Student Achievements

National Poetry Competition 2022 Prize Winners

The National Poetry Competition is an annual poetry writing event organised by Poetry Festival Singapore and the National Arts Council. The competition invited aspiring poets of all ages across Singapore to write an original work on the theme of “Resurgence”. A total of 23 JWSS Literature students participated in this competition, displaying their deep passion in poetry, and applying what they have learnt from the subject to their creative works. 

Among an estimated 370 entries received, two of our students, Nidhi Somashekar from 1 Integrity, and Valentina Anburaj from 1 Respect, managed to clinch the 3rd Prize and Merit Award in the Super Junior Category, respectively.

Our prize winners, Nidhi Somashekar (1IY) and Valentina Anburaj (1RT), with their certificates at the awards ceremony on 30 July 2022

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‘Sun Mother’ by Nidhi Somashekar (1IY)

Space, a vacuum, hollow and empty,

Gases dance and swirl, Hydrogen and helium adrift,

Swirl and dance in a symphony.

After all, what is there to witness?

For a spectacle like this has happened

A trillion times before.

Whispers and then boom!

Resurgence, Sun Mother is born.

Hydrogen and helium from many stars before,

have granted us life,

A renewed star, sun mother,

Has formed.

On planet Earth,

magma and rock,

Ashen air and red like blood.

Then, life.

But life always ends,

In months, decades or millenniums.

But the Sun is immortal,

Or so we think.

Sun mother gave us life,

The atmosphere and rich earth soil.

From microscopic bacteria,

Millions of years later,

Us, humans, came to be.

We harnessed its energy,

Learnt to weave its bright rays,

Into machines,

into spectacular inventions.

But the sun will not last forever,

Death awaits from afar,

Slowly and slowly,

It expands, inflates and becomes a giant ball of hot plasma.

And unforgivingly devours Mercury and Venus,

spares Earth with nothing but harsh rays.

Life disappears as fast as it was created.

In its void, lies her corpse, and a stunning, breathtaking nebula,

Sun mother has succumbed to time.

Will she resurge and become a new star, no one knows.

But now, her lifetime is over,

Or so we think.

*

The Sun has always been the gemstone of our Solar System and without its spectacular presence we would not have come to existence. This celestial body has been an intricate part of forming life and its existence intrigues people to this day. It was created by a corpse of a previous star and its revival spelled hope for life to thrive.

*

‘Winter Sleep’ by Valentina Anburaj (1RT)

You were spring to me, and so I’ll be alright now, Love.

A voice reciting my name, warm and clear, with no question mark.

A canopy of white Lilac petals falling,

an Ivory climax of blushing innocence and youth.

Spring, nothing else you could have been, you must have been spring.

An aching, intoxicating heat brushing everyone’s cheeks

as pollen causes my eyes to itch.

Spring, certainly spring.

Made me pour out a cup of drowsy Winter, and mark a crisp sheet of Autumn,

eyes met you and it changed the world into something new.

By the providence of the star-glazed Universe, you called and I became your bloom.

Shall we meet at the next stage?

I need to face you again before I melt away too.

A promise carried in the sweet tune of a Pine-green orgel box,

the breath of serendipity and hope- a saving Penicillin.

Your existence demands poetry,

and I'm fussing through the night, trying to get the lines just right,

because these more pleasant nights only come by - to stir life - once in a while.

Blinding city signs and lights return and I'm obliged to work again.

No more depressing excuse to eat nothing but grapefruits and medication,

no excuse to lay supine all day long regardless of anyone's banging clinomania.

Had an urge like that of an undying flame to stay in this little bubble bowl,

but you came in and forced a flower arrangement to bloom around me,

Lavenders, Spireas, Buttercups, Dandelions and Clematis.

You ignited my flame of will to live with kerosene,

and fed it with the dull images that I lived through previously.

A decalcomania in me of the euphoria you cause,

the utopia you were,

fully brought back for all the children to hold hands with and find a meaning in.

A revival of life, a revival of joy, of untold truth, of purpose, of anticipation;

a revival of me.

It’s a new chapter with Déjà vu,

and I’m just praying through dry lips which host missing fibres that you’ll stay,

to show you me, give you me, and to accept and love me.

It’s a game of See-Saw, leaving one state then entering it again-

Could you tell me how it all leads back to you?

I’m meeting the prior page at the next stop,

still in a bed of early blossoms no longer stuck in concrete,

glad to not be stuck in my stigmatic Winter sleep again, while whispering,

“Hi, Spring- Bye.”

'Winter Sleep' details the revival of life after a harsh winter as the speaker overcomes a seasonal depression episode and returns to normal life. The people around him also become livelier and more euphoric as they rouse from the slumber of winter. It hopes to convey that all good days come back eventually.

