Arts, CCA Events, School Life

Alpenglow: The Road to the Summit
Reading Time: 9 minutes

By Dara Tan (27A01A) and Sophie Sim (27S05A)

All photos courtesy of Ma Qihang Jackie (27S03H) 

“May tonight’s performance leave us all in the glow of music and shared wonder,” Principle Aaron Loh mentioned in his foreword. And indeed, the band enthralled us, completely immersing us in their world for a short 2 hours and leaving us in awe. 

10 minutes before the concert, the audience was slowly filing in and there was a low buzzing hum of chatter and anticipation. As the band stepped neatly into the SOTA concert hall, exuberant cheers and shouting erupted, with friends and family gathered in full support of the members. 

Concert A Tempo is the band’s annual concert, a particularly momentous one for the seniors as their last performance with Raffles Symphonic Band. The concert was themed “Alpenglow”, illustrating an arduous journey up the Alpine peaks. This reflected (many of) the senior batch’s six long years of dedication to the band, and the “glow” signalled the bright new era for the juniors as they stepped up in the band. 

Continue reading “Alpenglow: The Road to the Summit” →
Arts, CCA Events, Commentary, Multimedia, Student Features, Videos

The Invite: Raffles Modern Dance Showcase ’26
Reading Time: < 1 minute

By Koh Shin Robbie (26A01A) and Lerraine Neo (26A01A)

To many, pulling off a full dance showcase would be unthinkable for a batch of four Year 6s. The reality is, it still is. Behind our batch of Y6 Modern Dance members is a team of supportive Y5s, teachers, instructors and alumni, united in facing the odds together. United in facing the odds together, The Invite took to the night and showcased the heart of their small, yet larger-than-life CCA. Watch on to hear the stories behind their miracle!

CCA Events, Features, Humans of RI, Sports, Student Features

A Sticky Rematch: Hockey Boys’ NSG 2026
Reading Time: 7 minutes

By Dara Tan (27A01A) and Saadhana Kalimuthu (27A01C)

All photographs courtesy of Zhu Taiwu (26S06K), Skyler Chen Yuanzhe (27S03A),  Jayden and Tharun from the Raffles Art and Photographic Society

The Wait

4.45 pm. The long-awaited finals  were scheduled to start, but the relentless flashing of the lightning alert kept the match at bay. The yellow-orange hues flickered their warning, a quiet signal that kept both teams in their shelters and the crowd glancing nervously at the sky. 

Nevertheless, the stands kept filling. RI supporters, undeterred by the fact it was gap day nor the thick humidity, arrived in waves. Some carried umbrellas; others clutched water bottles, already drenched in sweat from the walk over. The Year 1-4 hockey team sat together near the front, eyes wide, scanning the empty pitch for any sign of their seniors.

Bon Jovi blasted from the speakers—“Whoa, we’re halfway there!”—followed by Queen’s promise that they would rock someone. The music felt almost defiant against the grey sky, a desperate attempt to keep spirits up while the clock crawled past 5.00pm.

Murmurs of a possible postponement buzzed through the crowd. A delay? A cancellation? Another lightning strike would reset the clock by thirty minutes. The mood was restless, impatient, but no one moved from their seats. Not when the alert flashed again at 4.55pm. Not when the sky rumbled softly at 5.02pm.

Then, at 5.10pm, the warning finally gave in. 

Continue reading “A Sticky Rematch: Hockey Boys’ NSG 2026” →
Opinion, Raffles Reviews, Series Reviews

The Worst Film Review in the World
Reading Time: 7 minutes

By Sonia Chang (26A01A) 

(Spoilers: I would say there are worse people.) 

Across twelve chapters, The Worst Person in the World traces our protagonist, Julie, drifting through her late twenties and early thirties in Oslo as she hits the dead-end of dream after dream – moving restlessly through careers, lovers, and versions of herself. Directed by Joachim Trier, this film is both a buoyant romcom and a millennial Bildungsroman, as airy and effervescent as it is existential. 

Trier tells Julie’s story like a novel: in twelve chapters with a prologue and epilogue that follows her across distinct phases. On some level, this imposes a sense of order onto the whirlwind of Julie’s life. Yet some chapters span years, while others a single night. Time is not linear but contracts and dilates under emotional experiences. And this formal instability extends further to scenes where even reality unravels. The psychedelic sequence, in particular, disrupts the film’s otherwise naturalistic texture, wherein Julie’s consciousness and unconsciousness spill out onto the screen.

Continue reading “The Worst Film Review in the World” →
Features, Multimedia, Nature Features, Videos

Pulau Ubin: The Living Time Capsule
Reading Time: < 1 minute

By Tu Meiyi Mary (27S06O) and Tan Yun Jun (27S03M)

“Pulau Ubin” is a name every Singaporean is familiar with, yet not all have visited the island, which is packed with history, traditions, and biodiversity. 

In June this year, we visited this small but meaningful island to see what it’s all about—and whether it would make a suitable travel destination for students. From bloodthirsty mosquitoes to friendly locals, watch on to see the wonders of Pulau Ubin!

Continue reading “Pulau Ubin: The Living Time Capsule” →