Competition Results

Congratulations to Davita Koh and Erahilwana of 4E2!

In May, a group of students participated in a literary competition organised by Nanyang Girls' High School. Details are in the May entry in this blog. We are pleased to announce that after much consideration by the organising committee and various teachers (National Education, English Language and Oxford graduate teachers), Davita's poem came in second, out of 60-odd entries received. Erahilwana's poem received commendation.

The winning entries will be published on the organiser's website shortly. http://www.ystte.com/html/winning_entries.html. There are future plans to publish the top 30 entries in a book entitled "Your Singapore through Their Eyes".

Davita's prize (Cat C - 13 - 16 years old):
One shoebag (grey) containing various stationary, e.g. highlighters, laser pointers, notebooks, pens, etc.
One notebook (again, of a non-conventional sort)
One slingbag
Certificate as endorsed by the principal

Once again, congratulations to both of you, Era & Davita!

Davita's Poem: The Place I Call Home

Dirtiness is hidden,
To another’s eyes; an experienced
one knows where to look,
slips ticks out like –
a testimony.

Sharp eyes can tell,
little bits of one of a kinds.

The facade that is this city,
though somewhat real
illusion is created,
only one who lives here
can evade.

Though it is true,
one or the other,
the effort cannot be -
denied.
Before long you can’t tell,
anymore...
That the city is that small.

Coarse language and slang,
coat the streets around
la’s and other additions
gives the place a colourful roar.

Different arrangements of colour
dot the eyes, emphasizing
the fact that that’s not just one.
A multitude of personalities and
qualities all shine out
carried on by the years.

Language is all,
mixed and matched
one of a kind, unlike any
in the world.

The weather is never calm,
hotness in coolness
a dizzying streak


Wistfulness has no place
in a world where everything
is straight.
No time for differences;
a far line not to be crossed.

Society is reserved
and never shows it all.

The little place that I call home,
Is quirky and intriguing
A straight laced road to
follow through,
yet imperfection shows.

The little place that I call home.


Erahilwana's Poem: A Nation Stands For All
Small city
surrounded by water
No natural resources
but rich in culture

It was known as Temasek;
a fishing village
Gained independence in 1965;
better known as a Lion City

Ninth of August,
A date stand in its society
Nation standing on its own
Celebrating its victory.

Globalisation is growing
Relationship with neighbours and friends
Is never tense
Placing it among the top ranks.

A young country
On the ascent in its ideas
may the noble aspiration
bring its success

Pledge as a united people
Regardless of race, language or religion
Building a democratic society
Progressing towards happiness together.

Onward Singapore
as its national anthem
Whereby a new spirit unite,
soaring as one

Red symbolises
Universal brotherhood and equality of man
White signifies
Pervading and everlasting purity and virtue

Establishing
Democracy, peace, progress, justice
and equality
As represented by the five stars
On its flag.

* Note: The typography of Erahilwana's poem is not accurately depicted.

Online Literature Lesson for Term 3 Week 9

Wed 20 Aug
1) Go to this link, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Passage_to_India, and read the plot introduction, plot summary, key to chapters, character list and themes.
2) Consider and discuss with your partner how Haresh Sharma made an allusion to this novel by E M Forster through the character, Vinod, and his purpose for doing so.
* Note: Those interested to learn more about this novel may find this link http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/passage useful.
3) Post a comment on your classmate's poem (mysterious poet no. 6) with specific reference to the literary devices used, e.g. rhyme, rhythm, imagery (like simile, metaphor and personification) if applicable.
4) Discussion of the literary devices used by William Wordsworth in "Daffodils".

Homework
5) In preparation for Friday 22 Aug's lesson, I will require you to read "The Second Coming" by William Butler Yeats. Come to class ready to write a critique of this poem. Pay close attention to the effects of its literary devices and consider the possible intention(s) of the poet.

The Second Coming
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all around it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

Shakespeare Scroll Puzzle

By starting at the correct letter in one of the words below, and then taking every third letter, a quotation from one of Shakespeare’s plays may be formed. (*Clue: A 10-word quotation from Shaakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing). Can you figure it out? =)

Mysterious Poet No. 7 - The Last Instalment

Arts Arts on the wall,
Done By students with talent,
After looking at my surrounding,
Students looking in weird way,
Upon looking far out away,
I see buildings surrounding school,
It was in the afternoon,
Sunlight shining through the air,
Thank Goodness sun was present,
I can see things clearly,
Sensing all the dirt around,
Seeing all the footprints,
School was imperfect after all.