01. From Normal (Technical) to Express

 

(Helen Ng was a student of Orchid Park Secondary School, from 2002 to 2005. This is her personal testimony.)

 

 When I got my PSLE results, I was shocked to see how badly I had done. I was only eligible for the Normal (Technical) stream and I thought I would eventually enroll in an Institute of Education . However, things changed after I joined Orchid Park Secondary School ( OPSS).

 

Apart from providing a conducive and interactive learning environment, OPSS is keenly interested in developing pupils’ character. T he school often sets aside some time during assemblies for the sharing of inspiring stories. Also, at times when I was demoralised with my own performance, I often found hope through the things my teachers shared.

 

When I was in Secondary 1, I made vast improvements in my studies and topped the whole of the Normal (Technical) Stream. Subsequently, I was promoted to the Normal (Academic) Stream. I continued to do well in Secondary 2 but at some time, I began to develop doubts about my own abilities and worried about whether I would be able to make it to the more challenging stream. Fortunately, my doubts were addressed by my Principal, Mr Low, who spoke to me one afternoon.

 

Mr Low encouraged me by assuring me that if I continue to work hard and achieve good results, I would be able to do well and make it to the Express stream. His concern for students and belief in their capabilities really motivated me to strive hard to attain the results I wanted. Moreover, teachers and friends had faith in me. I trusted them. True to their words, my perseverance paid off and I did well – I was 3 rd in the whole of the Secondary 2 Normal (Academic) cohort and I was promoted to the Express stream.

 

It was a big switch from the Normal (Academic) to the Express stream and I struggled with my academic studies initially. It was very challenging but the constant support and help from my Principal, teachers and friends spurred me on. When I was in Secondary 4, we had intensive remedials almost every afternoon. Although we dreaded the long sessions, we knew they were important and helped us improve tremendously. My grade for Humanities, one of my weakest subjects, miraculously improved from F9 to A1, all thanks to help from teachers and friends.

 

After graduating from Orchid Park Secondary, I continue to apply what I have learnt at the tertiary level. I am currently studying Business Information Technology at Singapore Polytechnic. I participated actively in CCAs in Year 1 and 2, helped to organize events and for my final year project, h ave been selected to be the project manager of an e-service programme for the SP website. I continue to maintain a GPA of 3 and I will be graduating this year.

Although I was shaken initially by an early set-back, I am thankful that I managed to overcome the challenges and be where I am today. For that, I want to thank my school, Orchid Park Secondary School . I feel blessed to have been a student there. 

 

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02. Finding success in a foreign land

 

(Christine Kao Huy Phuong was a student of Orchid Park Secondary School, from 2002 to 2003.)

 

Christine joined Orchid Park Secondary as a Secondary 3 pupil. It was a chance encounter that led to her joining the school. Mr Low, our Principal, had met her at a coffee shop near the Ministry of Education (MOE) in 2002 where she had gone to get information on how to get into a secondary school. She was introduced to Mr Low by a former primary school principal, Mr. Kee who took her to MOE when he overheard her asking a bus driver for directions to MOE. He later brought her to the coffee shop, where they met Mr Low. Subsequently, Christine wrote an email to Mr Low. Impressed by what she had written, Mr Low decided to grant her an entrance test. She did well and was placed one of the top Science classes.

 

Mr Low learnt much later on from Christine’s father that she was brought up in a refugee camp in Ho Chi Minh City . In the late eighties, Cambodia had many internal wars and many citizens were massacred. Christine’s father was one of the many refugees who fled Cambodia to Vietnam .

 

Though Christine did not have a full primary education in Vietnam , her determination pulled her through in her studies. She topped the Secondary 3 final examination and won the school’s SAC Scholar Award.

 

In 2003, Christine suffered a viral attack in one of the bones in her leg. The attack was so severe that she could not even stand up straight. Realising that she had been absent from school, her teachers paid a home visit. When they told the Principal of her condition, he instructed them to admit her to the Singapore General Hospital . The night Mr Low and his wife visited her, she was in great pain and looked very helpless.

 

Her parents decided to take her back to Vietnam for treatment as doctors from SGH could not diagnose the cause of the leg pain. Christine recovered in Vietnam after a month or so. At that time, Singapore was badly affected by SARS. At his wife’s suggestion, Mr Low decided to put Christine up at his home so that she could concentrate on doing her self study when schools in Singapore were closed during that critical period. Christine was away from school for about two months in 2003, the year she took her GCE ‘O’ Exam. Nevertheless, she excelled in the exam, scoring 7 distinctions including an A1 for Chinese Language. This was remarkable as she did not have any formal Chinese lessons when she was in Vietnam .

 

In 2007, Mr Low received an invitation from Singapore Polytechnic to attend their 47th Graduation Ceremony. It was a special invitation as Christine had done very well in her course of study at the Polytechnic. Altogether she received 4 awards: the Croda Singapore Gold Award, the Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association Award, the Niro Award, and a Diploma with Merit.

 

Despite her odds in life, Christine has achieved much success. Her story is an example of the opportunities offered by Singapore to those who have the determination to succeed, and an inspiration to us all.

 

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03. Email from Mrs Priscilla Kok (Parent)

 

From: kok priscilla priscillakok@hotmail.com

Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 16:29:29 -0800 (PST)

Subject: Wonderful Gesture

 

Dear Mr Low,

 

I would like to relate an incident I witnessed on Tuesday, March 21st:

 

It was raining that afternoon so I decided to pick my daughter up after school. As I was early, I waited in my car at your school carpark.

 

I saw two male Indian students standing under the shelter, deciding if they should make a quick dash out of the school.  As they were looking at the downpour, a male teacher approached them and said something to them. Then he walked towards his car and took two umbrellas out and walked back to the
boys.  I could see that he was trying to offer them an umbrella to use.  The boys politely took up the offer and went off with one umbrella.

 

As the teacher walked into the school building, he met three female students, one of whom I recognised as a prefect named Carol. With the other umbrella in his hand, he offered it to the girls.  It seemed to me that this was his only umbrella left and yet he was offering it to the girls. After much deliberation, the girls did not take up his offer.  But this kind-hearted teacher signaled them to wait and he went into the office.

 

Within minutes, he was out again and this time, he walked to his car and drove to pick the girls up, obviously offering them a lift instead.  What a wonderful gesture!

 

Later I found out his identity.

 

Mr Low, please help me to congratulate the owner of EP915S.  I believe he is Mr Mathew Tan.  Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

This may have seemed to be a very small matter but gestures like these tell so much about a person's character.  And to a parent whose child is beginning school in OPSS, I certainly feel assured that this
is the right place for her!

 

Congratulations to you too, Mr Low!  For I believe, with your leadership and encouraging ways, the teachers and pupils are inspired and motivated to work hard not just academically, but also in human relations.

 

WELL DONE !!!!!!!!!!

 

Humbly yours,
Priscilla Kok
(Mrs)

 

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