Scholastic Development

On the 17th of August 2023, I watched "Psychobitch", a play written by Amanda Chong, a Singaporean lawyer trained in Cambridge and Havard. It was an extraordinary theatrical experience that left a profound impact on me and the choice of having a single actress for the play was a brilliant decision and brought out a truly unique perspective.

"Psychobitch" is a one-woman play that explores complex themes of gender power dynamics, toxic relationships, and self-worth pursuits, through the story of Anya Samuel. When her tech CEO fiancé accuses her of being "too emotional" and demands an explanation for her public tears, Anya embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Through a slide deck that includes animated infographics of her menstrual cycle, Anya confronts her true self and her desires. The play challenges societal expectations and delves into the complexities of individual experiences. It was a powerful experience, particularly due to the representation and perspective offered by its female minority lead actress, Sindhura Kalidas.

The one-woman performance was powerful as I believe it gave voice to underrepresented perspectives, and her performance highlighted the distress of separating emotions and reason based on gender. It showed that this division can damage relationships, as shown in the characters of Anya and Galven. It reminded me that we're all emotional human beings, regardless of gender. The play was special in many ways, such as the sudden immersion of ourselves in the scent of curry mid-play and its ability to allow one to sympathise with all the characters Kalidas portrayed herself as, as the actress seamlessly transits from one role to another. 

In short, "Psychobitch" made me think about the importance of representation, the need to bridge the gap between emotions and reason, and the beauty of unconditional love. It's not just a great show, it's a reflection of complex human relationships and the value of embracing our emotions.

From May 2022 to April 2023, I had the opportunity to participate in the Economics Academic Mentoring Programme, where I was introduced to the fascinating field of behavioral economics. 

As one of the many fields of study in economics, we delved deeper into the microeconomic branch of behavioral economics, which explores the psychology behind economic decision-making and activities. During the programme, I learned that behavioral economics challenges the assumption that individuals are perfectly rational in their decision-making processes. Instead, it considers how emotions and external relations can impact decisions, and how different life experiences can lead to vastly different decision outcomes. We covered several concepts in the programme, including bounded willpower, bounded self-interest, and bounded rationality, which provides frameworks for understanding these complexities. As a final task, we were required to write an essay applying the concepts we learned to analyse and evaluate a real-world issue. This exercise allowed us to consolidate and enhance our learning by providing an opportunity to apply the concepts in a practical setting. One of the highlights of the programme for me was the opportunity to explore rational decision-making and the extent to which individuals are capable of making rational decisions. As a closure of the programme, I also conducted a sharing of my learning with the Year 1 and 2 students.

It was fascinating to learn about the nuances and complexities that underlie decision-making and to consider the impact of external factors on decision outcomes. This experience has inspired me to continue exploring the field of economics and its intersection with human behavior, and allowed me to appreciate the subject of Economics even more!

On 15 April 2023, I went over to the Ministry of Education (MOE) Headquarters to attend an Economics seminar led by the Economics Society of Singapore (ESS), where 4 distinguished speakers, namely,Mr Manu Bhaskaran, the Director of Centennial Group International and the Founding Director and Chief Executive Officer of Centennial Asia Advisors, Mr Francis Tan, an Investment Strategist with UOB Private Bank, Ms Selena Ling, the chief Economist for OCBC Bank, and Dr Walter Edgar Theseira, the Associate Professor of Economics, School of Business, Singapore University of Social Sciences, spoke to us about the applications of both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics in the real world.

It was an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of how Economics influences Singapore's future plans for economic growth. One major concept that stood out to me was the idea of cyclical volatility, which refers to the fluctuations in economic activity that occur as a result of changes in supply and demand. In the context of Singapore, this means that factors like geopolitical tensions, oil prices, and technological advances can have a significant impact on the country's economic prospects. The speaker highlighted the fact that Singapore has made progress in reducing income inequality through fiscal transfers, which are government payments to low-income households. Additionally, the seminar touched on the potential challenges that Singapore may face from initiatives like BEPS 2.0, which aims to prevent multinational corporations from avoiding taxes through aggressive tax planning. While it remains to be seen how BEPS 2.0 will impact Singapore's economy, this issue underscores the importance of maintaining a competitive tax environment to attract foreign investment and support economic growth.

