Year 5 Semester 2 Progress Report

Lim Jeck's Year 5 Semester 2 results are as follows:

CL5102 Chinese 5B B-
CM5106 Inorganic and Electrochemistry B+
CS5102 Data Structures and Algorithms A+
EL5101 Language in Society II B
PC5201 Physics Olympiad V A+
PC5401 Calculus-based Mechanics I A+
PC5403 Calculus-based EMM I A+

Semestral Grade Point Average (GPA): 4.1
Cumulative Average Point (CAP): 4.4

Chinese: Lim Jeck is determined to do well in Chinese and works hard for it. Time is needed for him to raise his foundation to a higher level. To improve further, he needs to practise more on developing his reading and writing abilities.

Inorganic and Electrochemistry: Lim Jeck is an intelligent yet quiet individual in class. He is consistent and takes pride in giving his best in all he does. He has been more interactive in class this semester. Keep up the good attitude!

Data Structures and Algorithms: Lim Jeck is a motivated self-directed learner and has displayed high aptitude in computing.

Language in Society II: Lim Jeck has made a marked improvement in his presentation skills. He is an industrious student who can better his English by reading extensively. Lim Jeck should also continue with his efforts to contribute in class.

Physics Olympiad V, Calculus-based Mechanics I, Calculus-based EMM I: Lim Jeck is one of the most intelligent students in class. He does not take long to understand a concept, and is excellently able to apply it immediately. His strong background in Mathematics helps him to secure the best result almost in every test.

Boarding Cluster Mentor's Remarks: This year at Boarding has given Lim Jeck many opportunities to connect with others. He has a very sharp and analytical mind which is seen most often in our social encounters within the cluster. He is able to connect and integrate well with the cluster mates, especially in the context of playing indoor games. he has developed many community living skills which were clearly displayed in how he served the cluster by being part of the team that kept the cluster pantry in good condition. He participated and represented the cluster in the inter-cluster Chess Tournament. He also actively participated in the many cluster outings and celebrations conducted throughout the year. Lim Jeck's potential for the future will be greatly enhanced as he puts into practice the community living skills he has learnt in his time at Boarding.

Mentor's Remarks: Jeck is a well-behaved student with a quiet disposition. An exceptionally bright student with highly commendable talent and ability in Mathematics and Computing, Jeck has exhibited strong competencies in his academic studies. He is also willing to lend a helping hand to his classmates and hence, well-received by his peers.
Conduct: Very Good

Year 1 Semester 2 Progress Report

Lim Li's Year 1 Semester 2 results are as follows:

BL1106 Basic Cell Biology B
CL1102 Chinese 1B A-
CM1106 Foundation Chemistry I A
DV2103 Science Presentations -Merit-
EL1106 Developing Language and Literary Skills II B+
IH1103 Identities, Histories and Societies B
MA1111 Foundation Mathematics II A+
MA3206V Advanced Mathematical Olympiad Training III A+
PC1110 Foundation Physics I A+

Semestral Grade Point Average (GPA): 4.4 (out of 5)
Cumulative Average Point (CAP): 4.5 (out of 5)

Basic Cell Biology: Lim Li is a cheerful and outgoing student who puts in good effort for this module. She possesses the potential for greater performance that is achievable only if she gives herself the chance to nurture her potential interest for the subject. Keep it up!

Chinese: Lim Li is a quiet but determined student who is always doing her best. She needs to improve on her tests scores to maintain her standard. She may need to reflect and work on her weak areas.

Foundation Chemistry I: Lim Li is a friendly student who is able to articulate her views clearly. She is independent in learning and shows consistency in her results.

Science Presentations: Lim Li puts in good effort to prepare for her presentations and is a good team player. It would be good if she can practice more and put in more passion when she presents.

Developing Language and Literary Skills II: Lim Li demonstrates a willingness to improve for this subject. She is intelligent and has the potential to do well in the language if she reads more widely.

Identities, Histories and Societies: Lim Li is a promising student who diligently does her work. She is also an integral group member who participates actively in group activities.

Foundation Mathematics II: Lim Li is a talented student who is able to grasp new concepts readily. She puts in efforts to improve on her carelessness and has attained good results through the semester. Lim Li is encouraged to be more meticulous in presenting her workings.

Advanced Mathematical Olympiad Training III: For a year 1 student doing a year 3 course, Lim Li has done an excellent job.

Foundational Physics I: Lim Li shows respect towards teachers and peers and has a cheerful disposition. She will ask relevant questions to build on existing knowledge and does not hesitate to seek clarification where necessary. She is a consistent and highly-motivated student who is serious about doing well in her studies.

