Raffles Institution

19 of our Peer Support Leaders recently participated in the Limitless Peer Support Summit 2026, a three-day leadership and mental health programme that brought together student leaders from schools across Singapore.

Through interactive workshops, meaningful conversations, and team challenges, our PSLs explored what it means to support others with empathy, resilience, and care. They learnt that peer support is not about having all the answers, but about listening, being present, and working together to create a supportive community.

Reflecting on the experience, Aidan Lee Sheng Jie (2F) shared, "Hearing the speakers share their personal experiences made me reflect on how people around us may be struggling quietly without showing it, and how hard it is to see the struggles that they are facing. The activities helped me realised that even simple actions, like checking in on someone or including them, can have a strong impact."

We are proud of our PSLs for embracing these learning opportunities and look forward to seeing them continue to make a positive difference in our school community! 💪

Last month, percussionists from the Raffles Institution Military Band (RIMB) and Raffles Symphonic Band (RSB) came together to present their very first percussion concert, maRIMBa 🪇

Bringing together musicians from both bands, the concert showcased the breadth of talent within the percussion sections, featuring a solo drum set performance by Year 5 student Elvin Loh Lok Herng (27S03C) and a special arrangement of Omens of Love by Year 3 student Neo Yu Zhe Jasper (3A).

Behind the performances were long hours of preparation where, beyond rehearsals for RIMB's Prometheum and RSB's A Tempo, the percussionists dedicated evenings to additional practices, united by a shared commitment to their craft and one another.

For many, maRIMBa was an opportunity to deepen their musicianship and grow as performers. For the graduating Year 4 and Year 6 percussionists, it was also a meaningful final performance with a community that had become a second home.

Reflecting on the experience, Lai Qi Xuan (26A01D) shared, “Despite only having played percussion for 1 and a half years, I am so grateful that my fruitful CCA experience could conclude with this concert."

Teow Jun Yang Davien (2B) added, “It was so fulfilling getting to perform with my seniors on stage. The countless hours we spent practising and preparing truly paid off. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

More than a concert, maRIMBa was a celebration of friendship, perseverance and a shared love for music. Our gratitude to all who came down to support our percussionists! May the memories made continue to resonate long after the final note.

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Emil Elestianto Dardak, Vice Governor of East Java, Indonesia and a proud alumnus of the RI Class of 2000.

During his visit, Dr. Dardak toured both Raffles Institution and our boarding complex, revisiting the very place he called home during his school days. It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the experiences, friendships and values that have shaped generations of Rafflesians.

Dr. Dardak also shared his strong support for strengthening the Rafflesian network in Indonesia, recognising the important role that alumni connections play in fostering collaboration, mentorship and opportunities for future generations. This aligns closely with RI’s efforts to deepen and formalise our engagement with the growing community of Rafflesians in Indonesia.

We thank Dr. Dardak for taking the time to visit RI and look forward to building even stronger ties with our alumni community across the region. 🙏🏻

🏀 Basketball Alumni League (BALL) 2026

Throughout the months of March to May, we had the honour of welcoming alumni from Anglican High School, Hwa Chong Institution, Maris Stella High School and River Valley High School on Saturdays at RI for the inaugural Basketball Alumni League (BALL) 2026.

The alumni had plenty of fun engaging in matches that showcased skill, teamwork and competitive spirit. More importantly, the league was about reconnecting with former teammates, forging new friendships, and celebrating a shared love for the game.

As the season came to a close, BALL 2026 served as a reminder that the bonds formed through basketball endure long after graduation and also stood as a celebration of community and the lasting connections forged through sport.

House pride and friendly rivalry were on full display as our Year 1-4 students and staff took part in the 137th Track & Field Championships last month!

Alongside the traditional Track & Field events, students embraced new challenges through our very own hyRIx and Speedster Challenge, while Speed Typing and Speed Stacking showcased the many different talents within RI.

Although inclement weather led to the postponement of the Finals on 29 May, the energy and enthusiasm of our Rafflesians never wavered. The Cheering Competition saw every House rally behind their peers in a vibrant display of passion, unity, and House spirit.

When the postponed Finals were held on 2 June, participating athletes once again rose to the occasion, culminating in the crowning of Hullett House as the Overall Champion of the 137th Inter-House Track & Field Championships. 🎉

It was a wonderful display of school spirit and sportsmanship that brought everyone closer together. Thank you to all students and staff for making this year's championships such a memorable occasion.

📷: Raffles Photography & Art Club (RPAC)

From 2 to 4 June, the Raffles History and Strategic Affairs (HSTA) Society hosted the 34th edition of Raffles Model United Nations (RMUN).

Bringing together 330 delegates from over 20 secondary schools and junior colleges across Singapore, RMUN 2026 provided a platform for young minds to step into the world of diplomacy, engaging in spirited debate, multilateral dialogue, and consensus-building as they grappled with some of today's most pressing global issues. 🌍

This year's theme, Miseria Fortes Viros, is drawn from the Latin maxim Ignis aurum probat, Miseria Fortes Viros — "fire tests gold; adversity tests strong men". As HSTA celebrates its 35th anniversary, the theme pays tribute to the generations of members whose dedication and passion have shaped RMUN's legacy. In that same spirit, delegates were challenged to think boldly, speak confidently, and negotiate with conviction.

