Monday, August 2, 2010

Situational Writing on Traffic Accident

2 August 2010

A hit-and-run accident

By: Tan Xin Yi

On Friday night, at around 1o p.m, a hit-and-run accident happened at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5.

The driver of the motorcycle is Ng Guat Ting, 18, and his pillion was, Ahmad Mohammad Iskandar, 21. They were both believed to be coming back from their friend’s birthday party before this fatal accident happened.

Mr Ng died on the spot while Mr Ahmad died while on the way to the hospital.

A bystander told the police that he saw a black coloured Toyota Corolla, hit the motorists and drove away without checking on the victims. He also gave the licence plate number to the police.

45 years old Inspector Abdul Rahman said, “There were streams of blood on the road.” He was also shocked by what was left of the motorcycle.

The hit-and-run driver has been arrested by the police the next morning. The driver is a 44-years-old operation manager, Tan Li Hong. He took his car to repair at a workshop at Yishun Industrial Park and the police found the car.

24 years old, Ms Jane Tan, an eyewitness said, “It happened so fast!” She was also sure that she saw two cars.

Madam Moliah Bte Ismail, 40 years old housewife who was a passer-by said that all she could hear was a big bang. She also said “I was unsure what caused the accident.”

Inspector Abdul Rahman advised drivers to drive carefully and not drink and drive. He said “Bystanders are urged to come forward with information on the license plate number of the vehicle involved in hit-and-run accident.”

Inspector Abdul Rahman also added on that hit-and-run drivers will not escape and the police are determined to bring justice and spare no effort to investigate and arrest hit-and-run drivers.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Situational Writing: Letter of Complaint

21 April 2010

Mrs Mary Chan

Principle

Chong Boon Secondary School

UNPLEASANT INCIDENT IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

My friends and I have been going to the library to do some self-study lately. However, we are unhappy about a few incidents that took place in the library and we hope that you will take action to make the library a more conducive place to study in.

There was a group of boys who were rude to the librarian. When the librarian asks them to lower their voice, they ignore her and talk even louder. When the librarian threatened them that she will report them to the discipline master, they became more abusive and scolded the librarian and ask her to go and report them. I personally think that the boys should be punish for their rude and bad behaviour.

Another group of students broke the library rule by sneaking in food. They brought in tidbits and sweet drinks and they left it on the table after finishing the food. They also spill some of the drinks which makes the table sticky and not suitable for us to use. There will also be insects like ants and fly as the food and sweet drinks will attract them. I think that the librarian should be more strict and makes sure that the student do not bring in food to eat.

There was a boy who wore his PE attire into the library. He was soaked in sweat when he came into the librarian. He might catch a cold and the library will stinks. It is very unhygienic and unhealthy. I hope the the librarian will make sure that students should be wearing their school uniform when they enter the library.

A group of students were playing games on the computers for a long time. Those who need the computer urgently cannot use it. I think the librarian should check on who is using the computer and what they are using it for regularly.

I hope that you will take action so that other students can have a conducive place to study in.

Yours sincerely,

Tan Xin Yi
Respect Two

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

P.E.E.L on Bus

Bus is a convenient transport for us. Buses enable us to go to places quickly and conveniently. There are many types of bus like single-decker buses and double-decker buses. People started traveling in bus from a long time ago. Bus is really a great transportation for us.
(47 words)

Monday, April 19, 2010

International Friendship Day

- What are the relationships that are important to you within the school context?
I think the relationship between your schoolmates and teachers are important. This is because without your friends, you may not be able to get help when you need it. About the teachers, they will be only able to teach us when the class is quiet and suitable for students to study in. Thus, teacher must be able to control the class to get a suitable environment to study in.


-What do you know about the history of your school/CCA?
I know that Chong Boon Secondary School was founded on 1994. The first principle was Mrs Cecilia Lee. In 2004 , Mrs Sarapathy Menon become the new principle. Our school mission is "Each of our pupils will be a Thinking and Gracious Citizen." and the school core value is Perseverance Respect Integrity Dedication to nation and Excellence.


