Raffles Institution

From 2 to 4 June, the Raffles History and Strategic Affairs (HSTA) Society hosted the 34th edition of Raffles Model United Nations (RMUN).

Bringing together 330 delegates from over 20 secondary schools and junior colleges across Singapore, RMUN 2026 provided a platform for young minds to step into the world of diplomacy, engaging in spirited debate, multilateral dialogue, and consensus-building as they grappled with some of today's most pressing global issues. 🌍

This year's theme, Miseria Fortes Viros, is drawn from the Latin maxim Ignis aurum probat, Miseria Fortes Viros — "fire tests gold; adversity tests strong men". As HSTA celebrates its 35th anniversary, the theme pays tribute to the generations of members whose dedication and passion have shaped RMUN's legacy. In that same spirit, delegates were challenged to think boldly, speak confidently, and negotiate with conviction.

Throughout the three days, it was heartening to witness delegates exchange perspectives, tackle complex issues, and forge new friendships across schools.

Our sincere gratitude goes out to teachers-in-charge, Ms Goh and Ms Tan, for their support throughout the planning and ex*****on of RMUN. We also thank all delegates for their enthusiastic participation throughout the conference and look forward to welcoming them back next year! 👋

✍🏻: Chew Yu Xuan Sarah Mae (27S03D)

Last Tuesday to Thursday, RI hosted this year's ✍️Creative Writing Festival, bringing together over 60 Year 1 and 2 students from RI and eight invited schools for three days of exploration, creativity and connection.

Centred on the theme "Just Our Nature", the festival invited participants to reflect on the relationship between urban and wild spaces, and the ways they can both intrude upon and harmonise with one another. The festival opened with a keynote by poet and alumnus Theophilus Kwek (Class of 2010/2012), who shared how language and metaphor can be deeply shaped by the spaces and environments that poems inhabit.

Participants then attended workshops led by professional writers Jennifer Anne Champion, Cheyanne Alexandria Phillips, Inez Tan, Carissa Foo, Thomas Lim and Don Shiau, while also exploring less traditional forms of writing. From video game writing with Ubisoft scriptwriters Lyana Shah and Ian Goh, to manuscript editing with Ethos Books copyeditor Arin Fong, and comics and zines with writer-artist Juliette Lizeray, students discovered the many ways stories can be crafted and shared.

Beyond the workshops, participants exchanged their creative work, received feedback from their peers, and formed supportive communities of young writers under the guidance of senior student mentors.

As part of the festival experience, students also explored the newly rewilded spaces across RI's Year 1-4 and Year 5-6 campuses, encountering pockets of untamed nature within the orderly environment of the school. In doing so, they experienced firsthand the ideas at the heart of "Just Our Nature", finding inspiration in the spaces where the cultivated and the wild meet. 🌿

🧭 This year’s Student Leadership Camp centred on the Five Practices and Ten Commitments of student leadership. While these ideas were familiar to our student leaders, the challenge lay in putting them into practice with greater intention and consistency.

The camp opened with a reminder to plan with Head and execute with Heart, not just Hands. As our Deputy Principal, Ms Ng, shared, effective leadership requires both clarity and compassion. In challenging moments, relying on only one can lead to ineffective decisions or insensitive responses. Student leaders were also encouraged to persevere with diligence and integrity, especially when those around them may feel tired, discouraged or unmotivated.

Through activities such as "Battlefront" and "Minefield", students worked together to make decisions, communicate clearly and support one another. Guided by teacher-facilitators, they reflected on what the leadership commitments look like in practice and how they can be lived out in everyday situations. Sixteen campers were recognised for exemplifying these commitments throughout the camp.

To our student leaders, both new and returning, step into the stretch zone. Set a goal for how you will practise these commitments in the term ahead, in the decisions you make, the way you work with others, how you respond to challenges, and how you encourage those around you. After all, leadership is not about the title, but about the difference we make through our actions each day.

We look forward to seeing how this batch of student leaders will bring these commitments to life in the months ahead! 🌱

“Leadership is not simply about individual growth or resilience … and is never meant to be done alone.”

This was the message shared by former Vice-President (Departments) of the 36th Students' Council, Ms Joyce Chan, as the 46th Students' Council began its term at the Students' Council Investiture on 28 May.

Centred on the theme ⛵Voy46e, the Investiture marked the start of a new chapter of service, growth and discovery for the incoming Councillors. Drawing on her experiences as a student leader and now a Naval Officer with the Republic of Singapore Navy, Ms Chan encouraged the 46th Students' Council to embrace challenges, support one another, and approach leadership with courage and purpose.

The occasion also provided an opportunity for the incoming Councillors to thank the outgoing 45th Students' Council for their dedication and service over the past year. Their efforts have left a meaningful impact on the Raffles community and laid the groundwork for those who follow.

As the 46th Students' Council sets sail on this new chapter, may they navigate the journey ahead with courage, purpose and humility, making the most of every opportunity to serve and leave a positive impact on the community around them.

Raffles Modern Dance Showcase 2026: "The Invite" 💌👭

On 14 May, Raffles Modern Dance presented "The Invite", a production showcase centred around Mia's journey towards self-acceptance and belonging. During the one-hour show, our dancers introduced 10 full-length items across various dance genres, including Jazz, Street and Open Choreography pieces that demonstrated our dancers' versatility and daring willingness to venture outside of Contemporary dance. 🌠

Throughout the show, audiences were invited into moments of nostalgia, uncertainty and self-discovery. Each performance reflected not only the dancers' versatility, but also their ability to connect deeply with the emotions and experiences at the heart of the story.

