Staff Welfare @ Poi Ching School

February Health Tip

2012-03-04T00:21:00.000+08:00

Feel pressured at work?

We understand, especially with exams coming up soon and the stacks of marking to be done.

No worries! Here are some ways to help you relax your body, mind and soul after a long busy day.

Healthy ways to relax and recharge

Go for a walk.
Spend time in nature.
Call a good friend.
Sweat out tension with a good workout.
Write in your journal.
Take a long bath.
Light scented candles.
Savor a warm cup of coffee or tea.
Play with a pet.
Work in your garden.
Get a massage.
Curl up with a good book.
Listen to music.
Watch a comedy.

So, try one of the activities and we guarantee that you will feel much better.

Signing out,

Yours truly SWC blogger

Goodbye, our dear Mr Ngiow

2012-02-22T15:10:00.000+08:00

Valentine's Day is a day filled with romance and love.

However, the air in Poi Ching School was filled with sorrow and tears of goodbye.

We bade farewell to our dear vice-principal, Mr Marcus Ngiow.

We wish you all the best in your new career. We would like to thank you for all your support and guidance throughout the short time with us. :)

Goodbye, Sir.

Signing out,

SWC blogger

Poi Ching School Pink-Day on 3rd February 2012

2012-02-22T14:56:00.000+08:00

Our SWC team came up with an arrangement of having a themed dressing among the staff every 1st Friday of the month.

We started our February with a colour theme - Pink! Nope, we were not promoting any cause or organisation with our theme. It was just for the sake of fun and encouraging staff bonding.

Let's see what our sporting staff wore on the day!

Look out for our theme colour next month on 3rd March 2012. :)

Yours truly,

the SWC blogger

2012-02-03T16:20:00.000+08:00

Our Health Tip for the month!

Abstracted from website: http://www.helpfulhealthtips.com/whiten-teeth-naturally/

Almost everyone wishes for sparkling white teeth. The appearance of every person makes a lot of difference these days. It is true that smile of a person makes him/her more attractive. In order to look more attractive, people wish for getting sparkling whiteness in their teeth.

In Summary of the article, here are some ways of whitening your teeth.

Number One

First, strawberries can be used for teeth whitening. In order to whiten your teeth, you should mash strawberries to make a paste. This paste should be applied on the teeth. It will help in whitening your teeth. However, one should know that strawberry paste can be harmful for teeth if it is applied with force on gums. This is due to the presence of acid in strawberries. Therefore, after applying strawberry paste on your teeth, you should rinse your mouth or brush your teeth within a short period of time.

Number two

Vegetables like carrots, celery, cucumbers and broccoli are abrasive in nature and they act as a natural teeth whitening agent by brushing off the stains from teeth. Therefore, one should eat these vegetables. These vegetables will provide vitamins and minerals to you. Along with this, you would also be able to get whiter teeth.

Number Three

One should buy some baking soda from the market and mix it with salt. The quantity of salt should be less in this mixture. The mixture of baking soda and salt should be applied on the teeth with fingers in a very gentle manner. You will get excellent results from this method. The best thing about this method is that the results are fast. However, one needs to apply this mixture in a gentle way on the teeth. Otherwise your gums will be damaged. Another thing to take care of is the amount of salt in the mixture. Always keep the quantity of salt less otherwise your gums may be damaged.

By using all or one of the ways mentioned above, you would be able to get whiter teeth.

February Birthday Celebration

2012-02-03T16:00:00.000+08:00

We began the month of February with a birthday celebration for the teachers whose birthday is in February.

This year, we made a little change where each birthday boy and girl will receive a personalised cupcake as a birthday gift.

Below are some photos during the short celebration.

The personalised cupcakes for the birthday boy and girls,

Just look at their happy faces!

Do look out for our heath tips of the month and also, our PINK surprise blog post!

Signing out,

SWC Blogger

2012-01-22T19:23:00.002+08:00

We, the Staff Welfare Committee from Poi Ching School, would like to wish all our Chinese colleagues, parents and pupils a very Happy Chinese Lunar New Year.

Term 4 Domestic Workshop

2011-11-27T15:21:00.000+08:00

We had our last Domestic Workshop on the last week of Term 4. The two workshops were Nail Art and Thai Tom Yum Soup.

