CJC NEWSLETTER ISSUE TWO JULY 2016
y l i m a F g n i Find
s ’ l a p i c Prin e g a s s Me Dear CJCians,
This
edition of the Flame marks the start of Semester 2. It is the period where the CJC Experience deepens as we appreciate the contributions of our seniors, observe the baton of leadership handed over to the juniors and scale the heights of great teamwork to overcome the demands of the final term. This is time for gratitude and celebration as we acknowledge the contributions of the members of the CJC family and the myriad of talents they possess. As we celebrate and appreciate, we are reminded that these gifts arise from our collective effort to uphold ‘Truth and Love’ firmly in all we do. Have a meaningful and fulfilling semester ahead. Forge great bonds as we strive for excellence and develop individually to be the “Thinker with a Mission, Leader with a Heart”.
God bless
Mrs Christine Kong
Contributors Editors
Contributors
Aprilene Goh Huishan Suzie Yanti Jumadi Sng Mee Lian
Mona Chia Ryan Siew Charles Mak Boo Wen Si Sharyn Loh Ang Li Yan Simran Kaur Gabriel Tan Nicholas Sim
President Shihara Perera
Vice President Khasnavis Ashrita
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Photographers Charlotte Wu Shihara Perera Lawson Sim Lynnette Tan Amira Yunos Jozin Lim Grace Cai Sabrina Lai Celeste Lee
Ethan Rozario Aaron Soares Ng Zheng Da Neville Ho Clarice Boo He Hao Wei Abraham Low Yeo Shao Jie Jerrell Low
Christopher Wah Francis Oen
Behind t c A t c e f r r A Pu
Actors from Chinese Drama prowling towards victory in a rehearsal before the SYF performance
After
gruelling months of practice, Chinese Drama clinched a Distinction award at this year’s Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), executing an impressive performance of their play titled ‘Meow!’. Behind every achievement, however, lies a path of obstacles and setbacks that they had to overcome as individuals and as a team before they could enjoy the fruits of their labour. Although most of the cast and crew were inexperienced in acting or had joined the SYF performance as a temporary member, they were resilient in adapting to the routine of working within an ensemble. The constant support they provided to one another was crucial in ensuring that everyone enjoyed even the most challenging phases of the production. For some, stage fright was a real and significant hurdle. Cast member Chen Wei Cheng (1T24) recalls starting out visibly trembling on stage before gaining confidence through many rehearsals, allowing him to gradually overcome his fear and express himself confidently in front of an audience. It is clear to all that Chinese Drama’s success at this year’s SYF can be attributed to the collective effort and dedication of all its members, coaches and teachers-in-charge who have brought them to greater heights. With constant encouragement from the Chinese Drama President and guidance from their coach, the ensemble built their team spirit, supporting each other through thick and thin to achieve this accolade.
Members taking steps to further hone their performance skills, guided by their coach 2
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CJC’s lay, orginal p ck’ o ‘Aftersh
On
Dram membersain chara rehearscintger the black b in ox
stage, the cast of ‘Aftershock’ take on various roles and characters. However, beneath those masks lie a group of tight-knit thespians who view themselves as a family rather than just cast or crew members. In the lead up to the SYF performance, the English Drama Society members put their best foot forward in all their rehearsals. Indeed, this feeling of togetherness is exemplified through the CCA’s unique tradition of singing through their gruelling training sessions. To cope with the demanding physical training sessions, the members of the Drama Society have a unique way of managing their training by bursting into song as a way to motivate themselves to complete their exercise routines. From humming the Pokemon theme song to singing ‘Happy Birthday’ whilst doing planking exercises, the atmosphere during CCA sessions undoubtedly is one filled with camaraderie. Regarding their original SYF performance taking on the dire and serious topic of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, Joshua Tan (1T17) believes that “The goal of doing well in SYF is less important than expressing certain emotions and messages through our performance. As long as we don’t lose sight of our objectives and have a sense of professionalism, we will be able to do well in our CCA.” Their effort and dedication to the craft were crucial in the production of an improvised piece titled ‘Aftershock’.
Drama members standing united in their passion for the stage
Going the extra mile, members would watch performances by other schools or theatre companies as a group. “Drama is the one thing I feel most passionately for and realizing that everyone around me feels just as strongly about it as I do, makes me feel at home,” says Annushiyaa (1T01). As any performance comes to an end, the actors will take their bows, hearts overflowing with content and happiness knowing that they will always have a family they can fall back on. This family is forged through the many memories that have been created within the four walls of the black box.
