SYF Dance Competition – Geolin Yeo

Brief introduction to SYF

SYF is the short form for Singapore Youth Festival central judging competition. It is a competition which takes place every year but it alternates between primary and secondary schools. It also means that either the primary or secondary schools in the whole of Singapore will get to perform every two years. This year (2008), the Singapore Youth Festival central judging competition is held for all the primary schools in Singapore. All schools in Singapore are eligible to participate in the competition. In Nan Chiau High, all the performing arts groups participated in the SYF competition last year.

 CCA: International Dance

I myself, also went with my CCA group as a performer to participate in the SYF. On the actual day itself, I was over the moon. However, before I go into the details of the performance, let us find out how I, a secondary one student then, managed to get into the SYF performance.

After getting in to the CCA, International Dance, we were taught some basic steps of Modern Dance, Jazz and Ballet. As I have had quite a few years of dance background, it was much easier for me. I was the only one from my class to join that CCA, so I had to make friends. Out of the blue, I saw my old schoolmate, Jennifer. I was very surprised that she was in this CCA too! Then, along came the seniors, who looked so fierce at first sight. However, as time passed, we all got along fine. Then, the teachers and the seniors started practising for the SYF dance performance. Us, juniors, stood there looking in awe and the teacher asked us to mimic their steps as closely as possible.

We spent about an hour or two learning some of the steps for the first part of the dance. When the teacher called us in for the try-outs, we danced along with the seniors at the back in a straight line. For the first time, it seemed pretty embarrassing to make mistakes but as I looked around, I found out that I was not the only one who made mistakes. Some of the other juniors were even worse than me! After a few tries, I managed to memorise the steps according to the music.

After the try-outs, only a few of the secondary ones were chosen to dance for the SYF performance and I was one of the few. Hence, the few of us who were chosen stood at the back in a straight line to join in the dance. The next three months were followed by harsh trainings by our two instructors.　

SYF Performance day: 28^th April 2007

The day of the performance finally arrived. After toiling for three long months, the day was finally here. That morning itself, I woke up at 4 or 5 in the morning, packed my make-up, jacket, clothes, well, basically getting myself ready for school. When I reached the school compounds, it was as dark as night and only one portion of the school was lit up. It was the gate. I walked amongst the darkness, using my handphone as a source of light. From a distance, I heard voices whispering. I could not make out who was that but suddenly, I saw light flashing from directly opposite me. It was my friends! We all walked up to the hall to meet the other people. It was five plus by the time we arrived but we were among the few who were last to show up.

We started our usual warm-up and stretching. After running through the whole dance three to four times, we started to do our make-up and hair. I still remember how I fussed when they put gel in my hair. It took me an hour to get the gel off and another half-an-hour to get the glitter off! Our make-up made us looked like ghosts. However, our instructor said that if we do not put heavy make-up, we would have no facial features on our faces due to the lighting on the stage. We even had to put the powder according to the shapes of our noses to make them look visible on stage! During this whole time, the seniors from Chinese Dance helped us (however their main purpose was to skip lessons).

After everything was done, we all boarded the bus and headed for our destination. Upon reaching there, we were all over the moon. We were the first school to perform. The stage was about five times bigger than our school’s stage. Us, dancers, made a silent pact to do the best we can in order not to regret this. In a flash, the dance started but it was already over in the next minute.

It was really an amazing and fun experience. I realise that I learnt a lot of things from this SYF performance. For example, I have managed to organise my time more efficiently in order to do well for my studies as well as my CCA. It was always be an experience that I will never forget!

 Word Count: 852

An interesting essay about her experience in the SYF dance competition! I like how this recount is very organised and it captures Geolin’s passion about dance. She remembered what happened clearly on the day itself, from the moment she woke up until the event ended. She even remembered the exact date of the competition!

 

Well done, Geolin! :)

Report regarding an assault case – Krystle Tang

To: Mr Wong Wang Wang, Discipline Master of Nanwang High School.
From: Minnie Siak
 
Report of an assault case
 
As requested, I am submitting a report on the incident regarding the assault case that happened on 14 February 2008. At about 9. 55 a.m , when it was recess time, I witnessed the assault that involved two boys, Mark and John. I was doing my homework on my table, when I heard some quarrelling from Mark and John. Mark accused John of taking his gift that he wanted to give his crush. John denied it and Mark went to search John’s bag. The fight then started.
 
John was unhappy that Mark searched his bag and started hurling vulgarities at Mark. Then they exchanged blows and pushed each other on the floor. Most of the classmates were at the canteen for recess and there were only about 10 students in class. Some of them tried to stop them from fighting and the rest just watched. One of them went to call our form teacher.
 
