Newsletter of Singapore International School (Hong Kong) • JAN 2018

SISHK this academic year 17/18 welcomes to its Preparatory Years and Primary section (front to back, left to right):

Ms Karen Li; Ms Fiona Cheng; Mr Patrick Brousseau; Ms Michelle Edwards; Ms Lim Hwee Hong, Subject Head/Social Studies & National Education; Ms Chua Shuan Kwee, School Staff Developer; Mr Ryan Kemp; Ms Tian Jing; Ms Yang Jing; Ms Heidi Tsoi; Ms Feng Rui Ying; Ms Amanda Jayne Whitehead; Ms Ornela Xhelilaj; Ms Tracy Mok and Ms Audrey Sim, HOD/Art & Special Projects.

New School Year Brings New Bloodby Ms Twiggy Chung

New Teachers

1

AY1617 was a very exciting year for some of our P2 to P6 math talents at SISHK as they have done exceptionally well in two different international mathematics competitions.

• World Mathematics Invitational (WMI)

Our school team, which consisted of six P2 students, participated in the first and second round of WMI in Hong Kong in both January and March 2017 respectively. During the first round, SISHK won the “Best Promotion Award – Primary School Section” and three of the team members won Bronze Awards. They are:

1. Chan Yat Fung Evan (Class of P2A in AY1617)2. Lau Daniel Clement (Class of P2A in AY1617)3. Wang Jia Sheng (Class of P2L in AY1617)

Everyone in the school team was qualified to enter the final round and compete with about 900 other students from ten other countries in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam in July 2017. Of the five students that participated in the final round, all of them received an award. They are:

• Chan Ching Hin - Gold Award (Class of P2L in AY1617)• Lin Yau Tat Nathan - Gold Award (Class of P2C in AY1617)• Wang Ruihan Allen - Gold Award (Class of P2C in AY1617)• Chan Yat Fung Evan – Gold Award (Class of P2A in AY1617)• Lau Daniel Clement - Bronze Award (Class of P2A in AY1617)

Their outstanding achievements were also featured in several local newspapers in Hong Kong.

Stellar Performance in Two International Mathematics Olympiad Competitionsby Ms Edwina Lam, Subject Head/Research Skills and High Ability Learning

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• International Singapore Mathematics Competition (ISMC) 

Our school team, which consisted of 12 students from P3 – P6, participated in this competition in April 2017 and all of them got an award. Here are the results:

Name Class of AY1617 Award Received

Cheng Ryan Kin Ming P3S Gold*

Lee Bao Ling Riley  P3C Gold

Wong Shang Le P3L Silver

Cheong Kai Lyn Trinity P4L Gold

Chen-June Kee Fay   P4K Silver

Tang Sze Ching Caitlyn P4H Bronze

He Shi Frank  P5C Gold*

Wong Hui En Gabrielle Faith P5P Gold

Wong Yifeng Gavin P5P Gold

Zhang Zhigang Christopher  P6Z Gold*

Tai Ethan  P6C Silver

Deng Xiaoya  P6Y Bronze

* These students are within the top 10 positions amongst hundreds of other participants within that level.

Congratulations to all the awardees while we look forward to enrolling more talented students in different international competitions this year!

3

Leadership Campby Faith Wong, P5T

I think that the Leadership Camp this year was a great help to me as a new prefect to get a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a prefect. For example, before the camp, I thought that “boss” and “leader” meant the same thing. However, after the camp, my whole perspective changed, and I found out that there actually is a HUGE difference that can relate to how prefects are supposed to behave.

Bosses are people who just sit around and order their workers to complete their duties, which makes you think of the word “bossy”. And bossy is what SISHK prefects are definitely NOT supposed to be. On the other hand, a leader is someone that can both lead a team and also be a team player, which is what prefects at our school ARE supposed to do: lead by example and be good role models for fellow schoolmates. The camp has been a fruitful experience for me and now I will take the initiative to show how things can be done better in school so as to create more future leaders at SISHK.

參加領袖生訓練營四年級 D 班 李思恩

在領袖生訓練營中，我們參與了很多有意義的活動。我明白了怎樣的人是一個跋扈的人，怎樣的人才能稱得上是一個領導者，也學會了怎麼區別一個跋扈的人和一個領導者。

在活動的過程中，我和其他領袖生們一起討論真正的領導者應該具備怎樣的品格。我們不只是討論話題，還做了一些遊戲。在第一個遊戲中，我和組員們用一條很短的繩子把一些杯子疊在一起，其中最大的難度是不能用手碰杯子，這個環節是考驗大家的合作能力。我們還玩了一組需要用身體來做成各種形狀的遊戲，特別有意思。老師們都說：“團結力量大！” 我覺得他們說得對。這次的訓練營，讓我認識到怎麼做才能成為一個更好的領袖生。

Mr Pincott briefing the prefects

Senior Prefects introduced to the prefects

and facilitating a group each

Prefects of different level working together to

solve the problem

Senior Prefect Sherrie Yuen guiding the other

prefects in the activities

Coming up with ideas together

Ms Chung inviting the prefects to demontrate

the difference between a boss and a leader

Mr Kemp guiding the prefects in the game

4

Head and Vice-Head Prefect Electionby Tobias Cheung, P6C

It was a great honour to be nominated by my fellow prefects and to canvass for the role of Head Prefect. It was very exciting and fun preparing the posters, but at the same time, it was very stressful. The stress came about as I knew that I get very nervous when having to present in front of people, and I was expected to present to all P3-P6 students during our Level Assemblies.

Although it was a trying period for me, it actually showed me how fortunate I am to be surrounded by wonderful friends and teachers at SISHK. Upon knowing my predicament, the teachers guided me along the way and did their best to make me feel at ease on the stage. The fellow senior prefects who ran the canvassing together with me constantly encouraged me with positive words, and so did my classmates. Even students I did not know would flash me a smile, or give me words of encouragement to make me feel better.

When I stood on the stage during P5/6 Assembly, I was shivering so much with fear. Halfway through my speech, I started to tear up because I was very nervous, but luckily, my friends and teachers gave me the courage to go on. I told myself I would do better in my second presentation the next day. I was determined not to cry, and I actually did way better on the second day than I had thought. I felt an immense sense of relief. Feeling proud of myself, I knew I couldn’t have done it without the help from my friends and teachers.

This event has allowed me to challenge myself and I was glad I perservered. I am proud of Gavin and Hugo for leading us as Head and Vice-head Prefect respectively and I will continue to do my best in the Prefect Committee!

