Friday, October 12, 2018

Reflection by Xiufen

Being part of the school twinning programme with Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School (SMSMJA) was amazing and had a huge impact on me. It has opened my eyes to the many different cultures, traditions of Brunei citizens. SMSMJA’s learning environment for their students was quite an eye-opener for me as although there are quite a few differences, their education system has some similarities to our education system at the same time. 

From my experience, SMSMJA students usually take down notes in their notebooks for their lessons instead of using textbooks although they have them. They also conduct their assembly out in the open square and have all the classes stand outside surrounding the square to listen to the assembly. Hospitable and warm in their treatment towards us, they also took us on a spin around Brunei, showing us countless amazing sights. One such place is Kampong Ayer, one of the many water kampongs in Brunei where we visited the Penghulu house. The Penghulu house is filled with pictures of many important people who have also visited the Penghulu house while in Brunei. There they also showed us how to make ambuyat (the national dish of Brunei).

SMSMJA also took us to visit the Royal Regalia Museum which was huge, elegant, grand and contains immense information on the history of Brunei. There, we were sent on a small quest with our buddies to learn about Brunei’s past which included the great sultans of the past and how their government worked in the past. 

Back in SMSMJA , we were given a school tour around the whole school. SMSMJA is huge and even has a huge block for Science. During the tour, we learned many things about SMSMJA such as their schedules, how their classes worked and some of their rules and regulations. We also learned about some of Brunei’s traditional games such as Congkak and Pasang. 

One of the most significant events during this trip to me was the Tree Planting event that took place in SMSMJA. It was important to me as the Brazilian Longan tree was planted with the effort between students of both schools, be it the knowledge or physical labour in planting one and it also signified the cooperation of both our schools In the school twinning event.

At the end of the trip, I was extremely sad as over the few days, we had bonded with our buddies in Brunei and would be leaving soon. However, this experience has left a good impact on me. It opened and exposed my eyes to culture, tradition and environment so different from Singapore and Edgefield. This experience will remain unforgettable in my heart and also proves that friendship can go beyond borders.
Bee XiuFen, 2 Einstein, 2018

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

On Brunei News

12 students with 2 teachers and VP Mr Tan visited Brunei on a twinning programme and it was featured in the local English newspaper Borneo Bulletin in Brunei on 5 July 2018.


The news was featured again on the online Borneo Bulletin 6 July 2018: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/edgefield-students-tour-smja-secondary-school/


Besides the Borneo Bulletine, we were also featured on MOE Brunei instagram 'infodept.bn' - Jabatan Kerajaan Negara Brunei and an online newspaper article on the information department website.


 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Wednesday, July 4th. - As many as 12 students from Year 8 and two teachers from Edgefield Secondary School Singapore, headed by Vice-Principal Mr Tan Chai Hok have made a trip to Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam High School (SM SMJA).

Present to greet the arrival of the Singapore Edgefield entourage is Pengejua SM SMJA, Awang Haji Juma'ata Sonadey bin Haji Mornie.

The event started with a brief introduction of the school and continued with the speech from Vice-Principal Mr Tan chai Hok.

Tan Chai Hok mentioned in his speech that Singapore and Brunei have good relations and the school exchange between Singapore and Brunei can improve the understanding of Brunei  in the aspects of politics, history, sociology and culture.

Translated from http://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Lists/Berita%202018/NewDisplayForm.aspx?ID=15426



We were featured in brunei's malay paper Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlDijTPjc6j/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=uko5mqrxip4k
11 July 2018









Friday, July 6, 2018

Day 5

In the school to join the classes and CCA today. 
















Shared with her the resources on Google Earth which she has also used with her students. As the internet connection is weak, she has invested $68 a month on personal data package to go online and engage her students with resources from the internet e.g. youtube videos. The students are not allowed to bring hand phones into their classes. Textbooks are on loan to them - they collect at the beginning of the year and return at the end of the year. The students will write their notes on notepad and groupwork is encouraged. 




Assembly programme. Had to postponed to 9 am as it rained in the morning.




Mr Ricky Chong last day in SMJA. The students and staff will miss him












Students in tears saying goodbye.




 Photo taken in front of the banner of Sultan and his wife. The Sultan will be visiting the school next month. He studied here a few months when he was young.





At the waterfall Taman Tasek Lama


At the airport.