Tanglin Talk

Call for entries

An exciting opportunity for students aged 5–19 to exhibit their artwork online and at the Royal Academy of Arts

Open for submissions 11 January – 26 April 2021

Find out more and enter roy.ac/youngartists #rayoungartists

Last Call for Young Artists

London’s Royal Academy of Arts is currently preparing its annual Young Artists’ Summer Show and, happily, there is still time for budding creatives from across Tanglin to be involved. The show is open to all artists aged 5-19 studying in the UK or at British international schools, with the selected artworks displayed online and on site at the Royal Academy.

Each artist can submit up to three works of art in any medium, to be judged by a panel of artists and art professionals – with prizes awarded for two artworks at each Key Stage.

“We’re already seeing some wonderful submissions coming in,” says Teacher of Art & Design (Senior) Ella Magee. “I think we stand a great chance of students doing well in this prestigious competition. We are keen for as many children as possible to enter; as Michael Craig-Martin, a Senior Royal Academician and artist says, ‘The art world, of all worlds, has room for everyone.’”

Submitting an artwork is straightforward; in fact, children in the Infant School have already practiced the process with Head of Art & Design (Infant) Libby Henderson. But interested young artists will need to get their smocks on – the closing date for submissions is April 26.

To find out more about the Young Artists’ Summer Show, visit roy.ac/young artists

Tanglin teachers support colleagues in Cambodia

For almost 15 years, a group of teachers from across Tanglin has travelled to Siem Riep, Cambodia, during the Lunar New Year break to deliver teacher training to 21 schools in an initiative supported by Caring for Cambodia.

Across the country – but especially in rural areas – insufficient teacher training and community attitudes have historically been barriers to children’s learning, with the Coronavirus pandemic exacerbating these: the 2020/21 academic year started two months late, in January, and levels of enrolment have reduced.

Unable to travel, the team worked hard to facilitate a remote Teacher Training Programme (TTP) instead. The Voice approached Head of PSCHE (Junior) Caroline Rushworth and Head of Maths for the Early Years Foundation Stage (Infant) Katie Sansom to find out more about the project. Here’s what they had to say:

The group on a visit to Cambodia in February 2020.

“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, it was vital for us to continue our long-standing relationship with Caring for Cambodia. And, while initially daunting, we have embraced working in a different way. Our focus for the primary years has been Positive Education, Maths and PE, while at secondary level, Senior School teachers have tackled Assessment for Learning, Technology for Learning and basic counselling skills. With the support of the TTS Foundation, we have also been able to share Tanglin resources, and have supported the teachers with ideas for remote learning.”

Year 10 student reaches Harvard essay-writing competition finals

We were delighted to hear the news that Year 10 student Julia was recently shortlisted as one of 10 finalists in the Harvard International Economics Essay Contest (HIEEC).

This prestigious annual competition gives young people the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of economic theory to potential future employers, through a 1500-word response to one of four given prompts. This year, the finalists’ essays were judged by 2016 Economics Nobel Prize Winner, Professor Oliver Hart.

The Voice spoke to Julia to congratulate her on her inclusion in the finalists’ list. Her remarkable achievement was particularly notable considering, at 15, she was one of the competition’s youngest entrants.

How did your involvement with the HIEEC come about?

I stumbled across it while researching an article for The Jewel Review, a newspaper I founded with other international school students in Singapore. The article was about Behavioural Economics and its application. After further exploration, I took the leap and wrote an essay, never dreaming I would get this far!

What is it about Behavioural Economics that interests you?

It showcases the most important characteristics of humanity. It’s a field that depicts our flaws as assets and emphasises our human nuances. I was most intrigued by the fact that economists abandon the paradigm of rationality and delve deeper into the irrational side of human beings.

How does it feel to be an HIECC finalist?

It was definitely a pleasant surprise. However, in my eyes, I’ve already won – what’s important for me is the learning experience I’ve had. The contest has allowed me to grow through understanding people’s mentality, behaviour, and how their choices impact their everyday decisions.

To find out more about the HIEEC, go to economicsreview.org

World Scholar’s Cup CCA members succeed at Asian Championships

Open to all students in Years 8-13, the World Scholar’s Cup is led by its Year 12 members and provides opportunities for debating, research and writing, plus teacher and student lectures on subjects of interest. Members of the CCA have recently achieved both team and individual successes in the National American Quiz Tournament: at the Asian Championships last month, its top team successfully qualified for the Global Championships, with Year 9 student Krishiv placed first out of 59 students across Asia. Year 12 leader Finn had this to say about the CCA:

“This year, we have attended virtual talks from several fascinating individuals, such as Freya Lewis – a survivor of the 2017 Manchester Arena Bombing and an advocate for body positivity – and Ben Garrod, an evolutionary biologist who has spent several years working across South East Asia, Africa and the Caribbean with various primates. The CCA takes part in rigorous academic debates, quizzes, and both team and individual writing competitions. Debate tournaments involve three members putting their argumentative and critical thinking skills to the test in order to win a spot in the debate showcases; these events recognise and celebrate debate at Tanglin.

The students who attend World Scholars Cup are those who are seeking to feed their curiosity and expand on their existing knowledge. It is an amazing CCA.”

Natural Wonder

Receiving a handwritten letter always feels special, but particularly so when the sender is none other than acclaimed British natural historian Sir David Attenborough! Anika in Year 2 was the lucky recipient of this note from Sir David, who was responding to Anika’s own letter promising to support the environment by recycling and helping to keep Singapore’s beaches clean.

An outspoken champion of Mother Nature, Sir David (94) has presented and narrated natural history documentaries for more than 60 years and his latest earth science series, A Perfect Planet, highlights the way human behaviour impacts the environment. He wrote, “I am so glad you enjoy my programmes. It was very kind of you to tell me so.”