第一次競選五年級 S 班　陳映蓉

今年，我參加了領袖生副隊長的競選。我和其他的參選者要自己設計海報，並張貼在校園四周做宣傳，還要在中高年級的周會上做演講。 設計海報時，我用電腦把自己的臉和神奇女俠的身體合在一起。我選神奇女俠是因為她聰明、勇敢、樂於助人、做事有恆心。我覺得這份海報很特別，也會受到大家的稱讚。但出乎意料的是很多同學取笑我的海報，說它看起來不自然。面對這種請況，我悶悶不樂了幾天，甚至開始懷疑自己的能力。幸運的是，我的家人和幾個好朋友一直鼓勵我、支持我、給我打氣，讓我重拾信心準備演講。

週會那天，我戰戰兢兢地站在台上。雖然在家已經練了無數次，但還是很怕會說錯。我深吸一口氣，給自己加油，一鼓作氣說完了演講稿，竟然一點也沒有出錯。聽到了同學們給我的掌聲，我不禁為自己感到驕傲！ 最後的競選結果出來了，我沒有當選，但我並沒有為此而沮喪，因為這次的經歷讓我領悟到：輸贏不重要，重要的朋友的友誼。我有了第一次參加競選的寶貴經驗，我參與了，我努力了，我相信自己下一次會做得更好！

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Prefects’ Investitureby Gavin Wong, P6Y

Being Head Prefect of Year 2017/18 has a very special meaning to me. It marks the final year for me as a student leader in the Primary Section before moving on to Secondary School next year. My journey has proven, once again, to be marked with excitement.

The election process was not a walk in the park. There were intense preparations for the posters, speeches, and other personal tasks I faced. Whenever my morale wavered, all my friends, teachers, and parents were very supportive, as they gave me a good nudge to get me back on track and to propel me forward with even greater confidence.

Friday, 22 September 2017 marked another milestone for me at SISHK. The honour to lead my fellow prefects to commemorate the Prefects’ Investiture made me feel very proud to be part of this school community. I truly hope the Prefect Team can represent the SISHK student body and serve as facilitators who make the school a better place.

做一個好榜樣五年級 N 班高日

今年的領袖生競選活動在老師們，同學們的努力下已經圓滿結束，非常感謝這次投票選我做領袖生副隊長的同學，我感到非常榮幸，同時，我也要恭喜被選上擔任領袖生的夥伴們。

在競選期間，我們每個人都要做海報宣傳自己。在設計的時候，我想起了曾經看到的 “Just Do It” 的口號。就像這個口號一樣，我們在學生工作中經常會遇到困難，但我們應該盡力去想辦法，然後努力克服。

當選是光榮的，同時我也深感自己身上的責任與挑戰。為了不辜負老師，家長和同學的期望，我會加倍努力做個好學生，不僅成績要良好，而且品格也要優良，成為大家的榜樣。希望同學們和我們一起努力，讓我們的學校變得更美好。

6

Ice-Cream Sale - The Prefect Committeeby Sophie Cheng, P5T

There was a buzz of excitement in the air. Students were chatting and shouts of joy could be heard. Students were clutching their ice-cream, walking away with a smile on their face. Can you guess what was happening?

Yes! It was our annual Ice-Cream Sale! The prefects sold ice-cream to the students during lunchtime on Wednesday, 11 October 2017 and Thursday, 12 October 2017. Posters, created by the prefects promoting the event, were pasted around the school and prefects actually presented the coming of the event during the school assemblies.

On the days of sale, teachers, classroom assistants and prefects were kept busy handing out ice-creams to the students after they had finished their lunch. Although I was rotated to help out on the second day, I knew it was very crowded on both days! The Nestle Frutips was a big hit and it seemed that many savoured Frutips more than the Nestle Footsie. On my day of duty, the Nestle Fruitips was sold out quickly! However, that did not deter the enthusiastic students from supporting the Ice-Cream Sale.

As a prefect, I supported the sale like the other students as I knew that part of the proceeds was to be set aside for donation to a charitable organisation. I purchased a different flavour each day. The Footsie ice-cream did not sell out as quickly as the the Frutips ice-cream but I realised both flavours tasted great! The prefects learnt a lot about serving the student community through this sale and I hope all the students enjoyed the ice-creams as much as I did!

We look forward to seeing you at the next sale!

7

NATIONAL DAY – Whole School Assemblyby Yumi Takafuku, P4D

When Mr Kneale first asked me if I would like to be the emcee for the National Day Whole School Assembly, I was nervous. Though I have participated in several external speech competitions before, it was my first time speaking on stage in front of the whole school. I quickly calmed myself down by telling myself I was lucky to be selected. I knew I could do it and make Mr Kneale proud.

While practising at school, the training process was not difficult. Nearer the day of the whole school assembly, there were changes in the script and that was challenging. I was used to the old script. During our rehearsals, I had to keep referring to the script as I was not familiar with the new lines.

Fortunately, on the day of the assembly, all went well. I was also able to pronounce the words correctly that I stammered over during rehearsals.

From this experience, I learnt more about the significance of National Day as well as the theme ‘One Community Together’. Through the examples given about Singapore and Hong Kong, I gained greater insight and understanding of how unity is essential for the progress of communities and people in a nation.

NATIONAL DAY – Whole School Assemblyby Matthew Wang, P4K

Being the emcee for the National Day Whole School Assembly was a great learning experience.

Preparation for the event was challenging, as we only had a week to prepare due to Sport's Day and holiday that was held just before the Whole School Assembly.

On the day of the assembly, I had stage fright and I did not do as well as I usually did during rehearsals. Fortunately I took deep breaths and managed to calm myself down, so I don’t think it ended up that bad.

In the midst of preparing for this event, I built up confidence for public speaking and I learnt to articulate words a little better. I also learnt more about Singapore and Hong Kong.

I hope I can be the emcee again and hopefully I will not get stage fright next time.

8

Like Julien, many students feel that their motivation to learn has improved due to the increased possibilites of new learning and innnovative activities available since the introduction of the 1 to 1 Chromebook initiative for P4 and P6 levels. Each student of these two levels has access to a Chromebook in class throughout the day. Gone are the days of heavy carting of mobile carts for the two levels. Now more time is available for students to acquire computing and internet navigation skills on a regular basis during school hours. Although the learning culture in our classrooms is well established, incorporating more technology into our teaching and learning routines has enabled our students to become more responsible and independent. Cheryl Long, another student adds, 'I feel more responsible when I am in charge of my own Chromebook.’ Students are beginning to exercise a higher degree of self-control while practising internet usage conducted in a supportive and guided environment. However, the most encouraging development of all is the 'let me show you...' phrase often spoken between students when someone offers to help another when they are ‘stuck’; over time, social relationships between students can also be strengthened as well. With the additional benefit of direct access to Google Suite (G-Suite), students and their teachers can interact more easily outside class time, especially for catching up on missed lessons and learning enrichment opportunities.

