THE FLAME2013 ISSUE 02CJC NEWSLETTER

BREAKING BOUNDARIESCJC’s Growing Talents

2 Catholic Junior College

THE FLAME

CJC Editorial Team

EDITORSNadia Arianna Bte RamliSuzie Yanti JumadiSng Mee Lian

PRESIDENTAaron Chan

VICE PRESIDENTErshen Kaur

CONTRIBUTORSJoel LeeOng Kar QiJames TanAaron ChanJade KaurErshen KaurKrithika JoshiDaniel LeeJanessa TayAng Si JiaLee Jian LinSarah LimHazel Boon Joan KhoSeah Shimin

PHOTOGRAPHERSAlexiaa SimRachel Ng Lawrence LimAbraham LowClara YuanSong TaoFiona NgYip FengGoh Xin Ying

Each year, in Term Two, our CJC students begin the term sprinting from the starting line. It is a frenetic period with the Sports Tournaments and Singapore Youth Festival in full swing amidst the academic programmes. It is a true test of focus and resilience for the students.

Leadership qualities are honed and enhanced during this period. Without fail, we see the emergence of the “Thinker with a Mission, Leader with a Heart” amongst the CJCians who lead their teams to the sporting arena or stage, or who are involved in organising the Cross Country, Sports Carnival and other major student-led college events. They play a significant role in keeping their teams and peers focused on the true spirit of sportsmanship while striving for excellence. At the same time, no effort is spared in developing these young men and women to be reflective servant leaders who uphold the values of “In Veritate et Caritate” at all times.

We are proud to note that CJCians who took on the leadership challenge in college and served with humility and excellence have done very well beyond college portals. Each year we hear of CJCians who have taken the road less travelled to serve the disadvantaged with great compassion, braved new heights in their pursuit of excellence, and explored new frontiers with their entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.

We believe every CJCian can lead in his or her own capacity and make a difference. With this belief and motivation, we have stepped up our leadership programmes. We strive to develop every CJCIan to be the “Thinker with a Mission and Leader with a Heart”.

The current students have given us much optimism in this endeavour. With the help of God and the CJC community of parents, alumni and supportive stakeholders, we are confident more young men and women from our college will leave to make an impact on our society.

God bless.

Mrs Christine Kong

Principal’s Message

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Political Science Society at the SMUN Conference.

DIPLOMATIC PROGRESSImagine representing Pakistan or lobbying for the rights of the marginalised in the Middle East. These were some of the hard-hitting issues that CJC’s Political Science Society (PSS) encountered during this year’s Challenge Shield, 6th Dunman High Model ASEAN Plus Summit (DHAP), 10th Singapore Model United Nations (SMUN) and the Middle Eastern Summit (MES).

Founded in 2011, the CCA has steadily grown into a formidable force with multiple wins such as the Best Delegate Award and the Best Position Paper Award over the last two years. This year, our delegates

excelled and garnered five awards during the SMUN and four awards during the MES.

Their accomplishments were a result of hard work. The training is rigorous and detailed in nature. Each weekly session is a hotbed for political discussions and never fails to bring intellectual debates to great heights. Yoon Yewon (2T04) said, “It was compelling to see various opinions and arguments from the members and the juniors.”

The competitions gave our students a taste of political diplomacy and the tenacity that is needed to get their voices heard. Cheong Yi (2T20), a CJC delegate to SMUN, shared that it was “an introduction to the humble realities of International Relations and Global Diplomacy for many first-timers. Personally, my simulation of the International Court of Justice proved to be a most tiring and rewarding endeavor - the experience of fighting my client's (Pakistan) case against the US regarding the infamous Drone Campaign sharpened my rhetorical and argumentative skills tremendously.”

Newcomer Sabna Zihara (1T29) expressed her excitement over her very first MES. “Debate and lobbying was also a great experience with the guidance of my patient and friendly chairs. Furthermore, the topic of discussion allowed me to gain insightful knowledge and acquire negotiation skills from fellow delegates. The guest speakers also shared their interesting expertise with us on the topics of literature and religion. All in all, I would say that the Middle Eastern Summit was an eye-opener for me.”

The success of these conferences is catching on with more schools participating each year. It heralds the dawn of a new generation of active and concerned youths and it is promising that CJC’s PSS delegates are at the forefront.

The CJC Political Science Society with their hard-earned win.

