The Victorian 95: The Pandemic Edition

Ms Mary’s Retirement Day

The school held an event to celebrate Ms Mary’s
retirement on the 2nd of December 2021. The
formalities began with Ms Mary logging out of work for
the final time. It then continued at ‘Dewan Warisan’ and
via google meet where everyone watched a PowerPoint
presentation of her journey into teaching and gratitude
videos from teachers and students. It was an emotional
atmosphere as Ms Mary’s students could not be present
physically due to the ongoing pandemic.
Next, Ms Mary’s speech also brought tears to those
present as she shared about her wonderful experience
in Victoria Institution and her other experiences as an
educator. Following that, an enormous cake was
presented on the stage to her as a token of appreciation
from the school. Many gifts were presented to her as a
thank you for her contributions thus far. The event
ended with a photography session and her final
farewell as she was driven out of the school gate in a
car that depicted that she had ‘JUST RETIRED’.

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Ms Mary’s Retirement Day

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VAtheCCINATION
drive

Covid -19 changed our lives, introduced
new norms and most importantly educated
us on how quickly the world can change.

As the epidemic worsen many methods had
been introduced to combat the situation
such as the enforcement of masks and
social distancing. Although these were
effective methods, unfortunately, the
numbers just kept on rising, with this
comes vaccination.

To define, vaccination is injecting a small
amount of dead or weakened pathogen
to stimulate the immune system should
there be a real attack. Not to mention
the harsh requirement to transport the
vaccine, distributing it proved to be a
hassle too.

Using the same hall that was marked as
the place the Japanese surrendered
during World War II, the Dewan Warisan
again made history by being one of the
main facilities to distribute vaccination
among our students and also
neighbouring schools. Teachers can also
be seen volunteering to help smoothen
the vaccination process.

In the end, vaccination was the key to helping us
escape this pandemic lifestyle. I think we can all
look back at the two years which came very
unexpectedly and very quickly and learn how
important it is to be able to adapt, as the saying
goes "The measure of intelligence is the ability to
change". As Victorians, leaders of tomorrow,
adaptation should be at the top of the list when it
comes to our strength making everything else
irrelevant.

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“ Learning is a treasure

that will follow its owner


everywhere. ”

-Chinese Proverb

LITERATURE__________________________

A Critique of the Modern
World and Technology

Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of technological
dominance, our daily lives and worldview have been warped by this ever-present
threat that poses as an improvement. This technological dominance has made life
unfulfilling and has inflicted severe damage on the natural world. At this point in
our lives, man and living organism have become products and cogs in the machine
to fulfill the needs of corporations. It’s no surprise that mental health issues are
surging every day. Man is not suited to live in these conditions. We seek autonomy
more than anything else. The pursuit of happiness. The struggle to find freedom.
We all search for fulfillment because of the purposelessness of modern living.

All of these corporations know this very well, they know that we crave nothing but
complete autonomy, the ability to dictate our lives by ourselves, to be ‘free’. To
make sure that we do not step out of line and start questioning the power that
these corporations have over our lives, artificial needs are put together by the
marketing and advertising industry. We watch Netflix, we buy Starbucks, we buy
fake currency for video games, etc. Do any of these things actually make us happy?
Even if you do feel happiness for consuming the effects are
only temporary. It’s because all of these things serve as distractions. “Maybe if we
keep on consuming media, buying unnecessary items and overpriced coffee, we’ll
forget about this flawed world we live in”.

This way of thinking is how big corporations trick us into submission. Portraying
their products as a form of escape from the troubles of life. They don’t care about
us, they only care about our money and our labor. Mental health issues, which are
more common than ever, also stem from this corporatized world. In our society,
mental health is defined by how an individual behaves according to the needs of
the system, without showing signs of stress. An obvious reaction to the current
state of the world, therapists simply define it as a ‘chemical imbalance’ without
putting any of the blame on modern life. Since the progress of technology, the real
problems have been rootlessness and frustration. We are helpless towards the
things that threaten us, we are unable to stop war, nuclear accidents and
pollution. It’s hard to have a positive mindset about the future of our world when
we have little to no say in things, and in a world where the greedy are in power.

We stray further away from nature and as a result, we have paid the ultimate
price.We suffer widely from illnesses that were rarely seen in ancient times, such
as depression, obesity, insomnia, and bipolar disorder. Knowing all of this, it is
clear that our dependence on technology has taken a massive toll on us. Social
media is a very good example of mental health issues stemming from technological
evolution and dominance. Commoditizing social status via ‘likes’ makes people feel
dissatisfied with their lives, with people buying clothing items at ludicrous prices
to feel better about themselves, all for the sake of an imaginary number.

A fairly recent study has shown that rain water samples that were collected from
the Rocky Mountains of America contain traces of plastic in them. When I first read
that article, I contemplated on what us humans have done to this earth. What
technological advancements, as good as they seem have caused nothing but ruin to
the natural world. We take everything from this earth, only to hunt animals to
extinction and cause global warming. Though there has been effort made to reverse
and prevent these problems, time and time again they seem pointless, and little
change has been made. Although we can only do so much on an individual level, we
still play a role in preventing the worsening of the environment.

If we cut down our use of plastic, purchase clothing from thrift stores and cut
down on fast food, the effects, though small, can still be of help. However, the
welfare and fate of the environment cannot solely depend on us. The government
has to step in to avoid accelerating this issue. For example, instead of spending
millions of ringgit on building high-rise buildings which contribute to global
warming, more effort should be made on the preservation of the environment.
Implementing reforms and bigger jurisdiction on corporations to lessen the use of
natural resources on products is a key factor in the preservation of the
environment. Ultimately, the government is key in solving this crisis, but this does
not serve as an excuse for us to degrade the environment. Every party must chip in
to this cause.

Now, I am sure that most people will disagree with the points that I have given in
this essay. I have no problem with that, maybe I am just too young to understand
the complexities of life on this earth, but nevertheless, I know that everyone truly
does care for the environment. However, merely caring about it won’t change one
bit. Action needs to be taken, either through reform or through
revolution. I am not saying that everyone should burn their cellphones with
thermite or live a hunter-gatherer life in the rainforest. I am only giving a critique
of this current world climate, and to hopefully convince people to cut down on
social media and give more thought about how we treat this world. Until my next
essay, thank you for reading.

Mikhail Jamil bin Muhammad Andrew 4J

BLURS ON THE
ROAD

As I stand here watching cars pass by this evening in an old cab, I do wonder. They

pass the same roads every day the same way, continuing the cycle with each passing

day. Everyone in them’s got a life goal of their own, their own struggles and stories

but sitting here, watching them breeze past me, I see nothing but blurs on the road,

just following the path already set out for them with no choice of their own to go

down their own ways. What am I doing? My mind always trails off around these hours.

The reunion should be close. Maybe I’ll go. It’s been, what, almost 10 years? It would

be nice to see the family again, see how they’re holding up. I guess I’ll pick up a few

customers, get home and pack my bags. Can’t be that bad, right?

After so long, I never thought I’d really be standing here again, the place where I

grew up. But as I walked around this old town trying to get a sense of nostalgia,

all the sweet memories I’ve had in this place seem to have faded away with time. The

old school, brimming with history from its cracked walls and the dulled paint on the

old murals with depictions of random sportsmen all plastered on, are no longer

there. The school’s still standing, but all those things were gone, the walls

covered and clean, and the murals painted over with a shiny plain white. The grassy

plains where I’d lie down and get a view of the vibrant blue sky, uncaring of how the

dirt would stain my shirt, replaced with these freakishly tall grey apartment

buildings covering up the skyline, leaving only a glimpse of the passing winds. Even

the old store I’d go to everyday, the place where I’d wait for my father to come pick

me up from school with my brothers, occasionally splitting what little pocket

change we had to buy and share some cheap snacks and sodas from the kind old

owner, who’d always scold us for annoying his customers at the storefront and

watching as we brothers eventually parted ways into our respective fields.

