07 OCT, 2009

UN NIGHT

EVENTS PAGE 02

F1 Fever!

LIFESTYLE PAGE 14

MEMORY OF BIANCA

EXCLUSIVE!!UN NIGHT

OFS F

OOTP

RINT

STUDENT LIFE PAGE 18

2

A Night To Remember By Ghazal Heidari Marvi

It was a night unlike any other as over twenty nations took the stage with pride in order to display their unique culture in a mosaic of song, music, and dance. In what is undoubtedly the biggest event on the OFS school calendar, United Nations Night is a time for students, teachers and parents alike to come together to celebrate and honour the unique multicultural environment of our school, which makes it so special, and to learn more about each other. The excitingly entertaining and memorable concerts from previous years set the standards for this year’s new students, as they collaborated with returning students in an endeavour which resulted in probably the most vibrant, fun, and unforgettable UN Night ever. This year’s concert featured performances from nearly every continent, with an impressive variety, as countries such as China, France, India, Philippines, Singapore, Canada, USA, UK, Iran, Korea, Japan, Denmark, Australia, Israel, Norway and Taiwan took to the stage. As has been the case each year, the days leading up to the big night showed many enthusiastic and talented students itching to get their moment in the limelight, and the auditions were such a success that the event had to be split into two separate concerts to allow every willing country equal opportunity to perform.

As the concerts were taking place in the auditorium, something else was cooking down below - literally. Who could forget the epic feast that comes with the celebration every year? UN Nights from the past have seen hundreds of students, teachers and parents flocking to the canteen and basketball courts to get their hands on the mouth-watering and exotic

delights with a variety that no restaurant could ever offer. This year was no different, and no one left until their tummies were more than fully satisfied, with their taste buds zinging from the bouquet of flavours on offer. Perhaps that takes it a step too far, but you have to admit that it was very difficult to keep your hands away from any of the exquisite and delicious food and sweets, even when your stomach was on the verge of explosion. There was something in the air this year, something that definitely made UN more special than ever before. Perhaps it was the impressive amount of participation from the Grade 12 students, who sacrificed their time to be a part of the festivity one last time despite their busy schedules. If you did get the chance to peek behind the scenes as the different country groups were in the midst of preparations, you would have noticed the laughter in the air and the smiles on faces, as students who were strangers to each other came together to collaborate and produce the most memorable event of the year. That, I believe, is the very essence of United Nations.

07 Oct 2009 UN Edition

Sections 1 Events pg. 2

2 Welcome To OFS pg. 6

3 CASMANIA pg. 8

4 Lifestyle pg. 13

5 Student Life pg. 18

6 Funethings pg. 20

4

Perspectives on Personal Projects

By Malavika Nair

MYP's Personal Project has become the discussion

topic amongst most 10th graders nowadays. For many it is not just an inconvenience of grave importance for their MYP certificate, as they actually feel passionate about their topics. Keep reading to find out the views of students on Personal Project. Shannen Dermawan is a student doing the normal things students do in school; however, she also really enjoys doing her Personal Project, which focuses on an orphanage in Indonesia, Pondoksi Boncel. Shannen, inspired by the work this orphanage had done, decided to do her project on it. She spent every moment of her summer researching them; visiting, and gathering sources, culminating in the website she designed to promote them. When asked how she felt upon the project’s completion, she replied,“I felt really emotional, I was overjoyed. I spent a lot of time and effort on this and I'm really proud of it”. Lena Faust also finished most of her product over the summer. When asked whether she felt passionate

about her work, she said “I really like what I'm doing, but there are so many criteria to it... Am I passionate about it? Not exactly- But am I happy with it? Sure!” So we see how for some, the details of Personal Project can be overwhelming, however hopefully if you choose something you’re actually interested in, this will balance out the problems of meeting criteria, and you’ll end up with something you can be proud of.

Sembawang Day Trips

By Aniroodh Shankar

Our new ninth graders of 2010 recently expressed interest in spending one day at “Camp Challenge”, held from August 31st- September 5th.

The buses departed at 9 AM, setting off for a day of activities common to all classes. The first of these activities were meant to energize, and get them ready for a scintillating day ahead. Later, they were sent to stations representing three Areas of Interaction: Human Ingenuity, the Environment and Health and Social Education.

