This week has been a very exciting time for the Nexus community. On Monday, all of our staff went together for the first time to visit our new school. It was very exciting to see the progress that the construction teams have made and how much the building already looks like a completed school environment ready to welcome our learners and their families even though there are two and half months to go before our new school opens.

There were many excited faces on our staff and we are all very much looking forward to sharing our experience with you tomorrow. We have spent all week preparing for our Sneak Peek of our new school. We would love to have more people join us but the health and safety of our families is paramount and this is why we have had to close RSVPs. We realise that not everyone will be able to attend this weekend so we have some alternative options for you.

We will have another Nexus Family Tour in a few weeks. Details will follow shortly.

All learners will also be visiting their new school as part of our planned campus transition programme, giving them the opportunity to see their wonderful new learning spaces. We understand that change is challenging for us all and particularly for young people. We will also be talking to the learners so they have time with their peers to share their excitement and anxieties about our move.

We know some families will be thinking about travel to the new school, especially if you will be travelling from near Ulu Pandan for the first few months. Sign-up for the complimentary bus service will come out shortly. Buses will be scheduled to arrive at Nexus Aljunied for early morning swimming, morning CCAs and the start of school. They will then leave Nexus Aljunied after school, after CCAs and after swimming. Look out for the sign-up coming soon!

Meanwhile at our Ulu Pandan Campus, Halloween came to Nexus on Friday, 1 November. Arranged by our wonderful parents, there were not one but three events! Starting at 3.30pm the smallest learners were treated to stalls, a Haunted House and a lovely disco hosted by Kian in Year 8. The older Primary children had a similar experience before Years 7 to 9 enjoyed a Movie Night in the Auditorium. Huge thanks to the NPG and facilities staff and teachers for making these events a spooktacular success!

Also on last Friday we celebrated Deepavali in our community. Starting with the rousing dance in the Bus Bay before school, many learners came to school in traditional dress. It was wonderful to see so many staff and learners in stunning traditional Indian wear. The day was further celebrated in Primary School with Bhangra and Dhol performances, Bollywood dancing and Bharatanatyam. The learners also participated in various Arts and Crafts activities and food tastings. Yet another wonderful day celebrating the Festival of Lights. Thank you to the parents and staff that helped organise and run the stalls this year.

On Friday evening as the Secondary Movie was screening, some of our Year 9 learners returned to the school field to set up camp on their first Duke of Edinburgh Award adventurous journey. It was great to see them cooking pasta and discussing the best way to chop onions and tomatoes! They had completed a 10km hike with 30kg packs and were due to walk to Macritchie Reservoir the very next morning. Mr Andy and Mr Ronan were the brave teachers in charge.

The Primary and Secondary Music recitals were simply excellent last Thursday. A really cosy atmosphere was created in the Auditorium and the learners performed terrifically well to a very appreciative audience. These are likely to be Ms Clare Lambert's last public events before she goes on maternity leave and we send our very best wishes to her, and thank her and the Music Team for their hard work and creativity.

Parents of learners in Years 10 and 12 had a really positive Parent Consultation Evening on this Wednesday which focused on the start they have made to their IGCSE and IB Diploma courses respectively. At the same time our intrepid Art Team were at the Australian High Commission supporting some of our IB Artists with the opening of the INspired Visual Arts Exhibition. Lots of parents also joined us on Tuesday for our Parent Workshop focusing on our very comprehensive assessment at Nexus and how we support your children through their learning journey and ensuring they get the correct balance of support and challenge; we call this relaxed alertness.

Today's Cross Country Event was held in the North East of Singapore, at Pasir Ris Park for nearly 100 learners across Years 3 to 9 who represented Nexus, showing their excellence in athletics and their positive competitive sportsmanship.

We look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow at our new school. Good luck to the learner-led Diving CCA team as they head towards a weekend of work in the seas off Rawa this weekend! We also wish our Year 12 learners every success as they embark upon their challenging CAS trip to Cambodia next week.

Paul Beach and Peter Hart

Heads of School