Those remnants of what I could remember seem to have disappeared too, the store

being rehauled completely, looking like an average modern convenience store now.

Even it’s surroundings have been replaced with marks of the new age, most buildings

sporting the same bland colour schemes. The only thing left standing is the bench in

front of the store, on which I’d have placed myself on after tiring days, and watched

as people go on with their lives, each with little quirks I could see from just their

mannerisms and clothing choices. Even then, the recollections of those faces I’ve

seen seem to vanish, replaced with the same roads where cars seemed to zoom

through, becoming nothing more than a collective blur, coldly displaying to me the

truth. Sitting on the old bench, now beaten up due to extensive usage, I feel an

uncomfortable thought creep up on me. I wonder...

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Were those memories of mine really so sweet?

I hadn’t noticed, but I was joined by this kind-looking old man, crossing his legs as

he sat down and opening up a conversation

The Old Man asks me, “What’s got someone like you visiting here?”

Shocked, I reply to him, “Oh? How’d you know I’m a visitor?”

“Oh well, that car just doesn’t look like the car of someone who’d be from here.

Usually it’d be a visitor or some poor lad who lost his way.”, the old man laughs. “

With my old age, I’m pretty good at making out the differences.”

“Oh, please. The cars passing by in front of us and my car over there might as well be

the same. It all just ends up in one blur out on the road anyways. I am visiting,

though I used to live here. I’ve got a family reunion here that I’m honestly quite

scared to go to.”

“You used to live here? Maybe I know a few of of your old folks, who knows?”,

letting out another laugh, he asks me, “That answer you gave me about the cars

though, what’s got you like that? You don’t seem to be in the highest spirits. What

about that family of yours are you so scared of?”

My family, he asks. I wonder what they’re doing. Mom and Dad were always uptight,

now that I thought of it. They’d always hold me up to my brother’s standards. I was

the third child after all, I already had two brothers who’d succeeded in their own

fields, so of course the expectations were so high for me.

“Well, my mother and father were always quite strict. They had simple expectations

and sometimes I wouldn’t meet them all that well and they’d get disappointed,

y’know? My brothers were pretty big achievers, so I had a lot of work set out for me.

Pretty shameful I ended up like this, now that I look at it.
”
“Oh? Seems like this is really bugging you. If you’re comfortable, go ahead and tell

it all, son.”

I’d always imagine my childhood as if it was the sweetest, just like the sodas I’d

happily gulp down. At the time, it felt like my parents were trying to make me the

ideal person, trying to steer me away from any bad influences there may have been.

I’d always follow the footsteps of those brothers of mine. I’d go to their schools,

take their subjects, and follow what they were passionate about.

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The future I saw in my past was different. It felt like all I ran towards all my

childhood was an empty road, where nothing was waiting for me at the end but the

realization that I’ve gone too far down someone else’s path, too scared to run back

and find my own. My brothers ended up a respected by-the-books engineer, and an

eccentric famous restaurateur. Now, standing here as nothing more than a low-
salary cab driver, without an aim of my own, I simply have to wonder…

Were those memories of mine really so sweet?

“Well,” I asked the old man, “What do you think we’re here for? I stare at myself and

see just another insignificant dot driving on roads that aren’t even my own.. It’s like

I’m just following the car in front of me thinking their destination would be good

enough for me.”
“Pretty big question you got there, sonnie. Well, how did you think I could tell your

car apart from all those other ones? No two cars are alike. They're all unique, be it

the different dents and scratches it’s got, or the way you decorate it. No car’s going

to go down just one road. There's a whole world of them out there, it’s all just a

matter of which one you decide to ride through.”
“I won’t know where those go, though. For all I know, something real dangerous

might be sitting right over it. It’s scary when I think about those roads.”
“Well, maybe that’s why you should go down them. Maybe, the road you’ve been

looking for all along may be there. You won’t know until you pass them. That road

may be closer than you ever thought.”
“I’m… still scared of them, though.”
“Well, what about this.” I saw his hands shuffling through his pockets before pulling

out some papers and a pencil.
“Take this. We’ll come back here and have a chat tomorrow evening after you get to

that reunion of yours. Write anything you want down there. I don’t care what you do

with it, I just want it to be filled.”

I leave for the reunion with blank papers and a pencil, and an empty mind. Meeting

the family again felt like the final nail in the coffin. Had it really been this…

inorganic? My parents still ask me the same questions about how much money I have,

what house I live in and what job I have. Of course my brothers are having their fun

with all they can show off. I still respect them as the role models they are, yet I can

feel just how different we are. All I can do is sit around by myself, staring at the

blank papers, enticing me into filling them all up.

Ah, I remember now, when my mother would always tell me to stop writing stupid

little stories, always nagging at me to get back to studying. Oh, how long had it

been since I simply sat down and let my own mind flow out onto the papers, filling

them one by one with this vision I’d have seen only in my imaginations.

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… I’d forgotten this old passion of mine. Before I knew it, time had flown by and the

papers were all full, the reunion over in a flash. I’d say my goodbyes to my family,

and then we’d part ways just as before. I came out of that, with a million thoughts

coming and filling up my mind, but I knew for sure, one thing.
My memories may not have been as sweet as I remember them, but there are still new

memories to be had.

Once again, I visited the old bench. Did it always look this new? It’s still as old as

before, but it seemed to strangely be a lot more pristine than it ever was before, so

different from the last time I saw it. As I sat down, feeling my own heart beat jump

out and flipping through the papers, the old man sneaked up on me, greeting me

cheerily when he saw the papers filled.
“Looks quite packed. You must’ve thought a lot in the time since yesterday. Well, mind

if I read it then? I’d like to see what you’ve done.”
I nod, and give him the paper. Awkwardly sitting there as the old man swept through

the papers at a rapid speed almost casually, my heart felt as if it had stopped.
“To be honest, it’s pretty bad.”
Oh.
“That really doesn’t matter to me, though. You had fun doing this, right. I can really

feel that here. It was fun reading through this little story you made. How about you

make some more? It’d be a treat to read these.”
“Really? Thank you! Honestly, I was a bit scared, and I still am, but thank you!.I’ll

try and keep making more. What’d you think was so bad? I want to see!”
It was like I was a gleeful child again, running around in the fields. It was amazing.

But after some banter with the old man, it was once again time to leave. Before
leaving, the old man told me, to show him what I truly can do with this mind of mine.

With those words. He left. Maybe I’ll meet him again, who knows. Maybe, he’s been

watching over me all this time. Leaving this place where I had grown, I felt a

realization.
Even if I am nothing more than a blur on a map, even if I’m indistinguishable from any

other dot on a map, that doesn’t matter to me at all. The road I take, be it

dangerous or not, will still be my own. Even if that dot doesn’t mean much to

anyone else, it is still mine, and that means the world to myself.

