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.

A Literary Competition: Your Singapore Through Their Eyes (PROSE/POETRY/PLAY)

Introduction

“Your Singapore Through Their Eyes: A Literary Competition”, or YSTTE, is a student initiative of Nanyang Girls’ High School, under the auspices of the school’s National Education Committee. This writing competition is open to all students between the ages of 7 to 16. Students will be given free rein to pen their literary creations on the theme of “What makes Singapore, Singapore?”.

The aims of this competition are to:
· Allow students to polish their literary skills in creative writing
· Provide young students with the opportunity to look at Singapore in another perspective
· Let these young students realise the uniqueness of Singapore and her culture in their own way
· Promote national identity from an early stage
· Allow students to unreservedly put across their views of Singapore

Judging of Entries
1. Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
a. Relevance to community, significance towards national identity (25%)
b. Originality and completeness of storyline (30%)
c. Organisation, development of ideas expressed and usefulness or appropriateness of examples where relevant (25%)
d. Consistency of language usage, proper use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, variety in sentence structure and range of vocabulary. (20%)
2. Top 30 entries will be short-listed to be published in a book anthology ‘Your Singapore through Their Eyes’.
3. The 30 short-listed entries will be submitted to professionally qualified Language Arts teachers for a final round of judging.

Style Guides
1. Entries can be in any form, including prose, poetry or play.
2. They must be typed in:
a. Font type: Arial;
b. Font size: 12 point;
c. 1.5 line spacing;
d. 1 inch margin on all sides and
e. Single sided print on A4 paper

Administrative Procedures
DO:
1. Write the title of your essay at the top right hand corner of each page of your manuscript.
2. State the total number of words written at the end of your manuscript.
3. Number each page.
4. Submit 3 copies of the manuscript if you are sending hard copies.
5. Attach the official application form, properly and completely filled, during submission of manuscript.

More information can be found in http://www.ystte.com/.