JOHOR BARU: For Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination top scorer Evangeline Tan Kai Xuan, paying attention in class and group studies paid off.
The 12-year-old from SJK(C) Foon Yew 1 from Kebun Teh obtained 8As and is among a handful from her school who got straight As.
Among the subjects she scored As include Bahasa Melayu comprehension and writing, Chinese comprehension and writing, English comprehension and writing, Mathematics and Science.
“I hope to become a veterinarian as I love animals. I feel very concerned watching documentaries on animals being exploited for their parts around the world,” she said in an interview.
Evangeline, who enjoys ballet and playing the piano, said she had to juggle between her activities and studies to ensure she did well in the examinations.
“I am also an avid reader and enjoy reading books on history as well as fiction,” she said, adding that she had also emerged third in a nationwide Bahasa Melayu lecture competition and took part in the Kingsburg piano competition in China recently.
Sharifah with SK Sri Tebrau senior assistant Norhaimi Said after getting her results.
She said her parents were also supportive of her endeavours and always gave her space and time to pursue her interests.
Another top scorer, Sharifah Dania Saeed from SK Sri Tebrau, who obtained 6As, said she made it a point to study for at least three hours daily.
“My teachers were dedicated and gave us extra classes after school to prepare for the examination,” she said, adding that she aspires to become a doctor.
Sharifah said she had represented the school in a robotics competition.
“I also love playing chess and reading,” the eldest among two siblings said, urging pupils to set clear goals and work towards achieving them.
SK Sri Tebrau is among the top schools in the state, which recorded 24 UPSR 6As scorers.
A jubilant Evangeline with her mother Joanna Tan.
Priety Kaur Jessy, from SK Infant Jesus Convent, who obtained 6As said she cut down on using her mobile phone and watching television to concentrate on her studies.
“I decided to do this since early this year,” Priety, the youngest among four siblings said.
She said she also put in a lot of extra effort in Bahasa Melayu, including writing at least three essays daily.
“I also answered past year exam papers daily,” she said, adding that she wanted to be a lawyer when she grew up.
Meanwhile, Kelvin Nathans from SJK(T) Tun Aminah who scored 8As attributed his success to his teachers who kept pushing him to excel, including having extra classes almost daily for the pupils.
He said he also set aside three hours daily to study and paid attention in class.
Kelvin, who hopes to be a movie director, said he also gave up some of his favourite pastimes, like watching television to concentrate on his studies.
He said his mother, a teacher in SJK(T) Ladang Rini, was a disciplinarian and made time to coach him at home.