Saint Andrew's Junior College

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St Andrew's Junior College
圣安德烈初级学院
Crest Of St. Andrew's School
Up And On!
Location
5 Sorby Adams Drive, Singapore 357691, Potong Pasir, Toa Payoh
Information
Type Government-Aided
Religious affiliation(s) Anglican
Established 1978
Session Single-session
School code 0804
Principal Mr Mark Lo Khee Tian
Enrolment Approx. 1600
School colour(s)      Navy Blue
     White
Affiliations
Website

St Andrew's Junior College (SAJC) is a junior college in Singapore, offering a two-year course for pre-university students leading up to GCE 'A' Level examinations. It is part of the Saint Andrew's Family and is an Anglican mission school. SAJC is a two-year co-educational institution that takes in top students from the year's cohort finishing their Singapore-Cambridge General Certification of Education (GCE) at Ordinary ‘O’ level (the equivalent to Year 10). The College prepares these students for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certification of Education at Advanced ‘A’ level. The College’s vision is to be a Home of Servant Leaders who bring life to the Nations. The College believes in nurturing Saints who are principled servant-leaders, upholding the WISE and TRUE values that define who we are and how we act when we stand together as a village.

Beginnings and identity

Former Crest of SAJC 1978 to 1992

St Andrew's Junior College (SAJC) has its origins in St Andrew's School, which was founded in 1862 by the Anglican Diocese of Singapore. SAJC is an aided mission school which was started as a vision of faith when the Anglican Church took up the challenge of building a junior college in line with national educational developments in the 1970s. The Lutheran and Presbyterian Churches also joined in the building project. SAJC had its origins as pre-university classes begun in 1969 as part of Saint Andrew's Secondary School. In 1978, the college was formally established with its own campus at Telok Blangah, where it remained for 28 years.

At its start, SAJC set out to have a distinct identity separate from SASS. The founding Principal, the Archdeacon John Tan, encouraged the use of "the College" rather than "the School" when referring to SAJC. The crest was also different from SASS and SAJS. It bore the saltire and had "SAJC" in white letters on a red circle in the middle of the cross instead of the tiger head and crossed keys of the other schools. Also, the school tie, which was worn by all students everyday, was solid navy blue with one red and one white diagonal stripe across it toward the bottom. The Venerable John Tan also insisted that no other T-shirts other than the official college PE shirt was allowed.

The College Anthem was also different. It was unique in that the key shifted from G-major to F-major midway and back to G-major at the end. The music was by J.J. de Souza and the lyrics by Pauline Koe:

As we gather in your name, Saint Andrew's Junior College
We raise our voices in your praise, open new windows in our minds
The warmth of friendship to receive, delights in knowledge discovered
The demands in our lives to know; here love enriches all we do.
We are made one in God's spirit; there is reason to give our best.
We are to be the chosen ones; we are the promise of tomorrow
And steadily we grow each day. Moving from strength to strength, strength to strength.
As loyal men and women guarding our beloved country
With pride undimishing, may SAJCians above all,
Seek God's kingdom and glory, God's kingdom and glory
Until we see, until we see Him, see Him face to face.

The College Hymn then was O God, Our Help in Ages Past. The College then also did not follow the house system of SASS and SAJS, having competitions by faculty - Arts, Commerce and Science.

Current identity and location

The similarities for all the Saint Andrew's Schools were the motto "Up and On" and the school colours of blue and white. The anthem, hymn, crest and tie were changed in 1993[1] to that of SASS to forge a united Saint Andrew's identity. The College also then adopted the house system familiar in SASS and SAJS.

In 2006, the junior college moved back to Potong Pasir to form part of St. Andrew's Village. The Village houses St. Andrew's junior and secondary schools, as well as the junior college. The JC is located at the former SASS site at 5 Sorby Adams Drive, Singapore 357691 (previously as 55 Potong Pasir Avenue 1). A sheltered pedestrian bridge across the Kallang River connects the JC to the secondary and junior schools across the river. Students at the college are called "Saints". The Village is a seven-minute walk from Potong Pasir MRT station and a five-minute bus ride (Bus 142) from Toa Payoh Bus Interchange.

