External Event: Mega Telematch for a Cause

TJC Event: College Annual Road Run 2009

3.00pm Students who are not having SPA will be released from lessons. These students will proceed to respective venue for House Dialogue.
3.50pm Students having SPA will be released from lesson
4.10pm All staff & students are to report to Sports Complex Gallery.
4.20pm Girls participants to report at Basketball court.
4.30pm Start of Girls' race.
4.40pm Staff participants to report to Start Point(on the track).
4.45pm Start of Staff Race.
5.00pm Boys participants to report at Basketball court
5.15pm Start of Boys' race.
5.50pm End of race.
5.51pm Cheering competition.
6.20pm Prize presentation.
7.00pm Closing Ceremony

Viewpoint: Vijay in TJ

TENNIS STAR VIJAY AMRITRAJ “COURTS” AND WINS THE HEARTS OF TJCIANS

Brief Introduction

Vijay Amritraj was born on 14 December 1953 in Chennai, India. He and two of his brothers were among the first Indians to play top-flight international tour tennis. In his professional tennis career, Vijay won a total of 16 single titles and 13 double titles. He reached his career high ranking in singles of World No. 16 in July 1980, and he beat other tennis legends such as John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Mr. Amritraj finally hung his racket at the end of a 27 year professional tennis career.
Mr. Amritraj had a short stint in acting, appearing in movies such as James Bond and Star Trek. Presently, he is a sports commentator, a UN Peace Envoy who also runs a charitable organization called the The Vijay Amritraj Foundation.

The man himself

As students gave a warm applause, Vijay Amritraj rose from his seat and we began hearing gasps from all corners of the room. Towering at 1.93m and in addition, his deep booming voice, Mr. Amritraj’s presence overwhelmed us. His remarkable “X-factor” further heightened our admiration for him in that instant.

Mr. Amritraj started off by telling us about his childhood and the dreams he had harboured since young. “Dreams! A lot of things come together to make your dreams come true but most importantly, dream big, not small. Not to the roof, but big, lofty dreams” – an attitude he stood by to get to where he is today.

Playing sports as a profession was uncommon and stereotyped as impractical. Furthermore Mr. Amritraj had various health problems, but nothing seemed to be able to avert him from achieving his dream of becoming a professional tennis player. Through tennis, Mr. Amritraj slowly gained his fitness. He also started running 10 miles at 5a.m. everyday for 9 years straight.

One may think that with talent, hard work and lofty dreams, school education is no longer as relevant if subjects like Mathematics, Chemistry, Literature or Economics do not directly affect our job scope. However, Mr. Amritraj emphasized on the importance of school education in everyone’s life, even for professional athletes. “Education allows people from different backgrounds, ethnicity and cultures to come together and with something in common, because we were nurtured upon similar basic foundations. This helps us in our communication with one another.”

Through communication, even more knowledge can be imparted to us and this is what makes life a never-ending learning journey. Education doesn’t just end with graduation. After all, education isn’t just about a piece of paper but about a lifetime of commitment to conscientiously and continuously improve ourselves.

Mr. Amritaj admitted that most sportsmen have lost more competitions than they have won. He joked about how he wished he had not lost so many, but added that his defeats had in turn made winning much more meaningful. Likewise in life, failure happens more often than success, failure may be demoralizing initially, but it is the experience we take and learn from, that directs and guides us towards eventual triumph. “There are only winners and second best”, says Mr. Amritraj. All of us should cultivate the habit of learning to look in such a positive manner.

Living by his 5 core values: Determination, Discipline, Desire, Divine intervention, and Drive, it is no wonder Mr. Amritraj has become so successful and contented with his life. By being the best he can be, Mr. Amritraj not only made his family and country proud, he made an impact on many people all over the world. We were so privileged to have met this great man who certainly entertained us and more importantly inspired us with his faith and willpower so unshakable and strong.

