Professional Documents
Culture Documents
National Junior College Yearbook 1991
National Junior College Yearbook 1991
JUNIOR
COLLEGE
THE NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE
国 家 初 级 学 院
1
JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
"Know thyself"
Socrates
The ordinary person in a very restricted circle hardly uses his potential nor
exercises this birthright. We should follow the steps of Columbus and discover
ourselves. Once we have made that self-discovery we will be guided by self-
confidence, courage and steadfastness to face the storm and stress in life to reach
our destination in triumph.
Mrs C L Goh
Principal
1991
2
JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
3
The Dawn of Life
When a student enters the portals of
NJC, a new life awaits him. It is the
dawn of new experiences and memories
that will see him through life's journey.
5
Orientation provided an oppor
different backgrounds to forge a
For many, it was a new
Kaleidoscope of colours.
多姿多采的迎新活动
深深牵动了年轻人的心。
6
ORIENTATION
7
Bersatu, teguh,
bercerai runtuh!
8
ORIENTATION
9
Fear!
Our Vice-Principal,
Miss Kwa receiving a
bouquet after giving
away the prizes.
10
NJ PLAYHOUSE/
SOCIAL NITE
11
The highest of distinc
And our councillors have certai
dedication and commitment to s
Some of our
candidates
Enthusiasm shared is
friendship strengthened.
12
24TH STUDENT
COUNCIL
The 24th
student council
being sworn in.
13
Community Service Day is an annual affair where all
students learn the joy of giving themselves, their time
and effort to others.
Interacting with
the children
14
COMMUNITY
SERVICE DAY
15
The Celebrations of Life
The College transforms a student into
someone confident of his abilities and
potentials; someone who will go through
life celebrating his achievements in the
social, cultural, moral and academic
realms.
17
Canoeing is definitely not a
dry sport. It involves dunking
in the water too.
Enthralled spectators.
18
CANOEING CARNIVAL
Safety first.
Hand-paddling to success.
19
i Water Polo
ruggedness
游泳比赛也是
斗智斗艺的大
好机会。
Cheers!
20
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
21
Flexibility on display.
Poetry in motion!
A race of camaraderie
22
CROSS-COUNTRY
Raring to go!
Way ahead!
23
The ecstasy of victory.
24
TRACK AND FIELD
The Joker.
25
Friendships are made and treasured.
26
YOUTH LEADERSHIP
TRAINING CAMP
27
LUNAR NEW YEAR
农历新年是个老少同欢的节日,
瞧,教师们的孩子,也穿上传统
服装,与我们同欢共庆。
28
HARI RAYA
Maktab Rendah Kebangsaan menyambut Hari Raya dengan
penuh meriah. Aneka acara diadakan untuk mencerminkan
budaya pusaka bangsa.
Weaving ketupats.
29
LANTERN FESTIVAL
有音乐,有舞蹈,有戏剧,
有灯迷,还有那各具匠心的
灯笼制作比赛;考试的跫音,
冲淡不了佳节的欢腾气息。
30
DEEPAVALI
31
1991 Sports Excellence Award
Badminton girls -
Canoeing girls 7
boys 4
Squash girls 2
Tennis girls 1
Volleyball boys 2
Basketball - 1
Soccer - 1
Team Award
Certificate of Merit
32
ACHIEVEMENTS -
Individual Colours SPORTS
Basketball
Ke Jingyi 1st Award
Soccer
Lin Jiefeng 1st Award
Squash
Li Liangying Elaine 1st Award
Hong Lijun Lionel 1st Award
Tennis
Yao Qiyao 1st Award
Volleyball
Huang Baoming 1st Award
Yi Zhiqiang 1st Award
Canoeing
Shen Joycelyn 2nd Award
Zhou Anni 1st Award
Fu Lilin 1st Award
Shen Lina 1st Award
Chen Shuling 1st Award
Zeng Lijun 1st Award
Zeng Xueting 1st Award
33
'A' Division National Championships
Badminton - 3rd
Canoeing 2nd 1st since 1971
Chess 3rd 2nd
Squash - 3rd
Tennis - 2nd
Volleyball 3rd -
Soccer (South Zone) 1st -
34
ACHIEVEMENTS - ECA
NJC's choir.
35
CLDDS night gave the
of the college communit
of our Chinese heritage.
短剧
《屋外有热流》
小 组 合 唱
《那一盆火》
中文学会主办的
“叶串之声”,串
出了表演者的才
华,和观众的掌
声。
三幕剧《桃花源》
36
CLDDS NIGHT
ortunity to members
experience the richness
诗歌朗诵
《非洲的旱季》
三幕剧《桃花源》中
三个入主角各怀心事
吉他伴奏
《那一盆火》
37
The highlight of NJC's Military Band's activities was Etude
XVI held at the Victoria Concert Hall. It was the epitome of
NJC's musical traditions.
