Anderson Junior College The AJC Experience

AJC Experience The

The Our

AJC PHILOSOPHY

Vision

Passionate Learners. Adventurous Thinkers. Caring Leaders.

Our Mission

To mould men and women of purpose and character Contents Foreword Achieving Academic Excellence Nurturing Interests and Aspirations

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Grooming Students for the World Partnership with Parents

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THE AJC EXPERIENCE

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Foreword O

ver 30 years of experience in providing JC education has given AJC an edge in developing in-depth academic programmes and providing a holistic education for our students.

AJC’s instructional programmes build a strong academic foundation for our students while our character and leadership programmes prepare and groom students to excel and contribute to the community and the world. The AJC Experience does not stop here. The college is committed to nurturing and supporting students’ interests and aspirations through overseas exchange and leadership opportunities, exposing students to varied sports and aesthetics activities, and empowering them to co-shape their educational experiences.

Underpinning the AJC Experience is the college motto of NON MIHI SOLUM, a Latin expression for NOT FOR MYSELF ALONE. We believe that if every individual considers others in his actions, he will become not only self-disciplined and responsible, but also respectful and caring.

NON MIHI SOLUM gives meaning to the lives and endeavours of our students and is the principle that underlies our way of life at AJC.

Since its beginning in 1984, Anderson Junior College has continually championed its motto of NON MIHI SOLUM, a Latin expression meaning NOT FOR MYSELF ALONE. It defines how boldly we take steps to provide a vibrant and nurturing learning community where our students and staff learn to embrace change, uncertainty and disruption so that they can thrive in times of profound volatility. Our students and staff are encouraged and empowered to think beyond conventional means, take risks and scale new heights.

Imbued with a strong sense of social conscience, they are enthused to inspire and work with others to fulfil our commitment to serve the interests of the larger community.

Anderson Junior College should not excel only as a multi-dimensional institution where academic excellence lies at the core of a unique holistic education but also as an institution with a big heart. We will strive to develop in response to an ever changing environment in such a way that the talents of our students can be developed, valued and appreciated.

NOM MIHI SOLUM TAY LAI LING (MS) PRINCIPAL, ANDERSON JUNIOR COLLEGE

A recipient of the Best Practice Award for Teaching and Learning, AJC seeks to provide quality academic experience. Here’s how we do it: • Anchoring our instructional programmes on habits of thinking and learning • Creating a dynamic learning environment through collaborative and self-directed learning

• Stretching students’ potential through competitions, enrichment courses and research attachments with A*Star, NUS, NTU, NIE, SUTD & Ngee Ann Polytechnic • Supporting students through alumni and peer tutoring

THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Achieving Academic Excellence

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Achievements Academic Achievements

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ver the years, AJC’s instructional programmes have played an integral role in helping AJCians build a strong academic foundation. Coupled with the caring and nurturing learning environment within the college, it is no wonder that AJCians do the school proud year after year, achieving stellar performances at the GCE ‘A’ Level Examinations.

Here’s what some of our top scorers have shared:

Liong Tze Sian (Class of 2014, 8 Distinctions, Studying Medicine at the National University of Singapore) credited a large part of his success to being part of the AJ family. “My teachers’ teachings and guidance definitely played a huge part in my results, as well as my classmates, who were

always very supportive and made life in JC so much more enjoyable.”

Muhammad Zulhaziq Bin Azman (Class of 2014, AJC’s Most Outstanding Sportsperson Awardee, MOH Healthcare Merit Award Recipient) underscored the need for perseverance and hard work.

“As the basketball captain, during the competition period, my results weren’t very ideal. At that time, I remember my teachers would constantly tell me to be patient and that better results will come soon with hard work. So, I just kept being patient and worked hard.”

Vincent Yong (Class of 2015, 8 distinctions, Renaissance Engineering Program Scholarship) expressed gratitude for the people who helped him along the way. ‘My

teachers never hesitated to meet us for consultations and were more than willing to come up with extra materials for us to make use of’ Odelia Wong (Class of 2015, 6 distinctions) reminisced about good times in AJC. “I’ll miss the AJ experience.It was one of the best years of my life and I enjoyed the many opportunities and memories I had.”

