We arrived at Delta sports hall just as the previous match was ending, frankly taken aback by the overwhelming enthusiasm of both sides’ supporters. Stands were packed and atmosphere was tense- despite the match clashing with the students’ council investiture taking place at school, students had shown up nonetheless to cheer on their friends, and did so loudly as the RI floorball boys entered the court, huddling close together for a briefing by their coach. Having come in as 1st runners up last season against Victoria Junior College (VJC), our boys were determined to clinch the championship title, and were gearing up for a tough fight. They listened attentively to the instructions given, psyching themselves up for the game with one last team shout of “Raffles”.
Getting ready for the match
From the moment the match began, it was clear that both teams were equally matched in skill. Strategies switched rapidly from aggressive to defensive, with no one team maintaining possession of the ball for long. Players Charles Goek (18S06F) and Lau Bingyang (19S07A) scored two goals in rapid succession, much to the delight of the Raffles contingent, whose deafening cheers filled the hall as they were led by the floorball girls in chants of “let’s go Raffles” The joy was palpable, with the floorball alumni getting up on their feet to cheer on their juniors each time they managed to wrest control of the ball from the other team.
The intensity of the game only increased during the second period, with Meridian catching up and scoring two points (including one penalty shot), bringing them head-to-head with the RI team. However, the RI boys refused to let their opponents go easy, coming back strong by sealing another two points courtesy of Nigel Tan (19S06F) and Bingyang.
Heated fighting for possession of the ball
The third and final period proved to be the most intense one yet, with both teams pressing on and giving their all in the last 15 minutes of the game. Fatigue was beginning to take its toll, but the floorballers pushed on.
Things came to a head when a member of the MJC team attempted a second penalty shot. The silence in the hall hung heavy over the supporters as he deftly maneuvered the ball from side to side, executing feints that had the audience on the edge of their seats. Despite this, he was unsuccessful thanks to an excellent show of defense from our goalkeeper.
Putting up a strong defense
With the match coming to a close, both teams were determined to push on and fought their hardest, making the most of the last few minutes of the game. Supporters held their breath in anticipation, waiting for a point to be scored, but both teams were equally matched. The tension was lifted when the clock signalled the end of the match, with Raffles emerging as champions 4-2. Cheers were shouted and sighs of relief were exhaled, with the players exchanging high-fives and hugs exuberantly, gathering together as a team to celebrate and cheer while the audience looked on in delight.
Team members cheering after securing the victory
Rafflesian pride and spirit in the sports hall was almost palpable. The team themselves were caught up in the glory of their win and the joy at the culmination of their efforts this season.
Gathering in celebration
Despite the fierce competition on court, both teams nevertheless came together for the post-match handshake. It was a heartwarming sight to see the teams thanking each other for the good game in a true display of sportsmanship. Both teams lined up and bowed to spectators on both sides, and were met with good hearted cheers and applause.
Behind every good team is a better coach- the players were overflowing with pride and gratitude as they came together, thrusting their coach into the air in celebration.
Team huddle together with Coach Jill
Lau Bingyang (19S07A), recounts, “We held together well as a team and that was really important, as towards the end of the game when MJ (Meridian Junior College) was pressing us really hard, we managed to hold on despite some really scary moments.” Truly, there had been many heart-stopping moments during the game, but the team did not so much as waver and constantly held their own against their opponents.
Raffles Press would like to congratulate the team on their success and wish them all the best for their future endeavours.
***
Team Roster
Dylan Wong 19S06J
Nigel Tan 19S06F
Tan Tze Yang 18S06C
Tham Hao Wei 19S03R
Luke Tan Liang Lu 18S03J
Boh Wee Keat Jerome 18S03M
Brandon Chen Guan Jie 19S06B
Andre Chan Yisheng 19S03J
Muhammad Ashraf Bin Ismail 18S06R
Tan Ding Feng 18S06D
Charles Goek Cher Jun 18S06F
Darren Thng Kai Liang 19so3F
Jonathan Ng Junhao 18S05A
Sharman R Chandran 18S03H
Muhammad Zafranshah 18S06R
Lau Bing Yang 19SO7A
Guok Wei Jie 18SO3N
Edwin Lim Wei Keat 18A01C
Muhammad Alfian Bin Yasin 19S05B
Lee Zhi Hao Bryan 18SO6O
Damien Wan Junwei 18S06L
Jeren Law Zheng Feng 18S03J
By Nicole Chan (19S05A) and Shervon Lee (19S06A)
Photographs courtesy of Dionne Pok (19S06P) of the Raffles Photographic Society
While students were fighting the urge to fall asleep in lectures on the morning of 17 May, Raffles Cricket was fighting a very different battle at Ceylon Sports Club. Up against long-term rivals from Anglo Chinese School (Independent), the team was focused and ready for the tough game ahead. With the gold sitting on the line, both teams had no room for mistakes or distractions. ACS(I) was set to bat first, and Raffles to bowl and field.
Cricket is a game of patience and perseverance, albeit rather on the slow side. Each team will bat and field once, taking turns with the order predetermined. In one half of the game, there will be 20 overs, each ‘over’ being 6 bowls. The batting team will have 2 batsmen on the field at one time, against 7 fielders from the opposing team. The first half of the game sees one team trying to get as many ‘runs’ as they can, the highest being a six (where the ball flies spectacularly over the boundary), while the second half has the opposing chasing down the number the first team set.
Rahman (#21) gracefully executing a bowl
With ACS(I) batting first, the team knew they had to restrict the number of runs that ACS(I) could score. Nerves were running high, and it showed in Raffles’ fielding. With every run ACS(I) got, urgency rose in the team. Despite not understanding the rules of the sport initially, the supporters on the sidelines continued to cheer loudly, hoping to spur the players on. ACS(I) eventually finished the first half of the game with 139 runs, a high score that Raffles was determined to catch up to.
Despite the large gap, our players were not discouraged. “We have a good batting team,” they proclaimed with confidence. Indeed, the batting team, Mustafa (#17) and Hriday (#18), got off to a slow but steady start. Their stances did not falter as they hit one ball after another. As Raffles wrenched run after run from ACS(I)’s hands, the opponents started to lose their nerve.
Mustafa (#17) and Divya (#1) skilfully scoring runs after runs
The game was not hindered even when Hriday (#18) had to be switched out, and Rahman (#21) was up. With what was arguably the best two batsmen in the team on the field, they were pumped and ready to bag the win. Both batsmen had a practiced grace and a collected demeanour, and it paid off as the ball was repeatedly hit towards the boundary. Fielders scrambled to grab a hold of the elusive red ball, while supporters cheered wildly. Raffles was going strong, with the number of runs steadily increasing.
Of course, it wasn’t a smooth-sailing string of overs: 139 runs was still a high number they had to catch up to. Whilst captain Mustafa (#17) was incredibly solid and steady, Rahman (#21) hit sixes and fours effortlessly. Each six and four drew excited gasps from the sidelines, with the cheer ‘Raffles Dynamite’ echoing throughout the field.
However, as the coach shouted, “there are good overs and bad overs”. Their confidence wavered when ACS(I) scored a wicket in the 15th over, causing Rahman (#21) to have to leave the field. Divya (#1) held up in the high pressure situation, keeping his cool and even scoring 2 fours back to back.
When the batsmen were down to their final run before victory, the team excitedly gathered at the edge of the boundary, ready to run in to celebrate. The last run had the entire team sprinting towards the two batsmen, with their arms over each others shoulders. For the first time in 6 years, victory was theirs.
The team rejoicing in their victory on the field
Whilst Cricket may not be a popular or well-known sport, it was clear to all the supporters that the team had done themselves proud. Having always fallen short of the Gold by just that little bit for the past 5 years, victory was especially sweet for Raffles Cricket. In captain Mustafa’s words, “It feels good knowing [that] we have what it takes to beat them, and I think that’s what made the victory all the more sweeter, as history was against us.”
Perseverance through not only the game itself, but through the last 5 years, had finally brought them to the gold. For the J2s, it was surely an impressive victory for their last season in Raffles. Post-game had the team singing along to songs on the bus as they headed back to school, relishing the joy of their win. Indeed, it was a game well played, and a gold rightfully earned by Raffles Cricket.
By Joyce Lee (19S06O) and Kwee Qiao Ying (19S03K)
Photographs courtesy of Andrew Yap (19S06Q) and Ku Cheng Yong (19S06G) of the Raffles Photographic Society
On the 18th of May, hundreds of students and guests streamed into LT2—no, not for a late night lecture, but for Guitar Ensemble’s concert, Esperanza. The title of the concert means “hope” in Spanish and this theme was illustrated through the narrative of a young boy named Justin who dreams of becoming a musician like his late grandfather. In spite of parental objections, he perseveres and refuses to give up on his aspirations. The emotions he feels throughout his turbulent journey were weaved into the various songs, giving them greater depth and meaning.
The atmosphere in the lecture theatre that night was one of restless excitement: some audience members went in early to reserve seats with bags and water bottles, while others milled around, chatting and taking pictures with their friends. After much anticipation, the curtains parted to reveal the Senior Ensemble, which opened the concert with the first song of the night, Colours of the Wind. A slow-paced and relaxing song, it eased the audience into the concert and was a nostalgic piece for many, as it prompted them to reminisce about their childhood days of watching Disney films.
Senior Ensemble opening the concert with ‘Colours of the Wind’.
After the Senior Ensemble’s breathtaking performance, the Junior Ensemble took the stage for the first time. Most members of the Junior Ensemble had no prior experience playing the guitar and only had two months to practise before the concert. Despite this, they were calm and composed, having put their all into their practices and improving tremendously since their first attempts at learning how to play the guitar.
Their first song, Calypso was an upbeat and refreshing musical number filled with youthful enthusiasm. The jovial mood of the piece reflects Justin’s excitement as he first learns to play the guitar, as well as his budding passion for music. According to the Ensemble’s Chairperson, Melanie Chuang (18S06N), it also “expresses his joy as he recalls the happy moments he shared with his late grandfather.” This was followed by Bluetown Brays, a groovy tune that evokes images of the pioneer towns which dotted the landscape of the American Wild West. It had a sense of adventure and made the audience feel like they were embarking on a long journey into the unknown. Lastly, the Junior Ensemble performed the classic piece Somewhere over the Rainbow, a song that portrayed a sense of longing and poignantly demonstrated Justin’s grief over the loss of his grandfather. The melancholic tone of the song was accompanied by his hope of carrying on his grandfather’s legacy and one day forging his own path in the music industry.
The Junior Ensemble performing their second song, ‘Bluetown Brays’
Following the Junior Ensemble’s performances were various mashups put together by Midnight Blues, comprising of Laetitia Chia (19S03F), P Anu Priya (19S07A), Emily Ho (19S03I), Tan Yu Jin (19S03L) and Ava Leong (19S03O). The first mashup consisted of pop songs, Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur, Hey, Soul Sister by Train and Rewrite the Stars by Zac Efron and Zendaya. Their next mashup included songs such as Friends by Marshmello and Anne-marie, and All Falls Down by Alan Walker. With guitar and piano accompaniment, the quintet serenaded the audience with their sweet voices and harmonisation.
The next duo, consisting of classmates Liu Enqi and Sarah Wong (19A01C), took the stage with their own acoustic rendition of Colours by Halsey. The audience clapped along to the strong vocals from Sarah and Enqi as they belted out the uplifting tune. The duo had considered many other songs, and experimented with different pitches before finally settling on Colours, as a result of their shared love for Halsey. Arranger of the piece, Enqi, shared, “I got the inspiration for the strumming pattern from a YouTube cover which I found sounded lovely.”
Liu Enqi and Sarah Wong (19A01C) performing an acoustic rendition of ‘Colours’ by Halsey
After a short intermission, the next item was put up by Malcolm Ho (19S03N) and Vice-President of RJGE Preston Lim (19S03E). They gave a skillful delivery of the Japanese pop song Kitto Mata Itsuka, which translates to “another time, for sure” – a song about longing and nostalgia – and One, an upbeat song with a groovy rhythm by Depapepe, a Japanese acoustic guitar duo. Their chemistry was evident in the way they complemented each other in their playing, taking turns to play the melody of the song. “The two guitar parts take turns to play the melody at a higher register and a lower pitch, which is like two people taking turns to sing, as they both have their unique voices. And to me, that’s a beautiful thing to think about, because through our guitars, we express ourselves as individuals, just like how singers express themselves as individuals through their voices,” Preston commented.
Malcolm Ho (19S03N) and Preston Lim (19S03E) playing complementary parts in their performance of ‘Kitto Mata Itsuka’ and ‘One’
The Senior Ensemble then performed their remaining four songs, the Bond Medley, Canon in D, Aquellos Ojos Verdes, and Dream a Little Dream of Me. Bond Medley was an adrenaline pumping, dramatic piece that gave a sense of danger and the upcoming challenges, a metaphor for the conflict between Justin and his parents who opposed his music dream, as well as the pressure he faced to prove himself in a music competition. Canon in D on the other hand was a slower piece, and was, according to Melanie, “played to calm Justin’s nerves before the competition”. Aquellos Ojos Verdes (Green Eyes) had a more tranquil and meditative tone, serving as a reminder to the audience that even when obstacles have been overcome, there will still be more to come. The Senior Ensemble then ended their performance on a high note with the light-hearted piece, Dream a Little Dream of Me, which symbolised Justin’s grandfather passing on his music dream to his grandson, and how this dream lives on even though he has left this world.
In between the performances, the emcees did a spectacular job of keeping the audience entertained through impromptu acting and cracking jokes. When the curtains fell after the Senior Ensemble’s performance, shouts of ‘Encore! Encore!’ rose from the audience. In response, the Senior and Junior Ensemble combined to present Take Heart, the final song of the night. This inspiring song about daring to be different and not letting adversity dull one’s hope in life had the audience clapping along to the beat. As the song ended, the audience and ensemble members shouted ‘Take Heart!’ together, drawing the concert to a climactic close.
All in all, Esperanza was an enchanting experience for both the audience and performers. As chairperson Melanie Chuang expressed, “This concert wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication, passion and hard work of all our members. I’m proud of how far we’ve come as an ensemble and I believe everyone gave their all for this concert. At the same time, I’m sad that my time in RJGE has come to an end. It has been a joy performing alongside my batchmates and juniors, and I’m thankful to this ensemble for giving me such wonderful memories to look back upon.” Indeed, the successful concert signalled a promising start to the Junior Ensemble’s journey in Guitar Ensemble and marked a bittersweet ending to the Senior Ensemble’s memorable time in the CCA.
