Raffles Junior College (RJC for short, or RJ as most Rafflesians call it) is a premier co-educational government junior college in Singapore offering a two-year course for students. It is located in Bishan beside the campus of Raffles Institution. It consistently ranked tops among Singaporean junior colleges, until the ranking of junior colleges was discontinued in 2004. However, at least 95% of graduates attend university, many of them on scholarships.
History
RJC was formed in 1982 to provide Pre-University classes which were then discontinued in RI, in keeping with national trends. Since then, it has excelled in both academic and non-academic fields, developing "fine traditions and excellent spirit". There is a distinct school spirit, termed the Rafflesian Spirit, which bonds Rafflesians near and far, past and present, in common purpose and determination. It is as yet unknown if the Spirit is indeed an actual spirit, or merely a metaphorical one.
School Song
Unlike most normal schools, Raffles Junior College calls its school song the "College Anthem" It was written by E W Jesudason (Headmaster of RI 1963-1966), and retained by Raffles Junior College since it was born from the bosom of RI.
Auspicium Melioris Aevi
When Stamford Raffles held the torch
That cast Promethean Flame
We faced the challenge of the day
To give our school a name
The eagle eye and gryphon strength
They led us to the fore
To reign supreme in ev'ry sphere
The sons of Singapore
Come heed the call Rafflesians all
And let our hearts be stirring
We'll do our best whate'er test
And keep our colours flying
Let comradeship and fervent hope
With one voice make us pray
Auspicium Melioris Aevi
With God to guide the way
Affiliation
RJC is affiliated with Raffles Institution and Raffles Girls' School (Secondary). It shares its school anthem, school crest and much of its school culture with the former. The uniform for RJC boys is largely similar to that of RI boys, with the main differences lying in the pleat at the back of the shirt, the single fold at the end of the sleeves and the thickness of the material of the shirt. RJC girls wear a white blouse with a green pleated skirt. The school badge, however, is marginally taller than the RI badge. In addition, a third of its 2001 intake was from RI and a quarter from RGS. Still, the students generally come from diverse backgrounds.
On 29 December 2004, RJC held its moving ceremony from its previous Mount Sinai campus to Bishan Street 21 beside RI, enlisting the help of the RI student population to line the pavement leading to the new campus, strengthening the bonds between the two schools. The two schools now run open concept campuses, where no fences separate the two campuses. Facilities between the schools are shared in terms of CCA, and students of both schools may access both campuses. Both schools also share a common driveway with vehicles going to both schools entering through the RI gate and exiting through the RJC gate.
RJC is currently involved in the Raffles Programme, an Integrated Programme which takes students all the way from Secondary 1 to JC2, skipping the GCE 'O' Level Examinations. Students spend the first 4 years in RI or RGS, and the last 2 in RJC.
When the students of the first batch of RP (Raffles Programme) enter RJC in 2006, its enrolment would increase from 2150 to 2850. Most of the students would then be from RI and RGS, who will gain direct admission to RJC.
Distinguished Alumni
- Hu, Yuxuan
- Huang, Phillips ("King of Organic Chemistry")
- Lau, Jasmine
- Lin, Daoxun
- Yong, Gen
- Ho, Ying Chiat
- Lam, Shiling
- Chu, Ci
- Ong, Dominic
- Chen, Sheryl
External links
Last updated: 05-21-2005 19:30:56