Behind every moment on stage were months of dedication, resilience and teamwork. From rehearsals and creative development to the final performance, the dancers demonstrated a commitment to their craft while supporting one another through the journey. 🩰

The showcase was also made possible by the guidance of their coaches and teachers, the encouragement of family and friends, and the strong camaraderie shared within the team.

As the curtain falls on this season, The Invite leaves behind a simple but meaningful reminder: Like waves, our personalities ebb and flow as we grow, and each version of ourselves is as precious as the last.

May this story encourage us to approach ourselves and others with greater compassion, and to understand that everyone deserves to be loved as they are. 💞

🚣‍♂️ National Inter-School Dragon Boat Races 🚣‍♀️

Months of preparation came down to one precious minute on the water.

On 22 May, our dragon boat paddlers took to the National Inter-School Dragon Boat Races with determination and confidence, recording personal best timings across all participating boats.

From evening water and gym trainings to early-morning visualisation sessions, every stroke on race day reflected the commitment and teamwork built throughout the season. While the races may have been over in minutes, what truly matters is the effort invested, the friendships and bonds forged, and the discipline developed along the way.

RI is proud of every paddler for the resilience and spirit they demonstrated on and off the water. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our coaches, teachers, and supporters for their unwavering encouragement throughout the journey. 👏

Annual Chinese Idiom Friendship Competition with RGS 🤝📚

On 15 May, our Year 1 students gathered at Lecture Theatre 2 on the Year 5–6 campus for the annual Chinese Idiom Friendship Competition with Raffles Girls' School (since 1879). Through three engaging segments, students from both schools put their knowledge, creativity and quick thinking to the test while celebrating a shared appreciation for the Chinese language.

From the Rapid-Fire Questions and Guess Idiom from Emojis segments, participants demonstrated their grasp of language and literature in a lively display of wit and teamwork. The ever-popular Sports & Brainpower Relay brought an added burst of energy to the competition, as students from both schools combined athleticism, teamwork, and problem-solving in a lively finale that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.

Reflecting on the experience, Sun Lexing (3D) shared: “Whether it was the fast reactions on stage or the suspense from the audience seats, the atmosphere was so intense and exciting from start to finish. Not a single moment could be missed!”

As the Chinese saying goes, “One minute on stage takes ten years of hard work off stage.” Behind every confident answer and quick response lay hours of preparation and dedication. The competition was a reminder that language learning extends beyond the classroom, bringing students together through curiosity, collaboration, and a shared love for Chinese language and culture.

Thank you to the more than 130 teachers and students from Raffles Girls' School for joining us, and to the Chinese Departments of both schools for making this cherished annual event a great success!

✨ Jazz Annual Concert 2026: “Skyline” 🌃🎷

Raffles Jazz Annual Concert 2026: Skyline played to a full house on 26 May, filling our Performing Arts Centre with music, energy, and plenty of memorable moments.

Inspired by the changing moods of the city, Skyline took the audience through a repertoire that was smooth, nostalgic, vibrant, and full of life. Crowd favourites such as "My Favourite Things", "Isn’t She Lovely", and "On The Sunny Side of The Street" each brought their own character to the evening.

One of the highlights of the evening was 我要你的爱, the timeless Mandarin jazz classic with playful blues influences and vintage charm. Many may recognise the song from its resurgence in popularity through the movie Crazy Rich Asians, where it introduced a whole new generation to this iconic tune.

To close the evening, both the Year 5 and Year 6 batches united onstage for one final combined performance of Stevie Wonder’s 1973 classic, Don’t You Worry ’Bout A Thing. With its infectious Afro-Cuban groove, lively rhythms, and irresistibly spiralling chorus, the finale turned the concert venue into one giant celebration.

For our graduating Year 6s, Skyline was a meaningful way to round off their journey with Raffles Jazz and celebrate the friendships, experiences, and music they have shared over the years.

And to everyone who joined us that evening, thank you for being part of Skyline. 🎶✨

Inter-JC Ultimate Frisbee Championship 🥏

Over 23 and 24 May, Raffles Ultimate (RU) competed in the Inter-JC Ultimate Frisbee Championship at Eunoia Junior College, capping off more than a year of training and preparation.

The team played five hard-fought matches across the tournament, edging out both group-stage opponents on Universe Point and securing a 6–4 victory over St. Andrew’s Junior College in the quarterfinals. They ultimately finished 4th overall after a closely contested tournament.

While the team had hoped for a stronger finish, the tournament was also a reflection of the friendships, resilience, and shared experiences built over the past year and a half. Through every training session and match, the team grew together both on and off the field.

RI is grateful to coach Jonathan Yeo, as well as teachers-in-charge Mr Mohamed Ridzuan and Mr Nathaniel Ng, for their guidance and support throughout the season. We also thank the supporters and RU alumni whose encouragement from the sidelines meant so much to the team.

📸: Vanassa, Singapore Flying Disc Association (SFDA)

Here's to the legacy we have inherited and the future that we continue to shape together. Happy 203rd birthday, RI!

Read about our beginnings: https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/all-sections/vol-11-issue-4-jan-mar-2016-singapore-institution-school-stamford-raffles/

📸: Raffles Archives & Museum