B2 | THE BRUNEI TIMES | Saturday, 31 January, 2015 Saturday, 31 January, 2015 | THE BRUNEI TIMES EDU@BT | B3 EDU@BT Blindfold challenge tests fear, teamwork (Above) A group shot of all the participants of the cross country race. (Right) St George’s School boys in action during the cross country race held at the Bio Innovation Corridor. Pictures: Courtesy of St George’s School (Left to Right) A group photo of the third intake, Bound Faction with the education officer Brunei Polytechnic, Goh Chai Li (C) during the final project 'Blindfold Challenge' that was held at STPRI's new Hall; teams guessing the contents of a box; participants dig into a box to determine what is inside. Pictures: BT/Norliha Din Norliha Din BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN A COMBINATION of screams from the teams and cheers from the supporters filled up the STPRI’s new Hall during the Blindfold Challenge organised by the third intake of Politeknik Brunei, who are known as Bound Faction, yesterday afternoon. The contest was inspired by the popular extreme game show from AXN channel called Total Blackout require contender to confront their fears in a series of challenges, in a complete darkness. “Instead of conducting it in the dark and make it risk-free, we decided to challenge them as they were blindfolded.” said the General Manager of the third intake from the School of Business of Brunei Polytechnic, Mohd Suryadi Hj Emran. A total of 11 teams in pairs competed in guessing together items the fastest in 10 boxes placed across the table. There are three rows of box allocated for the different difficulty level. The items can be as simple as toys and random accessories to something tricky such as food and living creatures. The annual event was a part of the final project that will be assessed according to the student’s implementation on management, marketing and accounting knowledge in teamwork based assignment. Speaking to The Brunei Times, the Educa- tion Officer in charge Goh Chi Lai said that he saw quite an improvement especially in terms of innovation of events compared to previous years where most were focused on sports. The afternoon ended with rewarding the top three winners. Royal Brunei Catering (RBC), Gardenia, Armstrix and Jotech Sdn Bhd who sponsored prizes, refreshments and amenities. The Brunei Times ISB pupils celebrate Book Week T HE first school term of 2015 at St George’s School got off to a great start at the Bio Innovation Corridor (Agro Technology Park) in Kampung Tungku on January 21. Although seen by many as too early to test the stamina of students, the race saw many enthusiastic students from Year Four to Year 11 took up the challenge to run the almost 4km route at the park. Many arrived before the stipulated time of 7am. There was no better way to start off the event than with a Zumba session led by teacher Jason Chung. More than 300 students then gathered at the starting line. The Chairman of the Board of Governors of St George’s School, Anthony Liew, together with the principal, Janidi Jingan flagged off the race. Runners let out a roar of excitement as the starter’s horn sounded and the race was run according to the age groups of Below 15 and Above 15 for both girls and boys. St George’s School took the first step in moving out of its regular route at Tasik Lama for its cross country race and held the race at the Bio Innovation Corridor for the first time. In his note to parents, the principal stated that Brunei Darussalam has many interesting places that students do not know about. As part of the school’s initiative to promote these places, the school has chosen the Bio Innovation Corrider as the venue for its annual cross country race this year. The programme ran as smooth as ever, with the Below and Above 15 Boys group races preceding the Girls group. Participants ran their best to score a point for their respective sports houses. Spirits were high and the event ended with students and teachers visiting the greenhouse at the Agro Technology Park. The Brunei Times BELAIT F Year One pupils all smiles as they prepare to brush their teeth together. Picture: Courtesy of CCMS Pupils hold up their favourite Dr Seuss books. Picture: Courtesy of ISB school and the theme was The 500 Hats of Bartholemew Cubbins. Tuesday saw pupils having a Butter Battle experience while Wednesday’s events were based on The Lorax. Things eached crescendo on Thursday when pupils assembled in the hall for a Wacky Wednesday on Thursday food experience. Nothing was as it seemed that day and pupils spotted numerous wacky changes around the school. Friday was also Sports Day and Dr Seuss’s Foot Book made an appearance. “Only the first day and we’re having so much fun,” a pupil was heard to exclaim. The Brunei Times CCMS eases Year One pupils into school life BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN CHUNG Ching Middle School (Primary Section) conducted its head start program for Year One students for the month of January. It was also expected that after the programme, pupils will have less difficulties adjusting to the new set-up and will find primary school more interesting. Orientation on policies regarding discipline, safety and first aid was given by the Head of Primary and the Discipline Master. This was to help students be familiar with the rules and learn about the consequences of their actions. The talk also included proper school attire, grooming and good behaviour at all times. Changing for the better BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN I BRUNEI-MUARA SMSA holds Pre-U open day BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN ISB has always had a strong emphasis on literacy and to foster a love of reading amongst its many pupils, the primary school celebrated Book Week last week. All activities are arranged around the works of Dr Seuss, the prolific and well-loved children’s author. It