In general, the opinion amongst most was that the Human Ingenuity station was the

best. After learning about the AOI’s, they were sent for a

lunch break in which freshmen were served a

different experience than usual. Regardless of this, the food was of the same excellent quality that the OFS canteen offers us. “It was an interesting spread”, says an anonymous source.

Then, they were split into new groups and sent

on a “race of survival”, to answer three questions at a

time about fire, shelter and food then complete a challenge to earn

the contents of a cooler(a.k.a. the treasure chest)the mysterious prize, at the end of

an enriching and exciting day.

5

Events In OFSBy Abhineet Kumar

This year in Overseas Family School there are a myriad of events in store for students, parents and teachers alike. To begin with there is of course the event that marks the grand opening of the school year and all of its international values: the United Nations Concert. There are also other events taking place that may have been overshadowed by this phenomenal spectacle that deserve notice, such as the photography contest, a lunchtime concert, a trip to Sentosa Island, an outside school movie day and dinner. What is remarkable about all of these events is that they are organized mainly by the various committees of Student Voice in our school. These events that have and will be taking place in OFS are truly representative of its students’ desires and needs outside of class.

Firstly, the UN concert took place on the 17th of September and is considered a great success. As many articles in the Events section of Footprints will corroborate, it was a momentous gathering of all the nationalities and cultures that our school is made up of. Along with memorable performances, UN night gave rise to countless new friendships for new and old students.

An upcoming event that is sure to make lunchtime in OFS more interesting is the lunchtime concert. The Arts Committee of Student Voice came to the conclusion that we have had enough indoor concerts and it was time for one outside. More specifically, outside on the basketball courts neighbouring the school canteen. Not only will the concert provide a stage for a number of bands that High School is already familiar with, but also new ones formed by new and old students. This will offer a chance for everyone to see some of the new talent in school. And most of all, the best part about this concert is that it is outside, near the canteen where it is not crowded and everyone can eat their food and socialize while listening to live music.

In addition to the United Nations Concert and the outdoor lunch time concert, there are numerous other exciting activities to come. This year the High School has put a lot more thought and consideration into Student Voice allowing past and upcoming events to stand out more than ever. The articles in this section will provide you with further information regarding the fo r thcoming OFS even t s . memorable moments.

Third Culture KidsBy Kyungha Lee

As time goes by, there are increasing numbers of people who are called ‘Third Culture Kids’ (TCK). These are people who spend a

significant period of time in one or more cultures other than their own. This results in a third culture created from elements from these blending of

cultures.

In OFS, there are many students who are TCK. They have all benefited from this blending of cultures, particularly in their communication skills. Almost all of them are either bilingual or able to speak three or more languages. It is a very valuable skill to have in your life. On the other hand, they do not know to which culture they belong to. This is because that they have spent their lives in many different places. Furthermore, a sense of alienation is also a problem for TCK’s.

Therefore, since we study at an international school, we need to act in a more friendly and supportive manner with our TCK’s. If you are a

TCK, there is no need to feed lonely - open up to everyone and make sure you have good friends surround you. At OFS

you will find a family of support and encouragement from friends and teachers alike helping you

feel more at home.

6

The Grade 9 PerspectiveBy Aniroodh Shankar

The morning of the 11th of August 2009 came with a rude awakening in the form of my invincible alarm clock: the first day of school, the first day of high school… had arrived! New teachers, classes, buildings and classmates, combined to revive the nerves that had lain dormant since the memories of my first day of middle school died away all those years ago.

The day started at 9, and didn’t really allow the new ninth graders to get a feel for high school, as it wasn’t exactly a typical day: School started with 2 hours of home base, followed by extensive UN group meetings.

However, as the weeks accumulated, it became clear we would be taken much more seriously than in previous grades. While in some ways we were given much more freedom, there is also a lot more expected from high schoolers. As the days rolled by the ‘freshmen’ began to feel more at home in the new classrooms and the teachers were also getting to know us better.

