Raffles Press

Curriculum, Please Mind the Platform Gap, Subject Previews 2022, Subjects

Please Mind The Platform Gap: Taking H2 Japanese
Reading Time: 4 minutes

By Jolene Yee (23S03A)

“I heard you have to write a 4000 character essay. Is H2 Japanese hard? Are the lessons intense? Is it a big jump from Japanese in Secondary 4?” 

These were just some of the burning questions foremost in my mind at this time last year. Not only did I approach my Senpais and Senseis for advice, I also attempted to seek answers from Google…only to be directed to the SEAB H2 Japanese Syllabus page, which induced no small amount of panic in me.   

And so, to all prospective H2 Japanese learners out there sharing similar concerns with my eager-but-apprehensive-and-hence-torn-between-H2-Econs-and-Japanese self a year ago, わかるよ、その気持ち! Hopefully, this article can be of some help in addressing your queries and relieving your anxieties, and ultimately in making an informed decision about your subject combination. 

Continue reading “Please Mind The Platform Gap: Taking H2 Japanese” →
Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, School Life

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Imprisoned in Comparison
Reading Time: 7 minutes

By Nor Akmal (23S03A, Peer Helper) and Jolene Yee (23S03A)

Cover image by Johnathan Lim (23S03M)

Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/riadvice and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month. 

How do I stop comparing myself to others, especially when I feel like I come from a different background (not wealthy, not from branded primary school, not sporty)?
– Insecure Ivy

Dear Insecure Ivy,

We know how you feel.

It seems as though everywhere you look, there is someone better than you. Some of our peers’ portfolios are stacked with not only impeccable academic grades, but excellent CCA records and countless VIA hours to boot. Self-doubt starts creeping in and you cannot help but wonder, Have I done enough? Have my efforts thus far been in vain?

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Imprisoned in Comparison” →
Humans of RI, School Life, Staff Features

Teachers’ Day 2022: Teachers’ Pets
Reading Time: 8 minutes

By Jolene Yee Xin Yi (23S03A), Nicolle Yeo Minh (23A01D) and Hsiao Jia Ying (23A01C)

No, not that kind of “teachers’ pet”. We’re referring to the literal furry household companions here. In this Teachers’ Day special, we explore the difficult (but rewarding!) journey into pet ownership by three enthusiastic educators: Mr Derek Tan (Biology), Ms Evangeline Tan (Knowledge Skills, GP) and Mr Patrick Wong (Knowledge Skills, GP).

Continue reading “Teachers’ Day 2022: Teachers’ Pets” →
Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset, School Life

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Through with J2
Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Jolene Yee Xin Yi (23S03A) and Nor Akmal (23S03A, Peer Helper)

Cover image by Johnathan Lim (23S03M)

Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/riadvice and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month. 

“why is J2 so much worse than last year & will J2 be all about mugging for A-Levels”

Fearful Fellow

Dear Fearful Fellow, 

We understand that school life can be very exhausting — we’re confronted with test after test, and it doesn’t help that time is passing so quickly. Our two years here in Raffles ultimately lead up to the A-Levels, so it is inevitable that preparing for exams constitutes a large part of J2 life. Although the jump from J1 to J2 can be daunting, there are always ways to mitigate this issue.

Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: Through with J2” →
CCA Events, Clubs, School Life, What We Do

Pressing Ahead 2022: Through the Journalist’s Lens 
Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Jolene Yee Xin Yi (23S03A) and Noh Sangeun (23S06Q)  

Where does the journalist look for newsworthy stories? Where does the future of journalism lie? These are two areas of exploration that Raffles Press’ annual Inter-JC Conference, Pressing Ahead, seeks to uncover in greater depth.  

Against the backdrop of the world’s largest newspaper publications venturing into multimedia journalism, how we, as student journalists, can harness the power of photo, audio and video to supplement our craft, is definitely something worth contemplating and conversing about. 

Continue reading “Pressing Ahead 2022: Through the Journalist’s Lens “ →