By Abigail Ang (18S06B), Soh Ying Qi (18A01C), Phang Yeu Yeou (19A01A), Caryn Chiah (19A01A) and Alyssa Marie Loo (19A13A)
Photos courtesy of Han Ying Jie (18A01E) of Raffles Photographic Society
The Batch of 2017 streamed into the Multi-Purpose Hall in the hour before this year’s A-Level results release. As the venue grew more crowded, the anticipation and apprehension became palpable. Conversations between friends were lively but tinged with anxiety, and traces of nervousness could be found on nearly every J3’s face. “It was an emotional day for many,” said Duncan Lam (17S03K).
After a rousing chorus of the Institution Anthem, principal Mr Frederick Yeo revealed the commendable results of the Batch of 2017, noting an especially strong performance in History and Knowledge and Inquiry (KI) this year to much cheering and applause. Whilst commending the J3s for their achievements, Mr Yeo also reminded students who may not have achieved their hoped-for scores that “scores do not define you, scores do not define self-worth. Talent is multifaceted.”
He then advised students to take time after collecting their results to speak to their teachers and parents about their options and reflect upon “what your next step is”. He also encouraged everyone to be “confident and optimistic as [they] moved forward”.
The individual collection of A-Level results quickly commenced, and many students were seen shedding tears of joy, disappointment or relief.
One such student was Soh Jun Ming (17S06L), whose friend jokingly shared that tears had rolled down his cheeks when he saw his results.
“Basically I thought I messed up my GP, because I wrote off-point,” he said. “But when I saw that I got ‘A’ for GP I was really happy and thankful for the help that I received throughout these 6 years and [for] my parents’ help. It was a very emotional moment.”
Our reporters also observed one student climb onto the MPH stage to scream “Yes!” before walking off.
It was not all pride and glory, however, as some students reported being disappointed or merely “satisfied” with their results. Even so, many students still expressed gratitude for the help of their teachers, friends and parents who supported them throughout their A-Level journey.
“Some people are disappointed with their grades, but they’re disappointed because it doesn’t really reflect their proficiency or their worth,” Ms Lye Su Lin remarked, adding that those who were disappointed with their results “actually haven’t done any less well.”
Whilst the release of the A-Level results is certainly a significant event that is the product of many months of hard work, multiple J3s we spoke to emphasised that achieving distinctions was not the only facet of JC life.
“I played Frisbee before collecting my results and I’m going to play Frisbee again later,” shared Wei Jian (17S03O). “Studying for ‘A’s is not the only part of school. RI has lots of opportunities to offer.” While his love for Frisbee might not be shared by everyone in school, he also remarked that ten years down the road, what would be remembered would not be the results, but the people that you spent time with. This sentiment is shared by many others.
Indeed, while the collection of their A-Level results was undoubtedly their main purpose for returning to school, many students took the opportunity to catch up with their friends and old classmates.
“It’s nice to see my batchmates again. It feels like time hasn’t passed at all, except for the bald heads the guys are sporting now,” Chan Kar Mun (17A01A) quipped.
One female J3, who declined to be named, also shared that she found it difficult to believe how much time had passed since graduation. “I don’t know what I feel, it feels really surreal.”
Having gone through what many consider the most academically rigorous two years of their education, the J3s have much to be proud of, regardless of their results. As Duncan Lam (17S03K) put it, “it’s also important to remember that even though we’re Rafflesians, not all of us are going to get distinctions and that’s okay.”
We at Raffles Press would like to wish the Batch of 2017 all the best in their future endeavours!