2020 Bendemeer Secondary School Newsletter

FROM EACH HIS BEST

EDITOR'S FOREWORD

BY MRS ANUSIYAH THIRU

2020 threw an unexpected curveball at us and engulfed us in uncertainty and apprehension Be it full home based learning (FHBL), the Circuit Breaker, the earlier month long holidays as well as adapting to the new regulations and Safe Management Measures (SMMs), there were several firsts this year. However in the true spirit of our school motto 'From Each His Best', we took on the pandemic and ensuing crisis head on

There were frenzied preparations for FHBL in terms of getting the students and teachers ready to use varied ICT platforms and tools to ensure that learning could continue at home. The teachers were resilient, forthcoming and even ‘gung ho’ about dealing with the new challenges such as having Zoom lessons, monitoring students’ work as well as marking and providing feedback, all in a contactless manner Students too had to get used to checking in from home and keeping up with online tasks and independent learning. It is of no doubt that both the teachers and students had fears and insecurities and wondered if we had done the right things and if we had done things right The situation had brought about a new normal and a complete upheaval of several things that were comfortingly familiar to both the staff and students

In spite of all these, Bendemeer staff and students rose to the challenges and learnt to manoeuvre our way through The School Leaders and teachers found new and innovative ways for the school to function as normally as possible despite the numerous constraints and restrictions, such as having the National Day proceedings streamed live to all of the classrooms. Several new opportunities and avenues have been opened up because we thought out of the box and we have been presented with possibilities for these new ideas to continue to be adopted in future This online magazine is one such new initiative proudly brought to you by the School Publications Committee

True to our motto, From Each His Best, Bendemeer staff and students have given their best to manage the crisis in their own ways and have also extended assistance to those around them to ensure that no one is left behind We survived the various adaptations that needed to be made and the struggles we faced due to our prevalent caring culture and the Bendemeer family has become stronger together We look forward to a blissful 2021

FAREWELL MS JEYA

BY MR GLENN TAN

In December 2012, Ms Usha Jeyarajah was welcomed into the Bendemeer Secondary family and since then, she has made significant contributions to the school From the very beginning, Ms Jeya portrayed her dedication in establishing a Parent Support Group (PSG), which has grown and gained much traction over the years With her warmth and affable personality, she has managed to engage our students’ parents and created multiple platforms, from parenting workshops and interactive sessions, to the popular Breakfast with Parents programme

In addition, Ms Jeya has nurtured many staff members in the Bendemeer family, providing sound advice and developing personnel based on their strengths, and more importantly, working closely together with them for successful outcomes She has always been extremely encouraging and supportive of suggestions and ideas from staff, resulting in multiple innovative efforts across the school. Over the years, she has also helped numerous students in so many ways, be it providing guidance and mentorship to graduating students in the area of English Language, or seeing to the general well being of students in school and at home

Ms Jeya has indeed made innumerable contributions to Bendemeer Secondary School, and it is impossible to list down everything she has done in her eight years with us We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all her efforts, and wish her all the very best in her future endeavours We are certain that she will continue to fly high and proud, and that she will continue to touch the hearts and lives of many individuals. We will definitely miss you, Ms Jeya!

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

mber 2019, while the GCE O Level results for 2019 were released on 13 January 2020

Our school has continued to deliver value added results and our students have done the school proud by maintaining a high level of progression to post secondary school institutions Our Sec 4 Express students have done well in achieving a high percentage eligibility for polytechnic and junior college Likewise, our Sec 4 Normal (Academic) and Sec 4 Normal (Technical) students have achieved a high level of GCE N Level passes.

We would like to thank all the teachers and non teaching staff for helping our N Level and O Level students over the past four to five years This support has been crucial to helping them achieve credible results and be able to progress to the next stage of their education

We congratulate all our graduating students and wish them all the best for their future endeavours.

SCHOOL EVENTS

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

The yearly Chinese New Year celebrations were held on 24 January in a novel manner The constraint of the hall being unavailable did not dampen our spirits and we worked around the situation by holding the celebrations in the canteen instead The Year of the Rat was ushered in with vibrant performances by the Choir members, Band, student musicians and even teachers turned singers. The highlight of the celebrations was the Lion Dance, performed by our very own teacher and student, spiced up by the ceremonious appearance of our very own God of Prosperity The excited cheers of the zealous audience summed up the celebratory mood.

Soon after his appointment, the Minister of Education, Mr Lawrence Wong, visited Bendemeer Secondary School on 16 September this year In his visit, the Minister joined a few classes to observe how the various lessons have been adapted to ensure that the SMMs are met and at the same time how the lessons continue to be student centric and effective He even sportingly tried to do the tasks that the students were carrying out in the Mother Tongue, Humanities and English lessons that he joined in. The Minister had the chance to witness and participate in CCE infused lessons and ICT based lessons which required students to carry out authentic tasks The visit was wrapped up after the Minister’s dialogue sessions with staff and students respectively.

NATIONAL DAY CUM SPEECH DAY

National Day and Bendemeer’s 43rd Speech and Prize Presentation Day were celebrated on 7 August with a difference. The ceremonial march in of the state and school flags, the speech by our Principal, Mr Chen Fook Pang, and the reading of the National Day Message by our Vice Principal, Ms Jeya, were streamed live from the school hall for the students and teachers in the classrooms to view. Everyone also had the opportunity to witness the prize giving ceremony in which students and staff were given recognition for their achievements and contributions to the school The joyous mood continued in the classrooms as the students and teachers enjoyed the scrumptious bento sets provided and belted present and past national day songs

SECONDARY ONE ORIENTATION

e warmly welcomed into the school with much fervor. They were immersed in the myriad of activities lined up for them right from the start of the first week, be it the sports trials or the performing arts tryouts The Student Leaders had an array of fun filled and exciting activities for the students to et accustomed to the new surroundings s well as get to know their peers.

he students participated in several ctivities such as ice breaker games and e mass dance in the Orientation Camp hich enabled them to build bonds with their classmates and seniors The highlight of the camp was the kite flying activity in which the students decorated their kites and worked together to get their kites to soar in the sky.

During the CCA Orientation held on that Saturday morning, students were welcomed yet again with rousing performances and colourful booths set up by the rest of the Bendemeerian family, firmly rooting them to the school and giving them a delightful taste of what life is like in Bendemeer Secondary School

TEACHER'S DAY

Teachers’ Day in Bendemeer is a day dedicated to celebrating our teachers and we weren’t going to let the pandemic get in the way of showing appreciation for the teachers On 3 September, the student leaders came together to plan a programme consisting of song dedications and Kahoot quizzes for the different levels which were streamed live for the viewing pleasure of the students and teachers in the classrooms In addition, to show their appreciation to their Form and Subject Teachers the students wrote heartfelt notes conveying their wishes for their teachers. The revelry continued with the presentation of a scrumptious lunch for all staff It was truly a day to thank the teachers for their commitment and devotion.

