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In our pursuit of excellence, it’s easy to equate a student’s worth solely with her academic achievements. Yet true success and self-worth encompass far more than just grades and test scores.
In this issue, we invite you to explore broader and more empowering definitions of success — ones that recognise the importance of qualities like self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and courage. These are the very attributes that will sustain our daughters not only through school, but through the many seasons of life.
We feature personal narratives from students who have encountered setbacks, only to emerge stronger, wiser, and more confident in their own journeys.
Additionally, we also invite you to read a compelling commentary, Women, worth and what it means to flourish on your own terms by our alumna, Ms Faye Ng, whose reflections offer valuable insights into navigating one’s own path, even when it diverges from the conventional. We are honoured to have also interviewed Ms Ng about this commentary and her own definitions of success as a female in today's society. Read more about her insights shared here.
As parents and educators, let us continue to support our children in uncovering who they are, not just what they can score—helping them grow beyond the gradebook, into the fullness of their potential.
In March, our school hosted NYExperience 2025, a special orientation camp designed to offer Primary Six students a firsthand experience of life in NYGH. In collaboration with various stakeholders, departments, and committees, this event aimed to immerse these young girls in our school’s vibrant culture. Through a series of interactive workshops and hands-on activities, the participants had a glimpse of our academic programmes, school values, and school spirit. Our students also embraced the opportunity to engage their younger peers, showcasing their talents and fostering a meaningful connection with the next generation of NYGH girls.
On 5 April 2025, Nanyang Girls' High School warmly welcomed prospective students and their families to its annual Open House. The event offered visitors an insightful experience of the school's vibrant community and comprehensive academic programmes. Visitors attended engaging talks by our school leaders, explored diverse Co-curricular Activities (CCAs), and enjoyed dynamic performances showcasing student talents. Campus tours by the student facilitators also provided visitors the chance to discover the various facilities and conducive learning environment.
In a thrilling finale at the National Games, our entire school came together to rally behind the Track and Field team, demonstrating the true spirit of unity and support. The unwavering dedication of our athletes was evident as they gave their all in every event. This was fuelled by the passionate suport of the school community, as students, staff, and parents cheered passionately from the stands. It was a testament to the strength of our school spirit, with everyone standing together as one to encourage our athletes in giving their best despite the tough competition. Our girls certainly put up a good fight against numerous odds to emerge victorious as second runner-ups (3rd place) for both B and C Divisions!
"Flourishing takes many forms, and “greatness” isn’t just measured by accolades or external validation. There are battles fought behind closed doors and there is strength in carrying on when the world isn’t watching. ”
In her article, alumna Faye Ng explores the evolving concept of success for women today. Rather than limiting success to accolades and external recognition, Ng highlights that true flourishing can take many forms, shaped by resilience, authenticity, and the courage to live life on one’s own terms. Through these stories, Ng emphasies that a woman's worth extends far beyond academic achievements and traditional career milestones. She advocates for a broader, more inclusive definition of success—one that nurtures resilience, emotional well-being, and the courage to follow one's own path.
"...When it comes to academic performance, research has revealed emotional intelligence is almost as important as your cognitive intelligence and having a conscientious attitude. This is because emotionally intelligent students are better equipped to deal with negative emotions that might disrupt learning."
This article from the University of Queensland emphasises the significant role that emotional intelligence (EI) plays in students' academic and personal development. It highlights that students with high EI are more likely to experience lower levels of anxiety and depression, engage more actively in social activities, and maintain better physical health. The article also underscores the importance of developing EI during school years, as it equips students with the skills necessary to navigate the challenges of school life and beyond. By fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy, students can enhance their interpersonal relationships, manage stress effectively, and approach academic tasks with resilience and a positive mindset.
" For the highly successful, Duckworth found that the journey was just as important as the end result. 'Even if some of the things they had to do were boring, or frustrating, or even painful, they wouldn’t dream of giving up. Their passion was enduring.' "
This Forbes article explores how qualities like perseverance, emotional strength, and the ability to bounce back from failure are essential in navigating life's challenges. More than just getting good grades, it's the determination to keep going despite setbacks that truly sets individuals apart and lays the foundation for personal and professional fulfilment.
