CJC Flame Issue 3 2018

CJC NEWSLETTER ISSUE THREE

#o

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r y o t s J rC

OCTOBER 2018

Principal’s Dear CJCians,

Message

With this final issue of 2018’s run of the Flame, we bid farewell to our JC2s.

It may have been an intense two-year journey through junior college, but it is also full of good memories to last our JC2s a lifetime.

Although you may also feel a sense of uncertainty as you leave the formal schooling of the past twelve years and step out into the real world, my teachers and I hope that you will graduate from CJC with positivity, full of gratitude for the people who have crossed your path in this college.

Think back fondly on all those who have made your journey in CJC a meaningful one – your peers, teachers, coaches, school leaders and non-teaching staff of CJC, and pay it forward to the wider community you

Editors Aprilene Goh Huishan Nur Liyana Mohamed Tahir Daphne Tan Li Wen Aster Goh I-Mei Suzie Yanti Jumadi Contributors JC2 Cohort

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will grow to lead and serve. Revise your concepts and consolidate your learning with this thankful heart, knowing that the lessons that you have learnt in CJC beyond the academic curriculum will stay with you for a long time.

Everyone has a version of the CJ story to tell, and as you prepare to graduate from CJC, reflect on your story – the relationships you have formed, the leadership journey you undertook – and push yourselves to achieve success at the ‘A’ Level Examinations.

Photographers Anansit Ta Aye Phyu Thant Ferry Chandra Jaren Ng Jonathan Tay Lu Wenjie Melanie Lim Yugesh Ravindran Mrs Lee-Xu Yi Fang Au Fait Studios - Abel Tan

We wish for you to be a reflective individual and active contributor to society who is able to find purpose in the choices you make, reaching out to others in humility and service. On behalf of the College, thank you JC2s for enriching and touching our lives.

May the values of Truth and Love keep you on even keel in this journey of life.

Mrs Phyllis Lim Principal

Errata Issue 2 wrongly stated that CJC Drama had never achieved beyond the Certificate of Accomplishment at previous Singapore Youth Festivals. In fact, CJC Drama was awarded Gold with Honours for Cinderella (2012) and the Certificate of Distinction for Poop (2014). It was only in 2016 that they were awarded the Certificate of Accomplishment for Aftershock.

Sean Koh (2T04) I feel grateful to my peers for giving me the chance to organise and execute our first official class outing and for the unwavering support they gave during the planning and the outing itself. It was an unorthodox programme: an Amazing Race, followed by a dinner and some games at my house.

Having planned multiple Amazing Races for friends outside of school, I knew I had the ability to design one of an even larger scale. Though the race did not go entirely according to plan, the dinner went well and in the end, it was a great day spent with the class. It was a privilege to be able to do something like this for my classmates.

As a JC1, attending Rockafella was truly an eye-opener. Rockafella XIII was a platform where CJCians displayed their musical prowess to the College. We were surprised when we saw the teachers’ band perform but were delighted to see a different side to the teachers that we would not have otherwise known. It was certainly a #whyCJ moment when we saw the solidarity that the College had as everyone grooved to the beat and cheered on the bands performing.

Kirubezh Venthan (2T08)

The culture of caring is truly my #whyCJ! I remembered vividly how my classmate, Theresa, injured her knee and needed to be on crutches when she came back to CJ. What touched me the most was how our class was so caring and helpful towards her, even offering to buy her food. Our AHTC, Mint, even brought a small foldable chair for her to rest her leg so she could recover quickly.

Shawn Ng (2T21) This year, when the Football boys in CJC played against RI, I was surprised at the many CJC students who came down to support them. Even though we did not win, what warmed my heart was the love and support people had for one another in CJC. This is my #whyCJ moment.

Ong Yew Long (2T28)

The Moment I Knew #whyCJ Anh Minh (2T12)

One of the events that has made me believe that CJC is the best community to be family with is during my OSLP Vietnam Trip in 2017.

We were halfway through the trip when I fell sick quite badly, but seeing how hard the rest of my group worked to keep up with the project we had planned, I decided to keep quiet about it and continued my work as usual. It was a bad decision because I could not keep up physically and broke down in front of my team. I felt so vulnerable but all my

I choose Orientation as my #whyCJ moment. Orientation made me feel less insecure about transitioning from secondary school to a junior college.