In summary, attending the seminar was an enriching experience that provided me with a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shape Singapore's economy. As I continue to pursue my studies in economics, I anticipate building on the knowledge gained from this seminar and applying it during Economics lessons.

On the 4th of April 2023, I went on a Walking Tour of the Civic District in Singapore, which was a unique and insightful experience for me. I had an enjoyable time during the tour as the tour guide was super friendly and enthusiastic, and I really liked the layout of the walk!

During the tour, I visited the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall where I learned that the imprinted letters, VRI, on the building stood for Victoria Regina Imperatrix. This discovery emphasised the significance of Singapore's rich history and the influence of British colonialism in shaping the nation into the first-world country it is today. Furthermore, the tour guide told us the story behind the Sir Stamford Raffles statue, which was built in commemoration of Queen Victoria's jubilee and symbolised Singapore's association with the British colony. This gave me a new perspective on how history and architecture can tell a story of a place and its people. It also made me reflect on how the country has evolved since its independence in 1965. 

I learned that Singapore was initially focused on economic growth and promoting exports for tourism, given its lack of natural resources. However, the people were more concerned about their ancestral countries and did not prioritize building a shared culture and beliefs among the locals living in Singapore. The tour guide mentioned how the bottom-up strategies were implemented, and people of different cultures built their own cultural architecture, such as mosques and schools. Additionally, I discovered that while Singapore wanted to make business agreements with Westerners, the latter feared that Singapore would become communist due to the majority of the population being Chinese and high China affiliation in Singapore. Many Chinese schools were learning mainly Chinese, and they were funded openly or under the table by communists at that point in time. The Stamford Raffles statue showed that Singapore welcomed Western businesses, as suggested by the then-economic advisor, Albert Winsemius. Singapore then built a second statue at Raffles' Landing to promote it as a tourist attraction to increase revenue, embracing the colonial legacy, which was something different from the other British's old colonies in Southeast Asia. 

The tour guide also provided us with some interesting facts about the history of Singapore. For instance, I learned that Sir Stamford Raffles wanted the right side of the Singapore River to be reserved for government use, while the left side was to be used for merchants and trading. Due to Raffles' commitment, the right side of the bank has been retained as a civic district till today. She also highlighted the outstanding abilities of Singapore's first Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, in making the government as efficient as it is today. Unlike other countries that have two parliamentary houses, there is only one house in Singapore as Mr. Lee knew he would have to push through unpopular policies and wanted government efficiency. I too learned that the Supreme Court has been renovated to a new building, and the courtroom is built in a circular shape to emblematise that the court does not take any sides. This information gave me a deeper appreciation of how architecture can convey a message and symbolism.

To summarise, the walking tour of the Civic District in Singapore was an educational and enriching experience for me. I gained new insights into Singapore's history, culture, and architecture, which has deep roots in its colonial past. It also made me realise how important it is to preserve and appreciate our cultural heritage to understand our roots and identity.

On the 31st of March and the 1st of April 2023, I attended the Saints Model United Nations (MUN) Conference as the delegate of Australia in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) where we discussed about the strategies to mitigate the issue of Sinking Nations. 

The event was an incredible experience for me as it was my first real-life MUN conference. It was exciting to pitch my country's stance to a real audience and to be able to engage in heated debates with the other delegates. 

One of the biggest takeaways from the conference was the importance of collaborating and compromising. Given that we only had 5 council sessions to discuss the issue, I learned that in order to achieve continuous progress in coming up with solutions, countries must work together and find a common ground. I also realised that diplomacy requires patience and careful negotiation, as each country has its own interests and priorities to consider. In addition, attending the conference has allowed me to learn about a wide range of global issues that I may not have otherwise been exposed to. From climate change to human rights, the conference gave me a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing our world today. 

Overall, it was a transformative experience that taught me valuable skills and expanded my knowledge of global affairs. I am looking forward to applying these lessons in my future studies and career!