Isablle Sua (Class of 2015, 7 distinctions, SAF Merit Scholar) fondly recalls the all-round experience that is unique to AJC. “AJ has opened the door to a myriad of opportunitiesopportunities that have allowed me to learn and grow. I will not forget the meaningful experiences gained, fond memories created and close friendships forged along the way”

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THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Achieving Academic Excellence

Anderson Science Programme in Research and Enrichment (ASPiRE)

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s the North Zone Centre of Excellence for Science, AJC takes the lead in nurturing inquiring minds and cultivating students with the heart to advance science for the betterment of society. Our high-end science laboratories, the Elementz Lab and the Nanoscience Lab, and dedicated team of science research mentors give AJCians the edge in science research. To encourage learning and discovery in the wider community, AJC is also home to the Elementz Science Research Conference and Exhibition, an annual affair that sees budding

A highlight for our Science Adventurers is the innovative AJC-SUTD Science Adventure during their JC1 year.

Students learn about design thinking from SUTD and thereafter work in teams to propose innovative solutions and build a prototype to address the task posed by the Science Adventure. Finally, they showcase their design and sell their ideas to convince their peers.

young scientists from schools across the nation sharing their scientific discoveries.

ASPiRE is our signature programme that grooms future leaders in science by igniting students’ passion in science research and building their character and leadership capacities. All AJC Science students experience ASPiRE as Science Adventurers, and those who are talented and passionate in science research can stretch themselves further as Science Pioneers.

For the Science Pioneers, they are presented with a wide array of attachment opportunities that hone their science research skills. Through the mentorship programme provided by A*STAR’s Research Institutes and other institutions such as NUS, NTU and SUTD, students are immersed in authentic research environments and given invaluable opportunities to learn from practising scientists.

THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Achieving Academic Excellence

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Major Science Research Competitions

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Adding another feather to its cap – Team AJC, represented by Stella Kee of 27/13, won the second prize at the finals of the Clean Tech Competition 2014 held in New York.

After winning the 2012 Stockholm Junior Water Prize, the AJC team came in second in the international finals of the 2014 Clean Tech Competition held in New York. The competition is a worldwide research challenge for precollege youth to integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related concepts in their prototype designs to solve real world issues. In accordance with the theme on “A Solution to Pollution”, the AJC team which used kaolinite clay and plant materials to remove heavy metal cations in polluted water impressed the judges with their originality.

Another team from AJC then went on to present their project on silver nanoparticles to eminent Japanese scientists, and won second in the poster category at the international Tsukuba Science Edge competition 2014.

AJC students in their element at the annual Science Research Conference and Exhibition.

Details of our latest achievements in science research can be found on our website

JCians are encouraged to participate in major science research competitions to enhance their science research skills and gain exposure to the high standards and demands of these competitions. Under the dedicated mentoring and coaching of AJC’s teachers, AJCians obtained sterling results in various science competitions.

2012 Stockholm Junior Water Prize champions.

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THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Achieving Academic Excellence

The Humanities Programme I ntegral to our Humanities programme is an emphasis on conceptual, authentic, and generative learning through the use of innovative teaching practices.

The Economics Department seeks to provide students with opportunities to be enthralled by talks and programmes by external organisations, and to be challenged through various competitions and experiences.

Apart from a spectrum of competitions and enrichment activities that students can engage in, such as the Budget Quiz, Emerging Markets Challenge, National Economics and Financial Management Challenge (NEFMC), and GIC’s Safehouse programme, there have also been regular learning journeys to and enrichment talks by government organisations that share insights on making policy decisions.

In teaching literature, the English Department has utilised creative learning methods such

as getting students to use Lego blocks to construct structures that express their interpretations of texts. A further platform that allows literature students to express themselves is Lithium, an online literary journal that publishes students’ writings ranging from poetry to film reviews.

To give our geography students a more authentic and hands-on learning experience, the Geography Department has organised field trips to sites like the Singapore Science Centre, the URA Singapore City Gallery, and the Weather Forecast Office. The use of Google Maps during geography lessons also gives our geography students a more interactive learning experience when studying topics like Lithospheric Processes.