By Joyce Lee (19S06O) and Nicole Chan (19S05A)
Photos courtesy of Li Ruiqi (19A01A) and Chloe Tan (19S03E) of the Raffles Photographic Society
Rounding off a successful season, Raffles Netball emerged first-runners up against perennial rivals Anglo-Chinese Junior College after a hard-fought finals match at Jurong East Sports Complex on 25 May. The fast-paced and riveting game between the two teams kept the spectators on the edge of their seats and was an inspiring display of athleticism and sportsmanship.
Before the game began, spectators streamed into the hall, bringing with them placards, flags and inflatable cheering sticks to show their support. Several supporters unfurled a giant Team Raffles banner on the second floor of the sports hall, prompting ecstatic cheers from spectators on the RI side.The excitement was palpable, as the team was looking to defend the championship title they had been holding for four years running.
Before the match began, the players formed a circle and chanted their team cheer to spur each other on. As they lined up along the centre of the court face-to-face with their opponents, the tension began to build as both teams knew that they were in for a tough fight. Afterwards, they quickly took their positions and the referee blew the whistle, kicking off the match.
The players chanting their team cheer in a circle before the match
There was no time to lose as the RI team scored the first goal in the first minute of the match. However, ACJC soon caught up, bringing the score to 4-8. In one electrifying moment, the Wing Defence on the RI side, Alëna Ong (18S06B) intercepted the ball just as ACJC was aiming for the hoop, eliciting loud applause from the spectators. After 15 minutes of adrenaline pumping action, the first quarter concluded with both teams tied at 11-11.
The second round upped the intensity by several notches, as both teams were eager to establish a lead. While RI scored two goals in the first few minutes, ACJC quickly regained the lead, scoring multiple consecutive goals and steadily widening the gap between the two teams. The atmosphere grew tense, with increasingly urgent yells of “defend!” and “Let’s go Raffles, let’s go!” from the RI supporters. One of the players took a hard fall mid-game, but got back on her feet in an admirable display of resilience, inciting loud cheers of encouragement from the spectators. This quarter ended on a more dismal note than the previous one, RI being in a precarious situation with ACJC leading 19-22.
RI team attempts to score a goal while ACJC defenders try to intercept the ball
Tensions were running high by the time the third quarter was under way, as ACJC rapidly widened the gap to 6 points. However, the RI team fought on and did not lose heart. As Goal Shooter Amandeep Kaur Chahal (18S03M) shared, “Even though the score pulled apart, I never lost faith in my defenders to intercept and bring the ball back down.” Knowing that this would be an uphill battle for RI, even the spectators who had been more apathetic earlier were roaring in excitement whenever RI successfully defended or scored a goal. This relentless encouragement from the supporters, combined with the team’s determination to catch up with ACJC, pushed them to regain some lost ground. The defenders, especially Goal Keeper Jamie Lim (18S06P) intercepted many near goals from the opposing shooters, and the attackers managed to score 3 consecutive goals. However, despite their best efforts, the third quarter still ended with ACJC leading 26-30.
Atmosphere on the court heats up in the third quarter as the RI team pushes to close the score gap
The last quarter was, expectedly, the most nail-biting of all. Both teams played mercilessly, practically taking turns to score goals. ACJC would not give RI a chance to catch up, and RI paid them back in kind, not giving them a chance to further widen the gap. The players’ ferocity on the court was matched by the enthusiasm of the supporters in the stands; the RI supporters were whipped into a frenzy when RI scored 3 consecutive goals again. Even when time was running out, both teams did not let up: ACJC continued to defend their lead while RI relentlessly narrowed the score gap.
One of the reserves, Annabelle Lim (19S03P) recalls that, “Until the last second, we all had our hopes up thinking there was still a way to turn this around. The bench never gave up on the team and the players on court never gave up on the match either.” With such a good fight put up by both sides, RI ended up losing narrowly, the final score being 34-38. Many of the Raffles players were visibly distraught, especially the J2s, for whom this would be their last official match as a team.
As one J2, Miki Ng (18S03L) expressed, “Ending our last season by losing the championship streak our seniors have fought so hard to keep was not the way we wanted things to go. However, we fought hard as one team on the court, all the way down to that last whistle, and that made our last ever finals memorable nonetheless.”
Her sentiments were echoed in a comment by Annabelle. “This loss, though painful, has made our team much more bonded because we realised that we do not feel this pain individually but collectively as a team.” Looking forward, she added that, “the juniors have promised to train hard in order to compete for the championship title again next year.”
Raffles Press would like to congratulate Raffles Netball not only for clinching first runners-up against such formidable opponents, but also for their overall strong performance this season. Their tenacity and sheer skill in defeating so many competitors to make it to the finals are commendable, and we wish the team the best in the years to come.
By Calista Chong (18A01A) and Wong Zi Yang (19A01D)
On 12 May, Raffles Chamber Ensemble held its annual concert, titled Sombre, in Lecture Theatre 2. Although its title conveyed melancholy, the atmosphere of the lecture theatre was anything but so – it was abuzz with the chatter of an audience not dreading the start of a lecture, but anticipating the mellifluous music of string instruments to fill the hall.
The concert kicked off with the descent of a projector screen, as Raffles Chamber Ensemble assembled backstage, readying themselves to make the audience’s Saturday afternoon nothing short of splendid.
The concert began with the re-enactment of the Korean drama Goblin, and laughter erupted in the hall.
The lights of the lecture theatre dimmed, and most unexpectedly, a parody remake of Goblin started playing in the hall, to the delight of the audience. Wiesiek Khoo (18A01E) was featured on the screen, in a hilarious attempt at cross-dressing to play the role of female lead Ji Eun-Tak, and later on, the male lead, Kim Shin, as well. The hilarious re-enactment hyped the audience considerably, kick-started the concert on a lighthearted note.
The concert started with Danse Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila, Op 47. The piece began with a mystical violin solo by Liu Zhilong (18S03T), with a mellow bass harmony, that had the audience entranced. When the piecestarted in full swing, the ensemble played with swift and clean bow strokes that had the audience’s feet tapping to the rhythm. The piece grew in dazzling intensity. The lower strings echoed the melody previously played by the violins, accompanied with urgent trills, and ended on a high, akin to a dancer ending her performance in a brilliant flourish.
A particularly impressive piece was String Quartet No. 1, by Sergei Rachmaninoff. The violinists begun with an expressive melody, before the motif was handed to the cellists, who took over with a mellower timbre. The call-and-response between the upper and lower strings made for an alluring tussle.
After the brilliant ensemble pieces, Chamber presented pieces performed by mostly quartets, with a trio and quintet thrown into the mix. A unique piece was the Terzetto in C major, Op. 74 by Antonin Dvorak, played by a trio. It only features the combination of two violins and one viola. Without the lower strings, the mantle of the bassline was assumed by the viola, played by Michael Lee (19S06D). Together with violinists, Loi Si Xian (19S03D) and Fu Xianli (19S03O), the trio delivered a powerful rendition, whilst swaying along to the liquid melodies that run through the piece.
A sterling rendition of the Terzetto in C major, Op. 74.
Striving to break the stereotype that classical music is rarefied and esoteric, Chamber Ensemble also presented a classical take on iconic movie soundtracks from Indiana Jones and Harry Potter. The players played at the foot of the stage in a bid to be closer to the audience.
After several captivating performances put up by the ensemble and chamber groups thereafter, the emcees emerged from the curtains with an unexpected request for the audience to take out their mobile phones. Soft murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd, as the use of phones in a musical performance would have otherwise been considered disrespectful. The audience soon realised that Chamber incorporated a Kahoot! segment in which audience members answered accessible but engaging questions about music terminology or pieces. A few members of the ensemble would play a short tune, and the audience would be quizzed on what emotions and images the pieces evoked. The audience had fun making guesses, and the most knowledgeable few were rewarded with prizes.
A particularly memorable piece was Pavane pour une infante defunte, or Pavane for a Dead Princess, by Maurice Ravel. This melancholic piece was slow and measured, keeping the audience enraptured by the beautiful music. The pavane is not, as its name would suggest, a mourning piece. The lyrical melodies of the piece were meant to convey a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, and went beyond the simple sadness that the title would suggest to something more profound. Watching the ensemble play this piece was an enlightening experience, with the performers’ virtuosity perfectly conveying the theme of ‘Sombre’.
The concert ended off on a high, as the audience demanded an encore. To the roaring cheers of the audience, the members of the ensemble lifted their bows for the final performance of the afternoon.
The musicians looked on affectionately, as their conductor, Ms Marietta Ku, walked onto the stage to conduct the very last piece of Sombre.
The chairpersons of Raffles Chamber Ensemble thereafter presented bouquets to their teachers-in-charge and conductor, thanking them for their dedication in making the concert a resounding success.
When asked about the inspiration behind the theme of the concert, Nicole Ng (18A01B) and Caleb Leow (18A01A), the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of Raffles Chamber Ensemble respectively, cited the ubiquitous melancholy and poignance in the setlist. Nicole ends the short interview by jestingly invoking a quote of Shakespeare: “If music be the food of love, play on!”
While Sombre’s pieces may have been pensive or doleful, the audience had their fair share of delight at the amusing introductory video; and while classical music may be deemed as esoteric and inaccessible, the interactive Kahoot! quiz brought classical music closer to the audience as well. For Raffles Press journalists, Sombre has truly been an afternoon of defying expectations.
Repertoire Camille Saint-Saens
Danse Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila, Op. 47
Sergei Rachmanioff String Quartet No. 1 II. Romance
Dmitri Shostakovich Tea for Two, arranged by Claire Chow, composed by Vincent Youmans
Musical Medley, arranged by Claire Chow, Tamara Au, Grace Lim
Antonin Dvorak Terzetto in C major, Op 74 IV. Tema con Variazioni Played by Loi Si Xian (Violin I), Fu Xianli (Violin II) and Michael Lee (Viola)
Reinhold Gliere String Quartet No. 2 in G minor, Op 20 I. Allegro moderato Played by Rachel Chung (Violin I), Caleb Leow (Violin II), Nicole Ng (Viola) and Tian Xindi (Cello)
Ludwig van Beethoven String Trio in E-flat major, Op 3 I. Allegro con brio Played by Liu Zhilong (violin), Emelyn Aw (Viola) and Teo Zi Yang (Cello)
Carl Nielsen String Quintet in G major, FS 5 IV. Finale, Allegro molto Played by Basil Ong (Violin I), Amanda Wee (Violin II), Samuel Tan (Viola I), Alvin Lim (Viola II) and Richmond Lip (Double Bass)
Movie Medley, arranged by Fabrianne Effendi, Wong Jia Hui
Joe Hisaishi View of Silence Arranged by Nicole Ng
Maurice Ravel Pavane pour una infante defunte Arranged by Liu Zhilong
Philip Lane Pantomime
Players
Violin
Liu Zhilong Chung Ruei Chieh Rachel Basil Ong Tze Wee Caleb Leow Yong Quan Chow Jin Fung Claire Fabrianne Effendi Fu Xianli Khoo Geng Kit Wiesiek Loi Si Xian Wee Jia Tong Amanda Wong Jia Hui Wong Zi Xin Avellin
Viola
Ng Xin-Yu Nicole Aw Min Li Evelyn Grace Lim En Hui Lim Jun Han Alvin Michael Lee Jun Hui Samuel Tan Ming Ying
By Loh Lin (19A01D), Alyssa Marie Loo (19A13A) and Liu Enqi (19A01C)
Rumours have been going around: “There’s a new cafe where the old Manna Cafe was? And there’s Gong Cha?!” We at Raffles Press have set out to investigate this new Professor Brawn cafe, and we bring you this exclusive scoop before you see the cafe for yourself when it opens on 2nd July. We cover their special cause for special needs, their rumoured Gong Cha, and last but not least, their food.
What’s this about an ‘inclusive workforce’?
If you take a look at the blackboard outside the cafe, it is subtitled “served by an inclusive workforce”, then further footnoted with the hashtags “#supportinclusion” and “#celebrateAbilities”. More than just a cafe, Professor Brawn cafe is a social enterprise under the Autism Resource Centre (ARC). The Autism Resource Centre is a non-profit charity that, among other things, trains people with special needs for employment. Claudia, a volunteer staff at Professor Brawn, told us that “3-4 (people) are [non-special needs] staff, but the rest are staff with special needs. Those wearing hats have special needs, including our dishwashing staff!”
How did this start?
“They really have talent, and we must try to unlock that talent. All of them can do things, (we) just need to find the key to help them do it well.” – Mr Rolland Tay, founder of Professor Brawn
The seeds of this social enterprise were sown by Mr Rolland Tay, who started the establishment 9 years ago before donating it to ARC last year. He reflected that “[he] decided [the enterprise] needed to grow” but “it was hard to run it individually”. He had previously responded to requests to create job opportunities for individuals with special needs, but found that the existing frameworks were “not sustainable”, and decided to “quit the corporate world” to focus on developing a model that would provide sufficient support for special needs employees. “It’s much more meaningful work than just making money,” he mused.
When asked why he created such an enterprise, Mr Tay smiled and admitted candidly: “My son is autistic. It all began with him.” His son continues to be a part of the cafe: the adorable animal artwork across the back of the chairs were painstakingly inked by Mr Tay’s son, an artist under the Animal Project.
These illustrations behind the chairs are drawn by Mr Tay’s son.
“This is an autism-friendly working environment.”
A signboard detailing the cafe’s 4-step ordering system.
All of Professor Brawn’s staff are trained in managing people with autism. Yet, “autism-friendly working environment” also refers to how every single part of the cafe is designed with its special needs staff at heart.
Upon your first visit, you might be confused with its rigid 4-step ordering system. It directs all customers to walk anti-clockwise around the central counter, past the row of food servers, and end with cashless payment at the cashiers– even if all you wanted was a cup of Gong Cha. This roundabout system may seem like an inconvenience, especially in how you need to take out a NETS or Ez-Link card just to pay for a $2.70 drink.
Food display and collection counter.
However, Amanda, a staff at the cafe, explained that the “the step by step (system) is because [the special needs staff] understand more visual (instructions) and structure than verbal (instructions)”. This comfort in a predictable structure was echoed by Mr Tay, who recounted that in the past, “a customer who came in (…) wanted something not in the menu. (…) The (special needs) staff was quite adamant (against it) and the customer got angry.”
When asked about the cashless payment system, Joyce, the manager, laughed that “it’s a trend thing”. However, the writers at Raffles Press hypothesise that it is also to make processing payment easier for the special needs staff, as we noticed the cashier also had special needs.
The interior of the cafe is decorated beautifully.
The gorgeous decor and branding of the cafe, as well as the neat staff uniform, are all intentional as well. Mr Victor Ong, creative director of the ARC, explained that “why we’re very particular about design…is dignity, that’s the key word.”
“Being different doesn’t mean you are any less,” Mr Ong emphasised.