On 27 March 2023, I had the opportunity to visit the German European School Singapore (GESS) and meet their Grade 12 German students for a school exchange. As someone who had never participated in a school exchange before, the experience was truly memorable for me.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the programmes that the students had planned for our visit, especially given that they had ongoing examinations at that point in time. They conducted presentations in their homeroom, which impressed me with their active participation and willingness to ask questions, which was unlike the classroom setting in Singapore schools. Many of them showed that they were not shy when it came to voicing out their thoughts or opinions, even though they might be unpopular views, which I believe is something that we all can learn from. For lunch, the teachers ordered a delicious German-European meal for us, some of which includes: Goulash Soup and Apple Crumble! We ended off with an Amazing Race, where we toured their giant campus and played games organised by the students together. Impressed by their efforts, I initiated planning and conducting an Amazing Race for their visit to our campus too. With our great teamwork, we managed to complete our planning within 2 hours and facilitated it smoothly the following day, receiving many compliments from our GESS friends, which made me really proud. 

On 28 March 2023, we hosted our GESS friends on our campus. Initially, I was afraid that they might not enjoy their time at our school as much as we did at theirs, but they surprised me with their enthusiasm and positive feedback. They loved our school and even expressed their wish for their canteen to have as much food variety as ours. They were also envious of our diverse school clothing designs, which made me appreciate our school's fashion choices even more. It was also really entertaining when all of them performed their school song for us in the canteen. We invited them to attend our classes, which they found to be exciting, and we ended the day by enjoying local snacks together and exchanging our social media handles. 

All in all, it was a fruitful learning experience, getting to know the German culture and the similarities and differences in school systems and lives. I look forward to having more school exchange opportunities in the future!

On 17 February 2023, I attended the Budget 2023 Conversations organised by REACH, where we had 2 rounds of breakout discussions in the format of World Café and dialogue sessions with Minister of State, Finance, and Transport, Mr. Chee Hong Tat, and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information and Ministry of National Development REACH Chairman, Mr. Tan Kiat How.

As someone who has attended many REACH events, I found this to be the most unique one so far. The event space was filled with Singaporeans from very different age groups and backgrounds, and it was fascinating to hear the personal touches of everyone's story when we discussed the topics covered in the Budget. I was grateful for the opportunity to provide the perspective of youths during the conversations and to meet friendly people who genuinely cared about one another as fellow Singaporeans. This event reaffirmed my belief in the power of dialogue and communication as a means to foster a sense of community and understanding in our society.

This event was a valuable experience that left a lasting impression on me and served as a reminder of the importance of open communication and dialogue in building a strong and united community!

On the 1st of December 2022, Minister of Home Affairs and Law, Mr. K Shanmugam, shared and answered some questions regarding the recent repeal of Section 377A, democracy, and our multi-racial society in Singapore. 

Mr. Shanmugam spoke about the reasons why Section 377A was repealed. He believes that to repeal an existing law, society needs to be ready for it. Thus, he said that persuasion and practicing leadership to communicate with Singaporeans uncomfortable about the issue was the key to ensuring that society would not be shaken once a law is officially repealed. He mentioned that regarding the repeal of Section 377A, most Singaporeans were afraid of societal changes such as school dress codes and marriage laws. There were concerns guarded by religious beliefs too. Despite so, Mr. Shanmugam strongly believes that the repeal was necessary as, an act between two men is a private matter, and there should not be a law to criminalise privatised conduct. 

When ‘Chinese privilege’ was mentioned, Mr. Shanmugam emphasised that the usage of ‘Chinese privilege’ came from the term, ‘white privilege', where the whites were superior and the non-whites were slaves, in the context of the history of the United States of America (USA). But this is not the case for the Chinese and the other minority racial groups in Singapore, thus, there is no such thing as ‘Chinese privilege’ in Singapore. Moreover, I was enlightened that our system of laws is nothing similar as compared to other countries. For example, while French is the first language in France, as the majority of the locals are French, in Singapore, even though Chinese is the majority race group, English is our first language because it is the common language for all the races living in our country. It is said that Singapore’s laws do not follow the nature of things, which makes our country a unique one.

In a nutshell, I am happy to learn more about the repeal of Section 377A, and I am proud of the law system, which builds racial harmony, and promotes equity in Singapore. 