The activities that were planned, the time spent solving challenges together, and having fun during and outside the programme led to the friendships formed during the journey. No one was excluded and everyone made the effort to make sure everyone else had a good time. The fun times together with friends whom I could count on made Orientation my #whyCJ moment as I knew I had friends who I could rely on to push through the rigorous JC curriculum together.

Benedict Fong (2T07) During the Project Work period, it was very, very intense and super tiring but the moment I knew #whyCJ was when everyone was supporting each other, giving each other advice on how to present our Written Report and actively participating in the Oral Presentation as the speakers tried to engage the audience. This was when I felt that CJ was truly special and that it was unlike any other college.

Pamela Bay (2T18)

Joining rugby as a rookie may have been one of the best decisions in my CJ journey. Because of it, I met a band of friends that I can now call my brothers. The trainings were arduous but after each session, I found myself anticipating the next one. I began to look forward to going to school on training days so that I could head to the field with my team after lessons. The camaraderie in my team has made the great demands of JC life easier to handle. My first #whyCJ moment was realising I was part of this family we call the CJ Bulldogs.

Keith Chan (2T06)

group mates were extremely concerned and caring. It was then I realised that it is perfectly normal for us to be vulnerable at times since there is only so much each of us can do. When we are ourselves, the people around us will understand and support us. Through this experience, I started to understand myself and my peers better. I am grateful that our relationships deepened through the ups and downs of the trip and this makes me feel that I belong to a close-knit CJ family.

LSLP was one memorable event for our class. We chose to volunteer at Lakeside Family Services, planning a two-day camp for our beneficiaries. Preparing for this event was not easy as everyone had their own commitments. The moment I knew #whyCJ came when all of us stayed back after one of the June Holiday supplementary lessons.

We practised the dance performance in the PAC Cave and were unafraid to go out of our comfort zones to make this project a success. We all wanted to put a smile on the children’s faces. From all the rehearsals for our dance performance to packing the goodie bags for the children, everyone in class started to get on board and put their hearts into getting ready for the actual day.

Alicia Tan (2T23)

My #whyCJ moment was when work started getting tough and JC life became stressful. Despite this, everyone was not only focusing on their own individual studies but spurring each other on and working together. This spirit of teamwork and family not only applies to the students, but also to the teachers, who came back during the holidays to give us consultations to help fill our learning gaps. This gave me the feeling that we are not alone and that the teachers are with us in this journey towards the ‘A’ Levels. This motivates me to work harder not only for myself but for them too.

Jamie Gian (2T19)

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The First Day VS The Last 2T01

Circle Time — little did we know that this unique CJC activity would not only be crucial for our class to break the ice on the first day of school, but also allow us to get a deeper understanding and insight into the world views and perspectives of our classmates.

On the first day, with the little paper plates that we created to represent ourselves, we began our introductions to the group of people who inevitably shaped our JC life. It was clear from the beginning that our strength laid in our diversity. We will also end our journey as CJCians with our Circle Time routine, and this brings us comfort. Throughout these two years of growth that many of us experienced through Circle Time, the feelings of acceptance, belonging and family in our class have remained constant.

My first memory of 2T04 was during assembly, when I had sat down and the first question I was asked was whether I had chosen to read English Language and Linguistics. We realised that we were the tiniest class in the level, with only 17 students, and so we joked that it felt ‘cosy’ to be in the class. At first glance, our class was clearly a chatty and curious bunch. Later in the day, we had our own Circle Time and played Truth or Dare - we are certain the whole school heard our uproarious laughter over the exchange of embarrassing stories. Truly, 2T04 is a motley crew of personalities— from social hermits and pop-culture divas, to politics and history buffs, as well as communist supporters and football fans. Even so, we grew to accept each other’s idiosyncrasies over the two years.

2T04 When I first stepped into CJC, I felt uncertain and worried about the path ahead of me. I didn’t know what challenges laid ahead for me, and my seniors told me that it would be a busy, tiring two years with constant mugging. On the last day of school, I think I would be very emotional as I have made some of my best memories here, with people that I call my pillar of support during my darkest times and with teachers who always made the effort to care for us despite their busy schedules. Had I been posted to another JC, I would not have developed the maturity and reflexivity I now possess. In retrospect, I would not have thought that I would be spending the best two years in my life in CJC. Kelvin Andikko (2T07) I can still remember the first few steps I took into CJC. As I walked down the corridor near the car park, I was greeted by friendly OGLs, which left me with a very good feeling. I was very excited to meet new people and form new friendships in a fresh environment. As I look back on that day, I must say that it was indeed the people in CJC who constantly make my days enjoyable and meaningful.

