Being in charge of Spain and Tonga, they’ve done some beautiful research and posted their findings, together with pictures up on their school’s website. You can also check out their research process and students’ projects online.

Additionally, they’ve also posted information on their twinning school, and this includes pictures as well as a link to the Ocean of Light School in Tonga.

And in the spirit of keeping sports alive, they certainly didn’t forget to showcase pictures of their very own sportsmen!

We certainly look forward to learning more about Damai’s collaborative efforts with Spain and Tonga in the near future!

To learn more about what they’ve done, look up their website at http://www.damaisec.moe.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pagetree&func=view&rid=49437 today!

Nominee: Melissa Vinisha Devi Michael, 15 

Nominated by: Anushka Balaskanda, 15

Melissa has a pleasant face and loving smile, and is always at hand to support her friends in their need. She faithfully carries out her duties as a student councilor giving due respect to her teachers and her peers. Polite to a bone and never uttering a word in anger, she is able to work as a team player in NPCC and with her Indian dance troops. Whenever asked to perform extra duties by her teachers or her colleagues in her respective bodies, she really does so without any grumbling or grudge. She is an ideal person to be a friend and a colleague and a team player in any school or organization. It is a privilege knowing Melissa.

[Editor’s notes: Another entry for “Stories Next Door: Nominate a Champion” - a programme of Sports@Public Libraries, designed to celebrate the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Do you know of any “champion”? If so, here’s the chance to give them their due recognition!For more details, you can refer to: [”Stories Next Door: Nominate a Champion”] [http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/yo/sportspublic-libraries/stories-next-door-nominate-a-champion/]

Title: Are you alone on purpose?
Author: Nancy Werlin
Publisher: Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 1994.
Call no.: Y English WER

Book Covers <All rights reserved. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1994.>

From the first novel of Nancy Werlin comes a well-told tale of 2 lonely teenagers. With such an attention grabbing title, I thought that it speaks to many loners out there who are too shy to make friends. The story itself proved my expectation right as it was about Alison and Harry. Alison keeps mostly to herself and Harry goes out of his way to bully her. Harry has a reason for all this rage and acting out. However, poor Alison tries her best to endure the torture he inflicts on her.
As fate would have it, Harry soon finds himself in a position where he is unable to hurt others, instead the tables are turned somewhat. What ensues is a very touching and moving account of friendship with unexpected twists.

What I liked about the story is the strength of Alison and the turmoil of Harry. Their families play a huge part in their actions in school and with each other. Alison’s desire to be perfect and the stress she puts on herself not to burden her parents strikes me as very mature. Too mature, in fact for a 14-year-old girl. Eventually she faces up to her parents with satisfying results. Harry too has a change of heart, albeit much slower. You cannot help but root for these youngsters trying to grow into their emotions. A good read.

Posted by: Reena Kandoth
Associate Librarian
Young People’s Services

Nominee : Sivam,16
Nominated by : Shao Wei,15

Despite the fact that she may not have done well in her work or other tasks, she would not feel discouraged. She would treat all these setbacks as an experience. Accumulation of experience leads to the birth of success.
In a team, she would encourage us to work together and we are elated when we work with one another. Working with one another is crucial as it allows us to adapt well. When there is a slight misunderstanding, she would provide us some relevant and useful ideas to solve the problems that are present. When the problems are solved, it makes the team happy.

Sivam always greets her teachers and presents the teacher with a genuine and gorgeous smile. She is honest and does not make excuses when she makes mistakes.

[Editor’s notes: Another entry for “Stories Next Door: Nominate a Champion” - a programme of Sports@Public Libraries, designed to celebrate the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Do you know of any “champion”? If so, here’s the chance to give them their due recognition!

For more details, you can refer to: [”Stories Next Door: Nominate a Champion”] [http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/yo/sportspublic-libraries/stories-next-door-nominate-a-champion/]

Nominated by : Valerie Song, 17


A champion is a person who has special values. I have a close friend named Greta, who has demonstrated excellence, friendship and respect, and she is truly a champion. To begin with, she has demonstrated her commitment to with her outstanding grades for tests and examinations. Furthermore, she always submits her homework and projects on time. Also, she has gained the respect of her peers and is a role model to everyone. Not only is she gracious, she is always ready to lend a helping hand to whomever requests for help.  Lastly, no one can possibly hate her as she is affable and thoughtful. She regards everyone as friends and under no circumstances will she mistreat someone. In conclusion, Greta has displayed the quality of a champion and I strongly believe that she will be successful in life.

