Tampines Junior College
| Tampines Junior College 淡滨尼初级学院 Maktab Rendah Tampines |
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Aim and Achieve
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| Location | |
| Tampines, | |
| Information | |
| Type | Government |
| Established | 1986 |
| Session | full |
| School code | 0709 |
| Principal | Ms Helen Choo Chieh Chen |
| Enrolment | Approx. 1,800 |
| Colour(s) | Green |
| Website | www.tpjc.moe.edu.sg |
Tampines Junior College (Abbreviation: TPJC) is a junior college located in Tampines in the Eastern region of Singapore, offering a two-year course for pre-university students leading up to the GCE 'A' Level examinations. TPJC was founded in 1986, and was the country's 13th junior college to be set up. TPJC has around 150 staff members and a student population of 1,800.[1]
The college is only one of two colleges[2] that offers the Malay Language Elective Programme. Under this programme, students study the Malay language, literature and culture at greater depth; and go on trips to the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia.
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[edit] History
Tampines Junior College, located in Tampines New Town, began functioning as a centre of pre-university education on 11 April 1986. On 20 December 1986, the handing over ceremony marked the completion of Tampines Junior College. In late December, the College moved to its present home at 2 Tampines Avenue 9. Sitting on 6 hectares of land and costing about $18.2 million, Tampines Junior College was the 13th college to be built. The brainchild of P&T Architects,[3] Tampines Junior College received the best-designed college building award in 1988. Despite winning this award, the college has no lifts making it impossible for wheelchair-using or mobility-impaired staff or students to move independently around the college.
On 1 July 1988 the College celebrated its official opening ceremony by Mr Phua Bah Lee, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Defence) and Member of Parliament for Tampines.
The uniform design was the product of the efforts of students and staff, the College Crest was designed by a pioneer student and the lyrics of the anthem were composed by a pioneer teacher, Miss Lilian Chia, to music by Antony Albuquerque.[4]
TPJC celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006. In January 2007, the college introduced Theatre Studies and Drama into the curriculum and is one of the four colleges[5] so far (the other 3 being VJC, ACJC and RJC) to offer this subject.
[edit] College identity
[edit] College motto
"Aim and Achieve"
[edit] College vision
"A leader in every student"
[edit] College mission
"To inspire excellence of achievement, driven by a passion for learning and a zest for life"
[edit] College song
College Song
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[edit] College crest
The name of the College, "Tampines" is prominently displayed on the crest. It has two large stylised letters, JC, which are the initials for Junior College, forming a triangle with a wide base and an apex. The broad, strong base signifies the principle of focusing on the holistic development of the students, upon which the College is founded, while the apex reflects the College motto: "Aim and Achieve," by suggesting the upward thrust (Aim) of continuously working, in all areas of activity, to excel (Achieve).
Gold stands for that quality of excellence which is inherent in all attainments whilst the colour red reflects steadfastness in the determination of the students to achieve this excellence.
[edit] College values
- Integrity
- Commitment
- Teamwork
- Perseverance
- Social Responsibility
- Independent Learning
- Innovation
[edit] Past principals
- Mr Yahya Aljaru, 1986–1992
- Mr Lee Kah Chuen, 1992–1997
- Mrs Susan Chan Yoke Kate, 1997–2002
- Mrs Goh Hwee Choo, 2002–2006
- Ms Helen Choo Chieh Chen, 2007–present
[edit] Academics
[edit] Subjects offered
TPJC is among the few colleges in Singapore that offers the full range of subjects under the new GCE A-Level syllabus introduced in 2006.[6] Under this system, students take 3 H2 content-based subjects and 4 H1 subjects comprising Mother Tongue, Project Work, General Paper and one contrasting subject. Students who wish to challenge themselves academically may take up to 4 H2 content-based subjects.
The college does not prohibit students from taking a particular GCE A-level subject, even if they have less than stellar grades for the subject at the GCE O-level. Instead, with the exception of Physics (which requires extensive prior knowledge at the O-level), students are allowed to pursue subjects they have not previously studied in secondary school, if they pass strict qualifying tests.[7]
Students who wish to take Theatre Studies and Drama have to sit for aptitude tests and undergo interviews.[7] The college has a small cohort of 11 TSD students sitting for the A Level examinations in 2011.
