Normal day, including ELDDS.

During Geography lesson today, Ms Ang told us about an educational trip to Kuantan organised by the Humanities Department that was scheduled for the June holidays. Since last year's trip was affected by Sars, the trip will be opened to the Sec 4s. I am quite interested in the trip, and would ask my parents in the next few days. ($250 each for triple-sharing! Not cheap...)

Then, after our Chemistry practical today (which were the last two periods of the day), Ms Wassan asked for volunteers to take a SPA (School-based Practical Assessment) pilot test on Chemistry. I volunteered and received a piece of paper with a question testing skill level 4: planning investigations. I think I was the only one who wrote to use a titration for the experiment (to find out which of the three samples of acid provided were most concentrated and least concentrated). I suppose the actual experiment will be carried out on another day (we only did the planning on paper today).

After that I sort of chilled out in the Councillors' Room. This time, the key was legally obtained from Mrs. Lim, and it was because Mrs. Lim knew about us opening the room that she asked me to mop the floor of the room using lavender-scented detergent. After that mop the room smelt a bit better.

On this first day of using the Councillor's Room for self-study, Kegan and I (who were in charge of the room for Mondays) went down to the room after school. Kegan used the key he duplicated to open the room and our stuff were already in the room when Mdm Normah appeared with the official Councillor's Room key, apparently going to return loaned blazers. Both of us scurried away and quickly locked the room after Mdm Normah left. The new rule in the school was that only teachers could get keys to special rooms. Now we just hope Mdm Normah didn't report anything to Mrs. Lim. We'd also be speaking to Mrs. Lim to see if we could use the Councillor's Room key without getting it from her or another teacher.

Finally, a full EXCO meeting where all the members were present! We met at Kegan's house this afternoon and discussed a number of projects like the class t-shirt criteria and locker contracts. We also decided that we were going to start using the Councillor's Room from tomorrow onwards for self-study every day.

After the Social Studies Timed Practice (which was the source-based question of 2003 O Level paper), we waited in our class, getting ready for the Flag Day CIP Activity coming up. In a moment, we were given our cans and stickers. We were raising funds for the Muhammadiyah Welfare Home, a Muslim-based home, and we were to spread out all over Singapore to raise funds until 12 noon.

I set out with Kegan and the Toilet Gang. We initially decided to go to Suntec City and took the long bus journey to the place. When we reached there, students from other schools were already crawling around the place. Kegan and I went around in a pair, even exchanging stickers with someone from another school. Eventually, the two of us decided to move to Chinatown via taxi after poor response here.

We positioned ourselves outside a hawker centre, across the street from the Subordinate Courts. Under the hot sun we stood, appealing to passers-by to donate. "Good morning! Would you like to donate for charity?" was my typical greeting to all. If they donated, I would answer, "Thank you! Have a nice day!" If not, I would thank them anyway. There were all kinds of people who donated: young children, teens, middle-aged people, married couples with their babies in a stroller, foreigners and the elderly. Some pitied us standing under the hot sun, but for charity, I did not mind. What did puzzle me was why some people nodded, answered "Yes" but walked away without putting at least a coin into the can.

After who knows how many hours, Kegan and I switched positions and continue to appeal. By the end of the day, I gave out more stickers than Kegan (some who donated didn't want the sticker though) and our cans felt quite heavy (felt like three-quarters full to me). On the MRT back to our school, my eyes popped out when someone from 4/3 raised so much money her can felt a few times heavier than ours.

After delivering our cans to XL who did not have to go out since he was the supervisor for our class, Kegan and I went down for lunch. After that, we waited for the EXCO photo shoot that was to take place at 2.30pm. We went up to the AVA Room and got our pictures taken with our blazers on. Before the photographer came, all of us were busy tidying our hair and practising our smiles. We hoped the photos would come out good.

