2022 Volume I: Jurassic Diaries - A Guide to Saur-ing in Dino High

D’Hour 2022 Issue 1

jurassic Diaries a guide to saur-ing in Dino High

DHS Publications (SH)

Editorials Hey Dunmaniansaurs!

It is the start of a brand new year which means new beginnings and experiences! Some of us are looking forward to setting new year resolutions while others could be overwhelmed with worry about the challenges.

Taking a new step, starting conversations with new people and accepting change can be especially difficult, especially when you expect it.

However, fret not! Our writers have come up with an exclusive dinosaur-themed survival guide that would assist you on your journey in Dunman High. It includes tips on choosing the right subject combination, indepth dissections of more unfamiliar Senior High subjects as well as the various experiences of fellow JAE students, providing you with further insights into the schooling experience here!

We at Publications would like to thank our teachers, Mdm Hong Lan, Mr Mark Ho, and Ms Noorshidah, for tirelessly dedicating their time and effort to guide us throughout the entire writing and publication process of this magazine. For our fellow Dunmaniansaurs, we hope that this survival guide will help you feel more prepared for the new year. There will be times when we will have to grow up and say goodbye to what you thought would never change, but change also provides us with the opportunity to gain something even better.

Feel free to find the online version of this survival guide on Issuu (https://issuu.com/dhs.shpublications) for easier reading or if you are interested in reading more of our published magazines! Have a great year ahead!

- Ng Yen Nee 6C43 德明学子： 大家好！想知道高中如何选科吗？想了解高中的生活吗？请看我们这期杂志。本期D时代将介 绍高中生涯，让新同学更快地了解德明。 为了帮大家更好地做出适合自己的选科决定，我们推出这刊杂志，向大家介绍高年级的各个科 目。无论是即将面临选科的JAE同学、需要年底准备高一选科的中四同学、还是刚选完新科目的高 一IP同学，希望你们在读完这刊杂志后会更清晰地认识到最适合自己的选择。大家可以在读杂志时 跟随Bobo的脚步，经历六年的德明校园生活，有所收获！ 在此，我们也想借机由衷地感谢出版社的负责老师们、出版社的每一位同学、以及每名受访者！ - 刘孟涵 Liu Menghan 6C22

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Contents Taking First Steps Delving Into JH CCAs Letter To My Younger Self

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Explore and Search Myth or Fact? - Common Beliefs About Choosing Subjects

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两年之旅

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Braving Through Stormy Days The Beginner’s Guide to Surviving Dino High Dissecting SH Science Subjects The Secret Life of Arts 哪个科目是你的菜 面向月亮的向日葵

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To Infinity and Beyond As we get older, we truly have more on our shoulders. We have to make difficult choices that determine the trajectory of our future. What we choose to do gives rise to a multitude of possibilities. Whether these choices are real or imaginary, it gives us the power to change our future forever. Though some choices may seem insignificant and miniscule, every choice we make, ultimately makes you.

As students, we have to experience many changes and each time, it spurs us to change and be more attuned to our new surroundings. However, changes and new environments where everything seems so foreign and confusing can be really daunting. Choosing your new subject combination or our actions whilst transitioning into different stages of our lives are among the many important decisions we have to ponder over. In face of all these decisions, we may feel lost and even helpless. Sometimes all we need is advice and support! Thus, to help students have an enriching school journey, we present to you: Jurassic Diaries: A Guide to Saur-ing in Dino High.

This is Bobo, the dinosaur! He has left behind a diary to help future Dunmaniansaurs during your journey at Dino High. Along the way, Bobo obtains different jewels upon completion of every milestone activity to symbolise his achievements! Just like Bobo, we progress through various stages in our schooling journey where we gain new skills, grow and evolve.

Join Bobo, the Dumaniansaur, as he reflects on his experiences at Dino High!

Bobo's Profile NAME Bobo Dunmaniansaur LIKES Kong Zi, Stall 16 Ice Milo, Strawberries, Bathing in the Sun DISLIKES Winter, smelly socks FAVOURITE COLOURS Red, Blue and White

Bobo i 4

IDOLS Barney the Dinosaur, Dibo the Gift Dragon POTENTIAL LOVE INTEREST Baby Bop

DHS

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INSIDE JOKES OF DUNMANIANSAURS

Here is an exclusive feature of some of the famous insider jokes of our fellow Dunmaniansaurs.

Read on to find out more!

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Forgetful Friday

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Have you ever stepped into school on a Friday realising you forgot to wear your Polo T-shirt?

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Real Connection

Has another teacher’s mic connected to your classroom’s speaker instead of your teacher’s?

Red Shoes

Have you ever checked the soles of your shoes after running at the school track? (new colour!)

Dino High has two mascots known as 佳佳 and 婷婷, which stands for 家 庭. They have made their appearance in many school events!

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Best Study Spot?

CANTEEN vs LIBRARY

During exam season, some Dunmanians will head to the Zheng Xin Yuan and pray to Kong Zi for good academic luck!

OR

OR

• • • •

Study with friends Food and drinks Have meetings Chat with others

• • • •

Quiet environment Air-conditioned Resources Discussion rooms 5

与 恐龙

Bobo一起走进

，选择你 厅 餐 的 饮 料！ 园 校 势 运 如 你

的 年 今

何？

新学年刚来临，大家是否有想念德明餐厅里的饮料呢？让我们从你最喜欢 的饮料看看你今年的运势吧！你最想喝以下哪一种饮料？

薏 米水 求安 是一个追 你 的 水 。你处事 选择薏米 实地的人 踏 脚 事 的喜 稳，做 深受大家 ， 错 犯 少 你只要 稳健、很 一年里， 的 来 下 放 爱。在接 懈、永不 不 持 坚 、 走向属 继续努力 一脚印地 步 一 会 弃，就将 ！ 于你的春天

珍珠 奶 茶 喜 欢 在 传统的奶茶中加入 顺滑Q弹的珍珠说明你是一 个相对传统，但有想法的人， 偶尔还有一点小叛逆。即便如 此，你仍是一个正直热情的人。 在新的一年里，请保持你的活泼 与热情，你熄不灭的热情火苗会 深受大家的喜爱，度过美好的一 年！

抹茶 拿 铁

非是人 茶拿铁并 抹 此 因 独特， 你，自信、 的 它 择 抹茶味道 选 不怕后 的饮料。 人都会喜欢 从 。 你 敢 于 尝 试 、 会在 不盲 。也许你将 楼 定 有想法、 决 的 己 疑自 上一层 悔、很少怀 自 己 的 新 才 能 ， 更 发掘 新的一年 哦！

茉莉绿茶 选择茉莉绿茶的你是一个勤奋的 人。你一旦设定了目标，就会埋 头苦干，坚持到底。你虽然沉 稳，但较为单纯，在接下来的一 年里要小心不要被存有坏心思 的人利用。建议你提高警惕， 只要多观察身边的事物，五彩 缤纷的校园生活将会等着你！

美禄 选择美禄的你是一个朴实的人，性 格慢热。你不特意追求高调的物质 生活，最喜欢你熟悉的、接地气且 平凡 的生 活。 你较 喜欢 呆在 舒适 区，建议你踏出现在的舒适区，丰 富人生，迎来别具一格的一年！

奥利奥奶昔 你在别人眼中是 一个甜美的 人。温暖美好的 事物给你的 人生增添了色彩， 而你也为身 边的人带来快乐。 你要保持乐 观，只要微笑面对 任何苦难， 新的一年必定一 如既往的美 好！

delving into jh ccas By: Oh Hui Wen Kaitlyn (21Y4E), Wang Yuhan (21Y5I), Liu Shengyu (21Y5L)

Many Dunmanians would say that their CCA has added cherished memories to their Junior High journey. Spending a good four years of Junior High life in the same CCA, how have bonds been forged, trust been built and challenges been overcome? In this article, we will dive into the lives of CCA leaders and passionate members (some of whom may be your seniors or juniors) to understand how their journey evolved from an ‘I’ to a ‘We’.

