By Hung Yu Yan (25A11)
Our Victorians greeted the new year with a bang with the hosting of our annual Open House event. On January 10, student volunteers and school staff members emerged from their vacation moods and returned to the VJC campus to welcome prospective students and visitors nationwide. Marked by the radiant smiles and bright spirits of Victorians, the Open House event lit the campus ablaze and will undoubtedly remain a memorable event for both visitors and the student body alike. Here are some of the highlights:
A group photo of the school leaders, teaching staff, and students in charge of Open House by Mr Yap
Arriving bright and early on this day were our Victorian FACEs (Friendly, Approachable, Confident, Empathetic and Sensible) and Students’ Council, who acted as our student ambassadors to the public during the Open House. They were the smiling faces that visitors saw all across the campus, ensuring everyone that a kind helping hand was never too far away.
Photos of FACEs at the main entrance and the welcome booth, provided by VJ Students' Council
Greeted by the energetic cheers, as well as the welcome banner put up with the help of the ODAC (OutDoor Adventure Club) and Students’ Council, prospective students and visitors were ushered to the Welcome Booth, where they were each given a welcome package with goodies like a deck of foolscap paper and an event brochure with a map of the premises and scheduled programmes for the day. FACEs at the welcome booth were readily on stand-by to be the guides to our groups of curious visitors, bringing them around our beloved campus. What a welcoming start to the event for all visitors!
Photo of the Subjects Showcase at the school hall, taken from the @thevictorianverve on Instagram
Walking down the corridor from the Welcome Booth, visitors would find themselves at the bustling school hall where the academic subject booths were located. There, students and subject teachers were stationed at their respective booths representing the wide variety of subjects that VJC has to offer. From booths boasting VJ’s unique subjects such as Theatre Studies and Drama (TSD) and China Studies in English (CSE) to the ECG staff and teachers introducing our 67 different subject combinations offered, VJC truly proves itself to be the place for every kind of student.
Photo of the Clubs and Societies Showcase at the Concourse, taken from the @thevictorianverve on Instagram
Photo of the Writers’ Circle booth, taken by Marcus Menon (25A12)
At our school Concourse, our visitors are treated to the diverse variety of Clubs & Societies. From cultural societies like the Malay Cultural Society to niche interest groups such as Astronomy Club and Writers’ Circle (yours truly), there is nothing short of a spread of choices for prospective students to explore their interests or find something new!
The Principal’s Address in the Performance Theatre was an eagerly-anticipated part of VJC’s Open House. Parents and prospective students alike were treated to deeper professional insights into the school by our principal, Mr Low, and had the opportunity to ask some of their burning questions!
Photo of a school band performing in the Atrium in front of cheering students and visitors, taken by Hung Yu Yan (25A11)
Photo of VJ Dance members performing Katseye's Debut, taken by Hung Yu Yan (25A11)
One of the most exciting moments of the Open House was located in the Atrium, where visitors, staff, and students on campus were treated to striking performances from our student bands and VJ’s very own Dance Club. Trendy hits such as Katseye’s Debut and 5 Seconds of Summer’s Teeth lit up the stage, cranking the energy of the audience up to a hundred with clean moves, stunning vocals and skilful instrumental backing.
Photo of the Students’ Council leading the singing of the School Anthem, taken by Hung Yu Yan (25A11)
Finally, it came down to the final performance segment: Mass dances. Visitors were swept away as students were led by members of the Students’ Council into coordinated dance sequences, performing staple VJ mass dances such as Waka Waka and Whiney Whiney with loud cheers and bright spirits. Ending strong with the singing of the school anthem with our signature cheer, Open House was finally closed with the school flag flying high. VJC is truly the place to be.