Merlion Times Volume 16 Issue 2

M N THE MERLION TIMES

Hopping into the YEAR OF THE RABBIT YEAR OF THE RABBIT

By Venice So

ThecelebrationofChineseNewYeartracesbackthousandsofyears,fromquietancestralworship toignitingcolourfulfireworksandredlanterns.Despiteitsconstantevolution,itsessenceremainsunchanged: unity.AwordthatperfectlyembodiestheSSMcommunity’sChineseNewYearcelebration.

Theawakeningsoundofdrums,cymbals,andgongs resonatedthroughthecrowdedfieldonthemorningof January18th,2023.Levelsgatheredtowatchas performers,dressedindetailedlioncostumes,putona spectacularshow,sharingsmallinteractionswith studentstowishluckandprosperitytheirway

Thoughtheperformancehadcometoanend,TeacherJim andTeacherCharleshadmanymoresurprisesinstore!

A special video was created for preschool students, delvingintothehistoryofthewell-knownlegendNian. However, SSM’s traditions are not complete without surprises! Despite being overseas, teachers found creativewaystoshowcasethebeautyoftheirculture

When asked about the overall planning process, Teacher Charles revealed his adversities as a new teacher,

“it was difficult to think of new ideas but even more difficult to execute as we prepared for only a short amount of time.”

He went on to thank the staff for how the celebrationturnedout,saying

“thankfully, everyone worked together. We made sure to stick to the proposal and keep things organised.”

For Teacher Jim, the event brought about a “long timenosee”feeling.“It was fun, of course, there was a lot of preparation, but it was fun,” He further shared that although there were challenges involved,theteacherswereabletotakechargeand flawlesslyexecute

“Our Chinese teachers were in China,” Teacher Jim said as he reminisced fondly about th celebration,

“so they made live shows, showing students the environment in China during Chinese New Year.”

Beyond creating origami cards and Chinese rattles, Primary students also had the opportunity to try authentic calligraphy, writing phrases associated with the year of the rabbit. Secondary levels, on the other hand, enjoyed an informative video showcasing the variousfestivitiesacrossChina

Indeed their efforts paid off as the day concluded the SSM way with enormous smiles, treasured memories, and strengthened relationships. If the successofthiscelebrationisanyindicationofwhat istocome,theYearoftheRabbitiscertainlygoing tobeoneauspiciousjourney!

tthe he COUNTDOWN COUNTDOWN tto o Christmas Christmas

By Aanvi Bagga

"WhatifChristmasdoesn'tcomefromastore?"theGrinchonceasked.

"WhatifChristmas...perhaps...meansalittlebitmore!"

Celebrating the holidays at SSM has never been short of a memorable time. However, this year’s heartwarming face-toface celebration particularly stole a special place in all the heartsoftheSSMcommunity.

LastDecember,‘twastheseasonofendlesscelebrationwhena vibrant party was thrown for all the students on the 16th. The daykickedoffwithsomefestiveclassics:apingpongrelayrace andguessingrelativelyunfamiliarChristmasmelodies.

However, it would not be an SSM party without a surprise! Instead of decorating traditional Christmas trees, studentsshowcasedtheirartisticabilitiesbydecoratingfriendswithanarrayofcolourfulmaterials.Thefollowing grandfeastandtheexcitingexchangeofgiftswereundoubtedlyseentobethemostenjoyableaspectbymany students.

Howdidthethrillingatmosphereandactivitiescarvesome unforgettablemomentsforstudents?

The event's spirit made Akimi Acuesta, a newcomer in Secondary4,feelextremelywelcome.

"It's wonderful to be back to normal, which allowed me to fully enjoy the celebration, spend time with my new friends, and create many incredible memories at SSM."

JeremyShiisoverjoyedtoseehisformerfriendsandteachers, afterreturningtoSSMinSecondary4,afterayearinChina.

"That day, I felt like a kid, and it taught me that we should never forget our past experiences and be grateful for the individuals we encounter."

However, as many make new memories as part of the community, some graduating students such as Miguel Gaw from IBDP 2, reminisce on their final Christmas celebration as partofourcommunity,

“I’ll miss my friends as all of us will be going to different colleges next year, and that’s why I learnt it’s important to make the most of every moment.”