And is there really Gong Cha?
The healthier choice Gong Cha menu.
Yes, yes there is! We saw it with our own eyes! The Gong Cha menu consists of its healthier choice line, with 6 drinks ranging from Milk Foam Oolong Tea to a sweetly refreshing Mango Green Tea. When we approached a Gong Cha staff, Jun Yi, about this revised menu, he told us that they “[pushed] this (the smaller menu) out so [students will] be more aware of the healthier line that [Gong Cha] has”. Indeed, who says making healthier dietary choices has to be entirely painful? (Though perhaps to the dismay of some bubble tea lovers, the drinks are served without pearls.)
Why did Gong Cha decide to open an arm under Professor Brawn though? When asked, Jun Yi revealed that Mr Kang Puay Seng, CEO of Gongcha, is actually involved with Pathlight School as its School Management Committee Chairman. Hence Mr Kang was approached by the cafe for a collaboration to provide job opportunities tmo individuals with special needs. The Gong Cha staff are presently imparting the process of preparing the drinks to the trainers at the cafe, who will then teach the special needs staff to prepare Gong Cha drinks.
“Proceeds from this all go to [Autism Resource Centre]… it’s sort of a social project that we’re partnering [with the cafe on],” said Jun Yi. How’s the food?
The cafe’s extensive menu
Professor Brawn definitely doesn’t let its social cause act as a discount for its food quality. As Mr Tay said, “If your food is not good then they might come back for the social cause once or twice, but if the food is good then they will really come back to support you. And that’s how we’ve survived for 9 years; it’s quite a long time for a F&B joint.”
Professor Brawn serves an impressive variety of Western food. Offering a range of burgers, salads, pastas and even grilled chicken, almost all of its dishes are affordable at sub-$5. The cafe is also thoughtful in including many vegetarian choices: Vegetarian Spaghetti at $2.50, a Veggie Burger at $3.20, soups, as well as Garden Salad and Caesar Salad.
More uniquely however, the cafe prides itself on preparing all of its own food, from their burger patties right down to each of its salad sauces. Claudia, the volunteer staff at Professor Brawn, told us that the staff report at 7am every day to prepare the food, and stay back after closing time to prepare for the next day as well.
“There’s no processed meat. We don’t buy straight from suppliers, our chefs actually make our patties,” said Alice, a staff at Professor Brawn.
“The soup starts from the vegetables too: mushroom soup starts from mushroom, tomato soup is from fresh tomatoes,” proudly beamed another staff member, Amanda.
The spread of food that the cafe generously offered for us to try.
Professor Brawn’s earnest effort in using authentic ingredients certainly does translate into quality food; Professor Brawn kindly offered us the whole range of their menu for us to sample, and our taste-testers could taste the difference. Lee Yi Faye (19S03L) described the mashed potatoes as tasting “very healthy.”
“I feel like I’m eating an actual potato”, she added, as compared to the powder-mix mashed potato that other eateries serve. Isaac Yeo (19S06A) commented that the Chicken Mushroom Wrap had “the natural flavour of the mushroom.”
It turns out that their handmade beef patties are well-worth their salt (and seasoning) as well. “The beef…falls apart in your mouth and it’s (really) juicy, it’s really good!” gushed Rachelle Marie Chua (19A01B) as she nodded aggressively in approval and awe, a half-eaten burger in hand. “The sauce kind of evenly coats the thing, and every bite is flavourful. ‘JUICY’, that’s the word.”
In the vegetarian field, the cafe has not left any loose threads either. One of our writers tried all their options available, including their mushroom and tomato soups, immediately gushing about it after she’d taken the first sip. Their other options don’t disappoint either: the grilled vegetables were just the right texture, soft yet not overly mushy, with a hint of charred flavour. The Garden Salad dressing was a novelty because it had a sort of burnt, cloying sweetness, yet it successfully complemented the fresh leaves and the zesty taste of the fried enoki mushrooms.
Some of the many vegetarian options available at the cafe.
Indeed, all of the dishes we tried were not only hearty and delicious, but healthy as well.
Where is Professor Brawn going from here?
Although Professor Brawn has an outlet in Novena, RI is the first school that Professor Brawn has opened on-campus. Ms Jacelyn Lim reaffirmed that they “want to standardise the model and bring this to another school”, in order to create more job opportunities for individuals with special needs. Mr Tay “hopes this will also give other schools something to look at so they will be able to see that it works, and want this type of thing in their school also.”
Indeed, Professor Brawn is part of the growing movement towards building an inclusive society. Starting from even within our school campus, we can take the initiative to understand more about people with special needs, and be more empathetic towards the struggles they face. As RI Boarding Tutor Mr Gilbert Chng remarked, “this is something I think the school should stand behind and it’s a good example for the school to follow. Empathy is something we should train in the nation’s best and brightest”.
“People think of special needs as what they can’t do, rather than their abilities. All of them have strengths, but not all of them are as neurotypical.” – Jacelyn Lim, Executive Director of Autism Resource Centre
Raffles Press earnestly hopes that students will give Professor Brawn their fullest support in this pioneering venture. Professor Brawn is located where the old Manna cafe was (near Pick-up Point 4, visible from the main gate.) They will be opening on 2nd July.
Customers happily enjoying their food at Professor Brawn.
By Loh Su Jean (19A01A) and Ben Lim (19S03I) Photos Courtesy of Amy Lin (19A01B) and Ku Cheng Yong of Raffles Photographic Society
“A Tempo” is Italian for“to the tempo”. This piece of musical vocabulary indicates that a musician should return to the original pace of a song. XXVII is the roman numeral for 27. This is the 27th time that Raffles Symphonic Band (RSB) has performed their annual concert, A Tempo, the title is as fitting as ever. Individuals dazzled the audience, but in the moments when all sections were recollected and the ensemble performed with the full force of its members, we were nothing short of being spellbound.
A quick photo before the concert
On the night of 25th May 2018, SOTA Concert Hall was buzzing with the unbridled enthusiasm of liberated students on the cusp of the June Holidays. As the performers took their positions on stage, cheers erupted from friends and family. It was evident that this was not the cold, formal, classical affair that classical music is often made out to be. It was a simply a time and place for music, friends, and family.
The concert kicked off with the ambitious Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Niccolo Paganini (arr. James Barnes). In this reimagination, the familiar, haunting tune was delivered with an unexpected jauntiness and military pomp. While this rendition lacked the plaintive quality of the original solo violin, the imaginative percussion and full sound created by the ensemble brought this famous piece to new heights. The highlight of the performance were the different variations that showcased every single instrumental section, giving us a rare peek into the mechanics of a modern wind band.
Petite Symphonie Movement 3 and 4: Scherzo and Finale by Charles Gounod, with its sweet melodies and clear construction, was a refreshing breath of fresh air.
From the ordered form of the Classical period, RSB took concertgoers to the tumultuous harmony of the Romantic period. Two Pieces for Trombone Quartet by Felix Mendelssohn (arr. Glenn Smith) was startling in its tenderness. The trombones and euphonium, capable earlier of such military proportions, were now impossibly gentle and evocative. The song moved between delicate harmonies and bright tones that resonated through the hall. We were enchanted. A beautiful performance – one that bore testament to the versatility of the brass instrument and cast the spotlight on those often relegated to the background.
The thirteen member octet
Scaramouche for Clarinet Octet Movement 2: Modéré showcased the clarinet section. As the 13 performers took their positions on stage, their instruments formed a delightful image: arranged in increasing order of size, the clarinet section looked, quite literally, like a family. The piece opened delicately, with a clear melody on a single clarinet. As each performer joined in, the piece grew in range and complexity until a complete sound filled the hall. It was full, rich, and most amazingly, produced with only the clarinet.
The band came together once again in Mannin Veen by Haydn Wood. Forlorn, even bittersweet at times, this picturesque folk song drew the first half of the concert to a close.
Following the intermission, the flutes of RSB transported the concert-goers to the idyllic mountains of France. Jour D’été À La Montagne, Movement 1: Pastorale by Eugene Bozza was a delightful piece that evoked a peaceful, sun-basked countryside. Clear and sweet, it expressed longing for a time and place now gone.
Man-Mou for Saxophone Quintet by Nigel Wood started with a rich chromatic progression. The intertwining melodies that converged into variations of the original sequence were each in their own right, something special. The music held hints of a Cantonese opera, an indirect result of the composer fusing Western and Eastern music as a single entity.
Saxophonists waiting for the next piece to begin
The entire band returned to perform Hymn of the Highlands Movement 1: Ardross Castle by Philip Sparke, a rather nuageux piece that had numerous crescendos and diminuendo which amplified the unity of the band. The bagpipe-like introduction unravelled into a dark staccato tune, providing a sense of urgency. As the music reached its denouement, the resolution of the piece was an unmistakable recapitulation of the same impressionistic beginning.
Next, drama! Turandot: A Selection from the Opera was without a doubt one of the highlights of the concert. Considered to be the greatest Italian opera in all of history, it takes place in Peking (now modern day Beijing), and follows the deaths of failed suitor Prince of Persia and Liu. We were plunged immediately into the conflict, left disoriented by a whirlwind of bold colours and high notes. Stately, palatial, and with an unmistakable Asian flair, the finale, when the cold Princess Turandot finally realises she loves Calaf – the very suitor she once hated – and declares her love for him, left us speechless. A tragedy turned love story, the work of Puccini lives to this day.
One of two cute durian plushies given to Mr. Lim as a farewell present.
Composed for the Raffles Symphonic Band as a parting gift by conductor Derek Lim, Re-Storing Breath reminds both present and past members that music is not something mechanical and unfeeling. It is not sound alone, but the dedication and emotion placed in every note that give life to the meaningless dots and lines on sheet music.Warm, brassy, and mellow, it was clear that the band had heeded his words of advice. Fun fact: A portion of the Institution’s anthem is hidden within the polyphonic melodies of this velvety piece.
The evening’s programme closed with a personal favourite, With Heart and Voice by David Gillingham. This piece was as magnificent as it was eccentric.The dark and tension-filled introduction featured clarinets and flutes in ascending unison, before resolving with the piano’s reflective and subtle voice. Over the course of the performance, the piece gained momentum and became saturated with twisting harmonies that eventually culminated in a chromatic high. At a maximum of 144 beats-per-minute, any good performance of this technically challenging piece is a show of brilliance: and that was exactly what Raffles Symphonic Band brought to us.
Percussionists hard at work during Bay Breeze
To no one’s surprise, the audience demanded an encore performance. RSB obliged, and delivered a stunning and riveting performance of Bay Breeze – a rhythmic piece that showed off the impeccable timing and precision of the percussion section. Rousing and spirited, it certainly got members of the audience bob their heads. One man was even seen energetically snapping his fingers to the beat of the music.
A Tempo XVII saw both the individual and the team in the limelight. The choice of repertoire allowed the band to showcase the virtuosity of each instrumental section. It was refreshing to see the often-overlooked percussion section given adequate time and space to stand out. And stand out they did – the imagination, flawless technique, and ease with which the percussionists pulled off their performance was truly exceptional.
As an ensemble, Raffles Symphonic Band showed us a very simple equation: When the individual’s strength is multiplied by the group’s commitment to musical excellence, the product is nothing short of the sublime. The curtain has fallen on A Tempo XXVII, but the spirit of A Tempo lives on. As the musicians of Raffles Symphonic Band pick up the pace in their individual endeavours, we wait expectantly for more enchanting performances. We will wait here, looking forward to the moment when the band comes together again, returning once more to A Tempo.
Repertoire
Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Niccolo Paganini (arr. James Barnes) Petite Symphonie Movement 3 and 4: Scherzo and Finale (Charles Gounod) Two Pieces for Trombone Quartet (Felix Mendelssohn, arr. Glenn Smith) Scaramouche for Clarinet Octet Movement 2: Modéré (Darius Milhaud, arr. Kazuhiro Morita) Mannin Veen (Haydn Wood) Jour D’été À La Montagne Movement 1: Pastorale (Eugene Bozza) Man-Mou for Saxophone Quintet (Nigel Wood) Hymn of the Highlands Movement 1: Ardross Castle (Philip Sparke) Turandot: A Selection from the Opera (Giacomo Puccini, arr. Yo Goto) Re-Storing Breath (Derek Lim) With Heart and Voice (David Gillingham)
Several weeks ago, during my walk to the parade square for morning assembly, I saw many people stop to look at a poster near the Innovation Centre. No, not a poster – a piece of paper, rather, with a few words printed on it. Intrigued to see what this poster was about, I stepped closer and saw its contents: it touted a tantalising promise of “free VIA hours”. Underneath it was a sign-up link for a flag day event.
A piece of paper advertising “free VIA hours”. The webpage link has been censored.
Seeing this got me thinking: why do students participate in Values in Action (VIA) activities? Is the whole idea of doing VIA for “free VIA hours” really as pumped up as it seems?
To clarify, VIA refers to any form of community service that students participate in, be they long-term, regular events (eg. tutoring) or ad-hoc events (eg. flag days). The Ministry of Education has stated that VIA was designed to inculcate the values of harmony, care, responsibility, integrity, respect and resilience in students.
If it wasn’t already clear, I admit it: I have always believed that the vast majority of students participate in VIA activities for the rewards. The school emphasises the importance of VIA as a way to give back to the community, but would students really prioritise something as intangible as “giving back” above the tangible reward of VIA hours?
To better understand the views of students, I conducted a survey of 52 Y5-6 students, as well as 4 interviews with students from service-related CCAs. (All interviewees have been left anonymous for privacy purposes.) I wanted to determine the general motivations students have for participating in these activities and whether these motivations have changed over time.
My first assumption – that the vast majority of students are first and foremost motivated by extrinsic rewards – has (tentatively) been proven false.
In the survey, respondents were asked to rank 5 possible reasons for attending VIA in order of priority, both when they began their VIA activities and when they attend now. These five choices were: giving back to the community, challenging one’s boundaries by trying something new, wanting to interact with other volunteers, peer pressure, and a desire to gain VIA hours.
Half of the survey respondents stated that a desire to give back to the community was the strongest motivation for them when they began participating in VIA activities, and 6 in 10 stated that this was their greatest motivation now.
It seems that “giving back to the community”, a rather nebulous concept in itself, means different things to different students. One survey respondent mentioned that community service was a “duty” to help one “recognise their privilege”, another stated that it was a way to “[make] a difference in someone’s life”, and a third respondent believed that VIA helped one learn how to “empathise with others” better.
What is common between these views is a recognition that there exists a much more diverse community than what one sees in school. This is especially important, considering that the majority of students in RI come from middle-class backgrounds (in our former principal’s words), as well as current debates on whether RI is insular, exclusive, or even elitist. VIA gives one the opportunity to interact with people that students would never speak to otherwise; the three respondents’ views attest to how eye-opening and rewarding this can be.
