I would like to also acknowledge the many supporters of SSD. On behalf of SSD, I thank the Kuan Im T

Speech by Ms Sim Ann, Minister of State, Ministry of Communications thailand rent a car and Information thailand rent a car & Ministry of Education, at the Singapore School for the Deaf s 50th Anniversary, on Thursday, 14 November 2013, at 7.45pm, at Orchard Parade Hotel
Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Singapore School for the Deaf (SSD). I feel deeply honoured to be here to mark this moment with the SSD family, and treasure the opportunity to meet with staff, students, thailand rent a car parents, alumni and other key stakeholders.
The theme of today s joyous event is Silent Journey, Quiet Thunder . It encapsulates how SSD has made commendable progress over the years in delivering quality education to students with hearing impairments. The theme also captures the strong impact of the achievements made by former thailand rent a car and current SSD students in quiet and humble ways. I will share the stories of three former SSD students who have overcome challenges to achieve their dreams.
Mr Ramesh thailand rent a car Mayappan was born deaf but he never let it stop him from pursuing thailand rent a car his passion in theatre. Since graduating from SSD, Ramesh s gift in acting led him to clinch the Best Actor Award at the Life! Theatre thailand rent a car Awards thailand rent a car in 2008 for his performance in the play Gin Tonic and Passing Trains. He has even forayed thailand rent a car into the international thailand rent a car theatre scene and is currently based in Glasgow, Scotland.
Another outstanding SSD alumnus is Mr Kenny Tiang, who won the SingPost stamp design competition in 2012. With a keen eye for design, he designed a series of stamps which featured five basic greetings in sign language (e.g. Good Bye and I Love you). His artwork has increased public awareness of sign language and how to communicate in simple ways with persons who are deaf or hearing impaired.
Ms Isabelle Lim went through multiple corrective surgeries on her jaw and trachea while growing up. She was also born with four fingers which made holding and learning Sign Language more difficult. Isabelle persevered, and completed a diploma in Accounting at the Institute of Technical Education. She is now enrolled in LASALLE College of the Arts to pursue her interest in Visual Art and Photography. thailand rent a car Her strong fighting spirit is something we can all learn from. These are just three out of the many uplifting stories thailand rent a car of former SSD students whose actions continue to touch the lives of others.
thailand rent a car I salute the persevering spirit and dedication of educators who have served the school for many years. For instance, Mr Peng Tsu Ying pioneered the use of Chinese Sign Language at SSD, and dedicated 35 years to making a difference in the lives of students with hearing impairment. Carrying on from Mr Peng s work was Mr Lim Chin Heng, who conducted basic American Sign Language (ASL) classes for teachers at the school, and ASL became the basis for the introduction of Signing Exact English II as a medium of instruction at SSD. Please join me in giving them a round of applause.
I would like to also acknowledge the many supporters of SSD. On behalf of SSD, I thank the Kuan Im Tng Temple in Joo Chiat for their generous support of needy students every year, students from the Nanyang Technological University who have been providing supplementary lessons for our students on Saturdays, and Damai Primary School which has partnered SSD in joint activities over the past few years. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Indeed, the collaborative support of the school, the community and the families is what makes a difference in our students lives.