Flame Newsletter Issue 2, 2022

Principal's Message

Dear CJCians,

With this final issue of the Flame for 2022, we feature our National Day and Teachers’ Day celebrations, and celebrate the resumption of SYF, National School Games and other key events in the College calendar, following the relaxation of Safe Management Measures. We also bid a fond farewell to our JC2s. The Class of 2022 will be remembered for your passion, leadership ,resilience and adaptability as you overcame many challenges during the COVID pandemic.

To all our JC2s, treasure the key learning points from your CJ journey and the friendships you have built. May the enriching learning experiences in CJ stand you in good stead as you continue leading and serving as Thinkers with a Mission and Leaders with a Heart. As you graduate from CJ, it is our hope that the values of Truth and Love will continue to light your path and illuminate your journey of life. May God’s blessings be with you always.

In Veritate et Caritate!

Mrs Phyllis Lim Principal

A Message from the President

2022 has been a year of reflection for many of us.

It is vital for us to reflect on all the highs and lows we have encountered throughout the year. In addition, it is imperative that we learn from the past in order to improve and become better versions of ourselves.

This issue covers various school events such as the Student Leaders Appreciation and Installation Ceremony, National Day Celebration, Teachers’ Day, and Graduation Day. We also want to provide CJCians - particularly the JC2s - with a platform to reflect on their college life. Hence, we gathered responses on how the College Mission - every CJCian a Thinker with a Mission, Leader with a Heart - shaped their identities during their time in CJC.

As American author, speaker, and pastor John C. Maxwell once said, “Reflective thinking turns experience into insight.” We hope that our JC2 seniors will take some time to reflect on how far they have come, and think about how they can move forward to the next exciting stage of their lives. Happy reading!

Edison Teong Yong Yan Ting

Emma Chai Zasha Loh

Luke Xavier Cross Megan Ng Saung La Wunn

Charlene Teo Tse Ming Hon Zenn Looi

Predrick Arockia Melvin Josh Xavier Ong

Kimi Tan Leo Bing Xun Ariel Lim Bryan Lee Oh Jing Xuan

Tan Shin Shyen Isabel Ng Cardoso

In Veritate Et Caritate

Isabel Ng Cardoso (1T02)

of Editorial Club

Our Editorial Club ExCo members. (L-R) Tan Shin Shyen (1T02), Isabel Ng Cardoso (1T02) and Saung La Wunn (1T05)

Our Hopes and Aspirations for CJC

My main goal is to bring everyone together and form a closer community. I plan to start with getting to know my classmates, then the other leaders, and then the rest of the school. I want CJCians to not be afraid of speaking up. Every voice matters.

Aqil Aufa Bin Muhammad Taufik (1T18) 48Th Student Council President

I want to further build a culture of care in the college, more than just CA Wing. No one should be afraid to approach me for clarification and questions. I hope that we can continue with our unique culture of showing care and support for our fellow schoolmates. CJCians, continue caring for and loving the people around you.

Claire Tan (1T05) Student Council Catholic Activities (CA) Wing Vice-President

As Joseph House Captain, I hope to positively impact the people around me and make a mark on my house, my class and my school.

Sharon Tan (1T01) Joseph House Captain

I hope to leave a legacy behind, and through the houses, make CJ a more vibrant community by bringing back the house spirit that has dwindled over the past two years due to COVID-19.

(1T05)

I hope that our sports scene can continue to grow and that our teams will always strive to do their best regardless of the outcome. I also hope that we won't become too fixated on academic achievements and will continue to enjoy other activities that would help us grow and maintain maintain our mental and physical wellbeing.

Tanisha Mei Murugesh (1T05) Tennis Captain

I hope that CJ students would be able to see CCA as a time where they can relax and have fun and form a close bond with people who are outside of their classes. I think having good interpersonal relationships with one another can make JC life - which is very stressfulmuch more enjoyable. Friends are important in supporting us throughout this tough journey.

Asher Jes Lee (1T05) Fencing Captain

I hope to create a culture of inclusivity and support. I would like to create a culture of inclusivity to spread this mindset - ‘If I can achieve, I would help others do the same’. If we all have the mindset of uplifting one another, we will be able to succeed together. If you do something good, others will do it too.

