JUNYUAN SCHOOL Shining the Spotlight on CCAS

Shining the Spotlight on CCASHigHligHting some of our key CCA ACHievements in tHis issue

introduCing...tChoukbAll!The experience of being a national player has been life changing for me. To be able to represent the country in doing what you love is truly a blessing. I have made many friends through tchoukball, and have experienced several bitter defeats and sweet victories. One of the things I’ve learnt in tchoukball is the importance of teamwork. Together, we trained and encouraged one another to excel towards a common goal.

This year’s national ‘B’ division inter school tournament would have to be one of my most memorable victories. This year was the first time that the school supported our intention to participate in a National tournament and I can say with pride that we did not let the school down. This win was unexpected as our school team had only two months to pick up the sport and master it as much as we could, since the team comprises players with zero experience of tchoukball. We persevered and battled against all odds in the tournament, with every game being a close fight. I am honoured and grateful for the opportunity that the school has given to form and lead the team and of course leaving behind a title for future batches of tchoukball team to follow.

JùnYuánTo Nurture and Empower Every Junyuan Champ to Lead, to Serve and to Excel

Co-Curricular Activities have been an integral part of the Singapore education system for well over a century. Forerunners of National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Boys’ Brigade units can be traced back all the way to 1901. In 1999, these hitherto-named ‘Extra-Curricular Activities’ were rebranded as ‘Co-Curricular Activities’, a name change that reflected how essential they were to students’ holistic learning and development. In Junyuan, CCAs remain a core part of our curriculum alongside traditional academic subjects. The CCAs that we offer give students opportunities to develop their talents and interests across a broad range of physical, cognitive, and aesthetic domains, and many have made lifelong friends along the way. So it’s our pleasure to focus on our CCAs in this issue.

April - June 2016Issue 2JUNYUAN

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Newsletter 2016 � Junyuan Secondary School | 1

Our Girls’ Brigade Unit achieved the Gold Award and Sustained Gold 2015. This award was presented to them in April. The Unit also achieved Silver for the first time this year in the Pioneer and Senior category Drill Competition. Well done, GB Girls!

Isaac Tan with the Singapore Tchoukball team. The team emerged Champions in the Asia Pacific Youth Championship in the M18 category. His team comprised players from Bendemeer Sec, Ping Yi Sec, Ngee Ann Poly and Singapore Poly.

Junyuan’s Tchoukball team came in as Champions in the ‘B’ Division inter school tournament this year. Congratulations!

For more information about Tchoukball, scan this QR code!

By Isaac Tan Wei Hao (5N2)

2 | Junyuan Secondary School � Newsletter 2016

CelebrAting our AChieVeMentSValedictorian speechBy Jennifer Makaria (4E1 2015)

Looking back at the two years I spent in Junyuan, I realised that I have grown stronger not only academically, but also socially. Together with my entire cohort, I learned what it took to live together as a community and to build true friendships. This was apparent through the Secondary 3 Camp to Malaysia that the school organised for us. It was through this rich experience that I had gotten to know more about my friends and schoolmates. The days we spent as a cohort left a deep impression on my mind. Not only that, the bond I cultivated with my fellow classmates meant a lot to me. I learned what it means to forgive when I was hurt, and to apologize when I hurt others; I learned how to lend a hand to those who were weak and to humble myself to ask for help when I was in need; I also learned to share my joy and sorrow with others. Truly, the years I spent in Junyuan have been an important period of time in my life. My teachers and friends taught me to strive for the best, defend my integrity, care and love others. Those life lessons became my life principles and will surely serve to guide me in future. Congratulations to all award winners of 2015!

reCognition & AWArDs DAy 2015

In perfect harmony: the award-winning Junyuan choir.

Our Symphonic Band playing to ‘March Blue Sky’.

The team of modern dancers danced to a mash-up of today’s popular hits.

Members of the school basketball team demonstrating their skills in an innovative performance.

leAding FroM the FrontstuDent CounCil investiture

Speech by the President of 12th Student Council

To me, leadership is about the ability to lead a group with influence and a vision or an aim in improving our inner-self or people’s experiences in different situations. Being a student councillor for almost 2 years has really made me a better leader with a better understanding of what leadership means to me. What I have held very close to my heart has been the school values, which have been helpful in developing not only my leadership skills but also my own character. Resilience especially has been a value that I treasure greatly. Every time we go through challenges, it is important to remember that behind every cloud there is a silver lining. This has something that has been imparted to me not only from my seniors and fellow councillors, but also my classmates and CCA friends.

