Izah Azahari
The Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre (PTES) welcomed 306 new students for the 2021/2022 academic session through a three-day orientation programme that began yesterday.
A total of 129 male and 177 female students will be undertaking three ‘AS’/’A’ Level subjects from the 24 subjects on offer at PTES.
The programme began with the admission and orientation ceremony attended by parents and guardians. It was held at two separate locations of the school to abide by the Ministry of Health’s guidelines amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
PTES Principal Haji Metusin bin Jais touched on PTES’ achievements in the ‘AS’/’A’ Level examination in the past five years, among them, “the percentage of students who got at least two subjects passed the ‘AS’/’A’ Level showed an encouraging trend in 2020, at 96 per cent, an increase of seven per cent compared to 2016,” said the principal.
“This success could not have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of every teacher and student.”
Haji Metusin also touched on PTES’ main mission over the next three years, which is to “provide opportunity for all students to gain knowledge, reach their academic potential and forge ahead”.
PTES, he added, has set more systematic strategies by creating opportunities in three areas: moral, academic and non-academic.
“These opportunities are given to all students through special programmes such as Al-Quran companion programme, Al-Quran reading culture programme and the Miftahul Baroqah learning programme, to encourage students to perform the Zohor and Asar prayers in congregation,” said the principal.
Students will also be exposed to community service programmes with the objective of producing a generation that is aware and responsible towards the community. Exemplary leadership programmes featuring students who are potential leaders and role models will also be conducted at PTES, in addition to programmes revolving around health and concern for healthy living practices.
“Academic programmes such as SPARK and STEP UP will ensure that no student is left behind in the preparation for public examinations at the end of studies,” added the principal.
Haji Metusin called on the students to inculcate responsibility, and be proactive in the pursuit of knowledge through various means, and maintain the Bruneian identity and uphold Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy.
“Students also need to remember that perseverance and initiative are pre-requisites to achieving excellence,” he said.
The orientation programme is designed to provide early exposure to new students about life patterns, especially teaching and learning that will be experienced at the pre-university level.
The three-day programme contains activities that emphasise on discipline, personality, time management and future direction, with the hope that students can adapt to the new environment, increase self-confidence, build good relationships, and are mentally and physically prepared to embark on a full-time learning session.