Features

Compilations, Culture, Features, Go Where?, Prexcursion

Where Past Meets the Present — Gentrification in Joo Chiat 
Reading Time: 8 minutes

By Georgia Ong (26S03O), Lerraine Neo (26A01A), Looi Ee Xin (26S03M) 

What comes to mind when you hear “Joo Chiat”? Perhaps it’s the many cafes adorning the streets, or the Peranakan shophouses that are abuzz with tourists. Or maybe, you’re more familiar with Joo Chiat’s sisters, the neighbouring Katong and Marine Parade estates, with malls like i12 Katong or Parkway Parade. 

Regardless, there’s one common thing that all these things share—the vitality they bring to the neighbourhood. When one thinks of mature, culturally significant estates, characteristics like TCM shops, playgrounds, worn-down buildings, wet markets and places of worship may arise, but that’s not the case for Joo Chiat. 

Joo Chiat, Singapore’s residential Peranakan neighbourhood, has managed to pull off the unthinkable—effortlessly weaving culture with culture, past with present, allowing for a cohesive identity that remains culturally relevant even with the evolving times. 

This is gentrification in Joo Chiat. 

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Commentary, Compilations, Culture, Features, Go Where?, Prexcursion

Joo Chiat Road: Sign of the Times
Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Huang Han Cheng (26S05B) and Kunchur Bharat (26A01B)

Taking a walk in Joo Chiat, one might form a rather simplistic image of the area. Rows of mixed-use shophouses inhabited by chic cafes, a mishmash of restaurant options and inoffensive street art make for a pleasant weekend itinerary. Behind this quaint facade, however, is a neighbourhood which plays a larger role in Singapore’s history than many expect. 

Joo Chiat might be best described as an architectural palimpsest. Like a parchment scroll that has been consistently scraped and washed for reuse, the neighbourhood has assumed many identities throughout history.

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Arts, CCA Events, Commentary, Multimedia, Student Features, Videos

The Invite: Raffles Modern Dance Showcase ’26
Reading Time: < 1 minute

By Koh Shin Robbie (26A01A) and Lerraine Neo (26A01A)

To many, pulling off a full dance showcase would be unthinkable for a batch of four Year 6s. The reality is, it still is. Behind our batch of Y6 Modern Dance members is a team of supportive Y5s, teachers, instructors and alumni, united in facing the odds together. United in facing the odds together, The Invite took to the night and showcased the heart of their small, yet larger-than-life CCA. Watch on to hear the stories behind their miracle!

CCA Events, Features, Humans of RI, Sports, Student Features

A Sticky Rematch: Hockey Boys’ NSG 2026
Reading Time: 7 minutes

By Dara Tan (27A01A) and Saadhana Kalimuthu (27A01C)

All photographs courtesy of Zhu Taiwu (26S06K), Skyler Chen Yuanzhe (27S03A),  Jayden and Tharun from the Raffles Art and Photographic Society

The Wait

4.45 pm. The long-awaited finals  were scheduled to start, but the relentless flashing of the lightning alert kept the match at bay. The yellow-orange hues flickered their warning, a quiet signal that kept both teams in their shelters and the crowd glancing nervously at the sky. 

Nevertheless, the stands kept filling. RI supporters, undeterred by the fact it was gap day nor the thick humidity, arrived in waves. Some carried umbrellas; others clutched water bottles, already drenched in sweat from the walk over. The Year 1-4 hockey team sat together near the front, eyes wide, scanning the empty pitch for any sign of their seniors.

Bon Jovi blasted from the speakers—“Whoa, we’re halfway there!”—followed by Queen’s promise that they would rock someone. The music felt almost defiant against the grey sky, a desperate attempt to keep spirits up while the clock crawled past 5.00pm.

Murmurs of a possible postponement buzzed through the crowd. A delay? A cancellation? Another lightning strike would reset the clock by thirty minutes. The mood was restless, impatient, but no one moved from their seats. Not when the alert flashed again at 4.55pm. Not when the sky rumbled softly at 5.02pm.

Then, at 5.10pm, the warning finally gave in. 

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Features, Multimedia, Nature Features, Videos

Pulau Ubin: The Living Time Capsule
Reading Time: < 1 minute

By Tu Meiyi Mary (27S06O) and Tan Yun Jun (27S03M)

“Pulau Ubin” is a name every Singaporean is familiar with, yet not all have visited the island, which is packed with history, traditions, and biodiversity. 

In June this year, we visited this small but meaningful island to see what it’s all about—and whether it would make a suitable travel destination for students. From bloodthirsty mosquitoes to friendly locals, watch on to see the wonders of Pulau Ubin!

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