VIA hours – diminishing the value of activities?
However, VIA hours also manifest as an important motivation for a significant proportion of students, with 1 in 4 rating it as their strongest motivation for participating in VIA events. (Apart from giving back to the community and VIA hours, the remaining three options were ranked relatively lowly by most students.)
To these students, the pressure to have something to show for their efforts is immense. One interviewee mentioned that they joined their service CCA in order to boost their CV for university applications.
It is difficult to criticise students for possessing this mindset – this is very much a product of an education system that, many have argued, emphasises achievements above all else. Sustained community involvement is seen by many as crucial for scholarship applications as well as overseas university applications. Therefore, as the interviewee mentioned, attaining as many as 100 VIA hours is seen as necessary for a substantial proportion of students.
Extrapolating from this, I would argue that in an attempt to accumulate VIA hours, some students choose certain VIA activities that maximise their VIA hours with the least effort. Generally, these are ad-hoc activities like flag days or ushering duties where students are told to execute a certain task on the spot.
Activities like flag days also do not actually involve interacting with the beneficiaries themselves, which makes it difficult for students to learn more about the beneficiaries involved. Hence, there is no significant element of ownership (which helps students find some meaning in their work).
“If you look at students who participate in flag days, just ask them what exactly the money will be used for, or probe for details about the organisation. Chances are, they won’t be able to answer you.” – an interviewee
When I saw that poster outside the Innovation Centre, I opened the link provided and saw no details about the organisation in charge beyond a cursory description on how it aims to improve the welfare of the elderly. The organising team was simply promoting itself by helping students quickly get VIA hours; it would be difficult for students to feel any true sense of “giving back”.
Discovering the joy in service
However, it is also important to consider how students’ motivations can change over time. Based on the survey, half of the students who rated VIA hours as their top motivation for beginning their participation in VIA activities rated “giving back to the community” as their top motivation for participating now.
Regular commitment requires one to interact with the wider public, sometimes the same people, on a long-term basis, which may allow one to develop more personal bonds with the beneficiaries. As this happens, it is likely that many students will find some meaning in what they do.
Students may also begin enjoying VIA more for other reasons. One interviewee discussed how they began participating in VIA activities purely for VIA hours, but as time passed, they began establishing friendships with other volunteers. Additionally, being able to challenge one’s boundaries is likely to be fulfilling.
When asked whether they would continue participating in VIA activities if VIA hours were not recorded, half of the survey respondents stated that they would participate just as much. This includes over half of the survey respondents who were primarily motivated by VIA hours when they began their activities. This is likely the result of the joy from giving back to the community, being able to challenge one’s boundaries, establishing new friendships, and learning more in general.
Perhaps, then, requiring students to attain a certain number of VIA hours is beneficial, as it gives every student a chance to experience the process. As one respondent argued, “Maybe the best function of [VIA hours] is to nudge people who would otherwise have inertia against volunteering to start doing so — and upon beginning, they’d find value in what they were doing and learn to appreciate it.”
Altruistic or selfish motives? A problematic dichotomy
Ultimately, the survey also suggested that a clear dichotomy cannot be drawn between students who participate in VIA for the hours and those who participate due to altruistic motives. Many surveyed students felt that while they did feel some enjoyment and sense of accomplishment through volunteering, VIA hours were still important for them. When respondents rated “giving back to the community” as their top motivation, VIA hours were usually ranked second, and vice versa. Similar views were discussed by all four interviewees as well.
4 in 10 survey respondents also stated that if VIA hours were not provided for their efforts, they would either participate in these activities at a lower frequency or not participate at all. Regardless of how much meaning students find in these activities, it is still undeniable that VIA represents a substantial time commitment. If not for some form of tangible reward, it would be difficult to convince students that these activities are worth it.
Therefore, it seems that VIA hours can be beneficial in two ways. Firstly, as discussed earlier, they provide an initial push for students to begin participating in VIA activities. Secondly, they also provide some form of reward that can sustain students’ commitment to VIA in the long-term.
While many students may begin participating in VIA activities for external affirmations, many do find some meaning in it and would continue even if VIA hours were not awarded.
Final thoughts
Clearly, different students have different views towards VIA; no individual’s experience can be representative of what VIA can (or cannot) achieve. However, it seems that the vast majority of individuals find some value in their VIA experiences beyond extrinsic rewards, considering that they would continue participating in their activities even if VIA hours were not awarded.
Whether value is found is partially influenced by the type of VIA activities one chooses to participate in. Participating in ad-hoc activities, compared to projects where one interacts with the same people regularly, seems less likely to make one feel inspired to make a sustained effort. But beyond that, one’s attitude is just as important – external affirmations alone cannot explain why some students are willing to put in so much time into long-term community service projects.
Perhaps what matters the most is for volunteers to be proactive and put in the effort required when participating in activities. It is important to remember that the organisers of these activities see volunteers as people who can actually make a difference, however minor, in their own capacities. Even if one is there only for the hours, one should at least try not to disappoint the beneficiaries.
In my opinion, it is rather saddening if one invests a substantial amount of time in VIA activities without gaining much from it. Everyone has to fulfil a certain number of VIA hours, and some students will participate in community service much more than others, but it is ultimately up to the individual to determine what value can be found in VIA.
By Chloe Wong (19S07C) and Ina Song (19S07C) Photographs courtesy of S Rahul (19S06A) and Dylan Siew (19S06E)
It was sensational. Held on 26th May at *SCAPE Ground Theatre, Raffles Rockout: Press Play was a remarkable closure to the Arts Season of 2018. Raffles Rock released their set list on Spotify 2 weeks before the concert in preparation for the anticipated rave. With consistent publicity and an enthralling promotional video, the expectations for that very night were extremely high, but the aspiring rock-stars definitely surpassed those expectations after months of hard work.
Rock’s sets were on a whole new level. As a long line of people were slowly ushered into the venue, a gigantic gameboy stage prop displayed a loading screen. Lighting up the stage with a tinge of nostalgia stood cardboard versions of Pac-man, a mushroom (from Mario), Inky (the blue Pac-man ghost) and a purple Space Invader. Throughout the concert, various video game speed-run recordings (including that of Mario Kart, Street Fighter and Pokémon) were played on a the gameboy screen as the performers sang their hearts out. Our performers certainly spent a lot of time off-stage designing these props to perfection.
When the concert was finally about to begin, the loading bar on the screen started to fill up. Exhilarated screams emerged from the crowd. The air was buzzing with anticipation. The J1 band, afterhours, emerged, and members of the audience cheered for their friends on stage. They opened the concert with “Jump” by Van Halen, an energetic piece which got the audience jumping in tune with the music. Vocalists Manish (19S03T) and Sneha Bobba (19S06K) did a great job bringing out the liveliness of the song, as well as engaging the audience by turning the mike over to the crowd every time the word “jump!” came along. It was a great beginning to what was going to be an amazing night.
Sneha and Manish singing their hearts out.
The next piece, “Tom Sawyer” by Rush, featured Sneha’s beautiful vocals and a short guitar solo by none other than guitarist Joash Ho (19S03J), who seemed to love the attention of the crowd. Amidst the enthusiastic performance, the audience quietly buzzed about the amusing display of passionate head-banging — also seen in Rock In 2018. The crowd also got excited when drummer Janika Oh (19S05B) ended the first half of the song with a bang – literally.
A childhood favourite of many, the Pokémon Theme was welcomed by all. This piece perfectly tied in with the video game theme. When Jonathan Soepadmo (19S06J) on the keyboard started playing the iconic starting melody, the crowd went wild. The audience sang along to the song, increasing their volume whenever it came to the lyrics “Pokémon! Gotta catch ‘em all”, keeping the energy level high.
Following that was a mashup of “Guile’s Theme (Street Fighter II)” by Daniel Tidwell and “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor – another two classics. This definitely was a trip down memory lane for those who played Street Fighter as a child! The guitarists and drummer did a great job in combining beats from the two different songs and their skills really shined through in this song, which posed a familiar tune and carried some meaningful verses.
Next came “Welcome to the Ironists” by local artist Caracal. This punk-rock song was one of the louder ones of the night. Joash performed a very animated head-banging and strumming before Manish’s vocals took the spotlight, earning screams from the audience members.
afterhours on stage.
Starting off possibly the most hyped song performed by afterhours that night – “In the End” by Linkin Park – was Kathryn (19S03T) on the keyboard. Manish then delivered powerful vocals filled with emotions that pumped up the crowd further. The audience didn’t hold back and sang along with the rock band throughout the song. Before ending the first half of the concert with “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters, Manish introduced the afterhours members one by one while drummer Nurin Hasha Jubir (19A13B) kept the beat going with the drums and cymbals. Ending on a high, the J1 band left the stage coolly as the screen loaded again, this time for the “next level”.
The audience welcomed the J2 band for their last performance in the limelight. Interestingly, some members wore outfits from various video games and others wore glowing jackets that lit up the dark auditorium. Hothead, comprising of 9 members, began their half of Rockout jamming to more well-known songs like “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars. This song having won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, it is no surprise that many audience members knew the lyrics to these hits and sang along.
The crowd cheering and clapping along to the songs.
Following that was a mashup of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, and “Le Freak” by CHIC, a disco turned rock piece that brought back tunes from the good ol’ days. Getting the crowd to shout “Freak out!” was an easy feat knowing how the audience connected with the performers.
Then came a Skrillex mashup of “Cinema” as well as “Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites”. Guitarists Shane Tan (18S03T) and Kevin Nathaniel (18S03D) really stood out during this performance due to the limited lyrics and focus on instrumental accompaniment.
A rather melodious piece, “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap, was followed by a few more popular songs. First up, the classic song you would hear on the radio every now and then, “Hey Ya! – Radio Mix / Club Mix” by OutKast. What made this piece stand out and completed this masterpiece was the impressive flute solo performance coming from keyboardist Clement Chan (18S03B), who received loud cheers from the audience.
Clement delivering a remarkable flute solo.
From Coldplay’s famous “A Head Full of Dreams” album were “Everglow” and “Adventure of a Lifetime”. “Everglow” got some audience members waving their glow sticks, which were sold at the front of house, in the air. Others were waving their lit phone screens or self-made fan signs to the beat of the moving song. “Adventure of a Lifetime” pushed forth a catchy melody, with the audience echoing the “Woo hoo”s.
A song from the late King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson’s “Beat It – Single Version” was next. Hothead was joined by vocalist Su Ying (a Raffles Rock alumna), and together, they certainly did justice to the late pop star’s legacy. The band was able to exude his iconic music style while incorporating their own traits. The audience, euphoric, bounced to the beat, shouting“beat it” whenever the chorus came. Then came “Bones” by The Killers, for which lead vocalist Timothy Chin (18S03B) delivered an amazing performance which the crowd thoroughly enjoyed.
Su Ying (centre, red shirt) performing “Beat It” with her juniors.
To wrap up the night, the band performed “Learn to Fly”, an emotional piece, aptly chosen for the J2s last performance as members of Raffles Rock. On stage, the vocalists hugged their friends, a bittersweet picture. The crowd waved their hands and flashlights in the air during the song and the performers continued to sing and play wholeheartedly.
Throughout the night, the crowd had repeatedly requested for Starboy to be performed but was constantly rejected – the band had performed the song too many times in their time together, and it had become a running joke by then. The song was again requested for the encore, but “Everlong” by Foo Fighters was the song Hothead performed instead, and this ended the night with a bang.
Hothead spending their last moments on stage together.
Before the night truly came to a close, the J2s thanked their CCA instructor, Mr Ian Toh, teacher ICs Mrs Teo and Ms Ng, handing them gifts, and also thanked the AVU personnel.
Rock faced many obstacles in bringing us this performance: Guitarist Kevin Nathaniel (18S03D) was on crutches just about a week before Rockout, and vocalist Sarah Leong (18A03A) was still having a sore throat on the day itself. Despite this, the two persisted and managed to wow the audience with their guitar and vocal skills respectively. The two of them truly demonstrate the dedication of Raffles Rock to their art, bringing joy from the stage to the audience.
Thanks to the tremendous efforts by Raffles Rock and an amazing audience who made this concert possible, Rockout 2018 was an unforgettable night. We are looking forward to the next performance afterhours brings to us!
Setlist
afterhours
Jump by Van Halen
Tom Sawyer by Rush
Pokémon Theme
Mashup of Guile’s Theme from Street Fighter II and Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Welcome the Ironists by Caracal
In The End by Linkin Park
The Pretender by Foo Fighters
Hothead
24K Magic by Bruno Mars
Get Lucky by Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
Le Freak by CHIC
Cinema – Skrillex Remix by Benny Benassi and Gary Go
By Elizabeth Leong (18S06G), Ling Young Loon (18S07A) and Zhu Xiuhua (18S06A)
On 18 May 2018, the Chinese Language and Drama Cultural Society (CLDCS) presented to its audience a variety of art forms in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC). Viewers were treated to original songs and a heartfelt play, and could appreciate the CCA’s calligraphy exhibition during the intermission. The night’s theme was 寻觅 (xun mi), which literally means “to search”, though it was more figuratively translated to “Lost and Found?”
The Songs
The first song of the night was 关山月 (guan shan yue, or The Moon at the Fortified Pass). The piece was inspired by a poem of the same title written by Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. It featured intricate lyrics heavy with imagery, highlighting the struggles of a soldier at war and the pain of missing someone far away from the battlefield.
Among other standout tracks, the titular song, 寻觅 (Xún mì), was also a lovestruck lament, with the repeated lines “maybe it’s my excessive greed / I still seek her, her shadow, her heartache”. The desperation of the singer is highlighted in the final lines: “no matter how I search… only finding you will be enough.” 雨中漫步 (yu zhong man bu, or Serenading in the Rain) highlighted the pain of getting over a past love, ending on a hopeful note: “I have learned to let go / And let you drift away with the wind”.
The last song was a great departure from the rest, taking the form of a hilarious surprise rap battle. Bright, blinding lights shone from the PAC stage, prompting the audience to turn around and pay attention to the staircases behind. The two performers slowly descended these stairs, dressed in stereotypical American rapper apparel. Their rap was titled 速食主义 (su shi zhu yi or Fast Foodism), and it was a carefully crafted, amusing piece that drove the audience into bouts of unstoppable laughter.
All in all, every song had intricate and well-thought through lyrics, with brilliantly crafted melodies. And indeed, the audience had a good time listening to the music that the CCA had to offer.
The calligraphy exhibitions
During the intermission, the audience made their way out of the theatre to admire the calligraphy exhibitions on display. This year, CLDCS put up a diverse range of exhibitions, some of which subverted expectations.
