Speech by Minister Chan Chun Sing at Crest Secondary School's 10th Anniversary Celebrations, at Crest Secondary School

1. A very good evening to all of you. Let me congratulate all of you for the 10th Anniversary of Crest Secondary School.

2. This is the second time in the last one year that I visited Crest. For some of you who were with me last year, you would probably recall that I arrived early. However, despite this, the students were unflappable, and gamely took me around the school on an unscripted tour. Their confidence really impressed me.

3. Today is a special moment for Crest Secondary. It is true that there are many schools in Singapore who have celebrated their 10th anniversary. But what is so special about Crest's 10th Anniversary?

1. More than 10 years ago, we had a dream. A dream to start a specialised school for a group of students who had different profiles and learning styles.
2. At that point in time, people were maybe not convinced. People perhaps could not envision how the school will be like as there were no examples for us to follow.
3. But we had a group of dedicated pioneers, teachers, sponsors, and industry partners who believed, and took on the challenge to establish Crest.
   1. When there were no syllabus nor curriculum, they developed it.
   2. When there were no internship opportunities, they searched for it.
   3. When there was a lack of resources, they found it.
   4. Today, after 10 years of hard work, we see the fruits of their labour.

4. As a Singaporean, I am proud as it showcases the belief that we have in our people. The mark of Singapore is not just how well we stretch the top; it is also how well we take care of those in need.

1. Many of the students in Crest are amongst the most in need in Singapore.
2. However, we did not give up and stop dreaming, as we believe that everyone deserves to find his or her purpose in life. It is our job as an education fraternity to help these students realise their potential.
3. When we say that we will help every Singaporean realise their potential, we mean it.
4. Hence, we are not just celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Crest Secondary today; we are also celebrating the spirit of Singapore.

5. I would like to thank the generations of teachers and staff, volunteers, parents, partners, and community leaders who have participated in this meaningful cause.

6. Tonight, I am not the Guest-of-Honour per se. All of you are the Guests-of-Honour, and we are here to honour you for your contributions. Thank you for showing us what the Singapore spirit is.

7. Now, how do we define success for Crest?

1. We can measure the success of Crest by looking at the number of Crestans who successfully enrol into ITE, polytechnics, and eventually university.
2. However, to me, these are not the most important benchmarks of success.

8. The benchmark of success should be how Crest has value-added to each and every student.

1. While I am proud of the many Crestans who have made it into ITE, polytechnics, and eventually university, I am equally proud of all the Crestans who have found your self-confidence and belief to go out to the world and contribute in your own respective ways.
2. This is the true hallmark of Crest's success; where each and every Crestan who enters the school can walk out as a confident, young Singaporean.
3. I would like to thank all the teachers and staff of Crest, for giving generations of Crestans self-belief and confidence, and for patiently guiding them.

9. To those with more, we expect more. To those with less, we should help them realise their dreams.

1. It doesn't matter what your starting state is. All that matters is that when you leave Crest, you are a person who is more confident.

10. Last but not least, people have asked: "After 10 years of Crest, where do we go from here?"

1. With the rollout of Full Subject-Based Banding, there were many who asked me, will MOE continue to support Crest and Spectra.
2. Tonight, I want all of you to know my answer.
   1. There will always be a place for schools such as Crest and Spectra.
   2. Because we believe in having a variegated landscape, and diverse school options to bring out the best in our students.

11. Crest and Spectra employs a skills-based, pedagogical approach to help their students learn better, to help them realise their potential and their strengths.

1. Hence, MOE will continue to commit our resources and support to make sure that students from Crest and Spectra will continue to have a different option available to them to help them realise their potential.

12. However, MOE is unable to do this alone. We need the support of teachers, parents, and industry partners, to provide this variegated landscape to bring out the best in our students.

13. Recently, I visited Washington D.C. to attend the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP), and the hosts were proudly showing us around their best schools.

1. Next year, Singapore will be hosting the ISTP. We want to showcase the diversity of schools in our education system.
2. As such, I want the international guests to visit Crest and Spectra. I want them to see the various things that we do for our students with diverse interests and learning styles.
3. And I know that Crestans will be up to the challenge, and host our international guests well and impress them.

14. Thank you very much for inviting me to this celebration, and I wish all Crestans the best.