The Nail Art workshop was a favourite among the ladies. It was conducted by Erin and Veron. It was a fruitful learning experience on tips to groom your nails as well as to make them pretty and unique. Who might have thought you could use acrylic paint to decorate your nails?

Nail Art workshop

The Tom Yum soup workshop was conducted by our professional Thai chef, Anna. She showed us the authentic tom yum recipe and the techniques on making an authentic Tom Yum soup. The mothers were in awe and enjoyed some delicious, spicy authentic Tom Yum Soup.

Tom Yum Soup workshop

YEAR END STAFF CHALET

2011-11-27T14:47:00.001+08:00

Our Staff Welfare Committee held a Year End staff chalet on Friday, 25th November 2011. It was a great turnout. We had some staff bonding over dinner and a barbeque session. Overall, it was a perfect gathering between friends to close year 2011.

Some snapshots of the chalet.

September Birthday Celebrations

2011-09-14T15:54:00.001+08:00

We celebrated the birthdays which falls on September today.

Happy Birthday to all of you!!

August Health Tips

2011-08-11T19:50:00.000+08:00

Do you know that flossing your teeth daily can reduce the chance of that dreaded heart attack?

Click on the following link to read more!

Broccoli and Flossing Helps.

Teachers' Day Dinner 2011

2011-08-04T14:45:00.000+08:00

Presenting the details for Teachers' Day Dinner 2011!

Look forward to a night with lots of fun and laughter!

Come and join us!

Signing out,
The-already-so-excited-SWC-blogger

July Staff Outing!

2011-08-04T14:39:00.001+08:00

We are back!

We had our July Staff Outing last Saturday at Tebing Lane in Punggol.

Guess what we did this month?

We went prawning!

Prawning is a hobby or activity that became popular recently. It is similar to fishing, but instead we are fishing for prawns.

Our first experience was an enjoyable one. Prawning itself requires a lot of patience. The waiting of course took some time but the excitement came with our fishing line moved and also, the size of the prawn itself.

So to sum things up, Enjoy the photos below! :)))))

For more photos, do look up on our Facebook page: PCS Staff Welfare Committee.

Signing out,
the-ever-so-sporty SWC blogger

Health tips for Month of July

2011-07-15T18:58:00.003+08:00

Is sleep really that important? Especially for us teachers who need to conquer our mountains daily, can we let afford to sleep?

Or should the question be: Can we afford NOT to sleep?

Studies show that such short-term sleep deprivation leads to a foggy brain, worsened vision, impaired driving, and trouble remembering.

Long-term effects include obesity, insulin resistance, and heart disease.

So what should we do?

Unfortunately, it takes more than one long sleep marathon to catch up on your sleep debt.

Some interesting facts:

The negative symptoms of sleep deprivation:

Daytime drowsiness
Mood shifts, including depression, increased irritability, and loss of sense of humor
Stress, anxiety, and loss of coping skills
Lack of interest in socializing with others
Weight gain
Reduced immunity to disease and viral infection
Feelings of lethargy
Reduced productivity

So remember! Do have a good night rest every day and your body will be very happy. :)

Some useful web links as follows:

http://www.lifeevolver.com/pay-sleep-debt-smart/
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fact-or-fiction-can-you-catch-up-on-sleep

Health Food tips from our SWC Health Master Lim

2011-05-30T11:21:00.000+08:00

Here are some tips from Health Master Lim:

Some "Bad" Foods You Should Be Eating

Peanut Butter

The bad rep: Peanut butter is super-fattening.

The good news: Peanut Butter is high in fat but that doesn’t mean it’s fattening. (Gaining or losing weight, and body fat, basically comes down to balancing calories.) That said, peanut butter is a concentrated source of calories, so you don’t want to go overboard. But you don’t need to eat tons to feel satisfied: just a tablespoon (90 calories) or two of peanut butter goes a long way. Plus, peanut butter provides protein and folate, a B vitamin important for the healthy development of new cells.

Eggs

The bad rep: A significant source of dietary cholesterol, egg yolks are off-limits for those concerned about heart health.