The last of the three Preliminary Rounds for the debating competition was held today at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School. We were against Westwood Secondary School, which was the Proposition, and the motion was "This House believes that teenagers should be tried as adults for criminal offences." The moment the first speaker of the Proposition started her speech, I knew we would win; they made better speakers than debaters, and they limited their case to only a specific case study (i.e. America). We eventually won the debate.

During the long wait to the release of the Preliminary Rounds results (i.e. who would qualify for Quarter Finals), we went to an 'A' Division Debate between Catholic High and Chinese High. After that debate, we hung around in the canteen before heading into the school hall for the results.

We won two of the three rounds and had a very small chance of entering the Quarter Finals. Alas, we did not manage to repeat the feat we did last year. Eventually all of us went home, me by MRT.

Debate practice in the afternoon.

Normal Wednesday, including ELDDS.

After school, the debate team met up with Alex, our new coach, to discuss about our debate case. Most of the discussion centred on the ideas we wanted to base our arguments on.

There's nothing much on the first day of Term 2. The debate team got the motion for the 3rd and final Preliminary Round, which would be held this Friday at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School. "This House believes that teenagers should be tried as adults for criminal offences", and we are on the Opposition side.

Most of the Toilet Gang (if you don't know what that is, then never mind) and I went to Kegan's house to do our Biology project. The topic we've chosen, "Effects of Deforestation on the Ecosystem", was very similar to the Deforestation topic the Toilet Gang did for their Geography project, so we copied and pasted a lot of stuff from their presentation. I think this was the first time I've came out to do a project and actually finished it on the same day.

Today’s Timed Practice was cancelled, so I rotted at home again.

Nothing much. Stayed at home and rotted.

I went to school today for the designing and painting of our class flag. A Class Flag Competition was organised in conjunction with Sports Day 2004, so 4/1 planned to paint the flag today.

When we gathered in our classroom, I realised that although there was no design yet, they had already bought the paint. Also, they seemed to have bought the wrong type of emulsion paint. Therefore, Xianglong and Pei Ying went back to the shop to exchange the emulsion paint and one of the colours (the shop was just across the road from Ginza Plaza). The rest of us came up with designs for the flag in the meantime. We then voted for the design to be placed on the flag. The winning design came from Kegan.

Once the duo came back with the right paint, we began applying the first layer of emulsion paint on the cloth. After the second layer was painted, we waited for it to dry before applying the colours, which we finished by noon. Clean-up was the messy part. We used the staff toilet and lots of turpentine. We went home group by group.

I went to West Mall today to borrow some books for my book reviews.

It was an okay sleep (at least better than sleeping on hard ground; I was in a sleeping bag). I woke up at 5.30am. At the same time, some facilitators were getting the NPCC and SJAB representatives to wake up to plan and prepare for the morning PT (Physical Training). I lied down for 25 more minutes before deciding we should really freshen up for the day.

PT was led by Yew Seng. It was definitely tiring (1 set consisted of 3 special push-ups, 10 squats, 10 'Burpees' and 10 Jumping Jacks; we had to do warm-up, 3 sets and cool-down), but I tried to be as enthusiastic as possible by giving timings. After PT, we had a special flag raising ceremony where not only were we having it outside NHSS, the flag bearers, Parade Commander and the person leading the pledge were people who will never get a chance to do those roles in a normal morning assembly in school (i.e. they were not members of NCC and NPCC). Breakfast came after that.

Right after breakfast, the bridge project continued with the collection of the materials for the model first. Our group mainly ordered 0.3m and 0.6m wooden poles, nylon rope (for tying) and a penknife. We were also given a lighter to melt the ropes for better joints. Then, from 8am to 11am, the rest of the team built the structure while I wrote out the presentation. Many changed came along the way, some good ones and some bad ones. What our team really needed was more nylon rope (since we'll never get a saw). When 11.15am approached (all teams were given 15 minutes extension), the other team members decided to give all they could, because they knew our model would fail. We were unable to create the trapezium shape because it was simply too difficult to cut the wood and make the shape. Honestly, what I didn't say in front of them was that while I would have given all my best for it, the reason won't be because it will fail.