On 20 November 2022, I attended an event, organised by the National Youth Council (NYC), which I was invited to at the Singapore Model Parliament 2022. Through a couple of discussions with Singaporeans from all walks of life as well as the Minister of National Development, Mr. Desmond Lee's insightful sharing, I had a wonderful learning session about Singapore's public housing.

I learned in-depth about the Housing & Development Board's public housing schemes and system, and the government's aims to keep such housing accessible and affordable. It was also heartening to see that so many Singaporeans, regardless of whether they represented first-time or existing homeowners, single or married, were all willing to give up their spots in their long-waited Build-To-Order (BTO) flat for one another, in sight of giving in to the other group's needs which they were convinced were more important than theirs.

One segment that intrigued me the most was the discussion about striking a balance between preserving existing animal habitats in forests and building new homes in these forested areas. Through conversing with the other participants, we could not settle on an agreement as to how much housing should we build in forested areas, and how many animal habitats we should preserve.

In a nutshell, I am looking forward to more conversations like this and for Singapore's public housing to grow toward providing building estates with more affordable housing and greater equity. Nonetheless, I do wonder that as we fight for public housing to become more affordable, are we risking our homes becoming smaller?

On the 8th, 9th, and 15th of October 2022, I attended the Singapore Model Parliament (SMP) 2022, which changed my perspective of Singapore almost completely. 

Throughout the course of the 3 days, Minister of Health, Mr. Ong Ye Kung, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health and Law Rahayu Mahzam, Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Tan Chuan-Jin, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information and Ministry of National Development REACH Chairman, Mr. Tan Kiat How, Professor Yaacob Ibrahim, Professor Leong Ching, and Dr. Woo Jun Jie, gave speeches to explain the thought processes and considerations of politicians when shaping and producing a bill. They also gave us an overview, and insights into the Parliament, which includes shaping our thought processes to analyse and mitigate an issue properly, allowing us to have an idea of how a policy would be implemented to address the root cause of a problem accurately. It is truly an honour to meet all of them and to be given a chance to see Singapore from their different point of view.

The event is a memorable one for me as I was given a chance to construct and present a policy with my team, where we had fought for the implementation of taxes on assets of housing, at the Parliament House, which is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I signed up for this event with two of my good friends, Valerie and Jessica, and I must say, we are extremely lucky and thankful to be part of the hundred selected from the three hundred over applicants. We had no clue what we were signing up for but I am glad that we did. We met so many like-minded people and it was a fruitful experience for us to engage in conversations with politicians, and brilliant people that were curious about the world and interested in becoming a Member of Parliament (MP). It was also a splendid space for us to ask our queries and speak to the guest of honours in a private setting. 

My greatest takeaway would be that being educated does not necessarily mean that one is informed enough. 

I had always thought and lamented about what the government can implement to mitigate a problem and address the needs and concerns of the masses, but after listening to the ministers' speeches, I learned that I was not informed enough to measure the costs and benefits of implementing a policy, and thus, I never knew that because of the many trade-offs and constant need for considerations of other groups of people, implementing a policy, or even for politicians to come up with the most accurate sentence to 'react' to a problem of the people, is easier said than done. 

In summary, I will always remember this event as an exceptional one and as a fond memory. I would also like to give a big "thank you" to everyone I've met at the Singapore Model Parliament, especially the organisers, for such an exciting experience!

On 27th August 2022, Minister of Education, Mr. Chan Chun Sing, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Ms. Indranee Thurai Rajah, and Founder & Director of The Whitehatters, Shahrany Hassan, had a sharing about Singapore's legacy of a cohesive multi-racial society. 

Some of the takeaways I had was that it is important to build a common ground rather than a middle ground between fellow citizens. Singapore is a socially cohesive society that transcends religious, racial, and social barriers. It is key for us to respect and celebrate our diversity and each other's differences by taking an effort to understand one another's race and religion as well as change our perspectives. In fact, this is actually a very powerful way to unite our country. It is not an uncomfortable issue and the truth is, we have to address it. I learned that we can do so by just simply asking our friends of different races to share more about their cultures! Minister Chan Chun Sing said, "Be quick to forget what we give but always remember what we receive." 