Muhammad Khairulafeeq bin Khir Johari

5 JINGGA

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Muzaffar Hazim, 4B

THE LESSON

I learned the difference
Between delusion and real love

For I’ve been deceived
So many times before




LIFE GOES ON By life
By people
You have to take the good with the bad, My own instincts
Smile when you’re sad, By the world

Love what you’ve got, And when she says she loves

me
and remember what you’ve had, I can feel it, I know
Always forgive but never forget, I bloom like a flower
Learn from your mistakes, That was waiting for the sun

But never regret

People change, things go wrong,
Just remember,
Life goes on.

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Karya Muzaffar

நண்பன்

கைபேசி ஒலித்ததும் ஓடி சென்று எடுத்தான் கதிரவன்.
மறுமுனையில் தன் அம்மாவின் குரல் மிகவும் பதற்றத்துடன்
பேசியபோது கதிரவனுக்கு கை நடுங்க ஆரம்பித்தது. "டாக்டர்
எனக்கு என்னமோ வியாதினு சொல்லுறாரு காத்திரவா, எனக்கு
ஒன்னும் புரியலே நீ கொஞ்சம் வந்து கேட்து பாறையா," என்று
கூறினார். அம்மவோடு கதிரவனின் குரலும் தளதளந்தது.

புதிதாக வேலைக்கு சென்ற கதிரவனுனக்கு அந்த அலுவலகத்தில்
இது இரண்டாம் வாரம். எப்படி லீவு கேட்பதென்று குழப்பத்தில் தன்
அதிகாரியைப் பார்த்து விவரத்தை கூறி விடுமுறையை வாங்கிக்
கொண்டு தன் தாயாரை பார்க்க சென்றான். அம்மாவை பார்க்க
செல்லும் வழியில் தன் நண்பன் குமாரின் நினைவு மனதிற்கு சற்று
மருந்தாக இருந்தது. குமார் கதிரவன் இருவரும் சிறு பருவம் முதல்
நண்பர்கள். பள்ளியில் பயிலும் போதே கதிரவனின் தந்தை இறந்து
விட்டார். தாய்க்கு ஒரே மகன், எனவே குமார் தன் நண்பனாக மட்டும்
ஆல்ல ஒரு கூட பிறந்தே சகோதரனாகவே உணர்ந்தான் கதிரவன்.

படிப்பு முடிந்து இருவரும் வேலை தேடினர். பல இடங்களில் வேலை
தேடியே போதுதான் தான் இப்பொழுது செய்யும் வேலைக்கான
நேர்முக கடிதம் குமாருக்கு வந்தது. "கதிரவா இந்த வேலை என்னை
விட உனக்குதான் உதவியாக இருக்கும். இந்த வேலை கிடைட்டதால்
அம்மா மிகவு சந்தோஷப்படுவாங்க. பாவம் அம்மா உன்னை
வளர்க்கே எவளோ நாளா ஒண்டிய கஷ்ட்டப் பட்டாங்க," என்றபோது
கதிரவுக்கு என்ன பதில் சொலெழுவது என்றே தெரியவில்லை.
“குமார் அப்பனா நீ?" ஆரம்பிப்பதுக்குள், " என்ன விடுடா அப்பா
அண்ணன் எல்லோரும் எருக்கங்கே" என்றான். பலநேறங்களில் பண
உதவியும் தனக்காக குமார் செய்துள்ளான்.

தன் நண்பனின் நினைவுகளில் முயல்கி மருத்துவமனையை

அடைந்து விட்டதை மறந்து இன்னும் வண்டியிலேயே
அமர்ந்திருந்தான். ஐயா நீங்க இறங்கி வேண்டியே இடம்
வந்துவிட்டது என்றார் வாகன ஓட்டுநர். இறங்கி தன் தாயார் கூறிய
மருத்துவரைப் பொய் பார்த்தான்.

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தனது தாய்க்கு வயிற்றில் ஒரு கட்டி இருப்பதாகவும் அதை மருந்து
கொத்துடுது குணப்படுத்தலாம் என்றும் அனால் மருந்தின் விலை
அதிகம் என்றும் கூறினார். உடனேயே 2500 வெள்ளிக்கு எங்கே
போவது? என்னும் முதல் மாத சம்பளம் எடுக்கவில்லையே
யாரைக்கேட்பது? இரண்டு நாட்களுக்குள் எப்படி பணத்தைத்
திரட்டத்துவது? மீண்டும் மீண்டும் குமரையே எப்படி கேட்பது என்று
குழம்பினான். ஆனாலும் அவனை விட்டால் தனக்கு யாரும்
இல்லை என்பதையும் நன்கு அறிந்திருந்தான்.
எண்ணிக்கொண்டிருக்கும்போது கைபேசி ஒலித்தது மறு
முனையில் குமார்.

கதிரவா அம்மா எப்படி இருக்காங்க. வேறு வழி இல்லை குமாரிடம்
பிரச்சனையை தெறிவிடுவதென்று முடிவெடுத்தான். "குமார்
அம்மாவுக்கு வயிற்றில் கட்டியாம், மருந்துக்கு டாக்டர் 2500 வெள்ளி
ஆகும்னு சொல்ரறாரு” என்று கூறி ஆயிரம் வெள்ளி மட்டுமே
தன்னிடம் இருப்பதாக இன்னும் ஆயிரத்து ஐநூறு ரிங்கிட்
தேவைப்படுவதாக கூறினான். மறுமுனையில் குமார், சரி பதில்
கூறுகிறேன் என்று கூறி போனை வைத்து விட்டான். அன்று இரவு
மீண்டும் கதிரவன் குமாருக்கு போன் செய்தேன் . பல முறை
முயற்ச்சித்தும் குமாரின் போன் முடக்கிவிட பட்டிருந்தது. மறுநாள்
வரை முயற்ச்சி செய்துவிட்டு ஏமாற்றத்துடன் மருத்துவமைக்கு
சென்றான் கதிரவன்.

அங்கிருந்த தாதியிடம் நேர்ஸ் டாக்டரிடம் சொல்லுக என்னால்
பணம் ஏற்பாடு செய்ய முடியில்," "மிஸ்ட்டர் கதிரவன் மருந்துக்கான
பணம் காட்டியச்சி, இந்தாங்க இந்த லெட்டரை நீங்க வந்தா
கொடுக்கே சொன்னாங்க” என்று ஒரு உரையை நீட்டினார் அதே
தாதி. வாங்கி பிரித்தான் "சாரிடா காத்திரவா உடனேயே அவளோ
பாணம் எற்ப்பாடு செய்ய முடியில, அதனால்தான் என்னோடே
போன வித்துட்டேன்" கதிரவன் கண்ணில் நீர் தாரையாக
கொட்டியது.

Jeffre s/o Peter

5 INDIGO

101

அம்மா

கருவினில் என் னை சுமந்து
தெருவினில் நீ நடந் தால்
தேரினில் ஊர் வலமே அம் மா

பூச் சாண்டி வரும் போது
முந் தானை திரை போர் த் தி
மன பயம் தீர் த் தாயே அம் மா

வெள் ளம் வந் த ஊரினிலே
சிறை பட் ட ஊமைகளோ
காணும் கனவு கண் ணை கேலி
செய் யுமாம்

கண் ணீர் சிந் தி மனம்
தினம் தினம் கலங்குதம் மா
கண் ணீரை உன் கைகள் துடைத்து
போகுமா

உயிருள் ள கடவுளை
உன் னிருவில் பார் கிறேன்
நீ தான் என் நம் பிக் கை என்றுமே...