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A prayer before their SYF performance
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oh up G e i r o Val ) putting ce n 2 (1Tv1aliant defe a
eam The unitegd atnd huddlin each cheering on other
The team reve in victory, ling medals in hand
The
annual ‘A’ Division sports season has always been tough and it is no exception for the CJC Girls’ Floorball team. With the unwavering care, support and encouragement given by their coach, Ms Teresa Quek, the team reached impressive heights, placing fourth at the National Schools ‘A’ Division Competitions for the first time since the inception of this CCA in 2013. When asked about the team, Ms Quek replied with a smile, “They are determined, sincere, diligent, and most importantly, they believe that they can achieve great strides.” She is convinced that their tenacity, humility and hard work have led the team to where they are today, and that these qualities inspire her to give her best to the team. To Ms Quek, being part of the CJC family has changed her and brought her closer to the team. Although she is new to coaching this team, she feels the passion and sincerity from the girls. As a new coach, it has been a journey of self-discovery. Through tough and strenuous training, she worked closely with the girls and helped them achieve their goal. Together, their efforts bore fruit as they have succeeded and qualified to be amongst the top four teams nationwide. As a coach, she supports the team by not only building their skills, but also focusing on the values that they display on the court. In addition, she shows care for the team through constant words of encouragement and by lending them a listening ear.
orball ng o l F s ’ J C eam getti Girls’ dty for the rea nal game semi-fi
Commitment and simply doing their best are values that she holds close to her heart and tries to embody. Ms Quek believes that focusing on the process is much more important than fixating on the outcome, and to achieve this, a united and bonded team is key in raising morale. CJC’s Girls’ Floorball team has indeed exhibited their determination and hard work in order to fully realise the goals that they have envisioned. However, they are not alone, as their coach and teachers in-charge stand by them, constantly showering the team with love and support and helping them grow as individuals through the sport.
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Alphonsus Teow (1T26) spr all the way inintithnge 4x100m relay race
Ruzainng e e m h a Sh 9) finishi (1T0 st in the ce fir final ra re 100-met
k c a r T g Keepin e c e c a a R R e he ooff tth
Running
what seemed like endless races and incessant hours of training proved useful for the triumphant CJC Track and Field team this year. Shahmee Ruzain (1T09) attained gold medals in both the 100m and 200m ‘A’ Division races, a historic double goal for a sprint event in CJC history. The boys’ relay
ranicio r B a n ia r a M nning folay u r ) 6 0 T (2 C girls’ re the CJ hat clinched a team t in the Top 8 spot
team did extremely well too, achieving a silver medal in the 4x100m race, while the girls’ team was in the top 8 for the 4x400m relay race. While it is common knowledge that the teams worked relentlessly for their victory, little has been said about the dedicated teachers and coaches, who were instrumental to the team’s success. The teachersin-charge of the CCA, Ms Peggy Boey, Mr Lim Zhi Yi, Mr Goh Tor Heng and Ms Lee Li Shan, prioritise the well-being of the team and strive to motivate them to surmount the various challenges that they may face throughout their journey. The teachers are proud of the team’s tenacity in working towards pursuing excellence in their sport. Throughout the ‘A’ Division journey, the runners never gave in to the setbacks
Divisiwonith ’ A ‘ The delighted nts team r achieveme als thei ing the fin dur
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uzain R e e m h Sha 09) taking (1T lead in the and the ive 100m ts t competmi sprint even 200
they encountered. Mr Lim says, “When I see the team’s determination, it makes me even more motivated to push and encourage my students to reach their potential as runners. As a runner myself, I am heartened to see them grow by improving their endurance, and in turn develop a similar passion for running.” Benedict Kwok (2T02), Captain of the team, shared that their coach, Mr Loh Chan Pew, was no less supportive. “He told us that either you come in first or you throw the baton and get disqualified. By setting such high expectations, he really wanted to push us to achieve our best.” It is indeed heartwarming to know that such strong bonds have been formed between teachers and students in the Track and Field team. A force to be reckoned with, the true CJ spirit of ‘In Veritate et Caritate’ is seen in their love for the team and genuine passion for the sport that has allowed them to emerge victorious.