A major realisation I had was that even though racial harmony in the country is successful, it is not perfect as it is still very fragile. A simple remark about race can stir up a huge conflict among citizens. Hence, everything little thing we say can cause a great impact and by the time we regret it, it'll be too late. So why not start by choosing the right words to say and respecting each other regardless of race, language, or religion?

On 27th August 2022, I learned a lot more about the importance of city planning and about Singapore's development structure through a tour of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Centre which mainly focused on Singapore's Long-Term Plan Review (LTPR). I understood that there were 5 objectives (Plab, Sustain, Steward, Cherish and Move) that are considered for any infrastructure that is built in the country. The tour enlightened me about the different ideas and methods that were used to build a more sustainable Singapore, for example, how to build on a piece of land such that it can be multi-purposed, which is extremely crucial as Singapore has limited land space. Out of all the schemes that the URA implemented, I felt that The Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High rises (Lush) Scheme was the most interesting one as it mentions that developers must replace greenery lost from the site, with greenery in other areas within the development. The tour was fascinating for me and I would love to attend a tour like this one again!

On 21st July 2022, renowned and award-winning local author, Balli Kaur Jaswal, conducted a seminar titled, "Dreaming & Doing". She shared her personal journey of how she turned her passion for writing into a successful career. Her speech was not only about her achievements but also about the obstacles and challenges she faced to get to where she is now today.

Through her presentation, she conveyed the message of the importance of perseverance, hard work, and determination to achieve one's dreams. The difficulties she faced while pursuing her passion for writing, particularly as a minority-race individual, are significant, and it takes immense strength and courage to overcome such challenges. Her journey and experiences are a true reflection of the struggles that many people from minority races face while trying to make their dreams a reality. It was inspiring to see how she overcame each obstacle and emerged stronger and more determined than before. Her journey is a testimony to the fact that with hard work, determination, and perseverance, anyone can achieve their dreams, no matter what the obstacles may be.

The presentation was an enlightening experience, as the author shared her life stories with the audience. Her stories were not only inspiring, but they also provided insight into what it takes to become a successful writer. It was a rare opportunity to hear from such an experienced writer about the ups and downs of her journey, and the struggles she faced along the way. Her insights on the craft of writing and how to approach it as a career were invaluable, and I felt privileged to have been part of the audience.

In conclusion, the seminar was an eye-opening and inspiring event. Her presentation not only shed light on the possible challenges that individuals face while pursuing their dreams, but it also provided valuable insights into the world of writing. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the audience and to have heard firsthand from such an accomplished and inspiring writer.

On 18th June 2022, I had the privilege of meeting the Minister of Health, Mr. Ong Ye Kung at One Marina Boulevard! The session was truly an unforgettable experience, as Mr. Ong shared with us Singapore's future plans and addressed some of our most pressing concerns about our country.

One of the aspects that I appreciated the most was the level of transparency that Mr. Ong demonstrated during the session. It felt like a heart-to-heart conversation, and he was open and honest about the challenges that Singapore faces and the reasons behind the government's policies. As a teenager, it was refreshing to hear from a high-ranking government official who took the time to explain Singapore's plans and policies in a way that was easy to understand. Mr. Ong's explanations helped me to better appreciate the complexity of the issues facing Singapore and the rationale behind the government's decision-making process. Furthermore, Mr. Ong's insights and perspectives on Singapore's future direction left a lasting impression on me. I was inspired by his vision for a more inclusive and sustainable Singapore, and his words encouraged me to think critically about my own role in shaping Singapore's future.

Overall, meeting Mr. Ong was a deeply enriching experience that allowed me to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing Singapore. His insights and perspectives have left a lasting impression on me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such a meaningful conversation.

On 30th May 2022, I attended a workshop where I had a discussion with our school counsellors, teachers, student mentors, our Principal, Mr. Tham, as well as the lecturers from the Ngee Ann Polytechnic School of Design & Environment on Design Thinking in the design of Spaces, about renovating a part of our campus. 