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SUCCESSFUL SHOTS AT LIFEText Joel Lee (1T17) Ong Kar Qi (1T12) James Tan (1T12)

Our very own Chua Shin Yoong (1T20) recently broke the Championship and Division records with a total score of 380 during the 17th National Inter-School Shooting Championships 2013, ‘A' Girls Air Pistol Individual. She has also made it to the National Youth Team. This remarkable feat is a result of her dedication to her passion. She shares her win with The Flame.

Congratulations on your win! How did you manage to break the national shooting record?It was with passion and hard work, not to mention the friendliness and helpfulness of my seniors. They made me feel comfortable around them, and I felt happy training with them. This motivated me to attend training diligently and enthusiastically. In the short time I spent with them, their passion for  shooting was infectious and definitely crucial to my success.

What keeps you motivated to train for competitions?My passion for  Shooting is what keeps me motivated to train. To me, Shooting is my form of relaxation, how I take a break after a whole day of facing the books. Also, my seniors, despite being in JC2, train a lot. As their team member, I joined in, using training time to bond with them. My family, teachers, coach and JC 2 seniors were my pillars of support. My family supported me by sending me home after training and preparing health supplements for me. My teachers were supportive and understanding by extending deadlines for homework. My coach also motivated me to give my all. Lastly, my seniors made training enjoyable. If you enjoy what you are doing, you will naturally put in your best.

Have you ever thought of giving up while training?At first yes, I did. Training hours (2 hours) were long and tiring and I got restless, especially in the evening. Some days I had to sleep after midnight as I had to finish my homework. However, every situation has its ups and downs. Shooting has taught me to remain strong and firm and to push on. These years in shooting have taught me that it is more than a sport - it is an education.

Did you envision yourself breaking the national record?Nope. I did not expect this. During the training and competition, I just gave my best and kept my head in the game. I never dwelled on poor performances during training, but instead choose to focus on doing better and learning from my mistakes.

How did you balance your studies and training ?I studied during any free time that I had. During my one-hour breaks, I would eat for half-an-hour and study for the other half. I would also do my best to listen attentively in class so that I can avoid wasting time relearning anything later.

What are some of the sacrifices you have made for Shooting?I have sacrificed spending time with my friends and family. Reaching home at ten every night does not allow much communication with my family, as my sister would already be asleep and my father would be preparing for bed. However, I would make up for the lack of communication by talking to them more during the weekends or during car rides.

What advice do you have for those who would like to excel in their CCAs?You must listen to your coach. Go for training (and focus during training) and learn from the advice given. Lastly, do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone as that can bring you to greater heights.

Chua Shin Yoong’s dedication and perseverance to her passion makes her an excellent markswoman.

Our proud medallists from the Shooting Club.

The CJC Shooting Team and their pillars of support.

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A ‘BALANCING’ ACTText Aaron Chan (1T29) Jade Kaur (1T35) Ershen Kaur (1T18)

The CJC Rhythmic Gymnastics team, through hard work and a fierce desire to push their boundaries, has done the school proud, with Narelle Salikin (1T29) clinching 4th place in the All-Rounder, and Kristel Chong (1T34) taking 5th place in the ‘A’ Divisions Rhythmic Gymnastics competition.

While mastering the art of this sport is no easy feat, the team was spurred by a shared passion for the beauty of rhythmic gymnastics and an ambition to excel and epitomised the success of seamless teamwork.

The Flame spoke to Narelle and Kristel about the challenges of balancing the rigours of academic life with the strict discipline needed for gymnastics, and found out what was the motivating force behind the stellar performances of the team.

The Flame: What makes you passionate about Rhythmic Gymnastics?

Narelle Salikin: Rhythmic Gymnastics is not a very common sport you see around or on the television. Everyone confuses it with Artistic Gymnastics and I have to explain to them what it means. I think because Rhythmic Gymnastics is such a lesser known sport, I find it so beautiful and different. That is why I wanted to join the sport in the beginning.Kristel Chong: The entire experience makes me passionate about this sport. From learning to handle our apparatus to doing our routines with the music, it is a fun but tiring experience. The sense of accomplishment when I successfully catch my clubs or ribbon is a great burst of joy.

TF: What are some of the best and worst experiences with gymnastics?

NS: The best experience was probably when I was in Secondary school and I decided to continue with the sport. I started to improve dramatically and I managed to win some medals. I think that really helped with my confidence in the sport. The worst experience was definitely while I was in Primary school, when I could not even do a split.KC: My best and worst experiences were during the period leading up to our competitions. As our competition drew near, we were placed under a great deal of stress, especially when we were unable to deliver our best routine. However, it is also during this period that we improved the most, and the entire team was united in our ups and downs.