The JC2s in the team celebrating the victory Br (1T03)ansdidon Ng a MI plaeysetepping r ldogs l u B J C The g the fort holdin st MI again
The
CJC Rugby boys trained rigorously for the ‘A’ Division sporting season almost every week, but nothing could prepare them for the actual fight. Although there were nerves for many of the novice JC1 Rugby players on the team, it did not dampen their fervour for the game one bit. During intense games played by the rugby team, their reliance and trust in one another can be observed in the instinct to protect their teammates every time a member was set upon by an opponent. Through observing the scrums and tackles of the boys, it is also obvious that a lot of effort had gone into refining their skills and techniques during
Nathan W (1T25) ong a MI pladodging yer
A d e g g u R y l i m a F
training sessions. With remarkable camaraderie, the team played excellently on 17 May 2016, emerging as Plate Champions after their win against Millennia Institute. Ashwin Pandiyan (1T01), who was recently elected as the team’s Captain, attributes their achievement to the team’s sense of brotherhood. “Like any team sport, rugby involves a lot of teamwork and commitment. In this sport, you have to put your body on the line for your brother,” he affirms. The camaraderie established between the juniors and the seniors proved invaluable during
the game and continues off-field as well. “Our seniors are always there to help, especially the boys who are new to the game. Beyond CCA, we always ensure that we do our homework and study together after school,” says Ashwin. The Rugby team has nothing short of passion and members have forged a family around this common love for the sport. They have certainly made CJC proud with the strength they showed in adversity. WIth incredible team dynamics, their performance left the roaring crowd cheering on.
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ow Paul C0h3) (1T facing (right)w,ith his off onent opp
Judo J C e h T y coming famil ther as toge team one
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im Sharon, Lleft) (2T21ff with her facingnoent Marrisa oppo CI, right) Lai (H
Although
Judo is an individual sport, no judoka can make it to a major competition alone. Under the supervision of their coaches, the CJC Judo team committed themselves to intensive training at least thrice a week in the months leading up to the ‘A’ Division. Yet, at heart, what constantly galvanised the judokas to put in their best for the CCA was the shared aspiration to collectively achieve stellar results. Judo Captain Ben Tan (2T21) says, “Ultimately, everyone had the common goal of getting into the top four in their respective events.” This common goal was rooted in the mutual support the judokas lend to one another. Being thrown around by each other during training may not be conducive to building team spirit in other sports, but Judo is an exception. Sparring not only helps the judokas improve their techniques, it also strengthens the trust among them. As Phoebe Tan (1T26) puts it, “We’re always throwing each other in Judo, so we have to ensure that we do not injure our teammates and also constantly take care of one another.” Given that they nurture their team spirit by pitting themselves against each other on the mat, it comes at no surprise that the judokas have a straightforward way of ironing out any conflicts among themselves, much like siblings do. “We share our opinions and perspectives candidly,” reveals Cynric Koh (2T17), “and we end up closer as a result.” The new JC1s certainly share the sense of family as well. Paul Chow (1T03) recalls, “The seniors were welcoming to me and always cheered me on. It made me feel like I had trained with them for a long time.”
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With a shared purpose, the close-knitted Judo family attained a well-deserved total of two silver and five bronze medals in the various individual categories. Although Judo is an individual sport, these results were undoubtedly a team effort.
Non-co The C mpeting ba putting ontraba nd nd perfourp a dazzlinsg mance
Rocka! a i l i m Fa
ollar ing C e u l B showcas Jane eir hidden ts th al talen music n stage o
The Teachers’ Band rocking the stage with a medley of hit songs ane J r olla ng the C e Blu aptivati e with g c dienc rifyin au elect nce theirperforma
Rockafella au feeling the vdibience e
Marcus
Loh (2T27) and Izz Lokman (2T27) faced daunting challenges from the start when forming their band Blue Collar Jane for Rockafella XII. “We couldn’t find a drummer so we went around asking random people, such as anyone who sat beside us, whether they could play the drums or know any drummers,” they share. It was only then that the two got to know Keynesh Dongol (2T12). Together, they formed the final line-up to take part in the college-organized rock concert with the purpose of having a little musical fun. Emerging as Champion Band on 10 April 2016 was the last thing on their mind. It all started when Marcus and Izz found out that they had a common love for music as secondary school friends. Rockafella reinforced their devotion to music and brought them together to share this passion with other budding musicians in the college. Marcus reveals, “Rockafella led us to meet outside of school hours and bond through music, the thing we love most. I think that is what made us closer as a band.” Even with only three members, Blue Collar Jane won over the hearts of hundreds among the audience at the Auditorium with their rocking rendition of “What I Like About You” by The Romantics. However, what really captivated the audience was the soulful “Where Do We Go”, an original song written by lead singer Izz. When asked about how they felt about their victory, the band shared that they were genuinely surprised by the results. Marcus reflects, “We all made many friends from this event and we’ve learnt that what is most important is not winning but finding purpose in doing what we love.”
Izz Lokman of 2T27 (left) and Marcus Loh of 2T27 (right) enjoying every moment on stage
Rockafella stands the test of time as it continues to be a roaring success year after year. It encapsulates the CJC spirit of excellence in living, as the spectacular and impressive performances kindle the love for music in the span of a single night. No doubt, Rockafella will endure as the precious gem it is to CJCians for tradition does not mean to look after the ash, but to keep the flame alive.
