TemasekTimesNeW

BeGINNINGs

May 2012 • ISSUE 01

In thIs Issue

Create Your Future, NowOpen HOuse 2012

ROad Run 2012The Run of surprises

The secrets Behind the success of TOp ‘a’ LeveL sTudenTs

mardi Gras CiRCus CiRCus! 2012

Brave the HeatWin THe MeeT

A BrAnd new Addition to the TJC Family

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A Brand New Start,

a BRand neW BeginningBerlinda Kok Wen Ting (CG 02/12)

The poster for TJCarnival came alive on 7th January 2012 when TJC transformed itself into a carnival filled with life and festivity in every corner. The brightly-coloured balloons stuck on the grass patch behind the Marquee looked like wind-resilient flowers, welcoming aspiring TJCians to spend a fun-filled 4 hours discovering the endless possibilities TJC offers, while the path leading up to the Good News Cafe and the benches around it were transformed into carnival game booths, where both visitors and students alike could try their luck. Manned by the SportsExcel members, the stalls held a wide variety of entertaining activities. One of the highlights was the large, inflated bouncy float that the school had specially brought in for the occasion. Named ‘Battle the Gladiator’, it attracted quite a stream of visitors who were eager to join in the fun.

The audience was wowed by the house cheerleaders, who exuded a sense of youth and vibrancy as they performed stunt after stunt, move after move, under the backdrop of catchy pop music, flashing megawatt smiles that never seemed to falter. at the atrium, spectacular performances showcased the different PDPs in Temasek Junior College. Starting from the performing arts groups, and ending with the sports PDPs, the students put on non-stop performances that were most certainly tailored to impress. The choir members and dancers showed off their harmonious voices and exciting dance moves respectively, while pupils from Wushu and Taekwondo exhibited a range of exciting stunts. Guitar club members also serenaded the crowd, showing the vibrancy of the PDP scene in TJC. Parents and students watched the performances from their seats under the marquee, while resting their sore feet.

The Frolick and roti prata stalls also transformed the cafeteria into a food haven. Entrepreneurial students from CG 21/11 also sold Koi bubble tea, which was an obvious popular choice amongst students.

To aid parents and students in finding more about the Temasek family and our culture of Temasek Excellence, the Principal’s address, talks on the Language Elective Programme and Integrated Programme and sample lectures were given at venues like Lecture Theatre 1, the Theatrette, Scope, and the Library respectively. Mr Basil Chan gave an animated and interactive Economics sample lecture while Mr Daniel Chung and Mr Shaun Goh pointed out the differences between the ‘O’ level English Paper and the ‘a’ level General Paper to curious students and parents. While some parents and students were in a dilemma regarding which choices to make, friendly and informative ambassadors were there to share their own stories – hopefully encouraging prospective students to spend their next 2 years as part of the TJ Family!

Create Your Future, Now:

Open HOuse 2012Lim Shu Min (CG 03/11), Ng Wai Ting (CG 31/11)

ediTORiaLTeaM

editor-in-chiefyUDHISHTHRa NaTHaN (CG 25/11)

chief reporterCHUa TIaN LI (CG 03/11)

SecretArieSKOK WEN TING BERLINDa (CG 02/12)NGIEN SZI MIN (CG 25/12)

LIM SHU MIN (CG 03/11)SOMya JaIN (CG 03/11)NG WaI TING (CG 31/11)

KWEK yI ZHEN (CG 08/12)SHINGaR aGGaRWaL (CG 09/12)CORRINNE KaNG KaI yING (CG 24/12)aNG MING WEI (CG 25/12)aNG JING MING DaRREN (CG 31/12)CHIa SHIMIN (CG 31/12)

teAcherS-in-chArgeMs. Woodford Erin ElizabethMr. Tay Kiah Koon JeremyMs. Ong Shu Wen Melissa

photogrAphy creditSTJC Infocomm Club Mr Tan Ke-yangGolden Village

The theme for this issue of Temasek Times was an obvious choice – New Beginnings. It’s not every year that a cohort of TJCians witnesses a change at the helm of the College leadership. Temasek Times sat down with our new principal, Miss Susan Leong, to find out more about her and about her vision for TJC.

additionally, the sterling ‘a’ Level results, which were released in March 2012, were yet another new beginning for our 2011 graduating cohort. These results signify an even more renewed sense of excellence in the College – and a new start for our graduands . Temasek Times took the opportunity to interview the TJCians who came out tops in the ‘a’ Level exams to find out what makes them tick.

Of course, we’ve all also experienced the events that every batch goes through but in unique ways that make them memorable – Open House, Mardi Gras, and Track and Field. Orientation 2012 was a particularly special new beginning for the J1s, our newest members of the TJC family.

On a lighter note, there have also been newer things to look forward to such as the opening of a graphic novel collection in the Library and the establishment of Golden Village Katong which we suspect will change the way TJCians spend their much-treasured periods of leisure.

