PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE Dear CJCians, In this final issue of FLAME for 2023, we profile the exciting college events of Semester 2 and the launch of the CJC Caritate Award. The Caritate Award highlights the importance of servant leadership and recognises and affirms acts of kindness by CJCians. The whole College has been heartened by the high number of peer nominations and deserving awardees. This reflects the strong spirit of leadership, service and culture of care in CJC. In this issue, we also bid a fond farewell to our J2s. The J2 Graduation Ceremony and celebration lunch on 6 October provided a meaningful and sentimental end to our J2s’ journey in CJC and gave them the uplifting send-off to conquer the A-Levels. The Class of 2023 will always be remembered for your drive, passion, leadership and service to the college and community. You have left an indelible mark on the CJ community. To all our J2s, we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. The CJ experience will stand you in good stead as you venture into the world as Thinkers with a Mission and Leaders with a Heart. May you continue to reach out to others in the spirit of humility and service; and stand guided by the values of Truth and Love in your journey of life. May God’s blessings be with you always! To our J1s, may you continue to grow as thinkers and leaders through your participation in the wide range of academic and service learning programmes in Semester 2. We look forward to your leadership and contributions as J2s next year, building on the rich legacy of your seniors to keep the CJ flame strong and vibrant. In Veritate et Caritate. Mrs Phyllis Lim Principal
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CJC Newsletter
Nov 2023
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2023 has undeniably been a year of growth for our College. The theme for this issue is "Achieving Milestones." Milestones, whether small or large, serve as markers on the personal journey of growth and development for each individual. As we come together to celebrate the milestones achieved by the College this year, we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of the CJC Community - a family bound by shared experiences and aspirations. Within the pages of this issue, you will accompany our students through a series of articles and exclusive interviews, sharing in their joy as they relive their remarkable achievements. We also capture the essence of our vibrant school culture by showcasing the spirited celebrations of National Day, Teachers' Day, and the J2 Graduation Day. In addition, our J2 students, who have reached yet another significant milestone in their lives, offer their reflections on their CJC journey and pen heartfelt letters to their J1 selves.
2023 Editorial Club EXCO [from left to right]: Kodeeswaran Shreeya [1T14, Vice-President], Chloe Pang [1T05, President], Ellynn Soh [1T06, Secre tary]
This year, the College introduced the CJC Caritate Award, a peer-nominated recognition honouring acts of service carried out by students in the spirit of truth and love. Through an interview with one of the Award winners, you can learn about and draw inspiration from these commendable acts of service. Remember, every milestone is a marker along the path of life, providing an opportunity for reflection on the journey behind us and preparation for the road ahead. We hope that the entire CJC Community, especially our J2 students, will take this moment to reflect on the highs and lows of the year, and gain motivation for the future. Happy Reading! In Veritate et Caritate Chloe Pang Kai Yi (1T05) Editors
Vice President
Contributors
Mr Lester Tan Ms Suzie Yanti Jumadi
Kodeeswaran Shreeya
President
EXCO
Chloe Pang
Ellynn Soh
Gladys Kee Imesha Srimalee Mapatuna Matthias Njauw Charlene Tan Glenda Christopher Gregory Adrienne Phua Keegan Ho
Doong Shi Kai Suzanne Phong Dylan Leong
The Editorial Club would like to thank the FIlm, Sound and Video (FSV) Society for rendering their support in the area of photography.
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CJC BUZZ
A SUMMARY OF SOME OF OUR MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS! Designing with TI Graphing Calculators Competition 2023
Harvard Alumni for Global Women's Empowerment Essay Contest
Dang Vu Hai Dang’s design
Bronze Award: Dang Vu Hai Dang (1T28) Certificate of Participation: Aadi Jain (1T27), Chloe Pang (1T05), Pek Dong Jun (1T13), Crispin Yeo (1T13)
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Chloe Pang (1T05) emerged as one of the six winners of the prestigious essay writing contest for her exceptional essay on the pressing needs of women in the urban landscape.
Computing @ SMU Award
Singapore Olympic Foundation-Peter Lim Scholarship
Javier Lim Wei from 2T11 has won the prestigious Computing @ SMU Award due to his stellar academic performance and keen interest in computing.
Raphael Tan (2T28) clinched the prestigious Singapore Olympic Foundation-Peter Lim Scholarship for his remarkable sporting prowess in fencing!
