It’s a new year and once again we have a new pair spearheading the student body. Their names (as you must know by now) are Tan Sien Yi and Sandra Tan. We interviewed them recently to give you a little useful (and not so useful) insight to who they are aside from the prefects behind the microphone at assembly. Their schedules were pretty tight so it was hard to catch them for an interview, which eventually lead to plan B. Thanks to the wonders of the modern world we emailed them a set of questions to answer and here’s what they said.

YJC: What does it feel like to be head and deputy head of the school?

Sien Yi: Kembang! (Proud) No, actually, having the whole school on your shoulders, it's pretty stressful at times but then you know that you're in control and that you have a big say in what happens around the school.

Sandra: It is a busy job that can be pretty stressful but it is an honour being Deputy Head of
2009.

YJC: Do you think you two make a good pair?

Sien Yi: Well, my friends would know that I am a very, very mathematical person who needs things to be systematic and orderly for anything to work. This means I prefer to hole myself up in my room and take long hours to plan everything to painstaking detail if I were to organize something. You can say that if something falls out of order, I'd find it difficult to flow with the pre-made plan.

On the other hand, Sandra is just absolutely spontaneous; it's just crazy! She can think on the fly and is flexible enough to work around when something goes wrong with the plan. Plus she has a lot of connections and contacts, and is not afraid to call up strangers to get something, which is the direct opposite of me.

I'll give you an example. Remember Dr Rizal's surprise birthday? The whole thing was put together in two days; one for planning and one for practice. On that one frantic day for planning, I was (holed up) in my room sketching and even mapping the entire routine from front to back, making checklists of perfect resources and props, while maintaining handphone contact with Sandra, who was out shopping everywhere for the props required, including birthday gifts and a 5-kg chocolate cake. Yes, we are a dynamic duo!

Sandra: Yes, definitely – I couldn't ask for anyone better! Sien Yi is the brainy half who has great organizing skills while I'm the resourceful half who backs him up by solving problems on the spot.

YJC: Do you expect to be in this position?

Sien Yi: Frankly, no. Really.

Sandra: No, it certainly was a pleasant surprise.

YJC: What are the perks of being the Head?

Sien Yi: You get to SMS Dr Rizal at ungodly hours without feeling shame!

Sandra: The only way for you to find out is when you become Head. *grins*

YJC: How’s the school year turning out?

Sandra: It's been good so far but we're bracing ourselves for the worse as the year gets more hectic. Be assured that it's going to be a great one though!

YJC: What's your greatest fear?

Sien Yi: Getting awkward personal interview questions.

Sandra: I scream when I'm caught by surprise. I scream when creepy-crawlies touch me but a scream is a scream. I try to overcome fear with ‘mind over matter’. Cliche but true.

YJC: How many siblings do you have and what number are you in the family?

Sien Yi: Two. I'm the youngest.

Sandra: Four elder sisters, I'm the youngest, being the fifth in the family.

YJC: Are you looking forward to being able to drive?

Sien Yi: No, I do not intend to play golf in the near future (very lame joke, Sien Yi!).

Sandra: No, I’d rather be driven. *grins*

YJC: What’s your favourite cartoon character?

Sien Yi: Alec Azam, the rabbit from Presto!

Sandra: Gummi Bears and Winnie The Pooh!

YJC: If you were a superhero, which would you be and how would you save the world?

Sandra: Flash. Because I am always running around doing this and that and with it, I can run all over the world and save people from collapsing buildings and bush fires that have been so common these past few weeks.

YJC: And a special request from Alvin Soo, what is your shoe size?

Sien Yi: UK or US?

Sandra: US 6.5 to 7, it varies.

YJC: What was your childhood dream occupation?

Sandra: Actress, English teacher and professional tennis player – they've all changed now though!

YJC: Your favourite canteen food? (Make Mrs Chiam proud)

Sandra: The over-expensive fried chicken and the spicy long beans – guaranteed to make you run to the loo!

YJC: Who is your favourite teacher and why?

Sandra: Mr Alvin because he is Mr Alvin! He's great fun to be around and can be pretty hilarious. However, do note that when he's serious, he is serious.

YJC: What was the proudest moment in your life?

Sandra: If by ‘proudest’, you mean life changing, it would be when I became a probate (probationary prefect), as that was the transition period of me becoming who I am today.

With great power comes great responsibility but since they are the dynamic duo always backing each other (they seem to be very certain they make a great pair), we can be sure we are in very good hands this year. With the new prefects probationary period, annual charity drive, commencements and more up ahead, let’s hope that these two will hold it together (they always do), along with the help of the student body to make this school year a successful one. Kudos to the both of them, for what they’ve achieved and what they are going to achieve.

PS: Just so you know Sien Yi did apologize for his tendency to use a sarcastic tone.