Ms Jerodine Chan, ICT Coordinator

在華文科，小六的老師使用 GOOGLE CLASSROOM 發布學生需要完成的專題作業，並讓他們用 GOOGLE SLIDE 完成後，上交作業。這種操作方式能讓老師及時查看學生交作業的情況。學生在 用幻燈片做展示與講述的時候也不用拿 USB把 SOFT COPY 交給老師，只要直接打開 GOOGLE CLASSROOM 上的 SLIDE 就行了，既省時又方便，提高了教學效率。有的班級用 CHROME BOOK 來寫課堂隨筆，增加了學生學習的興趣。一些程度較弱的學生，平時寫隨筆時總是提筆忘字，十分鐘寫不出幾個字來，而用打字的方法可以讓他們順暢地表達自己的想法，不再因為某些字不會寫而停滯不前。

嚴潔老師

On Wednesday, 27 September 2017 we held an ICT Workshop conducted by our teachers. Topics covered included cyber wellness, setting up parental controls at home and Chromebook usage in school in conjunction with how Google Classroom and G-Suite are being integrated into our curriculum.

With a good turnout of parents who were very engaged and who asked pertinent questions regarding how to use screen time effectively, monitor students’ computer usage and ensure their keen interest in the new Chromebook initiative, the workshop continued way past its initial allocated time slot. However, I think both parents and teachers involved felt this was necessary as many scenarios and solutions could be discussed and problem-solved.

The workshop was definitely a success and a request for further workshops was put forward.  Thank you to those parents who came and engaged with us.

Mr Ryan Kemp

Expanding Our Horizons Through Technology “ The main reason why I like using Chromebook is because I have so much to find out about computers and the world! ” by Julien Tan, P4D

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10

The Secondary Section would like to warmly welcome the following twelve new teachers to be part of our teaching faculty from the beginning of the last calendar year.

We hope that our new colleagues have had good experiences with us so far and will continue to enjoy their time in our school.

Welcome to the SISHK Family!

Name SubjectPrevious schools that you have worked at:

One thing that you would like to share with us OR something that you like about the

school

Ms Dee ChiaHOD/Visual Arts

Visual Arts (DP) Art & Design (IGCSE)

In Singapore:

• Nanyang Girls’ High School

• Victoria School

• Raffles Institution

I make my own things such as chairs, bowls, bags, shoes and sew my own clothes whenever I can! I also love children and have nine god-children.

Ms Joy TanSH/Science

Science, Physics

Anderson Junior College, Singapore

It is fantastic how enthusiastic the students are in this school, asking questions in class, volunteering to run various activities and joining numerous CCAs.

Ms Ang Ling SeeSH/Humanities

Geography

In Singapore:

• Kranji Secondary

• CPDD and ETD

• MOE

• Yuhua Secondary

A traveler. A gardener. A chef. A coffee connoisseur.  Every journey brings discoveries about self and others. As long as one is an explorer at heart, nothing ever grows old.

Mr Tan Chee KianHOD/Mathematics

Mathematics

In Singapore:

• Chung Cheng High School (Main)

• Dunman High School

I really like the vertical structure in the school where all the facilities are housed in one building. It is easy for the school population to get around and we get to do some exercise along the way.

Ms Smita LallEnglish Language & Literature

In Singapore:

• United World College (3 years)

In Australia:

• Trinity College (5 years)

• John XXIII College (2 years)

• Seton College (2 years)

I’ve been touched by the warmth and kindness of both the staff and students at SISHK. It has been a really easy transition because of everyone’s helpfulness and willingness to embrace new faces - it really feels like a big family!

Ms Irene Lee MusicInternational schools in HK and the UK

I am very impressed at how enthusiastic SISHK students are.  A large range of activities are student-led and they are very passionate about what they do, and always happy to share their talents with each other.

11

Name Subject Previous schools that you have worked at:

One thing that you would like to share with us OR something that you like about the

school

Mr Lei Ao Chinese • N/A

Working here as a Chinese teacher is my first job. As a brand-new teacher, what I want to share is that I have gained so much support from my colleagues, especially the Chinese Department. Without their support, I couldn’t have settled down so quickly. I felt nervous when I stepped into the to classroom at the beginning of last semester, but now I feel proud and confident being a part of SISHK.

Mrs Amy Lam Biology

In Hong Kong:

• Polytechnic University

• St Paul's Co-educational College

I am amazed by the design of the campus, which enables a lot of interactions among people.

Ms Amy Rice History

• Utahloy International School, Zengcheng (2014-7)

• Kingsley College, Redditch (2004-2014)

• Kings Manor Community College, West Sussex (2001-4)

Working with well-motivated and hardworking students, who are open minded, knowledgeable thinkers!

Ms Tan Shu SzeEnglish Language & Literature

• Shuqun Secondary School, Singapore

I love the energy of the students and they inspire me every single day. They strive to do their best even while climbing to great heights during canyoning and rowing through great depths during kayaking at S1 camp.

Mr Barry WilkinsonEnglish Language & Literature

• Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School, HK

• Hang Seng Management College, HK

• Wigan & Leigh College, UK

I really like the openness and honesty of the school and the high degree of professionalism exhibited by all staff. The students are some of the most dedicated and enthusiastic students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching.

Ms Mico Wong Mathematics

In Hong Kong:

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School

I am happy to join the Mathematics Department in SISHK and become one of the members in the school. My Heads of Department, Mr. Tee and Mr. Tan, are very supportive in helping me adapt to the new working environment. Senior Teacher, Mr. Ho, is generous and willing to share his teaching experience and provide guidance on lesson planning. I also share teaching experiences with my friendly and experienced colleagues and learn from each other.