JOSHUA INBAN

5 INDIGO

102

மன உறுதி வேண்டும்

PURUSHOTTAM A/L VICKINESURAN 5 HIJAU

103

104

உடற் பயிற் சி

VIMALAN NITHIYANANTHAN
3 HIJAU

105

பொங்கல் பண்டிகை



பொங்கல் பண்டிகை தமிழர் கலாச்சாரத்தை உலகுக்கு உணர்த்தும் திருவிழா
ஆகும். வேளாண்மையை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்ட தமிழர் தம் இறைவனான
சூரியனுக்கு நன்றி சொல்ல நடத்தப்படும். பண்டிகையாகும். உழவர் திருநாள்
என்று போற்றப்படும் இந்தப் பொங்கல் பண்டிகை நான்கு நாட்கள்
நடத்தப்படுகிறது . போகிப் பொங்கல், தைப்பொங்கல்,மாட்டுப் பொங்கல் ,காணும்
பொங்கல் என நான்கு தினங்களுக்கும் தனித்தனிப் பெயருண்டு.

தமிழர்தம் பொங்கல் பண்டிகையில் முதல் நாள் போகி பொங்கல்
விழாவாகும். தமிழர்தம் பொங்கல் பண்டிகையும் முதல் நாள் விழா இதுவாகும்
.பழையன கழிதல் புதியன புகுதல் என்பது இத்தினத்தின் சாராம்சமாகும். தமிழர்
தம் வேளாண்மை சுழற்சியின் கடைசி நாள் இதுவாகும்.பண்டைய காலங்களில்
ஒவ்வொரு வருடத்தின் வேளாண்மை வேலைகளில் கடைசியாக செய்ய வேண்டிய
மீதப் பொருட்களை தீயிட்டு எரிக்கும் வேலைகள் இன்று செய்யப்படும் .இது
மார்கழி கடைசி தினம் அனுசரிக்கப் படுகிறது . தற்போதைய காலங்களில் வீட்டில்
உள்ள பழைய பொருட்களை மாற்றும் தினமாக கடைபிடிக்கப்படுகிறது
.போகிப்பண்டிகை அன்று வீட்டு மாடங்களில் காப்பு கட்டும் வழக்கமும் தொடர்ந்து
கடைபிடிக்கப்படுகிறது.

பொங்கல் பண்டிகையில் பிரதான தினம் தை பொங்கலாகும்.இது
இரண்டாவது பொங்கல் தினம் ஆகும்.இது குறிப்பாக தை மாதத்தின் முதல் நாள்
கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது .இந்தியர் மட்டும் அல்லாமல் உலகில் உள்ள அனைத்து
தரப்பினராலும் பரவலாக கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது .வருடம் முழுவதும் விளைவித்த
பயிர்களை அறுவடை செய்து இத்துணை நாள் உழவர் தமக்கு உதவிய பூமிக்கு
சேர்த்து பொங்கல் வைக்கும் தினமாகும் .அறுவடை முடித்து அனைவரும்
சந்தோசமாக இருக்கும் மாதம் தை என்பதால் ,தை முதல் தினம் இது
கடைபிடிக்கப்படுகிறது .அனைவரும் புத்தாடை அணிந்து அனைத்து நண்பர்
மற்றும் உறவினருடன் இணைந்து கொண்டாடப்படும் விழா இதுவாகும்.

வேளாண்மைக்கு உறுதுணையாக இருக்கும் வீட்டு விலங்குகள் மற்றும்
கால்நடைகளுக்கு நன்றி சொல்லும் விழா மாட்டு பொங்கல்வாகும்.இது பொங்கல்
பண்டிகையின் மூன்றாம் நாள் விழாவாகும் .குறிப்பாக விவசாயத்திற்கு
உறுதுணையாக இருக்கும் காளை மாட்டிற்கும் இல்லத்தை செழிப்புற செய்யும் பசு
மாட்டிற்கும் இடும் பொங்கல் இதுவாகும் .இன்றைய தினம் மாடுகள் வசிக்கும்
இடங்களை சுத்தம் செய்து மாடுகளை குளிப்பாட்டி வர்ணம் பூசி ,உழவு கருவிகள்
அனைத்தையும் வைத்து படையல் வைத்து பொங்கல் வைக்க படுகிறத

காணும்பொங்கல் என்பது உற்றார் உறவினர் பிரிந்து சென்ற
நண்பர்களை மீண்டும் கண்டு உறவை புதுப்பிக்கும் காணும் பொங்கல்வாகும்.
இது பொங்கல் பண்டிகையின் நான்காவது தின கொண்டாட்டமாகும். இதனை
கன்னி பொங்கல் ,கணுப் பொங்கல் என்றும் அழைப்பர்.தற்போதைய
காலகட்டங்களில் பட்டிமன்றம் சிறு விளையாட்டு போட்டிகளை நடத்தி வேலை
நிமித்தம் தனிமையாகி போன உறவினர்களை இணக்கமுற செய்ய ஒரு
வாய்ப்பளிக்கிறது.

வட இந்தியாவின் ரங்கோலி கோலம் போன்ற வற்றை மிஞ்சும் விதமாக
எத்துணை விதமாக பொங்கல் கோலம் போடா இயலுமோ அத்துணை
வழிகளிலும் தமிழ் பெண்கள் பொங்கல் கோலம் போடுகின்றனர்.நாகரிக
வளர்ச்சியில் அடுத்த கலாச்சாரத்தின் தாக்கம் மற்ற கலாச்சாரங்களின் மீது
படிவது சாத்தியமான ஒன்றாகும் ஆனால் பொங்கல் பண்டிகை மற்ற
கலாச்சாரத்தை தம்முடன் இணைத்து கொண்டு மென்மேலும் சந்தோசத்தை
நமக்கு கொடுக்கிறது .இதற்க்கு சான்றாகவே விதவிதமான கோலங்களை
நமது தமிழ் பெண்கள் போடுவதை தமிழ் கலாச்சாரம் ஒருபோதும்
தடுப்பதில்லை.

ஒவ்வொரு கலாச்சாரத்தில் ஜல்லிக்கட்டு தொன்று தொட்டு கடைபிடிக்க
படுகின்றன ,அதன்படி வீரம் மிகுந்த தமிழ் இளைஞர்களின் வீரத்தை
பறைசாற்ற ஏறுதழுவுதல் நடத்த பட்டன.வீரம் மிக்க இளைஞர்கள் காளையை
அடக்கும் இந்த விளயாட்டு உலகளவில் பிரசித்தி பெற்றதாகும் .ஒவ்வொரு
வருடமும் இந்த விளையாட்டை காண வரும் உலக சுற்றுலா பயணிகளின்
எண்ணிக்கை அதிகரித்து கொண்டே வருவதாக இந்திய சுற்றுலா துறை
தெரிவிக்கிறது . சில காரணங்களுக்கானக தடை பட்ட ஜல்லிக்கட்டு
விளையாட்டு தமிழ் இளைஞர்களின் முயற்சியால் மீண்டும் நடத்த
படுகிறது.பண்டைய விளையாட்டை மீட்டெடுத்தது மட்டுமல்லாமல் அகிம்சை
வழியில் போராடும் இந்திய பழக்கத்தை மென்மேலும் புதிய வழிகளை
கடைபிடித்து உலகம் பூராவும் உள்ள போராட வேண்டிய நிலையில்
உள்ளவர்க்கு எடுத்துக்காட்டாக இருந்தது ஜல்லிக்கட்டு போராட்டம்.