SAC CARING TEACHER AWARD NOMINEES 2020

Mr Dennis Wong always makes sure that we understand whatever topic he is teaching. He ensures that we do every task that he gives us to help us improve in our grades. Whenever he sees someone having problems or feeling stressed, he would always find time to talk to them and help if possible. He also helps students who are weak in that particular subject. He always motivates and supports us to study more so that in the end, we can pass our exams. - Syuhuda, 2R7

Ms Ramadevi is a wonderful and understanding teacher. She always helps us out in a lot of ways, and really respects and loves our class a lot. She understands our pain and feelings and I am really happy that she is my Form Teacher this year. Even if I have done anything wrong, she encourages me and teaches me to become a better person. Ms Rama takes care of all of us like her own children. – Priya, 3R8

Mr Lawrence Ng has been really caring to me, even though he does scold me a lot. I can see that whatever he says to me is for my benefit, and that he is just trying to shape my character, so that I can become a better person. He often motivates me to come to school and sees so much potential in me, even though I know I have let him down many, many times. Though it may seem that we do not get along, it’s all good! – Kingsley, 4R6

Mr Daryl Toy is a funny and caring teacher, even if he is strict at times. He always encourages us to do our best. He put in so much effort to help us with our class noticeboard, something I don’t see other teachers doing, often staying back to help us after school. He has also been helping us so much for English, teaching us again and again in order to help us understand better. Mr Toy always asks us if we are feeling low and motivates us to do more. He is a really amazing, caring and wonderful teacher who perseveres to help us do our best. – Pugazendhi, 1C5

Mr Theodore Tan is a teacher who always makes lessons fun and interesting because he knows that we are very tired and stressed. All his little actions show us that he really cares for us and he also never gives up on me when I have been scoring so badly for his subject. Instead, he tells me the correct way to study and answer the questions and with his help, I have managed to score much better. His class always makes me feel relaxed and gives me the positive vibes to persevere on. – Ying Fei, 4R3

Mr Ng Jan Ile has always been so caring towards his students. He is very patient whenever he teaches us, making sure that we understand the concepts he is trying to teach. He is willing to stay back and teach any student with difficulty coping with POA. He is very passionate about the subject, making a POA guidebook for us on his own, so that we can do our revision easily. I have personally enjoyed my POA lessons because of how Mr Jan engages us and he is a very special teacher to me. – Parvena, 4R3

Mr Oh Tze Ming is really friendly and caring. The way he teaches us is amazing and allows us to understand easily. He always put on a smile on his face instead of having a fierce look. I hope everyone gets a teacher like him, who always motivates his students and gives encouragement to us. – Simran, 1C8

Mrs Charmaine Tan is a very kind, caring and understanding teacher. She goes beyond her duty to make sure we are not facing any problems and to see that our needs are met. Mrs Tan conducts extra lessons for those who need more guidance and allows us to submit our work later if we are facing some personal issues. She has always been there for us and she is a trustworthy person to talk to about our problems. – Felix George, 3R1

Ms Ivy Lim cares a lot for our mental and emotional well-being. Over the Circuit Breaker period, she would text or call us to check on whether we were too stressed. There was a time when I was going through a tough time and she told me that I could rant to her about my problems. Ms Ivy does not treat us like her students but instead treats us as her family, so much so that she looks out for all of us whenever we have problems both academically and emotionally. – Maria, 4R1

Mrs Anusiyah Thiru puts in a great amount of effort in helping us flourish in our academic work and teaches us with a lot of enthusiasm. She never leaves any student behind and relentlessly showers us with encouragement and motivation for us to excel successfully. Furthermore, she instils in us the values of how we should not discriminate against others and how we should take ownership of our actions. I always look forward to her lessons as she also tells us a plethora of jokes that enlivens the entire class! Shairafaye, 1C2

Ms Nicole Choong has been very caring to me. I really appreciate her as my counsellor. Sometimes she approaches me to ask how I am. She is always there to support my family and I, for things that we need in our lives. I really appreciate everything about Ms Choong! – Mohd Danish, 2R8

Ms Lim Ying Shung is very patient with us even when we are loud and talk a lot. She has never raised her voice at us and is extremely kind and caring. Throughout these eight months, she has given me countless chances whenever I make mistakes. She is an inspiration to my class and shows us all a lot of concern, affection and consideration. – Aden, 1C1

Ms Vimala really knows how to take care of our class. She is one person who never gives up on 2R8 and often tries her best to only show us a happy smile in front of her students. Even if she struggles with the class, she still puts in so much effort to do her best for us. She has the purest heart and can be funny and strict. I want to show my love and respect for Ms Vimala, and thank her for everything she has done.

Nur Aisyahra, 2R8

Mr Benedict Ong is always positive when teaching in class. He tries to make his lessons more interesting by joking around at times. He also cares about each and every one of us. He notes down each of our weaknesses and tries to help us with the types of questions we are weak in. Mr Ong is one of the most special teachers, and I really like him. – Zi Yang, 1C2

Mrs Cynthia Ho never gives up on us. She always tries her best to teach us in any way possible. Though she is strict, she is a kind teacher because she buys files for those who cannot afford them. She is always keeping us organised and cares for everyone equally, showing no discrimination and favouritism. Afroza Khatun, 2R6

Mrs Elaine Wong is very patient in teaching me Math although this is my weakest subject. She treats all of us in the same way, and never loses patience with us. I can see that she is the most caring teacher I have ever met and I definitely consider having her as my Math teacher a blessing to me. – Kok Fong, 3R7

Mr Han Hong Kwong has always encouraged me to do my best and never give up. When I am in doubt, he would never fail to help me and has a lot of patience teaching me. He always teaches me to not worry about my exam marks as it is already over and I can always try to do better the next time.

Gillian, 3R3

Mdm Jamie Chua always entertains the class so that Math is more enjoyable. Since we have a lot of Math periods, she often gives us sweets to help us focus better in class. She also frequently holds after-school remedial classes as well as Google Meets online for the weaker students. She always encourages us to do our best and believes that effort is more important than our grades. – Sherrise, 3R1

Mr Mark Sanjay definitely shows interest and enthusiasm in teaching our class. He teaches our class with an extreme amount of interest and also possesses a lot of humour. He thus makes my learning experience better and way more interesting. Mr Sanjay also ensures that everyone understands what he is teaching and will help those of us in need. He is also strict when he needs to be, and I am really appreciative of him. I would definitely want to be continue to be taught by Mr Sanjay! – Angelis, 2R4

Ms Mavis Lee always has the ability to understand our personal situations and tries her best to help us. When I was at a very low point of my life, she not only helped me achieve good grades but also listened to me, being one of the few teachers who helped to push me to where I am now. Even now, Ms Lee jokes with me and checks in with me, giving me encouraging advice and comforting me when I am stressed due to my own high expectations. – Kevin, 4R7

Mrs Agnes Tan has always been a teacher who is very easy to get along with. She often spends time after school to help us and other weaker students, those who require more guidance and consultation in Geography. She cheers us up by giving us small tokens as a form of encouragement. Due to her efforts, I have found much motivation to do better and pass my Geography with flying colours! – Raihan, 4R5