Faye Victoria Sit
Tennis Team
CG 05/08

Janan Long
CG 23/08

the voices behind TJC’s AMAZING FEAT

"This initiative has made all of us more aware of YOG and really does bring out more support for YOG2010." – Sherman Tan (02/08, SportsXcel Scholar & Swim Team Captain)

"It's so cool that we use footwear and shoes. It’s such a novel and innovative idea for charity, plus it encourages Green Living, and more importantly it gives us a chance to show TJC's support for the YOG in Singapore." – Ho Ann Yi (02/09, Student Councilor & Shooter)

"We've taken turns to work past 8pm in the last week since we've collected the shoes. And the donations still keep coming. We've had to sort the shoes, rubber band them together, and count them. Then we had to lay the field with string to form the grids to accurately paint the YOG logo outline. It has been extremely tiring... but knowing that we're doing our part for Singapore 2010 YOG just keeps the spirits up!"
- Darshita Thurairarah (28/08, SportsXcel Merit Award & Netball Vice-Captain)

"The most challenging thing was having to work in the cloudless sky and blazing mid-day heat. We also had to shift the gridlines to accommodate changes along the way. This needed extreme precision and seeing the finished product just makes it all seem worth the while. Everyone has had a part to play. TJC has done Singapore proud!"
– Neritta Low (20/08, Marzarin Programme & Swimmer)

"It's cool because we've managed to involve not just the College... but the whole Bedok community. Every TJ Student had a part to play in this... from the shoe collection, to the rallying of friends, relatives and neighbours to donate their shoes, to the shoe sorting and counting, to the preparation of the logo outline, to the placing of shoes on the field, to the packing up! We're so proud of TJC and our support for YOG."
- Lee Yu Xuan (07/08, SportsXcel Scholar & Swimmer)

"Even students who haven't been assigned to help are offering to help... they're just all coming to the field to lend a hand. It’s so heartening to know that TJC's support for YOG has helped everyone bond and come together for a common cause and activity. Isn't that what the Olympics is all about... friendship."
- Averilyn Seow (20/08, SportsXcel Merit Award & Netball Captain)

"The helpers just came in the hordes… we're just all doing our part to make the timeline. It’s such a bonding experience. For once we can make a difference to something for Singapore - the YOG!"- Adeline Chan (20/08, Mazarin Programme & Squash Team)

"It's so fun! People just got dragged in by their friends and more and more people just joined in. Some PDPs actually cancelled their training to help us out. We're so touched. We're so looking forward to Singapore 2010 YOG. We've going to be a part of history."- Tan Xiang Yu (29/08, Touch Rugby Captain)

"I feel privileged to be the first College to have come up with something like that just after the C.A.N event... to be a part of this history-making event. There's this sense of achievement to have accomplished this in less than two weeks... to contribute to the Singapore 2010 YOG."- Brenda Lai (28/08, Choir Section Leader)

"This is such an excellent initiative. It's very interesting and we've never come across something like that before. It just makes everyone feel like they're part of it. And this infectious effect just gets everyone going. Go Singapore 2010!" – Serene, Alex and Olivia (JC1 & Choir DSA)

Viewpoint: Vijay in TJ

Vijay in TJ said… “Pressure is a privilege. It’s an opportunity to prove your networth.”

I’ve added this quote to my facebook account and my email end-note… and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how very true this really is.

How often do we realize this? Is it in the moment when you’re - taking that 3-point shot just before the quarter buzzer; or making that crucial pass into the penalty box for the equalizer; or anchoring the relay team for a close 1st or 2nd position finish? Can we live by this mantra… or do we crack under pressure?

These adrenaline-heart-pumping moments of pressure and challenge are our given privileges, and crucial opportunities to prove ourselves. Can we take this same attitude to the daily stress we face not just in our respective sports, but also in school and work, to rise above the call-of-duty?

Vijay Amritraj was in TJC on the 29th of January 2009. It has been two days since, and him sharing about his life, and why he does what he does has given inspiration and life to this section of the notice board.

