Voices - Unheard vol. 1 (August 2022 Issue)

UNHEARD Vol 1

August 2022 Nobel International School : Editorial Board

RELATIONSHIPS...
In life, there’s quite a few things a person doesn’t tell the whole world
about. One such thing is the relationship they have with another person or
persons, whether it be positive or negative. As such, I asked two unrelated
people about their noteworthy relationships.

two sides of the same coin
By Josiah Ow Yang Jo Shem | 10 Happy

Bryan Lee (Year 10 Happy)

Are you in any special relationship? It Do you have anything you wish to do with
could be friends, family, even enemies? them in order to strengthen your already
You could say something like that. There’s this solid bond?
group of close friends that I would call my Probably spend more time together physically,
“homies”, hahaha. do "dumb stuff" and just have fun I guess.

How long has this “homie” thing lasted? Would you trust them with your darkest
Since 2020 I guess, so around a year plus. secrets?
I mean, I already tell them all my darkest
How did this “homie” group happen in the secrets, and I don’t care whether they like it
first place? or not, so yeah definitely.
Well it started with two of my friends that I
befriended in year 7, after that I met two Would you be willing to do certain favours
others in year 8, and ever since then we became for them?
this close knit group of friends. Of course due Well it really depends on the situation, but
to Covid, communication became a slight honestly regardless of what happens I would
problem, and we basically spent a lot of time usually go help them out.
on Discord discussing and arguing over our
common interests. Even if things got a little
heated amidst our disagreements, we still
somehow stuck together.

Any particular reason why you (essentially)
made this friend group?
Not really, I was just lonely haha.

Judging by what you’ve said so far, I
assume you all spend a lot of time
together?
Yeah, I spend so much time together that I
neglect my priorities and responsibilities such
as work.

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Nobel International School : Editorial Board August 2022

Person A (anonymous) Why did you start disliking this person in
the first place?
Are you in any special relationship? It
could be friends, family, even enemies? I would say that the fact that this person is
generally much different from me was the main
Over the years in Nobel, I have made many factor which led to the easy buildup of my
friends, but it is without saying that it's resentment. It is quite evident that we tend to
almost impossible for someone as narrow-minded side with the people who are most alike with us
and stubborn as I to make a few enemies along (in terms of grades, interests and friends);
the way; there might be too many individuals and avoid those who are our counterparts. This
for me to list here that fit this 'enemy' is not that different from me and that person.
criteria so I'm just gonna talk about one of I always had a 'superiority complex' thing due
them. to my chinese school upbringings, resulting in
my tendency to prefer others to submit under
How long has this resentment lasted? me, rather than to assert. “How does this
This one has left a particularly bad aftertaste relate to resentment?” You might ask. Well, you
to my year 9 experience. I did not really think see, this person really does not enjoy being
much of this person back in year 7 and 8. forced to submit either, so it was more of a
However, as you get to work together, you 'battle for dominance'. In such situations I
observe, and more importantly, get forced to would most likely avoid such a person to
deal with such an individual through mandatory prevent unnecessary conflicts, but as I said,
group projects has made me experience things I this person was also the same class as me, and
wished I had not. All because RNGesus (Lady I did not have much of a choice but to deal
Luck) placed us in the same class. Although it with him.
has been a year, and I am more or less
completely free from the presence of such an
individual, both online or physical, my
resentment of this person still lingers on in
my heart, unable to let go from the traumas of
year 9.

It seems that even in Nobel, we have our positive and negative relationships. Personally I can say
that I have similarly been in both situations, and I really relate to both sides. It’s certainly nice
to have a friend or friends to depend on, however the bigger problem stems from a negative
relationship. Don’t feel afraid to reach out or talk to someone if you feel like your relationship
with another is toxic or harmful, and don’t feel pressured into staying in that relationship.

VOICES | UNHEARD Vol. 1 2

August 2022 Nobel International School : Editorial Board

Parental Relationships: The Sperm, The Egg & The Zygote
By Ngei Xin Yan | 10 Courageous

Everyone has different relationships with their parents, with some being what people would
call the ideal, healthy relationship and some being on the more negative side of the
spectrum. People don’t often delve into their relationships with their parents too much, so
let’s take a look at some of our student’s relationships with their parents.

All names used in this subtopic are placeholder names as the students would like to remain
anonymous.

