There has been a recent huge hype about joining student activities around school among the freshmen. Many are unsure of the different Student Life Activities (SLA) offered here and their benefits and so we seniors are here to help you explain the benefits and make a decision!

Firstly, for those who are unsure about what Student Life Activities are, think about you Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) in your secondary school. CCA’s here are also known as Interest Groups (IG). There are about 109 IG’s up to date (As stated in the SLA website: http://myrp1.myrp.edu.sg/sites/cca/list%20of%20advisors.aspx , where you can sign up for you IG and view the personal websites for these IG’s), ranging from sports like Basketball and Judo, the arts like Modern Dance and Photography and even entrepreneurship related clubs. These IG’s are catergorised in a way of which they revolve around the same theme. Among the seniors as found out in a recent survey though, that 70% of the seniors prefer non sporting Interest Groups to sporting ones. For example, Floor ball and Netball are catergorised under Team Republic, which is for all sport IG’s.Also, at least 80% of the seniors in Year two and three have or have had an IG.

Unlike secondary school, of which your CCA points are only applicable if you are planning to further your studies in a Junior College, you do need your CE points, which are known as Community points. These are vital for your graduation as you need about 40 CE points to graduate. These points can be claimed through competitions, camps and such. Also, having an IG will help broaden your interest in a certain activity and cultivate it. You can also try something new and gain more experience. New IG’s are created every other month so you will definitely be spoilt for choice!

It is not compulsory to join an IG in RP, but it would be beneficial for you, in terms of teaching yourself a new skill or broadening your interest in a skill you are developing. For more information, you can refer to the website listed above or ask any of the seniors about any queries. There will also be a SLA fair next Monday, 25th June 2007, 12 p.m. at the South Agora Hall. Be sure to drop by and sign up for your IG’s!