How 'A-Levels failure' went on to become one of SP's top graduates

15 May 2017

Stomp, 13 May 2017 - Article featured SP’s Diploma in Creative Writing for TV and New Media graduate and Institutional Medallist Esther Tan Hui Tian who has been passionate about writing since her days in Jurong Secondary School. However, family and societal pressures made her choose the junior college route instead. When her GCE ‘A’ Levels results were released, Esther was dejected as she didn’t do well enough to enrol in a local university to pursue her interest in writing. Undeterred, she retook the GCE ‘A’ Levels as a private candidate but failed to qualify once again. While deliberating over her options, she attended SP’s Open House and met friendly and assuring lecturers, encouraging her to pursue her dream course. At SP, the budding writer bloomed. Her documentary “Heartware” which explored the topic of the aging population in Singapore was nominated in the Best Documentary, Best Editing and Best Camerawork categories at the National Youth Film Awards and was featured in two international film festivals. As part of her 22-week internship with Big 3 Media, she was entrusted with the role of the 1st Assistant Director – a role that no intern had previously been given – and assisted with the filming of SP’s very own web series, The Leon Theory. Esther’s passion and good work ethics impressed her supervisors so much that they offered her a full-time position which she gladly accepted. Esther hopes to accumulate hands-on experience and learn more about the media industry before pursuing further studies. COMMS note: This is part of our Graduation 2017 stories.