CJC Newsletter
Nov 2023
Singapore Mathematical Olympiad Our students have done the school proud by clinching 1 Silver (Tran Trung Kien, 2T27), 1 Bronze (Bai Fubin, 2T14), and 5 Honourable Mentions.
From left to right: Mr Tan Jek Suan (Vice-Principal), Mrs Phyllis Lim (Principal), Vu Minh Tri (1T27), Aw Jin Kai Ian (2T09), Ong Zhi Rong (2T15), Bai Fubin (2T14), Tran Trung Kien (2T27), Mr Lim Chye Fook (HOD of Mathematics) and Mrs Poon Wai Chin (Vice-Principal) Not in photo: Gabriel Reuben Lee Wei Song (1T28) and Tran Thanh Nam (2T09)
International Mathematical Modelling Competition (Singapore) The team worked collaboratively to understand and apply mathematics to a real-world problem which was to develop a model to find a decision metric that makes the best use of a land. For the second year in a row, the team has achieved a Distinction, putting CJC in the same league as NUS High School of Mathematics and Science and Hwa Chong Institution!
From left to right: Dr Lim Wei Ying, Mr Tan Jek Suan (Vice-Principal), Nguyen Thai Binh (2T28), Goh Zhi Yu, Anna (2T26), Dhiravidachelvan Deepan (2T12), Javier Lim Wei (2T11), Mrs Poon Wai Chin (Vice-Principal) and Mr Lim Chye Fook (HOD of Mathematics)
Engineering Technology Programme Scholarship (ETPS)
From left to right: Raphel Chua (1T16), Xavier Ting (1T08), Goh Hern Yee (1T28), Darius Khoo (1T12), Mrs Phyllis Lim (Principal), Mr Lim Chye Fook (HOD of Mathematics), Zachary Lin (1T10), Chua Xuan Yu (1T13) and Bryan See (1T09)
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ONWARD AS ONE! By Suzanne Phong (1T29) and Glenda Christopher Gregory (1T07) This year's National Day celebrations began with an observance ceremony led by Parade Commander, Bond Lim, from 2T15. The procession embodied the theme of this year's National Day, "Onward As One” - a rallying call to Singaporeans to move onward and shape our shared future as one united people. An engaging concert was also organised to commemorate the event. The different Houses competed in a Kahoot quiz which tested their knowledge of Singapore. Next, a singing contest was held where the concert singers showed their enthusiasm and love for our nation. The celebration continued with an energetic dance performance by our own Dance CCA while the audience cheered them on. To end the event, the College sang this year’s National Day Song, “Shine Your Light”, in unison. The National Day celebration in our College not only celebrated Singapore's independence, but also underscored the importance of community, togetherness, and a shared sense of identity among the students. FLAME interviewed some of the key players who contributed to the success of the event. Crispin Yeo (1T13) Assistant Parade Commander What did you enjoy about your role as the Assistant Parade Commander? For me, it was about making new friends. I had the opportunity to talk to different members who were from different uniform group contingencies. I was able to find out more about them, such as why they were there, some common interests and aspects of our different contingencies; in addition, I also discovered contingencies which I had previously never heard of! I also really enjoyed commanding as some of the commands that I had to learn for the celebrations were new and I took it as a challenge which was really invigorating for me. Why do you think it is important to celebrate National Day? I think celebrating National Day is important because it is about commemorating our independence. But more than that, celebrating National Day reminds us that although we are a small nation, we are still so united regardless of race, language or religion. It is these differences that make us united and allow us to build our national identity around being a multiracial and multireligious society.
Crispin Yeo (First row, eighth student from the left)
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CJC Newsletter
Nov 2023
Kayla Wong (1T01) President of Modern Dance How do you think the dance performance went? When we first got onstage, we were all feeling extremely nervous. It was a self-produced item we came up with in three weeks with no help from our instructors or teachers, and the teaser we uploaded onto our Instagram page had also received a massive amount of views. Hence, we definitely felt the pressure and expectations coming from the crowd. There was actually a technical error with the music at first, which made me concerned that it would further add to our anxiety. However, we pulled through and did absolutely great. Judging from the cheers from the audience, I am proud to say that we performed an enjoyable piece for all. Why do you think it is important to celebrate National Day? Celebrating National Day fosters national unity and pride, strengthening the sense of belonging to our country. With the school having mass sing-alongs to NDP songs, or even doing other activities, we all share a common memory associated with National Day, and it helps us rejoice in the independence and growth of our country.
