UWC

Back to the Future! (PSE, not the movie)

  1. What were some of the most interesting discoveries you made about yourself through the Myers Briggs and Holland Code tests? How has your planning for the future changed or stayed the same during this unit?

Before this unit, I wasn’t even aware of the fact that people could be grouped by a letter code, and that that letter code would determine some of your basic personality traits. Taking the test, I was determined to be an INFJ, and while I would place myself in that category, I believe that there is no true way to determine the personality of a person, as every single person on this planet (7 billion of us) is 100% unique in our own right. This unit has helped me with choosing criteria for future universities, such as how big, what courses to take, where its located, etc. I applied some of the things I learnt in this unit to the UAC meeting that I had with Mr Pat.

 

2. Name two or three important skills you learned about maintaining positive professional relationships and how will you use them in the future

While there is no specific thing which I have in the back of my mind, I do believe that most of the things that we did with the personal bank accounts and the such helped me understand how our relationships affect us mentally, and how much of an impact that actually has on the quality of a relationship

 

3. Thinking about your future 5, 10, or 15 years from now, what are some themes / aspects of life that you want to keep central to your planning? What are some key values that will drive your decision making?

While cliche, I would like to always work on being the best I can be in terms of my kindness and my relationship skills. Those are some of the most invaluable skills that a person can have, not only for the employment sector, but could come in useful when dealing with the complexity of a relationship. I’ll continue being commited, resilient, and enthusiastic for all future opportunities which come my way. Doing this, I’ll have an awesome outlook on life, rather than the drab routinary days some people might experience (especially job related!!!)

CAS Reflection #9: Taking Initiative – Art of Computer Programming

Roughly a month ago, I was presented with the opportunity to lead the activity alongside Max. For me, this is huge, as it will mean I’ll have to put all my leadership and teaching skills to the use. My Java skills aren’t very good, so being able to gain the confidence of the activity leaders pleases me a lot.

I was quick to say yes, as an opportunity like this doesn’t come along every day. While it is a bit of a stretch for me, I’ll make sure to make it work over the coming school year, with projects, slides, and maybe even a bit of gaming to spice up the activity and make it interesting for everyone (from Grade 9 to Grade 12).

CAS Reflection #8: Issues of Global Significance – Student Voice

During the October break, we were able to meet lots of the new students who were stuck in remote learning, due to the cancellation of many flights and the mandatory 14-day quarantine that many students had to pass.

The Student Voice leaders planned an orientation for the new students, in which I took part in. It was a great experience being able to meet and talk with students who have come from essentially, every corner of the world. Being a group leader, I was responsible for giving a tour around the campus, showing all the important facilities that they need to know about.

When it was my turn to run the game stations near the sports halls, it was really fun leading the blindfold run, in which I also had to use a bit of my leadership skills to run the station. Finally, having lunch with the new students really gave me some time to talk to them about school life, teachers, and anything in between. I will definitely be signing up for another orientation in the future

CAS Reflection #7: Strengths and Areas for Growth – Jazz Band

Coming to the last days of the year, I have seen a significant improvement in my playing in the band and out of it in ITP. I feel thaI was able to grow as a musician in just the 5 months of Jazz Band we had, as we were able to deal with all the challenges that presented us. Whether technical or mechanical, the band and I were able to keep working to produce our videos for Wavelengths.

This, has been my proudest achievement in Jazz Band so far, and I hope that I can keep developing what I’ve learnt so far and apply it to later pieces that we may learn for another assembly in March. Although I have been learning, I still have ways to go with some of the technique I play with, and with sufficient practice and playing, hopefully I’ll be able to do some solos later down the line 🙂

CAS Reflections #6: Ethics of Choice and Action – Tech Tinkers

Rounding off my first term of Tech Tinkers, I have definitely seen our impact in the local community with our first batch of donations to St John’s elderly care facility, as well as even more donations which have come in through the e-waste recycling box.