Their poems are published on Poetry Festival Singapore’s website, along with the other winning entries. You may visit the website here: https://www.poetryfestival.sg/national-poetry-competition-2022

Congratulations to our winners and good job to the students who have participated in this year’s competition!

KEEPSGCLEAN 2021 #CleanDesign

‘Feed My Trashemon’ School Competition

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Public Hygiene Council (PHC) conducted the inaugural nation-wide design competition “Feed My Trashemon” from 18 October to 30 November 2021. The competition aimed to raise awareness and encourage everyone to take action for a clean Singapore. Students with a passion for the arts were encouraged to showcase their creativity and imagination.

Our Art JeWel student, Gan Jing Wen, has come in first place out of the numerous high standard entries submitted by youths nation-wide in Singapore as assessed by PHC judging panel. Jing Wen’s work is published on PHC’s website. (https://www.publichygienecouncil.sg/resources/trashemon-school-competition).

She would also be receiving $1,000 worth of prizes and a certificate at PHC’s flagship event, Keep Clean, Singapore! 2022 in April 2022. Jing Wen’s design would also be produced into an actual bin along with other winning entries. Congratulations, Jing Wen!

	All Singapore Secondary Mathematics Competition for Normal Course Students 2021  Jurong West Secondary School participated in the All Singapore Secondary Mathematics Competition for Normal Course Students 2021.   We are pleased to announce that Poh Wee Wisely of 3T2 emerged Champion! Congratulations Wisely!
	NCC Outstanding Cadet Award 2021 The NCC Outstanding Cadet Award is given to NCC Cadets who had shown exemplary performance in terms of leadership skills and contribution to the NCC Unit. The award is the highest recognition in NCC for students in secondary schools and as a practice, this award is only given to a single NCC cadet. This year, we are proud to announce that we have 2 NCC Cadets who were awarded the prestigious award and they are Master Sergeant Teng Zeyu (4E1) Master Sergeant Muhd Hizqil Bin Jusri (4E1)
	ICAS Assessments 2021 (English) ICAS assessments are designed to recognise and reward academic excellence.  Participants demonstrated their skills in various areas such as text comprehension, writer’s craft, syntax and vocabulary. Congratulations to the following students! High Distinction (Top 1% in Singapore) Dazzel Yeo (4E1) Victoria Tan (2E1) Distinction (Next Top 10% in Singapore) Angeni Chan (3E1) Isaac Sim (3E1)  Raeanne Zou (3E1) Randilyn Liau (2E1) Ng Ai Khee (2E2) Koh Yi Song (2E4)
	The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world's oldest international writing competition for schools, established in 1883. With thousands of young people taking part each year, it is an important way to recognise achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing. Congratulations to the following students! Gold Randilyn Liau (2E1) Silver Tan Jia Fu, Ivan (4E2)  Yazhinisubathra (4E2)  Ng Ai Khee (2E2) Htet Thiri (1 Repect) Xacus See Tho Ngok Man (1 Respect) Bronze Gisele Low Xinhui (3E4)  Perumal Varshni (3E4)  Fedora Tan Cixi (2E3) Lim Pei Qi (2E4) Lim Le Yao Gladys (2E4)
	Doodle4Good Contest 2021 Congratulations to Chua Xinfang from 2N1 as one of the twelve winners for the Doodle4Good Contest held by HappyHappy! JWSS-CCE team took the lead for Mental Wellness modules this year by collaborating with HappyHappy! HappyHappy! is a non-profit organisation in Singapore dedicated to promoting happiness through mindfulness. On July 2021, a nation-wide contest was held for all secondary school students in Singapore where they create doodles based on the theme, “I’m grateful for…” Studies have shown that doodling is a good activity to engage in for brain health. Doodling helps one to become more mindful as well as increases creativity and concentration.  Students will get to learn more about mindfulness and the activities that they can do for their own mental well-being. The theme of the contest - "I'm grateful for...." - also highlights the important value of gratitude and shifts the mind immediately to a more positive mindset. You can download the winning designs at http://happyhappy.org.sg/just-colour as free printables for anyone who wishes to do some colouring as a fun, mindful or de-stressing activity.
	Unity Young Writers Festival 2021 In collaboration with Sing Lit Station, Unity Young Writers Festival (UWF) promotes local literary works and provides a platform for Secondary students to connect deeply with the literary scene. In its fourth year running, this year’s theme is ‘Healing’. Our very own JWSS Literature student, Delia Yeo from 2E1, won 3rd with her poetry submission, titled ‘Spoiled Bread’!
	The Boys’ Brigade Founder’s Award 2021 The Boys’ Brigade Founder’s Award ceremony was held on Friday 23 July 2021. The Founder’s Award is the highest and most honourable award a BB boy can attain in the Seniors Programme. The award recognises boys for their outstanding performance in approved Brigade-level activities and the duties in the Brigade such as the annual Share-a-Gift project.  Company Sergeant Major Paul Lim Yu Xing (4E3) of the 85th Singapore Company (Jurong West Secondary School) was awarded this prestigious Founder’s Award.