After an entertaining day, enthralled students returned home with the gifts, strengthened friendships and appreciationoftheirlovedones,readytoenjoytheawaitedholidaybreakaheadofthem

A Teacher’s Night Out:

The December to Remember

By Aanvi Bagga

ThemagicalgatestoWinterWonderlandopen,revealingdomesofoverflowingjoyandjubilation,drapedina blanketofdominantredandgreensweatersanddazzlingdecorations!Festivitiesdefrostedearlythisyear, and the bells of excitement jingled in full gear as Singapore School Manila’s staff savoured some welldeservedwintercheer!

JoinedbycolleaguesfromSSMClarkandSSMGreenCampus,thegrandestface-to-facecelebrationamidst twoyearsofonlinegreetingsfinallyreacheditspinnacleofelation.

Itwasaneveningofnostalgiccompetitivenessfilledwithvarious gamesthatundoubtedlybroughtbackwarmchildhood memories.Huddledingroups,theysetoffonaminiscavenger huntforstickershiddenwithinthefunctionroom Ms Beng,the school’sadmin,fondlyrecalledhowteamssecretlytraded stickersduringthegameinordertoaideachotherinthe competition. "What was exciting was, the teachers were highly collaborative as seen by the bonding during that activity.'' They thenprogressedtoenjoyafewroundsofsuspensefulspoon-andping-pongrelayracesandguessingclassicChristmastunes.

Afteranhouroffriendlycompetition,teachersunited,fillingthedancefloorastheydancedtheirheartsout tothelivebandwhosemusiclituptheparty!Thefestivitiessoonconcludedwiththemosthighlyanticipated portionofthenight–rafflesandrewards!Thesewerehandedouttoalltheattendees,however,particularly luckyparticipantssuchasTeacherCoraandMs Krisreceivedthegrandestprizeofall atriptoSingapore!

TeacherCoradescribedthemomenttobenothingshortofrewarding,saying “It signified that the smallest of the tokens must always be appreciated."

Looking beyond all these grand rewards, teachers found that the true spirit of joy was ignited from the togethernesssharedwiththeircolleagues

Teacher Anthony reminisced the party that wouldn’t have been the same without their fellow colleagues, saying "Teachers need teachers, and this celebration allowed our colleagues to go out and do more things together." Similarly, Teacher Josh enjoyed meeting his counterpart instructors from other campusesandconcluded, "the celebration felt like it was finally the end of a fulfilling year."

With a myriad of activities, entertainment, and learning opportunities, it was an enthusiastic day to recognisetheyearofhardworkandpersistenceofallofSSM'sstaff!

SSM’sGoingonaFieldTrip! BUCKLE BUCKLE BUCKLE UP! UP! UP!

By Allissa Lim

What could be more exciting than a fun-filled field trip with classmates and friends? A sense of discovery and bondingwithpeerswasexactlywhatstudentsneededafterthreeyearsofconstraintsduringthepandemic LastJanuary6th,2023,studentsfromPrimary3toPrimary6visitedDreamLabatAyalaMallCircuitMakati.

The educational simulation strengthened the artistry of all pupils to demonstrate their entrepreneurial skills at suchayoungage.TheCraftLab,DreamBank,TheMarket,andotherenjoyable"businessstations"encouraged studentstousetheirimaginationinrecreatinganinteractiveexperienceoftherealworld.Notonlydidthekids managetheirbusinesses,buttheyalsoengagedincreativeactivitiessuchaskeychaincrafting,andpotmaking. Managing their own business, even one fueled by the creative imaginations of students can pose a formidable obstacle course to navigate. Nonetheless, they rose to the occasion and were rewarded for their out-of-the-box ideas!

STEVEN LAM,

a Primary 5 student, emphasises that his unique bondingwithclassmateson the bus trip was a classic experience that he had missed. "The Police game was my favourite since there were so many prizes for getting the right answer!" herecalls.

PARIS DIONG,

in agreement with her classmate, described her unforgettable moment with Kinetic Sand. "One of the most remarkable aspects for me was the distinct texture of the sand, which allowed me to stretch my imagination."

While future entrepreneurs are being nurtured on one trip, Preschool to Primary 2 children enjoyed a fun vacation to Sta. Elena Fun Farm on January 13th, 2023 in Cabuyao, Laguna. Students experienced a countryside-like atmosphere by participating in activities like carabao riding, ziplining, and feeding farm animals

The students unearthed a deeper appreciation fortheirtripbeyondtheactivities,astheysowed theseedsofaconnectionwithMotherNature.