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Bryan Goh (2T22)

2T05

On the first day, we were afraid and nervous. The prospect of going into uncharted territory terrified us all. For some, mixing with the opposite gender for the first time in a college setting made the experience even more unsettling. However, the warm welcome extended by the OGLs as they bade us good morning at the college gates inspired hope within us that our journey in CJC would not be as tough. Now, as we approach the last few months of our life in CJC, we can only imagine the sadness we’ll feel when we walk out of here to never return as students again. We have learned to love our College.

Jerusha Agnes (2T22) Upon stepping into CJC, the first thing that I remember till today is the familiar and warm “Welcome to CJ!” greeting by cheerful seniors.

Immediately, the uncomfortable state of being in a new environment vanished and I felt welcomed. I could feel that this college was filled with an unexplainable warmth and was glad that I was here. However, that feeling disappeared when I entered the Auditorium. The sea of unfamiliar people wearing various school uniforms deflated whatever fuzzy feeling that had developed within me. I felt nervous not only because of the sheer size of the cohort but also the fact that I was no longer in a girls’ school. I felt out of place and secretly wished that these two years would pass by quickly. The teachers that we met were smiley and caring but I told myself it was all just because it’s the first day of school.

Although I was initially reserved, I slowly learnt that the warmth of that greeting and my impression of the teachers were an accurate representation of CJC. As my CJC journey is coming to a close, I can boldly say that it is here that I have met the most genuine people, be they friends, teachers or staff. The care and love that I have seen has inspired me to be more loving and sensitive to others. More than a college, I prefer to call this my family. It is a family that pushes forward despite the darkness of the uncertain future. It is a family that never gives up on you though you might give up on yourself. It is a family that picks you up when you fall. It is a family that I will cherish in my heart forever. Thank you CJC for allowing me to be a part of this family.

Yeo Wei Jern (2T18) On the first day of school, I felt nervous and afraid because I was not sure if I was going to fit in. However, on my last day of school, I will be able to wholeheartedly say that I have absolutely no regrets coming to CJC as I have forged so many bonds. Be it in my class, Football, or Ultimate Frisbee, I’ll treasure the memories I have here and the strong friendships I’ve developed. The last day will definitely be bittersweet as it means the ‘A’ Level Examinations will almost be over, and my time in CJC will also come to an end. But I tell myself, “Hey, don’t be sad that it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Best Places to Work or Play College Field

Home Room It is often in times of unfamiliarity that we desire a sense of safety and security. It is therefore no surprise that our class, 2T01, took refuge within the four walls of our home room during our JC1 year. The torturous trip all the way to Level 5 seemed to be worth it as we spent most of our time in the home room, be it to chill, jam to our favourite songs or study and have group discussions. Our classroom seemed to be the most conducive place where each of us had the freedom to be ourselves.

2T01

Library The CJC Library is, without a doubt, the best place to study. It is not only quiet and air-conditioned, but is also filled with many friendly staff including our college librarian, Mr Jason Tan, who never fails to greet every student with a warm smile and a wave. Mr Jason also goes around to dust and clean every table each morning just to maintain the cleanliness of the library.

The motivational messages around the library encourage us to push on in times of difficulty. Moreover, there are also single study pods available for those who wish to study alone and conducively without having to occupy the larger 4-seater tables.

2T07

College Field & Netball Court

It’s the perfect place for a much-needed respite from the burdens of a JC student, especially since you tend to forget all your worries when you’re having so much fun. From the memories of Sports Carnival to our weekly PE sessions to after curriculum hours where our class would bond over a game of frisbee, the field is a place that is just filled with so many fun memories that we can look back on next time.

2T06

PAC

The road towards achieving success at the ‘A’ Levels does not only include mugging day and night. In order to avoid being burnt out, we also found time to relax through sports. The two best places to engage in physical activities in CJC are the field and the netball court. During breaks or after school, we enjoyed just throwing a frisbee disc around with friends. It helps us take our mind off the stress even just for a second before we resume our rigorous study schedule back in the classroom or library.

2T14

It is a quiet and serene place with the field being just next to it, making it very suitable for studying. You can study there without even feeling the afternoon heat.

Because it is relatively isolated, there is no worry about people walking past and disturbing your train of thought during marathon study sessions.

