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We have come to the end of the competition season and this issue of the Flame looks at how CJCians have grown in character and

teamwork through their CCAs.

Many of the student leaders have sacrificed their time and effort to guide their groups to excel in teamwork and performance. In the course of their leadership they have faced challenges, disappointment and joy and forged strong bonds with their team mates and with the college.

Student leadership in a JC is very much harder than in a secondary school. In a JC you have a diverse group of students from numerous secondary schools and with varying personalities, abilities and commitment forming teams in an extremely short and intensive period before the competition season. Despite these difficulties all the student leaders in CJC have taken the courageous step to serve the community. Our sincere appreciation goes to all student leaders for stepping out of their comfort zones to serve the college.

Leadership at CJC is only part of your leadership journey in life. We are all on a leadership journey, sometimes as a team leader but most of the time on a personal leadership journey. The leadership and CCA participation experience in CJC is only one of the many milestones of a personal journey to life’s success and it is an important milestone.

After a tour of duty, most leaders would look back and evaluate themselves. I am sure many CJCians who are familiar with reflections will do the same. The questions many leaders will ask themselves are: Did I grow a team? Has leadership made me humble and open to new learning? Who has helped me grow? Did I express my appreciation to my mentors and team? Did I transfer what I have learned as a leader to the relationships with my family and my friends?

To the JC2s, as you reflect, do know that your leadership journey is not done yet. The whole team must succeed for the “A” levels. Generally, the CCA groups that study together, pace each other and help each other deepen their understanding of concepts excel in the “A” Levels.

Finally, whether it is team leadership or personal leadership, servant leadership still undergirds our approach to leadership. Servant leadership is about the humility to be receptive, diligent and life giving to others. We are all in CJC to pursue success as a whole person. Give each other a nudge and a helping hand, and grow in strength as a college that excels in learning and living.

With this, I wish all students all the best in their pursuit of a full and rich experience in your personal leadership journey at CJC.

Thank you and God bless.

PRINCIPAL’SMESSAGE

Mrs Christine Kong

EDITORSNadia Arianna Bte RamliSuzie Yanti JumadiSng Mee Lian

PRESIDENTLorraine Tan

VICE PRESIDENTGlen Tan

PHOTOGRAPHERSChew Jia Hui Fiona NgEstelle Teo Benedict KangNg Zi Xuan Tan E-ShinYeo Shao Jie Yip FangChia Shan Jin Abraham LowNg Yun Yun Gary Tang(Alumnus)

CONTRIBUTORSWendy GaoCindy HoHuang GuohaGlen TanAaron ChanChua Shing YoongAng Ji SiaMegan LeeErshen KaurJade KaurLee Xin Jie JoelMelissa KhooHazel Boon

DESIGNA creative point, by JABwww.jab.sg

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What motivates you?

Amos Pee: I’m a javelin thrower, and we operate by measuring our furthest distance thrown. If I’ve yet to throw my desired distance, or have yet to do the best that I ever can and will, I will not stop training. Until the day that I’m convinced there’s no longer room for improvement, I will not stop training. Also, I’ve never believed that people can stop improving if they’re really hungry for it.

Russel Tay: The things that motivate me most are my team, my family and friends, and every athlete most importantly has to motivate himself. My team means the world to me. The way they make the effort to religiously show up for training day after day and seeing all the sacrifices they’ve made for the sport and to the team, it really drives me as a captain to work harder to set a good example, not only for them, but for everyone I meet.

Melanie Anne Bickham: I make it my goal to do better than my competitors in every single event that I run. My faith keeps me going on the track too. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.’ (Philippians 4:13) This usually pushes me on when I feel like giving up on the track.

What is the most rewarding moment of being in your CCA?

Russel Tay: Personal best and doing well for races are definitely satisfying but nothing was more satisfying than seeing all my teammates’ efforts pay off. To watch all of them grow and train with them was an honour and a privilege and to see everyone at Nationals do their best and see them satisfied. To know that I was part of that was the most rewarding part of my CCA.

Text by Wendy Gao (1T29)

Making it to the finishing line is no easy feat for most of us. These athletes of CJC’s Track and Field Team and the Cross-Country Team share their proud moments after the finishing line.

Chan Zhe Ying: This year’s ‘A’ Division when I finally achieved something. Being in track for 8 years and changing events multiple times, I finally have a good story to tell my kids haha!

What are some of the life lessons from Track and Field?

Russel Tay: I believe sports motivate us in our personal lives through many ways as sports embody many components which drive us to achieve the best possible version of ourselves. It motivates us through the element of growth as progressing day to day shows us our true potential.

Chan Zhe Ying: On the track you lose 90% of the time. Failures teach me to be more resilient in whatever I do and just keep striving for success.

Amos Pee: For as long as I remember, I was brought up with the mentality that participating in sports helps to nurture one’s discipline. That presence of an ultimate end goal keeps me focused on what’s important. It drills me to be more forward-looking - always aware of that end goal I work towards.

BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS

CJC Athletics Team

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“I started swimming at a very young age, but never competitively until I had my first swimming lesson at the age of one.” Samantha shared. Samantha credits her cousin, who was then her neighbour, for continuing to coach her despite her waning interest in swimming then. “With the coaching, I managed to swim at the deep end of the pool when I was just five years old.” She has not looked back since.

Even so, it is not easy being a swimmer, with basic warm ups beginning with 16 laps around the pool, and then sprinting in groups when nearing the ‘A’ Division. Wet weather programmes are in place for any let ups in the weather, with ‘stretch cords and core exercises’ as part of the plan. According to Diana Teh (2T17), the Swimming Team also has ‘goal setting sessions where they set their goals and personal best so that they would know what to achieve during the competition.’