All 5 teams in Piranha presented their models and planning processes. Eventually the No Name group and the 7-Up group emerged victorious among the group and would enter the finals to compete against the teams from the other groups. The other Piranhas aided the finalists in touching up their models. I was involved in sweeping up the Hall.

After lunch, we gathered in the Hall for the final presentations. There were 7 teams in total. At the end of the finals, No Name emerged as third and 7-Up second. With that, it was almost time for the Sec 2s and 3s to leave. Before that, our group was given the task of ... cleaning the toilets. Oh well. Service with pride – that's the Student Council's motto.

The sky drizzled lightly as the Sec 2s and 3s slowly moved to the waiting bus. The Sec 4s joined together and proceed to the final programme of the camp: High Element. This was part of what we missed last year when the Secondary 3 Adventure Camp 2003 was cancelled due to Sars. We first learnt how to put on our helmets and harnesses (whatever you call that) from some Softball girls who have been training since yesterday. Then we split into 5 groups and were supposed to do 5 challenges.

My group (Cheng Rong, Veronica, Quan Ming, Bo Yi and I) first attempted the cuboid-shaped balance beam suspended in mid-air. (Okay, all the challenges were held in mid-air.) When my turn came, I was shaking like mad. I took the longest to complete the challenge. Our second challenge was the horizontal rock climbing challenge. It took a while for me to strategise, but nevertheless, that was one of the easiest challenges for me. The third challenge was the log-and-tyre combination. I met with some difficulties towards the end, but I succeeded. The fourth was the log-shaped balance beam. While it was much more stable than the first one, it was a little more difficult. The last one was the one I've longed to try out: jumping from the top of a pole to catch the suspended bar. I managed to hold on to the bar for a second before losing my grip. This section really challenged my guts. I learned that however difficult or dangerous an action or task may be, one should always pick up the courage to try it. For instance, in the fourth challenge, I only dared to take short steps across. It was towards the end that I decided to take bigger steps.

After completing all 5 challenges, I relaxed. Mrs. Lim even tried out two of the challenges to great cheers from everyone present. Terence and another Dance girl also successfully completed the Vertical Climb challenge, a different and extremely difficult challenge.

Finally, we left the campsite on the bus at 7pm for Boon Lay MRT Station. Many vivid memories came back to me as we headed back to civilization. At the end of a day, I felt like a grown man.

I'm attending the Student Leadership Camp from today to tomorrow evening.

I reached school at 7am. Some leaders from different CCA groups were already present in the Canteen. After a while, I heard that the grouping for the camp was out, so I made a trip to the Student Activity Centre to check it out. The 4 groups were named after ferocious water creatures. Group 1 was named Barracuda, Group 2 Piranha, Group 3 Killer Whale and Group 4 Tiger Shark. I was in Piranha.

7.30am came. We assembled in the Parade Square where I was assigned to take attendance. Once attendance was taken (in their CCA Groups), they were separated into the 4 groups of around 25. Each of the 4 groups was made up of a mix of people from different CCA groups. Once we were in our groups, it was time to board the bus. Barracuda and Piranha tried to squeeze into one bus, but because there were not enough seats, a few Piranhas (including me) came out to board the bus taken by the Killer Whales and the Tiger Sharks. Another third bus carried girls from Softball, who were going to the campsite too. Once all of us were on our buses, we set off for our destination and our home for two days: MOE Jalan Bahtera campsite, located in the northwest of Singapore and close to the Straits of Johor.

Once we arrived at the campsite, we proceed to the Hall. After being briefed by Mrs. Lim, we proceeded to our respective two-storey bunks. The males and females were separated. The males' bunks were near the Dining Hall. The Piranha males got into Bunk 2. The first storey of the bunk was nothing much and the second storey was our sleeping area. We were leaving our stuff in the bunk when I noticed a pile of dog/cat waste in a corner of the bunk that was closest to my belongings. We thought of dealing with it later, but first, I changed into my track pants and we went back to assemble in the Hall.

