Students learn 3D animation through Virtual Paper Napkin initiative By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 30 September 2005 2134 hrs SINGAPORE : Singapore's talent pool for 3D animation has just grown younger. Secondary school students have had the opportunity to get such skills through a programme called Virtual Paper Napkin. The partnership between Temasek Polytechnic and IM Innovations may well lead to the production of a future animated blockbuster right here in Singapore. 3D animation is usually offered to second or third year polytechnic students at Temasek Polytechnic, but lower secondary students like Law Wei Yen and Shahrul Nurhafiedz show that it is never too young to learn. They started a programme on 3D graphics and animation as part of their Co-Curricular Activities last April, and after just 30 hours, they have become quite proficient. Said Wei Yen, a student at Admiralty Secondary School, "It's so interesting I wish I could do more. Recently I did a sword so I want to make more and maybe make a movie out of it." Shahrul, also of Admiralty Secondary, said, "With this knowledge (I hope) I can join a production and create wonderful effects like a starship." Admiralty Secondary is one of three secondary school which have taken up this programme, with ACS (I) and Canberra Secondary School being the other two. Temasek Polytechnic, which offers the programme through its 3D Media Studio, says that with Singapore's push towards becoming a digital media hub, the programme will help support the industry. Said Dr Tan Hock Soon, of the Temasek Engineering School at Temasek Polytechnic, "With the push towards the digital media hub, students are exposed to these kinds of media at a young age, they will grow up with it because these kinds of software need experience. "Working on this kind of programme needs some sort of creativity, some sort of thinking, going through practise, hard work. So through this process, when they are starting this young and they grow up with the technology, we feel this will help us towards this kind of push to produce more content." The software used, called "Cinema 4D" and "BodyPaint 3D", are the leading programmes used by animators worldwide. And the 3D Media Studio now has a leg up as it has been appointed the exclusive Authorised Training Centre for the software in the region. Said Vincent Ong, managing director of IM Innovations, "One of the next things we are going to do is to reach out to the industries, not just in Singapore but also in the region, so together we want to be seen as the lighthouse for 3D technologies and applications." He added, "If you look at where 3D is being used, innovative companies around the world for example BMW uses virtual reality. They save a lot of money, they save a lot of time to design their products, costs are saved. What's going to happen is that if we were to build our capabilities and to be recognised, be branded to be the place and the hub where international companies which have such a need will go towards, then we are going to attract those companies, their type of project into Singapore." The software used by these students is the same one used in the production of animated movies such as the "Polar Express" and "Spiderman". The next animated Hollywood blockbuster might well be done by these budding animators. - CNA /ct URL: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/171135/1/.html

Brief History

Admiralty Secondary School is founded in 2002. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, our school aims to bring the most dynamic and effective teaching and learning environment to both our teachers and students.

Our school has performed well in the years since its inception with the multiple accolades it has garnered in the various fields. The school’s special rooms such as Aaha! Centre, Lighthouse Production Studio, Wow Garden and Technology Hub are fertile grounds in the school to experiment with creativity, innovation and technology.

In 2006, we were the youngest school to be awarded the DSA-status of a Niche-School, focusing on Robotics and Enterprise.

In the years to come, Admiralty Secondary will produce generations of ADSSians who will shine and excel in their respective jobs, and contribute richly to the progress and prosperity of our nation.

Our Mission

To nurture every ADSSian
to shine as a creative life-long learner
with integrity and perseverance

Our Vision

To create a Dynamic Learning Organization and
an Innovative Community

Our Motto

Be a Guiding LIGHT that Shines

Our Values

Life-long creative learning Integrity Graciousness and compassion Humanity Togetherness Self-discipline and perseverance

My School

English Language Departmental News Events

Thank you for visiting our English Department Website. We have designed an interactive site with discussion forum and owing to constraints; we are unable to host it on this MOE-based server.

Please visit us at www.adss-elweb.org

Ther website contains our vision, departmental activities, useful learning resources and a forum for ADSSians to post their views regarding certain current affair matters. We hope you have a pleasant and enriching experience at our website.

Robotics Club was formed in September 2002 and was officially renamed as Robotics Enterprise (RE) in March 2005. Under the great leadership of Mr Wee Gark Kung, RE has flourished from a mere 20 students to strength of 90 students and 6 teachers.

As a young club, RE has emerged as one of the great challengers in some National Competitions such as the National Junior Robotics Competition and the FIRST Singapore Robotics. Apart from National Competitions, RE has performed well in the International Arena as well. We are the only club to clinch International Awards for the School.

