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'A' Level Results Release Special - Hwa Chong

Thu, 03/17/2016 Deanna Bonaparte
 'A' Level Results Release Special - Hwa Chong Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) has done it again. On 4 March 2016, the day of the ‘A’ Level Results Release, the school revealed the wondrous achievements of HCI’s Class of 2015. This was a cohort that had achieved the best GCE ‘A’ Level results since the first batch of Integrated Programme students took their ‘A’ Level examinations in 2007. Six out of 10 scored three H2 distinctions and above! The sense of achievement was certainly palpable in the school hall. The BrightSparks team met with bright smiles and soaring fists, and in the midst of the crowd’s chatter we could hear words of congratulations exchanged among friends. But the highlight of our experience was not the positive energy bouncing off all who were present – it was the opportunity to speak to two brilliant graduates who have done exceedingly well.

A Bright Road Ahead

They were Zane Chee Yong Wei and Wang Peixuan. Both straight A’s students, Zane and Peixuan have been awarded the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Scholarship conferred by the Public Service Commission (PSC)and the SAF Merit Scholarship respectively. Zane has plans to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics in a reputable UK university, and is currently deciding between University College London, Warwick, York and Durham to spend his undergraduate years in. On the other hand, Peixuan has received a conditional offer to read Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), but is still keeping her options open – she is also considering universities in the US, some of which include Harvard, Yale, and Stanford.

Active Involvement

Throughout their time in HCI, the duo were heavily involved in the Students’ Council and various extra-curricular activities, leading us to wonder if they split themselves into three to fulfil their weighty responsibilities. For Zane, his time in the Students’ Council as the Social & Relations Committee Chairperson saw him helm many school-wide events, manage faculty heads and host foreign VIPs. He also represented the school at the Sunburst Youth Camp, a conference where young leaders around the world convene to address global issues such as poverty and global warming, and the IE Global Business Challenge, where he had the chance to design plans for local brand Awfully Chocolate’s penetration into the UK market. “These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of other cultures, as well as a heightened awareness of the cultural nuances among countries,” shares Zane. On the other hand, Peixuan’s time as the Publications and Publicity Committee Secretary-Treasurer saw her organise the Hwa Chong-Asia Pacific Young Leaders Summit among many other activities. She also represented the school at debate competitions such as the NTU Dorothy Cheung Debate Tournament, and even clinched third place at the 2014 Sunway Debate Open. Furthermore, the affable individual spearheaded a Community Involvement Project to support The Little Arts Academy, which provides our young with opportunities to nurture their artistic and musical talent regardless of their economic circumstances. Of her experiences, she tells us, “They have allowed me to develop qualities such as discipline, camaraderie and care for others, all of which will be beneficial to my career in the Military.”

Planning Early

We asked the duo how they managed to juggle their studies with their extra-curricular activities, to which Zane replied, “It’s important to plan ahead! I bought a planner for the first time at the start of my ‘A’ Level journey to help facilitate my forward planning. It is also important to stay committed to our goals and be clear of our priorities.” Peixuan concurs, also highlighting the importance of career planning early. She concludes humbly, “The perfect career for anyone would be a combination of their passion and the ability to serve society purposefully. Take part in CCAs, organise projects, volunteer – go out there to seize learning opportunities. Your experiences will help you as you make a decision with regards to your scholarship and future career.”

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