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Source:
www.mica.gov.sg |
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SPEECH BY DR LEE BOON
YANG,MINISTER FOR INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, |
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AT THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOL OF
THE ARTS, 2 JANUARY 2008, 8.15 AM AT 90 GOODMAN ROAD |
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Full Text of Speech |
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Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman, Board of
Directors, Singapore Arts School Ltd |
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Mrs Rebecca Chew, Principal, School of the
Arts, |
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Teachers and staff, |
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Students, |
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Good morning and a Happy New Year |
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I would like to welcome the pioneer batch of
students to the School of the Arts (SOTA). Today, students and staff of
SOTA are unveiling a new chapter in Singapore’s arts education. |
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As Singapore’s first pre-tertiary
specialised arts school, SOTA offers a wonderful learning opportunity
for students who are talented in the arts and passionate about their
artistic interests. |
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I congratulate the SOTA Board of Directors,
the Principal and staff, who have worked very hard over the past two
years to transform an idea into a real brick and mortar school for this
pioneer batch of students. |
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Each and every student enters the gates of
SOTA bearing with him or her great expectations and hopes. |
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We share your dreams and passion. We are
just as excited as you, poised on the threshold of a great adventure. We
will do our utmost to help you develop your artistic talents and
creativity as well as achieve academic excellence. |
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I would like to make three points to mark
the commencement of SOTA today. |
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First, I would like to thank the many
parents and students who supported the idea of having a specialised arts
school and recognised the value of the education which will be offered
by SOTA. |
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The School received an overwhelming response
to the Talent Academy to recruit this batch of pioneer students for
2008. Over 1,000 applicants came for the Talent Academy. |
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Today, the School welcomes its first batch
of 239 students who come from diverse social backgrounds and 129 primary
schools. You share a common trait, which is your love for the arts and
your commitment to cultivate your artistic talents. |
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Second, SOTA’s mission is to nurture
Singapore’s artistic and creative leaders for the future. The School
will provide you with a vibrant environment for learning that is
uniquely anchored in the arts. |
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At SOTA, you will have the opportunity
to discover, develop, celebrate, experiment and express your love of
the arts. SOTA will help you grow artistically as well as develop
your academic excellence. |
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The teaching curriculum meaningfully
connects various disciplines. Besides the arts, you will also learn
core academic subjects such as mathematics, science, humanities,
social science and languages. This is important to provide you with
the widest possibilities and options for the future. |
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SOTA will challenge you to excel in the
academic arena as well as help you to become more creative and
outstanding in the arts. |
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Singapore is evolving into an
innovation-driven economy powered by a creative society. SOTA’s
graduates schooled in the arts and other disciplines will be able to
continue their education and contribute much to our society and
economy. |
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You will be well placed to contribute to
our growing pool of talents in the performing and visual arts,
design, media and IT as well many other professions and occupations. |
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We hope that in the years to come, many
SOTA graduates will become luminaries on the artistic stage and
leaders in many other spheres of life, contributing to Singapore’s
well-being and continued success. |
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My third and last point is that the
success of SOTA does not depend on just the teachers and staff. |
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The School needs partners from the arts
community and corporate sector in order to provide the best
education for the School’s young artistic talents. |
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Hence I am delighted to acknowledge the
generous donation for $12 million over six years by the Ngee Ann
Kongsi to support scholarships and bursaries for SOTA students. This
donation will go a long way in allowing deserving students the
opportunity to realise their full potential without being hindered
by financial concerns. |
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I thank the Ngee Ann Kongsi for this
outstanding act of generosity which will ensure that talented young
students will be able to study at SOTA regardless of their family
circumstances. |
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In conclusion, I wish the Principal and
staff of SOTA every success as you embarked on this journey to build
a new institution to nurture future generations of innovative and
creative artists, thinkers and leaders. |
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To the students of SOTA, I look forward
to seeing you excel in the arts and using your unique talent to
shape, inspire and influence the world around you. |
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I hope that six years from today when
you leave SOTA, you will take with you wonderful memories of the
time you spent here and go on to greater success and achievements. |
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Thank you. |
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Source:
www.mica.gov.sg Media Release 2
Jan 2008 |
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FrontPage Edition: Thu 3 January 2008
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