By Phee Wayne (President)
“JC life is so busy…got time for Council meh?” This question posed to most Councillors may be on your mind as you decide whether to submit that self-nomination form to apply for the 44th Students’ Council.
Well, want to know what it’s like to step into the shoes of a Rafflesian responsible for the planning of major school events such as Orientation and Open House? Look no further – scroll down to find out more!
Firstly, WHO is the Students’ Council?
Our family of 62 passionate Councillors are all bonded by our common passion to serve Rafflesians! Each Councillor oversees two main domains in Council – their Department/House Directorate and their function.
Council comprises 3 Departments and 5 House Directorates, as well as 6 Functions, all of which fall under the purview of the 5 PresSecs (Presidents & Secretaries). As the PresSecs, we are responsible for inspiring a common vision among the Councillors, as well as serve as the unifying bridge between the various Departments, House Directorates and Functions.
Our CCA Department (CCAD) is the powerhouse responsible for building and maintaining a strong Rafflesian spirit. Through initiatives such as Team Raffles Games (TRG) and Spirit Week, as well as spearheading Match Support, CCAD plays an irreplaceable role in instilling a sense of pride in every Rafflesian.
Our Communications Department (Commz’D) plays an equally vital role. We manage the @teamraffles Instagram and Facebook page, as well as all other publicity platforms ranging from the tab-grabbers to the Gryphon Vision and canteen blackboards. We also serve as the students’ representatives, actively engaging Rafflesians to gather feedback and concerns to continually improve Council’s work.
Our Welfare Department, championed by our very own “Welfairies”, take charge of boosting student welfare in Raffles. Be it food distribution nearing exam crunch periods, manning the Hodge Lodge for students to relax in, or welcoming Rafflesians during Homecoming, our “Welfairies” have always got your back.
Last but not least, we have our House Directorates, who never fail to ignite House spirit through numerous exhilarating House Days and gatherings. By organising fun-filled activities and donning cute furry mascots, our House Dees make sure your House is more than a colour you wear, but rather a family you can call your own!
Additionally, we have our 6 Functions – National Day, Teachers’ Day, Graduation Night, Open House, Orientation & Council Camp!
Then, is Council really…WORTH IT?
One concern you may have is juggling between your various commitments. After all, Council holds its teacher-involved Department/House meetings from 3pm-4.30pm and Function meetings from 4.30pm-6.00pm weekly, and you’ll often find Councillors spending time outside out of this to meet on their own.
So, is joining Council really worth it?
Council gave me a platform to connect with the school population and serve them by planning engaging initiatives that boosted school spirit!
Carol Sheng, CCAD/Orientation
Firstly, at the heart of Council work lies the core value of “Service”. If you find joy in serving and giving back to the community around you, while being able to showcase your creativity, there’s no better place than Council to chase your passion. With the myriad of opportunities presented to you in Council, it is entirely up to you to craft your own journey and mark your legacy as you contribute to the vibrant school life.
This unique privilege and responsibility made me mature and grow as person to become a more compassionate and well-rounded individual!
Ryan Chen, HH House Dee/National Day
Secondly, you will grow not just as a leader, but as a person. Through learning soft skills like working in a team and liaising with different stakeholders, you will experience what it is like to lead and plan school-wide events. These experiences will catalyse your development as a leader and teach you important values that you will remember for life, such as accountability, empathy and independence.
Council allows us to build genuine friendships, while collectively shaping and building special events for our wider Rafflesian family. It’s truly a meaningful experience.
Kaylene Chan, CCAD/Grad Night IC
Last but not least, you may join Council as a CCA, but you leave Council as a family. Your time in Council will be filled with challenges, but the joy of it is being able to push through it hand-in-hand with your Councillors beside you. Forging “core memories” is a common experience of every Councillor past and present, and the life-long friendships you form as you serve the school together will undoubtedly be one of the main highlights of your JC life – it’s not something you want to miss.
Council isn’t easy, but it’s many other things—long hours, fulfilling work, and pushing yourself above and beyond your (a lot of the time, self-imposed) limits.
Crystal Goh, Welfare Head/Council Camp
So…got time meh? Got! If you have the genuine passion to lead and serve, we welcome you to run for Council and join our family! We do not require any prior leadership experience, so do look out for more details regarding the elections on our @teamraffles Instagram page.
Take care and we hope to see all of you soon! :)