To ensure that our history students have a robust grasp of key historical concepts, the History Department has incorporated into

Safehouse is an experiential, inschool programme developed

by GIC, and includes a segment with an online role-playing game, as well as a segment with a real-life simulation game.

Through facilitation by trainers, students learn what reserve management and long-term investing is all about.

its teaching highly recommended learning devices like causation sorting cards. In having to arrange these cards to construct a hierarchy of causes for a particular historical issue, students are pushed to think more deeply about the distinction between different types of historical causes, thus gaining a more sophisticated understanding of historical causation as a concept.

Alvina Chen’s (PDG 34/13) review of the 1975 musical comedy horror film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” in Lithium, an online publication for AJC students to express themselves regarding all things literary.

THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Achieving Academic Excellence

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JCians also gain greater exposure to authentic learning through learning journeys and participation in external competitions. These activities give our students additional first-hand opportunities to understand practical aspects of decision making, as well as to engage in critical thinking, logical reasoning, and effective communication. Over the years, our students have participated in and performed well in various economics competitions such as the Emerging Markets Challenge, the EDB Film-Making Competition, the MAS-ESS Essay Writing Competition and the Ministry of Finance Budget Quiz. In 2015 alone, our students came in third in the Budget Quiz.

In addition, in June 2015, three AJC History students participated in this year’s Singapore Model United Nations (SMUN). Organised by the Political Science Society of the National

2015 SMUN: Caleb Nathaniel Karim (speaking into microphone) from PDG S25/14 shared that “Though this was only my second time being involved in MUN, I must say that it has been an eventful journey with many lessons to learn, particularly on how governments attempt to support one another in the war against terror and navigate through the maze of international politics.”

University of Singapore, SMUN is an undergraduate-run conference that aims to foster in participants a greater awareness of how the United Nations functions as an international organisation. Through the conference, the students engaged in meaningful debates about crucial global issues and developed greater confidence in public speaking. Separately, two groups of students took part in the 2015 History Bee and Bowl Asian Championships.

This is an academic competition that tests students’ knowledge of a wide range of historical topics. Two of our students made it into the finals of the Championships.

In 2014, our geography students also participated in the latest URA-organised Challenge for the Urban and Built Environment (CUBE). Their project aimed to imagine 4000 design dwelling units at Pearl Hill, and to do this in a way that melds with the existing landscape and aligns with the broader aims of urban sustainability.

Nurturing Interests and Aspirations AJC is committed to nurturing talents in AJCians. Our students participate actively in research and competitions to enrich and broaden their learning; and bring their passion for sports and the aesthetics to life through their co-curricular activities (CCAs).

Encouraging Student Voice Here at AJC, we believe in listening to our students and AJCians are empowered to come forward with ideas to make a difference.

Students are invited to contribute ideas at regular student forums and through initiatives such as Agents of Change, our students are also empowered to shape their educational experiences and make improvements in the college. Student initiated movements such as CCA Xchange, Binning Birds, Fuel Up Monday, AJ Reignite, AJam, Big Change, Small Change and many more have added to the common identity, sense of belonging, and vibrancy that is AJC.

THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Nurturing Interests and Aspirations

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The Alpha Programme M

any of our AJCians are filled with aspirations and our Alpha Programme grooms them to fulfil their potential and meet scholarships standards. From the internal awards such as our AJC Scholarships which reward the best of our student body to national and international scholarships, the Alpha Programme works to empower AJCians to go beyond excelling at national examinations to become strong contenders for various scholarships. As part of this initiative, the programme provides a wide range of intellectual and cocurricular opportunities to develop the Alpha students in 6 key areas: academic, community service, expanding perspectives, achievements, leadership and lifeskills.

A student from the Alpha Programme receiving the prestigious A*Star Scholarship.

Adventurous thinkers at work: Four students from AJC represented Singapore in the Destination Imagination Global Finals held at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA. They emerged World Champion in the Scientific Challenge (University level) category. They were also awarded a special Renaissance Award which celebrates outstanding design, engineering, execution and performance.

Students awarded the coveted AJC-SAC Scholarship.

