TenbyZine issue 10_compressed

TENBYZINEISSUE10/MARCH2019

TENBY 10TH ANNIVERSARY

CONTENTS

2 OUR TEAM 6 COORDINATOR: MR
The students behind this GORST
term's issue of TenbyZine On the magic of TenbyZIne

3 CHIEF EDITOR'S NOTE 8 DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
“How lucky I am to have A journey of a thousand miles,
something that makes saying with memories cherished in
goodbye so hard.” – Winnie our hearts
The Pooh
14 POETRY
- Megan Choong Jie Yue When an emotion has found
- Carmen Tan Yu Hui its thoughts and the thoughts
- Hana Lee have found their words.
– Abigail Lim Jie Yee
25 CREATIVE
5 MESSAGE FROM OUR Through literacy devices words
HEAD OF SCHOOLS are truly reborn
The most beautiful things are
not associated with money but
memories and moments.

- Mr Temple

2

MEET OUR TEAM

Josephine Anggriawan
Design and Senior Advisor

Megan Choong Abigail Lim
Senior Advisor Senior Advisor

Hana Lee Ekta Nair Carmen Tan
Head of TenbyZine Designer Head of TenbyZine

Saranya Anandraj Oh Lewen
Chief Secretary Secretary

Fong Seng Junn Oh WenXuan Sherynn
Head of public relations Designer public relations and

and marketing marketing

Olivia Tan Cheryl
Editor EditorO U R T E A M |   3

3

Heading this issue of Tenbyzine with my co-head Hana and our senior advisers Megan, Abigail and
Josephine has been an absolute pleasure. It is incredibly humbling to be able to work alongside such gifted
and accomplished students as well as to be given an opportunity to broaden my horizons and grow. I would
like to thank my team for enduring my constant nagging and for being such wonderful friends and
hardworking team members. The future, truly is in the hands of the youth.

- Carmen Tan, Head of TenbyZIne

It has been a worthwhile experience working on TenbyZine for the past 2 years. I learned so much while
editing and designing the articles; I'd like to thank Mr Gorst, Megan, Carmen and Hana for support and
encouragement they have given during my time in TenbyZine.

I will miss the TenbyZine team members - and cherish the 2 short years I had with them, the memories and
milestones we've made together.

- Abigail Lim Jie Yee, Senior Advisor

4

CHIEF
EDITOR'S

NOTE

It is with phenomenal pleasure I create my third and last issue for Tenbyzine. I have had the opportunity to
observe magnificent work and innovative creative energies. We are spectators of life and it has been an

astounding experience to have seen the extraordinary advancement we have achieved and to see TenbyZine
changed and reborn. I was too, honoured to have been the Chief Executive of TenbyZine and a journalist

myself, which has been a fulfilling learning opportunity for me. Many believe we, the heads, are the reason
TenbyZine is currently a printed magazine. Be that as it may, I know what truly set us, which drove its
reputation in our school 'til today: the enthusiasm for literacy, the aspiration, the inventiveness of our
journalists. I genuinely appreciate all that I have learnt and seen, and accordingly, share what I have
experienced with you, of this brilliant bit of 'Life at Tenby'.

- Megan Choong Jieh Yue, Senior Advisor

Becoming the Head of Tenbyzine has given me the opportunity to work with talented individuals and
young leaders. It has been a great pleasure to be a part of the team and I have no doubt that Tenbyzine will
continue to be a platform where the students are able to express their thoughts freely and creatively. I would
like to thank the members of the team for dedicating their time and effort to make Tenbyzine a success.

- Hana Lee, Head of TenbyZine

5

A MESSAGE FROM OUR

HEAD OF SCHOOLS:

MR. TEMPLE

Welcome to the 10th edition of our very own in-house
magazine that keeps our community informed of all
the current affairs that are relevant for our students. It

is fitting that our 10th edition is coming out during our
10th Anniversary celebrations so I would like to take
this opportunity to thank the whole Tenbyzine team
for their hard work and dedication in preparing this
wonderful publication.

The purpose of this magazine is to educate, inform and
entertain our community and it is wonderful that all
the publications have managed to maintain a
consistent high quality due to the dedicated team.

Over the watchful eye of Mr Gorst and Megan Choong,
the team has worked tirelessly to bring the most up to

date and relevant articles to our community and I
would like to offer my whole-hearted thanks to them
and the Tenbyzine team for their superb work over the

first 10 editions.

