What's The News? S'pore students face off in ST's quiz competition

Straits Times

27-05-2025

Organised as part of ST's 180th anniversary celebrations, the What's The News? competition brought together students across secondary and tertiary levels to take part in an interactive quiz that merged current affairs with fun team-based physical challenges and creativity.
Quiz host Rishi Budhrani interacting with students in the preliminary round of the competition at St Gabriel's Secondary School on April 15.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI ST's What's The News travelling showcase at St Gabriel's Secondary School on April 15. The showcase will be visiting schools and public spaces until June 16.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Temasek Junior College emerged as the champion when the competition ended on May 23 at NUS University Cultural Centre.
Members of the winning team from Temasek Junior College (in green) shaking hands with the other finalists from Outram Secondary School, St Joseph's Institution and Presbyterian High School at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
The competition is supported by the Ministry of Education with the Central Narcotics Bureau as a partner.
ST editor Jaime Ho speaking to attendees at the finals of the competition at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Guo Yatian, 16, who was part of the winning team, said: 'This competition has definitely inspired us to continue our habit of reading the news and to keep abreast of current affairs around the world.
'It enriches not just our knowledge but also how we approach daily life. It is helpful not just in our studies but also how we interact with people from different backgrounds.'
(From left) Winners Rayner Ng, 16, Melody Keiko Chua, 17, Chloe Natalie D' Mello, 16, and Guo Yatian answering a question about the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy during the short answer question round at the finals on May 23. The answers were judged by (big screen from left) ST managing editor Murali Subramaniam, ST editor Jaime Ho, and Ms Leah Aw, director, Humanities Curriculum Planning and Development 2, Ministry of Education.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Citing concerns like the unpredictability of the second Trump presidency, Yatian added: 'As Singaporeans, we shouldn't be so insular. We should look beyond our country to know what's happening beyond our borders.
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The journey to the finals began with an online individual quiz in April.
ST editor Jaime Ho interacting with St Gabriel's Secondary School students during the preliminary round, which requires the participants to answer a 30-question quiz in 30 minutes on May 15.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI More than 6,000 students from 50 schools – across secondary and tertiary institutions – taking part in the competition.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
The top 16 schools then advanced to the semi-finals on May 21, each sending a team of six representatives.
The Ballpits and Blindfolds game being held during the semi-finals of ST's What's The News? competition at Our Tampines Hub on May 21.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Zhonghua Secondary School students playing a game with merchandise to be won at one of the travelling showcase booths prior to the semi-finals on May 21.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
The 16 teams were divided into four zones, where only one team from each zone would secure a spot in the finals.
Naval Base Secondary School supporters cheering their schoolmates on during the semi-finals at Our Tampines Hub on May 21.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
During the arena-style semi-finals – consisting of four telematch games – the sports hall at Our Tampines Hub was filled with a tense and exciting atmosphere.
Raffles Institution students (from left) Han Peng Hao, 16, Xie Yundi, 18, and Li Houzhe, 18, holding on to one another to keep their balance on a foam mat as they compete in the Go The Distance game during the semi-finals on May 21.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Loyang View Secondary School student Jumao-As Nicholas Lim, 16, holding his stance on two foam mats as he competes in the Go The Distance game during the semi-finals at Our Tampines Hub.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Alexis Eng, 16, from Naval Base Secondary School holding up her team's answer to a true or false question while competing in the Go The Distance game during the semi-finals on May 21.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Challenges included finding answers hidden in a ball pit while blindfolded, and illustrating social issues such as drug abuse and mental health through drawing.
A Pasir Ris Secondary School student resting during a break in the Ballpits and Blindfolds game at the semi-finals at Our Tampines Hub on May 21.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Yishun Innova Junior College students guiding their teammate – sitting in a ball pit blindfolded – to find the placard with the correct answer as quickly as possible.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Victoria School student Joshua Krisnanto, 16, said the competition was an 'eye-opening experience'.
Victoria School students participating in a Pictionary-style contest, which tested their creativity and presentation skills. The game was part of the semi-finals at Our Tampines Hub on May 21.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
'The competition got us to know more about current affairs, not only in Singapore but also on an international scale, which we felt was really beneficial as it's important to know what's happening around us at this moment,' he added.
Yishun Innova Junior College students presenting to ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo and SPH Media's managing editor of English, Malay and Tamil Media Dominic Nathan during the semi-finals at Our Tampines Hub on May 21.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
The members of the Victoria School team – one of the youngest teams in the semi-finals – said they felt like the 'underdogs of their zone'.
Judges assessing the student presentations for the Pictionary-style game. During the semi-finals at Our Tampines Hub on May 21, the 16 teams were divided into four zones, where only one team from each zone would go on to the finals.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Despite not making it to the finals, team members said they had fun and hope to join the contest again.
Outram Secondary School students (from left) Liam Hu, 16, Didi Chua, 15, Kara Anne Ringling, 15, Laris Ho, 16, Sonya Koh, 15, and Abburu Sai Daksha, 16, jumping for joy on May 21 after finding out they qualified for the finals of the competition.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
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Intensity grew at the finals, where four schools went up against one another in a game show format.
Teams, consisting of four members, chose questions of varying difficulty and could redirect one question to an opponent. Correct answers earned points for both teams, but wrong answers meant only the receiving team lost points.
The four teams at ST's What's The News? finals held at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Presbyterian High School, which was gunning for second place, found itself on the losing end after two difficult questions were redirected its way. The team ultimately finished fourth.
Presbyterian High School students (from left) Zoe Tan, Cherisse Kow, Daven Voo and Lee Yu Xin, who are all aged 15, reacting after getting a challenging question during the short answer question round at the finals on May 23.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Team member Zoe Tan, 15, said: 'There is a sense of regret, because we had asked our friend to check (one of the questions) for us, but we still didn't get it right.'
Presbyterian High School students comforting each other after the finals at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
The team said the experience taught them lessons in strategy and presentation skills.
St Joseph's Institution (SJI), which took second place, credited its success to strong teamwork.
SJI students (from left) Ethan Chong, Wang Xuanwen, Nathan Henry Asikin and Krishay Gautam Patel, all aged 16, preparing their responses for the presentation round at the finals of the competition at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Though well-versed in global affairs from participating in Model United Nations, the team admitted to initially underestimating the depth of local news.
St Joseph's Institution students using a 'redirect' card to deflect a question during the short answer question round.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Supporters of St Joseph's Institution cheering their team on during the finals at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
'Prior to What's The News?, we felt that as a small country, (Singapore's news) would be quite mundane. But after this competition, we have found that it's far more than what we had envisioned,' said SJI team member Ethan Chong, 16.
His teammates agreed that they now have a newfound interest in learning more about local politics, especially after the recent general election.
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