Student Handbook 2021
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Foreword It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all of you. Thank you for making Victoria Junior College the college of your choice. I hope you settle in well and like many of your seniors before you, come to see the college as a home. You are entering this phase of your education as a time when many of the ways we used to live and learn have been disrupted to some degree. You will have experiences which are new to Victorians, yet you will also have many of the experiences that continue to connect us as one community. You will find that despite the challenges of the time, the Victorian spirit continues to be indomitable, to use a word which had much traction in 2020 here in VJC. You will continue to find our college abuzz with activity, thanks to the collective effort of our teachers and students alike. We have continued to rise to the occasion and embrace the new normal with an eye to the possibilities that change brings. At VJC, you will come to hear and understand completely our belief in working hard and playing hard. Being a Victorian is about developing oneself in your character and leadership, as well as giving back to the community in school and beyond. The camaraderie that you will have with your peers and teachers is a defining trait of our Victorian culture and I hope you will carry on the proud traditions and the unflagging VJC spirit which staff, students, alumni and friends of VJC have built over the years. JC education passes by swiftly so it is paramount that you settle down quickly and make the most of your time. The teachers will have high expectations of you, rightly so, and you will have to be prepared for more independent learning. Your teachers will be there to support you and to lead you to discover how far you can go. In turn, how you respond to the challenges and the expectations will define you as a person. Throughout your stay in VJC, we hope you will embrace our college vision to LiVE like a Victorian, as one who possesses that Legendary Victorian spirit, becomes a Visionary leader, and renders Extraordinary service to the community around you. Let us strive towards excellence as a Victorian family as we seek to harness the opportunities that lie before us, and make your two years in VJC among the best in your life. Nil Sine Labore Ms Ek Soo Ben Principal 1 College DNA MOTTO VISION Nil Sine Labore LiVE like a Victorian Nothing without labour Legendary Spirit MISSION Learners who • dare to dream and do To ignite the imagination of all • pursue excellence in different arenas Victorians to create the future with • seek to leave a positive legacy for others conviction, courage and compassion Visionary Leadership VALUES Leaders who • have the foresight and moral courage to do Camaraderie things right and do the right thing Excellence with Integrity • are purposeful and passionate Innovation with Passion and Purpose • shape a future that others would want to live in Extraordinary Service People who • serve with their heads, hearts and hands for the good of others • unleash the potential of those we serve to transform their lives • reach out and inspire others to do likewise 2 Contents About Us The National Flag, Anthem & Pledge 4 The Victorian Anthem 6 Campus Map 7 Message from Students’ Council President 8 A Victorian Journey The VJC Guide To Life 10 College Rules 12 IT Matters 17 Academic Calendar 18 Academic Learning in VJC 22 The Total Curriculum 21st Century Competencies 24 Character Development Character Education 26 Active Citizenry 27 VJC Leadership Framework 28 Co-Curricular Activities 32 The A-Level Curriculum Subject Combinations 34 Offering H3 37 Project Work 40 Assessment Grading Scheme & Promotion Criteria 42 Higher Education & Careers Education & Career Guidance 44 Higher Education Guidance 46 University Timelines 48 Career Guidance & Scholarships Roadmap 52 Contacts Key Personnel Contact List 55 3 THE NATIONAL FLAG The National Flag consists of two equal horizontal sections, red above white. A white crescent moon occupies the upper left red section. Next to the moon are five white stars arranged in a circle. Each feature of the Flag bears a unique symbolic meaning. Red stands for universal brotherhood and equality of man. White symbolises pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents a young nation on the ascendant, and the five stars depict Singapore's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. 