Anonymous Student 1 Anonymous Student 2

Out of her two parents, Mia is infinitely Born as an only child, Henry was bound to be
closer with her mom. Despite her mom being a the spotlight of his parents’ lives. Fate works
very busy woman, her mom takes time off her in mysterious ways however, and despite being
weekend to spend it with her daughter. Ranging an only child, he wasn’t all that close with
from cafe hopping to taking spontaneous trips his parents. This wasn’t due to child neglect,
throughout the city, the two of them are but rather his father passing away when he was
constantly making joyous memories that they are still very young.
bound to remember.
Despite living most of his life without a dad,
Although she is very close to her mom, the same it didn’t really bother him as much as other
could not be said about Mia’s relationship with people would expect and it felt like a normal
her dad. Although they were quite close when part of his life, even when he was younger. As
she was younger, some recent events have made a single mother, his mom has to work very hard
their relationship very unstable, with them to support them, which caused Henry to feel a
barely talking at all and often only greeting bit jealous of other people’s relationship with
each other in passing. Their rocky relationship their moms when he was much younger. While
resulted in her dad not knowing her well which Henry still lives with his mom, he also lives
led to some problems. with his grandparents, his primary caretakers.

One thing that is very common amongst us Although busy, his relationship with his mom is
teenagers is the feeling of irritation when still fairly normal with them both talking on a
parents pretend they know everything about us common basis as well as going out shopping
when they really don’t. In Mia’s case, her occasionally, though they don’t really do much
annoyance with her dad is much stronger because outside of the two things. Like most parents,
of her dad telling her off despite not even Henry’s mother is amazing at nagging and
talking to her. Due to this, Mia feels that he sometimes controlling of what Henry does, but
isn’t qualified to be criticising her when he not to the extent where she becomes a
doesn’t even know her well. helicopter parent.

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Anonymous Student 3 Like many others, Charles believes that
sometimes parents don’t understand the troubles
For Charles, there isn’t really a parent he’s that teens are facing nowadays. The world is
closer with, although he is technically closer changing and the world we are growing up in is
with his father as his father comes home very different from the ones our parents grew
earlier than his mother and usually works from up in. Parents should understand that and put
home. When he was much younger, Charles almost less pressure on their children as pressure may
always went out with his parents during the only make the situation worse. Despite the
weekends for quality family time. bumpy relationship between them, Charles knows
Unfortunately, as he grew older, weekends for that they still love him, even though he’s the
family time gradually decreased as Charles had one who has to initiate any intimate contact,
to study, though they still have movie nights especially when compared to others who have
every once in a while. experienced worse in their families.

While his relationship with his parents aren’t
too bad, it is undoubtedly rocky, fluctuating
from good to bad in a matter of seconds. This
is especially true when it comes to discussing
Charles’ grades which led to more emotional
developments. His relationship with his mother
is slightly more unstable compared to his dad’s
though as his mother often gets very angry
about the most insignificant things which can
escalate quite a bit.

While interviewing these people, I was very surprised by the differences and similarities in the
students’ relationships with their parents. Personally speaking, I deeply resonate with one of the
student’s relationship with their parents as it let me know that I was not alone in my situation. I'm
sure there are many students whose relationship with their parents are rocky - and I'll be honest here
- find someone you trust and talk to them, or seek pastoral care. You'll feel much better. After
talking to some parents as well, I think we should try to understand things from our parents'
perspectives. Many of our parents used to think the same way as us, but as time progressed, they turned
into the mom and dad you know.

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August 2022 Nobel International School : Editorial Board

The educators’ bond
By Sophie Lee Yue Shan | 9 Wholesome

DISCLAIMER: MS JO AND MS AMY ARE NOT THESE TEACHERS’ REAL NAMES.