But even with brand new opportunities and experiences in our path, some things never change. Our feature article on caring teachers illustrates the fact that the fundamental values we pride ourselves on, such as passion and care, are everlasting.

as we look forward to enjoying a memorable 35th anniversary in the College, remember that even though our College might sound old well established, the dynamic nature of the TJC experience challenges that notion with much validity. ‘your Future, Now’ seems all the more meaningful. Here’s to new beginnings!

Yudhish

edIToR’sNoTe

Let’s rock the stage with our very own expedition nite!

Despite being held on a Saturday, the excitement had not diminished from the previous day’s Mass Dance. Every OG put in their utmost effort in preparation for the Expedition Nite. OG outings to East Coast Park, Marina Barrage, and many other more exciting places were also held so as to engage and build friendships amongst members of each OG. Expedition Nite began with loud, blasting cheers from various clans, which rocked the whole hall in what was bound to be an unforgettable night. Stunning performances were put up by our new batch of juniors, and of course, Music Box as well. During the night, everyone was in high spirits, which made the whole atmosphere a warm one. Many of the students felt accomplished at the end of the day. as Syahindah ahmad (CG 02/12), a member of the Vega Clan OG, said, “We did our clan proud by winning the performance during Expedition Nite!”

all things come to an end, unfortunately, and so the night concluded with another round of Mass Dance, and each OG adjourned for supper thereafter, energised by the merriment of the day. The Nite proved a real hit with the JC 1s. Vulcan Clan OGM Chantel Lim (CG 02/12) said, “I liked Expedition Nite most! although it was on the last day of the Orientation, not a single person was tired or exhausted. all of us were in high spirits that day and were reluctant to leave our OG Mates (OGMs). However, we did manage to keep in contact with our newly-made friends, and it was a truly great experience! ”

Mass dance @ Suntec

Many J1s had mixed feelings about the couple dance, which was to the rhythm of the popular hit, Upside Down. Some were shy at the very beginning, and a few others were excited about the dance moves. after only a few days of practice, with seniors teaching the dance moves and juniors taking pains to remember them, the day when everyone could move to the groove and dance to the music had finally arrived! Everyone gathered at Suntec City Fountain of

Wealth in the evening. When the music was played, not a single person was left out - the entire TJ family was dancing along to the beat! Other hits included mass dance songs familiar to most TJCians such as accidentally in Love, Speedy, and S Club.

get drenched with the Mass games!

This was the event everyone was looking forward to, including the Orientation Group leaders and even the J1s themselves. Mass games - both wet and dry games - were conducted to put the J1s’ teamwork to the test. The new J1s played games in groups or pairs and certainly had much fun and enjoyment immersing themselves in the games their seniors had spent much time planning for.

who will be the next to be eliminated from the Amazing race?

One of the highlights of the Orientation included The amazing Race. It was an event held outside school, in which various Orientation groups competed against one another to complete as many tasks at different venues as quickly possible. The ultimate goal was not about being the champion, but rather to forge stronger bonds between OG Mates. This goal was well-achieved by the end of the Race. OGL Corine Tiah (CG 25/11) said of the JC1s: “They were awesome! I was quite worried and nervous before orientation but their enthusiasm totally exceeded beyond my imagination...It makes us really happy when they say Orientation is fun and I’ve seen them turn from strangers to good friends through the 5 days.”

By the end of the 5 days of Expedition 12, it became clear for every new member of our TJ family that “It matters not where we are from, to Temasek we now belong.” Temasek Times would like to warmly welcome our new J1s to contribute to our diverse college community as they blaze Temasek’s fame and explore new frontiers throughout their journey in TJC!

‘expedition 12: exploring new frontiers’ was the theme for this year’s Jc1 orientation, a prelude to the many exciting challenges and opportunities that were waiting for them to explore throughout their journey with tJ! it was indeed a memorable and meaningful orientation, allowing the Jc1s to familiarise themselves with the campus and forge new friendships amongst themselves. here is a recap of the main highlights that constituted yet another memorable chapter in our college’s history.

Wet Games where OGMs have to complete gruelling but exciting task in pairs.

OGMs forming a snake-like chain in an activity during the OG outing to East Coast Park.

Prospective students and parents wait excitedly for the lecture to start.

United we stand, together we smile.

Colourful programmes and customised badges display the vibrancy of TJCians.

Credits: TJC Photographic Society

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The light drizzle at the start of the event was reminiscent of last year’s Road Run that was subsequently cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions. It was therefore not surprising that the question on most students’ minds this year, from the moment the grey clouds loomed overhead, was whether history would repeat itself once more. Thankfully, the rain eventually stopped, and with the lightning alert turned off, the PE department was able to successfully carry on with the event, amidst cheers and sighs of relief from the general College population.

The girls were flagged off first on their route around Lucky Heights, which spanned 3.5 kilometres. Wearing their house colours proudly on their backs, the girls, faces set with determination, jogged past the starting line. Our principal, Ms Susan Leong was also spotted participating actively, chatting with the students as she jogged along.

The Staff race followed almost immediately after, and the staff members arrived, decked out in an array of colourful sports attire, ready to impress. This was an unfamiliar sight for many students who had only ever seen their teachers suited up in dresses and shirts in the familiar environment of a classroom. Nevertheless, as the horn signifying the start of the race blared, the students did not disappoint, with enthusiastic cheers for their favourite teachers, shouting out words of encouragement and drawing smiles to their teachers’ faces.

