We’re almost at the end of month one in term 1 of the school year and it has been quite a hectic month so far for both of them.

Both come home from school quite late each day and skip meals almost every day. I keep insisting that they have to eat something, but since I am not around, it’s difficult to enforce.

Term 1 Common Tests are around the corner, in around 10 days time for GG and in a month’s time for BB. Both schools have also started topical tests and this is taking a toll more on GG than on BB, who is still taking things quite easy. I have warned him repeatedly since these two years are the most important. Here in Singapore, the GCE O levels is a two-year curriculum and what they learn in Secondary 3 will also be tested in the O level exams.

In Singapore, all Secondary 3 students are to undergo an adventure camp which will be a residential camp, either in school, in a campsite in Singapore or even overseas (mostly Malaysia). BB’s school, however, is one of the schools selected for the pilot programme for the Outward Bound Singapore camp which will be made compulsory to all secondary 3 students from 2020 onwards. This will be a five day residential camp at the OBS campsite in Pulau Ubin. Parents have a briefing later in the week, so more details then. GG’s school is not part of this pilot, so her camp will be in the school itself. The aim of this camp is to provide opportunities for students to build character, teamwork and leadership skills through various activities.