Mentor's Remarks: Lim Li is a bubbly and outspoken girl. She is naturally inquisitive, bright and able to learn new concepts easily. With focus and opportunity, she has the ability to excel in her Mathematics and Sciences. It would be good if she can be more meticulous in her work.
Conduct: Very Good

Buckyballs

The buckyballs  (prize from Brilliant Math Challenge) consist of 216 powerful magnets

Lim Li holding the bear-shape buckyballs that she has created

Tessellated buckyballs created by Lim Li

Lim Jeck holding the diamond-shape buckyballs that he has created

Brilliant Math Challenge Prizes

We have received the prizes. Thanks to The Brilliant Team, for organising the Brilliant Fall Math Challenge. My kids have had great fun taking part in this online competition, and they are looking forward to participating in the next competition :)

Lim Jeck's prizes, for being 2nd in Live Challenge and Regional top 10 in the 5th Week Challenge. There is a scholarship of US$1500 which will be sent to the school.

Lim Min's prizes, for being Regional top 10 in the 5th Week Challenge.

Life, Wealth, Success & Happiness

An inspiring talk in January this year by the late Dr Richard Teo, a successful Singaporean opthamologist-turned-cosmetic surgeon, who succumbed to Stage Four terminal lung cancer earlier this month at the age of 40. The 22-minute heart-wrenching video features his candid admission on the ceaseless pursuit of materialism and success, which in the final months of his life, meant nothing to him and gave him precious little comfort.  In his final message, he urged the classroom of dentistry students never to lose their moral compass and never to lose sight of the patients they treated. He quoted from Tuesdays with Morris - "Everyone knows they are going to die, but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently.".  Another powerful phrase, "...when we learn how to die, then we'll learn how to live." 

Watch the video here.

More than 2 years ago, when my mother was battling with breast cancer, I remember myself being very disappointed with the medical profession. I could sense that, to the oncologist, the medical consultancy was just a job, and my mother was just one of her many patients that she wanted to quickly done with, so she could see the next patient. I really feel that medical profession is not like any job, it is a calling (just like teachers).  A doctor should be compassionate, feel empathy for each patient and treat each of them like how she wants her loved ones to be treated.

AMC Annual Awards Presentation 2012

The Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) Annual Awards Presentation was held at the Novotel Clarke Quay Hotel on 24 Oct, 5.30 pm.

Medal Winners (photo from the Australian Math Trust website). From left: Professor Taylor, (Junior) Wang Weiduo RI, Yang Gan RI, (Intermediate) Gao Yuan ACSI, Bernard Teo Zhi Yi HCI, Eugene Lee RI, (Senior) Jonathan Ang Yun Hao NUSH, Lim Jeck NUSH and Mr Crawford.

Prize Winners (top 0.3%) for AMC.

In the past, two guests could be invited for each winner. This year, only one is invited :( Also, the refreshment seems to be getting worse year after year. This year, the following buffet spread was served: mini drumlets, mini egg tarts, mini chocolate cakes, orange juice, coffee/tea. That's all. :(

The Real Purpose of Life

Since young, I have always been wondering what's the purpose of life, and am intrigued with why we are born. Recently, I have read this book "You Were Born For A Reason - The Real Purpose of Life" by Kentetsu Takamori, Daiji Akehashi, Kentaro Ito. I think some of the writings in this book strike a chord with me.

Below are extracted from the book:

Why do we live? What is the purpose of life? Shinran's answer is unambiguous. "The purpose of is neither to amass money and treasure, nor to win honours and status. It is to have the source of suffering eradicated and be filled with joy, rejoicing that you were born human, and live in never-ending bliss."

The purpose of life is also expressed as "enjoying the benefit of sesshu fusha (being held fast and never forsaken)," or as muge no ichido (the path of no hindrance). Delight in being alive radiates from the pages of Shinran's masterwork Teaching, Practice, Faith, Enlightenment, which beings and ends with the words, "How joyful I am!" It is a manifestation of the blazing joy of one who has attained the purpose of life.

"Why is it wrong to take another person's life?" When a child asks this question, too often adults are at a loss, unable to give a satisfying reply. For adults as for children, the greatest sadness is not to know the joy of living.

Humanity is befuddled, unsure whether life has any meaning, or why those in pain should bother to carry on. Amid this general confusion, Shinran's words ring out loud and clear: "How wonderful it is to be born a human being!" Once the essential dignity of human life is understood, people should see why organ transplantation to extend life are worthwhile, why suicide is never a good option, why every human life is infinitely precious. Then, with doubts over the meaning of human existence resolved, each one can go resolutely forward to work on whatever besetting problems there may be.

Once life's true purpose is known, all trouble and suffering acquire meaning. Live for life's true purpose, and all your efforts are sure to be rewarded.

Preliminary Examinations Results

Lim Min did well for her prelims, especially in Maths, Chemistry and Physics, where she scored in the 98th, 92nd and 87th percentiles, respectively.