Having friends at your workplace can benefit For Ms Jo, a dream outing for her and Ms Amy is
you immensely. You can share your past and anywhere that they could both enjoy, like an
current experiences with your colleagues, with area with wide planes of mountains, or a
them also being able to relate to your own stunning waterfall. A way that Ms Jo believes
encounters. Not only can teachers understand they could strengthen their friendship is to
their colleagues’ experiences, they can even catch up by getting a meal together while chit-
bond from their similar situations! Today, I chatting about their lives.
interviewed a teacher about her bond with her
fellow coworker. Ms Jo believes that Ms Amy’s most admirable
quality is that she is a humble person, and she
Ms Jo fondly thinks back to the time of when is also able to remain calm under trying
she first joined Nobel, which was approximately circumstances. At that point of time, Ms Jo and
12 years ago. Ms Jo and Ms Amy initially met Ms Amy were talking about things that were
when Ms Amy was a new teacher and sat next to mainly school related. However, when they are
each other as they were both teachers within outside of school, they talk more about their
the same department. Ms Amy was a fresh teacher families and personal lives. Whenever Ms Jo
in Nobel, and was teaching students that Ms Jo seeks advice, or is facing hardships in life,
was familiar with. They often exchanged she immediately goes to Ms Amy for advice. She
information about these students. sees Ms Amy as someone she can trust for
dignified guidance.
A hobby that Ms Jo and Ms Amy share in common
is that they love eating, and they even share a Many of our teachers have special bonds, just
mutual love for traveling. Despite not going like yourself and your close peers. Sometimes,
out together frequently, when they are both we fail to notice their unique connections.
free, Ms Amy invites Ms Jo over to her home, Although it may seem that they may not connect
and they share meals and snacks together. Ms Jo with each other after school hours, they very
thinks that a strong reason that they were able often do!
to connect was because she admires Ms Amy’s
soft spoken and calm nature. Ms Jo also
believes that she has gained a lot of wisdom
during her duration of being friends with Ms
Amy.

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Nobel International School : Editorial Board August 2022

...APPEARANCE
“Beauty is not in the face, beauty is a light in the heart.” This quote by Kahlil Gibran

conveys the message that oftentimes we would judge people based on their appearance, but

what truly matters is the beauty within. Are you dissatisfied with your looks? Have you

ever felt insecure because of your appearance? I'm sure all of us have faced problems

regarding our appearances, and the majority of us have had thoughts about changing our

looks, but how important is that? Outer beauty has an expiry date. As our biological clock

is ticking, wouldn’t you want to be left with a soul that builds meaningful relationships,

rather than looks that fade over time?

Skin Deep
By Kai Lee Synn Wei | 9 Empathetic
Haley Lau

Beauty, so as the saying goes, is in the eye of prefer to dress in more feminine styles, like
the beholder. But, who does that refer to skirts and dresses with light natural makeup.
exactly? Is it the cosmetic companies? Your Other times, I feel more comfortable in what is
friends? The lens of your camera? Or the social considered more masculine outfits, for example
media trolls? Society tells us one thing, while button-down shirts and baggy trousers.”
our upbringing and the people who influence us
utter another. However, that does not mean we Moving on, I asked Haley whether there are
cannot use these factors to build our own times where she feels self-conscious about her
definition of beauty. With that being said, appearance, to which she replied- ‘Obviously!’.
here are the views of a few students about Laughing a little after that, she said that
their appearances. there are lots of times where she feels
insecure about how she looks, especially when
When asked on what she would like to change viewing portrayals of ‘everyone looking pretty’
about her appearance, Haley responded that she on social media. However, she revealed that
would like to fix her ‘uneven eyelids’. Thus, compared to her past self, she feels more
she admires and sometimes envies individuals comfortable in her own body now, something that
who have even eyes along with symmetrical faces I think is an accomplishment that deserves
and a positive comforting aura around them. pride. Offering insight on how she makes
Elaborating on this, she stated that though herself feel better about her looks, Haley said
it’s hard to explain, some people have ‘pretty’ that ‘being true to myself through finding the
smiles and a soothing presence that instantly right style of fashion for me’ made her enjoy
makes you feel calmer, and that “with them, you the experience of dressing up and presenting
just feel grounded and don’t have to worry herself to the public.
about being judged.” This led me to ask her how
important fashion and appearances are to her.
After a moment of thought, she replied that
both factors are very significant to her. She
explained that the way she chooses to style
herself expresses her individuality and
personal preferences, portraying how she’s
feeling on that particular day. “Sometimes I

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August 2022 Nobel International School : Editorial Board

To end the article, here is what Haley has to say about inner and outer
beauty. “I think both are important, though inner beauty is more
significant compared to outer beauty. In a nutshell, outer appearances
are the first thing we see when we meet someone new. Many of us, whether
we like it or not, naturally have a tendency to make generalizations
based on how someone looks and presents themselves, the first impressions
we have of them being influenced by outer beauty. But, I think that it is
inner beauty that defines who you are as a person. Mixed in with your
dreams, values and even flaws, it is what truly captivates the soul while
outer beauty pleases the eye.”