When we went back to the Hall, we noticed a few new faces. They were members of ESN Asia, who were going to be the facilitators of the groups. The speaker introduced himself as Mr. Ng. Our group's facilitator from ESN Asia was one by the name of Abel. There were other facilitators too. For our group, the ex-Nan Hua student facilitators were Vivian and Wei Yang. Our group's teachers-in-charge were Mrs. B. Lim and Mr. Yeo.

Once the groups were separated to their various places, our group first played an ice-breaking game. We wrote on a piece of paper some stuff which included favourite things. Then we had to go around the group to find other people with the same things written in the categories. At the end of the ice-breaking, we also came up with a Piranha cheer.

After the ice-breaking, we went into the next section: Team Building & Group Dynamics. Our first game was the balance beam. There were 5 pillars which the beams rested its ends on. We first had to cross the balance beam. I went first and stopped at the pillar at the end, where I supported those who were coming across. Strategy immediately formed as Nicholas and Shaun also stayed at the pillars to help the other Piranhas. Once we were done with this, we were separated into two groups, after which both groups must cross the balance beam to the other end. The trick was, each group began at one of the ends, meaning to say the group members will clash somewhere in the course. We used back the strategy with the first one with slight modifications. We clocked a time that was close to our time for the first one.

Our second game was the Caterpillar Walk. We were separated into groups of 5. I grouped with Xing Zong (a Sec 2 NCC boy), Shaun (Sec 2 Councillor) and two other girls whom I forgot. In the first round, where 4 of the 5 groups went, our group emerged tops. In the second round, where my group challenged the 5th group, we came in 1st again. The final challenge was for 10 people to do the Caterpillar Walk together. Co-ordination came in during this game, and it proved that in a team, co-ordination is important.

The third game was to remove a tyre from a 4-metre pole. The boys went first. Xing Zong, the always enthusiastic boy, successfully removed the tyre by standing on the shoulders of two other boys. The girls took a longer time, but Claressa (Sec 3 Councillor) managed to remove the tyre. This game showed that when one person alone cannot do a task, others must help to make it possible.

The fourth game was a little like Tarzan. We had to swing ourselves to the other side of the frame using a rope. The trick was that we had to get the rope from the middle without touching the area between the starting line and the finish line. The idea of using shoelaces and a shoe quickly became reality, and we successfully got the rope. One by one the group crossed to the other side.

The next game was played in the Parade Square. It was a game that was commonly known by all of us: forming a circle and making a hula-hoop go around the circle. Shaun lost the challenge (as 2 hula-hoops met at him) and did a forfeit. After that, Abel showed us magic when we had to form a circle and, using only our two index fingers, support a hula-hoop and lower it until it reaches the ground. The task proved harder than expected as the hula-hoop seemed to be 'floating' all the time and went up instead of down. Of course, we succeeded in the end.

The last game for this session involved a raised platform of about 4 feet by 4 feet. First we had to try and squeeze everybody onto the platform with our hands crossed. Of course, we couldn't fit more than 10 people. Then we were allowed to use our hands. It was extremely difficult, and I kept feeling as if I would fall and hurt myself again. In the end, while we did not manage to squeeze all 25 people onto the platform, we learned how important teamwork was.

By the end of the game, we were told that all the other groups were waiting for us in the Dining Hall for lunch. We quickly went back to our bunks to collect our utensils and rushed to the Dining Hall. We were served by a few Sec 2 Councillors, but at the end, we had to wash our own utensils.

After lunch, there was a Treasure Hunt. Creative Problem Solving was incorporated into the game. We first had to race around the campus to look for 8 cards of our colour. Then we had to run back to the Hall to trade our cards for a crossword-puzzle-like puzzle. My team of 5 (which included Crystal and Cheng Rong, two more school debaters) managed to come in second among the Piranhas. I loved the challenge which was both physical and mental.