The good truth: Medical experts now emphasize that saturated fats and trans fats are bigger culprits in raising blood cholesterol than dietary cholesterol is. Plus, eggs are super-satisfying: in one study, people who ate a scrambled-egg-and-toast breakfast felt more satisfied, and ate less at lunch, than they did when they ate a bagel that had the same number of calories. Egg yolks contain lutein and zeaxanthin, compounds that research links with reduced risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.

Chocolate

The bad rep: Chocolate has lots of fat, lots of sugar—and it tastes amazing, so it must be bad for you.

The good news: Dark chocolate contains flavanols, antioxidants that seem to have a blood-thinning effect, which can benefit cardiovascular health. And, recently, researchers in Switzerland reported that eating dark chocolate (1.4 ounces of it) every day for two weeks reduced stress hormones, including cortisol, in highly stressed people. But be sure to account for the calories (1.4 ounces delivers 235)—or you may be stressed to see extra pounds creeping on.

More "Bad" Foods you should be eating, visit the following website:

http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/bad_foods_you_should_be_eating?page=8

Have fun reading and eating!

Signing out,

the-not-very-healthy SWC blogger

SWC workshops Term 2

2011-05-30T10:58:00.002+08:00

Good morning everyone!

Just a quick update on the termly domestic workshops which were conducted last week.

Traditional Malay Kueh workshop

There were lots of people who attended this workshop and we could see their enthusiasm to learn how to make the two kueh, Kueh Dadar and Pumpkin Cake.

You need a lot of practice making these kueh, especially assuring that the crepe for the Kueh Dadar is not too thick. If the crepe is too thick, you may not be able to roll the filling nicely.

Do take a look at the pictures below. We will try to post the recipes of the kueh-kueh for those at home who might want to have a go at it.

One of the most important ingredient, sugar!

The coconut filling for Kueh Dadar,

The green crepe,

The two hardworking instructors,

The enthusiatic homemakers,

Scrapbooking Workshop

This workshop was conducted by Mrs Jeanette and Mrs Justina Yew. There were some good insights on scrapbooking. We learnt that there is no right or wrong in scrapbooking. It all depends on our own creativity. There was a variety of materials to choose from, all laid on the table. We finally had an experience with the die-cutting machine and it was absolutely fun! At the end of the workshop, the teachers went home with big smiles and a very nice collage of their pictures.

Materials for the collage,

Our instructors for the day,

Look out for our next domestic workshop next term!

Signing out,

the-enthusiastic-SWC-blogger

Bowling fun!!

2011-05-23T13:08:00.000+08:00

Last month, our Staff Welfare Comittee organised a bowling outing at Tampines Safra. There were many groups of teachers who brought their families, as well as friends along. There were lots of laughter and chatting going around besides the bowling itself.

Do check out the photos below!

Signing out,

the-funky-SWC blogger

April Bowling Fun

2011-04-16T10:49:00.000+08:00

Staff Monthly Outing in April ---> Bowling at Tampines Safra.

April Fellowship

2011-04-06T10:51:00.003+08:00

Happy Birthday to April Babies!

Yummy yummy food!

Fruit Fest 2011

2011-03-25T22:20:00.000+08:00

Just a short and sweet update on our Fruit Fest 2001, with many visuals to enjoy.

We had lots of fruits, spread across the oval table. Besides that, we also had our very own Ice Kacang station and Fruit Juice station. All at self-service, according to our preferences.

Pictures, scroll down,

SWC Domestic Workshop!

2011-03-09T16:26:00.001+08:00

Back with a quick and long update!

How are all of you out there?

I hope you are all doing fine!!

Some interesting updates to perk you up.

Today, the SWC team held 2 workshops concurrently for our dearest staff.

It was definitely two of the exciting events that was great to attend.

Curious to know what the two events were and see what went on during these two events?

Let's see what happened!

*Yummy pictures and noisy video alert - Provided permission granted*

1) Make up session by Miss Agnes Poon or as addressed for today, Loreal Agnes

First and foremeost, we would like to thank Miss Poon for volunteering and sharing her make-up expertise with our staff.