Now, having been given this wonderful opportunity, I wish to reach out and work more closely with all of you. I hope that the Council will be able to communicate better with you and that the sharing of different ideas between us will also be effective. We would then be able to learn more about all of you in the process. As a student leader, I will also aim to champion your needs as an additional channel of communication between you, the student body and the teachers and management of the school. Once again, I would like to thank everyone for their confidence in me. I will endeavour to do my best for you and I and sincerely wish that we would be able to work well together.

MAking our MArk on An internAtionAl SCAleWe are happy to hear of the achievements of our alumni and one of them is Goi Jia Jian, from the Class of 2012. Jia Jian received the Lee Kuan Yew award in April this year, an accolade given to the top technology or computer science graduates in each of the polytechnics. One of his most significant achievements in Temasek Polytechnic was a group project for the Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition, called Mozter – an automated mosquito surveillance platform that can reduce mosquito-borne diseases like dengue by tracking and eradicating mosquitoes using the Internet of Things technologies. The group won the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2015 World Citizenship Category Singapore Finals. They went on to compete in the Asia Pacific round and topped that too. They then represented the region in the world finals of the Imagine Cup in Seattle, Washington where they emerged first runner-up. Following this, the team won the Singapore IT Federation Gold Award as well as the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance 2015 merit award.

My time in Junyuan has been an amazing one and I am very grateful to my teachers who were there for all of us. I consider myself a late bloomer. I wasn’t doing very well until Secondary 3 where I scored my first A1 in Additional Mathematics - that really inspired me to work very hard. I also took part in the Boys’ Brigade, and I think that being a member of the Uniformed Group CCA has taught me about leadership, confidence, overcoming mental hurdles and character building. Goi Jia Jian (4E3 2012)

tAlentS on ShoW

CCA perForMAnCeSStrumming For SuccessBy Kelly Khoo Jia Hui (3E2)

The Guitar Ensemble performed at the Esplanade on 30 June 2016. We performed “Viva La Vida” by the British alternative rock band Coldplay, “The Godfather, Speak Softly, Love” which is the theme song of the famous 1972 box-office, “La Cumparsita” by Gerald Matos Rodriguez, “Save the Last Dance for Me” by The Drifters, “Quein Sera” which is a famous instrumental Mexican song by Dean Martin and “Bunga Sayang” which is a contemporary local hit by our local musician, Dick Lee. Our instructors Mr Ang Dun Hao and Mr Eugene Lee also performed a duet called “Brisa Marina” by Eythor Thorlaksson.

This was a great experience for us. We only had a short time to learn these few songs but we still managed to pull it off well. This made me feel that we can accomplish anything if we put in our 100%. This event has built up my confidence as I was also the emcee for the event. As the Guitar President, I feel that discipline and teamwork are crucial in putting together a good performance. I do hope that we would be given more opportunities to perform in public soon.

In my first ever solo performance in front of an audience, I sang “Love The Way You Lie” by Eminem and Rihanna. The main reason for performing on stage is because one of my Malay teachers encouraged me to join. As much as I thought that I wouldn’t make it, I decided to give it a shot.

After the performance, I felt relieved that it was finally over. I knew that I made a couple of mistakes during the performance. However, kudos came quickly as many people congratulated me for my performance. In the next performance, I hope more of our Junyuan students would come forward to perform, for example, a violin solo, or a piano-singer duet. The possibilities for new and exciting performances are truly endless.

By Eusuf B Shah Idil (4E1)

Eusuf (4E1) performing on the Stage@JY.


The Sweet Sound Of MusicJunyuan Choir performing at the Orientale Concentus IX International Choral Festival, SingaporeBy Yang Yu Xin (3E1)

Our school choir performed at the International Choral Festival this year. We had extra practices and worked hard to give our best during the performance. We had to learn songs of another language such as French, German, Italian and Malay. In our preparation, we realised that some of us are more proficient in the pronunciation of some of these words and that brought us closer as we taught one another the words with the help of our teacher.

tHe stAge@Jy

CongrAtulAtionS to the FolloWing CCAS!NPCC provided me with the opportunity to discover myself. During my four years in NPCC, I was given the chance and space to develop my character and leadership skills. Most importantly, it taught me the importance of teamwork. There were definitely times when I felt like giving up but with the continuous support and encouragement from my officers and fellow squadmates, I was able to pull through. To me, NPCC is like a big family, who is always there for me and I am truly grateful and thankful towards my officers and fellow squadmates. Towards the end of my time in NPCC as a cadet, I was truly honoured to be awarded the prestigious SPF-NPCC award. I felt that I was being recognised further for what I have done over the past few years and if I were to start all over again, NPCC would still remain as my first choice.

