The term coffin ships is used to refer to the ships that carried Irish immigrants escaping the Great Irish Famine as well as Highlanders displaced by the Highland Clearances.[1] These ships, crowded and disease-ridden, with poor access to food and water, resulted in the deaths of many people as they crossed the Atlantic, and led to the Typhus epidemic of 1847 at quarantine stations in Canada.[2] Owners of coffin ships provided as little food, water, and living space as was legally possible – if they obeyed the law at all.
Coffin ships transported Irish immigrants to America during the Great Irish Famine (1845-1852). They were the cheapest way to cross the Atlantic but it was a miserable and dangerous journey. The conditions on board were horrible because the ships were so crowded.
While coffin ships were the cheapest way to cross the Atlantic, mortality rates of 30% aboard the coffin ships were common.[3] It was said that sharks could be seen following the ships, because so many bodies were thrown overboard.[4][5][6]
One third (30%) of the passengers died before the arrival in Canada or the USA. Legend says sharks liked to follow coffin ships because the crew threw the dead bodies overboard.
The team with ThrustSSC
The team that built ThrustSSC.
ThrustSSC, Thrust SSC, or Thrust supersonic car, is a British jet-propelled car developed by Richard Noble, Glynne Bowsher, Ron Ayers and Jeremy Bliss.[1]
ThrustSSC, Thrust SSC, or Thrust supersonic car, is a British jet-powered car made by Richard Noble, Glynne Bowsher, Ron Ayers and Jeremy Bliss.[1]
Thrust SSC holds the World Land Speed Record, set on 15 October 1997, when it achieved a speed of 1,228 km/h (763 mph) and became the first car to officially break the sound barrier.
Thrust SSC is the fastest land vehicle. When tested on 15 October 1997, the car traveled at supersonic speeds.
Multimedia and Photography Club Infocomm Club[52] Robotics Club[53] Library Club Green Club Debate Club[54]
Multimedia and Photography Club Infocomm Club[52] Robotics Club[53] Library Club Green Club Debate Club[54]
Mind Games (Chinese Chess and Weiqi) Visual Arts Club (Ceramic / Art & Design) Chinese Calligraphy[55]
Mind Games (Chinese Chess and Weiqi) Visual Arts Club (Ceramic / Art & Design) Chinese Calligraphy
Student council
Others
The student council is distinguished by their striped ties. Members of the Council are involved in the running of several school events as well as certain daily functions of the school. Student Councillors also take up the role of ambassadors of the school during major school events and functions.[56]
Student Council Class Council
Nan Chiau High School, Xinmin Secondary School & Yishun Town Secondary School hold combined sports meets yearly since 2013 to give student athletes from the participating schools a platform to showcase their physical talent and also for the schools to unite together to celebrate and enjoy. Apart from the inter-school competitions among students, parent-teacher races are also featured to engage the parents and school staff.[57]
Nan Chiau High School, Xinmin Secondary School & Yishun Town Secondary School hold combined sports meets yearly since 2013[57]
Nan Chiau High School (NCHS) (simplified Chinese: 南侨中学; traditional Chinese: 南僑中學; pinyin: Nánqiáo Zhōngxué; Wade–Giles: Nan2Ch'iao2 Chung1hsüeh2) is a renowned co-educational secondary school in Singapore affiliated to Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan.[2] Founded in 1947, it currently operates under the Special Assistance Plan (SAP) for bilingualism and biculturalism[3] with the mission to nurture bilingual and bicultural students who are highly knowledgeable in the Chinese language and culture.[4] The school is highly regarded of its strong Chinese foundation in terms of teaching of the language and promulgation of the heritage and culture, which are not confined in the classrooms.[5] The institution is also one of the joint organisers for the National Secondary School Chinese Creative Writing Competition.[6]
Nan Chiau High School is a well known Special Assistance Plan (SAP) co-educational secondary school in Singapore. It is affiliated to Singapore Hokkien Association.
History
Brief History
Nan Chiau High School was founded as Nan Chiau Teachers' Training School in 1941 by Chinese businessman, community leader and philanthropist Mr Tan Kah Kee. Its first campus was built on a plot of land donated by Lee Kong Chian, at Kim Yam Road in River Valley.