In 2008, the former principal of Crescent Girls' School, Mrs Lee Bee Yann, replaced Mrs Lim as the principal of SAJC.

In December 2015, Mr Mark Lo Khee Tian, a Saint from St Andrew's where he received his primary and secondary education, and a Fulbright Scholar who received his Masters in Education from Harvard University, replaced Mrs Lee as the fifth principal of SAJC.

The classes are named by the year the students came into the school, the faculty (A for Arts, S for Science) and a number. An example would be 16S04 - this signifies that the class started in 2016, is in the Science faculty and is the 4th class (in order of subjects taken by students).

Principals

  • Revd. John Tan Teng Wai (1978–1990)
  • Mrs Belinda Charles (1990–2001)
  • Mrs Lim Chye Tin (2001–2008)
  • Mrs Lee Bee Yann (2008-2015)
  • Mr Mark Lo Khee Tian (Present Principal)

Academics

In the 2015 Joint Admission Exercise (JAE), the cut-off points for L1R5 for the Science and Arts faculties were 9 and 9 respectively. The College was awarded the MOE Academic Value-Added Award in 2013.

School achievements

SYF Achievements (held biennially): (2013) Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Concert Band, Dance and Guitar (Distinctions), Chinese Drama and (2014) English Drama (Accomplishment)

Sports Achievements: (2014) Football Boys & Rugby (2nd); Canoeing Boys, Canoeing Girls, Cricket Boys, Ten-pin Bowling Girls and Water Polo Girls (3rd); Netball, Tennis Boys, Tennis Girls and Ten-pin Bowling Boys (4th).

Others: 2014 American Mathematics Contest (Distinction), International Biomedical Challenge 2014 (Gold, Silver, Bronze), Singapore Quality Class, People Developer Award, Schools’ Green Audit Lotus Award, Academic Value-added Award (2013), Scholarships from Public Service Commission, A*STAR, The Jardine Foundation, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health Holdings, Ministry of Education, SPRING etc.

Special programmes

SAJC provides a holistic education that aims to nurture the character and talents of all its students, and develop them to be servant leaders for a better tomorrow. SAJC believe that every student can make a contribution to society, and aim to harness this potential by enkindling in them a passion for learning and a spirit for the community. The time in College provides students with the programmes through which their gifts may flourish.

Student Leadership Programme (SLP)

Based on the principles of Servant Leadership, SAJC’s Student Leadership Programme (SLP) aims to develop student leadership competencies in 4 broad areas namely Leading Self, Leading Strategically, Leading Others and Leading Practice. The programme focuses on developing the Qualities of Saints (QoS), sharpening students’ perspectives and understanding of their roles as global ambassadors for the nation and how public service can have a transformative impact on society. Students having undergone the SLP are thus better equipped to be servant leaders in the 21st Century. Opportunities under the SLP include leadership developmental modules and workshops, student leadership competencies assessment, a Residential Leadership Programme, a Student Leadership Summit, a Model United Nations Leadership Summit, a Student Government Programme, Local and Overseas Community Involvement Programmes, as well as involvement in the Anglican Character, Thinking and Service (ACTS) Leadership Academy.

Talent Development Programme (TDP)

Saints in the Talent Development Programme (TDP) are empowered to learn, to lead and to serve. The TDP equips them with a strong foundation that will enable them to confidently overcome obstacles and take on new challenges. The Core and Elective modules offered will develop TDP students on their leadership, academic, CCA, Sports and Aesthetics talents. The TDP offers students who are academically talented two specialised programmes that challenge them to fulfill full their potential, namely the St Andrew’s Humanities Scholarship Programme (HSP) and the St Andrew’s Science Scholarship Programme (SSP). The HSP and the SSP offer students exciting curriculum opportunities designed to prepare students for prestigious scholarships in both government and private sectors.