Our CJ girls swam their hearts out in the pool

Text by Cindy Ho (1T05)

To the CJ Swimming Team, the pool is like their second home. As for Samantha Lee from 1T03, who had a first taste of the pool at the age of one, swimming has been a ‘constant part of [her] life’.

REFLECTIONS ON THE WATER

The hard work and efforts put in by the CJ Swimming Team had certainly paid off, for the Girls’ Team clinched 5th overall in the National Inter-School Swimming Championships, while the Boys’ Team clinched 7th overall.

Juggling studies and CCA commitments was not an easy task for Samantha either. Her seniors had warned her that it would be quite a mean feat balancing studies and training, and advised her to always be on task – which meant no procrastination. “Reading ahead of tutorials and lectures really helped, and as soon as the homework is assigned, I try to complete it on the day itself or push it to the top of my priority list.” Diana agrees on this. “As clichéd as it sounds, time management and self-discipline was key.”

The CJC Swimming Team

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For the CJC Shooting Team that attained 2nd overall for Air Pistol Women’s event and 4th in the Air Pistol Men’s Event, their achievements are the results of countless training sessions “late and far away from home”, Vice-Captain Sebastian Lie (2T31) admitted.

For Chua Shin Yoong (2T20), the Team Leader for Air Pistol Women’s Team, “Shooting is already part of [her] life”. Shin Yoong further added that, “[she] cannot actually imagine a life without sports or a life without shooting. Shooting has taught [her] to balance work and life”.

Sebastian also attributes his experiences in shooting as a personal motivation, as “shooting has taught [him] that there is no shortcut to good results except real hard work, and that success is more a journey than simply a destination”.

Such abilities, however, take months of tough “cardio, drills and conditioning”, according to Terri Teo (2T35), the Epee Vice-Captain for CJC Fencing Team. The Epee Captain, Jedi Huang (2T34), admits that the road towards the competitions was not smooth, as training sessions, albeit fun, were “filled with sweat, shouts and occasional tears”.

In the lead up towards the ‘A’ Division, the Fencing Team, like any other sporting team, faced their own set of obstacles. One main roadblock was the difference in the amount of experience between the CJC fencers and other schools. Despite the harrowing task of facing up against the major heavyweights in fencing, Terri adopts the motto of “No guts no glory. No pain no gain.” as a motivation to carry on with her training.

Terri credits her success to her persistent drive to push herself and the strong rapport of the Fencing Team. When asked about the most rewarding part of being in fencing, Terri quips, “The moments I’ve spent with my team on and

LOCK, STOCK AND BARREL

EN GARDE

Text by Huang Guohua (1T12) The key to good marksmanship is control of the body and good focus.

For the CJC Shooting Team, while the ‘A’ Division journeyhas helped forge stronger friendships, it is also important for them to be able to juggle their studies and the ‘A’ Division preparations. Sebastian noted that “it [is] extremely difficult to study after training, so [they] had to work really hard on non-training days to keep up,” highlighting the extra effort team members have put in for their studies during the competition season. On the other hand, Shin Yoong treats her weekend training as an incentive for herself and commented that “because I love shooting, I will finish my work on time, and study for tests”.

Whichever perspective they take, these CJCians definitely let their passion for their sport to fuel their drive for academic success.

off the piste (fencing mat), and working hard together to strive for our individual best”.

To Jedi, the advantages of being a fencer stretch far beyond the arena of sports. He sees the many skills of fencing as being interchangeable with his personal life as they teach him to be disciplined, resilient and maintain a good resolve. “With a steep learning curve and fierce competition, our fencers went against all odds to prove themselves. If we were able to achieve such a feat, I’m sure it could be translated to any other struggle in life.” As such, he treasures every moment he spends with the rest of the team, as the whole team works together to brave the gruelling journey to improve their skills. “Knowing that we’re all in this together,” he states, is what pushes the fencers to go further in their training.

At the end of their tough but fruitful ‘A’ Division journey, Jedi notes that the entire experience has helped him to “find joy in the mundane and arduous steps toward (his) goals”, while realising “the importance of finding alternative routes to success.”

Lorraine Tan (1T03)

Fencing is more than just a medieval sport. In the world of fencing, agility and precision are vital to mastering the sport.

Benjamin Tan (2T11) takes aim at the Gold

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The CJC Rugby Team may have taken some hard knocks during the recent ‘A’ Division but they have done us proud by staying positive throughout. The Flame takes a look behind the “rough-and-tumble” side of the team with their new Captain, Ian Chai (1T28) and Vice-Captain, Matthew Loh (1T28).

What was it like being on the pitch with all the other heavyweights?

Ian: There was a sense of anticipation and strong competitive spirit when the two opposing teams met before the match. We hoped for the best and persevered against many strong teams. While the final outcome did not meet our expectations, we were proud that we gave our all and emerged triumphant in our own ways.

Matthew: I felt nervous before the competition as I only started playing rugby this year and did not have much experience. We were the underdogs so I just wanted to do my best.

Why choose Rugby?

Ian: I feel that Rugby is very similar to life- you go into the match wishing on your lucky stars, and praying that all your blood sweat and tears will pay off. Even when things are not going your way during the match, when you get knocked down countless times and you feel like giving up, the presence of your teammates renews your strength. It is the team spirit and the mutual encouragement that drive each of us forward to victory.

Matthew: This sport has taught me to persevere and to be resilient in the face of any difficulty or challenge that I may

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGHText by Glen Tan (1T28)

When these boys get knocked down, they get up again and never let anyone get them down.

(Above) Running for a try

(Below) Our CJCian rugger made

headway ahead of our competitors

face. Our mental state before matches was a big hurdle as many matches are won due to the strong drive and desire by the team to win the game. We managed to overcome this and were able to hold up to strong teams and won our final match.