6

Yes, we’ve been… A MESSAGE FROM OUR
Given the bow, are making keen arrows, making
new hearts, the bone and the marrow. COORDINATOR:
We are lucky, are rich, maybe richer inside
than we could hope for, dissect or ever quite hide MR. GORST
If we only, if we only
Let go of our pride. Just blank sheets of paper, songs still to be sung,
  a pictured heart beating, still to be hung,
And when we listen to voices, solvent in hate, we A snowfield untrodden, a choice not a fate,
can still a chance for the taking
Just abide, the curious fate For it’s never too late
In our longing to love...
what’s not there to break - to leave past behind, to lease uncertain ‘morrow
  embrace moments free of grasping and sorrow.
What cause/effect planted, measured and planned
in our guts, in our cores, in our automate glands? Yes, love’s the path unwritten, sometimes
So - be humble and learn how love and greed unplanned,
Are not written in stars, are not told by our creed the present unwrapped when we at last
yet lie burning, yearning. Accept give and take understand.
parents but mirrors, nothing at stake, Learning is light magnified,
reflections broke free, Which youth teaches free
connections bound close And we, grateful, borrow
and all questions found answers inside us foremost If ‘self’ we let be
For children in trust reach tall as teak trees But let go, we must
happy, so happy, not pinned by mere genes. The bow to string,
  The song to sing,
Happier still be, to lose all control, The boat to bring
Take it all back, break rules, climb out holes, Us home. Now follow…
and bend not to break as no traps had been laid,
or hard feelings felt, no debts left unpaid, 7
no towers fallen, no dirt dealt,
no numbers callen, no wax to melt.

LIFE AT TENBY

DESCRIPTIVE

Memories 1 st September 2015 – Shuffling
my feet, I fixed my hair for the
3 rd January 2011 -- Tugging 17 th July 2015 – Sprawling twentieth time today, my tummy
nervously at my backpack, I dramatically on the hill, I a tight knot of nerves. What was I
glance out of the everchanging gasped in contentment and going to do with myself!? I
landscape around me, exhaustion as I finally gave up murmured to myself as I exited
unconsciously drowning out the the chase of my phone. The the bathroom in search of my
excited chatter of my mom. It’s finality of my journey wasn’t “tutor group”. Gee, its only 10 a.m.
still dark when we pull up at the nearly as traumatising as I'd in the morning and I’ve been
parking lot at the new monster assumed; with my favourite subjected to the jarring culture
I’m about to tackle; Tenby acquaintances even going as far differences of a 100- meter radius
Schools. Trying to be the first to as to steal my phone so I’d between the 2 segments of this
class, I dart after my quick bids never leave them… Futile efforts universe… What have I even
of farewell in search of “Std 3M”. however, my voyage was bound gotten myself into – too absorbed
All was well until I tripped on the to the international segment of within my own thoughts, I bump
step trying to get into my class, this tiny universe. into a tiny girl and accidentally
causing a loud thud on the door. giving her poor bum a one-way
22 nd July 2018 – My heart ticket to the floor.
24 th April 2018 – The acrid smell thumps along with the wild
of paint and turpentine stings my music of the night as I the entire 12 th February 2019 – My head
nose as from across the room, my Year of 2018, joining in chaotic slumps forward, deliberately
fellow art student scoops generous harmony at the last desperate resting on my file as the quiet
amounts of the both substances cling towards the remnants of chatter of my friends combined
out. I don’t let this distract me as I childhood. It is the last time we with the philosophies of Voltaire
continue sewing coloured dolly would be together as a year and Nietzsche make my head
patterns unto my final piece. 30 group, the last time we would be spin. My phone buzzes as I
minutes to go before doom strikes gathered officially as a year receive a promotional email
and everyone of us will not only group, the last event we have regarding throwback Tuesday’s,
lose the happy excuse of art together. However, the finality of and I smile at the innocent
procrastination but also the the event hadn’t and will never naivety of my own thoughts 8
tranquillity of our minds as sink in, as the precious fickleness years prior; Tenby will no longer
IGCSE’s were due. of humanity readily allows us to be just a monster, but a refuge.
move on armed solely with
experiences. KATHRINA CHAIR | 9

REMINISCE

As I revisit my memories from my first day at Tenby, I can still recall the
overwhelming sensation of butterflies in my stomach as I glanced at the
Tenby flag when my mother drove me into school. In 2010, my parents

decided to move me to Tenby at the age of 8, and never would I have
imagined that I would spend over 9 years in this school.