They were closely followed by the boys, who were the last group to be flagged off for the event. Unfortunately, halfway through

the race, the clouds returned, heavy once more, and it started to rain again. The boys, however, did not let this turn of events dampen their determination, and those unlucky to be caught by the weather completed the run despite being soaked to the skin. Fellow pupils at the stand also spared no effort in offering support for their schoolmates, cheering the boys on and applauding them for their accomplishment and unrelenting perseverance. Some of the spectators could even be seen running out into the rain, lining the track all the way to the finishing line, forming a welcoming party of sorts for the returning runners, in an effort to boost their morale.

The unexpected star of the event was most certainly the newest staff member of the English Department, Mr Myles Bax, who left the entire College rather awed with his athletic abilities. Not only did Mr Bax participate in both the staff and boys’ race, running a total of 8.5 kilometres, he was amazingly also the first to return from both, breaking College records by attaining a dashing result of 10.41 minutes for the former event. astonishingly, he hardly appeared exhausted and was seen sporting a radiant smile even after the intense running he had done. This was certainly different from the usual calm manner that most students originally associated him with.

Road Run 2012 can be said to have been a run of surprises - not only did it showcase the students’ energetic and vibrant attitude, it also revealed sides of our teachers and staff members that we never knew existed. The rain, while unfortunate, did not sour the general mood of excitement in the air, but rather proved an opportunity for us students to unite by encouraging and supporting one another, brightening the dreary weather with our unrelenting TJ spirit.

Held on 30th March 2012, the annual Track and Field Meet showcased TJCians’ athletic capabilities perfectly, once again proving that TJ students are well-rounded and holistic individuals good not only in their studies, but also in non-academic areas.

Most notably, Beta House had much reason to celebrate for emerging overall champions in both the sports category as well as in the cheerleading event. CG mates Chew Liang yuh and Renbin Woo from CG 04/11 (Delta House) were tied in first position amongst the boys while Seet Min yi (CG 26/11) clinched the top prize amongst the girls.

all in all, the entire event was a huge success, with the combination of songs and cheers creating an energetic and party-like atmosphere throughout the entire day. The event drew to a heart-warming close with the school song being sung enthusiastically by the TJCians.

Brave the Heat

Win THe MeeTShingar Aggarwal (CG 09/11)

Road Run 2012

THe Run Of suRpRisesSomya Jain (CG 03/11), Lim Shu Min (CG 03/11)

Loud cheers filled the air, as rain pattered on the shelter above the students. Although the weather was not optimal, the rain did little to dampen the mood, while students shouted their house cheers with fervour. thus tJc’s annual road run kicked off on the 17th of february from the college’s sports complex.

01 Sprinters taking off, their eyes poised on the prize

02 all starry-eyed from looking at the medals

03 Colourful blur of cartwheels and stunts keeping students on the edge of their seats

04 TJC’s teachers beating the students twice in a row, winning the tug of war this year

05 Students’ Council members put up a good fight against the teachers

01

04

03

05

02

Track and Field

Staff Race Champion, Mr Myles Bax, shows that running is as easy as a,B,C

an orderly finish The rain may dampen the ground but not their spirits!

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congratulations on your excellent results! how did you celebrate your achievements?

glen: Thanks! My parents took me out for a nice dinner. My body celebrated by lulling me into a deep sleep the night after receiving my results.

what were some challenges you faced when studying and how did you overcome them?

glen: To be honest, a huge problem I faced was that I was bad at following study timetables I tried to create for myself. I found it impossible to stick to the schedule! as a result, I simplified my studying schedule greatly: I made sure that I covered every subject at least 3 times every week – which meant studying multiple subjects a day, but when the ‘a’ levels loom near, trust me, it won’t sound that extreme. It does take quite some time to do Economics essays and essay plans, or finish preliminary examination papers. Because of this, I made sure to start as early as possible – so, as early as J1 did I begin my plan.

were there any unusual study strategies you used while preparing for your ‘A’ Levels?

glen: My study strategy is anything but unusual! This method is probably better-suited for the science-related subjects. In order to ensure I could face various kinds of questions, I did all the past-year questions that I could get my hands on. This may be of less use now, as the examination questions really try to stretch your imagination and test your understanding in a cruelly intense manner. Even though I practised so many questions beforehand, I was honestly

Top scIeNce sTudeNT GleN Chua ChiN Wei

Top aRTs sTudeNT lieW JiaN JuN

dumbfounded when I saw some of the questions in my ‘a’ Level papers. Luckily, I had enough material with me to tackle the questions. Practising more allowed me to get a better grasp of the content, so I was better able to adapt what I knew to the unfamiliar scenarios I encountered in the examinations.