SISHK Student Internship Program for Academic Year 2016/2017

During the 2017 summer, 30 DP1 students participated in the SISHK Internship Program involving 15 partners. Some partners that supported the program are Baker and McKenzie, Tuen Mun Hospital, Raffles Medical, Kerry Hill Architects, New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel, Kerry Freight (Hong Kong) Ltd, Hong Kong University Faculty of Dentistry and Philips Securities. The internship experience ranged from one to three weeks. The exposure to practical work experience further enhanced and informed students’ academic and career goals. The internships program received positive feedback from both the students and the partners. Let us see what some of our students have to say about their experiences.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich &

Rosati

The three-week internship at WSGR was an eye-opening experience for me. Everyone at the office was very welcoming and eager to share their knowledge with us. During the first week, we had web conferences and conference calls to the WSGR offices in Shanghai and Palo Alto, during which we were briefed about the law firm and the work we would be doing. This was very helpful given that we had absolutely no legal experience, and would be lost without the briefing. The majority of the work we were given at WSGR consisted of verification and specific research. I learnt how meticulous lawyers must be, making sure that each word is chosen correctly in order to avoid loopholes. Overall, I found the internship very interesting as it gave me insight as to how the legal system governs our society. - Natasha Lim (DP2A)

Trinity Medical Imaging Centre

We had the opportunity to work in a clinical setting where the main aim of the nurses and doctors is to ensure the patients stay comfortable. At the radiology clinic, we were exposed to equipment such as MRI scanners, CT scanners and ultrasound machines. Throughout the day, we were given the chance to look at the scanning process. The doctor interprets the results of the scan and summaries the results for the patient. The internship experience was a fruitful one as we gained knowledge beyond what was taught in the classroom. - Kenny Ling (DP2B)

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Gaw Capital Hong Kong

During my internship at Gaw Capital Hong Kong, I gained a deeper understanding of what it truly means to study and work in the area of asset management. As I am only in high school, such a technical field of study was completely out of my depth. Thankfully, the staff were very patient and understanding as they explained everything in the simplest terms, making complicated concepts like destination management companies and insurance policies comprehensible for us. The best part of my internship was the site visit to Kwun Tong, which made what we learned in the office more practical, as we saw the thinking process behind the development. In summary, my time at the Gaw Capital Hong Kong was very fruitful and provided a valuable experience that could not be learnt in the classroom. - Peter Lee (DP2A)

Now TV – PCCW Media

During our internship at Now TV – PCCW Media, we had the opportunity to attend various press conferences and sales expos organized by the company. Our knowledge on sales deepened significantly as we were actively involved in preparation of materials for the training of the new sales interns. We learnt a lot from our mentors. For example, how to apply various training techniques and the general rules of management. Overall, the experience was enriching and productive as it forced us to step out of our comfort zones as we explored different aspects of the media and communications industry. - Justine Schlossmacher (DP2A)

The University of Hong Kong

My internship at the HKU’s Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) was an incredible experience. Being given the chance to work with researchers at the top of their professions is truly remarkable, especially considering that everyone working at LSR is a professor in his/her field of study. Astronomy is a field that not many scientists are keen on studying, particularly at LSR. The reason is that it is strictly a non-practical based science, or a science that can be seen with the naked eye. One work of the scientists doing research related to Astronomy is to analyze infrared spectra, and use the data to identify compounds and chemical structures in space. I assisted Dr Sadjadi and Dr Yong in their Astronomy research by collecting infrared spectra data from various databases, in particular the online NIST database. Although I was unable to find more complex structures, I was able to find certain molecules that are now considered to be publishable, such as biphenylene. In fact, I may even be acknowledged in a scientific paper! – Gabriel Fung (DP2B)

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We are very honoured to be chosen by our school to be the IBDP scholarship holders of 2017/18. We understand the responsibility we have to contribute to the school, and this includes helping students in their journey to become a future scholar. Through this article, we hope that we can shed some light on the application process, and share some of our thoughts on being a scholar.

The application starts with simply filling out the form. The form contains all the information that the school should know about you: your academic and non-academic achievements both in and out of the school, your grades, and your experiences. Select what you put in the form cautiously: try to show that you are well-rounded, passionate, and that you excel at the things you do. However, do not put down every single thing you have done! Choose only those that represent who you are; aim for concision and coherence. Quantity does not equate to quality!

You will be required to submit an essay along with your application form. The essay is a passage written in response to a given prompt. The essay should say something that your application form doesn't: take the essay as an opportunity to demonstrate another side of your character. Write the essay genuinely and practically; don't write something that you know only sounds good on paper but doesn't work in practice. Being a scholar is a responsibility, a commitment, so when you write down something, make sure you mean it, and that you are prepared to commit to it.

After the application form is handed in, you will be asked to attend an interview. For the both of us, we had our interview in groups of five to six students. Students sat together and responded to questions asked by the panel, which included the principal and 2 heads of department. During the group interview, we built upon each other's ideas and developed a creative discussion session. The format of a group interview is such that you can demonstrate your ability to work in a group and contribute to discussion, so utilise it to your advantage. Don't feel obliged to speak when others seem to be speaking more than you are though, as the pressure may cause you to end up saying something you didn't mean to say! The questions were open and allowed us to respond creatively, some allowed us to reflect on our roles as seniors in the school, while others encouraged us to work among the group and come up with a plan/activity.

We were both extremely happy and grateful when we found out we had been chosen as the DP scholars. It was an absolute honour to receive such recognition, and from then we looked forward to the journey ahead and the challenges awaiting us. As DP students, especially as scholars, we have the responsibility to set an example and be the role model of our juniors. This meant fulfilling the roles of not only students but also student leaders. It didn’t mean feeling superior over others or taking things for granted. We kept in mind to live up to the expectations of the school, teachers, fellow students, as well as our own expectations, while still being true to ourselves. Even though there is some pressure that arises from the expectations, such as times when we felt the need to shape ourselves as someone we are not. There are also times when we feel like we haven't been able to meet the standards expected of us, and we feel disappointed. But we remembered to stay true to ourselves, judging our ability and commitments wisely so that we can contribute as much as we can without being overly stressed. We also learned that the pressure coming from others can be unnerving, but as long as you remember that you have been chosen by the school to serve the community, the pressure will become motivation for you to do better, and you will find the courage to continue.

As scholarship holders, we will continue to lead by example, work hard, and contribute to the school community both academically and non-academically.

SISHK Scholarship 17/18by Lindsay Hu and Alison Yip (DP1B)

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S1-S4 Leadership Trainingby Shi Xin Ying Kaitlyn (S4M)

The S1-S4 Leadership Training took place on the 3 – 4 October, 2017. It involved all the newly appointed student leaders from the Athletic Council (AC), Community Council (CC), Student Council (SC), the Audio Visual (AV) Team, as well as the House representatives. This was facilitated by the Leadership Action Committee (LAC) representatives and supervising teachers.