VIMAL A/L NITHYANANTHAN
3 HIJAU

机会

KHOR KAI XUAN 许恺轩 5 UNGU

曾经有人说过: “机会是留给有做准备的人的” 。无可否认,这世间确实是如此的,因为机会从来都
不等人。其实,想抓住机会并不难, 因为它处处都是,主要是看我们善不善于抓住它。把它抓牢了,将来一
定飞黄腾达; 抓不住,将来一定没出息。

如果我们想改变命运,想变得更有出息,那我们就应该先改变自己的世界观。有很多人在听闻或目
睹一些成功人士时,在潜意识里都认为他们能有如今的成就都是托上天的眷顾， 那是因为他们不服、嫉
妒。 他们放不下自己的自尊心,不肯面对自己的缺点。这样的人,把自己大部分的时间都花在怨天尤人,
将来肯定不受上天之眷顾。相反的,如果想成功,我们就应该要以他人之长,补己之短。唯有如此,我们才
能不受自尊心的蒙蔽,让自己成长。

从前, 有一名叫艾伦的小孩, 9岁时就开始在祖父的牧场里干活。他的第一份工作便是赤手去捡
牧场上的牛粪饼。 一般的同龄小孩都嫌这份工作太过于肮脏了，都不愿意去做。相反的，只有艾伦肯
去做，而且还干得特别好。由于艾伦表现得非常出色，他的祖父又给了他一份新的工作。这是他向往已
久的工作，那就是放牧马匹。这件事深深地影响了小艾伦，让他上了一堂宝贵的课，并明白了这样的一
则人生信条：无论手上的工作有多么的低贱，只要肯努力及用心去做好它，就是机会。长大后，他也始
终没有忘了这则人生信条，他从每星期只有一美元薪水的肉铺帮工做起。这份工作不但低微而且工作的
环境还特别地恶劣。但是，他并不气馁，反而干得非常出色。后来，他就是靠着他的那份信念，慢慢往
上爬，成为了每星期挣50美元的美联社记者。再后来，他终于成为了年薪150万美元的首席执行官。

从这则故事中，我们可以很清楚地明白，机会其实也不过如此。不是靠上天的眷顾，而是靠自
己努力去争取的。正所谓，“机不可失，时不再来”，“一寸光阴，一寸金”，我们应该从现在就开始去发
掘机会，并且把握机会。只要我们做好自己分内的每一件事情， 机会便肯定会奔向我们的怀里。此
外，我们也应该要时时刻刻准备去迎接每一个机会，因为错过了，便是后悔莫及。因此，我们应该要把
握好人生中的每一个机会，不让自己的余生留下任何的遗憾。

108

治成的角落

生活

身位不同，世本无公。
只望利益，生活不易。
积极向上，还看名堂。
无权没力，来者不宜。
是错是对，无怨无悔。
口吐纷纷，社会摔门。
漫威蛛侠，不如晚霞。
有礼对待，人见人爱。
化敌为友，人伸援手。
尊师重道，切记必要。
绩册一分，超越万人。
职位下层，七分真诚。

人

很多时候我都在想“人啊，究竟是为了什么而活在这世界上呢？“

我们刻苦钻研所换来的成绩与荣誉，总有一天会被淡忘。在离开

人间以后，我们一生中点点滴滴所发生过的事故都无法被记载。

试问，人的存在，是否真的有意义？

其实，我们人被生出来的概率是一千万亿分之一，那该是多

小的机率呀! 既然被给与了生命，我们就应该用它发挥出无限的

价值，就好比爱迪生发明了灯泡，伍连德发明了口罩，叶问唤醒

了中国人的团结心。高尔基曾说过 : ”生活的价值在于创造“。”实

际上，我们有很多选择，想走哪一条路就肆无忌惮地去走吧。人

类啊，就应该珍惜自己的身体与生命，尽其所能把生活画成自己

最喜欢的一副画，即使别人不懂得欣赏，我们也清楚它的珍贵。

人，本来就应该享受，到澳大利亚大堡礁看珊瑚礁群，在巴

厘岛海滩上晒太阳，去阿根廷门多萨市赏雪山，做自己喜欢做的

事情。只不过我们从小到大都被牵上种种责任；4岁得学会走

路；8岁得开始有礼貌；13岁得把学习成绩读好；18岁得把人际关

系搞好；25岁得开始拼事业；32岁得开始教育孩子等等。若我们

生活中大部分时间都在吃苦，工作，那活着还有意思吗？

人，是一个生育孩子的代体。但若人累不再繁殖，几十年

后，地球上就再也不会有任何生物，人类将会绝种，永远不会有

人知道这宇宙的存在。事到如今，人类还在不停的进步，科技越

来越发达，这世界变得越来越先进。由此可见，人类对这世界的

贡献有多大，在这世上有多重要。可能，这是一个循环，一代接

一代，人口持续增加。而这循环只是一个常态，所有事故都已经

是固定的，我们仅仅是一个小生命，永远都改变不了些什么。

生，老，病，死，也许这一切也就只是个过程吧，毫无目

的，为了活而活。你们又何曾想过，为什么自己会出现在这世

上？我们别无选择，也无法永远躲在妈妈的小肚皮里，只能好好

做人，做对的事情，设法把这世界变得跟好。

1893年8月14日，维多利亚国中正式创立。而本校华文学会成立于1993

年1月15日。当时学会主要活动是开设华语班，中国象棋班，月饼售

卖活动等等。在一界华文学会的带领下，学会终于在中六楼里争取

了一间学会室。2003年，学会更举办了州级中国象棋比赛。2007

年，本学会举办了第一届一日营。比起其他学校的华文学会，我们

学校的华文学会比较独特，拥有永久的历史，拥有自己的徽标。

至今，该学会依然时常举办各种各样活动，更成为了该校最活

跃的学会之一。经常举办的活动包括一日营，书法比赛，月饼售卖

活动等。为了让这些项目能够更顺利，更成功地举行，会员们都经

常开会议以便商讨节目的流程，安排会员的筹备工作，检讨活动的

过错等。在这当中，会员将学习到一些小知识，比如说怎么与批发

商达成协议，怎么宣传自己正举办的活动，怎么提高销售量等等。

相对于在课堂上学习的，这些小知识的确比较实用。千万别忽略这

些看似不重要的知识，因为在未来当我们工作时，这些小小的技巧

随时都能用上。

如果您是一位害羞内向且不善于表达的该校生，那就更应该加

入我们华文学会啦。不仅仅是单方面举办而已，会员们也很踊跃参

与别校的活动，以新交更多的朋友，扩大自己的圈子。久而久之，

他们的沟通技巧和表达能力也会愈来愈好。

中学就像蝴蝶蛹。毛毛虫经过蝴蝶蛹变成蝴蝶，就像单纯活泼

的孩子经过中学变成成熟稳重的男人。上了中学，得开始学会承担

责任，体贴有礼，德高望重。自律，能决定一个人的成就。加入华

文学会后，我们能更顺利地规划好自己的时间，既能安排时间留校

召开会议，也有时间在家复习功课。

维多利亚国中华文学会把华文，华人传统文化和软技能融合在

一起。与队友们肩并肩一起分工合作除了能促进彼此的感情，也能

让我们华人团结一心。让我们一起将中华传统文化发扬光大吧！

Lucius Looi Chee Seng 吕治成 4 Ungu

《中学》
林 凯 谦J O N B O N L I M K A I Q I A N
4 UNGU

不感兴趣，不想问，不想知道。我只知道我不想去那个地方！
忆中学。开到在始了20了2107新1年8的年里生，，活这我，一与而切小我都学来改同到变学了了相维，处多我了利来六亚到年国了，中一有，个着与陌自小生己学的非的环常伙境友伴，好分之的开前朋了的友。伙，伴也全有都着向许着多自难己忘向的往回的


