The Straits Times\u2019 What\u2019s The News? quiz<\/span><\/a> competition. Awaiting the teams, each comprising six students aged 15 to 19, were four places in the finals and the chance to win cash prizes.<\/p>\nThe inter-school competition, which focuses on current affairs, is supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The Central Narcotics Bureau is a partner (CNB).<\/p>\n
The semi-finals followed a sports day-style format, where teams faced off in a sequence of telematch games that tested both knowledge and strategic thinking. Mr Sun Kyong, 18, a spectator from ITE College Central, described it as an eye-opening experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrior to this, I thought it was going to just be answering questions, but they make it very interesting,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\nITE College Central participants celebrate during the semi-finals of current affairs competition What’s The News? at Our Tampines Hub on May 14.<\/p>\n
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
After the semi-finals ended, tension was high as the teams waited for the announcement of the finalists \u2013 St Gabriel\u2019s Secondary, Victoria School, Presbyterian High and the School of Science and Technology (SST). This is Presbyterian High\u2019s second finals, after 2025\u2019s inaugural competition.<\/p>\n
The four teams will compete for the top prize of $4,000 in the finals on May 26. The second-, third- and fourth-placed teams will receive $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\nStudents from Victoria School celebrating after making the final four of ST-organised current affairs competition What’s The News?, at Our Tampines Hub community auditorium on May 14.<\/p>\n
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Victoria School team members said they prepared for the competition by reading the news every day on ST\u2019s social media channels and memorising facts and figures they came across.<\/p>\n
They also emphasised the role teamwork played in their success. Kasibhatla Ayush, 16, said: \u201cWhat we learnt was that it isn\u2019t just one of us, because it took input from other teammates to get the correct answers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\nPresbyterian High School supporters cheering during the semi-finals of current affairs competition What’s The News? at Our Tampines Hub on May 14.<\/p>\n
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Presbyterian High School emphasised the importance of community and morale. Lim Kiak Chi, 15, said of the team\u2019s large entourage of supportive schoolmates: \u201cI think each of our supporters really helped to boost our morale, even when we faced setbacks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\nPresbyterian High School students competing in the preliminary round of What\u2019s The News? on April 14.<\/p>\n
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
In the preliminary round, over 6,000 students from more than 70 schools worked individually to attempt a 30-question quiz. With only 30 minutes to complete it, competition was stiff, and the semi-finalists were chosen based on accuracy and time.<\/p>\n