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FAQ

Q0:  What is the mission of  NYGH PSG?
A:    The mission of the NYGH Parent Support Group (PSG) is to: 
  • promote a positive partnership among parents, the school and the Alumni through interaction and organization of activities that are mutually beneficial.
  • provide opportunities for parents to volunteer, share or contribute their knowledge and time to the school for the benefit of our girls.
  • provide opportunities for parents to network and support each other.
(Note: For more details, see the "About Us" page at https://sites.google.com/site/nyghpsg/about.)


Q1:  I hear great things about the NYGH PSG Volunteers. So who are these people?
A:    Yes, it's true that NYGH PSG is a great group of volunteers.  Behind the NYGH PSG organizational structure, is a group of passionate PSG volunteers. They share a common passion, which we call the "Core Values and Strengths of the NYGH PSG":
  •  builds great friendship among PSG parents,
  •  has great spirit of volunteerism to help NYGH and the NYGH girls,
  •  provides great support for NYGH initiatives,
  •  shows great teamwork when organizing PSG events/activities,
  •  shows great loyalty to NYGH and to NYGH PSG,
  •  has fun while working together in the NYGH PSG,
This spirit should be evident when you see PSG volunteers at work in PSG and school events.  This friendship and loyalty is so strong that you often see PSG alumni helping out in many PSG events.  As PSG volunteers, we also strive to be courteous, cheerful, friendly and helpful when running our events and activities.  Above all, we like everyone to have fun too. So, come join this group of wonderful people in the NYGH PSG and contribute your part as well.


Q2:  Wow, that's great. So, how do I become a NYGH PSG Volunteer?
A:    That's wonderful.  We welcome all parents to join us as PSG Volunteers.  There are many ways, you can join us:
  • Talk to us: The easiest way is to talk to a PSG EXCO member and tell him/her that you like to join and see what kind of event/activity you like to contribute to.

  • Fill an online Contact Form: Go visit the website and fill up an online form at https://sites.google.com/site/nyghpsg/about/parent-contact-form 
    This is the preferred option as it save work and reduces input error. Also, don't forget to also indicate which Sub-Committee you are especially interested in.

  • Fill a paper Contact Form: Each new Sec-1 student will have a paper PSG Contact Form in their "Registration Pack". Alternatively, you can also find the form at the PSG download site at https://sites.google.com/site/nyghpsg/downloads  
    Just fill up this Contact Form and pass it to a PSG EXCO member or to the NYGH General Office.
Q3:  How can I find out about Upcoming Events/Activities of the PSG?
A:    That's easy.  Just go to the PSG web-site at https://sites.google.com/site/nyghpsg/ and you will see a PSG Calendar of Events on the right. Under "News and Announcement" on the left, you will see a list of the latest events.  Do check out the PSG web-site regularly. If you are interested to participate in any event, just contact us or register online (if applicable) to participate or help out or both.  We look forward to seeing you at our events.
 

Q4:  Can you give some examples of PSG Events/Activities?
A:    Wow, where do we start?  The PSG organizes dumpling (粽子) making for the Sec-1 girls every year, a Breakfast Meeting with the Principal for Sec-1 parents (usually in April), a Welcome Party for Sec-1 Parents (April), "Sec 3 Dialogue Session" (Oct/Nov), Post-Exam Games Day (Nov) for the students.

The PSG also participates and help out in many school events like Registration Day, Parent Teacher Meeting (PTM) for Sec-1, "Sec 4 Career Conference" (March), NYGH Open House (June), NYGH Fun Fair, Teacher's Day celebration.  PSG volunteers sometimes assist the school in ad hoc events when parents are needed to help chaperon students on outings. 

The PSG organizes many enrichment talks for parents (and sometimes, students) on current topics like "Cyber Wellness" and "Addressing the Emotional Needs of Our Teens". There are also workshop on things like Floral Arrangement, Ice-Cream Making.  There is an active dance special interest group among the PSG volunteers.  We also have a once a month session on Healthy Lifestyle Exercise for PSG volunteers.  PSG volunteers help out in the school library as well.

The Foster Parent Group (FPG) of the PSG runs a very successful and rewarding foster parent programme for overseas scholars studying in NYGH.  We organize several activities with the FPG (Mid-Year Outing (June), Welcome Tea and Farewell Party (Nov)).

Suffices to say, there are lots of activities and you can be sure to find something that interests you.


Q5:  So, how can I contribute to the PSG?
A:    There are many different ways to contribute.  The many sub-committees in the PSG organizes many different events/activities every year (see Q4 above).  You can help organize events/activities, you can help out before or during our events/activities. Any kind of help, small or big, is welcome.  If you are not sure exactly how you can help, just come participate in one of our PSG activities to find out what PSG volunteers do.  You can contribute to an event/activity or to one or more of the sub-committees:
  • Dads for Life
  • Parent Enrichment
  • Events
  • Foster Parent Group
  • Library
  • Logistics
  • ICT
  • Public Relations (a new sub-committee)
If you like to help, but you are not sure how you can help, please contact the sub-committee Heads or any PSG EXCO member to chat.


Q6:  What are the benefits of joining the PSG?
A:    That's a great question.  By participating and/or helping out in our various events and activities, you are supporting and contributing to the school and also to your daughter's school experience.  This is the most important aspect of the PSG.  Of course, in doing so, you get to be actively involved in your daughter’s learning journey.  You also benefit from the parent enrichment activities.  You get to know other parents with whom you can share experiences.  Most of the alumni PSG volunteers are still with us because of the friendship they have build up over the years.


