CCA Previews 2013 13 January 201319 December 2014

CCA Preview ’13: Chinese Dance

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Mention that you’re in Chinese Dance to people and, chances are, you will be stereotyped as a dramatically made-up acrobat robed in a fancy dress that looks more suited for wayang than dance. That, or a cutesy doll with hair twirled up in 2 buns complete with the essential flashy red ribbons. Either way, so little is known about this dance form amongst the general public that people start fishing out snippets from TV or worst, Disney, to piece together their own notion of Chinese Dance.

In this article, we will debunk some common myths about our CCA:

Myth 1: You only need to be super flexible in order to do Chinese Dance. Not just touch-your-toe-ala-sit-and-reach-flexible but reach-your-foot-to-your-ear-flexible.

Fact: While it is a pre-requisite to be reasonably flexible, many of us can probably attest to the fact that flexibility can be trained. A handful of us began not being able to pull off a split, but after half a year’s worth of practice, it isn’t that hard after all. And like all other dance forms, while flexibility may offer an upper hand, it all boils down to technique, technique and technique.

Myth 2: And if you’re not flexible, well, our lovely China coach is ever-present to assist you by sitting on you while you stretch.

Fact: Nope, joining Chinese dance does not constitute a sacrifice of your human rights and an entry ticket into two years of torture. We go by a system of positivity—where you are duly rewarded (in praise and awe from fellow batch-mates and peers) for your efforts and improvements. Of course, the process is made more enjoyable with your batch-mates motivating you and toiling alongside you.

Myth 3: Besides, you need to be proficient, if not supremely good in Chinese to interact with the China coach who barks out instructions in, no surprise there, Chinese (think China gymnast coaches)

With our beloved instructor, Mdm Chen LiLi after Raffles Rhapsody

Fact: First, our coach is one of the gentlest and nicest coaches you can find. Second, while it helps that you understand Chinese for you to appreciate the beautiful imageries she paints during practice sessions, you can always fall back on your fellow trustworthy batch mates for a quick translation. Anyway, dance is a universal language that everyone understands.

Here in Chinese Dance, every session is one filled with warmth, laughter and of course, lots of sweat. As long as you have the dedication and passion, Chinese Dance will take you through a journey like no other! Furthermore, we are one of the CCAs that will make you feel like the prettiest girl in the world.

CCA Previews 2013 10 January 201319 December 2014

CCA Preview ’13: Ultimate Frisbee

Reading Time: 2 minutes

by Joelle Cheong (13A03A) and Natalie Lim (13A01C)

Many have never heard of Ultimate Frisbee as a sport, for the word Frisbee conjures up an image of a master and his dog. But the loving relationship that this playful game encapsulates is the same love that Ultimate as a CCA brings. If you have ever watched an Ultimate Frisbee match, you will know that it’s a display of passion, intensity and determination. But in Raffles Ultimate, the real emotions aren’t just displayed on field They are ingrained into the hearts of the team- our love for our friends, love for the CCA and love for the game.

In a sport that “[combines] the running of soccer with the stamina of hockey and the cutting, jumping and passing of basketball…” (The National Post, Canada), there cannot be an indispensable star player on the team. Everyone matters and has to be part of the game., As our coach, Benjamin Ho, puts it “Your mistake means the rest of the team running harder than ever to gain back possession of the disc”. In many sports, coaches tell you to believe in yourself. In Ultimate we believe in those who believe in us. In a game that pushes you to your physical and mental limits, one begins to doubt oneself many-a-time. But it’s the knowledge that your coach, your captain and your teammates, are behind you which keeps us going through the hardest times.

But the love in Raffles Ultimate transcends our affection for our current teammates We are a family made out of generations of alumni who come back regularly to coach, to play or just to hang out. From bald smelly NS guys to well-dressed office workers, there are few trainings in which we don’t receive a surprise visit from an alumni. During the Inter-JC competition, seniors from years ago came back to support our teams, filling every available spot on the sidelines, making the Raffles sidelines the most filled .