Ms Shamini is a really caring teacher. During the Circuit Breaker period, I wrote a reflection about being late for SLS and I included some personal thoughts. Ms Shamini called me to ask if I was ok, and whether I needed someone to talk to and reassure and comfort me. She also makes sure that everyone has fun in her class. Though she can be strict at times, she means well and I am very grateful to her for caring so much for us. – Clara, 1C4

Mdm Soh Bee Keow shows her care for us in various ways. Once, when one of my classmates was injured, she asked us to accompany her to the clinic. Later, she also came to the clinic to check on us and to see if we were ok. She then booked a Grab ride for us to ensure that we got home safely. During POA lessons, Mdm Soh always makes sure that we understand the topics that are taught, and if we have difficulty comprehending, she would explain them to us again very patiently. – Meilin, 3R3

Ms Sabrina Wee has helped me through many of my problems. She has always been there for me and helps me in Chemistry, as well as many other issues. She has always cared for our class as if we are her own children, and for that, she has really gained my respect and gratitude.

Mohd Raahil, 3R6

Mr Tay Guangyu constantly keeps his cool and continues to cheer me up despite my unwillingness to put in more effort for his subject. He does the same for some of my other classmates as well. His constant encouragement and determination to push us to go at our own pace has motivated me currently to do better, so that I can make him proud.

– Gerald, 4R4

Mr Kenneth Goh is the teacher I would look for whenever I have trouble in my studies or need some guidance. Whenever I have any doubt, he would be the first to notice and answer whatever question I have. He would also chat with me whenever I look down, or would get me to share my interests like music and shows. I can see that he is a genuinely nice and caring teacher. – Yasmine, 4R8

Ms Wendy Hu is the most caring teacher I have ever met. She helps me throughout my difficulties not only for History, but also whenever I am feeling down. She listens to my problems and gives me the best advice I need. She sacrifices her time for my History classmates and me for consultations for us to improve in the subject. I appreciate her efforts in helping us, as because of her, I was able to excel in my Humanities for my N Level exams last year. – Jasmine, 5R1

Ms Dawn Lim is a calm and patient teacher who tries to connect with the class she is teaching or sees on a regular basis. During the Circuit Breaker period, she called me a few times to check up on me and it was really nice to know that someone other than my family members cares for my well-being. E-learning was tough for me so it helped a lot that she called. Ana, 3R7

Mrs Sharon Chin is very focused on making the class to be the best that we can be. She wants us to do well for our GCE N Level exams so that we can apply for PFP. She is also very hard on herself as during the Circuit Breaker period, she sacrificed much of her own personal time to help us plan our schedules to help us plan for our national exams. I would like to express my gratitude for her for being such a great teacher. – Si Jun, 4R5

Mdm Lee Poh Ching is a really caring teacher who ensures that everybody understands and knows what she is teaching in class. Even though she already has two Sec 4 classes this year, she still makes time for us in her Sec 3 class. She will always help those who are lacking or not as strong in specific areas of the subject by conducting 1-on-1 Zoom classes! – Calvin, 3R2

Mdm Noorlizah is very approachable and we can talk to her about our problems. She cares for the class a lot. I had a few problems in class and she would talk to me about them one by one. She is very encouraging and caring to us. I can see how she treats all of us with respect and fairness even though I have only known her for less than a year. – Megan Lee, 1C6

Mr Eric Choo is always looking out for the whole class. He always offers extra lessons to help us in topics we are unsure of, but he does not force them on us. He asks us if we have questions about our homework and goes through them patiently. Mr Choo cares about our well-being, as I would talk to him whenever I am extremely stressed, as he is able to comfort me. He is always easy to talk to, making learning and asking questions easier, frequently encouraging us to do our best. – Chiara, 1C3

Ms Ruth Tang cares for everyone’s well-being and how her students are coping with the subject. Though she only took over the class after Circuit Breaker, the past few weeks have gone on smoothly thanks to her, with me not feeling stressed or left behind, especially when we are doing a crucial part of our coursework. She is always open to students’ enquiries and helps us accordingly when needed. – Justin, 3R2

TEACHERS' REFLECTIONS OF 2020

Mr Michael Lee: One thing that 2020 did not fail to deliver was surprises. In April we entered into a full lockdown known in Singapore as a Circuit Breaker. Instead of sulking at home and being glued to the TV, I decided to pursue my hobby, photography. I set up a makeshift mini studio at home and did some commercial product shoots. It was a good opportunity to play around with the lighting condition at home and see how best I could utilise it for the benefit of the shots. Photography is never complete without editing. Post-production photo editing is equally challenging and time-consuming. It is needed to complete the workflow and eventually produce a satisfactory result.

In Project 1, I did a setup for a commercial Tissot watch shoot. I used some rocks as the backdrop to showcase the outdoor nature of the product. The total time taken was 3 working days. In Project 2, I did an advertising shot for a beer bottle. The total time needed from setup to production to post-editing was about 4 working days. In Project 3, I did an Ironman Head Unit Display scene. The production shoot was much simpler compared to the other two. I did a production shoot of my face that was gently diffused with red light for some special effects. The post-production editing however required more effort. The total time taken for project 3 was about 5 working days.

Mdm Teo Soh Hwa: One thing I am grateful for during the Circuit Breaker is forging stronger bonds with my younger daughter. We spent a lot of time trying out new dishes for my family such as Murtabak, Abacus, Chee Cheong Fun with minced meat and prawns, Bunga Telang Roti Jala, Nasi Lemak, Salmon Pie, Guo Tie, Purple Sweet Potato Buns, Soon Kueh and my favourite breakfast snack, Peanut Pancake. All of these were hand made and from scratch. I find gardening very therapeutic so I made time to plant vegetables such as kangkong and cai xin as well as bean sprouts which I used in all of my fried noodles. I experimented with fermenting red rice wine and though I succeeded after the second attempt it was still not good enough. It wasn’t as sweet as it was supposed to be. My son was happy when he got to eat his favourite cheese cake which I made for his birthday. In between cooking and cleaning, I made time to sew batik masks for family and friends and decorated the masks given by Temasek Holdings with batik appliqué as I enjoy sewing.

Mdm Noorlizah Osman: Can you believe that I actually did not step out of my house for the whole two months of the Circuit Breaker period?! I cannot believe it myself either! Despite the busy mornings and afternoons checking on my students’ online assignments and making my morning roll-calls, I managed to explore interesting and fun things to do.

When Dalgona coffee was in-trend then, it got me curious. I whipped out my old but sturdy whisk to experiment with instant coffee and sugar. It was really amazing how coffee and sugar turned out to be creamy without the cream, like whipping egg whites to make meringue! Since I don’t drink coffee anymore, I got my helper and son to try this “exotic” drink, which got them sleepless the whole night! Oops! I might have used too much coffee I guess! No wonder my beloved hubby refused a sip!