For new members of the Dunmanian family, this could be a preview to what is in store for you, as well as a plethora of valuable advice to keep in mind as you embark on your journey. For those interested in taking up leadership positions in your CCA, this one’s for you too! And for the Dunmaniansaurs out there, we hope that this article will also inspire you to reflect on how far you have come in your CCA, and how far your CCA has brought you!

ings toward your How have your feel the course of JH? CCA changed over

I feel that over the course of JH, my sense of duty to this CCA has definitely increased. In lower secondary, I mainly focused on the sporting aspect of my CCA and on trying to become the best that I could be at my event. During my upper secondary years, I became much more fond of the CCA itself and placed more emphasis on giving back to my CCA as well as mentoring my juniors.

- Nicole, Track and Field, 4I’21 In the beginning, CCA was definitely tiring, both physically and mentally. While I still try to push myself to my greatest limits, I have enjoyed CCA much more over the years as I grew closer to my batchmates. Guides became more of a family to me. I was working with people who are both passionate and hardworking, making the whole experience enjoyable even during hard times.

In face of adversity, we face it together as a batch, lifting each other up along the way. Seeing the growth of the team definitely makes this journey fulfilling and worthwhile. Guides quickly became one of my biggest priorities in life and an activity that I always look forward to.

- Joelle, Girl Guides, 4H’21

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What was your best CCA experience?

It has to be the camp that I attended in Y2. It turned out to be the camp where we had the most fun and learnt the most. Besides the mental and physical challenges that we faced, we also made many memories that are unforgettable till this day.

- Arthur, St John Brigade, 4I’21

My best CCA experience was going to support my teammates at the National School Games Track & Field finals at the sports hub. The atmosphere was extremely exciting and it was absolutely thrilling to watch my teammates compete in front of thousands of students (and to see their faces on the big screen).

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

- Nicole, Track & Field, 4I’21

My best CCA experience was actually the time when we held the Senior High CCA exhibition and did our presentation. It was a memorable and interesting CCA memory.

- Kerrine, Library Society, 4B’21

Do you have any regrets choosing your CCA? Nope. The people that I met, the knowledge that I have gained and the experiences that I have gone through all helped to shape me into the person and leader that I am today, and I am extremely grateful for that. The 4 years in my CCA as a cadet will undoubtedly go down as one of the highlights in my JH life.

- Arthur, St John Brigade, 4I’21

No! I have met many people that helped me, inspired me, and motivated me to become the best version of myself. I have forged lifelong friendships with my CCA mates. Guides have given me countless opportunities to step out of my comfort and lead and learn many valuable skills that will definitely help me in the future.

- Joelle, Girl Guides, 4H’21

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Looking back, what would you have done differently to make your CCA journey more meaningful?

It would be to not worry too much about the mistakes that I had made. I would have enjoyed the journey a lot more as dwelling on these mistakes hindered me when I needed to concentrate on court. I think that I could have done a lot better if I had focused on how I could have improved instead.

- Cheryl, Volleyball, 4E’21

At the start of my term of service in Exco, I was rather work oriented and expected everyone to be 100% efficient on meetings. This inevitably caused stress and problems among my team members and I still feel quite guilty about that. If I could, I would have definitely made calls more flexible and fun, incorporating games and activities together with planning for training too.

- Arthur, St John Brigade, 4I’21 I wished that I had put in more effort to communicate with my CCA seniors. I feel that it is very unfortunate that I never got to know them better.

- Nicole, Track & Field, 4I’21

Why did you choose to run for Exco? And would you say that it was worthwhile?

I chose to run for Exco because I wanted to give back to my CCA and play a part in giving my juniors the opportunity to gain as much as I did. I also felt that there were some areas of improvement in my CCA that I could work on, namely the team’s unity.

I have never once regretted running for Exco and I never expected myself to have gained so much.

There is also a certain sense of fulfillment that you feel when you see your juniors participating in and being excited over initiatives that the Exco introduced. Although there were definitely numerous challenges and obstacles, I do feel that being in Exco is very rewarding in how you can directly give back to the CCA. - Nicole, Track & Field, 4I’21

I wanted to try and step up for once as I had been quite soft spoken in my CCA, and I wanted to take up this challenge to test my limits and see if I could be a good leader. It was definitely worthwhile as I saw my juniors learn from me and it was heartwarming to see them start to step up too.

- Vernice, NPCC, 4E’21

Exco has helped me learn more about the “people management” aspect of leadership, which is to prioritise my team members’ well-being above all else. The leadership position definitely helped me to grow and learn more about myself.

- Arthur, St John Brigade, 4I’21

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In your opinion, what are some qualities future CCA leaders should possess/hone?

1 Dedication and passion We need to understand the reason that we chose to step up and constantly be working towards these goals for ourselves and the team, even going the extra mile.

2 Compassion and empathy It’s important to care for our team members and see things from their perspective. Only then are we able to gain their trust to follow our lead. A good leader ensures their team members learn, grow and ultimately enjoy their CCA journey.

Good Communication Skills and Transparency Open communication allows a leader to ensure that everyone is on the same page, and consequently allows us to tailor our initiatives to suit the needs of the team. A strong relationship is built by trust, and only by sharing the good and the bad with your team, while being open to feedback and changes will create genuine relationships.

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4 taking the initiative We should constantly be striving to come up with ways to improve the CCA, while keeping in mind that the team’s needs are the top priority, instead of solely focusing on our personal ideas of what is right.

Foresight, efficiency and critical thinking These practical skills are important to ensure a dynamic but effective environment within the Exco, such as when planning events, or to prevent and overcome problems.

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Self-awareness and humility Being a leader is also a process of self-growth, so we need to be receptive to constructive criticism in order to improve ourselves and lead the team to greater heights.

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Overall, there are many qualities that a good leader may possess, but it all comes down to who we are and what we value. There is no perfect leader, but with a team of leaders, we are able to bring out the best in each other. Besides, we are all still learning and these qualities will be picked up along the way!

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Have there been moments when you were struggling in your CCA? If so, what do you wish someone would have told you then?

Definitely. Besides encouragement, I wished someone would have told me earlier to just enjoy the process. While struggling in my CCA is inevitable, it was then that I saw the best of people and it was also the time where I felt my life was the most fulfilling. I think one quote that is important is “Don’t rush to count the days, make the days count”. Enjoying the process helps us make the best out of our circumstances to have fun while solving problems.

- Arthur, St John Brigade, 4I’21

Having served during these uncertain times amid COVID-19, there is no doubt that many unforeseen challenges were faced.

How did you combat them?

I didn’t expect myself to be burnt out from the different commitments so early into the year.

To overcome this burn-out, I had to work out my work-life balance and take some time to rest even during the busiest days.

- Arthur, St John Brigade, 4I’21

While organising the Y1 CCA trial, there were new restrictions in place due to Covid-19 and it trained me to be adaptable to new situations. I think it is important to have back-up plans and to think out of the box.

