by: Layla Go
d h i f l h Si S h l Phili ines Pre-University students stepped into a night of elegance and future ening in Paris, on April 26, 2025, at The Palm Grove, Rockwell Club.
e evening opened with students from the Manila and Clark campuses essed in formal wear, in sync with classical music, and captivated in eir cotillion dance, a tradition that symbolises both growth and grace e dance, polished by weeks of rehearsal, embodied their resilience ltivated over their years at Singapore School Manila.
erward, students and guests were treated to a buffet of Western hes infused with French theme that offered a sophisticated dining perience. A photo booth adorned with various props also gave students chance to capture the evening’s flair, all the while a heartfelt cohort deo played, drawing laughter as students reminisced on unforgettable oments from the school year
As the sentimental mood shifted, students voted for the year’s Royal Court. Under the glow of the starry Parisian backdrop, Rishabh Jain and Yvie Go were awarded Best Dressed, celebrated for their ability to dress to the nines Charlie Lim and Ela Logatoc we crowned Prom Prin and Prom Princess, their radiant smil remarked on such memorable mome Ultimately, the awardi ceremony came to climax when Alex L was announced as Pro King and Gabby Ipapo Prom Queen
“It’s always been a childhood dream to attend prom and even more so to win Prom Queen,” Gabby shared.
crowned royals took to with the traditional slow rlie and Ela opened the ed by Alex and Rishabh, y Yvie and Gabby Prom Prince Charlie Lim later reflected that while the prom experience had been “confusing at first,” it turned out to be “fun to learn,” a sentiment that captured the night’s spirit of stepping outside one’s comfort zone
With the formalities complete, the traditional ballroom transformed into a vibrant dance floor. A live DJ blended pop hits and retro tracks into an electrifying playlist that kept spirits high and students moving One of the night’s unexpected highlights was a humorous but passionate rendition of George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” by the Pre-University 1 boys, and ended the night on a high note
As the final song echoed, a bittersweet feeling settled in The SSM Merlions of Pre-University 1 had created a lasting memory that embodied their joie de vivre their zest for life, love for community, and readiness to embrace the future
T
by: Yvie
Go
Similar to the digits of π, Singapore School Manila’s creativity knows no end as the student body and staff transformed the abstract mathematical notation into a campus-wide celebration of curiousity, creativity, and love for learning last March 14, 2025 on International Pi Day
Dressed in attire inspired by circles and baked pie desserts, Pi Day invited students across grade levels to fashion apparel ranging from polka-dots to baker t Whil it i iti ll diffi lt t t nsfigure a numerical constant into d by the community–a testament to
To multiply the fun, numbers, π symbols, and other displays adorned the school’s main entrance led by the hard work of the SSM Events Team This visual centerpiece caught the attention of SSM’s younger learners in Preschool and Lower Primary, many of whom had never before considered that some numbers never end prior to the event. Teachers used this moment of curiousity to first introduce the concept, priming the students for future lessons to come.
Albert Einstein, a German physicist regarded as one of the smartest and most influential scientists in history, was coincidentally born on Pi Day! Einstein was born on March 14, 1879–making him over 146 years old if he were still alive today
by: Marsha Li
With curiousity as their compass, the little explorers of Kinder to Primary 2 embarked on a highly anticipated field trip to Adventure Zone at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila last March 12, 2025
Once at the venue, students were instantly drawn to the vibrant play areas and big slides, activating their adventurous spirit! The fun, free setting brought children outside of their comfort zones, playing joyously with peers and teachers. “Everyone was so relaxed, and even the shy ones found ways to express themselves,” rejoiced Primary 1-B Teacher Hazel Ferrer. Moreover, bonding outside a school environment deepened the relationships of the young SSM community, forming connections which are essential in the children’s formative years
For Primary 1-A Adviser Teacher Daisy Nallos, the most touching moment was witnessing children actively playing with their parents, who were also invited on this special journey “Watching the children interact with their parents was heartwarming, their bond was so clear. It takes passion to support and challenge children, and this trip reminded me how important that presence is,” she reflected
While the trip was filled with emotional moments, it also encouraged bravery and growth For some, conquering the six-meter-high slide in the park became a personal victory “It can be scary, but you just go for it!” shared Arianna Li, a Primary 1-B student who faced her fears, capturing the bold spirit of the day
In the end, the Kinder to Primary 2 field trip offered more than just fun, it allowed the young Merlions a space to grow and cherish moments with family, alongside gave teachers a chance to further connect with students. As the buses headed back to SSM, one thing was clear: personal growth does not always happen in classrooms sometimes, it happens on a bright blue slide.
by: Savannah Go
Eyes directed at the question, ears honed in for the countdown and minds focused on the answers with ranks at risk, participants and audiences were on the edge of their seats during the Primary and Secondary Academic Quiz Bees (AQB) last March 7, 2025 at the Merlion Court SSP campuses Manila, Silang & Clark came together, pooling participants from Preschool to Secondary 4 in a friendly academic competition. The venue was filled with parents and observing students, along with the judges and event facilitators Meanwhile, participants were set on the stage, flashing whiteboards with their answers and anticipation.
