You might have heard that eight Junior Colleges (JC) will be merged in 2019 due to falling enrolment size. These schools are Anderson JC, Serangoon JC, Meridian JC, Tampines JC, Yishun JC, Innova JC, Pioneer JC, and Jurong JC.

While there are quite a few questions arising from this piece of news, many reactions lamented a loss of culture and identity when these JCs merge.

We reached out to 13 former students of six of the affected Junior Colleges to share their favourite memories* of JC life:

Xiao Ping (AJC, Class of 2012):

"I think the most memorable part would be how the school works as AJC. For example, the dynamics of AJC will be different. The school song, school pledge, school motto and vision are what I miss most - NON MIHI SOLUM (AJC college motto - Latin for 'Not for myself alone'), I will miss NON MIHI SOLUM.

Next time when I tell people that I was from AJC, they will be like, "Huh, Singapore got Anderson JC meh?" It would be non existent. It's gone forever - new uniform, new name....wah lau."

Jamuna (AJC, Class of 2006): 

"I have so many memories of AJC. I had amazing teachers, made so many friends.

There was this cozy air-conditioned room where students could go to hang out. It was called the Nexus. We could play games, sit around and chit chat between classes. It was also a perfect spot for naps.

The room had various board games also, and a music player -  I remember friends plugging in their iPods and taking over the music). It was the perfect place to unwind."

Faishal (IJC, Class of 2008):

"My favourite hangout spot would be the topmost floor. It was super airy when wind blew and from there we could see the open sky.

The IJC campus was HUGE. Walking everywhere to lecture theatres took up a good amount of time.

Since the back would be locked when we were late, we had to cut across a muddy field all across the side of the school to even try and climb a fence, or get to the front gate.

I remember my English Literature teacher, Ms Nathan. Because we were doing Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and there was romance involved, she would talk in innuendo and we responded in kind. She had a very bright and sunny disposition, with a little tubby cheer on the side - think Santa Claus. Unfortunately, she passed away a few years after we graduated."

Terence (JJC, Class of 2007): 

"I was a librarian in my JC as a CCA (co-curricular activity). Nobody joined Library in JC so my CCA was filled with my friends from my secondary school. I remember whenever JJC hosted an inter-school event, there would be a buffet set up outside the library - free food for us.

There was this time JJC wanted to go into the Guinness Book of Records for a mass yoga session. So all classes had yoga lessons up till the final mass yoga display one day on the stadium field. I'm not sure if we broke the record."

Guan Zhen (MJC, Class of 2013): 

"My class had some of the most intelligent, earnest, and hard-working students that I've ever met. A few of my classmates started an enrichment programme for kids known as KidsAccomplish.

My Geography tutor, Mr Firdaus even brought back ashes from Mount Sakurajima in Japan, packed them into nice little glass capsules for us to have as a keepsake.

What made anything remotely tolerable about A-level mugging (other than putting Suzanne Vega and Culture Club on repeat) was really some of the friendships I had, that I formed over my CCA (college publications) and cohort-mates, who made studying Econs a lot less painful than it had to be."

Wilfred (MJC, Class of 2012):

"I definitely miss the school and house spirit that the students embodied.

Imagine being a freshman experiencing my first day of JC orientation and witnessing an entire school hall of more than 300 students, with a significant number of students doing their respective house cheers at the top of their lungs while breaking out into random silly dances

There was some sort of house pride/competitiveness that gave life to all the events throughout my 2 years in school and till this day I have not seen a tribe-like culture that MJC has. Thank you MJC for a wonderful and unforgettable 2 years!"

Yong Liang (MJC, Class of 2012): 

"The O Cheer!"

Rong (MJC, Class of 2014):

"The mornings when the DM (Discipline Master) asked you to sing the national anthem when you were late. Chronic latecomers had to report early to school too."

Hanna (TPJC, Class of 2006):

"There was this waffles shop outside school, about 5 mins away. Every other afternoon most of us would hang out there for waffles and bubble tea. We'd also take orders during exam period to bring back to school to eat. I'm pretty sure we made the Uncle there pretty rich haha.

Our school stadium has two toilets, which are at both end of the buildings - very dark and pretty much full of ghost stories and of course popular for night walks. Our third storey science labs and teachers' rooms are also famous for our resident ghost.

During A level days, we'd study together in school and the airport. When bus service 34 started (connecting TPJC to the airport), we'd go to Changi Airport to lunch at Popeyes and then rush back for afternoon class lololll."

Cheryl (TPJC, Class of 2012):

"Wahhh, i no feeling leh."

Jia Hui (TPJC, Class of 2008):

"I recall the awesome hotdogs in TPJC. If I remember correctly, every Tuesday was Hotdog Day and they were $1 each, so we always had that after class.

The friends were great~ we used to sit in the canteen during our free periods and just chill and do nothing. We're still best friends after 10 years :)"

Joshua (YJC, Class of 2008):

"I remember someone placed a chair behind the hedge on the archery range, which made it easier for us to climb over the school fence. Kudos to that kind person.

I also have fond memories of Geography classes. My Geography teachers were Mdm Selvi and Ms Yeo. They were incredibly passionate about the subject. I remember Ms Yeo once climbed into a stormwater canal to collect samples of drain water for us to see. Dedication much."

Lydia from (YJC, Class of 2008):

"I liked that they allowed me to do my own unique combination of classes. I was the only one in school taking H2 Music, Maths, Econs and H1 Physics.

I also remember dedicated teachers who stayed back past 7pm to give me extra lessons."

 

*Edited for clarity and brevity.

 

Update: We updated this article to correct a teacher's name.

 

Related Articles:

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Here’s how the internet reacted to news of the merger of 8 JCs into 4 in 2019

Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng makes the point about the JC mergers that no one wants to talk about

 

Top photo adapted from AJC.

 

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