Vijay talked about Passion, Purpose and Drive. He did so with his five ‘Ds’ of Desire, Drive, Discipline, Determination, and Divine Intervention. It’s something that resonates with all of us… it’s our TJ core values!

But how many of us can truly say what Passion, Purpose and Drive really means to us?

Vijay talked about believing in oneself and pursuing his dream that everyone else thought was impossible. He proved them wrong and was the first (and best) professional tennis player who played 20 years straight in the Wimbledon and Davis Cup for India. He’s also beaten World Number One John McEnroe and Jimmy Conners!

Localize the situation and I introduce to you our TJC alumnus and Singapore pro-golfer Lam Chih Bing. Chih Bing is three years my senior and we used to swim competitively at Singapore Swimming Club. He’s now the best Singaporean pro-golfer (to date), and is also the winner of the Volvo Masters 2008!

Dreams start with a belief. A belief in ones own abilities, coupled with the strength of Passion, Purpose and Drive.

I believe in the sharing of dreams. I know that when you’ve struck the right chord, people will be a part of your dream. And when you succeed, EVERYBODY will celebrate together.

I’ve got a dream for the future for the Swim Team as well. It’s for the TJC Swim Girls to move from overall 3rd to oust ACJC from their spot and for TJ to take the overall 2nd position. Some say it’s a lofty ambition, but I say it’s what keeps me (and the team) going.

Pressure is a privilege. A dream cannot happen without it. Will YOU be ready for it when you’re put on the spot.

Mr Alex Loh
Swim Team Coach and Teacher Mentor

External Event: MILO® MOE Youth TRYathlon™ 2009

Man of the Match: John Stephen Akhwari

Out of the cold darkness he came. John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania entered at the far end of the stadium, pain hobbling his every step, his leg bloody and bandaged. The winner of the marathon had been declared over an hour earlier. Only a few spectators remained. But the lone runner pressed on.

As he crossed the finish line, the small crowd roared out its appreciation. Afterward, a reporter asked the runner why he had not retired from the race, since he had no chance of winning. He seemed confused by the question. Finally, he answered:
"My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish."

Viewpoint: Vijay in TJ

It was said of Julius Caesar that he came, he saw and he conquered. It could be said of Vijay Amritraj that he came, he shared and he inspired. Well, Vijay is no Caesar but he did come to TJC and he did bring with him stories and anecdotes that inspired the fortunate few who were present that day.

I am tempted to give an introduction of Vijay Amritraj here but in the end I decided against it, since the information is just a simple search away on Google. Instead, I will touch on one particular takeaway that I feel will stay with me for a quite a while. It has to do with Vijay’s sharing on Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. Asked once what his epitaph should be, Justice Marshall retorted: “He did what he could with what he had.”

“We did what we could with what we had.” Don’t we wish that we can say that of every assignment and task that we have undertaken? If we are truthful enough, we will surely admit that we have fallen short many times. In fact, we can recall the times when we grumbled about the lack of resources and support instead of channeling our effort to do our best with whatever we had.

How many of us have given up on our dreams because we assume that what we have is not enough? How many students have stopped working hard because they imagine that they are not smart enough?

How many aspiring athletes in Singapore have stopped trying because they reckon that they don’t have muscles big enough, speed fast enough, coaches good enough? We might have already failed many times but it is never too late to start again: to do what we can with what we have.

As students, we are not expected to score A’s in every subject. As sportsmen, we are not sent to win every match we play in. But as TJCians, we are called to do our very best with whatever we have. Not a 75% effort... Not even a 99.9% effort… We need to give our 100% effort to do what we can.

That is success. That is victory. That is the Temasek Spirit.

Thank you Vijay… for putting the Temasek Spirit into words: “They did what they could with what they had.”

PS: If you are one of the blessed ones from the Table Tennis team whom I happened to drive back to the hostel, you will find the above familiar. For the rest of you in the team, if you are tempted to “grumble” about the lack of quality players in the team, please know that WE SHALL DO WHAT WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE! ;)

Mr Tan Teck Joo
PE Department
Table-Tennis Teacher IC