[Editor’s notes: Another entry for “Stories Next Door: Nominate a Champion” - a programme of Sports@Public Libraries, designed to celebrate the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Do you know of any “champion”? If so, here’s the chance to give them their due recognition!

For more details, you can refer to: [”Stories Next Door: Nominate a Champion”] [<a href=”http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/yo/sportspublic-libraries/stories-next-door-nominate-a-champion/”>http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/yo/sportspublic-libraries/stories-next-door-nominate-a-champion/</a>]

Featuring:

· Hockey and Wrestling @ Tampines Regional Library,

· Judo @ Bedok Public Library,

· Football @ Geylang Public Library,

· Aquatics @ Marine Parade Public Library,

· Rowing @ Paris Ris Public Library, and

· Equestrian @ Sengkang Public Library.

Video-Library Dress-up (Eastern Region)

Sports@Public Libraries is a series of initiatives by Public Libraries Singapore in celebration of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games

Other videos in the series:
Stories Next Door: Introduction
Episode 1-The Value of Friendship
Episode 2-Respect
Episode 3-The Value of Excellence

Posted by: Reena Kandoth
Associate Librarian
Young People’s Services

How about designing The Rain Dragon for Quest!

Click here for all the details!

Last date for submission is 21st March 2010.

Posted by: Reena Kandoth
Associate Librarian
Young People’s Services

School / Theme

CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School - Olympic Heroes
Riverside Secondary School - How well do you know your Sports?
Dunman Secondary School - Martial Arts
Xinmin Secondary School - Dare to dream
CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School - Tennis

CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School - YOG Sports
Woodlands Ring Secondary School - Splash
Yishun Town Secondary School - Olympics History
Yishun Secondary School - Ball Games in YOG
Yuan Ching Secondary School - Interesting Facts about Sports

Dunman Secondary School - Aquatics
NUS High School of Math and Science - Aquatic Sports
Woodlands Ring Secondary - Canoe_kayak
Zhenghua Secondary School - Aqua Blue
Maris Stella High School - Equestrienne

Yu Hua Secondary School - Youth Olympic Games
Zhonghua Secondary School - Excellence, Respect & Friendship
Crescent Girls’ School - Water Sports
St Patrick’s School - Old is Gold!
Fajar Secondary School - Knowledge, Skills & Action

Well done to all teams! We look forward to your attendance at a workshop on Saturday, 6 March from 10am to 4pm at our libraries.

You will be informed of the venue by e-mail.

Posted by: Reena Kandoth
Associate Librarian
Young People’s Services

“Stories Next Door”: Episode 3-The Value of Excellence (1)

“Stories Next Door”: Episode 3-The Value of Excellence (2)

We’re waiting to hear YOUR stories too!

Want to nominate your friends also? Go to Stories Next Door: Nominate a “Champion” to find out how. Or read more stories here.

Sports@Public Libraries is a series of initiatives by Public Libraries Singapore in celebration of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games

Check these out!
Stories Next Door: Introduction
Episode 1-The Value of Friendship
Episode 2-Respect

Posted by: Reena Kandoth
Associate Librarian
Young People’s Services

Nominated by: Brandon Lau, 15


I have known Maya for about two years, and I nominate her for as a Champion who demonstrates excellence, friendship and respect. Maya is a student councillor who is part of the student committee. She works hard; attending meetings and carrying out her leadership duties with integrity and faith, from correcting rowdy behaviour to ensuring that students dress appropriately. She is part of the Netball girls’ team, and she is a key player who attends strenuous training sessions constantly throughout the week in the blazing Singapore sun. Despite the gruelling activities she goes through daily, she does not give up and she perseveres in her CCA, and is a good friend to her team mates. She is a friendly and gracious person who concentrates well during classes, additionally helping her classmates with homework and hanging out with them from time to time for a film or meal. I am impressed at her ability to balance her challenging CCA, uphold the high standards expected as a councillor and also balance her school work and social life.

[Editor’s notes: One more entry for “Stories Next Door: Nominate a Champion” - a programme of Sports@Public Libraries, designed to celebrate the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Do you know of any “champion”? If so, here’s the chance to give them their due recognition!

For more details, you can refer to: [”Stories Next Door: Nominate a Champion”] [http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/yo/sportspublic-libraries/stories-next-door-nominate-a-champion/]