Then the creative side of my brain tingled and I decided to inspire my 3NA Art students by painting an orange that I had for afternoon tea. This somehow, made me reminisce the time when I was a student in Outram Institute struggling to paint nature drawings. The painting turned out well and I shared the photo of the watercolour painting with my dearest students.

Another fun thing that I continued doing is exercising! I did power walking at home with my favourite “personal trainer”, Leslie Sansone, on YouTube of course.

Mr Manoj Kumar Dave: One of the things I did during the Circuit Breaker was an art and craft project using paper mache and a balloon. It is a tray to hold nuts, sweets or tidbits when there are guests over. Next I tried my hand at making a DIY a fixed selfie stick that can rotate 180 degrees using only the tools at home. I needed one but all of the shops were closed. My version only cost $2 while it was being sold at Challenger for $15! I also made a battery operated fan using a computer fan and 9V battery as my air conditioner broke down. I played around with an electronics kit called Sparkfun and tried to program it to get the lights to blink. Moreover I attempted to set up an indoor herb cutting nursery to hang on my window ledge. Finally I tried some origami from watching YouTube videos.

Ms Dawn Lim Sing Liean: During the Circuit Breaker period, it was tough to juggle work with an active toddler. Training Julian to water the plants helped in diverting his energy into something useful. Anything to do with water is always fun, in Julian’s perspective.

Mrs Anusiyah Thiruchelvan: The Circuit Breaker was a good opportunity for me to do two of my favourite things – bonding with my children and trying to make new food items – at the same time! We tried making Dalgona coffee since it was trending and because I love coffee. We were really quite amused when after much whisking, the coffee and sugar mixture became beautifully creamy and fluffy. It was an added bonus that it tasted as good as it looked! We also tried to make our own bubble tea pearls, also known as boba, from scratch. It was indeed a challenge and a test of patience handling the tapioca starch and shaping the tiny balls so that they are nice and round. We felt that all of the effort was worth our time when we bit into the deliciously chewy brown sugar boba in our brown sugar milk. However the unanimous decision was that in future we’d just buy bubble tea if we wanted to drink it!

Mrs Ng Qian Hui: During the Circuit Breaker period, I picked up baking again. However, they did not turn out like the beautiful pictures in the recipes. Hence, I call them my 'yugly' baked goods – yummy but ugly.

Ms Caroline Murty: I dabbled in baking during the Circuit Breaker period. It was really therapeutic to knead the dough and then wait for it to rise was fascinating. I enjoyed the fragrant aroma and taste of the bread, scones, and mini quiche I had baked! Yes, I did share these with my family and friends! I had time to enjoy walks around my estate too!

Mr Glenn Tan Cheng Hai: I have always been an extremely lazy person whenever it comes to cooking or preparing meals, ever reliant on my Mum, buying food back or using online delivery options. However, during the Circuit Breaker period, I did get inspired by some YouTube videos to experiment with making sandwiches, home-made popcorn and Dalgona coffee! Most of these attempts were successful (in my humble opinion) but apart from having some yummy treats, I think it was more fun to create these with my family. I remember the pure unadulterated joy when we saw the corn popping for the first time, as if it was something totally amazing even though it was to be expected!

Mr Theodore Tan Rui-Yuan: During the circuit breaker, I decided to use the sudden abundance of free time I had to do two things I felt I wasn't spending enough time on – running and reading. I ran 3 to 8km every other day, often to places with nice sunset views such as Lower Peirce Reservoir (picture attached). I also started reading about a book a week, with a good mix of both local and international titles My favorite book I read during this period was All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

Ms Shamini Subramaniam: It was during the circuit breaker that I found time to actually read my neverending collection of books. I think during this time period I was able to read approximately 5-7 books. I was grateful for this circuit breaker as I was able to get back into my hobby of reading. I also found that I enjoyed new genres such as historical fiction, crime fiction. It widened my horizon on the perspectives of several societal issues. I was also able to understand the sequence of certain historical events better. It was truly an experience that i would keep close to my heart as it allowed me to appreciate the notion of standstill and I was able to pursue my passion for reading at a greater extent. It was also enlightening to find friends who had read similar books and we sometimes would spend our nights discussing the depth of the book and what the author truly meant to encapture through it.

Mr Eric Choo Guan Kiat: COVID-19 and the Circuit Breaker had turned most of our lives upside down. During the Circuit Breaker, I took the opportunity to deepen my yoga and mindfulness practices. These have taught me to see things in a different perspective and appreciate the things that I do not usually appreciate.

Mdm Nasyitah Abu Bakar: Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2020 was very memorable for me. It happened during the Circuit Breaker and we had to celebrate it nowhere else but at home. However, my family and I did not let the situation hinder us from celebrating the joyous occasion. We kept our spirits high by sending hand-made cards to our family and friends.

On the day itself, we were busy Zoom ‘visiting’ our relatives and close friends from the comfort of our own home, clad in our traditional clothes, no less. The celebration was not massive like in other years but it was certainly the most meaningful for all of us.

Mdm Noor Aisyah Ahmad Sharif: What we did to pass our time during the Circuit Breaker - trying our hands on gardening! Oh boy, some plants really require such high maintenance (and tested our patience) but it was definitely a joy watching them grow day by day!

Mr Tay Guangyu: During the circuit breaker period, I conducted my very first online face to face lesson over Zoom with my students. It was an unforgettable experience and it really caused me to be innovative and resourceful. An hour before lesson, my child’s room was transformed into a temporary work station. Multiple devices were used to conduct the lesson – a laptop to run the slides, a handphone attached to the study lamp to act as a visualiser and an iPad to monitor students and the lesson. During the lesson, students were attentive and actively taking down notes. This made all the efforts in setting up the temporary work station worthwhile. In general, it was a memorable learning experience for both my students and me and definitely something that we can all look back on.

Mr Lee Chen Siang: One of the subjects that my daughter missed from having to be at home during the Circuit Breaker period was her PE class. Thankfully her PE teachers uploaded some interesting workout/dance videos on SLS and my daughter enthusiastically dragged me into her room to do the workouts with her. Even though those workouts could not fully replicate the entire PE experience, which is much more than just physical activity in itself, they were nonetheless good workouts and created father daughter bonding time. I am thankful that we have moved out of the phase and are able to enjoy some form of PE in school. Hopefully we will see further easing of the SMMs in schools soon so that we can go back to our usual form of PE lessons.

Mrs Charmaine Tan: During the Circuit Breaker, I spent some time trying out new and simple dishes as well as tried my best to support various local food stalls by talking walks out (a form of exercise) to go out to buy (bringing along my own containers of course!)

