Commentary

CCA Events, Commentary, School Life

Grad Night 2013: Fashion Watch
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Allison Choong (14S05B) and Tracy Koh of Raffles Runway

Stepping into the lobby of Meritus Mandarin on Thursday, one would’ve wondered what all the buzz was about. Throngs of Rafflesians, dressed to the nines, packed the cramped lobby to the brim. It was a futile attempt weaving through the crowd to spot our best-dressed candidates, considering how practically all the Year Sixes certainly dressed perfectly in accordance with theme this year, “Estrella”, which means “Star” in Spanish. Continue reading “Grad Night 2013: Fashion Watch” →

Commentary, Staff Features

The Farewell Interview – Mr Geoffrey Purvis (part 2)
Reading Time: 12 minutes

By Bryan Chua (14A01A)

purvis 3

Two days ago, we published part 1 of our farewell interview with Mr Geoffrey Purvis, Humanities Tutor of 23 years who will be retiring back to the UK at the end of the year. Today, we conclude the interview with Mr Purvis’s views on the future, for himself and for Singapore, and what he values in his life and his work.

Continue reading “The Farewell Interview – Mr Geoffrey Purvis (part 2)” →

Commentary, Staff Features

The Farewell Interview – Mr Geoffrey Purvis (Part 1)
Reading Time: 12 minutes

By Bryan Chua (14A01A)

purvis 1

23 years. That’s how long Mr Geoffrey Purvis has been a member of staff at Raffles Institution, from way back in 1990, joining the school from Anderson JC. Since then, as a tutor of over 2 decades worth of Rafflesians, he has become (and perhaps has always been) one of the most renowned, respected and perhaps even revered teachers the school has ever seen. With his plethora of aphorisms, Mr Purvis has definitely been one of the most memorable teachers for those he has taught, and till today some students still recall his melodic voice in their head whenever they re-read their ‘A’ level texts.

As he departs from the school (and Singapore) and into the land of retirement, Raffles Press sits down with Mr Purvis to find out his views on teaching, the school and the world around us.

Continue reading “The Farewell Interview – Mr Geoffrey Purvis (Part 1)” →

Commentary, Curriculum, Op-Eds, Please Mind the Platform Gap, Student Issues, Subjects

Finding Value in the Struggle – PW Reflections
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Benedict Koh (14S06N)

Coming out fresh from my OP, there was a really odd feeling coursing through my veins – a cocktail of very conflicting emotions. On one hand, there was a feeling of total joy and relief at finally being done with the main bulk of PW. On the other hand, however, was something that was holding me back from jumping around and screaming in absolute jubilation. It could be described as a sense of nostalgia and hollow emptiness – the sudden realization that I was never going to do this ever again.

The past 8 months have whizzed by incredibly quickly. In the blink of an eye, one year of my JC life has passed me by. That first day I received my grouping all those months back seems so close, and yet so very far away. Frankly speaking, back then, I only had one goal for PW – to score that “A” grade, by hook or by crook. I wanted nothing more, and certainly nothing less. But how did things change from then to now? Let me take you through the main events in chronological order.

Continue reading “Finding Value in the Struggle – PW Reflections” →