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As we enter the second term of the school year, our students are beginning to gear up for their upcoming weighted assessments. Understandably, this can bring about heightened stress for both students and families, especially when there is a strong desire to do well. While academic achievement is important, it is equally vital that our children develop the confidence and emotional resilience to navigate challenges with a healthy and balanced mindset.
In this edition of NYConnect, we feature resources about redefining notions of academic success and how to find joy in learning beyond the grades,as well as reflections and advice from senior students, who offer practical strategies on how to stay grounded during busy academic seasons, and how to embrace tests and assessments with a growth mindset.
As a community, we work hand in hand—teachers, parents, and peers—to support each child holistically. Whether it's through words of encouragement, helping them adopt healthier study habits, or simply reminding them that setbacks are part of growth, you play an invaluable role in shaping a positive and safe environment for learning. Together, let’s help our students discover the joy of learning as a lifelong and enriching journey!
Building on the success of its inaugural run in 2024, Exercise SG Ready returned in 2025 with a renewed focus under the theme "Are You Ready for Disruptions?" As part of Singapore’s Total Defence efforts, this nationwide initiative aims to equip students with the mindset and adaptability needed to respond to unexpected challenges, particularly those related to food supply disruptions.
To prepare for the exercise, Nanyang Girls’ High School participated in the Food Resilience Preparedness Programme (FRPP) on 12 February. The programme encouraged students to consider the importance of food resilience and to be open to alternative food sources and dietary flexibility in the face of potential shortages.
As part of the exercise, students had the unique opportunity to take their Ready-To-Eat (RTE) meals together in their classrooms, transforming the experience into a meaningful communal activity. This shared moment served not only to simulate real-life scenarios but also to foster a sense of solidarity and preparedness within the school fraternity
Through this initiative, NYGH continues to cultivate resilient, informed, and adaptable individuals who are ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.
The spirit of creativity and camaraderie lit up the campus during YING 荧 Concert 2025, as students took to the stage in a dazzling evening of music, dance, and performance. The phrase "hidden talent" came to life as performers captivated their peers with a diverse showcase of artistic expression—each act a testament to the passion, dedication, and flair of our students.
Months of preparation by the student crew, performers, technical team, and teachers culminated in a seamless production, transforming the school’s familiar grass patch into an open-air grandstand filled with laughter, applause, and school spirit. Classmates gathered under the open sky, cheering each other on with pride and joy, creating an atmosphere of celebration and unity.
YING 荧 Concert 2025 not only highlighted the rich talents of our students, but also reflected the strength of the school community—where every role, whether onstage or behind the scenes, contributed to an unforgettable night of artistic brilliance.
After a term of focused learning and school activities, our students took a well-deserved breather to participate in the school's Life Skills Programme (LSP)—a thoughtfully designed series of activities tailored to the developmental needs and holistic growth of each level.
Secondary 1: Integrating into the NY Family
For our newest members of the NY family, the day was all about building bonds—with both their peers and their families. In a heartwarming parent-child activity, students and their parents came together to learn and perform a lively dance routine, strengthening family ties and reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and joy.
Secondary 2: Community Engagement
The Secondary Twos explored their unique strengths in a dynamic Multiple Intelligences workshop, where they discovered how to harness their top intelligences—be it linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, or others—for personal and academic growth. The session was followed by an enlightening sharing session by the Guide Dogs Association, offering students a deeper understanding of visual impairment and the vital role guide dogs play in empowering the visually handicapped.
Secondary 3: Venturing Self, Discovering Self
Taking a break from their busy academic schedules, the Secondary 3 students embarked on a reflective learning journey into nature. Surrounded by the serenity of a local nature park, students engaged with their natural environment and were encouraged to slow down, observe, and reconnect with themselves.
Secondary 4: Becoming Respected Members of Society
Our graduating cohort had the opportunity to expand their horizons by visiting an industry of their choice. These learning journeys exposed students to real-world workplaces and diverse career pathways, inspiring them to think more deeply about their aspirations and roles as contributing members of society.
"I think the parents are also responding to what I call the market signals. if we are true to ourselves, then our whole society must come together to embrace the diversity of talent."
~ Education Minister, Chan Chun Sing
In this interview podcast by Deepdive, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing explains the rationale of the revised JC admissions this year and addresses the need to adopt the right mindset when it comes to these changes, alongside other pertinent issues such as embracing a joy for learning beyond the grades, the dangerous implications of comparison, redefining notions of success and being aware of the key purpose of tuition in relation to what parents want for their children.
"What parents should do is to reflect on the longer-term benefits of the changes. There is a wealth of research that shows the negative effects of test-taking on young children."
~ Ex-Education Minister, Ong Ye Kung
In this Straits Times article, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung highlights how parents play a pivotal role in reinforcing the value of learning beyond grades and what are the ways to do so.
The removal of Weighted Assessments in Term 1 has sparked some concern among students and parents about how these changes might impact students' ability to manage stress and adapt effectively. In light of these shifts, fostering a growth mindset and emotional resilience has become more important than ever.
Stepping up to support their peers, Secondary 4 students, Jerraine Tan and Aurora Wong, offer their personal reflections on navigating academic stress. Drawing from their own experiencs, they share thoughtful perspectives and practical strategies to help fellow their peers and juniors embrace change with confidence and compassion.
Fleet of school buses in 1947
"In January 1947, the British army informed Nanyang that the Selegie Road premises were to be used for other purposes and asked that the school move back. As the school campus was still in a bad state and transportation remained inconvenient, Mdm Liew negotiated with the government to give the school three school buses. On 15 January, the remaining primary and kindergarten sections finally moved back to the King’s Road campus.
To solve the transportation problem, the school continued to purchase school buses and by 1948, the school had a total of six buses. These buses and the drivers served the staff and students for about 20 years, until the end of the 1960s. By then, the public transport system had improved and increasingly, parents drove their children to and from school. Operating the school buses privately was no longer economically viable and in 1971, the school sold all the school buses. The drivers had served the school for a long time and had developed strong bonds with the staff and students. Some of them, such as Omar and Ali, continued as school attendants before retiring."
Source: Nanyang Schools Alumni Association and Nanyang Schools (2017). Nanyang Centenary: A Vision Celebrated. p.32
Our heartiest thanks to Jerraine Tan and Aurora Wong of Class 412 for their contributions towards Responding To Assessment Changes.