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, s , e s s e u s o u o H H r u r o u o F F nee O On t t a a e e b t b t r H Heeaar g their in v a w e s u o H Albert colours proudly house
The
Sports Leaders leading the college in the Athlete’s Oath
Mrs Christ the cauldroine Kong lighting start of th n to mark the and Aesthee annual Sports tics Carniva l
Sports and Aesthetics Carnival returned this year on 20 and 27 May 2016 with the theme “Kairos”. Depending on their allocated sport, students gathered, clad in house t-shirts, at MOE CCAB and Bishan Stadium respectively on 20 May to participate in their games. The second day of the carnival took place on campus. After gathering at the grandstand to witness the ceremonious lighting of the torch, students made their way to the respective locations to compete in the various sports and aesthetics competitions.
Behind the success of the carnival was the hard work put in by the Sports Leaders to ensure that it was carried out without a hitch. Newly-elected Michael House ViceCaptain, Dillon Lee (1T11) shares, “During the carnival, some of the Sports Leaders had to sacrifice their own time on the field to be referees for other sports.”
, Joseph ) 5 2 T 2 ( seph Soon Kor MingCaptain with theinJgo the House s Leaders rally cheers Sport series of house house in a
Sports Leaders do more than just this. They are the glue that holds the four houses together, cultivating a sense of belonging within each house and making sure that every student feels significant. Kor Ming Soon (2T25), Joseph House Captain, spoke about the initiatives they had to undertake to ensure this. “We had to be creative. Apart from the routine cheers and games, the extended initiative we have taken was to create our house Instagram account (@josephpowerpower). This not only affirms the efforts of our Joseph House members, but also strengthens affinity between them.”
bringing e s u o H l e Micha ouse down with the h ir cheers the
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Sports Leaders also promote the values of love and unity. Kayler Chong (2T06), Albert House Captain, strongly believes in the importance of love and unity within a house. “It holds the House together when members demonstrate their care by supporting one another in every college event. Winning the title of Champion House is a bonus. What is more important is that our House and ‘family’ preserve its values and see strength in unity.”
Our House Captains are also on the same page when it comes to defining what ‘family’ means to them, as well as their vision for their respective houses and future batches. “Family is about sacrifice, trust, honesty and understanding, regardless of individual differences. It is about always having a community of people you can rely on in both good times and bad,” shares Jeremy Soh (2T02), Captain of Patrick House. Josiah Tan (2T18), Michael House Captain, like his fellow captains, hopes for a house they are proud to call family. “We (the house captains) all have the same wish and that is for the house to feel a strong sense of belonging and loyalty,” he says.
Sports Leaders from Patrick h House hyping up the crowd, wity Patrick House Captain Jeremd Soh (2T02) taking the lea
: e : g e n g a n h a Think C h e C h e T h BBee T g n g i n c i a c r a b r b m Em E e r e u r t u u t F u F e h e t h t
Careers and Higher Education Fair is an annual event in CJC where students get the opportunity to learn about higher education pathways and career options. In line with the theme “Be the Change”, students were encouraged to discover their own potential and search for meaningful career options that will prepare them to be the movers and drivers of positive change in society. Guiding the students in this search are the alumni speakers who have returned to share stories of personal growth and career development.
Dr Yeang Ming Sheng Dr Yeang is a junior doctor who recently graduated from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. He was from the class of 06/07 and is currently a national serviceman with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). How does it feel to be back in CJC? It feels good to be back to a place that I know has given me a lot of opportunities to be where I am today. I am indebted to CJC for what it has provided me. Based on my holistic performance, CJC gave me internship and research opportunities that have helped develop my portfolio. Did the subject combination you took in CJC shape your career choice? Yes it did. I studied Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Economics. These subjects helped me to get into the School of Medicine. I advise students to choose what you are good at and passionate about. I believe in using one’s strengths. What advice would you like to give to the aspiring doctors amongst the current batch of CJCians? If you want to be a doctor, don’t be afraid of applying and don’t be put off by the entry requirements. Don’t be afraid that you are not good enough. Secondly, think really hard if you really want it because ultimately medical practice is about serving and working with and for people. Do you have any specific message that you would like to convey to your juniors? I would like to tell all CJCians to work hard because it will open a lot of opportunities in the future if you do well. I’m very grateful to the teachers too as they showed a lot of dedication. I believe the hard work and dedication of the teachers helped many students to score well in the ‘A’ Levels. What does our college motto “In Veritate et Caritate” mean to you?
ing Shenogf M g n a e Y Dr t of a panel was par rs who shared speake xperience as a on his e edical officer junior m
When I was in CJC, I felt that my teachers really embodied that spirit. Their sense of purpose and love for their students were evident, even as they disciplined us and it was all for our own good. I had really good teachers who went out of their own way for us.