MONROE LORENZO,

a Primary 2 student, highlights his inaugural experience of a field trip. "Going on an adventure with my friends is very meaningful because we didn't have these trips before."

CLARISSE CLIMACO,

from Primary 1, adored petting the animals on the farm, especially the cute rabbits! Likewise, Willow Siy was particularly taken with the breathtakingsceneryshesawonthedrivetothe farm.

All three students said that the trip provided an unparalleledopportunitytoconnectwithfriends andeventeachersoutsideoftheclassroom.

As the school year returns to much like how it was pre-pandemic, more engaging outings are lined up in the following years for students to continuetobuildmemorieson!

There’s more to the world than a student’s academic responsibilities. Historical landmarks to visit, countries to explore, friendships to nurture these are just some of the many principles SSM aimed to promote throughtheirfirstCulturalExchangeVisitfrom February28thtoMarch1st,2023!

What could be more exciting than a fun-filled field trip with classmates and friends? A sense of discovery and bonding with peers was exactly what students needed afterthreeyearsofconstraintsduringthepandemic.

Pre-University levels embarked on a three day journey joined by students from Singapore Sports School, organized in accordance with the IB CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service) and Cambridge CSC (Creativity, Sports, and Community) programmes. These are speciallydesignedtodevelopstudentsthroughcreative, physical,andcommunityserviceexperiences.

Beginning at the SSM campus, the first day delved into different cultural treasures of the Philippines through none other than a mini sports fest! This included traditionalFilipinogamessuchasPatintero, Tumbang Preso,Sangkayaw,andIceIceWater.

To further expand their perspectives of the world, studentsalsopaidaneye-openingvisittothe Home for The Angels,afoundationthataimstosupportneglected children They walked in the shoes of the caretakers throughservicechallenges,fromfeedingandpampering childrentoengaginginfunactivitieswiththem.Notonly did this enable them to create new relationships, but simultaneouslytakepartinsomethingthatwouldleave a great significance on people’s lives, including their own.

“It left an especially deep impact on me, ” Victoria, an SSP student, stated. When comparing it to her home country, she mentioned that “ you don’t get the opportunity to really interact with underprivileged children that much. It was a really special moment.”

Exploring a World of By Abi Co

Despite the myriad of newly blossomed memories, SSM had one last surprise for their adventurous students The Philippines is well-known for its agriculture, therefore what better way to showcase Filipino pride than a trip to the Enchanted Farm of Gawad Kalinga! With the help of the community, they learnt about livelihood enterprises and were even able to plant Calamansi, lady fingers, mulberriesandmanymore.Thevisitconcludedwith students creating delicious products including Kesong Puti, sun dried tomatoes, peanut brittle you name it! But beyond the delicious goods and adorable farm animals, Samantha found herself more immersed in the values the Philippines had to offer.

The country is very vibrant, welcoming and filled with positive people. They focus a lot on building people's character, teaching people to be gracious and grateful.

Samantha, an SSP Student

Despite finding themselves tired and in need of a good night's rest, students from both SSP and SSM returned home with life-long lessons, lasting friendships,andnewstoriestoshare

Fostering An

ATTITUDE FOR ATTITUDE FOR

GRATITUDE GRATITUDE

By Charly Lam

With so much to do yet so little time, many tend to overlook the little presents in life. In light of Thanksgiving, students take a break from their busy lives to share just some of the classroom moments they would always be grateful for!

"I was most grateful for the random bursts of laughter in the class It brings a sense of spontaneity every day Since we have a blocked schedule for each subject and those kinds of moments allow us to breathe".

"1st day of school (August 15, 2022) After a 2 year time period of online class we were able to see each other and look at our new classmates"

"Halloween would definitely be one of our fond memories because of how much fun we had as a class. The teachers and kuyas worked tirelessly to decorate, devise games and hand out prizes for the students. We genuinely appreciated it and had a great time."

"Christmas party on December 16th - we got to see one another for the last time in 2022 and enjoyed our time together"

"First day of school on August 15th, 2022. This was one of the most cherished days that we experienced because we were all reunited after almost 3 years of coping with COVID "

"The online stopwatch website used during our Term 1 Biology test The website has a timer where you can type names, and people appearing on the screen will race Once the timer ends, one of the people you named wins We finished our test early and all counted down together to see who won!"