Ms Moo Zhe Hui Teacher I/C of the National Day Celebration
Kayla Wong (First row, third dancer from the left)
How do you think the National Day concert went? I think it went well because the programmes were meaningful and the staff and students both celebrated and reflected on what Singapore meant to them. If there were problems, our students met them with courage and applied teamwork and critical thinking to solve them. For example, the SG Pledges team had to work through a lot of issues to put up the notice board of pledges at the school foyer. In addition, the team in-charge of singing the National Day songs had to conquer their stage fright. Why do you think it is important to celebrate National Day? Living in a period of relative peace and prosperity, it's easy to take what we have in Singapore for granted. We tend not to pay too much attention to the development and progress of our nation or even to the significance of the stars and crescent on our flag! National Day is the one day when we turn our focus toward what we can be proud of about our nation and consider whether we can do more for this country, be it as citizens or residents.
CJCians enjoying themselves during the celebration in the Auditorium!
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EDITORIAL CLUB’S FAVOURITE SINGAPORE DISHES There is no better way to celebrate Singapore’s birthday than to delve into our national pastime – eating good food! Ellynn Soh (1T06) Favourite local dish: Wanton mee Recommended vendor: Kuong’s Wanton Mee Address: 205 Sims Ave, Singapore 387506 I like eating the wanton mee from Kuong’s Wanton Mee due to its fragrant noodles and skillfully handmade ingredients. When approaching the stall, you can spot aunties wrapping wanton outside, as well as char siew being roasted at the back. With their tender pieces of char siew, firm noodles, and tasty homemade chilli sauce, I personally consider their wanton mee one of the best in Singapore.
I enjoy the mee pok from Ah Hoe Mee Pok at the West Coast Food Loft Coffee Shop because of the springy noodles and the flavourful sauce that is paired with it. The sauce that coats the noodles is rich and distinctive - you will not find it anywhere else. You will also find generous slices of abalone and scallops to enjoy with your noodles. The soup that is served with the noodles is light and mellow; it is also an excellent accompaniment as it cuts through the richness of the sauce. It also comes with a huge prawn and generous slices of meat. The only downside of eating there would be the endless queue of customers also wanting a taste of their mee pok. Yet, this should only serve as evidence that this stall 'die die must try!' Adrienne Phua (1T17) Favourite local dish: Fried Hokkien Mee Recommended vendor: Yi Ji Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee Address: 965 Upper Serangoon Rd, Singapore 534721
Suzanne Phong (1T29) Favourite local dish: Mee Pok Recommended vendor: Original Ah Hoe Mee Pok Address: 501 W Coast Dr, Food Loft Coffee Shop, Singapore 120501
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Hokkien prawn mee has to be my all-time favourite Singaporean dish. The sambal chili it comes with is, in my opinion, the soul of the dish, and Yi Ji's fried hokkien prawn mee sambal is like no other, especially in terms of piquancy. The savoury and tangy notes in their sambal make it irresistible and extremely moreish. Another factor that makes Yi Ji's hokkien mee stand out is that they don't use squid, but imitation abalone which I do prefer as it is less rubbery in terms of texture, making their hokkien mee a cut above those of the other hokkien mee vendors that I have tried.
Glenda Christopher Gregory (1T07) Favourite local dish: Nasi Lemak Recommended vendor: Soulfood Nasi Lemak Address: 987 Serangoon Rd, Stall 4, Singapore 328147 I enjoy eating the nasi lemak from Soulfood Nasi Lemak. The highlight of their nasi lemak is the chicken and coconut rice. The chicken wings and drumsticks are well-marinated and fried to golden perfection - crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside. The rice is infused with the heady scent of coconut. The accompanying sunny side up egg adds even more richness while the sambal has the right balance of sweetness and spiciness. Sides include otah, as well as the usual trimmings of crispy ikan bilis, peanuts and cucumber slices.