We hope to make our mark in CJ, no matter how inconsequential. I realise that I enjoy helping others for a good cause, which stems from my desire to make my mark in CJ. I hope to reach out to different communities within the school, hear their stories and be inspired. In other words, in order to inspire, I have to first be inspired.

Nicodemus Lai

Patrick House Captain

Sebastini Faith Manimohan (1T04) Home Tutorial Councillor (HTC)

Yong Yan Ting (1T02) Home Tutorial Councillor (HTC)

Embracing the Call to Leadership

Text By Tse Ming Hon (1T11)

On 12th July 2022, Catholic Junior College held its first combined Student Leaders Appreciation and Installation Ceremony since the COVID -19 pandemic. The event was held to formally welcome the JC1 student leaders from the 48th Student Council and also to affirm the valuable contributions of the outgoing JC2 student leaders.

The Guest of Honour, Ms Amanda Thian, is an alumna of CJC who graduated in 2010. Ms Thian was part of the 35th Student Council. Currently pursuing a successful career as a consulting manager, Ms Thian provided nuggets of wisdom on leadership. She regaled the audience with stories about her life as a student, and emphasised the importance of exercising truth and love - the College’s core values. Her speech concluded with an impactful line, “we rise by lifting others.”

The passing of the flame from the 47th Student Council President, Valsalan Nivish (2T09) to the 48th Student Council President, Aqil Aufa Bin Muhammad Taufik (1T18) was certainly one of the highlights of the ceremony, signifying the handover of leadership to the next generation of student leaders.

The recitation of the Student Leader Pledge by the JC1 and JC2 student leaders, a testament of their collective desire to serve the student body, was the perfect way to conclude a meaningful event.

Launch of the Sister Deirdre O’Loan Centre for Creativity

The Sister Deirdre O’Loan Centre for Creativity was launched on 24 May 2022 by Mr Ong Kong Hong, Zonal Director of Schools (South). Mr Ong and other distinguished guests from the Ministry of Education (MOE) were invited to tour the three learning spaces that make up the Sister Deirdre O’Loan Centre for Creativity. The launch began with a sharing by Mr Gerard Yee, the Head of Department of Project Work, on how the idea for the learning spaces was conceived, along with a preview of how the spaces can be used by students for lessons and co-curricular activities.

Next, the guests were given a tour of the Conceptualise and Create spaces by student guides who fielded Mr Ong’s thoughtful questions with poise and confidence. The students shared about how the innovative lessons held in the Conceptualise and Create spaces have enhanced their understanding of subjects such as Mathematics. Mr Lim Chye Fook, the Head of Department of Mathematics, also demonstrated the use of 3D printing software and hardware to enrich students’ learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) topics.

The Sister Deirdre O’Loan Centre for Creativity allows students and teachers in CJC to explore new possibilities for teaching and learning. We look forward to the exciting ideas that will be birthed in the learning spaces!

The theme of this year’s National Day, “Stronger Together, Majulah!”, is a clarion call to Singaporeans to unite in the face of adversity in order to progress towards a better future. Students and teachers in Catholic Junior College (CJC) were made to reflect on their aspirations for Singapore’s future, and also to look back on how far our nation has come since it first gained independence in 1965.

Students engaged in lively discussions about what the National Day theme means to them as individuals during a lesson conducted by the home tutors. There was also a heartwarming segment where students shared candidly about their experiences during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic - a sobering period which has left an indelible mark on the lives of Singaporeans. Students also shared about the valuable lessons the nation can learn from the pandemic. During the final segment of the lesson, students had to craft their version of the Singapore Pledge which captures their aspirations for Singapore. The pledges that were eventually posted on a Padlet page showcased the creativity and wit of the students in CJC. The Padlet page served as a symbolic representation of the notion of unity in diversity. The different versions of the pledge were united by a common thread: a singular and undeniable love for the nation.

CJCians were also treated to a concert held at the Auditorium. Some of the performances included a rendition of JJ Lin’s ‘As I Believe’ by Amelia Pang and Anna Goh (both from 1T26), as well as an energetic dance item choreographed and performed by members of the Dance Society. The celebrations concluded with CJCians singing popular National Day songs in unison which brought good cheer as we move forward from the challenges posed by the pandemic over the last two years.

Stronger Together, Majulah!