-Share a story about your school/CCA. It can be funny ones, successful ones and difficult ones.
This year sports fiesta was better than last year as the lower sec girls for blue house won first for 4*100m and 4*400m. I was very happy and tired at the same time. It was a challenging race as the other houses have good runners from our school netball team. They have very good stamina and can run very fast. I run as fast as my leg could carry me because I was afraid that they will over take me and I will let my team down. For the inter-CCA relay, badminton got fast and I was the first runner. My senior ran super fast as they do not want to lose to the netball girls. Everyone thinks that the netball will win and the badminton girls were determine to win. Those who never run were supporting us by the side, cheering as loudly as they can. This shows that we have the team spirit and have the determination to achieve for the best.


-Have the stories you heard from your classmates changed the way you view/feel about your school.
Yes, it has change my view. At first I thought this school was not a good school compare to the first few choices that I choose. Later on, I find that the teacher here really want to put in their best to teach us what they know and hope that we can achieve good results. My results was also not bad and I get this results thanks to the teacher.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sports Fiesta

This year sport fiesta was great and I enjoyed myself. Firstly was the badminton inter-house. I played girls double with my senior and she was very good. We won all the four matches we played. The first match was against red which I was very scared at first as there were two seniors there. After that was against green, purple and the last were yellow. I was super nervous as one of the girls was our badminton team captain and it was the last match and thus, everyone was looking at us play. Unfortunately, we came in second and red came in first as their score is one point more than us. What a waste.

The volley ball came in first while soccer came in last. I also took part in the captain ball where we got 4th. We could have won yellow as one of our player fell down and could not play. Ziyan trip over someone leg and sprained her ankle. In the end, we have to play with one less player. But, we will not give up and next year we will win.

On 9th April, it was the track event. The blue team for Lower Sec was Meifei, Ziyan, Huixuan and me and we need very good for it. For the 4 *100m, we came in first and everyone in the team was running like crazy as we do not want to lose to yellow like we did last year. For the 4*400m, we came in first too.

Huixuan did a very good job as I could see that she put in lots of effort to come in second or third among the first runner as they were all very fast. Ziyan was the best as she caught up to second place even though she sprained her ankle and it was swollen. As for me, I was the third runner. I caught with the red house girl after I run for about 50m. Later than I know that she was keeping her strength for the last few metre while I was running like there was a dog chasing behind me. Fortunately, she did not catch up with me. Meifei have very long leg so she run very fast and the rest of the runners could not catch up with her.

The best race was the inter-CCA relay. Badminton win Netball and I was very happy. I was the first runner and we were on lane four. I was very scared as I was never the first runner before. Badminton girls will try their best too to achieve this result next year.

Annual Cross Country

On 26 march, my school have arrange an annual cross country where we can keep ourself fit. This year, we had our run at MacRitchie Reservoir. I represented my class to complete among the lower sec girls and I came in 4th. This year cross country was difficult to run as we run inside the MacRitchie where there are many trees and the floor are muddy. This was unlike previous year where we run on pavement.

As the ground was slippery, I almost slip and fell. There was a sec one Indian girl running in front of me at first. I tried very hard to catch hard with her but it was very tough. Finally, we were suppose to run up a slippery and steep slope where she started walking. I took this chance and ran as fast as I could and over take her.

After that, we came out and run on the pavement next to the road. A sec2 girl over took me and this time, I was thinking to myself if I want to get 4th or 5th. With this thought, I made up my mind and run as fast as my leg could carry me and run towards her after seeing her walking to take a rest. I run downwards towards the finishing line where many people were shouting and cheering.

Over there, I saw many lines and I was not sure which one was for Lower Sec girls as I was not wearing my specs. Many people in front was pointing left and right and when I was closer, I saw the one I was suppose to get my card from and was glad that the girl did not manage to catch up with me. I was very tired and my leg was very pain after the race.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Reflective Summary

Reflection Summary-

I have learn that climate change will only affect the sea creature like fish, turtle but after reading, I then know that it affected migrating birds too. Those birds are facing extinction as climate change can dramatically alter their habitat and food supply. Birds like puffins are producing few offspring’s every year and their habitats are most susceptible to climate change phenomena.
At first, I never thought that global warming is so dangerous and that serious but now, I know that there is a need to stop global warming. Man-kind have been destroying animals’ habitat and have increase global warming. Man-kind should stop this and let the world return to how it is suppose to be before.
I think that there is a need to stop global warming as they are destroying animal’s habitat. Weather patterns could change, causing flooding, drought, and an increase in damaging storms. Global warming could melt enough polar ice to raise the sea level. In certain parts of the world, human disease could spread, and crop yields could decline. People may also die if all this happen.
I can help by spreading the messages to other people you know. I can tell them about what climate change is, ways to conserve electricity and ask them to spread the message to other people they know. I can also help my family member save money by using less electricity and asking them to save electricity too. I can also teach my family members and friends how to save water and when my friends waste water or play with water, I will stop them and teach them the right thing to do.
We could all make earth a better place by start saving electricity and water. These are little things we can all do to play apart for the Earth. We can walk or take bus instead of driving car. By doing this, we can save on petrol and it will too help as not that much of fossil fuels will be burn and this may help to reduce global warming.