S4B

Turning Friendship tto o

PARTNERSHIP

By Chesca Lauchengco PARTNERSHIP

What does it take to run a successful business? Is it the sheer willpower of its employees who act as the powerhouseofthecompany?Orcoulditbethearticulateplanningandmanagementofresources?

In the words of the Uni-Relievers, it takes a dash of chemistry, a sprinkle of confidence, and a hint of creativity to do so.

With shared grit for competing and a newfound opportunitytodiscover,RuthieMorales,KamanShi, Summer Chua, and Jaelyn Soliman of Secondary 4, the Top 11 Finalists for the HULT Future Leaders Challenge 2022, joined without major expectations. “When we got the first email informing us of being accepted in the Top 20, I think the biggest feeling that overwhelmed me was a relief. We spent a lot of time caught in an anxiety-driven bubble filled with the worries of being too young and unprepared,”explained Ruthie.

Runningabusinesswilloftenentailafewriffsinone’srhythm Accordingtothequartet,thebiggeststruggle intheirjourneywasrootedinalackoftimemanagement.Fromthere,itstemmedintoheavycrammingand unproductivenights.Toovercomethis,thegroupdelvedintotheirownefforts.Thussharingthecollective mindsetofrefusingtoputtowastetheamountoftimetheydedicatedtothecompetition InKaman’swords, “We’d come so far, and so we agreed, why should we stop now?”.

By taking the risk to join the HULT Future Leaders Challenge,Ruthie,Kaman,Jaelyn,andSummersummarise theirexperienceashavingtaughtthemtoexploreadiverse range of ways to approach problems; indebted to the creative freedom they were given. Likewise, a better understandingofhowtoutilisestrategiestobettercaterto a targeted demographic Alongside this, the competition’s high stakes provided them with an opportunity to foster theirquick-thinkingskillsunderpressure.

Toreaderswhooftentimesstrugglewithhesitationwhenitcomestojoiningcompetitions,andhavesparked an interest to join competitions reminiscent of this, the Uni-Relievers team leave you with this piece of advice– “Whether you’re in a competition or a business, choose the right group of people From there, you’ll be able to ensure that everyone is focused and possess a unified drive to excel. Furthermore, continuously make the collective effort to put yourselves out there in order to demonstrate your determination to succeed.

in the in the Land of the Morning Calm Land of the Morning Calm MODEL CONGRESS MODEL CONGRESS

By Ella Ortiz

Driven by the spirit of competition, numerous Secondary 3 - Grade 12 students took on the challenge of joining this year ’ s Harvard Model Congress Asia held in Seoul, South Korea.

Despitethechallengesoftheconference,thestudents managed to keep optimistic by having fun along the way Enduring several weeks of strenuous training; which meant coming to school on the weekends, undergoing day-long sessions - and for Singapore School Clark students, travelling hours a day just to reach the Manila campus for training. Sacrifice truly playedasignificantroleinvyingforsuccessinHMCA

Albeittheirbusyschedule,theconferenceprovedtobeacatalystforstudentstocreatemeaningfulconnections fromoursisterschools,SSMGCandSSCL,pavingthewayforlastingfriendships.

“The overall experience of travelling with friends and fellow students is the most enjoyable part of the trip. Without them, the trips to all the places wouldn’t feel the same. It was an experience that was worth experiencing even if I had to miss a few days of school,”

shared IBDP1’s Zejin Chen. The delegates’ trip to Korea was a true delight, thanks to the iconic spots they visited such as Lotte World, Seoul Tower, Hongdae Street, and many more. Additionally, the change in climate and the heartwarming hospitality of Korean citizens madethistripallthemorecherished.

Of course, this experience was not all fun and games. Some delegates were diving into the conference head-first with little tonoexperienceorbackgroundknowledgeatall Preparationwise,therewerenumerouschallengestheyfaced. “There was a lack of motivation at the end of the day as we were all exhausted. I also found it hard to focus my vision but I overcame it through perseverance and certain fear.” says first-timedelegate,SimYungSiow Moreover,itwasacommon consensus that the biggest challenge during preparation was theintensepressureandcompetitivenesstheyhadtomanage.

Each student had their own distinct motivations for stepping into the conference. While some saw the allure of travellingabroadasadrivingforce,otherssoughttoimprovetheirpublicspeakingskills.Overall,HMCAwasseen asanopportunitytoenhancetheircollegeapplicationsandgainacompetitiveedgeintheiracademicpursuits.

