President’s Award for Teachers (PAT) Recipient: Mr Shang
Find out how PAT 2024 recipient Mr Shang inspires students to lead active lives and serve the community through sports.
Congratulations to Mr Shang Thian Huat for receiving the PAT 2024! PAT recognises excellent educators for their role in moulding the future of our nation. Mr Shang was one of the eight educators who received the PAT 2024 from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during the Teachers’ Day Reception held on 29 August 2024.
To Mr Shang, sports is more than just about fitness. He inspires students to lead active lives and give back to the community. Collaborating with community partners, Mr Shang introduced a school-wide Values-in-Action (VIA) programme focused on active aging and intergenerational bonding. Each month, students from different CCAs organise sports and games for senior citizens in Telok Blangah, building bonds with the elderly while learning empathy, patience, and teamwork through sports.
Phua Ser Yen, a Student Leader, shared her heartfelt thoughts at the Teachers’ Day Reception.
“Mr Shang taught me to be wise, to be responsible and stay on the right path. He recognised my leadership qualities and encouraged me to grow as a leader even when I leave primary school.
Mr Shang taught us that sports is more than just about fitness. He started a really interesting Values-in-Action programme. In this programme, students will take turns to organise sports and games for the senior citizens in Telok Blangah. I cannot wait to be a part of this programme next term and teach the elderly how to play modified floorball. It is going to be fun and I look forward to connecting with our seniors as I think I can learn a lot from them.
Thank you, Mr Shang, for your listening ear, guidance and support, and for teaching me to serve the community.”
Through his practices and actions, Mr Shang is indeed an inspiration to our students and colleagues!
Click here (opens in new tab) to view video on how Mr Shang ignites a love for sports in his students.
Video by Ministry of Education, Singapore
Click here (opens in new tab) to read a Schoolbag article on Mr Shang’s belief on enabling all students to learn important life skills such as critical thinking, adaptability and collaboration through sports.