Dance x Academics (Part 1) ~ Outstanding Achievements in PSLE 2022

12 Feb 2023
All About Dance Dance Examinations
Dance x Academics - Outstanding Achievements In PSLE 2022
 

In an academically driven society as Singapore where every parent's primary concern with school-going children is their educational results, we are sometimes resigned to the fate of losing students whenever PSLE (Primary 6) is around the corner. In recent years, there has even been cases when students as young as 6 withdraw as they are going into Primary 1 and all available time must be devoted to tuition. And this is not just a phenomenon that is isolated to us as our peers in the dance fraternity are faced with the same challenges where PSLE means that a child's dance journey must grind to a halt.  


However, we are of the humble opinion that dance actually offers students an outlet to engage in an activity that betters their mental and physical wellbeing, leaving them recharged for their academic pursuits. Don't believe us? Well, our next 2 students are definitely living proof that with proper time management, one can continue to pursue their passion in dance and still excel in their academic results. Read on to find out more their inspiring and remarkable achievements in PSLE 2022


 


In this article, we will be celebrating the academic achievements of Ms Emily Chow (SAFRA Yishun) and Ms Foo Chuan Ning (SAFRA Punggol) who managed to do exceptionally well in both their PSLE and Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Ballet Exams.






Read on to find out more of their success stories (Emily - EC & Chuan Ning - CN):



1. What was your PSLE score in 2022?

EC: I scored AL5 in PSLE 2022. 

CN: I scored AL7 in PSLE 2022. 



2. What was your average AL score from Primary 4 to your PSLE Preliminary Exam?

EC: My Primary 4 to 6 average AL was AL8

CN: My Primary 4 to 6 average AL was AL7-8


3. Did you participate in the RAD Ballet Exam in April 2022 which was just 6 months before the actual PSLE Exam?

EC: Yes, I participated. My Grade 6 Ballet Exam was on the eve of my mid-year examination for Oral.  

CN: Yes, I participated in the Grade 5 Ballet Exam


4. What was your RAD Ballet Exam result?

EC: I scored High Merit for my Grade 6 Ballet Exam. 

CN: I scored High Merit for my Grade 5 Ballet Exam. 



5. Did your weekly dance class affect your school work and PSLE preparation in any way? Please share why it didn't and how you managed to achieve this? 

EC: It did not affect my preparations. I spent most of my weekdays for studies and extra lessons. Ballet classes on weekends helps me to relax my mind even if it is only for 3 hours per week. 

CN: It didn't really affect my preparations. I had enough time to study and manage my time fairly well. The teachers also gave longer due dates and made sure the workload was manageable. Plus, since my Ballet class is in the evenings, I managed to complete most of my homework by then, or finished the rest after my Ballet class



6. In your opinion and experience, what is the best way to juggle both your school work and dance classes successfully in a student's PSLE year?

EC: I think the best way to do so is to focus well while doing your school work and study hard and at the same time use dance classes to get your mind off studying and relax yourself

CN:  I would say one would good time management, don't procrastinate and revise your studies a little bit everyday (e.g. look through your notes and do a few simple exercises). All in all, just manage your time well. If you have questions, ask early and don't wait until it is too late. Focus more on weaker topics and keep your engine running. But remember not to burn out early as well, remember to de-stress with suitable activities (such as Ballet). 


7. Did you consider withdrawing from your dance class before you entered into PSLE year or after you started your Primary 6 school year? Please share why you decided to continue on in your dance journey? 

EC: I did not consider withdrawing as I know that it is just a short nine months in which you have to endure and I really enjoy dancing so it was hard for me to quit

CN:  My parents did consider withdrawing me, but they asked me for my opinion and I said yes that I wished to continue. See, Ballet is just two hours per week, so it doesn't really affect my revision time



8. Can you share if your dance journey here actually helped in your PSLE pursuits? 

EC: Yes. As mentioned earlier, Ballet actually helped me to get my mind off studying. So I have time to actually relax and enjoy some "ME" time.  

CN:  Yes, it did as Ballet was one of the only few times that I could take my mind off the PSLE. Just dancing with my friends and having fun in general helped me de-stress quite substantially. 



We thank Emily and Chuan Ning for sharing with us how they juggled both dance and academic in their PSLE year, and achieved excellent results in both. We trust their personal stories will give insights for future students and parents to ponder upon nearing to their child's first important academic milestone (PSLE). If you have been with us till this point of the article, we thank you for your time, cheers!