Catholic Junior College
Template:Infobox Singapore School
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
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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, 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
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
- Assumption English School
- Catholic High School
- CHIJ Katong Convent
- CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
- CHIJ St. Joseph's Convent
- CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School
- CHIJ St. Theresa's Convent
- Hai Sing Catholic School
- Holy Innocents' High School
- Maris Stella High School
- Montfort Secondary School
- St. Anthony's Canossian Secondary School
- St. Gabriel's Secondary School
- Saint Joseph's Institution, Singapore
- Saint Patrick's School, Singapore
External links