LORRAINE FAITH VAMADEVAN Class: 5/1

                                                                     

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” The world would no doubt be a very dull place without music. Music is, for some, an escape from reality, and for others, a form of entertainment or self-expression. Music is also a way people from all backgrounds can come together and have a ball of a time.

Many people enjoy listening to music as a form of entertainment or as a stress reliever. Listening to music allows people to be momentarily transported into a different world, therefore helping them escape reality for a while. People can enter a state of temporary calm and tranquillity listening to music, whether they’re commuting to work or taking a jog around the park. For events and parties, music contributes to the ambience. A party, movie or even a sports meet without any form of music is unimaginable. The lack of music would cause guests and movie goers to feel bored out of their mind. Adding music to these would help make them more entertaining. Therefore, music makes the world more entertaining.

Though every country has its own language, there’s one language everyone can understand: the language of music. It is a universal language that binds people from all races, religions and walks of life together. For example, music festivals such as Ultra are hosted every year. People from all over the globe gather at these festivals to dance and enjoy the musical experience. Though not everyone at these festivals speak the same language, everyone seems to understand what is coming out of the speakers and begin dancing to it. This elucidates that music is a universal language that is able to connect everyone, albeit the language barrier.

 Music is also extremely important for musicians and artistes. Musicians are known to express themselves through songs to convey their thoughts and feelings. This allows listeners to relate to the artiste and find comfort in their music. The late American poet, Maya Angelou, once said: “Music was my refuge. I would crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” Some people may find it difficult to convey their emotions by speaking. For these people, music is their form of self-expression. To them, music allows them to speak their mind freely through creative lyrics and soulful melodies.

Some people, however, may disagree that the world would be dull without music. This is because there are deaf people in the world who are unable to enjoy music like the rest of us. However, though they can’t listen to music, they are still able to find other hobbies and activities that make their world vibrant and exciting; activities such as painting, reading and sports help make these people’s world more colourful and happy.

 Therefore, music, to most people, is essential in making the world happier and more peaceful. Music is a form of self-expression, entertainment, stress-reliever and a way to build communities together, despite whatever differences there may be.

NGEO YAT JOO Class 4/7

Mary Jo Putney, an American best-selling author once said, “What one loves in childhood stays in the heart forever.”  Childhood is a blissful, yet short season of our lives, and this joy may, for some, come in the form of a childhood toy.  For me, a favourite toy I owned when I was younger, was a stuffed worm.  He was smaller than the average stuffed toy, and not an ideally adorable toy, yet he meant the world to me.  He provided me with a sense of comfort on the gloomiest days, served as a lucky charm, and also taught me to be independent while growing up. 

My stuffed worm, whom I named `Wormy’, had many aspects which I liked.  One of them, and also the most important, was that he was capable of giving me so much comfort on the days I was troubled or down.  Despite never once moving, speaking, or even implying that he was hearing speak, ‘Wormy’ always managed to comfort me.  He had one line of careless stitching for mouth, which always remained in a smile that never wavered.  Perhaps it was this smile that never failed to cheer me up.  His smile was a goofy, silly one, and it always made me feel less alone.  In a way, ‘Wormy’ was like a quiet friend; friends that never speak much, or some not at all, but one dubs them friends because they are always there for them.  ‘Wormy’ comforted me on the darkest day, had the capability to turn my frown upside down, and made the joyful days even better.  He was my best companion while growing up.

Apart from the sense of comfort he always managed to provide me, ‘Wormy’ also served as my lucky charm.  Growing up, I firmly believed in the concept of luck.  ‘Wormy’ was the greatest source of luck for me, then.  He had a purple hoodie, and stitched on it was a picture of a bright, yellow moon.  I always imagined that that picture of the crescent moon was ‘Wormy’s source of magic, and even power.  There was no way he could have been such a great lucky charm without some magic.  I brought ‘Wormy’ with me everywhere I went.  I could never bear to leave him alone, even when I was on overseas trips.  I believed that when he was by my side, I would be lucky enough for everything to go my way.  Of course, some days it was apparent that luck was not on my side, like it rained when I wanted to play outside, but I never once doubted ‘Wormy.’  I truly believed him to be nothing less than the best source of luck.  Eventually, I started to believe in myself more as I grew older.  ‘Wormy’ had given me so much luck, I began to believe that I was capable of standing on my own two feet.  I have ‘Wormy’ to thank for the confidence, faith, and self-worth I have today.