The days passed by, then the weeks and the months, project after project left us staring in disbelief. At some point 9th grade reached a collective ‘epiphany’. High school is very different to middle school We are given more freedom and respect, but along with this respect comes greater expectations and responsibilities. I guess this is part of growing up and learning.

7

Cultural Shock!By Courtney

Being in Singapore for 7 years as an international student may practically make me a veteran of this tiny island. However, if there was one thing I could say I found in common with every fresh face new to the equator-hugging 'Lion City', it would have to be the initial culture shock, no doubt about it.

It's a tough transition for anybody to make a move- whether it be to a new city, country, or to a whole other continent. The harsh reality is that regardless of the friendliness of the people, or attributes of the area, it's often a challenge to settle in to a new place. Added to this general bewilderment, to say that Singapore is unique would be a gross understatement, making culture shock all the more common and all the more arduous to deal with for people - in particular, students- new to Singapore.

Even for those who are pretty much pro at moving from place to place, the transition to Singapore can be a herculean one.

“I really hated Singapore at first, it was horrible,” says Florence Knipping, grade 11.

“I've lived in the Caribbean and Spain before, but this, this place.. it's nothing like Europe or anywhere else. It was a long time before I settled in. You have to find the places that you like.”

Something that makes the shock slightly easier, is making the right friends, thinks Lauren O'Neill, also of grade 11.

“In my first year living in Singapore, coming from Scotland, it was really hard. All I wanted to do was go back home. And I know that a big influence on that decision was the people I hung out with. I enjoyed different company a lot more. Now I love it [here].”

Many people's advice is for students new to Singapore to find the right support and explore your surroundings to make for a quick and enjoyable transition into the new community. Good luck!

The Transitions of SchoolBy Aniroodh Shankar

Overseas Family School offers education to those aged three to nineteen.

Founded in the year 1991, I joined OFS about a decade after the school had opened. In kindergarten, the amount of freedom was minimal, as one would expect. In K2 it was all about the arts and crafts for our inside activities, or outside running riot with the PE teachers.

The graduation was special, and all five-year-olds dressed up in formal clothing, like a clip on tie and black dress shoes for boys, dresses and sandals for the girls – we felt very grown up.

Oldest in kindergarten to the youngest in elementary school where “we were actually allowed

to play freely during lunch”. The five years of elementary school were the most blissfully peaceful times: we weren’t allowed to receive homework during the weekend and all ‘long term’ assignments were due more than four weeks later.

Elementary school graduation seemed to be much less elaborate because we had to only “show

up, smile and leave” in the words of many of those involved. Grade five left us

ready for anything - until middle school.

In these years, we felt almost completely self-reliant compared to

our previous experience: handing in assignments left, right and centre;

cramming in numerous terms and facts during ‘exam week’; struggling to meet

deadline after deadline, until finally we were once again at the top of our game; enter high school. Ninth graders have a lot to learn, but hopefully in three years time we’ll be ready for the top again!

Not so CASUAL COMMITMENTBy Mhd.Antonio van der Putten

In grade 12 all IB students have to fulfill a certain amount of CAS requirements, however some students unfortunately leave it for the last semester to complete and it is chaos! The struggle to get your CAS requirements done in the last few months is practically impossible. Thus I hope this article serves not only as source of amusement for those smug grade 12's nearing completion of their CAS

component, but also as a warning to all people not in 12th grade.

I myself am currently in 7 CAS activities and have something to do at almost every single lunch time because

I mishandled my time last year. It is true that 11th grade

seems easy and that you can always catch up in 12th

grade; well here is a 12th grader's comment: catching up is stressful and difficult, as the work continually piles up, and you don't want to be busy with CAS at all hours of the day. The guidelines for CAS are that you should have

completed up to 4-5 components by the first year of 11th grade and over the summer holiday you should do another 1-2 components so that in grade 12 you have at least 6,

preferably 7, CAS components fulfilled so that 12th grade – CAS wise – will be a breeze. In the end there are always several students that have a problem with CAS, and as a word of advice even now after the second month of grade 12, already there is a bombardment of people on the face book webpage saying that they have too much work... Bear this in mind as you relax in G11. The next grade is only a few months away...

