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Catholic Junior College (CJC) is a junior college in Singapore, offering a two-year course for pre-university students leading up to GCE 'A' Level examinations. It was the third junior college established, in 1975, and is located at Whitley Road, around the corner from one of its affiliated secondary schools, Saint Joseph's Institution.

College History

CJC was founded in 1975 by then Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore, Michel Olçomendy, in an effort to coordinate the pre-university education provided by the different Catholic schools, and provide all Catholic schools with pre-university classes. Currently, all students enrolled in the fifteen Catholic secondary schools in Singapore deduct two bonus points from their O-level scores when applying to CJC.

College Principals

Catholic Junior College since its inception has always been led by Catholic religious men and women. The first principal of CJC was Brother Patrick Loh, who moved from one of CJC's affiliated schools, Saint Joseph's Institution, to head the college.

Currently, CJC is headed by Brother Paul Rogers, who was appointed principal in Dec. 2001.

1975 - 1978: Bro Ildephonsus Patrick Loh, FSC
1979 - 1987: Bro. Joseph Kiely, FSC
1988 - 1994: Sr. Deirdre O'Loan, IJ
1995 - 2001: Sr. Maria Lau, IJ
2002 - Present: Brother Paul Rogers, FSC

College Alumni

Notable CJC alumni include:

Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo, Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC
Mdm Phua Siok Gek Cynthia, Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC
Mr Leo Yip, Permanent Secretary (Manpower) and Singapore Police Force Overseas Scholar
Mr Tan Tee How, Permanent Secretary (National Devt) and Fulbright Scholar
Brigadier-General (NS) Bernard Tan, Managing Director, Debt Capital Markets, DBS Bank; former Chief Armour Officer, Singapore Armed Forces and President Scholar
Colonel Ishak bin Ismail, Commander, 6th Division, Singapore Army
Dr Gillian Koh, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies (Singapore)
Ms Teo Swee Lian, Deputy Managing Director (Prudential Supervision), Monetary Authority of Singapore
Ms Lim Sau Hoong, CEO, 10AM Communications; Visual Advisor for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony and Chairwoman, Speak Mandarin Campaign, Singapore
Mr Gerard Lee, CEO, Fullerton Fund Management
Ms Pauline Goh, Managing Director, CB Richard Ellis Singapore
Ms Jennifer Lewis, Head of Communications, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation
Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, President, National University of Singapore
Prof Tan Tai Yong, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore
Prof Tan Cheng Han, Dean, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore
Clinical A/Prof Patrick Tseng, Chief Dental Officer, Ministry of Health, Singapore
Mr Foo Chee Hock, Registrar, Supreme Court, Singapore
Ms Tan Kheng Hua, actress/comedienne/playwright
Ms Christine Tan, CNBC anchor
Ms Koh Chieng Mun, actress/comedienne
Mr Tay Ping Hui, MediaCorp actor
Ms Margaret Lee, actress
Mr Daniel Boey, fashion designer and Creative Director, Singapore Fashion Festival
Mr Hao-Yu Lin, Nantero Device Engineer
Mr Vivek Premkumar, young and promising local painter
Mr Ratansha Vakil, Oracle Software SME

Identity

College Anthem

In Veritate et Caritate

We are heirs of a glorious kingdom

Of treasures past ages have bestowed

Of the truth wisdom love and peace

We rejoice to proclaim and uphold

Live in Truth live in Faith and Love

Let our light spread and brighten the night

Let our flame warm all hearts and unite

Motto

CJC's motto is "In Veritate et Caritate". In English this means "In Truth and Love". The motto demonstrates to CJCians that integrity and service are integral parts of the whole person, and that they must cultivate both.

Mission

Building A Generation: In Truth and Love

CJC cultivates in each young person the skill and attitude needed to embrace challenges wisely and courageously. We foster a community that cares for the dignity of young people, nurturing them to be men and women of compassion. We broaden their vision so that they become leaders committed to serve in faith and with integrity.

CJC

Imparts the knowledge necessary for young people to face the future confidently.
Respects and affirms the value of human life.
Forms the conscience of CJCians in accordance with the principles of a Christian school in the Catholic tradition.
Enlarges their perspective so that they contribute meaningfully and responsibly to society with conviction.

Vision

CJC: A Place of Excellence in Living and Learning

Excellence - striving for high standards in educating young people.
Learning - enabling students to realize their potential academically, physically and spiritually.
Living - forming a person who is well-integrated into society.