When Chinese calligraphy is mentioned, one would likely picture classical Chinese prose and poetry written on Xuan paper in ebony ink with elegant brushstrokes. This year, however, CLDCS also showcased a collection of calligraphy works done by Sally Yang in fountain pen – which one usually does not immediately associate with Chinese calligraphy – alongside their more traditional brush calligraphy counterparts.
In the midst of classical Chinese prose and poetry, such as 爱莲说 (Ài lián shuō) by 周敦颐 (Zhōu dūn yí) and 独坐敬亭山 by 李白 (Li Bai), a Chinese translation of Sweetest Little Song by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen was spotted. Other calligraphy works included Chinese couplets and modern Chinese poems such as 立秋 (Lì qiū) by 郑重 (Zhèng zhòng).
Chinese translation of Sweetest Little Song by Leonard Cohen, calligraphed in fountain pen by Sally Yang
The play
“母亲”
有子女的女子；子女对生育自己的女子的称呼（含庄重意味）
“Mother”
A woman who bears children; what children address their birth parent as (with a tone of affection)
It may sound like a Channel 8 Taiwanese hoo-haa: a sluggish, uninspiring drama that lumbers through the treachery of human relationships. Yet, unlike what the name suggests, this year’s CLDCS production was unexpectedly heartwarming, albeit a little cliche. The central theme of the play was, as the name suggests, a mother’s love. Surely this does not tally with the grandiose themes of Great Gatsby, or the sublimity of Shakespeare, but that was exactly what this play was about: a tribute to those who have raised us, and a nod to the trunk of all Chinese virtue — filial piety.
The play introduced the audience to a future world where robots are inseparable from humans. A young son (Jowell Ling from 19S07B) immediately begins lambasting his “robot” mother, a so called substitute for his biological mother who died an unknown death. It is a wretched situation, and the acrimony of the teenager shocks the audience. Such maltreatment from child to mother felt unrealistic at times, but the emotive acting kept the audience in thrall.
The plot shifts when the son storms out of the house in search of his biological mother. Furious, yet marred by disappointment, he finally finds a wily lookalike whom he insists is his mother. Played by Zhang Xinyi from 18S06F, this hip swaying character spoke with a promiscuous slang that was hard to forget.
“Mom…Mom! You’re my mother, and I have finally found you!”
The storyline accelerates as the lookalike admits, rather ostentatiously, to their mother-son relationship. The son jumps at the opportunity and leaves his robot mother with an indifferent goodbye. Zhang Tianyu from 18S05A aptly captured the poignancy of the moment, speaking in motorized verses that underscored the wedge in her heart.
Further into the play, a rogue encounter with a rich man (played by Kuo Chuan Tseng of 18S06R) exposed the obvious truth: The woman was not his real mother. Though more an underwhelming disclosure than a plot twist, the anguish of the young boy was unmistakably jarring.
“No, Boss Wang, No! You’re misunderstood. He’s not my real son.”
Fast forward:, The boy’s aunt, played by Shao Siying from 19S06F, is shocked to hear about the flood of events. Distraught and frazzled, she began to spill a questionable truth — the robot mother wielded the consciousness of his real mother. In fact, his mother had been badly injured saving her son from a fire, and has lived in a mechanic shell ever since. This was an unconvincing scene, but the acute dialogue left no audience off the hook.
The play culminated in an impressionable climax, as Aunt and Son worked to rescue the mother from a scrapyard. This scene was the tip of melodrama: the boy’s earnest pleas and sobs tickled our hearts. But all was too late. The mother would be naught as the lights dimmed out.
“The robot is your mother.”
Overall, CLDCS pulled off a hugely successful concert this year, with performances centered around a clear theme of searching for love. The songs had catchy melodies and interesting lyrics; the calligraphy exhibitions were diverse in range and exposed us to calligraphy works different from what we were familiar with; the play was delivered smoothly and ended off on a powerful note, tugging at our heartstrings.
Raffles Press awaits CLDCS’ concert next year and looks forward to another high-quality production.
By Loh Lin (19A01D), Kuang Shane Qi (19A13A) and Sarah Chen (19S03C)
How do we grapple with notions of belonging? The second installment in Film Society’s Hodge Lodge screening series dealt with just that. While their first screening addressed the struggles of being a woman, the films shown here tackled the human desire to fit in. Over the course of four (rather emotionally taxing) films, the audience was exposed to different takes on the theme of belonging, ranging from belonging in a social setting to the longing to belong.
1. The Six Dollar Fifty Man (2009)
Andy, the protagonist of The Six Dollar Fifty Man, is not what you would call a normal boy. He’s introverted, he has one friend, and his head is always buried in his sketchbook. It is this oddness that spurs his classmates to ridicule him — even in the realm of elementary school, those who are different find belonging difficult to attain.
Andy and the Six Million Dollar Man, side-by-side
One significant motif is the Six Million Dollar Man, a superhero that Andy idealises and emulates. Andy dresses like him, right down to his bright pink jumper, and imagines himself performing similarly superhuman feats. This visual parallel gives us an insight into the source of the inner strength that Andy finds to stand up to his bullies; while Andy is miles away from being a real superhero, he stays true to his ideals and always does the right thing.
This film ends on an empowering note as the principal displays Andy’s artwork, including him as a member of the community and giving him a place in the status quo. Despite this heartwarming ending, this film leaves many important questions for the audience to ponder over: Must an authority figure always intercede to “save” the outcast? Must an outsider give up their fantasies in order to belong in a harsh world? It was these questions that the audience was left with as they prepared to watch the next film.
2. Lullaby (搖籃曲) (2018)
Lullaby was the only local film shown during the screening, and perhaps that was one of the reasons for its raw poignance. It shines a spotlight on a modern family of four, focusing on the tender exchanges between a grandmother and her grandchild. The tranquility of this everyday routine is ruthlessly shot through when the film takes its abrupt leave with the grandmother’s death.
One of the writers found this scene the most moving of all, for it showed how we are all trying our best to love the people important to us, even if we don’t always know how.
This film elicited various muted but emotional responses from the audience, perhaps due to the familiar domestic setting it was grounded in. Watching the scenes play out, it would be hard-pressed not to be reminded of our relationship with our own grandparents; even harder still to swallow the guilt some of us felt as we thought back to the ways in which we might have been lacking. Putting aside their emotional distress, members engaged in the usual post-film discussion, during which the audience found themselves on two sides: is the film an accusation of the lack of filial piety or a simple exploration of a modern family’s interactions with its elderly members?
Matthew Wong (18A01E) forwarded an intriguing alternative to the knee-jerk condemnation of the parents’ detachment from the grandmother, arguing that there is “warmth in [the simplicity of] their everyday motions despite how detached they seem to be”. He also gently reminded everyone that “while family members may not always be fully able to connect with one another, there is still a strong undercurrent of love underneath the cursory interactions”.
3. Paper Memories (2010)
Paper Memories employs a fresh filming technique — a seven-minute long stop motion picture completely void of dialogue. As if this was not unconventional enough, the film goes a step further to add moving photographs. The film follows an elderly man visiting various places of his past as he retraces his memories with his (implied) late wife. At each place the man visits, he holds up a photograph of his wife taken there, and in the photograph, his wife walks away from him. It seems as if this film was the reason for the parentheses in the screening title, Be(Longing), since it is the only film which does not address “belonging”, as directly as the others. Instead, Paper Memories tackles the idea of longing to belong by showing how a man’s sense of belonging is lost along with the death of his wife. Despite her already being gone from his life, he still digs up their memories together and finds himself chasing after her, as if he is unable to be at ease without her by his side anymore.
Paper Memories makes use of the unique ability photographs possess to bring past memories to life.
This unique portrayal gave rise to two conflicting reactions from the audience. On one hand, some thought the combination of the disjointed stop motion style, intense soundtrack and the moving photographs was unnerving and creepy. On the other end of the spectrum, others found that this odd medley managed to tell a heartwarming story of a man missing his wife.
Though both sides were unable to reconcile their difference in views, the variety of reaction contributes to this film’s charm. Each one leads to a very different message about the way humans deal with loss — that to cling on to those we have lost is to be too overly attached or that love can and does persist through loss. Still, whether one finds it weird or touching, all can agree that the film expertly intertwines the themes of longing, belonging and loss.
4. How Was Your Day? (2016)
Specifically saved to be the last in the screening, How Was Your Day? definitely gave the audience lots to reflect on. This powerful film wrapped the night up with its take on belonging in a social role – that of motherhood. The conflict between the protagonist’s own emotions and society’s expectations of her as a parent causes her anguish, and strains her relationship with her disabled daughter. While society expects her to love her child unconditionally, the mother still struggles with loving and accepting her child as a human, instead of an unnatural being.
The film highlights the struggles mothers of disabled children go through daily.
Despite the gloomy mood of the film, it ends on a rather optimistic note – the mother turning to her child and asking, “how was your day?”. As the image of the mother carrying her child fades to black, the audience finds a strangely bittersweet taste in their mouths. The post-film discussion comprised mostly of everyone trying to make sense of their confusing mix of emotions – initial anger and sorrow, followed by empathy.
This messy and intensely emotional response is, however, to be expected. After all, How Was Your Day? deals with a complex issue few teenagers are able to comprehend and challenges a convention deeply-rooted in our society. Try as we might, we, as outsiders, will likely never be able to fully understand the protagonist’s situation. All we are able to is to do our best to empathise, and film does exactly this. It gives us a chance to experience life in someone else’s shoes; to feel for and with them – perhaps one of film’s greatest values.
Closing Thoughts
The varying intensity of the reactions observed across the audience members foregrounded the way people relate differently to the films due to differences in their personal experiences. This does not mean they have necessarily gone through similar circumstances; humans are arguably equipped with the instinctive emotional faculties to empathise, no matter how far removed certain narratives may be.
As Tan Yu Han (18A01B) put it, “the fact that you’re watching people who can be in a similar position as you or are pretty much you [creates a] connection with the character.” These characters could then be a starting point for audiences to understand their own emotions, or see the world from other perspectives.
Ultimately, all of us have felt displacement, be it physically or emotionally, at some point in our lives. The universality of it makes a daunting feeling less so, and the sharing of experiences through film reminds us what it means to belong. Teo Jun Hua (19A01A) provided the writers with a simple but appropriately meaningful statement to draw their night at the screening to a close:
“The thing about belonging is not about fitting in, but rather accepting our differences and who we are. […That’s] what truly constitutes belonging.”
It would be worthwhile to keep this in mind as the days lead up to Film Society’s penultimate Film Showcase 2018: 5 Ways to Build A Home on 20 July, where the outgoing Y6 members will be presenting the fruits of their labour.
Credits
The Six Dollar Fifty Man (2009) – Directed by Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland
Lullaby (搖籃曲) (2018) – Directed by Stanley Xu Ruiyang
Paper Memories (2010) – Directed by Theo Putzu
How Was Your Day? (2016) – Directed by Damien O’Donnell
Whenever I go to the bookstore, my go-to section is the self-help section. In particular, I often seek out advice from personal management and pop psychology books, a subgenre that incorporates simplified psychological concepts. This is not because I am in constant existential dread or that I am a hapless victim mired in a socio-emotional muddle. Rather, I find a peculiar comfort in flipping through the array of self-help books.
With titles such as How to Win Friends and Influence People, You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, and The Art of the Good Life, it seems as though self-help gurus have the antidote to curing life’s woes. These are just some of the titles that regularly make rounds on the bestseller lists, as overstretched Singaporeans turn to self-help for assistance. Globally, the self-help industry, despite its long history, still experienced a 15% growth in sales revenue in 2015. Indeed, the growth of this genre, both locally and internationally, is a testament to how living is difficult.
Throughout history, people have sought to upgrade themselves, explaining the logical presence and role of the self-help genre. If we are to take a broad definition of self-help, we could even categorise ancient philosophical texts such as Meditations as self-help texts.
However, the self-help manuals that we are familiar with today only took its more accessible, commercial appearance in the last half a century. Experts have attributed this phenomenal growth to, firstly, capitalism, and secondly, the idea of self-fashioning. Self-fashioning refers to the social pressure to construct a public persona that conforms to social norms while weaving a coherent narrative of one’s life centred around personal philosophy. With more and more of our basic needs fulfilled today, we progress to the highest tier of needs – to achieve self-actualisation, thus paving the way for the trend of self-fashioning.
To that end, self-help books tackled nearly every conceivable personal development problem, setting standard ideals that people could aspire to achieve. To reach out to the largest audience possible, technical jargon was used more to create a facade of credibility, and theoretical backings were diluted to the point that some “substantiated” advice became pseudoscience.
In line with a desire for self improvement, self-help books took off with mass commercialisation. Today, self-appointed self-help gurus churn sequel after sequel, and addicted fans (yes, you can get addicted to self-help) make rounds of purchases to satiate their inner need for refinement. The genre has taken root in pop culture, with classics such as Think and Grow Rich and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People touted as essential reads in schools and workplaces.
Self-help, often associated with endless positive rhetoric (Image source)
The opinion on self-help is polarised. On one hand, we know that many love self-help as a genre, whether because they see it as a legitimate source of guidance or because it is a guilty pleasure. Others believe that the only place self-help books belong to is in the trash bin, save for a few classics that are considered sufficiently distinct from the bunch.
Personally, I’m somewhere in between – I appreciate self-help not for what it advertises itself to be, but because of what it can be. But first, let us examine why people hate self-help.
Understandably, the genre is denounced and derided by many for multiple reasons – self-help books are often riddled with relentless psychobabble, saccharine language and hollow promises that prey on “gullible” people. A simple run through of various self-help books will reveal the same buzzwords, phrases and “psychology experiments” that are repeated countless times. The notion of “positive thinking” as the key to life woes, or that “each day has 86400 seconds” to emphasise the importance of time management are some of the common pieces of advice that the well-versed self-help guru is more than familiar with.
Positive platitudes and motivational pep-talk narratives seep through the paragraphs of the typical self-help text, promising you that your current phase in life is not so bleak, or that with a trick or two, you can introduce a miraculous reorganisation of your life. Yet the fact that 80% of self-help books are purchased by previous readers simply suggests that no one self-help book can deliver on its promises, at least not entirely.
Perhaps much of the derision also owes to the image associated with self-help readers. Holding a copy of “Chicken Soup for the Teenager’s Soul” certainly doesn’t bode well with a tough persona, nor does holding “Getting Things Done” speak well of your personal management. And this is why many believe that self-help books are reserved to the bookshelf or as a wry gift to a friend.
Still, even while I consider myself a skeptic of the (empty) promises that the body of literature has to offer, I still continue to read self-help.