The aim of the training was to introduce and create a bond between us as student leaders in our respective councils/groups, and have us strengthen our bond as a team by working together to overcome difficulties when completing tasks as well as preparing for our culminating event at the end of training.

Tasks were created with specific focuses, which included the student leadership attributes: commitment, risk-taking, balance, principled and caring. Additionally, the tasks had modifications to increase the difficulty, and reflections/self-evaluations were carried out to build upon one’s understanding and learning. This allowed us to understand ourselves better by understanding how we, as individuals, react in stressful or challenging situations.

The outcome was successful as each of us got to familiarise ourselves with our leadership abilities. This was mainly what leadership style (with reference to the Goleman's leadership styles) we were, as well as what tier of leadership we currently were demonstrating so that we could better understand which aspects of leadership we would like to develop over the course of the year. Furthermore, as student leaders, we were also able to get to know the other members in our council/group that they will work with for the rest of the academic year.

香港學生領袖江蘇考察團林琬庭 DP1B

在過去的暑假，我參加了由政賢力量和香港新一代文化協會聯辦的香港學生領袖江蘇考察團，到了南京參觀和交流，從中也學會了很多寶貴的知識。主辦機構為我們安排了由南京大學教授主講有關青年發展的講座，同時也與南京大學的同學進行交流。

我還記得我是在去年二月份的時候，在一次很偶然的機會下從華文老師口中得知這一個交流團。當初只是抱着一個一試無妨的心態參與面試，沒想過最後竟然能夠脫穎而出，成功入選。在南京的九天里，我們去了很多不同的地方。令我印象最深刻的是參觀江蘇衛視。以前我總是認為中國大陸是十分落後的，直到參觀江蘇衛視的時候，才發現內地科技的發達。他們有一棟大樓是專門為研究和開發新科技而建成的，裡面有許多最新的儀器，當中採用的科技十分發達。

另外，我們也參觀了中山陵。中山陵是國父孫中山先生的陵墓，透過參觀中山陵，我們不但瞭解了南京市的發展，還對整個中國的變遷有了更深厚的認識。中山陵的面積很大，也有很多很長的樓梯，參觀的時候正值炎炎夏日，大家都汗流浹背。可是我和組員們邊走邊玩“猜樓梯”的遊戲，過程完全不覺得辛苦，反而很享受。

這個交流團不僅讓我對中國歷史和其科技發展有了更深的瞭解，同時也讓我認識到很多好朋友。我是團里唯一一個來自國際學校的學生，對於中國歷史的認識沒有其他組員那麼深。幸運的是，我的組員都十分體諒，也會跟我一一解釋每一段歷史。就算交流團已經結束，我們還會繼續聚會，細味交流團的一點一滴。

15

Sports Exchange 2017by Tyrus Yeo (S3S)

This year, I was fortunate to be chosen to take part in the Tianjin, Qin Huang Dao, and Beijing exchange trip organised by the A.S Watson group. Students from all over Hong Kong get nominated to receive this A.S. Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Award, and this year there was a pool of 898 students from a variety of different schools. After strenuous interviews and camps, I was shortlisted into the top 30 for this exchange. 30 in total, would embark on a five-day, four-night journey to the three aforementioned cities, visiting local attractions, the China National Team training facilities in Qin Huang Dao, and more.

During the trip, we had a lot of time to bond with the 29 other awardees, and especially my 10 group mates. Through these experiences, I learned that a lot of them were not only very good at their respective sports, as some of them are in the Hong Kong Youth National team already, but they also had other qualities that make them great people in general. This trip was also extremely valuable because it allowed us to visit places we normally couldn’t, like the China National Team training facilities in Qin Huang Dao, a port city east of Beijing. We were granted the opportunity to meet future China National Team members during their training, and admire the overwhelming size and newness of the training facilities. As we stood quietly on the side of the gymnasium, we witnessed how hard the gymnasts trained, and were then told that those athletes train for about eight hours every day, six days a week. I understood how strong-willed they were, as they may have failed countless times, yet were relentless and willing to endure the pain of training over and over again.

The award had no specifications or guidelines on how to be the “best” sportsperson, but I do believe that it does not only require you to be skilled at a sport, but demands, in fact, to develop you with the right qualities as a person, and as a leader.

This experience was one that I’ll never forget. I sincerely thank SISHK for nominating me to take part in a one-of-a-kind exchange that has positively impacted me for years to come, and I hope more student athletes from our school can experience something as special as this one.

16

DP1 Leadership Campby Tsong Jin Ming (DP1A)

On 30 September 2017, the DP1s traveled to Sai Wan, Sai Kung to take part in this year’s SISHK Tier 2 Leadership Camp. The DP1 leadership camp was different from the other school camps because unlike the broad-based adventure camps in S1-S4, the DP1 students’ core objective was focused on how to become leaders and reliable teammates in dynamic groups.

Throughout the two action-packed days, the cohort recognised the strengths and weaknesses of their own leadership skills, and tried to improve on them. The camp was not just focused on the appointed leaders of each group, but also the wellbeing of all the members in supporting each other mentally to overcome every obstacle that stood in their way.

Personally, the entire camp experience was extremely valuable as I got to work with members of my cohort that I never really interacted with in the past. This has been a really helpful experience because it’s provided us with a chance to take a step closer towards being prepared to work with unfamiliar individuals with whom we will have to establish relationships with, communicate with, and situations where we need to assist one another, all the while working towards the same goal. The skills we gained are definitely applicable beyond the camp setting, such as when doing group projects in school, at university, or in our future careers.

I highly encourage individuals to join this camp in the future. This will not only help you in your leadership roles in DP and in your group projects, but it will most importantly benefit you in your future as you will learn a lot about being an effective team player and successful leader.