[edit] List of subjects offered
Higher 3 Level Art, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics, Physics, Essentials of Modern Physics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Higher 2 Level Art, Biology, Chemistry, China Studies in English, China Studies in Chinese, Chinese Language and Literature, Computing, Economics, English Literature, Geography, History, Malay Language and Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Tamil Language and Literature, Theatre Studies and Drama
Higher 1 Level Art, Biology, Chinese, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, General Paper, Geography, History, Mathematics, Malay, Physics, Project Work, Tamil
[edit] Special programmes
The college offers the following programmes:
- China Immersion Programme
- High Achievers at TPJC (HAT) Programme
- GEMS Programme
- Malay Language Elective Programme (MLEP)
- Overseas Community Involvement Programme
- Scholarships Programme
- Science Enrichment Programme
- Science and Mathematics Olympiads
- Theatre Studies and Drama Programme
- Active Learning Program for Higher Achievers
[edit] Recent Academic Support Programme
Some of the recent academic programmes (starting from 2009) offered by the college includes:
- STructured Academic Reinforcement (STAR) Programme
- Night Study Programme
- JC2 Intensive Revision (IR) Programme
- JC1 Wednesday Morning Study Programme
[edit] College Facilities
TPJC facilities include seminar rooms, lecture theatres, the Black Box (drama studio) and the auditorium. Dining facilities include the canteen, vending machines, and a cafe named Good News Cafe.
TPJC has a hall for indoor sports and assemblies, as well as a college field that had a S$2 million retrofitting. It has a synthetic pitch.[8] Besides the school field, TPJC also has three basketball courts, two tennis courts, two squash courts, a volleyball court, a netball court, a bouldering wall and a rock-climbing wall. The college has fitness stations located around the campus, equipped with pull-up bars, monkey bars, inclined pull-up bars and sit-up benches for students to exercise at.
[edit] Information technology
[edit] Tpjc.net
There is a college portal for staff and students. All students are given a username and password and can access the site from the first day they are enrolled as students. The portal is used so frequently that the site was ranked 17th in visitor traffic rankings in Singapore from July to August 2007, surpassing popular websites such as the National University of Singapore portal, the eBay website, and Amazon.com.[9]
[edit] The Student Council
The Junior College Student Council, set up in 1986, has a long history of serving the student population and upholding the college's values. The TPJC Council acts as a link between the College Administration and the student body. It is the student representation of the highest standing, subject to the authority of the Principal. The highest office a student can hold in College is that of President of the Student Council, and his/her services are acknowledged by the College.[10]
The college gives priority to the Student Councillors when it comes to talks, seminars, symposiums and conventions. Every year, two councillors from the college represent the school at the Prime Minister's National Day Rally Speech, the Budget speech, and other events of national importance, such as PM Lee Hsien Loong's inauguration at the Istana in 2004. In addition, councillors receive luminaries and other distinguished guests to the College, together with the principal. In 2007; as well as ushers and general helpers at the launch of the European Union's programme for schools in Singapore, with more than 10 ambassadors representing their respective European countries coming down to the college to celebrate this highly anticipated event.[11]
[edit] House System
The house system was begun in 2006; replacing the practice of assigning students to houses based on their stream of study. Each cohort of J1 students is divided into six houses:
- Eagle (red)
- Falcon (orange)
- Hawk (yellow)
- Heron (purple)
- Phoenix (blue)
- Seagull (grey)
Each house is led by a house captain and vice-captain. The house captains also head committees that comprise student representatives drawn from each class under the house.
A track and field meet is held every year at the TPJC stadium where students represent their houses in events. Besides track and field events, students win points for their houses by cheerleading, mascot and flag design competitions.
[edit] College Media
[edit] The TPJC Link
The TPJC Link, originally known as Tplink, is the college's quarterly magazine. Written and managed by a team of student writers, the magazine is distributed to all staff and students for a nominal fee, deducted annually under a general miscellany fee. Since the January–March 2008 issue, the magazine has extended its coverage of college events from a 12 to 16 page spread.
[edit] Tpjcian Magazine
Tpjcian Magazine was established in March 2008 by a second year student, Md Azhar B Aziz. Its student-driven content and use of videos, podcasts and online discussions enables students to find news of campus life and stimulates them intellectually with its articles, reviews and study resources.
The online magazine publishes new content twice or more a week, with editorials on current affairs, essays on General Paper topics, reviews of college's performances and concerts and views on college life. The magazine's editorial policy allows all students to submit their articles for consideration.
The magazine has established a following among online users of the college, breaking ground in June 2008 by being the first website related/linked with a local educational institution to conduct an onsite, real-time discussion on current affairs, open to public users.
[edit] Co-curricular Activities
TPJC is strong in the area of the Performing Arts with niche CCA groups including the Symphonic Band, Choir, Guitar Ensemble, the Chinese Language Debating and Drama Society, Chinese Orchestra, Indian Dance, Modern Dance, Malay Dance, English Drama Club, and more, all of which have gotten awards at the Singapore Youth Festival.