脸我，茫我然开只的学看我的见坐第在一一大了天崩地，学上我生静起静排得的成很等了早一待梳，个洗队具一体伍番在，后等我边什也赶紧么往随我学其当校后时了的也。不跟跟了是着很上人去清潮楚。来。到突了然一，条一马声路巨边哄，震当惊时了一


敢队后早动，他已也铺我，当满只赶直时灰知紧到的层的道有我，我一往非这只后不常也苍可跑的蝇使以。惊飞我动一慌完。到向，来过了全语爱不了一文干一位了能解阵学净力的那生子不位的我，强学我感脸的生们上到我，也无为也什他去比无么无只到法是各往奈完自动后。全跑了的明班，动白也里手那。不把些时了苍巡解隔蝇查当一赶员个时走所就为多说月什被的没巡么话要有查。主站员所在人推有的路了人，边桌也椅过排不




气的划学很。长温这之对暖也后于，是，学他主我弟耐席参们心对加的的我了关问感维心了到多我，无利是也奈亚不相，国是信但中遇之他的后到依华当了然文我难相学需题信会，要我，才帮的刚会忙能进有时力入着也，时一这于我定种是只有态他想度人找混会。了日伸从我子出此来，援之问我手后个完，。究全我竟不感。配觉他合到当主这时席学的的校语计



何族的地方朋无需友论也要在是帮怎非助么时常样有，的必不环分要境的种里。族，，在朋必这友里定时，会必有我不认人可识在少那了的里各。给种在与各这样所多需的元的朋种帮友族助。的让。国我家感里到，很认欣识慰以的及是了无解论其在他任种


虽沟通然能我如力的今中有，学明我生显已的涯是进还位步未中结。四我束的，一学但定生在会。尽这回四我想年所起里能我，来刚为我进校认入识争这光了学许，校我多时完朋的友全确不，不我后简悔也单学来，到到但维了我多不总利少算，亚是国尤挺中其过！是来我了的。



112

《醒悟》

林凯谦，吕治成 4 UNGU

“你无药可救了！”这是我当时脑海里预想林老师将给我的教训。
常和然得三都相我不在认是信学的我校真有前我有途学的捣朝着已习名蛋一一的。日经字个荒。我态任废这能度性把了任感的性这。到性但无坏的格性比的偏，性格失偏因，也望格此林造。改在就老老掉学。了师师校虽却们我里对然不都我我想当认是时真有不班学林着出上老习还满代有满的师表的看什态的么期度好坏我方，待学，法我，生可他但的，虽以父我学知还治母校愈对我是的一这于这纪我样个任律顽地这性记固的任不录性性守的簿纪孩格的里子性，律四，，格但分，经觉依之
团法发，愤现后怒还一不的顶天撞但大，没老火林足骂师老我说以师道烧，上：毁反厕“整而所还个自时亚己很把不温马戒见逊柔指森的，落东耐林在西心。教还地师能向桌赖我上讨在了回学。戒生一身指时。上贪。时玩”常的偷老我师东毫西无不奈的犹我地豫看，地着完占全我为没，己心有有认中了错的。的那老一想师
指钥边的匙”，““并在戒老非解指师老锁“我师的这的掏过是出戒程在，指中跟。兴我你奋丝开骄毫玩傲感笑的觉的向到，老一我师种现炫不在耀祥就的“还预看给感吧你。，。手我”伸都我进说拿我了起书没了包弄书里丢包的！，”“从秘谁口密知袋口我里袋手拿”上出的了，背“把包戒里的
训边都不又了会。边这后。一悔偷次偷，，就瞄我了算慌瞄是了做老。师错那的事可眼了是我神老，也师不从花会老费道师五歉眼万中，令看但吉出这买次了的绝我结望知婚道的戒表我指情错！了。我从！手我小忙到也脚准大乱备，地我好再被做次老的把每师书狠一包狠件搜事地了教我一
的验，期他待谁是只知是值，想得林看的老。看师我轻是轻否地知拍道了自拍己我错的误肩的旁行，为从。口我袋也里通掏过出了了老那师枚的戒考指验。，原这来也，证这明是了老林师老给师我对的我考

至于老师是怎么得回戒指，我想已经不重要了吧！
师真了眼我了的。里我命渐从醒满运渐悟地江。了这红变，成的一我成切了发，一绩现到位都自要好金己榜感学的题生谢行林。名为老的“很优师明幼秀！师稚生之，恩，使，让人父诚反为母感过顿。时于从放天此下地以了，后重心，头于我大父不石母再。多捣矣慢蛋慢”，地林上，老课我师时在彻也其底更他改加老变认

113

未来

未来是崎岖的山路，
有着数不清的障碍。
未来是棘手的玫瑰，
一神秘莫测的途径。
未来是模糊的死路，
总有天会到达尽头。
未来是晶莹剔透的镜子，
照耀着现在的一举一动。
未来是验收成果的时机，
收割今天刚种下的稻米。
未来是个无边线的机会，
让我们一步步登上高峰。

• 林凯谦，吕治成 4 UNGU •

114

La semaine dernière

Salut Amir,
Je suis désolé que tu as manqué la fête de Sofia la semaine dernière.

C'était très amusant! Mais Harris était là et je n’aime pas Harris. Il est

très grossier et bruyant. Il était mon partenaire quand on a joué au

Monopoly alors j'avais besoin de lui parler beaucoup. Après le jeu, on a

mangé de la pizza et du gâteau. Ensuite, Sofia a ouvert tous les cadeaux

et elle très contente avec le sac que tu lui as acheté. ll veut que je te

remercie. Après ça, on a eu un marathon de films de Harry Potter. Les

films étaient très intéressants. Pour ta fête d’anniversaire, peut-on

regarder le nouveau film Star Wars.
C'est tout de moi. A bientôt!

Ton amie,

Nazrin

Raja Nazrin 5 Indigo

A Victorian's Epoch

They came in little by little,
Having different colours and traits.

Aspiring to hold the same title,
To possess all: heart, brawn, and brains.



Following the marks left by the predecessors,

It was a real blind chase.
There were those who traced the dungs,

While wise ones found the way.



Long legs and robust muscles
Weren’t what they all lack.
Nor was it the ingenious,
As they all are smarty lads.


Two down, one to go.
The ‘one’ seems effortless.
Yet some might as well know,

To accomplish, it is the hardest.



So many wise words they remembered,
How many could utter its worth?

What’s the point if all they have fired
Were but empty shells of bullets?


Everything abides by the clock,
Few awoke and most asleep.

And when the ‘ticks’ and the ‘tocks’ stop,
Them alphas and sheep leave.



116

School E-Magazine
QEERZAH ZARRAH
Cover Competition

FIRST PLACE

117

GNAW HAK GNOW School E-Magazine

Cover Competition

SECOND PLACE

118

School E-Magazine
ENEG OOK PAY
Cover Competition

THIRD PLACE

119

ADAM'S DIGITAL GALLERY

0001-110821

120

ADAM MIKHAL BIN MASROL
5 INDIGO

0003-100921

121

INSTANT
Noodles

It is what I consider as one of man’s greatest inventions, vacuum
packed in a small plastic accompanied by heavenly aromatic
condiments when it is cooked, a divine food? Be it the rich or the
poor, when one is feeling happy or feeling sad it is there throughout
our whole lives, accompanying us throughthick and thin.

