At Orchid Park Secondary School (OPSS), students are the centre and focus of our endeavors. In this fast-moving and fast-changing world, our students need to be equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge in order to excel on the global stage. Hence, we aim to prepare our students not just academically, but also holistically so that they are well prepared for the next phase of their lives. We are committed to providing a holistic education to prepare them well.

 

We believe that teachers, robust thought-processes and systems are the keys that greatly affect a child’s learning. With students being our focus, we have developed four strategic thrusts:

 

Implementing Quality Programmes for our students Building a Thriving School Culture Developing Premier Staff and Developing and maintaining robust systems

 

We constantly seek ways to improve and fine-tune our teaching practices, school’s systems and processes so as to promote greater student learning and growth. Our approach has been affirmed by the value-added results our students attained in the GCE O Level Examination for the Express and Normal streams last year. Teachers at Orchid Park take great pride and effort to plan and follow through the academic programmes and activities planned for the students. We encourage our students to have the desire to learn, equip them with the skills to learn and motivate them in their learning journey.

 

Besides intellectual development, we believe co-curricular activities (CCAs) are also important in building up our young people – physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Thus, students at Orchid Park are encouraged to take up activities which they are passionate about. For students to enjoy learning and to develop holistically, we strongly believe that the school environment should be vibrant, safe, conducive and caring for all .

 

Without sound moral values, one’s education will not be complete. At Orchid Park , we emphasize character building so that at the end of their educational experience with the school, our students would have positive habits and values which will benefit them for life.

 

“One should never stop learning” - this is a belief held by the school. We thus strive to create an environment where all will find learning enjoyable, fulfilling and life-long.

 

I look forward to welcoming you into the OPSS family where we constantly move onward and thrive!

 

Mrs Helen Tan-Lee
Principal

Principal's Message on PassionArte Day 2008 (16 Aug 2008)

 

Distinguished Guests, Residents of Nee Soon South, Friends of Orchid Park Secondary School, Teachers and students, Ladies and Gentlemen, a very good morning to all. Welcome to PassionArte 2008, a celebration of the creative talents of our young people and their youthful aspirations.

 

John Updike, a prolific writer and poet once said, “What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit.” 

 

A great city must have its artists to give it soul and colour, such that while we grow economically as a country, we may also be nourished as a society.

 

The arts scene is growing rapidly and becoming more interesting and vibrant as Singapore re-makes itself as a global city for the arts. Clearly, there has been an increased buzz in the arts scene in recent years. Whether art is for recreation or appreciation, it is certainly reaching a wider audience in Singapore, and gaining prominence as a worthy vocational pursuit and a possible promising career pathway. Visual art is one area that is poised for a new phase of exciting growth.

 

My staff and students at Orchid Park Secondary School has had the privilege of working with Nee Soon South CCC and Lentor Neighbourhood Committee to organize this arts fiesta, which comprises a range of exciting events ranging from an art exhibition, on-the-spot art competition, art auction, to special performances. PassionArte provides a platform to give recognition to the budding talents in our midst, and to encourage and spur them to improve on their work. It also enables us to bring the arts to the community in Nee Soon South.

 

The quality of the entries in the ArtOPus competition is indeed evidence that there are many talented young artists in our midst. We hope that this exhibition will allow parents to see the many possibilities of success when children pursue and excel in something that interests them.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nee Soon South Citizens Consultative Committee and Lentor Neighbourhood Committee for sponsoring this event. I would also like to thank all the teachers and students from the different participating schools who have worked together to make this exhibition possible. Their good work in encouraging passion for the Arts, particularly in the Visual and Performing Arts, is much appreciated.

 

Finally, before I end, I would like to congratulate the winners of ArtOPus and all the other artists whose works are recognised and exhibited as part of PassionArte 2008. I would also like to congratulate parents of these students for nurturing such talents in their children. Indeed, I hope that the children and young people will one day have their artworks featured in museums, galleries, and prestigious art collections.

 

On this note, I would like to declare PassionArte 2008 open. May you have an enjoyable and fruitful day. Thank you.

 

Mrs Helen Tan-Lee
Principal