	Data Science Bootcamp and Accelerator Programme 2021 During the June holidays, two teams of selected Secondary Three Computing students, participated in the Data Science Bootcamp Programme fully sponsored by Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) and run in partnership with Dunman Secondary School and the Tampines Town Council.  The program aimed to introduce the student to Python Programming and Deep Learning through programming the AWS Deepracer - an autonomous self-driving model car. The students spent 22 hours learning about Python Fundamentals and Cloud Computing. The program ended off with a thrilling AWS DeepRacer league held (virtually) at a model car racetrack in Dunman Secondary School.  We are pleased to announce that one of our teams won third place in the AWS DeepRacer league. There were 48 other teams from different schools. These are the names of the students in the team that have won third place in the final round.    1. Koh You Li Erika (Sec 3E1) 2. Yovita Singh Jolly (Sec 3E1) 3. Zou Ruining, Raeanne (Sec 3E1) 4. Chaw Nadi Aye (Sec 3E2) 5. Tan Yixi Kimberley (Sec 3E3) We would also like to acknowledge these students from the other team who participated in the program.  1. Gone Sai Anirud (Sec 3E2) 2. Lucas Lim Khai Hng (Sec 3E2) 3. Rex Joseph Seera (Sec 3E2) 4. Ethan Low Wei Yi (Sec 3E3) 5. Wang Shuxian (Sec 3E1) Rex Joseph Seera was selected among the students who attended the Bootcamp due to his good performance to join the 88-hour Accelerator programme which only accepts 40 students.
	SPF-NPCC Badge Award 2021 We are pleased to announce that for 2021, for her dedication and commitment, Staff Sergeant (NPCC) Kwok Jin Xuan, Charlotte from 4N1 have successfully been awarded the SPF-NPCC Badge. The SPF-NPCC Badge is the pinnacle badge and highest award attainable by a NPCC Cadet while in secondary school. Congratulations!
	Ignite Skills Challenge 2021 Ignite Skills Challenge 2021 is an annual competition that introduces students to technical skills and fosters deeper understanding of courses offered by ITE. Challenges are designed to be engaging and fun, so as to make learning enjoyable and memorable. There are a total of 15 challenges and participants are required to attend a virtual workshop teaching them about the task, before they explore and perform the task on their own.  Team Star JWSS consisting of three students Glendon Gan Chun Chek, Zerlynn Koh Hui En and Bernard Chua Rui Feng from 2T2 participated in the ‘Filtraxxion’ challenge, where they were tasked to build a filtration system using natural materials. In the Preliminary round, they managed to build a filtration system with five different layers of natural materials and were judged on two criteria, the flow rate of their filtration system and the clarity of the filtrate. They also created a chatbot messenger to answer common questions about filtration and the filtration system they had created. In the Final round, they were tasked to create a ‘Filtration learning package’ video to teach their classmates more about filtration and how to build a filtration system. Team Star JWSS clinched the gold medal, beating 30 over teams from other schools who took part in the event.
	DESTINATION IMAGINATION 2021 The annual Destination Imagination (DI) competition, held from February to April 2021, saw both our student leaders from Student Council (SC) and Student Ambassadors (SA) merged as champions as they clinched the top two positions for their Service Learning advocacy messages respectively. DI offered the student leaders an international platform to engage in problem-solving solving projects in the areas of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) Challenges. They experienced, advocated and reinforced core social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies—social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, self-awareness, and self-management through a presentation of an 8 minutes podcast-creative video. Both Student Councilors and Student Ambassadors worked for 3 months to advocate for online positive influences and environmental efforts in the community based on a wide range of ideas, skills, and techniques while solving the competition’s challenges in their own way! Congratulations, teams! To view the winning videos, please visit https://youtu.be/oAYV3LcWCO4 for environmental efforts’ advocacy and https://youtu.be/LfINpSIHuOs for positive influencers.
	The Director’s Award Our Red Cross Youth Cadet Krishika Singh d/o Dinesh Singh from 4E3 was presented with the Director's Award, the highest honour a Red Cross cadet can achieve in the secondary level.  The Director’s Award was presented to Krishika Singh d/o Dinesh Singh by Mr Sahari Ani, Senior Director of Singapore Red Cross Society on the 16th April 2021, during World Red Cross Day Ceremony at Red Cross Campsite. Congratulations to Krishika Singh d/o Dinesh Singh for being an exemplary cadet who led the unit with commitment and conviction! Congratulations!