Q7:  I submitted a Contact Form already, but I have not been contacted yet.  What's happening?
A:    Thank you for submitting your Contact Form.  We usually try to contact you via email, or failing that, we try your contact number.  Sometimes, both fail.  So, if you have not heard from us, one of several things may have happened.  1. There is a typo in your email or contact number (sometimes happen because of difficulty in decoding handwritten text/numbers).  2. You changed your email or your contact number recently. In any case, why don't you contact us directly (by email, phone or sms) and inform us, so that we know and can update your information in our database. (Also, if you know what activity or sub-committee you are interested in, you should just contact the person in-charged directly.)
 

Q8:  I don't have a lot of spare time -- but I would like to help out and participate occasionally when I have the time.  Am I suitable to be a PSG volunteer?
A:    YES, of course.  Many PSG volunteer does exactly that.  They participate and/or help out in a few activities that interest them and when they have the time.  In this way, you too can contribute a little to and benefit a little from the PSG.


Q9:  I don't have time to volunteer right now, but would like to be kept informed of PSG activities.  What should I do?
A:    Simple.  Submit a Contact Form (online or paper) to us so that we have you in our email database and can keep you informed of PSG activities.  You can also check on PSG activities online yourself (see Q3 above).


Q10:  How can I suggest new activity that will be useful to the girls, the school, or the parents?
A:      That's a great question!  We welcome suggestions on new activities.  That's how the PSG continues to improve.  Please contact a PSG EXCO member when you see them in PSG activities or email them (for their email contacts on the PSG website).  You can also send us suggestions via the feedback form on the PSG website.
 

Q11:  What kind of knowledge / expertise / skills can I contribute to the PSG?
A:      That's another great question!  Actually, the PSG can use many different domains of knowledge, expertise and/or skills.  If you have organizational experience, logistics experience, good inter-personal skills, we can always put them to good use when organizing our events and activities.  If you have IT skills, the ICT team welcomes you.  In the past, parents have shared skills like floral arrangement, gift wrapping, ice-cream making, dance, and healthy lifestyle exercise.  Other parents helped organize a tour to MacRitchie Treetop Walk (done with parents and the daughters).  If you can help arrange interesting and educational trips, let the PSG know.  If you have time, you can help us move things, arrange things, contact other volunteers, and do many other tasks.  If you are a good writer, the PR sub-committee would love to have you help write about our PSG events and activities.  One parent organized Mathematics workshops for the students and teachers. Parents with other domain knowledge can also share with parents, teachers or students.  So, please volunteer your skills if you are willing.  Just contact any one of the PSG EXCO members.  Finally, If you have good cooking skills, everyone welcomes you.


Q12:  Can you tell me more about the NYGH PSG?
A:      Glad you asked.  The NYGH PSG consists of parent volunteers, organized into a PSG EXCO, and a larger group of PSG Volunteers.  There are many sub-committees in the PSG that take charge of different types of activities and events.  It is expected (but not required) that the Heads of the sub-committees and some of the event ICs will come from the PSG EXCO.  The PSG EXCO is supported by a very important group of PSG Volunteers who participate and assist in the various activities and events of the PSG.  In each PSG event or activity, there are many PSG volunteers who contribute.  Active volunteers are usually asked to consider joining future EXCOs of the PSG.


Q13:  Can you tell me more about the PSG EXCO?
A:      Glad you asked.  The PSG Executive Committee (EXCO) comprises the PSG Advisory Board (School), the PSG Executive Board (EXCO Board), and the Executive Council (EXCO Council), as specified by the PSG Rule Book.  The PSG Rule Book states that the EXCO Board comprises the Chair, two Vice Chairs, the Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary Secretary, the Assistant Honorary Secretary, and three Ex-Officio members from the preceding PSG EXCO.  The EXCO Council comprise the other members of the PSG EXCO.  The PSG Rule Book specifies 16 members in the EXCO Council and giving the option for the Advisory Board to approve additional members, where appropriate.


Q14:  How can I become a PSG EXCO member?
A:      Good question.   The PSG EXCO is elected annually.  In accordance to the PSG Rule Book, active volunteers may be nominated by incumbent PSG EXCO Board members to be elected into the PSG EXCO of the following year.  The composition and the rules of nomination and election are also given in the PSG Rule Book.  Informally, if you aim to be an EXCO member, take part in PSG activities, help out and be an active PSG volunteer.  Then, naturally, you will be approached for nomination into the PSG EXCO of the following year.


Q15:  So, what is in the PSG Rule Book?
A:      The PSG Rule Book was proposed and passed in 2011.  The current version of the PSG Rule Book was passed in October 2011.  It specifies the rules for the composition, nomination and election of the PSG EXCO.  In addition, it also specifies a "code of conduct" for good practices for all parent volunteers.  All NYGH PSG volunteers must abide by the PSG Rule Book.  The PSG Rule Book can be found in https://sites.google.com/site/nyghpsg/downloads pages.


Q16:  Wait, I have a question, but it is not covered in Q0--Q15.
A:      Finally, if your question is NOT covered above, please contact us via the PSG website at https://sites.google.com/site/nyghpsg/


(The online version of this FAQ is found at https://sites.google.com/site/nyghpsg/about/faq )

(Updated: 02-Jan-2012)