- Charmaine, Robotics & Debate, 4I’21

I could tell that the team was losing morale with NSG (National School Games) and physical training being canceled. To address this, I made it a point to try and come up with online games that the team could play after training during eCCA to make training more enjoyable, as well as bonding games to unite the team. While I wouldn’t say that we managed to overcome this challenge completely, I do think that those activities made training at least a little bit more enjoyable for the team.

- Nicole, Track & Field, 4I’21

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In your opinion, how is the workload for Exco leaders? And how do you balance it with your school life?

At the start of our leadership journey, it definitely wasn’t easy as there were many proposals for us to complete within a short timeline, and it was a challenge to juggle our CCA workload with schoolwork. I think one thing that is important is setting your priorities straight and managing your time wisely.

- Vernice, NPCC, 4E’21

I think it’s manageable when the Exco team members work closely together to support each other. For example, we would delegate workload based on each of our strengths.

- Charmaine, Robotics & Debate, 4I’21 Balancing CCA and academic life may be tricky at first, especially since I used to spend all of my time working on Guides-related projects, but setting your priorities, seeking help when needed, and having a group of supportive friends who motivate you to study is what helps me ensure I keep up with school life.

- Joelle, Girl Guides, 4H’21

The friends that become family, the obligations that become a part of life. The growth that take you from a member to a leader then to a Dunmanian. The CCA life is one full of ups and downs, lefts and rights, but ultimately it is an experience none would forget or forgo. We, at Publications, wish you the best of luck, be it in your new CCA or in the EXCO that you may enter. DEMING JIAYOU!

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Hi gh

Be randomly sorted to a team, since in any case you will be grouped with people you do not already know.

Go up to them and ask if they want to team up.

PE lesson features your favourite game, frisbee. Your class is asked to form teams of seven. There are particular people you are eager to meet and you want to get to know them. What would you do?

Du n m an

QUICK-FIRE ROUND FRIENDSHIP EDITION There are no right or wrong answers to any of these questions. They differ based on your personality and the situation at hand. So, don’t worry; have a go at it!

You disagree with your friend’s viewpoint during a group project, but you are soft-spoken. What would you do?

Voice out your opinion during the discussion.

WhatsApp them your viewpoints afterwards, after consolidating your thoughts.

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ition d E

Overwhelmed.

Excited about what lies ahead.

Provide advice and words of encouragement in the hope of making her feel better.

Gratified that you have made friends in your new class.

Worried about future challenges.

Looking around the classroom, it suddenly dawns on you that this is where you will be spending two years of your life. How do you feel?

Stay by her side and remain silent.

You realise your friend is having a bad day and her usual extroverted personality is replaced by a cold, quiet demeanour. What would you do?

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y M o T r e Lett

Younger Self By: Goh Hui Xuan Ashlynn (21Y4E), Nien Wei

Dear younger me, Hey! How have you been? I know that things might not be going very well for you right now, but I still hope you’re doing fine. 2021 is coming to an end now, and I just want to tell you that everything will work out eventually despite all the hurdles you are facing now.

Undeniably and inevitably, there will be instances of regret present every year. But it’s natural, of course! It’s alright to make a few mistakes sometimes. On the bright side, every mistake is an opportunity for growth. I can say this now, because I have grown a lot this year. But, if you can, I would advise you to steer clear of these situations - let’s save ourselves from situations we are better off avoiding!

Who could’ve imagined that I would graduate from Junior High feeling a sense of belonging to my Year 4 class?

While I understand that at the very beginning, you may not feel as connected with your class as you would have hoped, rest assured that you will feel more comfortable with them as time goes by. And time flies by very, very quickly in Year 4. I still vividly remember the bittersweet feeling I felt on the last day of my Junior High year. I have

Sheng Welden (21Y4G)

finally braved through four years in my Dunman High life, and it is a remarkable feat. It has been such a pleasure journeying through my Junior High years, but I am ready to embark on a new chapter! However, when I started to look back on the small moments my class shared, I started to miss them. From how we would laugh at our Physics teacher’s drawings to joking with our Math teacher, these moments were simple, but they were what got us through hours of lessons everyday. So take my word and cherish the time with your class more.

The pandemic is like the dreadful dark cloud that spoils everyone’s plans on an otherwise beautiful day. From the never-ending safe management measures to frequent lockdowns worldwide, the stress that the pandemic has placed on us is hard to shoulder at times. Plus, the overseas immersion trips that you were so looking forward to, unfortunately got cancelled. I know that it is very disappointing, but I would like to encourage you to be more optimistic. Look on the bright side and try to get the most out of the activities planned in replacement of the overseas trips! You know, every cloud has a silver lining. There is always something new and meaningful to learn, even if we cannot go overseas.

As for the current COVID situation, you need not worry about having your school life ruined, for the ongoing pandemic will get better! As I am writing this, there are pictures being posted on Instagram by some of your classmates in Paris and London, so you need not worry about COVID taking over your life.

This year was not all full of disappointments too, for there

are decisions that you definitely got right. You definitely chose the correct subject combination for your upper JH life.

I know deciding on the “best fit” subject combination is not an easy feat, but just know that you will make a good choice eventually. I know you worried a lot about choosing a supposedly unconventional subject combination, but the road less travelled might be the best path for you, although it might be too early now to see that. So don’t worry too much, just take note of what you like, what you are good at, and your future aspirations. Your seniors and teachers will offer good advice too! However, remember that your subject combination is ultimately your decision to make, making the most important person in this situation, you.

Additionally, you successfully expanded your social circle!

The anxiety from wanting to find your place and the occasional difficulty of fitting in with the class can feel absolutely dreadful, but I’m very glad that you were able to overcome this hurdle and make friends with most of your classmates though it could have been challenging at times. I am proud of how far you have come from knowing just a few people in class to being comfortable with most of them. To be honest, I have to admit that I had my guard up and was apprehensive around my new classmates because most of them all came from the same Year 2 class. This made making friends more challenging as everyone was already in their cliques and friend groups. At times I did feel isolated and lost, but some classmates started to engage in small talk with me and I started to warm up to them. Slowly, through shared experiences and with time, meaningful bonds were formed and strengthened.

If I could choose what to do more and what to do less this year, I wish I spent less time worrying and more time actually carrying out practical action. I feel like I spent more than half of the year on a rocking chair, and while I went back and forth worrying about the Singapore Youth Festival and exams and everything else, my Maths homework refused to solve its own problems. I know that sometimes it seems like you have too much on your plate, and you cannot help but overthink and fret over it, but trust me, worrying about things would amount to nothing. Therefore, I suggest you simply get up and do something about the problem instead of just overthinking about it. It saves time and brain cells.

Have you ever wondered if the one-off Teachers’ Day festivities were enough to show our appreciation? From turning on your cameras in Zoom lessons to actively participating in class activities, I should have taken action to show my respect. In the lead

up to our Chinese O-Levels Examinations, my Chinese teacher went the extra mile and had extra Zoom lessons everyday with us for about a month prior to the exam just for us, and I could have participated more actively to display my appreciation for her efforts. At the end of the day, teachers are no more different than us; who would want to have their concern be taken for granted?

To give you peace of mind, I can give you a glimpse of the future and what’s to come. I know how anxious you are about your Maths results after the Mid-Year Examinations, but just know that you are most definitely going to be fine! After going through all those remedial sessions and doing your homework with utmost diligence, it will all be worth it at the end of the year when you get your End Of Year results.

So, for now, just continue doing your utmost best and wait patiently for the seed to sprout.

You know, a great songwriter once said, “too young to know it gets better”, and I feel that this fits our context perfectly. You might think things only go downhill, but trust me, you are a year too young to know that it actually does get better. And, things are not always that bad. You are not on this journey alone for you have your friends, family, and your teachers.

