17 minute read
The Perse in Singapore
The Perse is an increasingly global community with OPs across the world radiating our core values. We hear from four OPs who are currently living and working in Singapore, followed by an update from The Perse School Singapore which opened its doors in January 2020.
HIT1912 / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Denise Mirandah (1999)
WHEN I JOINED The Perse in 1997, the School had only recently started admitting girls, and there were only very few of us. The Perse was particularly strong at the sciences, which suited me well. I spent many happy hours with some exceptional Teachers – Mrs McFarlane, Mr Daniels, Dr Graham, Mrs Hague, Mr Kirby, Dr Welland, MY GAINING A PLACE TO READ LAW AT CAMBRIDGE WAS REALLY A TEAM EFFORT. I AM THANKFUL TO MY PARENTS FOR CHOOSING THE PERSE AND I AM VERY PROUD TO CALL MYSELF AN OLD PERSEAN.
Mr Gant, Mrs Goodman and Mr Elliott. Nigel Richardson was everything a headmaster should be, a true leader who brought out the best in everyone. He took the three potential Oxbridge law applicants under his wing that year, and we were able to approach our interviews with confidence thanks to his guidance. I made wonderful friends at The Perse, in particular Debby [Fan] and Viktoria [Kibalchenko]. We attended each other’s weddings, we now have children who are about the same age. Incredibly, we have managed to stay in touch even though we live in separate corners of the globe. My gaining a place to read Law at Cambridge was really a team effort. I am thankful to my parents for choosing The Perse and I am very proud to call myself an Old Persean.
My career path since has been part fate, part destiny, and much of it is still unwritten. My parents are both attorneys, specialising in intellectual property law in Singapore and Malaysia. I chose to train at another firm and practiced commercial litigation and banking law. It was hard work and long hours but I was fortunate to receive the best training under some outstanding legal practitioners. Eventually, I decided to join the family firm. 15 years later, working from home in Singapore amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, I know I made the right call. My parents are the real trailblazers, they have built an amazing team of professionals and a solid client base. We are a boutique firm, so we are able to offer a more personalised service while maintaining exceptionally high quality.
On a given day I could be receiving a new brief, answering client queries, discussing potential remedies and strategies, replying to correspondence from opposing counsel, drafting formal opinions, pleadings, or affidavits, attending court hearings or negotiating settlements. Occasionally, a matter will go to full trial. No two days are ever the same. I am fortunate to be able to stay true to my inner science geek, particularly when I am engaged in patent litigation – some interesting cases have involved fire retardant clothing, refrigerants, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. With seniority came the responsibilities of client development, managing teams and dealing with operations such as IT, training, human resource and finance. The upside of working at a family firm is that operational decisions are always made taking into account the long-term best interests of the firm. For example, lawyers tend to love their paper and physical files, but our firm invested in IT infrastructure to support a paperless environment as early as 2012. This was an incredible advantage when Covid-19 hit and we managed to seamlessly transition to working from home.
Singapore is a wonderful place to live and work, and an incredibly safe place for children to grow up. It’s not just Crazy Rich Asians, shopping malls and skyscrapers! There are lots of outdoor spaces in the form of parks, nature reserves and hiking trails hidden in the jungles. Singapore is where I met my husband, Jean-Christophe (JC). We are incredibly proud parents to our two boys, Nicolas and Hugo. Who knew my time at The Perse surrounded by boys was a harbinger of things to come! I would not have it any other way.
Alan Cheung (1995)
I MOVED TO SINGAPORE six years ago to be closer to my family in Asia. I am a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in robotic joint replacement and sports injuries. Outside of the operating theatre I am the team doctor for the Wrestling Federation of Singapore, ringside doctor for One Championship (Asian equivalent to the UFC mixed martial arts franchise) and matchday doctor for events such as the HSBC Rugby Sevens and SuperRugby.
