A YEAR ago, Samuel Chan was dealt a severe blow - his cancer, which had been in remission for 18 months, was back, just when he had a major examination to prepare for.

Two other perfect scorers Charleen Chan, 18, formerly from CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School, chose to go to ACS(I) because of the IB programme. She has a 20-year-old brother. Her father is a cardiologist and her mother helps out at his clinic. On the diverse choice of subjects the programme offered, she said: 'We take six subjects instead of four as with the A levels. There are more options and I liked the wider exposure of the language arts programme. 'The assessment is also not just a pen-and-paper exam. There are oral presentations and group work as well, so we have to continuously work hard. There is no such thing as a last-minute sprint to the finish line. 'Working on my extended essay allowed me to grasp the topic well.' Matthew Lee, 18, in ACS(I) since Sec 1, has a sister in Sec 4. His father is a civil engineer and his mother, a housewife. He said: 'I like the American liberal arts system so the IB's holistic approach appealed to me. 'It didn't worry me that I was the first batch of students taking the IB. Dr Ong (the school's principal) has been preparing for this since 1999 when he visited the United States. I did my own research and found that IB is recognised in the US, where I want to study. 'The best part was doing the extended essay on The Hours, a novel by Michael Cunningham. I analysed the text. It was so much work and a long-term process, so it was gratifying that I got an A for it.'

But the Year 6 student at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) decided not to let Hodgkin's disease - cancer of the lymphatic system - get in the way of his doing his best for the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Braving surgery, a stem-cell transplant, chemotherapy and radiotherapy from January to June, he went on to study from home for the rest of the year and sat for the exams in isolation.

He aced the exams, emerging as one of the school's top nine students with a perfect score of 45.

As he ran up on stage yesterday to be congratulated by his principal, Dr Ong Teck Chin, he received the loudest and longest applause from his schoolmates and teachers.

Samuel, 18, is the elder son of Permanent Secretary (Public Service Division) Lim Soo Hoon and project manager Chan Yew Fook, both 49.

He called his struggle and feat a journey in faith, thanking God, his family, friends and teachers for their support.

He was so adamant about sitting for the exam that he continued attending school after surgery last February to remove part of the tumour and his thymus gland.

He had chemotherapy from February to April but attended school between treatments.

In June, he had a stem-cell transplant using his 16-year-old brother Russell's stem cells.

Discharged from hospital a few weeks later, he could not return to school because of the risk of infection.

His doctor, parents and teachers then suggested putting off sitting for the exams until he was well, but he refused.

So the school and his parents worked together to install videoconferencing facilities in his home that allowed him to have real-time lessons.

The greater purpose of the electronic hook-up was to let Samuel stay in touch with his friends, said his mother.

Samuel said the past year taught him to be more appreciative of his family, friends and teachers.

'For all that has happened to me, many other good things have turned out,' he said.

'I've been helped in so many ways, especially by family and friends who have prayed for me.'

The avid debater wants to study law. He is exempted from national service, but has yet to decide if he will take a year's break to rest or apply to university immediately.

Last August, he was declared free of cancer cells in his last scan.

That and his sterling results are nothing short of a 'miracle', said Ms Lim, who wrote a book about coping with her son's illness and was named Her World Woman of the Year last year.

Glad that he met his goal of sitting for the exams, Samuel said: 'Cancer had already taken me away from school. I didn't want it to take away my exams too.'

What IB students take and how they are graded

THE PROGRAMME

• Students take six subjects, three at standard level and three at a higher level.
• They choose one from each of the following six groups: language, second language, individual and societies, experimental sciences, mathematics, and the arts.
• They also take Theory Of Knowledge, a course that combines philosophy, religion and logical reasoning; write an essay of 4,000 words; and carry out a community-service project.

HOW STUDENTS ARE ASSESSED

• There are many ways, including their portfolios, essays, practical work, presentations and written tests.
• The final exam generally takes up 70 to 80 per cent of their final grades.
• Each subject is marked out of 7, with 4 regarded as a pass.
• The six subjects yield a possible maximum of 42 points, but students can score another three bonus points for Theory Of Knowledge and the 4,000-word essay.
• An aggregate of 24 out of 45 is needed to earn the diploma. This aggregate is recognised by universities, including the three local ones, namely, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University.

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