M2 STUDIES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF BORNEO AND THE SECOND WORLD WAR

The eighth of March marked a thrilling day on mine and my classmates’calendarsInternational Women’s Day, and a Google Meet with the one and only Lynette Silver. Lynette Silver is an incredible historian, author, and researcher, who we had the privilege to talk to on Wednesday the 8th March. M2 is currently learning about World WarTwo in South-EastAsia, and Mr. Matthew organised a call with this renowned historian so we could have our questions answered and interests piqued.

Lynette Silver has written many books about an event called the Sandakan Death Marches; an infamous forced march that occurred during the Second World War. It resulted in the deaths of 2434 British and Australian prisoners of war - and only six survived. Silver came across this subject while investigatingAustralian POWs and their stories back in university. I had the privilege to be able to interview her, and upon being asked what first drew her to this subject, she said, ‘I’m more interested in the forgotten souls of war, rather than the brave heroes.

In her past, Lynette Silver has faced some prejudice; war history is a generally male-dominated field, and yet she has not given up.After 30 years of researching the Sandakan Death Marches, finding the families of the victims, and making memorial sites to ensure that the POWs at Sandakan are remembered, she has become the go-to historian for this tragic event.

Colleagues of hers have said she has a talent for finding hidden information, which turned out to be extremely useful while specialising in this specific topic - theAustralian government had covered up the truth of what occurred at Sandakan so that the families could live without the horrors of what happened haunting them.

The Sandakan Death Marches were a terrible event, but far too few people know about them. If you don’t know this dreadful story, I highly recommend taking a few minutes out of your day to look it up. Pick up one of Lynette Silver’s books, visit a monument, watch a video or read an interview - anything to ensure that the victims continue to be remembered.

This opportunity has been incredible, for both my classmates and myself.Thank you to Mr. Matthew, Mr. Rob, Miss Cindy, and of course, Lynette Silver.

written by Lila Blue Gough

M2 Science visit to The Brunei Tropical Biodiversity Centre

M2 attended a presentation about biodiversity in Brunei and learned about the 7 different types of forest.

M2 pupils were challenged with a quiz and to record their experiences using tablets.

M2 Science visit to The Brunei Tropical Biodiversity Centre

many tree species.

The exhibition at theTropical Biodiversity Centre has many interesting displays of animals and plants.

Language Leaders

In January, the Language Leaders taught their very first language lesson to P2 and P3. The students were allowed to choose the foreign language as well as the topic. They had a month to plan and prepare for the lessons. On the day, although there were some nerves, the students outdid themselves. The P2 and P3 students were very lucky as they received two different language lessons in one day. Well done to the Language Leaders for teaching such great lessons. It is not easy to stand in front of a group of small children and teach in another language. Also well done to the P2 and P3 students for doing so well in the lessons. Thank you P2 and P3 for having us.

Language Leaders receiving their bronze certificate