TheHMCAconferenceandadventuresinKoreaweretrulyatriptoremember.Onedelegateswillwalkawaywith newfoundconfidenceandabetterarsenalofskills.

lume,propermovements thelist Mention awardee, Renzo Flaviano, keytosuccess.Animportanttactic dneverfunctionthesamewithout

dthatknowinghowdifficultitwas nted, international delegates could

RenzorecountsthemanystoriesofmeetingpeoplefromalloverAsia, coming together and becoming unlikely friends as they bond over theirdelegation.Memoriesofeatingandhangingoutwithunfamiliar faces and making connections, all while participating in such a stimulatingcompetition,setHMCAapartfromotherextracurriculars From speeches about solving national problems to creating bills to combat these political hurdles, Renzo navigated his way through an almostcompletelyadult-runterritoryandsucceededwithgrace

When asking Renzo what helpedhimnavigatethrough publicspeaking,hisgreatest piece of advice was being abletotellhimselfthat

andwhileonthesurfaceit seemslikeanimpossiblefeat, heIsabletocontrolhis doubtsandinsecuritiesusing this,andovercomingthem.

Soashewalksuptothepodium,withfullbeliefinhisabilitiesandperfection,hewalksoutwithaprestigious awardthathewillrememberfortherestofhislife

the way I am is perfect, the way I speak is perfect, the knowledge I have– it's perfect. Everything is perfect,

CRACKING THE

By Martina Isidro

Code to Gold Code to Gold

Focusing on the joy of competing may just be the secret to overcoming the nerves of coveting our biggest achievements This was recently demonstrated by SSM’s Caleb Co, Audrey Keng, and Sophia Aw, who participated in the latest JISMO competition and earned some of the highest-ranking awards. In an online examination-styled competition with questions around the Mathematics and Science subjects, it is an inspiration to see how a love of learning, fun, and hard work can get anyone remarkable success, even in primaryschool!

DespitealwayshavinganinterestinMathematicsand Science, they did not go without practice. Their keen initiative in stretching their aptitudes was one of the many ingredients to success. The young students actively took their learning into their own hands, asking for advanced worksheets and concepts themselves. With little familiarity with the computer, they also reflected on how hard it was to memorise thekeyboardinpreparationforthecompetition

AlwayslovingtolearnmorewasakeydrivingforceinhowandwhytheyjoinedJISMOinthefirstplace

Though they believed some of the questions were challenging, navigating the learning curve of the competitionwasallpartofanenlighteningadventure-despiteitsonlinenature.

When asked about their motivations to participate in JISMO, their diverse yet equally excited responses were a testamenttohowmuchtheylove the subjects. Caleb mentioned that he had been interested in these classes since kindergarten; Audrey said that the subjects made her happy; and Sophia was interested in Math because she andherfathercouldbondoverit. Their enthusiasm shows just how simply learning new things will always be a fulfilling experience forone’scuriosity.

Whilemanycombatthepressures of competing on a global stage, thetriosurprisinglydidnotfeel any. They understood that they were participating in a competition, but at the core of their priorities was enjoying themselves “It’s good to even get one question correct!”, a quote from Caleb that may really resonatewithhowweworktoday

At any age, with any piece of work, practice, hard work, and belief in your abilities to get even onequestioncorrectwillalways payoffintheend.

BALANCE BALANCE tthe he MIND MIND

hesca Lauchengco

enembeddedinone’syouthtodreambig.In es of Selina Cervantes of Kinder 2 and yDewarofPrimary5,gymnasticswasonlya tokeeptheirbodiesactive.

ober23rd 2022 theirachievementsfromthe and titi eap

In spite of their achievements, taking the big leap was not an easy decision! According to Audrey, she had found herself sifting through obstacles, her biggest being the doubt of success. She described that the pressure of making difficult decisions amidst her worries caused her to focus on her own struggles rather thanherskills ThiseventuallycastedashadowoverAudrey’spassionforgymnastics Inherownwords, “If I went and joined the competition, and I didn’t like it, there was no stopping”. It was as if the end of the balancebeamwasbecomingfurtherfromreach.

In order to combat the doubt which comes with challenging one's skills, the duo mainly emphasized the importance of taking inspiration from role models In the case of the two gymnasts, they look up to their fellow trainees who possess advancedskillsinthesportandthismotivatedthemtobecome bettereveryday!Audreyevencommentedonpursuingacareer in gymnastics in the future While Selina shares the value of creatingexcitementinone’stasks.Withthis,sheexpressesher wishesto “show everybody in the universe” how good she is. Meanwhile,Audreycommentsonregularlyremindingoneselfof whytheystartedinthefirstplace.