Besides those two aspects stated above, ‘Wormy’ helped me to learn independence too.  When I was growing up, both my parents were working.  They worked from morning to night, sometimes even till midnight.  For the major part of my childhood, my grandmother looked after me.  I would have been incredibly lonely as a child if it was not for ‘Wormy’s company.  He would always sit still where I placed him and listened to me while I rambled on and on about my day.  He made being apart from my parents considerably easier, and gave me someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on when my parents were busy working or were too tired for conversations.  I cultivated a habit of being independent then, though I never really relied too heavily on ‘Wormy’.  He was just there for me when I needed him, and as I grew older, I learnt to rely on myself instead.  I had a loving family and wonderful friends, but in the end, it was all because of ‘Wormy’ that I managed to learn to grow up independently and not expect too much from my parents.

Just like how every season ends and the new one comes around, I grew older and left my childhood behind.  I eventually lost my beloved ‘Wormy’ and I remember being devastated about it.  My mother used to comfort me by telling me that he had grown into a butterfly and flown away.  I believed her then, and as the years passed, my stuffed worm whom I had spent so many sunny and rainy days with has faded to the back of my mind.  Every once in a while I would be reminded of him, and it would always be a bittersweet reminder.  Yet, after having given me so much, ‘Wormy’ gave me one last thing, the best gift of my childhood; memories.  Like the quote from Winnie the Pooh goes, ‘”Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” Just like my Wormy.

TAN WEI HAU Class: 4/6

Due to globalisation, countries have been growing, prospering and developing. This allows people to enjoy a higher disposable income and enjoy more luxuries than ever. This is especially evident in countries such as India and China. Chinese people can be seen spending the extra income on tourism as more Chinese tourists are spotted around the world. The increased income in India has also allowed more people to have access to the internet and technologies such as smartphones. At a glance, this should be celebrated but not everyone makes full use of their money. It is often said that people are too concerned with getting things and spending money and I fully agree with this statement.

This is a problem that has been plaguing generations, however, I think it has become more evident than ever recently. The recent rise of “hypebeast” brands that offer products in which you pay mainly for the brand name and rarely for the quality has caused more and more people to be wasting money. Products from brands such as Supreme, Off-white, Gucci and Chanel, in my opinion, cost much more than they should. A single plain cotton shirt or jacket from Supreme or Off-white can cost up to thousands of dollars. Despite the high price, these products are always in high demand.

So why are people spending unnecessary money on such objects? Some may argue it is because of the rarity and exclusiveness of these products as they only come in stocks of about a hundred worldwide. However I think it is simply because these people are materialistic. Based on my observations, these products are seen as representation of one’s social status. If you wear clothing that come from one of these “hypebeast” brands, it shows that you can afford it and you are rich. The influence and social pressure is especially felt by teenagers. They are often spotted comparing shoes, not too often because of its ergonomic design, but because of its brand. A teenager wearing Airpods, Apple’s wireless earpiece that costs over a hundred dollars, would create more stir among his peers. A teenager wearing an Off-white hoodie that costs nearly a thousand dollars would be more popular and perhaps even respected among his social circle. So it is very evident that people are too concerned with getting things and spending money to attain a higher social status.

