Victoria Junior College
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox school
Victoria Junior College (VJC) is a co-educational junior college in Singapore offering pre-university education to boarding and day-students. Founded in 1984,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the school stands on Marine Vista, less than one kilometre from the affiliated Victoria School.
VJC is part of the Victoria-Cedar alliance and is one of Singapore's top Junior Colleges.<ref name="The rank game">The rank game Template:Webarchive, Today, 21 September 2001</ref> The school's programmes and activities are advised by the Victoria Advisory Committee,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while day-to-day operations of the school is run by the School Principal. Tutors and faculty members are responsible for the governance of student life.
History
Victoria Junior College was established in 1984 to replace the Pre-University classes in Victoria School (VS). The pioneer batch of 776 students was received with 51 teachers and 16 supporting staff. The outstanding results of the pioneer batch of students in the GCE 'A' Level examinations was to set the academic standard for succeeding generations of Victorians.<ref>(18 April 1982). "NEW $20 m JC AT MARINE PARADE NAMED VICTORIA" Template:Webarchive. The Straits Times (Singapore).</ref>
Over the years, VJC has widely been recognised, based on MOE rankings and entry scores, as one of the top three junior colleges in Singapore that offer the 'A' Levels. VJC was also ranked the top junior college in the Ministry of Education's (MOE) ST ranking of junior colleges in 1995 and 2001, based on academic results.<ref name="The rank game"/> More recently in 2019, it had the 4th toughest entry score amongst junior colleges offering the 'A' Levels.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 1989, VJC was the first and, until 2005, the only junior college in Singapore to offer Theatre Studies and Drama as an 'A' Level subject.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It also offered a university-level French curriculum as part of the Language Elective Programme until it was discontinued in 2006.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Since 2005, VJC has offered the Integrated Programme, allowing students to skip O Levels and proceed to junior college.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Victoria Integrated Programme (VIP) was implemented as a four-year programme starting from Secondary 3. In 2012 it was replaced by the six-year Victoria-Cedar Alliance Integrated Programme (VCA IP), in partnership with Cedar Girls' Secondary School and the affiliated Victoria School.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref>
VJC was awarded the School Excellence Award in 2007, the top award in the MOE Masterplan of Awards framework.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Principal
The college saw its first leadership change in 2001, when founding principal, Lee Phui Mun, stepped down after 18 years of service. She was succeeded by Chan Khah Gek, who was a former chemistry teacher in the school. In 2006, Chan Poh Meng, formerly a Superintendent at the Schools Division, took over the reins from Low.Template:Citation needed In December 2013, Ek Soo Ben, Deputy Director at the Standards and Research Academy of Singapore Teachers and a former Economics teacher at VJC, succeeded Chan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
| Name of Principal | Years served |
|---|---|
| Lee Phui Mun | 1984–2001 |
| Chan Khah Gek | 2001–2006 |
| Chan Poh Meng | 2006–2013 |
| Ek Soo Ben | 2013–2021 |
| Jeffrey Low | 2022–Present |
Academics
Victoria Junior College's two-year curriculum culminates in the Singapore GCE Advanced Level examinations. Students take up to four Higher 2 subjects and read two compulsory Higher 1 subjects - General Paper and Project Work - in their first year, and may elect to read additional Higher 3 subjects in the second year. Approximately 30% of students read Higher 1 Mother Tongue Language in their first year too. Home to the East Zone Science and Technology Centre, the college also sent the first Singapore school team to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair in 2004.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
VJC is one of the three schools in Singapore that holds the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Achievements
Sports
In 2017, VJC won the A-division championship title for girls' football,<ref name=":2">Template:Cite news</ref> boys' floorball,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> boys' wushu and hockey girls.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref> This was the fifth straight title for the girls' football team, and their ninth in the last ten years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":2" />
In 2018, VJC won the A-division championship title for both the boys' and girls' football, hockey girls and wushu boys.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This was VJC's 16th consecutive year winning the A-division girls' hockey.<ref name=":3" />
In 2019, VJC won the A-division championship title for girls' football, girls' floorball, girls' wushu and girls' rockclimbing.
However, in 2020 and 2021, the NSG was cancelled due to COVID-19.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2022, VJC won the A-division championship title for boys' floorball, girls' football, boys' football, and girls' netball.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was the eighth straight title for the girls' floorball team.