Looking back, Audrey thanks herself for continuing to purs her training as she “never would have gained the experien of training or winning the medals”. Despite her doubts, s was able to look past her insecurities with the simple shift of mindset from putting herself down to dreaming about the future Likewise, Selina thanks her coaches and parents for signing her up for the event as she discovered her newfound determinationtocontinueheractivities.

Puff up your chest and be brave. Always remember to stay focused and nothing will go wrong. ”

Dear Dear SSM, SSM,

GRAPPLING WITH THE GROWING PAINS

By Elle Sy & Jessica Snyder

Everyone goes through them. Looking for guidance on how to navigate growing up? The Life Coaches have just that for you.

I experienced a big change in the middle of the school year. Initially, I was excited about the freedom to study on my own terms However, as time went on, I felt stuck in a monotonous routine, doing the same thing every day. The limited social interaction has affected my mood, and I don’t feel like my happy self anymore. How do I make myself feel better in a limited space? How do I not lose myself?

Acceptanceopensdoorstonewchallengesthattheenvironment will bring. Acknowledging that things won't be the same offers a time that’s full of excitement and possibilities. Give yourself the spacetoleteverythingsinkinfirst.

The next step is to learn to let go. Your feelings right now are valid, yet only temporary. Don’t let them discourage you from growing in this new chapter Significant changes are the culmination of small things you do Take time to celebrate your progressandseekoutnewexperiencesthatwouldhelpyouadjust at your own pace. What were some things that brought you joy before?Integratingthoseintoyournewenvironmentcouldprevent youfromlosingasenseofself.

My friends often go to me to vent or ask for advice. I appreciate that but sometimes, I want to talk about my feelings too However, I feel like it would burden them because I know we all have problems How can I deal with this?

Vulnerabilitymakesushuman–youfeelwhatyoufeel,andthatis real Do you feel burdened when your friends share their feelings withyou?Ifyoudon’t,chancesaretheydon’tseeitthatwayeither. Yourtruefriendswillwanttobethereforyoutoobecausefriendship isnottransactional.

When you’re already burdened by your own troubles, it can be difficult to support others who need a shoulder to cry on. You can neverpourfromanemptycup.Soletthingsout!Beingvulnerable withyourfeelingscanaidothersinunexpectedways.Itfostersasafe spacetobehonest,showingthatit’sokaytofeelthatway.

I’ve recently become a lot more self-conscious about my physical appearance. How can I stop overthinking how I look and thinking about how other people see me?

You’re not alone on this one People are too busy wondering the same thing about themselves, and no one is really paying that much attention to you. Although you might feel like the whole world is watching you, if everyone feels that way, the scrutiny is notasintenseasitseems.

Focusing your energy inward, and lessening overthinking starts with a healthy self-image. It is quite a universal experience to havephysicalchangesthroughyourteenageyears.However,that isnotyourfinalformyet,thereisstillplentyofroomtogrow Fornow,learnhowtoappreciateyourselfandwhereyouareat

Your Next

Read Read

By Jessica Snyder

THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP: THE JAPANESE ART OF DECLUTTERING AND ORGANIZING BY

MARIE KONDO (8 YEARS & UP)

Say goodbye to clutter and hello to a tidy environment! For many, cleaning their homes can pose a daunting and laborious task. Learn more about the ‘KonMari Method’ and how to effectively tackle your tidying tasks from Japanese cleaning consultant,MarieKondo

Throughsimplifiedwaystoorganiseyourhome,you willachieveaspotlesslivingspaceinnotime

HARRY

BY J.K. ROWLING (9

Find your next literary adventure, handpicked by our very-own SSM community! Whether you ’ re a bookworm or a casual reader, the wonders of books are endless and there is certainly something for you

THE LITTLE BOOK OF JOY: 365 WAYS TO CELEBRATE EVERY DAY BY JOANNE RUELOS

DIAZ, ILLUSTRATED

BY ANNELIES

DRAWS

Discover happiness in the palm of your hand with this pocket-sized book. Whether itisaninternationalholiday, art activity, or mindfulness prompt, this book gives you daily doses of joy that encourage you to embrace happiness and life’s simple pleasures It serves as a sourceofinspiration,

reminding us that there is always something to look forward to no matter how big or small the occasionis

This series has been known to capture the hearts and imaginations of readers worldwide Embark on a mesmerizingjourneywithHarryPotterandhisfriendsat Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry across sevenenchantingbooksthatareacherishedchildhood must-readformany.Gettoknowthecaptivatingstories ofHermione,Ron,Dumbledore,andmanymorethrough thismagicaladventure.