Personally, as a self-professed utilitarian, my affinity for self-help books came about because of an inherent mindset of wanting to derive tangible rewards from investing the time into reading books. Sure, a riveting journey into the universe of witches and golems offers great escapism, but that is rather fleeting. Self-help, on the other hand, creates an easy option that advertises real and lasting impact (albeit illusory at times).
My self-help experience began with a stash of old, oxidised Penguin books at a second-hand sale. Perhaps too easily influenced by appearance, I was sold at glance of the the vintage and somewhat nostalgic cover of Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono. The language was simple but effective, and the concept quirky but cool.
Essentially, Six Thinking Hats is a framework on approaching problems creatively with the use of coloured symbolic ‘thinking hats’. For instance, the yellow hat represents optimism, which can be interpreted as identifying the pros of a solution. It then follows that the black hat stands for pessimism.
From there, I branched out to the broader topic of personal management and organisation, which was something I felt was lacking. I wanted to learn how to increase my productivity and be better at time management amidst the growing pile of assignments. I scoured through articles and manuals and gleaned through the strategies suggested – ‘make a to-do list’, ‘find the root cause’ and ‘set quality measures’ among them. They were pretty much generic strategies, standardised and obvious. Ironically, reading self-help simply placed a strain on my time.
Indeed, as with the generic strategies in management literature, self-help is prone to producing pedestrian advice. The self-help genre is often criticised for oversimplifying reality based on the experience of an elite few, who claim that their proposed formulas guarantee results. Still, amidst the haystack of anecdotes and insights, it is fundamentally up to the reader to distill what truly is valuable.
In the various books and articles I have read, I have come across many nascent ideas. While some ideas were common sense, others were rather eye-opening. Personally, the 80/20 rule, one of the most famous principle in management literature, has been particularly useful in dissecting several situations pertaining to school-life balance. Also, when reading Practical Thinking by Edward de Bono, I found his proposed concept of “porridge words”, vague words without meaning that act as a springboard to ideation, particularly relevant to idea generation (especially in Project Work).
The 80/20 rule, a common pattern in work-life dynamics (Image source)
Even amidst the repetitive and obvious advice of management books, there is some value in the consolidation of strategies they provide, be it in the form of a listicle or manual. They may not be life-changing ideas, but there is a sense of clarity evoked from the well-defined actions that could be undertaken. Listing the obvious may seem useless but this, at least, provides readers with some form of guidance and hope in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, even if this control is only an illusion. This calming psychological effect is often understated, perhaps not even realised.
Our attitude towards reading self-help books also determines what we gain from the book and whether it lives up to our expectations. Most certainly, if you believe that 59 Seconds: Change Your Life In Under a Minute will transform your life in said timing, then self-help will remain useless no matter how you peruse the book. In other words, it defeats the purpose to accuse self-help books of fraudulence, to continuously scoff at the cheesy titles and thus not extract gold from garbage (in some cases).
With a lower bar, it is then solely a matter of personal preference as to how one chooses to read – you could adhere strictly to the new-found axioms of life proposed or you could choose to perform a perfunctory scan of the book until a particular concept strikes you. Either way, some value is gained from the book.
Furthermore, the assumption that self-help books are unsubstantiated does not apply to all. Many books challenge this idea, providing scientific experiments and data in accessible forms that can be easily applied. Instead of searching for tidbits of incomprehensible pointers from scientific journals full of technical jargon, we can choose to read self-help books which condense the necessary information and lay them out in sequential fashion. Recent developments in the industry have seen the incorporation of elements from behavioural economics and neuroscience to prescribe credible advice and dispel falsehoods.
Of course, by then, the interspersal of empirical evidence blurs the line between genres. From a broader perspective, if we apply advice from the book into our daily lives, then maybe we can consider them as self-help irrespective of its genre. Regardless of whether a book is classified as self-help or not, if reading one paragraph can potentially improve oneself, then it is a good book. That is why when I pick up a self-help book, I find joy in the fact that potentially hidden in its content is advice that can improve myself and make tomorrow better. And that is comforting.
By Loh Lin (19A01D) Photos courtesy of Koh Yin Jie (18S03Q)
“Look closer. Look longer. Look harder.” Found also in the biography of Eco-lit Batch 18’s Instagram, this tripartite prompt was reiterated at the start of the book launch on 26 May, where the outgoing batch presented the fruits of their 10-month labour to an audience that was surprisingly lively on an early Saturday morning (perhaps due to the almost alarming number of children present).
The launch opened with an address by both RI’s principal Mr Frederick Yeo and Guest-of-Honour Ms Ria Tan, before the attention turned to the two student presenters, Shermin Ong (18S03I) and Ian Chan (18S06Q). Sharing about the various trips EcoLit went on, they recounted their experiences with a faint tinge of nostalgia, quoting that “the most amazing thing (about the Taiwan trip) was the culture”. To not forget their various fascinating encounters with the diverse wildlife and culture from each trip, they journalled throughout their travels, taking the chance to also draw inspiration for the books they were due to create.
Shermin and Ian giving the audience insight into the programme
As Shermin and Ian wrapped up their presentation with a steady composure and easy smiles, the eager buzz of energy from the others watching at the back could not be ignored. And the reason for this flustered anticipation was soon realised: amidst the muted chatter, they thanked the audience, which was the cue for the Y6 batch to hasten to the stage to unveil their published books.
“On the count of 3, okay? 1…2…
…3!” The last and loudest count saw several children from the audience chiming in, and was accompanied by a swell of applause as the Y6s swept the cloth aside, revealing the two books they had poured their heart and soul into: The Super Seagrass Search and WOOSH! A Coral’s Journey.
“1…2…3…Woah!”
Wasting no time in sharing with the audience the process behind their final product, Denise Loh (18S03A) and Jae Mak (18S06D) approached the podium with visible anticipation. They credited inspiration for their book (The Super Seagrass Search) to the vast seagrass meadows they had encountered for the very first time in Pulau Semakau, gushing that the sight of the meadows “stretching so far into the horizon” was “very heartwarming”. Their excitement was endearingly infectious — they drew chuckles from the audience at several points, especially when Denise quipped a cleverly apt pun: “See! Grass (seagrass)!”
The story was definitely not crafted without thought, for the team had specifically chosen the topic of seagrass to raise awareness and promote conservation of seagrass. Introducing their book characters, Jae explained that they had chosen juvenile characters such as baby animals as they felt the seagrass meadow was akin to “a nursery”. At least seven ideas were rejected before they agreed on using the game Hide-and-Seek to keep the children reading the book engaged.
The process of illustrating was equally as painstaking and diligent, with the illustrator mulling over various ways of “shading, water texture and background”. Sharing that the team finalised the mockbook “at 12am in Taiwan on the last day”, Jae remarked that “it may not have been easy, but it was definitely worth it”.
Swapping places with a quick exchange of encouraging smiles, Natalie Quah (18S06Q) and Leow Zhi Yong (18S03G) presented their book: Woosh: A Coral’s Journey. They attributed their idea to the intertidal walks they had enjoyed on their trip to Berlayer Creek, where they had learnt about artificial reefs and interconnectivity in the dependence of reefs’ survival on water. Natalie revealed that the team had toiled through “long hours and long nights on Skype” discussing characters (“oh no! This is way too similar to Moana!”), and had even camped at Kinokuniya for further inspiration.
Pausing to chuckle nervously, Zhi Yong shared that the team decided to rhyme the entire book in March, two mere months away from the launch. “After all, go big or go home!” he declared, to an approving burst of laughter and applause. After the bustle simmered down, he explained that the choice to rhyme was a bid to convey the complex idea of interconnectivity to the children in a way that grabs their attention and allows them to grasp the concept.
Lian Koh Hai (18S06C) sharing about the challenges he faced in the process of illustrating the book
With that, the sharing concluded, and the entire team rushed to prepare the stage for their storytelling section. As they set up the stage, this writer wandered around — bumping into too many children along the way — and noticed a group of seniors from Batch 17 lingering near the book sale at the back. “We came back to see our juniors! And we had a lot of fun in Eco-lit so here we are again,” was the immediate reply, followed by an affirmative round of nods. Perhaps this bears testament to the bonds the Eco-lit community has forged beyond that with nature.
Attention turned back to the stage, where the teams performed skits of their respective stories for a captivated crowd of children. The performers bounded around the stage, and interjected from time to time with simple explanations. An impressively natural and effective engagement with the children was observed throughout the two skits, with the performers pausing every now and then to direct questions and interact with them.
At one point, a member with a brown (cardboard) shell attached to his back asked why he was called “the green turtle”, to which a boy yelled: “because your shell is green!” (This writer will admit here that she thought the same thing before she cognitively processed the details of his costume.)
Alas, no, the green turtle is named as such because of its green undersides. Who knew?
As the event drew to a close with the Arts and Craft session, the members jumped into a flurry of action: several of them assisted the children with their craft, others were manning the book sales and attending to queries, and the rest was helping to pack up. Even the performers from the storytelling session did not stop for a break, instead rushing to take stock of logistics, all the while trying not to trip over their costumes.
When 4.30pm rolled around, the previously filled area in the morning contained only Eco-lit members and a handful of lingering parents picking out books for their children. Even so, the warmth was palpable — the members were jostling one another good-naturedly and tiredly leaning on available shoulders as they wrapped up.
The Arts and Craft session saw the children drawing various creatures with paint-dipped fingers
Stopping in his tracks, Lian Kok Hai (18S06C) obliged for a quick interview, and shared that the most valuable part of Eco-lit for him was the people: “We spend a lot of time with each other — going on overseas trips, going on camps, being cooped up in a room painting for hours on end. You have to learn to deal with one another […] The friendships we made were really sincere and will last a long time, I hope.” He remarked that the challenges they faced manifested in “[handling] the logistics, [handling their] friends, [handling their] own emotions, [having to] prepare themselves for their own presentations”, but was firm in his belief that the launch was still “overwhelmingly meaningful and fun”.
“It’s important for children to be exposed to this natural environment. It’s not just robots or violence.” – Lian Kok Hai (18S06C)
As this writer took her leave, faint exclamations toggling between relief and expressions of exhaustion were heard as the members of Eco-lit reveled in the well-deserved glory of their months of hard work. The weariness was undeniable, yet it was tempered by the profuse sense of pride the members displayed.
This launch, while being a showcase of their efforts over the past year, displayed also the earnest and whole-hearted community they had forged in their time together, as well as their genuine belief in and love for what they learn.
Books by Eco-lit Batch 18:
The Super Seagrass Search
Authors: Chan Teng Kai, Ian (18S06Q), Chong Wei Ming (18S03Q), Denise Loh Si Ying (18S03A), Mak Ho Yu Jae (18S06D)
Illustrator: Mak Ho Yue Jae (18S06D)
WOOSH! A Coral’s Journey
Authors: Leow Zhi Yong (18S03G), Lian Kok Hai (18S06C), Natalie Quah Wen-Fei (18S06O), Shermin Ong (18S03I), Yan Pei Ling Clarice (18S03I)
By Clarine See (18S03G) and Zacchaeus Chok (18S03O)
Photographs courtesy of Aiken Lee (18S06G)
For their final batch project in Community Advocates (CA), the Y6 members organised an event targeted at persons with intellectual disabilities (PWIDs). In partnership with the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), months of discussion and planning culminated in Confluence 2018 – a day of bonding and interactions between student volunteers and PWIDs from MINDS. Some members from Raffles Press participated in the event, and bring you our experiences and thoughts from the day.
3:30pm
The Indoor Sports Hall started to come alive with a buzz of activity – new arrivals from MINDS were ushered to their respective groups, and CA members in each group made an effort to break the ice with self-introductions. A few groups were noticeably larger, with close to 20 members, and students did struggle to familiarise themselves with so many new faces at once.
In some ways, this was alike the first day of Orientation, the stark difference being that the spontaneous interactions that form between the circle of students at Orientation was noticeably absent. The main question on the minds of student volunteers was: how do we interact with them? Thankfully, quick thinking by some managed to break the awkward tension. They used balloons that had been put up in the ISH as decor to kickstart a game of ‘the floor is lava’, and the frosty silence in the hall was soon replaced by laughter and cheers.
The Mass Dance segment that followed was not without hitches, with technical difficulties preventing a video of the dance from being projected. CA members swiftly stepped in to provide a live demonstration, and the PWIDs quickly got into the swing of things, confidently following the beat of the music and showing off their dance moves.
4.30pm
Following the Mass Dance, groups were allocated either Sports or Arts activities, depending on their level of activity. For the Sports segment, groups were rotated between games of handball, basketball and badminton, with CCA members from each sport generously lending their time to guide the PWIDs in picking up the basics. With the easy camaraderie inherent in playing sports, students did start to feel more at ease and the PWIDs did become more willing to mix with the students instead of exclusively with the volunteers from MINDS Youth Group (MYG).
The Arts groups carried out a series of simple arts-and-crafts activities, with the painting activity yielding the most smiles and particularly beautiful pieces. Sabharwal Sachi (18S03C), a CA member from the Arts groups, felt fulfilled and shared that ‘it was really sweet seeing how much they loved the end product’.
At the Sports station, things were noticeably more hectic but at the same time, rambunctious. Unlike the typical handball game where players rowdily tackle opponents to get their shots through, the handball matches played were marked by guidance and pacing by the volunteers. Expectedly, the inherent communication difficulties left both the beneficiaries and volunteers frustrated as some became upset over not receiving passes while others walked out of the game. Still, what warmed us as volunteers was the active engagement and participation of the beneficiaries, and the occasional bursts of joy in scoring a goal.
6:30pm
Dinner arrived. Badminton rackets were dropped and paint sponges put down in reaction to the long-awaited announcement for dinner time. More than just customary in function, the dinner was included as part of the event not just to satiate hunger but to bridge the stark gaps between students and our beneficiaries.
That we could easily converse like in a normal dinner gathering is indeed a stretch. While students had somewhat warmed up to the idea of interacting with PWIDs, there remained an existential empathy gap. Unsurprisingly, while small talk was extant, sustained conversations were mostly muted. Nonetheless, the MINDS volunteers were familiar with the beneficiaries and did try to draw everyone into conversations, brightening the mood to some extent.
7:30pm
Karaoke was on the agenda next, as groups returned to the ISH. There were some PWIDs who contented in swaying in time with the music, while a more enthusiastic group ran up to stage to sing and dance their hearts out. What was most valuable in the karaoke activity was that the PWIDs could use casual singing as a medium to comfortably and freely express themselves and enjoy the support of fellow peers, and that in itself is especially valuable in bolstering their confidence
With all the obvious differences that we focus on in PWIDs, there are in actuality real similarities that can be found, such as mutual support. One of the youngest beneficiaries at the event seemed just like any other jovial 10-year old kid, and he bravely stomped up in front to sing along, as encouraged by his fellow friends.