Performing Arts
Choir
The VJC Choir was the first school choir from Singapore to win an international choir competition. It beat 30 top choirs from other parts of the world in the 800-year-old Cardigan Eisteddfod Competition in Wales in 1990,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and for its outstanding contribution to music in Singapore, the VJC Choir was presented with the 1990 Guinness Stout Effort Award.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In 2004, Victoria Junior College Choir represented Singapore in the World Choir Games held in Bremen, Germany and won Gold Medals in all three contested categories, namely Musica Sacra, Contemporary Music and Open Mixed. It emerged as the Olympic Champion of the Open Mixed Category, and second placing in the Musica Sacra and Contemporary Music categories.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2006, VJC choir won the esteemed Audience Prize and Grand Prix Award in the 9th Concorso Corale Internazionale (International Choir Competition) held in Riva Del Garda, Italy. The VJC Choir won Gold for both the categories they competed in - Musica Sacra and Mixed Youth, and emerged as Category Winner for the latter. It is the first time an Asian Choir has won the grand prize and one of a few choirs in the world to win both the Audience Prize and Grand Prix Award together.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2018, VJC choir competed in the Asia Cantate and clinched the Grand Prize.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In addition, they also won two other categories—the Mixed Voices Choir (Open) and the Mixed Voices Choir (Senior Youth).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref>
As of December 2023, it was ranked 5th in the world in the mixed choirs category of the INTERKULTUR World Rankings.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Dance
In 2008, the VJC Dance Ensemble competed at the Barcelona Dance Awards, clinching second place for choreography and the Best Theatre Performance.<ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
VJC Dance Ensemble achieved overall grand champion in the 2010 Lecco Danza, an international dance competition held in Italy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They were awarded first prize in the contemporary senior dance group category and first runners-up in the hip-hop group category.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2012, VJC dancers were champions in the Jazz Dance Small Group category at the 9th World Dance Olympiad in Moscow, Russia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In the 2014 Crown International Dance Festival in Melbourne, Australia, the dance ensemble placed first in all the three categories that it participated in, namely Contemporary,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Modern Expression<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Hip Hop.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Symphonic Band
In 2008, the VJC Symphonic Band competed at the New York Band and Orchestra Festival, clinching the Gold Award. The Band performed at the Carnegie Hall for the competition, and was also invited to perform at Central Park in New York days before the competition.<ref name="auto"/>
Affiliations
VJC is affiliated to Victoria School, an all-boys school founded in 1876.
VJC provided VS students an option to continue a two-year junior college education within the Victorian family after the completion of their secondary education. VS students choosing to enter VJC get two bonus points off their GCE 'O'-Level L1R5 academic aggregate.
Since the 2012 school year, VS and Cedar Girls' Secondary School have offered the Victoria-Cedar Alliance Integrated Programme (VCA IP) option. After finishing Secondary 4, 160 students from each school continue on to VJC automatically.<ref name=":0" />
Alumni
The alumni body, Old Victorians' Association (OVA), was established in 1941. It serves as a channel for former students of Victoria School and Victoria Junior College to continue to associate with their alma mater.<ref>Nurul Asyikin Mohd Nasir (10 September 2009). "Victoria school alumni: Boys only, please" Template:Webarchive. The New Paper (Singapore).</ref>
The OVA supports the activities undertaken by the schools, assists needy students, and promotes sports, social and cultural activities among members.<ref>Patricia Yap (28 February 2005). "Victorians' Day to kick off on March 5" Template:Webarchive. Today (Singapore).</ref>
In 2009, OVA organised the inaugural combined VS and VJC gala concert, with a 260-strong cast comprising both students and celebrity alumni, at the Esplanade Concert Hall.<ref name=":1">Kenny Chee (2 June 2009). "Victorians labour to celebrate artistic talents" Template:Webarchive. The New Paper (Singapore).</ref><ref>Christopher Toh (4 June 2009). "Two upcoming local gigs to look forward to" Template:Webarchive. Today (Singapore).</ref>
In 2011, OVA organised the Victoria School 135th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at the former VS campus at Tyrwhitt Road.<ref>Huang Lijie (19 September 2011). "Victoria School celebrates 135 years with 1,500 alumni, ex-teachers" Template:Webarchive. The Straits Times (Singapore).</ref>
Notable alumni
Politics
- Lawrence Wong, incumbent Prime Minister of Singapore, Minister for Finance, and Member of Parliament for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Senior Minister of State for Education and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC; former Chief of Army, Singapore Armed Forces
- Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State and Member of Parliament for Marymount SMC; first female general of the Singapore Armed Forces<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Goh Pei Ming, Minister of State for Home Affairs, and Social and Family development and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and National Development and Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> former Nominated Member of Parliament