38
ETUDE XVI
Friendship forged
through music
39
TALENTIME
40
LUNCHTIME
CONCERTS
A chance to appreciate
Chinese culture through
melodious music.
41
Love,
Life,
Death....
.... all captured
in 'Our Town'
Tears of joy.
Jubilation!
42
DRAMA NIGHT
43
22ND COLLEGE DAY
45
The National lions roaring to success. What an
46
NATIONAL DAY
48
EARTH DAY
49
The Triumphs of Life
At the end of a student's sojourn in NJC,
he realises the world is his oyster and
with confidence, sets off to meet the
challenges that await him. The college
indeed has prepared him for life.
51
To bum always with this hard, gemlike flame,
to maintain this ecstasy, is success, in life
-Walter Horatio Pater.
几许耕耘换来今天的骄傲,成功的果实总是令人欣慰的。
52
A-LEVEL RESULTS
Mrs Goh and Miss Kwa in lively conversation with our top scholars.
53
College Day is the most significant event in ou
Recognition is given to those who have served
in academic and extra-curricular activities.
for their dedication to their profession.
54
22ND COLLEGE DAY -
PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY
ollege calendar.
te college with honour
eachers are given credit
55
听君一席话,
胜读十年书。
Asking questions.
56
LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMME
AND CAREERS SEMINAR
Our Mindef
presenters
57
ROLL OF HONOUR 1991
Monbusho Scholarship
58
Local Merit Scholarship
59
Economic Development Board Scholarship
OCBC Scholarship
60
Singapore Government Local Merit Bursary
61
International Competitions
Local Competitions
62
ACHIEVEMENTS -
ACADEMIC
10. Singapore American School Mathematics Challenge 1991
3rd
Siti Andrianie Md. Hani receiving her Prime Minister's Book Prize from Mr Goh Chok Tong,
the Prime Minister.
63
SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY NATIONAL ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION
"I am pessimistic about the h u m a n race because it it too ingenious for its o w n good. Our approach to nature is
to beat it into submission. We would stand a better chance of survival if we accommodated ourselves to this place
and viewed it appreciatively instead of skeptically and dictatorially."
E.B. White
Whether perceived from a scientific, philosophical or theological viewpoint, it is underuable that man, by
virtue of his intellect, is master of planet Earth. Hence, he is responsible for managing and caring for the Earth and its
component systems. Unfortunately, he has failed miserably in shouldering these responsibilities.
He has even failed to appreciate the intricate and delicate co-relationships that exists between himself and the
Earth's living systems. As Fritjof Capra puts it in his book, "The Turning Point", man is facing a crisis of perception
for he does not realise that he lives in a "globally interconnected world in which biological, psychological, social and
environmental phenomena are all interdependent".
As a result, man the unskilled housekeeper and shortsighted economist, has been depleting the world of its
finite resources and abusing those renewable natural resources without giving due consideration to their sustainable
management. His current perception of development and economic growth is unrealistic. He suffers from a tendency
to view economic development and the environment as completely separate entities. Man, therefore, often forgets
that the Earth is essentially an organism whose general well-being is determined by the health of all its component
elements.
It is a fact that even as 40,000 children die of hunger each day, some countries still stockpile millions of tonnes
of food supplies just to control market prices. Motor vehicles burn away precious fossil fuel and, in the process, spew
out six billion tonnes of carbon annually. Industries continue to emit chemicals that pollute our air space. Scientists
have now predicted that, as more and more greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and
chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) are released into the atmosphere, the average global temperature will rise significantly
by at least 2 C in the next century. This could then result in the melting of the polar ice caps, causing the sea-levels to
rise to disastrous levels. Such global climatic changes would upset existing agricultural systems, submerge coastlines,
devastate livestock and human settlements as well as aggravate existing problems of drought, desertification and soil
erosion. All these will come about if "business-as-usual" developmental trends are allowed to prevail.
There has also been much discourse over the fate of the ozone layer which filters off 70-90% of harmful ultra-
violet B & C light rays from the sun as well as helps in regulating world temperature. It is currently being rapidly
depleted by the accumulated CFCs emitted into the atmosphere. This is the result of C F C s being widely used in
aerosols, coolants (refrigerators), and the manufacture of plastic products. There are already very evident "holes" in
the ozone layer, which are sizeable areas of lowered ozone concentrations, over the south and north poles.