What sustained you throughout the gruelling ‘A’ Division and exam preparation period?

Ian: Coping with studies was no doubt a struggle, but my teammates were the ones who continuously reminded me about my academic responsibilities. I owe it to them for sustaining me during the ‘A’ Division and the exam preparation period.

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What was it like competing in two rather different sports this year?

For the first few rounds in Track, I didn’t really feel nervous at all even though it was my first time competing for Track and Field ‘A’ Division. I think the credit goes to my previous experience in gymnastics competitions. In gymnastics, there’s always the fear of a serious injury with a misstep. That’s the nature of gymnastics. I think it’s extremely dangerous. However, thanks to that, I felt really calm before and during my races.

How did you feel about the results?

I was pretty surprised and really happy that I managed to receive a medal with the limited training I had for the trampoline. I was really really lucky because I was competing against girls who had been training a whole year and half intensively just for this competition. I was ecstatic with my success on the track. I actually cried when I was told to go to the prize table because I came in second for my race.

How has your experience in ‘A’ Division influenced you and your personal life?

It has definitely given me new targets for future competitions because my coach and I are intending for me to continue in the Track and Field scene and I am really excited about what’s to come. Since the ‘A’ levels are coming, and I only get to train a few times a week now, I really have to plan my time well and make every minute count. Sports and my personal life are definitely similar. My coach always tells me that people who are good in sports have to also be good in studies because they have the determination and will to push themselves during trainings to stand victorious on the podium and that athletes should be able to apply this to their personal and academic lives as well.

ON THE FLIP SIDE

RISING STARS

Text by Aaron Chan (2T29)

Representing the college in two events during this year’s ‘A’ Division, Kimberly Song (2T29) proves that you can be the master of more than just one sport. The Flame finds out how she handles being on the Trampoline and Track.

Text by Chua Shing Yoong (2T20)

Two of our sporting talents, Chua Shin Yoong (2T20) and Chen Zheying (2T10), received The New Paper School Sports Star Award. In addition, Shin Yoong was a recipient of the Singapore Olympic Foundation - Peter Lim Scholarship, in the High Performance Category for commendable performance in a regional/international competition. They share with the Flame their best moments and how they balance sports and studies.

Chua Shin Yoong (2T20)

How do you intend to use your scholarship to further your development? Plans for the future?

I am going to use my scholarship to improve my skills. If there are opportunities to train abroad I will definitely take it up. I hope I will be able to better myself and pass on my knowledge to others, to help them succeed too. Most importantly, if I do qualify to enter a foreign university, I will use the scholarship to continue training overseas.

What challenges did you face managing the demands of sports and studies for the past two years? How did you overcome them? I think of shooting as a reward after a day of studying, so I will always make sure I complete my homework before I go for training.

What was your proudest moment in the competition?

My proudest moment was when I saw the CJC Air Pistol Women’s and Men’s Teams getting their well-deserved medals in the ‘A’ Division Inter-School Competition. I felt really proud of being in CJ and being able to witness the success of our shooters. 8

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What qualities should any young sportsperson have? Any advice for your juniors?

A sportsperson should have perseverance. I have failed multiple times and it is all the failures that made me who I am today. In sports, we just have to try and try again. As Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Chen Zheying (2T10)

What challenges did you face managing the demands of sports and studies for the past two years? How did you overcome them?

I had to manage my time wisely because training took up a lot of time, which meant less time left to study. I had to sacrifice leisure time to study and train.

What was your proudest moment in the competition?

My final jump which brought me from 5th position to 1st position was my proudest moment. It was quite an unbelievable moment because I never expected it at all. It marked an incredible end to my journey in Track.

What qualities should any young sportsperson have? Any advice for your juniors?

Always be humble, never give up and continue striving for greatness.

(Above) Chen Zheying (2T10) racing through the

finishing line in the ‘A’ Division finals

(Below) Chua Shin Yoong (2T20) at the scholarship presentation ceremony

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As a House Captain, you are regarded as a role model by the school community. What is your attitude towards dealing with such expectations and how does it drive you to better yourself?

Wayne Wee: I manage them by just reminding myself that I have tried my best in every area I am involved in. These reminders are necessary and helpful.

Aaron Tan: I like being a role model. It helps me to grow as a person as I am more aware of my actions.

Quek Jian Der : I view expectations as an impetus to keep my moral compass even more in check and to consciously think more about my actions, so as to be a positive influence on others in all aspects.

Louis Teo: It is a good opportunity to be a person of better character and hopefully, a positive influence on the rest of the school community.

How do you overcome any challenges or obstacles that you face in the course of your house captaincy?

Wayne Wee: By believing that in the end, all things will work out, I am able to get through some of the toughest periods. However, such a belief is not enough, and must be supported with hard work.

Aaron Tan: What really kept me going were my friends who constantly encouraged me and supported me every step of the way. One is never alone in this journey no matter how tough it is.

Quek Jian Der : I guess it all boils down to why I am doing this - to serve and help others. With that, I have the drive to keep going.

Louis Teo: There are certainly many challenges but I am really glad that I don’t have to face it alone. I have my sports leaders or even my whole house to back me up. I will raise these issues with my sports leaders and sometimes seek help from my House Master.

CAPTAINS OF OUR HOUSES Text by Ang Si Jia (1T08)

No one ever said that being a House Captain was easy. Not only do they have to oversee the affairs of their House, they need to manage their studies, their CCAs and other personal commitments. Nevertheless, Wayne Wee, Aaron Tan, Quek Jian Der and Louis Teo have proven themselves by managing their House Captaincy with admirable tenacity. The Flame speaks to these individuals to find out more about their experiences as leaders of the Houses.