Nan Chiau High School was originally Nan Chiau Teachers' Training School which started in 1941 by Tan Kah Kee, at Kim Yam Road in River Valley.
In early 1942, the campus was used as the headquarters and training grounds for Dalforce, a Chinese volunteers’ army that was formed immediately before the overland attack of the Japanese army.[7]
During World War II, the school was used as the headquarters and training grounds for Dalforce, against the invading Japanese.[7]
In 1947 Nan Chiau Teachers' Training School was converted by Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan into Nan Chiau Girls' High School, featuring a primary school section.
In 1947 Nan Chiau Teachers' Training School was changed into Nan Chiau Girls' High School.
Mr Yang Zhen Li was the first Principal of the institution, with an initial student enrolment of 900.[8] A female hostel was also built in the 1950s.[9] In 1965, Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan spent $2 million rebuilding Nan Chiau Girl's High School.
Mr Yang Zhen Li was the first Principal, In 1965, Nan Chiau Girl's High School was rebuild at cost of 2 million dollars.
During the construction, the high school section moved to temporary premises at Guillemard Road, while the primary school section remained at the original site. The new premises was declared open by Mr. Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Education, on 8 March 1969.[10]
On 8 March 1969, the new premises was opened by then education minister Ong Pang Boon 8 March 1969. [10]
In 1974, there were a total student enrolment of 2692, the most number of students in the school’s history, with 48 secondary classes and 24 primary classes. To cope with the increased school population, another $300 000 was spent to add on a 5th storey to the school building.[11]
In 1974, the school was further expanded due to high number of students.[11]
In 1978, it was initially included in the list of newly established Special Assistance Plan Schools.
In 1980 the school became English medium school. In 1984, the school started to take in boys.
However, with the concern from the MOE that having too many SAP schools would affect the quality of students admitted, the number of SAP schools were amended to nine, which excluded Nan Chiau Girl's High School.[12] In 1980 it adopted English as its language medium. As student population declined, the school went co-educational in 1984 with the enrolment of male students, and was renamed "Nan Chiau High School"[13]
The school is renamed "Nan Chiau High School"[13]
Nan Chiau High Aerial View 2015
Nan Chiau High Campus in 2015
In 2000, Nan Chiau High School relocated to Sengkang New Town under an agreement with the Singapore Land Authority. The primary section separated to form Nan Chiau Primary School and relocated to 50 Anchorvale Link.[14] That year, Nan Chiau High School was also ranked the top value-added school in the Ministry of Education's 1999 ranking of Special/Express schools in Singapore.[11] In November 2010, Nan Chiau High School was designated by MOE to become the 11th Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school from January 2012. The news was announced by then minister of education Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Hokkien Festival 2010.[15] The news was welcomed by thousands of school alumni and educators, who felt pleased that the school can finally fulfill its mission of preserving the Chinese heritage and culture.[16]
In 2000, Nan Chiau High School relocated to Sengkang New Town. The primary section separated to form Nan Chiau Primary School[14] In November 2010, Nan Chiau High School was announced by MOE to become the 11th Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school from 2012.[16]
English name Chinese name Years assumed post Mr Yang Zhen Li[21] 杨振礼先生 1947–1950 Mdm Qiu Rentuan[21] 邱仁端女士 1951–1960 Mdm Lin Fanglan[21] 林芳兰女士 1961–1968 Mdm Kau Ah Suo[22] 高亚思女士 1969–1988 Mr Su Wei Cher[21] 苏伟哲先生 1989–1997 Mr Ng Lee Huat[21] 黄利发先生 1998–2004 Mr Yeo Kuerk Heng[21] 杨昱贤先生 2004 Mr Ong Kian Choon[21] 王建春先生 2004–2010 Mr Tan Yee Kan[23] 陈毅刚先生 2011–Present
English name Chinese name Years Mr Yang Zhen Li[21] 杨振礼先生 1947–1950 Mdm Qiu Rentuan[21] 邱仁端女士 1951–1960 Mdm Lin Fanglan[21] 林芳兰女士 1961–1968 Mdm Kau Ah Suo[22] 高亚思女士 1969–1988 Mr Su Wei Cher[21] 苏伟哲先生 1989–1997 Mr Ng Lee Huat[21] 黄利发先生 1998–2004 Mr Yeo Kuerk Heng[21] 杨昱贤先生 2004 Mr Ong Kian Choon[21] 王建春先生 2004–2010 Mr Tan Yee Kan[23] 陈毅刚先生 2011–Present
The school motto, Sincerity & Perseverance (诚、毅), is set after the philosophy of its founder, Mr Tan Kah Kee. The motto is also shared by all Hokkien Huay Kuan schools, as well as several institutions in mainland China with the same founder, such as Xiamen Jimei Middle School of Fujian, Jimei University[24] & Xiamen University.[25]
The school motto is Sincerity & Perseverance (诚、毅), is set after the philosophy of its founder, Mr Tan Kah Kee.