The Footprint Team

Chief EditorRebecca Pardey

Section EditorsAbhineet Kumar

Ash RamaniGhazal Heidari Marvi

Herve BougardJason Klanderman

Malvika Nair

Technical EditorsHan Kyungseo Karoline

Park Yewon

JournalistsCourtney Cohn

SindooriKyungha Lee

Mhd.Antonio van der PuttenHeeyoung Lee

Aniroodh Shankar

Special ThanksMs TamanaMr. Glover8

9

Testament to ChangeBy Herve Bougard

Our Student Voice President, Max Martchenko has been in the school since Middle School and uses the successful changes he has witnessed throughout this time as i n s p i r a t i o n f o r f u t u r e improvements. As time has progressed, OFS has changed drastically around him, often with many of the changes going unnoticed in the chaos of student life.

According to Max, most developments have been positive: providing more space and rooms for students to work in together, the instalment of new sport facilities and new computers to help out teachers and students alike. His personal favourite was the drastic upgrade of computer software/hardware. This resulted in the improvement of both the

quality of work of students and students' ability to produce it. He also added that it has reduced stress levels to more stable levels for high school students, as they no longer need to stress about accessing or printing documents, which is often more troublesome than actually completing the work.

The only factor that saddens him, which was caused by the school's rapid expansion was the s low, bu t s t eady disintegration of greenery around the campus. The silver lining is that this loss is a testament to the school's success and along with the crowded corridors, this seems a reasonable price for the school's overall improvement. Max hopes to be a major part in future improvements, both in his role as president and in the increased influence he hopes to provide for future members of student voice.

Riding For the DisabledBy Journalist

Every semester around twenty students give up over two hours of their Thursday afternoons to help, entertain and ensure the safety of disabled children at the Riding for the Disabled - RDA - station in Singapore. All of these students are in grade 12, swamped by pressure from homework, tests, Internal Assessments and getting their diploma, yet they still find the time and generosity to help out at the RDA center.

The kids they help have not been spoiled by life, and for this reason, twenty students volunteered to help them enjoy an activity that most children get the opportunity to experience, but would otherwise not be available to these children due to their disabilities. The activity mainly consists of helping the kids to ride the horses successfully

without falling or feeling insecure. We have two side-walkers to ensure the security of the rider and prevent them from falling or removing his helmet while the leader walks the horse to ensure the animal doesn't run away. This a genuinely commendable activity, as without these volunteers this program could not continue, and it is rewarding both for the children being supported, and the IB students getting away from schoolwork, and into issues concerning the real world.

On this picture you can see one of the kids riding the horse alongside the two brave OFS side walkers. Just look how proud the kid is!

(Sports Pages)

U19 B Boys Basketball TeamBy Mhd.Antonio van der Putten

I am here with Anthony Walsh, a key player of the U19B Basketball Team. As a member of last year's team, he played very strongly in one of the first games of the year against Chatsworth, helping the team to a 43-22 win. Anthony is the ideal person to ask about his perspective of the team, along with their prospects for this year.

So Anthony, how would you say the training and the team have improved this year?In my opinion I would say that the training has improved; we have an assistant coach this year, which really helps us. The training has been more demanding in terms of stamina, commitment and skills. Our defensive line has improved greatly as well, with the back three of our defense playing more aggressively to hold strong defense. However even though our training has increased intensity-wise I believe we need more commitment in the team - several of our players don't show up for the training.How would you say the season is going?I would say that the season is definitely more challenging. We have been moved from division 3 last season to division 2 this season. Our first game we lost by a paper thin margin of 2 points however

we won the 2nd game. We are playing against more challenging schools now; this makes the training just that more important and we have to really commit if we want to be able to play to the best of our abilities.

Volleyball Boys By Anthony

Recently volleyball has taken off as one the school’s major sports at OFS, under the coaching of Ms. Carla, who arrived last year. As captain, top scorer and playmaker of the volleyball team, we ask the charismatic Cem Meric what he can tell us about the season so far?

“Well so far we have had one tournament and three games, with our narrow wins in the tournament. It has shown us that we are a capable team with great potential. I was very satisfied with the results. However when we started the league, we realized the tournament was just an illusion, we were not ready at all. UWC were a transformed team; we realized we were nowhere close to their level.”