Home cooked lunch: Guess which husband’s and which was m

STUDENTS' REFLECTIONS OF 2020

This year has been a wonderful year for me. Despite Covid-19 and FHBL, I have learnt a lot from Bendemeer Sec and hope to continue studying here. The teachers teach us how to approach our mistakes and handle the problems that are faced by students of my age. I am grateful to all the teachers who have encouraged me to achieve beyond my limits and to pursue my dreams. Sadayan Ehsan Ahmed, 1C1 2020

Personally I think that secondary school is different from a primary school as everyone seems to be more mature. On my first day, I was worried that I would not be able to fit in. However, I was soon warmly welcomed by my form teachers and the Student Council. The orientation camp allowed me to grow closer to my classmates and the seniors also helped us. This inspired and motivated me to become a student councillor and I am proud to say that I am one now. Sasmeta D/O A Ravindha, 1C1

During the circuit breaker, I had thought that it was a time for both students and teachers to relax. What I did not know was that the teachers had to work even more to ensure that their students are constantly learning from home. This experience taught me how to be more responsible in having to wake up early to check in and complete my online homework on time. Mohamed Azhar Bin Mohamed Ne, 1C1

When I first stepped into Bendemeer Sec, I was worried about making friends. The teachers helped students like me to overcome this fear by holding one to one sessions on alternate days to build on fostering relationships. As a result, I got more comfortable with my classmates and the environment. I started to make many good friends which made my 2020 a joyful one! Seah Qi Zhen, 1C1

My siblings had always told me that secondary school life would be extremely fun. Although I knew that it would be exciting to meet new friends and teachers, I was nervous as it was to be a whole new experience. Fortunately, when I entered my class, I felt truly welcomed by the warm smiles of my form teachers. I felt comfortable in class and after this one year, I am now ready to achieve greater heights and continue with my adventure in Bendemeer Sec. K Saleema D/O Kuthubudeen, 1C1

My experience in Secondary One has been amazing. I did not think that I would have the chance to make good friends. Then suddenly Jeff and Joe appeared and opened my eyes to the joys of friendship. As they say, all good things must come to an end. Jeff and Joe decided to head back to their own country and I was left devastated. However although time has passed, our friendship is still going strong. This is the best experience I obtained from Bendemeer Sec this year. Yoo Jun Hui Jovan, 1C1

Secondary school has been an overall fun time. I met great classmates and teachers and forged solid friendships along the way. I feel this experience is so much better than being in Primary school. I am looking forward to starting a new adventure in Secondary Two. Neo Wei Quan Ryan, 1C1

My experience in Bendemeer Secondary School has been enriching and extremely wonderful. In the earlier part of the year, the school had hosted a plethora of activities that I had nonetheless highly enjoyed! There were also countless numbers of opportunities where we were able to bond and interact with one another as a class and hence, I feel satisfied with my first year at Bendemeer ending as I have made a myriad of memories from the experiences and hope to make more in the near future to come! Shairafaye Romaguera Revindran, 1C2

I entered Bendemeer Secondary School as an exBendemeerian. All I miss right now is the Secondary One Orientation. It was the most unforgettable and Bendemeer Secondary made the experience unique for most of us. It provided a good opportunity for us to know some of the seniors in the school and also to form healthy friendships with others. Personally, I think that the school strongly encourages independent learning in each and every Bendemeerian. Everyone gets to learn something new every day, thus our motto being, From Each His Best. Elanthirayan Monica, 1C2

My experience in school this year was interesting. The Secondary One Orientation was the most memorable experience for me. We played and learnt at the same time. For example, from what our seniors had prepared the games for us, I have learnt the importance of teamwork, and our school values — Integrity, Care, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. The CCA Orientation was very impressive, especially the Band! We had more amazing activities in class too which I personally did not experience in Primary 6, such as ALP. We learnt coding and created a game for people with dementia. The overall experience in school this year was unique and there’s more for me to explore around the school! Kok Zi Ying, 1C2

Before entering my secondary school life, I was uncomfortable to the new environment. I could only think of all sorts of strict and fierce teachers. I was not really excited. But in real life, everything was the complete opposite of what I thought. All the teachers are very caring and the classmates are very friendly. All these made me love going to school. Tai Zi Yang, 1C2

It has been a challenging, yet definitely unforgettable year. In the first few weeks of school, honestly, it was really hard for me to adapt to a new and unfamiliar environment. I had to keep encouraging myself that things would get better as time passes by. I had never expected it but I was actually voted to be the Class Chairperson. I started to think of the definition of this position and learn to take on the responsibilities. Also I am extremely grateful for having caring and supportive people from my class and CCA as my friends. Life would certainly be dull without them as they make my school life more enjoyable. Most importantly, I really appreciate the effort that my teachers put in not only to teach us but to care for our well-being during these unprecedented times. I will continue to work hard and improve myself in different aspects as I believe hard work pays. Yang Ningting, 1C2

This year we had to work harder as due Covid-19, we had many topics to revise in a shortened school time. We missed out on some fun events like Sports Day and celebrating the Mooncake Festival. Homebased learning was relaxing because I did not need to wake up early but also tough because many things distracted me while I was doing my work. Jayda Aw Chyi Yan, 1C3

Sec 1 in general has been fun since it has not been stressful. The first few weeks of FHBL were hard since I was not used to doing assignments from home and could not understand their requirements. However I soon got used to the routine and could plan my leisure time as well. Neo Yu Zhe Zac, 1C3

It has been a year of mixed feelings. FHBL was, in a way, relaxing because I had the flexibility to complete the assigned tasks at any given time during the day. So I enjoyed it, because I was able to spend time on the activities I loved to do. This year was also an emotional rollercoaster as there were times that I felt anger, sadness, loneliness, happiness, and anxiety during school and during the circuit breaker. Shane Mahela Fernando, 1C3

I truly like the new opportunities to cook, do crafts and take on other new subjects in Secondary One. I also realised that I can learn in different ways During FHBL I actually learnt more about technology and how useful it can be during the Circuit Breaker and similar situations. However, I missed communicating with my friends face-to-face. Kaviyarasan Saiprasath, 1C3

My experience in secondary school has been special to say the least. This year is the first time I stayed at home to study. This secondary school has helped me find my best friend and I have also met many other amazing sweet and kind people whom I am glad to call my friends. Besides friends, I got to meet many new teachers too. I have learnt new subjects which help me increase my knowledge. One of the most memorable things that happened this year was FHBL. Not having to wake up at 6 a.m. was a great blessing for me as I tend to sleep quite late. During the FHBL, we functioned at “own time own target”, something I liked without the pressure of teachers looking over my shoulders. I had much more freedom during the FHBL compared to school. Sarah Boo See Ching, 1C4

I believe this year 2020 has been very difficult for everyone because of the pandemic. However, I must say that I really enjoyed myself during the months that we were still able to return to school. The beginning of the FHBL period was very difficult for me as I was not able to communicate with my teachers and clarify my doubts. Over time, I realised that I became more independent because I still had to wake up early to report my attendance and temperature on time as well as to complete the HBL assignments. The teachers were very caring and they readily helped us with our assignments. Arbaz Khan, 1C4

2020 has been a fun year to be with my class, despite the pandemic. I had a lot of fun with them during our orientation camp. That was one memorable time we had together. When we returned to school after the two-month-long circuit breaker period, I was happy to see us all back together in our class. I love all our sharing of personal experiences and thoughts. Ng Wee Kee, 1C5

I have lots of beautiful memories in this class which I will not forget. Since the orientation camp, we have all been going through a variety of experiences together as a class. We attended lessons for ten subjects, worked in groups on various projects like for LLP and ALP, experienced the circuit breaker while attending online lessons and doing schoolwork using SLS and Zoom. What an incredible way for all of us to start our secondary school years! Mohamed Rukkunudeen Thasneem, 1C5

A lot of people build up the first day to be the most intimidating. Coming from a tiny primary school into this giant secondary school, I was lost in a new environment. I was also panicking because I knew Secondary One would be more challenging than Primary Six, and I was not sure how I would cope. At the start of the year, I was nervous about meeting people and making new friends.