The Four Houses under one roof

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Do you think that the skills you have picked up are transferable to other aspects such as studies? Are there parallels between your college life and personal life?

Wayne Wee: Absolutely. As leaders, we must learn not only to be involved in college life but have a personal life as well. The lessons you learn from managing relationships outside of college are as fruitful as the lessons learnt in college.

Aaron Tan: Of course! Time management and public speaking are just two of the many things that I have learnt from being a House Captain. Managing time between my commitments was really difficult but I’m proud to say I pulled through and gained much. Public speaking is an essential skill in the future and I get to hone that skill in addressing my peers.

Quek Jian Der : Definitely. Planning an event is like studying for a subject. You start with a general overview but after that, it is essential to know the details. You also need to run through the event, which is similar to practising questions for the exams.

Louis Teo: Definitely. I have picked up skills which can be applied to all areas of my life, most importantly, time management and events planning.

What is the one thing that you strongly believe in and would like to stand for as a leading representative of sports in CJ?

Wayne Wee: Self-improvement. Like studying, sports gives students chances to improve themselves in so many ways.

Aaron Tan: Communication is important and must be made at all times.

Quek Jian Der : I believe in having no regrets. Play your heart out and demonstrate sportsmanship so that no matter what the final score is, you know you have tried your best.

Louis Teo: Resilience and perseverance are important in both sports and academic work. I hope that all CJCians will hold on to these values wherever they may go.

What advice would you like to impart to your successor and other juniors?

Wayne Wee: Always remember what you want and where you are headed towards. Never stop learning, never stop asking questions. Most importantly, don’t let expectations dictate your life.

Aaron Tan: Love your House like how you’d want them to love you. Always remember that sacrifice involves putting the needs of others above yours. In all circumstances, keep the faith.

Quek Jian Der : Always remember why you are doing this and know you are never alone. You need to manage your time well and it could possibly mean sacrificing even more of your leisure time to prioritize your studies but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.

Louis Teo: Take pride in your responsibilities and opportunities. To the juniors, enjoy your time in CJC, and work hard in order to get good academic results.

The JC2 House Captains were all set to begin the heats

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As a Sports Leader, you are regarded as a role model by the school community. What is your attitude towards dealing with such expectations and how does it drive you to better yourself?

Timothy Chong: These expectations can be overwhelming, but being aware that I am a role model keeps me focused and motivated, so I will keep going to complete challenging tasks and meet the highest of expectations.

Su-elle Lim: Facing every situation with a positive mindset. With a positive attitude, you'll naturally achieve better results in whatever you do.

Preshaan Austeine: I definitely feel the pressure when people look to me and acknowledge that I am in the House Exco. I will usually ask my peers what they think about my character and try to remove the negative traits that I have and enhance the positive ones.

Hue Ng: I do my best to be respectful and respectable at all times. I have to set a good example for my House members to follow, so I need to curb bad habits like sleeping in lectures by sleeping earlier the night before.

How do you overcome any challenges or obstacles that you face in the course of your house captaincy?

Jonathan Go: I expect to face a large amount of time taken up by house captaincy responsibilities, such as the planning of events and assisting teachers. When that time comes, I am sure that there will be a need to divide my time effectively. I think the best way to overcome these difficulties is to start studying early, to ensure that I've ample time and energy to handle the role of house captain in the future.

SPORTS LEADERS Text by Megan Lee (1T03)

Being a Sports Leader is no easy task. Regardless, the JC1 Sports Leaders remain steadfastly devoted to their Houses, undertaking their new positions with commendable prowess. The Flame interviews these students to see how they are settling into their new roles.

Seah Jit Sheng: Even though I am the House Captain, that does not mean that I have to stand alone to manage everything tasked upon me. My friends, my fellow SLs and peers are members of the "Michael House Family", and with their support, I would be able to overcome challenges.

Timothy Chong: The house captaincy journey has been a new experience, and stepping up in front of many strangers can be quite daunting. However, knowing that I have the support of my fellow schoolmates and friends made it easier and I knowI will surely overcome this obstacle with them.

Hue Ng: With the help of our Sports Leaders and the guidance of our teachers, I'm sure everything will run smoothly in the House. With regard to my studies, I will have to put in consistent effort.

Do you think that the skills you have picked up (such as time management) are transferable to other aspects such as studies? Are there parallels between your school and personal life?

Jonathan Go: Time management is by far one of the most important skills that one must and should possess. This is especially applicable to studies. Other skills such as communication with team members are important too because they can be applied in the future.

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Timothy Chong: One key skill I have picked up is effective communication. I learnt that being clear and concise when talking to friends and teachers would make it easier for them to understand you.

Su-elle Lim:Time management skills are definitely crucial in many aspects. Whether it’s taking a test or planning for an event, we have to learn to allocate time efficiently to be able to complete the task well.

Hue Ng: Time management and prioritizing really help to organize and clear up your schedule, allowing more opportunities for impromptu meetings, dinner or just to sit back and relax.

What is one thing that you strongly believe in and would like to stand for as a foremost representative of sports in CJ?

Jonathan Go: One aspect of leadership that I firmly believe in is humility. A leader must understand and empathize with his peers. He must not feel that he is above them or bigger than them in any way.

Timothy Chong: One thing I strongly believe in is a positive attitude. Having a good attitude not only cheers you on to keep going, but also gives you added motivation to become a better version of yourself.

Su-elle Lim: Perseverance will determine how we finish. It doesn't matter how we start, because if we give up halfway and lose faith, we'll never get anywhere.

Preshaan Austeine: I believe that teamwork is very important for a representative of sports in CJ. It allows me to understand my teammate’s strengths and weaknesses. Without teamwork, I will not be able to work with my peers and this will affect the success of our future projects, resulting in an undesirable outcome.