By Tan Jeng Weng (4E4)

Junyuan’s NPCC achieved GOLD in the Unit Overall Proficiency Award 2015.


Tan Jeng Weng (4E4) pictured here with her award.

It was an eye-opening experience for the students as they were able to see the land use areas in Singapore as a whole.

SeCondArY 1 geogrAphiCAl inVeStigAtion

As part of the Geographical Investigation (G.I.) project on the topic of Housing, secondary 2E and 2N(A) students went on learning journeys to the HDB Gallery Hub and the City Gallery at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre. During the learning journeys, students were immersed in an interactive environment at the galleries, which deepened their understanding on the design and development of Singapore’s public housing through the decades. Students then applied the knowledge gained to their G.I. projects on housing. It was indeed a fruitful learning experience for the students!

We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Junyuan’s NCC Unit as they have attained the Gold Award for the NCC Best Unit Competition 2015!

It is an honour to receive the Outstanding Cadet Award as only 15 cadets in the district are given this award. I am happy to know that my efforts and contribution to the Unit in JYSS have been recognised by HQ NCC, the commanders of the organisation as well as the Teacher Officers in school. I would like to thank my fellow cadet officers and teachers who have been supporting and encouraging me since I entered NCC in Secondary One. By Dylan Tan Hong Siang (4E1)

Dylan Tan, receiving the award from Brigadier General (Ret) Goh Kee Nguan.

building reSilienCe in StudentS

seConDAry tHree CAmp


seConDAry tWo CAmp

Abseiling, orienteering, tent pitching and rafting were just some of the exciting activities that the Secondary Two students participated in. Students had a chance to build confidence, be resilient, work as a team and build effective communication skills. The camp took place at the Boys Brigade and Girls’ Brigade Adventure Campsite for two nights from 30 March to 1 April 2016.

Survival cooking - being their own chefs outdoors.

This overseas learning journey entitled “Cultural Experience and Leadership Training Camp”, is one of our key programmes for overseas cultural exchange and leadership development. Besides cultural immersion, students took part in team bonding activities which not only allowed them to interact with villagers but also learnt more about Malay traditional craft and music. During the three-day, two-night camp at Kota Rainforest Resort, Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia, students were also given opportunities to work with their teammates, test their leadership skills and build their mental strength. This unique experience of cultural learning and leadership opportunity was definitely an enriching and transformational experience.

We’re all in this together: Sec 3s demonstrating teamwork

Hey it’s a camera! Kway Zay Htet (3N3) giving a smile despite the wet conditions

Follow the leader: A fun team-building game!

WordS WordS WordS: elite 2016 & Art FeStiVAlOn 20 May, Junyuan celebrated the beauty of the written word at ELite, the English Language Festival. This year, the festival was especially special as it was celebrated in conjunction with Junyuan’s Arts Festival, titled ‘OWN’. 2016 also marked 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare, possibly the world’s greatest ever writer. To commemorate all three events, students gathered in the hall to illustrate quotes from Shakespeare on giant cloth banners.

The Festival also saw classes go head-to-head in inter-class competitions designed to use English in a fun and engaging manner. A hot favourite was the Taboo game, where students had to describe words without using associated ‘taboo’ (forbidden) words. There was much laughter as students tried to be as creative as possible in order to claim victory.

ELite 2016 was a resounding success and we look forward to the next one in 2017!

sports festivAl

An englisH lAnguAge festivAl in CollAborAtion WitH tHe Art DepArtment

FASter, higher, Stronger


Junyuan students don’t just work hard, they play hard too! Ruggedness and good physical fitness are the core aims of the school and the annual Sports Festival allows students to achieve these aims in a fun and vibrant environment. The day culminated in an inter-house staff tournament of Captain’s Ball, where our Principal, Mr Razali, donned his sports gear to participate, showing impressive strength and agility on court! In the end, it was Elbrus who emerged as the champion house of 2016.

Dodgeball - a high energy, fast paced sport that many students enjoyed watching.

The staff tournament drew a roaring crowd too!

