Welcome Back!

A Note from the Head Designers:

It's the start of a new school year once more and we would like say welcome to Cempaka to the new students and welcome back to the current student body. Our designers have made some creations of their own to welcome both old and new Cempakans and to kickstart the new academic year. We'll see you soon with more ideas and monthly designs!

Source: 1

Submitted by Aaron Lim, Junior 2 Venter, Class of 2015

Submitted by Gillian Phua, Junior 2 Venter, Class of 2015

Launching in T minus 10 seconds

Written by Yap Jia Xin, Form 5 Science 1, Class of 2015


Brace yourselves for impact, students. We'll be launching into semester one in T minus 10 seconds.

 Well, not exactly 10 seconds, but you get the picture.

And we have lift off! - An adventure in a flight simulator
Photo by Alysha Kyra

Once again, that dreaded time of year has crept upon us, where we are forced to douse the holiday joy that is ablaze within us and jump back into the hustle and bustle of a new academic year. However, we Cempakans have it slightly easier because of Launchpad - an event designed to ease everyone into the new schooling year. Its main objective to help students fall into pace with schooling life in a fun yet productive way.

Launchpad is carried out on the first three days of school, which comprises of, Preparation Day (Day 1), Visiting Day (Day 2) and Presentation Day (Day 3). The breakdown of this project is simple - Day 1 is the day where students get to know one another and map out the itinerary for the next. On Day 2, all groups are to visit their chosen “Place of Interest” to learn and collect information on their selected area of investigation and inevitably, have fun on the job.

Finally, to wrap it all up, comes Day 3 where all groups are to present their findings in front of the entire school community including the Freshman year whom are excluded from Launchpad. With a sizable total of 35 groups, with 35 different “Places of Interest” to witness within the span of three hours or so, the last leg of Launchpad commenced in full swing.

First to take the stage - and first to feel the eyes of the entire student body bore into their skin - was the Sophomore year. Considering the fact that they had no previous Launchpad experience, most of the groups were able to put up fairly commendable presentations. For all three hours of sitting in the hall, watching presentations after presentations, followed by 2 hour long trips hastily compressed into 2-minute videos, it is safe to say that everyone definitely learnt a thing or two from every group.

While most groups focused on the business and economic areas of their “Places of Interest”, some groups were able to bring more contrasting aspects to the table such as the daily routine of a radio announcer or the air-conditioning system in their particular “Place of Interest”.

In comparison with the video presentations from last year (which were often showcased in a humorous way), I must say that the videos presented this year lacked what made a video memorable. However, a definite noteworthy thing about Launchpad this year was that all groups had chosen very unique and distinctive “Places of Interest”. In fact, only two groups had chosen the same location! That being said, a special mention to the group who visited 'Dialogue in The Dark', where they got to experience what it was like in a blind man's shoes, as their chosen location stood out most amongst the others with clarity. Also, a notable mention to the group who visited Bubble Sports MY for their humourous video which met a gratifying audience response.

Sitting a hall for three hours may be a little tedious - I'm pretty sure everyone can attest to that fact. Having to watch 35 videos (90% of which is not the slightest bit humourous) can wear a person out, but at the end of the day, you’ll find that it’s not half as bad as it sounds. 

I mean, think about it - how many people get to say that they got to spend the second day of school at a go-kart track or Hitz.fm?

Cempaka MUN Security Council: An Unforgettable Experience

by Akhilan Manivannan, Junior 1 Higgs, Class of 2015

From the 10th of November to the 15th of November 2014, Cempaka Schools had its first MUN(Model United Nations) Conference. The MUN is a mock imitation so to speak of an actual United Nations Conference where there are “Chairs” to moderate the assembly and “Delegates” representing the various nations in attendance. In the conference(particularly in the Security Council) delegates address a wide range of world issues in an ordered and formal fashion in order to come up with joint action plans and resolutions. 

To do this however is no easy feat.

Participants had to learn and utilise many terms and orders used in actual UN conferences, an absolutely tedious and arduous process to get anything done really. This basically is done through debating, moderated caucuses, unmoderated caucuses, introducing plans, voting to recognise plans, more debating, voting to apply the plan and all that just to have it veto-d ultimately by one unhappy delegate. Completely frustrating and time consuming, participants truly learned to appreciate the work done by the UN and it’s delegates as it truly isn’t as simple as it seems.