However, this is a cause for concern and has it gone too far? In my humble opinion, definitely. The fact that these everyday objects are costing up to thousands is alarming and ridiculous. The money spent by teenagers on obtaining these products could have easily gone into fees for better education, or lift the household’s financial burden. The money could have also gone into their savings for retirement, or when they need the money in a later part of life, such as to purchase a car or a home. It is not as if these products are a good value-for-money either. A regular concrete brick cost over a hundred dollars just because it is branded by Supreme. Even the company Supreme themselves claim that their brick is no different from the regular industry-standard brick. Is all that money really worth it for a name?

In conclusion, it is undeniable that people are too concerned with getting things and spending money and it is more prevalent than ever. It is an issue that should be rectified immediately. I urge parents to not spoil their kids by getting them everything they want. Instead, nip it in the butt and teach children to differentiate between “needs” and “wants” from a young age. Inculcate the ability to identify if an item is overpriced in children.

TAN WEI HAU Class: 4/6

Tan Wei Hau

Block 873 Woodlands Street 83

#03-09

Singapore

13 March 2019

Dear Uncle Sam,

How have you been? I have not seen you in a while and I hope things are going well. I have received your letter and it is heart-warming to know that you are looking out for me all the way from England. Honestly, there is really no need to give me a present and I really should not accept it. After all, we are family. However, if you really do insist on giving me a present, I would prefer the laptop. It is an essential item in tertiary education and will really aid me in my future learning.

The laptop is a portable computing device that is also able to access the internet. The laptop model that you have offered is also one of the most powerful laptops on the market. As far as I know, it is kitted out with the latest processors that show a 40 percent increase in performance compared to previous models. It also houses one of the most intuitive keyboards and grants the user with a pleasant typing experience. The screen is well-crafted to display bright and vibrant colours. Did you know that the laptop also popular for being modular? The components that the laptop houses can be swapped out. This means that faulty parts can be easily replaced, reducing repair costs. It also means that the user can replace components for newer and more powerful models and keep the laptop up to par with the new models being sold. If you ask me, it is probably a dream laptop for many, including myself.

All of these features will greatly aid me in my tertiary education. How so? I am sure you know that since I was a little boy, I wanted to be an architect, just like you! I am planning to study in a polytechnic to get a diploma in architecture. The beautiful screen of the laptop will help me produce amazing sketches for my project. I am sure you are aware that architects often dabble with computer applications and programmes that are power-consuming. However, with this powerful laptop, I can worry less and be more productive. Moreover, I did some research and many architecture students claim that a strong computing device is an absolute essential when pursuing architecture. It is a very worthy investment, don’t you think?

I did give the other devices deep consideration. However, the laptop is simply superior. Although the tablet and the smartphone are smaller and more portable than the laptop, they come with a trade-off. Typing on a screen is not as intuitive as the tactile keyboard the laptop offers. If I am spending long hours typing and working on my project, I think ergonomics should be a priority. Moreover, smaller objects tend to be easily misplaced. The laptop also offers a bigger screen which allows the designing process of architecture to be easier. This is why I believe the laptop is the best choice for me.

Ultimately, I am not really fussy about what you get me because I am eternally grateful that you have shown so much care and concern for me and have kept me in your thoughts. Thank you ever so much for the present! I will be sure to update you of my O level results. Take care and hope to hear from you soon!

NURUL HAZIRA BTE HELFINOR Class: 4/6

My grandmother’s home – this is the place which means a great deal to me. After a long day at school, I enjoy visiting my grandmother’s home to catch up with her and talk about my day. The four-room HDB flat situated at Yishun has been beautifully decorated by my grandmother herself. The bright yellow painted walls and white tiles complement each other well. The living room is decorated nicely with curtains sewn by my grandmother. The comfy HDB flat holds many memories for me.

Growing up with two working parents, my sister and I spent a lot of time together at our grandmother’s home. Our parents would drop us off at our grandmother’s home at 7 in the morning before leaving for work. My sister and I would then sleep until it was time to get ready for school. My sister and I used to argue a lot. However, being at our grandmother’s home taught both of us to be patient with each other and to always be there for one another. There were many times when my sister and I threw tantrums and slammed doors at each other’s faces but we learnt to forgive and learn from our mistakes. The very same place my sister and I argued a lot was also the place we first told each other our secrets. My sister, being the older one, advised me many times and became my listening ear whenever I needed someone to talk to. We bonded a lot through all the highs and lows we experienced as siblings whilst staying at my grandmother’s home.