Students finding creative words in a game of Mad Libs.Trying to illustrate the name of Shakespeare’s most famous romantic hero.

beYond borderS

CulturAl iMMerSion

I feel that the most memorable moment about this trip was that I managed to make new friends and participate in fun activities with them. We were also able to work closely with the young Thai cadets despite the language barrier.

By Jonas Low Kai Zhe (3E4)


HumAnities overseAs leArning Journey for seConDAry tHree stuDents

It was a sunny day in June when we left Singapore for Chiang Mai, Thailand for our Humanities Overseas Learning Journey. We hope to learn more about the culture there as well as to visit the different archeological sites. The most memorable place for us was definitely the Doi Suthep Temple, where we learnt about the different Thai religious practices as well as the history of the temple itself. We also visited some of Chiang Mai’s most interesting geographical features, including waterfalls and Doi Inthanon, the highest point in all of Thailand! Perhaps most movingly, we visited a local orphanage, where we spent some time interacting with the children there. We learnt to be more appreciative of what we have back home in Singapore.

By Charlene Jiang Jia’En & Tay Ming Wei (3E3)

Khairul Zharfan (3N2) and Afiq Rahman (3E4) engaging in a colouring activity with the children, using the books they brought over.

uniformeD group CCAs HeAD to bAngkok for tHe AnnuAl ug CAmp

There was also a VIA component during the trip, which was to visit patients in a children’s hospital and giving them tokens and words of encouragement.

Students from NPCC, SJAB and NCC teaching the children some simple First Aid skills.

Boxes of clothes and books were donated to the orphanage.

Collaborating on a task with the young Thai cadets.

Editorial team:Ms Nurliyana ZainudinMr Makoto Kawaguchi

Photo Acknowledgements:

11 Tampines Street 84 Singapore 528933Phone: (65) 6587 3683/84 Fax: (65) 6587 3682 Email: [email protected]

The great Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi once remarked that ‘Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.’ Gandhi’s words are a sobering reminder that we live on an ailing planet, one full of disease and pollution. To promote a greater sense of environmental consciousness among Junyuanites, the Science Department organised a range of activities to commemorate Earth Day this year. Lower Secondary students were given the opportunity to visit static booths set up by the National Environment Agency, where they learnt more about the importance of saving the Earth. They also visited Changi Airport to apply science and math concepts on a learning trail. The Upper Secondary, meanwhile, demonstrated their innovative skills by working to create non-toxic cleaners using substances such as lemon juice and baking soda, in lieu of using harmful corrosive chemicals such as chlorine bleach and ammonia.

Last April, our Secondary 3NA and 3NT students went on a learning journey to the Singapore Discovery Centre. They visited the ASEAN Pulse Exhibition to learn more about the 10 ASEAN country pavilions and discovered the diverse range of goods that each country produces for the region and the global market. It was an engaging exhibit, with interactive panels and even a hands-on session for the students to play some board games that centred on themes of nation-building.

Magnus Chase and The Sword of Summer is a marvelous book that keeps readers engrossed throughout the whole story. It was written by the creator of ‘Percy Jackson’, Rick Riordan. However, it takes a darker and mature turn compared to its more famous counterpart. The narration is top notch, and the characters all have different and diverse personalities. One major factor of Rick Riordan’s books is the use of mythology. In ‘Sword of Summer’, he makes the lesser-known Norse mythology just as interesting and entertaining as any Greek myth he has ever written about. Overall, Sword of Summer is a great book and whether you are a Rick Riordan fan or not, this book is sure to thrill you.

Book review by : Xavier Tan Wen Hong 2E1

todAY A reAder, toMorroW A leAder

going greeneArtH DAy 2016

Some experimenting was needed to produce a chemical that was strong enough to clear stubborn stains.

One of the interesting activities we participated in at the Discovery Centre was a game called Enterprise Quest. We were split into groups and given a sum of money in different currencies. The objective of the game was to set up trades and invest our money wisely. The team with the most money at the end of the game wins. I found the game quite enjoyable and I definitely learnt more about the importance of the economy to Singapore.

Dani Zuhaily (3T1)

plAYing A pArt in nAtion-building A nAtionAl eDuCAtion Journey At tHe singApore DisCovery Centre

Learning through play - students learning more about nation-building while playing innovative board games.

Students from Infocomm ClubICT Department

Mr Farouq Abdul AzizMr Feraj Amzah

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JUNYUAN SCHOOL Shining the Spotlight on CCAS