Center stage for World Book Day!

World Book and Copyright Day happens to be one of the world’s biggest annual celebration dedicated to the promotion of avid reading, publishing and knowledge of copyright, all quintessential nuggets of wisdom that serve both readers and writers well. On the 11th of April, in an effort to instill reading culture, especially among the school community, for the third year now, PTEM once more took yet another grand take at an organized event which took place at the school’s Multi-Purpose Hall. The event was attended by Yang Berhormat Khairunnisa Ash’ari as guest of honour.

The main highlights of the event last Thursday included the English Oratory competition which was done by the school’s ‘O’ Level students, followed by a choral speaking which was beautifully executed by the Performing Arts Club, much to the entertainment of all present, and the awarding of placement prizes to the winners of the events that had built up to the launch of World Book day, such as the Short Story/Prose competition and Scrabble Master tournament.

The heart of the event had been organized by the English Department in collaboration with the Parents-Teachers Association (PIBG) with tremendous success that saw coverage from local news channel, Radio Television Brunei, as well. All in all, a massively successful event that once more plays its role in influencing and encouraging future writers.

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TOP 10 BRUNEIAN ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS

It’s the holidays! So expect having butt cramps in the car as you and your family are queuing up at Sungai Tujoh. While you’re waiting, here are some things that you should and shouldn’t ever bring based on personal experiences, and experiences from people who’ve dealt with a certain type of traveler in the past. Not naming anyone. Chief. Wira.

Things you should ALWAYS bring:

1. Your passport, and make sure you check the expiry date!
2. Your identity card (trust me, no one believes you’re you till you whip out that IC.)
3. Your license card (if you’re the driver. Better yet, just walk to Miri or something.)
4. Money (Fuel isn’t free you know. Neither are souvenirs your friends keep hinting for. Not mentioning anyone, WIRA.)
5. Water (staying hydrated is always very important while travelling. Besides, you’ll want something while your family is spilling tea in the car.)
6. Phone (because no one’s gonna lend you their phone so you can play games.)
7. Laptop (because you forgot to bring your phone.)
8. Earphones or AirPods (you don’t want your parents to know your songs atu ada banyak swearing)
9. Snacks (even though you know you’re gonna stop at a store every FIVE MINUTES)
10. Extra clothes (someone’s gonna spill coffee on you. And even if they don’t, you know you’re staying overnight at your relatives house because your ‘catching up‘ took ‘longer than expected.’)

 

Things you should NEVER bring:

1. An expired passport (duh)
2. Drugs (why did you have any in the first place?)
3. Alcohol (*read above*)
4. Carbonated drinks that might get shook up during the drive (…actually, just bring it. Just hand it to that one sibling who won’t keep still.)
5. Nice clothes or jewelry (you’re going to lose ’em unless they’re packed.)
6. Scrabble (I get it, you want to show off your ‘very good speaking‘, but not on a road trip ok. Let ME show off my ‘very good speaking’. I’LL bring the Scrabble set)
7. Kitchenware (seriously, I’ve seen Bruneians bringing kuali and a portable tambak to Miri)
8. Your entire makeup set (I think you already look pretty without it. Besides, you’re hogging the rear view mirror. Stahp it.)
9. High heels (go kaki ayam & impress your folks that you’re not a complete ‘City Softie’).
10. School textbooks (You’re only bringing them to make yourself feel better that you haven’t done anything yet, and that you ‘will’ do something soon. Yeah, right.)

 

Define Yourself

Photo by Syasya Jamalina

 

To be a part of an audience for a show is truly an amazing and memorable experience. On the 1st and 2nd of March, PTEM Performing Arts once again organized another recital which took place in Dewan Sarmayuda, with this year’s theme being “Define yourself.”

Head of the club Miss Chien stated that the performance this year was a lot more special as the whole event was for charity for the less unfortunate students in PTEM.

A huge number of students, teachers and outsiders attended the show, with many complimenting on how great the production and performers were.

“PTEM Performing Arts never fails to put up a good and enjoyable show,” said the guest of honour, Haji Juma’ata Sonadey bin Haji Mornie. “It’s amazing how the club manages to do this every year.”

When asked which performance was his favourite, the guest of honour took quite some time to answer:

“Entah ah, semua jua siuk,” he said, laughing. “But if I really have to choose one, it would be the choral poem. Hilarious and relatable!”

Furthermore, we also managed to interview one of the audience who came from Tutong district. He said he heard the club has been doing original shows and that the whole event was for charity. So he and his wife decided to go for the show despite being unfamiliar with the location. They were pleased to see that it was beyond their expectations.

Put together by the Performing Arts Club, the show is an annual tradition for the school, and this year marked the eighth.

 

Short Story Competition Is Back!

Drum rolls! It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! PTEM’s Short Story Competition is back (alright!)

Open to both juniors and seniors, the annual competition is a medium provided by the school that enables students to express themselves through written word with specific themes. This year’s theme is “Stories of ourselves: Representation of experiences in Brunei Darussalam.”

Last year, the writing competition which was themed “Coming of Age” was received surprisingly well. There were so many good stories written by the students and you can read here.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a pen and a piece of paper or perhaps a typewriter and start writing!

Deadline is 6th April 2019.

Visit their website http://www.ptemreadingroom.wordpress.com for more details.

“Step into a scene and let it drip from your fingertips.”   MJ Bush

Welcome, Batch 19/20!

We at The Equinox would like to say congratulations and welcome to PTEM, your now second home!

We as seniors will admit that this hurdle is not going to be easy – some of us might even say that they are close to giving up yet we don’t want you think that it is ONLY going to be hard.

The sixth form life will teach you a lot of life experiences, provide you with amazing memories, and lifelong connections. So don’t believe the negative things that others say regarding sixth form! The teachers and students are here to guide you. Blurry future? Head to the careers department and they will make sure it’s all clear. Need someone to talk to? Just head over to the counselling room and a PRR member will definitely help you. So don’t be scared dear juniors! We are all here for you.

*In collaboration with qamelyar.

National Day: King, Country and Land

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More than a hundred students and teachers from PTEM were involved in the dazzling display of patriotism for last week’s major event in Bandar Seri Begawan.

After weeks of practice in the school’s multi-purpose hall and Taman SOAS, our students and teachers as well as over 20,000 proud Bruneians came together, despite the overcast weather, to celebrate the country’s 35th National Day.

“Menjayakan Wawasan Negara” is this year’s theme, which is to accomplish Brunei’s Vision of the 2035 aspirations. Touching on His Majesty’s Titah, the Sultan said that he had high hopes for the young generation, believing that the youth can lead the country’s development. However, His Majesty stressed that the senior citizens should not be neglected despite having a strong focus on the youth, stating that they are the ones who need more support and care.

Through rain or shine, the citizens of our fine nation gathered together to pay tribute to our king and country. The citizens are so lucky to be in a kingdom that is one of the few in the world that still retains a prosperous and loving monarchy, with our beloved His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the helm, driving our country to greatness.

Throughout the world, how many times has an entire NATION come together and unified as one? Away from riots, protests and parades, our country possesses something unique that can only be found and treasured within the heart of Brunei. The blazing heat, the rain and the long marches are part of our country, and they are a part of you. Embrace it for all it’s worth. For all this country is worth. For all our king is worth. This is yours.