[edit] Student Leadership
- Civic Council
- Student Council
- House Committees
[edit] Performing arts
- Band
Choir The TPJC Choir is one of Singapore's best-known choirs, after the Victoria Junior College Choir. The Choir has achieved a Gold Award at every Singapore Youth Festival since its first appearance in 1993, ending this continuous streak only in 2007.[12]
The Choir holds a sold-out annual public concert, Plaisir De Chanson, or the Joy of Song, and was headed by Nelson Kwei, a local choral director and conductor until April 2008.
- Chinese Orchestra
- CLDDS
Guitar Club The TPJC Guitar Club won a Gold with Honours Award at the Singapore Youth Festival for the 2nd consecutive time in 2007,[13] belying its origins as a club which had difficulty attracting members initially. The club performs at community functions regularly, and last performed at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall in a joint concert with the Band in May 2008.
- Indian Cultural Society
- MLDDS
Modern Dance Club The TPJC Modern Dance Club (MDC) became one of Singapore's premier Junior College dance clubs, after it attained 2 consecutive Gold with Honours awards at both the 2007 and 2009 Singapore Youth Festival.[14] It is one of the few Singapore school dance clubs where both teachers in charge are experienced dance competitors in their own fields (dancesport and salsa). Among the most distinctive features of MDC is the exceptionally close bonding between its members and alumni. The Club currently accepts members regardless of dance experience and promotes a holistic dance education very much in line with the Ministry of Education's guidelines. With enrolment swelling in excess of 80 members (as at Feb 2010) and a fast growing alumni, the Club is in the process of revising its learning programme to cater to the varied needs of its members. Their official blog is at http://www.bigteeth-dance.blogspot.com/
[edit] Clubs and Societies
- Art and Craft Society
- Chess Club
- Chinese Calligraphy Society
- Chinese Pugilistic Society
The Tampines Junior College Gavel Club was the first gavel club to be set up in Singapore.[15] The club was opened on 5 August 2000, paving the way for other clubs to be established, such as the Raffles Junior College and the NUS High School Of Maths and Science Gavel Clubs.
Gavel Club is an international CCA and is affiliated with Toastmasters International, specialising in public speaking!
Members organise speechcraft workshops and oratorical competitions for secondary school and junior college students. In addition, they take on emceeing roles in college events and participate in national oratorical competitions, such as the YMCA Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA) and Inter-Gavel Club Speech Competition (SIGCSC).
For more about the club, please visit http://www.tpjc-gavelclub.tk/
- Drama Club
- Debating Society
The Tampines Junior College's Debating Society has performed well in the MIDCs (Ministry of Education Debating Championships) in recent years. The team has won debates against several colleges such as St. Andrew's Junior College, Serangoon Junior College and Catholic Junior College.
- First Aid Society
- Film and Photography Society
- Health & Fitness Club
- Interact Club
The Tampines Junior College's Interact Club is a social service club that contributes to the community by organising activities that benefit society. Part of the international Interact Club network, the TPJC club is one of 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas.[16] The College's club is linked to the Rotary Club of Singapore, a group of businessmen who are involved in philanthropy and volunteer work.
- Infocommunications Technology and Audio-visual Club
The Infocomm Club (IT and AVA Club) is a service-based CCA which is committed to providing photographic and audio-visual support to the college for all college events from Orientation Camp to Teachers’ Day Celebration. Our members have proven to be an efficient and responsible team, always ensuring that events run smoothly. This is the result of our emphasis on enhancing the capabilities of the members. This year, the Club has made a significant milestone as we fulfilled the guidelines set by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). This included providing 60 hours of Adobe software training for our members. One major highlight for 2009 was when we organised a Project Work-related enrichment course which benefited a quarter of the college’s cohort.
- Library Society
- Mathematics Society
- Outdoor Activities Club
- Science & Environment Club
[edit] Sports and Games
Badminton The Tampines Junior College Badminton Team has won awards at the local level. The team receives guidance from Chew Heng Seng, a physical education teacher at the college, with more than three decades of badminton playing and coaching experience. Chew officiates at international Badminton meets, such as the Malaysian Open, the Japan Open, and the Singapore Open.[17] In August 2008, Chew will be among a group of Singaporeans refereeing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- Basketball
- Canoeing
- Cricket
Hockey The TPJC Hockey Team is overseen by Abdul Samad, a former national Hockey player and a physical education teacher at the college. The team has not advanced to the knock-out rounds of the annual Inter-college National Hockey Competition in recent years.
- Netball
Rock Climbing The Rock Climbing Team was formed in 2001, after the construction of one of Singapore's tallest rock walls.[18] To climb in natural settings, the team makes annual climbing trips to Malaysia.