4 THE NATIONAL ANTHEM Mari kita rakyat Singapura Come, fellow Singaporeans Sama-sama menuju bahagia Let us progress towards happiness together Cita-cita kita yang mulia May our noble aspiration bring Berjaya Singapura. Singapore success Marilah kita bersatu Come, let us unite Dengan semangat yang baru In a new spirit Semua kita berseru Let our voices soar as one Majulah Singapura Onward Singapore Majulah Singapura! Onward Singapore THE NATIONAL PLEDGE We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation. 5 THE VictorianVictorian ANTHEM Victoria in Singapore, There are other schools we know. Victoria is something more, The school that watch’d us grow. For here we’ve learnt and striven, too And played the sportsman’s game. Victoria we give to you The honour that you claim. Victoria, thy sons are we And we will not forget. Victoria, thy triumphs see And victories we share yet. For others came before and went And carried to the world Victoria’s fame and our intent To keep her flag unfurled. Lyrics by J A Frazer Music by W E Meyer 6 YOUR HANDY DANDY Campus Map Victoria Junior College Layout Siglap Canal Siglap Canal NParks Connector NParks Connector Performance Art Room Art Room Tennis Courts Basketball & Volleyball Courts Theatre (Level 1 – 3) TSD Room T Block Ext. Parade Carpark C E Block Square Living Room (Level 2) (Level 2) T Block Gate 6 Gate (Level 1) Sheltered Courts LT5 (Level 1) (Basketball, B Carpark Netball & LT4 & LT 3 Hall Canteen Floorball) PE AVALT & LT 2 CCA Rooms Office B Carpark Sport Gallery LT 1 Library (Level 2) (Level 1 & 2) Science Block (Labs) HODs Office Foyer (level 1) (Level 1) (Level 1 & 2) Soccer Field Staff Room General Office (Level 1) V Block (Level 1) Technology Technology Science & Hockey D Hockey Centre Carpark A Math Room Running Track Guard Carpark A Post Gate 2 Gate 7 Main Gate Neptune Court 7 37th STUDENTS’ COUNCIL PRESIDENT Bhadran Rajesh 8 Get ready to LiVE like a Victorian! My heart fills up as I fondly reminisce while walking down the anthem walkway leading into school. So many batches of Victorians walked down this colourful stretch of yellow-and-red bricks. Your experience over the next two years will be nothing like theirs. The road ahead is a long and uncertain one, and I cannot guarantee comfort, or even success. But I can assure you of one thing: you enter as a student, but you will leave VJC so much more than that – a Victorian. Student life in VJC is just brimming with opportunity. Our Victorians use every chance to develop themselves, learning both in-and-out of the classroom. Frankly, I would be disappointed if a number on a piece of paper defines our Victorian journey more than the memories we made, the time we spent together, and everything in between. You will be stretched in ways you never knew were possible. It will be difficult, you will make mistakes. But that’s alright. Our team of teachers will support you through thick and thin, picking you up when you are down. I cannot count the number of times they have guided me with empathy, understanding and honesty. Needless to be said, you have plenty of avenues to learn, grow and inspire your peers to be more, while having a trusted network of support you can tap on. You have a superpower. The simple ability to make anyone feel like they belong. To be inclusive. It’s true that the challenges you face will vary as you go through the next two years. However, I feel there’s more to that. The next few months are going to be the hardest, if not for you, for someone else around you. Look up, look around. Every interaction is a chance to make someone feel like they belong, to foster a sense of unspoken camaraderie. It can be through an encouraging smile, or even a simple nod of acknowledgement. Nobody likes feeling invisible. So, if you see anyone struggling or having a hard time, do take the first step to approach and encourage them. It may seem awkward initially, but that little bit of kindness would mean a great deal to any of us, and who knows, a deep and meaningful friendship may arise. As cliché as it may sound, it is true. The next two years will fly by, so if there’s one thing you take away from the above paragraphs it is this – do not wait. It never really is the “right” time to step out of your comfort zone. So if you believe in fostering lifelong friendships, making memorable experiences or redefining your limits, just go for it. VJ, make it yours. 9 THE VJC GuideGuideWelcome to your new life in VJC! Life in JC cantoto be an exciting ride onLifeLife its own, peppered with interesting challenges and ups and downs along the way.