TF: What was the greatest sacrifice you had to make in preparation for the competition? How did you balance your training and studies?

NS: Time was the biggest sacrifice. We averaged a total of 9 hours every day just for training. You literally have no time to do anything else. To be honest, for a period, I did not balance my studies and training well. However, I learnt my lesson and used a scheduler. KC: In preparation for the competition, I had to sacrifice a lot of time and energy. During the competition period, we trained 3 times a week with the coaches. Sometimes we even practised on our own in the early morning before school started. As we trained till 9pm on training days, I would reach home at 10pm extremely drained. And even though I wanted to just crawl into bed and sleep, I still had to do my work. I studied during the time between school and training so that I would have less to do after. TF: What is the greatest thing you learnt from Rhythmic Gymnastics?

NS: Persistence is one very important factor. If you give up, you can lose your flexibility and routine

in less than a month. The gymnasts are in a CCA that calls for a lot of persistence and patience and I feel that is the greatest thing I learnt. KC: I learnt that teamwork is extremely important even though we all competed individually during the ‘A’ Divisions. Teamwork enables us to help each other to improve and also make the entire journey and training a fun-filled one. The team encourages us to keep improving and gives us the faith we need to carry on.

TF: Who would you like to thank for your achievement?

NS: Firstly, I would like to thank my coaches because without them, I would not even be able to compete. Secondly, I would like to thank my teachers-in-charge who went out of their way to help us, even sending us to and fro at times! Lastly, I would like to thank my CCA mates who made all my training incredible!KC: I would like to thank our coaches and teachers-in-charge, Ms Huang, Ms Lin and Mr Yu for always being there and ensuring we are safe and encouraging us to keep up with our studies. I hope that the team continues to be bonded and to help each other along the way.

Though the team’s journey has clearly been demanding, it has yielded many rewards, material or otherwise. With the strong bond of friendship the team has fostered, and the support of coaches and teachers, there was certainly more to their accomplishments than mere awards and accolades. It is apparent that the relationships and experiences garnered were of equal value to the team. When asked to summarise her experience in the competition using just one word, Narelle responded, “Fulfilling!”

Our Rhythmic Gymnastics Team: (L-R) Lorraine Chia (1T27), Rachel Ng (2T02), Wendy Ng (2T32), Kristel Chong (1T34), Narelle Salikin (1T29) and Alexa Koh (1T21, not pictured).

CJC’s Rhythmic Gymnasts and their teachers-in-charge, Ms Huang and Mr Yu.The team’s win was a result of hard work from the gymnasts, coach and seniors who returned to help.

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PLAYING WITH HEARTText Krithika Joshi (1T35)

The CJC Rugby team outplayed many of its rivals this year to clinch third position during the ‘A’ Division Rugby Plate Championships. The team won against rivals such as Hwa Chong Institution twice with scores of 7-6 and 25-0 and beat defending champions Jurong Junior College with a score of 23-5. CJC won the title back in 2005 and this year’s team fought hard and gave their best for “the crest on their chests and the flame in their hearts” in their attempt to reclaim the title again.

The team was in good hands as it was led by the Captain of Rugby, Mohd Shaffan (2T02). A great deal of the team’s victory was attributed to him as he led by example and inspired others to follow in his footsteps. The boys were determined to prove themselves and not let their hard work during training go to waste, as they played with their hearts first, then their heads. With each game lasting 60 minutes, time was of the essence and the boys had to play as if every minute was their last.

Closer to the ‘A’ Division training became more intense as the team was focused on their one goal. They firmly believed in “training like they are second and playing like they are first.” This enabled them to stay disciplined and determined in order to win. The CJC Rugby team would not have accomplished this without words of encouragement from their peers, as well as the guidance from their coach, Mr. Kevin Loo, who constantly kept them motivated till the end of the season. The team hopes to play even better and emerge as champions next year.

Captain Shaffan leads the team to greater heights.

Jason Wong (1T17) played his part in the team’s success.

Every team member is important in lifting the team to victory.

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27 Jun 13

During the post exam period, one of the many activities arranged to help us relieve the stress brought on by the academic rigour was the career talks, held on the 21st and 23rd of May. The Think Career Day programme aims to guide students to envision their future vocations and to provide a valuable insight into the possible future occupations.

The talks did not disappoint in their variety. Of the 20 different possible talks that we could choose from, I selected three – namely Engineering, Media and Legal talks. The first day’s events began with speakers from the engineering industry, and amongst them was an alumnus of our own college, Mr Rafael Tan.

