Liaison OCT 08 2nd Issue

A JURONG JUNIOR COLLEGE PUBLICATION

Liaison

Since its introduction in 2004, the JJ Scholar Development Program (SDP), has met with considerable success in identifying and grooming future scholars. This was evident from the increase in the number of JJ students who were awarded post A-Level scholarships. On an equally positive note, our students have also taken up scholarships spanning Teaching Scholarships, Government of Singapore Scholarships, Singapore Civil Defence Scholarships as well as National Healthcare Group Scholarships.

The JJ SDP has been stepping up on its efforts to facilitate and support the JJ scholars in attaining their desired scholarships. The programs initiated by the college include organising scholarship talks, implementing a Teacher Mentorship program and preparatory sessions for scholarship applications whilst monitoring the overall well being of our scholars. This nurturing environment has produced results as JJ posits itself to maximise our students’ potential and reaffirm the fact that being a JJ scholar can open doors to prestigious scholarships.

Grooming Talents:

JJ Scholar-Sleuth: Clarinda WongFor Clarinda, the decision to stay in JJ after the release of the O-Level results was an easy one, considering the nurturing environment that the college provided as well as the various opportunities offered by the college to provide for students’ holistic development. On top of her academic achievements, Clarinda was also active in her Co-Curricular Activities, spearheading the opening of JJ’s very own Cookie House as its Finance Manager, guiding new students as an Orientation Group Leader (OGL) and participating in the 2006 Chemistry Olympiad.

In her academic pursuits, Clarinda flourished too. She obtained exemption from the JC1 promotional examinations under the Full Exemption Scheme (FES) introduced to encourage academically strong students from the year-end examinations to pursue supplementary enrichment programmes. For Clarinda, this exemption allowed her to go to South Korea as part of an Overseas Experiential Learning Programme (OELP) trip in order to market the college to international students.

According to Clarinda, the freedom of choice in pursuing individual interests is one of the hallmarks of the college.

The JJ Scholar Development Program

22008 OctoberIssue

Clarinda at her scholarship award ceremony

They say the alma maters nourish more than mind. They provide the light within that illuminates the whole, making one of multitudes combined, and allowing each the passion of its soul.

“I have succeeded due to the values JJ and the experience of fulltime National Service have inculcated within me” a JJ Alumnus said.

Might sound rather clichéd but these were the very words of a certain national serviceman who risked his life to save another from certain death

2nd LT (NSF) Kok Khew Fai needs no introduction.

The detailed account of his selfless act of valour during a critical moment grabbed the headlines of our national newspapers last month and he is also one of our old boys!

A modest person, the former Bukit Batok Secondary School student disagrees that he has set the bar for heroism in Singapore.

“Everyone is a hero in their own special way” Khew Fai said.

“As long as we give our best in all that we do, we will be able to touch our heart and not think twice when it comes to saving the life of another fellow human being”

Khew Fai also added if time permits, he would also take up the opportunity, if asked, of visiting his alma maters (Bukit Batok Secondary School and JJ) to share his knowledge with his juniors so that they would have a better understanding of the whole NS experience.

2LT Kok Khew Fai receiving the SAF Medal for Distinguished Act from the Minister for Defence at SAFTI Military Institute

An officer, scholar and a gentleman

800 Corporation Road Singapore 649809 Tel: +65 6562 4611 Fax: +65 6562 4505 Email: [email protected] Website: www.jurongjc.moe.edu.sg

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

We welcome the following teachers/staff who have joined us.

1. Mr Tan Khang Guan (PD)

2. Miss Wen Cuiyan Hannah (English)

3. Miss Yvonne Koh Feng Ying (English)

4. Miss Chew Xin-Wei (Humanities)

5. Miss Law Winnie (Humanities)

6. Mr Lim Chii Tee (Languages)

7. Low Seow Wei Florence (Science)

Welcome

FarewellJJ takes this opportunity to thank these teachers and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

1. Miss Bay Wee Wen (English)

2. Mr Chu Wee Yong (Maths)

3. Mr Tan Kay Song (Humanities)

4. Mdm Goh Chay Hian (Science)

5. Miss Loy Wei Kiin (SSD)

When queried about the contributors to his success, Khew Fai acknowledged the pivotal role played by his alma mater.

“By putting a strong emphasis on it’s governing values of SDSM (Self-Discipline and Self-Motivation), JJ groomed and taught me to be independent and to be disciplined enough to juggle with CCA commitments and school activities without compromising on my studies” Khew Fai said.

“At the same time, this gave me the impetus to motivate myself to further achieve even when the going got tough especially since I had a packed academic curriculum”

However, Khew Fai feels that during NS, SDSM no longer just applies to the individual.

“I have learnt to motivate not only myself but the people around me”. Khew Fai said.

