School Life

Commentary, Op-Eds, Sports, Student Issues

Gym Rats and Scaredy-Cats
Reading Time: 9 minutes

By Lea Tan (14S06B)

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We all have those classmates. The ones who disappear into the EWBIS block for a few hours at a time, two or three times a week, maybe more. We see them in the canteen at six pm, drinking murky protein shakes, muscles clearly defined under sleeves, sitting around talking about hyphy mud and 90kg cleans. The things we hear and the sights we see conjure a formidable stereotype in the eyes of the ‘mundane crowd’: that of the Raffles gymmer. Continue reading “Gym Rats and Scaredy-Cats” →

Clubs, Commentary

No Small Matter: RI Wins The Big Quiz 2013
Reading Time: 7 minutes

By Austin Zheng (14A01B)

Which international diplomat was recently awarded an honorary 10th Dan black belt? What is the percentage of women in Singaporean corporate boards?

These were some of the questions asked in the finals of the Straits Times-Ministry of Education National Current Affairs Quiz, more popularly known as the Big Quiz, which saw Raffles Institution, Hwa Chong Junior College, River Valley High School and Nanyang Junior College engage in a gruelling contest of speed, knowledge and argumentative ability. The intense competition was reflected by the supporters from the four schools, who had turned out in force. A contingent of Nanyang supporters even arrived with a flotilla of multi-coloured helium balloons, awing everyone in the conference room. While the RI supporters were less well prepared, they nevertheless made two personalised banners in a display of solidarity. Continue reading “No Small Matter: RI Wins The Big Quiz 2013” →

CCA Events, Commentary, School Life

Founder’s Day 2013: 190 Years of Heritage, and a Culture of Excellence
Reading Time: 5 minutes

By Sihan Huang (14S06D) and Lu Jinyao (14A01D)

Photos by Teo Si-Yan of the Photographic Society

“A name that’s stood the test of time

For a hundred and ninety years of history.”

Raffles Institution’s 190th birthday bash was anything but ordinary. Founders’ Day on Saturday, the 27th of July, represented 190 years of history compacted into a ceremony lasting less than 3 hours.  The morning ceremony set the stage for the rest of the day’s events, such as the Teacher Time Capsule (part of RI’s Oral History Project, led by Mrs. Cheryl Yap) in the afternoon and the highly exclusive Homecoming Dinner which took place later that night. So, did it live up to the “Great Expectations” of this year’s school theme? Continue reading “Founder’s Day 2013: 190 Years of Heritage, and a Culture of Excellence” →

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset

AUNT SOPHIA & UNCLE STAMFORD: WELCOME TO THE CO-ED JUNGLE
Reading Time: 9 minutes

Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Not getting any help from RJ Confessions? Try out Raffles Press’ new column, Ask Uncle Stamford, and our resident agony aunt (and uncle) Aunt Sophia and Uncle Stamford will be glad to help you in your Rafflesian troubles! Submit your questions to tinyurl.com/UncleStamford and we’ll give them our best shot.

For this series, the Raffles Art Club has kindly contributed illustrations created by their talented members. The illustrations used in this article were done by Rachel Tay Xi Boon (14A01E) and Sean Chua (14S06O).

Continue reading “AUNT SOPHIA & UNCLE STAMFORD: WELCOME TO THE CO-ED JUNGLE” →