Mr Michael Sng Founder of TAEL Partners. Mr Michael Sng is from the graduating class of 1977 and is the Founding Governor of SJI International (Singapore) and SJI International in Malaysia which will be opening in September 2016. What inspires you to give back to CJ and SJI as an alumnus? When you have experienced something good in these institutions, you would want it to continue for the future generations of students. I would like them to be able to enjoy and benefit from what I have done. In the field of investment, there is considerable risk involved. Do you have any advice for students on how to take calculated risks? There are risks involved in everything you do. Even in coming to CJC when you could have gone to other JCs, you took a risk. Likewise, when we invest in private equities, in a business, you take the same risks, except that perhaps the extent of the risks is a little bit different. I would advise students to adopt the right approach in making decisions. A lot of decisions we have to make are best made with common sense and a logical perspective. For instance, when we make an investment, we ask ourselves what is the logic behind making this investment? We would be investing because we think that it is fruitful or that it has potential in the future. What have you learned from working with so many different companies? Humility. For one, a lot of business owners build their businesses from scratch.
l Sng s e a h ic M r M xperience e is h g in r a sh he world of in t nd Finance Business a
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They’ve put in their sweat, their money, their life savings and a lot of energy into building their businesses. So when you meet them, you need to respect them. They are accepting us, taking us into their world, sharing with us what they have built up over many years. Therefore, one needs to approach every one of them with humility. I am not there to teach them how to manage their funds. We are there to help them grow their business to new heights. What does our college motto “In Veritate et Caritate” mean to you? I’m a Catholic, and for us, God is love, and love is God. So in that sense, the motto resonates with my belief in the faith. It is something that I can identify with and something I practise in my daily life. “Truth” is primarily about being true to yourself. It is very difficult to be truthful to other people if you are not true to yourself. So if one is true to oneself, which is to know one’s limitations and strengths and values in life, I think that will be a good starting point to be true to others.
Mr Nicholas Wong Mr Nicholas Wong has 20 years of experience in the media industry. He has produced several popular TV programmes for Channel 5 such as “Under One Roof” and “Gotcha!” He has also produced shortform documentaries with channels like The Discovery Channel and UTV International. He is currently with Auditoire Singapore.
Many of your productions were winning entries at the Asian Television Awards. What motivated you to achieve so much thus far? I believe it is very much the team effort. I am motivated to give my best in the all aspects of production such as directing and managing the finer details of props and wardrobe. Paying attention to the fine details will help to elevate the quality of a production. Dedication to the craft and seeking to be the best you can be also has motivated me. Were you a leader when you were in CJC? If so, how did it aid you in your current career path? I was once camp leader in an adventure camp. I experienced good fun in this. It helped to build morale and essential survival skills. I also learned about public speaking and how to overcome fear of speaking in front of a large crowd. That was the first step that pushed me out of my comfort zone. In my second year, I was also a councillor for my class. What does ‘In Veritate Et Caritate’ mean to you? It is a motto that is very dear to my heart. Love is important and without love, you’re nothing. Love is not just physical love but also care for people. It’s the genuine concern for the people around you. CJ emphasises this. There are many priceless memories that I recall affectionately. If you were to give a piece of advice for the J1s and J2s, what would it be? Steve Jobs said it. “Stay hungry, Stay foolish.” But most importantly, love what you set your heart on - your passion and ambition.
Mr Nicholas Wong 11
Ms (ClassAomelia Lee addressin f 2007) on her e g CJCians in DBSxperiences Bank
Ms Amelia Lee Ms Amelia Lee (Class of 2007) first joined DBS as a Management Associate upon graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting (Hons) from NUS. Currently, she is a Senior Associate in Investment Banking of DBS. Her experience includes the preparation of pitches, analysis of market and industry trends, end-to-end execution of public offering processes and liaising directly with clients to render transaction-related corporate finance advisory. She will be on sabbatical leave from August 2016 to pursue a full-time MBA course at the Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. What inspired you to come back and give this talk to your juniors? I’m quite a strong believer of paying it forward, I’ve benefitted a lot from the seniors’ advice throughout my years, so I think that this is one of the ways I can give back, by subsequently sharing my experiences with the younger generation. How did your experience in CJ shape your current career choice? CJ equipped me with the confidence and interpersonal skills which I think are very useful in working life. One of the best ways to develop these skills and at the same time give back to society is to take on leadership positions. I was actively involved in the school band and the Student Council. In addition, I spearheaded several community outreach programs, including an overseas community involvement project to teach children in an orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand. How have you kept the CJ flame alive? In the area of work that I’m in, there aren’t many who are CJ alumni. Hence, I feel proud to be someone who was from the college. CJCians do stand out in the workplace, or wherever we may be because we’re generally more outspoken, more confident in the way we carry ourselves. I believe that these are some of the qualities I acquired while I was in CJ. What message would you like to convey to current CJCians? On the note of Think Careers, there is a particular quote from Winston Churchill which I find quite inspiring: “You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.” I think CJ is very much about giving back to the community and society. If you could say something to your 17-year-old self, what advice would you have given yourself? Don’t care so much about what people think of you, be true to yourself. Do not give in to peer pressure.