8:00pm
As the event wound down and the hype of music waned, the same kid approached one of us to bid goodbye. At the same time, another beneficiary came up and gave a hug while muttering thank you. While seemingly random in nature, and perhaps eccentric by our conventions, these acts do reveal the way PWIDs see us – as friends.
Do we view them through the same lens? Or do we constantly harbour thoughts of precaution, paranoid of the potential dangers they pose to us? As CA member Jenell Ong (18S03A) shared, it is exactly because of these fears that intellectual disability ‘remains one of the most misunderstood disabilities in Singapore today’, leading to PWIDs suffering ‘higher levels of hostility and social distancing’ with the general populace. For this reason, Confluence 2018 was conceived: to provide a platform for RI students to meet and mingle with PWIDs, whom they would otherwise have little contact with, to allow for the forging of new understandings of and personal bonds with PWIDs.
Indeed, as volunteers, the event accentuated the pre-existing differences we had in mind. Yet, while such doubts of incompatibility may persist, we realised that ultimately, a change in mindset is required on our part. For what stands in between PWIDs and the wider society is the familiar constellation of pre-existing stereotypes and misguided convictions that we chose to maintain and refuse to shake off.
Donating second hand items is a common experience for many Singaporeans – those who live in HDB flats will have inevitably found the yellow recycling bag on their doorstep from some charity organisation, requesting donations of old clothes, books, toys, and the like. Fewer people are familiar, though, with where these donated items end up. And while it may feel like we are doing good for the environment by recycling these items, the truth of the matter is that our habits of buying-new and donating-old do not do much to reduce waste in the long run.
Consumerism and its Effects
One obvious culprit of wastage in modern society is rampant consumerism. Consumers are continuously urged to buy more, even things that we may not need. You may be familiar with some examples, such as having to buy a new printer every year because they break down so frequently due to planned obsolescence, or a new charger cord for each new generation of a smartphone.
Another product corporations have gotten us to spend on is fashion. Think H&M, Forever 21, Topshop and Zara – these are brands that are popular for their trendy designs and low prices. But much of what they sell is fast fashion – clothes with short fashion cycles, meant to go out of style every half-month or so, if it has not already come apart in the wash.
One characteristic of fast fashion companies is their control of the entire supply chain management of their products. You might remember, from your Social Studies lessons in secondary school, how companies move their manufacturing to countries with cheap labor and lax regulations in an endless “race to the bottom”. As a result, many clothing brands have been embroiled in scandals when factories in which their products were made were caught using child labor and violating workplace safety regulations, the most famous example being Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, which led to the death of 1,134 people, many of whom were women and children.
Not only do many of these brands have unethical practices, the habit of mass consumption these brands promote unnecessarily ramps up the rate of production and disposal of clothing in what is already known as one of the ‘dirtiest’ industries in the world – the garment industry.
The Citarum river in Indonesia choked with industrial and human waste. The dyes and chemicals from nearby textile factories has changed the color of the water body and lent it an acrid odour (source)
Not only does the production process of textiles use up resources and produce pollution, upon disposal, most of these clothes end up in as waste in landfills. Even if they are donated to charity, they often end up in third-world countries due to excess. This undermines the local garment industry there and often come in such voluminous excess the clothes that cannot be sold are burnt.
Greener Ways
So what can we consumers do, apart from running away to live in a self-supporting commune? Well, one obvious solution is the cut down on the number of clothes we buy in the first place, and try to buy from ethical retailers. We should also source for clothes of a better quality which can last a longer time. However, this may be quite expensive for the average student and not realistic for everyone – do you really want to hold on to that shirt you once thought suited you but actually doesn’t?
An option would be to trade clothes and buy second-hand. This is environmentally friendly and generally cheaper. I went down to various thrift shops around Singapore for a first-hand experience of second-hand shopping.
New2U Thrift Shop
Recommended For: Casual and formal clothing Location: 96 Waterloo Street (nearest MRT station: Bras Basah, take Exit D) Changing Room: Yes
The headquarters of SCWO, which runs the store.
The New2U thrift shop is run by the Singapore Council for Women Organisation (SCWO) at their headquarters at Waterloo street. Proceeds from the sales of secondhand clothes, shoes and books – all from donations – go to supporting its charities. These include legal services for women, and a shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
Personally, it was hands down the favourite thrift store I’ve visited – perhaps because it drew a younger crowd. Much of its wide selection of clothing – from Levi’s to Zara to G2000 – was still somewhat in fashion and from recent seasons, and for half or even less of its original price. They also have a 50% discount for students who present their student pass on selected days of the month.
Su Di Wen (18S06B), rated her shopping experience 10/10, because “[the volunteers] are so nice and there’s so much stuff here.”
One of the many racks of clothing at New2U.
The only downside to visiting this store is its opening hours – only on weekdays and only till 2.30 p.m. – making it quite inconvenient for the average busy student to visit. (This reader did so by leaving school immediately after afternoon assembly.)
MINDS @Woodlands
Recommended for: Formal clothes or the occasional buy Location: 30 Woodlands Ring Rd (There are numerous MINDS stores in Singapore; this was the one we visited) Changing Room: No
The selection of clothing items at MINDS@Woodlands.
Run by the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled Singapore (MINDS), the shop acts as source of income for the organisation and also provides a workplace for their clients to gain training experience in employment.
This writer found the available selection somewhat limited as its racks were mainly filled with suits, dresses and formal pants. Those looking for office attire would be in luck though; I managed to find a dress for $5 which I later wore to an internship during the holidays.
Online Options – Carousell
Recommended for: Anything, though this writer would warn anybody away from items at dirt-cheap prices. As the adage goes – “you get what you pay for.”
The buying and selling platform Carousell is one of the largest and most convenient sources marketplaces for ‘pre-loved’ items.
Carousell offers a wide range of clothing, with users reselling clothes from brands ranging from Uniqlo and ASOS to local blogshop Love Bonito. The platform did not gain the nickname of ‘Carouhell’ for nothing though; a shrewd eye and healthy dose of skepticism is needed for successful purchases. Nevertheless, for users with experience and at a certain level of ‘street smart’, Carousell is one of the best sources of secondhand clothes at reduced prices.
Thrifting in Singapore
There are other options: the Really Really Free Market in Singapore, part of a global movement with somewhat libertarianism roots, offers a place for the barter of first and secondhand goods, including clothes. However, it remains that thrifting seems much more commonplace in countries like the United States and Australia than here.
This may have to do with the lack of awareness of the options available – most the friends were only familiar with the Salvation Army thrift shop – the perception that thrifted clothes are dirty, and other stigmas against pre-worn clothes. Due to the lower demand for thrifted clothing, there are naturally fewer places that collect and sell them, though this has changed somewhat in recent years with online platforms like Carousell.
With persistence and a keen eye, however, thrifting can be an extremely fulfilling experience. Even if you are not inclined towards this form of shopping, there are other ways to contribute. As Caren Teo from SCWO stated, “If you have a lot of clothes that you don’t wear so often and you donate it for a charitable cause, it really goes towards benefiting someone else.”
By Isabelle Tan (19S03S), Vanessa Lur (19S06Q) and Phang Yeu Yeou (19A01A)
Photos courtesy of Raffles Dragonboating
This year’s ‘A’ Division Dragon Boating Finals was a significant event for the newly established Raffles Dragon Boating team to make a name for the team. They were competing against not only other JCs and polytechnics but also alongside adults from many other organisations ranging from Singapore Prison Service Dragon Boat Team to Breast Cancer Foundation – Paddlers in the Pink (BCF-PIP). Furthermore, the J2s were stepping down after the competition and their desire to leave on a high note was evident. Angelica Ang (18S03K) explained that “today’s race was especially important to us as it was a culmination of our past 1.5 years of hard work, as well as the legacy we would leave behind for the coming batches”.
The dragonboating team in high spirits after the prize presentation ceremony.
Held at the DBS Marina Regatta 2018 at Marina Bay Sands on 2nd June 2018, supporters were free to watch the entertaining races and show their support. Before reaching the venue, we had expected a low turnout rate as the event was held in the midst of the June holidays when most students would be preparing for their upcoming cts or having fun during their rare break. However, much to our surprise, we spotted many Rafflesians at Marina Bay supporting their friends. This truly showed our strong school spirit as Rafflesians willingly sacrificed their free time to show support to other fellow Rafflesians. The girls from the dragon boating team also showed school spirit by donning Raffles themed tattoos last seen on spirit week this year.
During the races, the air was filled with excitement as the audience cheered loudly for teams they supported. Just like us, many gathered around the big screen set up at the venue to get a close-up view of the races. Our eyes were glued to the screen, oohs and aahs escaping us as a certain team overtook another abruptly, boats quickly approaching the finish line. Even mere seconds were enough to determine a difference in placing from 1st to 3rd place, which made the competition exhilarating and kept the audience buzzing with excitement.
In almost every race, the teams were only mere seconds apart.
The competition was both intense and short-lived with each race only spanning a short duration of around a minute with the waits in between each race taking up the actual bulk of the time. It started off with the first rounds for the 200m-Dragonboat 12 person team Inter-School Race where both gendered teams fought hard to clinch their spots in the finals. We are proud to say that 3 out of 4 of our dragonboat 12-person teams made it into the finals, reflecting the hard work they have put in so far. In the finals for the 12 person teams, our Team A for girls did especially well and clinched the spot of second place. Team A for guys and Team B for the girls also did well with both teams clinching the 5th spot in their respective finals. For the 200m – DragonBoat 22 person team Inter School Race, the boys team managed to rank 3rd place and the girls team managed to rank 2nd place for the finals.
Raffles Dragonboating (Girls) team competing in 22-person team inter-school race.
These victories of our dragonboating team are remarkable and did not come easy. The chinese saying “台上十分钟，台下十年功” describes the situation perfectly. It means that to perform for a mere ten minutes on stage, a performer or athlete has had to put in 10 years of hard work before the performance. This reflects how the dragonboating team only had a few minutes to show for the long hours of hard work they had put in these past few months. Who in the audience would actually understand the blood, sweat and tears that they actually put in during their numerous intensive trainings?
Raffles Dragonboating (Boys) team competing in 22-person team inter-school race.
Prior to the competition, the dragonboating team had trainings on 3 out of 5 days of the week with most of the team also attending the optional trainings on Saturdays and Sundays. Even on days without training, dragonboaters could be found in the gym when majority of the school were busy preparing for their common test papers. “A lot of people think (that) dragonboating only requires arm strength but actually the motion is such that you come out with your core and back and thighs aching too” commented Amanda Chen (19S03E), “plus (you will get) very bad suntans and blisters from gripping the paddle too hard”. This reflects how hard our dragonboating team has been working for the past few months and are deserving of their victories in this race.
The results for this year’s ‘A’ division dragonboating finals were exceptional and Raffles Press would like to commend the Raffles Dragonboating team for their efforts and hard work in staying resilient all this while to bring their team to greater heights.
By Ina Song (19S07C) and Chloe Wong (19S07C)
Photos by Chloe Tan (19S03E) and Melvin Liam (19S05B)
Held at Dhoby Ghaut’s Visual Arts Centre, 50by50 was an exhibition of works created by members of the Raffles Photographic Society (RPS). The Year 6s were given a box measuring 50 cm by 50 cm – hence the name of the exhibition – to merge their photography with. In their words, “To make truly great art, one must think outside the box. (…) What creative challenge – or opportunity – does the box present? Does the box restrict, provide structure, or take on a completely unexpected meaning? Is the box simply a frame or can it add to or enhance the photograph?”
Though this is the first time that the RPS has conducted such an activity, the graduating photographers took the challenge head on and managed to create some truly thought-provoking works, incorporating themes such as identity, gender and family. Meanwhile, the Year 5s exhibited their light painting explorations, focusing on technical skills and creating visually stunning images.
RPS members printing and cutting photos from the photo booth
Upon entering the venue, visitors were greeted with fresh popcorn, while tables of drinks and biscuits were set up inside the Visual Arts Centre. We also spotted a queue at the well-decorated photo booth, beside which members of the Photographic Society sat, carefully working on printed photos. The atmosphere in the room was lively, as guests wandered around, admiring and discussing the delightful artwork on show. As it was our first time visiting such an exhibition, we were excited to explore 50by50.
Installation of “South Korea, Just Like Singapore”
One installation that caught our eye was “South Korea, Just Like Singapore” by Afiq Zuhairi Bin Sahri (18S06Q). It combines images of Singapore and South Korea to compare the daily lives of women in the two countries. As a fan of K-pop and K-dramas, Afiq was intrigued by the way South Korean media often portrays unattainable standards of beauty. As South Korean media continues to dominate global pop culture, the number of people worldwide who idolize Korea, its people and its culture grow exponentially. But how disparate are the lives of a Korean woman and, say, a Singaporean woman? It is easy for us who are far removed from South Korea to assume that the women we see in South Korean media are a representation of women in the country. However, Afiq found that the lifestyles of women in Korea were not very different from the lifestyles of those in Singapore, which explains why the scenes in the six central images parallel each other. He concludes that “South Korea isn’t a country that just focuses on entertainment, but is also a country with people living unique lifestyles, just like Singapore.”
An RPS member discussing an installation with a visitor
Another striking installation appeared to display a clock dressed in shiny red coating. Upon closer inspection, this 50by50 piece of art titled “Mother Time” held layers of meaning and was made beautifully and creatively by Natasha Rae Zuzarte (18A01B). As described by the photographer herself: “Even though a square clock is unconventional, the box suggests self-containedness and structure, which is exactly what Mom represents.”
Natasha and her parents in front of the installation “Mother Time”
In the time-telling machine, 8 different pictures are chained together loosely but proportionally, depicting the anchor of Natasha’s life, her mother, in various stages of her day to day routine as a homemaker. One might that cherished memories of motherly love are enshrined within this box-shaped clock. A touching and heartwarming exhibit meant to celebrate and memorialise a new start for her mother, Raffles Press would like to extend our congratulations to Natasha’s hardworking mother for starting full-time work in an office after more than two decades.
50by50 also marks the Year 5s’ first exhibition, a great way to showcase their talents and a glimpse of what we can look forward to from the Raffles Photographers in the year to come. In contrast with their seniors’ boxed artworks, the Year 5s were tasked with experimenting with a different aspect of photography — Light Painting, a photographic technique involving moving a light source while taking a long exposure photograph. While each of their works tells a story on its own, what stood out most was the contrast of glowing colours against dark backgrounds. Their works were individually stunning, and looked even better as a whole.