Furthermore, said great songwriter (Taylor Swift) will release some new music soon, so there is always something to look forward to and be excited about. For now, do what you need to do, and focus on the present. Don’t dwell too much on the past, and don’t think too much about the future for me :) Just know that I’m proud of you, okay?

Regards, Your future self

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单词搜索 夫 力 能 达 表 放 距 理 感 果 立 社 交 能 力 力 管 命 积 能 虚 温 创 么 能 才 使 积 极 心 公 新 翻 调 人 观 性 组 倾 正 能 理 协 评 察 骗 矮 听 深 力 两 管 力 能 应 变 能 力 容 膊 能 心 力 一 登 儿 士 据 见 常 连 人 自 我 管 力 预 理 管 则 规

组织能力 观察能力 创新能力 表达能力 18

预见能力 协调能力 应变能力 社交能力

虚心倾听 自我管理 人才管理 人心管理

规则管理 使命感 积极性 公正

纵横 字 谜 1 2

3

7

4 5 6 8

9

14

10

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横向:

纵向:

2. 改变旧面貌，出现崭新的气象 3. 胸有远大的志向 5. 各种东西凡有可用之处, 都要尽量利用 6. 不认真、不负责地对待本职工作 8. 比较一下哪一个有利哪一个有害 10. 天道公平，作恶就要受惩罚 11. 顾不得睡觉，忘记了吃饭， 形容专心努力 13. 迫于饥饿而急于求食的样子 15. 指正在兴头上,对自己的言行控制不住

1. 高大笨重的东西 4. 原指画竹子要在心里有一幅竹子的形 象。后比喻在做事之前已经拿定主意 7. 不法行使职务上的权限的行为 9. 破旧的衣着，粗粝的饭食;指生活俭朴 12. 吃不下饭，睡不好觉 1. 庞然大物 2. 焕然一新 3. 胸怀大志 4. 胸有成竹 5. 物尽 其用 6. 玩忽职守 7. 滥用职权 8. 权衡利弊 9. 弊衣疏食 10. 疏而不漏 11. 废寝忘食 12. 寝食不安 13. 嗷嗷待食 14. 百废 待兴 15. 兴不由己

MyTh Or FaCt?

common beliefs about choosing subjects by: tay zi yun teryl (6C11), ong yee huan (6C34) As you stand at the crossroads for the next phase of your education journey, choosing your subject combination might just be your most difficult decision to make. So many things to consider, so many different options, so many different opinions. It can get confusing at times but not to worry! Publications is here to help you decipher if these common pieces of advice are fact or myth!

‘should you Just choose subjects you’re good at?’

The intimidating transition to Senior High rigour impells many students to choose subjects that they have shown aptitude for. However, many seniors and teachers also warn that the skills and type of content required for the same subject at the two different levels may drastically differ. While the foundational skills previously learnt may serve you well, Senior High is a clean slate for everyone in the case of most subjects. In order to find an answer to this enduring dilemma, Publications sat down with Mr Ivan Ng and Ms Maryam, the Level Heads for our 2021 Y5 cohort, who shared key considerations when choosing your subject combination.

“Play to your strengths, make sure you have a passion for the subject, and always remember to look at university prerequisites.” Mr Ng advises students to take their previous grades into consideration, as they give students a sense of what their strengths and weaknesses are.

“Keep in mind that

the A Levels are a gateway examination; it is the quality grades that count.” Ms Maryam seconds this, highlighting that while it is important to discern where your interests lie, it is crucial to be aware of what your innate strengths and capabilities are. Passion alone may not always be enough to see you through the rigorous syllabus demands of the A Levels curriculum.

However, she believes it is a balance of passion, competence, genuine interests and sense of resilience that will help students to excel. “The two-year journey is one that requires stamina, perseverance and motivation,” she says. Similarly, Mr Ng asserts that there is more to grades when choosing your subject combination. “I took H2 Art in JC, with no prior experience in the subject at all. I was even advised by my own art teacher to drop the subject, since I was so far behind.” He shares that what enabled him to bridge the gulf between him and his classmates was long hours of hard work. It was his passion that gave him the drive to put in the extra hours to catch up and excel to eventually top his cohort in the subject. He says, “It is possible to choose a subject you know that you would love even if you have no background in it, because the subject wouldn’t feel like a

chore. That is what makes the difference.” He warns that there is a caveat: “Be sure to confirm with teachers and seniors that your idea of the subject you think you love is the same as what it is in reality.”

He also emphasised the need to research prospective university courses and their prerequisites. Unless students are certain of their desired course and its requirements, he advises that students keep their doors open by taking subjects that are required by most courses.

popularity? interest? foundation?

‘it is really harder to find a job in the future if you take the arts stream?’

In Singapore’s current education and working environment, this narrative may be somewhat outdated and myopic. Mr Ng advises students not to give in to pressure to take the science stream if they know that that is not where their interests lie. “Perhaps there is some truth that these science disciplines are more lucrative and secure than some arts disciplines. However, you must remember that these courses are extremely rigorous and their admission requirements are often straight ‘A’s. If you take the science stream for the sake of it, you may just end up struggling through Se-

nior High and not even getting into the course you wanted.”

Indeed, corporations today are looking for analytical skills and creativity, and are willing to train employees that have these fundamental qualities. “Besides,” adds Mr Ng, “who’s to say arts kids don’t have interesting jobs? I have arts friends who are now consultant designers for engineers, involved in coding and educational technology… some are even bankers!” It is definitely not far from the truth to say that taking the arts stream still does open many diverse doors for students.

Mr Ivan Ng 21

‘you should be taking 4h2 no matter what.’

There are some reasons why students might take 4H2, such as genuine interest or ambition. However, you should not feel pressured to take 4H2 just because everyone around you is doing it. While 4H2 stretches you academically, 3H2 (and 1H1) is not without benefits. 3H2 affords you more time to pursue non-academic interests, including volunteering or online courses, which strengthen your portfolio. For some universities, this will be more appealing than just having good grades. They access you holistically, so extracurriculars play an equally important role. In fact, Mr Ng dropped a H2 subject to take 3H2 and was still awarded a scholarship to the US! Taking 3H2 will likely be more beneficial for your grades, especially if they are not stellar to begin with. Ms Maryam too dropped a

H2 subject. She believes that balance is key.

‘Don’t just pursue academic excellence,’ she says. ‘Explore your personal passions and stretch yourself holistically in other areas at Senior High.’

It is definitely viable to take 4H2 first before dropping one of your subjects once you find out which subject you are less strong in. This will be good for people who are unsure of their interests or strengths. However, you should drop the subject by the end of JC1 instead of waiting until the middle of JC2. This is because H1 subjects usually have different techniques and scopes compared to H2 subjects, and so you will need some time to familiarise yourself with your new H1 subject.

There are many things to consider when choosing your subject combination: your grades, your interests, your aspirations. Luckily, there are many avenues for you to seek advice before you make your final decision: your teachers, the Level Heads or the ECG counsellor. You could also simply ask your seniors to find out their varying experiences or pore through the subject combination information booklet that all students will receive when they enter Senior High. Ms Maryam cautions against following the crowd just for the sake of it. ‘The crowd can’t walk this academic journey for you,’ she says. While academic results are critical, they are not the chief concern for your holistic development. Take the time to ponder on what are the factors distinct to your situation to find the balance that is for you.