Core values

Integrity and Service - In Veritate Et Caritate

Crest

The crest bears the symbol of the Spirit of God, a dove, whom Christ speaks of as the spirit of Truth and Love. The star symbolises faith. The tongues of fire represent the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Flag

The College flag consists of the colours of Singapore Catholic schools: blue and white, green and white, yellow and white. Yellow and white are also the Papal colours. Y (Gamma) is the Greek letter for C and is also the form of the Cross.

Administration

Principal

Brother Paul Rogers addressing the assembly.

Brother Paul Rogers, FSC (2002-Present)

Vice-Principal

Ms Rosalind Khng (Teaching & Curriculum)

Dean

Mr Tan Jek Suan (Student Development)

The CJC Board of Management is currently chaired by Mr Gerard Lee, Chairman of Fullerton Fund Management. Previous chairmen include Mr Bernard Chen, a former Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Archdiocesan Commission on Catholic Schools, and the late Dr Ee Peng Liang, founder of the Community Chest and prominent philathropist.

Achievements

CJC has been awarded the following commendations by the Ministry of Education:

Value-Added Award for A level results 2006
Sustained Achievement Award in Physical Fitness
CHERISH (Championing Efforts Resulting in Improved School Health) Award
Character Development Award - OUTSTANDING DEVELOPMENT AWARD
National Education Award

During the Singapore Youth Festival 2007, CJC was awarded the following distinctions:

GOLD in Symphonic Band and Dance categories
SILVER in Guzheng, Choir and Guitar categories
BRONZE in Chinese Drama category

In addition, the CJC Choir participated in the Musica Sacra competition, an international festival of sacred music held in May–June 2007, and was awarded Gold.

In 2006, CJC broke the 'A' division girls record for the 4×400 m at the National Track and Field Championships 2006. Priscilla Vincent also broke the national record for the girls' shot put. The records had stood for 18 years and 17 yrs respectively.

The results from the GCE 'A' levels examinations taken in 2006 show outstanding results for CJC, its best in 10 years with 15 subjects bettering national average in Singapore and 100% passes in English Literature, History, Art, Further Mathematics and Computing in addition to a 60% distinction rate for English Literature(H1) and 40% for History(H1).

In 2008, CJC's cut-off for the Joint Admission Exercise (JAE) dropped for the sixth year in succession, bringing the cut-off points to the lowest in at least 10 years: 10 points for Science and 11 points for Humanities–Arts. Also, CJC achieved the best results it has had in 11 years for the GCE 'A' Levels examinations 2007.

In 2009, in recognition of CJC's excellence in the Humanities, especially in English Literature and General Paper, CJC was designated by the Ministry of Education as one of three junior colleges to be a Centre of Excellence in English Language. Students from CJC will now be able to offer 'A' Level English Language as a subject, which focuses on the study of the English Language as well as linguistics.

College Facts

Campus

The colleges possesses six lecture theatres (LTs 1-6), an auditorium, a fully air-conditioned Performing Arts Centre (PAC), a Training and Development Centre and a new Media Resource Centre, opened in 2007. A new language laboratory, completed in 2009, serves students taking the English Language and Linguistics program.

Basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, a running track, a gymnasium and an air-conditioned Student Council Centre complement CJC's CCA activities.

CJC also hosts a student hostel for overseas scholars studying at nearby affiliated schools Saint Joseph's Institution and CHIJ (Toa Payoh), as well as at CJC itself.

Curriculum Hours

Assembly begins promptly at 0735 h with morning reflection and prayer, followed by the taking of the National Anthem and the Pledge. Lessons commence at 0800 h, each period being one hour in duration. Dismissal can be from any time between 1300 h to 1700 h, depending on the day and week, with dismissal times on CCA days Wednesday and Friday between 1300 h-1400 h . However, on any given day students may only leave campus from 1300 h onwards.

Tutorial Groups

A class or tutorial group can have anywhere between 20 to around 26 students, with a total of 36 classes from T01 to T36 (T for tutorial group). The first ten or eleven classes are usually arts classes, with the remaining twenty-three or twenty-four science. For example in 2009, JC1 classes 1T01 to 1T11 are arts classes, while classes 1T12 to 1T36 are science.

Uniform

The college uniform is light blue, with a college pin in the shape of the CJC flame worn on the left lapel of the collar. The college PE attire consists of a blue dry-fit T-shirt and grey shorts with the word CJC emblazoned over the left pocket. No other attire may be worn during normal school hours.