In what ways do you think the different houses come together as one to develop/construct a unique CJ identity?

Seah Jit Sheng: Though we are distinguished by our different colours and by our different names, we are all still fellow CJCians. It is this friendly competition that binds the houses together through friendship and bonds forged during "battles".

Timothy Chong: It has to be the CJ cheer of course! No matter what house you come from, surely you'll know our unique CJ HOT cheer. It is always endearing to see everyone cheering their hearts out for CJ.

Preshaan Austeine: If we see a CJCian struggling to compete in an event or sport, everyone would start cheering for him, regardless of the house they are in. This is what makes us unique: our ability to set aside our differences to work together to soar to greater heights.

Jonathan Go and Preshaan Austeine

Timothy Chong

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It is “hard work, passion and determination”, according to Tiffany Lim (2T34), who plays one of the lead characters, ‘Emily’, in the Drama Society’s production of ‘POOP!’ this year. The play tells the story of a family dealing with the twin burdens of suicide and cancer. Their enthralling performance managed to earn them a Certificate of Distinction in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF).

“Attaining a Distinction for SYF was an absolute honour for the whole Drama Society. We were unsure of how our performance was like but we knew we gave it our all and that was the reward that mattered most to us,” says Tiffany. Indeed, the entire cast and crew worked tirelessly in order to ensure that they gave their very best performance on the day itself.

However, it was not all smooth sailing as the members all faced their fair share of problems and challenges from day one. “The number of problems that arose were worrisome at the start,” admits Tiffany. “Our crew had the task of taping out our set before our performance but they faced difficulties in getting it right at the start due to lack of coordination and the

right mindset.” It was not only the crew that faced difficulties. “The cast struggled in trying to portray our characters as we all took on roles of different ages. It was difficult for us to imagine what we would be like at that age. Also, the play has a rather solemn atmosphere due to the father's suicide. It affected our moods offstage, unable to break away from this sense of loss.”

Yet despite all these setbacks, the members never gave up, and in the end the crew “pulled through and managed to impress the judges with their discipline and undeniably perfect setup”, while the cast “learned and grew with [their] characters, allowing all of [them] to demonstrate the characters' raw emotions and thoughts to the best of [their] abilities while still having fun during the process”, as related by Tiffany.

All in all, it was the great sense of camaraderie and family within the CCA that spurred the members to keep moving forward. Tiffany shares that they “established a common goal in mind, worked towards it together and got there”.

A WINNING ACT Text by Melissa Khoo (1T32)

The world of theatre is not simply made up of beautiful costumes and lines delivered with poiseand perfection. It is much more than that.

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After months of pursuing their passion in the arts, our Visual and Performing Arts groups took to the stage for their friends and family. CJC Celebrates started off with three soothing, melodious pieces played by CJ’s very own Guzheng Ensemble. Despite the fact that many of them were new to the craft, their performance was anything but amateur. In fact, the Guzheng Ensemble did well in the recent Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) in 2013, achieving a Certificate of Accomplishment. Turning up the energy, our Dance ensemble presented their energetic “Super 24” dance, much to the delight of the audience. Every powerful leap and step by the dancers was a visual feast for our eyes.

Our Choir showed off their harmonious voices with challenging pieces like Tap-Tap by S Guillaume. With such soulful voices, it is no wonder that our Choir emerged Champions in the Grand Prix Final of the recent Singapore International Choral Festival: Orientale Concentus VII.

The CJC Drama Society enthralled audiences with an adaptation of ‘POOP!’, a local play by Chong Tze Chien. Our thespians brought the audience to tears with their moving portrayal of a family coping with death.

Strumming their way into our hearts, our Guitar ensemble put up a beautiful rendition of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, as well as ‘Ballade Pour Adeline’ and ‘Kiss The Rain’.

Our CJC teachers performed an acapella-inspired twist of ‘Some Nights’ and ‘We are Young’ by Fun. The performance showcased a side of the teachers that the audience welcomed with glee.

Lastly, the Symphonic Band delighted the audience with three masterful pieces: ‘Sinfonia Nobilissima’, ‘Tears of Moon’ and ‘Dreams of Tomorrow’.

The night definitely ended on a high note, with CJCians celebrating the many talented artists who walk among them.

CELEBRATING CJCIANS Text by Cindy Ho (1T05)

Inspiration, dedication and perspiration. These three words summed up our annual showcase of CJC’s fine artists who have passionately dedicated their timeto perfecting their craft.

(Above, right) A riveting moment during

the dance performance (Below, top) Our

guitarists strummed their way into our hearts

(Below, bottom)The Guzheng Ensemble

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The fair started off with an address by keynote speaker, Professor Patrick Tseng, on the challenges of working in the 21st century, his pleasant demeanor and clever humour eliciting much laughter from the students. Following this, the students attended career talks which they had previously signed up for, in areas such as Law, Entrepreneurship, Psychology, Life Sciences and more. The aim of these talks was to give students a better understanding of the required job scope and provide the platform to raise any doubts. After attending a talk on Law, Jocelyn Tan (2T35) said, “I realised I was not suitable for the industry because there are some factors that the speakers pointed out which I was not willing to compromise. In addition, my personality and character do not really sit well with the work requirements.”

Apart from career talks, external vendors were also engaged to set up career booths in the auditorium to give students the chance to explore possible job avenues. Although the variety of careers offered was similar to the career talks, the career booths allowed for one-to-one interaction with the external vendors, where students could raise specific questions. Alexandra Ang (2T21) took the opportunity to clarify her doubts in pursuing Psychology as a future career.

