By Saara Katyal (23S05A), Tay Yu Ning (23S06E) and Venkatesan Ranjana (23A01D)
Photos courtesy of Raffles Photographic Society
“They’re going that way—that way’s faster!”
RI’s Y7s, no longer clad in white and green school uniforms, could barely contain their excitement as they streamed into the Multi-Purpose Hall to collect their A Level results on the afternoon of February 17th.
The throng of students moved around the hall, catching up with friends and teachers they hadn’t seen since the A Level exams themselves. However, underneath the frenetic babble of voices lay an undercurrent of tension. After all, though they may wish otherwise, the A Level results were still a significant determiner of the paths they will tread for the next few years.
At 2.30 on the dot, the main doors of the MPH were closed, and everyone got to their feet to sing the Institution Anthem a final time. For a batch that spent their two years of JC under Covid Safe-Management Measures and therefore never attended a single Morning Assembly, their voices were resonant and strong, perhaps due to the awareness that their years in RI were, indeed, over.
Subsequently, principal Mr Frederick Yeo took to the stage to deliver his address. Instead of jumping straight into the batch’s A Level performance, he began his speech on a markedly lighthearted note, recounting stories from Y7 students of their activities since graduation: one student had been working part-time in a bowling alley, while another sold bak kwa. Moving to a more serious note, Mr Yeo extended his sincere request to the parents present that they be supportive of their children. He recounted the highs and lows faced by Rafflesians throughout their journey in RI, and finally, extracted a promise from the students to look out for their friends after the release of the results.
Finally, after some teasing, Mr Yeo shared some statistics about the cohort’s A Level performance. This year, RI students delivered an outstanding performance in the examinations, with 98% of students achieving a pass in 3 H2 subjects and GP or KI, and with 1 in 4 students attaining a perfect University Admissions Score of 90. More statistics on this year’s A Level results can be found here.
The atmosphere was tense as students queued up to collect their results from their teachers. As the results folders were handed out, some students broke into tears of joy and relief upon discovering their grades. For many, the fruits of their years of labour were reaped, and they could finally celebrate their success.
A group of Y7s smiling after the collection of their results
Y7s gathering in the hall during Mr Yeo’s speech
Many students were thrilled to find that they had achieved exceptional results. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my teachers and parents. I’m so grateful for [the opportunity to study in RI], and I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” commented a student from an S03 class, who managed to achieve a perfect UAS score of 90.
However, not all students achieved the results they had hoped for. Indeed, the teachers’ emphasis on grades not defining one’s life trajectory certainly helped several students take their disappointments more optimistically. A student from an S06 class said that while she was initially upset with her grades, she took heart in the fact that she was at least still able to qualify for her desired course in university.
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, this cohort of Rafflesians have proven that they are resilient and determined to succeed. Their outstanding performance in the A Level examinations is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
As the Y7s celebrate their achievements and prepare to embark on the next phase of their journey, they can be proud of their successes and the indomitable spirit they have displayed every step of the way.
For more stories, visit Raffles Press