Gradually but surely, I got along with my classmates and made some great friends. Being the chairperson of my class involves a lot of responsibilities and it is not easy to juggle them with my studies at times. However, I still love helping people and I want to show more appreciation to my classmates and peers. At the same time, being voted as one of the candidates for the Model Bendemeerian Award has also made me realise that I am indeed capable of being a great leader for my class.

But of course, these were possible due to their unwavering faith in me. Even saying a billion ‘thank you’ to them seem insufficient. I am also thankful for my two form teachers, Mr Daryl Toy and Mrs See Geok Yan. To me, the most important lessons they taught me were about life.I really hope that I will continue enjoying studying in Bendemeer Sec, make even more friends and treasured memories throughout my secondary school years. Khan Faiza, 1C5

I find that the teachers in our school are engaging and helpful. They have taught me new subjects which I enjoyed learning and how to improve myself to become a better person. I met wonderful people especially those in my class and some of them are now my close friends. I felt welcomed when I first entered the school and developed a good impression of it the minute I stepped into the school. On the whole, I have had a great first year in this school.

Nur Natasha Binte Abdul Latif, 1C6

Learning new subjects is difficult for me but I was able to slowly understand the topics taught. The teachers in school are encouraging. They are also kind and help their students by giving them advice on how to improve in their work.It was quite difficult for me to make new friends when I first joined the school but my classmates turned out to be caring and supportive. Megan Lee Jing Wen, 1C6

I learnt a lot of new things these past 10 months in school. My friends in school were very caring and the teachers were patient and understanding towards us. For example when I did not know how to complete my homework, they would always be there to teach me until I understood. During the HBL it was difficult at first, because I did not really understand how to do my homework at first. Zoom lessons helped because we could talk to our teachers and ask them questions. Lee Yu Jing, 1C7

It has been amazing being in Bendemeer Secondary School. I have made wonderful friends and my teachers have also been very kind because whenever I needed help with my work they willingly helped me. In April when all of us had to stay home to do FHBL, it was difficult at first because I didn't know how to do most of my work, but after my teachers had Zoom meetings with us and helped us, FHBL became easier for me.

Jannatul Fardous Nobonita Md Kamrul Islam Chakder, 1C7

At the beginning of the year, I was scared about not being able to catch up with the class and wondered if I could make any friends but that slowly changed when I met great classmates who turned into my friends. When I couldn’t understand simple equations I would ask them and they would explain them to me. During the circuit breaker, I managed to understand the HBL lessons thanks to the teachers’ efforts. Yong Zhen Stephanie, 1C7

One of the things I enjoy about starting secondary school is we get to learn new subjects. It was challenging at first but as time passed, I got more used to it. Of the many subjects, I like Literature the most. Through Literature, we see things in a different way. We also learn valuable lessons through short films which make the lessons more enjoyable. Another thing I enjoyed this year was making new friends. It was difficult at first but I gathered the courage to talk to my new classmates. Now I have a group of friends I always hang out with. The last thing I enjoyed was meeting my new teachers. They were all kind and caring and helped me whenever I needed help or needed someone to talk to. Overall, my life in secondary school has been great! Reeve Tay Kai Jie, 1C6

I enjoyed using the Chromebook for HBL so that I could separate my personal and school computers. The lessons were enjoyable, especially Maths! There were many games included in the lessons that helped us to pay attention. Nicolle Ong, 2R4

I was worried that having HBL for too long would cause me to perform poorly for my exams. However, all my teachers put in great effort to help me during FHBL. They always remained contactable and I am very grateful for them.

Cassandra Choo, 2R4

I felt worried about the pandemic during the Circuit Breaker. I had many thoughts about how painful or uncomfortable it would be if I had contracted the virus. However I felt happy with FHBL as I am an introvert and like to stay at home. I also learned to be more independent in my studies and how to be more responsible for my own learning. Tan Xin Yi, Alicia, 2R5

During the Circuit Breaker, I had a great experience with FHBL. It allowed me to study comfortably at my own pace at home. It allowed me to learn at my own pace. I also had more flexibility to do other things in my own time. Thankfully, there was not too much homework to do. I was hence able to study better at home since there were less distractions. Ng Mei Qi Becky, 2R5

FHBL was okay as I had my Chromebook so I did not have to worry about sharing a computer with my siblings. At first, learning online was difficult and confusing. I was trying to figure out which homework needed to be done but as time passed, I got the hang of it and it became a lot easier. Overall, FHBL was a positive experience for me. Yeo Quan Wei, 2R5

As a student, I am heartened that MOE has effectively implemented home-based learning in such a short time. Moreover, I find it beneficial in many ways. Unlike regular lessons in school, home-based learning allows us to learn in the comfort of our own homes. Without distractions from chattering classmates, I find myself able to focus better. Besides, teachers can teach more efficiently without having to do much of the usual classroom management. Mohamed Sirajudeen Reshma, 2R6

My experience during FHBL was definitely different and interesting as I had never been taught through a virtual platform for a prolonged period of time before. Interactions with my friends and teachers improved as my teachers took the initiative to organise online lessons and Zoom calls with us. My friends and I did not lose touch as we were constantly catching up on FaceTime. Melli Puan Sanjaya, 2R6

FHBL brought the classroom into our homes. We got to experience our teachers talking to us online. They spent time helping us with our studies. I am heartened to witness the care and concern that the teachers showered on us. When I first heard about FHBL, I was afraid as I could not be in the classroom to physically listen to what the teacher is teaching and I had also thought that it might affect my academic performance. However it did not turn out that bad afterall as our teachers encouraged us and helped us to overcome our challenges. We were all forced to embrace remote learning but it opened up many new options and platforms that we can continue to utilise for learning in the long term. FHBL has really helped me to become a more independent learner. It is fun too as the ‘live’ lessons make me feel like my room is the classroom. Marcus Koh Jia Jun, 2R6

My experience during HBL at first was quite difficult to cope but as days went by I got the hang of it and found it quite flexible especially because it was done at home. The interaction with teachers was very helpful as they listened to my problems and gave me advice. This was really helpful and I felt better. Y Shafreena, 2R1