17

記 2017 年中秋晚會DP1B 劉明暢、林琬庭

悠揚悅耳的琴聲彷彿行雲流水，熱情洋溢的舞蹈在天幕下搖曳生姿，美如天籟的歌聲正向月亮訴說著心事。友人們歡聚一堂，共慶佳節，共賞明月。好一幅幸福、團圓、美滿的畫卷。

是不是對這個場景感到熟悉？沒錯，這正是我校 2017 年度中秋慶祝晚會。今年，我們的晚會取得了巨大的成功。在小學華文部、中學中文學會（Chinese Culture Connection）的鼎力合作，以及 DP CAS 和中學 LAC 同學們的熱心支持之下，本次晚會的表演、遊戲和食物攤位都受到了大家的一致稱贊。

中秋表演，天涯共此時

在好評如潮背後，是同學們的煞費苦心的付出和盡善盡美的追求。為了使晚會的進程能夠更加的流暢和人性化，中文學會的策劃團隊在開學前就一絲不苟地總結了去年晚會的經驗和不足，並以“團圓”為主題進行策劃，為整場晚會提供了主心骨。在準備過程中，中文學會還在中小學部進行了全面的推廣，激起了大家對晚會的熱情，更邀請到一眾家長和同學們演出的親子節目，使更多 SISHK 大家庭的成員能夠團聚在一起，共享月餅，共賞明月。

俗話說的好：“台上一分鐘，台下十年功”。哪怕是課業上繁重的壓力，哪怕是彩排時的烈日當頭，哪怕常常遇到硬件上的難題不得不重頭開始，演出的同學們不但沒有絲毫怨言，反而屢屢在挫折中迎難而上，樂在其中。正是經過了他們堅持不懈的努力，才打造出了《卷珠簾》、《弦樂四重奏》、《K-Pop Power》等一系列精彩絕倫的演出，為我們帶來了一場完美的視覺和聽覺盛宴。他們，是明月旁最閃亮的群星。

中秋攤位，月圓合家歡

中秋晚會，對於每一位 DP1 學生來說都是一件大事，因為這是我們第一個CAS 的籌款活動。中秋晚會一直都是一個非常有意義的活動，因為在晚會上籌得的一分一毫都會全數捐贈給和我們學校合作的三個慈善機構，受惠的包括麻風病康復者、茂明的孤兒以及身處柬埔寨村莊的村民。

另外，中秋晚會也是一個完全由學生主導的活動。晚會上的大大小小的項目都是由學生負責的，當中包括遊戲攤位、食物攤位和門票售賣等。首次 CAS籌款，我們既要確保同學們知道當天的流程，又要與學校方面溝通，真的有點兒分身不暇，幾乎每分每秒都有一個新的挑戰在眼前。特別是食物攤位方面，因為場地有限，我們必須在中學部的餐廳煮食，然後運送到十一樓的廣場售賣。由於參與人數眾多，我們準備好的食物一眨眼就賣清光了，而且我們人手也不充足，同學們壓力也十分大。幸好得到老師們的協助，有些老師幫忙在攤檔售賣，有些老師協助學生煮食，令整個過程順暢多了。

在中秋晚會上不得不提到學生們精心準備的遊戲攤位。我們的 DP1 學生利用自己的空余時間，想出了很多好玩又別具特色的遊戲。令我印象最深刻的是一個模仿古代神射手后羿的遊戲，同學們要用槍射向汽水罐，既刺激又有趣，吸引了不少小學生。中學部的體育館人山人海，到處都能看見同學們臉上燦爛的笑容。

在晚會的尾聲，我聽到很多對這次 CAS 籌款活動很正面的評價。同學們除了有一個團聚的機會，同時還可以做善事，幫助有需要的人，實在是一舉兩得。我相信這個中秋晚會不僅對組織策劃的學生，對所有 DP1 的學生也是一次非常寶貴的經驗，我們永遠都不會忘記那天晚上學到的一點一滴。

在此，我們更要誠摯地感謝所有來賓的支持。一年的光景轉瞬即逝，下個金秋，讓我們給您帶來更歡樂，更豐富，更精彩的中秋晚會。我們明年再見！

18

攜手共進 並肩前行—記中二西貢露營康芊芊 S2M 宋恩雅 S2L

10 月 18 日至 21 日，新加坡國際學校（香港）中二年級的學生前往香港西貢露營，體驗三天斷電斷網的日子，和大自然親密地接觸。

經過兩個半小時的顛簸，全校的師生終於到達了露營地點。一望無際的海在陽光下閃着清澈的光，涼涼的海風吹在臉上，讓人瞬間清爽無比。

本次露營的共有 4 項主要活動：攀岩、獨木舟、地理公園考察和團隊挑戰活動。這些活動不僅挑戰了自我，更增強了團隊意識，拉近了同學們之間的距離。

在細軟的白沙上扎起了帳篷後，第一個活動便拉開序幕—— 獨木舟。這是我倆第一次接觸獨木舟，想不到兩個人使出九牛二虎之力還是只能很勉強地推動這艘看似輕盈的小船。露營的第一天雖然很累，但是我們還是收穫了很多——肱二頭肌。

印象最深刻的莫過於攀岩。和許多新入學的同學們一樣，我倆以前從來沒有參加過攀岩這麼驚險刺激的活動，面對陡峭的懸崖和拍打着岩石的海浪，心裡打起了退堂鼓，在懸崖口尖叫着不敢下去。但是在現場工作人員細心的安慰和指導下，以及率先完成的同學們的吶喊鼓勵聲中，起初猶豫着邁不開步子的我們終於勇敢地邁出了第一步，勇敢地嘗試了新的事物，完成了自我挑戰。

海邊的小路上留下我們悠閒的腳步，領隊正在繪聲繪色地介紹着白臘灣的自然和人文歷史，這是我們在進行地理公園考察—— 又有誰會想到，在以繁忙摩登的都市而著稱的香港，還會有這一片安寧古樸的地方？面朝着宏偉的萬宜水庫，敬仰大自然的鬼斧神工，微風輕輕地把大家的頭髮揚起，在烈日下帶來一抹清涼。

團隊挑戰安排在行程的最後一天，每個小組都需要為了達到共同目標而努力合作。在所有組員的共同努力下，我們小組成功完成了前五個挑戰，卻沒有在規定的時間內完成最後一個，最終失敗了。但是組員們並沒有互相責怪，相反，大家聚在一起思考為什麼自己沒有做到、有什麼地方可以改進。歡笑聲和互相鼓勵的聲音，混着陣陣海風，點亮了西貢湛藍的天空。

三天兩晚的時光飛逝，一眨眼我們又坐在輪船上，向家的方向前進。這次露營，讓新同學更加融入 SISHK 這個大家庭，讓同學們更加團結一致。露營的一點一滴，印刻在每個 SISHK 學生的心底深處，讓我們更加勇敢地成長，大步前行。

19

Discovering Cheung Chau - The Origin and Hidden Paradise of Hong Kongby Clare Tso (S3S) and Gordon Lai (S3M)

On Wednesday, 18 October 2017, when we disembarked the ferry, we were flooded with unforgettable sights, scents and smells that symbolised the old but thriving island, Cheung Chau.