The crest is represented by three interlocking rings,[27] which symbolizes its students' moral, physical and intellectual development.
The crest is represented by three interlocking rings,[27] which stands for moral, physical and intellectual development of students.
The red colour of the rings depicts a persevering spirit in the pursuit of a bright and promising future, as represented by the golden background.
The red colour of the rings depicts a spirit of perseverance.
The heart shape in the centre of the overlapping rings symbolizes care and concern for the total welfare of the pupils in a student-oriented system.[28][29]
The heart shape in the centre of the overlapping rings symbolizes care in a student-oriented system.[28][29]
Nan Chiau High School keeps its original school song in Mandarin.
Nan Chiau High School keeps its original song.
It also shares the same school song with Nan Chiau Primary School, which was once its ancillary primary school.[28][30][31]
It also shares the same school song with Nan Chiau Primary School, which was once part of it.
Originally, the school uniform was in full white with the Chinese name of the school sewed on the right chest level of the blouse, much similar to other institutions with traditional Chinese school heritage.[32] Nearing the 1990s, the school uniform switched to be worn with dark coloured school pants or pinafore, with dark coloured school tag was sewed on the left side of the shirt.[33] The school uniform was redesigned along with the relocation of the school in 2000.[34]
[34]
Currently, boys wear white studded shirts with Chinese Characters of the school name “南僑” on it in red.
Boys wear white shirts with red words “南僑” and navy blue pants.
Navy blue shorts are worn in secondary 1 & 2, and long pants for upper secondary levels. Girls wear white blouses bearing the Chinese Characters of the school name “南僑” on it in red, with navy blue pleated skirts.
Girls wear white blouses with red words “南僑” and with navy blue pleated skirts.
During Assemblies and important functions, every student will wear a red-coloured school tie.[35][36]
A dark red tie is worn at important events and assemblies.[35][36]
All NCHS students expect a 2-week based timetable, with supplementary lessons for four days allocated to individual subjects according to their academic needs (with the exception for Wednesdays). [39][40] A common educational procedure for the 4-year Express course, subject combination streaming for NCHS students is carried out at Secondary 2 level. Usually, 8 classes (A to I) will be allocated per cohort for upper secondary levels, with 2 classes allocated for students taking 3 pure science subjects (commonly known as “Triple-Science” combinations).[41]
Nan Chiau High School 4-year Express course which leads up to the O Level exams[41]
Nan Chiau High students has sustained academic and non-academic results. A Band 1 school since 2006, the school has developed students with exceptional results for both GCE ‘O’ Level academic subjects as well as Co-Curricular Activities (or CCA). In 2014, Nan Chiau High School ‘O’ Level students achieved a Mean-Subject Grade (MSG, based on L1R5 Grading) of 10.6, with more than 90% of the students obtaining A1 grading for CCA involvement.[42]
[42]
Subjects indicated with ‘ * ’ are Mandatory Subjects.
‘ * ’ are Necessary Subjects.
Students are required to undertake Higher Chinese Language or Chinese Language as their examinable Mother Tongue Language subject, as indicated by ‘ ^ ’.