I followed the smell into the kitchen and saw her in her prime 30
‘s , chopping vegetables while boiling rice to turn it into the softest
porridge she could make. It was a sauna in there, all heated up, her
backs sore, arms feeling heavy and yet there she stood with sweat
gliding down her back like a slide and still she had the brightest
smile plastered on her face. All was at peace till her baby woke
up.Cries erupting the silence, disturbing the only time she could rest.
With no complaints, she cradled her in her arms as though it was her
whole precious world. She fed her, forgetting about her over cooked
instant noodlesin the pot.

As the baby grew older and turned into a kid , that red and
yellow package sitting on top of the highestplace of the kitchen
cabinet was a challenge and temptation. She was a militant on a
missionto steal the package before her mom came back. If she gets
caught, her Asian mom would whack her with her prized possession,
the bamboo cane . Just as she opened the package, eating it like
Mamee snacks, a woman in her 40’s stood hovering above her.
Instead of lashing at her, her mom laughed her head off while
boiling the noodles to satisfy the little devil’s curiosity.

122

Curious indeed was the little devil, for in her bowl there were green
leafy sticks that tasted horrible and a white round circle with yellow
in it which in a few years she will learn that it’s named vegetables
and egg. Yet plain noodles were all that was in her mother’s bowl.

I watched the pretty lady in her 20’s, sloppily gobbling up bowls and
bowls of noodles while tears streamed down her face as the soup
became saltier. Why was she crying? Was it because of the beauty
standard of society that made her an outcast? The sad love song
playing on the radio that reminded her of him? The responsibility of
having to choose a course of her parents’ choice or one that would
help her embark on a tough but happy future? Her parents' hair that
were turning white or the sickness that they tried to hide? Maybe, all
of it were reasons for binge eating at the lonely hour while everyone
was asleep as it was the only remedy for her lost soul and broken
heart.

I ventured further in time and saw a woman in her 30’s taking after
her mother , except that she did not have kids as expected of an
independent woman with the time left only for work. The recipe she
learnt from her mum, noodles that could be cooked in five minutes
along with vegetables and an egg to make it more savoury . When
her mother called, she told her about the scrumptious feast she was
having with her co - workers over a bittersweet smile , her glasses
fogging up from the piping hot salty soup which was the only thing
that accompanied her in the late night.

At 50, I saw her lie on the hospital bed, connected to numerous

tubes with angels in white surrounding her. She realised adding

greens and protein did not prevent all those chemicals from

deteriorating her health.

123

This time the independent, strong woman made of steel broke down
and cried as she finally realised why her mom did not let her touch
the red and yellow package when she was a kid. Yet it was too late
to thank her mom for everything she did as she knelt at the funeral,
blaming herself for not spending more time with her. You see,
funerals were never for the dead, it was always for the living to
reflect on their guilt.

Isn't it ironic that when all came to a halt as my memories started to
fade like cotton candy slowly dissolving in my mouth , all I
remembered were the noodles that accompanied me through life,
once a mouth- watering temptation at the age of rebellion , a
shoulder to lean on at the age of dilemma, a reminder at the age
when I missed her cooking , and a sad regret at the age when life
was no longer enjoyable. Like dipping paint in water, patches of
pink, blue and grey all mixed up in my faint memories which
disappeared suddenly and I don’t remember anything else. My mind
once a canvas painted with memories of my numbered days was
blank and I knew my three days left on Earth were up.

If I had a chance, on the third day left in my life, I would want to
go back to the time when I was a baby, so I could remember every
detail my mom did to raise me, to see the happiest smile I have
never seen as wrinkles replaced her smiles . For the human mind was
not constructed to rememberthings a few months into life , which
was supposed to be our most joyfulmoment . Sadly,the only access
to these lost memoriesare through incomplete photos.

124

On the second day left in my life, I want to tell a 20-year old me,
“Everything will be fine and there are always people who had a
worse life than you.” I want to tell her to be confident, for people
won’t love you if you don’t love yourself. I want to tell her to follow
her dreams for we only get one shot at life , and life , without hopes
might as well be as good as us cosplaying the Walking Dead. I want
to tell her to love her parents for her life ‘s stopwatch just started
while her parents’ lives timersare in countdown.

On the last day on Earth, I would like to visit my own funeral. I want
to yell at them for I don’t need a glamorous funeral to be put on
display for them to count their regrets over. Even after you die, they
felt the need to throw you a small sad party just so they could run a
trip down memory lane before time erases their memories of you.
That’s when I realised humans have been wrong this whole time .
Freedom was never found in adulthood , only found in childhood , in
that few years where you can do and think whatever you want on
your own free will with no barriers and restrictions. The process
between living and death can be wonderful but never free as
responsibilities and consequences chain your wings of freedom in
place. Even when you are a cold dead corpse, you will be locked up
in a small claustrophobic box .

If you had three days left in your life, what is it you desire ? To say
goodbye to your loved ones?
Travel the world as you never got the chance? Follow your
dreams? Plan your own funeral? The question is , would three
days be enough for you to leave this world without guilt and
regret?

Felicia Lee Sin Yee (S3SE)

Wine

I was there to witness their child’s existence ,
peeping out the glass at baby showers ,
as confetti floated above ,
parents smiled joyfully back at me .


I was there too , as a companion ,

listening to their heated debate that warmed up the cold dark

room .

Their child weeping in the corner ,
alongside a trash bin filled with my fellow friends ,
and their vows to love each other for better or worse till death


do them part .



I was there to witness their laughter at graduation ,
with a pure heart ,

they talked about dreams over the campfire ,
making promises to never stray apart from each other .



I was there too as a tool ,
as they became slaves bounded by white collars with ties,
selling their newest plans to their old friends ,
whom flashed their newest diamonds ,
their promise to each other long forgotten in a facade of


grandeur .

I was there to witness the young generation ,
the hopes of a country ,
submerged in loud music ,
endless dancing while some girls went missing .


I was there too as undercover ,
when they played Fast and Furious ,
all was fun till their cars found a match ,
their fellow mates painted in bright red paint ,
brains clouded , eyes blinded ,
and the boys in blue showed up .


I was there to witness their biggest joy ,
become the biggest disappointment of the two old souls ,
whom sacrificed everything for them ,
in return was betrayal and loneliness .


I was there too as a remedy ,
at funerals meant for the living , to drown out their guilt ,
while they repent ,
as they cried in remorse .



127

Dionysus created me ,
to walk through homes of the rich and famous ,

tread in the slums ,
bring joy and sorrow ,
welcome life and death .
They complained I was too sweet when life was bitter ,
And too bitter when life was sweet .



Rise or fall ,
I was remembered only in times of desperation ,
I was their companion , a tool , an undercover and a

remedy .
Yet , monikers they gave me to take their blame ,

and the scapegoat I shall be ,
for their marvellous acts of
abuse , betrayal , guilt and death .

Felicia Lee Sin Yee (S3SE)

Apology

，Never mind , my teachers and parents said
，they would no longer laugh nor clap as the show


ended
for ignorance is the best spoiler for the


bystanders .



Once again there I knelt ,
my face , a canvas dripping paint as bright as


roses ,
whilst questions went unanswered.



Tomorrow , will be better , will it ?
Was I not sincere enough I asked myself ,
for that was the only reply to my desperate


prayers .



School was a haven indeed .
A place of fair execution , their clenched fists


acting as gavels ,
imprinting punishments on me like judges .