We were led on a trek around Cheung Chau by our instructors to discover more about the island’s rich history and culture. Humans have already settled in Cheung Chau for 3000 years, longer than most places in Hong Kong. They had left signs of their civilisation, most notably an intricate rock carving, perhaps a sign of gratitude to their gods or a warning sign? We will never know. Later on, we had to explore the island ourselves to find landmarks, such as old buildings, shrines and temples. It was truly a unique experience, as the architecture and lifestyle on Cheung Chau is much different from the skyscrapers and traffic jams that we have gotten so used to on Hong Kong Island.

In the midst of the night on the first day, we ventured out into Cheung Chau, catching glimpses of the island and its diverse wildlife. It was the complete opposite of the bustling town during the day. Trekking along the winding paths silently, we kept our eyes and ears peeled, listening as the cicadas chirped. We even used a device to listen for bats which use echolocation at a high frequency above our hearing range. After completing the activity stations, we had the privilege of hiking further down the trail and spot snakes! We listened in fascination as the teacher described the wonders of the wildlife such as the fluorescent blue kingfisher, and even pythons!

Beyond the hills and forests of Cheung Chau, we arrived at the edge of the island. Waves crashed up against the jagged rocks and cliffs. Cheung Chau’s marine life carries many different adaptations as they struggle to survive around these harsh waters. We faced our own struggles when the rock climbing began. The cliff was steep and had very few jutted rocks to cling onto. It was a battle against gravity. Still, most of us clambered to the top with ease and had the chance to breathe in the beauty of nature and watch the ocean stretch out beyond the horizon.

What would be the best way to see all of Cheung Chau? By boat, of course! We set off on a trip circling the island and along the tombolo, experiencing many different sights we could not normally see on foot; there were many tranquil, secluded beaches tucked away in coves, surrounded by dense woodland. After travelling about three-quarters around the island, we had to disembark and swim towards an isolated beach which was strewn with litter. We were tasked with clearing up the beach, and then learned about how long it takes for common types of rubbish to biodegrade; styrofoam does not decompose at all! We left the beach with a newfound sense of the importance to follow the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle.

During the urban farming activity, we were introduced to the technology of urban farming such as hydroponics, a more efficient way of growing crops. We had a taste of a wide variety of microgreens, which carried a refreshing burst of flavor. The instructors taught us how to plant our own seeds as well as explained the building blocks of farming, which starts with compost making. From watching how mealworms help recycle the waste materials to designing an optimum environment for the plants to grow, we certainly had a fruitful and well-rounded experience.

20

Lessons from Our Netball Daysby Hannah Ng (S4L)

This is my second year in the U16 Netball team but it is certainly a new experience to be leading Juniors for the first time this year. It is an honour to represent the U16 Netball as their captain, and move together as a whole, no matter how we place in the tournament.

Our first match as a team did not go as we hoped. We were devastated at our loss to King George V, but unlike the other team, we were playing together for the first time, and had a long break before the game. Although it was hard, we looked for the positives - forming a stronger bond and understanding each other better.

Every game is a new lesson. We learned that we didn’t communicate as best as we could and are still developing our individual skills. Most importantly, we realised that winning or losing are both important. They both teach us something. And we had fun doing it. Despite our losses, we cheered, applauded and encouraged each other.

Our netball team is a relatively small team compared to the other sports teams in school. Most of the time, we had barely enough numbers for a game. However, we’ve learned to adapt to playing different positions and persevere to the end of the match. Mostly, we learned to accept the results of any match, how to give positive feedback, and not blame one another.

Every member of the team is committed, and we have managed our busy schedule for the numerous matches that may clash with our activities outside of school. Each teammate is deeply valued and appreciated. Each one, talented, humble and positive.

I am looking forward to a memorable and fruitful year with the U16 Netball girls, our teachers - Ms Or, Ms Lo and Ms Lall and our coach, Iris.

So proud to be part of the team.

21

U14 Football ISSFHK 2017by Alex Chen (S2S)

The U14 Football ISSFHK season has just ended, and it has been an astonishing season! Even though we didn’t do very well against teams such as KCCIS and HKIS, we persevered and learned a lot about teamwork, strategy and the importance of having a positive mindset. All of these were especially important when playing defence, as when playing against skilled and fast attackers, we needed to outnumber them and not stick our foot out easily. It was important to encourage each other if we made mistakes and continue focusing on our present game, rather than being so regretful and doing worse for the team.

However, some things that we need to improve on are passing and creating space to keep possession, to save our stamina for counterattacks and defence. We should also take more shots from further away in order to put pressure on the goalkeeper and maybe get lucky enough to get a goal from rebound. Our decision-making also needs improving too, as sometimes we panic and just kick the ball randomly, which gives the opponent more possession.

It has been a great season, and as Captain, I look forward to improving in teamwork, strategy and enjoying the rest of the year in the Football CCA.

U14 Girls Volleyballby Lau Yih Hsuan Athena (S2R)

When we had our first match of the season, many of us didn’t even know each other's names, and some of us didn’t know how to play volleyball; yet we had to play our first match of the season against HKIS. We ended up losing 25-3. Two months later, we got into playoffs and beat that same team in an intense tiebreaker 15-13. Although it was mainly the starting unit that played on court, I feel that the growth of the entire team has been incredible. Many of us new players were novices to volleyball, yet by the end of the season, our form, technique, and movement were much better.

Playing volleyball has made me realise how important it is to really put in effort into what you do. Many players took out their own time to practice their serves, sets, and spikes during recess and during lunch in the sports hall. That has contributed immensely to our improvements throughout the season and has made me see how much truly committing yourself to a sport can help you hone your skills.

In addition, I think that having the volleyball season start so early in the year was a blessing in disguise. We faced so many setbacks and challenges, but learning to overcome them one by one and in such a short period of time has not only helped us bond as a team but made us stronger as individuals. When we just started learning how to serve, many of us couldn’t do it. But as we forced ourselves to improve, to correct our technique with help from the more experienced players, gradually, more and more serves made it over the net.

It is impossible to describe the joy and happiness many of us felt when our team captain, Eunice, hit the last point with an ace, winning us the bronze medal in the playoffs. Making it into playoffs and even getting a medal in Division 1 is a huge achievement, and we saw it as both a culmination of our efforts and all we had put into our training and games throughout the year. At the end of the season, we can see how far we’ve come, from not knowing how to play to getting a medal. The progress we have made this year is amazing, and we have done it as a team. That is what made our volleyball season so special this year.

