National Athletes Excel In Studies

Release of Results: November 2020 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, GCE O-Level Examinations

While embarking on the through-train International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), Alicia Lim Qian Hui (Rhythmic Gymnastics), Au Yeong Wai Yhann (Squash), Ho Xiu Yi (Shooting), Lincoln Forest Liqht Man (Artistic Gymnastics), Nicholas Rachmadi (Triathlon) and Nujaid Hasif Zainal Abidin (Pencak Silat) strived hard to earn a place in Team Singapore to represent the nation at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines. All of them achieved their goal, and some even returned home with medals hanging around their neck.

On 4 January 2021, all of them proved that it is possible for student-athletes to be right at the top of their game when it comes to their studies as well when they achieved excellent grades for their November 2020 final examinations. They scored an average of 42 points. Five out of the six of them who went to the SEA Games took up the extended pathway.

Singapore Sports School is the only local institution accredited by IB Organization and World Academy of Sport to offer the extended pathway for high-performing student-athletes to have greater flexibility to plan their academic schedule according to their training and competition schedules to achieve their long-term sporting goals.

Pencak silat exponent Nujaid Hasif Zainal Abidin who was on the extended pathway emerged as the top scorer by attaining 44 out of a maximum of 45 points for the final examinations. The last four years since he started the IBDP have been especially challenging for Hasif. Hasif made his debut at the Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games, and subsequently participated in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang, and finally the 2019 SEA Games. He achieved a bronze and gold respectively at each of the SEA Games that he represented Singapore. In 2020, he had to deal with the anxiety of preparing for his final examinations amidst the curveballs that COVID-19 threw at him.

He shared, “After spending eight years in Sports School. I can say that my hard work and efforts have been worth it as I achieved both my sport and academic goals.” On getting a near-perfect score, he said, “I could not believe it! I kept staring at the results, and was simply in shock. I did set a high goal of 44 for myself so that I have something to work towards, but I was prepared to fall short of it. I can say that being on the extended pathway definitely helped me to be a good student and a good athlete.” Hasif was also the Moo Soon Chong Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year (Post-Secondary) in 2020, a prestigious award presented to all-rounded students who excel in sport and studies, display exemplary conduct, and are a good role model to their peers.

In total, 22 student-athletes took the IBDP examinations in November last year. Among this cohort, 11 are “spexcarded” athletes – a recognition given by Sport Singapore together with the respective national sports association to talented elite athletes based on their achievements and potential. Despite the impact of COVID-19, the Class of 2020 maintained the school’s consistent performance and achieved 100% passes. All student-athletes did well to be eligible to further their education in both local and overseas universities.

Twenty-six student-athletes who took their GCE O-Level examinations last year also received their results on 11 January. They surpassed national averages in achieving passes in five subjects or more. The top scorers are Althea Dang Thanh Ly (Bowling), Elyssa Brynmarla Low Canuela (Badminton), Kylie Neo Jiaxin (Bowling), and Ho Sue-Ann (Netball).

The GCE N-Level cohort had earlier received their results in mid-December 2020. They also maintained the school’s good academic performance at the examinations.

Principal Ong Kim Soon said, “We are very proud of our student-athletes, for they have achieved this academic milestone together with their sports aspirations. We look forward to seeing more of them continue in their sports and academic pursuits beyond Sports School, to be champions in sports, for sports, and in life.”