Round-up of 2007 - hope all my batch mates will read this

Dear Readers,
today was the last day of school for theokwek, and according to him, he's still very emotional about it all. Here's what he has to say.
The Straight times Editor

The academic year of 2007 has come to an end for all Rafflesians, and despite being a week later than in other schools, the commencement of the holidays have not disappointed any. This year has been, in a word, eventful, and the below is a round-up of sorts for my batch, my class and I.

I believe it has been an either life-shattering or life-motivating experience for all secondary one Rafflesians, though this hectic metamorphosis affects each individual in a unique way. From the beginning of the year, when we received our ties, badges and other privileges (or banes) that came with the Rafflesian way of life, through a prickly first-term, that inevitable period of culture-shock; through an intense second term, our first semestral exam; through a very very rushed third term, when EOY-exam-fears started to set in; to a dog-and-bone fourth term, with a free-for-all in the examination hall as well as in the prefects elections, I think all of us has grown to a certain extent, and not just physically.

We have gained new insights, we have tasted the value of trust and respect, we have glimpsed the power of the Rafflesian passion, we have absorbed the joy of mingling with close friends in sweat and toil. But we have also received hope, a hope evident in the eyes of our graduating Secondary four seniors, a hope of making each day better than the one before.

As they say, and as we also sing in our common batch song, we are the young, and tomorrow is in our hands.

My class has grown to be an integral part of me, and I, either fortunately or unfortunately, have grown to be an integral part of my class. In my post as a monitor, I have gained countless cuts and bruises, and so have my classmates, who have borne the brunt of uncountable tantrums.

True, I no longer thump the whiteboard with the duster and scream across the small, un-air-conditioned area that happens to be our classroom, but sometimes it still takes every cell of mine to withhold the frustration and anger that accumulates over time. Yet I am deeply indebted to all, even those who have provoked me in the name of friendship, and I thank you all for your long-suffering.

The Raffles Institution String Ensemble, too, has changed me. Everyone, including our ever-so-extremely-dedicated-and-tireless Mr. Sze, our appearing-to-bicker-but-are-actually-the-best-of-friends Sec 4 seniors, our brilliant EXCOs of both 2007 and 2008, will know that sometimes it isn’t our individual skill that matters, but looking out for the cellist who’s freezing in the back desk, the clarinetist who’s desperately trying to change his reed, the violinist whose string breaks at that inopportune moment. Ensemble playing is about teamwork, and sometimes it’s better to be a good follower than a commandeering leader.

All of us who have braved this year together agree that this year passed exceptionally quickly, especially those rare moments of pleasure and rest we get – that movie with our primary school classmates, that lunch-time chat with CCA mates, that occasionally non-existent water break during RISE rehearsals. But we’ve all enjoyed it.

Here’s a big thank you to our caring parents and teachers who’ve shepherded us ‘lost little boys’ through the year – we know we can always count on you for that chilled glass of lemonade waiting for us after a long day in school. Thanks also goes to our unforgettable PSLs and seniors, especially Sadikin, Will, Yi Yang, Chuan Yow, Chen Xuan, Nabil, Anish, Kang Jie and the others, for pushing (but most of the time dragging) us through those tough times. Lastly here’s another big thank you to my wonderful batch mates, the class of 2010, for your many pats on the back (some were whacks, not just pats).

Till 2008, Adieu.