Get inspired by these Singaporeans who prove that grades don't matter

Examinations can stress the heck out of anyone, doesn't matter if you're six or eighty years old. And growing up in a place as hectic and competitive as Singapore, making the grade can be a real struggle and fear. As the Primary Six-ers of the country embark on the upcoming Primary School Leaving Examinations (the all important PSLE) on September 27, a group of parents have started a movement called Life Beyond Grades to get other parents to focus beyond their children's PSLE scores and grades and reassure them that life can get better, no matter the number on the result slip. 

Here are some real life Singapore success stories that inspired us and they all have some thing in common: that PSLE scores don't determine your future. It is all up to you. 

Chistopher James Van Huizen, Athlete 

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Christopher James Van Huizen @vanhuizenn Athlete ・・・ I am not proud of my PSLE score and it took me some courage to share it with all of you. • I was not very academically inclined in Primary school - I was more interested in playing football, be it for the school or as a hobby and I would even skip classes just to go to the street soccer court. My dream was to become a professional football player one day and to play for my country. I am beyond thankful to have parents whom despite I disappointed, were also very supportive of my passion. • I am humbled to say that I have earned 4 international caps and I currently play for Home United Football Club where we were recently crowned the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal champions. I am also incredibly fortunate to be sponsored by and to work with one of the largest sportswear brands, Adidas Singapore. • I discovered my interest in Sports Science while on my Football journey which motivated me to further my studies - I now hold a diploma in Sports Science and I have plans on pursuing a degree in it. • I may not have done things the conventional way but I have worked hard for the past 14 years to get to where I am today and I can honestly say that I have no regrets. There is #lifebeyondgrades

A post shared by We are Parents (@lifebeyondgrades) on Sep 16, 2018 at 8:41am PDT

Ginette Chittick, Lecturer/Rockstar/DJ 

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Ginette Chittick @ginettechittick Lecturer, Rocker, DJ ・・・ Do these PSLE grade numbers mean a thing to me now? Yes, they do. They remind me of my past of which I am intrinsically tied to, of how I ended up in a culture shock in a neighborhood secondary school full of gangsters, how the teachers there did nothing to peak my interest in anything academic, teaching AT me instead of showing us how to learn, of how I ended up doing the things I love, studying at an art college that changed my life, ending up working at the very same place and feeling lucky every day I get to come to work as the Programme Leader of the Diploma in Fashion of an amazing organization and collaborate with a team of inspiring people. Of course I was upset at the poor grades, especially when my cousins and brother before me were A star kids and all school prefects in the school I was in, Swiss Cottage Primary School. But I was a performer, always front of stage when it came to performances put up by the teachers in Primary school. I was also athletic, winning in races (I KNOW RIGHT? Who would’ve thunk!). When I received my PSLE grades, I was sorely disappointed and confused – how could 2A, 1B and 1C yield such bad marks. I have always felt that systems may not necessarily cast nets wide enough for different types of learners. I learn by doing – this is evident in the work I do - weaving, playing the bass, DJing and lecturing. The pedagogical approaches I experienced in Primary and Secondary school did nothing for my self-esteem. But thankfully I was always street smart, social, independent and resourceful (some of the very few benefits to being a latch key kid! Ha ha). These grades don’t define me, and Shawn and I will work hard to make sure that it won’t define Luella as well. What’s important is that she is empathetic, loving, kind, resourceful and resilient. I never want her to feel that she is less than average because when I’m with her, I see her shining light and we will be right there supporting her and rooting for her. @lifebeyondgrades #lifebeyondgrades #morethananumber #disruptedfuture

A post shared by We are Parents (@lifebeyondgrades) on Sep 16, 2018 at 5:46am PDT

Royston Tan, Filmmaker 

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Royston Tan @filmr, Filmmaker ・・・ When I was in primary school, my teacher used to tell me that if I don’t excel in my studies, I will be a nobody. She said that there is no future in pursuing the arts, unless if I want to paint HDBs in the future. However, I believe that learning is not confined by the classroom. It is a lifelong process. It does not mean that studying is not important. You just have to give your best in whatever you do and believe that the dots will connect in the future. Share your scores and your stories in the comments section, looking forward to hear your life journey😀 @lifebeyondgrades #lifebeyondgrades #morethananumber

A post shared by We are Parents (@lifebeyondgrades) on Sep 14, 2018 at 4:58am PDT

Syarif Sleeq, Actor/Entrepreneur 

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Syarif Sleeq @syarif.ig Actor, Entrepreneur ・・・ Thats me standing tall with my PSLE aggregate. Not impressive i know but i thank those 3 numbers for instilling drive in my life, for strengthening my perseverance and for making me realize that numbers will never determine my failures, success and my future. • It starts with you. Your character, your drive and dedication towards the goals you want to achieve. If you’re passionate about something, be hungry for it. Persevere to succeed (thats my primary school motto btw) • Those are the values i want to instil in my kids. As they grow I will constantly identify their strengths and weaknesses. I would want to learn and feed their interest. Not judge them by how well they perform in school. • The thought of pressuring young minds over grades is just sick. Hearing how students have depression or some even committed suicide over grades? I cant even digest it. • I am really honoured to be part of this movement. Life is definitely beyond grades and i live by that. Charles and keith is a living proof, bill gates is a living proof, Jerome Rezel is a living proof. • Spread this awareness, share a photo of your PSLE score with your story on why you believe in #lifebeyondgrades tag me too. I wanna hear your story

A post shared by We are Parents (@lifebeyondgrades) on Sep 15, 2018 at 2:41am PDT

Daniel Ong, Entrepreneur 

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Daniel Ong @daniel_ong_singapore Entrepreneur ・・・ This was my PSLE score. 🌈 At 10, Just got back from Canada, Chinese score was really bad and I only barely made it to sec school! 😵 Imagine if I let that number define who I was. The stigma of a bad grade, or if I just gave up and let life trample over me. 🚀🚀🚀 Many parents in Singapore stress their children out over grades, sometimes to a point of depression for the young ones. I’m here to lend my voice to #lifebeyondgrades to show you that I’m living proof that a grade or a number doesn’t define you. Both me n Jaime have always known from the start that a number is but a number, and have always stressed to @thisisreneeong that as long as she’s tried her best, that’s all that matters.💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 Instead I try to teach Renee about work ethic, resilience, curiosity, discovery, negotiation skills and problem solving. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 And that these skills that don’t have a grade attached to them will lead her to greater heights and a successful and fulfilling life. 🌈🌈🌈I’m thankful that she’s doing great in school, not coz of us pushing her in any way ... but of her own character of wanting to achieve more and doing well coz learning is fun!! 🚀Anytime she has a mistake or is careless, we never chide her but encourage her to think, assess and find out what went wrong. And how to not make the same mistake again. This method has worked wonders for her grades.😊😊 My score at the age of 12 didn’t define who I was. We are all more than just a number. I’ve built multiple businesses and have had some success in life due to my curiosity, perseverance, never say die attitude and mostly.... learning from what life throws at me. I learnt from my mistakes and made sure to never repeat them. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 ❤️ WE ARE the SUM OF ALL OUR EXPERIENCES. ❤️ Instead of grades, why not concentrate on our kids experiencing as much as they can! Building character and tenacity that will bring them further in life than just straight A’s. Help us out! Put up your PSLE score and tell @lifebeyondgrades how that number didn’t define who you’ve become. Together our stories can show parents there’s more to life than just grades. 💪🏻💪🏼💪

A post shared by We are Parents (@lifebeyondgrades) on Sep 14, 2018 at 6:12pm PDT