Lim Min is awarded Raffles Diploma with Distinction

Brilliant Live Challenge Results: Fall 2012

http://www.brilliantscholars.com/live-challenge-results-fall-2012/

btw, Clarence is 13th, Lim Min is 17th, Choong Yin is 18th and Lim Li is 30th in the Live Challenge

The top winner is Farrell Wu from the Philippines. He has topped many regional Math competitions and is very likely to be a future Math Olympian (at IMO level).

Congratulations to everyone, especially those from Singapore - Jeck (NUSH), Way (NUSH), Wei Liang (HCI), Dylan (NYPS), Jansen (RI), Jau Tung (RI), Jaren (NUSH), Jordan (RI) and Jeremy (ex-RI).

CWMI 2012 Results

Results of the Singapore Team in the China Mathematical Olympiad Invitational 2012 held at Inner Mongolia China recently:

Gold Award:
Liu Yijia, RI Year 2
Way Tan, NUSH Year 4
Clarence Chew, NUSH Year 1

Silver Award:
Sheldon Kieren Tan, RI Year 2
David Lin, RI Year 3
Yap Jit Wu, NUSH Year 5
Teh Jiun Harn, RI Year 4
Bay Wei Heng, HCI Year 5

Congratulations to one and all!

Tea Reception for Singapore International Olympiad Teams 2012

 

Lim Jeck receiving souvenir (Fields Medalists' Lectures book) from Dean of NUS Faculty of Science, Prof Andrew Wee. He has received the same book for the last few years. We have given away the extra copies to NUS High.



Group photo of attendees

Relax ...

Lim Jeck and Mr Thomas Teo were first in the queue!

Invitation to Enrol in FoS NUS, with a good scholarship offered

Free Online Courses from Top Universities

Last time, I mentioned there were free lectures on the Internet, that post is here.

Below is another useful website which offers online courses from top universities for anyone to take. Coursera is a startup founded by Stanford computer science professors Daphne Koller and Andrew Ng, Its vision is to give everyone worldwide, with an Internet connection, access to the world-class education that has so far been available only to a select few.  Coursera hopes to empower people with education that will improve their lives, the lives of their families, and the communities they live in.

When taking the courses, students will watch lectures taught by world-class professors, learn at their own pace, test their knowledge, and reinforce concepts through interactive exercises. Students will also join a global community of thousands of students learning alongside them. Courses are offered in a wide range of topics, spanning the Humanities, Medicine, Biology, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Business, Computer Science, and many others.

Coursera offers free online University level classes

Current partner universities of Coursera

Leading to the Live Challenge

Lim Min, Lim Jeck and Lim Li have signed up for the Live Challenge scheduled for 22 Septermber (Saturaday). Their timings are:
Lim Min: 4 pm
Lim Jeck: 4 pm
Lim Li: 11 pm (who has to sign up for a later slot, as we have only 2 notebook computers with webcam at home).

Only for Week 5, the top 10 winners within the region will receive a prize pack of books and puzzles. After week 5, Lim Jeck's global rank is 1st of 3122 (tied with William Gan Wei Liang and Jaren Sta Maria). 

My kids are more interested in winning the top 7 and top 12 prizes (those underlined in Red), rather than the top 3 scholarship prizes.

Brilliant Challenge (Math Competition)

Take part in Brilliant Challenge!

Students solve problems online at their own pace and earn points over 5 weeks (maximum of 2300 points can be earned per week). New problems are released each week. At the end of the 5 weeks, students who have earned enough points will be invited to a Live Challenge conducted over Google Hangouts to compete for awards and scholarships. The official contest dates for the first Brilliant Challenge are Aug 13 - Sep 16. New problems sets will become available at the beginning of each week on Sunday (Singapore time is Monday morning), and the previous week’s problem sets will expire. However, students who join in the 4th (current week) and 5th week will still have ample opportunity to earn a sufficient number of points (i.e. 2200 points) to participate in the Live Challenge or take advantage of Master Classes and other prizes.

The Live Challenge will be held on Saturday, September 22, (Singapore time may be 1 day later) 2012. Students may choose from several time slots throughout the day, but may only participate once. The Live Challenge will be 1 hour in length. Brilliant coordinators will monitor students over webcam to maintain the integrity of the challenge.

As of now, Lim Jeck is ranked 1st (tie with 1 others) out of 2280 participants, after completing Week 4 contest. Lim Li is ranked 19th after completing Week 4 contest. The ranking is just for fun, it has no bearing on the Live Challenge. Lim Min only took part in Week 1 and 2 contests and she is not keen to continue with the contest.

To win the top prizes, only the Live Challenge points will be counted. Hence, you do not have any handicap even if you join only Week 4 and/or Week 5 contests. Join NOW!

Click for a bigger image. Prizes for Brilliant Math Challenge Fall 2012. Unless otherwise stated, prizes are for students grade 12 and below, and are based on performance on the Live Challenge. 

