CNA | Don't Call Us Beaten | E01: Second Chance Schools

FROM THE ARCHIVE: This series first aired on TV in 2015.
In a system where academic success matters, what happens if you fail your Primary School Leaving Examinations? “Don’t Call Us Beaten” captures life in two schools that offer these kids a second chance. Over one term, we chart their struggles and triumphs with teachers who won’t be beaten by failure.
NorthLight and Assumption Pathway Schools face a unique challenge. Their students have suffered a bruising at the national examination in Singapore known as the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), and every day is a battle to keep them in education.
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[@bryanlee6237]

The teachers deserve nothing less than admiration. One of the toughest jobs in Singapore.

[@Original_gamified]

and in the world

[@chowsing6000]

Agree, with great responsibility come with great consequences

[@paganini4769]

@@chowsing6000 You mean with great power comes great responsibilities?

[@Lina-cl7zt]

I like how northlight school didnt close the school gate cause my school will literally shut their gate in our face eventhough we are like 5 seconds late and we have to stand outside the school until the morning assembly ended. Once, I was too lazy to stand outside the school, so i went to have breakfast and then come back to school xD

[@pbwidia]

Wahh this brings me back to my highschool days 😂

[@a_lost_staysider]

That's such a weird concept to me. To close the gates on students and not let them in. In our country if ur late and the gate is closed...it's just closed, u can open it and u just need a late slip in the office. Most of the time it's not closed. If ur late they just mark it down on the system and u go to class like usual. Soo many ppl r late

[@deshyatanzil250]

I'm just here and there in my country long time ago during the 90s the gate is usually open so a heck ton of kids run out and play , sports they like , like basketball or volley

[@user-bo1nd9bq2z]

Thats how you learn

[@cometchaser847]

In RVPS they make you put down your bag when the national anthem starts playing IF you are in the school. Afterwards you can just continue. If you are outside the gate you can just walk in and place your bag down in the foyer

[@Star_fish]

I wish all schools were like this in general, determined to teach children how to be a better version of themselves whilst also teaching them the basics for good jobs and higher education. These kids are really lucky they were given a second chance with amazing teachers who actually care about them. Our entire educational system needs to change to be honest.

[@mtktkt3773]

Yess thiss!!❤

[@scrat6737]

Mr Martin Tan ( the principal ) went to my school (sgps) after north light and I can ensure you he is the best principal because he remembers almost everyone's name and doesn't really scold but understand what we did

[@soso3792]

As a student with ADHD who was able to enter a top secondary school, sometimes I feel that I’m really lucky. Especially when I see other students with ADHD end up in so called “worse” schools (though they are simply schools for students who need more help). But I’m really happy that there are teachers around who are able to accept students with ADHD, and teach them how to manage their own emotions and attention at an early age. I find comfort in the fact that these schools do not give up on students simply because of a condition, and instead aim to educate them the best way they can.

[@woofberry]

So proud of my secondary school for adding in an education disability counseller... as someone with adhd/autism, it saved my life

[@SiestaMyWaifu]

And I Have Autism + ADHD Too 🥲

[@damsie64]

0:27 Boy that was shouting 1: EHHH!!!! Boy that was shouting 2: EH! Other boy: Don't shout don't shout, got people filming. Lol😂

[@anna7964]

i did not even realised that lmao

[@Fionn-Greyship]

These scholls are like the Hufflepuff of Singapore. Really serve the true purpose of education!

[@SingZeon48]

CNA, this was in 2015. It would be nice to have a follow-up on the kids 🙂

[@BuffTF2Engineers69]

most likely they're in ITE, NS or living somewhere out there enjoying

[@gglee7055]

Praise to the Principal who try his best to understand his students and work things out with them. As well as the teachers, they show their concern to the students and care about them…hope there are more educators like them to make the world a better place…

[@tsubakilee1728]

Im a jc kid too but my principal doesnt even remember our names and ALWAYS shuts the gate at us not even thinking of how many hours jc kids put in to study. Many late students end up skipping lessons or even school completely. Shld have went to aps or northlight

[@jacksontan750]

bro jc good lah sia

[@yuls_minki]

My deputy head remembered most of our names. She was my teacher for year 5 and 6.

[@poopsicles]

I love these "Don't Call Us" Segments! Keep it up CNA!

[@channelnewsasia]

@JXOLOLF, thanks for the support! Have you checked out the other two series online: Don't Call Us Poor: kzbin.info/aero/PLbnMTcZEga8SV9IDhvbGXMtUv1HrVCgai Don't Make Us Invisible: kzbin.info/aero/PLbnMTcZEga8Se1uUpXq7OSXDxMHHbVtjW

[@sofiathefirstisa7717]

S

[@weiwenang1302]

different people have different learning ability. i always wish to be like people who can take 1hrs to complete hw while me take 5hr to complete my. is more important to encourage people not give up

[@gheeseng7098]

What an inspiring group of educators! So proud of them.