My parents were Hong Kong immigrants who never finished school and had a limited command of English. Working long hours in the catering industry and making many sacrifices, they saved enough to send me to the best school in the region – The Perse, for which I am eternally grateful.
My happiest years were spent at The Perse Prep, with its unique flora, under the excellent pastoral care of Miss Bedford, Mrs Halbert and Miss Hurst. The atmosphere was different at the Upper, where Martin Stephen informed us that we were now small fish in a big pond. I found the Mummery system (based on Elizabethan theatre where students acted out plays) a unique and enjoyable way of learning English. I continued to enjoy English as taught by the indomitable Tony Porter, and it was a regret to give up my arts subjects to pursue science and eventually medicine.
Outside of the classroom, I most enjoyed playing for Adrian Roberts' invincible 4th XV Rugby team, and expeditions with the 5th Cambridge Scouts led by Richard Crabtree alongside my good friend Richard Whittington. Getting lost in Snowdonia and camping in Churston Ferrers are cherished memories.
In my mid-teens I dislocated both shoulders playing for Cambridge Rugby Club. This began a lifelong interest in anatomy, sports medicine and injury. Applying for medicine was mostly a process of trial and error with no real advice given on interview technique, and I was amused and impressed on a recent visit to The Perse to see a whole department of UCAS advisors in residence.
After my first anatomy lesson at University College London Medical School I realised that I wanted to become a surgeon, and eventually specialised in Orthopaedics. I enjoy the technical aspects of a wide range of surgeries in Orthopaedics which generally yield excellent results. I also enjoy treating injured patients of all ages and abilities who usually return to sports and have a high quality of life. I now specialise in robotic joint replacement surgery and sports injuries.
My involvement in ringside medicine began when I started training in Brazilian jiu jitsu at the largest martial arts gym in Singapore, Evolve MMA. I had covered many amateur martial arts events as a ringside doctor, and was then invited to cover larger professional mixed martial events held by One Championship in Singapore and across Asia. The hardest part of being a ringside doctor is making a snap judgement call whether or not to stop a fight in front of a live audience of thousands, and a televised audience of millions. Unconscious athletes and those with suspected spinal injury must be evacuated safely from a ring or cage which is four feet off the ground.
As rugby injuries resemble martial arts injuries, I also began covering international rugby events as a matchday doctor and became a World Rugby educator. A recent highlight was representing the Singapore Rugby Union medical team at the Rugby World Cup last year in Japan.
My advice to all students is that family comes first. Happiness tends not to come from wealth and a high flying career, but more from the quality of relationships that you have with friends and loved ones. Emotional intelligence is an important lifeskill that is not gained easily. Meeting people from all backgrounds and learning their perspective helps. Working a variety of summer jobs was useful for me in that regard. Take time to educate yourself financially, and learn to save and invest from an early age. Don't always choose the safe option, you can afford to take some risks in life. The road that is less travelled is usually the most interesting. Finally, being educated at The Perse is like winning the lottery in life. It is your duty to help those less fortunate than yourself. Qui facit per alium facit per se!
@dralancheung www.ioc-ortho.com
I REMEMBER FONDLY my formative years revolving around The Perse, so much so that my family moved from London to Cambridge just so I could attend The Perse Prep and my sister, The Pelican. I still recall making the move from Trumpington Road to Hills Road to start First Form and how in awe I was at the size of the grounds – I had finally arrived! The plan – in my head at least – was to read history at Cambridge following Sixth Form.
My parents had other ideas though, and just before the start of Third Form they uprooted the family to Australia for a new life in Perth. Hale School came highly recommended by the then Perse Headmaster (Nigel Richardson) who was well acquainted with Hale’s Head at the time John Inverarity – he himself would go on to become chairman of selectors for Australian Cricket.
Despite a yearning to return to Cambridge following the end of high school, I decided to do my undergrad at the University of Western Australia and, given that I had very little idea what I actually wanted to pursue, I kept it as broad as possible by studying both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce. Five years and two degrees later, inspiration was still unfortunately yet to strike and so a couple more years passed as I completed my post-graduate thesis.
