Sculpting amidst chatter in the common room: The SL project designed for student relaxation

Written by: Francesca Widjaja (26A14)

Edited by: Gilbert Goh (25S6C)

Multiple sculptures placed on newspaper. Lin Keting/VIA PUBSOC

On 28 April 2026, laughter could be heard from the common room. Students gathered around a table covered in newspaper, absorbed in modelling tiny, colourful clay figurines. Students referred to pictures on their phone to sculpt perhaps a rat or a chick, and also shared their designs with each other. Some poked fun at misshapen attempts, but the atmosphere remained friendly and relaxed throughout the whole duration of the evening.

The whole event was executed by Lin Keting, whose interest was sparked by a Civic Tutor workshop she attended last year. She gained inspiration from the range of Service-Learning Projects available for the students to undertake after the pioneering senior 2024/25 batch graduated. With the project’s focal point on giving students quality time for entertainment amidst the busy JC life, Keting and her group had started their ideation process last year.

Keting and her group used Mental Health Awareness Week as the launchpad for their activities. They brainstormed creative ideas, like sculpting and perfume making for the lineup of activities. Despite the challenges faced in organising logistics (where they had to discard pipe cleaner flower and sticker making) and the difficulty in consolidating schedules due to the J2s’ exam and CCA schedules, Keting’s group managed to adapt accordingly. Their cloth and string bracelet workshops were well received by the participants.

Keting also worried about the belated start of the SL project, but she believes that her project’s innovative events down the line would be a great addition on top of the activities that the Student Council (SC) and Faculty Committees usually host. 

Two girls pose with their sculptures. Lin Keting/VIA PUBSOC

Keting and her group’s efforts paid off on the evening of 28 April. More people joined in as time went on, and talk of academics faded, to be replaced by lighthearted banter and conversation with friends. For Keting, she was able to reconnect with a friend in the course of the event. The relaxed atmosphere allowed creative ideas to shine and memories to be forged, with a handmade plasticine figurine to take home as a bonus.

Keting has high hopes for the project’s future. Their next event will be held in mid-May, and the continuity of the project will not be lost, as the group will eventually hand down the project to J1 students. 

Three boys pose with their sculptures. Lin Keting/VIA PUBSOC