Due to the exponentially increasing population, man continues to chop down Earth's forests to provide
needed land for agriculture, mining activities, and urbanization. Indeed, this destruction of the world's forests,
especially the tropical rainforests, has irreparable consequences on the diversity of our flora, fauna and natural
resource gene bank (biodiversity). Man has conveniently ignored the rights of other species to exist on planet Earth.
He does not realise that such actions are destroying the vast potential sources of food, medicine, and raw materials as
well as jeopardizing his own future.
Furthermore, the world's forests serve as a climatic regulator, like a giant sponge that absorbs and releases
water moisture at balanced rates as well as serving to protect valuable topsoil from erosion and nutrient leaching.
Without these global safety belts, our precipitation, together with the air mass and tidal movement patterns will
become unpredictable, causing climatic chaos and natural disasters. Strangely enough, humanity seems oblivious to
such impending threats.
Mother Earth can only suffer in silence as her rivers and oceans are poisoned by our effluents and industrial
chemicals and her atmosphere choked by our lead, acidic gases, and nuclear fallouts. In 1986, a steam explosion in
Reactor 4 at Chernobyl, caused widespread damage to agricultural produce and livestock. In Bhopal, India, methyl
isocyanate gas that leaked out from a pesticides factory killed over 2000 people and maimed thousands more.
All these attest to man's careless attitudes and his shameful disregard for the world's environment. Man is just
beginning to realise that there is a limit to such abuses.
64
Despite this, in many countries of the world large-scale, prestigious, and capital-intensive developmental
projects are still preferred over those that provide for the basic necessities of the people. Many developing nations
have found themselves burdened by heavy foreign debts that rise upredictably with inflation and interest rates. To
repay these debts, they have no choice but to further mine their land, fell their trees, and forgo long-term environmental
interests for short-term survival. On the other hand, developed countries, fortified by their economic success and
industrial progress, maintain wasteful and unsustainable lifestyles that emit 75% of the greenhouse gases that
contribute to global warming.
As long as all these situations are allowed to persevere, the environment will continue to deteriorate and our
ailing Earth will slowly bleed to death.
However, there is still hope. Mother Earth can still be rescued from this path of destruction. Man will have to
act NOW! It is obvious that man's self centred ways are the cause of Earth's misery - a very simple truth and yet
hardly ever accepted. Man must therefore review his actions and accept the full responsibilities for their consequences.
In other words, he must be accountable for all he does.
It is most endearing to note that in the wake of the African famine, almost 400 million dollars in humanitarian
aid arrived in a matter of months. However, we still have to accept that it was due to humankind's negligence that
over a million lives perished in that disaster. How could the African continent produce enough food if much of the
agricultural land had been used for cash crops such as tea, cotton, peanuts, and coffee? The ongoing desertification,
the turning of soil to sterile dust, is but the consequence of the environmental problems. Some countries in this
continent, with already debilitated economies, cannot provide proper irrigation, transport and soil management
schemes. Yet ironically, much of their money is spent on buying arms and fighting wars.
Global environmental problems have now received worldwide attention. In the surge of burgeoning
international efforts, many international instruments have been formulated. These include the Convention of
International Trade of Endangered Species (CITIES) which prohibits and restricts the trade of some 800 endangered
animal and plant species and the Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer which was signed in Vienna in
1985 by some 20 countries and the European Economic Commission to reduce CFC emissions. Current global
conventions being negotiated include one on the conservation of biodiversity and another to manage world climate
change.
Conservation and environmental groups have emerged at the forefront of global debate and are working
towards influencing the perception, policy and charter of many national governments. In Singapore, for example, the
Malayan Nature Society has formulated a masterplan for the conservation of nature and natural habitats of ecological
importance which include the Senoko Bird Sanctuary, Pulau Ubin, and Keranji Heronry - most of which are now
being threatened by developmental projects.
In full realisation that our actions have led to an ailing Earth, the im.portant question that needs to be asked is
can we, as individuals and part of the world community, contribute to nurse her back on the road to recovery? The
answer is simply YES - provided we care!
As a first step, it is essential that we get to be better informed on environmental issues so that we can view
current problems related to the environment in an unbiased and holistic manner. As the next step, we must adopt an
environmentally friendly lifestyle. This is in subscription to current contention that we must think globally yet be able
to act locally.
Being a consumer, I therefore qualify as a decision-maker in politics governing supply and production
markets. As such, I must be careful and conscious in exercising this right. I would definitely avoid fast foods like
hamburgers and hotdogs. Besides being low in nutritional value, the increase in demand for them often leads to
destruction of forests for conversion to grazing land for cattle - as has happened in Amazonia. I should try to opt for
'organically' grown food that are free from pesticides and other agricultural chemicals to promote organic farming
which reduces pollution of our hydrological systems.