is not always well known that some of his books may be considered sophisticated picture books designed for a more adult audience for example, The Butter Battle Book is a representation of the Cold War. Events were launched with an assembly on January 16 by Year 6i and the school was a riot of colour with truffula trees adorning the main entrance and wacky signposts pointing in all directions throughout the school. Each day of the week had activities centred around a different Dr Seuss story. On Monday each pupil wore a wacky hat to St George’s School kicks off 2015 with cross country race T IS said that in life, change is the only constant and from young children to experienced adults, there is always something new to learn and new experiences that continue to shape them. Despite being uncomfortable and awkward at times, change is something that we have to ultimately live with and swimming against this tide, fighting to remain the same may do us more harm than good in the long run. The Brunei Times spoke to a few youngsters to find out what sort of changes they have implemented in their lives and how they embraced changes. The Brunei Times Guided recess time was also implemented as it is new for Year One pupils to go to the canteen and buy their food for recess. Class teachers also assist their pupils every recess time. They were also given a designated places at the school canteen to ease out the stress of looking for a place to eat. As part of dental hygiene awareness, pupils were asked to bring their toothbrush kit and a demonstration on how to brush their teeth properly was held. Class teachers presented video clips and talked about the importance of oral health. Other concerns such as toilet training, following the daily time table and proper use of student’s journal were also observed carefully. The Brunei Times Pictures: BT/Norliha Din Amalina Hj Lamit 28 years old, student from The Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University ty College (KUPUSB) Alhamdulillah, I can feel my life has gone to the better compared to the past years. As for my studies, the most distinct change that I notice is my enthusiasm to learning, which has increased from time to time especially in reaching the goal of obtaining better results in the examinations in contrast to the last semesters. Changes are necessary especially from a bad lifestyle to move forward to the better. We need to assess our past experiences and make improvements whether it is in the form of our worship, occupation, studies, social interaction and others. If we stay stagnant, it will only offer nothing but the ordinary; however, with changes, our lives will feel more meaningful. OR the fourth consecutive year, Sayyidina Ali Secondary School (SMSA) held the Pre-University open day on Saturday, January 24. Held from 8am to 4pm, it was a public event inviting students from the 11 schools in the Belait District to visit booths that were set up categorised by subjects. Tutors of individual subjects were present in their respective booths to provide information regarding the basic contents of a particular subject. The current Pre-University students were also present to give a deeper understanding of each subject. Booths set up individually by the students consisted of information regarding functions, events and competitions organised by the Students Representive Councils and Peer Guiders. This event was organised as part of SMSA's outreach programme which is aimed at keeping up with the school's motto “strive towards excelllence” as well as to showcase the various A-level subjects offered by the school to students planning to persue sixth form. Furthermore, it is to guide students with A- (Clockwise from Above) Subject booths provide information about specific A-level subjects; tutors provide necessary information regarding their respective subjects; students exploring booths themselves; current Pre-U students explaining to potential juniors. Pictures: Courtesy of Aisvarya Devi Pubalan level subject combinations for future career and higher education pathways. The Brunei Times Siti Norasilah Haji Saman 24 years old, Assistant Manager of HIAS Design I remember when I first started my studies in 2009 taking National Diploma in Interior Design, it was a struggle for me and it was a very difficult period for me as I was not familiar with basic technical terms for designing concepts. I had to explore and research more ideas. Alhamdulillah, despite the hardship, I kept on going and managed to continue my studies in Brunei Polytechnic in the course of Advance Diploma in Interior Design. Since then, I have learned a lot and it made me more eager and interested in the designing field. Moreover, I observed how the course has provided more job opportunities to the previous students as well to locals. Yes, I do think change is necessary but, we have to make sure that it has to be a change in a good way so that we can show a good example to the younger generation in years to come. Nor Safaridawati Hj Mashod 22 years old, student from The Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University ty College (KUPUSB) Syukur Alhamdulillah, pada tahun ini saya masih mengamalkan kehidupan yang sihat dengan bersenam pada waktu siang dan petang, dan juga mengambil pemakanan yang sihat. Ini memberi kesan yang baik dalam kehidupan seharian malah saya dapat memberi tumpuan yang baik dalam pengajian saya. Saya ingin mengekalkan status keputusan pembelajaran saya dan membuat yang lebih baik delam perperiksaan yang akan datang. Dengan itu, saya boleh menjadi guru yang berkualiti dan inovatif pada agama, bangsa dan Negara. Sebagai pelajar, kita mesti mengubah cara hidup seharian terutama dalam penjagaan kesihatan jasmani dan rohani. Rohani harus dipertingkatkan terutama nya dengan mengikuti program yang disediakan oleh pihak sekolah agar boleh menjadi lebih dekat dengan masyarakat.