It was a very interesting workshop as we used lego blocks to design our ideal student corner in our school. I learned to understand the different aspects that are required of the room and to build it such that almost everyone's needs are met. I was also able to study and apply the techniques used by Designers such as the Design Thinking Process and Divergent Thinking to curate the look for our new Student Development Centre.

In conclusion, attending the workshop on Design Thinking in the design of Spaces was a valuable experience that allowed me to learn from a diverse group of experts. Through the workshop, I gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities involved in designing functional spaces that meet the needs of diverse user groups. The hands-on approach using lego blocks and applying design thinking processes made the workshop engaging and informative. As a result of this experience, I am more confident in my ability to curate the look and feel of functional spaces, and I am excited to apply my newfound knowledge to future design projects.

On 9th May 2022, I had the pleasure of participating in a dialogue session that broadened my knowledge of German-Singapore relations and the European Union (EU). The campaign provided me with an incredible opportunity to meet Mr. Christoph Hallier, the Deputy Head of the Mission of the German Embassy in Singapore. 

During our interaction, he shared with us his views on a wide range of topics, from his role in ensuring German perspectives are heard in Singapore's political discussions to the similarities between Germany and Singapore. I was particularly struck by Mr. Hallier's insights on the EU. He provided us with a comprehensive overview of the EU's structure, its policies, and its relationship with Singapore. I learned about the EU's commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as its role in promoting economic growth and stability in Europe and beyond. Through this session, I gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of strong diplomatic ties between countries and the role that diplomacy plays in fostering understanding and cooperation between nations. I was also struck by the similarities between Germany and Singapore, despite their vastly different histories and cultures.

Overall, meeting Mr. Hallier and learning more about German-Singapore relations and the EU was an incredibly enriching experience. I left the campaign with a renewed sense of curiosity and a desire to learn more about the world around me.

On the 12th of April 2022, Associate Professor Seetoh Pei Pei delivered a captivating conference titled "Intelligence & Achievement," where she expounded on the importance of self-control and delay of gratification. 

Through the famous Marshmallow Test, she demonstrated how patience is a crucial component of achieving success. In addition, Professor Seetoh Pei Pei shared her insights on the strong correlation between achievement and intelligence, providing valuable tools to help attendees surpass their potential. 

Overall, her thought-provoking presentation left a lasting impression and inspired many to strive for greatness.

On the 8th and 9th of April 2022, I participated in the Saints Model United Nations (MUN) Conference as the delegate of Cambodia in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) where we discussed Geopolitical Strife over Hydroelectric Energy. 

I always wondered how politicians communicate and discussed their views or their opinions on a particular world-related issue. Through the conference, I learned that politicians would conduct a debate to find out if the proposed resolution would be feasible in consideration of all 193 Member States. As it was my first MUN Conference, I had some difficulties pitching my country's stance on this issue at the beginning. 

Nevertheless, it was a wonderful experience as I learned a lot more about the world around me through the fruitful conversations I had with the other delegates. 

On the 1st of March 2022, I had the privilege of attending a seminar by Assistant Professor Grace Boey at the Nanyang Technological University Philosophy Department. 

During her presentation, she introduced a new perspective that left a deep impression on me. She said, "There's a deep psychological discontinuity between the meat we see in supermarkets, and live animals we see in pictures and documentaries." As I reflected on her words, I realized that there was indeed a significant difference between the meat that we purchase from supermarkets and the animals that we see in pictures and documentaries. The meat in supermarkets is neatly packaged and separated from the animal it came from, while the live animals we see in pictures and documentaries are free, with personalities and emotions of their own. This realization led me to question whether we, as human beings, are hypocritical in our actions toward animals. We consume meat on a regular basis, yet we may not be fully aware of the extent of the harm we cause to animals in the process. Do we truly understand the lives of the animals that we consume? Do we consider the conditions under which they were raised and slaughtered?

Attending Professor Boey's seminar truly allowed me to see from a new point of view that I hadn't considered before. Her insightful sharing sparked a profound reflection on the way we treat animals, and I realized that we must be more conscious of our actions and their consequences. I left the seminar feeling inspired to take a closer look at my own behavior and to make conscious decisions that are more aligned with my values.