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Spectra Secondary’s Ms. Eleonor has dedicated over three decades to help shape the lives of many students
In the world of sports, where victories are often measured in points and trophies, Eleonor Serrano Rivera has redefined success in her own terms. Ms. Rivera or affectionately known as or Ms El in short, has taught and coached basketball in Singapore since 1995.
Having entered her third decade in teaching, she has a renewed mission to continue guiding and developing characters through basketball at Spectra Secondary School.
Learning Through Sports
Spectra is one of two specialised schools in Singapore, which caters to Normal (Technical) students, with a focus on technical, vocational hands-on training. Since its first enrollment in 2014, the school has seen over 1,200 students graduate.
Like most schools, Physical Education (PE) and Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are also offered to students as part of the curriculum, with basketball being one of the sport choices available.
According to Ms El, participating in team sports such as basketball are quintessential in a student’s development at Spectra as it helps to inculcate the value and concept of teamwork.
“We have a lot of team games because in Secondary 3, they are going to do internships at hotels, F&B.. so they need to have good teamwork skills (working with other people on the job).”
Teamwork, Dream Work
The same was also echoed by her students when quizzed about what they love most about basketball.
“The teamwork and the way we do our drills, whether it is offensive or defensive.. We always do it together and it shows during the game” said Muhammad Aniq Mikhail,14.
For Aniq – the captain of Spectra’s C Division basketball team, further emphasized that in a game, they are never alone.
“You’re not the only one in the court that you can rely on. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. There’s people to support you and you’re also there to support them.”
Role Models
At this year’s FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, Ms El and her students have the unique opportunity to go up close and personal to witness Asia’s best in action. They were previously invited to watch the FIBA Intercontinental Cup (ICC) in 2024.
Ms El jumped at the opportunity to bring her students out again as she sees it as a rare opportunity to expose them to the highest level of basketball. Beyond just a school excursion trip, she has challenged her boys to pick up as much as possible and to apply to their own game.
“I was telling them, don’t just watch. Be observant how they dribble the ball, how they get the rebound.”
She shared that as far as technical abilities go, her students are at almost the same skill-level, as a result it is usually difficult to find a role model for them to learn and improve.
Aniq could still recall what went down last year, describing the experience as “intense”, he marvelled at how the shots, dunks and movements were made.
Mission To Teach
The 64-year old teacher had originally planned to retire in 2022, until Tan Teck Hock – her former principal at Serangoon Junior College (SRJC) and current principal at Spectra, persuaded her to reverse her decision.
“Our history goes a long way..when he learned that I was going back to Manila City, he asked me why don’t you try secondary school?”
Before her current role at Spectra, El’s first and only posting in Singapore was with SRJC where she taught for 24 years. The school has since merged with Anderson Junior College (AJC) to become the current Anderson Serangoon Junior College (ASRJC) in 2019.
“I came here at a time when Singapore needed P.E. teachers.. So I have coached the boys & girls basketball team since 1995.”
Prior to her move, Ms El was already in the education field. With a PhD in Educational Administration, she was teaching students who were on route to becoming P.E. teachers at the University of the Philippines.
For the game & the people
With basketball largely considered the national sport of the Philippines, it comes as no surprise that Ms El has gone through the sport as well, playing as a point guard.
“I used to be a player, that’s why I always tell them, don’t bluff me. I’ve already been there. I know how hard it is to learn how to lay up!” she exclaimed.
Through the years, Ms El remains commited in shaping young players into not just great athletes, but also remarkable individuals.
This mantra is etched dearly on her students’ mind as her players from SRJC still meet up every third Saturday of July – an annual homecoming tradition that they have kept running since 1996. With some of them still actively involved in the local scene as coaches and referees outside of their day job.
Just last year, the alumni even sponsored basketball shoes for her Spectra students, when Ms El approached them after observing some of them without the proper footwear.
She concedes that it is such “good connections” which she has forged through basketball which keeps her passion going.
The underdogs
While select schools which have the Direct School Admission (DSAs) programme which allows students with sports talents to be scouted, SRJC does not have the luxury to do so.
For El, that would mean working within her means to train and develop players from scratch to compete at the highest level. A process which she finds most fulfilling and could relate to as well through her past three years at Spectra.
“I always tell this to my players, I only want you to be the finest ladies and gentlemen.. Winning is not everything.”
She firmly believes that there are much more lessons to be learnt beyond how people might see or judge based on results. It is about building character and resilience – a culture where teamwork, discipline, and learning from mistakes are more valuable than just the final score.
Celebrating the small wins
When coaching her students at Spectra, Ms El keeps it simple by aptly summarising it in three points – 1) Don’t get zero 2) Double digits and 3) Get as close as to the opponent points.
By achieving these baby steps, she hopes to be able to motivate her students to stay as competitive as possible when going up against the traditionally ‘bigger’ teams.
Spectra are looking to better their performance at this year’s National School Games (NSG) where they are drawn in the same group as Compassvale, Bedok Green & Juying.
“Last year, we were close in many games,” she said. “This year, I hope we can push ourselves further and improve our record. But more than that, I want my players to play with heart.”
They managed a solitary win last season over Northlight and two narrow losses of just over 10 points. Ms El is looking to build on the team’s brave performance by targeting 2 wins over their opponents.
Forging the next generation
As Ms El reflects on her journey, she acknowledges that she will not always be around. There will come a time when she must step away from coaching. But what she has built—a culture of resilience, camaraderie, and passion for basketball—will endure.
Her players will carry her lessons with them, both in the game and in life, for the future batches to come. Just as how current student Lim Bo Hao, 14 looks up to his senior Audric, who mirrors and imparts the same values which Ms El has taught him.
“The way he encourages us when we fail. They say don’t lose focus, you’ll miss, don’t give up, continue trying then eventually you’ll make it” he recounts.
Trophies in life
For Ms El, the true victory is in the growth of her players. Whether they win or lose, she wants them to leave the tournament as stronger, more confident athletes.
In the end, it is not just about basketball. It is about leaving a legacy in life – one that lives on in the hearts and minds of every student she has mentored. And that, more than any trophy, is the true mark of a great coach.
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