Mr Harvey Koenig In CJC, Mr Harvey Koenig was a student councillor and a member of the college’s Football team. He is currently a Tax Partner for KPMG in Singapore, a major global auditing firm.
enig s o K y arve Cian Mr Hng with CJience sharin his expertancy o Accoun in How does it feel to be back in CJC? It feels very good, especially being in a position where I have the opportunity to come back and give back to the college. I haven’t been back here in a very long time and a lot has changed since the last time I was here. How did your experience in CJC shape your current career choice? I studied Economics in CJ and I think it opened a new horizon of possibilities for me, since the subject is applicable in many fields, such as Public Policy. Did you take up any leadership roles in CJC? If so, how has that aided you in your career path? Yes, I was a Student Councillor. It gave me a chance to interact with all the other Student Councillors, the teachers and other student leaders. There were many activities we planned together and we conducted many discussions. What do you think was your biggest takeaway from your time in CJC? The biggest takeaway was the abundant opportunities that I got to interact with people. Good communication is very important in the workforce. As a Student Councillor in particular, there were so many people I got to work and interact with. If you had something to say to your 17-yearold self, what would it be? I would tell myself to be open to any possibilities that come my way. Even for the current cohort of CJCians, I think it’s important for students to experience as much as they can in CJC because it will definitely have some benefit in their lives in the future.
g n i t s a l Ever s p i h s d n frie d n u o r a m o fr e b o l g the International
Friendship Day marks the coming together of international students who reside in our college campus to celebrate the beginning of new friendships in Singapore. With the help of endearing friends and friendly teachers, the international students have become comfortable in their new environment and can proudly call themselves CJCians. Vincent Wise (2T29), who is from Indonesia, did not find it difficult to build new relationships with people of different races and backgrounds in a new country. “Regardless of everyone’s different backgrounds, we are all JC students facing similar experiences and challenges,” shares Vincent. “Our differences make it a lot more interesting to get to know one another, and it is the glue that holds people together.” Keeping an optimistic view, Cha Hae Won (2T30), an international student from South Korea, found that his classmates were essential to both his personal growth and learning journey in CJC. He affirms the importance of friendships. “My classmates helped me through different ways, such as showing genuine interest in learning about my country’s culture, including me in all class activities, as well as acknowledging and embracing my different background,” shares Hae Won. With constant encouragement from his classmates, Hae Won finds their affirmation comforting and has been adjusting well to CJC and Singapore. The hostelites are proud to be a part of the CJC family where they have been able to create plenty of wonderful memories with the new friends that they have made. Together as one CJC family, the spirit of friendship and togetherness is celebrated through International Friendship Day.
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Richard O’ Brien (1T23) (International student)
Neo Shao Ying (1T25) (Local student) “I have an international friend who never fails to make my day with a simple smile and a friendly “hello”. We started our friendship as classmates who share common interests. Through our chats and time spent with each other, we eventually grew closer. She is like family to me. I’m really grateful for her friendship.”
“I had been living abroad for many years prior to coming to CJC and I had doubts about my ability to adjust and make friends, but my fears were allayed when I witnessed how warm and welcoming everyone was. They never made me feel left out, and I am very grateful for that as I can always rely on my classmates to cheer me up when school life becomes too hectic to handle.”