They were definitely elated and excited when she was demonstrating the different steps to apply the correct techniques of the make-up! It was surprising to see them taking notes and was really focused on how Miss Poon actually applied the make-up. They came in with the interest and little knowledge of make-up, but left the session with smiles on their faces. We were sure they can't wait to try it on themselves.

To see the products and the attentive/interested participants, Scroll Down....

Our ladies for the day,

Miss Poon delicately applying toner on her model's skin,

Our token of appreciation for our dearest Miss Poon,

2) Popiah-Making Session by our Popiah Shi-fu, Mr Chua Yong Tee

Like always, we should always give credits to our trainers/organisers for their hard work and effort to make this event a big success.

So, we would like to give our thanks to our very own, popiah Shi-Fu, Mr Chua Yong Tee who had taken his time to prepare and teach us the basic skills of making our very own popiah. *big applause*

The turn-out was so good that our staff came in and out of the room to make their popiahs. In the words of a wise man, "Food made from our very own hands always taste much better". No wonder they kept coming back!

There were so many fillings to add and the best thing was, it was fresh and still piping hot, especially the specially-made turnip! There were shrimps, tofu, vegetables *in support of a healthy diet* and other ingredients.

You don't believe us??

Let us present to you our pictorial evidence!

Hot Piping, fresh and tantalising ingredients,

Do you believe us now? :)))

So do come and join in all the fun on our next domestic workshops!

Looking forward to your participation!!

Signing out,

The-Ever-So-On-SWC-Bloggers

February Outing - Off to Pulau Ubin

2011-03-09T15:34:00.000+08:00

Welcome back!

Today post update is on our staff outing to Pulau Ubin, which was held on 27th February.

First of all, let us thank our dearest Mr Ho for his dedication and hard work on organising these trips. *Hip, hip, hurray*

Our staff went on a cycling trip to Pulau Ubin. We were overwhelmed with the response because like some, they can get sick with boat rides.

We had our staff bringing their families along, which was such a joy to see. We are sure that they had so much fun cycling, bonding among colleagues and yet, spend it with their families.

It was definitely a good experience to be in a different and natural environment for a change. Not forgetting, we saw a wild boar just few metres away.

Looking forward to your participation for our March outing! Cheers!

Not forgetting, feast your eyes on the pictures.

Signing out,

the-ever-so-faithful-SWC-bloggers

Trip to Ubin

13 Healthy Habits to Improve our Lives.

2011-03-02T22:53:00.001+08:00

We are going to provide you '13 Healthy Habits' weekly for 13 weeks.

Why?

To take care of ourselves, providing us a chance to live a happy, healthy life and not neglect our mental and emotional well-being. :))

So let's start with Day 1 Healthy habit.

Healthy Habit 1: EAT BREAKFAST EVERY MORNING

Breakfast eaters are champions of good health. Research shows people who have a morning meal tend to take in more vitamins and minerals, and less fat and cholesterol. The result is often a leaner body, lower cholesterol count, and less chance of overeating. Breakfast also can hold off hunger pangs until lunchtime and make high-calorie vending machine options less enticing.

Not only that, it was reported that breakfast eaters are significantly less likely to be obese and get diabetes compared with nonbreakfast eaters.

A study in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition showed that people who consumed breakfast cereal every day reported feeling better both physically and mentally than those who rarely ate cereal in the morning.

To get the full benefits of breakfast, a meal with carbohydrates, protein, and a small amount of fat is recommended.

So dear readers, it is very, very important to eat breakfast to help us stay alert and be productive for an entire day.

So, let's all eat breakfast and maintain a healthy lifestyle together.

Do check out the website tomorrow for our Day 2 Healthy Habit.

Fellowship - March Babies

2011-03-02T22:24:00.000+08:00

Hello readers of Poi Ching SWC Blog..

We are back with an entry, after a loooooong hiatus from the blogworld.

Today, the staff celebrated the birthdays of our fellow colleagues in the Month of March. Like any fellowship, we have staff lunch, consisting of an interesting menu, Prata and Vegetable curry!!

YUM-MY!

(pardon us, we forgot to snap a picture of those pratas and curry. We were too busy gobbling our food down)

Served as dessert, the creamy and sweet peanut birthday cake.

Will be back soon with another entry!

Signing out,

the always-so-cool SWC bloggers

Feast your eyes on the pictures below!