This really made me think on the actions that the people took to consciously place their working (but old0 electronics in the e-waste bin. For some of the products that have come by us, there are items that can be sold for $50-$200, but instead, they decide to give it to us for a chance of a new life in someone else’s hands. At UWC, I believe that we’re trained to look out for others (in and out of our community) to a point where we start re-evaluating our choices of selling or buying products from around the world. UWC made a strong push towards recycling and composting, and I think that has spread across the community. This concept has now arrived at Tech Tinkers, where we deal with all the recycling needed to get phones, laptops, and desktops back up to running order so they can be used by others in the local Singaporean community.

CAS Reflection #5: Undertaking Challenges and Learning – Art of Computer Programming

The activity Art of Computer Programming being run by Akshat and Arjun (Grade 12 students), has been an intense and interesting learning experience, as I have been grasping the concepts of programming in Java in CompSci, and learning how to use Eclipse. The activity has been a good look into the fundamental concepts of Java, and seeing the full extent of the programming language.

I’ve had to learn Java pretty much Ab-initio, with no experience before hand. This was a huge challenge for me, as I had no help at all when doing most of the challenges set by the leaders, so it was a challenging but fun experience.

I’ll definitely keep learning Java both in class, and in the activity. I hope to improve my programming skills to a point where I’m able to make simple programs, but that’ll come with time and practice, and more learning from my activity leaders.

CAS Reflection #4: Collaborative Working – Jazz Band

As with ITP, I’ve been doing Jazz Band since Grade 6, and Jazz Band has always been an activity where collaboration has been key. Working with players who have different skill sets can present itself as a challenge, but I believe the end result of us playing onstage in front of 600 people is the most rewarding result of the challenge.

Working together in Jazz Band is different from collaboration in other subjects, as it required me to listen to others and adjust my timing and playing style accordingly. Due to COVID-19, we’ve had to work in sections, meaning that all the Saxes played together, clarinets together and so on. Working in smaller groups has placed and even more important role in collaboration, as slacking off is no longer an option, and a 100% effort from all team members is required to succeed in playing any piece that our band leader may hand out to us. For the time being, working in small groups is something that will carry on for the foreseeable future, and I’ll gladly be putting in my best in group efforts like these.

CAS Reflection #3: Strengths and Areas for Development – ITP

the ITP program has been an ongoing learning experience since I was in Grade 6. I’ve played the Sax ever since I was in grade 5, and since then, I have worked on my skills throughout Middle School and IGCSE to get to the point where I’m at now. ITP has always been about pushing my limits of playing and to learn new techniques and skill with every day I practice, or play in Jazz Band. My teacher, Mr. Haigh has put in a monumental amount of effort into helping me prepare for trinity tests, and as well as practicing for ITP night and the countless Jazz Band performances.

ITP will be an area which I will continue to develop new techniques and other skills, and I’ll always be looking for areas in which I can develop my playing skills in.

CAS Reflection #2: Showing commitment and perseverance – Student Voice

Student Voice is an activity that I was used to doing from last year, as I was a member of SV for the first term of Grade 10. All I can say is that this year, SV is much more involved and the effort required to ensure the smooth running of the service has to be high. The system of command in SV is much more organised now, with involvement from a chair and a vice chair, which are yet to be elected.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been on top of my duties as a SV representative for my class, and I have absolutely enjoyed the work which comes with it. Planning small scale events for my mentor class are things that I may have to do later on down the line, but I will happily do so. I personally enjoy small-scale planning and organization of events, so I feel that I’ll be right in place at SV. Although, it will be a big effort to keep up to date with all the grade’s events, so it’ll be continuous strides on my end to ensure I can still be an effective representative.

CAS Reflection #1: Taking Initiative – Tech Tinkers

A couple weeks ago I started my service journey with Tech Tinkers, and I’ve felt really engaged and committed to the goal of  the service, which is to upcycle old technology which has been given to us, which the service will later donate to selected service partners around Singapore.

My first session with Techtinkers was hectic, although I did enjoy the ambiance. I got a first-hand look into the day to day running of the service, as well as what the service actually entails. I was assigned to help get Linux running on old HP desktops which were donated by an enterprise. As well as putting myself in the “spotlight” and doing something I’ve never done before, I think it was a great learning experience for me, as I learnt about a computer’s BIOS and the installation of an operating system.