After graduation from university nearly 8 years ago, Mr Tan now holds a position at Keppel Marine Corporation. Mr Tan spoke about a wide range of issues which involved not only his area of expertise, but also engineering and its prospects. We were thoroughly informed of the wide extent of the field of Engineering that included oil and energy production to computer modelling.

In his sharing of his daily work routine, Mr Tan also addressed some other concerns

related to engineering, such as on-site safety, with a live demonstration of his protective gear. Inviting several volunteers from our audience, he persuaded them to jump on his feet, which were covered with steel-capped shoes, a piece of regulation equipment for all engineers working at any construction site. Not even the largest of students managed to evoke any response from Mr Tan, who felt nothing at all from the pressure that his well-protected feet were subjected to, evoking much laughter from the audience present.

The next session I attended was the Media talks, which were delivered by a range of speakers. From the seasoned veteran of 20 years, Ms Joanne Teo, to the newbie at The New Paper, Mr Andre Theng, and Mr Sean Lee from advertising, all the speakers had a large range from views to offer regarding their chosen career paths.

Ms Teo shared her experiences of her involvement in the shaping of our modern media outlets of today, having been employed in the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, the precursor to Mediacorp Singapore. Her work involved the production of documentaries for Channel News Asia,

Ms Katherine Baptist addresses students on a career in social work.

CJCians examining potential career options and pathways.

Mr Amran Jamil shares his experiences with our students.

as well as lecturing at the National Technological University’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communications. Her dialogue on the Media, as well as her sharing of experiences, gave us an insight into journalism as a career.

Mr Andre Theng, a CJC alumnus of 2010, as well as being from the pioneer batch of English Language and Lingustics, was offered a Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) scholarship after his five distinctions for the “A” Levels. Currently an intern at The New Paper, he shared with us his experiences and the challenges that he faces as a newcomer in the field.

The final series of talks I attended involved the field of legal work. Amongst the speakers was Mr Randeep Singh, the top CJC graduate for 2005 who currently holds a position as law clerk to the Chief Justice of Singapore. Another CJC alumnus present to speak was Mr Edgar Chin, having 10 years of experience in the industry. A recipient of the Academic Excellence award in 1994, he spoke of on-the-job experiences in litigation work.

All in all, the two days of talks and booth visits were definitely experiences to remember, and have done much to help me decide my future career path. The slogan for the event, “A tool for making meaningful choices”, definitely fitted the bill, giving the CJC community much needed guidance to take that next step towards a successful and meaningful future.

Choosing Pathways: Think Career Day 2013

Daniel Lee from 2T15 shares his enlightening and refreshing experience at Think Career Day 2013

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HITTING THE RIGHT NOTESText Janessa Tay (1T02) Ang Si Jia (1T06) Lee Jian Lin (1T01) Ahmad (1T16)

On 18th April 2013, the CJC Choir participated in the bi-annual Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) and attained a Distinction Award for their stellar performance. Apart from the splendid display of vocal harmony, the performance was an epitome of the tremendous effort to obtain this achievement.

In preparation for the competition, a rigorous agenda was implemented to provide ample opportunities for adequate practice. Francisca Ann Vincent (1T06), the newly elected Secretary of Choir revealed that choir practices were scheduled three times a week on Monday, Thursday and Friday. In addition to multiple weekly

practice sessions, members often organized individual practices at their homes to polish their skills and cultivate familiarity with the scores.

The President of Choir, Amanda Lim (2T05) shared that “every practice and every moment spent on choir was an opportunity to improve themselves”. Obstacles faced during the process failed to diminish the passion they harbored but rather, fed and nurtured their enthusiasm and dedication.

In order to achieve a balance between school work and the intensive training schedule, the members agreed that it was crucial to have efficient time management and to remain optimistic amidst the rigours of the process. Amanda shared that it was advisable to “pay attention during lectures” and “participate actively during tutorials”. To add on, Francisca suggested that the accumulation of homework was discouraged and members should plan and aim to complete their work before their deadlines. This enabled them to be more actively engaged during CCA sessions and thus allowing practice to be even more efficient.

Furthermore, members elaborated that such immense determination and sheer resilience were applicable to both performances and academic contexts. Amanda conveyed that performing skills such as effective memorizing and the ability to translate musical scores into actual performances efficiently were relevant to their learning process. The

rationale behind memorizing their scores was to illustrate “the entire performance” virtually and to evoke an appropriate atmosphere for practice. Similarly, the same theory can be applied in academic contexts as “it is not enough to just read our notes and memorize the content”. Instead, “to really excel, we have to visualize ourselves in the exam”.

