Interest Groups & Student-Initiated Projects

Filmbusu

Tired after a tough day of school? Watch a movie with Filmbusu! Want a laid back evening with your friends? Watch a movie with Filmbusu! It's Thursday night? Watch a movie with Filmbusu!

We are a film appreciation IG interested in sharing our love and appreciation for the joy of movies. Film is an artistic and social medium that sparks discussion and brings people together. Join us for a vibrant film experience and a deeper appreciation of the cinematic arts. From oscar-winning films to lighthearted action flicks, not forgetting cult favourites; we watch a whole range of movies that will invigorate your soul. Look forward to our themed screenings for festive occasions such as CNY (like God of Gamblers!), Halloween and Valentine's. Join us every Thursday night to kick back, relax and enjoy a great film!

Past screenings include:
Her, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Room, Synecdoche New York, In the Mood for Love, Breathless, The Lobster

Reading Pods

Reading pods are opportunities for you to read, discuss, and respond to a book that interests you with a small group of like-minded readers. With students and fellows leading several pods every semester, each is a small and imitate engagement (usually capped at 5 people who come together around a book). Free from the traditional teacher-student model of the classroom, sessions are collaboratively structured — with the guiding principle being developing rational thoughts through a deep, close, reading of the text.

Reel-T

The creation of Reel-T is founded, essentially, on more than just merging the art of performance, photography and videography. As a filmmaking IG, we seek to express and analyze relevant social issues and current affairs (typically with a comedic approach), allowing Tembusians to explore and contribute to their productions. Whether in devising plots through scriptwriting and storyboarding or executing the production itself through camerawork, acting and directing, Reel-T provides a diversity of opportunities to learn, develop and experiment one’s interest in filmmaking. Ultimately, we want to create films that celebrate our humanity, as derived and captured from the communal daily living in a residential college.

Slate

Slate is a theatre collective which aims to engage Tembusians and spread appreciation for the art form. We hope to spread the love of theatre and engage as many individuals we can with what we call the "truth on stage". We believe that theatre is a social commentary and we are excited to share this with everyone. While many perceive drama and theatre as a niche, rather intimidating world, Slate views it as a means to engage the wider community. Hence, one of our main aims would be to provide opportunities for those who are interested in theatre to get involved, no matter their background or past experience.

tArt

A weekly getaway from daily hustle, tArt is the perfect place for everyone to unleash their creativity. Believing that "there is no right and wrong in Arts", we welcome everyone to explore various media with an open mind, be experimental, and most importantly, relish the art-making moments. From conventional painting to potentially unorthodox activities, tArt promises an enjoyable and enriching time for everyone regardless of your background!

tCrews

TCrews aims to give anyone in the college an opportunity to dance in a safe environment. We hope to be accessible to beginners as well as allow experienced dancers to solidify their foundations and explore other genres. With the dance community rapidly growing in Singapore and the flourishing of dance studios all over the island such as O School, Converge Studios and DanzPeople we hope to leverage on the rising popularity of dance to grow Tembusu’s own creative community, and bring in professional choreographers to share their expertise in dance through teaching us the right techniques as well as sharing their love for dance with us.

Tembolly

Using Bollywood music as as a tool to express and de-stress, Tembolly welcomes anyone from ALL skill levels to dance with us and learn to be comfortable in your own body. A blend of various dance forms are explored, including jazz, contemporary, hip-hop and bhangra. By focusing on beginner-friendly techniques, we hope to give you a platform to grow as a dancer! Apart from dancing, we also engage in activities like watching movies and trivia nights to foster a close-knit relationship with one another <333 Do join us for some memorable times!!

tWord

tWord brings together students interested in creative writing to give them a conducive space to write. Our regular sessions focus on a topic of the week from which students can draw inspiration and work on in their own writing. At the end of each session, students can choose to share their work and request for comments or critique. tWord also aims to make poetry and creative writing more accessible to the general student body, and organises writing workshops and Student’s Teas with writers.

Stretch & Tone

We are a beginner friendly interest group which allows Tembusians to try out different types of exercise such as yoga and pilates, in a fun, chill and encouraging environment. This is to allow Tembusians to keep fit, as well as explore new workouts which they may not have tried before! It is also a good session for Tembusians to relax and stretch after a long day of studying.

tBladers

tBladers is a beginner friendly interest group that aims to spread the joy of rollerblading! We focus on learning skating techniques and doing tricks, and we always have fun no matter the skill level. Feel like having a challenge? We play games on wheels like captain ball and roller hockey as well!. We also hold our ever popular Cosmic Skating Night where we skate with light sticks in the dark! There's no need to rent a pair of skates to pick up basic rollerblading skills when tBladers has all the equipment you need! No matter your skill level, inline skating is a chill sport that is easy to learn. Get inline and roll in style with tBladers!

tBoxing

University life can be difficult. But tBoxing is here for just that!