After tea-break, there was a short talk on project management skills. These skills seemed very professional, and I had never used some of them before. After the talk, we were given the main assignment for the camp. We were given a scenario set in 1947. As members of the NHS Bridge Builder Pte Ltd, we had to design a bridge across the 'Troubled Waters River'. By noon of the following day, we have to construct the bridge model which is one tenth the actual size and do a presentation on the planning process.

My group consisted of Cheng Rong, Jimmy, Shaun, Xing Zong and I. Once in the Dining Hall, we immediately began planning the project. The aspects were the structure and design of the bridge and the budget. We had to build a bridge model that was at least 1m in length, 25cm from the ground to the centre of the bridge and can hold 70kg of weight within a budget of $2000, which was later slashed to $1800. It was a great challenge, and we settled on a trapezium-shaped bridge. We used up the whole budget for the materials.

A short break later, there was free play organised by the Sports CCA leaders. I played Frisbee with some of the guys in the first 30 minutes and Dog & Bone in the second with Piranhas against the Tiger Sharks. Then it was dinnertime and back to the Hall for a brainstorming session conducted by Mrs. Lim and Ms. Wassan. We had to think about a definition for a leader and also about recognition, assessment, selection of and communication among leaders.

Following that, there was a fun session at the campfire ground. The first game involved trying to burst the balloons, attached to the ankles, of the opponents. The second part was a folkdance session which I did before at a Councillor Camp 2 years ago. The third game was played in darkness. We had to try to burn the ropes at the opponents' stations using candles. We had so much fun, but there can only be 24 hours in a day. We took a quick shower and lights went out at 12.15am the next day.

I spent the night packing my bag for tomorrow's Camp. I am so looking forward to it.

Timed Practice today was for E. Maths. I didn't manage to finish all the questions there, though.

When night fell, part 1 of The Amazing Net Race, a race I designed and will host for the Council, began with 4 racers. Though the numbers were pathetic, the race went through pretty smoothly. I was delighted at the success of my first online reality game. Maybe it's because there were only 4 racers.

There was the highly-anticipated Annual Inter-Unit Drill Competition this afternoon for the Uniformed Groups. Unfortunately, it coincided with our ELDDS session. Many ELDDS members argued with me for a chance to watch the competition. The teachers finally allowed the Sec 4s to watch, since it's their last year in Nan Hua, but even the Sec 1s were – what's the right word – "throwing tantrums". They looked like those children in kindergarten pulling their mothers' shirts and pressing them to buy toys for them. I can even sacrifice my chance to watch the competition (who knows, I can always come back next year), but these Sec 1s have 3 more years ahead of them and they complain that they may no longer have the chance to watch the competition.

Today is the first day I'm wearing the EXCO badge. Sometimes it feels odd to have a plastic badge on the left side of my uniform. Other than that, there was also a briefing after the announcements regarding the Leadership Camp happening next week. Here's a very good reason to buy a sleeping bag! :P

Today's Assembly programme is the 11th Student Council Investiture.

When recess ended and Mdm Sia's lesson started, she told us we would be going to the Computer Lab to research on mysteries. That means Kegan and I, the two EXCO members from 4/1, would have to change now instead of 1 period later. We changed into our long-sleeved shirts and black shoes and went down for English lesson.

One period after recess ended, all Councillors gathered in the Hall. The Councillors on duty (i.e. ushering parents attending the event to the Hall) took up their positions. A lot of final checks were done. Within the EXCO members, some of us switched blazers for better sizes (e.g. mine with Shao Ming's, which looked like an XL-sized raincoat on him). All other Councillors were checking their own attire.

Halfway through the preparations, Kegan realized Xin Jie's EXCO badge was missing. We searched everywhere but there were no signs of it. We temporarily used a similar badge in place of Xin Jie's badge.