Loving Oneself
By Ng Zi Anne | 10 Noble

Enid Chow Ming Wai

We have also interviewed a very lovely student, The next question we
which could be an enjoyable read for most. Enid have asked Enid is
Chow Ming Wai from 10H has agreed to respond to “What does she think
this interview and had interesting replies to when she looks at
our questions. herself in the
mirror?” She said
Enid’s ideal look is to basically look clean that it varies, but generally she never really
(fresh-faced), put together, effortless, and in hates herself. Everyone just looks better at
a good posture. She doesn’t really have an night (according to her) but she never really
ideal look, like having specific features she looks in the mirror, so not much thinking goes
wants. For example, “big eyes”, “high on there.
cheekbones”, etc. She responded that she
prefers to present herself as who she is. Subsequently, we have also asked Enid about
what is the first thing she notices about a
Afterwards, from the question of how satisfied person. She confidently said eyes because they
Enid is with her appearance, she replied that are the windows to the soul, but mainly because
she doesn't really psycho-analyze her features masks restrict what we can and cannot see,
so her mind isn't fixated on it much; she said besides, we make eye contact when talking to
that she would never go out of her way to people so eyes may catch the attention first.
change anything about it. Sometimes, her Also, eyes are generally pretty to look at.
satisfaction may waver, but that doesn't happen
too often. Lastly, on which part of her she likes the
most, Enid said that she is really proud of her
Moving on, we asked if she could change one eyelashes. Eyelashes are a part of us that can
thing about her appearance, what would it be? be easily missed ,and yet a close friend of
She said she wants to have better skin. As to hers complimented her eyelashes. Since the
what she said, she advised that one way to have compliment was not a generic one,-such as “you
better skin is to stop touching it with dirty are so pretty”, it felt more genuine and
hands. specific to her. But of course, that's not to
say "you're so pretty" is not a good
7 compliment, just that it's easier to deny
compared to more specific ones.

VOICES | UNHEARD Vol. 1

Nobel International School : Editorial Board August 2022

Inner Beauty

By Isabelle Chong Tian Tian | 10 Noble

Melvin Wong Wei Tian

Lastly, We chose to interview a guy. So here's He thinks that out of 10, appearance matters
an interview with Melvin Wong, a student from on a scale 4/10. He thinks that the way he acts
10N, about his opinion on appearances. is more important than how he looks as he
values personality more than appearance. The
When asked about what his ideal look is, way a person looks can differ from their
Melvin aims to look as much himself as character as looks can be deceiving. Appearance
possible, because he believes that everyone's attracts people but in the end, it is the
appearance is different. “Each one of us has personality that makes them enjoyable to be
our own unique features.” and so he doesn't with.
have an ideal look or a person he wants to
look like. He said that each cover of a book Melvin thinks that the hair is the most
is different, each uniquely appealing to noticeable part of a person. Hair comes in all
different types of people, and that he wants types of color, texture, lengths and styles. By
to look like himself since there is no one having the right hairstyle and color, they can
else like him, making him one of a kind. But compliment a person's skin and a person's
looking like the rock aka Dwayne Johnson for a features.
Hdoawyevweoru,ld hbee fsutni.ll isn't satisfied with his
looks right now because he doesn’t think he He is most proud of his eyes since he thinks
looks good enough. And unfortunately it is that they are bright and shiny which makes him
probably due to his low self-esteem. But he is appear youthful. “My eyes are important to me,
working on liking himself a little bit more. so I need to wear glasses to protect them since
If there was one thing he could change about I tend to sit in front of the computer for long
his appearance, it would be his lips. “I would hours.”
like to change my THICK lips and make them Overall, appearance is w
hat attracts people but
thinner.” Most people would kill to have with a good heart we would be able to maintain
thicker lips, but he wants thinner lips and make meaningful relationships with one
because according to him “thick lips makes him another. Judging people based on their
look like a duck”. He said that his overall appearance is similar to judging a book by its
appearance would look better if his lips were cover. We don’t get to see the content on the
thinner. He also wants a “cuter” nose as it inside but once you open and read the book, the
would make him more attractive. He added that more interesting it gets and the more you’ll
the nose plays an important role in a person's want to read it.
overall facial symmetry.




