2011 Dragon Boat Season Update

The Canadian Dragons have had a good start to the first part of the 2011 Dragon Boat Season. January was a busy month recruiting and training new paddlers for the team. We had great turnouts for our Saturday afternoon practices, and many of the new paddlers have joined as members for the season. Our season officially started in February with our long time
coach, Nasi.

We are currently training for the upcoming Diva Regatta on June 18th and the 800m Regatta July 9/10. The Diva Race is both a competitive and fun event held at the Kallang Riverside Park. Come out and support the Canadian Divas as they battle for the title of Queen of the Kallang! At the July Regatta, the Canadian Dragons will be defending their gold medal title in the expat division.

We welcome new members at any time throughout our season. Practices are held at Kallang on Thursday from 6-7pm, Saturday from 4-6pm and Sundays from 10-12pm. Paddles up!

Chinese Heritage Centre at Nanyang Technological University

By Isabel Jones  (Additional photos can be found on the CAS website)

A small, but keen group participated in our ‘Out and About’ tour on April 27th. We made the journey to the far west side of the island to Nanyang Technological University’s beautiful Yunnan garden campus to visit the Chinese Heritage Centre.

The Chinese Heritage Centre is housed in the former Nantah administration building and specialises in the study of Chinese communities outside China.  This 1950s building is now a National Monument and houses a library, a resource and research centre, and exhibitions. 

Our dynamic student guide gave us a good introduction to the history of the university through the exhibit ‘Nantah, a Pictorial History’. This university began as Nanyang University (Nantah) in 1955. It was started through private funding by the Chinese Community. Chinese language education was not supported by the British Colonial government so under the leadership of Tan Lark Sye the decision was made to found the first Chinese language university outside of China. Donations from the Chinese community from all walks of life, helped create the institution built on 523 acres of land donated by Singapore’s Hokkien Association on Upper Jurong Road.

In 1980 Nantah merged with the University of Singapore to become the National University of Singapore. It was sad for the Chinese community to see the university they founded disappear. Nanyang Technological Institute opened on the Nantah site and in 1991 it absorbed the National Institute of Education to become the current NTU.

Our guide also led us through the fascinating exhibit ‘Chinese More or Less’. Through pictures and artefacts, the theme of “Chineseness” and Chinese Identity is explored. It was interesting to see studio portraits of Chinese people in Canada in the early 1900’s and to ‘read’ what the subjects wanted to communicate about themselves in their photos. We learned a great deal about Chinese history and the issues of identity that come with being Chinese but not from China. A good discussion was had around photos of images of Chinese in western movies and the fact that for a time Chinese characters were not allowed to be played by actual Chinese people.

After the tour, we strolled through the lovely Yunnan garden. Within the garden are two national monuments: a memorial tablet from 1958 which honours the donors who contributed to making the university possible and a replica of the original entrance Nanyang Gateway Arch. Of course, lunch followed the tour. We had a varied Chinese meal at the modern Executive Cafe on campus.

Building a Future in Cambodia

By Scott Little, JE High School Teacher and Trip Chaperone

Each year, a group of Grade 11 and 12 CIS students participate in a community service project in Cambodia during Excursion Week.  On April 22nd to 30th, a group of 25 students visited Siem Reap and Phnom  Penh, Cambodia and made a difference in the lives of many marginalized individuals.

The accomplishment of our goal was a year long process that started several months before the actual trip.  Several fundraising events were held throughout the year, and combined with other entrepreneurial ventures; a total of $18,500 was raised.  These funds were used to assist a number of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) or charities.

One of the groups we assisted was The People Improvement Organization, which was created by CNN hero Noun Phymean and works with over 800 children each day in 3 different schools in and around Phnom Penh.   We had the pleasure of visiting the dump site school, called Stung Mean Chey and the slum school, known as Borey Keila.  The CIS students worked directly in the classroom with the PIO kids teaching lessons they had prepared in advance and participating in a variety of games and activities.  Thanks to the contributions of the CIS community, we were also able to donate a large amount of clothing, shoes and personal hygiene products as well as providing a financial donation.

The highlight of the week was our Housebuilding Project with the Tabitha Foundation, where we built 8 houses in the village of Prek Sleng, Kandal province, south of Phnom Penh.  The entire grouptook on the project with a great amount of effort and determination,not once complaining about the excessive heat or our fatigue, hunger or thirst.

After the building project was complete, a ‘handover’ presentation was held where each family was presented with a blanket as a housewarming gift.  While the families were quiet and reserved throughout the day, they simply could not contain their smiles at the presentation ceremony.  It was an emotional moment that everyone felt good about, and was the ultimate reward for all of our hard work.

The Expensive Habit of Nail Biting

Contributed by Specialist Dental Group

Other than brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist once every 6 months there are habits that you should break if you want to keep your teeth strong and healthy – e.g.  nail biting.  There are many reasons why one should stop this bad habit before it compromises your ability to smile with confidence.

Nail Biting, which is clinically known as onychophagia, is a condition in which sufferers start biting their fingernails and the skin around the nails and cuticles, whenever they get anxious or nervous.

Apart from the unaesthetic shape of their fingernails, nail biters could also cause damage to their teeth. Nails are hard, so when you bite down on them you are causing stress to your teeth. Over time this weakens the teeth and can eventually result in a tooth chipping or breaking.

Nail biting also causes stress to the gums, as well as increases the risk of bitten nails tearing into the gum tissue. In the long run, it will cause gum disease which will eventually cause loose teeth, missing teeth and other related issues.

If, however, nail biting has already caused damage to your teeth, apart from getting professional help to stop the habit, you need to see your dentist to reverse the damage. Bonding, veneers, or crowns are several treatment options that might be recommended for chipped teeth. Depending on the severity, your dentist will advise on the best option for your situation.  


Specialist Dental Group is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). For more information on different types of dental treatments, send an enquiry via www.specialistdentalgroup.com or call 6733 7883.