1.It gives me great pleasure to be here at Telok Kurau Primary's 80th Anniversary. I am heartened to see so many parents and students here this evening as we celebrate this occasion as a family, the Telok Kurau family.
2.The theme for your 80th anniversary celebration is "Treasuring our Past, Impacting our Future." And there is much to reflect on and learn from in the school's past, starting from its days as Telok Kurau English School. Like the way it successfully integrated students from different backgrounds, including the students who came into the school from Telok Kurau Malay School.
3.I can do no better than recount what Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said just a few years ago: "I hope to remind parents that I started my school career in a modest rural school, as Telok Kurau Primary then was. It did me good. "
4.And as many of you know, Telok Kurau Primary is the only school on either side of the Causeway to have produced Prime Ministers for both Singapore and Malaysia. MM did his primary education here in the 1930s. So did the late Tun Hussein bin Onn, Malaysia's third Prime Minister and father of the current Education Minister Hishammuddin bin Onn. These are moments in Telok Kurau's history which will continue to inspire future generations of your students.
5.Telok Kurau has come far. The school has developed, from decade to decade, from a quiet "kampong" school to one that is now dynamic and forward looking.
6.I am especially glad to see that Telok Kurau Primary has been recently awarded the Lee Kuan Yew National Education Award 2006. The school has also been recognized for its emphasis on character development, for which it was given the MOE award for School-Based Excellence (PSE). The award will allow the school to further develop its programmes of character development. But as your principal shared with me, it is not the garnering of these awards that are important. The essence of it is that we are developing students with character, students who will be anchored by strong values as they face the future.
7.There are in this connection three qualities that I feel will give our children great advantage in life, and which we must nurture in them from young: our children will have to learn to be more sensitive to people from different cultures; they will have to be resilient; and they must have a sense of belonging to Singapore.
8.As Singapore becomes more open, and as we take opportunities abroad, young Singaporeans must be at ease working and living together with people of different races, religions and cultures. I learnt that 22 Primary 5 pupils from Telok Kurau Primary have just returned from a service learning trip to Chiang Rai, Thailand. The feedback from the students and teachers was that this was a great opportunity for cross-cultural exchange. It also developed their sense of empathy and sense of social responsibility. Such overseas trips and exchange programmes are important learning opportunities for our children to learn about themselves, as well as our neighboring countries.
9.Our children are also facing a world that is constantly changing and etched with uncertainty. We must prepare our children to be resilient and flexible to meet these challenges and bounce back from set-backs or failures. They need courage and strong belief in themselves. So I am glad to note that Telok Kurau Primary places importance on creating an emotionally safe environment for children to challenge themselves, and also to build up their confidence by “catch them doing right” or by celebrating small successes, not just big successes.
10.While cultivating a global mindset, we must at the same time help our children to grow their roots so that they are rooted by a sense of belonging to Singapore. Everything, from their family, to their friends and teachers in school, to the times they enjoy together as they grow up, and to the sights and sounds and the traditions they grow up with, will be what binds them to Singapore. We must create in them the feeling that makes them call Singapore home, no matter where they are physically.
11. This is why we must create opportunities for our students to interact, to play with each other, to develop common experiences and to establish lifelong bonds. I know Telok Kurau has in place a wide variety of programmes that cater to the needs and interests of our children, allowing them to do things together and develop friendships and loyalties along the way. I urge Telok Kurau to continue to strengthen such programmes.
12.As we look back on Telok Kurau Primary's progress and achievements, we know that these would not have been possible without strong and forward looking leaders in the school management and the School Advisory Committee, a team of dedicated and caring teachers and strong support from the Parent-Teacher Association. They have all made Telok Kurau Primary what it is today
13. I also understand that we have with us this evening three teachers who have taught in the school for more than 3 decades. Mrs Fanny Chua and Mrs Kurup and Mrs Nathan, you encapsulate the dedication and commitment of our teaching force and we thank you for your contribution to the teaching service. Also present are ex-students spanning the decades. I am sure you must be very proud of your Alma Mater.
14.To the current students of Telok Kurau Primary, I encourage you to continue to work hard and continue to find time to interact and develop the bonds with your friends. You will be writing the next chapter of the Telok Kurau story, and in many ways also the Singapore Story.
15.My very best wishes to Telok Kurau Primary on your 80th Anniversary and I wish you well as you continue on your journey of excellence.
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