Light painting works by the Year 5 photographers
Both Timothy Low (19S06L) and Tian Ruiying (19S05B) felt grateful and accomplished to have had their original works put up for the public to view. Ruiying added that the exhibition had served to motivate her to improve her skills through CCA sessions and further practice. She also praised the seniors’ pieces of art as amazing, creative and inspiring. There is no doubt that the Year 5 batch will continue to work hard, explore new photography forms, and present yet more outstanding pieces in time to come.
Other than covering events and taking photographs of you, for you, the Raffles Photographers are also talented artists who have brought their own unique visions and ideas to the local art scene. We thoroughly enjoyed viewing the works they created for this splendid exhibition, and look forward to visiting more of RPS’ exhibitions in the future. We wish them all the best for their future showcases in the years to come.
By Lynn Hong (18A13A), Zhu Xiuhua (18S06A) and Soh Ying Qi (18A01C)
Photos courtesy of Xi Wenhan (19S07A) and Alyssa Marie Loo (19A13A)
If upon entering Joyden Hall on the evening of Friday, 25 May, you’d assumed that you’d somehow wandered onto the scene of a Fashion Week, you’d easily have been forgiven. In the span of 12 hours, the venue had been transformed into a glittering fashion paradise, complete with a full-length runway and rows of empty seats waiting to be filled.
As attendees waited for the show to begin, the air thick with anticipation, they milled around an exhibition featuring that night’s collections. Using photographs and cutouts mounted on individual boards, designers treated audience members to a tantalising preview of their work before the models took the stage.
Photo exhibits outside the hall showing the design process
The atmosphere was electric as we took our seats, thrumming with bass beats and the excited chatter of the audience.
The titular runway
Finally, the lights dimmed and a hush fell. A spotlight pierced the darkness. With that, the show officially began.
One by one, we saw our schoolmates transformed into near-professional models, poised and confident as they strutted down the runway. Each item was carefully choreographed, from every fabric and detail on the garments, to the pauses and poses in the models’ walk, to the music.
The playlist for the evening was distinctive, featuring a variety of genres and beats that blended together almost seamlessly (no pun intended), complementing the theme of each new collection. As with so many other aspects of the show, this, too, had been meticulously curated to accompany the centrepiece of the evening.
As model after model took the stage, cheers rose from the audience in support—a heartening sight, given that walking the runway and offering oneself to the world (and doing it in style) requires no small amount of confidence. Each model certainly had it in spades (not least after months of practice), and the dozens of different looks were paraded boldly down the runway.
A model making her way down
Of course, the true stars of the show were those we did not see: the designers waiting backstage, watching their blood, sweat and tears being displayed in front of a massive audience. When they appeared from backstage at the end of the show, the clapping turned into raucous applause of appreciation that seemed to fill the enormous hall.
Afterward, the audience was treated to Runway’s Behind the Scenes videos, with snippets of the design process, the model trainings and photoshoot. Chronicling the months of work behind just one night of glitz and glamour, it drew laughs from the audience as we saw the unflappable models bumble and stumble while rehearsing their walk, and the camera crew—staffed by Film Society—hard at work.
Before the night officially drew to a close, Ms Janissa Soh, teacher in-charge of Raffles Runway, posed a question to the audience: “Is RPROJ a product or a process?” The answer was obvious. “The product is easily one that is glitzy and glamorous with the bright lights and the snazzy flamboyant music, but putting together a show is much more than that. The hours of planning and coordination between members and student models is one thing, but the challenge of managing unplanned complications and the sudden pressure of having to make snap decisions that would make or break the show, the awkwardness of having to face each other and still work together after moments of tension or conflict. These scenarios are not part of a regular H2 subject.”
This message was successfully conveyed to the audience. Many found the show “enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing” and sang praises about the song choices which were a perfect accompaniment to the models strutting down the runway. But beyond that, members of the audience also commented that they could “see the effort behind the glitzy outfits”.
It was this behind-the-scenes process, beyond those five previous minutes where months of work culminated in a single flashbang of glitter and glory, that Runway wanted to share with the audience. Through their photo exhibits and behind-the-scenes videos, Runway managed to convey this understanding to the entire audience. We saw their painstaking attention to detail, their exacting standards and the time and effort they poured into the showcase, all to bring an aesthetic sensibility from idea to reality. Runway showed us that they are more than just dazzling lights and pretty clothes, and for that reason RPROJ 2018 was a run(a)way success.
By Claire Zhai (19S03B) and Shervon Lee (19S06A)
Photographs by Jiang Jin Liang (19S06N) of the Raffles Photographic Society
In their 2018 CCA preview, featured on “Word of Mouth” earlier this year, Raffles Ultimate pledged to achieve their ultimate goal: attaining the championship title at the annual Inter-JCs. It seemed a hefty vow at the time. But on the 2nd and 3rd of June, it was finally fulfilled. Facing formidable opponents, Raffles Ultimate put up an immensely tough fight, and eventually emerged champions for this year’s season.
To most students, the Raffles Ultimate players might be more commonly known as the ones who are perpetually throwing frisbees in the amphitheatre, be it early in the morning, in between breaks, or late into the evening. It may seem unbelievable to some of us how anyone could be so dedicated to a sport, but this is testament to the hard work the team pours into the sport they love. As Captain Nicole Lee (18S06I) recalled, “There were many points where we were disillusioned and lost hope of the championship. But we still continued pushing ourselves, fighting our hardest for each other.”
Raffles Ultimate players swamped in mud.
This year’s Inter-JCs was held at the Grand Lawn at West Coast Park, but due to heavy rains the night prior to the competition, the field was transformed into a mass of mud and grass — definitely not the ideal conditions for a frisbee match. The frisbee players were not accustomed to the ankle-deep mud which hindered their movement and made it even more tiring to run. Nonetheless, they remained fast on their feet, their throws deft and precise.
At around 9am, the matches began, with mounting pressure on the teams to perform. However, all apprehension proved unnecessary as the J2 team’s unbeatable strength prevailed, with the team winning all 4 matches of the day, securing a clear victory of 11-4 against Eunoia Junior College, 13-1 against Anglo Chinese Junior College, 10-2 against Anderson Junior College, and lastly 13-0 against their juniors, the J1 Raffles Ultimate team. Saturday, while a good start to the 2-day long tournament, left the players drained as they prepared for a good night’s rest before another physically and emotionally demanding day.
J1 Hadi (19S07C) reaching past the defender to make a pass.
A light drizzle on a bright Sunday morning saw Ultimate players decked out in their respective school colours, already warming up and throwing discs. Raffles Ultimate, in green and bright yellow, split into two teams: the J1s and the J2s, both preparing to play their respective matches of the day.
The J1s were beginners with only 3 months of experience, and despite not earning a title, they reflected that playing against other teams, some of which had been together for over a year, was an eye-opening experience. Watching them walk off the field caked in mud and sweat, it was undeniable that they had given their all. Just as their seniors had bounced back stronger from the previous year’s Inter-JCs, it is with much anticipation that we witness how they will perform next year.
J1s giving it their all in the game.
J2s, on the other hand, began the day with stretching and a set of drills on the muddy fields. It was a momentous day; the culmination of their efforts over the past year. Soon after, the quarterfinals and semifinals were well underway, and our J2s continued their winning streak, emerging 13-1 against Innova Junior College (quarter-finals), and 10-2 against St Andrew’s Junior College (semi-finals).
Afternoon came, and the finals steadily approached. Raffles Ultimate was set to compete against the Pioneer Junior College team. The two schools were no strangers, having been pitted against each other in the finals for three consecutive years, with the championship title in 2016 and 2017 going to Pioneer Junior College. Supporters and Ultimate players from different JCs surrounded the field, and with a pull, the hour-long arduous fight to champions began.
J2s making a quick pass in the ankle-deep mud.
The first point, scored by PJC, drew cheers from the crowd, but Raffles Ultimate was not deterred. Despite constantly slipping and falling, they picked themselves up and continued running in the ankle-deep mud. Adjusting their throwing speeds and constantly adapting to the bad field conditions, they finally managed to equalise. Points continued to be won on both sides, every frisbee caught in the scoreline igniting shouts of both celebration and encouragement.
The mud seemed even more gruelling by the time the last point was in play. Raffles managed to pull ahead to 7-5, with PJC still putting in all they had to catch up. The last point eventually went to PJC, but it was not enough to bring them back to champions. A flurry of screams resounded in the fields as the Raffles Ultimate players from the sidelines jumped in joy and relief. It was truly an emotional moment for Raffles Ultimate, as they let their achievement sink in. For the first time in four years, Raffles Ultimate was once again crowned as champions.
An emotional moment for the team after their victory.
Throughout the two days, Raffles Ultimate had no shortage of supporters. Despite the humid weather and muddy fields, friends and family of the team put away their complaints as they waded through the mud, coming together to cheer for the players. With the J2s finally attaining the title of champions amidst fierce competition, everyone congregated as a huge group in the field, overjoyed and filled with gratitude.
Pride and joy at their hard-earned victory.
One of the most laudable aspects of Ultimate Frisbee is known as “Spirit of the Game”. In Ultimate, all players are responsible for administering and adhering to the rules – which means that players referee their own game. This is taken seriously by all players as Spirit of the Game is fundamental to the integrity of the sport. What shines through is the immense honesty involved and the commendable mutual respect that players have for each other. It is not just a game about triumph and glory (so often associated with Raffles Ultimate); it is also a game about teamwork and sportsmanship, about consideration and respect amidst intense competition, about persevering despite all the odds being pitted against you.
Raffles Ultimate J2s throwing a teammate with laughter and happiness.
Captain Nicole Lee sums it up well: “There is no pain or joy like the one Raffles Ultimate can give.” With that, Raffles Press congratulates Raffles Ultimate on their hard-earned and well deserved championship title.
At the 67th minute, five Croatian defenders look on, helpless, as Mbappe drives the ball past them into the net, 25 yards from goal. Three goals up, France is going to win. But you cannot tell Luka Modric and his team that. At 4-1 it looks impossible to everyone but them. They are relentless, pummeling the French goal, demanding, roaring to be let in. Barely two minutes later Mandzukic makes a defiant run, racing Lloris down till they are toe to toe in front of the goal. He nicks a loose touch off Lloris, and puts it past him. As if to say, it’s not over yet.
In all three knockout rounds against Denmark, Russia and England, they have come from behind, pushing into extra time and penalties. If there is any team to upend the odds, to grind possibility into existence with sheer grit, it is the Croatians.
Croatia create chances – ending the match with more than twice the number of French shots on goal – but the French defense holds. They are not the most expensive side in the tournament for nothing, later to be lauded by pundits as “brilliant, contrary, insolent, dazzling”. But Croatia do not know that. They will run and challenge and reach for every last ball, but it is not to be. You see it in their eyes in the dying minutes of added time, that they know it is done.
In the aftermath of the final whistle, the Croatians are strewn forlorn across the field. Some topple onto the pitch, head in their hands. Some stand, hands on hips or arms around their teammates, struggling for purchase on the reality of this end to their valiant campaign. Their red-rimmed eyes are vacant, searching.
Modric looks haunted, shoulders hunched and headband askew. In a game increasingly dominated by superstars who draw salaries approaching the GDPs of small “third-world” nations, this World Cup has been a reassertion that football is a team sport. The teams built on the brilliance of one man have been dealt decisive exits – Argentina seemed to be waiting for a miracle from their messiah to salvage their campaign, and Portugal was not saved by the mechanical precision of CR7.
And yet, if there is vindication for the notion of a star player, it is Modric. Say what you will about his conduct off the pitch – through the tournament the captain has lifted his team and his nation of 4.2 million to a footballing dream, far beyond their wildest imaginations. He has been infatigable, talismanic even, covering more distance and playing more minutes than any other player in the tournament. He has shown his quality, but as he accepted his individual honour of the Golden Ball, he could barely lift a smile. It is not what he came for. “I’m proud of this achievement, but I would be a lot happier if we won the World Cup”, he offers, pensive but composed in his post-match interview.
This mentality of team before self has been a hallmark of the Croatian team, rebooted under Zlatko Dalic. Taking over only 8 months before the tournament, he has been credited for reforming a wayward team culture. “From day one, I have celebrated solidarity and unity, because the teams that didn’t have this have already gone home.” And Dalic is willing to walk the talk – when striker Nikola Kalinic refused to come on as a substitute in the opening match against Nigeria, he was put on a flight home.
There is a steel in Dalic. “Nothing was given to me on a plate, unlike some coaches in Europe, who get big jobs on the back of their names as players,” he says. His start was humble, an assistant coaching position in Varteks in 2000, before taking the road less travelled to ply his trade in Saudi Arabia. Working his way up the ranks, he came to coach two of the biggest teams in the region, Al Hilal and Al Ain, reaching the final of the Asian Champions League with the latter. “I’ve always taken the harder path and had to fight for everything”, he says of himself.
And who could be more fit to lead a team of fighters? The senior players’ childhoods were spent in the shadow of the Balkan War and the tumult of early independence. At 6 years old, Luka Modric was a refugee, losing his grandfather and his home to Serbian militants. In extra time against England, Dalic did not make any substitutions, not because he refused to, but because his players would not let him. “I wanted to make substitutions earlier because I knew they were tired and hurt, but every time I tried, the players on the pitch told me they were fine, they felt fine,” he explained. “So how could I do it? How could I tell them that what they felt was not real?”
“I wanted to make substitutions earlier because I knew they were tired and hurt, but every time I tried, the players on the pitch told me they were fine, they felt fine.”
This is the strength they wear, even in defeat. It is a bitter pill to swallow. “We have been so close and that it is not easy”, admits Modric. So they will throw a line or two about the VAR, about the penalty decision in their comments, but they will never stoop so low as to cast aspersion on the referee or the winning team. Dalic and his men are a class act to the very end: “We were dignified in our victories and we must be dignified in defeat, we have to respect the scoreline.”
As the World Cup fever dies down, we will ask: what now? France’s championship-winning squad boasts the second-youngest average age in the tournament – for them, the future is bright. Only the third man to win the World Cup as a coach and a player, Didier Deschamp gets his double. But for many of Croatia’s team, what looks to be their last chance has slipped through their fingers. Modric and Mandzukic will be 36, Rakitic will be 34 and Perisic 33. The pundit tries to soften the blow with a reference to the 33 year old Ronaldo, but perhaps there is little that can take the edge off this defeat.
“With what we did, we leave with our heads held high”
“We fought until the end, we didn’t give up, not even at 4-1”, Modric concludes. Though sport ultimately operates in a binary of success and failure, this final was so much more than its score line. “With what we did, we leave with our heads held high” – and what greater consolation is there, for Luka Modric and his men, to have dreamed and despaired with every blistering inch of ambition in them, even if this is not the fairytale ending they wanted? They are clapped onstage by a French guard of honour to receive their silver medals, a team, in tenacity of spirit and sheer force of belief, second to none.