“My role as a platoon commander requires me to enforce discipline on my trainees and in the process I exercise the self-discipline to uphold myself so as to lead by example and set a benchmark for my fellow commanders and trainees to follow”.

“I hope my sincerity have touched the people around me”.

It sure has, Khew Fai!

In the same vein, it is this sincerity which makes everyone in Bukit Batok Secondary and JJ, proud to call Khew Fai an exemplary alumnus.

Khew Fai as a JJcian

Once a former Bukit Batok Secondary School student and a JJcian but now a national hero!

SCHOLARSHIPACHIEVEMENTS SCHOLARSHIPACHIEVEMENTS

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She recounts her application to become a JJ Orientation Group Leader and how she was readily accepted despite her inexperience. She credits her stint as an OGL as being an important one as she has managed to become more outspoken through the experience. This reflects the college’s emphasis on student initiative and its credo that opportunities are always made available for students who are keen and willing to try.

Other than instilling a sense of self-motivation and self-discipline, the

teachers also played a pivotal role in helping her to achieve good results for the A-Level Examinations. “The teachers in JJ are very dedicated and are more than willing to go the extra mile to provide consultations for the students, even beyond classroom teaching hours,” Clarinda said. Compared to her peers in other colleges, Clarinda feels that it is this strong culture of teacher support that has given students like her an edge in achieving their goals.

The SDP Committee organised talks by JJ ex-scholars as well as career seminars by both local and overseas universities. Clarinda found these programs beneficial as it allowed her to have a clearer picture of the various options offered in terms of scholarships and this aided her in making informed decisions on her choice of scholarship and career. In addition, the program also prepared her for the nerve wrecking interview sessions through the public speaking courses offered in JJ.

An alumnus of the JJ Scholar Development Program, Clarinda has secured a Government of Singapore Scholarship (Ministry of Home Affairs) that will allow her to pursue her studies in the United Kingdom. Upon her return, Clarinda will serve as a senior officer in the Singapore Police Force (SPF), first in the investigation department and subsequently moving on to a position at Police Headquarters. When asked about her choice of scholarship, Clarinda cites the challenging nature of the work, the opportunities to interact with the public and the sense of satisfaction in solving a case as factors that influenced her decision to accept the SPF scholarship.

Bearing in mind the holistic approach of the college in developing its students, the various opportunities offered in enriching our scholars as well as the systematic programs implemented to help our scholars chart their path towards obtaining scholarships, the JJ SDP seems to be en route to greater success in future.

Insights: A Moment with Our ScholarsIn the midst of the chaos during the release of the A-Level results in February this year, we were able to catch up with some of our JJ scholars who have done the college proud with their sterling performance in the examinations. In the subsequent e-mail interviews, our scholars shared with us their feelings, aspirations and fond memories of their time in JJ. We would like to share with you excerpts from our interviews with these scholars in the hope that it will inspire like-minded students to follow in their footsteps towards academic excellence.

Our interviewees were: Janice Loh from 06S08 who has taken up a NUS Undergraduate Scholarship, Tommy Cheng from 06S18 who has accepted a local Teaching Scholarship and Melvin Lim from 06S09, a recipient of the NUS Business School Dean’s Scholarship.

Q: How do you feel about getting the scholarship?Janice: I feel proud of myself as my hard work and efforts have been recognised by a world-class institution like NUSTommy: I’m over the moon knowing that I have been awarded a scholarship of my choice and now have the chance to

work in my field of interest.

Q: What made you consider taking up a scholarship? Melvin: The NUS Dean’s Scholarship covers my school fees, gives me allowances, subsidies for overseas attachment

programmes and also provides for more opportunities during school activities, etc. Furthermore, there is no bond obligation and being a scholar opens up many doors of opportunities for me. It will also reflect well when I apply for a job in future.

Tommy: Firstly, it was because of my family’s financial restraints. My next consideration was to get a job related to my interest and that happens to be becoming a teacher in the education industry.

Q: What was the best moment whilst studying in JJ? Tommy: Each and Every Moment!Janice: The best moment was during Project Work discussions. We would get together as a team and strive towards

a common goal. I liked the feeling of succeeding together as a group rather than just succeeding as an individual.

Q: Were there times when you felt like giving up? What helped you to overcome them?Melvin: Examination periods were always stressful. But the thought that the tough times won’t last forever, kept me

going. Aspirations of receiving good grades kept me motivated. The thought of a better future encouraged me to strive harder.

Janice: Of course! Countless times when we kept failing H2 biology lecture tests as a cohort. I think what helped the most was, probably, my perseverance; the will power to keep improving bit by bit each time. No need for drastic improvement! Just a slight jump in grades each time because when we sum up all these small improvements, we’ll be amazed by the actual improvement we have made.