(343)

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Third Reflection

Climate change pushing bird species
'towards extinction:' US

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100312/tts-environment-climate-us-birds-972e412.html

Summary-

"For well over a century, migratory birds have faced stresses," Salazar said. "Now they are facing a new threat -- climate change -- that could dramatically alter their habitat and food supply and push many species towards extinction."
Birds that depend upon the ocean for survival "are among the most vulnerable birds on Earth to climate change," warned the report put together by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in coordination with several environmental groups.
All 67 oceanic bird species, including albatrosses, petrels and puffins, are at particular risk because they produce few offspring each year and their habitats are most susceptible to climate change phenomena.
Species including the Laysan Albatross and the Bonin Petrel typically nest on very low-lying islands, which could disappear as sea levels rise.
Many Hawaiian birds, including the endangered Puaiohi and Akiapolaau, face multiple threats, including from mosquito-borne diseases and invasive species, as well as loss of habitat, the report warned.
But even less-threatened species, like the American oystercatcher -- a black and white bird with a long red bill -- the common nighthawk, and the northern pintail -- an ubiquitous type of duck, are likely to become "of conservation concern" because of climate change.
In mountainous and Arctic regions "increased temperatures will drastically alter surface water and vegetation," meaning species like the White-tailed Ptarmigan and rosy-finches "may disappear... as alpine tundra diminishes."
"Birds are excellent indicators of the health of our environment, and right now they are telling us an important story about climate change," said Kenneth Rosenberg, director of conservation science at Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology, a contributor to the report.

Reflection-

After reading this article, I know that migratory birds are facing extinction as they are facing a new threat, climate change, that could dramatically alter their habitat and food supply. Birds that depend on the ocean for survival are the most vulnerable birds on earth. There are 67 oceanic bird species for example, albatrosses, puffins are at particular risk because they produce very few offspring each year and their habitats are most susceptible to climate change phenomena. birds like laysanAlbatross typically nest on very low-lying islands, which could disappear as sea levels rise. Some birds face multiple threats, including from mosquito- borne diseases and invasive species, as well as loss of habitat.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Kuantan learning journey

I had a good experience on a five day trip to Malaysia, kuantan. This was the first time I took a plane from budget terminal and the plane we took was cute as it was small and looks different from the huge plane I normally take.

We spent the first night sleeping at a hotel and the breakfast was nice as there were lots of yummy food. After that, we proceed to MGSS where they greeted us warmly. We had fun watching the performance they perform for us. We had games and some students brought us around the school. We had lunch there and after that we went to a shopping centre nearby.

After shopping for about 1 hour, we move on to the kampong where we stay for the rest of the trip. The villagers welcome us and we learn some simple malay words. I share a room with Vernice while Yujing share a room with Huixuan. Our room was damn nice. There is a toilet in my room! So lucky. My foster parent was good to us and I really enjoy the stay. I miss her alot.

From the kampong stay, I learn how they live there and what they normally do there. We went to the palm oil and rubber plantation and place I like the most is the paddy field. On the way there, we saw deforestation and burnt trees. Later than I know that they do this to make way for oil palm and rubber plantation.

On the second last day, we went to the elephant conservation. Over there, we can feed the elephants, bath them and ride them. I felt sad for the elephants as the people there pull them by their ear and when the person pull, the elephant would fall down into the water with about five to six people sitting on the back.

I hope that the school can arrange more of this kind of learning journing oversea as I think many of the students will like it and they will learn lots of thing from all this trips.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Second Reflection

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming#External_forcings (URL)

Summary:

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C between the start and the end of the 20th century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that most of the observed temperature increases since the middle of the 20th century was very likely caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases resulting from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation. The IPCC also concludes that variations in natural phenomena such as solar radiation and volcanic eruptions had a small cooling effect after 1950.