The community of passionate singers agreed that the effort invested into obtaining the award and the knowledge that they performed to the best of their abilities was what truly mattered. In an established CCA with a total of 50 students. Members refer to themselves as “one big CJ family with a passion for singing and music”. Amanda shared that “the Distinction was a bonus, a token for our improvement and our effort, but the real reward was the friendships forged, the memories shared and the improvements made, none of which I would trade for a Gold or Distinction.”

The Choir performed at the 3rd International Choir Festival in Gabrovo, Bulgaria.

CJC’s Choir after being awarded their Distinction Award at SYC.

Our talented singers competed in the 3rd International Choir Competition, “Antonio Vivaldi” in the “Youth” and “Folk” categories and were awarded the first and second prize respectively. Their conductor, Toh Ban Sheng, received the Master Conductor prize.

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9THE FLAME

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A LEADER? John Maxwell wrote, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” During CJC’s first Class Management Committee (CMC) Initiation Workshop, the new J1 leaders embarked on a reflective journey on finding their way as leaders. In their two year journey in CJC, these leaders would be involved with many projects such as the class service learning project and class participation in college events. Before even managing these projects, they first had to learn to manage themselves.

The group exercises for the day had students dealing with physical endurance, frustration and failures. The key takeaway for students was to learn how to deal with negative emotions and trying situations. The students concluded that a leader is not one who merely managed things well but one who is able to manage difficulties well.

In striving to be “Thinkers with a Mission, Leaders with a Heart”, the students had to first inquire, reflect and finally, believe in the roles and responsibilities of a leader. By the end of the workshop, the CMC leaders stepped out with confidence and conviction in their hearts to serve the wider community.

As a community of leaders, the CMCs left notes of encouragements to support each other.

The leaders may have started off as strangers but walked away united in their commitment to serve their community.The reflection exercise helped students to think through their roles and responsibilities.

The second part of the team building exercise tested their ability to work as a team.

The start of the Twinkle Twinkle exercise taught leaders the importance of enduring through the most strenuous of times.

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LEADING THE WAYText Amrit Kaur Langeana (2T35)

On the 8th of July, the JC2 Ignite Programme students and CCA student leaders made their way to University Town (UTown), located in the heart of the National University of Singapore (NUS), for CJ’s inaugural Student Leadership Conference that proved to be a huge success.

The purpose of this conference was to initiate reflection amongst the J2s – a reflection of their leadership journey, their journey to self-discovery and how much they might have empowered their classmates or CCA-mates to lead and serve. The emphasis of the conference was on Servant Leadership and how to truly develop into “Thinkers with a Mission, Leaders with a Heart”.

A series of talks and discussions were presented to aid students in their reflections, as well as to challenge what they knew about leadership. The opening talk was conducted by CJ’s Mr Eugene Yeow who spoke of the power of Servant Leadership. He mentioned qualities such as courage that truly made a leader, and said that all leaders should be fuelled by a motivating factor, as the common “get it over and done with” mindset is often harmful. UTown’s College of Alice and Peter Tan (CAPT) lecturer, Dr. Greg Peterson, shared his personal definition of leadership. He felt that leaders should be identified for their abilities, and their followers

and people alike should want to emulate them. His discussions and questions were extremely thought-provoking. He got the students thinking by questioning the need for leaders in the world and if there were any differences between male and female leadership.

The conference also addressed the notion of appreciation in leadership. Participants received letters from their teachers, expressing what they felt were their students’ strengths and development. Students were also called to think of their “personal best” moment in their leadership or Ignite journeys. They were also tasked to create an emblem and a mission statement to depict their experiences. Ms Laureen Toh, who led this session, shared that the CJ leaders can develop into even greater individuals if they channeled more optimism and eliminated any mindset plagued with defeat and negativity.

The conference ended with a banquet dinner, to which ex-CJCians who now hold significant leadership roles were invited. Students shared their leadership experiences and the emblems with the guests seated at their tables. Some students were also invited to share their thoughts on stage. Mr Gerard Lee, the CEO of Lion Global Investors and the Chairman of the CJC Board, was the guest of honour and in his speech, he spoke of how leaders often lose the “heart” component of leadership which accounted for why governed states often fail.

Overall, the experience was fulfilling for everyone present and many took home new perspectives and interpretations of leadership.

Student leaders listening intently to speakers at CJC’s inaugural Leadership Conference.

Some of our participants with a speaker, Dr Greg Peterson from University Town’s College of Alice and Peter Tan.

Ms Laureen Toh leads the session on appreciation in leadership.Participants brainstorm and share their responses.

