Eye for Perspectives, Mind out of the Box

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On 3^rd August 2011, the South Zone Centre of Excellence for Design (St Andrew’s Secondary School, SASS) in collaboration with National Geographic Store, held the prize presentation ceremony for the 3^rd annual youth photographic competition. The theme of this year’s competition was ‘Heart of The School’.

“We chose this theme because the school is the main stage on which the many dramas in the lives of young people are enacted,” said Ms Chua Xin Yuan, Head of Craft & Technology at SASS. “We want to showcase how photography makes youths look deeper at things around them, as well as inside them.”

Students from Primary schools to Junior Colleges in Singapore participated in this competition. Attractive prizes consisting of cameras, accessories and vouchers were generously sponsored by Yolo, Cathay Photo, Photographic Society of Singapore and Popular E-Learning Holdings Pte Ltd.

Out of the 1310 photographs submitted, only 30 were shortlisted. It was a day of jubilation for the prize-winners. The Guest of Honour, Mr. Wong Siew Hoong, Director of Schools for Ministry of Education, gave a rousing speech to encourage the participants to continue with their good work and to view art from various perspectives. Madam Tan Yen Fong, South Zone 5 Cluster Superintendent, also graced the occasion.

The top prize winners for the Category A, B, C are: Muhd Duzlfiqar B MdRasid from Edgefield Primary School; Lim Jia Jin from SASS; and Zhao Wan Ting from Raffles Institution respectively.

Several participants were interviewed and one of them was a student from St Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC), Tan Ze Xun, who won the Special Mention Award. He described his picture of the SAJC band as a part of his life rather than just a photo itself: “My photograph is a snapshot of my brother’s growing years, the formative days he spent pursuing his passion.” He hopes that his photo would portray “the Saints’ spirit to musical excellence”. He feels greatly honored to be able to showcase his photo to members of the public at the National Geographic Store.

Another prize-winner was Ernest Ng, 11, from Edgefield Primary who won the Special Mention Award. His photograph related his account of students learning chemistry under their teacher’s guidance. He hoped that his teacher would be known for his efforts in teaching the students. His Father, Mr. Ng, felt proud of his son’s achievement. “I go all out to support Ernest in whatever he does, especially photography,” said Mr. Ng.

“Photography needs an eye for perspective, an eye for the unusual as well as a mind that is willing to go out of the box,” said Mrs Lucy Toh, Principal of SASS, when asked for the purpose of organising this competition. “These are, significantly, the same skills students need to develop for success in academic work, in project planning and in leadership,” she added.

The 30 photos will be on display at the National Geographic Store from 4^th to 17^th August. Members of the public can view the exhibition for free, from 10am to 10pm daily.

Written by: Eugene Lim Jia Jin, Jerome Liang and Lokendra
Photographs: Sng Meng Seng, Lucas Tan, Shintaro Tay