Not only that, my grandmother’s home was where I first baked for the very first time. My grandmother is a very talented woman. She knows how to cook up a storm for celebrations like Hari Raya Puasa, sew different kinds of clothes and bake many different types of cookies. My grandmother also has a curry puff business. She enjoys making curry puffs and sells them for a living at a local convenience store. So naturally, being at my grandmother’s home led me to learn how to bake. As a young child, I was very interested to know how to bale traditional Hari Raya cookies. My grandmother willingly taught me how to bake ‘Kueh Suji’ with a simple recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. My first baking experience was very enjoyable and I was delighted when my family members loved the ‘kueh’. From then on, I would bake together with my grandmother at her home before Hari Raya Puasa.

Lastly, my grandmother’s home means a great deal to me because it is where my childhood friends and I played many different games and bonded with one another. My grandmother used to conduct religious classes to children living in the neighbourhood. At that point of time, I was only eight years old. The children who attended the classes were aged between six to twelve years old. As there were a lot of children, the waiting line took a while. The children who were waiting in line would gather outside and I would join them to play different games. I would always look forward to seeing them as I enjoyed their company and loved the fun times together. Although all of us are much older now and do not really see each other often, I will always be reminded of them and the memories made every time I visit my grandmother’s home.

I am grateful for my special place. That place serves as a symbol of my childhood and all the memories I made whilst I was there. My grandmother’s home is neither big nor grand but I am grateful to have a place that will always be special to me and remembered in my heart.

MANANGAN JEZELEI GWYNETH Class: 4/4

               Stereotypes are defined as set ideas that people have about what someone or something is like, especially about an idea that is wrong. Indeed, women in today’s society suffer from setbacks in occupational, educational and political landscapes due to societal expectations which stem from old customs and culture. Societal norms which dominate the female way of life in the past56 few decades such as domestication and subservience to men continue to affect women today.

The anachronistic mindset that women are meant to fill domesticated roles such as being a housewife has resulted in consequences such as the pay gap. One of the main causes of the gender pay gap is due to the childcare penalty. According to a case study in Denmark by Vox, childbearing accounts for 80 percent of the gender pay gap. This assumption is further supported by studies conducted in America, where the largest gender pay gap was identified to among women in their 30s; also known as their childbearing years. Society’s expectations that mothers should take care of their children results in many women taking time off from work when they bear a child, which consequently affects their ability to progress in their work. Furthermore, after childbirth, women find themselves at a position where they are not offered certain opportunities that require significant travel or work hours due to the perception that they are the primary caretaker of their children. This results in men progressing at a faster rate, and ultimately taking up positions of seniority and power in corporations.

               In the educational landscape, the antiquated perception that women are obligated to serve men by being housewives or undertaking similar roles leads to the idea that they no longer need to be educated. Especially prevalent in developing countries, many girls are inhibited from receiving education due to traditional gender roles that marginalize their worth in society. Furthermore, there are many legal, religious and cultural practices that discriminate against girls getting an education, on top of undesirable circumstances that they might be in, such as forced labour, early marriage and the lack of access to educational institutions. According to UNESCO, out of the world’s 774 million illiterate adults, two-thirds are women. The share of illiterate women has not changed for the past 20 years. Therefore, the inability of many girls to obtain an education hinders their progress in life.

