Elite Education

Hello readers, I am back to post again. Today, I am like over the moon. It really feels great to receive great results. I got back my history, maths, and Chinese tests results. I scored an A1 for both my Chinese and maths test and a B3 for my history test. This is considered quite good results among our class. Well, can say that it’s above average. But at the same time, I do see a lot of people, crying over their results. But why? I feel that this question somehow relates to the topic on elite education for the principal’s dialogue during my Level Assembly held today.
There is a difference between an elite education and an elitist education. HCI offers the former because the HCI education framework aims to support holistic development of students.

An elite education means providing the best (facilities, education, teachers) to groom the best. Intense competition may be one major mode of sharpening the skills of the members in such a community.

Collectively, the best efforts of the students can move the organisation forward as well as benefit the students in achieving their goals. But would such intense competitions create blind spots for the people in the competition such that while they succeed in their endeavours, they don’t know how to connect with people beyond their communities? If that is the case, how can HCI students overcome such blind spots?

While holistic education is offered as in HCI, students may not leverage on the provisions. Instead they narrow their own options especially when their career aspirations have been preset by their parents. It will be good for HCI students to reflect on how they can make use of these provisions for growing up to be true leaders instead of putting blame on parents and systems.
And thus, the pressure from the parents, the intense competition, I think it is one of the causes that made one cry over their results. Well, is this a good thing or a bad thing? People always say ‘you only grow when you experience failure’, and in this case, failure is referred to failing your tests, losing to the ‘competition’, how far do you agree? Share with me your views.

hello readers ! I am back ! Guess what, my school does not have MYE ! But of course, for tracking our progress purpose, we have class test. Even though the weighting for it is quite low, but everyone of us work very hard for it. And finally, we gone through it. After a long and tedious month, we are only left with science and Infocomm Studies test. Well, even though we have not received our test results, but i feel that we deserved a break before the next test, which is one week later. Well, through out the weekend, i went to catch a movie with my friends from my class.

The movie is named Ice Kacang Puppy Love. It's in chinese, and made in malaysia. Well, indeed it's a nice movie. It's a romance love story, of a complicated relationship. It is a profoundly emotional tale of teenagers puppy love, parental love, generation gap, truth and make-believe. Set in a unique small town of 1980s Malaysia, the story evolves between a nice, shy boy - Botak and a brave and adventurous girl Da Jia Yu. The story brings you back to their experience of first love and crushes or what we call puppy love. The first love feeling is like the popular ice-kacang (shave ice) melting away even before one can truly taste it, only its sweetness painfully residing in our memory. I can say it's rather touching especially towards the end of the movie. It's worth to catch the movie. So readers, if you have the time, i urge you to catch the movie. you will not regret it!

Well, its time to say goodbye. I will be positing soon, so keep a lookout ! :D

Labour Day!

Today is Labour Day!! Well, i bet many are enjoying their long weekend. It's indeed a great weekend. But while we enjoy, we must also learn the origins of it, why is there labour day?

Labour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. The majority of countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1, and it is popularly known as May Day and International Workers' Day, while some celebrate on the first Monday of September.
The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the Eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

As you can see, its celebrated among so many countries, either on May 1 or 2. But it is a great day for many, especially to labour workers. Throughout the year, the put in so much efforts to make our life easier, better. They might not have as much holiday as us, but their hard work, their sweat really bring us a more comfortable life. And thus, i think they really deserve a break.

All in all, i would like to wish everybody, especially Labour workers, Happy labour day and hope you enjoy your holidays !

Lowering the weighting for Mother Tongue?

At a recent interview with the media, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen shared that his Ministry is studying the possibility of reducing the weighting given to mother tongue languages in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Currently, mother tongue languages carry equal weightage of 25 per cent as the other three examinable subjects, English, Mathematics and Science. The combined aggregate score is used for admission into secondary school.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been receiving feedback from parents who expressed concern that their children who are weaker in mother tongue languages have lost out on a place in top secondary schools. In this regard, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will review teaching methods of the mother tongue language to ensure that lessons are tailored to the needs of different groups of students, and at the same time, encourage and incentivise students who are proficient in mother tongue languages to progress further. It was noted that such a move will strengthen Singapore’s bilingual edge, since mother tongue lessons will be pitched at the correct level for the students.

Below is a real-life scenario. This is found when i was reading the news online on straitstime.