SMO 2012 Prize Presentation

Lim Jeck receiving SMO Open Individual 1st Award ($600) from the Guest of Honour, Ms Ho Peng

NUS High Team (Lim Jeck, Yan Hao and Yan Sheng) clinches SMO Open Team 1st Award ($1000, last year's SMO Open Team 2nd was $700).

RI Team (Way Tan, David Lin and Siah Yong) receiving SMO Senior Team 1st Award.

NUS High Team (Yan Hao, Surya and Choong Yin) receiving SMO Senior Team 2nd Award.

RI Team (Glen, Yijia and Sheldon) receiving SMO Junior Team 1st Award

Clarence Chew wins the SMO Junior Individual 3rd Award

Dylan Toh from Nanyang Primary receives the SMO Junior Individual 18th Award 

IMO 2012 Team (Lim Jeck, Yan Hao, You Jun, Ryan, Lawrence and Yan Sheng) receiving awards of $1000 (IMO Gold), $500 (IMO Silver) and $250 (IMO Bronze).

Jansen, Jiun Harn, Surya and Lim Jeck

The Top 3 School Team Winners are as follows:

SMO Junior: 1st - RI, 2nd - NUS High, 3rd - HCI

SMO Senior: 1st - RI, 2nd - NUS High, 3rd - HCI

SMO Open: 1st - NUS High, 2nd - RI, 3rd - HCI

Thanks to Meng Ai, Dorothea and Sudha, for the photos. :)

National Day Rally 2012

At yesterday's National Day Rally 2012, our Prime Minister (PM Lee Hsien Loong) highlighted the achievements of our students at the recent International Math and Science competitions. He only mentioned International Biology Olympiad and International Mathematics Olympiad. I think the reason is, the media reported only these two in July, hence PM Lee did not pick up the notable achievements of the other Science olympiads. It also does not help that our local media has a propensity to publicise more on sports, and less on academic competitions. I shall help our PM to give our students their due recognition (words in bold are not part of PM Lee's speech, they are inserted by me :) ).

" .. our schools, students also do well across the board. And at the top this year, they shine at the international competitions. This year our team won the International Biology Olympiad, we hosted it, and our team won 1st place. Our student, Nol Swaddiwudhipong from RI, was 1st. At the International Mathematical Olympiad, a Singaporean student, Lim Jeck, from NUS High School of Math and Science, was the top student. He came in 1st, the only one to score full marks this year. At the International Physics Olympiad, our Singapore Team did extremely well, winning 4 Gold and 1 Silver medals. I am also proud that our International Chemistry Olympiad team had won 2 Gold and 2 Silver medals, and at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, our Singapore team received 1 Gold and 3 Silver medals. .... It makes me proud that as a tiny red dot in the world map, we are able to achieve much ...."

International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) team - Joseph Kuan (RI), Huan Yan Qi (RI), Ding Yue (RI), Wayne Soo (NUS High) and Ang Yu Jian (NUS High)

International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) team - Tan Zhi Yang (NUS High), Liu Aofei (RI), Rachel Lim  (RI) and Gerard  Low (RI)

International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) team - Kendrick Wong (NUS High), Ang Yu Jian (NUS High), Wang Ye (RI), Jee Kai Yen (RI) and Wayne Soo (NUS High) 

Kheng Leng (my niece, from Ngee Ann Polytechnic and now studying in NUS Year 1) was also mentioned by PM Lee.

RI's Yellow Form



Lim Min received a yellow form (Good Student Report).

The Special Awards 2012

It is heartening to see that Singapore is striving towards an inclusive society. At the Special Awards presentation ceremony 2012, not only were awards given to students from top schools (e.g. we have The Prime Minister's Book Prize given to outstanding bilingual pupils, The Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science given to top achievers in Mathematics and Science), we have other awards given to normal course students (The Lee Kuan Yew Award for Outstanding Normal Course Students), ITE College students (The Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship to Encourage Upgrading), polytechnic students, and also Assumption Pathway School and NorthLight School students (The Lee Hsien Loong Award for Special Achievement). There are also other awards for outstanding all-round achievement and all-round excellence. The MOE press release with all the awards and winners is here.

Lim Jeck receiving The Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science (Secondary Section) from  Mr Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister of State, MOE and MICA

Recipients of The Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science (Secondary Section) 

Recipients of The Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science (Pre-University Section)

The award - $400 (20 x $20) POPULAR gift vouchers

Prodigies of the maths universe

IN Depth
The Straits Times, 13 August 2012
by Sheryl Quek
Pdf Version

Click for a larger image. Lim Jeck and Ryan Kor are not in the photo. Perhaps they were not comfortable to be dressed as ancient Roman/Greek Olympians. :)

Mad About Maths

The Sunday Times 12 August 2012
Mad About Maths
by Eve Yap

Click for a larger image