               When one thinks of a politician, the face that usually come to mind is that of a man. Just like the higher tier of corporate positions, much of the international political landscape is dominated by men. As proof, an article published by UNWOMEN shows that only 24 percent of all national parliamentarians were women as of November 2018, a slow increase from 11.3 percent in 1995. However, it is worth noting that women are known to have more struggles in the political arena than their male counterparts. Primarily in elections, women face more struggles advocating their messages to their audience as much of it is made up of older generations, who tend to lean to a conservative and traditional set of beliefs. Moreover, double standards among men and women politicians are usually more disadvantageous for women. To elaborate, male politicians can usually get away with being aggressively assertive, and still be seen as strong leaders. However, when the same situation is portrayed by a woman politician, she would be considered to be “emotional”, “bossy” and “controlling”. Furthermore, displaying emotions, such as in heartfelt speeches can make women seem weak and even hormonal, causing their audience to see it as a sign of incompetence. While on the other hand, displays of emotion among men is hailed as a sign of compassion and care for others.

               While it is worth noting that in developed countries, the effects of gender inequality have been greatly reduced, there is still a lot to be done to close the gender gap, to illuminate a recently published article by CNN states that despite having the highest tertiary education rate of women aged 25-34 in the world, South Korea’s deeply patriarchal culture makes it more arduous for women to obtain jobs due to the prospect that they have to fulfill certain gender roles such as child rearing.

               To conclude, the infinite societal expectations that continue to burden women will probably not be eliminated within the next few decades. There will always be stereotypes the hold back women in their jobs, studies and in their political aspirations. Perhaps, we can work toward closing the gender inequality by educating future generations with a more gender positive and unbiased habits.

WEE YAN LING  Class: 4/3B 

           Chinese New Year is a highly anticipated festive occasion that the Chinese celebrate. Even before Chinese New Year, shops will play Chinese New Year songs and sell Chinese New Year goods such as the red packet envelopes, banners with wishes to hang on the walls and other decorations. Did you know that Chinese New Year is not all about receiving red packets? Through Chinese New Year, we also get to reunite with our family, relatives and friends and catch up on the good old times. During Chinese New Year, there are several practices that teach us good values.

                Firstly, we start off with the practice of spring cleaning before Chinese New Year. It is extremely important as we welcome the New Year with a fresh start. Sweeping the floor before Chinese New Year is said to ward off all the bad luck in the house before Chinese New Year arrives. People would throw away unwanted things such as furniture, old shoes and newspapers just to name a few. Through spring cleaning, I learnt that we need to be responsible of our own surroundings and learn to be patient. If we do not already have these two values, spring cleaning is a good way to cultivate them. Through spring cleaning, we are responsible to clear the mess and rubbish at home and would put in effort to lend a helping hand to our parents who may be doing the household chores all alone. When we start doing spring cleaning, we will inevitably become more responsible as we also get to nurture the value of patience as we take the time to tidy up our room and house. Therefore, spring cleaning can make us more responsible and patient.

             We also follow the practice of staying up as late as possible on the eve of Chinese New Year as it is said to e nsure longevity for our parents and lengthen their lives. Hence, children will endure the night by staying up as late as possible by fighting the urge to fall asleep. They would open their eyes as wide as they can to prevent their heavy eyelids from drooping downwards. Through this practice, they learn the importance of filial piety and sacrifice for their parents. Although such acts are simple, it really comes to show how much their children are willing to sacrifice for their loved ones like their parents. Values like perseverance, patience and filial piety are also nurtured, cultivated and displayed through this festive occasion

On Chinese New Year, house-visiting is a must. By giving oranges to our relatives or friends, we are wishing them an abundance of wealth as we receive a red packet in return! By going to our relative’s house to visit them, we learn to socialise and be more open towards them. As we gather together with our relatives, we get to bond together and catch up on the good old times as we chat heartily. When visiting our grandparents, we need to show our filial piety towards them and have our utmost respect for them as they are our elders. Through this, we will learn to be well-behaved and learn what filial piety is.

Chinese New Year is not all about receiving those red packets but also a time where values such as responsibility, perseverance, filial piety are learnt and displayed at the same time. Indeed, this precious festive occasion teaches us to be a better person as a whole and will definitely stay an important part of any generations to come.