Climate model projections summarized in the latest IPCC report indicate that the global surface temperature is likely to rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C during the 21st century. The uncertainty in this estimate arises from the use of models with differing sensitivity to greenhouse gas concentrations and the use of differing estimates of future greenhouse gas emissions. Most studies focus on the period leading up to the year 2100. However, warming is expected to continue beyond 2100 even if emissions stop, because of the large heat capacity of the oceans and the long lifetime of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of subtropical deserts. Warming is expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be associated with continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely effects include changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, species extinctions, and changes in agricultural yields. Warming and related changes will vary from region to region around the globe, though the natures of these regional variations are uncertain.

Reflection:

Before reading this article on global warming, I did not know that the global surface will most likely going to rise a further of 1.1 to 6.4°C during the 21st century. I know that the country that will be affected the most is the arctic as the ice there will melt and soon there will be no more ice and we will not be able to see any polar bears as they are all going to sink. But I did not know that it is expected to have the strongest impact in the Arctic.

I too from this article know that warming is expected to continue beyond 2100 even if the emissions stop, because of the large heat capacity of the oceans and the long lifetime of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.





Tuesday, March 9, 2010

First reflection





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change (URL)

Summary –

Climate change is a change in the statistical distribution of weather over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years. It can be a change in the average weather or a change in the distribution of weather events around an average (for example, greater or fewer extreme weather events). Climate change may be limited to a specific region, or may occur across the whole Earth. In recent usage, especially in the context of environmental policy, climate change usually refers to changes in modern climate. It may be qualified as anthropogenic climate change, more generally known as "global warming" or "anthropogenic global warming"

Of most concern in these anthropogenic factors is the increase in CO2 levels due to emissions from fossil fuel combustion, followed by aerosols (particulate matter in the atmosphere) and cement manufacture. Other factors, including land use, ozone depletion, animal agriculture and deforestation, are also of concern in the roles they play - both separately and in conjunction with other factors - in affecting climate, microclimate, and measures of climate variables. Glaciers are considered among the most sensitive indicators of climate change, advancing when climate cools and retreating when climate warms. Glaciers worldwide have been found to be shrinking significantly.

Reflection:

I have learnt more about global warming after reading this article from Wikipedia. Before reading the article, I did not know that more than 100000 glaciers covered a total area of about 240000km2. But, the glaciers are sinking due to global warming and they are melting at a fast rate. Sciencetist conclude that most of the island will sink due to the melting of the glacier.

In the past, I do not know what an ice core is. After reading, I found out that an ice sheet like the Antarctic ice sheet can be used to show the link between temperature and the global sea level. I too know that bubbles trap in the ice can also reveal CO2 variations of the atmosphere. I also do not know that global warming can also be called anthropogenic climate change or anthropogenic global warming.


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Journal Entries On School Event 2010
Commemorative Event/Topic -------------------Time Frame

-Personal Aspiration & Target Setting For 2010 --------------- Mid January
-Growth Day @ Sentosa Beach --------------- 30 January
-Chinese New Year/Hari Raya/Deepavali Celebration -------------- 14 February
-Total Defence Day --------------- 15 February
-Annual Cross Country --------------- 5 March
-Sports Fiesta --------------- 9 April
-International Friendship Day --------------- 16 April
-Earth Day --------------- 22 April
-Growth Camp & Annual Speech Day --------------- 3-5 June
-Youth Day & Metier VIII --------------- 3-5 July
-Racial Harmony Day --------------- 21 July
-National Day --------------- 6-10 August
-Youth Olympic Games 2010 --------------- 14-16 August

Chines New Year/ Hari Raya/ Deepavali

After the Total Defense trial, we proceed to the hall to watch the concert. I enjoy watching the concert and there are many event. Student in the dance club and a group of Indian students whose dance where taught by ms Verona perform for us.They were all very good at dancing. I think many people envy them for being able to dance so well. There was also Malay dance but it is more like a form of martial art. There are teachers that dance Indian dance too. They were all dress in Indian costume and everyone really enjoy watching the teacher dancing. After seeing the teachers dance, I then know that many teacher from our school can dance very well.

One of the school students act as the teacher and teaches us some simple Malay, Chinese and Tamil words. She read the word one and we were suppose to repeat after her. She is a Malay so she pronounce some Chinese word wrongly and that ended us laughing as we find it funny.