We are a community of chill but committed members who want to introduce people to this beautiful but grossly misunderstood sport. It’s an IG for everyone – for the athlete, the fitness freak, the guilty binge-eater, the aspiring martial artist, the friend-who-came-with-another-friend and maybe even your next heartbreak. Do check us out if you want to learn the sport (safely of course), break some sweat, talk, or even have some fun punching stuff. At tBoxing, we train hard and fight easy. But more importantly, it’s all about the community.

tClimb

tClimb consists of a community of close-knit climbers that welcomes anyone who wants to pick up the sport. Our supportive members come up with brand new, fun, and challenging climbing routes weekly. Whether you’re looking for an intense workout or just want to hang during our weekly sessions, try climbing for a new grasp on life. Join us for our weekly bouldering sessions at the USC climbing wall to scale to new heights!

Tchoukball

Run, Jump, Throw, Kneel, Catch, Cheer

Tembusu Tchoukball is a high-intensity non-contact sport, open to beginners and players of all fitness and experience levels! We were first officialised as an Inter-College Games sport in 2014, and have clinched the title of champions in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Feel free to join us on the court at 9pm on Thursdays. Catch y'all there!

Tembu Goals (Women's Football)

We are Tembu Goals, Tembusu's very own Women’s Football team! Here, we have fun and chill trainings every week where we mostly trip over our own feet, but every now and then, we pull off cool moves or nice goals.

To us, we see the sport as an avenue for likeminded people to play together, destress, make friends and create amazing memories as a team. Whether you're an aspiring football player, a new avid fan or someone who has no background in football, it doesn’t matter as all are welcome to play together and laugh our lungs out during trainings.

We work hard, and we play just as hard. This mindset has helped us to perform well as a team despite most of us being new to the sport, clinching third placing in the most recent ICG (AY21/22). Join us for a fun time on the field!

Tembusu Basketball

The name says it all. Tembusu Basketball is the IG for hoopers of all experience levels to come together and have a blast. Driven by our passion and love for the sport, we are an inclusive family that provides the opportunity for all to learn more about the game.

Tembusu Barefoots

We're Tembusu's very own Ultimate Frisbee Interest Group, open to all regardless of experience levels. Come join us right here at UTown Green for lots of fun and laughter, and rolling about in the grass!

Tembusu Captain's Ball

Captain’s Ball IG seeks to provide members with a fun and fulfilling sporting experience as well as bring them closer together through weekly games sessions. With beginner-friendly rules, this sport doesn’t require any past experience and can be picked up easily by anyone. Here in Captain’s Ball, we are passionate about the game and want to provide members with the best experience possible. So, whether you’re new to sports or simply looking for something recreational to pick up as a hobby, Captain’s Ball welcomes you into our family!

Tembusu Dodgeball

Dodgeball is an exciting and unique developmental team sport that brings together individuals from all across Tembusu. It allows participants to sharpen their reflexes and build their stamina, all while having tremendous amounts of fun. Over the years, Dodgeball has evolved into an integral part of Tembusu's sports culture, providing a platform for both inter and intra-college interaction and bonding. We play both recreational and competitive dodgeball, giving everyone a chance to have fun as well as to challenge themselves and experience the more serious side of this team sport. All in all, Dodgeball is the place to have fun and build friendships, and serves to bring vibrancy to Tembusu.

Tembusu Floorball

Come down and hit some balls on Monday night to relieve some stress! We are Tembusu Floorball and we warmly welcome anyone who loves Floorball and wants to learn Floorball.

Tembusu Football (Men)

Football is made up of fine gentlemen who play the game with passion and integrity, representing Tembusu College with great pride. We welcome everyone, from those who want to pick up this amazing sport to those who have been playing for years. The team trains hard together in preparation for ICG, from playing mass games barefoot at UTown Green to competitive 7-a-side matches at the NUS stadium. Tembusu Football is for anyone with a heart for the game and everyone has cherished memories both on and off the pitch!

Tembusu Netball

EAT. SLEEP. NETBALL.

Tembusu Netball is ALWAYS a time of laughter and fun on court! From learning the basics of the game to playing alongside fellow Tembusians of ALL genders, Monday nights are never a dull time. It's a place for many to pick up a new sport or continue honing their skills, but what remains the same is our love for this very sport!

Tembusu Table Tennis

Have you ever wanted to pick up a super fun sport that doesn’t require a lot of energy? Have you ever wished for a sport that is played in an aircon room? Well look no further! Tembusu Table Tennis (or Tembu TT in short) is a chill, beginner-friendly sport for you!

We are always eager to welcome and teach players that are new to the sport. So whenever you want to just chill and unwind after a tiring day of lectures, you can just come down, grab a bat and play table tennis with your friends!

Tembusu Touch Rugby

Tembusu Touch Rugby is a beginners friendly touch rugby interest group aimed at spreading the love and joy of our wonderful sport. Touch Rugby is a variant of rugby without the contact, and Tembusu offers guys and girls alike to experience the fun of rugby without the intense contact.