THE INHERITANCE GAMES

BY JENNIFER LYNN BARNES (13 YEARS & UP)

Jointeenagegirl,AveryGrambs,inthismysterynovelas shetriestofigureoutwhysheunexpectedlyinheriteda stranger’s billion-dollar fortune To claim this, Avery mustuseherwitsandcompeteagainstotherheirsinthe late billionaire’s dysfunctional family. She traverses treacherous waters, uncovering shocking truths and ultimately,howshebecameembroiledinthisgame.

POTTER BOOK SERIES

- 12 YEARS)

Unlocking Potential:

The Power of Home Education Home Education

By Monique Gaw

Have you ever passed by a frosted glass door, tucked awayinthecornerofthe3rdfloor?Itisoneofthenewest additionstoSingaporeSchoolManilawhenthepandemic began. Introducing Home Education Programme, also knownasHEP,isanothereducationalavenue.Nowinits third year, the programme boasts a total of 19 students overall.Therearetwoindividualswhoserveasthepillars of the program. Ms. Nikki, the program coordinator, andMs.Rhoda,theHEPadvisor.

Ms. Nikki primarily manages the inquiries and placement exams for new students. On the other hand, Ms. Rhodaprovidesparentswiththenecessaryresourcesandsupporttheyneedandadministersthetermexams

Although it seems like the programme ’ s setup is similar to the traditional one, what makes HEP uniquely different?

Incomparisontoon-campuslearning,HEPreliesheavilyonparents because they are also the teachers. Ms. Nikki and Ms. Rhoda both conducttrainingsessionstofamiliarizeparentswiththebasicsofthe program,fromtheHEPteachingmodeltoexplainingvisual,auditory, andkinestheticlearning.Thisenablesparentstocreatesessionsthat are tailored to their child's learning style, allowing them to learn at theirownpace.

Withinthesesessions,Ms Rhodafurthersupportsparentsindevelopinglessonplans,teachingthemhowto evaluate their child’s progress, and suggesting a plethora of creative and engaging activities for students. Working hand in hand with parents, regular communication through weekly emails is key to ensuring the clarityoflessonmaterialsandefficientprogresstowardstheirlearninggoals

As Ms. Nikki mentioned, "For HEP to be successful, parents must be eager to participate in their children's education." She also notes that parents who “give their absolutely best tend to have children who perform well in the programme.” Ms Rhodasharesthatoneofthemostenjoyableaspects of being a part of the HEP programme is seeing the remarkable growth of students since the beginning of the school year. For her, it is akin to holding a trophy,asitsignifieshow “successful (they were) in guiding and advising the parents.”

ThehighlightofMs NikkiandMs Rhoda’s dayiswhenevertheygettoseethefacesof thestudentswhodropbytheHEPofficefor theirtermexams.Giventheirlimited interactionswithoneanother,seeingthe studentsalwaysbringsjoyandlaughterto theirroom.Ultimately,theHomeEducation Programmeembodiestheage-oldsaying thatittakesavillagetoraiseresilientand fiercelyindependentchildren!

Students' Works Students' Works

Take a look at the incredible works by SSM's Home Education Programme students!

TORNADO

By Ethan Chua, P5

Fast,rotatingwinds, Theangryskyisblowing, Shouldwerunaway?

JEFF SAVES THE DAY

By Hans Tiu, P3

Jeffisagoodboy.HelivesintheGreat City.TheGreatCityismadeofshinythings likegems.ButJeffisscared.Heisafraidof Harver.Harverissupermadandbad. Harversaid,“Shutupnow!!”Jeffsaid,“Oh no,don’tdothat.Let’sbegintothe future!”Harversmashesthecity.Harver smashesthehotel.Jeffsaid,“Megasmash punchforever!!!”Harversaid,“Ohno!I have0hearts!Therearenomorehearts.” Jeffsaid.“Hiphiphooray!”

