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She takes year off school for shot at gamesBryna Sim | The New Paper | Thu Aug 19 2010
JC shows support for YOG archer by allowing her to defer studies.
LOOK out for Vanessa Loh in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) archery competition on Thursday.
For behind that mask of concentration, in her single-minded focus on sporting glory, is sacrifice - and one school's flexibility - for Singapore.
The 16-year-old was to have started attending Temasek Junior College (TJC) in January this year.
She initially thought she would be able to balance both her studies and training for the Games, which are on from now until Aug 26.
But, said her father, Mr George Loh, 55, a retiree: "I didn't think she could straddle both. Both would suffer in the end."
He told his daughter to consider taking a year off from school.
Vanessa asked TJC if she could defer her studies this year and, to her surprise, the school agreed.
She will join the school next year.
TJC is not the only school that has found ways to help athletes and volunteers balance their studies with their YOG commitments.
This is in line with the Ministry of Education's stand, where schools have the autonomy to "make adjustments to school-based assessments or curriculum time", to allow students to participate in the various YOG programmes.
Vanessa is glad she opted to defer her studies.
"TJC keeps in touch with me and they're always asking me if there's anything more they can do.
"It's nice to know the school cares."
TJC principal Loke-Yeo Teck Yong told The New Paper: "Vanessa's can-do spirit and her focus in wanting to give her best in achieving high performance standards in archery is commendable.
"We are supportive of her intention to take one year's leave of absence to live out her dream in representing Singapore at the inaugural YOG."
Ironically, Vanessa did not always like archery.
'Not a big fan'
She said she "was not a big fan" when she was first exposed to it at 13.
In Mr Loh's words, "she hated it".
"Her heart was for softball," he added.
But Mr Loh wanted the whole family - including his wife and his three other daughters, all younger than Vanessa - to pick up the sport.
Although he had no experience with the sport then, he felt that archery trained one to be disciplined and focused.
"I like it that you get instant feedback after you shoot. You can see for yourself immediately how you have performed."
The family started training at the Flaming Arrows Archery Club in Teck Whye, where Mr Loh is now head coach.
Vanessa's talent was apparent when, at 13, her father signed her up for a competition just months after she started learning it and she came in second.
That was when Vanessa realised she had the makings of a champion.
She has not looked back since and has competed consistently as part of the national team since 2007. Her training sessions six times a week include gym and mental training.
This means she has hardly any social life.
"I'm so focused on training and trying harder that I don't even have the motivation to try to make time to go out," she said.
"Even when I do make plans with friends, I often end up cancelling them."
But she has no regrets.
Until she starts JC next year, she will be focused "110 per cent on archery".
"My parents are more enthusiastic than me when it comes to archery. They're my No. 1 stalker- fans," she said, laughing.
Schools show their support
HER heart sank when she heard the news earlier this year that her A-level science practical assessment was to be held on Aug 25 and 26, the last two days of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
How would she be able to prepare for it?
Clara Wong, 17, Singapore's representative in the womens' triathlon last Sunday, was worried.
"I didn't know how to get myself in the mood to study, especially with the competition on my mind," said the Victoria Junior College (VJC) student.
Relief came last Thursday when VJC told her that her assessment would be held after the YOG.
"I was so glad I could focus on competing," said Clara, who finished 30th in a 32-woman field, although only 30 eventually completed the race.
Others involved in the YOG also had their assessments rescheduled, while students not involved in the YOG will sit for their assessments as originally scheduled.
Some other JCs are also rescheduling assessments or exams for their students competing in or volunteering in the YOG.
Volunteers include torch or flag bearers, cultural booth hosts at the World Culture Village, or student reporters and line judges.
Raffles Institution is rescheduling the science practical assessment for all students involved in YOG, while Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) also arranged for its YOG students to sit for the exam after the Games.
VJC student and YOG volunteer Charissa Pang, 17, said with relief: "This gives me time to study."
HCI will even allow one of its student-athletes, Caroline Chew, 18, to sit her A-level exams in China if they coincide with the Asian Games, which will be held in Guangzhou from Nov 12 to 27.
Caroline (right) is Singapore's only equestrian representative in the YOG.
HCI's principal, Dr Hon Chiew Weng, said: "We believe in providing students with flexibility, within reasonable limits, to pursue their passions and dreams."
At Nanyang Junior College (NYJC), those involved in the YOG will not even be given class tests.
Said MOE's director of education programmes, Ms Sum Chee Wah: "We are heartened by the dedication shown by students and schools in their support of the YOG."