CCAs

All students take at least one main CCA. Prior approval from the HoD PE/CCA is required before a second CCA can be offered.

34th Students' Council

President: Francis Chee

Catholic Activities Wing
Community Involvement Wing
Student Activities Wing

Sports & Games

Badminton
Basketball
Canoeing
Cross Country
Fencing
Gymnastics
Hockey
Judo
Lawn Bowls
Netball
Rugby
Shooting
Soccer
Swimming
Tenpin Bowling
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

Performing Arts

Chinese Drama
Choir
Dance
Drama
Guitar Ensemble
Guzheng Ensemble
Symphonic Band

Clubs and Societies

Astronomy Club
Bridge Club
Chess Club
Chinese Cultural Society
Debating/Public Speaking Society
Editorial Club
Environmental Club
Film, Sound and Video (FSV) Club
First Aid Club
Indian Cultural Society
Interact Club
Legion of Mary
Library Society
Magazine Society
Malay Cultural Society
Science Honours Society
Society of St Vincent de Paul
Sports and Fitness Club

College Life

A student band performing at Rockefella V.

Apart from CCAs, a wide range of activities are also organised by the college and the Students' Council. These include:

Harmonie, a combined concert with Anderson Junior College;
Rockefella, an annual rock concert started in 2004, open only to CJCians;
CJC Cross-Country, an annual event;
CJC Games Olympics, the college sports day;
Blood Donation Drives;

and celebration of nation-wide events such as Racial Harmony Day and National Day.

Dr Ee Peng Liang

The late Dr. Ee Peng Liang, a prominent Singaporean philanthropist and Catholic public figure, was the main driver behind the foundation and development of CJC as an educational institution. The former chairman of the Community Chest, he served as Chairman of the College Board of Management from its foundation in 1975 until 1994. The Ee Peng Liang Room in the newly-opened Performing Arts Centre was named in memory of his contributions and legacy.

Celebrating Christian Community

As a Catholic Institution of learning, CJC seeks to be a community of Christian love and service while at the same time respecting the individual races and religions that make up the multi-faceted community. This is done through in the cultivation of an atmosphere in which students can experience for themselves the richness of a Christian community.

Morning Prayer

Assembly every morning begins with reflection and prayer, led by members of the Student Council. Additionally, the Legion of Mary leads in the prayers of the Divine Office every Tuesday and Thursday at 0700 h in the Prayer Room.

Mass

Mass is celebrated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 0700 h in the Prayer Room. High Mass is also celebrated on major feast days and days of obligation, such as Ash Wednesday and Ascension.

Major College Functions

On special occasions in the college calendar, such as the JC1 Commencement Ceremony and the Annual Awards Presentation Ceremony, a prayer service is conducted where the whole college community gathers in fellowship and is invited to join in prayer and thanksgiving.

Retreats

Retreats for both JC1 and JC2 Catholic students are held every year to give them time to reflect and realise the presence of God in their lives, and to grow spiritually as persons of hope and life.

Catholic Activities Wing

The Catholic Activities Wing of the Student Council organises daily Morning Prayers and Masses, as well as talks and activities to help the Catholic community in CJC grow spiritually and holistically. Originated from the Catholic Activities Council, a seperate council board, it was merged with the Students' Council in 2004.

Chaplain

Father Leslie Raj, SJ, is the college chaplain and main celebrant of masses and prayer services. He can also be approached for the sacrament of reconciliation.

Affiliated Schools

CJC is affiliated to all the Catholic Secondary schools in Singapore

External links

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 *Mr Leo Yip, Permanent Secretary (Manpower) and Singapore Police Force Overseas Scholar
 *Mr Tan Tee How, Permanent Secretary (National Devt) and Fulbright Scholar
-*Brigadier-General (ret) Bernard Tan, Managing Director, Debt Capital Markets, [[DBS Bank]]; former Chief Armour Officer, Singapore Armed Forces and President Scholar
+*Brigadier-General (NS) Bernard Tan, Managing Director, Debt Capital Markets, [[DBS Bank]]; former Chief Armour Officer, Singapore Armed Forces and President Scholar
 *Colonel Ishak bin Ismail, Commander, 6th Division, [[Singapore Army]]
 *Dr Gillian Koh, Senior Research Fellow, [[Institute of Policy Studies (Singapore)]]