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之 旅 年 两

文稿：俞紫婷 （6C22）

你好呀，2018年的俞紫 婷！正要上中三的你应该是又 兴奋又胆怯吧？为踏入中学的 另一个阶段而兴奋，因要离开 熟悉的朋友、同学们而胆怯。 此外，中三的课业难度剧增， 你在懊恼着自己是否能应付。 不用太担心，无论你遇到多严 峻的挑战，你最终都会挺过 来！这两年里，你可以期待很 多的成长空间、认识很多人事 物、度过难忘的时光，比如和 朋友们一起出国！

课 选科 科烦恼。一开始，你 记得中二那年，你一直为选 们纷纷选择理科时， 友 朋 见 你 当 但 ， 科 文 向 倾 笃定地 禁不起诱惑，打着“不知 内心开始动摇，最后你还是 苦读物理、化学、生 了 上 踏 ， 义 名 的 ” 科 文 门 道选哪 的你，需要花大量的时间 物的旅程。可缺乏理科天赋 ，但你会认识一群乐 坷 坎 虽 程 过 。 度 进 的 们 学 赶上同 炭，大方分享笔记，帮你 于助人的同学。他们雪中送 要是我选了文科呢？ ： 想 会 免 不 我 ， 时 有 。 绩 提升成 ，感恩在这旅途中遇到的 但我并不后悔选择的这条路 风景，留下的美好回忆。 23

如果这两年能重新来过，我会怎 么做？ 哦！你还不知道吧，距离你一年多的时

间，冠状病毒将会席卷全球，严重地扰乱了 大家的生活节奏。不过，塞翁失马，焉知非 福，当我为了应付学业，忙得不可开交时， 教育部宣布的居家学习让我终于能喘口气。 遗憾的是，失去了课室的学习氛围，我没认 真听课，下课后也无所事事，荒废了时间。 若能时光倒流，我定会规划时间，自发探 索、开拓视野、学习新技能。

尝试和成长 不瞒你说，你即将踏上的

两年之旅将会是你最棒 的两年。你将会参加课外培训计 划 （ TD P) 、 模 拟 联 合国（MUN）、双文化讲座、露营 活动和国外浸濡活 动。如今的我很感激你这种不断尝 试、敢于踏出舒适 圈的精神，使这些经历能在校园生 活中留下精彩的一 笔，成为日后的财富。 这两年，你将会蜕变成更独立 ，更勇敢、更自信 的自己。

我最后想说的是，这两年中你将会

面临很多选择的分岔路，但无论你做出 什么选择，都不要质疑。正是你的这些 决定，成就了今天的我。我希望你记得 美好的回忆，勇往直前、随遇而安。 24

A Beginner's Guide to Surviving in Dino High By: Leonard Lee-Ralph Lim Yue Tai (6C12), Phua Ying Jie Klare (6C21), Colin Chong Ian Yew (6C44) So you’ve just joined Dino High — new people, new surroundings, new culture. One could understandably find it rather daunting indeed. Being in a foreign environment is intimidating, and it is never easy to adapt to a new community. Some of you might struggle to understand your new environment, face some discomfort, or perhaps even feel unsure about your new status as a Dunmaniansaur. Well, fret not! The transition may seem daunting, but if you equip yourself with the right mindset and tools, you’ll find it much easier to navigate the wide, wonderful world of Dino High. Here are some of the things you’ll need in your Dino High survival kit for a smooth transition.

The Socialising Scroll Possibly the most formidable task for all of us is interacting with our soon-to-be Dino buddies. When you step into the school, you know that most people would probably already know each other, having been together in the school for four years. You might feel like part of the minority, excluded from the rest of the students. But really, our school’s Dinos are extremely welcoming and friendly! Many people might have told you to be brave and simply approach them with confidence, but in reality many of us struggle with this. Coming from the experiences of our JAE Dinos, we have prepared for you socialising strategies: 1. Take advantage of Orientation. During this time, you will be in a group where not everyone already knows each other. Although there might be existing friend groups, there will also be those who are relatively unacquainted with each other. Pro tip: being in the same boat, it might actually be easier to approach fellow JAEs first!

2. Prepare topics for conversations. Think of some personal experiences you can share with your new Dino friends. Not that you have to do any research or anything, but you can use a funny personal anecdote to spark a conversation, and let it flow organically from there. It is always better to initiate a conversation, rather than waiting for someone else to approach you.

3. Be open-minded. Prepare to dive into a completely different school culture, and expect student habits and experiences to be completely different from yours. More on that later.

4. Finally, just be you! There is no need for a perfect persona, as what people like most is simply the authenticity and uniqueness of every individual. Something about you will definitely spark interest in others, even if you are generally a more introverted person.

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The Aura of Academic Independence As written in the Socialising Scroll, the environment and culture of Dino High will be significantly different compared to your previous schools. Most of our JAE Dinos have agreed that one of the biggest differences between this Dino High and their previous school was the academic culture. Students here are generally studious, more than what you might expect, though that does not make them more competitive or harder to level against. However, while secondary schools might constantly provide practices, extra lessons and consultations, here at Dino High, more academic independence would be required. Lectures will have to be watched and content will have to be covered by Dinos ourselves, though subject tutors will always be open to questions. There will be deadlines but no one will constantly breathe down your neck to make sure you adhere to them, so more self responsibility will be required.

The Ambience of Unexpected Friendliness However, there is no need to be taken aback by the studious habits of the students at Dino High! Although JAE Dinos did find them super intimidating at first due to the drastic differences in study habits and environment, JAE Dinos soon came to realise how friendly everybody was! Afraid of socialising and ending up with no friends? No worries! Many Dino High school students often strike up conversations of their own accord and sometimes even wave to you if they see you out of class. It’s fine if you were unable to make friends initially because you may have been too shy or awkward. There are many other opportunities, such as CCA sessions, that you can make use of to befriend these friendly Dinos.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others in Dino High. Many of us struggle with this transition from secondary school to JC, and we do our best to help others who do too. It’s alright to ask for help from others if you don’t understand something or need more clarification. Teachers are extremely friendly as well.

Arranging for consultations in order to clarify your doubts and to have a greater understanding of the topic at hand are what students at Dino High do very often! It is difficult to stay constantly motivated like some of our peers and that’s totally understandable. Just make sure that you always reach out for help when you need it instead of keeping your struggles to yourself which may cause you to implode!

And that’s it, exactly what you’ll need to survive (and thrive!) in this new, foreign environment. Of course, you should also keep in mind that everyone’s circumstances and personality are unique, so feel free to modify and personalise the tools in your own survival kit to better suit your individual experience and identity. Keep an open mind, and expand your kit with whatever you want, whenever you wish! You’re ready to embark on your own Dino High journey, and in no time at all, you’ll become a true blue Dunmaniansaur.

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i s c i e t s dsh science subjectsn g By: Liu Jessica Shi-Jia (6C21), Ang Kah Ling Nicole (6C34), Kor Xuan (6C43) Science - the broad subject touted as the answer to humanity’s future problems. Studying Science is an eye-opening experience, albeit one that requires a certain amount of skill. It will be a tough but rewarding journey ahead - and do you really have what it takes? This article is written by students who are studying the respective subjects firsthand. Join us as we share with you personal learning experiences and added insights gleaned from respective subject tutors!

physics Firstly, Physics - the most fundamental and abstract of the Sciences. It’s useful in the way that it trains many important skills - problem solving and logical thinking, among others, which are especially important in our technology-driven world today. From my own experience and the account of the physics teacher we interviewed, I am confident studying Physics will be an enriching journey for you. Read on to find out why!

expectation If I did relatively well for Physics in Junior High / O Levels, I will have an easier time doing Physics in Senior High.

reality H2 Physics is, in fact, rather different from O Level Physics, so it definitely doesn’t mean that doing well in it before will guarantee you an advantage. Firstly, (as with all subjects in JC), there is a “large jump” from O Level Physics (as mentioned by our interviewees, the SH Physics teachers), and “most would find [H2 Physics in the beginning] quite difficult”. The mathematical requirements are also more demanding, coming with deeper understanding that students are expected to have.