Q: What advice can you give your juniors in JJ who want to emulate your success? Janice: Effort and sacrifice. Sometimes, we need to sacrifice many things in the short run in order to achieve success in

the long run. Looking back, you’ll find it all worthwhile.Tommy: Love your teachers and love the subject. It’s all in the mind. Enjoy what you’re doing. Don’t perceive studying

as a chore. Instead, take studying as a way for you to gain new knowledge and understand more about how the world works. People excel in doing the things that they like, it’s human nature. So if you want to do well, love what you do.

Q: Was JJ your first choice JC? If yes, why? Melvin: Yes. I believe that good teachers are everywhere. Ultimately, it is up to me to put in the effort to work hard and

achieve good results.Janice: Yes, JJ was my first choice because I prefer to study in a school where students can get help easily and teachers

are more motivated to help. Only in a less stressful environment can you have the time to reflect that life is not all about studying. There is a chance and space for you to breathe when you feel too stressed by the demands of studies.

Clarinda Wong with her valedictorian speech on college day

Janice: I want to tell my parents that… I’m thankful that I’m their daughter.

I have succeeded because… of support I got from my family, friends

and teachers.

I would like to tell my teachers that… I’ve enjoyed being your student.

If I could re-live my time in JJ, I would… play hard and work hard.

To me, JJ is… a second home. Really!!!

Tommy: I want to tell my parents… that I love them.

I have succeeded because… I’ve worked hard for it.

I would like to tell my teachers… that you are my heroes.

If I could re-live my time in JJ… I would go through it again and again

and again.To me, JJ is… my second home.

Melvin: I want to tell my parents that… I am grateful that they have always been there for me as my pillars of support.I have succeeded because… of my hard work, help from many teachers and support from family and friends.I would like to tell my teachers that… they have been a great help during my 2 years in JJ!If I could re-live my time in JJ, I would… work even harder to achieve straight As for my A Level Examinations.To me, JJ has given… me an enriching and memorable short 2 years.

The stage was set and the air was buzzing with excitement. As the lights dimmed and the curtains rose, a wave of whistles and cheers filled the auditorium.

JJ Talentime 08 began!

With a seating capacity of 1500, the NTU Nanyang Auditorium was packed with college staff, students with their parents, relatives and friends, and members of the alumni, dressed to the nines to enjoy the wonderful showcase of JJ’s singing and dancing talents.

This year, powerful vocal solos, energetic dancing and impressive beat-boxing took the audience’s breath away. At the end of each segment, the audience also participated in the event through SMS voting to support their favourite participants. Past JJ Talentime finalists like Mr Tan Ying Peng, Mr Chung Zhiwen

and Mr Jerald Lie, as well as our JJ alumnus Mr Lim Yi Hao, along with his accompanying guitarist Mr Gabriel Teo also entertained the audience as guest performers.

All performers displayed such exhilarating talent and showmanship that tension filled the air as the results were released. In the end, Denise Ng (08S29) and Jowell Cheng (07S16) proved their singing prowess in the Vocal Solo categories, while Sizzling Sense won the hearts of the audience in the Dance category. Basket (consisting of Lee Cheng Yi of 08S18 and Liau Jue Han of 08S17) stood out with their spectacular and unique performance, and bagged both ‘Best Vocal Group’ and ‘Most Popular Contestant Award’ for the night.

The finale of the event was a combined song and dance item by all the contestants which wrapped up the event in a climatic performance.

Talentime!Dance Group champion - Sizzling Sense

Mandarin Solo champion - Jowelll Cheng

JJ’s First International

Yoga Therapy Conference

Yogi Sundaram assisting a Yoga participant in his Blood Pressure Management Workshop

Dr A.S. AsohkKumar (Stress Management through Yoga) receiving his memento

Ms Teresa Hsu showing a Yoga posture Suhasanam to the audience during the sharing session

JJ was the proud host of the 1st International Yoga Therapy Conference on 24 May 2008 which featured guest yoga therapists from various countries (including India and Malaysia) who came to share their knowledge on how Yoga could be used in stress–management, controlling diabetes, high blood pressure and to enhance memory power. The objective of the conference was to raise the awareness of the functional uses of yoga therapy and how it could help enhance both the mental and physical health of individuals.

The conference represented a significant milestone for JJ as the school has already experienced noticeable achievements in previous Yoga initiatives as seen in events such as the Mass Yoga Display record

obtained during the 25th Anniversary celebrations in 2006. Some of the highlights of this year’s yoga conference included the heartfelt testimony of Special Guest, Ms Teresa Hsu, a 110-year-old avid yoga enthusiast. Her heartfelt sharing of how Yoga has personally changed and improved the quality of her life and her sporting demonstration of a few yoga postures ignited much interest amongst the 400 strong crowd who had turned up in support of the event. Participants included students and staff of JJ as well as members of the public from various backgrounds. Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of the South West District, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources was also there to grace the event as the Guest of Honour.