The lead-up to the long-awaited event started early in the first term, with students displaying mastery of their curriculum Based on performance during Terms 1 and 2, students set to compete were selected based on their averages for three subjects: Maths, Science and English The top four with the highest averages from each campus were then selected by the level coordinators to participate.
Aside from internal strength, Teacher Marla Ipac, Upper Primary’s Programme Coordinator, views the AQB as having an outward positive impact since it can encourage participants’ peers to strive in their academics as well. Instead of encouraging solely competition, the event also presented an opportunity for students to meet their sister
During the AQB, nervousness, the anxiety of observing parents, and expectations weighed on the students However, Teacher Syra Logatoc, the Lower Secondary Programme Coordinator, believes the event, aside from displaying academic excellence, helped students build a growth mindset
“This is an opportunity for us to work on grit in students when we see students saying, ‘It’s okay if I lose right now, life’s like that,’” she says. g ch other what it means to connect rage
by: Savannah Go
Food, fun and friendships filled the SSM campus from the ground up on February 21, 2025 as a variety of external and student-led stalls came together from for SSM-Chella, the annual school fair, offering memorable activities and performances for the school community.
At the opening of the fair, attendees buzzed around the different food offerings, ranging from sweet delicacies like bubble waffles to easy treats like french fries The event also featured activities to do with family and friends, such as an escape room, ring toss, karaoke, and even a bubble station SSM-Chella also called in animals of all shapes and sizes to delight the community In the Little Theatre, the crowd watched in awe as The Magic and Illusion Show featured these critters, bringing out a live lion club and a snake for guests to take photos with! Meanwhile, on the fourth floor Animal Encounter, students forged unlikely friendships with piglets d b i t i iti g th i l i their enclosure
Later into the afternoon, the fair opened the Merlion Court stage to the SSM Community, featuring an artistic lineup of students and teachers alike The performances were well received by the community, with Gracielle Techico from Secondary 1 noting this to be one of her favourite parts from the event. A rendition of “Mr. Brightside” by Teacher Mico Siplon as well as PreUniversity students Hannah Syquia, Sophia Castro and Kaemon Bayron highlighted the harmony between SSM’s students and staff through teamwork in preparation and performance The melody of drums, guitars and vocals were met with cheers from the audience
Beyond the performances, the fair had also become a space for students to strengthen relationships and gain confidence in trying new things Yvette Chen from Primary 2-B highlighted the important role of friendship. “I had so much fun, because [my friends] Sage and Selena were there!” Additionally, Pre-University 1 student Allissa Lim was a student vendor representing SupernovPrints, a venture for her business class. The young entrepreneur accredited the experience in helping her to understand the school community better, noting that interacting with fairgoers allowed her to build confidence.
g families enjoy the fair, smiling and spending time together, made all the hard work of the community worth it,” reflected Ms. Daniela Atienza upon the conclusion of the school fair.
As the Head Events Coordinator, she observed the collective effort behind the event–from students and teachers preparing the individual class booths, to non-teaching staff and parents lending their support. These collaborations connected to create SSM-Chella, a day that celebrated community spirit across our entire SSM family
Hands up!
Allissa Ms. Daniela
Pocketof Pocketof
Poems Poems
Creativity begins young! Featured below are crafty poems, courtesy of SSM’s very own Primary 4 students
By: Angela Techico
A disease of your lungs, It can get on our tongues
If you read a book, You would likely be shook.
It’s so powdery fine, You could draw a black line
It smells like despair; It’s really unfair
When it gets in the air, It turns the sky dark
People don’t like dares; It’s not made of bark Volcano ashes
Might give you rashes
Let your mind explode, So it will stay untold
DOGS
By: Chester Hong
Dogs always show their owners the Sometimes when they’re tired, the
And I think dogs are really good pets
Dogs really, really, really super-duper hate the vet!
Dogs love chasing balls at high speed. All dogs come in different breeds
All dogs love eating meat, But all dogs hate eating wheat
Dogs love playing with their owners.