When Miss Koh came in, they stopped fighting and told Miss Koh what had happened. In the end, it turned out to be Larcus, John’s good friend who took the present. He said he only wanted to play a prank on john and did not expect things to turn out this way. The boys then apologised to each other and were sorry for what they had done to each other. Luckily, it was not so serious and they had only bruises on their faces.
 
In my opinion, I think they fought because they were too rash and did not get the facts right. This is all I have to say. If there are any queries, please fell free to approach me and I will furnish you with as many details as possible.
 
Yours faithfully 
~Minnie~
Minnie Siak, 2F
15 February 2008

Word Count: 286 (for the content only)

I gave a 22/30 to Krystle for her report writing because her tone was appropriate. Very formal and polite. She gave very detailed explanations of the assault for all of the points mentioned.

Furthermore, her conclusion was very courteous, and it really convinced me that she was writing to the discipline master, assisting him about the case.

Well done, Krystle!

Write about a time when you gave up something precious for a loved one – Joy Yee

     I lay back on my chair as I stared at the computer blindly. Soon, I started building castles in the air. This was mainly my daily routine of the day, except for some phone calls, which would only happen occasionally. I had started this company just two months ago. Most of us would find phone calls a nuisance, but every phone call makes a difference to me!

    “Goody Goody rock rock” shouted my child, Lisa. I could hear her even from the corridor. She was getting herself ready for a competition two days later and because of this, the house was full of noise and even neighbors began to complain. Back at home, despite her continuous singing, she also kept on reminding me to turn up as her supporter on that day itself. I agreed, as I knew that it would make no difference going to the company, thus I would rather turn up to support her.

     On that fateful day, as Lisa’s competition would only begin at three in the afternoon, I decided to make a trip down to the office, hoping that some miracle would happen. That was my hope every morning, but it was never once answered.

      As I was bored, I started playing with some computer games. Just as I was about to be crowned the champion of the game, the shrill sound from the telephone soon interrupted my thoughts. How I cursed the phone, if not for it I would have already been the champion!

     However, never did I expect the phone call to be my “god of fortune”.

      As I picked up my phone, a man with a monotonous voice then told me that he wanted to hand a project over to my company and this project would earn me a million if I were to take it up. However, the contract had to be signed by today at three in the afternoon. Upon hearing this, my mind went wild. I had never come across this situation before. However, upon thinking about the one million dollars, I was tempted to agree straightaway.

        Suddenly, I remembered about my daughter’s competition, which also starts at three! At that time, I was too confused to think thus requesting him for his telephone number and would contact him after I had made a decision.

         At that time, I really wanted the best of both worlds. I knew that the contract was very important but by keeping a promise is also very important, especially to my daughter!  I had always taught my daughter that promises are meant to be kept not broken and if I were to not go to her competition, what would she think? On the other hand, the contract was the first contract I had ever had and it was too precious for me to give it up! My mind was in a whirl, whatever should I do? The man’s and Lisa’s voice kept on repeating in my mind.

          Just then, I came to a decision. I would attend my daughter’s competition and give up the contract. I knew that my presence would make a difference to her and I would definitely keep my promise.

          Yes, I would agree that it was indeed a waste but what could I do? At the competition, I sat nervously below the stage as my daughter’s name was announced. When she entered the stage, our eyes met and I could sense from the expression in eyes that she as grateful to me for coming. It was then that I did not regret my choice. As she sang her song on stage, I then knew what happiness was, and it was definitely not from the one million dollar contract. 

Word count 632

The story had a simple plot, which is good! Joy’s focus on that few moments were there and she expressed the character’s feelings explicitly. The content definitely answers the question thoroughly, bringing up the meaning of “giving up” something precious for a loved one.

I liked how Joy used material happiness versus emotional happiness as that is often what we, as dwellers in the 21^st century face – the dilemma of material wellbeing versus emotional wellbeing.

Well done Joy!

Saying Goodbye – Sng Shi Jie

     The world seemed as if it was turned upside down, I just could not get myself out of the abyss of angst and remorse. The usual scintillating light rays seemed so dim and sombre. Beads of tears trickled down my pale cheeks as I sat beside him. I did a silent prayer and prepared myself for the worst.

     The days grew gloomier and nothing seemed to captivate me. The morning sun aglow the horizon with a pale yellow hue. How I wished he would be able to witness the exotic phenomenon. But unfortunately, he was still in coma.

     My dearest elder brother, Tyrus, had met with a devastating car accident outside his school compound, which landed him in this state.

     Since then, I attempted to fiddle with his fingers, rub his hands and even play his favourite music. I really hoped that these would not be futile attempts. I really hoped that he would come around soon. 