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expectation Excelling in Mathematics is essential for me to survive H2 Physics.

expectation Physics is a “lighter” subject to study as compared to Biology because there isn’t much memorisation to do.

reality Fortunately, this is not the case! While Physics is indeed a very maths-based subject, the mathematical skills required are rather basic in nature, having already been taught. However, on that note, it’s still good to ensure that your mathematical foundation is solid before taking on H2 Physics.

Understanding most of the concepts requires mathematical logic tools like vectors and graphs which can be daunting at first but would eventually get used to! Personally, I also like seeing how Math and Physics complement each other, and how an understanding of the two subjects can really make you “see” certain concepts more clearly.

reality This is actually half-true, but only because one has to completely understand the concepts in order to do well, which can be time-consuming. In fact, the extra time is used to tackle practice questions for enhanced familiarisation with the concepts at hand. For Physics, practice makes perfect!

Personally, as someone who has a short-term memory, Physics seemed more attractive to me than Biology simply due to the vastly differing study methods and the one (practicing a lot instead of memorising) that I was more comfortable with.

expectation

reality

I should take Physics even when I don’t actually have an interest in the subject.

Interest definitely plays a large part in determining whether you would do well in a subject - it’s what really sustains you in the long run. As mentioned by the interviewee, “if [students] are interested, [students] will do a lot of reading around using the internet and that [will make] everything a lot easier”. Personally, I took Physics not because I was going to do something related in the future, but because I recognised how useful the subject was and how it could help to hone skills that could be applied in other unrelated fields.

Do consider taking Physics if you have a strong interest in it and enjoy problem solving! Next up is Chemistry: the central science.

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chemistry Remember when you asked your secondary school Chemistry teacher why electronegativity increases across a period and up a group, and they answered “Don’t need to know one lah”? Well, now you do.

Whether it satiates your curiosity or overloads you with content, Chemistry is truly the one that answers it all. From day-to-day phenomena to abstract concepts unfathomable to the human eye, be it physical, organic or inorganic, Chemistry provides you with an explanation for everything.

expectation

reality

If you did well in JH, you’ll continue to do well in H2 Chemistry, using the same amount of time, effort and strategies.

A mindset change is required when one progresses from JH to SH, especially in Chemistry. You need to be more independent and cannot expect teachers to guide you every step of the way. It’s up to you to do extra practice, revise lecture notes and consolidate information. Not only is there a lot more content to memorise, application of content is crucial and answering techniques are important to grasp. It’s also good to note that just because SH topics look like JH topics, it doesn’t mean you know them already, as it goes a lot more in-depth at the SH level. (I found that out the hard way.)

expectation

reality

You either get it or you don’t.

Nope! Chemistry is often described as an uphill battle, especially by those who cannot grasp it instantaneously. Personally, I struggled with application and answering rather than the content itself. As new information and question-types appeared, I had less time to master previous topics, causing the problem to snowball, even if I put in more effort each time. However, if you don’t do too well in your first year, don’t be disheartened! Relook your studying methods and be willing to sacrifice more time during weekends or term breaks to catch up. You can even arrange for regular consultations with your subject tutor. Many seniors also note that this uphill battle usually improves later on once they have the chance to consolidate all the content taught.

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expectation

reality

Chemistry only requires hard work to produce good grades.

Sadly, this isn’t true. Apart from working hard, you must also work smart. Students must be thorough and pay attention to details when studying Chemistry. They also need to be able to visualise information, organised in both thoughts and work, and have good time management, given the truck-loads of content and question-types. While merely summarising notes may have gotten you a solid A* in Junior High or an A1 in the O’s, this is often not enough for H2 Chemistry.

expectation

reality

H1 Chemistry is not worth it; I might as well take / continue to take H2.

Don’t take a H2 for the mere sake of holding onto another H2. You should check the SEAB website and read both syllabi documents to fully comprehend the differences before making your decision. Considerations for choosing either will be in your choice of university courses - whether H2 Chemistry is a prerequisite or not - and how manageable the subject is at each given level, especially when you need to juggle it with the other H2/H1 subjects and other school commitments. Ultimately, it’s not about what everyone else is doing, it’s about doing what works best for you and your future.

Some advice from our wonderful H2 Chemistry teacher, Ms Chan Oi Ming: Be consistent and on-track in the review of concepts taught, don’t let any doubts accumulate, and clarify all doubts with your Chemistry tutor after going through self-revision.

Chemistry is a versatile subject, hence making it a good subject to take alongside other sciences, or even in a hybrid combination. What’s important in choosing to take on Chemistry in Senior High is that you have established your JH or O-Level foundation well, and are ready to go even further in discovering the wonders that Chemistry may reveal.

biology Perhaps the most “humane” science of them all: Biology, the study of living organisms and their vital processes. You’ve studied it: the arteries, the veins, the hormone adrenaline pumping through the quintessential heart… but they barely scratch the surface of Biology. There’s so much more to learn in Senior High. In this segment, we consulted Mdm Ye Meixiu, Mdm Serene Lam and our senior Ng Xinyee to gain insight into Biology.

expectation

reality

Biology just needs good memory skills.

While it’s true Biology needs a certain degree of good memory, understanding the content well is way more important.

This can be achieved through various study techniques such as mind-mapping, taking note of the learning outcomes of each topic or making your own notes to condense the truckloads of information. Another essential skill to hone would definitely be critical thinking, which takes up the bulk of the paper. I cannot emphasise this enough; but time management and self-discipline are also vital. Senior High life is packed to the brim with commitments, so being able to complete tutorials with diligence, doing up notes ahead of time as well as tackling the ten-year series promptly are essential to excelling in Biology.

expectation

reality

If I scored an ‘A’ in Biology in Junior High, I would naturally do well in Biology in Senior High.

It’s depressing that this is untrue. In Junior High, if you had been consistently relying on regurgitation, it may have been sufficient to get an ‘A’. In Senior High, however, memorised content only makes up 32% of the paper! You cannot just lift off one paragraph in your notes and put it in your answer in the test. Instead, there’s a hefty amount of application questions. Firstly, you’ll need to repackage the information such that it’s specific to the question, and secondly, actually understand the topics well. Before getting back your first test, you should definitely lower your expectations. It might be frustrating, but don’t give up! You’ll get better as time goes by if you make the effort.

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expectation Biology in Senior High is taught in a similar manner to that in Junior High.

expectation The content in H2 Biology in Senior High is similar to the content in Junior High.

reality In Junior High, simply reading your notes and paying attention in class would be sufficient. But Senior High demands a lot more self-directed learning, especially with the implementation of hybrid learning modules that consist of online lectures and offline tutorials. Reading the notes beforehand would allow you to have a greater grasp of the topic at hand especially with the fast pace of lectures. Afterwards, it would be beneficial to reread the notes and clarify any doubts with your tutor, and do your tutorials, as your tutor will go through answering techniques of tutorial questions.

reality Truth be told, you have studied most of the content before, because it’s a spiral curriculum approach. For example, topics like the cell and biological molecules, but in Senior High, you will learn all this in greater depth. There’s also no physiology, the study of body parts. Since the content is so heavy, you might also get overwhelmed easily, so be mentally prepared!