For GP, I made sure to read the papers or news magazines like Time and The Economist, extracting examples and compiling them in a Word Document for easy reference before every examination. I also referred to all my marked GP essays so I could see where I went wrong, to prevent myself from making the same mistakes again.

is there anyone who supported or inspired you?

glen: My family was my ultimate source of support. Meals were mostly eaten at home during the whole of my J2 year so I could have more time to study, which meant my mother had to spend time to prepare meals, and, when the rest of my family went out, that they had to take the trouble to pack something home for me. My dad also offered to drive me around when I felt too exhausted. Gestures like these really helped in my studies, and also helped me to survive through the first half of J2, which was hell, with tennis training and H3 lessons and school-work. Then there are my school tutors, who always had faith in me and without whom I would never have been able to do as well in school, especially in GP. My tutors also gave me a lot of opportunities to stretch myself. I have also made friends in TJ with whom I am able to share my feelings and anxieties, and who encourage me when I am down. These friends will also be my pillar of support for many years to come.

do you have any motivational words to offer to the current batch of tJ students, especially the J2s this year?

glen: It doesn’t matter how you are doing in school now, as most of you still have intensive PDP commitments due to the competition season. But make sure to study your hardest once your competitions end, and at least make an improvement during your JCTs, which will help to spur you on. From then, follow the tutors closely as they start gearing you guys for the Prelims and finally the ‘a’ Levels, as the tutors will start to give extra classes and practices. Don’t be afraid to approach the tutors for help! you just have to work hard for the next 6 to 7 months, and you will definitely reap the fruits of your labour in the end!

what are your plans for the future?

glen: I have accepted the GIC Global Scholarship, so that’s where I will go after my university years. I intend to pursue Physics in the United States.

Once again, it has been proven that with hard work and undying resilience come great rewards! On Friday, 2nd March 2012, the College was flooded with former TJC students: the graduating cohort that took their GCE ‘a’ Levels in 2011. By early afternoon, the canteen and foyer under LT1 were brimming with nervous ‘J3’s.While many were visibly anxious about the looming results, many others seemed happy to be back in the College again and were deeply engrossed in conversations with their peers. When asked about her feelings regarding the impending release of results, Valencia Soh (CG 03/10) told Temasek Times, “It was a moment of desperate hope, anticipation and yet a rash urge to escape from everything … it was such a jittery, nerve-wrecking yet overwhelming moment for me.” She also added that she had feelings of immense nostalgia with regards to her time spent at the College. “Memories of my past four years in TJC flashed through my mind and I secretly wished time would turn back all over again,” she said.

Reassurance for the anxious ‘J3’s came from TJC’s new Principal, Miss Susan Leong, who addressed the graduating cohort. It was the first time Miss Leong was addressing the 2010/2011 cohort as a whole, and she congratulated them on their results. She also sent regards from the College’s immediate-past Principal, Mrs Loke-yeo Teck yong, who also conveyed her regret at not being able to make it for the momentous occasion. Miss Leong was certainly pleased with the stellar results, and assured the cohort of their good performance, “I want to say that all of you did well. Some of you, of course, expect to do a lot better, but all of you did well.”

as Miss Leong announced the names of the top-scorers, many were in tears of joy, visibly moved by the achievements that were flashed onscreen, a testament to the cohort’s exemplary performance. The entire hall broke into thunderous applause as students congratulated their fellow schoolmates on their results. at least 1 in 3 students achieved 5 or more distinctions (including the compulsory H1 subjects General Paper, Project Work and Mother Tongue Language). 126 candidates achieved straight distinctions for their 4 content subjects, a testament to their remarkable academic ability. Perhaps the happiest people in the hall on results day were Glen Chua Chin Wei (CG 01/10) who scored 8 distinctions and Liew Jian Jun (CG 31/10) who clinched 7 distinctions. They emerged the top Science and arts student respectively. The College and Physics Department are also particularly proud of Glen and Liang Liyuan (CG 13/10) who received the Institute of Physics Singapore Medal Prize, a prestigious prize awarded to the 10 best performing Physics candidates in the ‘a’ Levels.

The Class of 2010/2011 exceeded expectations by achieving distinction rates well above the national average for almost all H2 and H1 content subjects. The sterling results of the Class of 2010/2011 were noted to be comparable to the previous year’s results.

The Class of 2010/2011 has indeed done the College proud with their outstanding results. Temasek Times would like to congratulate all of our graduating students and wish them all the best for all of their future endeavours. Let us follow in their footsteps, and continue to blaze Temasek’s fame!

The Secrets Behind the Success of

TOp ‘a’ LeveL sTudenTsDarren Ang (CG 31/12), Lim Shu Min (CG 03/11)

Exceeding the Toughest Expectations!

gCe ‘a’ LeveLs ResuLTs 2011Yudhishthra Nathan (CG 25/11), Ang Ming Wei (CG 25/12)

H2 Subjects with ≥ 75% AB Grades

Art 100%Biology 85.6%Chemistry 85.3%China Studies in English 80%Geography 90.7%German 100%History 100%Knowledge and Inquiry 75%Literature in English 87%Mathematics 89.4%Music 100%Physics 84.5%Tamil Language 100%and Literature Chinese Language 85.3%and Literature

H1 Subjects with ≥ 75% AB Grades

Chemistry 77.3%Hindi 80%Mathematics 80%China Studies in English 100%Geography 82.1% Panjabi 100%Urdu 100%Gujurati 100%

the results for individual subjects are as follows:

The batch of 2011 did TJC proud by achieving outstanding results during the ‘a’ Level examinations. How did they do it? Temasek Times interviews the Top Science Student and Top arts Student to find out the secrets behind their success.