Substitutes are now available for the notorious CFCs but they are misleadingly labelled 'ozone-friendly'. In
actual fact they produce similar effects as CFCs. To avoid these, I would just try to use natural products and reduce
air-conditioner usage by winding down windows instead.
I certainly can influence my lady friends to reduce the use of cosmetics which incidently are largely tested on
animals to ensure that they are safe for human use. Can we justify such unnecessary torture of animals for the sake of
vanity? In addition, cosmetics may even be detrimental to our health and environment as some of these contain
titanium oxides, benzoic ix acids, sulphur precipitates and other chemicals.
While shopping, I must not forget to bring along my own shopping bag to reduce the use of plastic bags. I
would shop for environmentally friendly products. Initially, these may cost more but prices should become more
affordable if the demand for them is created. At home, it is as simple as switching off and using more energy efficient
electrical appliances that will help contribute to fossil fuel conservation and environmental protection.
65
Singaporeans throw away 2 million tonnes of garbage yearly. This garbage comprise 36% of paper, 30% of
organic waste, and 10% of glass - primarily reuseable and renewable. Thus, recycling such waste would significantly
reduce the demand for fresh resources and help, in the long term, to reduce prices. For example, 31 barrels of oil
would be required to produce 1 tonne of commercial alluminium cans but only 8 barrels are required if aluminium
scraps are used. We should be mindful that the can itself constitutes 80% of the cost of our drinks. I would certainly
make sure empty cans be collected and sent for recycling.
The private car is a nemesis in the envirorunental sense. It has a high energy consumption but remains an
inefficient means of transport. In most major cities, the average speed of traffic is 8 km per hour mainly because of the
large number of private cars on the road. I would call for and support policies and campaigns to encourage the use of
public transport to revamp the way we commute. Reducing traffic volumes means reducing the levels of acid rain,
lead poisoning, air and noise pollution as well as undue emotional stresses. Smoking is not dissimilar to car pollution
as collectively it causes similar problems. I certainly could do without the habit.
In addition to the above, it is also my moral responsibility to create a greater awareness and to raise the level of
concern for the environment amongst my peers and friends. Regardless of economic and social standing, knowledge
confers the power to change things.
As a microcosm of present international efforts, I have caused the setting up of the "GREEN LINK", an
environmental society dedicated to raising the levels of environmental concern amongst students in my Junior
College. The focus is on seeking greater insights into the causes, effects and impacts of national and international
environmental problems. I hope through this society to unite the administration and the student body in a collective
move to address these isssues and initiate remedial actions. Already, proactive projects have been started. These
include an on-going paper recycling campaign, nature appreciation field trips, the production of a newsletter, and
active dissemination of information during meetings.
It is also my fervent hope to organise a National Congress on the environment for Singapore students in the
very near future. It is time that Singaporean youths dispel the common notion that we are inflicted by the 'kiasu'
syndrome. We cannot be complacent if we are to save our planet Earth. It is my extended vision that the youth of the
world combine efforts in a show of solidarity. Professor David Bellamy, the world-reowned environmentalist with
whom I had been fortunate to spend time with, has brought me closer to this vision having expressed interest in
supporting and coordinating efforts between the youth of Britain and Singapore in such endeavours.
Mother Earth is still ailing and much has to be done. The world community today is still debating over w h o is
to blame and what to do with respect to nursing Mother Earth back to health. I very strongly believe that if each and
everyone of us in the world would just begin to care for Mother Earth and contribute whatever little we can to
improve our immediate environment then she will in no time at all be back on her feet.
66
COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION
Green issues are now among the crucial economic, social and political concerns of
the 1990's. What would you include in a Green Manifesto or Programme for your own
country? What obstacles do you forsee in such a manifesto being implemented?
When Earth Day was first commemorated in 1970, its celebrations involved millions of Americans but were
chiefly confined to the United States. By contrast, tens of millions of people participated in Earth Day 1990, which was
formally recognised by over one hundred and thirty countries around the world. This is indisputable proof that
environmental fervour is gripping the world.
The roots of present conservation movements date back to the eighteenth century, during a period of intellectual
expansion and ferment known as the Enlightenment. However, 1962 marked the birth of environmentalism when
Rachel Carson published a book called 'Silent Spring'. She criticized the use of pesticides which were harmful to non-
humans and described the future Earth as one devoid of all flora and fauna. She also warned of a dire consequence:
the failure of food supplies for humans. The book provoked extraordinary emotional reactions from the chemical
industry even before publication and sparked off the popular anti-pesticide movement. The seeds of the present
environmental movement had been sown.