[@south5tarr]

Respect to all the teachers.

[@kakyoin9831]

This school is better than a normal school this is how school should be instead of just sitting down writing useless stuff you won’t need in the future

[@DarkwearGT]

Next on cna Dont call us smart

[@n1colelim]

we need a series on that.

[@yomomgay7170]

That would actually be so amazing

[@hweigarylau4684]

love the northlight principal/discipline master

[@JustinRichards]

I love this series! I've worked with reluctant students in Asia myself in the past, and you can see that these teachers really care.

[@lindawu2326]

A GAMING ROOM?! *Linda Wu has now become an early bird and joined APS*

[@Habibi-ex1ig]

Northlight*

[@NaNa-ek2cs]

I wish the girl who wanted to drop-out would realize that the rest of her life was being shaped. The choices you make, the person who choose to be, the path you choose to live…. They all are being shaped in her teenage years. So many things to see, so many adventures to experience, so many people to meet. Stay in school! You will regret in when you are in your 30’s and seeing others live well and do well.

[@claretheworm]

There's a lot of stigma of not completing your studies at a certain age in Asia. I think that stigma needs to be rid of. There is nothing wrong with continuing your studies later on in life or at a later age. Yes you will be behind but it's also ok to take a gap year to figure out stuff and better yourself.

[@wonderfulfable]

Joash is so like me after running a race that I am not prepared for... "I wanna die already....water water water~" XD XD

[@becomingjapanese]

I am a teacher. But I am student of this documentary. Great job CNA!

[@jaspericz]

There is nothing you cannot do/be/have. Great school . Great teachers. Really awesome to see. Putting this amount of effort it takes passions and love. :)

[@clhxlicious]

Joash, it’s not about FIRST or LAST! It’s your race and the journey that counts! Don’t worry and eventually you’ll get there!

[@everhirstseyt2667]

Wah, narrator is the acclaimed sg actor Lim Kay Tong (last few seconds of credit in this video). He sounds like Sir David Attenborough (the famous animal narrator). Great voice.

[@presssssss]

I suddenly want to go back to school even though i already graduated. Dear northlink, do you accept post graduates ? If yes, i will start to process my student visa lah

[@seejasmine3837]

Just be a teacher. L

[@linzixuan29]

Why is there a L ?

[@zo3478]

Facilities and everything looks much better than any mainstream school.

[@tommyliangwei3724]

Qaiser 14 - 2002 Joash 13 - 2003 Yu De 16 - 2000 Wei Jie & Wei Kang 14 - 2002 Mr Shyam 33 - 1983 Mr Martin Tan 48 - 1968 Mr Brian Francis 31 - 1985 Eurasian Teacher 44 - 1972 Big Student 15 - 2001

[@123samanthastar]

The principal is very empathetic

[@seejasmine3837]

The school teachers are so kind to the students ❤

[@linzixuan29]

“We are not failures , we have talent too “

[@Christine-vl8qm]

CNA makes the best docos ever...

[@midzy_neverland_buddyforve6485]

8:03 only if my Teachers were this nice

[@marcox2937]

One of my friend is in northlight,last saw him last yr,gonna miss him

[@aquakey9834]

The principal talk like Malay sia...I wish my principal was like him

[@luvghd]

These schools are amazing, we need them in Australia it would help so many students to succeed.

[@misomi1138]

I’m honestly quite jealous of these students, with caring teachers, and I can’t be saying this cause I know all schools have caring teachers but this school feels so much better to go to than the one I am currently in. (I’m not disclosing what school I go to, I don’t need teachers to come and ask why I think that about the school)

[@sabrinalik3091]

I thought I would fail my PSLE.. but I didn't.. I actually changed my attitude and work hard... But secondary school is hard man

[@skraaapapakakaka145]

wait till u get to jc

[@Yerinjibbang]

dont give up!! fighting!

[@tokkel2685]

@@skraaapapakakaka145 not jc polytechnic

[@soapy2587]

You can do it!!

[@kyuhira]

Ya damn hard lmao

[@ProjectElf]

joash seems like a very smart boy who takes initiative!

[@xuanyidu3259]

Kudos to the Teachers!