“A united world at peace, through education.” These words have always
resonated in my mind since the head of SST, Puan Lee, welcomed the
new students to Sekolah Sri Tenby. I spent 4 and a half years in SST,
from Standard 2 until Standard 6. I was accustomed to the daily rituals of
playing hopscotch in the morning with my friends, cruising through my
subjects, and joining in on Vitagen chugging championships with ‘the

guys’ during lunch. Being a clamorous child definitely got me into
trouble with one of the most feared teachers, which was Puan Amirtha.

Despite my rebelliousness getting the best of me, she taught me
discipline, respect, and to appreciate my own successes. By the end of my
time in SST, she had become one of my favourite teachers. How ironic!
 All of my SST tutor classes were filled with rumbustious boys, and girls

too. Singing out loud was one of our class’ favourite pastimes, although
none of us would ever sing in tune. One Direction, Girls Generation,
Taylor Swift. If you named any generic pop star, we would have
definitely serenaded our teachers with their songs before, using our
peculiar vocal range.

Unfortunately, before I sat for my UPSR in 2014, I had to bid farewell to
my friends  and teachers from SST. It was time for me to move on, but I

would always cherish those moments I had with my friends, and
teachers. My 4 going on 5 years in TIS have been a whirlwind of
experiences that have helped me grow as a person, and has made me
who I am today. My first few weeks of being a Year 7 student was a
drastic change from what I was used to in SST. Getting lost in a crowd
full of other year 7’s was very common as we wandered far and wide to
look for our next classroom. ‘Why are you always carrying a bag full of
bricks?” was the repetitive question my mother would ask me when I

returned home from an overwhelming day of learning.

As time flew by, I eased through Year 7 until Year 9, but my most fond
memories were the school camps that we used to go on. Our year in

particular has always been known as the “CURSED YEAR” because of our
bad reputation with our camps. The rashes from moths in Year 7, frogs in
our bathroom in Year 9, and many more ghastly instances. For those of

you who are in the graduating class of 2019, you would know what I’m
referring to. However, I can proudly say that we, as a year, have
overcome many things together despite the unconventional

circumstances. Having the time of our lives at the beach in Mersing,
playing volleyball and throwing wet sand on each other are some things
that I will never forget. We were merely kids back then, but Year 10 came

along and instilled the drive to prepare ourselves for our IGCSE’s.

Year 10 became a year of alterations and improvements as we
now only had 2 more years in school. Many of us started the
year off with Duke of Edinburgh (DOE) practise trips, such as

hiking, and the most dreadful one of them all: kayaking.
Eventually, my friends and I cheered each other on with memes

songs, ranging from ‘Take on Me’ to ‘Africa’ while we kayaked
our way through the waters of Royal Belum. Repercussions of
wearing short sleeves resulted in mismatched skin tones and
flaking skin. What a classy touch. Supporting each other through
the excruciating paddling in Royal Belum and Lake Kenyir, and

having group hugging sessions to warm those who were
suffering from hypothermia were only a fragment of our DOE

journey.
One of my passions have always been to pursue drama and
theatre arts, hence joining productions and drama competitions

were able to fulfil my interests.

Aladdin was my first production, and I was exposed to Ms.
McCue’s creative process of writing scripts and blocking scenes.
Ever since then, I have participated in over 6 Music and Drama

Department (MADD) productions, together with my best
friends. The production sleepovers were always an annual hype
because we got to sleep over in school. Thinking about it now, I
guess sleeping on the cold, carpeted floor was never a good idea.

Bonding with the other years, having regular Domino and
Nandos orders, and then burning those calories out with
questionable dance moves are aspects of MADD that I will miss
very dearly. An honourable mention goes out to my drama
teacher, Ms McCue, for helping to develop my interest in
Drama, and giving me the incredible privilege of acting in her
directed productions. Thank you for everything, Ms McCue!

The reality is, I now only have 3 months of school left. The fact
that I am already finishing Year 11 will be something that my 8
year old self could never have comprehended. It aches my heart
that I have to say goodbye to Tenby Schools Setia Eco Park, but
the family and community that I have found at this school is
impeccable. I would like to thank all of my teachers for pushing
me to do my utmost best, and sacrificing their time to tend to
my inquiries, but most importantly, I would like to thank my

friends. I will miss our daily lunch sessions, and our random
outbreaks of psychedelic rock songs. Giving me the courage and
accepting me for who I am is something great friends like them
will always do, and I am thankful to have you guys in my life as

we brace adulthood together.