Home-based learning was a fun experience for me. From being able to wake up later to learning new skills on the side, I have developed my time management skills and was able to do my work independently without supervision from teachers. It was very satisfying to be able to get work done on my own accord. Akshara Sriram, 2R1

My life during HBL was not bad as I managed to make new online friends and had a chance to bond with my family through board games and other forms of interaction. I also managed to finish all the work given by my teachers. Mahesh Rakesh, 2R1

Full Home Based Learning was tough at first but our teachers were a great support. They made sure we did our work and called us frequently. Not only did the teachers help us get through those tough times, my friends were a great help too. Both of these groups kept in touch and helped entertain me. Isaac Lee Yi Han, 2R3

This year, despite Covid-19 affecting our lives, school was fun and I looked forward to going to school. My teachers always motivated me to do better and made lessons meaningful and interesting. A few times, I was sternly reminded by my teachers to be on task. They were always there to help mould me into a better person. I am truly grateful for them as without them, I would never have had the confidence and the motivation to aim to excel in my studies. Liu Siyu Nicholina, 2R2

Full Home Based Learning really gave me a new experience as we had never done home-based learning for two months before. I think that I coped well during that time as I managed to learn some subjects better online than in class. Overall, I think that home-based learning is as good as learning in school. Chu Man Yee, 2R3

During Full Home Based Learning, I became closer to my family and friends. I also became more independent. I learnt many things that I did not know about my friends and family. Isabella Shem Ji Wai, 2R3

I feel that the school is very efficient in getting students to follow the safe management measures. I also feel that the school listens to students’ feedback and tries to make changes. Syed Tipu Tabrez, 2R4

My experience during FHBL was definitely interesting and different as I had never been taught through a virtual platform before. The interactions with my friends and teachers were good because my teachers took the initiative to organise Zoom sessions with us. My friends and I did not lose touch as could catch up on FaceTime. However, I was glad to return to school as I could interact with my friends and teachers face-to-face. K R Heemraj, 2R8

Learning through HBL was interesting. I was able to do my own research when I was unsure of certain things. My teachers were able to teach me through online platforms too. The interactions with my teachers were good as they always helped me when I needed help. I was glad for my friends as they also lent me a listening ear whenever I needed someone to talk to. Zen Tan Ying Xuan, 2R8

Full home-based learning (FHBL) was a unique experience. It felt different waking up to a different routine. Instead of entering the classroom, we had to log in to Zoom and Google Meet for lessons. Most of the time, lessons felt like what normal lessons were like in school. When we returned to school, although we had to practise safe distancing and wear masks, we were over the moon to finally get to meet each other face-to-face again. Goh Jun Meng Xavier, 2R8

The experience I had during the FHBL was interesting as it was something new. Interactions between subject teachers and friends were difficult at first because I did not know how to use the Google Meet application. But after learning how to use platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet, the interactions between teachers and friends became easier. Nurul Khairini, 2R8

This year’s circuit breaker was an extraordinary experience for all the teachers and students. We had common and very different struggles. For example, some of us had difficulty trying to keep in shape or trying to bond with our family members. To get around this, my family members and I used our creativity and modified a cricket game so that it could be played at home and keep us fit while helping us to bond. We had a lot of fun doing this. Some had difficulty trying to stay calm during this period and they got their comfort from their friends and relatives. We had to overcome these challenges with dedication and will. The government also implemented strict measures and put in great effort to explain the rationale of each. We all managed to get past this difficult time and we would always remember the experience that took us out of our comfort zone. Felix George, 3R1

I learnt a lot during the full home-based learning. As many lessons and assignments were arranged online, we had to be on task to complete them regularly. Not only did I exercise my self-management ability, I also learned how to manage my time effectively. In addition, online teaching also allowed me to listen more attentively because I could view the online whiteboard displayed by the teachers and hear their explanations more clearly. Furthermore, I was able to absorb the new knowledge at my own pace. While this year has been one of most hectic, it has simultaneously been one of most the most fruitful as well. I have grown closer to people I had never thought I would have. Despite face-to-face lessons being greatly reduced, the teachers did not give up in assisting me in my areas for improvement. I received much guidance and encouragement and those contributed to my improvement in the end-of-year exams. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teachers for guiding me, inspiring me and making me who I am today! Li Yunfeng, 3R1

Full home-based learning this year was something none of us had expected or experienced before. Although the teachers arranged many lessons on Zoom, it was still not the same as normal lessons in the classroom. I learnt that I was in charge of my own learning. One important skill I learnt and improved on was in being self-directed. I also had many opportunities to be a leader at home and in virtual school. Indeed as one of the new Student Council Presidents, we were given the opportunity to reach out to the student body by producing videos on how students can manage their stress. Saiyyad Sufyan, 3R1

During FHBL, it was a relief to be able to wake up later than usual and experience online classes that I had never experienced before. Despite not being able to comprehend some of the instructions for work assigned, I was able to complete the tasks after I clarified my doubts. I was glad that the teachers were readily available online to respond to our queries regarding the work they had assigned us. Since I did not get to see my friends often, I frequently called them to socialise and get rid of my boredom. All in all, FHBL was enjoyable to some extent and not very tiring. I was grateful to be able to experience such online education.

Uthaichai Tosita, 3R2

My experience during FHBL was a unique and unforgettable one. At first it was difficult to adapt to learning through a device but I gradually got used to it. FHBL gave me more opportunities to strengthen bonds with my family. I was also able to learn at my own pace at home instead of keeping up with the pace of the class. However, I had to manage the distractions at home. All in all, I think FHBL was beneficial.

Chen Yong Hui, 3R2

At the start of FHBL, I was not used to it as all lessons had to be taught and learnt through e-learning platforms. I also could not go shopping or go out to play hence it was a totally new experience for me. After a few weeks, I got used to learning online. Although I still couldn’t go out, I learnt some new skills at home such as playing the ukulele and piano together with my family members. Nicole Lim, 3R2

In light of how turbulent this year has been, there has not been as much time compared to previous years to get to know my teachers and classmates better. However, even with the limited amount of time I have had with my class, I have bonded well with my friends and teachers such as my Math teacher, Mrs Yap, who is extremely patient and caring, and has really helped me understand a subject that I used to hate very much. Anna Constante, 3R4

This year has been an unusual year for all of us because for the first time, we had to stay at home for two months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Full home-based learning was initially tough for me because I could not understand certain topics without the teachers’ explanation. There were many adjustments we had to make, such as the temperature taking every morning and updating our form teachers of our health and well-being status. The only issue I faced was the lack of personal space at home. However I am glad that we got to experience Zoom and Google Meet online lessons. Nur Amirah Binte Mohamed Faizal, 3R5

I was filled with mixed emotions during FHBL. I was happy because I got to spend more time with my parents. It was a dream come true for me. At the same time, I was also sad because I couldn’t meet my friends and I missed going to school with them. I also struggled to complete my HBL homework. Finally, when FHBL was over, I was able to see my friends again in school and happy to catch up with them. It was awkward talking to the teachers again though as I had not seen them for almost 2 months. Lim Mei Xin, 3R6

