It is the start of a new school term. 'It wasn't just like any other day. It was a new beginning. I have to work hard this time.' I muttered to myself, however, this is exact duplicate every year .

'Sinclair, wake up! You're about to be late for school!' Our domestic helper exclaimed with much irritation. The routine of having to wake up at 6.30am, be ready to leave for school before 7am to be on time to attend the National anthem and the Victorian anthem ceremony at the school. With great reluctance, I dug myself out of bed and got ready for school with great haste. I hopped into my mum’s car for my ride to school, feeling both anxious and exciting with the prospect of the new acamedic challenges ahead and catching up with my school mates.

Our discipline master, Mr Chia, looked as fierce as ever as he scanned the incoming students for any violation of the school rules. As we gathered at the school hall, getting ready for the start of the morning assbembly, Mr Chia was yammering at the Sec 4s for not seated in a straight line. Some things never change, this is a familiar scene every morning. The Sec 4s clovered cooperatively to avoid been punished. After assembly, we headed back to our classroom. We were greeted by 2 stern-faced teachers. They introduced themselves as Mr Teo and Ms Tan. Mr Teo spoke first. He enunciated the class rules and his expectations explicitely . Ms Tan, on the other hand, gave us a silent physiognomy and she didn't talk much.

Recess time! The most-loved time of all the Victorians (the endearing term we use to address pupils of Victoria School). I hurrried down to the tuck shop and got myself something to munch on and interact with my buddies. The canteen didn't change much compared to the previous year, the food is as unapetitising as ever.

As the day dragged on, I resigned with much lesser enthusiasm at the prospect of the demands of the new year and the sacrafices I have to make to improve my grades. I went home with a heavy heart.



Dive into my past. January 2011