Term 2

MTL Fortnight 2025 – Appreciating Our Mother Tongue Languages and Cultures

The MTL Department successfully concluded Mother Tongue Fortnight 2025, an immersive event designed to foster a deeper appreciation for Mother Tongue languages and cultures amongst our students. Through a variety of engaging activities, the annual event successfully ignited students' interest and enthusiasm for their heritage. 

The Key highlights of the fortnight included: 

• Daily broadcasts of songs in Malay, Tamil, and Chinese before morning assembly 

• Interactive online quizzes on language and cultural knowledge 

• "Quote of the Day" where student presenters shared proverbs on Knowledge, Humility, and Perseverance in all three languages 

Some of the signature programmes by the respective language units include:

Malay Unit
Students enjoyed a dynamic Rentak Akar Malay Percussions performance and workshop, gaining a deeper understanding of traditional Malay music. The Lyric Writing and Karaoke Relay session added a fun, creative twist to language learning. 

Tamil Unit
Students participated in an insightful online discussion with local author Kanagalatha. During the Tamil Enrichment Day, students explored AI-assisted Tamil translation and content creation, learning prompt engineering techniques and even composing their own Tamil songs. 

Chinese Unit
Award-winning filmmaker Royston Tan shared his experiences in preserving Singaporean Chinese heritage through film. The event also featured a lively sing-along session with local artists Ben Hum and Qiao Han, creating a joyous and engaging atmosphere. Additionally, H1 Chinese students embarked on a cultural walking trail, visiting historic sites such as Tong Heng Confectionery and Pek Sin Choon Tea Merchant, where they learned about tradition and innovation in heritage businesses. 

As an encouragement for the participation, all participating students received a highlighter inscribed with a proverb in their Mother Tongue, symbolizing the bright future that comes with embracing one's language and culture. 

Let us continue to celebrate and embrace the richness of our Mother Tongue languages and cultures. 

Brown Bag Session Summary: Navigating Complex Conversations

At this week’s Current Affairs Brown Bag Session, students came together for a lively and thoughtful discussion on some of today’s most pressing societal questions. These sessions aimed not to reach firm conclusions, but to spark dialogue, uncover diverse perspectives, and build a habit of critical engagement.

Each session kicked off with a scribble board — a new initiative designed to involve members of the school community who couldn’t attend in person. This board invited anyone to pen down their views beforehand, allowing student facilitators to surface a wider range of voices during the discussion itself.

The question of National Service generated plenty of debate, with students weighing in on whether the male-only policy still aligns with Singapore’s emphasis on equality. While views differed, the conversation showed an increasing willingness to question long-standing norms.

On whether art should reflect reality or challenge norms, responses were mixed but engaging. Students touched on ideas of personal expression, social critique, and the artist’s responsibility — all considered through cultural, ethical, and even political lenses.

The final topic, schools and social media, saw students wrestle with questions of freedom versus protection. While some supported more regulation for student well-being, others advocated for trust and education around responsible digital use.

Across all discussions, there was a clear and deliberate effort to approach the issues from multiple disciplinary angles — whether historical, ethical, sociopolitical, or cultural — to build a more holistic understanding.

Teacher panellists joined in selectively, providing useful insights without overshadowing student voices. Overall, the session underscored the value of open, reflective dialogue — not for quick answers, but to better navigate the complex world we live in.

International Friendship Day & Beyond

In April, TMJC commemorated International Friendship Day to imbue in students an appreciation for diversity and how Singapore navigates diversity on the global stage through her foreign policy. The theme was ‘Forging Friendships in a Complex World’. The commemoration focussed on deepening students’ understanding of Singapore’s friendships amid global uncertainty – in the ASEAN, one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.

In collaboration with Culture Promotion Club and the Student Development Team, our international students presented the unique sights, enduring proverbs and economic potential of Southeast Asia. To increase their cross-cultural sensitivity via hands-on learning, students also shared on the importance of fostering people-to-people ties to promote the spirit of cross-cultural friendship and collaboration. Finally, they concretised their understanding of Singapore’s foreign policy and relations with ASEAN via roleplaying to immerse in how cultural diplomacy works, in commemoration of SG60 and 60 years of bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia.

To extend their learning on the importance of international friendships in an increasingly fractious world, selected students had the opportunity to hear Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speak at the 14 S Rajaratnam Lecture. The upcoming JC1 SG Perspectives Student Dialogue Session and Explore! 2025 Overseas Cultural Immersion Programme in November will further enhance the students’ exposure and learning experiences.

Hari Raya Celebrations

On 9 April 2025, Tampines Meridian Junior College came alive with the spirit of Hari Raya Aidilfitri in a vibrant morning celebration that brought students and staff together in joyful cultural appreciation.

Held in the college hall, the programme began with a meaningful sharing on the significance of Hari Raya, offering insights into its religious and cultural importance. This was followed by an engaging presentation on how Hari Raya is celebrated across different countries and regions, highlighting the beautiful diversity within the Muslim world.

The audience was then treated to a series of lively performances, including traditional dance and a humorous yet heartwarming skit that depicted festive customs and family bonds. Adding to the festive cheer were interactive segments and quizzes that tested students' knowledge and encouraged participation.

The celebrations continued at the Multi-Purpose Hall with hands-on sessions where students had the opportunity to make ondeh-ondeh, a beloved traditional Malay delicacy. Food stations were also set up, offering a wide array of traditional Hari Raya treats for everyone to enjoy, creating a warm and communal atmosphere.

This celebration not only deepened cultural understanding but also reinforced the college's commitment to inclusivity, mutual respect, and the celebration of Singapore's multicultural identity.

Economics Edventure & Project Work Innovation Week 2025 (1 April to 11 April)

This year’s theme, “Imagining Possibilities”, encouraged students to explore new ideas, anticipate challenges, and craft innovative solutions through a variety of engaging activities. Jointly organized by the Economics Department and the Project Work Committee (PWC), the events aimed to develop critical and creative thinking while deepening students’ understanding of real-world issues.

Key activities included a Food Security & Sustainability Exhibition, where JC1 and JC2 students explored Singapore’s food resilience strategies using infographics and interactive quizzes. Economic concepts such as resource allocation and sustainable growth were brought to life through these displays.

A Financial Literacy Talk equipped students with budgeting and saving skills, linking personal finance to government fiscal strategies. This led into the Budget Choice Competition, where students creatively presented and evaluated Budget 2025 initiatives using infographics or videos.

The H2 Budget Enrichment Lecture, led by JC1 H2 Economics Representatives, featured skits, videos, and quizzes to demystify Budget 2025. Meanwhile, H1 students explored infographics and joined a Budget Quiz to build their understanding in a fun, interactive way.

The PWC also welcomed Changi Airport Group, who posed “How might we” challenges on enhancing customer service amid manpower shortages, sparking critical and innovative thinking.

In a session by the National Library Board, students learned research strategies, including the use of precise search terms and Generative AI tools to strengthen information literacy.

A highlight was the SkyeQuest innovation competition, where students pitched creative solutions to real-world issues. Finalists’ videos were screened, followed by an interactive Q&A with the audience and live voting session. The week concluded with JC2 students sharing insights from their Project Work to inspire their JC1 peers.

Together, these activities embodied the spirit of exploration, collaboration, and innovation central to the theme.