Over and over I have walked this path , in


companion of their mockery,
a once bright soul now full of anguish and bruises .

129

Rage turned into a joyful rampage ,
as they got better at this quest in

search of power and pleasure , my

screams and shouts died down at their


excuses .



Rest well now , I heard the bystanders

say as they attended the grand finale ,
palls and wreaths , reflecting my life in


haven ,
tears of remorse finally dripping down


their faces .



You made a statement that should never

be repeated for the same mistake ,
yet you never repent .
Your apologies at the funeral ,

Was so that you would not live in guilt to

execute your next victim like a sage .

Felicia Lee Sin Yee (S3SE)

ART AND MUSIC IN

EDUCATION :

is it still relevant ?

It is in this modern era that technology has changed and
reshaped the way the world revolves. As such, historical
methods of approach to prepare the younger generation for the
world that they will face are bearing fruit no longer. This can
largely be credited to the exponential inclusion of modern
technologies and values in the workplace as well as social
settings and even in our homes. The current education system
has been backed by centuries of success bearing some of the
brightest thinkers the world has ever seen such as Einstein and
Hawking. However, we are now in an unprecedented era of vast
and drastic changes. Hence, a singular question comes to mind
when asked on how to prepare the younger generation for the
future; should schools cut art and music out of the curriculum so
that students can focus on more relevant subjects such as
information technology? My answer to that question would be a
yes. In this essay, I will further substantiate my stance through
the points of lack of relevance, lack of available jobs and the
mere fact that art and music does not require skill.

Firstly, I believe that art and music should be cut from the
curriculum simply because they lack relevance. The curriculum
of any era has to largely influenced by what is required in that
particular age, hence a certain modicum of relevancy must be
considered when building a curriculum. It cannot be ignored
that art and music are important but what can be argued is their
relevance. During the renaissance period of the middle age, there
was a new spark that bred the love and passion for art and
music.

As such, the formal teachings of that time were constructed
in such a way to cater for that new and growing passion. Art
and music were taught throughout and artists and musicians
alike were considered the upper echelon of society. It has
since been four centuries and we have almost entirely shifted
our priorities. With the dying relevance of art and music
comes an increasing relevance for the more technical matters
such as information technology. The world around us today
is built on trillions of lines of coding and if we are not able to
learn how to understand and manipulate it, we will be lost to
the ages. For example, during the industrial revolution where
machines were starting to gain traction, most people did not
venture into the study of mechanics and just a few years
later, the entire workforce was built on machinery and
engineers were considered the gods of that time. Similarly,
programmers and software engineers are beginning to be a
more skill in this age rather than learning art nor music.
Hence, I strongly feel that art and music should be cut from
the curriculum as they lack relevance to our modern age.

Secondly, I fully support that art and music be cut from the
curriculum as the jobs that are available today do not include
art and music. The main reason for formal education is sadly
not for the genuine pursuit of knowledge but rather to feed
the workforce by securing a job and a position in the
hierarchy of society today.Being in a generation that utilises
and relies on technology, there is no longer a wide selection
of jobs and places in the workforce that require even the
tiniest fraction of knowing about art and music.

The world today, especially the workforce is simply not
interested in art and music as much. The main purpose of a
curriculum as aforementioned, is to provide the younger
generation with the skillset that they may require to thrive
out in the world today. As such, it needs to always be
revolving to fit the needs of the industry. As it stands, the
needs of the industry itself has yet to meet its
requirements. More skilled workers with a very specific set
of knowledge are needed, not a worker with a certificate of
Grade 8 in piano. For example, when a potential candidate
for a job applies to a company, the section of his resumé
that includes his artistic and musical achievements are
completely ignored and what is asked for is a certification
in technical courses. Hence why I believe that art and
music be cut from the curriculum is simply because there
are no available jobs that require that knowledge.

Lastly, I am all for arts and music to be cut from the
curriculum and replaced with information technology
simply because art and music do not require skill but
instead is based on reputation. It is a given that hard work
should be given praise and bear good results. This is the
idea that makes our capitalistic society go round. However,
the art and music industries seem to violate this sacred code
of conduct. In those industries, greater value is given to the
name and reputation rather than the product.

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This is why there are many talented but yet struggling
artists and musicians all around the world. In contrast,
technical skills and knowledge are nothing like art and
music. This industry rewards those with knowledge,
experience and dedication. This is because a name carries no
weight nor value in this industry. It is a simple black and
white of whether or not someone is able to gain and study
the required knowledge and ability. It is through this that a
dedicated person will be able to climb the ladder and
improve themselves. For example, I am sure we have all
seen the viral photos of paintings that look like a toddler
drew them being sold for millions if not billions. This is
simply because the artist was known as a former student of
the great Picasso. Clearly however, this artist does not share
the talent of his teacher. This is why I believe that art and
music be cut from the curriculum and replaced with more
technical subjects; arts and music are not skill based.

In conclusion, the main purpose of a curriculum is to
nurture and develop the younger generation to face the real
world. In this age, art and music are no longer an important
part of the world as they lack relevance, lack available jobs
and the simply fact of their industries being based on
reputation instead of skills.

AbishekPrasad (S3FM)

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MY TWIN BROTHER AND ME

On a day in a specific month of the year 2002, not one but two
babies were born. That’s right! The newly born babies were my
twin brother and me. According to my mother, I was born two
minutes earlier than my twin brother and that makes me older
than him. Throughout these years, I have been constantly
bombarded with questions regarding my thoughts of having a
twin brother. To be frank, I actually have mixed thoughts about
this and I will explain about it thoroughly.

Having a twin brother can be quite annoying for me sometimes.
For the past 18 years, I have been looking at a human who looked
the same as me, shared the same room and even shared the same
bed with him. Back in primary school, students were asked to
purchase many workbooks for learning purposes. I clearly
remember on that particular day, my homeroom teacher gave
each and every one of us a workbook order list. I gave it to my
mother as soon as I reached home. The first sentence that came
out from her mouth was: ‘’ Not again! Can the both of you just
share the same workbook? After all, both of you are twins not
enemies. ‘’ I got so pissed off after hearing that!

Not many people can tell apart between my twin brother and
me, even my own family at times! I still vividly remember once I
forgot to hand in my weekly duty report to the counsellor since I
was a hostel prefect back in secondary school, and my twin
brother was scolded harshly for this. He immediately went into
my room and nagged everything to me.

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My roommates and I laughed really hard when we got to know
this. At times, we will purposely wear each other’s clothes to
confuse everyone. We did this once in school and it turned out
great! All of the teachers and friends got confused and had a hard
time telling apart between the both of us. Back home, my family
members will just call any one of us and sometimes we faked our
identities to prank them. We had a blast back then!

But, there are moments when I am relieved to have a twin brother.
He can come in handy at times. He will help me with my
homework when I got sick. He is also my human alarm where he
will wake me up every day so that we can get to school in time. My
mother told me that we usually fell sick at the same time when we
were younger. She also said that we spoke the same words at the
same time and people found it surprising. I guess we could run an
entertainment company together at some point (laughs
awkwardly)!

I feel proud of myself for enduring these 18 years spent together
with him. We quarrelled almost every day regardless of where and
when. Being the older one, I always settle down as a loser just to
end the fight. Looking back, it really was the right thing to do. I
longed for freedom as we were always together for the past 18
years. After secondary school life, I literally begged my twin
brother to study a different course in a different higher institution.
Guess what? My wish has been finally fulfilled as we are currently
furthering our education in different institutions.

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