CJC Newsletter
Nov 2023
THE UNSUNG SUPERNOVAS
By Chloe Pang (1T05) & Glenda Christopher Gregory (1T07) This year, under the theme "Supernova: Basking in Brilliance," CJCians honoured the light their teachers bring to their lives. Behind the scenes of this heartwarming event are a group of enthusiastic student leaders - the 49th Student Councillors, the organisers of our Teachers’ Day celebration. This year’s celebration ran smoothly, but its execution was far from simple. Student Councillors Li Linxuan (1T27), Jerrald Koh (1T27), and Teng Jun Yong (1T18) took on the challenge of planning their first event, spurred by their vision of making this year's celebration even more special than previous iterations. “The day before the event was the most memorable for me. Most of the councillors volunteered to stay back till late in the evening to complete setting up, even though everyone was exhausted,” shares Linxuan. Despite the long hours of preparation, the team found the tenacity and optimism demonstrated by the student councillors extremely heartening.
Student Councillors Jerrald Koh (first row, second from left), Li Linxuan (third from left) and Teng Jun Yong (second from right) with fellow councillors.
Teamwork was the key to adapting to changes to their original plan. “Certainly there were disagreement and debate as we tried to address the problems we faced. We had to make significant changes due to the fact that our college was used as a polling centre for the 2023 Presidential Elections,” shares Linxuan. Jerrald added that disagreements had arisen as they wanted the celebration to be as perfect as possible for staff and students. Those challenges were seen as opportunities by the student councillors to better understand their roles as servant leaders, guiding and serving the student body. “I now understand what kind of leadership style I possess, and the ways in which I can improve,” shares Jerrald. This resonates with Jun Yong who shared that “overcoming the trials in event planning has been fruitful and has enriched my personal growth as a leader.” Ms Ang Shiok Hoon, one of the teachers-in-charge of the Student Council, emphasised the importance of adaptation and teamwork in coping with last-minute changes. She commended them for their dedication, from setting up the grandstand to its cleaning. Her words underscore the collaborative effort that contributed to the success of this year's celebration. Indeed, Teachers' Day in CJ serves as a double celebration for both teachers and students in their show of commitment, teamwork, and resilience. This event serves as a poignant reminder of the strong bond between students and teachers, a testament to the unity that thrives in CJ.
A burst of glittering confetti to mark the opening of the 2023 Teachers’ Day celebration in CJ.
A Kahoot! competition to test students' knowledge about their teachers.
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WE CELEBRATE YOU! A TRIBUTE TO OUR TEACHERS
Collated by Charlene Tan (1T06), Matthias Njauw (1T05), Doong Shi Kai (1T29) and Chloe Pang (1T05) We have a fantastic home tutor and probably the coolest one, Mr Clarence Lee! Thank you Mr Lee for being there for us and for your guidance as you journeyed with us through our challenges. There's still a year to go and we hope to create more fond memories with you and as a class. Happy Teachers’ Day! 1T14 Dear Ms Tay and Ms Mages, thank you for your constant guidance and care for our class. Thank you for never giving up on all of us and encouraging us throughout the year. Happy Teachers’ Day! 1T15 Mr William Yeo, Thank you for always being so patient with us. Thank you for the encouragement whenever you return our written work and for making Econs lessons interesting. We are grateful for you. Happy Teachers’ Day! 1T29 Dr Chin Yen Jin, your Chemistry lessons are incredibly engaging and fun, and you have instilled a passion for Chemistry in us. Your Student Development (SD) lessons are equally fun as they are highly interactive. We can all see the sheer amount of effort you put into teaching us through your customised notes for each and every lesson. Seeing you every morning just brightens up our day! 1T27
Happy Teachers’ Day Ms Yoong Lian Teen! Thank you for always encouraging us to do our best with your motivating and inspiring stories and insights that you have gained from your life!
To all teachers, thank you for your hard work in making sure that us students are able to understand the concepts you teach. Thank you for making lessons engaging even when you have had a hard day.
