The idea of a mass
CCA
programme has mass appeal at Bukit View Primary School,
largely due to its desire to provide each child with an
opportunity to experience traditional and non-traditional
activities.
In line with the call for schools to “Teach
Less, Learn More” and to reinforce the school’s
mission to provide pupils with a holistic education, Bukit
View Primary School came up with a mass CCA programme
called “ExpreSSions @ BVPS”.
 |
| For
those who like activities with a bit
more speed and thrill, there’s
roller blading! |
|
|
 |
| ExpreSSions
@ BVPS promotes racial integration by
allowing pupils of the different races
to participate together in physical
activities. Here, the pupils are seen
practising Wushu drills. |
|
|
Blending the Traditional with the Contemporary
ExpreSSions @ BVPS aims to allow every child to experience
and enjoy traditional and non-traditional CCAs on a regular
basis. Traditional CCAs include netball, soccer, skipping,
while tambourine dance, hip hop, line dancing, in-line
skating, wushu and Ultimate Frisbee constitute non-traditional
CCAs. Through different activities, the school provides
opportunities for pupils to learn more about each other’s
culture and language in a non-conventional setting.
One desired outcome of the programme was to ensure that
pupils have opportunities to express themselves and showcase
their talents.
 |
| Pupils
participating in a new and innovative activity
known as Crazy Cups, a game which develops
both their cognitive and fine motor skills. |
|
Carrying Out The Idea
Programme objectives, learning outcomes, resource allocation,
teachers’ expertise, sustainability, timetabling
and risk assessment were discussed in detail. Every Wednesday
would be Mass CCA Day, which would run from 7.30 am to
9.00 am. Teachers were briefed on the difference between
Mass CCA and CCAs that were conducted after school hours.
To create a common identity, all staff members were to
wear red t-shirts on Mass CCA Day.
Every available facility and space in the school would
be utilised, and pupils would be grouped according to
their respective levels, so that each level gets to learn
a different activity. Generally, the pupils would get
to learn and enjoy four different CCAs a year. This worked
out to at least 24 new activities throughout their primary
school education!
|
| Through
careful planning and creative timetabling,
every facility in the school is utilised
to carry out mass dance and physical
activities. |
|
|
|
| Teachers
joined in the fun and participated alongside
their pupils in the mass workout during
ExpreSSions @ BVPS. |
|
|
Expert Help
Initially, all the activities were conducted by our teachers.
However, as the programme evolved, the PE Committee felt
that by engaging some professional instructors, we would
be able to offer more interesting activities, e.g. hip
hop dance and wushu, which were very much welcomed by
the pupils.
Primary 1 and 2 pupils were taught basic ethnic dance
steps. Those who showed potential were selected to be
trained for external competitions and performances. Similarly,
teachers-in-charge of sports such as soccer and netball
made use of the opportunity to conduct games for primary
3 and 4 pupils so that they could select talented pupils
to represent the school later on.
| ExpreSSions
Day
ExpreSSions @ BVPS
was first shared at the West Zone Sports
Conference in June 2005. Some Heads of Departments
were intrigued and wanted to find out more
about it.
So, an ‘ExpreSSions Day’ was
held on 8 July 2005 to celebrate Singapore
Youth Festival at the school level. Talented
pupils from each level were given extra
coaching to showcase their new skills in
wushu, hip hop dance, line dance, in-line
skating, etc. ‘ExpreSSions Day’,
which was attended by parents, also provided
the opportunity for parents and the school
to foster closer ties.
Teachers followed up with a two-hour lesson
in English, Mother Tongue, Art or IT on
the event. Pupils were given opportunities
to pen their reflections in writing, drawing,
or through PowerPoint presentations. The
event was a great platform to facilitate
and promote inter-disciplinary learning.
|
|
Keys To Success
ExpreSSions @ BVPS was possible through careful planning
by the PE Committee and the commitment and support of
all staff. Here are some factors to be considered in the
planning process.
|
• |
Take note of
the pupils’ prior knowledge
and ensure that there are
no repeat activities.
|
| • |
Plan for advanced
stages of repeat activities,
e.g. wushu and Advanced wushu.
|
| • |
Adhere to the
desired outcome for pupils
of different levels.
|
|
|
|
|
• |
Utilise teachers’
expertise.
|
| • |
Teachers involved
in the activities get a great
sense of ownership.
|
| • |
Teachers’
commitment and cooperation.
|
|
|
|
|
• |
Different activities
require certain facilities
and space.
|
| • |
The facilities
must be able to accommodate
the number of pupils from
the respective levels.
|
| • |
Funding can
be obtained from the Cluster
Funds, School Edusave Grant
and Pupils’ Edusave
Fund. |
|
|
|
|
• |
Activities
should meet the objective
and philosophy of the Mass
CCA.
|
| • |
Activities should be innovative,
fun and enjoyable.
|
| • |
Activities should provide
a ready pool of talent to
tap on for performances
at school functions such
as Teachers’ Day,
Prize Presentation.
|
| • |
Meet
the learning outcomes of
Mass CCA. |
|
|
|
|
• |
Availability.
|
| • |
Schedule
|
| • |
Professionalism.
|
| • |
Enthusiasm.
|
| • |
Reputation.
|
|
|
|
| Awards
& Achievements
As a result of this Mass CCA programme,
BVPS made tremendous improvement over the
last year at this year’s Singapore
Youth Festival’s Central Judging.
Our Chinese and Malay dance groups attained
“Gold with Honours” awards -
the only primary school with two such awards,
and the only primary school to attain the
“Gold with Honours” award for
Malay dance. Our Indian dance and Concert
Band also did us proud by attaining Silver
awards. With these achievements, the Sustained
Achievement Award should be well within
reach and this will definitely give the
school greater impetus in its pursuit for
excellence in aesthetics. |
|
 |
| Non-traditional CCAs such
as Ultimate Frisbee proved to be a hit with
the pupils. |
|
The Road Ahead
Through collaboration with nearby S-league Clubs, the
school saw a dramatic improvement in the programme this
year. Coaches and players from the clubs coach the pupils
during Mass CCA Day as a form of youth development. By
tapping on external resources, the school is able to realise
more possibilities for improvement.
ExpreSSions @ BVPS is constantly evolving. The introduction
of Crazy Cups and Kids’ Athletics this year brought
a whole new dimension to the programme, and the PE Committee
will constantly be on the lookout for new and innovative
activities such as Stomp, Art, Drama and IT-related
activities to improve on the mass CCA programme.
|