By then all I wanted to do was leave the books behind and travel. On a recent holiday to Singapore I had been scouted by a modelling agency who offered me a contract if I ever felt like a career change, and it suddenly felt like the perfect time to throw caution to the wind and take the plunge.
I could write a whole book purely covering the two years I spent travelling around Asia modelling but suffice to say the entire experience was nowhere near as glamorous as it might initially sound. Honestly I’m not really sure what I had in mind when I first accepted the offer, but sharing bunk beds with fellow models certainly wasn't part of it. What it did allow me though was not just the opportunity to travel – Bangkok, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Taipei, just to name a few of the cities I lived in – but also the opportunity to gain experience in front of the camera.
Fast forward a few years and that experience was invaluable in landing me a job as a TV presenter on Fox Sports Asia, based out of Singapore. Each day we broadcast to over 22 different countries and territories across Asia, and I host various live shows, from Formula 1 to MotoGP, to the Bundesliga, and Grand Slam Tennis.
If I’m not in the studio, I’m lucky enough to be reporting live from various sporting events across the globe, but I would have to say my favourite on-site destination without a doubt is Wimbledon. I remember one evening after having just finished a sit-down interview with Roger Federer, I took a couple of minutes to watch the sunset over SW16 from our camera position and wondered how it was possible that I came to be there doing what I was doing. It certainly hasn’t been a straightforward career path, and not one that I could have ever envisaged, but I can confidently say that it all began with The Perse.
Vijay Mahindran (1991)
WHEN THE REQUEST came through to pen a few thoughts about my years at The Perse, many fond memories came flooding back. I had the opportunity to study at The Perse and live in its boarding facilities. The boarding facilities taught me very different things to the school, nonetheless both were instrumental to my academic, professional, and self-development.
Before joining The Perse, I had spent most of my childhood either at home in Sri Lanka or abroad, depending on the nature of my dad’s career. He was an engineer who specialised in highway and high-rise building construction. At that time, given the focus on improvement and new infrastructure within many developing countries, the demand and opportunity to work abroad was a very exciting possibility for engineers like my dad and their families. Hence, when I arrived at The Perse, it was indeed a new and interesting environment for a teenager like myself. The learning (academic or otherwise) never stopped – lessons extended beyond the walls of the classroom. The Perse is certainly where I learnt to be independent, confident, and gain the skills that would take me into the world of work. I made many friends that came from a diverse range of different cultures and backgrounds, offering me insight to the values that others hold true and develop a sense of respect. Despite the disciplined routine I found time to engage in sports, although chess and bridge were (and still are) the preferred sport for me! I was interested in hockey, cricket and squash as well as engaging in several sporting events organised by the boarding house. It certainly was healthy to be outside and breathing cool, crisp air.
When I graduated from The Perse, I went to the University of Newcastle to study Mechanical Engineering, followed by Brunel University in London to complete my Masters. I decided to study Mechanical Engineering because of the immense scope of career options for those with the qualification, including manufacturing, robotics, electrics and automation! My career after graduation started in the oil and gas industry, which is where I have stayed. I started as a Project Engineer in the design and installation of offshore platforms, FPSOs and subsea structures. My work required a lot of travel, and there were certainly challenging and unpleasant moments when I was offshore. This was mainly due to the unfavourable weather conditions, as well as being in an environment with nothing more to do other than work, eat, and sleep. Fortunately, I do not have to deal with the same challenges now. Nevertheless, my current role as Asset Manager for BWO Offshore in Singapore certainly presents new challenges to be managed and experiences to be gained. Asset management involves systematically managing company efficiency to benefit business productivity, and often involves making quick and bold decisions in unpredictable circumstances which are near-impossible to forecast. Whilst such a role can be stressful and intermittently affect my worklife balance, decisions which result in productivity increases fill asset managers with immense satisfaction and makes my work very fulfilling. The industry I picked certainly gave me the global experience to live and work in various countries (Scotland, Norway, Dubai, Qatar, and Singapore) as well as travel to other countries whilst undertaking short-term projects. Travelling and meeting clients is a significant part of my job, and has given me many chances to see the world and immerse in a diverse range of local cultures. However, such an international career presents its own challenges; business etiquette varies across the world, and you are constantly adapting to the differing needs and wishes depending on location. As expected, Covid-19 has added to these challenges as the varying legislative and procedural responses to the pandemic have added to pre-existing differences across the globe.