To those of you who have recently embarked on your journey
in Tenby, always know that there is a family supporting and
cultivating your talents and ideals to make your school life as
memorable as possible.

Dear Tenby, I will miss you, and I hope many
other students will have a fulfilling experience at

this school. Thank you for everything.

SARANYA ANANDRAJ | 11

WHAT A

Wonderful

MEGAN PLACE CHOONG

I have studied in Tenby Setia Eco Park for as long as the school has opened,
through the years of studying here, I have learnt countless things. Despite

everything I recall my secondary garments, how gradually and eventually, I
have overgrown those and not long after, AS was as well, a story from a year

ago.

I have studied in Tenby Setia Eco Park for as long as the Here, my tears have fallen but amazing memories have
school has been open, and through the years of studying been made, which I still hold so closely to my heart, for I
here, I have learnt endless things. Above everything, I recall have made numerous companions whom I presently
my secondary garments, how gradually and eventually, I have learned to call family.
have outgrew them and not long after, even AS exams are a
story from a year ago. Confidence born of experience: thanks to Tenby, I
currently hold numerous positions. With each chance, I
Time flies like a vulture in the sky, but my voyage wouldn't too, venture out of my usual range, out of the
have been this valuable if, on the off chance, it hadn't begun familiarity... and now I stand with courage.
at Tenby. In this school, I have learnt to count, to sing, to
play the drums, to compose, to build friendships, to never An eco-school as the world has come to know, and the
give up, and to always... get better all the time. environment that the school has brought forever calms
my soul. Greenery surrounds every corner, as breeze
This school holds something beyond the painted hues on during my serene strolls. The delicate gleam of daylight
the divider, the extensive facilities that it provides, it too streams in, and caresses my skin, warms and kisses my
holds countless hearts with passions and dreams that light face with its radiance.
up like the stars. It unites the multi-cultural backgrounds in
such a way that every corner we turn, we learn to speak and A platform of freedom to learn my mistakes with no
interact with so many of alternate origins and this structures judgement. A kaleidoscope of colours on a beautifully
our International Mindedness. painted landscape. An atmosphere electrified with
pleasant vitality. Knowledge to be learnt beyond
12 expectations. This is Tenby: what a wonderful place to be.

LEE JEONG WOO | 13

My Journey up and test my endurance. It was like a battle against
myself. Testing my strengths and how far I could push.
in Tenby
But sometimes I felt like I didn’t reach my full
My eyes widened with fear and my heart pumped potential.
rapidly as I stepped into the class. New faces stared at
I could go so much further, more than what my brain
me, burning holes through my face. I avoided their could have thought possible but I did not. Could not. I
gaze and quietly walked in but could hear the whispers think that was the hardest challenge in Tenby. Going

and muttering from my classmates. Ears burning as I further and reaching my full potential. Achieving
took my seat beside a girl with short black hair pulled something. My years in Tenby have made me realize
that anyone could do anything they want. Yet another
back into a ponytail. The teacher introduced me, challenge stored for me was Sports Day. I’m not exactly
making my face burn even redder. Then she continued. sporty and did not participate in many events. But I’m
pretty sure everyone, once in a while, will feel sad and
Suddenly, the girl faced me and smiled, showing large
bunny teeth as she said, ‘Hi, let's be friends.’ disappointed by the lack of sports abilities in them.

That was 9 years ago. 9 years. I couldn’t believe time Seeing all my friends getting medals and winning their
flew that fast. From a shy 6 year old girl to a 15 year old events definitely lowered my self-esteem. I was filled
teenager. I spent 9 years in Tenby making new friends with resentment inside me but really... it wasn’t all bad.
and losing some of them. During the 9 years I spent in I promised myself that I would work harder to get a
Tenby, I also have made dear memories, which no one
can take away from me. The first camp I went to in Y6 medal the next year and start exercising. With
experience comes motivation.
up to choosing my subjects for IGCSE.
Tenby is not just a school where you learn new things
My years in Tenby weren’t exactly comfortable. I faced everyday. No, it is more than that. It's a place where
hard challenges that made me want to give you can try unique opportunities and fail without
anyone judging you. Where you can have fun with

your friends and teachers. Tenby has become a second
home to me and I am glad that I am walking down this

path.