Throughout the three days, it was heartening to witness delegates exchange perspectives, tackle complex issues, and forge new friendships across schools.

Our sincere gratitude goes out to teachers-in-charge, Ms Goh and Ms Tan, for their support throughout the planning and ex*****on of RMUN. We also thank all delegates for their enthusiastic participation throughout the conference and look forward to welcoming them back next year! 👋

✍🏻: Chew Yu Xuan Sarah Mae (27S03D)

Last Tuesday to Thursday, RI hosted this year's ✍️Creative Writing Festival, bringing together over 60 Year 1 and 2 students from RI and eight invited schools for three days of exploration, creativity and connection.

Centred on the theme "Just Our Nature", the festival invited participants to reflect on the relationship between urban and wild spaces, and the ways they can both intrude upon and harmonise with one another. The festival opened with a keynote by poet and alumnus Theophilus Kwek (Class of 2010/2012), who shared how language and metaphor can be deeply shaped by the spaces and environments that poems inhabit.

Participants then attended workshops led by professional writers Jennifer Anne Champion, Cheyanne Alexandria Phillips, Inez Tan, Carissa Foo, Thomas Lim and Don Shiau, while also exploring less traditional forms of writing. From video game writing with Ubisoft scriptwriters Lyana Shah and Ian Goh, to manuscript editing with Ethos Books copyeditor Arin Fong, and comics and zines with writer-artist Juliette Lizeray, students discovered the many ways stories can be crafted and shared.

Beyond the workshops, participants exchanged their creative work, received feedback from their peers, and formed supportive communities of young writers under the guidance of senior student mentors.

As part of the festival experience, students also explored the newly rewilded spaces across RI's Year 1-4 and Year 5-6 campuses, encountering pockets of untamed nature within the orderly environment of the school. In doing so, they experienced firsthand the ideas at the heart of "Just Our Nature", finding inspiration in the spaces where the cultivated and the wild meet. 🌿

🧭 This year’s Student Leadership Camp centred on the Five Practices and Ten Commitments of student leadership. While these ideas were familiar to our student leaders, the challenge lay in putting them into practice with greater intention and consistency.

The camp opened with a reminder to plan with Head and execute with Heart, not just Hands. As our Deputy Principal, Ms Ng, shared, effective leadership requires both clarity and compassion. In challenging moments, relying on only one can lead to ineffective decisions or insensitive responses. Student leaders were also encouraged to persevere with diligence and integrity, especially when those around them may feel tired, discouraged or unmotivated.

Through activities such as "Battlefront" and "Minefield", students worked together to make decisions, communicate clearly and support one another. Guided by teacher-facilitators, they reflected on what the leadership commitments look like in practice and how they can be lived out in everyday situations. Sixteen campers were recognised for exemplifying these commitments throughout the camp.

To our student leaders, both new and returning, step into the stretch zone. Set a goal for how you will practise these commitments in the term ahead, in the decisions you make, the way you work with others, how you respond to challenges, and how you encourage those around you. After all, leadership is not about the title, but about the difference we make through our actions each day.

We look forward to seeing how this batch of student leaders will bring these commitments to life in the months ahead! 🌱

“Leadership is not simply about individual growth or resilience … and is never meant to be done alone.”

This was the message shared by former Vice-President (Departments) of the 36th Students' Council, Ms Joyce Chan, as the 46th Students' Council began its term at the Students' Council Investiture on 28 May.

Centred on the theme ⛵Voy46e, the Investiture marked the start of a new chapter of service, growth and discovery for the incoming Councillors. Drawing on her experiences as a student leader and now a Naval Officer with the Republic of Singapore Navy, Ms Chan encouraged the 46th Students' Council to embrace challenges, support one another, and approach leadership with courage and purpose.

The occasion also provided an opportunity for the incoming Councillors to thank the outgoing 45th Students' Council for their dedication and service over the past year. Their efforts have left a meaningful impact on the Raffles community and laid the groundwork for those who follow.

As the 46th Students' Council sets sail on this new chapter, may they navigate the journey ahead with courage, purpose and humility, making the most of every opportunity to serve and leave a positive impact on the community around them.

Raffles Modern Dance Showcase 2026: "The Invite" 💌👭

On 14 May, Raffles Modern Dance presented "The Invite", a production showcase centred around Mia's journey towards self-acceptance and belonging. During the one-hour show, our dancers introduced 10 full-length items across various dance genres, including Jazz, Street and Open Choreography pieces that demonstrated our dancers' versatility and daring willingness to venture outside of Contemporary dance. 🌠

Throughout the show, audiences were invited into moments of nostalgia, uncertainty and self-discovery. Each performance reflected not only the dancers' versatility, but also their ability to connect deeply with the emotions and experiences at the heart of the story.

Behind every moment on stage were months of dedication, resilience and teamwork. From rehearsals and creative development to the final performance, the dancers demonstrated a commitment to their craft while supporting one another through the journey. 🩰

The showcase was also made possible by the guidance of their coaches and teachers, the encouragement of family and friends, and the strong camaraderie shared within the team.

As the curtain falls on this season, The Invite leaves behind a simple but meaningful reminder: Like waves, our personalities ebb and flow as we grow, and each version of ourselves is as precious as the last.

May this story encourage us to approach ourselves and others with greater compassion, and to understand that everyone deserves to be loved as they are. 💞