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JC MERGERS: An underdog, but Serangoon JC's culture of care shines through

SINGAPORE — During his days at Serangoon Junior College, the young Haniel Soh often gave his teachers a headache, getting into plenty of run-ins with the school authorities – despite being a student leader. But not once did his teachers give up on the house vice-captain.

Generics of Serangoon JC, taken on 19 April 2017. Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

Generics of Serangoon JC, taken on 19 April 2017. Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — During his days at Serangoon Junior College, the young Haniel Soh often gave his teachers a headache, getting into plenty of run-ins with the school authorities – despite being a student leader. But not once did his teachers give up on the house vice-captain.

Recounting an occasion where he got caught for instigating other students to drink alcohol — even though they were underage —  on a train during a community trip in Vietnam, the teachers kept him on as a student leader. It was a gesture that he really appreciated, said the 26-year-old, a teacher himself today.

Talk to Serangoon JC’s former alumni such as Mr Soh, as well as current students, and many cited its culture of care as something they cherished most —  from the school giving “second, third, fourth chances” to its students, to teachers staying back to provide extra coaching, and even being sporting enough to run 10 km alongside their students.

Mr Syafiq Rafid, 28, recalled how his literature teacher, Ms Rosalind Gurupatham Jeyamoney, despite battling cancer, would still show up in class to give her lecture in a wheelchair.

“Part of the reason why I’m more outspoken now, is because she got students to speak their minds ... When I went for her funeral, (looking back), it’s amazing how one person can impact your life,” said Mr Syafiq, who credited the Shakespeare-loving teacher with nurturing his passion for literature.

Mr Charles Yap, 21, a chemistry student at National University of Singapore, will never forget his economics teacher, who gave him extra lessons as he was preparing for his A-Levels.

The teacher then had just gone for eye surgery, but instead of recuperating, Mr Yap said she chose to “save this U-grade student of hers”, and sat with him every day to go through his essays and correct his mistakes.

Of course, every school has its share of nurturing teachers, he noted, but at Serangoon JC, “it is not just a few individuals but a collection of staff who perpetuate that culture of care”. 

That caring attitude sometimes manfiests itself in the form of small but meaningful gestures, such as how teachers would surprise students with hand-painted cards just to encourage them.

There is even a teacher who would rush home for dinner, and then return to the school to continue coaching students late into the night, current students tell TODAY. 

Away from books and classes, some students pointed to the annual 10km Will Run and the thanksgiving concert as events that have the distinctive Serangoon JC stamp.

The run, started in 2008 by former principal Tan Teck Hock —  who is regarded as something of a legend among students —  along with the Physical Education department, is an endurance and fund-raising event involving all students and staff.

An ex-student who took part in the inaugural run, who wanted to be known only as Ms Wong, said she was at first reluctant to take part in the event since she hated running.
Describing herself as a “rebellious” student who was upset at having to study at Serangoon JC —  which was not her dream junior college — Ms Wong said her attitude gradually changed, thanks to her teachers.

They helped her to believe in herself and realise “it was not the end”.

During the months of consistent training to prepare for the run, Ms Wong, 27, said she learnt about resilience, perseverance and the value of sports.

She recalled a piece of advice that a PE teacher had given her, when she was feeling stressed about her impending A-Levels and had slowed down to just walk during the practice run.

“(He told me) that like the A-Levels, the (run) is an enduring and tiring process, but if you just be consistent, you can see the rewards. And even if you need to walk, don’t walk... because that’s where you tell yourself you give up….

“That’s when I changed a lot, I realised that the impossible is really nothing, and at the A-Levels, I was really focused on what I wanted and to do my best,” said Ms Wong, who is now a secondary school PE teacher. 

After the annual run, students have something else to look forward to —  the thanksgiving concert, often an elaborate affair involving teachers donning wacky costumes such as Mario or minion outfits, or using light-emitting diodes while dancing in the dark, or performing specially choreographed dance numbers. 

Mr Hemant Haridas, 25, recalled how the school’s male teachers wore leather jackets while gyrating to the song, Greased Lightning, from the Grease musical, and how the hall was always occupied with teachers practising. 

“To think the teachers are very busy, they have a lot on their plates, but they actually took the time to practise… It really left a mark. Teachers are always caring, but at Serangoon JC, there was that extra special touch,” he said. 

Former Serangoon JC teacher Mary Low, who taught economics there for about 15 years, said such concerts were a way for  teachers to “let down their hair”, and help students to relieve stress.
Recalling how she “danced like never before” to the Slumdog Millionaire film soundtrack, the 63-year-old added: “We had great fun.”

While many people tend to view Serangoon JC as an “underdog” among the junior colleges here, former student Rebecca Lau, 26, had no problems with the quality of its teachers.
“They wanted us to be whipped into shape,” she said with a laugh.

For example, former principal Mr Tan — who is now the principal of the Singapore Sports School —  would always put aside some time to listen to the students’ personal stories, and then encourage them to make a mark for themselves.

She added: “There was this culture of working hard for what you want, to prove something to yourself and to prove to everyone else (that you could do it). There was a lot of solidarity and togetherness.”
Despite Mr Tan’s tough exterior, said Mdm Low, he was a “softie at heart”, and played  a pivotal role in setting the junior college’s direction.

He would always give deserving students another chance even after they had failed their J1 promotional exams, and encouraged his staff to keep an eye on them.

Mdm Low said: “I was told by the principal to keep this one student in my sight to ensure he stays on track, so we would always give him a reminder (about his studies).”

“He later did very well,” she recalled with pride.

“The teachers here are not just out to get results, but are genuinely interested to help their students…. It’s like a family here, almost like a second home… You have this sense of fulfillment,” Mdm Low added.


SERANGOON JUNIOR COLLEGE
Founded: 1988
Motto: Discere servire (To learn, to serve) 
Uniform: Light brown
Prominent alumni: Actresses Paige Chua and Ya Hui, and Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Tiffany Teo

 

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