JC shows support for YOG archer by allowing her to defer studies.
LOOK out for Vanessa Loh in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) archery competition on Thursday.
For behind that mask of concentration, in her single-minded focus on sporting glory, is sacrifice - and one school's flexibility - for Singapore.
The 16-year-old was to have started attending Temasek Junior College (TJC) in January this year.
She initially thought she would be able to balance both her studies and training for the Games, which are on from now until Aug 26.
But, said her father, Mr George Loh, 55, a retiree: "I didn't think she could straddle both. Both would suffer in the end."
He told his daughter to consider taking a year off from school.
Vanessa asked TJC if she could defer her studies this year and, to her surprise, the school agreed.
She will join the school next year.
TJC is not the only school that has found ways to help athletes and volunteers balance their studies with their YOG commitments.
This is in line with the Ministry of Education's stand, where schools have the autonomy to "make adjustments to school-based assessments or curriculum time", to allow students to participate in the various YOG programmes.
Vanessa is glad she opted to defer her studies.
"TJC keeps in touch with me and they're always asking me if there's anything more they can do.
"It's nice to know the school cares."
TJC principal Loke-Yeo Teck Yong told The New Paper: "Vanessa's can-do spirit and her focus in wanting to give her best in achieving high performance standards in archery is commendable.
"We are supportive of her intention to take one year's leave of absence to live out her dream in representing Singapore at the inaugural YOG."
Ironically, Vanessa did not always like archery.
'Not a big fan'
She said she "was not a big fan" when she was first exposed to it at 13.
In Mr Loh's words, "she hated it".
"Her heart was for softball," he added.
But Mr Loh wanted the whole family - including his wife and his three other daughters, all younger than Vanessa - to pick up the sport.
Although he had no experience with the sport then, he felt that archery trained one to be disciplined and focused.
"I like it that you get instant feedback after you shoot. You can see for yourself immediately how you have performed."
The family started training at the Flaming Arrows Archery Club in Teck Whye, where Mr Loh is now head coach.
Vanessa's talent was apparent when, at 13, her father signed her up for a competition just months after she started learning it and she came in second.
That was when Vanessa realised she had the makings of a champion.
She has not looked back since and has competed consistently as part of the national team since 2007. Her training sessions six times a week include gym and mental training.
This means she has hardly any social life.
"I'm so focused on training and trying harder that I don't even have the motivation to try to make time to go out," she said.
"Even when I do make plans with friends, I often end up cancelling them."
But she has no regrets.
Until she starts JC next year, she will be focused "110 per cent on archery".
"My parents are more enthusiastic than me when it comes to archery. They're my No. 1 stalker- fans," she said, laughing.
Schools show their support
HER heart sank when she heard the news earlier this year that her A-level science practical assessment was to be held on Aug 25 and 26, the last two days of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
How would she be able to prepare for it?
Clara Wong, 17, Singapore's representative in the womens' triathlon last Sunday, was worried.
"I didn't know how to get myself in the mood to study, especially with the competition on my mind," said the Victoria Junior College (VJC) student.
Relief came last Thursday when VJC told her that her assessment would be held after the YOG.
"I was so glad I could focus on competing," said Clara, who finished 30th in a 32-woman field, although only 30 eventually completed the race.
Others involved in the YOG also had their assessments rescheduled, while students not involved in the YOG will sit for their assessments as originally scheduled.
Some other JCs are also rescheduling assessments or exams for their students competing in or volunteering in the YOG.
Volunteers include torch or flag bearers, cultural booth hosts at the World Culture Village, or student reporters and line judges.
Raffles Institution is rescheduling the science practical assessment for all students involved in YOG, while Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) also arranged for its YOG students to sit for the exam after the Games.
VJC student and YOG volunteer Charissa Pang, 17, said with relief: "This gives me time to study."
HCI will even allow one of its student-athletes, Caroline Chew, 18, to sit her A-level exams in China if they coincide with the Asian Games, which will be held in Guangzhou from Nov 12 to 27.
Caroline (right) is Singapore's only equestrian representative in the YOG.
HCI's principal, Dr Hon Chiew Weng, said: "We believe in providing students with flexibility, within reasonable limits, to pursue their passions and dreams."
At Nanyang Junior College (NYJC), those involved in the YOG will not even be given class tests.
Said MOE's director of education programmes, Ms Sum Chee Wah: "We are heartened by the dedication shown by students and schools in their support of the YOG."
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