Through the MUN, participants really got to learn the importance of debating and speaking skills, not to mention critical thinking ability as we were put to the test to solve unbelievably troublesome crises. We were also learned to set aside differences and egos as we struggled to make productive discussions, a very common hurdle in the real world. Because of this delegates got to realise first hand how tricky it is to navigate through different peoples opinions in order to get to your point. Every single word you say is taken into account both on a personal and ideological level. Certain nations may even be utterly unreasonable and hell bent on denting the ultimate UN goal of peace, and no i’m not just talking about you “North Korea”.

Another important lesson the MUN teaches you is a very difficult skill to learn but one of the most useful abilities in the world today. Negotiating and forming alliances. Be it the workplace, the family home or even the schoolyard, circumventing obstacles is key and humans are typically tasked with sweet talking their way our of problems, negotiating and ultimately being charismatic and compelling. Without forming alliances and convincing people of your ideas the world would not be half as far as it is now, and this is clearly presented with the UN, and taught to us in turn with the MUN. Being the delegate of ASEAN, with no nuclear weapons or military strength whatsoever and facing issues from juggernauts like China, India and North Korea, I experienced the necessity first hand with whom I needed to compel and whom I needed to keep at bay, an ability I certainly will remember for the rest of my life.

All in all the Cempaka MUN was a brilliant and engrossing event that all of us participants are extremely grateful for. We will never forget the incredible memories of Amalina(one of the best chairs) repeatedly telling the Australian delegate to stop speaking in first person, and Vivek embracing the role of North Korea oh so well, declaring war on the world and disbanding from the UN in one swift, awesome motion. Long live MUN!

BREAKING: MISSING FIRST HOUSE CUP

Dear all,  

Your ignorance is absolutely astounding. It’s been almost 24 hours since I’ve stolen the First House Cup. 24 hours, and nothing. It's gotten to the point that I have to actually PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE that the First House Cup is gone. Really, people?

This is what you’re all so obsessed about, remember? Especially you, Seladangs - just because your House Captain went missing, you all lost sight of the prize?

Speaking about that, I know more than you think, trust me on this one. Check the pool. But let’s forget about that for a moment - I’d prefer not to lose anymore attention towards this prank than it already has.

Assuming that you have all caught up with my brilliance by now, I’ve decided to tell you that I’ve left a few clues here and there to its location. Normally, I’d leave you to freak out for a week or so (maybe even through the whole Games Carnival!) but I’ve been feeling unusually bored lately.

And what better way to spend my time, but make a game out of this whole murder mystery thing - oops did I say murder?

Have fun and good luck my fellow schoolmates. 

Sincerely, 

...

(Bonus points if you can figure out who I am)

DISCLAIMER: All events depicted for the YJC Case Files event is purely fictional and has no relation to the First House Cup race or any of the sports houses involved. And yes, the real First House Cup is safely stored with the Sports Department. Maybe.

Happy Halloween!

A SMALL CREEPY (NOT REALLY) NOTE FROM THE HEAD DESIGNERS: 

31st of October - the day where ghosts can interact with humans and exact revenge on theBut it's not all about the spooks and costumes, it's about the thrill. 

On this day, children (and even adults!) don costumes that seem fit to come out from your worst nightmares to frighten ghouls and the like from harming them. But of course, the real fun comes from Trick-or-Treating, where

Pumpkins have become the most iconic representation of Halloween - you'll see carvings done by practically every household. It has now developed from ever so recognisable grin to more modern art creations such as cat faces. Some people even take things to a whole new level by basing their creations on other notable figures such as witches and superheroes, or giving them different emotions. 

Submitted by Gillian Phua, Junior 1 Venter, Class of 2015

Happy Halloween!

Malaysian Spooks

by Kong Xin Mei, Form 4 Science 1, Class of 2014

Malaysian spooks have made quite the legendary mark around the community. Just the mention of the ghoul Pontianak can get the hair at the back of your neck rising, with it being the subject of far too many local and Indonesian horror movies. Even the Pocong, a dead soul trapped in its shroud, has made quite the household name of itself. And of course, when something goes missing, who else is there to blame besides a miniature oil-covered man known as a Toyol? 

To merely overlook the rest of the local ghouls believed to be lurking in the shadows would be an insult to our country's rich culture and diversity of beliefs. There are many other mythical monstrosities that aren’t quite as popular yet - but not to fear (pun intended), because we at YJC have decided to satisfy your hunger for the unknown - or at very least, rob you off a few hours of sleep tonight.