LIFE AT TENBY

POETRY

Second home
FATIN AMILI YUZADI

What could this place be?
Where all eyes aren't blind to see,
Hope and unity.

It is where stars shine,
As luminous as soft silver linings.
It is where knowledge grows,
As high and majestic willow trees are.
It is where faith and passion enlight,
As if it was just the beginning of a new
dawn.

A place I could call my second home,
A place where everlasting friendships
intertwine.
A place where we connect,
Either with teachers or friends.
I would be lying if I said I didn't like it here.
For it is a place where we unite.

A place where we have good struggles,
To mature and so that we may brave our
own bad struggles.
A place that could bring joy,
As well as stress and tears.
A place that could bring laughter,
As well as pressure from our peers.

What could this place be?
If it is not Tenby.
You tell me.

15

Getting Better All The Time

ESHANYA

When I felt the grass underneath my feet
And the fumes of the nourished trees
The bluest ocean of clouds above me
I felt serenity as flora surrounded me
The truest and most powerful beliefs
By the greatest and mightiest leaders

The hallways would be gloomy and deserted
If it wasn’t for our dearest teachers

10 years have gone by and here we stand
With unity, passion and hand in hand

We believed in ourselves and always walked ahead
“We’re getting better all time” Mr. Auster once said

We stood by our eco initiatives with dedication
For nothing but mother earth and her contributions

We are constantly taught to look up to our peers
As we know a Tenby student never fails to please
It seems as though when a year goes by, so will another
I will remember we were raised up together by no other
Having such little time left my heart is disheartened
But we'll always be “A United World at Peace Through Education”

16

A Daily Routine

EKTA NAIR

Even though the sun has yet to appear, Guidance, knowledge and humor they provide,
There we are at 7:40 sharp Forever ready to aid with our problems
Their smiles may be immeasurably welcoming
A daily routine for everyone here, and wide,
Shirts in, hair and top buttons done up Yet it’ll slip our minds when their voices go harsh
Eyes half open we saunter across, and our faces go solemn
The familiar concrete and grass
So as we struggle to find an empty table
Grumbling and making unnecessary fuss, To gossip and dine around;
Down the yellow brick road to our class As we learn that arriving at science from art on
Then familiar faces arise, time is not merely a fable;
As first light starts to piece through the sky As we strive to achieve, a united world at peace,
The dread of the school day slowly dies, We should at least be grateful
As chatter and laughs fill our minds That while corpses decorate the Earth,
And children like me and you are prevented from
In all the years of education, learning
Have we ever had so much to cope with? Our lives are filled with mirth,
Folders and fixtures; homework and stairs And the worst we have to deal with is a scolding
All that we need to get on top of
When 2:30 comes around, we buzz with glee
But in all the years of education, And go on our separate ways
Camps, experiments and activities alike have Shirts out, hair and top buttons now free
never been so prominent Repeat the routine the next day
Never under one roof have we celebrated so
many nations,
Or have our opinions been so dominant
This is thanks to a special few
Who on crimson chairs line the halls

17

Nurturing Spaces

JULIANNE CHUAH JIN LI

Roses are red, Not to mention the teachers in Tenby,
Violets are blue, Full of life, love and what the students need.
Life at Tenby is sweet, A good person is what they want us to be,
And most might agree that this is all very So we are dough that they knead,
true. ‘Till we stand tall like a big growing tree.
They’re our pillars and strengths,
Some might say life is an adventure, Now let’s ask ourselves,
Life is to be explored, life is to be discovered. What we would ever do without them?
Tenby adds more colours to the picture,
To make it more vibrant, to give it more Life at tenby is all fun and games,
excitement. To sum everything up, it’s a really great
place,
Life at tenby is where good and bad exist, For students to study and make new friends,
But what makes it good? For them to learn how light bends.
I think the friends are what make it bliss. Life at tenby is spontaneous and fascinating,
The friends in Tenby are hard to find, Students from Tenby, will come out
All so sweet, lovely and kind. dominating.
Friends, not a lot that you need,
Just a few of them is enough,
To help you succeed.

18

Je e i Our Eyes

JULIUS ONG

Tenby is a daily routine for me.
In the morning I'm sure to make a fuss.
Even when the sun is still not up,
Here I am, awake at 5am sharp.

Late a minute and I have to run.
Eyes half open, hair undone.
I reach school and I see my friends.
Immediately, the torture ends.

