Although anxiety ran through most 12-year-olds around Singapore on Nov 25 as they received their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results, the outcome was positive for most. Scores revealed that 98.5 per cent of Primary 6 students qualified for secondary school.
Three primary school graduates, upon receiving their end-of-year exam results, shared how their diverse interests, strong support systems, and individual efforts helped them tackle the challenges of preparing for the national examination.
Audrey Mukherjee from Ang Mo Kio Primary School built her self-confidence by helping others. She was a co-reader and mentor in her school’s Aspireaders programme, using structured approaches and personalised schedules to support peers in need. This experience helped her devise an effective strategy for the national exams.
“I realised that my friends hesitate to read because they overthink unnecessarily. That mindset helped me believe that I can handle the examination if I remain patient,” Audrey said.
She used a systematic approach to her revision, including a mistake-tracking sheet for English and Chinese, and broke her subjects down into small, clear steps, just as she had guided her friends in the past.
She was supported by teachers who provided notes and advice on how to organise her study time during the holidays, and by her parents and friends who shared study tips and guidance.
Reaffirming her leadership capabilities, Audrey received the Singapore Silent Heroes Award this year. She plans to establish similar reading programmes in secondary school and aspires to become an actress in the future.
Meanwhile, Anisha Diane Sanderson from Queenstown Primary School stressed the importance of self-discipline when doing her own revisions. Despite her shy disposition, she confidently served as a class head and team captain for her school’s Sports Day.
“I made sure I did my revisions without anyone monitoring me, and I restricted my screen time on my mobile phone,” she noted.
Anisha attributes her interest in gymnastics to the discipline it requires in exam preparation. The support of her parents, friends, and teachers was crucial. She is also a three-time recipient of a school award honouring values like leadership, respect, teamwork, and resilience.
Outside of school, Anisha is committed to community service, volunteering with The Food Bank Singapore and involving her family in mural painting for adults with short-term memory loss. She aspires to be a veterinarian.
Ahyan Abdul Rahim from Oasis Primary School balanced his academic and athletic dreams despite battling Hepatitis in 2023. Though he often experienced breathlessness, he persevered in football, joining a local setup, the Lion City Sailors. He topped the National School Games in 2024.
“One of my main goals is to make my father proud, and I was determined to overcome my health struggles to progress,” Ahyan said, noting that football served as a key stress reliever.
His school’s process-based learning programme, which cultivated essential values like perseverance and teamwork, mirrored his athletic journey.
Teachers provided supplementary lessons when Ahyan’s health kept him out of school, and his father helped him study after his football training sessions.
His dedication led to a four-year, fully paid Peter Lim Scholarship from the Singapore Olympic Foundation, which includes a fully paid scholarship from Lion City Sailors to study at St. Joseph’s Institution International.
Ahyan aims to become a professional football player and represent Singapore.