     My sisters, Adela and Michelle, sauntered into the hospital ward. Judging from their facial expressions, they seemed lethargic as if they had carried massive loads to and fro. All the while, they have been worried about our brother, whose health was on a decline. Presently, my brother’s life was hanging by a thread and that thread would snap anytime. It was just a matter of time before the ominous truth was revealed.

     Out of the blue, the heartbeat meter started to beep. Two straight luminous green lines were striking across its screen. My heart started to thump very quickly as if it was going to explode anytime. My sisters were so worried that one of them even dropped the cup of Latté she bought earlier. Tears started to well up and I could not stand it. Nurses and doctors began to sprint into the ward and started to carry out an emergency defibrillation. I stared at the defibrillator stumping against my elder brother’s chest.

     Tears began to flow down continuously and all I had in mind was to pray for him. The feeling was immeasurably hurtful. Be it kith or kin, it is a heartrending experience to lose someone who shares secrets with you or someone who lets you pour out your emotions to. My brother was a great sibling who was always there for me and I would miss him very, very much.   

     Life is transient, that I know, but I could not comprehend why my brother’s life was taken away so soon.

     With my own eyes, I witnessed the doctors shaking their heads in distress and they eventually halted the defibrillation. One of the doctors strode across the ward and apologised. At that point of time, I could neither believe my ears nor eyes. Tears just ran down my cheeks as I covered my mouth with my sweaty left hand. I hated my brother so much for bringing so much sorrow, grief and misery to our family. He had promised us not to make us cry since after the folly he had committed a few years back. But he broke that promise. We cried as though there was no end to it. 

     Our parents were later informed of this tragic fact. My mother, overwhelmed with grief, fainted. My sisters and I could not accept the sudden truth of the passing of our beloved brother initially, but we eventually understood that life always has a beginning and an end. 

     From that point of time onwards, I began to avoid my friends and relatives, crying alone in misery. I knew that was not going to work. Ergo, my sister bought a balloon of my brother’s much loved colour and instructed my family to pen down our wishes before inflating it. I held the marker tightly and started to scribble a bevy of unspoken words.  After which, we released it into the wide expanse of the serene blue sky. 

     The balloon began to float away and soon it disappeared from my vision

     To date, three weeks had passed and I mooned around the bedroom that I used to share with my elder brother. I have been recalling what I had written on the balloon. I did not know that saying goodbye was that painful.

     I wrote, “To my dearest brother, Tyrus, I will love and miss you forever. Goodbye.”

Word count: 741

I loved the use of vivid descriptons throughout the entire essay. The underlined ones are good use of adjectives and the ones in italics are good descriptions.

Shi Jie has given a good opening line/ introduction which draws the reader in as it prompts the reader to read on and find out what happened.

Notice how the entire essay mainly focuses on just one event taking place at one time(the author in the hospital with his family). The only paragraphs that were not were the paragraphs on the flashback (the author recalls what landed his brother in this state) and the last few paragraphs which serve as a conclusion. Hence, a good compo can be written on just one happening. Elaborate it well. Too many events taking place would become too complicated, and the compo may even not answer to the question requirements.

I like the imagery of a balloon with messages on it. It serves as a symbol; how the author and his family has decided to ‘let go’ of their grief. It also shows the hopes they held of the balloon reaching heaven to deliver the messages to Tyrus.  The family members send their love to Tyrus via a balloon – this denotes simplicity, showing how family ties are so strong that nothing, except genuine love can bond them together.

Well done, Shi Jie!

My Boy – Iris Tan

     Walking along the parched pathway, passing row after row of angsana trees, I felt so at home. As I drew closer, I felt a sudden urge to walk around the corner, a place I grew up in. My legs moved uncontrollably in the direction of the estate. The moment I set foot on the estate, memories of what happened kept replaying like a film without sound in my mind’s eye. Memories of the old times my friends and I had, the games we used to indulge in and most of all, memories of the time when I gave up my grandmother’s antique watch for John, a boy whom I loved most. It seems like yesterday that I had just moved out.

     John and I knew each other before we were even born. His mother and mine were working in the same department and soon they became best of friends. They got pregnant at the same time and would often joke about one giving birth to a girl and the other to a boy. They would get married when they grow up. Unfortunately, a joke would always remain a joke. I was brought into the world first, then along came John.

     Well, John and I attended the same nursery, primary school and we did almost everything together. Sometimes, we would play “masak masak “, which was our favourite game. Being the oldest, I would be in charge of the group of girls. I would be the mother and John would be my “husband”.

     So one day while playing our usual games, the obese Ah Pui and his gang disrupted our game. Ah Pui exclaimed, “Oh John, you are playing with a bunch of females “masak masak”? You are such a sissy and of course, a disgrace to us, men! ” Upon hearing that, I could not hold my anger any longer and my leg went out to meet his right leg. He landed on the floor with a loud thud. Ah Pui’s gang rolled onto the ground, roaring with laughter, so did my girlfriends and I. I then came to notice the solemn look on John’s face. I prayed that he would not be hurt by Ah Pui’s words and that he would still continue to play with us.

