Teen who almost didn't make it to Sec One among top in cohort at Spectra
Spectra Secondary School graduate Prithiba Kandasamy reacts as she receives her N Level results on Dec 18, 2017. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY
SINGAPORE — Prithiba Kandasamy almost never made it to Secondary One. A week before she was due to start school at Spectra Secondary School, Prithiba’s father – the family’s sole breadwinner at the time – lost his job and could not afford to pay for her school books and uniforms.
The set-back was especially difficult for Prithiba as she had fought hard to persuade her parents to let her attend Spectra - a specialised school for Normal (Technical) students who take one of four ITE Skills Certificate (ISC) subjects - instead of a mainstream school.
Fortunately, with the help of one of the teachers in the school, Prithiba managed to apply for and receive help from the Financial Assistance Scheme which allowed Prithiba and her family to purchase school essentials at a subsidised rate.
On Monday (Dec 18), Prithiba, now 16, was among the Spectra’s first batch of graduating students. She achieved a Grade A in English and Mother Tongue (Tamil) and a Grade C in Maths. She was also awarded a Certificate of Merit for outstanding performance in Retail Studies, getting a 4.0 Grade Point Average – the highest achievable grade. Students from Spectra specialise in one of four ITE Skills Certificate (ISC) subjects such as retail services, mechanical services, hospitality and facility services at the upper secondary level. They also take subjects such as English, Mathematics and Mother Tongue at the Normal (Technical) level.
Recalling how she almost never made it to Spectra, Prithiba said: “It felt like it was the end of my journey… you know, after persuading my parents (to let me go to the school), it was (another) challenge.”
She shared that she had gone for experiential tour of Spectra when she was in Primary 6 and knew that it was the right school for her.
“I saw that they had mock-up classrooms of NTUC Fairprice and Homefix stores, I was very impressed because it showed me that the school really invested in the students,” said Prithiba.
At the time, however, her mother did not share her enthusiasm for the school.
“I thought it was a technical school, I preferred her to go to a mainstream school where the focus is more on studies, but she persuaded me… and managed to prove me wrong,” said Mrs Uma Kandasamy, 37.
So when she was finally able to enroll, the teenager made sure to take the opportunity seriously. Although she had missed the first week of school, Prithiba earned the “Student of the Month” award within her first six months at Spectra.
Given to outstanding students who take initiative during classes and demonstrate responsibility, this award gave Prithiba the much-needed recognition and validation she never got while in Primary School.
Such awards, though small, play a big part in boosting students’ confidence, said Mr Kevin Teo, 36, one of the Year-Heads who oversees final-year students at Spectra.
Prithiba said: “For the first time I was acknowledged for something, in the past I never had any awards like this.”
One of her teachers, Ms Grace Ho, the Head of Department of Hospitality and Retail Services, and who was instrumental in helping Prithiba apply for the financial assistance that enabled her to start school, said: “I wasn’t suprised by Prithiba’s results, she works very hard and is always willing to share with others what she has, despite having very little to begin with.”
RECOGNITION
Spectra Secondary School student Noor Iskandar Abdul Rahman (above) went from being a "naughty kid" to student leader. Photo: Jason Quah
Awards such as the “Student of the Month”, though small, play a big part in boosting students’ confidence, said Mr Kevin Teo, 36, who is Year-Head for Spectra's N-Level students.
Another graduating student who received the Student of the Month award in his early secondary school days saw his life turnaround from being “one of the naughty kids” to becoming a student leader.
Noor Iskandar Abdul Rahman still keeps the certificate neatly in a clear folder in his room. He said: “It is one of the first awards I received in secondary school… I never thought I’d be given the award.”
Iskandar added that the award helped boost his confidence and helped him become more comfortable in social settings. It marked a stepping stone to bigger responsibilities in school.
Over the years, Iskandar even made soccer captain in Secondary Four and also became a student councillor.
“I was surprised when I was nominated and chosen to be a councillor, because in the past (in primary school) I would always see the ‘good students’ (those with better grades and behaviour) wearing ties, but now I am one,” said Iskandar.
Mr Teo, who also heads the soccer co-curricular activity in Spectra Secondary School, said: “Some of the teachers and myself observed how (his self-confidence and leadership skills) picked up a lot during Secondary 3 and 4. Before, he didn’t stand out as much and was not as vocal.”
Iskandar scored a perfect Grade Point Average of 4 in Facility Services and also achieved a Certificate of Merit.
Having had the opportunity to equip himself with technical skills at Spectra is what sets him apart from his counterparts, Iskandar said. “I get to learn how to fix electrical appliances... the lights, fans, air-con, it’s something real (in our lives), that my friends don’t study.”
