IdEas@Work in Nanyang

Contributed by  ANG JOO LIAK Current situation: There are many dim yellowish lights along the school corridors as well as indoors (e.g. Conference Rooms and LTs). These are incandescent bulbs or some compact fluorescent lights (CFL). Improvement: Research and development has shown that LED lamps last longer, and much more energy efficient than incandescent filament bulbs and CFL. The energy cost savings and better lighting for safety (outdoor) and staff & students' eyesight (indoors) are important reasons to switch all lighting to LEDs as soon as possible. Reference: 4 August 2018 The Straits Times, B9, article "The future's bright". - each LED annual energy cost = $3.11, saves 75% over incandescent lamp (say $10). Suppose 300 lamps changed.

Contributed by  ANG JOO LIAK Current situation: It is a perennial issue raised by students, parents and teachers: our students have too much assessment/homework and not enough sleep. There are efforts to get feedback from students and teachers, but follow-up analysis and response is inadequate due to various reasons. The source and quality of complaints, concerns, feedback are not systematically collated, analyzed and/evaluated, often done by different groups. There are competing factors such as private tuition and enrichment, intensive CCA training and expectations to be considered. Improvement: If the issue is recognized to be important or critical, a high-level executive committee could be formed. Members could include: VP, representatives from student body, student development, student support, curriculum head, STG, CCA. The comm should be empowered with time and authority to collect all relevant data (ad-hoc, survey, FGD etc) and do a systematic analysis and evaluation, and

Contributed by  ANG JOO LIAK Current situation: Each year, the NYGH Environmental Council, Green Club and many enthusiastic student groups frequently promote environmental practices, e.g. use own food containers, avoid plastic straws, no balloons for school events, recycling. However, a single fun fair can wipe out all these efforts. Lots of plastic and disposable cutlery/containers and straws, balloons (use for class game, distributed to kids). Improvement: Only a concerted effort with top-down supervision, bottom-up participation could we show our students that we walk the talk, to be truly taking steps to minimise use of plastic, rubber, etc. for every big or small school events.

Contributed by  ANG JOO LIAK Current situation: NYGH orders small plastic bottled water with NYGH brand name for issuing to visitors or special school events, as part of our branding exercise. Improvement: We know plastic bottles are a major source of environmental pollution. We should stop this practice to do our part for the environment. Cost of 10 cartons = 20 x 24 x $0.20 = $96

Contributed by  ANGELINE SEET SIEW PENG Current situation: The 5min music plays at 1125am, this is 5min before the start of the Upper Sec recess. However, this is also at the 10th min of the start of the lower sec lessons after recess and the music will play for 5 mins. It is disruptive to the lessons and if the class is having an assessment, it is not a conducive environment for the lower sec girls. Improvement: Please consider not playing the music at 1125am. Instead, have the bell go off then. This will reduce the interruptions to the lower sec classes as their lessons are going on.

Contributed by  KHOO LIAN NEO RACHEL, VAN DIJK, DINA LING, TEO HUI LIN LENA Current situation: There ar only 2 printing points for students in the school. 1 in the Library and the other in the print shop where the students need to save their document in a thumb drive. When the Library system breaks down or is out of bounds for students, the only other point is the print shop. The situation now is that BOTH points are down and students are not able to do any printing in school. Improvement: For greater accessibility of printing in school we should also have other printing points for the students. Maybe another point or 2 on the second floor of the library or in Computer labs 1 and 2 for the students.

Contributed by  WEN DI, BENNY KOH CHIN SEAH Current situation: Previously we have only subscribed to 1 copy of Straits Times online (e-newspaper). This allows only 1 concurrent user login. If one colleague logged in, another one cannot use it. But there is a high demand among our EOs who need to access Straits Times online for their lessons or leisure reading, based on the email inquiries and feedback. Previously library subscribed newspapers via vendor. They charged more in delivery. What's more, they only provide hard-copies subscription. Improvement: I asked for quotes from SPH, and get to know that nowadays they offer the all-in-one version of newspapers to subscribers at the same cost, in order to promote the e-newspaper. All-in-one version includes 1 physical copy of newspaper, 1 online e-newspaper access. It's time to make a change to the practice from long time a go. Thus I converted subscriptions of our existing newspaper publications from vendor to SPH. The bene

