1.22.2008

Reunion Dinner 2008


Dear Primers Family,

Even as you guys are busy preparing for your exams, I encourage you to press on and do well! You might not know and understand the importance of studying right but I believe it at least prepares you for the things to come.

More importantly, I'm here to inform and book you guys for the SP.Primers Reunion Dinner. You guys do gather with your families for one right? Likewise as we work towards building and being a family in Primers, we strongly urge and encourage each and everyone of you to be present.

Date: 02 Feb 08
Veune: Moonstone View
Meeting Place: Toa Payoh MRT
Time:1pm-9pm


Briefing Program: We will have lunch together and then all go out and buy food for our Reunion Dinner, we will be having steamboat! But before that we will unveil to Primers the fresh plans that we are having for the next year or so. And of course the new cluster directions that have been planned out!

Sheng Long & Kenny

1.11.2008

BB Day Message 2008

MESSAGE FROM MR TAN BOON CHIANG, PPA, BBM(L)
HONORARY BRIGADE PRESIDENT
THE BOYS’ BRIGADE IN SINGAPORE



The Boys’ Brigade turns 125 years old this year, having been established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1883 by our Founder, Sir William Alexander Smith. Being the first uniformed group for youths in the world, Sir William had to overcome the challenges and criticisms that came with his many unprecedented moves e.g. introducing camping for youths. Parents, being worried for the safety of their sons, did not take to the idea very well.

Sir William Smith nevertheless persevered and stayed true to his calling to nurture young lives. The fruit of his labour is now a movement that has grown and can be found in over 60 territories around the world. The idea of uniform, discipline and camping also caught on and gave birth to many other uniformed groups that we know of today.

We can learn many lessons from our Founder but I want to highlight two important lessons and challenge you today to emulate him. Firstly, Sir William Smith had a pioneering spirit. He thought out of the box and led by sharing with others and rallying them to help him realise his vision. Today in the BB, leadership and life skills are taught and opportunities are given to you to grow as a leader through experiential learning. We also introduce adventure and outdoor experiences like our BB Adventure Quest so that you can develop resilience and tenacity. I trust you have been taking advantage of these activities by participating in them fully. The willingness to take up challenges comes from within and the BB hopes that having been equipped, you will step forward and take on leadership roles not only in the BB, but also in your school and even in the community.

Secondly, our Founder’s life was purpose driven as he gave back to the community through his involvement in youth work. In 1909, William Smith was knighted by King Edward VII in recognition for his work. The Boys’ Brigade organises many community service projects to involve you in the community such as our BB CARES Weekend, the Volunteer Guiding Programme at the National Orchid Garden and the BB Sharity Gift Box. In addition, the establishment of our BB Learning Centre in Cambodia opens an avenue for you to help communities and youths beyond our shores. These exposures will help you to see that you are in a position to make a difference in society today. The BB hopes that you too will find your purpose driven life as you give back to the community.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers, parents, old Boys, principals and staff of the schools for their strong support, enabling the BB to continue the work our Founder started over more than 100 years ago. I wish everyone a blessed BB Day and 125th Anniversary.

Editor's note:
The Boys' Brigade was founded in Singapore on 12 January 1930, making it 78 years till now.

1.06.2008

One Family, Many Members!

Greetings for the New Year! I trust that all of you had a crazy yet fun time at whatever countdown you have! Today I’ll be writing my first post ever and I’ll be sharing with all of you what I feel it means to be One Family in Primers. Yes, I know, you have heard care, share and wait. You are most correct but I would like to share another dimension of it!

To me, family is a very big word. It means that we got to be very close to be called a family right? First and foremost it means that all of us are more than just friends. If all of us are in the same family, what makes you and me? Brothers and sisters! Some of us might ask, “I don’t think we are that close what.” Yes and you are right. One thing we have to recognize is that even a family needs time and effort to build. The relationship and trust that we have in each other needs time and effort to build! Hang in there and see your relationship with other brothers and sisters grow! It will happen if we put in time and effort! I pray that all our relationship will deepen even more in years to come.

Next let’s talk about One Family, Many Members. What makes a rainbow beautiful is because of its many colours and likewise what makes a Family unique and special is because of the diversities of characters and personalities! And that includes you and me! Like it or not people are different. People not only have different personalities and character but also different gifting and talent. But it does not mean that if you have more talent or you are more outspoken you are more special; or if you are not so gifted and not very loud and so on you are less special. Everyone in the Family is as special as everyone else! Do not listen to what the world says about you, whether or not you are good or not good. What the world says does not dictate that you are but let God dictate who you are, for God says, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”

You look at the rainbow and say to yourself that it is so beautiful. You said it is beautiful because it has many colours. Likewise, when we look at our Primers family, we are special simply because all of us are unique in our own ways. Can you imagine a rainbow having just one colour? In the same way, would you imagine if you walked into a Primers event and see 50 or 60 people of your same replicate, your way of talking, laughing and so on? Most likely you’ll be bored to tears because all of them are the same. Diversity is uniqueness and that’s who each one of us is in this Family!

Now, I would like to share with you the uniqueness of some people in this Family.

Huishan is passionate and able to blend in fast. Vimel is an Indian who speaks mandarin but not only that; he is committed to the family. Meijun never gives up easily and is a real hard working girl. Sheng Long craps pretty much but has great leadership. Junbaoz is goofy and funny but at the same time creative. Juli though appears fierce, is a compassionate person. Paul is always willing to lend a helping hand. Sebastian seems slack but is definitely loyal. Junkai is fun-loving and dependable. Derrick is easy going and friendly. Kay Hwa is always a joy to talk to. Benjamin is always very enthusiastic and participative. Stephanie is always striving to give her best. Lastly and not forgetting, Kenny with his one and only laughter and Yaohan with his array of comical videos.

(Derrick, Hoong Sheng, Junbaoz, Capt Danny, Sheng Long, Alex, Vimel, Sebastian, Hai Hwa, Junkai)

Now, you see that these people are really unique in their own ways and I’m sure you are unique in your own way as well! Stay in this Family and let’s discover each others’ uniqueness!! Because we are One Family, Many Members!!

In Christ love,
Steven Gerrard Yong