National Family Week (NFW) 2006
From 26 May to 30 June 2006, expect a smorgasbord of family events such as the "Great Dads of the Year", "Parent-Teens Bonding & Discovery Workshop", "Shared Parenting & Balancing Work-life" and other exciting programmes to celebrate family life. The NFW06 campaign is into its 22nd year and this year the theme "Family Life Means So Much More" aims to strengthen the message of the importance of families and to encourage Singaporeans to continue to build healthy, strong, resilient and caring families. To take part or find out more about the programmes, visit http://www.nationalfamilyweek.com.sg.
NFW Special for SFE Schools: Arrows with SoulTM - A Holistic Approach to Integrating Work and Family Life
One of the programme highlights in NFW06 is the Arrows with Soul programme - a comprehensive and holistic roadmap to managing work-life dilemma. The stress and anxiety from work-life disharmony affects our overall quality of life. While it is a constant challenge having to manage various aspects of our lives effectively, it is not impossible if we set our priorities and stay focus on things that matter to us. How do we equip ourselves with such skills?
Now SFE teachers and parents can learn to examine and align their core values to actions to create the desired work-life quality. For a limited period only (June to August 06), 20 SFE schools are entitled to 10 complimentary sessions of the Arrows with Soul Programme for teachers and 10 complimentary sessions for parents. The retail cost for the programme is at $4,000 per session but MCYS and Clarion Institute offers the programme with compliments to the first 20 schools who revert to indicate their interest. However, schools who are keen to participate in this promotion will need to commit an attendance of at least 80 pax for the staff programme and 150 pax for the parent programme.
Do take this opportunity to bring quality work-life programmes to the staff and parents of your schools, compliments of MCYS and Clarion Institute. Interested schools please contact Ms Wee Sin Yee by 31 May 2006 at email: WEE_Sin_Yee@mcys.gov.sg
The duration of the programme is between 2-4 hours depending on the schools' needs.
SFE Yearly Report
Schools will receive a SFE Year-end Report which include the details of SFE programmes conducted by school during FY05 (Apr 05 - Mar 06). The report will be sent by Wellern International via email to SFE school's principals, staff, service providers and coordinators. Schools may contact Anne Quek/Winnie Yeo at tel: 6383 2300 or email sfe_team@wellern.com for enquiries pertaining to the year-end report.
Clocking of SFE Hours
The objectives of carving out 10 hours for social and recreational activities is to incentivise parents to participate in the SFE programmes. Once they are bought into the programme, they are more likely to be keen to attend other SFE programmes. Any programmes that are not family life education can be considered as social/ recreation programmes, such as Chinese New Year celebrations, Mother's Day dedication, etc. Some schools organise a mix of social/ recreation and educational programmes. School will still clock-in the educational portion under the core programme hours and the rest under the social/ recreation hours.
With effect from June 06, please ensure that the all SFE social/recreational programme MUST involve parents' participation. For schools who have submitted their SFE social/recreational programme in the 100 hours programme plan earlier this FY, please ensure that these programmes include parents' participation.
SFE Reimbursement
We want to thank all SFE partners for submitting the SFE reimbursement to Wellern International within the designated time frame. For partners who encounters problem in meeting the deadline for submission of reimbursement, please contact Wellern International for more enquiries.
The reimbursement submission for SFE programmes and coordinators fees 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter is on quarterly basis and should reach Wellern within 30 days after each quarter. During January to March period, due to year-end closing, the reimbursement will be processed on a monthly basis and should reach Wellern within 15 days after each month.
Change of Service Provider/SFE coordinator and School Personnel
If schools or service providers undergo a change in personnel in charge of SFE, i.e., school principal, HOD/ teacher, service provider and coordinator, please inform MCYS so that we may update our communication database accordingly. Please ensure there is proper hand-over from existing service provider/coordinator to new service provider/coordinator so as there is smooth transition of SFE work.
We hope you have enjoyed reading our SFE News. If you have any suggestion or feedback or wish to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us at mcys_sfe@mcys.gov.sg.
The SFE News can also be viewed at www.sfe.org.sg.