Happy Birthday to Feb Babies!

2011-02-18T12:51:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday to February Babies!!

Happy Chinese Valentine's Day!

2011-02-17T12:45:00.001+08:00

Do you know, on the 15th of the Lunar Calendar of Chinese New Year is also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day?

Here's wishing all a Happy Valentine's Day again!!

February Health Tips

2011-02-16T11:12:00.000+08:00

Sleep Better: 7 Bedtime Habits That Help
No one likes to toss and turn all night, or even worse, struggle with outright insomnia.
There are things you can do to help get a better night's rest. A consistent wind-down routine every day can help you fall asleep more quickly and reliably.
Try any or all of the following relaxing behaviors just before bedtime to ensure a more restful night.

Take a hot bath
Your temperature naturally dips at night, starting two hours before sleep and bottoming out at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m., according to a 1997 study conducted by New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in White Plains, N.Y. When you soak in a hot tub, your temperature rises—and the rapid cool-down period immediately afterward relaxes you.
Two hours before bed, soak in the tub for 20 or 30 minutes, recommends Joyce Walsleben, PhD, associate professor at New York University School of Medicine. "If you raise your temperature a degree or two with a bath, the steeper drop at bedtime is more likely to put you in a deep sleep," she says. A shower is less effective but can work, as well.

Install a dimmer switch
Late in the evening, your body releases the chemical melatonin, which makes you sleepy—but only if it receives the right cues from your environment. "Melatonin is your hormone of darkness—it won't flow with the lights on," says Walsleben. "You want to transition to dark as early as 9 or 10 o'clock." Sitting in a dimly lit room before getting ready for bed can put you in the right mind-set for sleep.

Lay out your clothes
You can help your body recognize that bedtime is imminent by setting routines and repeating them every night.
"We suggest that people establish regular nightly routines before they get into bed, to help their brain shift into sleep mode," says Gary Zammit, PhD, director of the Sleep Disorders Institute in New York. "Laying out your pajamas, brushing your hair or your teeth—these habits can be very sleep-conducive."

Shun p.m. stimulants
Skipping your normal cup of joe should help you fall asleep quicker, because caffeine is a stimulant. "I don't like people having caffeine after noontime if they have poor sleep, because it can hang out in the system for a long time," says Walsleben.
Even decaf drinkers should beware: A 2007 Consumer Reports study found that even decaffeinated coffees sold at several chain restaurants contained caffeine, with one from a big chain having 32 milligrams of caffeine per cup—about the same amount as in 12 ounces of cola.
Nicotine is also a stimulant; smoking to relax before bed can actually do the opposite, revving up your heart rate and keeping your brain alert, says Walsleben.

Shut down electronics
You may find it relaxing to catch up on correspondence with friends just before turning in for the night, but the practice could increase the amount of time you toss and turn. Lit screens (that includes televisions too) are stimulating, says Walsleben, so it's best to avoid them.
"Before your targeted bedtime, begin slowing down your brain by doing something calming, like reading in a comfy chair—somewhere other than bed," she says. "Stop watching TV and checking email."

Wear socks to bed
If cold feet are keeping you awake—especially during the winter—warm them up with a soft pair of socks. The extra layer under the covers can help improve circulation in your extremities, which can help you fall asleep more quickly, according to Phyllis Zee, MD, PhD, professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Limit evening food and drinks
A large meal or spicy snack too close to bedtime can leave your digestive system working overtime while the rest of your body lies awake. And alcohol may make you drowsy, but it will disrupt your sleep patterns later in the night and keep you from getting the deep, restorative REM sleep you need to feel refreshed.
If you drink a lot of any liquid before bed, for that matter, you may be up throughout the night using the bathroom. "Most adults middle-age and older have to get up at night for this reason," says William C. Dement, MD, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University and author of The Promise of Sleep, "but restricting fluids before bed can help."

Check out this website for more details!
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20462696_8,00.html

January Staff Monthly Outing - Bukit TImah Hike

2011-02-15T16:01:00.001+08:00

We are back again with a brand new entry about our monthly outing.

Our school have been organising monthly outings, doing different types of exciting activities for the staff.