[@jimmytan4209]

i have adhd too..i was never able to make any friends in primary school, i was a weird kid in class and in church choir...i was always left out and alone...now im in sec sch im still not able to trust ppl and make friends..i wish i could go to this school...where i study among those who are like me...i think i can be myself if im in a comfortable environment

[@mihaiapostol7864]

find something that you can help others with. and doing sports helps to offload some of that energy (and make you confident & disciplined)

[@damsie64]

18:05 Boy: Cher today what day ah? That's so me everyday lol 😂😂😂 And my teacher would look at me like this 😑 and say, " TODAY IS 25TH DECEMBER. "

[@retrorider7521]

kudos to joeash persistent in running!

[@player_2925]

Seems like the principal is great!

[@bd1982]

they are bunch of bright student, seeking its path in darkness.... they need someone to show the way. 🥰

[@Iworkwithnitwits]

A game room and field trips to ride horses...what a hard school.

[@jgchannel9152]

Yes

[@ailinseah3190]

Actually some are quite smart but slower than normal peers once they get the rope of it they are way smarter than anyone

[@ainasofia5474]

"People are filming"

[@sarahtasneem6654]

amazing

[@5StackNinjaFam]

i wish i went to that school, so relaxed

[@dexterkun4307]

aye, joash. King boss

[@zixian6684]

I got ADHD but I'm glad I'm not hyper like a vibrator

[@kyuhira]

Ace_Bernhard boi 🤣😊

[@DericNeoiscool]

Wao Sham Luke looks kind of very strict and fierce

[@dinimohm3774]

“don’t shout. they’re filming”

[@kurthandrews6206]

The absence of a father is rough. Especially, a father that’s also a good man. Mothers will provide the love that fathers are reluctant to show. All children deserve all the love & affection. It’s the right way .. the only way. Everything else will happen anyway because life doesn’t hit pause. Teachers are the parents in school for sure. I’m still trying to become that.

[@VenomandEddieBrock]

The prefects,Teachers,security guards are like officers

[@snowypaw101]

Btw it's not prefects it's Student councillor. And we don't act perfect like those mainstream school prefects

[@snowplayz-roblox2749]

I'm was in the school opposite northlight a few years back.

[@bullymaguire4582]

9:13 that what I planning to do in next year. but it just 2 more years finish to school

[@zachariahgoh856]

1.35: "Failure shld not be used" Asian parents: I beg to differ

[@yangchuyou2356]

stay in school guys working life sucks

[@derran-]

Northlight school seems fun

[@tokkel2685]

Northlight have one of my cousin go there but i go acs barker

[@priscillacharlotte6426]

@@tokkel2685 okay and?

[@quackey122]

@@tokkel2685 no one asked

[@Sean-fb7qi]

@@tokkel2685 Damn so smart. ACS Barker is definitely one of the top schools nationwide.

[@ivyyang2777]

tok kel paikia ah you

[@ChrisH0we]

22:56 He was the last one lol

[@reynardreynard9839]

Lol

[@one-gt6ve]

Hahahaahahaha totally the last one why would they lie omg

[@pdnh8275]

@@one-gt6ve it's about the mentality of being the last one = failure. they just want to encourage him and not reinforce the belief about failure

[@jamiekoh7613]

I the boss I the tiger roarrrrr- Joash, 2019

[@dimensionofacrazykid3530]

And yet schools with a 230 aggregate like mine have nothing like any of these facilities.

[@weiwenang1302]

do you wish to have their learning ability??

[@dimensionofacrazykid3530]

@@weiwenang1302 I don't that is why I want equal facilities be it an IP school or a sc school

[@krislaw2236]

Dimension of a crazy kid are you asking for equal treatment over unequal abilities? Ever heard of need based assistance?

[@mabellew6445]

different schools have different facilities based on what they focus on! like my school focuses a lot on social innovation so we have many spaces for that. also facilities for track and field because we are one of the top in that. however some school have facilities for like arts and design! the amount of funding per school will also affect the facilities... also an ip school isn’t much different, we literally have the same facilities as the o level counterpart!

[@zyrasworld6204]

Student1: AAAAA WAES Student2: eh don’t scream people filing (filming)

[@abilbatman9406]

*Why is there a Crucifix in Assumption Pathway School?*

[@birdy1021]

Better search what's Assumption is in Christianity

[@cookiecrunch2555]

It used to be Boys Town VI..the most notorious sch in s'pore. The principal back then was a "Brother", church related and all that. It became Assumption VI and renamed as Assumption Pathway Sch today. Whatever the name, the intent is to keep students like these safe and give them hope.

[@Habibi-ex1ig]

long story short APS is a christian school much like AES

[@christinetan3851]

Because it is a catholic school, governed by the Catholic Order of the Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel.

[@agerestriction1298]

Hong yi you can do it!