I have a chat and go with the flow.
Then the bell rings; it is time to go.
I may at times find Tenby stressful.
To have some fun, we have to bend some
rules.

Over the years of education,
Never have I had so much learning with
action,
Such as camps, experiments, talks, and
activities.
I've learned so much and even saved the
trees.

A wise teacher once said aloud,
Success is failure turned inside out.
So stick to the fight when you're
hardest hit;
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Some may see Tenby as a torture
chamber.
Some cannot wait for the holidays in
December,
But it depends on how we look at
Tenby.
Honestly, positively, Tenby is a jewel!

19

Floriferous

MEGAN CHOONG JIEH YUE

Stalling in the back seat of the caravan, The mountain winds ahead,
I slumped my head on the vinyl desk for Effortlessly ascending over the rocky

one. boulders,
Surrounded me were the constant stream of The lush green boughs begin spreading apart

colloquial chaos. The once dappled shade now receiving light,
The sunlight cascades down gently,
My heart felt heavy up the hills of Cameron,
Still asleep back on the soft eiderdown duvet Onto an azure blue lake that lies before me,
Capturing the beams in its radiance.
of time.
The path ahead of me fades,
Tired mud forms small, murky clouds, As greener lushful vegetation spreads before
as we proceed to climb and stride,
one foot after another. me,
I have reached the peak,
In this foggy and misty road, The beauty, a surreal fantasy.
All that's ahead seems so unknown.

Each footfall aches my ankle,
The cold air penetrates my skin,
As the sun comes basking down on me.

The journey reminded me of an And Miss Clayton, a shrewd owl,
overwhelming representation of my school Who once said to me,

life: The dots shall join in this dew-laden air,
Like the trees, I have adapted to the once I will discover my direction.

unstable land. Playful punch and a chatterbox,
Through the stress filled haze, where my tears Present around me,

has fallen, Surrounded by my friends,
Lies memories made, stories and love. How long I wonder, has it been?

The garden ever so beautiful symbolises my I can't be more joyful to have taken on this
friends, adventure,

Families and companions, matured, To have conquered life, and now DOE.
Pruned to this fellowship that has blossomed.
Seven years, from a seed I have blossomed,
The benevolent farmers that cultivate the The tree we passed, expanding in its stature
land,
amid the journey,
Represents the wondrous teachers that have Represents my path towards graduation.
built me with delicate hands,
Like a dandelion, through the wind, I shall take
Enlivening the diverse potential in me on another journey.

Miss Lloyd, the golden sun who paved my It’s time to create new memories.
path,
The land of knowledge has grown,
Mr Gorst, like the farmer who planted my A magnificent affair it has been,
passion for literacy within me, To the new rays of light,

Miss Stacey, who steered me from my once I thank the foundation that has built me...
beaten and muddy tracks, just to be.

Miss Renee, my support, encouraged me to
continue the hike, to always be a fighter.

Labyrinth of
Knowledge

JOLENE NG

Inhale the scent of wisdom and knowledge,
To learn the untold, the whispers of history and the beginning,
To unearth the inner treasures that have yet to be discovered,
The place to learn and build up our personal character.

Although, there’s one thing that makes us different,
The greenery, the fresh air, that bestows new life upon closed,
tired eyes,
Tempting us to read the divine scripture of matters and
reactions,
That comprehends and concludes the wonders and curiosities in
life.

22

OLIVIA TAN

A United World
at Peace

Educated through the knowledge of what we have done in the past,
School gives us chances to improve and effect change on the future,

The next of our kin will always be better than the last,
Because only learning from humankind's past mistakes will allow us to progress.

Tenby provides not only necessities and requirements
But it also provides opportunities and chances to gain experiences,
We as students at Tenby support every single one of our peer's achievements,

From more than just languages, literature, arts and sciences.
The education taught from one to another is but what the past has tried,

And through education is how we help the land we live on,

Every student at Tenby is able to fulfill their ambitions, goals and to thrive,
As we are internationally minded, respectful and capable of life-long learning .

Tenby supports every student, diversely capable in arts, academics or sports,
And helps those us to achieve our full potential and define our strengths,

All of us are grateful for being taught effective communication and support,
To stand together in a united world at peace..