It was always fun to go out as a group and have great bonding time with each other.

So this month, we gathered our walking sticks to conquer.. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve!

Hey, it may looks like nothing, but to us, it was a great achievement!

Do feast your eyes on the pictures below.

Come join us during our outings.

It will be great fun!

February, We are off to Pulau Ubin!!

Signing out,

the ever so cool SWC bloggers

February staff monthly outing

2011-02-15T14:04:00.000+08:00

Staff Monthly Outing in February
---> Cycling at Pulau Ubin on 26th Feb
For those interested, please email the outing guy aka Victor.
Look out for details in email.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T13:55:00.001+08:00

SWC wishes all a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Health Tips January

2011-02-02T09:54:00.001+08:00

January Health Tips

Interesting Tips that help us to reflect on our lifestyle.

Lifestyle Choices that Change Your World
1. Truth: You really do have time for the things that are most important to you. How important is your health?
· Tip: Make prioritizing your goals your highest priority. Recognize that priorities change.
· You’ll hear yourself say: “I don’t have time for this.”
2. Truth: You are as deserving of good health as anyone. It never hurts to raise your standards.
· Tip: Make sure that you can afford to maintain your health, even if it means getting a different job, moving, or doing without something else.
· You’ll hear yourself say: “I don’t have the money.”
3. Truth: You are responsible for how you order your world, conduct your relationships, and manage stress.
· Tip: Alter your perception that any person, place, or thing has the ability to control you without your permission.
· You’ll hear yourself say: “It’s stress.”
4. Truth: Many conditions that occur more frequently in older people are the result of factors other than age itself.
· Tip: Enjoy positive expectations for healthy longevity. Act accordingly.
· You’ll hear yourself say: “It’s old age.”
5. Truth: Your results in the life are at the effect of your focused action. It’s a fallacy to expect results first.
· Tip: Get clear on how cause and effect works in your life. Whenever possible, address problems at the level of their cause.
· You’ll hear yourself say: “I’ll deal with it later (after I’m well.)”

Article abstracted from http://www.wellnessimages.com/TruthsAndTips.htm

The Celebration of our January Staff-bies

2011-01-29T21:01:00.001+08:00

Poi Ching School has a tradition of having fellowship gathering monthly during Contact time. During this fellowship, the staff of the school would have a short lunch together for bonding and also, celebrate the birthdays of our staff.

Killing two birds with one stone, so we say.

So last week, 19th January 2011, we celebrated the birthdays of our January staff babies!

We had a huge, delicious and appetising cake. Not forgetting a spread of Mee Rebus, and 2 huge trays of an all time favourite munchies, the CHICKEN NUGGETS!

The Staff Welfare Committee also got the whole lot of us excited by getting the Angel-Mortal game started. For those out there who is unfamilliar about the game, do google it out. This mysterious game will be on-going till 9th Feb in which we will know who our Angel is. We just can't wait!

Anyhow, we have posted the pictures up for your personal view on how things go on during fellowship.

Enjoy!

Till we blog again!

Signing out,
SWC bloggers

Angel & Mortal Game

2011-01-28T15:45:00.001+08:00

Angel & Mortal Game

19th Jan to 9 Feb

Day of revelation approaching soon!
Angel, have you been secretly blessing your mortal with kind acts?
Mortal, any word of thanks for that special angel of yours? Our SWC angels will help to deliver your heartfelt-thank-you messages! Please send your 'Thank you Angel' notes/messages to Shirley Hoe.

May the day of revelation be a surprise and pleasant one for you! :)

CNY

2011-01-27T13:32:00.001+08:00

SWC wishes all a very HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!

CNY updates

2011-01-26T13:36:00.001+08:00

Chinese New Year Lunch on the 9th Feb, Wednesday 12noon.
Join in our yearly 'Lo-Hei' tradition in Poi Ching !

1st January Monthly Outing on 29/1/11

2011-01-25T11:28:00.000+08:00

1st January Monthly Outing on 29/1/11

Join our dear Victor for a morning walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve!
Time: 8am to 12pm

Hope to see you!

January Fellowship

2011-01-19T15:53:00.007+08:00

January Fellowship on 19th Jan 2011

Happy Birthday January Babies!