Photos by: Mr Tan Ke-Yang

Our happy top scorers smiling with glee as they pose with their result slips

were there any unusual study strategies you used while preparing for your ‘A’ Levels?

Jian Jun: all I can say is, as discovered by my other classmates (who in turn got it from the Literature tutors), milk tea is an incredible mood booster when you’re locking yourself up in the canteen to study. is there anyone who supported or inspired you?

Jian Jun: People who supported me were essentially classmates whom I was close to. I would spend nearly every school day with Megan and Leon and we would study till dinnertime. Leon was always a great support to me in particular, helping me out as a true bro. another classmate, Jonathan, also proved to be quite helpful with his calm personality, especially when I was stressed. The people who have inspired me were the debaters. There was Zeng an, who while I was not close to, I greatly respected because of his ability to score incredible grades and speak well. I was also inspired by my coach Jincheng, just because he managed to make everything look so simple and doable. do you have any motivational words to offer to the current batch of tJ students, especially the J2s this year?

Jian Jun: always be prepared! Things may get bad. you may maintain your grades, but the stress just keeps on increasing. and when it comes to breaking point, you will start questioning yourself (especially if your grades slip). Hold firm and don’t give up. Find a reason to fight on. Don’t ever settle for ‘good enough’ because it’ll never be good enough. Not until you can walk home from the hall holding your head up high, with whatever grades you earned, with pride that you have performed to the best of your capabilities.

congratulations on your excellent results! how did you celebrate your achievements?

Jian Jun: With a nice, hot, home cooked dinner. While I would have loved to spend it with my friends, there were more important things on my mind – the ‘a’ Level results came right before my field camp, and I had to prepare for it. The only minor celebration, apart from one with my family, was with the Debate Club. as far as I’m concerned, any celebration with them would satisfy me no matter what, so even the short hour I spent with them was good enough.

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how has your experience in tJc been thus far? has it been as you expected it to be?

It has been a pleasant experience. The staff and students are very friendly. I am still trying to learn the names of the more than 150 teachers and to get to know them and the students more. This is quite expected as it will take me some time to be familiar with TJC which is a large school with 4 levels – I hope to be more familiar within 6 months – a target I set for myself.

What was your first impression of TJC and tJcians? has it changed thus far?

Teachers and students are friendly and polite – this gives me a very homely feel. Students seem a little shy and unsure of how to interact with me as I am new, so it is good for me to greet them when I see students and teachers on the corridor to help break the ice a little. Since then, I am happy to note that more students are greeting me and smiling when we pass each other in the corridors or canteen. However, there are still some students who do not see nor greet me or any teacher they meet. This is not gracious behaviour but they may not be aware of this – perhaps this is an area some students can improve on?

who is one teacher who has made the most significant or unique impact on how you approach your role as a principal?

I am not sure about a teacher’s impact on how I approach my role as a Principal as I did not plan to become a Principal in the first place, but I’m certainly sure about how it impacted my role as a teacher! I had an Economics teacher for my a-levels who was very good but had little patience for students who were not able to follow his lessons well. I had problems with Econs as I joined the class 4 months after it started and it was a new subject to me. I remember he was not so kind (or forgot I was new) and made a joke of me in class when I could not answer his question. He declared me “incapable” of doing Econs and advised me to give up the subject for my own good. I did not drop Econs and eventually managed to obtain an a grade for my a-levels despite remaining in his class for Econs. My learning from this was

to never put down a student in class for his ignorance and to be more patient to find out the reason for it before scolding him. I still remember to do this for my students and teachers now, as a Principal!

what are your hobbies and passions?

I have diverse interests which I do not have much spare time to pursue! My hobbies include reading, cooking, watching films, photography, travelling and keeping fit, i.e. exercising.

what is your personal vision for tJc as our new principal?

I did not come with a personal vision for TJC to start with – my approach is to know the College better and see how to bring it to the next stage of its development. TJC is already an established college with a distinguished history of achievements. The challenge is “What Next?” for TJC, and the direction has been established a few years ago with Mrs Loke, the previous Principal, that we are going to be a 6-year Integrated Programme School, growing from our present 4-year programme. This is pretty exciting but challenging, and there is a lot to learn for our teachers and students along the way. So, very simply, my vision for TJC now is to be a school of choice offering a distinctive 6-year IP which will develop all our students holistically, and challenge them to exceed their own expectations with “Passion, Purpose and Drive”. This is likely to change through the years as TJC develops as I believe the vision has to be appropriate to meet the needs of the school at different times of its history.

it’s a brand new year, with a brand new start and a brand new change to tJc’s leadership. At the start of 2012, the tJc family warmly welcomed Ms Susan Leong, our new principal. temasek Times finds out more about Ms Leong, as well as the plans she has in store for tJc.