We truly appreciate all the effort you put into teaching us, sending us weekly emails to make sure we’re on track with everything. Thank you so much Ms Yoong, we appreciate you a lot! 1T22
Thank you for being encouraging and supportive in all we do too. We appreciate you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Sebastini Faith Manimohan (2T04)
To Ms Serena Soh from the Economics Department, thank you so much for addressing my questions in class. I promise to do more essays and make the effort you put in to teach me worthwhile. Ayden (2T16) Hi Mr Benjamin Thong, thank you for your patience and guidance as our Home Tutor. I have learnt many valuable life lessons and picked up good habits from your lectures after morning assembly. Thanks to your advice, I am now (finally) sleeping earlier! Olivia Dave (2T23) Dear teachers, thank you for your unwavering commitment to your students and for being a source of inspiration to all of us. The transition from secondary school to junior college was tough and unpredictable. However, your dedication, passion and patience have given us the confidence to move forward. Thank you for the positive difference you have made in our lives and I hope you will continue to be the guiding light for prospective CJCians! Tan Vi Yang (2T19)
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Hi Mr Cipto Hu, thanks for making your Biology lessons engaging and for believing in us! 2T23 Hi Ms Mackenzie Schoon! Thank you for being such an amazing Literature teacher. Every lesson of yours has shown us your passion and devotion in teaching us. You have such a way of guiding our understanding of the texts which has helped many of us gain a deeper connection to our texts. The extra time you spend checking in on us throughout lessons or chatting with us during your breaks are truly appreciated. I am thankful to have met an incredible teacher. Happy Belated Teachers' Day! We will all miss your lessons very much! Joelle Esmyot (2T04)
CJC Newsletter
Nov 2023
RETROSPECTIVE WORDS OF ADVICE
Collated by Imesha Srimalee Mapatuna (1T04) and Kodeeswaran Shreeya (1T14) We asked some J2 students to provide some words of advice to their J1 selves. Here is what they said: I would advise my J1 self to value the gradual progress achieved after every exam milestone. Prioritising regular evaluation of study techniques and their effectiveness is key.
I would simply tell my J1 self to remain consistent. There are a lot of responsibilities to juggle and it does not get easier. There will be more roles to take on and the pressure will become immense. You will get lost in the haze sometimes and it may be difficult to find your way back. But at the very least, do not lose your true self along the way.
Alongside identifying areas for improvement, acknowledging minor achievements and growth, even amidst difficulties, is essential. The significance of perseverance, though a cliché, remains undeniable throughout your JC journey. Che Han (2T03)
Lead as you always have, learn to manage your time well and take care of yourself. And do not forget your friends, the precious bunch that you can be transparent with and call home. Don’t lose your faith; you’ve got this. Aqil Aufa Bin Muhammad Taufik (2T18)
Firstly, I would tell myself to have some sort of time schedule and to manage my time well because it's easy to get carried away with distractions. Secondly, I would tell myself to appreciate my friends.
Don’t get complacent and keep striving for more. Take the initiative to make opportunities for yourself, do not wait for them to come to you. Lim Jia Tchi (2T27)
Firstly, be consistent with your work because J2 will be so much easier this way. A lot of J2 content builds on your J1 work, so you may find yourself falling behind if your J1 content is weak. Secondly, don't forget to have fun. There are a lot of games, events and competitions you can join in J1 so please make the most of them. Lastly, think about who you want to be after these two years. Not just which degree course or university you want to apply for, but who you want to be as a person. This way, you can start working towards personal growth. Try to make short-term goals that help you better yourself (e.g. getting involved with a CIP project to help and learn more about an underprivileged community that you feel strongly about). Make the best of your JC life and don't shy away from things that you might enjoy or benefit from! Sanhita Mehta (2T27)
One’s JC experience is very short and most people would think it is not worth making friends. However, the friends you make along the way is what pushes you further to study more and what helps you maintain your mental health. Last but not least, I think I would tell myself to not lose too much sleep. If I were to push myself too hard and forgo sleep just to study a few extra hours, the few extra hours I spent studying is not going to be very productive and I would not get much done anyway. Bond Lim (2T15)
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J2 GRADUATION: CLASS OF 2023 By Adrienne Phua (1T17)
The graduation ceremony is a milestone for all CJCians. This year, the Class of 2023 along with their tutors, gathered in the Auditorium one final time as a cohort to celebrate their successes and grit. It was a bittersweet event marked by tears, laughter and nostalgic reminiscences. FLAME interviewed the 2023 valedictorians as well as the winners of the Graduation pageant to find out their thoughts about winning their respective awards and about their time in CJC.
How do you feel about being crowned Mr CJ? It definitely comes as a shock to me that I was crowned Mr CJ and I never in a thousand years thought that I’d ever be capable enough to even reach the position where I would be wearing that sash or holding that trophy. It definitely is an affirmation of all the work that I have done in College whether as a House Captain or in general a friend. I personally don’t think I won because I’m charismatic or handsome. I am neither. I think I won because of the impact I’ve had on people. Even If I didn’t win the pageant I’d still be Shash and that’s good enough for me. Down the road, I'll take this newfound sense of achievement to further impact the lives of the people around me and continue being the Mr CJ that this College has made me become.