s e i z z u F m r a W s e i d d for Bu International
Friendship Day is a day dedicated to appreciate our fellow CJCians who have been there for us in our times of need, walking the journey with us through thick and Dominic Low thin. To celebrate this day, CJCians would like (1T22) (Local student) to express their appreciation and affirm their fellow schoolmates who have “Johnson, you have been my best made a difference to their lives. Teo Ren Hao friend here in CJC since day one. I (2T18) (Local student) have learnt tremendously about China from you. I am also more aware of the “CJC has given me many diversity of the CJ community which opportunities to make friends, has made me appreciate my friends through my experiences as a new JC1 in more. I hope we will continue to Orientation 2015 and as an Orientation strengthen our bond throughout Levina Group Leader in 2016. Some of the friends our course in CJ and in the Nathasya Liauw I have made have grown to become my years to come.” (International student) closest friends. They come from varied backgrounds and nationalities and they In the few months that I have been have proven that friendship can cross an international student in CJC, I have all boundaries. I am grateful for received a lot of love from my friends here. their ability to understand me When I am down, they cheer me up. When I am and accepting me for happy, we are happy together. When I struggle who I am.” with challenging assignments, I can approach my friends to ask for assistance. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends who have really helped me in this tough journey of education. Without them, I would not be able to survive these two hard years on my own. 13
g n i c n a l Ba y a l P d n a k Wor The
Ms Soh leaSdienrena Body Bal g the exerciseasnce engaging s r e b m e m f f a t CJC S ries of stretching in a se thing exercises and brea body and mind for the
Staff Wellbeing Committee (SWC) at CJC organises fun, stress-busting activities that allow staff members to come together and get to know one another beyond the usual business of curriculum planning and programme development. In Term 2, the SWC hosted an exercise day session to promote healthy living by organising a fitness walk/run at our CJC track to give the staff a chance to train for the MOE Healthy Lifestyle Scheme Award Test, as well as a Body Balance session facilitated by our own in-house Body Balance guru, Ms Serena Soh from SWC. Body Balance focuses on restoring balance to the mind and body and for the less sporty, it was a welcome chance to feel refreshed without the accompanying aches and strains. Staff members were given the option of selecting either of these activities for a chance to maintain a healthy physique.
Nutritious ingredients were used to creat healthy wreaps
Another exciting event by SWC that allowed CJC’s staff to really let loose and bond as a family was the food wrap competition. Colleagues teamed up to create different interpretations of the ‘food wrap’ as they gamely fought it out to clinch the coveted titles of ‘Most Delicious Wrap’, ‘Most Creative Wrap’ and ‘Most Photogenic Wrap’. Not only did the staff manage to whip up an impressive array of tantalising and uniquely presented wraps (complete with mocktails and fruit garnishing), some teams even came with props and chef hats to add to the fun and festivities.
In the midst of the busy school year, these sessions remind us that regardless of how arduous the journey ahead gets, the CJC family is in this together and moments of connection only help to strengthen relationships and keep us motivated for the work that we set out to do.
A creative presentation of a food wrap
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ss ’ ’ J C J C o t o l lll t e w e e w r e a r F a A AF : d : n d e n g e e g L e Mrs L g SSppoorrttiinng right)Tiann (second from Games w the 1973 SE n a n T a s T M women’s ith the nationa A Mrrs Basketba l g ll team n g e n L e L w ow S Siio
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ight) r r a f , ond row Girls’ team c e s ( n a Mrs The 1979 CJCtch with a with t a friendly ma ol team after g Korean scho visitin
January 2016, CJC bade farewell to an experienced and valuable member of the college community, Physical Education (PE) teacher, Mrs Tan Siow Leng, who has been serving the college since its establishment in 1975. Mrs Tan shaped and guided generations of CJCians for 39 years, and also had an illustrious career as a national Basketball player, representing Singapore in the Southeast Asian Games in 1971-1983. Her invaluable experience and guidance of the Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball teams in the ‘A’ Division Schools Tournament led to their success in Top 4 positions in 1980 and 1998. 1. What were some of the memorable experiences in your career as a teacher in CJC? One of the memorable experiences was conducting basketball training in CJ. When we first started in 1976, there were few facilities available for us to conduct training. Hence, we had to train in external venues such as Swiss Cottage Secondary School, which used to be at Dunearn Road. Before the CJC hostel was built, basketball training was conducted at the courts near the Science block. In addition, we used the facilities at Tanglin Community Centre to conduct interclass basketball games. The teachers had to clean the floor or sweep it before the team started any training sessions or games! 2. What made you decide to join teaching? I have a strong passion for physical education and this made me look forward to teaching every single day. My motivation
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an Mrs Tan leuatdinsegssion by aerobics worekoin the 1980s the poolsid
With the Singapore contingent
is my love for teaching and guiding the students. 3. Share with us the highlights of your achievement in Basketball. I represented Singapore in 1971-1979 in the Southeast Asian Games. One of the highlights of my achievement in the sport was to be made Captain of the national Basketball team in 1973 and 1976-1977. As Captain, I had to be a good role model to my teammates. This meant that I had to demonstrate selfdiscipline in attending training, maintain an excellent fitness level and refine my skills. When we won a medal, the entire team was in high spirits and also relieved to have met our personal and team targets. We celebrated our success with a sumptuous dinner. 4. What were some of the best moments in representing Singapore as a sportswoman? The best moment for me was when I continued to represent Singapore in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 1983 soon after I had given birth to my son. It was challenging for me but I persevered to get back in shape through intensive training. 5. From your coaching all these years, what would be one advice that you would give to current and future generations of CJC sportsmen and sportswomen? Discipline is the key to success. When students become more disciplined in their training, it has an impact on their relationship with their teammates, coaches and teachers. Initiative is important and so is keeping fit in ways that are suitable for you.