Student leaders gather for a banquet dinner to mark the close of the conference.

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The Sports Carnival, held on 31st May 2013, marked the end of a hectic Term 2 – filled with the mid-year examinations, countless competitions, as well as events. Needless to say, the students looked forward to this day, when they would be able to let their hair down and enjoy themselves.

Despite the blistering heat, many stayed at the grandstand to cheer on their housemates and encourage their friends competing in various events, from track and field to cheerleading. The warm atmosphere was a sight to behold, with everyone’s active participation.

Donned in cheerleading attire, the cheerleaders from Joseph House were especially outstanding, with their deliberately tousled hair, and their striking green and black outfits that were custom made for this event, show casing the extent of their efforts for the Sports Carnival this year.

“This experience in cheerleading was a new and enriching one for me,” Jo Ee Tan (1T02) said. “I would not have had this opportunity since I am not in Dance or a CCA that is sports-related. Hence, being a cheerleader was a great chance for me to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.”

Agreeing with her, Rachel Tang (1T02), another cheerleader added, “It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me, to say the least. Not only did I get to know more people, and make more friends, I was also able to do my part for my house as well!” Despite emerging third in the cheerleading competition, both Rachel and Jo Ee were not disheartened by the results. Instead, Jo Ee commented with a smile, “We can always try again, and put even more effort into cheerleading the next time. There is always next year.”

With the emergence of Michael House as the house champions of 2013, sportsmanship from the other houses was visibly apparent as the sports leaders from Joseph House presented their ‘1’ balloon to them, and the ones from Albert House initiating a house cheer for Michael House to congratulate them, with the latter responding in return. This display of community spirit warmed many hearts, and these are indeed admirable acts that we should strive to follow as well.

The Sports Carnival as a whole ended the term on a celebratory note. The friendships and bonds forged amongst the sports leaders and the houses as a college, during the preparation and training for the Sports Carnival, were invaluable and cherished by us all.

O.N.E. (Origin, Newness and Excellence) in the spirit of sport: Sports Carnival 2013Text Janessa Tay (1T02)

Cheerleaders put up an exhilarating display in the House cheerleading competition.

Teachers battle in a football match watched by cheering students.

Michael and Patrick House teams compete in an exciting game of Frisbee.

Netball players in action.

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ALFRESCO 2013Text Hazel Boon (1T22)

Alfresco 2013 officially kicked off with a lunchtime concert held in the canteen at 2.40pm, with students clad in their home attire crowding around the temporary stage. The atmosphere in the canteen was definitely one to remember as the students’ excitement mounted in anticipation during the sound check. Featuring Street 32, Three’s Company, Beautiful Legs Cat, and also Filly Dilly, the melodious harmonization of the singers on stage paired with the catchy rhythms of the guitars and piano, captured the attention of every student in the canteen and made the start of Alfresco 2013 a promising one indeed.

Following the lunchtime concert, Perks of Being a Wallflower was screened at LT1 and attracted quite a large number of viewers. Friends gathered for a time of fun and fellowship and there were definitely a few tears shed throughout the course of the movie. With the movie’s main theme being friendship, it was no doubt that this was an apt film to screen on International Friendship Day.

Students who ran the booths certainly toiled hard all afternoon in time to open for business. At around 6pm, they were already

attracting customers. With stalls selling food such as frozen yoghurt, cookies and macaroons, fried chicken and drinks, these stalls definitely satisfied the hungry stomachs of the CJ students. When asked who the proceeds of their sales would go to, most of them answered that it would go to their class Service Learning Project (SLP) fund. In spite of the challenges in organising the booths, they testified that the whole experience had bonded their class together.

The highlight of Alfresco 2013 would probably be the Haunted Houses, held in the Training and Development Centre (TDC) and also at J4-007. The thrill of being terrified out of one’s wits was irresistible to many, and there were long queues outside the respective venues all night, even up to closing time. Students waited in anticipation, hearing the screams and shouts of those who were currently having their turn, while others were willing to pay more just to take the express route.

Overall, Alfresco 2013 was a great time for students to take time off from their studies and to spend time with their friends, not to mention show off their talents at the lunch time and sundown concerts as well. With fond memories of this year’s Alfresco, there is no doubt that everyone will be looking forward to Alfresco 2014.

Students enjoying the Sundown Concert in the Piazza.

Lunchtime concert at the canteen.

A dance performance captivates audiences as the evening begins.

CJCians peddling their products to get customers for their booths.