I have now lived in Singapore for the last 12 years with my wife and children, but continue to travel for around 14 weeks every year. Singapore is a multi-cultural country with English being the official language for communication and correspondence. Singapore is centrally located in Asia, and hence most residents tend to take short breaks over the holidays to enjoy the diverse culture they are surrounded by. The public transport system is immaculate – easily accessible, cost effective, and efficient. The grocery stores and supermarkets have ingredients for various different cuisines – I can find Yorkshire puddings pretty easily here and they taste just fine! Singaporeans and residents of Singapore like their food, and eating is practically a national pastime. The local cuisine is delicious – the Indian curries and the Malay rendangs are a must try! Then there are the famous Chilli Crabs which can be eaten with rice or bread. You could try the famous Durian, the “King” of all Fruits, although they are not for everyone – a love or hate delicacy for which I am personally not a fan. I do not want to spoil the adventure by revealing all. I shall leave you with the above and trust it is enough to entice you to visit Singapore and experience the colours, culture and creativity on which this special island thrives.
Exciting times at The Perse School Singapore
The Perse School Singapore opened its doors in January 2020 for pupils aged five to 11.
The school is in Upper Bukit Timah, a residential area in Singapore just at the foot of the Bukit Timah nature reserve which is Singapore’s oldest virgin rainforest area and its highest peak. There are over 50 pupils at the school spanning across the year groups, with more starting in January 2021.
The school in Singapore shares the same four core values of The Perse in Cambridge – intellectual curiosity and scholarship, endeavour, breadth and balance, and respect for one another and our environment. Just like The Perse Cambridge, it strives to nurture the children’s potential, build their confidence and prepare them for the future. We can already see that the supportive environment is helping ensure that Perse pupils are intellectually curious and emotionally intelligent thinkers, eager to engage in the world around them, sensitive to the needs and beliefs of others, but still with the courage of their own convictions.
The broad and innovative curriculum closely follows the Cambridge Primary programme, incorporating Singapore maths as well as daily Mandarin lessons. Class sizes are small and lessons are delivered by subject-specific teaching staff. Another similarity with The Perse Prep includes regular sporting activities such as swimming, which takes place at the Rainforest Sports Hub, five minutes away from the site.
The staff and pupils have coped well with the challenges of the last six months. During part of the summer term, schools were closed in Singapore due to the Covid-19 pandemic and The Perse Singapore moved to online learning. Feedback from parents was very positive.
In August pupils returned to school with great excitement. Since then, pupils and staff have been having a very busy and fun term. Activities have ranged from Orientation Week 2020, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, playing hockey, to Book Club, and house activities. The Perse Singapore has the same houses as The Perse Prep Cambridge (Barbarians, Foresters, Nomads and Corinthians) which the children love, as they have a common goal with their counterparts in Cambridge.
Pupils at The Perse Singapore have written to pupils at The Perse Cambridge. There has been much excitement when the children have written to a child the same age as them from the UK. Similarly, the pupils back in the UK have been eager to reply. This is a great opportunity for pupils to learn about the similarities in the schools, what the children’s favourite subjects are, and how life differs in each country. It is another great way to continue the connections between both schools.
The Perse Singapore is owned by Chip Eng Seng, a Singapore based property development, construction and education company. The Perse School Cambridge International has worked with The Perse School Singapore to ensure the successful transfer of The Perse ethos, values, and curriculum, ensuring both schools have the same high standards.