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THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Nurturing Interests and Aspirations

A Quality CCA Experience C CAs are an integral part of life in AJC, with the college providing a CCA experience that engages, empowers and enriches students. Students choose the experience they want from a broad range of CCAs in Sports, Performing Arts and various Clubs & Societies. AJC is home to an exciting and varied assortment of niche CCAs such as Shooting, Basketball, Choir and Dance and we welcome students from all walks of life to join us in enriching our CCAs. Our CCAs*: Sports

Performing Arts

Clubs & Societies

Badminton

Chinese LDDS

AVA Club

Basketball

Chinese Orchestra

Climbing Club

Bowling

Choir

Debate & Creative Communications

Football

Dance Society

Interact Club

Frisbee

Guitar Ensemble

Malay LDDS

Hockey

Harmonica Band

Outdoor Activities Club

Netball

Music Club

Photographic Society

Shooting

StAJeWorks

Project Eureka

Squash

Symphonic Band

Red Cross Youth

Table Tennis

Strategist Society

Tennis

Students’ Council

Volleyball

Tamil LDDS

Wushu

Visual Arts Club

*Information contained herein is accurate as of the date of publication

AJC Badminton Boys team – 3rd in the 2015 National Schools ‘A’ Division Badminton Championship.

AJC Air Pistol Girls with top team and individual awards at the 2015 National Schools ‘A’ Division Shooting Championship.

AJC in action at the 2015 National Schools ‘A’ Division Basketball Championship.

Our Basketball Boys emerged 3rd.

THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Nurturing Interests and Aspirations

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Cultural & Aesthetic CCAs S tudents appreciate the quality programmes offered as well as the many opportunities available to learn a new skill, pursue one’s interests and stretch one’s potential. Through their CCA experience, they develop their character as they learn responsibility, perseverance and respect. The aesthetic CCAs such as Choir and Dance are a mainstay in national and international competitions and many others have performed in exciting venues the world over.

Performance by AJC Choir at the NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall.

AJC Dance Society – Certificate of Distinction at the SYF Arts Presentation.

AJC TLDDS Debate team with the challenge trophy at National Tamil Debate Series.

Performance by AJC Chinese Orchestra at the Singapore Conference Hall.

Grooming

Students World for the

At AJC, we not only help our students achieve academic excellence, we also inculcate positive values in them and prepare them for future work and life. Our programmes build a strong academic foundation for our students, as well as develop their social conscience and leadership potential. The AJC Experience gives AJCians exposure to a whole range of character development activities, leadership opportunities and overseas exchanges.

We continuously invest in our All-Round Development programmes in the areas of character and citizenship development, leadership, aesthetic appreciation, sports and fitness to nurture in AJCians moral courage, resilience and humility to be best for the world.

THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Grooming Students for the World

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Character & Citizenship Education (CCE) C haracter and Citizenship Education (CCE) is a key feature of our AJC Experience as we place emphasis on providing a valuesdriven education for our students. With the CCE vision to develop students to become “Exemplary leaders and Citizens”, the CCE Curriculum has been specially designed to guide students to help them discover more about themselves, learn to work with and lead others, and to understand their current and future roles in the community.

It is anchored by our college values of integrity, commitment, learning, social conscience and synergy – values that will nurture our students to be active citizens at home and in the world.

For Singapore’s 50th birthday, AJC has tailored its programmes for better student engagement and alignment with its objectives. Some

examples include dialogue sessions with office holders and senior civil servants to give our students a glimpse into the intricacies of policy making and local/international affairs, as well as a studentled Conference ‘Paradigma SG50: The voyAJe Continues’ to allow students to discuss national issues in Mock Parliament style.

To prepare AJC students to be ready for the future, the Education and Career Guidance (ECG) programme has been put in place. Students will get to hear from alumni and external speakers, and be inspired to discover their purpose and aspirations. The annual Career and University Fair also provides students with an opportunity to find out more about various industries and consider their future options.

Career talks offer students a sneak peek into possible future careers.

Dialogue session with Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Law, Ms Indranee Rajah.

Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sharing his thoughts on friendship.

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THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Grooming Students for the World

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ur leadership programme, built on the philosophies of Servant Leadership and Ethical Leadership is provided for all students and woven into the CCE Curriculum. Our unique two-tiered leadership programme ensures that all AJCians are exposed to essential leadership skills and experiences. The differentiated approach recognises that every AJCian is a leader in the making, while giving extensive leadership opportunities to student leaders.