Despite the worldwide growth in the environmental movement and public awareness since then a gloomy
picture has been painted of the wholesale destruction of the natural systems and resources on which civilization
depends.
Scientists studying the stratospheric ozone layer warn of its depletion as holes in the layer were discovered
over Antarctica and the Arctic in 1987. If the ozone protection is lost, harmful ultra-violet radiation that is usually
absorbed will reach the Earth and wipe out most dry land organisms. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS) used in aerosols
have been pinpointed as the cause of this depletion: they react with ozone when they enter the stratosphere.
Since 1970, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and other gases like methane have increased by at least nine
percent. It has been postulated that accumulation of these gases in the atmosphere traps the sun's rays reflecting off
the earth's surface, forming a global heat trap which may soon cause cataclysmic changes in climate. Warnings
abound that an increase of four degrees celcius in the mean global temperature is enough to melt the Antarctic ice
cap, thus raising sea levels and drowning most of the world's major cities.
Deforestation is a hot topic as tropical rainforests are rapidly being cleared. Most of the twenty million square
kilometres of rainforest are required to offset the Greenhouse effect by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide and
releasing oxygen. Moreover, precious topsoil is lost in the process of clearing.
Pollution, too, is rampant. Accumulation of toxic chemicals cause water and soil pollution while atmospheric
pollutants like sulphur-dioxide from industries result in acid rain. All these have caused the biological impoverishment
of the Earth, with countless thousands of plant and animal species having disappeared since Earth Day 1970.
Therefore, it is not astonishing that green issues are now crucial economic, social and political concerns.
Consumers are switching to environment-friendly products, resulting in major shifts in the types of goods manufactured
and exported. Social conversations often revolve around saving the environment, with many projects being organized
to enhance environmental awareness. Politicians have been forced to deal with environmental problems as their
treatment of green issues determines whether they stay in power. The latest international political result was the 1987
Montreal Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, sponsored by the United Nations
Environmental Programme. It called for CFC production to be halved, but by autumn 1988, many governments were
planning virtual elimination of CFCS.
It must be noted that concern over green issues will not be confined to the 1990's. In fact, they will increase in
importance as scientists postulate that the dire effects of global warming will be felt in the early twenty-first century.
Singapore, my own country, is located in Southeast Asia at the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia. It is a
young city with only twenty-five years of modern history behind it and no natural resources except its citizens.
However, it is one of the world's busiest ports and a bustling international business and financial centre. More
importantly, it is also reowned as a 'clean and green' city.
The Singapore government is exceedingly serious about issues pertaining to the environment. Numerous laws
have been passed to restrict pollution and nature reserves have been established, for example, the Bukit Timah
Nature Reserve. Imports of aerosols containing CFCS will be banned by the end of this year, while unleaded petrol is
cheaper than leaded petrol. It has organized many projects like the cleaning of the Kallang Basin and Singapore River,
and most recently a 'clean and green' week in conjunction with Earth Day 1990. It will even be introducing a novel
weekend car scheme in May this year, in which car owners only pay thirty percent of the prevailing road tax if they
only use their cars during weekends and off-peak hours.
67
However, a Green Manifesto would still be beneficial as a proper environmental programme has yet to be
implemented.
The education of the people would be a top priority. Ideally, knowledge of environmental issues should be
inculated from a young age and schools would be the best place to begin. Special sessions could be held to discuss
these issues and to clear up any misconceptions about them. Regular exhibitions could be organized to focus on
different major environmental concerns and how each individual can help. Schools should be encouraged to
commemorate Earth Day and organize projects suitable for different age-groups, ranging from planting trees to
clearing up a stretch of country. More importantly, the young must be informed of the significance of these activities,
which will then increase their enthusiasm for environmentalism. For example, a group of one thousand six hundred
students from Anderson Junior College recently embarked on a project of collecting old newspapers from the Ang
Mo Kio housing estate. By the end of the day, the students were pleased that they had collected enough to save six
hundred and fifty trees, and were gearing up for more projects.
However, the young always learn best by example, consequently adults must be educated too. The media will
have to be harnessed for this as it wields the most influence on their lives. Besides publishing regular updates on the
environmental situation, it should emphasize the future of today's children in relation to this. It could print forecasts
of future scenarios and how their children will be affected, thus relying on the adults' natural parental instincts to
goad them into action. Moreover, it could also report how other countries are dealing with environmental problems.
Adults may be heartened to know that there is nationwide support for 'Suntory' beer in Japan because it is sold in
cans with stay-on tab openers, or that customers in Germany rip off excess packaging from items before paying; these
show that doing something to help will not earn the label of environmental fanatics.