In this special edition of ST podcast "In Your Opinion", two young entrepreneurs, Ms Adella Yeo and Mr Nabill Shukry, share their experiences in starting up a business, and whether school grades would determine success at the workplace.
In alignment with our theme of exploring the various notions of success for females, we speak to Faye Ng Yu Ci, an alumna of Nanyang Girls’ High and a junior doctor, who recently penned the Straits Times commentary, “Women, Worth, and What It Means to Flourish on Your Own Terms” Faye shares insightful reflections on how her experiences at NYGH and beyond shaped her worldview, her definition of what it means to thrive, and why it's important to celebrate the unique journeys we each take — boldly and unapologetically on our own terms.
Faye Ng Yu Ci is currently serving as a House Officer at the National University Hospital (NUH) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH). A 2024 graduate of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Faye has been named one of 150 Schwarzman Scholars worldwide—an honour that grants her a fully funded Master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing. A proud alumna of Nanyang Girls’ High School (Class of 2015), Faye continues to exemplify the values of service, leadership, and resilience that define the Nanyang spirit.
Experiencing setbacks or failures in life can often leave us feeling disheartened or questioning our abilities. Yet, these challenging moments often hold within them powerful opportunities for growth and self-discovery! Embracing a growth mindset means viewing setbacks not as indicators of failure, but as valuable experiences that help us learn, strengthen resilience, and become better versions of ourselves.
In this segment, two of our students courageously share their personal stories about setbacks they have faced. Through their honest reflections, they reveal how they have transformed challenges into meaningful lessons and growth opportunities. We hope these stories encourage parents and students alike to reframe setbacks positively, recognising them as stepping stones on the journey to becoming stronger, wiser, and more compassionate individuals.
Shayne See, Class 405
"Setbacks happen to the best of us. Failure used to scare me, and it still does. But now I know them as an old friend. They teach you all kinds of things comfort never can and they build the kind of strength that never fades."
" Being placed in a space I never expected taught me that growth often begins at the edge of discomfort. Choir might not have been my first choice, but it became something I care for deeply. That was what changed my definition of success: it was not always about chasing what you think you are meant to do - it is also about embracing new opportunities and seeing how far you can grow within them. "
Ong Enqi, Class 202
Mao Ruihan, Class 202
" 现在,我依然在不断调整自己的学习策略。哪怕每次只进步一小步,我也会欣喜地将它视为前行的证据 。语言学习从来不是一蹴而就的事,它是一场漫长的拉锯战,胜负也许并不重要,重要的是不放弃每一次改进的机会。"
Track and Field trials were held in March 1948 to select Malaya and Singapore representatives for China’s National Sports Meet. Our school athlete Huang Rui Yun clinched 1st position with a throw of 8.95m.
On 11 and 12 November, the 8th Singapore Chinese Sports Meet was held, and the school clinched the track and field female championship title, a result which was even better than the performance during the Chinese Schools Combined Sports Meet. These athletes were Zhang Guo Jun (张国俊), Lan Bi Xia, Chen Shu Er (陈淑娥), Liang Yun Sen (梁韵森), Chen Bao Xi (陈宝 惜) and Teng Pei Wah (邓佩华).
In order to participate in China’s 7th National Sports Meet, Chinese students from Malaya and Singapore participated in the National Track and Field trials in Penang on 27 and 28 March, and a total of 12 female Singaporeans took part. Nanyang sent eight girls for the competition: Zhang Guo Jun, Lan Bi Xia, Chen Shu Er, Cai Feng Ai (蔡凤爱), Liang Yun Sen, Chen Bao Xi, Huang Rui Yun (黄瑞云) and Teng Pei Wah. However, due to limited funds, only three participants were selected to take part in China’s National Sports Meet. Of the three, Chen Shu Er and Lan Bi Xia were our students, and Chen Cui Qiong (陈翠琼) was from Perak, Malaya.
Our heartiest thanks to the following students for their contributions towards the segment, Student Talk - Growing Beyond The Gradebook
Ong Enqi, Class 202
Mao Ruihan, Class 202
Shayne See, Class 405