She learnt that one will need a Master’s Degree in order to practise psychology. She also learnt of the various fields, observing that “There (were) also many other job opportunities available, such as crime fighting and even the field of neurology.” The Think Career & Higher Education Festival ended with Ms Foong, a representative from Brightsparks, introducing an interactive online portal for students to search and keep track of potential scholarships. With such a platform available to reach out to higher education institutions, students discovered that the task of applying for a scholarship was not all that daunting. Angelyn Khong (2T27) said, “The talk gave me more information on what types of jobs are in demand, and also what employers are looking out for these days.”

The festival has certainly inspired the JC2s to dream big, and more importantly, start paving the way to their dream career. “After these two days, I think the most important lesson learnt is to keep your options open by doing a lot of research on careers and also working hard to achieve a respectable university score that can bring you to places you want to go to,” said Keerthi Ganesh (2T07).

Text by Hazel Boon (2T22)

Longing for a well-deserved break from their busy semester, it was with anticipation and excitement that the JC2s welcomed the annual Think Career and Higher Education Festival 2014. Throughout the two consecutive days, the students got a chance to not only take a breather, but also to explore the different career options and job opportunities available in order to catch a glimpse of the possibilities of their future.

TAKING IT HIGHER: EMPOWERING CJCIANS TO DREAM

Professor Tseng's keynote speech inspired

CJCians to dream big

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Mr Ajie PermanaText by Lee Xin Jie Joel (2T17)

Exuding a laid back yet confident charm, Mr Ajie Permana had nothing but praises for CJC, where he had forged many bonds of friendship and camaraderie, still keeping in touch with his friends from the college, despite graduating more than a decade ago in 1999. Mr Permana is not new to Think Career Festival, and this year marks his fourth year coming back to share his experiences, albeit in differing capacities. His first time was as an engineer and the following year he returned as a marketer. For this year and the previous year, he shared his journey as an entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, the main difference from his previous careers is that he now has more freedom to do what he enjoys, and decide how to run the company and set its goals and directions. Sharing some advice with his juniors, he felt that the most important thing is responsibility to yourself, to be certain of what you really want to be. Should one not really have a plan, he highlighted that it is okay as long as the learning process equips you with skills.

David Hoe Text by Ershen Kaur (2T18) and Jade Kaur (2T35)

“To always give nothing but their very best,” Mr David Hoe replied when asked if he had any advice for CJCians. Indeed, the ex-CJCian has given nothing but his very best - Mr Hoe recently made headlines in The Sunday Times for his noteworthy and inspiring academic journey, which saw him enter the Normal Technical stream in secondary school with a PSLE score of 110 and emerge with four ‘O’ level distinctions, before he came to study in the college. Returning to CJC to speak at the annual Think Career Day, Mr Hoe spoke to JC2 students about his career in teaching - and also shared with the Flame the fond memories he has of the college and his hopes for CJC.

A man of many hats, Mr Hoe is currently an Economics teacher at ACS(I), the Head of the Education Committee for the Commonwealth Youth Council, and also immersing himself in internships programmes with companies like Microsoft and DBS - the latter allowing him to see how Economics plays out in the business world. “I don’t want to just teach - I want to bring in real-world applications and to see how the formulas actually make sense in the real world,” Mr Hoe said.

This was the same ethos he saw echoed in his education at CJC - beyond the confines of the textbooks, Mr Hoe remembers the valuable life lessons he gained in the college which he carries with him till this day. He fondly recounts a PE lesson with his former teacher, Mr Isaac Lim, where he was made to walk through a drain - as Mr Lim wanted to teach the class some valuable lessons on gratitude. “It was a very valuable lesson on how some people don’t even have money for shoes. It made us question why some of us were complaining over trivial matters.” Mr Hoe also spoke of his ex-Home Tutor and GP teacher, Mrs Sng Mee Lian, with much fondness. “Mrs Sng taught me many things - like learning to be resourceful. She really did put certain values in me that set me up till today. She always held on to the ‘Teach Less Learn More’ philosophy. That was

something I really appreciated a lot.” Indeed, these lessons helped to shape Mr Hoe to be the inspiring CJCian that he is today.

“I definitely think that all of you are going to be leaders. You’re going to be leaders, you’re going to mould the future,” Mr Hoe replied confidently when asked about his hopes for the current and future generations of CJCians. “It’s very important that we educate leaders not only with a mind, but with a heart,” he added - epitomising a true CJCian: a Thinker with a Mission, a Leader with a Heart.

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Ms Teo Swee LianText by Aaron Chan (2T29)

“I thought their questions showed a certain maturity and breadth of knowledge,” Ms Teo responded when asked about her Think Career session with the JC2s. Graduating in 1977 as part of the second batch of CJCians, Ms Teo Swee Lian, who sits on the CJC Board, “loves giving back to the college” and has played a key role in the building of the chapel and redesign of the college crest. This is despite the busy schedule that comes with her directorial position at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). As the Flame spoke to Ms Teo, she stressed on the need for CJCians to continuously support our college.

Ms Teo recounted some of her fondest memories during her times in the college. “I wasn’t very sporty,” said Ms Teo frankly, “but one of the things I did remember, was something called an Economics Essay Competition.” CJC, being a new college at that time, was the underdog in the competition, but her team caused an upset that year, taking home the coveted shield. Recollecting these memories, Ms Teo bore a wide, beaming smile, revealing the positive experiences she had of college life.

However, what really made an impression on Ms Teo was the 'Pioneer spirit' she experienced during her time at the college when buildings were still being completed. "It was a little bit of a building site, so it was quite interesting," even though she was not part of the pioneer batch of CJCians. These collective

Professor Patrick TsengText by Hazel Boon (2T22)

Having paved his way to success through pure determination and perseverance, Professor Patrick Tseng, Chief Dental Officer at the Ministry of Health, was all smiles during his brief time back in CJC for the annual Think Career Festival. As the Keynote speaker, he shared with the graduating cohort the challenges of working in the 21st century.