EVENTS


Mr Loganathan from the audience posing a question to Ms Teresa Hsu

Dr Amy Khor inaugurating the 1st International Yoga Therapy Conference with the Chinese Gong

EVENTS

English Solo champion - Denise Ng

Vocal Group champion - Basket

Students’ performance during the interval

Students at the Lakut Waterfall

The 100m Boys race gets underway

School staff enjoying themselves during the Telematch


EVENTS EVENTS

Some might say that JJ’s sports meet 2008 was a meet of many firsts. It was the first time that alumni were invited for an Invitational Relay Race. Moreover for the first time, the stall vendors, school attendants and office staff joined in a Telematch competition. Lastly, for the first time during the history of the competition, the Boy’s, and Girl’s Champion House were already decided before the Finals as Bikila held an unassailable lead. Nonetheless, the day proved that Sportsmanship and Spirit were above all of these.

Highlights of the day included the house mascots running the

last leg of the fartlek, as well as the Telematch where school staff came together to compete in a race of co-ordination and teamwork. It was heartwarming to see students flocking in droves to the running track so as to support their teachers.

The day ended with Bikila House being crowned as Boy’s Champion, Girl’s Champion and Overall Champion House. Bannister House bagged the title of Cheer Champion. However, one banner that was perched high on the grandstand summed the true spirit of the competition, “We may compete as 4, but we soar as ONE”.

2008JJ Sports Meet

Mrs Josephine Teo (in red) gracing the event

Spinning training instructors

Handcyclist Ajmal Samuel from Hong Kong

Inspired by their seniors who organised the fundraising event Olympic Dream last year, JJ Community Service Leaders (CSLs) collaborated with Student Volunteer Corps and Singapore Management University to organise Trilympics 2008.

Trilympics 2008, was the final installment of the three-part Olympic Dream series of annual student volunteer events to raise funds for and promote awareness and volunteerism in disability sports. It was also a send-off, in support of our Paraplegic athletes taking part in the Beijing Paralympics Games in September 2008. A total of $44,868 was raised by selling pledge cards at $2 each.

The event themed as “Around the World in Just 1 Day” aimed to cover 40,000 km – a whole circumference of the globe within 24 hours. Last year, 3,000 abled and disabled participants attempted to do so by jogging and wheeling on the track of Toa Payoh Stadium and managed to cover 15,600 km.

This year, the organising committee added 70 spinners (stationary bicycles

sponsored by StarTrac) and attempted the challenge again from 1 pm on 19 July to 1 pm on 20 July at Toa Payoh Stadium. Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Mrs Josephine Teo, joined the participants on the track on 19 July at 6 pm to mark the official opening of Trilympics 2008. The event also featured a third sport through a Boccia Tournament (a sport for disabled athletes) which involved 12 teams of students and 12 teams of beneficiaries.

Another highlight of the event was the School Distance Challenge whereby 13 school teams of 25 competed to cover the greatest total distance through running and spinning. Nominated Member of Parliament, Ms Eunice Olsen, took part in a “Mini-Duathlon”, comprising a 10 km spinning and an 800m run, to close the event. A total distance of 37,309 km was completed, slightly short of its target due to a couple of halts during heavy downpours.

Not daunted at all, the organising committee and the participants cheered at their accomplishment and exhibition of the true Olympic spirit of sportsmanship.

Trilympics2008

Ms Leo leading the Rono Tuggers

The Event’s participants


EVENTS EVENTS

This immortal adage has become the clarion call in this era of flux with its fluid boundaries, emphasis on innovation as well as the need for synergy. Education, with its pivotal role in shaping and nurturing the minds of our students requires adaptability and the foresight to scan the horizons of the future to better prepare ourselves in terms of our strategic planning and pedagogical practices.

Teachers must then acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to optimise the learning experience and address these themes of globalisation in the classroom to allow our students to manoeuvre adeptly in meeting these uncertainties.

Thus, to support our teachers in their development as reflective educators and teacher-researchers in pursuit of pedagogical excellence, innovative and quality practices for engaged teaching and learning, JJ Teacher Research Group (Research & Development Department) with the

support of the Rono House members, successfully organised the Education Methodologies Sharing 2008 on 18 July. The event which was graced by Mrs Chia Ban Tin, Superintendent West 6 Cluster, was well received by both JJ and the West Zone Cluster Secondary school teachers.

The programme included a panel discussion on the topic “Education in an Era of Change: Engaging Globalisation” and was chaired by our JJ Humanities Head of Department, Mrs Mandy Wong. The invited panelists were: -

•Mr Carl Baptista - Director, Head ofDepartment (Research & Development), ORIGIN Environmental Consultancy, ORIGIN Exterminators Pte Ltd

•DrLimHockBeng-ProgramDirector,Intelligent Systems Centre, NTU

•Dr Lee Kok Sonk - Head, TalentDevelopment (HDTD), Education Programmes Division, CCAB, MOE

•MrsLeeHwaPhaik–MasterTeacher,School Branch (East)

Education in an Era of Change:

Engaging Globalisation

Opening Address by Superintendent West 6 Cluster, Mrs Chia Ban Tin

Parallel Session Presentations

Video Technique Analysis of Sprinting by Mr Ng Kean Mun, PESS, NIE.