- Chong Chieng Jen, former Deputy Minister, Malaysia<ref name="chongcv">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Henry Kwek, Member of Parliament for Kebun Baru SMC<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Nadia Ahmad Samdin, Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Ng Shi Xuan, Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Alex Yam, Member of Parliament for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and Mayor of North West CDC<ref name="Gov 1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Douglas Foo, former Nominated Member of Parliament<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Janice Koh, former Nominated Member of Parliament<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Jean See, former Nominated Member of Parliament<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Nicole Seah, opposition politician<ref name="nsp_website">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Tony Tan Lay Thiam, opposition politician<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Business and Corporate
- Kwek Kok Kwong, former chief executive officer, NTUC LearningHub<ref>Victoria School Singapore. "We are saddened by the passing of our alumni Mr Kwek Kok Kwong...". Facebook. November 16, 2020. Accessed on 18 November 2020.</ref>
- Lam Yi Young, chief executive officer, Singapore Business Federation<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>
Arts
- Maddy Barber, radio presenter<ref>Mad about radio Template:Webarchive, The Straits Times, 7 April 2014.</ref>
- Boon Hui Lu, singer-songwriter and actress<ref name="tnp">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Georgina Chang, radio personality, television broadcaster, and newspaper columnist
- Pamelyn Chee, actress and photographer<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Felicia Chin, actress<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Glenda Chong, news presenter
- Michelle Chong, film producer, director and actress<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Joanna Dong, jazz singer, actress and presenter<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Natalie Hennedige, playwright<ref name=":5" />
- Ho Yeow Sun (Sun Ho), singer and actress; pastor<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Lee Teng, actor and presenter<ref name=":4" />
- Sonny Liew, comic artist/illustrator;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> only Singaporean to have won the Eisner Award
- Rebecca Lim, actress<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Ling Kai, singer-songwriter
- Gen Neo, singer-songwriter, producer and composer<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Jasmine Ng, producer and director<ref name = "BookSG">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Nuraliza Osman, lawyer and beauty queen<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Joanne Peh, actress<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Diana Ser, host, journalist, presenter and actress
- Jasmine Sim, actress and model
- ShiLi & Adi, musicians<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- J C Sum, Illusionist and illusion designer<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Kirsten Tan, film director and screenwriter<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Tan Pin Pin, film director <ref>"Seeing invisible worlds", The Straits Times, 30 July 2007</ref>
- Kelvin Tong, film director, producer and screenwriter<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Jerry Yeo, former actor and host
Sports
- Anders Aplin, first Singaporean footballer to play in the J2 League and in Japan<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Dinah Chan, former national road and track cyclist<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Kampton Kam, national track and field athlete; national record holder for high jump, 2025 and indoor high jump, 2023<ref name="stapr25">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="stjan23">Template:Cite news</ref>
- Glenn Kweh, national footballer<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Della Lee, national squash coach and former professional squash player<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Gavin Lee, youngest football coach in the Singapore Premier League at the age of 28, 2019<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Vanessa Lee, national track and field athlete; national record holder for 3000 m steeplechase, 2024<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> 5000 m, 2024<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and 10 km (road), 2024<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Mah Li Lian, winner, Asian Individual Squash Championships, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sportswoman of the Year, 1989 and 1991
- Esther Tan, Singapore's first female naval diver and adventure racing athlete<ref name=ww>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=asia>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Lance Tan, former national track and field athlete and former national track cyclist;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> national record holder for team sprint and team pursuit, 2017<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Olympians
- Koh Seng Leong, Olympian (Sailing), 2000 Summer Olympics and 2008 Summer Olympics<ref name=":5" />
- Denise Lim, Olympian (Sailing), 2016 Summer Olympics<ref name="yachtsandyachting.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Lo Man Yi, Olympian (Sailing), 2008 Summer Olympics<ref name=lo-man-yi>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Deborah Ong, Olympian (Sailing), 2008 Summer Olympics<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Sara Tan, Olympian (Sailing), 2016 Summer Olympics<ref name="yachtsandyachting.com"/>
- Toh Liying, Olympian (Sailing), 2008 Summer Olympics<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Elizabeth Yin, Olympian (Sailing), 2012 Summer Olympics<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Others
- Clemen Chiang, entrepreneur<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Adam Khoo, entrepreneur, author and trainer<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Willin Low, restaurateur and chef<ref name=":5" />
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Sng Chem Wei | 1990 |
| Brandon Lee Tian Boon | 1991 |
| Nicholas Tay Weizhe | 2009 |
| Chow Yi Ling | 2010 |
| Siow Mein Yeak | 2019 |
External links
References
Template:ReflistTemplate:Pre-university centres and post-secondary institutes in Singapore