what inspired you to write the novel gone case?

dave chua: I had just won the SPH-NaC Golden Point short story award, and there was this competition called the Singapore Literature Prize that accepted and published manuscripts, so I decided to try my luck at writing a novel. The idea of writing a novel set within Singapore’s HDB estates came about so I decided to tackle it at that angle. I’ve stayed in HDB estates for so long. I think there are wonderful things about living in an estate. It somehow feels important to be the chronicler, the writer who narrates the events, otherwise they would just be lost to everyone.

how did you feel when Mr Koh approached you to adapt gone case into a graphic novel?

dave chua: I was very honored. at that point of time, Gone Case had already been released for 12 years and I thought that it hadn’t made much impact. Realizing that he wanted to adapt the novel, I felt elated, and I think he has done a fantastic job.

how do you feel about your text being used in school?

dave chua: I’m glad that TJC is using it as a text, but when I wrote it, I never had it in mind that it would be used as a textbook – I don’t want people who are not interested to have to read it. you should let the work speak for itself and let it find its audience.

your new book of short stories, the Beating and other Stories has been long-listed in the frank o’connor international Short Story Award. how do you feel about this?

dave chua: I think it’s a great honour but I think we must put it in perspective – there’s a huge long list. It’s just a privilege to be long-listed alongside other writers like Joyce Carol Oates and Don DeLillo.

what do you do when you’re not writing?

dave chua: I swim, I watch TV, I do a lot of movie-related stuff like programmes for the Film Society and movie reviews for The Straits Times. Movies I’ve really enjoyed include “To Live” by Zhang yimou and also “yi yi” by Edward yang.

do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

dave chua: you should be reading a lot. Read as much as you can, from magazines, from the newspaper, from the web, New york Times,

New yorker, Guardian, and so on. you should travel as much as you can, but it doesn’t mean you need to go overseas. I think there are a lot of places in Singapore that bring us out of our comfort zone - by going to Little India and such - so you should do as much of that as possible and try to keep a journal of things you experience. Of course, you need to write as much as you can. I think writing is an art, and like any art or musical instrument, you need to practise everyday. So in the same way, you need to try writing and write everyday if possible.

why did you want to adapt gone case?

Koh hong teng: The story appealed to me greatly as it’s so real and there are a lot of similarities to my childhood, particularly when I lost my grandmother. I have a deep connection with the story Dave wrote, and I thought that it would be good to draw it.

Did you face any difficulties in interpreting the content of the book?

Koh hong teng: There were a few challenges but Dave is quite open-minded. He understands that in terms of graphic language, a lot of the time you don’t have to explain the story, but you just let the graphics show the story. This made my work easier.

Is there any artist who influenced your style of drawing?

Koh hong teng: I’m very much influenced by Katsuhiro Otomo and Moebius. Otomo is a Japanese comic artist who created akira, which is a very well received comic in 1980s. Moebius is a genius in terms of his versatility. I am greatly influenced by a Chinese artist, He youshi, who is very good in line work. He’s very good at showing a lot of things in very simple lines, which is what I’m very into now.

do you have any advice for aspiring artists in Singapore?

Koh hong teng: They have to believe that their passion is real and stick to it. as Dave said, it’s something you have to do almost everyday – it won’t be instantaneous but it will come. If you are very passionate about something, of course there will be a lot of pain along the way – you can’t escape it because you’re always going to ask a lot of yourself. People who are very interested in something will understand this point – it’s inevitable.

Award-winning author dave chua shared the process of writing his 1996 novel, gone case, with temasek Academy year 2 students in the tJc Library on 12th April 2012. it was a special session for the tA 2 students, who had studied gone case as part of their Language Arts curriculum. Local artist and graphic novelist Koh hong teng who collaborated with chua to adapt gone case into a graphic novel, also joined us for the two-hour interview, which was followed by the launch of the graphic novel section in the tJc Library. in this exclusive interview with dave chua and Koh hong teng, we gain some insights into their collaboration for the graphic novel as well as some valuable advice for aspiring writers and artists.

The Men Behind

gOne CaseNg Wai Ting (CG 31/11), Chua Tian Li (CG 03/11)

A Brand New Addition

TO THe TjC faMiLyYudhishthra Nathan (CG 25/11) and Berlinda Kok Wen Ting (CG 02/12)

Ms Susan Leong is TJC’s eighth Principal in its 35 year history. Ms Leong shows her fun and sporting side, dressing up as the Circus Ringmaster at Mardi Gras 2012, along with the Vice-Principals (from L to R) Mr Lim Cheng Tju, Mr Samuell ang and Mrs Lim Kia Huan.

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GV Katong’s candy bar counter. The façade replicates the traditional architecture of Peranakan shophouses.

behind it. I was able to bring the old lady to the clinic because I happened to be available at the time. There were some other teachers there who wanted to help too but they had to return to school for classes.

did you expect the elderly lady’s family members to write a letter to the school?