“Our last defeat was against SAS which was a narrow defeat. We were frustrated that we lost, however suddenly out of the blue, the SAS coach came up to us and congratulated us on our performance saying it was his hardest game in his life. This made us really proud. We hope to build on that confidence in our coming game against Waseda and get our first win of the season.”The captain went on to talk about the team’s performance, and branding his team as a “youth team”. When asked to elaborate on that, he answered that they do not have the experience needed, but they no doubt have great potential to grow over the rest of the season. We wish them success for the next season!

10

The A-team By Jason Klanderman

The under 19A OFS basketball team started off with a bang! Winning the first practice match against the Australian International School and their first two season matches against New Town, Raffles Institute and Woodlands Ring, they are certainly on a roll.

The coach, Mr. Bergeron, who last year led the A-team into the finals, is glad that many of the previous year’s players are back on the team again. The veteran players are Karl Juvanon, Rob de Vegt,

Wei Jen Chao, Pedro Moschioni, Rodolfo Moschioni, Aoi Hosokawa. This year’s new players are Stephen Isilebo, Steven Nardo, Marco Anselmi, Sean Lee and Jason Klanderman. Further changes this year include that Pedro Moschioni was voted as team captain and Karl Juvanon and Wei Jen Chao were voted Co-Vice-Captains. According to Mr. B, this year’s team is better than last years, with his strategy for this season to play a strong team game. Team captain Pedro commented that this year’s team focuses on a more team-spirited game compared to last year.

All in all hopes are high for this year’s OFS Basketball A-team.

11

Football U19 A Boys

By Anthony

Boys’ Football has always been a strong sport at OFS, and the team has only gotten stronger under the former girls’ team coach, Mr.Butler. To find out how the team is looking so far this season, we talk to one of its most prominent members, Kenji Sugibuchi.

As one of the key players in the Under 19 Football team, what can you tell us about the season so far?“Well, we started out well with a 6-1 victory over the Japanese school, then we lost confidence after our second game against UWC, where we lost 8-0. It was embarrassing and frustrating. Even though we all gave a hundred per cent and put a lot of effort in

training to prepare for the game, there was something lacking - the winning mentality. From the start we knew it was going to be a tough game, but never to that extent.”

Do you feel as if the team has improved since last season back in 2008?“I feel that we are stronger as a team this year, even if our formation changed a lot. However our teamwork has not really picked up and that is something we are going to need to work on if we are to have a chance in catching up UWC in the league. Kenji ended the interview by saying, “It would be a great boost of confidence to win at SAS, the next game will be the crucial result, hopefully we can turn the tide around”.

Erica's Fitness FanaticsBy Rebecca Pardey

Imagine your dreaded alarm dragging you from sleep hours earlier than necessary, forcing you to rush around in the gloom of the morning in order to get to school, before the sun has properly risen. In the semi-darkness, still numb with sleep, you find yourself being coerced by Erica, the tiny tyrant from twelfth grade, with orders designed to whip you into shape. This prospect is not an enticing one, but 14 girls from throughout high school volunteer for this traumatising routine every Monday and Wednesday morning. For those who have witnessed their morning spectacles, which are already tiring to watch, you may have wondered what could possibly compel these students to put themselves through Erica’s gruelling regime; surely there must be easier ways of achieving the required action components for CAS?

With interest I question these martyrs and find that the majority of the girls actually enjoy the workout and certainly feel gleeful and triumphant soon afterwards. Rushed showers and muscle aches aside, the general consensus from the girls is that Erica, who started the club last semester as part of the CAS leadership program, is a motivating leader, with an impressive catalogue of exercises she expertly demonstrates to the girls, to help improve their fitness, in a more interesting and enjoyable environment than that offered at local gyms.

For some, her expectations are a little high, as she can often forget that not everyone is at her level. Ultimately, however, there are f e w complaints, as regardless of whether they’re hoping to improve fitness for another team, general health, or aesthetic reasons, it is tough.

12

DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR Countries like Cambodia and Vietnam are considered relatively helpless, “desperate“ countries in need of international services to deal with widespread poverty; their needs may not be known to you, however you may have never thought of what these countries have to offer YOU.

