Tamil Language. .

Signature Programmes:

Reading Race

Pupils are encouraged to read the monthly subscribed ‘Sutti Mayil’ magazine and take part in an online quiz. The first pupil from each level to complete the quiz with 100% accuracy will win a prize. Through this initiative, we aim to instill a love for reading in our pupils, while also providing them with opportunities to learn new vocabulary and enhance their comprehension skills.

Twinkle Thoughts: Spreading Kindness, Inspiring Joy

Twinkle Thoughts, an integral part of our CCE lessons, embodies our commitment to nurturing 21st Century Skills. Through purposeful activities focused on self-care, gratitude, and community engagement, pupils express appreciation and spread joy. From heartfelt thank-you notes to creative handicrafts made from recycled materials, pupils uplift the school community and neighbours while fostering environmental consciousness. Our surveys consistently show that 100% of participating experience genuine joy through Twinkle Thoughts.

Thamizhai Nesipom Thamizhil Pesuvom

To foster effective communication skills, we use innovative, level-specific approaches. For Primary 1 to 4, we use the ThingLink App with custom illustrations of school activities to enhance oral engagement. For Primary 5 and 6, we use oral video stimuli with analytical rubrics to boost critical thinking and articulation. These initiatives aim to develop confident, articulate communicators ready for an ever-evolving world.

Collaborative Writing Strategy

In our department, we embrace collaborative writing strategies to enhance writing proficiency amongst our pupils. By working together in groups, pupils cultivate essential communication and teamwork skills while collectively brainstorming ideas and refining their writing. This approach not only promotes a supportive learning environment but also fosters creativity and critical thinking as pupils learn from one another’s perspectives. Through collaborative writing, our pupils develop confidence in their writing abilities.

Mother Tongue Language Fortnight 2024 (TL)

MTL Fortnight is a cherished tradition at Fernvale, offering Tamil pupils a journey through language with AKT Productions. Professional storytellers, speakers, puppeteers, and actors bring the Tamil Language to life, captivating our pupils with their diverse talents.

Each year, pupils experience:
Primary 1: Storytelling
Primary 2: Storytelling with puppets
Primary 3: Storytelling with songs
Primary 4: Traditional Tamil Theatres
Primary 5: Creating An Imaginary World with voices
Primary 6: The art of Public Speaking

These immersive experiences deepen pupils’ connection to Tamil, fostering cultural appreciation and linguistic proficiency.

Kavinkalai Competitions

At Fernvale, we believe in providing our pupils with opportunities to excel and showcase their talents in the Tamil Language. In line with this vision, we offer a dynamic follow-up activity to our language programs: the Kavinkalai competitions. These serve as valuable platforms for our pupils to hone their speaking skills and build confidence in the Tamil Language. In recent years, ‘Kavinkalai’ has garnered increasing popularity among our pupils, with a notable rise in participation rates.

Diwali Dazzle

Experience the magic of our annual ‘Diwali Dazzle’ concert, a celebration of talent and culture held on the eve of Deepavali. In just thirty minutes, our pupils and dedicated parent volunteers deliver captivating performances that showcase the richness of our cultural heritage. We enhance our concerts by integrating universal themes like environmental sustainability into cultural presentations. This not only ensures inclusivity but also deepens pupils’ understanding of these concepts, making the concert more engaging and meaningful.

Deepavali Jazz-Up : Classroom Activities

Deepavali Jazz-Up is an exciting annual event organized by the department for the entire school community. Over the course of two weeks, pupils from every level participate in specific Deepavali craft-making activities tailored to their age group. These crafts are then proudly displayed outside their classrooms, adding a festive touch to our school environment. Through these activities, pupils not only engage in creative expression but also deepen their understanding of the festival of Deepavali and the rich tapestry of Tamil culture.

Our Pupils’ Achievements in 2024 External Competitions

• Rachel Ong Challenge Trophy 2024
P3-RL Shaanvi Shanjana Venkstesh, P4-CA Arunkumar Siddharth, P5 Sai Kiruba, and P6 Geetha Vijay participated in the Rachel Ong Challenge Trophy 2024 organized by Telok Blangah Community Club and won consolation prizes!

• Tamil Mozhi Vizha Show & Tell Competition
Shaanvi from Primary 3 Resilience won the first prize in Tamil Mozhi Vizha Show & Tell Competition organized by Fernvale Community Club.