What will you miss the most about CJ? Without a doubt, it's the people that make my JC experience truly exceptional. I say this with absolute conviction: there's no other place where you'll find a culture as welcoming and filled with heartwarming kindness.
Pechetti Venkata Shashwath (2T19) Winner of Mr CJ
The time I spent in the Student Council was nothing short of unforgettable, thanks to my incredible wing members who supported me through every twist and turn, my fellow OGLs who guided the J1s through orientation with unwavering enthusiasm, and my classmates, whose bond is unlike any other - and many more. I may not remember my math integrals five years from now, but one thing is certain – I will forever cherish the countless memories I've shared with these wonderful individuals. In Veritate et Caritate, our journey together is a testament to the warmth and genuine connections that define our time here.
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Chloe Natasha See Lin (2T20) Winner of Ms CJ
CJC Newsletter
Nov 2023
How do you feel being chosen as Valedictorian of the Arts Faculty? I was honestly very shocked to be chosen as it was not something I was particularly aiming for or expecting to achieve, but I am extremely grateful. It has not been easy having to juggle between my academics and school commitments and being chosen as the valedictorian made me feel validated as well as very determined to continue performing well for the upcoming A-Level examinations. It also gave me the opportunity to speak to my cohort during our graduation ceremony which allowed me to thank the groups of people who have made such a big impact on my CJ experience, for which I am very happy to have gotten the chance to do. What will you miss the most about CJC? I think there is a lot I will miss about CJ but I will definitely miss the people the most. The friends I have made in my 2 years here in the college are some of the best people I know and there are a few that I know will be journeying with me for the rest of my life. I'll miss my fellow sports leaders and CCA mates who made even the most gruelling of seasons extremely fulfilling and memorable. I'll miss the teachers who have always treated me with respect and compassion and to whom I owe so much of my development and growth to. I’ll also miss my classmates whom I have seen every single day for 2 years. They have supported me and were there for me on countless occasions.
Valedictorian (Arts) Sharon Tay (2T01)
How do you feel being chosen as Valedictorian of the Science Faculty? It truly was an honour. I never thought I would be representing the Science cohort of CJ. I was shocked when I first heard the news. I thought I had heard wrongly or they had mistaken me for someone else. Being chosen as the valedictorian was something that had not even crossed my mind until that point. But I think that it also made me feel very proud of everything that I had done in the past 2 years. Like the things I've done in Council, all the effort put into my studies etc. What advice would you give to your current J1 juniors? I think the advice I would give is to not give up. I remember when I first came to J2 my grades plummeted and it made me feel really disheartened. This was coming from a nearly straight 'A' student at Promos and consistently throughout J1 to getting my first ‘E’ and ‘S’ at block test. It was a struggle to pick myself back up and work twice as hard just to reach my desired grades. But I think what helped really was the people around me. It was an uphill battle trying to set small goals for every internal exam, and trying not to feel too disappointed when I didn't hit those goals, but I was thankfully supported by my really encouraging classmates and teachers who never hesitated to meet me for consults and celebrate my small victories with me. And I guess it paid off at Prelims.
Valedictorian (Science) Genevieve Joelle Pang Shan-Wei (2T28)
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CJC LISTENS
Collated by all members of the Editorial Club CJC students and tutors recommend their favourite songs and podcasts! The following songs and podcasts are all available on Spotify.
CJC STUDENTS Elysha Saha (1T14) Recommended song: “Streetcar” by Daniel Caesar The lyrics remind me of the transient nature of time and that it’s important to pause amidst our hectic lives and to just purely embrace irreplaceable moments. It also tells me that I need to keep going to reach my goals even when I am doubting myself. Apart from the lyrics, the song’s smooth melody and Caesar’s soulful vocals bring me comfort. I listen to this song whenever life gets too much to handle. Janani Sivakumar (2T02) Recommended song: “Fire & Grace” by Hilltop Hoods & Ruel This song is a personal favourite of mine due to its profound exploration of personal struggles. It delves into the idea that these struggles often go unnoticed by others, masked by an outward appearance of grace and composure. Personally, this song resonates with me as it provides a sense of validation when I’m grappling with overwhelming emotions unseen by others around me. Ota Kieran Mitsuhiro (1T17) Recommended song: “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman The song is about the childhood of the singer written in a really beautiful tune, where the same 4 keys are played over and over again. It symbolises how the singer felt like she was running around in circles her whole life, which really hits close to home sometimes.