SAJC Scholarships

Apart from MOE’s awards such as the Good Progress Award and Edusave Awards for Achievement, Leadership & Service (EAGLES), SAJC also offers students a number of awards and scholarships that have been set up by alumni and the St Andrew’s community. These awards recognise students with good conduct and academic excellence, as well as outstanding leadership qualities. The full list of the awards and scholarships available to students and the criteria for their award can be found in the SAJC website.

Education and Career Guidance (ECG)

SAJC's ECG programmes aim to equip students to understand their personal profiles and exercise good and sound judgment over their career and higher education pathways. The ECG programme also provides opportunities for aspiring scholars to obtain first-hand knowledge on the options available for local and foreign scholarships. There is also a Work Shadowing programme, which provides students with opportunities to be attached to a variety of professions across industries. It is hoped that this will provide students with greater clarity on their career inclinations and an awareness of their intrinsic work values.

Innovation and Enterprise (I&E)

The College believe that Innovation and Enterprise (I&E) is an important life-skill which will equip its students well for life’s challenges. Developing in them a mindset and outlook of creativity, initiative and self-reliance, the I&E programme gives its students the chance for mentorship from local businesses and communities allowing them to acquire a greater awareness and understanding of the challenges and strategies of entrepreneurial ventures and the opportunity and resources to implement their business projects.

Art Enrichment Programmes

SAJC biennially showcases its students' artistic talents in a series of concerts and productions. SAJC's Concert Band, Dance Society, Chinese Orchestra, Choir, English and Chinese Drama Clubs, and Guitar Ensemble take great pride in these concerts and performances. Students learn soft skills, e.g. leadership and management, through the planning and execution of these concerts, giving them a truly enriching and memorable experience as part of their holistic education in the College. This opportunity to experience the stage also extends to all students with the College’s Open Microphone Sessions held at the Music Lounge. These are open to any students who would like to showcase their talent. Its Art Department also conducts workshops like tie-dyeing, which are open to all who would like to explore their artistic side.

Overseas programmes

The College believe strongly in providing its students with opportunities to be exposed to learning overseas. For example, there are curricular based enrichment and fieldwork for a range of subjects, while those in TDP get opportunities for overseas immersion trips. The College has also partnered with educational institutions overseas providing its students with even more avenues for overseas learning experiences. SAJC's twining schools are Romain-Rolland Oberschule Gymnasium (Germany), Gumley House Convent School (England), Yangzhou High School (China), Omi Brotherhood Senior High School (Japan) and Triam Udom Suksa School (Thailand). Both sports and performing arts CCAs also conduct training and cultural immersion programmes on a regular basis. In addition, students are sent overseas for Olympiads and competitions, as well as community service.

Facilities

SAJC at Malan Road (1978–2005)

At the former campus at Malan Road, the junior college had an air conditioned hall. Initial tutorial rooms were not air-conditioned. Indeed, some tutorial rooms only had 3 walls, with the fourth side fully opened to a common corridor linking the row of rooms. Later, tutorial rooms were air conditioned. As air conditioning in halls and tutorial rooms was not funded by the Ministry of Education in Singapore, it had to be paid for by money raised by alumni and the college.

The College campus then had a bitumen track and bleachers at the opposite side to the main building. The campus also housed the Chapel of the Resurrection.

SAJC at Saint Andrew's Village (2006–present)

The principal had stated that, at the new Potong Pasir campus, the tutorial rooms would not be air conditioned due to tight budget constraints arising from the development of the Saint Andrew's Village project. Instead, additional tutorial rooms had to be constructed because of a very large intake of students. Construction of the campus was behind schedule for some time because of the change in plans. However, as an extra S$1.5 million was raised, the JC's hall, together with those of the junior and secondary schools, were air-conditioned towards the end of 2006.