     That fateful morning, John went up to me. I could sense that something not right was on the cards. His eyes met mine. He told me that he had talked and sought approval from Ah Pui to join his gang. I was stunned. God did not answer my prayers. John continued saying he had to break my late grandmother’s watch, the one which she had left me before her last breath, to fulfill Ah Pui condition. I looked at my antique watch, eyes filled grief. I thought silently to myself, “If it makes him happy, I will do it.” I gave my watch to him. Before the cold metal touched his hands, he let the watch dropped onto the hard ground. It shattered into pieces. Moreover, he stomped on it a few times before turning away, walking arm in arm with Ah Pui.

     My heart then, was just like those fallen pieces of glass. Shattered.

     Thereafter, I went to school and try to live life as though John had not done anything wrong. Whenever he saw me, he would avoid me and scurry back to play with Ah Pui and his gang.

     It was not long after that when I learnt that my parents were posted somewhere else to work, hence, we had to move out of Jalan Pemimpin. I wondered if John knew about it.

     The very next day, I left a note for John.

“Dear John,

I would not have expected things to turn out this way. I am still utterly disappointed in you. All I want you to know is that my heart would forever remain like those shattered pieces of glass.

Love,
Chloe.”

     With that, I picked up my bags and left in an automobile with my parents. The engine started and the vehicle began to move. I was reluctant to leave but I knew if that precious watch made John happy with Ah Pui and his gang, so be it. Suddenly, I heard John calling out to me. I turned around. I saw him running after the vehicle. I was moved but I knew everything was just too late. The automobile accelerated.

     To date, I never knew his whereabouts. As long as he is happy, I am just as contented.

Word Count: 759

I loved the use of good phrases/ descriptions (in italics). Flip through your “How to colour and add life to your essays” hand out and also your idioms worksheets and learn one or two nice ones.

It may seem like a small matter but I liked how the gang bully is named “Ah Pui” as it sparks an image of a burly boy with beady eyes. Very bully-like.  And also, the symbol of the broken watch. To me, it denotes how time had stopped for Chole, how that moment when John left her would always remain frozen, like how a broken watch can never tell the time anymore.

I think I’m reading too much into the story, but you guys can also learn how to describe your characters in such a way that their ‘image’ fit their characteristics. :)

Good job Iris!

Due 6th March

Page 84 and 86 of 3A workbook

Content Pages for EL file

This is what you need to fill in for the content pages of your EL file. Remember to fill in the dates and marks accordingly. 

Grammar
1. How to add life & colour…
2. Particles ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’
3. Singular/ Plural
4. Highlighting of Errors
5. Feedback Editing Exercise
6. Good sentences by 2F (1)
7. Good sentences by 2F (2)
8. Idioms in context (Avioding Party Preparations)
9. Idioms in context (A Proposal of Marriage)
10. Vocabulary (Spanish Trip)
11. Vocabulary (Kim’s Unlucky Day)
12. Vocabulary (Tea in the Garden)
13. Idiomatic Expressions
14. Grammar Practice
15. Synthesis & Cloze Passage (Ex 5 & 10)

Composition
1. Diagnostic Test + Error Analysis (given by Ms Lam)
2. “Saying Goodbye”
3. Compo Test
4. Situational Writing (Report on Assault)
5.  Persuasive Essay

Comprehension
1. Compre Practice 2008
2. Common Test 1

Additional Reading
1. Newspaper Reflection (Title of article)
2. Newspaper Reflection (Title of article)
3. Newspaper Reflection (Title of article)
4. Newspaper Reflection (Title of article)
5. Newspaper Reflection (Title of article)
6. Newspaper Reflection (Title of article)
7. News in Class (1)
8. News in Class (2)
9. Oral Skills (given by Ms Lam)
10. Narrative (given by Ms Lam)

Hola from your English ‘Cher

Hey guys! This would be your official English blog, creativexplosion.wordpress.com. I really hope that you all would rock this blog with all your good essays, interesting journal entries and even your own creations (short stories, poems etc)!

Well, for starters, we’ll begin with posting your essays… and if you all have the time, you could also post some entries here if you want to. Just email it to me (bernice_89@hotmail.com), I’ll check your grammar and expressions, and then upload it here. 

As you can see, there’re categories. So for posts that’re from me to you guys, they’ll be ‘filed’ under Ms Koh Speaking and other categories include Journal Entries and Essays. I will be adding more categories along the way with your works.

The March holidays are just ’round the corner, so do drop by your EL blog and read what your classmates have to say!

 Tatas for now, monsters.