1. Hantu Penanggal

This ghost could easily be classified as one of the most gruesome-looking creatures of all time. You could even say that it has quite the unique look, mainly because it does not have much of a body. Yes, you read the right - all that you will be able to see is a head floating in mid-air, some strands of hair, and a trail of organs attached to it. Nonetheless, these creatures could be very deceiving as they appear as ordinary women in broad daylight, but bodiless demons at night. Terrifying, isn't it?

It is believed that this female supernatural creature lives off human blood, with the blood of babies and unborn fetuses being its favourite. So it comes as no surprise that the Hantu Penanggal is often blamed for the sudden miscarriages or drastic blood loss in a pregnant woman. Fortunately for us, every creature has its weakness, with the Hantu Penanggal being no exception.

In this case, the Hantu Penanggal is terribly afraid of a local plant known as 'Mengkuang' and pineapples. The sharp thorns of this plant and fruit would either trap or injure the ghost’s exposed organs. So always eat your pineapples, folks!

2. The Mohini


Famous in the Indian community, a Mohini is commonly seen as a women dressed up in the Indian traditional costume, the sari. To put things a bit more into perspective, you could say that this ghoul somewhat resembles the famous Pontianak given the fact that it preys on men as well. The main difference between a Mohini and a Pontianak is its origins - the Pontianak is believed to be a lady who passed away with a fetus in its belly, while the Mohini is a suicidal soul who failed to achieve love in life.

This creature also does not devour its prey, but instead lures them into a trap using its powers of seduction. These unfortunate men are forced to spend the rest of their life with her, and will eventually wither away and die.
Victims have described the 'Mohini' as a beauty covered in a white sari, with a baby in its hands. In this appearance, it then starts to allure men. Once prey has been taken, the ghoul will ask the victim to hold its child while it reconstructs itself into its original form, which has been described to be a hideous blood-dripping, zombie-like figure. 

3. Jiangshi

Originally from China, Jiangshi has gained popularity in our country and is now feared by predominantly the Malaysian-Chinese community. These creatures are actually rotted corpses dressed up in traditional Qing Dynasty costumes. A Jiangshi is created when a soul is unable to leave its deceased body, often due to its tendency to stir up trouble, or a suicide.

What makes the Jiangshi so distinctive is how it travels from one place to another - it hops forward, with its arms outstretched due to a disability leaving it unable to bend its limbs and body. It also has a greenish-white complexion, which was believed to be caused by the fungus or mould growing on the corpse body.

These parasites suck the life force out of living creatures during broad daylight and hibernate through the night. However, they do not have the sense of sight, speech, or consciousness, and catch their prey through their keen sense of smell. 

So kids, if you ever encounter a Jiangshi, hold your breath and who knows, you might just be able to escape with your soul intact. (keyword: might)

After reading about these three horrifying creatures, you may feel a little frightened. And with good reason - Halloween is said to be the time where the line between the other world is at its thinnest, allowing even more unknown creatures to roam freely through the night. Who knows, maybe one of them could be standing behind you this very second and we may not even know it. 

Happy Halloween! 

Exams are here!

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Time is running out - you're gripping your pen tightly as you struggle to come up with the final Maths answer, but to no avail, the teacher calls for your pens to be put down.

A NOTE FROM THE HEAD DESIGNERS:

October. The month filled with two kinds of horror, the classic Halloween and the academic horror of taking exams. In less than, we will be sitting for our final examinations. The design team has come up with a number of designs that may both advise and motivate you, as well as let you relate to the overwhelming stress. These designs convey most of the prime components that contribute to exam stress. From all the designers to you, a student, we hope you find these designs appealing and relatable and we wish you all the best of luck!

P.S. You might need to zoom in on some designs for clearer view. 

Submitted by Alysha Kyra, Sophomore Terra, Class of 2016

Sources 1, 2

Submitted by Aaron Lim, Junior 1 Venter, Class 2015

Sources 1, 2

Submitted by Law Jeng Yee, Sophomore Terra, Class of 2016

Submitted by Gillian Phua, Junior 1 Venter, Class of 2015

Sources 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitted By Ian Lim, Junior 1 Venter, Class of 2015

Sources 1, 2

P.P.S. Here's the link to the designs that were submitted last year in 'Exam Stress', be sure to check them out if you're interested!