Nyi Nyi Swe Min [2T27] Recommended song: “Nocturnes, Op. 55: No. 1 in F Minor” by Frédéric Chopin I enjoy this song because the progression of this song is reflective of my life: Somewhat turbulent but with small happy moments and the possibility of hope at the end of everything, even after the difficulties and challenges in life.
Jewel Soh (1T06) Recommended podcast: Solved Murders: True Crime Mysteries I would like to recommend it to the school as it is rather interesting to learn about the motive behind a crime. 14
CJC Newsletter
Nov 2023
CJC TUTORS Ms Celestine Hang Recommended Podcast: The Food Chain I love to taste food, see food getting cooked and read about food history. This podcast series whets my appetite by shedding light on the geography, politics and science of food. This will surely satiate all who thirst for food-related knowledge! Mr Shohib Recommended Podcast: Coffee Club The podcast is hosted by a bunch of running enthusiasts who interview professional runners and talk about various running competitions from countries such as France, Australia and the USA. I’ve run marathons before and I'm very passionate about it so I really like listening to this podcast.
Mr Austin Ong Recommended Podcast: Motley Fool Money This podcast series is quite useful as it helps broaden my perspective on issues related to finance and investments. Also, I think it will be quite useful to students since some of you might be considering making small investments too, so I think it will be good for you to check it out!
Mr Nanda Recommended podcast: The Singapore Noodles Podcast It is very relatable and uses issues surrounding food to segue into other topics of national interest.
Ms Tan Wei Jun Recommended songs: “Time Travelling” by Sulaiman Azim and “Bluer Skies” by Daniel Sid I would like to recommend the song, “Time Travelling”, by Sulaiman Azim. It is a really nice song that was actually composed, arranged and sung by an ex-CJCian from one of my first few Guitar Ensemble batches who graduated in 2014! Similarly, the song ‘Bluer Skies’ by Daniel Sid is another great song sung by an ex-CJCian who also graduated in 2014.
Copyright acknowledgement: All images were taken from Spotify 15
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CARITATE AWARD The Caritate Award is a peer-nominated award that recognises acts of service carried out by students in truth and love. It seeks to affirm CJCians who have made a positive contribution in the community. The donor of the Caritate Award is Mr. Tan Tee How, a CJC alumnus (Class of 1977). He is currently the chairman of the National Healthcare Group and Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore, and holds board appointments in multiple companies. The College received over 150 nominations from JC1 and JC2 students for the Caritate Award in 2023. 16 JC2 students, who received their awards at the JC2 Graduation Ceremony on 6 October, were the inaugural recipients of the Caritate Award. Each student received a special Caritate Award collar pin and certificate. N D Durghadeve from 2T20 is one of the recipients of this award. The Caritate Logo depicts students joining hands and uplifting one another to represent peer affirmation of Durghadeve was nominated by her peers in recognition of her acts of service carried out in Truth (represented by the genuine desire to help others in need and her contributions towards Flame) and Love (represented by the Heart). the wider community. As the Community Involvement Programme (CIP) Head of the Interact Club CCA, she organised a series of projects with the elderly from St. Luke’s ElderCare. She was also the Chairperson of the Bone Marrow Donor Programme in CJC as part of her class’s service-learning project, and the Vice-Chairperson of the house-based service-learning project with the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped (SAVH).
What inspired you to engage in volunteer work? It started with small things like VIA activities and holding small conversations with people which made me more aware of the struggles of others. Nowadays, many of us are caught up with our own commitments that we forget to take a moment to step out and empathise with the struggles of the underprivileged. This motivated me to make any difference I could to make the lives of others easier. I wanted to give back to society and extend a helping hand whenever I can to anyone. How would you encourage the rest of the CJ Community to help others? There are many people from different walks of life and each go through a struggle of their own that may not be visible to everyone. I want to encourage the CJ community to always be kind because you may not know what someone else might be going through that day. Kindness can be expressed in small gestures. A simple smile, wave or greeting has more of an impact than you think. Keep smiling, be kind, and always be ready to extend a helping hand to anyone.
Durghadeve (first row, third student from the right) and the other recipients of the Caritate Award posing for a group photograph with the Principal, Mrs Phyllis Lim 20