For the Tier-1 (all students), they are given opportunities to attend leadership awareness seminars conducted by external agencies and teacher trainers. The JC2s also get to lead the JC1 class bonding sessions and college events. For the Tier2 (Student councillors, CCA Executive Committee members, class leaders), they will attend leadership courses to stretch their leadership capacities.

Elected student leaders also attend our inhouse training camp, the Alpha Bravo Camp, to build leadership, teamwork and resilience through rigorous activities and experiential learning. The college also offers authentic leadership experiences, through studentrun events during which student leaders undergo the whole process of planning, coordination, execution and review, under the guidance of teachers.

Our students experiencing the Alpha Bravo Camp.

THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Grooming Students for the World

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Service-Learning A JC is one of the pioneer schools to adopt Service-Learning as the key approach to community involvement. Our signature Service-Learning programme guides all AJCians through a process of identifying the needs of the community, organising projects to serve these needs and learning from the experience. All our class leaders are trained to lead the class in conceptualising and implementing Service-Learning projects. Our students have worked with various beneficiaries, including the elderly and young children.

To go beyond serving the needs of the college, AJCians have ventured out to serve the needs of the community around it by spearheading the Tray Return Project at hawker centres around Ang Mo Kio. This initiative has spread island-wide with AJC staff and students

advocating tray return at 30 hawker centres around Singapore.

Our students are also working with the Land Transport Authority’s Transport Ambassador Program to keep our roads and transport systems clean and safe for everyone.

We have also taken service-learning beyond Singapore. Our International Service-Learning projects offer cross-cultural interaction and an opportunity for our students to help improve the lives of others. Under this programme, AJCians experience firsthand how to extend a helping hand to others in countries such as Cambodia and Indonesia. Through such expeditions, AJCians learn valuable lessons in service and humility.

AJCians contributing to environment protection with Waterways Watch Society.

AJCians learning through serving during the International Service-Learning trip to Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

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THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Grooming Students for the World

The World Is Our Classroom!

A t AJC, we believe firmly in bringing learning beyond the classroom and broadening our students’ horizons.

AJCians have ample opportunities to experience overseas education and cultural exchanges, such as overseas Model United Nation conferences and cultural exchange to China and Vietnam.

Through these programmes, AJCians experience different cultures and interact with counterparts from all over the world on global issues.

AJC Choir at the 2014 Asia Cantate International Choral Festival held in Hong Kong in June 2014.

Hiking on an overseas expedition.

AJC deepened our ties with our partner schools through our inaugural International Science Study Trip to Nguyen Tat Thanh High School, Vietnam, Hanoi.

Cultural immersion through exchange programme with Yunnan.

THE AJC EXPERIENCE | Partnership with Parents

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Parents – An Integral Partnership T here is a saying: “It takes a village to raise a child.” Indeed, AJC believes in engaging parents as a vital stakeholder to help nurture AJCians into men and women of purpose and character. To this end, numerous opportunities have been established for parents to understand how their children are learning and growing in school, and how they can work with the college to help bring out the best in their children.

These include the Principal-Parents Meeting (PPM) at the beginning of JC1 and the regular Parents-Teachers Meetings (PTM) through JC1 and JC2. The Parent Support Group (PSG) epitomises this integral partnership, bringing together passionate parent volunteers who actively collaborate with the college for the betterment of the students.

Engaging parents of JC1 students at the Principal-Parents Meeting.

Parents-Teachers Meetings in JC1 and JC2 provide invaluable opportunities for both parties to work in partnership.

Dinner for AJCians lovingly provided by the Parent Support Group during the Night Study Programme.

ANDERSON JUNIOR COLLEGE ADDRESS : 4500 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6 Singapore 569843 TEL : 6459 6822 FAX : 6459 8734 EMAIL : Anderson_jc@moe.edu.sg WEBSITE : www.ajc.moe.edu.sg Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/andersonjuniorcollege Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/theofficialajc

Teaching and Learning

Student All-round Development

Staff Well-being

2012