Next, a non-political environmental group should be set up in Singapore. This group could help in co-
ordinating projects and would thus take some of the burden off the government. Totally dedicated to preserving the
environment, this group should soon draw an increasing number of members as people become better educated and
want to do their part.
Since Singapore lies in the equatorial region and receives the maximum amount of sunlight all year round, the
use of solar energy should be promoted. Harnessing solar energy has enormous potential as it is simple and non-
polluting. To begin with, solar panels could be attached to rooftops to heat the hot-water system. Publicity given to
this excellent idea should emphasize its efficiency and the advantages of having a multiple system of energy. Doubts
as to the viability of this should be easily dispelled as the idea works well in temperate countries like New Mexico
even during winter. Singapore could also seriously consider building a solar power plant as solar cells are now
competitive with conventional fossil fuel sources. Modern technology has already invented a photovoltic cell that can
convert one third of the solar energy received to electricity, and future advances in science will further reduce its size.
Thus Singapore will be helping both itself as well as the environment in this process.
The government could encourage entrepreneurs who place preservation above profits by providing tax
rebates. 'Green' stores are commercially viable as shown by The Body Shop, whose products are derived mainly from
the natural ingredients of plants and are not tested on animals. Its sales jumped to ninety million dollars last year,
showing that people are willing to support them. The government should also consider expanding the present Young
Designers' Competition to include a special category for designing practical appliances that run on energy sources
other than electricity from fossil fuels. These innovations would be potential market designs for companies willing to
venture into something new.
In terms of the transport system, the addition of catalytic convertors to cars should be actively promoted as
they force poisonous exhaust gases to react with each other and become harmless. Car-maintenance companies could
do their part by offering discounts on their services for a few years to those who adopt this idea, which would in turn
enhance their own image as environmentally - concious companies. In addition to catalytic convertors, the bicycle
could be promoted as an excellent mode of transport : it is pollution - free and a capital source of exercise for the
fitness - conscious Singaporean. Moreover, it would be the perfect complement to the weekend car scheme.
Finally, the use of effluent water should be extended to all industrial areas, not merely the Jurong Industrial
Area, as pure water is not needed to flush toilets or scrub floors there. Double-action devices could be installed in the
flushing system of toilets which can save up to ninety percent of the water originally used for flushing. These would
all be part of a water conservation programme aimed at reusing impure water several times before it is discharged
into the sea.
The above measures are practical and applicable to all, and should be included in a Green Manifesto in
Singapore.
However, an immense problem in implementing such a programme in Singapore would be the attitude of the
people towards something that requires effort from them in return for nothing of immediate value. The Straits Times
has interviewed many people in conjunction with the measures that the government has introduced, and the general
view is that convenience begets participation. For example, the majority of people who switched to using unleaded
petrol did so because it was cheaper, and not for any other reason.
68
There are many reasons for this attitude, but the most plausible one is that Singaporeans have not as yet been
directly affected. This is due to the relatively short history of modern Singapore, which is too brief for any effects of
pollution to be felt. By contrast, most Western countries have their history spanning over centuries. Being the
pioneers of industrilization, they are now starting to experience its drawbacks like acid rain and the expansion of
desert areas. In Australia and America, extremes of climate have been experienced in different parts of the same
continent. Even Asian countries like Japan and Taiwan, with modern histories only a few decades longer than
Singapore, have extensive pollution problems. But the similarity in these countries lies in that they have all been
directly affected by the postulated consequences of ignoring green issues, and are now actively trying to resolve
them. Thus it is because Singaporeans do not experience any direct effects that they rest on their laurels and let others
struggle to undo the wrongs man has wrought on the planet.
Moreover, it is possible that Singaporeans are too well-educated : they read materials that prophesy doom as
well as those that refute those claims. There are many articles which state that the Greenhouse effect is simply a
political tool for environmental doomsayers and that it was predicted a long time ago but never materialised. It is
because no direct consequences of the Greenhouse hypothesis are felt here that people may choose to believe these
articles. This is dangerous as the Greenhouse effect is akin to the Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
virus. It cannot be detected for about a decade after infection, but during this time it utterly destroys the body's
immune system such that when it finally becomes visible, there is little hope left for the victim. Similarly, the
Greenhouse effect may require a period of time to fester before unleashing its dreaded consequences upon the Earth.
However, Singaporeans may yet change this attitude. The world's mean annual temperature went up by half a
degree last year, the highest since record-keeping began in 1951. Scientists warn that this may be the beginning of the
Greenhouse effect, and Singaporeans themselves have experienced the uncomfortable heat of 1990. It may just be a
timely warning that nobody is immune to the consequences of ignoring green issues.