23

Eye-opener

ADAM SALLEH

A school full of luscious greenery  
Has made an impact on its scenery What else is there to say
Its symbol soaring high with glory Just enjoy every second

That’s what I would call Tenby You’ll miss it someday
  The memories will definitely be

Life in Tenby has been amazing treasured
In a few months, it’ll be ending
The school teachers pushes us for the
I’ve been here since the very start better
Since 2009, it’s been a part of my heart
Trying their best, to turn one of us into a
  leader
The teachers teach with such commitment
Giving every student joy and encouragement Or help us figure out our career
To notice this eye-opener
It has made Tenby such an outstanding
establishment Only one phrase can explain this insider:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
That I’ve chosen to cherish every moment
 

24

LIFE AT TENBY

CREATIVE

Fifteen, Eighteen
& Nineteen

DAPHNE LIM SU WEN

We came into this world bright-eyed and on Tuesday, Add Maths workbook on
hopeful. Wednesday, Bio PEKA on Thursday, can't even
By ‘we’ I meant ‘I’ and by ‘this world’ I meant remember on Friday... Homework upon
‘Tenby’. homework upon homework.

It was the year 2015, I arrived on campus in my And the more homework we had, the less we did.
ill-fitting uniform -- my skirt one size too big,
my 2018 was the year of responsibilities. We were
hair up in two frizzy pigtails. It was a new year, I half out of secondary school -- one foot still
came into class with a head full of clouds and firmly
with an unjustified amount of confidence. After set in our hormone-driven, acne-ridden teenage-
studying in a Chinese school for 6 years, dom -- the other foot just hovering over young
everything Tenby seemed new and foreign. adulthood. There were so many things to do,
“This is my new start,” I told myself. I wasn't extracurriculars to attend, merits to gain,
going resumés
to forget to do homework, I was going to to build. Don't forget tuition, the extra classes we
participate in class and study hard. burden ourselves with because we're
convinced we can't do without. Gone are the idle
And I guess I've kept that promise to myself, to evenings when I can just sit and daydream. I
some extent -- I had remembered to do don't daydream. What do you call nightmares but
homework, I did participate in class and I did instead of asleep you are awake? Well, I do
study hard. My results were good, almost too that.
good
to be true. I made a bunch of new friends, life I can't speak for all, but I'm certain some can
was fun, I was happy. For three years, I thought I relate. 2018 for me was characterised with
finally had a handle on my life. disappointments -- teachers were disappointed
when we didn't hand in our work, we were
Then came the year 2018. disappointed with our results, I was disappointed
in myself.
Before 2018, I had never felt so defeated before,
never knew what it felt like to have the ground
pulled out from under my feet, never knew what
it was like to be too tired to sleep.

It was the year 2018 and as much as I hated
school the last three years before, I hated it with
a renewed vehemence now. Every day we had
homework. Amali on Monday, Physics
worksheet

26

I cried, admittedly. A lot. Too much. I am lost. But everyone else is lost too. No one
comes into this world, into Tenby and
Crying never solved anything, but what else could I do? beyond,
with everything figured out.
So I woke up the next day and washed my face and
came back to this world called Tenby. By So what else can we do but wake up and wash
that time school had consumed my whole life. I was our faces? This time put on a slightly
sure there was a world outside of Tenby better-fitted skirt and put our hair up in a
once, but in the face of my adolescent crisis, I couldn't ponytail instead. We come to Tenby, go to
remember what it looked like on the other our lessons, take meticulous notes, crack a few
Side. jokes here and there, in hopes that somehow,
these things will make everything more
I think Tenby, like most other schools, are full of bearable. We go to our CCAs, activities we
paradoxes. I hated being in Tenby, but I loved chose out of interest or a blind obligation. We
to do well in Tenby; I cared too little about my studies, stay up late at night studying, doing
and I cared too much; I was lonely and homework until our eyelids become too
sad, we were lonely and sad together. heavy, or we collapse the moment we get
home because we've been running on too
It is the year 2019, and this year will be my last in little for too
Tenby. I look at the buildings, basketball long. We procrastinate and we waste time. We
courts and fields, think about the carpets that smell make friends and we lose friends. We love
strangely like soggy salad and I sincerely and
can't imagine a world without them. SPM is near, the have our hearts broken. We get angry and
fear is palatable. Our heads are buried in lash out (here I say ‘sorry’ to my teachers
our books. We're cramming for yet another test we whom I
were told would shape our lives. have all hated at one point or another), we
laugh and we cry and we go to sleep, wake up
Here we are just before graduation, we are told to plan and begin our day again and again and again
for the future, but how, I wonder, can I and again and again.
think about the future, when I can't even handle the
present? Until at last, the graduation curtain falls and
we leave our school's gates one last time.