LIANG GE HAO Class: 4/2

Public transport has helped Singaporeans travel through Singapore with ease and haste. However, although there are multiple advantages of using public transport, there are downsides as well. Not only are they cheap and efficient, but there is also a wide range of public transport, this is definitely a plus, but due to insensitive users, the different vehicles used are often dirty and unhygienic, as well as uncomfortable to be at times.

An advantage of using public tra nsport is that it covers a lot of the island’s surface and covers them quite efficiently. For example, it would take at most two hours to travel from one side of the country to the other via the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). This is a quality that many other countries lack which allow Singaporeans to travel without a car.

Conversely, there are certain users of public transport who are insensitive and cross. These people typically disobey the rules of using public transport such as eating or drinking in the vehicle, causing strong odours to linger in the vehicle or cabin. They could also be unconcerned with the people they are sharing the common place with and talk loudly, be inconsiderate when sitting, or deliberately vandalise and dirty the area. However, these are rare occurrences but there is still a possibility of running into these unaccommodating people.

Moreover, the cheap cost of travelling with public transport us definitely a positive edge as to travel vast distances such as from the East of Singapore to the West can cost as little as three dollars. This helps majority of the problem as owning a car is quite expensive in Singapore and can be quite a hassle due to maintenance and repairs. Likewise, there are some who cannot own a car. This is where public transport comes in as a much cheaper alternative for travelling which helped them save money.

However, some people might be willing to spend more for the comfort of owning their own vehicles as public transport can get dirty and worn down when more people use them. It could also be inconvenient if the user is unable to stand for a long period of time as the vehicle can often be filled to the brim during peak hours. These reasons could deter people from using public transport and cause them to find alternatives instead.

In the long run, although there are unfavourable conditions when using public transport, these problems can easily be neglected if everyone plays a part and is sensitive to their surroundings and the people they are sharing the transport vehicle with. Even though it is impossible for everyone to be mindful, the instances when you come across those who are unobliging is unlikely. Thus, due to the low-cost and travel time, public transport is definitely justified.

Lee Ning Xin Class: 3/5

I am not the type of person

Who writes eloquently to describe everything in detail

I am not the type of person

Who speaks as though every syllable is a beautiful note on a piano

Each sentence like a sweet melody

And each conversation like a majestic song that is praised

Over and over, again and again

I’m not the type of person

Who draws everyone in with a single smile

Who people love and shower attention with just a single flick of wrist.

I’m not the type of person

Who always seems to be a happy virus

Brightening everyone’s mood are just as easy a flick of a switch

Whose laughter starts off a chain of melodious happiness.

But I am the type of person

Who has that one voice whispering into my ears every single night and every single day

The voice wraps its hand around my throat, gently squeezing

But always reminding me that it is there

I’m the type of person whose mind is like an overworking computer

The machines inside ticking away

“Am I good enough?

Why are people looking at me like this?

Are they even listening to me?”

I’m not the type of person who bleeds their feelings into a poem.

 Foong Yi Fei Class: 3/4

I used to live under the mountain,

Where the sheer size of it,

Always overshadowed me,

And yet,

I couldn’t let it be.

What a fool, I used to be,

Yet clad in my empty dreams,

Preparing for the journey. 

As the cold winds blew,

Dark clouds covered the sky,

Crows and ravens flew overhead,

Drowning out the world with their cries,

As soon as I started my climb.

Starless nights,

Cloudless skies,

Illuminated by the moon in the deep dark sky.

All around me, the cliffside

Not a single living soul in sight

At the break of dawn,

I saw, the earth sprawled below me

And the heavens above me in an arc.

It would have been beautiful,

If I hadn’t made this climb,                                                            

That rendered me to see

This all in a monochrome light.

One foot forward,                                                                                                    

And I could end up where I used to be,

but who am I to bring this upon the people whom dwell below me,

for who would like for the clouds to crash unto him?

So for now, I have become an Atlas

Shouldering the skies,

With only the hope

That a day might come,

When I am finally free.