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STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTIONSText by Lee Jian Lin (1T01)

On 16th April 2013, the 38th Student Council organized a Question and Answer session leading up to the 39th Student Council elections. The next one and a half hours were crucial for the candidates as the session played a critical role in their campaign. The opportunity to interact with the rest of the student body was a platform to exhibit their unique qualities and to garner support and acknowledgement from their peers. The Q&A session allowed teachers to assess and have a better understanding of the candidates and their possible contributions to the school.

Poised rigidly with their hands clasped firmly together, candidates were instructed to sit onstage during the session. As the session commenced, the student body was required to remain silent during the selection of submitted questions. While awaiting the questions, the atmosphere was tense.

Gradually, candidates were issued questions and the rapid pace of the session quickly developed as more questions were assigned. The questions generally addressed the individual’s motivations for wanting to be a Student Councillor and the contributions they will make to the community. As the candidates deftly delivered their replies, the audience grew more aware of the distinct characteristics of every candidate and their degrees of passion in serving the school.

Amongst the candidates, a handful of individuals managed to successfully captivate the attention of the audience through their engaging presentation. In particular, candidate

Hong Wei displayed confidence as he provided assertive and comprehensive replies and proposed suggestions to improve the welfare of students in the school.

In addition, candidate Adeline Tan mentioned that it is important to be positive and to strive diligently for future leadership roles. Candidate Shanice Hedger reiterated the significance of voting wisely as the elected councillors will ultimately be responsible for leading the student body to greater heights. She stated that it is not recommended to elect candidates based on their “popularity” and “social status in school”. Instead, students should evaluate and consider potential candidates prior to election and avoid making rash decisions.

The session allowed the student body to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the various candidates. Souvenirs such as bookmarks and candy were distributed in school. We hope that the Student Council will continue to be governed by honesty and integrity.

The 39th Student Council at the Installation of Student Leaders Ceremony. A candid moment between the 39th Student Council and Mrs Christine Kong and Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia.

The student leaders with their candles lit, symbolising their commitment to serve and inspire.

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It has been 38 years since the class of 75/76 trooped into the newly completed Catholic Junior College. We were wide-eyed and full of anticipation. That must have been sometime in March 1975. Our first three months in JC 1 were spent in a holding school at Monfort Secondary School situated at Upper Serangoon Rd, so you can imagine how excited we were at having our very own campus when the day finally arrived.

Fast forward to New Year’s Eve 2012 – we received news that my dear classmate from Arts 5, Agnes Soh, had passed away peacefully after a year-long battle with illness. A few of us who were friends of Agnes during our school years at St Joseph’s Convent and CJC, got together to organise a memorial Mass for her in May; we felt that it was fitting that a memorial Mass be held to celebrate her life and the years of friendship that we had forged.

Pauline Goh, Irene Seah and I found that organising the memorial Mass brought us in touch with old school mates, many of whom we had not met since the day we left the college! When I gazed at the old photos which I put together for a music video played during the memorial Mass, I could not help but feel amused. I remembered how the boys in our class were fun-loving. The pictures of our class outing at Sentosa showed that we could not even keep still for the camera! Sister Deirdre gamely went along with us to Sentosa. She was our Arts 5 class teacher and she taught English Literature to the Arts classes. After our 2 years with her in Pre-U 1 and 2, Sister Deirdre took on other roles in the school administration and was later, appointed as Principal of CJC.

Sister Deirdre was present as well during the

memorial Mass. Her presence was a reflection of the shared bond we had cemented during our 2 years at CJC. We were delighted to see her again, hale and hearty as ever! Father Leslie Raj, the college chaplain, was the celebrant during the memorial Mass. He spoke about living our faith not by ourselves, but always in a community. Truly, Faith is discovered, renewed, refreshed and lived fully in community, among friends and loved ones, where God is at work in us. And how wonderfully the gift of friends was demonstrated in the music ministry which was formed for the memorial Mass. Martha Ang (Seng), John Soh Jr, Joseph Wong, Joseph Lim, Martina Tan and Juliana Chia put in many hours of practice, working out the harmony and selecting the hymns. When the day finally came, the group of friends brought the entire congregation together in prayer, worship and thanksgiving through the hymns and Order of Liturgy.

For myself, and I believe for all of us who were present, St Paul’s exhortation in Cor 4: 14-51 was profound:

“That is why there is no weakening on our part, and instead, though this outer man of ours may be falling into decay, the inner man is renewed day by day. Yes, the troubles which are soon over, though they weigh little, train us for the carrying of a weight of eternal glory which is out of all proportion to them... For we know that when the tent that we live in on earth is folded up, there is a house built by God for us, an everlasting home not made by human hands, in the heavens.”