Mr Peter Th third from leiaf (standing, of Departmetn)t , Head Mother Tongu for was reunited ewLanguage, former schoolm ith his this special oc ates on casion
A birthday surprise for one of the alumni members
Warm sm laughter iles and througho radiating as alumnui t the room recalledmembers memories fond time toge of their ther in C J f 77/78 o s s a l C e h T lfilling enjoying aerfeu memories reunion, irwhcamaraderie of the rekindled were
: s e i r o t S e Alumni n a L y r o m e M n w o D k l a AW
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January 2016, the day a pioneering batch of alumni from the Chinese Stream (Class of 1977 / 1978) gathered for a Chinese New Year reunion dinner, thirty-eight years after graduating from CJC. They spent an evening of merrymaking, reminiscing the times when they were students at CJC. As the alumni thought nostalgically about their years in CJC and the friendships they had made, they also reflected on what the CJC family still means to them today.
陈惠丽 TAN HUI LEE CA3 (Chinese Arts 3) It has been 38 long years since I’ve returned to CJC and the atmosphere of CJC is still as distinctive as before. The foolishness and brazenness of my younger years have been replaced with humility and open mindedness. The hospitality of the CJC family erased initial worries of awkwardness. This gathering has been an emotional and heart-warming reunion and I would like to thank the organising committee for making this happen.
陈幼鹏 TAN YEW PING CS1 (Chinese Science 1) Memories of my days in CJC have faded with time but this reunion has been an emotional ride, flooding my mind with important and fond memories of my time in CJC. Knowing how my ex-classmates have fared thus far has been such a rewarding take-away from this gathering.
江庆宗 JIANG QING ZONG CA3 (Chinese Arts 3) During the reunion, I had the opportunity to listen to speeches by my former schoolmates. I was so elated and overcome with emotions. After all, it has been decades since I last heard from them. Before the reunion dinner, I was apprehensive. Questions ran through my mind. Will they
recognise me? What will we talk about? It was only during the event that I realise that my worries were unfounded. Emotions were running high and we were all jubilant. By the end of the reunion we were reminded that we are part of one big CJC family.
林振长 LIM CHIN CHANG CC2 (Chinese Commerce 2) A joyful reunion of ex-classmates whose bond began 38 years ago. The school days of the yesteryears were unforgettable.
阔别三十八载喜重逢，昔日同窗情谊永难忘。 白头欢聚一堂话当年，策马顾盼自雄少年狂。 李淑真 LEE SOOK CHUN CA2 (Chinese Arts 2) Time and tide waits for no man. This return to CJC brings back so many memories of school days. It is as if the laughter and voices from those years still linger in the college compound. In the past decades, we were all busy with our careers and family, and there were few opportunities to meet up. Fortunately, ex-classmates from the Arts classes initiated this reunion. We were extremely touched by what the committee has done for us and the interesting questionnaire they designed brought back memories of life back in CJC as a student. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee members as well as the emcees brother Yip Wai and sister Sau Hoong. Their humorous and heartwarming act brought out strong emotions in us. Another big thank you goes to Peter Thia. He is our ex-classmate as well as an experienced teacher in CJC. It is through him that we are able to learn more about CJC’s progress in the past decades. It has made us extremely proud of CJC’s achievements. The main takeaway from this reunion was the reaffirming of our everlasting relationship as well as our gratitude for the CJC family.
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9. Ng Zheng Da (1T11)
1. Aaron Soares (2T11)
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5. Ms Xu Yifa
ng
2. Aaron S
oares (2T
11)
8. Sha Chong wn Goh Sh (2T07 ao )
10. Amy Tan Hui Ying (2T23) “Many leaves, one tree”-- this quote from the Disney Pixar animated film, “Epic”, I believe, encapsulates the CJ spirit in its entirety. This semester offered a melange of school events, be it in terms of festive celebrations, sports, arts or the academic. The most important takeaway, however, was that the diversity of this all makes the support of the CJ family even more striking. We know no matter what endeavour we pursue, our CJ family will be there supporting and motivating us on to reach greater heights. This inspires us to care deeply for those around us whether it be the college community or society at large.
hao S h o G n 6. Shoanwg (2T07) Ch
- Amira Yunos 1T06
u (1T17 Y g in h S g N n e r 4. Ja
)
7. Shawn Goh Shao Chong (2T07)
3. Benedict Kang (Alu
mnus)
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129 Whitley Road Singapore 297822 Telephone: +65 6252 4083 Fax: +65 6253 7267 E-mail: catholic_jc@moe.edu.sg Website: www.cjc.edu.sg
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