Coming from the third batch of CJC students, Professor Tseng fondly recounts his memories from his days in the college. When asked about his most memorable experience, he chuckled, “It had to be

stories and memories stayed with Ms Teo ever since and helped her stay true to the college. "I have always said I was very happy in CJC and I think it will always be a good college. I think what is important for students is to never abandon it."

As the CJC flame continues to live within her, Ms Teo had some final words, "You should be proud when your college is doing well, but you should be there to help (your college) when it is not doing so well, that is the true faith." Indeed, Ms Teo is a true CJCian, one that exemplifies the college spirit - In Truth and Love.

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when I was on the Soccer team and we won the national championships. We worked very hard for it and the experience of going through hardships with my teammates is one that I will never forget.” His experience of being in soccer as a CCA has instilled a sense of perseverance and a never-say-die attitude when it comes to facing challenges.

Professor Tseng emphasized the importance of trust between parent and child in deciding on a future career. He mentioned being initially discouraged from pursuing the field of healthcare because of its heavy workload. Despite this, the unwavering support from his parents was one of the main reasons for his success today.

He notes that there is a distinct difference between interviewing applicants from CJC and applicants from other colleges. “It is definitely the confidence and the way that the former CJCians carry and present themselves during the interview. It could be due to the teachers and culture here in CJ, where students are encouraged to speak up and ask questions - as shown during the Q&A session just now - that has helped them to develop into confident individuals and giving them an edge over the other applicants.”

Through his laughter at reminiscing fond memories, it is obvious that Professor Tseng’s love and passion for CJC has not died even after all these years. When asked for advice for the current batch of students, he had

nothing but wise words of wisdom to impart. “Persevere on. There may be ups and downs ahead of you, but the most important thing is to keep working towards your goals and never give up.” Professor Narayanan Ganapathy

Text by Aaron Chan (2T29)

An expert in the field of Criminology, Professor Narayanan Ganapathy graduated from CJC in 1987. Despite having to rush off quite soon after his Think Career session, which had the biggest turnout of the numerous sessions in the 2-day event, he was excited to share more about his indelible experiences in the college. Professor Ganapathy mentioned that some of his “best times” were at CJC, with “an equal emphasis on academics and sports and spiritual health”, he found himself very fortunate to be part of “this good”. Still meeting his fellow soccer buddies regularly, it became clear that the bonds he formed during his time at the college were life-long. When asked for some words of advice for current CJCians, Professor Ganapathy was quick to respond with, “Make a difference to society, give back to society, and contribute to your school.” Passionate about serving the less privileged individuals in society, Professor Ganapathy, who runs a halfway house, is truly a person living the CJC values of Truth and Love.

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The CJC Alumni Sports Fiesta 2014 dawned with a drizzle. Nevertheless, this did not dampen the spirits of CJC alumni who returned to their alma mater for a friendly match of tennis, football, touch rugby and netball. Many alumni who came back echo Benjamin Mark Soh’s (T08, Class of 2013) sentiment that “coming back to CJ is always like coming home”.

“What I cherish most is that nothing much has changed. The compound is the same, the people are the same, and you can see that the friendships do not fade. The college has shaped me, so I feel a sense of belonging to it. When you feel this connection, you feel a need to come back,” shares former Rugby captain, Mark Vincent (T10, Class of 2008).

The alumni indulged in a fun-filled day of sports, entertainment and refreshments sold by some of their juniors, seizing the opportunity to meet up with old friends and reliving the sweet memories of their CJ days. Benjamin adds, “CJC has given me a family outside of my family and I’m forever grateful for that”.

After all, as Michael Chin (C4, Class of 1978) puts it, “CJ is like our second home. Our home away from home”.

Text by Melissa Khoo (1T32) and Ang Si Jia (1T08)

(Top, right) Alumni members and teachers came together to raise funds for the Needy Student Fund and the Archbishop Scholarship (Middle) The competition heats up as the netball teams rush for the ball (Bottom, left) Exciting moments on the soccer pitch attracted many spectators (Bottom, right) CJCians from thedifferent generations, uniting in strength

ON HOME GROUND

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(Above, right) Dr Tan Lai Yong and the Ignite students (Bottom,

left) The students made a pitch to the esteemed panel, which

included Dr Maliki Osman (Bottom, right) Lolarupini Rajandra

(1T32) writing down reflections for the day

Once upon a time, before I joined CJC, I thought that the problems plaguing our Singapore society were not as serious as people often made them out to be. Once upon a time, my idea of a Service Learning Project (SLP) was spending a day at an old folks’ home, and then leaving, the entire experience forgotten. Once upon a time, I was ignorant.

I now know that this could not be further from the truth, and the Ignite Residential Programme, the zenith of my entire SLP journey, only further cemented this newfound belief. After four whole days spent at NUS UTown, my understanding of ‘service’, or reaching out to help others and seeking to make a tangible difference in both their lives as well as our own, has truly grown.

Sister Linda Lizada, who spoke to us on the first day about the ethics and dignity of a person, said something that really stuck with me for the rest of the programme, and perhaps, for the rest of my life. She said, “Our best teacher is experience.”

Dr Leong Ching, speaking about community leadership on the second day, echoes this view. To be effective, compassionate servant leaders, we must be able to empathise with those we wish to help, and find a common point, and what better way to achieve this than through experience? What better way to understand a person than to live as that person would live, at least for a little while?

