Sunday, May 24, 2009

Are YOUths Stressed? Stress in School: To Benefit or To Get Rid?

23 May 2009

Since December 2008, students from the Bedok North Secondary School Service Learning Club (SLC) have been planning and preparing for this forum. It was a spark of ingenuousness that the title slogan was formed: Stress in School: To Benefit or To Get Rid?

The students were given their individual roles and responsibilities. Jia Min designed the posters, banners and programme booklet; Se Yong (Organising Chairlady) and team filmed a video; Pat Jon (Organising Secretary) wrote the script for a skit depicting sources of stress in school. The list of schools to send invite to, the choice of food for refreshments, choice of music for the event, sound & light coordination, etc. were all done by the students.

Organising a forum is a good way for students to develop useful skills such as event management, communication skills, public relations, not forgetting the experience of being appointment holders in a committee.

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From 9am till 1pm, students did their rehearsals conscientiously. It's their big day and everyone is excited about it. Everyone remembered their scripts and know what they need to do.

At 1.30pm, grassroots leaders and students lined up at the registration booth, readily greeted by students.

The Eunos CC YEC Year End Dinner & Launch of Website video was played for the participants to give them an introduction to the SLC and YEC.

At 2.30pm, the Guest-of-Honour, Mayor Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and MP for Aljunied GRC, was ushered in with the Principal of BNSS, Ms Susie Ho and Guest Speaker Ms Virginia De Souza by the SLC and YEC leaders.

The video and skit performance entertained the participants, bringing out laughters from them. They also helped to place the participants into perspective in regards to the topic of the day - Stress in School.

After the speech by GOH, Principal and Guest Speaker, the panel discussion commenced. The panel included Mayor, Ms Susie Ho, Ms Virginia De Souza, Hock Rong, myself and the moderator Harith. Harith is also the President of BNSS Students' Council and Chairperson of the SLC.

Mayor emphasised on the importance of managing stress well by highlighting recent examples such as the suicide of the Indonesian student.

Ms Ho was asked about her most unforgettable experience in dealing with stressed students and shared with the participants.

Questions were forthcoming and participants were spontaneous. When asked about how to destress, Ms De Souza advised participants to take deep breaths, and take a step back, challenge one's perception to the situation and understand that there is no one way to looking at any situations. The responsibility of coping with stress cannot be divided amongst parents and teachers. The "A-Z" of stress in students must be co-managed by both parties.

Mayor then wrapped the session by asking everyone to stand up and learn the destressing breathing technique from Ms De Souza. She brought up a good point that is that the simple action of breathing has often been taken for granted.

As the guests and participants enjoyed their refreshments after the forum, the BNSS SLC has finally accomplished yet another major project. The SLC now deserves a good long holiday break for their hard work and effort!

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