Mr goh: Nope. It was a very nice surprise. I didn’t think much of it because I didn’t leave any contact information with the doctor or the lady. I pretty much left her in the care of the doctor at the clinic and that was it.

So what are the responses that you have received?

Mr goh: The immediate responses were from my colleagues who were very supportive and encouraging. They said things like “Wow, so you’re the one” (laughs) when they found out it was me. But I guess there’s nothing special about it…I just happened to be available at the time so I could help the elderly lady.

In going the extra mile to care for others, Mr Goh has truly shown that kindness has gone a long way, and he encourages TJCians to do the same. He said: “we have it in all of us to lend a helping hand to people in need (within) our own capacity” and encouraged us “not to shy away from providing help” whenever we can.

Temasek Times sat down with Mr Goh to find out more about his thoughts on the incident and on the responses he has received.

what motivated you to lend a helping hand?

Mr goh: I think it’s a very natural instinct for anyone to help someone in need, so I don’t think there was any particular motivation or reason

The lion dance performance put up by the Wushu team started the Chinese New year celebrations with a loud bang in the school hall on 20th January. While the ornate lion’s head swayed from left to right to the beat of loud drumming, cymbals and gongs, the hearts of the audience similarly beat to the rhythm, building up the excitement for the performances. The excitement peaked when the skinny ‘God of Fortune’

went around the hall throwing candies and chocolate coins and it took a while for delighted students to settle down after that.

The highlight of the concert was the Wushu display, which had the audience gaping in awe with the martial artists’ grand entrance into the school hall. Clad in auspicious red, yeo Zhanrong (CG 12/11) charged straight for the stage. a ‘gust of wind’ would be the perfect phrase to describe this tornado-like entrance, which not only swept many off their feet but also gathered the loudest cheers from the audience. The same Wushu team that gave us the lion dance reminded us of scenes in Chinese kungfu movies with their sharp synchronised moves, displaying their strength and might all at once. as the Chinese saying goes, “One minute on the stage, requires ten years of hard work”. The Wushu team must have put in a painful effort to master such exquisite moves.

This kicked off the string of amazing performances put up by TJC’s own Guitar Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and not to forget the Chinese Orchestra. The ‘unplugged’ performance by the Guitar Ensemble melted our hearts and they received passionate applause with their rendition of Good Life by american rock band, OneRepublic, and Superman by British singer, Joe Brooks. The rhapsodic music brought by the Symphonic Band was the most melded with a blend of western instruments and Chinese scores. During the performance by Chinese Orchestra, focus was mainly on the conductor, Poh Qingkang (CG 26/11), who displayed his enthusiasm and passion through his dynamic body movements.

Towards the end of the celebrations, our minds were already overwhelmed by pineapple tarts, ‘bakkwas’, and any other Chinese delicacies one could name. It was time to spring into the new year and if our Chinese friends are correct, this year, The year of the Dragon, promises to be auspicious indeed.

The experience of going to a cinema will never be the same again. That is, if you live in Katong. The district has acquired its first cinema in nearly 20 years, thanks to Golden Village (GV). Inspired by the rich Peranakan heritage of Katong, the boutique cinema located at the I12 Katong shopping centre was designed with the aim of capturing the history of the Straits-born Chinese so that younger Singaporeans will gain exposure to this unique culture. GV Katong was officially opened to invited guests on Tuesday, 20th December 2011 (it opened to the public on 22nd Dec), in an opening ceremony with the theme ‘Where the East meets Hollywood’s Best’. It commenced at 6.00 pm with a cocktail reception followed by the premiere screening of the movie We Bought a Zoo.

a sizeable number of guests gamely adhered to the ‘batik’ dress code, including local media personalities. The celebrities present included those who are of Peranakan heritage themselves, like Tan Kheng Hua and Randall Tan. Radio DJs, such as Glenn Ong and Rod Monteiro, were also on-site. apart from being treated to tantalisingly delicious local delights during the cocktail reception, the guests were serenaded to the familiar sounds of Singapura, Sunny Island by the local a cappella group Vocaluptuous. This lent the event a folksy, heart-warming atmosphere which made the guests feel almost as if they were in a shop house café in Katong rather than in an air-conditioned shopping mall. The CEO of GV, Mr. Kurt Rieder, heralded the occasion as “a special day for Katong” and welcomed the Babas and Nyonyas of Katong, Joo Chiat, Marine Parade, Siglap and Geylang to treat the new cinema as “a place to call home”.

Indeed, it would be impossible to miss the Peranakan-themed features of the cinema while visiting. Upon entering, cinema-goers are welcomed by a huge ticketing counter designed to mimic the style of a typical shop house – much like the ones one would see along the streets of Katong. While going up the escalators, you would be able to observe batik clothes and other antiques on display along the walls. Entering the theatre itself, it would be hard not to notice the

characteristically Peranakan design on the carpets. Even the toilets were not overlooked, replicating the uniquely Peranakan feel of the rest of the cinema.