Winning Moves

Text by Isabel Ng Cardoso (1T02), Bryan Lee (1T27), Saung La Wunn (1T05), Charlene Teo (1T05), Kimi Tan (1T18)

Having performed marvellously in this year's lineup of competitions, our CJCians have certainly done us proud. In the following excerpts, our student winners share about how they overcame challenges and the lessons they learned from their respective competitions.

To enter the shoes of a character, one has to go through the whole process of putting oneself in the zone and to stay in that zone. This takes a lot of concentration and discipline. Something new happened during every single rehearsal session. We had to learn to be adaptable in the process.

Katerina Shu-Lian Cascapera (2T28) Drama (English)

We wanted to prove to others that we could do it and that we were not just the underdogs. The experience taught me that I need to treasure the people around me, especially my teammates. They really helped me to do better during the competition.

Erika Chuah (2T03) Track & Field

I learned that we just had to persevere through the hard times. Despite being busy with revision for the block tests, we continued to train because we wanted to win.

Kelly Shardy Kusuma (2T03) Canoeing (Girls)

I learned to step out of my comfort zone. I was very afraid since it was my first time competing in Judo. Taking the first step to participate in a competition already shows that one is capable of something, so even if you lose, you can always try again.

Adrienne Chue (2T25) Judo

The first and most important learning point was teamwork because we had to learn how to delegate tasks and make sure that we were on track. What kept us going was our constant encouragement for one another and reminding ourselves that we should persevere to reap results.

Calista Tan (2T01) Oratorical Society

Winning

Calista Tan 4th Overall Best Speaker

Ryan Ng 8th Overall Best Speaker

National School Games (NSG) – Team Results

CCA

Name of competition Achievements

Fencing Boys A Division 3rd Overall

Track and Field

A Division Girls 4x400m 7th Place

Floorball A Division Girls 4th Place

Floorball A Division Boys 5th Place

Tennis A Division Boys Top 8

National

Name

Darrell Leow Chen Jee

Name of competition Achievements

Track and & Field, 1500m Boys 3rd Place

Adrienne Chue Judo, Under 52kg Category 3rd Place

Raphael Tan Juan Kang

Fencing, Boys' Foil 1st Place

Choo Jian Ying Jaclyn Golf 3rd Place

Hannah Loh Gymnastics (Trampoline) 2nd Place

Goh Teng Lok, Audric

Darrell Leow Chen Jee

Isaac Joshua Ang Kai Yi

James Tan Chao Wei

Kelly Shardy Kusuma

Nicole Lyn Chan Xin Ru

Sofia Lim Jia Le

Xayna Kwek

Air Pistol Men Individual 3rd Place

Cross Country Boys Individual 8th Place

Canoeing K2 500m Boys 3rd Place

Canoeing K4 1000m Girls 3rd Place

A Tribute to our Teachers

Text by Xavier Ong (1T16), Tan Shin Shyen (1T02) and Ariel Lim (1T23)

It is often said that teachers have to put in both hard work and “heart work”. The theme of this year’s Teachers’ Day celebration, “Hearts at Work’’, is an apt description of the dedication and tenacity demonstrated by the teachers in CJC.

The day began with bonding activities such as card games and ice breakers; some classes even brought snacks and drinks to share with their teachers and classmates. The teachers who received notes and gifts looked visibly moved by their students’ sincere expressions of gratitude.

The main celebration commenced with an address from the Principal, Mrs Phyllis Lim, on the significant role played by teachers in moulding the lives of students. Goodie bags which had been meticulously prepared by the student leaders were then presented as tokens of appreciation to the teachers.

A video by the Film, Sound and Video (FSV) Society was also played which featured reflections from different teachers on their memorable teaching experiences. In addition, CJCians were treated to two enthralling student performances: a performance of “Light in the Hallway” by the Choir and a performance of “Rewrite the Stars”. Subsequently, teachers were made to participate in two rounds of Family Feud which elicited laughter from the audience. The event concluded with a video of students delivering heartfelt messages to teachers.

The work that our teachers do is far from easy. The least we can do is express our gratitude for them, and we are glad that we had the opportunity to do just that on Teachers’ Day!

Reflections from CJCians

The teachers constantly check on our well-being to ensure that we’re feeling okay and that we are not overly stressed. Teachers have also shaped and guided us, not just in our academics but in other areas as well.