Contributed by WEN DI ,  LEE KIM TING, CHAN YUET KUEN Current situation: Previously, all our subscribed database login info, including login url, user account and password, are kept in the lesson package on MC online (LMS). However, from year 2018 onward, MC online will no longer work with our school. As the new platform is not confirmed yet, and to lessen our ICT colleagues' burden on info migration, library team decided to migrate all the Database info (including Newslink, Gale's GIC, etc) to our Spydus OPAC, where students/staff can access as usual. Improvement: From Nov last year, I worked with our system vendor- Civica, and our Database vendor, such as SPH (Newslink, ST Online interactive), Gale, etc on migration of databases login info. I consolidated all the login info and updated in our Spydus management system. Civica techinical team helped to modify and publish the subpage on library portal. In order to achieve the seamless login, all the url link to access the

Contributed by  LIM ZHONG JUINN Current situation: There will be printed programme booklets for concerts by various performing art groups and other events held by external organisations. Usually these printed pieces of paper are in excess, or not recycled if not kept properly. Improvement: Large (at least A3, or A2 sized) QR code signages at entrances. Cut at least half (or totally) the printing numbers of the programme booklet. Audience or participants should (usually) have mobile or smart devices with QR code readers. Plus a reminder to switch these devices to silent mode. Cost savings dependable on colour or black-and-white printing.

Contributed by  CHONG YEOK MEE ROSALIND Current situation: For Biology practical examination, there is need for mass labelling of reagents within short notice. Usually, labels are printed on normal paper, then cut to size and glue or scotch tape on bottles. Improvement: Now A4 size labels for printers are used instead of normal paper. They are available in different sizes to suit the needs. This saves much time and effort.

Contributed by Mrs Chek Lam Eng Current situation: There was supposed to be a learning journey for all support staff separate from the teachers. However the support staff cut across a wide age spectrum and they have very different job duties. It is difficult to organise a single learning journey that will meet all their needs. Besides all of them are required to be at work during school days. During the school holidays, they take turns to clear their leave. Improvement: The 2018 Singapore Garden Festival will be held from 23 July to 3 August. The Combined Sports Meet falls on 30 July, during the festival. Teachers and students will be at HCI that morning. It is a good date to organise the learning journey for support staff. Everyone from Div 1 to 4, will be able to have different takeaways from the same visit. The organisers are able to provide 2 tour guides, one leading in English, the other in Mandarin. Besides there is a 50% discount for a minimum group size of 30 and for seni

Contributed by Mrs Chek Lam Eng Current situation: Found out that Mdm Wee, our honorary patron is turning 80 this year on 6 August. Thought the Nanyang Family can come together to organise a meaningful birthday celebration for her to recognise her many years of contribution to Nanyang. Improvement: Suggestion is to leverage on our Homecoming Funfair on 4 August, in particular on the Chinese Dance Concert from10.30 to 11.30am to dedicate the concert to her. [She has close and long ties with our Chinese Dance and the Dance Studio is named after her.] Invited guests will include our stakeholders and some of her good friends. Following the concert will be a lunch reception at the Boarding School. Work needed will include coordinating with Chinese Dance CCA, design of e-invitation, having a meaningful birthday gift, catering, etc. This will be a joint project with the Nanyang Family.

Contributed by Saw Pei Lin Current situation: Last year, we had catered packaged food for P5 camp student helpers and teachers. However, not all are consumed and result in wastage of food and money. Improvement: To distribute lunch coupons for teachers and student helpers

Contributed by Saw Pei Lin, NG MIEN MIEN AGNES, MARK OLIVER SHONE Current situation: History of NYGH Architecture book was first proposed but it will cost a lot for low quantity printing and became yellowish in time for stock taking. Improvement: To create interactive history of NYGH Architecture using Adobe Sparks and separate into 3 sections. Namely Heritage, Main Campus and New Addition. This site will be put under our main school website.

Contributed by Saw Pei Lin Current situation: Letters sent to primary schools sometimes will get ignored or forgotten and it can create more work for the primary school teachers to prepare another sheet of info to notify their chosen students' parents. Moreover, the registered students were not notified on the success registration and their parents do not have a copy of the programme. Improvement: Postcards on the P5 camp info and programme will be mailed with the letter and follow up with an email. Primary school teachers are able to just distribute the postcard to their selected students as confirmation of registered.