The Assembly bell rang. Students thronged into the Hall. Soon they were all seated and the Councillors were ready. When the cue was given, the Councillors filed into the Hall from the back through the middle, forming two lines. When Mr. Lam, the guest-of-honour, came in between the two lines, the Councillors followed and finished on the steps in front of the stage.

After Mr. Lam's speech, Kegan led the Councillors in reciting the Councillors' Pledge, after which the confirmation certificates and the EXCO badges were presented to the Secondary 2 Councillors and the EXCO members respectively. The Councillors exited the stage when that was done. Kegan and Shao Ming followed with their respective speeches. After the investiture proper, Ms Wassan talked about the EAGLES Award. During her talk, I went down to the Conference Room, the venue of the reception for parents. Half of the EXCO was there.

By the time Assembly was over, the full EXCO was waiting in the Conference Room to welcome the parents. Before most of the EXCO members went for their National Education Journey, we took a group photo. I stayed until it was almost time for ELDDS.

Just a normal Tuesday, except for that sudden change of Chemistry practical to doing QA instead of the usual VA we had been doing this year.

There was a rehearsal for the Council Investiture on Wednesday this afternoon. The rehearsal ended later than expected.

It's another boring Sunday.

I went to school in the morning to train the emcees of this year's Inter-unit Foot Drill Competition (FDC). Ms Ang had gotten 4 of her NCC girls (all Sec 1s) to be the emcees. Today, only three were present. Through the training, I realized that their articulation weren't that good, but they could be loud and clear. By the end of the hour, they had made significant improvements. With more practice, they will be able to do it. After that training session, I stayed for the afternoon's EXCO meeting.

We prepared for the coming debate for the whole afternoon. When it was time to go to Yusof Ishak Secondary School (the venue of the debate), we split up; Abraham, Xiao Thong and I went in Ms Junaidah's car, while Ms Ong, Crystal and Cheng Rong took a taxi. On Ms J's car, Abraham and Xiao Thong decided to go to the nearby McDonald's, while I stopped by my house (which was just beside YISS) to get the time markers. When I headed back to YISS, only the people who took the taxi were present. Xiao Thong and Abraham were almost late.

It appeared we weren't the only ones who were late. Even the adjudicators were late. We eventually started the debate against Victoria School. Halfway through the debate, Tania and Kuan Yee turned up. Abraham had invited them to watch the debate. Juliet also showed up afterwards.

The win went to Victoria School. Eventually we took the loss and went home.

There was early dismissal today because of our school's excellent performance in the O Levels 2003. Our Sec 4 2003 batch, also the first batch of SAP students our school had, did exceptionally well, and because of them, we were rewarded this 'holiday'.

But for the school debaters, it wasn't really a holiday. Alex, our new coach, came to our school to listen to the mock debate within the debating team. The motion was the one about voluntary euthanasia, the same one we will be debating tomorrow. I was the third Opposition speaker, but I never got to speak, because there wasn't time for Alex to stay longer. While Alex and Eugene had a good long chat with Crystal, the other debaters went home.

Pretty normal day today.

There were some Chinese debates today held at our school (our classroom was used as one of the debate rooms), but I couldn't watch, because I was involved in the CHERISH interview.

When the representatives came, I escorted two of them (the two who would be interviewing us) up to the AVA Room, where the other interviewees were waiting. The first row was completely filled with students. Some canteen vendors and the President of the Parent Support Group took up the second row.

The interview lasted till around 5pm. After escorting them back to the General Office, I rushed back to my classroom to see if the debate had ended. The moment I got to the 6th level, I saw what looked like a whole class of students from The Chinese High School crowding round our classroom. Apparently, the TCHS team was debating in our classroom. The students were walking away with big smiles on their faces; TCHS had won that debate, which was about whether education in the science field or education of moral values was more important. I went home after collecting my bag from my classroom.

We got back some of the Common Test results today. I didn't do too badly.

I was chosen to be one of the student interviewees for tomorrow's interview with some CHERISH Award representatives. This afternoon, some other interviewees and I assembled in the Conference Room for a briefing.