Another obstacle may lie in the media : the media usually report sensational news if possible, and it is the
negative aspect of green issues that is published regularly. Thus these may generate a feeling of helplessness among
the people, who feel that nothing can be done. That is applicable to all countries, including Singapore. Hopefully,
more positive aspects can be emphasized to rejuvenate the spirits of the people, such that they will participate in the
Green Manifesto wholeheartedly.
A final problem may lie in the people's dependence on government measurements to do their p a r t ; without
them, they are unwilling to innovate or take the initial step. Campaigns and laws are needed to push them into saving
the environment. There is no solution to this problem; it can only be hoped that they will come to realise the
importance of saving the environment, and in doing so, help to preserve the planet for future generations.
In conclusion, it must be remembered that anything worthwhile is never easy to accomplish. It is important to
recognize that it requires a global effort to help repair the only planet in the galaxy, capable of sustaining h u m a n life.
If we do not make that effort then we will be held accountable for the final destruction of planet Earth.
Bibliography
Authors Title
69
PEOPLE - OUR
TEACHERS
71
Front Row (L-R):
Mrs Chin Lai Yoke, Mrs Gan Wei Gek, Miss Ko Hak Moi, Miss Diana Chua, Mrs Teo Yang Hong, Mrs Christine Kong, Miss Ann Sutherland,
Miss Lim Yang Hua, Miss Lam Ai Leen (Head - Science), Mrs Tan Kim Gek (Head - PE/ECA), Mrs Soh Cheng Chee (Head - Mathematics),
Mrs Goh Chi Lan (Principal), Miss Kwa Ee Hwa (Vice-Principal), Mr Don Whitby (Head - English), Mr Lam Mun Yin (Head - Arts),
Mr Ho Ah Sian (Head - Chinese), Mrs Tina Neoh, Mrs Elizabeth Chan, Mrs Elizabeth Chiew, Miss Yeo Geok Har, Mrs Teai Soak Mei,
Miss Chia Chiew Peng, Miss Sandra Gwee, Miss Shirely Yap, Miss Tan Hwa Mei.
72
Third Row (L-R):
Mr Tan Koon Ee, Mrs Yeo Wai Keng, Mr Ho Woei Yen, Mrs Che Siew Long, Mrs Christine Lim, Miss Zalinah bte Lias, Mrs Evelyn Ong,
Mrs Ho Chai Noi, Mrs Goh Pai San, Mrs Karen Chia, Miss Wong Shuk Min, Mrs Ho Chui Kee, Miss Sharon Phua, Mdm Nemah bte Hamid,
Mrs Heng Seok Choo, Miss Narindarjeet Kaur, Mrs Pryke Wai Yin, Miss Teh Ching Lih, Mrs Joy Balakrishnan, Mrs Marianne Tan,
Miss Quan Cher Lee, Miss Vicki Low, Miss Tan Yang Fern, Mdm Seah Khwong Yao, Miss Koh Boey Kwee, Miss Michelle Loh,
Mdm Tan Chin Hwa, Miss Peng Yu Er, Mrs Chang Chin Min, Mrs Lim Geok Hwa, Miss Lim May Lang, Mrs Lai Tok Boon.
Other members of staff are: Mrs Ip Ka Lok, Mr Anthony Clark, Mr Eikman Teo, Miss Choo Teck Chan, Mrs Lee Lee Kien.
73
Office staff (L-R):
Mr Andrew Hong, Miss Lim Swee Eng and Mrs Maggie Cheong.
Librarians (L-R):
Mdm Rosnah Bte Abu Bakar and Mrs Ng Geok Lan.
74
PEOPLE BEHIND
THE SCENE
75
PEOPLE - OUR
TEACHERS
77
PEOPLE - STUDENTS
79
PEOPLE - STUDENTS
81
91S01
91S02
82
91S03
91S04
83
91S05
91S06
84
91S07
91S08
85
91S09
91S10
86
91S11
91S12
87
91S13
91S14
88
91S15
91S16
89
91S17
91S18
90
91S19
91S20
91
91S21
91S22
92
91S23
91S24
93
91S25
94
91A01
Absent :Miss Koh Boey Kwee Chin Su-Ping Trina 陈 淑 萍 ,Cho Eung Joo Julie 赵 应 珠 .
