The Learning Never Ends: 107th Founder’s Day

Written by: Francesca Widjaja (26A14) and Rie Ferre Lin (25S6E)

Edited by: Gilbert Goh (25S6C)

Hwa Chong (College) held its 107th Founder’s Day Celebration on 10 March 2026. In the spirit of appreciating what the school has done for students and what students have contributed in turn, students could both teach and be taught the immersive historical culture and distinct Hwa Chong vibrancy on this day.

In the morning, the J1 juniors were tasked with the job of cleaning various school venues. Entrusted to tasks like sweeping and wiping down surfaces, all students took part in giving Hwa Chong’s longstanding facilities a new face for the year. Their journey in exploring HCI’s academic output continued with the presentation of their J2 seniors' capstone projects on Project Work, Service Learning Projects (SLPs), and Overseas Values-in-Action (VIA) trips. 

The presentation booths set up in the Hall and the Area outside the Auditorium. The J1s visited a variety of booths that expanded their horizons, regardless of their area of expertise, ticking off items in their exhibition BINGO card at every booth. The subjects covered range from global affairs like managing food waste to school-related events like immersion trips to Hanoi. It was a plethora of subjects that sustained the juniors’ interests throughout. Finally, J1s concluded their learning with reflective discussions in their classes.

Student presenters explain their cultural immersion trip to Vietnam to students. Studio Ardent/Cheryl

While J2s did not participate in the same activities, they attended an information session held by CDAC. The talk focused on the recipients of the Founders' Day food donation drive that students participated in, which are Chinese families and children of a lower-income background.

Students pack their donated items into bags for donation. Studio Ardent/Jethro

An Interview with a Project Work presenter

Through an interview conducted with J2 student Zhou Ruihan, a Project Work student presenting on the issue of e-waste disposal, we were able to understand the challenging preparation her team had to go through, including navigating tight deadlines and mediating differences in her teammates’ varying opinions. On the day itself, her group—like many others—practised adaptability in crowd control, splitting the booths to accommodate the influx of J1 students and ensuring that they can interact just as effectively, strengthening their coordination as a team.

In the course of the preparation, Ruihan and her group have also realised the importance of giving back to the community, aligning with the Hwa Chong Institution value of “饮水思源” and its emphasis on social responsibility, hoping that the positive impact can create an enduring legacy for the school for many generations to come.

With the new year brimming with potential for more enrichment and celebration for all students, the school has succeeded in invigorating students with its spirit of learning and continuous adaptability. We look forward to what the school has in store for students in the future.