- Shooting
The College's Shooting Team hit a high in 2007, clinching the girls Challenge Trophy at the 2007 11th National Shooting Championship, setting a new Nationals Team record in the process.[19] This was a repeat of the same triumph in 1995, where the team also won the same honours.
In July 2008, the team went on the podium again. Senior members of the squad, clinched 2nd and 3rd positions nationwide in the Air Pistol Boys and Air Rifle Girls categories respectively. The Boys and Girls teams were ranked first in the East Zone, and among the top four nationally.[20]
- Soccer
- Softball
Squash The TPJC Squash Team has gone through a series of problems since its founding in 1986. Despite being disallowed the use of the College's squash courts due to indefinite repairs since 2006, the team continues to train at a nearby public Squash facility.
- Table Tennis
Tennis The TPJC Tennis Club was amongst the top three teams nationally in the National Schools "A" Division Tennis Tournament from 2000-2002.[21] The team continues to perform well by advancing to the quarter-finals of the National Schools "A" Division Tennis Tournament annually.[21]
Track and Field The TPJC Track and Field Team was first established in 1986, the same year the college was founded. After a heady start in the 1980s, where the team led by Winston Goh(class of 1986) gained medals in almost all the categories, the team gradually slipped downwards but in 2006 surged back to its former glory. Since then, the team has been placed in the top four in at least one category annually at the annual National Inter School Track and Field Championships. In July 2008, seven TPJC sprinters made waves at the National Inter School Track and Field Championships heats. Students broke the stranglehold that traditional sporting schools such as Raffles Junior College and Hwa Chong Institution held, by making it into the top ten rankings of their individual categories.[22] In particular, Shawn Wee ( 07S28) took 2nd place in the finals of the 110m A Boys Hurdles.[22]
- Volleyball
[edit] Recent Developments
[edit] Installation of turnstiles
On 23 June 2008, the college installed two turnstiles at the side gate and the gate at the art gallery, to improve the security situation at the college. The turnstiles restricted entry into the college, only allowing for exit. As a result, traffic flow was reduced severely after major tests by students queuing to exit the college. These turnstiles soon become a lightning rod for controversy on their very first day of operation, generating intense discussion on the Tpjc.net student forums and students' blogs.[23] Acting on feedback from students, the college modified its policy three days later. To ease the flow of human traffic, all gates are now opened fully by the college attendants after the end of major tests.
[edit] 'Watercolours 2008': College Open House
On 12 July 2008, TPJC held its first open house in two years.[24] Themed Watercolours, the college celebrated its commitment to leading water conservation efforts in the eastern region.
All CCAs took part in an exhibition, and departments in the colleg designed activities for visitors, including setting up a planetarium, organising a current affairs quiz, and holding a podcast recording session. The Band, Choir and other performing arts groups performed around the college grounds throughout the course of the event.
Preparations for the event started in January 2008, and all publicity materials were produced by students.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Jade Seah, Mediacorp artiste
- Faraliza Tan, Miss Singapore World 2008
[edit] Alumni
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ About Us: Tampines JC's official website
- ^ Ministry of Education, Singapore
- ^ List of projects: P&T Group
- ^ Vasnani, Bhavna Ramesh; and Ding Jie, Ng. (2008). Crossing Borders. The TPJC Link. April–June 2008.
- ^ Ministry of Education, Singapore
- ^ School Information Service
- ^ a b Tampines Junior College, subject requirements
- ^ Ministry of Education, Singapore: Press Release
- ^ Singapore- Alexa Top 100 Sites
- ^ English Department, Tampines Junior College (2008). "The Student Council". In Toh-Leong Sook Hing (ed.). Student Handbook 2008: Tampines Junior College. Singapore: Refine Printing. p. 15.
- ^ The European Commission's Delegation to Singapore
- ^ Singapore Youth Festival results over the years
- ^ Singapore Youth Festival 2007 Guitar Ensemble results
- ^ Singapore Youth Festival 2007 International Dance results
- ^ Toastmasters International, District 80 Summit
- ^ Rotary International
- ^ Badminton Asia's list of Asian BWF and BAC Technical Officials 2008
- ^ Indoor Climbing.com; Singapore
- ^ Tpjc Achievements 2007
- ^ B Aziz, Md Azhar (2008). TPJC Shooters Bring Home 10 Gold Medals In 'A' Division Tournament . Tpjcian Magazine, July 14, 2008.
- ^ a b TPJC Tennis Club's Achievements
- ^ a b National Inter School Track & Field Championships
- ^ Google- Tpjc Turnstiles
- ^ Tpjcian Magazine
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