10 minutes with…

Leanne Paul

1. What do you like most about being a student at Marian College?

I live with my mum, my dad and my three younger sisters, who make me laugh so hard my stomach hurts. I love spending time with them, screaming at the top of our lungs to songs by Taylor Swift while creating the funniest dance moves possible. It not only allows me to de-stress but also to form stronger bonds with them. I also enjoy playing instruments, in particular the guitar as it allows me to de-stress after a long day.

2. What do you like most about being a student at Marian College?

My favourite part about being a student at Marian College is the friendships I have formed within and outside of my year level. I am immensely grateful for my friends’ endless support that they have provided me and their ability to make me laugh. The friendships I have formed would not have been possible without the welcoming environment created by the staff at Marian College and the various opportunities such as co-curricular clubs, provided to allow students to connect with each other. The unfailing support provided by the staff and students at Marian College has been instrumental in my growth and development. I would not be who I am today without them. I am also immensely honoured to be the Lamp Bearer for 2024 and look forward to further collaborating with staff and students and continuing to maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

3. Who inspires you & why?

Two people who have continuously inspired me throughout my life are my parents. I deeply admire their diligence and perseverance to excel to the best of their abilities, whether that means waking up at 4am or sacrificing a little of their free time to finish a piece of work. Moreover, the endless lessons they have taught me, the values they instilled in me and the unwavering love and support they have always provided me have been crucial to shaping me into who I am today. I cannot imagine who I would be without them. I will always be immensely grateful for the sacrifices my parents have made so that I can be here today.

4. What are the biggest challenges facing teenage girls today?

High school can be a tumultuous time and because of this, I believe that challenges to mental health are one of the biggest obstacles faced by teenage girls. Adolescence is a time in our lives when we further discover who we are as individuals. Because of this, it is a time in our lives when our mental health is most vulnerable. The pressure of wanting to do well in school and the pressure of wanting to meet societal expectations can be draining on many girls’ mental health and result in low self-esteem. Therefore, implementing systems to enhance mental well-being is essential, including taking time to breathe and reflect.

5. What advice would you give to students at Marian College?

My advice would be to take a deep breath. It is important to remember to stop and take a break when you feel overwhelmed with schoolwork. School can be hectic, and with homework and assessments piling up, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of cramming and studying for hours and hours without breaks. However, my parents provided me with some valuable advice over the years: “Study hard, but also play hard.” This means that if you have studied the entire day, it is important to remember to take a break, rest, and do something that you enjoy for the remainder of the day.

6. Favourite food & drink?

Growing up in Singapore has allowed me to try numerous dishes from different cuisines and cultures, which makes it immensely difficult to choose a favourite food. After much thought, one of my favourite foods is Hainanese chicken rice. The combination of flavoured rice, steamed chicken and soup is delicious! Additionally, I also love my grandparents’ steamboat (also known as hot pot), as it is not only delicious but brings back so many childhood memories. I know that they put a lot of love and effort into making it and for that, I am immensely grateful. My favourite drink is Coke as it goes well with anything.

7. Favourite holiday destination?

This question is a hard one! I do not think I have a favourite holiday destination. However, certain places hold special meaning to me due to the memories I have created with my family. For instance, when I was in Year 5, my immediate family and my relatives who flew in from Singapore visited Phillip Island. The time we spent together watching movies, going to the beach, huddling by the campfire and laughing are memories I cherish and look back on with fondness. Another memorable holiday was when I went to Battambang in Cambodia just before Year 7 as my father wanted to volunteer at the schools there. The friendships we formed during our brief time there and the experiences my sisters and I had participating in the classrooms were of great impact and memorable. I would love to visit these places again sometime in the future!

8. Favourite TV show, Movie, Book?

Currently, I do not have a favourite TV show, but I quite enjoy the one that my family and I are watching together known as “Code Black”. I think many lessons can be learned from watching it. My favourite movie is Pearl Harbour, and my favourite book is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?

I hope to get into the medicine course at Monash University and eventually become a Paediatrician at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. After that, I would love to volunteer in other parts of the world as a doctor so I would be able to experience various cultures, learn new languages and meet individuals who have vastly different experiences from me.

10. Which 5 people in history would you like to invite to a dinner party?

The people I have chosen to invite are individuals who stepped up to lead their country during a tumultuous time. The first person is Maximilien Robespierre, who was a key figure in the French Revolution. Mr Lee Kuan Yew is the next person I would invite. He was the first and longest-serving Prime Minister of Singapore. The next three people I have decided to invite are: Cleopatra, Joan of Arc and Lady Jane Grey. I believe that the conversation would be interesting! And I would love to gain an insight into their thoughts during the time of their leadership.

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