I’m really looking forward to continuing with Tech Tinkers throughout Grade 11, as it’s a service which I really enjoy collaborating in. My passion for technology and service coming together is not something that is normally seen, so I’m committed to putting 110% for the service.

Representation and Identity: Eli Rezkallah

During the past 8 weeks in class, we have been looking at a collection of work by Eli Rezkallah called “In a Parallel Universe”, a set of satirical parodies of old advertisements which are seen as racist or sexist in current times.

A satirical parody of an advertisement by Hardees (Original on the right)

The way we have looked at Rezakallah’s work is by comparing, analyzing, and discussing their similarities and differences in his work vs the work of the original advertisers. Discussing why the ads are seen the way they are today is also important, as it helped us gauge how obscene some could be, and how Rezkallah can convert them into making them funny humorous to look at. Comparing the pieces of work from Rezkallah and the old ad makers really makes us analyse the differences Rezkallah has added, manipulated, or has kept the same to get his message approach. Things like colour, background, clothing, position, and much more can be interpreted in many different ways, and Rezkallah does leave his work open to a lot of imagination.

A chart linking vocabulary which relate to the Rezkallah ad’s we’ve been analysing

Learning new vocabulary was also an important task that we did, as this would later help us in writing analytical essays and to accurately describe specific techniques that an ad maker or Rezkallah employed in doing their work.

 

Why is Rezkallah’s work on identity and representation important?

Rezkallah’s work really makes us think about the privileged world we live in, and how we have gotten over the more traditional and socially conservative era (especially in the Western world). His work on identity and representation has made us more aware of traditional gender roles, how certain people are sexualised, and what extreme marketing tips are used.

In Singapore, and in the school we go to, there is not much analysis and talk about the hardships and stereotyping that certain groups of people have to go through. When looking at parodies of sexist ads that have been redone by Rezkallah, we can see what changes society have made, and the ideas that have developed since then in regards to treatment, but also sexualisation of women. Public opinion and perception of these ads and their associated stereotypes also influence their outlandishness and whether they will get an extra consumer. Appeal to the common man is what was and is present in advertising today, so unpacking the old ads and taking a look at them can also give us an idea of what (Western) culture was like back in the day.

 

Little Red Cap (Carol Ann Duffy) and In a Parallel Universe (Eli Rezkallah)

The story of Little Red Cap is significantly different in terms of content to the images published by Rezkallah, but they both have a common idea of relating to traditional gender roles in the way the characters act and are portrayed. It can also be mentioned that both stories explore the ideas of innocence and temptations.

Little Red Riding Hood, is portrayed as a cheerful little girl, innocent, and listens to every command from her parents. The way she is ordered to deliver items to grandma shows a superiority complex, with her being at the very bottom, and her mother and grandmother being on the top (in regards to age). It is clear that Little Red Riding Hood is unaware of most of her actions apart from delivering stuff to her grandma, and other daily tasks. The way the wolf conned her into believing that she was truly the granny, proved just how innocent and submissive her character is to the truth.

The same can be said about Rezkallah’s satirical parodies, since there is an aura of innocence expected from women in society, something that the readers to not figure out until the roles are reversed in the parody, which is not what the reader perceives as “normal” (traditional).

PSE Half-Year Reflection

PSE has been a wild journey of learning about ourselves and our emotions, but there have been several moments all around the school year (so far) which I feel are important to mention.

This year I’ve taken Computer Science HL, and I feel like it’s going to be a challenge, but one which I’m willing to take on. I’ve had to learn (the basics) of Java in under a month. That was quite a significant challenge, but I feel that with the effort I put into learning a brand new programming language (which I have never done before), I’ll be able to better progress myself in a subject which I have never thought about taking 6 months prior.

While this year has been going well, I feel like I need to start putting more effort into studying and revising for tests. With the English CAT being today, a geo test tomorrow, maths after tomorrow, DT on Friday, and Spanish the next week, it’s going to be very very tough to balance my time efficiently between all the subjects.

