By Gregory Ng (27S05A) and Janelle See Jia Xin (27A01D)
Photos courtesy of Orlando Khoo (27S06F) and Cheng Yu Han (27S05A) from Raffles Art and Photographic Society, Seira Yang (26S03B) and Julia Chiyo Taguchi (27A01C)
With six short whistle blows, they prepared to mount the board. With a long whistle blow, they donned their goggles and prepared for launch with poise.
Silence.
Continue reading “Making Waves Against Tides: Swimming NSG 2026”
By Mary Tu (27S06O) and Tan Yun Jun (27S03M)
All photographs provided by Xu Fengxuan (27S03M), Zhu Jiajia Christine (27S03G) and Zhu Taiwu (26S06K) from RIAC
Pre-game
11.15am, 14 April 2026: The bus carrying classes of Rafflesians hisses to a stop at Our Tampines Hub, doors sliding open to unload the match supporters that will be cheering on the Boys’ Water Polo team at their NSG finals in minutes. Some clutch onto creative boards adorned with pictures and personalised messages to support their friends in the match.
11.28am, at the grandstands overlooking the swimming pool: The Rafflesian match supporters ramp up the noise with a hearty Rafblood cheer. Hwa Chong Institution, not to be outdone, responds with one of their own cheers. School spirit was coursing through every individual’s veins as they geared up for the NSG finals.
11.29am: Splashes announce the players’ entrance into the pool, filling the air with the smell of chlorine. The atmosphere instantly electrifies, and all eyes are on the fourteen players lining up in the pool: seven in white caps, and seven in black.
11.30am: The whistle is blown on the dot. The calm surface of the water is immediately thrown into a flurry as all fourteen players surge towards the centre of the pool, focused entirely on the red-and-yellow ball that has just been thrown into the arena.
The game has begun.
Continue reading “Treading Through Thick and Thin: NSG 2026 Boys’ Water Polo”
By Kayden Tan (27S03C) and Ong Tsz Xiang (27S06M)
All photographs by Orlando Khoo (27S06F) from RIAC unless otherwise stated.
By Tan Yan Qi (26S06M)
Ever wondered what a training session at Raffles Taekwondo looks like? Behind the perfectly rehearsed Taekwondo patterns, known as poomsaes, and satisfying high kicks lies months and months of hard work and discipline. Watch on to find out more about RITKD’s rigorous training routines — and the little joys that they find beyond the patterns.
Continue reading “NSG 2026 Features: Taekwondo”
By Lerraine Neo (26A01A)
For many students, the RI pool is a forbidden area, only seen through the fences that separates it from Y14 Chill. But for two CCAs, it’s more like a second home. As the 2026 National School Games draw near, find out what Water Polo and Swimming have been doing in their practices!
Continue reading “NSG 2026 Features: Swimming x Waterpolo”