How many team sports end every game with a team huddle with both opponent teams together? How many team sports have players giving high-fives to everyone once the game ends? How many team sports have no referee but leave the players to make their own honest calls in game? This is the love for the game that is so uniquely Ultimate. In Raffles Ultimate, the sound of discs dropping in the amphitheatre and shouts of players in scrimmages are testaments to our love for the game. We spend many breaks and lunches down at the amphitheatre– throwing, scrimmaging, doing what we love best, and rushing back to class dripping with sweat. Friends frequently mention our frequent disappearances and sweaty appearances, but that doesn’t stop us. It’s our way of life.

So if you ever walk down the halls of science block and hear shouts from the amphitheatre, we sincerely apologise in advance. The true love of Ultimate can never be silent.

CCA Previews 2013 10 January 201319 December 2014

CCA Preview ’13: Astronomy Club

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Milky Way -- taken by our very own Astro Photographers at Port Dickson! — Milky Way — taken by our very own Astro Photographers at Port Dickson!

If you find the night sky profoundly riveting and are consumed with a desire to unravel the deeper workings of the universe, the RI Astronomy Club wants you!

Why astronomy? Astronomy is an intriguing fusion of art and science: while it obsesses over the pulses of radiation emitted from a nebula, it also revels in the intricate patterns of the nebula; while it details the luminosity of a star, it also muses over the Greek mythology which inspired the constellation to which this star belongs. It chronicles the past, present and future of Man, our home planet and the vast depths of space.

At the RI Astronomy Club, members learn to truly see and appreciate the enthralling universe that surrounds them, as well as the various facets of theoretical astronomy. All these happen at the club’s weekly Friday night sessions, where members congregate and are entertained by lively lectures conducted by fellow members on various topics of astronomy. After, they adjourn to the parade square, where telescopes are set up for all to stargaze and learn the tricks and ways of practical astronomy.

The club also hosts events Astro Night, where members spread their passion for astronomy to the rest of the school. At Astro Night, non-members joined in the fun, getting the chance to view the sun and planets through a telescope and learn more about astronomy trivia and the relative scale of planets and stars. Members carry out fringe projects such as an outing to view meteor showers or building a Dobsonian telescope from scratch! These are born out of pure enthusiasm, and the club is open to members initiating them.

A glimpse into the fun-packed calendar of the club: in early June 2012, members of the club went to NUS for the once-in-a-lifetime observation of the Transit of Venus, as the small dark disk waltzed its way across the face of the Sun. Subsequently, in mid-June, the club joined the 19^th IPS/NYP Astronomy Retreat to Port Dickson and got rewarded by a breathtaking, crystal-clear view of the Milky Way. Members also participated in the TASOS stargazing trip to the Semakau Island, which boasts of some of the clearest skies in Singapore, ideal for observation.

“We usually don’t sleep during these overnight stargazing sessions, but that’s what I love about Astro. Astro is where I have friends who will stay up through the night with me just because the sky is awesome.” said Vice-Chairperson Lien Chun Hui.

Crescent Moon, also taken by an Astro photographer

Apart from these enticing adventures, the club is also committed to serving the community in its own unique way. It frequently collaborates with Maris Stella High School, which is equipped with one of the largest observatories in Singapore, to conduct stargazing for the public. Recently, the club organised “Fathers@School”, an evening of bonding and appreciation for the cosmos for students and parents of Maris Stella. “The experience was fulfilling on a personal level because it enhanced my familiarity with the night sky. Beyond the self however, it was also heartening to see the students’ enthusiasm for astronomy and their eagerness at having a go with the telescopes,” said Wei Shen.

In recognition of the club’s fierce devotion to firing the intellect, members will clock in two points per session under the cognitive domain of the Raffles Diploma. Club members are also known to have a stellar track record when it comes to the competitions, bagging Team Champion in the Advanced Category for the NYP Astronomy Competition, Team Champion, Best Astronomer, Best Project and Best Observation in Senior Category for the NUS-NTU AstroChallenge 2012.