For community, RE has organized zonal as well as National Competition such as the N7 Robotics Competition, the National RoboCraft Fun Race and FIRST Lego League.

---

Our Vision:

• Global Partners in Robotics

Our Mission:

• An Established Club for others to Emulate.

Our Motto:

• We make your Dreams come true.

Our Core Values:

• Valuing Teamwork
• Appreciating Talent
• Contributing to Community
• Self-Actuating,
• Self-Reflecting

---

Short Term Goal & Long Term Goal

Short Term Goals: 2006 (1-3 years)

• To organize a national level Robotics Competition
• To clinch the top place for Best Performance Award in NJRC
• To clinch the at least 2 International Awards

Short Term Goal Progress:

• Organised the National RoboCraft Fun Race in June 2005
• Won the 1 st International Award (Championship Award in FIRST Vex Robotics @ Atlanta (International) on April 2005)

Long Term Goals: 2005 (3-10 years)

• To win the 3 rd NJRC Championships Award
• To win the 1 st FRS Championships Award
• To connect and collaborate with Overseas Robotics Teams to share knowledge and experience.

---

KPI (Key Performance Indicators)
Review @ Jan 2006

Achievement	2004	2005	2006
At least 20 Non-Robotics Teams will participate in the NJRC	40 NJRC Teams	50 NJRC Teams
At least 4 teams will be in the top 40 Finalists in NJRC	04 Teams went into the Final	05 Teams went into the Final
At least 01 FRS Award	02 FRS Awards	02 FRS Awards	04 FRS Awards
Participate in at least 01 International Robotics Competition	Participated in World Robot Olympiad @ Singapore in November 2004	FIRST Vex Robotics @ Atlanta in April 2005 FIRST Lego League @ Japan in May 2005 International Robot Olympid Competition @ Korea in October 2005 World Robot Olympiad @ Thailand in November 2005	FIRST Vex Robotics @ Atlanta in April 2006 FIRST Lego League @ Denmark in May 2006

---

Heritage

Achievement	2004
Sept 2002	Formation of Robotics Club
Sept 2002	First appearance at National Junior Robotics Competition @ Singapore Won the Best NewComer Award
Sept 2003	Won the Championship Award in National Junior Robotics Competition
March 2004	First appearance at FIRST Robotics Singapore @ Singapore Won the Champion Alliance Award and Project Management Award
Sept 2004	Being the only Secondary School to win the Second Championship Award from 2003 to 2004 in National Junior Robotics Competition
Nov 2004	First appearance at International Competition at World Robot Olympiad @ Singapore Won the First International Award Sprint Race (Silver)
Mar 2005	Won 2 National Awards at FIRST Robotics Singapore @ Singapore
Mar 2005	Robotics Club renamed as Robotics Enterprise
Apr 2005	Won the First International Championship Award at FIRST Robotics Vex @ Atlanta , USA
Aug 2005	Won the Second International Championship Award at FIRST Lego League @ Nagoya, Japan
Sept 2005	Being the only School to win the third Championship Awards from 2003 to 2005 in National Junior Robotics Competition
March 2006	Won 4 National Awards at FIRST Robotics Singapore @ Singapore
May 2006	Admiralty Secondary School awarded the status of Niche School in Robotics Enterprise by the Ministry of Education

Admiralty Sec Sch

4^th time NJRC CHAMPIONS

ADSS RE: 4^th time NJRC Champions

By Mr Andy Koh: Angels Mentor

Four secondary one girls have done it AGAIN! Admiralty Secondary School has won the prestigious Championship Award in the National Junior Robotics Competition 2006, and this win means ADSS RE has won the same championship for 4 consecutive years (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006).

The team of four girls (Adele, Joel, Brenda and Ying Xuan) otherwise known as Angels, have become the youngest team in ADSS to clinch the championship award. This would not have been possible for the following people:

Mrs Lim Ai Poo: Principal

Mr Micheal Lim: Vice Principal

Mr Gabriel Goh: SAC Treasurer

Special thanks and mention to:

Mr Wee Gark Kung: Master Mentor of ADSS Robotics Enterprise

The girls have also won 2 other awards from NJRC: 2^nd place for website and 3^rd place for their booth design. NJRC has been an enriching learning experience for the girls and it is our hope that ADSS RE will continue to thrive.

To end, Angels have a little message to share with everyone, that is, to help conserve energy so that mankind can outlast the limited supply of crude oil. A simple habit to switch off lights after use goes a long way.