Panel Discussion

The panel discussion focused on the following two areas:

1. Nurturing Talent, Grooming Our Future Leaders

2. Developing Singapore into a Global Centre of Research Excellence

Its scope included the impact that globalisation has on the education landscape. This includes the need to define and even re-defining our conceptions of talent, roles played by schools and educators in nurturing local

talents, strategies that can be used to develop as well as retain our local talents in an era of globalisation.

The discussion also placed emphasis on strategies that can be employed by schools and educators to promote a research culture among both the student and teacher population to reiterate the importance of developing Singapore’s research and development, intellectual and human capital to build up a conducive environment for a thriving Research and Development culture.

While in the context of the classroom, the discussion focused on the inter-connectedness and inter-dependence of the various humanities and language disciplines.

The programme also consisted of presentations of research papers and innovation ideas in content-related areas, by educators and scientists from various institutions such as NIE, NUS, A*Star IMRE, IHPC & DSI.

Question & Answer Session during the Panel Discussion

No. Title of Presentation1. Chemistry: Here, There & Everywhere

2. Chemistry From Another Perspective!

3. Teaching of H2 Permutation and Combination

4. ‘Southeast Asian Cultural Landscapes’ and ‘Field Studies in Geography: Southeast Asia’

5. Video Technique Analysis of Sprinting

6. Promoting Intrinsic Motivation in Physical Education: The Role of Beliefs, Goals, and Autonomy

7. Strategies for Engaged Learning

8. Roller Coaster Science

9. Creative/Critical thinking skills in teacher-made materials: Multiple intelligence in designing inter-disciplinary PW

10. Podcast in GP Classroom

PresentersDr Karen Chong Siew Ling & Dr Anna Chua Yang Choo, Institute of Materials Research & Engineering, A*Star. Dr Freda Lim, Computational Materials Science & Engineering (Institute of High Performance Computing), A*Star.Dr Toh Tin Lam, NIE.

Dr Carl Grundy, Senior Lecturer, Geography Department, NUS.

Mr Ng Kean Mun, NIE.

Dr Wang Chee Keng John, NIE.

Mr Nelson Ang Beng Ho and Mr James Tan, New Town Secondary School.Dr Eileen Tan, Senior Research Engineer, Spintronics, Media and Interfaces, Data Storage Institute, A*Star.Ms Claire Dawn Yio Siew Koon, NIE.

Ms Angela Quek & Ms Ng Lay Choo, Tampines Junior College.

SubjectGeneral (Science) / Chemistry

Chemistry

Mathematics

Humanities

Sports Development

Sports Development

Physics

Physics

General Paper / English / Project Work

General Paper


The inaugural Cultural Diplomacy – Asian Young Leaders Convention 2008 was held from 24 – 30 March 2008 at Jurong Junior College (JJ). It was organised by JJ, in collaboration with the MOE Co-Curricular Activities Branch, Lianhe Zaobao and the Riddle Association (Singapore).

More than 500 youths, comprising over 50 teams from local schools and 35 teams from overseas schools took part in this convention. International participants included students from China (Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hubei, Hebei, and Heilongjiang), Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia (Solo, Medan) and Malaysia (Penang and Johor).

The convention aimed to provide future young leaders with the opportunity to learn more about the changes and developments in the local and international landscape as well as to raise students’ level of engagement with the desired moral values and attitudes. Through the 3rd International Chinese Riddle Competition and its fringe activities, participants were treated to a rich dose of Chinese culture through hands-on activities such as riddle-guessing and lantern-making. They also attended a seminar comprising

talks by local academics from the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore on issues ranging from Singapore’s heartland culture to Asean cultures.

The finals of the International Chinese Riddle Competition took place on 29 March. The speed and accuracy of the answers clearly impressed the judges and roused the audience to thunderous applause. At the end of the exciting and intense competition, the championship trophy went to the team from Fujian Shishi (China), along with a cash prize of $3000. The Anhai team emerged as 1st runner up with the Xiamen Shuangshi team coming in close at 2nd runner up. They walked away with a trophy and cash prize of $2000 and $1000 respectively.

On the leadership front, participants engaged in a leadership camp and a talk themed as ‘Youth Leading Change’. The 3-day residential camp, organised and facilitated by JJ student leaders ensured that the participants had an enjoyable and meaningful time.

“Kudos to the facilitators as they were awesome and displayed great spirit and organisation” a Singapore Sports School student said.