BY MALVIKA NAIR

In need of a vacation, after the long year that just passed? Fretting over your CAS deadlines that haven’t been met, or are you just not satisfied with the Asian culture Singapore alone has to offer? Whatever your cause of concern might be, a trip to the wonderful South East Asian countries of Cambodia and Vietnam may be in order.

The Cambodian and Vietnamese trips are offered at the end of the academic year, open to Grade 9s and 11s, as well as non IB or IGCSE students. This is a wonderful CAS activity, with the former offering one component of Creativity and one component of Service and the latter with 2 components of Service. Both trips are equally gratifying, differentiated by the values and culture they offer the students.

The Vietnam Trip is a CAS activity done by OFS in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. On this trip, students were required to carry bricks, dig soil and lay bricks with cement, to build houses for a Vietnamese community. Over 7 days of intense work, the students were guided, as they witnessed Vietnamese culture, by visiting Vietnam’s historical sites, like the tunnels built during the Vietnam War. The Cambodian Trip takes the students to the various monuments and places in Cambodia, that form its culture and history, a vital part of its identity, and a source of their motivation to protect their culture after recent adversity. The house building here only lasts a day, but created an unbreakable bond between the Cambodians and the students.

These two activities offered much to those who took part in them. If you are interested in taking part in one of these trips, remember to sign up early as they fill up fast.

MUN F.T.WAn update on the inside workings of Model UN

By Ash

School might have just started, yet there is one activity that is already underway, MUN, as it gets ready to prepare for OFS’s annual MUNOFS conference. Intensive preparation is already sending MUN participants rushing around the school, as country assignments are handed out, and country and issue research is conducted. As this year has seen a slew of first time delegates learning

the ropes, the 3rd of September was a fitting time for a demonstration debate done by experienced members, to showcase MUN protocol. Says Nicolas Espinoza, an experienced MUN-er “I think it was a good idea to create guidelines and checklists for the new delegates as this is an improvement from when I joined MUN. Also, because there are more experienced MUN-ers, the brand new delegates have a great advantage as they have a lot more people to get help from”. However, it is not just the first timers being kept busy, as the new guidelines have served to reinforce skills in more experienced participants, by encouraging them to work towards strengthening their skills and improve their debating strategies.

13

The Bell Jar By Courtney

A haunting book written by the late Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar is a spine-chilling and saddening novel, a sad reflection and thinly veiled account of the life of the mentally troubled author. Written in 1963, reading the book in the modern day transports the reader back to a classical, and for all students, an unknown and somewhat mysterious time. While eerie and at times almost unbearable in its raw emotion - the book dives deep into such subjects as severe depression, suicide attempts, and dysfunctional relationships.

The book's main protagonist, Esther Greenwood, comes originally from Boston, winning a summer internship to New York City as a fashion journalist. Esther is a beautifully articulate person with a haunting disposition, unimpressed with the glitz and glamour of New York that her fellow co-workers seem to bask in. Instead, Esther finds herself confused and unhappy about the coveted summer internship and her environment, New York. Unfavourable encounters with old flames, blind dates, severe insomnia, and a subsequent rejection from the writing course she was anticipating the approval from, force Esther headfirst into a downward spiral into eventual bipolar disorder, with her own mother seeking her psychiatric help for the sake of her well being.

The Bell Jar is a beautifully crafted novel with a dark, mysterious shadow that hangs over each page. A fantastic read for those interested in the human psyche: 4.5/5

Best Foot Forward By Ash

Tired of wearing the same old shoes day after day? Well, one group of girls in Grade 11 have found a seriously awesome way to display some creative genius and get into the spirit of UN all at once. Inspired by the Korean music group, 2NE1, Ji Sung Yun, Young Ju Lim, Hyun Gee Jo, and Da Bin Kim have found a cool way to brighten up pairs of plain white sneakers, obtained in Korea, by decorating them with nothing more than a few permanent markers and sheer talent! This is no doubt a great way to show their support for their UN group, while continuing to accessorize uniquely through the rest of the year. As Hyun Gee Jo explained, in Korea students often have to wear these white canvas shoes as part of the school dress code and creating these vibrant images gives them the chance to express their creativity and look great doing it. Even if you are not artistically inclined yourself, I’m sure it would be easy to find someone from the abundance of artistic talent throughout high school, to splash out on your shoes! What a great way to stick to the dress code but still ensure your feet are looking good!