2T22

Canteen One of the best places in school to chill is the canteen because when there’s time to spare during our breaks after we eat, we would stay there to have a good chitchat and catch-up with one another.

2T23

Grandstand Whenever we think of the Grandstand, it is always full of fond memories. The peaceful environment provides the best condition for us to study, hang out, and chill. Many would remember that during Orientation, we had good bonding sessions there with our OG mates. We held PW discussions and made LSLP preparations there as it allowed us to test out the games that we came up with. Most of us enjoy studying at the Grandstand because the cool breeze makes it conducive for long hours of studying. Our class also gathered there before and after PE, to warm up and cool down. It is a special place for us as we would sit at the round tables to do work before assembly every morning in JC1 because we did not want to climb up to the 5th floor where our home room was.

The Grandstand also has a reputation for its photogenic background; it’s where CJCians love to take group photos. Furthermore, with the recently added swing, it provides additional entertainment for all! This is a place that brings CJCians together and is filled with all our experiences and laughter.

2T05

St Cecilia Music Corner The most conducive place to chill out would most probably be the St Cecilia Music Corner. It’s where many CJCians take to playing the piano, filling the entire foyer area with beautiful melodies. We hang out by the piano when we are free or stressed out, enjoying the tunes our classmates create with their hands.

2T08

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Ain't No Mountain

High Enough

The rigour of the JC curriculum meant endless numbers of essay outlines and constant preparation for tutorial.

Staying up till the wee hours of the morning became a norm, along with exhausting tutorials (eating sweets was a good way to keep up the stamina). Completing the demanding assignments for each tutorial was a challenge that we had to overcome every day. However, doing it with the class made life a little less challenging.

2T01 Lit Evening was worth it in the end and we will remember it for a long time as the hallmark of our CJ journey! Trying to get our game on for exams has been no easy task but we’ll take it when it comes at us. In the meantime, we’ll continue fighting sleepless nights and laugh with each other, as well as appreciate the little wonders in our lives in and out of CJ. 2T02

The biggest challenge has got to be creating class spirit. Looking back, even though the journey was tough, we’re happy that our class now feels like family.

2T03

Some of the most challenging moments for the class include the recent MYE period.

We learnt to support one another with some study tips, stress relief, and checking up on one another to ensure that we were on track with work and content coverage, or that we didn’t forget about our morning papers!

Also, initial planning for the class board designs was a struggle as we had many differing ideas, but eventually, we decided that the class’ beliefs and what we wanted to portray as a class took priority. We later settled on a design that represented 2T06 at its best, and it really distinguished us from other classes.

Tarsilla Lee (2T06)

With its academic rigour, adapting to the short runway of the ‘A’ Levels has always been difficult, and over the course of the past year, 2T04 often found it challenging to catch up with our studies. Concepts were sometimes too abstract and hard to understand, but through great perseverance and hard work, we have seen ourselves slowly rising to the challenge. Although we have yet to triumph over our final exams, we’re sure that with the unity of our class and the effort we have all put in our quest for excellence, we will be proud of our achievements when our hard work comes to fruition.

2T04

One of the most challenging moments that we shared as a class was about putting in our best effort for our schoolwork. With the intense demands of CCA training, college events and external involvements, we found it difficult to juggle our commitments and might have actually lost motivation to do our best during J1, especially in our studies. Despite these challenges, we were there for each other when we needed help. We also learnt to leverage on our strengths. These in turn allowed us to pull through stressful exam periods last year and promote as a class.

2T10

I believe I speak for everyone when I say that one of the most challenging experiences in JC life is definitely Project Work.

At the beginning of the year, we were grouped with people we barely even knew, yet we were expected to develop into a cohesive and functional unit to achieve our common goal, which was to get that seemingly elusive ‘A’ grade. At first, our class seemed a tad too relaxed, however, we picked ourselves up and began working hard with our tutor Ms Mages, and our Home Tutors, Mr Lim and Ms Chan. In the end, we exceeded our class’ own expectations!

Lim Jun Kiat (2T14)

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One challenging experience we went through in CJ was conflicting priorities among classmates. Our class is quite a fun-loving class, however, when exams were approaching, many were unable to prioritise the task at hand or fully dedicate themselves to revision, and procrastinated instead. Because of the many distractions, we did not have a conducive environment to study in, which caused the people who care about us to worry. From this, many of us learnt the value of caring for others, and knowing our priorities to prevent a similar situation from happening. And as we started to work together towards a common goal, our bonds became stronger - and even though not all of us made it to J2, we still hold each other close to our hearts.