Finally, to end off the concert, there are lion dance. Two lions came out from the back stage and everyone started cheering and clapping as the lion walk around in the hall. Class monitor and monitress were ask to give the oranges to the form teacher and co-form teacher. I think everyone had an enjoyable day like me celebrating the ethic.

Total Defence Day

On the day that we are suppose to celebrate total defence day, our school set-up a trial for us. Our form teacher and co-form teacher were supposed to go through an article with the class and brief us about the program for the whole day. However our class was brief by another teacher,Mrs Singh, because both our form teacher and co-form teacher was busy. There was also a fire drill.

After that, we went for our trial. the first stop was the NPCC post. We watch them perform a scene in the classroom where there is an explosion and went on to the red cross where we watch how to bandage your arm when it is injure. Next, we went to the field to watch the NCC cadets perform. One of my classmate was performing and the rest of us were cheering at the side. After that, we went to the canteen to have our recess but on that day, it was food rationing so we were only given a bread and a bottle of water. After eating the, we proceed to the hall to watch the concert.

I enjoy this year total defense day as it was nicer than last year. Last year, we celebrate Total Defense Day by running our cross country at Nan Yang Poly. This is because Total Defense Day happen to be on the same day as our cross country.

Growth Day @ Sentosa Beach

This year Growth Day was held differently from the previous year. We had our growth day on a Saturday and we went to Sentosa! We participate at the beach fiesta organised by the ITE. There are stalls being set-up for us to play. Some of the games are mini golf, basketball and soccer. Those games there were fun. ITE students are creative as I had never seen some of the games before. The game i enjoy the most is throwing the volleyball into the black hoop but there are four more hoop which are yellow, green, blue, red. They are the colours of the Olympic. They set up all this game to tell people more about the Olympic games and to inform people that the first Youth Olympic game is going to be held in Singapore.

There are some games competition being held there at the beach too. Chong Boon Secondary school takes part in two games. They are volleyball and netball. They are both played on the beach so I think it must be hard for them to get use to the environment. Despite the place they are playing on, they did the school proud and win medal back.

I had an enjoyable weekend at Sentosa and i hope the school can have more of outside school activity. But I still hope that the school can organise camps or activity during weekday rather than weekend.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Personal Recount (a time when your friend was caught cheating)

"Stand up right down," my math teacher, ms Lim, her voice seething with anger.

Jamie my classmate stood up slowly looking flustered and fearful. She was just being caught cheating in the math exam a few second ago. She stood in front of ms Lim with her head hanging and eyes fixed on ms Lim purple high-heel.

There was a painful silence in the class and no one there make a single sound. Jamie who sit two sit in front of me had cheated in front of ms Lim nose. She was peeping at the student who just sit next to her and was preparing to copy her answer when she got caught by ms Lim.

Ms Lim asked Jamie tons of question but she remain there, refusing to open her mouth to speak and kept shooking her head indenial. Her nose and eyes were drenched and she wiped them with the back of her sleeve. Seeing this, i went forward to give her a piece of tissue. Ms Lim than have to choice but to report her to the general office to call her parents. When her parents came to school, she approached them gingerly, trembling with terror. Tears streaked down her cheeks. Her parents yelled at her at the top of their voice, scolding her for what she did.

She later told her parents that she was afraid that they will scold her for not getting 90 marks and above therefore she decided to cheat as there are some question that she do not know how to do.

Jamie than apologise to ms Lim and the class for her bad behaviour. She too promise to the whole class that she will not cheat anymore. Her parents apologise to Jamie for giving her too much stress.

Personal Aspirations and Target Setting for 2010

My target for year 2010 is to get good results for my mid-year exam and end-of-year exam. Last year, I get A1 for my math, science, history, homec, geog and Chinese.the rest I get from A2 to B4. I hope that i can get a better result than last year by getting all A1 for all the subjects. I also hope that my cooking will get better after attending this year homec classes. I did not do very well for my D and T last year as i have difficulties making the pencil holder and sawing the wood.

My CCA which is badminton is going to represent the school to compete with the other school within the zone. Lina, Huixuan and I are in the 'B' division team.We will try our very best eventhough we know that the school we are playing with are all very strong. We hope to win those competition and go into the national and do the school proud. I hope that this year we will get along well with our senior from the sec3 and sec4. This is because we do not talk and mix around with each other often.