– Reyes Justin Noel Dotimas (2T09)

Our teachers are always making sure that we enjoy the lessons and often check in on us to make sure we're learning effectively. The subject consultations that my teachers encouraged me to attend have been very helpful.

– Cai Jiaying (1T04)

I'm grateful for my teachers for caring for our mental and physical well-being. They inspire us not to give up, and also provide weekly consultations. We’re thankful for our dedicated teachers and how they plan their lessons very well.

-Letishia (2T24)

I am thankful to Mrs Leong Tyng Huey for giving me advice and encouragement after listening to me share about how I felt about my grades during one of our morning conversations.

-Suresh Viyazhini Leema (1T23)

I like how we are able to approach our teachers if we have any questions or doubts. Beyond the classroom, they encourage us to share with them any problems that we might be going through.

– Danieo Low Tianyou (1T07)

My teachers remind us not to be so stressed as exams are not everything. I am grateful for their constant care. I am especially grateful for Mr KB Ong for checking up on us, and for Ms Rena Peh for reaching out to me.

-Kieran Leong (2T14)

My Biology teacher, Mr Chua Chee Siang, used a board game to teach us and reinforce certain Biology concepts. It was a different and unique approach to teaching. I personally found it engaging and fun. The class also positively benefited from this activity, and many of them were able to easily remember the concepts afterwards.

-Edmund Tham (1T22)

Our teachers play an important role in expanding students’ knowledge and moulding them into morally upright people who contribute greatly to society. I am thankful for a teacher who gave me an important piece of advice“If others can do it, so can you.” If she had never told me that, I wouldn't be who I am today.

-Alexandria Ee (2T24)

Hearts at Work

Reflections from Our Teachers

Every teacher was once a student and can empathise with what it is like to be a student.

As teachers we always try our best and hope our students can learn effectively from us.

I found the Teachers’ Day concert quite enjoyable and it showed the students’ appreciation for their teachers. Good job to all the Aesthetic Leaders (ALs). Keep up the good work and keep improving!

- Mr Peter Loke (PE Department)

To the student organisers of this year’s Teachers' Day celebration, thank you for all your hard work and effort. I believe all the teachers enjoyed the event very much and we do feel appreciated!

As a teacher, it feels satisfying to see students do well for the A-Levels, especially those who struggled earlier but didn’t give up.

A key struggle for many teachers I believe is thinking about whether we have done enough for our students to ensure they can fulfil their potential in both academic and nonacademic aspects.

- Mr Benjamin Thong (Economics Department)

In CJ, the teachers are very collegial. We help one another and we genuinely care for one another.

I really appreciated the Teachers Day celebration this year. There wasn't a dull moment! The PAC and classrooms were beautifully decorated and it was memorable.

- Ms Cara Chew (English Department)

I enjoyed the time allocated for each home class and HT to spend time together. This year’s Teachers’ Day event was similar to the celebrations before the pandemic as there was more interaction time.

One of the highlights of being a teacher is seeing how our students grow throughout their time in JC and even after the A-Levels.

- Mr Cipto Hu (Science Department/ JC1 Assistant Year Head)

I enjoyed the interactions with students in class and getting to see another side of some of my students performing at the concert.

- Mr Yang Jie Xiang (Science Department)

This year's celebration was certainly memorable for our students, and I hope they continue to retain fond memories of their time in CJC.

- Mr Gerard Yee (HOD of Project Work)

What I found enjoyable was seeing my students enjoy themselves without the burden of daily school pressures. You see a different but positive side of students.

I am a believer in having more unstructured time such as this to build rapport between students and teachers.

- Mr Alex Tan (Humanities Department)

It was definitely a success! The concert put up by our student performers and the games played were very interesting and wellplanned.

- Mdm Wee Siew Ling (MTL Department)

Graduation Day

Graduation Day is a rite of passage for all graduating CJCians. The ceremony was more than just a nostalgic walk down memory lane; it was also a celebration of the grit, unity and passion that this year’s graduating cohort has demonstrated. It is therefore fitting that the theme of the event was “Hearts Ablaze - One Flame. One Family.”

The ceremony began with a showcase of the class creation pieces borne by the J2 House Captains. Each piece is emblematic of the unique vision of each class; however, when combined as a whole, the different pieces signify the collective CJC experience of the college community. Next, our Principal, Mrs Phyllis Lim, gave a heartwarming speech to recognise the achievements of the graduating cohort in the areas of service learning, the National School Games (NSG) and the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation. She also shared about how success is about looking beyond ourselves to serve the wider community around us.