Dogs are perfect for a loner
My Three Pets
By: David Gotaco
These are all my three pets
When it’s hot, my dog sweats
My cat caught many nets
M b d t j t
Dawg!
By: Arvin Li
Bark here, bark there, this little dog barks everywhere
This dog eats all my food, even when I'm not there.
It can sleep like a really lazy sloth, But his sleep can really help with his growth!
This dog can serve as an awesome pet,
But it also hates going to the vet.
He is really playful and grew big, And he really likes to snatch my wig!
This dog is really extravagant, And he also likes to hunt.
The cat is his rival, they always fight
He also really likes to bite
He runs around the yard all day,
Chasing every single squirrel away. He barks at his reflection on the glass wall, Then rolls around just like a wrecking ball
It’s also the color of my favorite hair tie!
It’s how I feel when I say “Bye!”
Each time my friend goes to a boba shop, it’s always Thai!
I have many blue things, big and small
Sebastian says he’ll grow a garden; his garden is better, after all
So that’s why he went on a blue shopping haul
He even bought a big, giant XL sweater from the mall!
Our tables are big and blue
In a dream, they all just flew!
Blue is a color of the rainbow, And I have a big cookie dough!
by: Yvie Go
High school is what you make it–the courses you commit to, the passions you pursue, and ultimately the character you build, all of which lay the groundwork for future success. As the PreUniversity 2 students of Singapore School Manila approach the cusp of Graduation, the seniors reflect on the causes they have dedicated themselves to throughout their years in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
This mindset was brought to life as Cohort 2025 shared their Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) experiences with Secondary 4 and Pre-University 1 last April 4, 2025 at the Merlion Court, aiming to enlighten the underclassmen on their own CAS journeys A core requirement of the IBDP, each candidate must submit a portfolio over the course of the two-year programme To commemorate their completion of CAS, the graduating students presented their most memorable experiences
In the Creativity corner, Renee Lim and her boothmate, artist Sophia Castro, offered an immersive experience Students sculpted pottery at Renee’s side of the table before switching over to Sophia’s side to paint their pieces once dry. Also presenting her Creativity experience, melodic tunes entered the court as Sophie Policarpio reflected on her violin experience,
Over at the Activity section, Vincy Ritter mastered the art of the bow and arrow “Every little change–from grip to stance–will affect your aim in archery,” he commented. Although initially encountering frustrations with focus, this activity experience taught him discipline to approach challenges with a calmer mindset. Additionally, Hans Liu discussed his experience as a member of the SSM Football Team, emphasising the importance of teamwork in ball sports. Hans even hosted a mini game, inviting audience members for a friendly match
Meanwhile, in the Service area, Eowyn Lim shared how her weekends were well spent volunteering for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) as part of her service requirements. The animal lover fondly shared how her younger brother Mason followed in her footsteps to volunteer for PAWS with the siblings bonding over their mutual love for animals Similarly, Aanvi Bagga dedicated her service to her own passions in medicine, through a medical observership at her barangay clinic where she administered vaccines to the local workers The future cardiologist further applied her learnings by offering blood pressure tests during her presentation.
Alas, this spirit of initiative culminated in the CAS Project segment. Once the 7 learning outcomes of CAS are achieved, students cultivate their learnings into a final project combining the three strands Aspiring business woman Jolin Shi chose to plan the Youth Entrepreneur’s Challenge as her capstone experience, helping her develop purposeful skills for university applications “Top schools prioritise leadership, which planning an event showcases We were able to attract over 100 participants ”
The event was made possible through the efforts of SSM’s CAS Coordinator, Teacher Giselle Posadas, who led the initiative with dedication and care She was supported by level heads Teacher Mico Siplon and Teacher Jayson Nievera, along with the rest of the teaching staff, all of whom played a role in celebrating the individual growth of our graduating cohort
The legacy left behind by the Class of 2025 is defined by their contributions to the school community, inspiring younger students to discover the core of who they are during their final years before university.
Sophia See is a Secondary 1 student who is passionate about art Her main sou of inspiration is anime, with her favorite one being Haikyuu. She also enjoys spending her past time playing volleyball with friends.
PaseodeMagallanes,MakatiCity,Philippines
+63279669315/+63275004672/+63275053952
info@singaporeschoolmanilacomph https://singaporeschools.ph
"If you study to remember, you will forget; if you study to unde you will remember." The school adapts the Singaporean curricul Preschool, Primary and Lower Secondary levels, even fea programmes such as the Cambridge IGCSE and the Intern Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) to better prepare stude the road ahead.