By Jaden Lum Zi Jun (26S05A) and Huang Han Cheng (26S05B)
Photos courtesy of Kaylea Tan (26A01E) from RIAC
RAFFLES INSTITUTION — Elected by their peers, the 45th Students’ Council was sworn in on Thursday, May 28th. And although the notable absence of the newly appointed President Michelle Chen (26S03J) —away on a school trip to Germany—was sorely felt, the lecture theatre maintained an ebullient yet solemn atmosphere, with the fresh-faced members of the 45th awaiting a mantle 44 years in the making.
In Michelle’s speech, which was broadcast via a pre-recorded video, she thanked her predecessors for their mentorship before eagerly congratulating her fellow council members on their investiture. She promised a Students’ Council where every member is valued and appreciated, “forever fighting (4ever 5ting) together.”
But beyond the melting “awwwww”s and infectious laughter, she cut through with a poignant reminder of the council’s duty to stand up for student voices, noting that “being elected isn’t just an honour, it’s a responsibility.” And as part of the 45th’s mission to “ignite the school and house spirit in [their] peers”, she urged her fellow council members to keep true to their promises made over the gruelling campaign seasons. She proclaimed lastly that no matter the results, “the real victory was knowing [that they had given] it [their] all.”
The 44th
44th President Wong E Jeh (25S06N) used his farewell speech to share his thoughts and lessons from his time in office. Perhaps as a reminder to his juniors on the realities of being a student councillor, he offers a stark reflection:
“Council is not a one man’s job, and in all that we do, we are working with others – balancing our aspirations with practical limitations, and finding that nexus between what the student population needs and what we can offer.”
Like any other goal-oriented community, the 44th student council has become tight-knit, and along with facing difficult tasks, built “towers and ships from scratch”. Relationships have not always been smooth sailing, with disputes and conflicts peppering their journey, but E Jeh confidently expressed that they have been complemented with an “equal amount of laughter and good memories”.
Within the student Council, E Jeh has also highlighted the diversity of ideas, styles and personalities as something beautiful. Through them, councillors have learnt to appreciate one another, valuing everybody’s contributions and irreplaceable voices in important conversations. This makes a more effective and empathetic Council.
Finally, he ended with a tear-jerking video full of nostalgic footage of the 44th, alongside heartwarming excerpts of interviews with individual members.
The Guest of Honour
President of the 35th Student Council, Dr Freda Mah returned to offer an inspiring message to the incoming councillors.
“Leadership isn’t about being ready. It’s about being willing to serve, to care and to try, even when it seems daunting and uncertain.”
She reassuringly admitted that her leadership history has been fraught with many errors, yet every experience has taught her something new, and that difficult times are also moments of growth and opportunity.
On leadership, she offers two simple pieces of advice: Know yourself, and know your people. All too often, newly appointed leaders compare themselves with others who appear more charismatic, more confident, or better by any metric.
But Dr Mah has realised that people connect most with you when you are authentically yourself. There is no need to feel inadequate. Newly elected councillors need to remember that their peers and teachers elected them because they saw something that inspired confidence within them. Only by discovering their strengths and values, can they begin using them to better serve the student populace.
She also stressed the value of the compassionate leader. One of Dr. Mah’s most admired leaders was her then-netball captain Eyu Yan, not because of all the times she led them up the podium, but for all the times she picked them up when they lost.
“People might not remember the events you ran or what you achieved in your term,” she remarked, “but they will remember how you made them feel.” Many times, it is not dreaming big which has a lasting impact, but the small things you care to do for others.
In closing, Dr. Mah reminds the audience that before they are a councillor, they are a friend, a teammate, and a fellow Rafflesian. It is under that pretext, that they can listen to and uplift others.
The 45th
In Michelle’s absence, vice-presidents Lau Jia Hern (26S07A) and Wong E Vee (26S02A) stepped up to lead the councillors in reciting their oath. For Jia Hern, this will be his second time leading his schoolmates in such an executive position after his tenure as Head Prefect of RI Y1-4. E Vee, meanwhile, continues on the work of her older brother, 44th President Wong E Jeh.
Another sibling moment of this council handover was between 44th BB House Captain Thecla Viyoshi Magha Anagaleka (25S03H) who passed the baton over to her sister, Filomena Litani Magha Amiela (26S03L)—a heart-warming moment which highlighted both continuity and fresh beginnings.
And finally, as it stands, the 45th Students’ Council:
PresSecs (Presidents & Secretaries)
Chen Kaixuan Michelle – President
Wong E Vee – VP (Depts)
Lau Jia Hern – VP (Houses)
Bertram Wang Bo He – Secretary (Resources)
Lee Yu Tong Michelle – Secretary (Finances)
BW HD (House Directorate)
Zou Liyuan – Captain
Chan Si Qi – Vice-Captain
Giselle Chan – Secretary
Chong Tze Shayne – Member
Tan Shi Qi (Jovie) – Member
BB HD
Filomena Litani Magha Amiela – Captain
Lai Jay Young – Vice-Captain
Irene Eva Thomas – Secretary
Chua Rui Xin – Member
Sarah Jane Kesavan – Member
Tan Ashley – Member
MR HD
Tay Rayne – Captain
Tan Jun Feng Kendrick – Vice-Captain
Wang Zihan – Secretary
Alyssa Aw Yong Huey (Ouyang Hui) – Member
Jin Bofang – Member
Ragini Suresh – Member
Xu Ziyang – Member
MT HD
Lai Rei En – Captain
Janani Balamurugan – Vice-Captain
Tan Jia Wen Jeanette – Secretary
Chloe Hua (Pan Jiayu) – Member
Chloe Low – Member
Chong Yi Ting – Member
Claudia Tan Si Tong – Member
HH HD
Clarice Tan Hiang Yee – Captain
Vanshika Vijay – Vice-Captain
Xiang Siyue – Secretary
Lucien Lee Zhe Yu – Member
Tan Rui Yin – Member
Student Life Department
Koh Shin Robbie – Head
Kaiyama Sayu – Vice Head
Annika Tan Xuan Rui – Secretary
Alessandra Catherine Singghi – Member
Chan Jia En – Member
Erobu Amalachukwu Kingsley – Member
Li Xinlei – Member
Lim Xuan Yu, Julia – Member
Ong Peng Ce Linus – Member
Shi Xin Yi – Member
Tan Fan En Hannah – Member
Tan Yu Xuan Nicole (Chen Yuxuan) – Member
CCA Department
Gu Hao Gen – Head
Zheng Yujie Brandon – Vice Head
Yen Ru-Shea, Clara Ruth – Secretary
Ang Zi En Addison – Member
Angelise Lim Linxuan – Member
Aurelie Tan Min Tjun – Member
Bianca Ashok – Member
Caden Kyler Ng Yin Kai – Member
Chiara Jane Wee – Member
Chung Chee Kit Dillon – Member
Clare Zhuang Yu Ming – Member
Lin Zhenkai – Member
