Staying Inspired

Dreams for a new school community cannot happen in a vacuum – they belong to passionate and committed teams of people who must eventually realise them and not be incapacitated by muddy waters. The power of the new School of the Arts community lies in the people to articulate, believe and realise their dreams.

An education at the School of the Arts cultivates the whole person, where one learns to take risks, make meaning of disconnected patterns and draws strength to live life. The imagination coupled with the ability to seek out new technologies and ideas, and to apply them determines the wealth of our nation. Hence, we learn to test our limits, conquer fear, and dream dreams that are often larger than ourselves. THAT is the adventure of the great voyage which the School of the Arts has embarked on.

The School of the Arts provides an opportunity to nurture those who are talented and passionate about the arts to be the next generation of creative individuals to live and work in the globalised Renaissance Singapore city. It adds a new dimension to the present education landscape where students can thrive in a dedicated specialised arts learning environment that is vibrant, energised and committed to schooling an individual who can contribute back to the larger Singapore society.

The additional resources of space, specialised teams of teachers and the means of using an International Baccalaureate curriculum collectively articulate the dreams of the original Specialised Arts School Report in 2004 headed by Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman, Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd.

Indeed, we are close to making these dreams a reality as many of us believe that such schooling for those talented in the arts has its place in Singapore.

These are exciting times where presently, there is provision for greater flexibility and choice in our educational system, building on initiatives of the Thinking School Learning Nation in recent years.

The journey is not over as many who are familiar with the teaching and learning landscape know that the education of a whole child will take every single-hearted determination, passion and commitment to achieve the school vision. We are appreciative of the full support given by The Steering Committee for the School of the Arts, chaired by Dr Tan Chin Nam, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Information and the Arts.

Therein lies the hope of those with stout hearts and brave deeds who continue to forge the genesis of the school identity when it takes in the first group of students in 2008 for Year 1 and Year 2.

We can only succeed in our mission with the full support and confidence of parents and the community. The School of the Arts also invites you to share with us your thoughts and dreams, to believe in what the school is creating for a more flexible and broad-based education system and to come alongside the members of the school community to achieve the makings of a new generation who are talented and passionate in the arts.

Rebecca Chew
Principal
School of the Arts