MINISTER for Education Ng Eng Hen's revelation that his ministry is reviewing the weighting given to mother tongue in the PSLE score was good news for Lesley-Anne Tan, even though the 13-year-old would not benefit from the possible change of policy.

Lesley-Anne, who struggled with the Chinese language throughout her primary school years, even breaking down in tears when she could not memorise some of its characters, eventually scored an A.

But the teenager, who comes from an English-speaking home and is on the Gifted Education Programme, felt that her mother tongue results could have pulled her Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results down last year.

Now 13, the student from a top girls' school here, scored A*s for the other subjects, and describes studying Chinese as a 'challenge'.

She said: 'Lowering the weighting of mother tongue will benefit those who are good in other subjects, but are only weaker in MTL (mother tongue languages).'

Like Lesley-Anne, students who are finding it hard to cope with mother tongue languages told The Straits Times they welcomed the possibility of lowering the weighting for the mother tongue in the PSLE.
(extract taken from http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_517699.html)

Well, in my opinion i feel that lowering mother tongue language weighting for PSLE helps a lot in improving one's aggregate in PSLE. But lowering it makes it seems 'less important'. In Singapore, the education emphasize on at least two language for primary standards. But lowering of the standards might caused one to feel that it is unimportant and might not even study for it because the weighting of it is lower. But as one progresses, when he or she goes up to the secondary standard, they will face troubles coping with their mother tongue, and their overall results. On top of that, he or she may take up another language such as malay, japanese or even french. But if one could not even manage his or her mother tongue language, how could he or she manage another language?

Well, many people have different views. But i personally feel that lowering the weighting of mother tongue in PSLE is not a wise decision. It will affect one's future more or less. So what do you think? Do you think it is wise for the Ministry of Education to lower the weighting for Mother Tongue Language? Share with me your views by commenting. Thank you .

FYI- Ministry of Education has yet to decide on lowering the weighting of Mother Tongue Language in PSLE.

Rugby fight breaks out between ACS (I) and St Andrew's School

There is a recent news, well i would say shocking news, happened in Singapore. This is non other then the Rugby fight that breaks out between ACS (I) and St Andrew's School.

A fight between opposing players and a pitch invasion that ensued, marred a keenly-contested Schools National B Division Under-17 rugby final between Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and St Andrew's School (SAS) yesterday.

The post-match clash, which erupted immediately after the final whistle at the Old Police Academy at Thomson Road, left ACS(I) flanker Leonard David Wee with a bloodied nose and mouth.

The supporters had just started applauding the splendid display when the fracas erupted. According to ACS(I) sports secretary Chan Chee Wei, Leonard was punched in the face by an opposing player.

You may pity the player, Leonard, who was injured. But if you looked at the full picture, it was Leonard Wee who started the fight, insulting one of the SAS players. He insulted one of the SAS player , a loser.

Well, we can understand why a fight broke out. Even though SAS started to use violence, but i feel that it is understandable. If someone were to call you, or even your team loser, after losing just by one point, i feel that, i mean i really feel that only people with really high self control will then be able to cope with the anger that is building up.

But well, i wouldn't say that SAS wasn't at fault at all. They were wrong to resort to violence to appease their anger. They could have walked away, even though its difficult for them to do so.

As for ACS(I), i personally feel that they display no sportsmanship at all. Despite the fact that they wasn't the first to start to fight, they called the losing team, SAS a looser. This shows that they did not win graciously. Instead of going up, shaking their hand, or even saying 'good game', they called SAS a looser. This is the straw that broke the camel back. It spark off the fight.

Thus I feel that it is understandable for SAS to resort to violence and i feel that ACS(I) is at fault in the first place. Well, you may have different views, but do share with my by simply commenting :D

Founder's day - Old Folks Home

Hello, yesterday was founder’s day. In Hwa Chong Institution, it is a practice that we do something for the society on founder’s day. This is also known as our Community Involvement Programme.

For our school, different levels did different things such as newspaper collecting, old folks home & children home visit and others. As for my level, my class, we went to the old folks home at Lentor residence. The purpose of going to the old folks home is to accompany, entertain the elderly and also understand certain values.

Before going to the old folks home, we did some preparation. We prepared a mini performance, which includes singing, reciting of poems and playing games. And also, we even raised some food and drinks like Milo and biscuit for them.