And here's another paradox to ponder upon: I
can't wait to leave Tenby, but I am afraid to.

27

“DING DING DING –” Th Rid
“Step right up, don’t be shy! Step right up for the of
ride of your life!” Your Life
I swung my head towards the source of the
broadcast. A large contraption with a height of “TENBY EXPRESS
approximately 20 metres overwhelmed the line Thrill type: Big drops, sharp turns, high speeds,
of my sight; its staggering tight turns and sudden and dramatic acceleration
intimidating steep slopes leaving me unsteady Warning: For safety purposes, expectant
on my own feet. A roller coaster. mothers and audiences with heart conditions,
“Go on,” my parents encouraged, nudging me back or neck problems, motion sickness, or
into the line. other conditions that could be aggravated by this
Queueing up like I was a part of an ant line, I felt adventure should not ride.”
as if I was shot with adrenaline. Anxiety,
excitement and meagre fear coursed through my 28
already buzzing blood. The feeling was familiar -
similar to what one would feel on the first day of
school. The line moved swiftly, and I soon came
upon a brown board with clear and neatly
printed letters:

The grey metal gates which caged the roller coaster I will forever be grateful for the seatbelts – which
compound clunked open. My opportunity arrived. I are the relationships between teachers and
walked in to find a coaster car that could accommodate
six people, and with the outsides painted with a logo of friendships that I’ve formed along the way. From
white and light blue stripes and a tree of green leaves bad grades to the stress of juggling between
and brown trunk in the middle. A soothing navy encased
the design and white delicate block letters of “TENBY academics and extracurricular activities; from
EXPRESS” were printed on it. friendship problems to high school drama, there
were those who I could always trust and rely on.
With trembling legs and bones, I fumbled into the car The seatbelts were my constant in the chaos and
clumsily. Nervous was an honest understatement. were supporting me throughout the entire ride.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please put on your seatbelts.” My life at Tenby could not be written down
accurately in words alone. I have not only been
After the clicks of the belts and the hum of the metal
bars lowering, we lurched forwards; beginning our taught knowledge but also love and hate,
journey on the tracks. We moved from the initial friendship and enemies and most importantly, I
horizontal position to a steep incline. My ears were have grown into a better, kinder, responsible and
hypnotised by the whirring of the metal wheels on metal
gears. As we went up higher and higher, the hair on the more matured version of myself.
back of my neck prickled. Cold precipitation collected
on my palms and forehead as I waited in silence and Just like a roller coaster, for some, it was a
anticipation. We were onto our first pinnacle. delighting and fun experience and they can’t wait
to experience it all over again. For some others, it
Our breaths hitched as there was a brief pause on the was a tough journey that they were unwilling to go
peak, the chilly breeze fanning us.
through again.
Then came the decline. Gravity gave us no mercy and
pulled us downwards with immense velocity. The harsh I however, appreciate my journey and walk on,
wind slapped on my face as I clenched my eyes shut. prepared for my next ride and ready to take on
There was the unmistakable screaming, shouting,
cheering and whooping. I couldn’t tell if the screams even bigger and challenging roller coasters.
came from my own mouth or from those around me.
Adrenaline consumed me. My heart hammered out of
my chest and my stomach sank as I clenched onto the
iron bar so tightly that my fingers turned white.

On and on it went, up and down, then up and down
again with abrupt turns jumping at us around every
corner. I soon learned to relax a little more and opened
my eyes to enjoy the view. I was cheering and whooping
along with others, enjoying the unique experience.
Finally, the rollercoaster came to a slow stop. Seat belts
unbuckled and metal bar raised, I stumbled out of the
car, still dizzy from the motion. The ride felt like it took
forever, but at the same time was over too quickly.

My life at Tenby is like that roller coaster ride.I had
many ups and downs and sharp turns tossed into my
life. There were times where I felt like I had reached a
peak; where the view was painstakingly beautiful from
above. Proud of my achievements and joy for the
satisfaction of where I was in life, I felt on top of the
world, motivated to manage the impossible. There were
other times where I felt as if I had hit rock bottom.
Immature teenage mistakes, along with personal
downfalls and disappointments brought me to a
downward plummet; I have felt unmotivated and
tempted by the ungrateful thoughts of giving up.

2 9 JULIA LUN TONG ERN

@tenbyzine