Infusing Cultural Intelligence & Leadership Development

Bonding and Friendships

Obviously enjoying the dance

Lantern Making

Mr Teo Ser Luck, Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports

Chinese Riddles Champions from Shishi

Chinese Riddles Competition

Cultural Diplomacy – Asian Young Leaders Convention 2008

EVENTS EVENTS

The camp’s programme was customised to suit the tastes and needs of both local and overseas students. There were many team-based activities such as mass dances and a Scavenger Hunt which encouraged the participants to overcome their shyness, gain personal leadership skills so as to accomplish the tasks allocated.

Overseas participants were specially treated to a variety of sight-seeing tours around Singapore. Not only were they visually mesmerised by the beautiful urban landscape of our country, they also had their taste buds tantalised by meal outings to food centres.

In addition to changing themselves personally, the participants were also encouraged as leaders, to do their bit to change the world. The leadership talk followed by a panel discussion, thoroughly engaged and motivated the participants in thinking and feeling about their sense of responsibility towards the larger community.

“I enjoyed this convention as besides learning different aspects of leadership, I also had the chance to bond with various people” a Victoria School student said.

At the end of an eventful 7-day programme, the participants overcame cultural and language barriers and more importantly, besides learning to become stronger individuals, they learned the values of being a team player and leader.

As such, JJ’s approach in infusing of culture with leadership has indeed proved itself as a recipe for success.

History and Literature, we hear about Joseph Conrad

Singapore River remembering the good old days

Thoughtful responses to our guide’s descriptions

West Zone

LINE Camps 08From an event that was conducted in JJ biennially (with HCI organizing it in alternate years), the West Zone Camp has grown from strength to strength. Five years ago, JJ took over the mantle of solely organizing the camp annually and we have not looked back ever since. This year alone, we have already conducted two of such camps.

The theme for both camps was Leadership, Innovation and Enterprise, and National Education, or LINE for short. Participants of both camps

were allowed to discover more about LINE in a fun and engaging manner through the various activities that were organised for them.

LINE Camp 1 was held from 10-12 March during the March holidays and there were a total of more than 500 participants from 7 Primary Schools and 6 Secondary Schools from Cluster 2 of the West Zone.

LINE Camp 2 was held at the close of Term 2 from 22- 24 May for almost 200 students from 14 Secondary Schools.

EXPERIENTIALLEARNINGPROGRAMMEEVENTS

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50 plus J1 H2 Literature (Lit) students spent two days on a residential experiential learning retreat in June. Where did they go? Iceland? Argentina? Uzbekistan? None of the above but Singapore!

Lit teacher Tim Dore reasoned that in order to better deal with the demands of the H2 “Literature and Identity” Paper , students should explore what constitutes the Singapore Identity apart from the HDB block, coffee shop and shopping mall.

Goes to Town!Experiential Learning

Some Secondary Students having a chance to lead up on stage

Participants learning more about logistics pertaining to running a camp

Participants learning to cheer as a form of motivation

Friendly competition

So off they went to the Singapore Management University for lectures and an overnight stay at the SMU residence in Prinsep Street. They also visited the Singapore History Museum, a number of places of worship, the Colonial district and the Singapore River.

They were forced to walk a lot (no buses allowed) and came back fitter… and with a lot more ideas about what the Singapore Identity constitutes.

They also had some fun.

Students on Cavenagh Bridge being briefed on Singapore’s past, present and future


EXPERIENTIALLEARNINGPROGRAMME EXPERIENTIALLEARNINGPROGRAMME

Overseas Experiential Learning

in New Zealand

It was very cold at Mount Ruapehu

Geysers in Rotorua

A group shot before their departure

So as to address the different cognitive learning styles of students, JJ’s Geography Department has been proactive during recent years in exposing them to overseas trips. The latest stop was North Island in New Zealand (a relatively young country in geological terms) where 21 students and 2 teachers (Mrs Mandy Cheng and Mr Eric Goh) gained first-hand experiences of both physical and human geography. Many examples of diverse landscapes that the students visited from August 3rd – 10th included Waitomo Karstic (limestone) features, snow capped Mount Ruapehu (an active volcano) and Lake Taupo which is roughly the size of Singapore!

The fulfilling and eventful trip brought our students together not only with students from Te Puke College in Rotorua but also indigenous Maoris, a New Zealand family from a night of home-stay as well as teaching staff from both countries.

The sharing of knowledge and experiences among students and the Maori people was crucial in addressing the many pressing issues that have been diluted by globalisation. This included our students’ increasing lack of sensitivity and rooted ness to Singapore, economic concerns due to interdependence between both countries, environmental problems faced by New Zealand and the importance in preserving the Maori culture and heritage. Students experiencing an NZ Home Stay

JJ Mathematicians visit the

Las Vegas of Asia !With a unique objective in mind, the Mathematics Department organised an Overseas Experiential Learning Programme to Macau, which provided an opportunity for JJcians to learn about casino gaming via a five-day workshop at the University of Macau.