In fact, this was exactly what we did at the very start of the programme – we visited the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped and dined in the dark. This was not merely eating with the lights turned off – it was stabbing randomly at your plate searching for that one last fry and trying to pour water while not being able to even see your own hand in pitch black. I may never truly know what it’s like to be blind, but this experience alone was enough for me to at least begin to understand how these people live and what potential struggles they may face.

What do we then do, after all our experiences, in order to help others as much as possible? On the subject of living for others, Professor Tan Cheng Han suggested that tackling the root cause of an issue was much better than simply dealing with a ‘symptom’, and this, I believe, was exactly what everyone in the programme did. My classmates and I chose to focus on the problems faced by migrant workers in Singapore. After months of careful planning and research, we presented our findings and proposed solutions, which included policy changes and a campaign to raise awareness within CJC itself, to a panel that included Dr Maliki Osman, Mayor of the South East CDC.

We had fun throughout the programme, listened to seminars, attended a “fireside” chat, played with Nerf guns and attended a formal dinner. The experience was our very first taste of future university life, a unique blend of both enrichment and enjoyment.

SPARKING A CHANGEText by Melissa Khoo (1T32)

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Fast forward seven years later, and she is a solemn girl who was considered mature for her age. She spoke only when necessary, and soldiered on independently. She had seen didi in the hospital, tubes and pipes running from his tiny wrists, each laboured breath a source of panic for her parents. She thought of how small didi had been when he had first appeared, barely weighing more than a frozen chicken at the supermarket, and how scared everyone had been. She thought of the hospital, which smelt of sharp, pungent antiseptic that she had learned to associate with bad things, and of the stern nurses who scolded her when she played with toys meant for sick kids. But to keep herself happy she thought of the lunchbox of Honey Stars she had packed for breakfast in school that day, of the sweet, wonderful taste that dissolved at the tip of her tongue, and that of her home, up on the sixth storey of a HDB flat. She thought of the worn sofa that she loved to curl up on, at the shaky coffee table, bought second-hand from an unknown dealer, and of the small, ratty teddy she cuddled with every night. Money was tight, and she knew so, for her parents’ constant bickering kept her up all night. But for all the things that she loved and hated, she kept quiet about it, choosing instead to store it at the deepest corner of her heart.

Independence at so young an age brought about several problems. She loved school for the kind teacher who bought her lollipops and asked about her family, and she loved school for all the lovely friends she had. But she hated school because of English lessons, because she did not understand a word the teacher was saying. What was the difference between ‘fat chance’ and ‘slim chance’, when they both meant the same thing? Mommy and Daddy spoke Chinese at home. Daddy was too busy rushing back and forth from the hospital, and his grasp of the language wasn’t good enough. Mummy couldn’t speak English, so all she had was herself. For quite a while she struggled silently by a corner until she decided to build up the courage to approach the newspaper. She had seen many adults reading it, eyes scanning from left to right, a mug of coffee lying forgotten by the side, entranced by the events so beautifully written in words. It took her a week to save up with her dollar-a-day allowance, and

IN FOCUSSTUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS

when she approached the black and white papers she nearly chickened out.

The newspaper was filled with big, daunting words and the first article she read, she understood less than half of it. The words took her the entire afternoon to find in the crinkly, old pages of the dictionary, and many times she thought of giving up and instead going off to play with her Barbies instead.

It took her a while before she was confident enough to manage an entire book by herself. She stopped by the library herself and signed up for a membership card with the help of the kindly old librarian, then got lost in the world of books. She carted home eight books a week, slowly pored over them, mesmerised by the magical worlds of Enid Blyton. Then she moved on to the yellowed hardcovers of Nancy Drew, then to Hardy Boys, then to The Boxcar Children.

The books put wild ideas in her mind, and she yearned for a chance to pen them down. Two exercise books filled with childish scribbles proved her efforts, and they were the springboard that spurred more works. It started with an essay. Then two essays. Three. Four. Then a story penned online. She couldn’t stop. She had found her voice.

Then one day, by the hands of fate, she got posted to a school known for its arts programmes, and was dealt with an opportunity too good to be missed. The Creative Arts Programme. Never had she had such an exhilarating chance! She wasn’t quite sure what to write at first. Perhaps her life? Was that too arrogant? An hour was spent staring at the empty page of Word before a wink of an idea came to her. But could she? Or was it too clichéd, too normal? But she threw caution to the wind and instead barrelled on with it. She’d come a long way from when she could hardly complete a sentence without a grammatical error to stop now. And so she sat down by a computer and started typing. A sentence flowed into two sentences. Sentences linked arms and formed a chunky paragraph. Paragraphs joined hands to tell a story. And as the story comes to a temporary end, she sits in front of the computer, eyes slightly glazed over.

The voice in her has awakened.

“Voice”A submission from Cindy Ho (1T05) as part of CJC’sCreative Arts Programme.

231. Fluff (Chiew Jia Hui) 2. and it was THIS big (Chiew Jia Hui) 3. A Sheltered Life (Estelle Teo) 4. Soothe (Chiew Jia Hui)

5. Splash (Ng Zi Xuan) 6. Before Take Off (Yeo Shao Jie) 7. The Flare (Ng Zi Xuan)

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24 129 Whitley Road Singapore 297822 Telephone: +65 62524083 Fax: +65 62537267

E-mail: catholic_jc@moe.edu.sg Website: www.cjc.edu.sg

1.The Sky’s the Limit (Yeo Shao Jie) 2. The Black and White of Decisions (Estelle Teo) 3. Sunset over Mekong Delta (Chia Shan Jin)

4. The Beauty of Nature (Ng Zi Xuan) 5. Buildings (Ng Zi Xuan) 6. Tranquility (Yeo Shao Jie) 7. The Symbol of Life (Estelle Teo)

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