If you’re still feeling afraid of Senior High, do consider the personal experience of a senior who’s taken H2 Biology, Xin Yee! Although she did eventually learn to enjoy studying Biology, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows at first. She remembered that she had gotten an ‘S’ grade before Y5 promos, and was quite disappointed because Biology had been her best subject. However, she consistently practiced papers and spent more time trying to remember the content, eventually getting a ‘C’ for her promos. Her advice to all Y4s? To consider your interests, strengths and university course requirements before making a decision. Ending off, a personal note from her: “All the best; SH isn’t scary, just really tiring. Celebrate your improvements, and don’t give up even if the grades you get aren’t too satisfactory. Jiayouz!! ‘’

I know what you’re thinking: science should be your choice, because it opens up to a plethora of courses in university. However, this path is never rosy; it’s also lined with jagged rocks and rutted ground; you may trip, fall or stumble without a moments’ notice. You should definitely consider the content and skill sets needed to take each science before making a decision.

Xin Yee

The

Secret Life of Arts

By: Kenneth Yin Shou Xuan (6C11), Wang Ziwei Dorthy (6C11), Woo Yu Ning (6C11)

Moving on, join Bobo as he travels across the classrooms and staff rooms of DHS while he speaks to students and teachers about the various Humanities that are offered in Senior High!

English Language and Linguistics

Did you know that the ELL Department in DHS has only been around since 2010? Being a subject only introduced in Senior High, many of us might not have a comprehensive understanding of what ELL entails. What might be some things to look out for before taking it up? Let’s find out more from Mr Melvyn Tan and Woo Yu Ning (6C11)!

Bobo: Hello Yu Ning! ELL is new and kinda scary... are there any prerequisites to study ELL? Yu Ning: Before filling out your subject combi form, you’ll need to take an aptitude test. But not to worry - you won’t need to prepare for this test, so just take it easy! The test only helps the teachers and yourself know if you have what it takes to tackle this subject later on.

Bobo: Ohh I see! Mr Tan, what are some common challenges students face after taking ELL? Mr Melvyn Tan: The wide array of genres of texts could be overwhelming for some. Others might find the new linguistics concepts difficult to grasp initially. While there’s no easy solution, my advice would be to read widely, and always clarify your doubts. If you’re open-minded and curious to learn new concepts, and meticulous and logical in writing, we’re sure you’ll adapt well to ELL. Bobo: I see, Yu Ning did you have any misconceptions about ELL before taking it?

Yu Ning: We thought it’s just going to be an advanced version of AVT in Y4. While there is an adaptive text component, most of the essays are grounded in the linguistic concepts you’ve learnt and how you apply them to analyse different texts. These skills picked up can also be useful in your future endeavours too.

Bobo: Lastly, how’s the general atmosphere of an ELL class?

Mr Melvyn Tan: I’ve learnt to weave in some jokes in lessons that cater to my students’ humour, and there might even be an entire lesson on expletives during your ELL journey!

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more Secrets~

Literature in English

What impression do you have of E-Lit students? Book nerds?

Shakespeare enthusiasts? Poetry-spewing bores? While it is true that some E-Lit students have a particular affinity for burying their head in a book all day, they can definitely come in all shapes and sizes. Many believe E-Lit to be an extremely esoteric subject, but it really isn’t! Let’s hear more about it from In Dunman High’s resident literature enthusiast and Literature teacher, Ms Rathiy, and her similarly passionate student Dorthy Wang (6C11)!

Bobo: Hello guys! What’s E-Lit really about?

Dorthy: Hmmm… I think on the surface level, E-Lit seems like it’s just about novels, poetry, prose etc. but I’d describe it as so much more. I often say that E-Lit feels like a “buy 1 get 3 free” type of subject because by learning literature, you learn about philosophical concepts, scientific theorems and even geographical knowledge!

Ms Rathiy: That’s a tough question. I don’t believe that one can view Literature from an exclusively artistic perspective or an exclusively technical and analytical perspective. Truthfully, It is a study of the human condition and is best viewed from the human perspective. It’s really just about the narratives and the stories of the world around us.

Bobo: I see! Ms Rathiy, what are some qualities you look for in a good E-Lit student?

Ms Rathiy: Someone that is open-minded and inclusive. Open to perspectives, open to interpretations and inclusive in the way they think about people and situations and identities. There is no singular interpretation of Literature, so they need to be receptive.

Bobo: Interesting! Now a slightly more difficult question for all the realists: Do you think that E-Lit is useful?

Dorthy: Yeah, honestly. I think I got the chance to learn more about the world around me.

I think that Lit is one of those subjects that never stops giving, and you never stop learning. Everything is lit. Taylor Swift is poetry.

Ms Rathiy: Many might think that in our increasingly pragmatic society, Literature might be gradually losing its importance. However, this is false. On the contrary, the skills that Literature instils in its students are becoming even more pertinent in our world. Literature teaches you how to be an effective writer and communicator, how to write cautiously but read empathetically.

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Geography

Ooh clouds! Geography often appears daunting to many students due to the rigorous nature of the subject. Nonetheless, this subject can prove to be an extremely fulfilling one; be it to teach or learn about! Let’s hear from Mr Alvin Low and Liu Yixuan (6C12) about their experiences!

Bobo: Hello guys! What made you want to learn or teach Geography?

Yixuan: I chose to study Geography because I’ve always had an interest in learning more about environmental issues and for me to acquire a deeper understanding of these issues, it was crucial for me to learn how the earth system worked!

Mr Alvin Low: Geography is the study of people, and also its interaction with the environment. So my love for travelling, being mildly kaypo about different cultures, and my interest in learning how the earth’s wonderful landforms are formed eventually saw me choosing Geography as a teaching subject!

Bobo: That’s so cool! A common source of apprehension for most students when choosing to study Geography is the density and rigour of the curriculum. What advice would you give to interested students?

Yixuan: I would say, read up during the holidays! More importantly, apart from learning the content, learn the necessary application skills as well!

Mr Alvin Low: It does take time to adjust to these challenges, but nothing that a lot of hard work and a positive learning attitude cannot overcome. There will be many times where one stumbles on this journey, but what would ensure one’s eventual success is the grit and tenacity to push ahead. Be reflective, have the humility to reflect on what went wrong, and perform self-correction!

Our arty roundup!

Bobo: Hopefully you’ve gained a better understanding of the life of an Arts student in Senior High, and that’s a wrap! Till next time!

