Once truant and failing subjects, teen now eager to learn
Bendeemer Secondary School students and teacher during a Stem competition organised by the Central Singapore Community Development Council. From left to right: Roymond Ong, Gwendolyn Teo, Ms Tan, Hui Ling and Jennifer. Photo courtesy of Gwendolyn Teo
SINGAPORE — Bendemeer Secondary School student Gwendolyn Teo was a truant student in her first year at the school. Almost four years on, she does not want to miss a single day of school.
Family troubles and friendship issues when she was younger made her disinterested in school. “I got into an argument with friends at school, which made me dislike school. I also had other friends who would persuade me to cut class,” said Gwendolyn.
On Monday (Dec 18), the Normal (Academic) student received her N-Level results: 14 points for five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The turning point for Gwendolyn, now 16, came when she joined her school’s Sequoia Programme.
Conducted once a week during curriculum time, the programme brings Secondary Three Normal Academic Students out on learning journeys to places like Sungei Buloh, Coney Island and on academic trails around the island.
Through the programme, Gwendolyn had the opportunity to “experience and learn a lot more” outside of the confines of the classroom, and also allowed her to build better relationships with her classmates and teachers.
As she got more immersed in school activities, Gwendolyn was subsequently chosen to represent her class in a Stem Competition organised by the Central Singapore Community Development Council, which aims to develop students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The selection came as a surprise to Gwendolyn, as she had little confidence in these subjects. Mathematics, for one, was a subject she was “continuously failing in since primary school days”.
Being part of the school team boosted her confidence, and encouraged her to work harder. By her own admission, she began to “improve a lot and I even passed” her Mathematics.
“Seeing my classmates work so hard to achieve the best results made me feel like I should do the same, I felt like everyday that I wasn’t in school I was missing out,” said Gwendolyn.
“Till this day, I’m not sure why my teachers chose me but I am happy I had that opportunity,” added Gwendolyn, whose team emerged as champions.
It also brought her closer to her classmates and teachers. She counts her form teacher, Ms Tan Jia Hui as one of her closest friends.
It was Ms Tan who helped her realise that the friends who persuaded her to skip classes were bad influences and encouraged her to return to school, said Gwendolyn.
“She went through up and downs with me”, shared Gwendolyn, adding that her earlier days in secondary school had been tough especially with her parents going through a divorce at the time.
Gwendolyn now stays with her aunt and uncle, who are her guardians. They have also sowed the seeds of a love for travelling in her, by taking her on trips to Hong Kong, Bali, Japan and most recently, to Europe.
As such, Gwendolyn is now keen on furthering her studies in tourism and hospitality.
Her aunt, Kris Teo, 35, said that she would continue to bring her niece on trips, so as long as she enjoys it.
Ms Teo told TODAY that she was heartened and glad to see Gwendolyn finally find her “focus” and “interest”, after “losing her direction” during her earlier days in school.
“We thought she did well in her N-Levels, and with this result, hopefully she can continue to pursue her interest, and achieve what she wants to in the future,” said Ms Teo.