14

F1 Fever!By Rebecca Pardey

Even if Formula One is not your thing, it must have been impossible to avoid the excitement that has pervaded Singapore in the build up to this massive race. The event, which brings sports stars, celebrities and spectators flocking to our tiny island, has been planned practically since the checkered flag fell on the last race of 2008, and I have to say, it seems the organizers truly outdid themselves. This year you don’t have to be a fan of the driving to get in on the hype, as added to the actual F1 was the massive concert, F1 Rocks Singapore. With stars such as No Doubt, the Black Eyed Peas, and Beyoncé headlining the concert, along with the level of the racing itself, it seems incredible that anyone could have avoided partaking in some aspect of this spectacular addition to the Singapore calendar.

I was actually able to score tickets to the second day of the concert, so I can vouch for its success; if you were unlucky enough to have missed out on tickets, then you’ll have to trust me that both the

Black Eyed Peas and Beyoncé made the excruciatingly hot stint in the awaiting crowd worthwhile, and most concert-goers staggered out of Fort Canning around 1 with huge smiles on their faces. Some Black Eyed Peas fans may have been disappointed by the length of their set, but personally I – and those surrounding me in the crowd - think Beyoncé more than made up for it, with her incredible dance routines, powerful voice, and beautiful outfits. Reviews from the first concert were also positive, with a strip show from the No Doubt Bassist at the end!

The races as well have gone off quite smoothly, and I know a lucky few from OFS were able to get the coveted VIP tickets to watch the race in style! The final results saw Lewis Hamilton in first for Mclaren, the young German Glock taking second on behalf of Toyota – which might convince Toyota to keep participating in the Grand Prix – and Alonso obtained third for Renault. Overall this was a wonderful event for Singapore!

A Little RomanceBy Rebecca Pardey

Imagine for a second, asking out your dream girl/boy (no need to be specific). For many readers, this fantasy might provoke panic, as you are never more vulnerable than in that decisive moment. But the truth is, that a ‘yes’ is just as daunting as a ‘no’ would be depressing, because once you get your fantasy date, you then have to ensure that they don’t regret their choice. Coming up with the perfect date is never easy, especially in Singapore where most outings bring you back to wandering aimlessly down Orchard Road. If this problem has hindered your romantic progress in the past, never fear! We have asked around and come up with some pretty romantic ideas for perfect dates in Singapore, along with some definite areas to avoid if you hope to be planning a second date soon.

Appealing to the romantics, Akash described how he would woo his fantasy girl by making her a surprise dinner. To cover for potential cooking disasters, he’d follow with her favorite desserts, while playing “No Air” by Boyce Avenue, ending with a slow dance under the stars. This might seem ambitious to some readers, but there’s a definite theme in my findings that romantic dinners with specialized music is guaranteed to set the mood, while allowing you to dazzle dates with your sparkling personality. Much better than the overrated movie option, allowing no time to get to know each other. Braving the infamous Singapore Flyer is not a popular option: a Singapore landmark, perhaps, an exciting date? Not so much. No need to get too into the Singapore theme. Following this train of thought, no chicken rice please! Hawker centre food wins points with the parents paying, but remains unimpressive to dates, so let’s avoid meals cooked in ten minutes or less. One way you can make the most of our surroundings? Take a trip to Sentosa – day or night this provides many opportunities for excitement or romance, playing in the sea, whizzing down the Luge, or watching the sunset from the sand. This is also a good option to replace hawker food for cheap ideas, along with a few more energetic ideas like roller-blading along East Coast Park - $10 for 2 hours blading and chatting.

DATE PLACES

16

17

Spirited AwayBy Abhineet Kumar

I know this isn't a fairly recent movie, but the point of this “movie review” section is to enlighten you of the wonders of movies.

Spirited Away is a film by Japanese animator, director and screenwriter Hayao Miyazaki. Simply put, there is a reason why this man is a renowned filmmaker worldwide - this movie is incredible in all respects.