The school has a 1000-seater Cultural Centre, indoor sports hall, rooftop tennis courts, synthetic track and synthetic football/rugby field as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool located in St Andrew's Village.

Uniform

The shirt/blouse is white and the pants/skirt is navy blue. Students wear a navy blue tie with yellow and white stripes and bearing the school crest. SAJC is the only JC to incorporate a tie as part of its daily attire. Students may wear sports shoes of two solid colours.

The PE attire consists of a white FBT-branded dry-fit shirt with the school crest sewn on the chest. The college divides students into 5 Houses - Venn (black), Loy Fatt (yellow), Hose (blue), Gomes (red) and Romanis (green). Students purchase a shirt with their house colours at the side torso area. The shirt follows the previous shirt designs with the word, "SAINTS", printed on the back of the shirt. The previous shirt was cotton based and house colours were dyed on the sleeves of the shirts instead. The shorts are navy blue FBT branded shorts with the word, "Saints" (or "SAJC"), sewn at the bottom-right of the shorts.

School song

The School Song - John Oxenham

Stanza 1

Lives are in the making here, Hearts are in the waking here,
Mighty undertaking here, Up and On! Up and On!
We are arming for the fight, Pressing on with all our might,
Pluming wings for higher flight, Up and On!

Chorus

Up Saints! Truest fame Lies in high endeavour;
Play the game! Keep the flame burning brightly ever!

Stanza 2

Fair before us lies the way, Time for work and time for play;
Fill the measure while we may, Up and On! Up and On!
Life and time will not delay, Time is running fast away,
Life is now today; today; Up and On!

(Chorus)

Stanza 3

Foes in plenty we shall meet, Hearts courageous scorn defeat;
So we press with eager feet, Up and On! Up and On!
Ever onward to the fight, Ever upward to the Light,
Ever true to God and Right, Up and On!

(Chorus)

College hymn

Our Father, by whose servants,
Our School was built of old,
Whose hand has crowned Thy children,
With blessings manifold;
For Thy unfailing mercies,
Far strewn along our way,
With all who passed before us,
We praise Thy name today.
They reaped not where they laboured,
We reap what they have sown;
Our harvest may be garnered,
By ages yet unknown.
The days of old have dowered us
With gifts beyond all praise,
Our Father make us faithful
To serve the coming days.
Before us and beside us,
Still holden by Thy hand,
A cloud of unseen witness,
Our elder comrades stand;
One family unbroken,
We join in one acclaim;
One heart, one voice uplifting
To glorify Thy name.

Affiliated schools

Co-curricular activities

Sports and games

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Canoeing
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Frisbee
  • Hockey
  • Netball
  • ODAC (Outdoor Activities Club)
  • Rhythmic Gymnastics
  • Rugby
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Touch Rugby
  • Water Polo and Swimming

Performing arts

  • Chinese Orchestra
  • Choir
  • Concert Band
  • Dance Society
  • Drama Club
  • Guitar Ensemble

Leadership

  • Student Council
  • House Council
  • Saints Advocate (formed in 2010 to facilitate service-learning activities, plan and lead Overseas CIP trips and promote social entrepreneurship)
  • Interact Club
  • Saints For Christ (a non-denominational Christian organisation exclusive to SAJC.)
  • Youth Ambassadors (formed in 2009 to prepare for the upcoming 2010 Youth Olympic Games. The school hosted the German team.)

Service

  • AVA Unit
  • Photographic Society
  • Mentoring
  • Media Resource Library (MRL)

Clubs and societies

  • Art Club
  • Bloggers Club
  • Chinese Society
  • Computer Club
  • Debating and Oratorical Society
  • Environmental Club
  • Indian Cultural Society
  • IOTA Publications
  • Malay Cultural Society
  • Model United Nations Association
  • Sports and Fitness Club

Notable alumni

See also

References

External links