By Sonia Chang (26A01A) and Shamitrra D/O Aruchunan (26S03P, peer helper)
“I feel that some of my classmates are not willing to share their notes or academic preparation with me, and I know it’s not an obligation but I would find it so much more helpful if they were more generous. What should I do?”
~ Bothered Ben
Continue reading “Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset: When classmates gatekeep their notes”
By Bertram Wang (26S06H)
“The bird that pokes its neck out gets shot first.”
This Asian proverb warns against standing out as a target in the crowd. It reminds me of a strikingly similar image: a lone raised hand in a full but silent lecture theatre. But compared to the bird’s fear of being shot to death, what are we students really afraid of being “shot” by—metaphorically?
This fear—a tension in the air, a reluctance to seize the moment, a hesitation to speak up—isn’t a phenomenon confined to lecture theatres. It reflects a broader societal characteristic: a “shy culture” embedded in our reserved Singaporean upbringing. Shyness may be natural, but when it becomes cultural and collective, it’s worth asking how it shapes our communities—and whether it should.
Continue reading “___ Culture: Felt but Unspoken”
By Isaac Chan (25A01B), Valerie Ng (25S06N)
In 2025, beginning with the Batch of 2026, it was announced that Y56 Rafflesians would no longer be allowed to take on two Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs). The only dual-CCA combinations allowed would be Council and a non-schedule-conflicting CCA.
This is a marked change from the Batch of 2025’s and prior batches’ experience: while most would stick to one CCA, many Clubs and Societies saw their members taking on another CCA, often a higher-commitment one.
Continue reading “Is One Enough? The Single-CCA System (School Matters Special Edition 2025)”
By Isaac Tay (25S06L) and Yvonne Cheung (25S03S)
Morning assembly is a test of endurance. Students rush up from the parade square, desperate to make it to their classes by 7:58am. The morning sun, the clawing heat and humidity of 2400 students crammed into the parade square, combined with the run from Marymount MRT station—it all conspires to make the expectations of looking smart and tidy even more difficult to meet. By the end of the Principal’s address, a sea of translucent dress shirts have bloomed, students slick with sweat, fabric clinging like cling-wrap to their backs and shoulder blades.
Continue reading “The Weight We Wear: Where Our Uniform Regulations Fall Short (School Matters Special Edition 2025)”
By Choo Zi Xuan (25S03E) and Shanice Foo (25S03A)
Images courtesy of Raffles Image Arts Collective
Success in RI has long been equated with achieving straight A’s. Now, it’s about the stories you create, the challenges you embrace, and the communities you uplift. In alignment with this new version of success, the school is shifting its focus towards a more holistic school experience and placing more emphasis on other priorities, such as a more vibrant school life.
Continue reading “Reduced Focus on Grades: Finding the Real Rafflesian Experience (School Matters Special Edition 2025)”