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Reborn and Reform

Reborn and Reform’ represent period of adjustment during which attempts were made by the tutors and St Johnians to search for the College’s purpose and reorient St John’s for the new era. St Johns Reborn: In 1997, the College morale hit an all-time low: for the first time in 21 years, St John’s lost both the Malayan Cup and the Rose Bowl. Yet this only scratched the surface of the problem. St John’s was at that time disunited which St Johnians lived a desultory and undisciplined life. The double defeat in the inter-hall games triggered them together to reflect on the College’s future. The tutors then formulated a three-point mission statement to guide the College in achieving its ultimate aim-’Breeds the Excellent’. Reforms were introduced in relation to admission policy, tutor system, orientation and promotion programmes. St John’s Reform: An unprecedented admission crisis struck the college that only 80 freshmen applied for admission to St John’s. This triggered St Johnians to reflect on the accustomed mode of College life. A consensus emerged that St Johnians should be allowed space for balancing their College involvement, personal development and external commitments. A number of initiatives were introduced to cut student activities and improve the academic atmosphere. The executive committee of the students’ association also made a controversial decision not to set the inter-hall sports co-championship as the ‘common goal’. This period of adjustment-which lasted until around 2007-was called the ‘St John’s Reform’.