However, ultimately, most members of the club prize the close friendships forged and invaluable knowledge gained above the tangible benefits. For those who are confident they possess the unbridled passion the club is looking for, hesitate no more and join Astro!

CCA Previews 2013 10 January 201319 December 2014

CCA Preview ’13: Raffles Players

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The world-renowned playwright Shakespeare once brilliantly wrote: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”.

Raffles Players is a community of diverse talents with a communal love for the stage. If you love being in the limelight or have always experienced an inherent calling for theatre, then this is the place for you. There are no prerequisites to joining this CCA because, remember, everyone is born an actor.

With only one session a week every Wednesday, we allow members to juggle between other commitments with ease. Members will gather inside the Theatre Studies and Drama (TSD) room or beside that at the Windy Benches each week and almost instantly, these venues dramatically transform into your home. Activities range from bonding games to serious down-to-earth meetings prior to productions. But, in all honesty, just be prepared for fun!

When a production is around the corner, you can expect to meet up almost every day for a good month or so. “It is the long nights that we spend together huddled up in the TSD Room and intoxicated by our fatigue that builds up the camaraderie between us. Those nights essentially make us family,” remarked Chairman, Sean Sum (13SO3E). Wouldn’t you be intrigued to be eye-witnesses of the night-life in school?

There are two major productions each year: a mid-year College Play production as well as the end-of-year J1 production on top the annual Dramafest event. Naturally, joining Players will open you up to a myriad of opportunities involving theatre, and not just acting. As member Shrey Bhargava (13A01C) puts it, “Players isn’t all about acting. If you have talent in art and design or writing or anything for that matter, Players is the place to be!” In fact, if you are feeling bold enough, you could try your hands in directing the J1 year-end production for your batch. On hindsight, director Muhd Shadman Ishraq aptly commented, “If anything, this play is about us.”

Being a part of Players offers you more than the tangible rewards you get out of participating in competitions such as Dramafest or SYF. It is a unique journey you can only experience for yourself. When you put a bunch of overly dramatic people into an enclosed black box (a.k.a. the TSD), you get a chaos which resonates as empty noise to the world outside the room. But from the inside, you wished you never had to leave. From the words of member Soham Sheel Saini (13S06S), Players is “the place where dreams come true.”

It won’t be easy trying to be a part of this performing arts club but nonetheless, it is definitely worth the effort. Auditions usually entail delivering a monologue coupled with improvisation for actors or simply presenting a portfolio for other roles, such as set designers or lights and sounds.

Given its versatile nature, Players is also opened to the proposal of additional opportunities such as external CIP projects or even an overseas cultural exposure trip. Discounted or early-bird tickets to other school’s productions also mean you have more chances to learn from others and improve your own drama experience.

But really, all craziness and wackiness aside, we are really a group of lovable and friendly people who just gather each week and have fun (even at the expense of work sometimes). So if you think you are wild enough and are ready for that much fun, then Players is the home and family for you!

Read the Press review of the Players’ 2012 J1 Production here.

Commentary, Please Mind the Platform Gap 9 January 20137 February 2016

Please Mind the Platform Gap: O Level Students’ Survival Guide (Part 2)

Reading Time: 4 minutes

by Valerie Tang (13S06F) and Amy Ng (13A01E)

This article does not necessarily reflect the views of RI’s academic management and should not be used as a substitute for formal academic counseling.

This open letter is targeted at O Level students interested in joining RI in JC1/Yr 5 through the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE).

Editor’s Note: It is incorrectly stated that uniforms must be purchased from outside RI. In reality, after Orientation, the school will arrange for the supplier to come to RI to sell uniforms. The RI Popular bookstore also sells the school uniform, although the salesperson may not be able to give proper advice on the correct sizing. We advise students to purchase their uniforms when the supplier comes to RI as Popular Bookstore may not have sufficient stock. We apologize for the error.

To the future RI JAE student:

So you have just received your O Level results and have qualified for Raffles. Good job! This guide is just for you. In our previous letter, we have already covered the nightmare of choosing subjects and preparing for the Raffles Academy (RA) and Humanities Programme so this issue will cover the more fun and exciting beginning to your JC life – Orientation, CCAs and Enrichment Programmes.