The bond that we had to build at the start of our J1 year was one of our biggest challenges to overcome. Everyone was from different secondary schools and backgrounds, and it was difficult to imagine being friends with one another.

We had to first understand each other and accept others’ quirks or individual ‘weirdness’. We are thankful that our class did not have many challenging issues after we started to open up and accept each other.

2T18

2T04

A misunderstanding once took place in our class when our HT told us to change our seating arrangement so that we could concentrate better during class. Many of us were unhappy as we thought that there were dissenting voices among us who had complained to our HT without even talking to us about the problem first. The CMC brought this up to our HT and she gave us some class time to sort things out. It turned out that we had several differences in our thinking, but the problem was legitimate. We realised we all wanted to do well at the ‘A’ Levels and came to a consensus to keep the noise level down and make lesson time more effective for our learning.

2T21

One of the most challenging moments we faced as a class was definitely the planning for our Local Service Learning Project, because it was the first time that the teachers stepped back to let us learn to be independent and solve problems. We had to communicate with people from HDB and Town Council who were involved in our project, which was unfamiliar territory because we were all accustomed to having everything planned out for us when it came to such projects. Because of this, we initially struggled as we had to design, trace and paint more than 100 canvases by hand, as well as design banners and buy materials while staying within the allocated budget. It was only on the actual day of our project that we started to see that our hard work was worth it. We learnt a lot about communication skills, event planning and how to manage our finances. This LSLP gave us a taste of what we should expect in the real world after we graduate and we are immensely grateful to CJ for giving us this opportunity to grow and develop ourselves.

I think one of the most challenging things about our class is that we are all very different in our own ways. Some people are quieter and shy, while some can be very extroverted and loud. At the start, it was quite hard for us to come together to plan things, but I think at the end of the day we managed to look past our differences and bond well together as a class!

Shanna Twang (2T22)

2T19

We had a relatively peaceful year in J1 as many of us were able to put aside our differences and get along with one another. However, as J2 approached, the stress of studies and our various commitments began to weigh down upon us and many of us became impatient with one another. Even our teachers noticed the tension. That was when a few classmates rallied everyone to resolve the issues together and rebuild the class support system. It did not solve everything, but was the first step to us becoming more harmonious and cherishing people around us. From this, I learnt that no matter how busy I am, focusing on the things that matter most is very important in life.

Hillary Loy (2T23)

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The Things

They Said

1 2 3 4

“It’s you I like, not your grades; they don’t define you.”

– Mrs Daphne Chua

“There is no finished homework, only undiscovered homework.”

– Chloe Yung (2T04)

“It’s not the size of the lion in the fight, but the size of the fight in the lion.”

– Mr Peter Loke

“I trust you.”

– Ms Tay Su Lynn

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5 6 7 8

“Do not fear because KB Ong is here.”

– Mr KB Ong

“I mean…life happens.”

– Ms Liyana

“Only you are responsible for your own happiness, you’re not responsible for anyone else’s.”

– Ms Melissa Olsen

“When you see the light, the light will set you free.”

– Mr KB Ong

9 10 11 12

“When you have hit rock bottom, the only way left is UP.” – Haridas (2T25)

“Let’s all be winners today.”

– Jasper Tan and Ignatius Tan (2T28)

“In CJ, you never walk alone!”

– Mrs Yue, JC1 Orientation 2017

“It is called imaginary number because it is not real.”

– Mr Lim Chye Fook

Our Gratitude List

Thank you!

Family My family has been a strong pillar of support and love, always giving me advice and guidance, as well as the courage to press on in the darkest of times. They give me happiness and a home where I feel I belong to, which helps me not to worry unnecessarily.

- William Hanson (2T22)

Friends

I want to thank: The friend that made days so much brighter with silly banter The friend that made me stronger when I felt weak The friend who helped me look for a style that fits me The friend who wasn’t afraid to call me out when I was being spiteful The friend whom I had a crush on (and probably knew) The friend who grew with me over the years we knew each other The friend who liked talking about deep, chim stuff The friend who didn’t hesitate to help me out with my academic troubles The friend who kept forgiving me even though I hurt them many times - Samuel Lim (2T04)

School Leaders and Parents’ Support Group We would like to thank the School Leaders and Parents’ Support Group (PSG) for helping with and organizing the Night Study Program for us. It really helps us in our learning.