Mornings were spent attending lectures based on mathematical theories in casino gaming. These included methodologies pertaining to the calculation of the expected value, standard deviation, the odds and house’s advantage of games. With this, the students came to the logical deduction that the house (ie. casino) would eventually win in the long run. Besides the theoretical bits, students were also taught about the social and psychological impacts of casino gaming and found it very interesting and edifying.

Having learnt about the probability concepts behind the traditional Baccarat and Sicbo games, subsequently in their individual groups, students had to complete a project based on improving and modifying the games so as to increase the house’s advantage in generating more revenue. Despite being barred from the casinos due to their age, this did not deter our young mathematicians from improvising by setting up an in-class mini-casino whereby each group offered a modified game, of either the traditional Baccarat or Sicbo, to players from other groups. This in turn, provided a platform where data was collected for analysis. On the last day, each group presented their project reports which drew positive comments from the supervising professors.

Outside the ruins of St. Paul’s

Students in the midst of their in-class mini-casino session

All smiles with their well-deserved certificates

Touring the Venetian in Macau

EXPERIMENTIALLEARNINGPROGRAMME

20 JJ student leaders from the various house committees and, 9 teachers took part in an overseas experiential learning program (OELP) to Zhejiang, China from 2 - 9 July where they learnt to train 28 Chinese student leaders to plan an orientation program for 700 new students.

This was the first time that JJ was invited by Qiu Shi Experimental Middle School to conduct a Character Development and Leadership Training Camp for their school.

The 28 Qiu Shi student leaders to be trained comprised of Secondary 2 and 3 students who had never planned any school events before.

What followed proved to be an accelerated learning curve for both parties.

In the end, the good work ethics displayed by our JJ student leaders cascaded down to both the Qiu Shi student leaders and the campers thus, rendering another OELP successfully achieving its objectives.

in Zhejiang

Character and Leadership Development

One Big Happy Family!

A Mass Dance training session

Students bidding farewell to one another

Qiu Shi Principal presenting their school token during a gift


STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

T he number of research programmes available currently falls far below the growing demand for research among young eager students vying for the opportunity to expand their horizons beyond the walls of the classrooms. Every year, NTU receives overwhelming applications for their programmes and, this was the same in 2007, when three of our students were selected for the NRP.

NTU’s NRP started as TERP, Technology and Engineering Research Programme in 1994 for Junior College (JC) students interested in engineering research. It was renamed the Nanyang Research Programme in 2005 to reflect NTU’s expanded scope with the set-up of its new schools of Science and Social Science.

Under the supervision of NTUprofessors, participation in the NRP has enabled students to work on problems with regards to their interest. At the end of a year of hard work, they presented their findings at a symposium where they also submitted a research paper.

for Nanyang Research ProgrammeJJcian bags a Gold

Of the three students selected from the college, Tok Ming Da of 07S10, was awarded the Gold Award for his efforts in the programme which, was the highest accolade awarded to students participating in the programme.

T he release of the 2007 GCE ‘A’ Academic results provided two new bests for JJ. Firstly, the college broke into the 80 percentile range for 3 H2 passes including General Paper (GP), with the bar being set at 83%. This represented a 7.5% increase from the previous year.

Achievements in 2007

GCE ‘A’ Level Academic Results

Secondly, the college also broke into the 90 percentile range for 3 H2 passes, with the new bar set at 93.7 %. This is a rise of 4.6% from the 89.1% of 2006.

As for Project Work, the percentage of students scoring As for 2007 was more than four times higher than that of 2006. Additionally, the percentage of students scoring Bs also increased to 54.4 % as compared to 43.3% in 2006.

Amidst all these good news, the college will also like to take the opportunity to congratulate the following JJ Alumni who have been awarded medals for excellence in their respective academic fields.

Name Programme Degree MedalsCher Zhong Ming Electrical & Electronic Engineering 1st Class Motorola Foundation Gold MedalHe Zheng Bang Samuel Communication Studies 1st Class NTU Alumni Gold MedalKhadijah Binte AB Samat Science (Education) 2nd Upper Rotary international 75th Anniversary Gold Medal

The JJ student leader participants would also like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to their team-mate Max Teo from 08S22 who sacrificed his June holidays to help them prepare but was unfortunately unable to join them on the trip due to a relapse in a medical condition.

Tok Ming Da and his work on exhibition

2004 2005 2006 2007% passes with 3 H2 incl. GP 79.7 77.3 75.5 83.0 % passes with 3 H2 85.1 88.6 89.1 93.7

Grades 2006 2007% A 3.5 16.6% B 43.3 54.4% C 49.5 28.2% D 3.7 0.8% E - -% S - -% U - -

T he thought of an electronic gaming (e-gaming) club being set up in a school would probably send shudders up the spines of worried parents, given the fears of e-gaming addiction and natural concerns on the rationale and repercussions of such a move. Yet, a group of students from JJ pursued this idea with conviction by setting up an e-gaming club within the school. As a coup de grace, the students turned this idea into an award winning proposal in an international social entrepreneurship competition.