1) Orientation

Everyone pretty much has a good idea of what to expect during an orientation and RI’s not very different. There will be orientation groups, school houses, performances and cheers. Orientation typically takes place over five school days and it will end in the late evening for each day. If you are going to eat out to bond with your group mates, you may even find yourself reaching home at 8 or even 9 pm.

There will be games, of course, and since game organizers in general derive great amusement in putting male and female students in awkwardly close positions, you can expect games requiring the need to hold hands or pass rubber bands using straws in your mouths. It can be quite juvenile and uncreative but bear with it. If you have been in a single-sex school for the past four (or even ten) years, this is not the time to be shy.

Try to make good friends with your orientation group mates. Even if you find that the Raffles Programme (RP) students like to stick together, they can be nice so don’t brush them off altogether. Also, don’t forget that the other JAE students in your group are just as lonely as you are, so do your best to befriend them. Your orientation group mates can be your very first friends in a new setting.

On a side note, you will also be taught the Institution Anthem (it is not a school song; RI does not have a school song!) and the school cheers. Cheer along with the RP students to show your school spirit (even if you have only been in the school for say, two days).

2) Uniforms

After Orientation, you are officially part of the Raffles family! This means that you need to start wearing the Raffles uniform with pride. However, some students are unaware that the school uniform has to be purchased outside of school (http://www.ri.edu.sg/main/schoolinfo/forstudents/uniformsandbooks) while the school badge can be found at the school’s Popular bookstore. So if you would like to avoid long queues and potentially ill-fitting uniforms, it is advisable to buy your uniforms early, before the supplier runs out of stock.

3) CCAs

When orientation is all over, you will be sorted into classes and meeting the classmates you will spend the rest of your JC life with. You shouldn’t expect to be put into the same class as your best friend (unless both of you share an extremely unique subject combination) since there are over 1000 RI students per batch, which is far bigger than an average secondary school’s yearly intake. Be prepared to face the challenge of having to make new friends but don’t worry: all your fellow JAE students and even many RP students will be in the same boat.

Shortly afterwards, you will attend a briefing on the CCA selection process and you will be able to survey the different CCAs during the CCA fair. You will be well-informed about the application process so there is no need to worry about that regard.

As for what CCA you should join, it is really up to you and your fundamental priorities in life. The idealistic and cliché piece of advice is to go where your interest lies. The more practical and kiasu recommendation is to go where your strengths lie so that you can get good records on your CCA certificates and Raffles Diploma.

A word of caution though: Since you are allowed to have multiple CCAs (as long as their scheduled timings don’t clash), do keep in mind that if you have too much on your plate, things can get too hectic during competition seasons. Unless you are sure of your superhuman capabilities, do not try having three CCAs while juggling two RA subjects.

4) Enrichment Programmes

In your first year, the first block on your timetable on Mondays will be called ‘Protected Time’. It is named as such since you will not need to assemble at school and teachers aren’t allowed to give you lectures and tutorials then. That is why you can wake up later than usual on Monday mornings to go to school – that is, if you don’t join an enrichment programme.

The first Monday block is kept free in order to accommodate the enrichment programmes that students may choose to take. There are many to choose from but you unfortunately will only be able to go for one, if any at all.

5) Other Concerns

If there are some other concerns that you might have about the RI JC experience, you may find the Please Mind the Platform Gap articles useful in your preparation for a new stage in your education and in your life. You can find them in the menu bar.

6) Aftermath

Things will get much smoother from there after the orientation process. You will be better informed of what your new curriculum will be like. In other words, this means lectures and tutorials. No more comfortable classrooms to call your own. In your first year, you will have to move from lecture theatre to classroom based on your timetable with occasional free breaks in between. Not to worry, you will get used to it soon. After all, this is just the hectic beginning of your exciting life in RI.

We look forward to your joining the Raffles family and wish you future happiness as a Rafflesian.

Best wishes

Valerie Tang 13S06F
Amy Ng 13A01E

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