22

U14 Boys Volleyballby Kieran Chu (S1S)

As the U14 Boys’ Volleyball Team’s Vice-Captain, joining the Volleyball CCA team has been one big learning journey for me. It came by some of the S2 students inviting me along to a practice session and I never looked back. During primary school, I learnt some of the very basics but I had never been involved in a competitive volleyball match. Therefore, this was a great opportunity for me to develop my skill set and a great learning experience for me.

It was a big shock to me when I was selected as the vice-captain for the volleyball season as I had never gone to any leadership roles during my time at Primary School. I took this role very seriously and began to understand some qualities of what a leader needs to do. For example, having to motivate other players on and off the court, trying to set a professional attitude during training and match days which hopefully inspired others to want to do better for the team and ensure team members continue to persevere even when we are not always winning.

From the start of the volleyball CCA I was not too sure what to make of it but I have now built a huge interest in the sport and it has inspired me personally to keep on playing volleyball for the rest of my secondary school life. The reason for this is due to all my team members making me feel so welcome and even the S2 students making me feel at ease and more relaxed. This helped with my confidence and meant I could interact more. In turn, my skill set grew stronger, especially my serving, as I could learn from others as they would learn from me. It also gave me more confidence in lessons as I could help others.

One of my biggest learning takeaways from the volleyball CCA is to now not be afraid to make mistakes. I would try my best to execute the skills but this did not always happen. However, with the constant support from the team and my role as vice-captain, we created a strong team atmosphere where we looked out for each other and all tried our best. It is like one big loving family, making it feel like my 2nd family.I was proud to be a part of a great campaign and look to make further improvements next year by trying to reach the playoff stages.

23

Our Team, Our Familyby Maeve Wong (S4L) and Aradhana Upadhyay (S4M)

Many people think that joining a competitive sports team is daunting. The long, arduous hours of physically and mentally strenuous training sessions can sometimes be stressful and requires a lot of dedication. However, being part of the team does not just boil down to the training hours and the matches. It extends beyond those fields, teaching us not only about the sport but also about patience, consideration, and appreciation for each other.

There’s a sense of pride in being part of the U16G Volleyball team. Despite our unfortunate results, even the slightest mention of the U16G Volleyball team brings about feelings of nostalgia. The countless challenges we faced: from actively trying to integrate the two cohorts harmoniously, to fighting against our own negative mind set. It was only through profound support for one another, endless streams of encouragement and determination that we were able to overcome the setbacks. With each challenge we faced, the bonds between us strengthened. Each one of us helping the other to grow as we learnt to take each challenge in our stride and stay determined. These created a sense of pride in ourselves – for not giving up and continuously striving to do our best.

One incident that was particularly important to all of us was the discouragement and negativity we felt after losing our 4th match in a row. The result of the matches was not because of lack of practice, or the lack of talent at the sport. It was much rather the fact that we were overwhelmed by our opponents. The giant scoreboard which displayed our inevitable defeat was the only thing on our minds as we fought against the opposing team. We had stopped playing volleyball to gain experience, or to become better players and better people. The stress we felt from being in Division 1, along with the lack of confidence we had in ourselves drove the whole team into a pit of despair. Anger, mostly at ourselves, had consumed all of our minds. We thought that we had fought our hardest and done our best, but clearly even that was not enough.

The debriefing after the match was a quiet one, none of us wanting to acknowledge that we had lost terribly to the other team. The fact that we had let down our school and ourselves for the 4th time weighed down on our boneless bodies, pushing us further into the pits of negativity and self-hatred. It was only until our coach began speaking, that we finally realised the truth. She had presented the harsh reality to all of us, making sure as to not sugar-coat a single word that she spoke. She spoke of the importance of focusing on the game, and to gain back the lost points one by one. “What do the points matter when you’re not even putting in your all and giving it your best effort?” Her words had struck a chord within us. It was true that we had been too focused on the points, too caught up in trying to win that we had neglected our main goal. We were striving to become better players and people, not striving to win without learning anything. Although harsh, her words had managed to pull us out of our shells, forcing us to focus on our upcoming training session and to become stronger, both physically and mentally, as we fought through the rest of the games.

The experience we gained and the numerous life lessons that we learnt as we worked hard to become better players. Yes, in a sense, all of it was daunting. Each one of us facing personal struggles along the course of the season and eventually learning to face everything that we were going through together. As with all competitive sports, there were tears, there were smiles, but most importantly, we were able to learn and grow together. To be there for one another, to assist and motivate one another not only as a team, but as a family. Our family.

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U16 Boys Volleyballby Alex Yu (S4S)

Bump…Set…Spike…and OVER! A resounding roar erupts from the stands. This is what we live for - what we wholeheartedly signed up for: the feeling of adrenaline coursing through our veins as we wipe away beads of sweat from our ruddy cheeks.

For some, volleyball is merely a sport, but for the U16 Boys team, it is a commitment. Training from the very onset of the academic year, perfecting our digging and serving, before proceeding to setting and spiking, was indeed an arduous process, but there was not a doubt in our minds that this was all going to be worth it. It was astonishing how quickly our skills developed with the after-school trainings and lunchtime games. Within weeks, the ball had come alive, and to our glee, seemed to whiz about the air. What was equally impressive, was how quickly our camaraderie grew – what had been strangers was now a close-knit family, a team with a strong sense of brotherhood. Volleyball is definitely a great way to improve one’s physical dexterity and to hone one’s athletic ability, but at the end of the day, it is our friendship that will last forever.

Donning the black and red uniform, every one of us felt an overwhelming sense of pride, at being able to represent our school and demonstrate athleticism and sportsmanship, and at being able to call ourselves part of the U16 Boys team. Furthermore, the pride that we felt showed that volleyball has given every single one of us a sense of responsibility and ownership on the team. As a setter or ring spiker, every one of us needs to possess and demonstrate leadership skills and strong intuition. Our sense of duty to the team led us to organize training sessions outside of the regular after-school CCA times, like during lunch and take time to a instill culture of care and encouragement within the team itself.

Ultimately, volleyball is hard. But it is this challenge that makes volleyball so enjoyable. We have risen up, again and again against the challenges we have encountered, gotten right back up when these challenges knocked us down, emerging finally as the first runner-up. Both fun and stimulating, the Volleyball CCA provides a learning experience for all, one that nobody can forget easily. If you’re still pondering it, come join the school’s volleyball teams – we’ll see you then!

Go Lions!

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