One of the highlights of the event was the address from the Guest of Honour, Ms Jacqueline Chua, who is a leader in the finance sector as well as in the non-profit sector. She is currently the board chair of her local charity startup, Inspiring Girls Singapore, which champions the empowerment of the next generation of young female talents. A CJC alumna, Ms Chua reflected on her journey in CJC where she learnt about the value of friendships from her peers whom she is still in contact with today. It is our friendships that keep us going in times of adversity and we should therefore be mindful of treasuring them in the midst of striving for success.

The Auditorium was filled with the sound of exuberant cheers as different J2 classes received different class awards such as the Outstanding Home Class award and the Outstanding Home Class Contribution award. The graduating class of 2022 also presented the school with their cohort gift - a foosball table! The ceremony came to a close with the symbolic passing of the college flame and the singing of the college anthem. J2s, this is the start of an exciting chapter in your lives. We are proud of you!

Thinker with a Mission, Leader with a Heart

Collated by Zasha Loh (1T04), Luke Xavier Cross (1T05), Zenn Looi (1T14), Edison Teong (1T02) and Yong Yan Ting (1T02)

The graduating seniors reflect on what leadership means to them and how CJ has shaped them into thinkers with a mission and leaders with a heart. They also offer words of wisdom to the current J1 leaders.

Leadership programmes and opportunities in CJ have given me the chance to connect with other leaders and learn about various leadership styles.

Not only have I made many new friends, I’ve also learned different methods of leadership from my peers. My advice to student leaders is to always stay true to yourself and be kind to those around you.

- Ashley Ong (2T02)

I believe that leadership is about making a difference in areas that one is passionate about.

Through the Student Development (SD) lessons and stretch programmes, CJ has given me the opportunity to meet likeminded people as well as those with different worldviews. This has shaped my own perspective.

It has also built my confidence and given me satisfaction knowing that I've made an impact on others as well. As a leader, learn to trust yourself and keep an open mind, even if the outcome is uncertain.

- Chloe Ang

(2T21)

CJ has moulded me into a leader through the opportunities to contribute to society, such as the Local Service Learning Programme (LSLP). I was able to get firsthand experience of how to treat people with empathy and patience.

Interacting with CJCians from different backgrounds also taught me to understand what leadership means to different people and broadened my perspectives on leadership. CJCians need to be willing to step out of their comfort zone and to be adaptable.

-

Tan Yu Lin (2T24)

Leadership is not just about having faith in others but also about having faith in yourself. My leadership experiences in CJ have made me more confident and self-aware. Always do your best as leaders.

- Adalene Loh (2T24)

Being a leader is not just about the title that has been bestowed upon a person. One needs to work hard to earn the trust of those whom you lead.

Through the leadership programmes in college, I discovered my leadership style and how I can best utilise it to add value to the CCA as a member of the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Shooting CoCurricular Activity (CCA).

- Robyn Sim (2T17)

A leader brings out the best qualities in their teammates, and creates opportunities for them to bring great ideas together. When faced with problems, they rise to the occasion and handle the situation with grace and poise.

The leadership programmes here have allowed me to discover qualities about myself that I never knew I had, and helped me to step out of my comfort zone to lead others.

- Melissa Yeow (2T26)

I believe strongly in being a servant leader and in being a leader who is also a friend to all.

The leadership programmes in CJ have given me a platform to interact with other student leaders to get a more holistic understanding of the community’s needs and vision for the college.

It has helped me recognise the importance of getting to know the student leaders in the college in order to work towards a common goal.

My advice to current student leaders is to create a leadership philosophy. This will serve as a constant reminder of what your passions and aspirations are as a leader.

- Tiffany Zee (2T02)

As a people-oriented leader, I enjoy listening to other opinions even if I have already set my mind on a certain plan.

This allows me to come to a consensus that will benefit everyone. Our leadership programmes in CJC have been effective platforms for us to hear the voices of various students from the student body, and to take into account their needs and opinions which we would not have known about.

For me, leadership is about action. Be passionate about serving and live up to your promises and goals. Care about your team and learn to embrace them.

- Ye Anyi (2T06)