RI. SCHOOL LIFE

Before class.

As the class progressed, I coped quite well. I got familiar with the daily routine of going to school. I always arrived about 45 minutes before class. This was to cater for missing the bus or it breaking down. More practical reason was to come early to play football with my classmates. We really enjoyed this activity before class. On one occasion I fell and slightly dislocated my elbow and need to be treated by the Red Cross. Of course I kept this injury from my parents as I feared being reprimanded. I just silently nursed my injury.

At times, I visited the library to borrow some books to read. Sometimes I wondered to sneak around the school compound and look at the activities of some uniform groups undergoing training. The scout group tended to have very exciting and adventurous activities. One that I always remembered was the canal crossing over the Stamford Canal by clinging under the rope. At times, I watched the gymnasts or badminton players trained. Watching the judokas training was also exciting. Occasionally, I observed the senior students conducting scientific experiments in the science laboratory.

Sec 3 (1970) Me last row 2nd from right

During class

The afternoon session started at 1 pm. The day ended at 6pm. with 30 minutes recess in between. We took 8 subjects in secondary 1 and 2. The syllabus was well diversified and we took subjects like literature and history besides the science and mathematics. I took Chinese as secondary language. Those days, there was no emphasis on the second language. You don’t need a pass to qualify for Pre-U and so many students conveniently ignored second language. In fact, it was of no shame to fail.

Soon I discovered it was very difficult to score a distinction for test or examination. You need to score 70% to get distinction in RI. My entire tests never get anywhere near. Only a few scored ’A’s. My examination and test results were always mediocre. At the end of the year, my mediocrity was confirmed. I was to go to 2E, which ranked 5th of the 8 classes. But at least my fear of getting kicked out of school was unwarranted.

Making friends

By nature, I am a very independent, accommodating and extremely helpful person. One the other hand, many have commented that I can be aloft, over confident and many times appeared to be arrogant. I am always positive and optimistic. However, caution tends to mostly precede my friendliness. I made conscientious effort to choose who I spend my time with and avoid those I think were not dependable and selfish.

Naturally, the group of Sembawang boys became my friends as we spend many hours together travelling to school. In class there were very few I could count on as friends. Rather they were just playmates spending time together kicking football. When I joined NCC(AIR), I made more friends that had more meaningful relationship. That was made possible as we were bonded by common activities and interest and spending the Saturday together during ECA.

ECA

As for ECA, now known as CCA, I joined the Red Cross but quitted after 2 months. Other then playing football before school, there wasn’t much activities outside the classroom during sec 1. I truly covet to be in the school sporting teams but I don’t possess the necessary sporting talents and skill needed to be accepted. So I took the opportunity to represent my class in all inter-class games.

In secondary 2, I joined NCC (AIR) and continued till I finished my pre-university. NCC(AIR) was my second life outside the classroom. Everything, friends and activities, were all anchored and centred on this ECA. So from sec 2 onwards, I became busy and lead a more meaningful school life.

Air Rifle shooting at RI air rifle range

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