In the attempt to relive the past, GV Katong has not forgotten to incorporate modern eco-friendly elements in the construction of the cinema. It is fitted with energy-saving LED lights, and uses facilities that are certified with the green label. Furthermore, the drapes in the cinema halls consist of 20% nylon and 80% wool, which are fully recyclable. The restrooms are equipped with automatic taps to help with water conservation as well! all of this, coupled with seats that boast extra leg-room and theatres with wall-to-wall screens, surely provides for an unforgettably comfortable cinematic experience – and one with a true environmental conscience.

Gold Class fanatics who reside in Katong are a lucky bunch, for GV Katong have redefined the meaning of ‘Gold Class’, as exemplified by their latest range of plush, comfortable recliners. The seats are broad and one can sink into the snug cushions while being thrilled by the film rolling on the huge movie screen. a Gold Class ticket would also allow one to munch on yummy bites while watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster. The exclusive Gold Class menu also boasts a wide array of food prepared by renowned and experienced chefs. Even the Gold Class menu embraces the Peranakan heritage, featuring Nyonya food items – including favourites like Otak Samosas, assam Fish with fragrant Basmati rice, and Pandan Kaya Cake– that are exclusive to GV Katong Gold Class Lounge!

GV Katong represents an eclectic mix of the old and the new. although the cinema is in its early days of existence, it can be easily imagined as a popular hangout for residents in the East. TJCians really have something to look forward to in 2012, as a trip to GV Katong would prove to be a real treat after mugging for the JCTs or other major examinations.

Calling All Wannabe Babas and Nyonyas:

THe Opening Of gOLden viLLage KaTOngYudhishthra Nathan (CG 25/11) and Annabel Ngien Szi Min (CG 25/12)

Caring Not Only In Words,

BuT in aCTiOns as WeLLSomya Jain (CG 03/11), Chia Shimin (CG 31/12)

Roar and Soar

inTO THe yeaR Of THe dRagOnNg Wai Ting (CG 31/11)

one of our very own teachers, Mr Shaun goh, was commended for lending a helping hand to an elderly lady in distress. on 8th february 2012, while Mr goh and a few other teachers were returning from lunch at the hawker centre opposite tJc, Mr goh witnessed an elderly lady getting out of a taxi. her bag caught onto the taxi bumper and she fell just as the taxi was about to drive off. Seeing the elderly lady fall and hit her head on the ground, Mr goh instantly rushed to her aid and accompanied her to seek medical aid at a nearby clinic. her family later wrote a letter to the college, thanking Mr goh for his help.

with the opening of the multiplex golden Village Katong at the new shopping centre i12 Katong, tJc students have a new hangout to look forward to. our reporters were privileged to attend its opening ceremony in december 2011. read on for the highlights of our gV Katong experience!

Events compère Charissa Seet, the emcee for the night. Personalised service at the Gold Class theatre.

Credits: Golden Village

Another tutor whose care and concern for her students has left its mark is Ms wong ying ying. An approachable and dedicated teacher, she has received a much-deserved nomination for the caring teacher Awards 2012. to read her full interview with temasek times reporters, do visit the temasek times Ønline facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/temasek-times-online/218409184919452.

TJC Wushu strikes an imposing final pose

armed with a spear, he is ready to make his jump!

Our new principal welcomes the New year with auspicious greetingsDrumming up the festivity

Photo 1: TJC Photographic Society • Photo 2,3,4: Mr Tan Ke Yang

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The College was filled with an assortment of costumes and one could even say that the campus grounds became a story book of characters—anthony and Cleopatra, Pocahontas, Cinderella, gladiators, knights in shining armour and their less-than-distressed damsels, Kermit the Frog, a white bunny… you name it, we had it. But that was not all; throughout the night, spell-binding performances took place at the auditorium, the centre stage, at the Rock Wall and under LT1. In fact, it was such a pleasant experience that even the Grim Reaper did not have the heart to take away any lives that night – although everyone understandably gave him a wide berth. It was also a night of diverse spectacles, with the Chamber Ensemble performing beautiful classical pieces one moment and then the Chinese Drama doing a comic routine the next, before they stunned us with a surprising Teochew Kuai Ban performance. at the Temasek academy block, funfair stores were also buzzing with activity as various PDPs and Civics Groups sold their wares in hopes of making a tidy profit. The night ended with the teachers’ mass dance and the costume prize-giving ceremony. all in all, it turned out to be a very lucky Friday the Thirteenth at TJC.

on the 13th of April, temasek Junior college held our biannual Mardi gras event, a celebration of performing arts in tJc. themed “circus circus!”, this happy event took place on the supposedly unlucky friday the thirteenth this year.

The Chinese Orchestra enchants circus goers with its captivating, soul-lifting symphony

Introducing Mr Pacman and his arch-enemies — the ghosts!

The talented jester — the epitome of Circus Circus!

Presenting… the ringmasters of Mardi Gras 2012! College Principal Miss Susan Leong is flanked by English Department Teachers, Miss Pooja Nansi and Mr Shaun Goh

Beta cheerleaders tower over the stilt walkers

The Ringmaster leading the fashion parade strutting down the runway

Mardi Gras

CiRCus CiRCus! 2012Kwek Yi Zhen (CG 08/12)