By remembering our friends who have passed

Front row: Joseph Lim, Joseph Wong, Patrick Chew, Jeremy Tay, Kenneth Tan, John Soh Jr, Michael Kuah, Devadas Naidu, Khoo Kay Jin, Goh Han Sern, William Ng, Edmund Wong

Back row: Louis Tay, Florence Mok, Bernadette Lim, Lisa Yap, Pauline Goh, Lee Sok Hui, Agnes Yeo, Rebecca Low, Sister Deirdre O’ Loan, Irene Seah, Agnes Tan, Doreen Houghton, Rita Peeris, Magdalene Loh, Catherine Yam, Martha Ang, Selina Chin, Joan Kho, Anne Tan, Hsu Li Yuen, Florence Tay, Pak Mew Fann

A class gathering in the new classrooms of CJC.

Arts 5 and Sister Deirdre O’ Loan in Sentosa

Boys will be boys – it took a long while to get a good class photograph.

on, we embrace them in our faith journey as we grow through their witness in the lives they had led. Truly, God has blessed us perpetually when He gave us the gift of friends.

I was especially touched by friends like Devadas Naidu who attended the memorial Mass – he did not know Deborah personally, yet he attended the memorial Mass to pray together in solidarity. The 2 years at CJC had been somewhat an inexplicable part of his life. Why is it that out of our 54-year existence, these 2 years seem so special? He shared how he improved in his studies through the help of friends who not only pushed him to study but also took down lecture notes and shared text books with him. Perhaps the innocence with which we all came together and the honest desire to give without even thinking about receiving anything in return has been the key cementing element of this lifelong bond among friends.

When we first started at CJC in 1975, we were from different secondary schools yet when we graduated in JC 2, we identified ourselves with the college, thankful to have had the opportunity to forge ties that may last for a lifetime.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to CJC for allowing us the use of the beautiful chapel for the memorial Mass. The serenity in the chapel made for a very memorable event for all who attended the Mass.

FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS FOREVERText by Joan Kho (Alumni of ’76)

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15THE FLAME

Shimin on a study exchange at the University of Washington in 2011.Seah Shimin (first from left) with the fellow awardees of the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award.

I am Shimin and an  alumni  of Catholic Junior College from the class of 2007/2008. I was in contact with Brother Paul and he would like me to share my story with you. I am also writing to express my gratitude to the school and its Needy Student Fund that made my studies possible at CJC. I lost my father in a car accident in 1998 and my mother cut off all contact with me that same year when I was eight. I grew up living with my blind grandmother and uncle. I have always been paying for my own education since secondary school through bursaries and scholarships.  During my time at CJC, the Needy Student Fund greatly benefitted me by providing me with a monthly allowance. Brother Paul especially took notice of my need when he interviewed me.  When I graduated from CJC and went on to study at Nanyang Technological University, Brother Paul together with Mr Augustine Chan (my then General Paper teacher at CJC), nominated me to receive the $5000 Koh Boon Hwee University Scholars Award Cash Grant. This award was made possible through the outstanding academic performance of Suzanne Seah, an alumni of both NTU and CJC. Suzanne was the recipient of the University Scholars Award in 2009 and she was tasked with giving this $5,000 cash grant to an incoming NTU student from her alma mater (CJC).  This award helped tide me over a difficult time trying to work and save up enough

to pay for the University tuition fees. I remember taking up five tuition jobs a week after school and having just over a thousand dollars the week before I had to pay the tuition fees. I was worried that I could not pay on time and receiving the award could not have come at a better time.  The financial help also allowed me to save up enough to participate in a study exchange programme to the United States a year later. I also managed to achieve a 3.8/4.0 GPA at the University of Washington.  Last week, I received my final examination results and am graduating from NTU. I will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Second Class Upper Honours degree) with a second major in Psychology. I am currently applying to study my Masters in the United Kingdom. If everything goes smoothly, I will be commencing the Masters programme in September/October.  I am grateful for the help CJC's Needy Student Fund has rendered to me. I also will like to thank all the generous donors of the fund. Without the school's support, I would not have achieved this much!  All glory to God. Thank you! Kind regards, Seah Shimin, Sheryne(2T36, Class of 2008)

Shimin has excelled in her studies through her perserverance and the help from the Needy Student Fund.

A LETTER OF THANKS

129 Whitley Road Singapore 297822 Tel: 6252 4083 Fax: 6253 7267www.cjc.edu.sg

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