91A02
95
91A03
91A04
96
91A05
91A06
97
91C01
91C02
98
91C03
91C04
99
90S01
90S02
100
90S03
90S04
101
90S05
90S06
102
90S07
90S08
103
90S09
90S10
104
90S11
90S12
105
90S13
90S14
106
90S15
90S16
Front Row (L-R): Quek Li Yen 郭礼彦,Quek Eng Yew, Christopher 郭荣耀,Peng Cheng Aun 方清安,Sio Han Boon萧汉文,
Sia Kee Haw谢旗豪,Prasanna Sudhindra Rao, Puah Boon Kwang潘文光,Pan Soon Keong 潘顺强.
Middle Row (L-R): Parthiban s/o R_ Kumaran, Ong Kim Fong 王今丰,Pua Yong Hock 潘诵福,Phua Dong Haur 潘冬豪,
Ong Eng Sin 王荣新, Mrs Diana Ang, Peh Chee Ee 白志毅, Poh Chee Kiong, Jonathan 傅志强, Pok Soo Keong 卜树强, Quek Quee Seng 郭贵生,
Quek Kai Hock郭介福.
Back Row (L-R): Ong Gek Suan, Suzanna王玉钻,Quek Kim Hia, Veronica 郭锦霞,Sim Sok Peng 沈淑平,Poh Kim Choo, Grace傅金珠,
Poh Wan Lin 傅婉琳,Ong Lay Ling 王丽玲,Ong Wei Chen 王伟贞,Shivani Tharm Aratnam, Quek Tyy Yn 郭姿吟,Poh Chee Chung傅绮贞,
Ong Gaik Lian王玉莲.
107
90S17
90S18
108
90S19
90S20
109
90S21
90S22
110
90S23
90S24
1ll
90A01
90A02
112
90A03
90A04
113
90A05
90A06
114
90C01
90C02
115
90C03
Front Row (L-R): Sim Chew Buay沈洲梅, Sih Yan Ching, Betty 谢妍晶,Ong Bee Fong 翁美凤,Phua Lin Ling 潘琳铃,Loke Oi Lin 陆爱莲,
Second Row (L-R): Quek Siew Hoon 郭秀芬,Ng Poh Beng 黄宝洺,Pang Jia Wei, Stenen 彭加伟,Mr Pua Kim Ling, Tamil Selven,
Low Meng-Yu, Edmund 刘明耀,Ng Su Kai 伍书凯.
Third Row (L-R): Tan Hak Lee 陈学莉,Soo Bee Hong 苏美凤,Sim Shih Ming, Caryn沈雪明,Tan Jin Ying, Andrina 陈延樱,
Ong Khang Ling, Jacqueline 王康凌,Low Ching Ching, Agnes 卢菁菁,Oh Wei Wei 胡慧慧.
Back Row (L-R): Ng Wang Cheng 黄婉菁,Mak Soh San麦素珊,Tan Leh Ching 陈丽清,Tan Hwee Fang陈惠芳,Ng Hwee Bing黄慧敏,
Peng Whye Chee 宾慧枝.
90C04
Front Row (L-R): Wong Kai Kit 黄琪捷,Tham Chuey Peng 谭翠萍,Teh Sok Fun 戴淑芬,Tan Siew Lin 陈秀龄,Mr Saharudin B. Marlian,
Yeong Yen Yen 杨燕燕,Yew Woon Kuan 姚焕君,Tay Lee Noi 郑丽莲,Teo Whee Lan 张慧兰.
Second Row (L-R): Yong Soo Khim杨素琴,Wong Li Li王丽丽,Yap Siew Hua叶秀华,Wong Chyi Woei黄琦玮 Tan Wei Lin 陈玮玲,
Wong long Rong, Doreen 王雍容,Tan May Na, Yvonne 陈美娜,Toh Yen Sang 卓燕双,Toh Moo Tee卓文娣.
Back Row (L-R): Teo Tsu Peng 赵思萍,Tay Wei Teng 郑纬婷,Yeo Mei Ping, Shirley 杨美萍,Tan Gian Chung 陈建忠,Tan Joai Ching陈睿青,
Tay Wei Chuan, Melissa郑慧娟,Tjioe Soo Mean 周淑敏.
Absent : Catherine Wong Sook Han, Yak Chee Keong.
116
The Editorial Team:
Aw Boon Kwang Marilyn Seow
Chua Chor Ping Savitri Santhiran
Gurpreet Kaur Sidhu Tan Ai Leen
C G Padmashree Teo Hwee Boon
Angeline Poh Yeo Yin Khoon
Tan Chin Huat Goh Heoi Peng
Toh Chun Meng Siti Andranie Bte Mohamed Hani
Dorothy Ho Sook San Sharib Anis
Georgina Quek Long Yin Wee
Trina Chin
127
AUTOGRAPHS
128