In Singapore, Higher Mother Tongue or Mother Tongue must be chosen as students examinable subject, indicated by ‘ ^ ’.
"SPA" in Pure Science subjects refers to the incorporation of School-based Practical Assessment, which 20% of the subject results are determined by school-based practical examinations.
"SPA" means that School-based Practical Assessment is part of the O Level exam in Singapore.
Co-curricular activities
Co-curricular Activities (CCAs)
The muriquis, also known as woolly spider monkeys, are the monkeys of the genus Brachyteles.[1] They are closely related to both the spider monkeys and the woolly monkeys.[1] The two species are the southern (B. arachnoides) and northern muriqui (B. hypoxanthus) muriquis.[1] They are the two largest species of New World monkeys, and the northern species is one of the most endangered of all the world's monkeys.[2] They are found only in the Atlantic coast forests of southeastern Brazil at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1500 m (5000 ft).
The muriquis, also called woolly spider monkeys, make the genus Brachyteles.[1] [1]There are two kinds, the southern (B. arachnoides) and northern muriqui (B. hypoxanthus) muriquis.[1] They are the two largest New World monkeys. The northern muriqui is one of the most endangered monkeys in the world.[2] They are seen only in some forests in Brazil.
The adult muriqui is 15-23 inches (38–58 cm) long without its tail and weighs from 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kilos) It ranges in coloration from brown to black and the underside of their prehensile tails has no fur at the end.
The adult muriqui is 15-23 inches (38–58 cm) long and weighs from 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kilos) They are colored from brown to black and the bottom of their tails have no fur near the end.
Muriquis are folivores (leaf eaters), but will also eat significant amounts of fruit and flowers in the rainy season, as well as bark, bamboo, ferns, nectar, pollen, and seeds.
Muriquis eat mostly leaves. They sometimes eat fruit and flowers in the rainy season, as well as bark, bamboo, ferns, nectar, pollen, and seeds.
Observed group sizes range from four to 43, and can contain plentiful numbers of both males and females.
Muriquis live in groups from four to 43.
Muriquis are polygamous, and unlike many other primates, males spend large periods of time together without significant aggressive encounters. As such, they are also not territorial.
They do not fight about their territory.
The name "muriqui" comes from a native Tupi word meaning approximately 'largest monkey'. B. arachnoides is also known as mono carvoeiro, which translates to "charcoal monkey".
The name "muriqui" comes from a native Tupi word meaning approximately 'largest monkey'.
The family includes only a single genus, Dicamptodon.
The family has only one genus, Dicamptodon.
The genus was formerly thought to contain two species, Cope's giant salamander (D. copei) on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, and the Pacific giant salamander (D. ensatus) which consisted of three geographic populations, an Idaho isolate, a group in northern California, and a group in Oregon and Washington.[1] In 1989, genetic studies showed D. copei to be a distinct species, and the D. ensatus populations to consist of three species: the Idaho giant salamander (D. aterrimus) in Idaho, and two highly divergent species with a narrow hybrid zone in California, the coastal giant salamander (D. tenebrosus) (ranging from northern California to Washington), and the California giant salamander (D. ensatus) (limited only from Santa Cruz County to Mendocino County in California).[2]
The genus has four species, Cope's giant salamander (D. copei), the Idaho giant salamander (D. aterrimus), the coastal giant salamander (D. tenebrosus), and the California giant salamander (D. ensatus).[2]
Specimens are up to 30 cm (12 in) long, and are found in the western USA and southwestern British Columbia.
The salamanders may grow up to 30 cm (12 in) long, and are found in the western USA and southwestern British Columbia.
Except for their size, they are similar to the mole salamander family (Ambystomatidae), in which they were originally included.[3]
They are larger than the mole salamander family (Ambystomatidae) but like them other than their size.[3]
While most salamanders are silent, the Pacific giant salamander is one of several salamanders that have vocal abilities. When startled, these salamanders may respond with a croaky-sounding cry similar to that of a barking dog.
Most salamanders are silent but the Pacific giant salamander can make noise.