The film was released in 2001 and was awarded an Academy Award for ‘Best Animated Feature’. The focus is on a little girl called Chichiro who moves home with her family only to find herself lost in an abandoned theme park, which is home to the spirit world.

What is astounding about this film is that it has the ability to take anyone who watches it into a world of chi ld- l ike imagination. In its two hours, it allows viewers to leave reality and live in a world of shape-shifting spirits, magic and illusion. Furthermore, all of those who may believe that animated films have no moral grounds, this one is filled with them.

Hayao Miyazaki is known for h i s p a c i f i s t i c a n d environmentalist point of view. This is more than apparent in his films and especially in Spirited Away which uses various metaphors and imagery to illustrate today's problem of waste management. This is not only an excellent movie for children and adults to watch during their free time, but also quite educational due to its moral values. Watch it now!

Sinterklaas By Jason Klanderman

A short history lesson to start with. Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children’s birthdays, is celebrated every year on the night of December 5. It is a Dutch national holiday during which children receive gifts for being nice or else are 'supposedly' taken away with the Saint back to Spain where he resides to be disciplined.

The Saint is usually accompanied by his acrobatic and cheerful helpers, the 'Zwarte pieten' or 'Black Peter's'. Normally this holiday is restricted only to Holland and Belgium, but because of the initiative of a few Dutch expats, Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas will be coming to Singapore as well.

Dutch students attending OFS and UWC will be helping the Saint upon his arrival in Singapore by boat, as well as the actual celebration which will be held at the Hollandse School on December 4.

18

Student LifeWhat you don’t know about your teachers!

By Abhineet Kumar

Ever sat in class and wondered if there was more to your teacher than meets the eye? Perhaps you contemplated what their first job was, their hobbies, special skills or just all the crazy things they might have done. Keep reading for interesting facts you probably did not know. Mr. WilliamsEveryone knows Mr. Williams (some more than others) but I bet you didn’t know: He played international rugby for Norway. His uncle wrote the screenplay for 007: Goldeneye

Mr. BuscherMr. Buscher is a significant figure in the high school History department Back in the USA, he spent time in the army learning things like how to jump out of airplanes. On a dare, he swam through parts of the Amazon River. He also white-water rafted on the

Zambezi River! (4th longest in Africa)

Mr. EdwardsMr. Edwards, the IGCSE coordinator didn’t always sit behind a desk. He ran the world championship triathlon twice! His dad was a fighter pilot for the Australian army during the 60's. Mr. HomewoodMr. Homewood is the laid back lecturer teaching biology, but he’s also an amazing artist, having made a sculpture out of approximately 10,000 can tabs.

In loving memory of Bianca Mayorga1991 - 2009

By Courtney Bianca Mayorga was a polite, sweet, friendly girl; anyone who knew her within the OFS community, knew her to be an extremely dedicated and active person, who was heavily involved within the OFS and Singapore photography, art, and music community. Her heart-warming disposition made her a popular and well-liked girl within high school. She was a hard worker, and a talented one at that. She worked within the school on many projects, such as photography for various events, as well as being a skilled artist. Bianca was also wildly individual and unique, with a free spirit that charmed others. “I was really inspired by her, and everything she did,” says Dipanjali Roy, a former student of OFS who used to spend some lunch times working on art projects alongside Bianca.“Her attitude, her talent, her happy nature. It made me feel like there are still people out there who really are who they want to be; no excuses, no worries about what the world may think.” She had an unparalleled sense of humor and a kind heart that is all but common. Her disposition could only be described as cheery, smily, jubilant.

“Hello Sharkskin Man, your Peach Hip Girl here is sending you her love every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every month of every year for as long as it takes until I see you again. I love you,” pens Bianca's friend, Ruby Chung.

Bianca is greatly missed by all those who knew her well, in or out of the classroom. She was a fantastic, involved, dedicated, kind-hearted girl whose personality and work were seen around the school, leaving a great mark on others. She inspired, created, crafted and entertained. She was a great addition, in the time that she spent at OFS, and she is sorely, sorely missed.

<Made by Jessica Hung - former student of OFS and close friend of Bianca>

(Word of the Day Crossword)

20