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August 2022 Nobel International School : Editorial Board

Emotions

Why we wear a mask

By P'ng Cheng Yi | 8 Noble and Ng Li Xuan | 11 Happy

Everyone feels emotions. The old, the young, girls, boys,
everyone. Even though you may not know it, people hide their
emotions all the time. Believe it or not, it’s far more
common than you may think.

That leaves us with the question- why do people want to hide their emotions?

If someone was asking “How are you?” The most common response generally is “I’m fine.” “I’m okay.”
“Everything is fine”. Are you really fine?

Some people wear a mask to hide their emotions towards strangers they don’t trust. Wearing a mask that
conceals their true feelings, and words they want to say, but can’t.

It could also be that they’re doing it for the sake of others around them. Their loved ones. Maybe it’s
because they don’t want to seem selfish.

But if there is one thing we must remember, we must keep in mind that we are all human. No matter what,
we will make mistakes.

“Why are you always smiling?” “Why do you look miserable all the time?” People tend to judge an
individual based on how one expresses their emotions. Individuals don’t openly talk about their
feelings to others because they fear judgement, many fail to understand that people are allowed to
express their emotions. People shouldn’t be forced to act in a way that is socially acceptable, but
rather have the freedom to express what they feel.

Many people are being told not to be “negative” about things or
that they are “overreacting” when they are upset. Sometimes, they
are being told to just “cheer up”. Frankly, one can’t simply cheer
up just because someone else wants them to. Being upset doesn’t
mean that you are overreacting. People don’t have to be feeling
happy all the time. This happens so often that it’s as though it
has become yet another unspoken social norm.

I decided to interview some students from Nobel about ways they
channel their emotions, and here are their answers.

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Nobel International School : Editorial Board August 2022

Question:
Apart from journaling and talking to other people about your emotions, are there any other ways that
you channel emotions? (They can be negative or positive).

Answer (anonymous student 1)

Most of the time when I feel stressed out or frustrated about something, I would listen to Kpop music,
or even try drawing random things. Drawing really helps me a lot when it comes to dealing with my
emotions because whenever I draw, I feel like it projects my feelings into the drawing.

Answer (anonymous student 2)

That depends on how I’m feeling. Sometimes when I’m in a good
mood, I wouldn’t actually do anything about it, just enjoying
the moment. Other times when I’m in a good mood, I’ll just go
for a walk. Whenever I’m upset about something, I don’t really
do much about it. Instead, I’ll just give myself some time and
think about the reason why I’m upset and try to find a solution
to the problem.

Answer (anonymous student 3)

To be honest, I just let my emotions come and go. I’m not
really the type of person to care a lot about my emotions,
and I see them as something that is just there. Many
people may have different ways of channeling their
emotions, and to me that’s ok.

Different people have different ways of channeling their emotions. There is nothing wrong with
expressing them, nor should it be a social norm to conceal your emotions. After speaking with these
students, it gave me a new perspective on how I saw emotions.

Conclusion:
Although emotions are a part of our day-to-day lives, it’s
essential to realize that it’s not selfish to want to
express how you feel, and most importantly, we don’t have
to pretend for the sake of others.

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The Editorial Board

Teacher Advisors:
Mr Loong Yoong Chuan

Ms Samantha Chew

Chief Editor Chief Graphic Designer Chief Photographer
Rebecca Saw Bethany Chan Yap Hong San


Assistant Chief Graphic Assistant Chief
Designer Photographer
Assistant Chief Editor Jovin Wong
Lee Kai Qi Anisha Rathnavel

Photogr
aphers:
Graphic Designers: Aerin Pang
Editors: Chin Yu Xin Joanna
Aidan Kwong
Josiah Ow Yang Choo Ming Huey Liau Zi Shuen
Emma Fan Maegan Wong
June Li Sara Tang
Kai Lee Gabriella Koong Venisse Onn
Ng Li Xuan Germaine Di Pey Qi
Ng Zi Anne

Ngei Xin Yan Hannah Chan

Noelle Lee Teng Wey Jun
P'ng Cheng Yi Wong Pey Yi
Sahaannaa
Sophie Lee

Xin Tung
Isabelle Chong