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哪个科目是你的菜 文稿：江文浩 （6C12），刘孟涵 （6C22），夏川蛟 （6C46)

这篇文章将分享老师和学长们对华文文学 (H2CLL)、中国通识 (H2CSC) 与 翻译 (H2TC) 的见解，以助选科。 华文与文学（CLL)

相较于初中的高级华文，高中文学接触文学的面更 广，增加了对比篇章类的理解问答，漫画作文，小说 与戏剧赏析，更具思辨性和哲理性，因此想学好文学 需要较厚的华文功底，如高华拿到A级，但洪澜老师 认为，文学不是一门晦涩艰深的科目，它着重于思 辨，构建，分析等能力，只要肯花 心思，必有收获。老师说，学文 学能后发制人：从近期看，文 学为高中生活添上一抹浪漫的 色彩；从中期看，文学有助 于生活与工作，如更会欣赏 影视作品，对文案与策划案 的编写与呈献驾轻就熟； 从长远看，文学陶冶情 操，教你辨人识物，为你 提升气质与素养。 后 ， 洪 老 师 说 最 道：”莫为分数愁，选科 重明朝”。 中国通识（CSC）

中国通识是一个学习范围很广的科 目。我认为如果你对当代中国及世界的发展 变化感兴趣，横跨经济、政治、社会和外交的中国 通识会是一个很好的选择。作为一门跨学科的人文科目， 在较强的华文阅读和写作能力的基础上，整理综合资料

和批判性思辨的能力更为重要，需要学生透过事物发展变化的规律与趋势去把 握事物的本质。我认为科目的学习工作量适中，学习过程中需要广泛阅读了解 和整理，但是无需背诵答案要点。题目具有一定的自由度，可以有不同的看 法。因此，安凤云老师说：只要勤阅读，勤思考，多问，多学，取得 好成绩就不是难事。学习过程中，最大的挑战是我们要及时跟 进时事变化，因此需要阅读很多新闻报道。对于未来，中 国通识将培养你双语双文化、批判思维和独立研习的能 力，无论大学学什么都能派上用场。最后，安老师想 说：如果你对以上内容感兴趣，欢迎加入中国通识 大家庭，期待与你一起从小小的课堂接触广大的 世界。 翻译（TC）

作为高中独有的科目，翻译课程令很 多同学感到好奇。教授翻译课的刘老师 说：翻译由“语言学”与“翻译学”组 成，主要培养系统分析双语能力、学习翻 译理论并进行翻译实践。如果你有扎实 的中英文基础，习惯双语阅读，或者对报 读中文系、传媒系或国际关系系感兴趣， 未来想当记者或外交官，选修翻译课将会 是个大大的加分项。

在选修翻译课前，我查阅 了相关的试卷进行了解。虽 然题目有挑战，但我依然做 出了选择。经过一年的学习与 努力，我果真找到了翻译的乐 趣。

对翻译感兴趣的同学也可以去翻 翻试卷、问问学长。希望在翻译课看到你 们！

望新生广纳贤言，反复琢磨，勇敢踏出高中学习 的第一步！

向 的 日 亮 月 葵 向 面 文稿：王璟宜 (6C22) 赵元贞(6C22)

特殊课程组合之所以特殊，不仅是修读的人少，更是其对未来情况

的高针对性。

姓名：Celeste Claire Chong Ka Mun 张嘉敏 隶属组织：6C12 入选原因：纯文科（地理、英文文学、经济）

未来的考虑 “你可能现在还不清楚未来想选什么，但是你一定很了解你不想选什么。” 考虑 到未来学习法律或市场销售的意向，以及理科方面的不足，嘉敏选择了纯文科。

好处 学习文科需要查阅大量的资料、参考不同角度的观点，使她意识到很多事情不是 非黑即白的，因此一定要全面了解课题。

困难 选择纯文科代表嘉敏无法报读许多需要化学基础的大学课程。但深思熟虑后，她 认为与其修读没有把握的学科，不如选择自己更有自信能学好的科目。

编者总结 别人的建议不过是别人的经验，道路终究掌握在自己手中。不要害怕，选择你真正 想要修读的科目，说不定在追寻兴趣的途中，未来就明朗了呢？

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姓名：Zhang Yaoye 张瑶叶 隶属组织：6C12 入选原因：双中文系（华文文学、翻译）

未来的考虑 瑶叶希望大学能修读中文系和传播学。

好处 对瑶叶来说，双中文科目的适应期短、学习轻松、还能确保成绩稳定，不会突上 突下。华文文学和翻译的知识可以融会贯通，匹配性极强。华文文学课上学过的 文学作品会在翻译作业上遇到；翻译知识使她精准理解文学作品的字句。

困难 学习内容广泛，内容量大，要很早开始复习背诵。

编者总结 近来中国发展迅速，未来华文的重要性不可小觑，因此选择华文科目应会有长远的回报。

姓名：Wang Junzhe 王骏哲 隶属组织：6C34 入选原因：高等数学、中国通识

未来的考虑 骏哲清楚地知道目标——物理，且自己在物理科目上又有优势，所以选科便轻松 了。

好处 高等数学挑战性强，十分有趣；而中国通识平衡了文理科的学习，拓宽视野。

困难 因高中规定文理科齐全，他无法选择化学辅助物理。他本想学音乐作为唯一的文 科，却没能通过面试。于是轻松、不占时间、与政治相关的中国通识便成为了他 的不二之选。

编者总结 若是能力和条件都允许，何不试试高难科目？也许你会享受这份挑战。而当你非 常肯定已选的科目满足了大学选科的要求，那么剩下的科目就选择能让你轻松快 乐的吧！省下来的时间与精力，能让你更好地攻克其他学科！

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what you’ll miss

(After You Graduate) Bobo has some interesting questions for you! Fill them in and discuss your answers with your peers. Enjoy!

What is your favourite school-based tee?

Which is your favourite stall?

What’s your favourite drink order from Uncle’s/Auntie’s drink stall?

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Which is the best toilet in school?

Is it about the convenience? The cleanliness? A special feature?

Where is the best study area in school?

The comforts of air-conditioning or the power of mid-session snacks? Or maybe the familiarity of a classroom?

What’s your favourite classroom memory?

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Bobo Dunmaniansaur yr

6

fun

With that, Bobo has successfully graduated from Dino High!

In overcoming the challenges in his journey, Bobo has finally grown out of his shell to become a full-fledged high-flying Dunmaniansaur. However, our journey is far from over.

All this time, our lives are filled with many moments. The happy moments, the heartwarming moments and moments of togetherness. These moments will always be here. But there are also the crying moments, the struggling moments and moments of disappointment.

These gut-wrenching moments don’t go any faster than the happy ones. However, once you look back, you would realise that these moments have already come to pass.

So despite all of the challenges we might face, be brave and take a leap of faith!

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Our Team editors-in-chief h Ng Yen Nee Liu Menghan

writers (y6) R Tay Zi Yun Teryl Wang Ziwei Dorthy Woo Yu Ning Celeste Claire Chong Ka Mun Leonard Lee-Ralph Lim Yue Tai Liu Jessica Shi-Jia Phua Ying Jie Klare Jesline Yu Ziting Wang Jingyi Zhao Yuanzhen Ang Kah Ling Nicole Ong Yee Huan Kor Xuan Colin Chong Ian Yew Tan Tze Ling Gillian Xia Chuanjiao

writers (y5) i Chua Ke Rui Kerrine Chen Jingwen Lew Li Xuan Goh Hui Xuan Ashlynn Kor Yu Tania Oh Hui Wen Kaitlyn Siobhan Rose Lee Kow Ya Xuan Nien Wei Sheng Welden Pei Jingya Zhang Yuhe Andria Lee Wang Yuhan Krystal Lek Ze Ting Chee Shi Yao Alicia Liu Shengyu Tay Shyan Ru Alicia

art editor J

designers (y5) O

Chew Jing Yi

Chen Jingwen Lew Li Xuan Siobhan Rose Lee Andria Lee Chee Shi Yao Alicia Tay Shyan Ru Alicia Chin Zhi Xi Amabel

designers (y6) H Tay Zi Yun Teryl Shirica Leong Xinyi Tan Tze Ling Gillian Zhao Yuanzhen Xia Chuanjiao He Ziqi

external writers D

Kenneth Yin Shou Xuan Jiang Wenhao

advisors l Mdm Hong Lan Mr Mark Ho Ms Noorshidah

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Proudly brought to you by: DHS Publications (Senior High) 德明政府中学出版社 （高中部）