The Hwa Chong Staff and Students

By Grace Leo
All of us have seen the brown blazer clad students of Hwa Chong busily guiding delegates around the seventy-nine hectare campus. And, if they possess anything in truckloads, it is their dedication that drives them to come to the school every morning at 7:30 am and leave between 6-9pm at night during their holidays to make this conference possible. Mr. Samuel Lim, a history teacher at Hwa Chong, is the head of administration for the conference and takes care of logistical and infrastructural needs. Together with his assistant, Ms Tan Yew Hui, Mr Lim ensures that all the delegates at THIMUN-Singapore have an appropriate rooms and a conducive environment to work in. A particular aspect of the conference that Mr Lim organizes is the opening and closing ceremonies. He works to “ensure that there is ambience and the grandeur” and is responsible for the floral arrangements, the order of proceedings and musical entertainment. Furthermore, during the actual conference Mr Lim takes care of any problems that arise as despite the best planning, “things can always go wrong such as with the loss of placards at the conference.” He is also to be recognized for his generosity as during lunchtime and breaks he tutors some of the student officers and delegates for their examinations.Ensuring the smooth running of the conference is not just a one-man show however. Wong Qi Han is a year ten student of Hwa Chong who plays a key role as Executive Administrative Officer. He helps co-ordinate the students and answer delegate enquiries and enjoys the “Satisfaction of knowing you help.” Gideon Ong, of the approval panel commended Wong Qi Han as “the first executive administrative officer I have seen to work so hard,” and as a leader who not only delegates but leads by example to inspire the other students. Ong also gave due attention to the other 64 students from Hwa Chong assisting as administrative staff, “The [Hwa Chong] students are the most serious I have seen about the job. They screen every single notice.” This is no light praise as Gideon has attended eighteen MUN conferences and been involved in administration for seven of these. Students of Hwa Chong may be involved in security and opening venues in the morning. There are also students on the approval panel and different assemblies, passing notes and assisting delegates with tables and chairs. Tee Yoon Siang is part of the administrative staff for the ICJ. He is using his participation as a way of learning the procedures as he looks forward to attending THIMUN in January as a delegate. Another group of students are on a public relations committee, organizing tours and manning the tables at the entrance to the SALT Centre. Jonas Koh is one such student. A year nine student, he enjoys his job as “A chance to learn more” and as a “new and unique experience.” He also comes to understand his friends better. “As we work together, we meet difficulties, come to realize differences and accommodate one another” he remarked.The staff and students of Hwa Chong are of many talents and work hard for the conference. As Alfred Wan, a Hwa Chong student on the Advisory panel remarked, “The administrative staff are selfless and always on the move. They are simply admirable. They deserve two thumbs up.”