Ariane Ang, K2

Hans Tiu, P3

Andrew Chua, P3

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

A Thing of the Past?

By Savannah Go

Intoday’smodernworld,itwouldfeelarchaictoseepeoplecarryingtheoncepopularcassettestolistentotheir favouritetunesorbulkyboomboxestoparty Thankstotheriseofdigitalmusicstreaming,anyone’sbesttracks canbeaccessedanywhereandanytimewithoutanyphysicalhindrance.Whilephysicalmediumsofmusicare stillconsideredatimelessformofenjoyment,howwillingarepeopletostillpurchasephysicalrecords?

Let’srewindafewdecades–digitalstreamingfirsthit the streets as early as the late 90s to early 2000s Platforms such as PeopleSound and MP3.com were thefirsttwotoemergewhichenabledartists,whether independent or signed, to spread their music online. Afterwards, YouTube took over and became a favoured platform for people to enjoy music, accompaniedwiththemusicvideos.Spotifywasthen launchedin2008andAppleMusicin2015,becoming

arguably the most popular streaming sites today. In between their releases (early 2010s), digital music streamingalsobecamemorewidelyusedthanradiostopushthesuccessofsongs(Wikipedia,2023)

Whiledigitalstreaming a popular method o enjoyment, physical also have a vari characteristics that can replicated.Vinylrecords have a warmer ton better dynamics tha them sound closer to versions. Several tracks are only avail physical copies rathe convertedintoadigitalformat,

However, both vinyl records and CDs offer their own downsides. A well-known drawback is how these physicalcopiesarenotnecessarilythemostportable way to bring around music whereas digital streaming canbeaccessedanywhere.Theyalsoaccumulatealot ofareastorage,especiallyifyouarecollectingthem.

making listening more special, valued, and enjoyable (Ferguson, 2022). Vinyls can alsolastlong, some date back to the 1930s yet their audio quality is maintained, which can give a unique timetravelling experience to the listener. Similarly, CDs have good longevity with proper care in mind such as storing them in the right cases and conditions.

Seeing as they are part of personal collections, they have to be maintained in an orderly manner suchaskeepingtheminidealtemperaturesand stacking them in a certain way to avoid warping. These arduous steps are definitely not everybody’scupoftea!

Giventhesekeyfeatures,manypeoplestillbelievethatthesemakephysical recordsuniqueandworthitforthemtopurchase.

Togainamorein-depthunderstanding,Iinterviewed some students in our school for their personal perspectives. A student from S3 stated that he buys physical records and vinyls as a hobby. He primarily purchases those in pop, RnB, rap, neo-soul and rock genres.Hefurthervoicedthatitisnotonlypleasingto collect and have as a display item, but it also sounds differentandbetterthandigitalstreaming

Limitededitionsofpiecesofvinylcanalsoberesold forahigherprice;hethinksthatitisnotpossiblefor him to venture into that aspect since it is part of his collection Some disadvantages the student recognizesincludehowtheyarehardtomaintainand store,theycangetdamagedeasily,andtherecanbe issueswithshippingorproblemswithmanufacturing thatcausemisprintsonthevinyl.

On the other hand, an S2 student also shared how she still likes buyingandcollectingphysicalalbums,specificallyCDsinthe K-Popgenre ThebenefitsshefindswiththeCDsincludethatshe canlistenofflineandanytimesolongasshehasaCDplayer.For her, the quality of sound is also better as compared to online downloads Moreover, CDs act as sentimental reminders of her favouritetunesfromlongbefore,evenifshedoesnotlistentothe artist as much anymore, making them more enjoyable to collect. However, the disadvantages are that not all CDs are compatible withoneplayerduetosizedifferences.

Ultimately, I believe that there is still a market for physica albums. There has been a significant decline in their overa importancetobeingabletoenjoytracks,however,manypeopl stillopttopurchasethembecausetheyofferbenefitsthatdigita streaming just cannot replicate. Examples of these advantage are better audio quality or increased appreciation due t sentimentalvalue.Personally,theyaretrulyworthitsincethe remind me of my eras of obsessions and it is enjoyable to shar withfriends.Theexperienceofopeningandowningarecordisa experienceIwouldsayisworththedime.

MEET THE WRITER

Savannah is an S3 student who’s interested in music, books and games.Whenshegetssomefreetime,Savannahenjoyschattingwith her friends and watching content from her favourite bands. She also likestopracticedrawingormusicalinstruments.

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