Lastly, in PSE I feel like I’ve been granted access through a door into another dimension, one where I can see myself from a completely different perspective. I’ve never done a Johari window, and I never learnt about emotions and ourselves in such a thought provoking way. I feel like PSE will be a great subject in the future, as it’ll help us understand the way we are and what our place in society is.

The final: CREST Reflection

My CREST experience has been a bit of a wild one, from lessons full of procrastination to hyper energy presentations fueled by passion. This for sure has been unique and strange, as we would have never done anything of this sort if it were not for the COVID-19 pandemic, which cancelled our IGCSE final exams and extended the school year by 2 months.

 

How my project was successful/not successful?

I will say my project was mostly a success, as I was able to talk about the topic I was interested in (aviation and technology) freely and openly, which allowed me to be more creative with the process. My research/planning doc was very well organized, and it was aesthetically pleasing to see all the research laid out in a nice list format, which also did (sort of) help me with the structure of my podcast.

One thing which I felt did not help me and was a slight hindrance was how chunky the information was in the planning doc. It was hard to read while recording, meaning I did miss some points which I was trying to make, and my podcast may have had moments of me rambling on something which might not have been useful.

 

What have I learned through this whole process?

Apart from my researching and presentation skills, I was able to learn about how technology in aviation has had a very powerful impact on the world, allowing for the interconnected world we live in today.

 

What impact might the results of my project have on other people/the wider world?

The results of my project show how much convenience and safety have increased in the aviation space, with pilots being able to fly for hours and hours without a single accident ever occurring. Showing these results may incentivise nervous flyers to give flying a shot, as flying has become significantly safer than what it was 50 years ago.

 

What I would have done to improve my work?

I would have made a separate doc to make the podcast easier to record, as in having the major points highlighted, not having a big chunk of useless words covering what I needed to say in my podcast

 

What I’d do to develop the project in the future?

I might focus on less than 6 topics, but go even more in depth, because having only two minutes to talk about a topic does not give me enough time to go into depth as to what it is, why it was made, the impact on the aviation industry and the world as a whole.

#BLM

This photo is one full of compassion and a sense of integrity.

In this photo, we see a policeman who was separated from his unit amid the George Floyd protests. Knowing the background, it’ll be easier to understand the underlying racial tensions between the black community and the police. With racism being widespread in the US, and certain police officers showing this to an almost blatant extent, there is absolutely no doubt that blacks in the US will have a distrust in the police, and the activities they do. This image is very special though, as it shows protesters defending the policeman.

This shows how misunderstood the protesters are. The media will portray looting and burning down buildings as mainstream protests, while the majority just want a peaceful resolution to what’s going on now.

Dear diary:

Dear Diary,

Today, I have witnessed an absolutely appalling scene with my daughter. All the band practice I’ve put her through. All the love and affection I’ve given her. All the tough times I’ve had to go through with her. You know what little act she pulls out in front of me and the audience? She brought out a sharpie, and slowly drew “NOT YOUR PUPPET” on her forehead. This is after her refusal to play anything on the violin, just sitting there looking like a fool. I can’t believe that she would humiliate me in front of everybody like this. I never once considered myself a puppeteer, I thought I was doing the best I could for my daughter! Her acts of disobedience towards me have really started to spring up, with her burning her hair with the curl iron to prove some point which I couldn’t figure out. Even before, going to practice, she slammed the car door in my face. I need to take a rest, this has been such a long day for me today. I’ll have to change my routine to deal with her antics…

Signed, Elena

CREST Reflection #1

Coming up with the CREST project idea was one more to do with passion than anything else. I’ve always had a love for aviation, so being able to research about it was absolutely great. Knowing that the the project had to fall under STEM made me think a little harder on what I wanted to focus on regarding the aviation industry. Obviously, I couldn’t just go on and on about it aimlessly (as I would have hoped), but instead I needed to focus on a specific area of the industry. Combining another aspect which I love, technology, allows me to look into how the two have been together since the start of computers, all the way till now. I know this is a viable option to research as there have been massive leaps in both industries.

Doing the project as a podcast will hopefully get the more chill and informative side of me out t0 the listener, as I really hope that with speech, I can make more emotional and ‘sharp’ statements rather than having to look at it on a piece of paper.