The day came very fast. It was 24th March 2010, the founder’s day. Everybody was excited until we reached the old folks home. To many of us, it was our first time visiting a home. We were all shy and embarrassed when we first face the elderly. Our performance was the first item. We had to sing in front of them, and slowly start to interact with them. But instead, we crowd among ourselves, and start to hope that someone doesn’t spot us.

But we got the teacher really angry and we started to interact with them. Even though we could not communicate with them properly, but under the help with the adults, we still manage to understand a little bit. And slowly we started to interact more with them, by hands signs or by verbal.

Because of the short of time, we decided to take off the reciting of poems and decided to go into the game. The game really entertained them, especially the game ‘bingo’. Although not all participated, by seeing them enjoying the game, and having a smile on their face, it really reliefs us. It means that our efforts we put in were not wasted.

After that, it was their lunchtime. So we help to do some cleaning by cleaning the stacks of chairs they had. Despite the face that it was really dirty and full of disgusting bird shit, our class worked together closely, and helps to scrub and dry the chair. It was really touching to look at that sight, the playful and naughty 2o3 actually did work together and clean the chair. I think that’s because at the moment, we had a same target in mind - really serve the elderly to the best we can!

Very soon, it was time to say goodbye. We left the place and headed back to school, feeling a little sad for the elderly, the lonely elderly.

Of course, like I mention in the previous post, there is always a learning point for everything you do. For this trip, I learnt that we should learn to spend more time with our families, especially with our parents. And also, we should take care of our parents in the future no matter what condition they are in. This is because it really hurts them if we leave them in the elderly home. Like the elderly in the home that we visited, they all seemed very lonely. Even though I don’t know why they are in the old folks home, but I know that if they were given a choice, they would rather live with their children instead of staying in an old folks home. Same things for me, if I am a parent next time, I will not want my child to leave me in the old folks home.

And I also, I learnt that staying healthy is also very important. Looking at many elderly on their wheel chair or when their movement is being restricted because of the physical conditions and feeling restless, I really sympathize them from the bottom of my heart. Thus, one’s healthiness is very important.

Well, many of you all may have different views. Share with me!

The Nationals, Water Polo C Div Finals

Hello, I am back to post . The Nationals, Water Polo C Div Finals took place 2 days ago, 23th March 2010 at CCAB.



This was my first finals ever since I join Hwa Chong water polo team, same for my team mates. Sad to announce, we lost against ACSI. The match was between Anglo Chinese School ( Independent ) and Hwa Chong Institution. The final score was 10 - 4 .

I shall not further elaborate on the match itself. But you can find out more at here.

We, Hwa Chong team put up a good fight in the match. This was agreed by many of our teachers and our coach. Truthfully speaking, they are faster than us. They are stronger than us. They are better than us one or another way. Even though we lost, but we, the Hwa Chong team, feel happy losing. That's because we tried our best, and to us, the scores isn't the main point. As an athletic, winning or losing maybe important, but enjoying the game is still the priority. We enjoyed ourselves during the game, and we learn a lot of things, both technically and mentally.

After this match, we promised that we will strive even harder in the coming years and we will give our best again in 2 years time!

Personally, I feel that we could have done better, or even we might have won ACSI. But 'no regrets'. Since its over, we should look forward in meeting ACSI in two years time instead of looking back and keep thinking about it. Well, the same things goes for life. We should not have 'ifs' . When we done something wrong, it is too late to regret. But instead, we should look forward and think of how to resolve the problem. And also, we should not push the blame to others, like we did not blame ACSI for being better, as after all, resolving the problem is the priority and is the most effective way to resolve the problem.

Well, there are many learning points for many events happening around us. Different events requires a different point of perspective to understand the lesson behind it, just like the water polo i mentioned above. So share with me! Share with what you have learnt through the things happening around you. Feel free to comment !

