Special Editions

Commentary, Op-Eds, Opinion, School Life, Special Editions

Is One Enough? The Single-CCA System (School Matters Special Edition 2025)
Reading Time: 4 minutes

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. 

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Arts, CCA Events, Clubs, Commentary, Compilations, School Life, Special Editions

Meeting Up With the Merged CCAs (School Matters Special Edition 2025)
Reading Time: 10 minutes

By Betty Ding (25A01B) and Meryl Lim (25S05A)

In 2024, RI underwent a significant reshaping of its CCA landscape, with several CCAs merged and a few others discontinued. For the merged CCAs, you can say it was like a surprise arranged marriage of sorts—arranged, officiated, and enforced by the school with no clear path to a divorce or annulment. 

And like any couple, each pair of merged CCAs will have to find their own way to resolve their differences and get used to their new normal. We sat down with members from Chamber Ensemble, Raffles Image Art Collective (RIAC) and Raffles Crew to find out more about what this looks like, and the stories that unfolded behind the scenes.

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Features, Humans of RI, Special Editions, Staff Features

A Year In RI: An Interview with Mr. Aaron Loh (School Matters Special Edition 2025)
Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Dawin Ng (25A01D), Peh Zhi Ning (25A01B), Sophie Chong (25A01A)

Special thanks to Li Houzhe (25A01A) and Isaac Chan (25A01B) for the photographs.

This interview with Mr Aaron Loh had originally started off with no clear direction. There was an understanding that we were going to do it, but for what purpose, no one knew. “School issues” sounded vague. “Getting to know” felt uninspired. 

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Commentary, Op-Eds, Opinion, Special Editions, Student Issues

The Weight We Wear: Where Our Uniform Regulations Fall Short (School Matters Special Edition 2025)
Reading Time: 6 minutes

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. 

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Commentary, Opinion, School Life, Special Editions

Reduced Focus on Grades: Finding the Real Rafflesian Experience (School Matters Special Edition 2025)
Reading Time: 7 minutes

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)” →