- 2T21

Non-teaching staff We are thankful for the non-teaching staff, like the General Office staff who will always tend to us if we have any administrative problems, staff in the Co-op and printing shop who always do all the work behind the scenes for us.

We are also very grateful for the canteen vendors who prepare such delicious food for us every day without fail!

- Rabab Mehnaz and Ting Sze Yin (2T08)

Teachers

Even though some of us are unable to prepare for tutorials on time, more often than not, our teachers simply encourage us to do the next tutorial for our own good. They choose not to scold us because they understand that if we had the time, we would definitely come prepared for tutorials. It takes a lot of patience to be a teacher and we are eternally grateful for that.

- Jerome Tye (2T23)

The whole CJ community Thanks to this wonderful CJ community for always being so warm and inclusive, for uniting everyone as a whole.

- Matthias Wesley Heng (2T13)

The whole CJ community I am thankful for having the opportunity to meet many amazing individuals in CJ. Each one had a lesson in store for me, and it is something that is only possible because of the people here.

- Wen Shuang (2T18)

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Class Photos 2T04

2T05

2T01

2T06

2T02

2T10

2T03

10

2T07 2T11

2T08

2T12

2T09 2T13

2T14

11

2T19

2T15

2T20

2T16

2T17 2T21

2T18

12

2T22

2T23

2T26

2T24

2T27

2T28

2T29

2T25

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To Love

is to...

Mdm Jalikha Husin (School Library)

...give to others selflessly, whenever they are in need. For example, if I can have a meal for $10, what is stopping me from donating $10 to charity? Nothing. What I have, I believe that others should have too. It is so important to love others in society. In particular, I have a soft spot for children. I will try my best to help those who need it in our community.

Mdm Kee Meow Tiam (Something Fishy)

- Mdm Hapsah Binti Sirat (Science Laboratories)

‌open the doors for the students when the laboratory is stuffy.

Students are supposed to clean up the workbench after they finish their lab work, but sometimes I help them with it when they run out of time.

School is not easy for students, so I try to help them when I can in simple ways. If I cannot help, I will look for someone else who can.

...help students realise there is hope and remind them that their parents love them. Sometimes students tell me the problems they face at home or how they feel like giving up after sitting for the examinations. I would often tell them that doing their best is what matters, and that there is always a way out - I believe this is what their parents would want for them too. As for those whom I don’t get to talk to, I try to encourage them by giving them a bigger portion of food and not charging extra for it.

After all, there is no end to earning money, and caring for others is more important.

Mr Tan Chee Fatt (Noodle King)

Mdm Amy Oh (CJC Cooperative Society)

...be united and to care for one another. I’ve been here 14 years and I feel that the students and the school community cares very much for me and in turn, I love the students very much too. In all my years here, CJC students have never failed to check in with me regularly to see if I feel burdened in my work and to ensure that I am healthy and happy.

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...not charge more money for students are especially hungry on a certain day, and to charge nothing for those who cannot afford the meal - as long as they work hard in school. Money is hard to earn, so it is not always easy for parents to financially support their children.

I feel very happy to be able to encourage these students with my food, never mind the cost.

- Mdm Sadiah Imbek (General Office)

...express your actions with sincerity.

Whether it is for the students, teachers, friends, colleagues or even animals, your actions should be genuine. Most importantly, always give of yourself and do it with a smile in your heart. You will then find happiness and satisfaction. Love is neverending.

Wise Words Mr Gerard Yee (Project Work)

to Remember

“Great things are done when men and mountains meet; This is not done by jostling in the street.” — William Blake.

Always reach for the heights and never fear to conquer your peaks! You must challenge yourself to be the best. So see the big picture and do not worry about the small stuff. Keep your focus on what’s important.

The Chemistry Department

“Life is about sacrifices.

You sacrifice the things you want for the things that you want more.

And if we get that right, it will be all worth it!”

Miss Melanie Lum (Geography)

Dear JC2s, You have come so far in the last two years. Many of you have blossomed with maturity and have grown so much in terms of your intellectual capability. Success is not measured by the peaks you reached but how much you have touched people’s lives with your knowledge and skills along the way.

To my dear geographers, always remember the lessons you have learnt about the plight of the less fortunate and our impact on the environment, and strive to make a difference to the world starting from today!

