NyConneXions' exchange programme with Punggol Sec Sch on 24th May

by Aloysius Boh

Wary eyes darted around, trying to keep up with the excited metallic appendage's movements. As the animated extremity danced about in the air, all eyes in the room focused on the luminescent screen, a few succumbing to the temptation...

No, this isn't an alien trying to hypnotise its captured hostages. Rather, it was the exchange programme NYConneXions had with a fellow newsletter-writing society at Punggol Secondary School on the 24th May, Saturday (with the venue being the above mentioned school of course).

The exchange programme which NYConneXions saw Punggolites attend can be briefly summed up like this: (1) Introduction to being a journalist (by editor Stanley), (2) Group formation, (3) Skit practice, (4) Skit, (5) Article-writing & presentation. Activities (2), (3), (4), and (5) were all facilitated by fellow NY journalists - Daniel, Hao Yi, Joy, and Hillary. Of course, there was the lively ex-President of NYConneXions, Clara, whom was overlooking the whole process while trying to inject some fun into the activities once they got rather mundane. Cheryl the current President also served as an instructor for the day by guiding the cheery Punggolites through the various activities.

Enlightenment:NYConneXions' editor gives
                          tips to wannabe-journalists

Joy:The group leader with the same name
       as the atmosphere here together with
her group members               

Being the first day of the holidays, the Punggolites could not be blamed for being restless at first as they arrived at the vacuous room which was freezing as well. However, once they settled down and warmed up to their group members and facilitators, they opened up and revealed their joyful and often creative side to the others.

Their creative side was tested in the first major activity, the Skit. Once they picked a facilitator, a few Punggolites would get together under the facilitator's guidance and think up an interesting short skit to be performed as a sort of live event so that the other groups could observe and write a short article about it later.

The skits were absolutely nothing but a riot! From paperbag-man idols to a replay of Chelsea's deciding goal in their match with Manchester United a few weeks earlier, the skits were relatively good despite the short time given to prepare for it.

The concluding activity was the article-writing & presentation. The purpose was to test the Punggolites' ability to grasp information about live events quickly and accurately based on their sense of sight and hearing alone. All 4 groups did a good job with this last activity, with an accuracy of almost 100% on average, proving that they were worthy of the title of 'Journalist' indeed.

All in all, both parties benefited from the exchange programme. While the Punggolites got precious advice and tips from their older peers on how to be better journalists, NYConneXions' journalists got to improve on their teamwork with others and learned to discover the leaders within themselves as well. It was a great opportunity for NY journalists to help the younger writers.

Exchange programmes have never been this deeply reflective for their participants and facilitators.

Paperthin Idol: The skit about an aspiring
                        singer whom participates
                       in a singing competition

Attention!: The skit about a retiring He-
                ad Prefect doing his last   
                   recitation of the pledge with
the student body