[@ZacharyAlexanderGoh]

I actually just ended up not going to JC quite a fair bit because I stayed over an hour away and I didn’t want to be late. I was the class chairman though LOL. Still did well enough to go to NUS though so I guess it worked out.

[@potatoo6969]

Was this a repost because i seen this before??

[@kyuhira]

Potatoo King probably 🧐

[@channelnewsasia]

Hi @Potatoo King, we posted Ep 2 back in 2015 when the show was airing on TV. We've now posted the entire series on KZbin for viewers to rediscover these wonderful kids.

[@kyuhira]

CNA uwu ty then

[@prajinjuan389]

Bro I saw that Rudy tik too guy

[@ishowgravity3905]

6:03 wait they have x box

[@2latis83]

Whoah, and I get unhappy whenever I get lower than 75%

[@rhearfl698]

I got A for everything but mothertounge was E I was so close to going here I was scared but it’s a good school

[@cnachopchopnewsagency]

What is your mother tongue?

[@rhearfl698]

@@cnachopchopnewsagency mandarin but im not chinese so I struggled

[@chowsing6000]

My friends, EVERYONE ,IF our young generation READ books and STUDY for the SAKE of EXAM and because they were told to, and not because they LOVE and want to. Then the education is a failure itself

[@princesssupernova5300]

what if i hate reading for exams but still love reading in a non-exam setting?

[@mihaiapostol7864]

it's not a failure if you find out later after you passed the exams what your subjects of interest really are

[@sieandknsproductions3491]

So these are the "vocational schools"

[@share_accidental]

i live near northlight HAHA

[@joephua9667]

If you ever fail in #PSLE you know where you go to .

[@BuffTF2Engineers69]

That's a nice way to discourage someone if you were, not to be offensive.

[@yamaguchihirokiskyyamaguch2854]

This school changed alot before this the school call AVI Singapore most violent gangster school.there have gang fight and other more. But now this school have changed and different from last time what I have seen..

[@Iworkwithnitwits]

Rooting for Joash. Nothing wrong with him.

[@cnachopchopnewsagency]

He is weird

[@seejasmine3837]

"P.l.s.e."

[@stand355]

Amos Yee should have been here

[@Amazingicyblaze]

I'm in assumption pathway school and is okay

[@elifddmmrr]

Türkçe altyazılı izleyebilmeyi çok isterdim

[@VenomandEddieBrock]

Principal and vice principal like a judge 👨‍⚖️

[@priddygurly5873]

0:24 💀

[@KomatsuHB215LC-1]

Mr tan best

[@offgucci4038]

Hello hello hello

[@shuffler358]

3:58 it shouldnt be that it (family problems) affect your learning...are you serious? What kind of advice is this? Do you think that students want to feel that way/are able to volunatarily suppress such tumultuous emotions at will? This is the kind of bs that leads to stunted emotional growth

[@krazy9s618]

2:15 popular tiktok star

[@768jefiline7]

children are not failure, look at their parents.

[@boustsr6426]

2:02 read read read read

[@williamtan4272]

Lmao my school punishes late comers no matter what the reason is

[@kyn11_]

NORTHLIGHT XS

[@acajudi100]

It must be started in the home, or military school from age 2 to 18, and birth control, unless you will pay for all the upkeep of the children.

[@BuffTF2Engineers69]

Did this dude really said military school? 😂

[@damsie64]

I'm taking my PSLE this year and this video gave me more stress as THE PSLE IS IN 4 MONTHS TIME!!!! OMG AND MY PARENTS WILL KILL ME IF I FAIL MY PSLE CUZ IM ALSO VERY STUPID AND LEARN VERY SLOW.

[@Habibi-ex1ig]

uh its 2020 How'd u do?

[@xzeonalove]

How did you do? Did you succeed? I hope you did.

[@ruiying3954]

How did you do? I did psle last year too. So glad it's over

[@damsie64]

eggy cat Dk why I didn’t receive notifications for these replies but I did okay....I Guess? I got into express stream but it’s not a rlly good score tho. Sigh. But the good thing is that I’m doing quite well now in Sec sch. I just need more help with Chinese and history [people kept saying history is easy but I suck at it :( ]. I’ll choose geography instead :/

[@damsie64]

Rui Ying Tay I did fine I Guess. How about u? How’s sec sch so far?

[@shamizan]

0:25 dont shout dont shout people are fliming 👉

[@terrypi4758]

Basically a special education school designed for them

[@mohddanielmohdfaisal1695]

Yuqch

[@jeffeychan]

Dang,some of the northlight girls Chio sia

[@BuffTF2Engineers69]

brother what?