☺ End of School Holidays ☺

Yeah! It’s time to say goodbye to the bear. Today is the last day of the school holiday. Time flies, seriously. One week of holiday has past so quickly. So how did I spend my holidays? Well, I return to school for training in the morning everyday, and in the afternoon, I go home to study, and most importantly, to sleep ☺. It’s like a routine. From Monday to Friday, I do the same things. Training, lunch, study, naps, dinner and study, but with the exception of one or two days, the days which I went out for movies with my friends. This week, I watched two movies, ‘Kidnapper’ and ‘being human’. I really enjoyed the time I spent with my friends catching those movies and also, I enjoyed sleeping thoroughly this week. During school days, a lot of students lack of sleep. That includes me. We often scarify our sleep time just to rush out our homework. But during holiday, plenty of time for me to sleep. I realize that able to sleep is also a blessing. Don’t you agree with me? But of course, I am not a pig! So today, the last day of school holidays, everybody is complaining why is the holiday so short! And today, the last day of school holiday, many are rushing their holiday. This type situation is commonly seen among students nowadays as they tend to get lazy☺ As for me, I finished most of my homework during the weekdays, and I am left with one maths worksheet that I am stuck with.

So how did you spend your holidays? Share with me simply by commenting ☺ I appreciate if you could share with me.

Well, got to go off and continue my maths homework. I will be back. *Blink*☺

Being Human (Chinese, English subbed)

‘Being Human’ is a movie released recently. Today, I went to watch this movie at Plaza Singapura with my water polo friends.

This movie is about Max (Mark Lee), a hardworking but unscrupulous employee for a mildly successful slimming centre Natural Beauty. In his efforts to increase company profits, Max decides to purchase supplies from a counterfeit brand. When he was found out, Max was fired. In his retaliation, Max decides to open a rival company Max Beauty, using the same counterfeit beauty products and imported slimming pills. Max's conscience (played by Taiwanese celebrity Nono) appears to advise him against these actions but is duly ignored. Max will eventually realize that what comes around, goes around and what it means to Being Human Being.

Well, I would say that this movie is more of a Singapore comedy show as they speak in a very funny way with mix languages and dialect. But every, or rather most movies and shows, there is always a lesson behind it. For this movie, the main lesson learnt is ‘what we do is what we get’. In this movie, it portraits two scenario. First scenario is when Max did something wrong by selling counterfeit brand slimming product. In the end, he lost his wife. He lost his career. He lost his unborn son which he long wished for. That is the retribution he got for doing the wrong thing.

Another scenario was that when he did not sell counterfeit brand slimming product. He got a better career. He got his Son. He got a warming family.

Although there are many other scenario, but this two are the most significant ones. People only learn their lessons through the hard way. And they will then realize what they do is what they get.

Overall, I find this movie nice and meaningful. I would recommend, you, readers to watch!

Water Polo C-div Nationals

It’s been long since last posted. Well, recently I am busy having water polo competitions. In Singapore, there are only 6 schools having water polo as a form of Co-Curriculum Activity and most of them, in fact all of them are boys schools. You may wonder why a mix school doesn’t have water polo. To be true, I also don’t know why. Maybe you can find and tell me why! 

The school national is help once in year. Instead of just looking at the scores and the results, it is also a good time to see how far we fair by having matches with other schools. Well of course, many still sees the results as the number one factor. As usual, it is held at Anglo-Chinese Independent School.

The competition starts officially on 2nd March 2010 for the C-division 14 years-old and below). Our first match was against Anglo-Chinese Independent School (ACSI) was one of the crucial match for Hwa Chong as ACSI is a strong team with a batch fast swimmer. But despite the fact that they were very strong, we put up a good fight by closing the match with a score of 8(ACSI)-3(HCI). Well, the teachers and the coach were quite satisfied with the results as they know that we really played well.

Even though we lost the match, but we still had another chance to go to the finals. That’s because there is total of 6 teams in Singapore. Every team has to play against another, once, or twice. Every match won, three points will be awarded. Thus, we can afford to only lose one match if we want to play the finals.

Until now, we played 4 matches, including the ACSI match. The score is as follow …
HCI v ACS Ind (C div) 3-8
HCI v ACSBR (C div) 11-3
HCI v OSS (C div) 15-0
HCI v RI (C div) 13-5

Keen to know more? You can visit the website at http://www.schoolsports.sg/sssc/waterpolo/results

As you can see from above, we manage to win every match except for the ACSI match. The last match will be against San Andrews (SAINTS)before going into the finals. Our team is confident in winning the San Andrews match and we are now all excited to play the finals, against ACSI. Looking at the situation now, you may think that we will get at most a 2nd position. But I can tell you, with the Hwa Chong spirit, the polo team spirit, I, or instead the team, believe that we will try our very best to beat ACSI and secure the 1st position. We believe that we can make it. We believe that miracles do happen.