It was the concept of healthy gaming that got them the approval in setting up the club in school.

“I hope to promote the notion of healthy gaming to change the gaming culture in Singapore and combat gaming addiction,” one of the founders of the club, Tan Ying Quan said.

At first, the idea certainly raised more than a few eyebrows initially. But Ying Quan was so convinced of the idea that he wrote a proposal to our Principal Mr Koh and subsequently presented the idea to the then Education Minister Mr Tharman Shamugaratnam

The rest as they would say is history. The club was set up shortly after his proposal was approved by the school management.

However, just like how most businesses face difficulties and stumbling blocks, setting up the e-gaming centre was no exception.

“One of the most difficult aspects is to raise the startup capital to set up the e-gaming centre. The fixed cost

incurred in our business was extremely high and I’m grateful to the college for providing me with the chance to raise the capital through the JJ Shares program,” Ying Quan said.

The JJ Shares programme is one that allows students to buy “shares” of the different student-run businesses in the school. At the end of each year, students would be given bonuses depending on how well the businesses that they invest in perform. The school has four other business outlets ranging from an ice-cream parlour to a sporting goods outlet.

The young entrepreneur and his team consisting of Shazwi Bin Suwandi and Nwankpo Chibuzo took this idea of healthy gaming and eventually went on to clinch the top award in one of the most competitive and prestigious international competition for youth social entrepreneurship, the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) World Cup competition. Held in Abuja, Nigeria, the team beat 11 teams from 6 other countries and was awarded a USD$2000 prize which they donated to the school.

JJ Game for E-Gaming

The team was judged based on the business venture that best integrated social and financial objectives. Their innovative approach to promote healthy cyber gaming certainly stood out among the rest of the business ventures. Strict rules and regulations, like a maximum gaming time of 3 hours, no vulgarities and rowdy behaviour, are enforced at all times. Teachers also have a say in who they want to be barred from the gaming centre when students do not perform to expectations. The club also holds cyber wellness talks to address not only the issue of gaming addiction but also on topics like pornography, how to avoid the trappings of the internet and illegal downloading.

Kudos then to what hopefully would be many healthy years to come for e-gaming in JJ!

Under the mentorship and guidance of their coaches Mr Tang Gang and Mr Haden Hee and, with the unfailing support from their teachers and the college, our Baminton team have proudly clinched national ‘A’ division titles as first runner-up for the girls’ team and second runner-up for the boys’ team.

Congratulations !

JJ Shuttlers are runners-up!

A JURONG JUNIOR COLLEGE PUBLICATION LIAISON 1918 LIAISON A JURONG JUNIOR COLLEGE PUBLICATION

Wei Lun, Wei Jie, Sunny and Zheng Bao outside PIXAR studios

Capturing the image frame by frame

Moulding the Total Defence Logo

Calling themselves Team JJ AVAC, a team of 4 students from the AVA Club represented JJ in the N.E.MATION! II competition last year and, emerged as the champion team with their winning clip titled “Nation Moulders”.

Team JJ AVAC was one of the 40 out of 106 teams who were chosen for a 1-week training-cum-selection programme in September last year at the School of Interactive & Digital Media in Nanyang Polytechnic. After the pitching their story board against the other teams on the theme of “Resilience”, the team then proceeded to become one of the 10 finalist teams where they spent a further 3 weeks of their December school holidays at the School of Art, Design and Media in NTU, producing their very own stop motion animation clip which clinched the top prize.

As a reward for their perseverance and hard work, the prize included an all expenses paid trip to Pixar Animation Studios in California, USA.

However, like all good success stories, it does not end just there for the team which also bagged the ‘Most Outstanding Film for a Product or Cause by a Student’ award at the Phoenix Film Awards.

Organised by AdAsia, a leading magazine for the advertising and marketing industry, the premier regional show recognises the creativity and professional skills in the production of commercial films, video and digital images.

Hearty congratulations then to Team JJ AVAC member who not only did their college but country proud as well!

Champion N.E.Mators!

Team JJ AVAC are the

Precise positioning of clay figurines

TEAM JJ AVAC

Ong Zheng Bao 07S20

Ng Wei Lun 07S01

Sunny Chua 07S03

Tian Wei Jie 07S03

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTSSTUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

JJ GAME FOR E-GAMING

Tan Ying Quan 07A01

Shazwi Bin Suwandi 07S24

Nwankpo Chibuzo 07S24

We are proud of our achievements!

Our proud team and their first prize!

Documents

Liaison OCT 08 2nd Issue