Mrs Daphne Chua (General Paper)

Dear JC2s, When you think back on your time here, I hope you will see how nice it has been for you to be in the lives of your friends and teachers. When the future seems scary, look for the helpers. There will always be people helping. And I hope that in the future, you will be one of them too.

To all the graduating students of 2018, I had a great time knowing some of you. The takeaway I’d like you all to have is INTEGRITY. As you continue on with your life journey, always have integrity in your heart. Success without integrity is not success. Being a Leader without Integrity is nothing. Whatever challenges you face in future, face it with integrity. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

“Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership. Always keep your word.” — Brian Tracy Mr Jason Tan (School Library)

Mr Alvin Leong (Biology)

Dear JC2s, Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less: only when you acknowledge and accept your weaknesses can you learn and grow to be a stronger and better person. In everything you do, do them “in truth and love”. Seek truth in the knowledge, the expertise and the best possible ways in how you can carry out your tasks; find love in your passion, your ideals and in your community when it comes to why you are doing what you do. With these drivers behind your motivation, decisions and actions, I hope all of you will be the positive change in your respective fields in the future. All the best!

Ms Aster Goh (Literature)

Wise Words from a Literature Tutor I want to take the world lurking behind the text and let it unfurl like caterpillar legs, multiple and inching towards a shaded sprightly canopy of leaves, Leave this grain of sand, not merely a grain, but potent like a seed. Knead its power into the fresh soil of their minds, have them not mind the encumbrances that reject the logic of this potential that words whip whirlwinds of amassed bodies of life seeking truth and resonance in a world desperate to resist yet desperate to shape itself into sense.

I want the words to whisper and tease the tune trailing into an anthem that stills their hearts and beckons their consciousness and rallies an anthem their inner selves stand attention to.

I want them to whisk these words, beat them fluffy and make omelettes of resounding wisdom.

I want them to know that words wield power and that this, this raw energy lies within them.

Mr Lim Meng Hui (Economics)

“Life is like a camera…

FOCUS on what’s important, CAPTURE the good times, DEVELOP from the negatives, and if things don’t work out, Take another shot.”

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Artistic

Contributions

Peace within the City: Shawn Ng (2T21)

Zoe Deborah Tauro (2T04)

The Desperation of An 04 Kid A little misguided we may seem Far too lost in our hopeless dreams We drift in the vast open sea Like driftwood longing to be free 2T16 Artwork: Krystal Tan (2T16)

We may not be but we will be.

Our hearts think before our mind Searching for something we cannot find We drift ashore, tired and cold But our beliefs remain untouched and whole

Chan Chung Yan (2T19)

A haiku about school Stress stress stress stress stress stress stress stress stress stress stress stress where is my coffee?

CJC - Our Second Home, by 2T23

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2T24 Quirks

Amalgam

The Olive Branch: Ignatius Gabriel Ho (2T21)

Little Contradictions In the sea of blue at 845 I stand at attention, another day

Chai Pin Xuan (2T11)

of noisy canteens and noisier corridors, we chase silence after conversations in hopes of clarity of experienced minds for we oppose solitude, houses and clubs sustaining shortcomings, where being lonely, is a difficulty and having friends is an understatement despite the freezing lecture theatres, CJ’s burning hot Characters of 2T01

Faces of T12

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#OurCJStory Stories— tales of triumph, hardship and sacrifice— are meant to be shared with those dear to us. The CJC family provides a nurturing embrace for us to write our own narratives, in Truth and Love, whatever our backgrounds may be. Our CJ story is formed from not only our own stories but also through our collective memories of the college. It is our family, the students and staff of CJC, who play an important role in making our CJ Experience singular and unique. The CJ story is what we write together in the pages of our hearts, and memories of this journey will be reminisced for years to come.- Nadya Pang (1T05)

Anansit Ta (1T09)

Jaren Ng (2T15)

Jonathan Tay (2T18)

Ferry Chandra (2T29)

Yugesh Ravindran (1T09)

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Jonathan Tay (2T18)

Mrs Lee-Xu Yi Fang

Joie Lam Xuan Lin (1T23)

Aye Phyu Thant (2T14)

Jonathan Tay (2T18)

Jonathan Tay (2T18)

Melanie Lim (1T18)

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129 Whitley Road, Singapore 297822 Telephone: +65 6252 4038 Fax: +65 6253 7267 Email: catholic_jc@moe.edu.sg Website: www.cjc.moe.edu.sg Facebook: @CatholicJC Instagram: @catholic.jc