This year was a different experience from the past years. The year started off as usual until Covid-19 started spreading and we had to go on FHBL. It was a struggle to study from home mainly because it was hard to focus. It was so different from physically attending school. Finally, when schools reopened, I felt like a bird being released from its cage. Seeing my friends and teachers chased away my depressed mood. Everything became so much more pleasant when I finally got to hang out with my friends and chat with my teachers again. It made me appreciative of my friends and simply being able to attend school. Mohamad Jasim, 3R6

Learning was difficult during FHBL. I had difficulty participating in Zoom lessons as the home Internet connection was weak at times and I find it hard to concentrate at home. When school reopened, it felt somewhat awkward interacting with my teachers and friends again. But as time passed, things got better. Perhaps because of the lack of interaction during FHBL, I learnt to treasure the time in school and with my friends. My relationships with my friends have gotten stronger. Nur Elisa Felisha, 3R6

During FHBL, I really missed my friends and classmates. I didn’t like attending online lessons as I found it difficult to follow the lessons fully. Lessons aside, as I had more free time to spare, I got to explore different interests and picked up new hobbies like baking. I felt relieved returning to school as I could finally understand lessons and was able to meet my friends and classmates face to face again.

Rahamath Farhana Hajathali, 3R6

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to be on FHBL at home for a few weeks. It was tough but there were some benefits from it like being able to learn and study at my own pace. Even though it was difficult to understand some things that were taught online, the teachers were very kind and helpful in clearing any doubts as well as checking up on us through texts. They worked really hard and deserve so much more respect and appreciation for what they have done for us. Aiqha Ryefa, 3R7

FHBL was a great experience for me. It was great because this FHBL was meaningful in various ways like friends helping one another in the online lessons as well as teachers helping the students in any issues. FHBL was not easy but the teachers tried their best to make lessons fun and engaging. Oen Yock Long, 3R7

FHBL was a very tough experience as it was challenging listening in online lessons due to the many distractions at home. We had to learn to be independent by studying by ourselves and managing our own time. I am glad I was able to persevere in spite of the difficulties during that time. Thian Hui Jun Victoria, 3R4

My FHBL experience was fun and interesting as it was my first time using applications like Zoom and Google Meet to attend online lessons. I found it interesting how teachers could switch from teaching in school to teaching online during the Circuit Breaker period. It was a whole new experience. Levelle Tan, 3R4

2020 has been a tough year. We had to stay at home for two months during the Circuit Breaker period. My friends and I had to go online for home-based learning for almost every subject and it was frustrating for me. There were some subjects I struggled to understand through the online lessons. I feel that I learn better in the classroom. It took me a few weeks to adapt to this new form of learning. Fortunately, my teachers were understanding so they arranged Google Meet & Zoom lessons for us. Thank you to our form teachers for making the effort to check on our well-being every morning. Nur Qur'aini Binte Muhammad Hizbullah, 3R5

During full home-based learning, it was important for us students to have a conducive learning environment. However, we were not used to learning virtually thus that slowed our learning process down. Fortunately, our teachers put in much effort to condense the topics tested for the examinations. They also made learning more fun through the use of Kahoot. The Circuit Breaker period was a good time for my friends and me to strengthen our bonds through text messaging. It was a good opportunity for us to interact virtually and better understand one another. Gulinton Lim Zhifu, 3R5

I had a unique and interesting experience during the full home-based learning period. It was my first time experiencing staying at home and studying. This gave me the opportunity to build a stronger bond with my family as everyone had to stay at home. Attending all lessons online was a whole new experience. This was relaxing as I was able to do my work at a slower pace which allowed me to better understand what I was learning. The teachers in Bendemeer Secondary School are kind and helpful. When we are unsure about our work, they always make themselves available for us to consult them after school. Karampreet Kaur, 3R5

During full home-based learning, we all had to learn from home and were assigned work to do on the Student Learning Space (SLS). I was struggling during this period as I found it hard to understand the topics due to a change in teaching and learning environment. Thankfully, I obtained support from my teachers. They arranged Google meetings which had helped me to better understand various concepts. Apart from that, I also had friends who were willing to help me with my learning. Even though it was a difficult time, I am glad I had the support of my friends and teachers.

Tan Hock Boon, 3R5

My experience during FHBL was not easy at first as I did not know how HBL worked. I gradually understood how manageable HBL could be. Whenever I struggled in my work, I would text either my teacher or my classmates to ask for help. HBL helped me improve in subjects I was weak in and I was thankful for it. The interactions I had my teachers and friends in school made me really happy and I felt motivated to attend school daily. Mas Der Intan, 3R7

Even though 2020 hit us with the Covid-19 virus, I had an amazing time with my teachers and friends during lessons. It was difficult for me to catch up on my studies after the Circuit Breaker but I am very thankful to be able to have teachers who have the patience to teach me no matter how slow I am. They put in so much effort for me and support me when I am at my lowest. Although so much has happened, I have learnt so many things and will always remember the good and bad times and all the silly moments I have had with my classmates.

Nur Farai’sya, 3R8

My experience during this school year was very different from what I had expected. I learnt a lot, not just in my studies, but I also learnt how important friendships are and that my teachers, Ms Ramadevi, Ms Tan Jiahui, Mr Eric Choo as well as the counsellor, Ms Nicole Choong, are always here to support and guide me which they have done since I was in Sec One. I have learnt how to let go of the toxic things in my life and I have never been better. The FHBL experience was initially confusing but I got used to it. It was helpful as I was able to attempt the tasks at my own pace so I would not stress out and push myself to my limit. I had so much self-isolation time then. Ms Ramadevi was there throughout the whole Circuit Breaker to listen to my problems and I felt very comforted. I know I have grown to be a better person. Kimberli Ng, 3R8

I encountered many easy and challenging experiences in school this year. I learnt how to face my problems and work out solutions. My teachers in Bendemeer Secondary School are friendly. FHBL was difficult because I struggled to understand what was taught in the lessons. The only way I could understand is to ask my friends and teachers for help. I want to thank Mr Lai, my English teacher, for helping me in my English. Priya Darshini, 3R8

Acknowledgements

The 2020 online school magazine is proudly brought to you by the School Publications Committee comprising Mrs Anusiyah Thiru, Mrs Ng Qian Hui and Mrs Charmaine Tan. We would like to thank our committee advisor, Mr Glenn Tan, for his support and assistance.

The committee would like to thank our school leaders Mr Chen Fook Pang, Ms Usha Jeyarajah and Mr Lawrence Poon for their guidance and support.

We would also like to show our deepest appreciation for Mr Ng Wee Nghee, Mr Benedict Ong and the team of student photographers without whom this publication would have been impossible to produce. Thank you for providing the committee with photos capturing all of the important events in the year!

We would like to further extend our immense gratitude especially to Mr Ng for always being ever-ready to provide the committee with whatever we need during the compilation process. We are deeply grateful for his patience and obliging nature.