Latest news with #Anglo-ChineseJuniorCollege
AsiaOne
31-07-2025
- AsiaOne
Primary school student approached by vape peddlers at Dover Road; school alerts authorities, Singapore News
The authorities have been alerted after a Primary 4 student was approached by two teenagers who tried to sell him an e-vaporiser on his way home from school. The incident involved a student from Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) and occurred on July 25 at a zebra crossing along Dover Rise, which is situated between Fairfield Methodist School and Anglo-Chinese Junior College. Speaking to AsiaOne, Soh Mei Foong, the principal of Fairfield Methodist School (Primary), said that the school immediately reported the incident to the authorities after being alerted on July 25. "Students were informed of the incident and reminded not to engage with strangers and to inform trusted adults, should they be approached by any stranger or suspicious person," she said. The school will also be stepping up their surveillance efforts within the vicinity of the school premises after school as a precautionary measure, said Soh. A parent of a nine-year-old student from the school told Lianhe Zaobao that he received a WhatsApp message from the class' group chat regarding the incident last Friday. The student was reportedly ridiculed after rejecting the peddlers and walking away. The parent also said that the school had issued a notice to parents on their Parents Gateway platform on Wednesday (30 July). Rachel Ong, an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC shared about the incident on her social media accounts that day. "This happened in broad daylight. Thankfully, he knew to walk away but not all our children may know how to respond," she said, urging parents to speak with their children on how to react to such situations. Speaking on the sidelines of a media event on Wednesday (July 30), Coordinating Minister for National Security & Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, spoke about the younger demographic of vape users and said that education regarding vapes needs to begin with parents and schools. At the event, he also said that the Ministry of Home Affairs will be listing etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), in hopes of curbing the drug-laced vapes with harsher penalties. AsiaOne has reached out to the Ministry of Education for comments. More students used vapes in 2024 There were 2,000 cases of students, including those from institutes of higher learning, reported for possessing or using e-vaporisers in 2024, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in a written parliamentary reply in response to a question by Ong on Feb 26. This is up from 800 cases in 2022, and 900 cases in 2023. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000. [[nid:720737]]
AsiaOne
10-07-2025
- AsiaOne
Fulfilling a childhood dream: RSAF pilot enlists after JC, takes part in first NDP, Singapore News
For many, flying is often associated with holidays or relaxation — but for Rachel Wong, being in the cockpit was the ultimate dream career. Speaking to AsiaOne on July 4 at the National Day Parade (NDP) Air Participation briefing held at Paya Lebar Air Base, the 27-year-old captain recalled how her ambition first took flight. "When I was young, I would always watch the NDP on TV and see the fighter planes soar past. I thought it was really cool and that I'd want to be a part of it one day," said Wong. She added that after completing her studies at Anglo-Chinese Junior College, she enlisted to pursue her dream and has now been with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) for nine years. A passion for flying runs in Wong's family. Her father is a former F-16 pilot, and her mother holds a private pilot's license. This year marks Wong's first time taking to the skies as an F-16 pilot for the National Day Parade celebrations — an experience she described as exciting but with a "different feel". She will be participating in the enhanced salute to the nation as well as the jet formation flypast. For the first time in NDP history, the mobile column showcasing Singapore's military and civil defence assets will be integrated with an aerial flypast comprising 22 aircraft flying in four distinct formations over the Padang. These formations — the Multi-Axis Flypast, Jet Formation Flypast, Helicopter Formation Flypast, and Transport Formation Flypast — will be synchronised with various land vehicle segments during the Defending Our Nation and Our Strength in Action segments of the mobile column. She explained that participating in a larger, coordinated parade sequence brought a new level of intensity and teamwork compared to her previous flights. "It's something different yet exciting. We have many aircrafts and different platforms that are participating this year. Each platform has different requirements so this in itself, is a deconfliction challenge," said Wong, referring to the multiple "It really takes strong teamwork to pull it off and we have to all do our part well in order for it to be successful." Wong also shared that, in preparation for the NDP, she has undergone multiple simulator sessions and flight rehearsals, in addition to three full combined rehearsals to perfect the aerial formations. Aerial displays to commemorate SG60 This year's NDP celebration on Aug 9 will feature a total of 26 aircraft from the RSAF. In addition to the iconic state flag flypast and enhanced salute to the nation at the Padang during the National Anthem, there will also be aerial displays to commemorate SG60, while highlighting the capabilities of the Singapore Armed Forces. These include special formations and manoeuvres executed by F-15SG and F-16 fighter jets such as a diamond cross turn. Besides the main parade, the RSAF will engage Singaporeans in the heartlands with a special aerial segment from 5.30pm to 6.20pm. A state flag flypast, carried by a Chinook helicopter and escorted by a pair of Apache helicopters, will make its way across various heartland locations. Two state flags will be flown simultaneously along separate routes — the western route will cover areas such as Bukit Batok, Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong, and West Coast, while the eastern route will pass through Seletar, Punggol, Sengkang, Pasir Ris, Tampines, Bedok, and Marine Parade. To bring the National Day celebration closer to the people, the RSAF will also conduct an island-wide flypast over five heartland sites on August 10 as part of the NDP heartland festivities, which will also feature the mobile column and carnival activities. [[nid:719012]]