Tembusu Volleyball

Tembusu Volleyball is a fun-loving and welcoming community. Through our regular sessions, players will be able to find their place in this big family regardless of skill level! Our sessions are nothing short of fun and laughter while we hustle hard on the court. Whether you’re a veteran player or someone who’s never touched a volleyball before, Tembusu Volleyball is truly for anybody who wishes to enjoy a fantastic, engaging sport with warm, friendly people!

tShuttlers

Think that you are overwhelmed by work and want to have some fun with your friends? Fret not cause tShuttlers, the home of badminton, is a place where everyone can rack up lots of fun, team up with friends and smash shots the same way we wreck bell curves. In the past academic year, we have organised weekly sessions, shed sweat during the winter training and participated in the Inter-College Games. If you need to sweat it out, test out your skills against stronger opponents! Oh, you feel that you're not good enough? No worries, we've got your back!! Everyone starts from somewhere and you're not alone in this. The weekly sessions are also catered for anyone who want to learn, work up a sweat or burn some calories. Whether you enjoy playing recreational games with your friends or take pleasure in intense rallies, there is a place for you at tShuttlers.

tSplash

tSplash is Tembusu's only water sport IG! We focus on teaching basic swimming techniques to beginners and correct strokes for intermediate swimmers. We have weekly training sessions at USC! If you are worried that our training may be too intense, rest assured that our training is guaranteed to be enjoyable and customised to individual's needs. Other than swimming, look forward to various exciting water activities such as water polo and diving. Otherwise, If you are looking for a nice tan and toned abs, tSplash is the one-stop to achieving your dream body.

tSquash

Squash is an underrated game - while it may seem complex, it truly is the friendliest, straightforward racquet sport to pick up! Here in tSquash, we look forward to play with people of all levels! Trainings are conducted at the University Sports Centre (USC), and every single training session is guaranteed to make you work up a sweat while having the time of your life.

Not only do we give an introduction to the sport, we do simple drills so that players can pick up on the basics so that they are able to enjoy the game as early as possible! For more veteran players, we are constantly looking for more people to spar with and to enjoy the trainings with. If you wish to pick up and enjoy in a sport quickly in our fast-moving university stint, squash is definitely for you!

1-UP

An interest group that brings together people who play different games from switch games, ps4, pc etc. It is a place for people to find a community for a game they enjoy playing regardless of how niche it is. We have weekly sessions for people to come together to play different games such as super smash bros ultimate and vr games as well.

Tembusu Christian Fellowship

We welcome all who are interested to explore more about the Christian faith. Join us every Wednesday from 8-10pm to find out more!

IG²

From Contract Bridge to Japanese Mahjong, IG² explores all kinds of intellectual games! In IG², we aim to build a fun and supportive environment, establishing a warm, vibrant culture of mutual learning. Every Tuesday, we analyse and play a variety of intellectual games and improve our skills through these sessions. To promote the awareness of these exciting games and nurture interest in them in Tembusu, we seek to invite everyone to join us, whether you are a beginner interested in picking up a certain game or a grandmaster looking to share your knowledge of the game and play recreationally!

impacT

impacT is a student-led organisation that focuses on exposing tertiary students to public policy and social impact, providing the experience, exposure and skills to students with the drive and passion to become future leaders in these arenas. Understanding that change does not only come from the government, we hope to establish through our programs both the distinct and synergistic roles required of the public, people, and private sectors in bringing about change.

impacT's key programmes are centred on skills-based sessions and dialogues with distinguished leaders from diverse fields. More than enriching undergraduates' understanding of the diversity of ecosystem players, impacT hopes to equip youths with the skills and knowledge to make their mark in the evolving in the public policy and social impact space. impacT also offers a suite of special projects - such as the impacT Podcast and an upcoming student-led publication - for members to learn and hone technical skills.

Polity

Polity is about promoting discourse about social and political issues through organising events, interviews, and dialogues. We aim to make Tembusians invested and interested in the developments in our society today by making current affairs accessible and relatable to all.

Our flagship event, “In the Eyes Of …”, is a dialogue session where we engage with political and industry leaders about topics that affect the daily lives of those who live in Singapore. Past guests include Minister Chan Chun Sing, Minister Gan Siow Huang, and Dilhan Pillay.

We also have an upcoming initiative, Extra(Ordinary), where we bring in ordinary working adults to share their thoughts and work experience with Tembusians. As ITEOs give Tembusians a chance to engage with distinguished figures, Extra(Ordinary) aims to complement this by offering Tembusians a platform to hear the perspectives of everyday workers.

Tembusu Tabletops

Tembusu Tabletops aims to facilitate social interaction, with board games as the medium of choice. Weekly sessions range from three to five hours, with multiple games being played during that period of time. IG members also have access to a myriad of board games which they can enjoy or play any time, with their friends. Tembusu Tabletops also provides an avenue for Tembusians to borrow board games for group recreational activities, as well as supporting College events (eg. House events) through the provision of board games.

tAKE ME OUT

tAKE ME OUT is a place for anyone who wants to go out to explore, stretch your legs, and have fun! We share a love for adventure in all its forms and hope to spread that love, so even if you're not usually the outdoorsy type and just wanna try for one day, you're more than welcome to join us!) Our activities include treks to lesser-known corners of our little island, cycling trips (especially exciting is night cycling!) and even kayaking/windsurfing jios — super cool stuff!
We don't keep a regular weekday schedule and instead plan to switch days every week, because we want to enable everyone interested to come at least once in a while. Night cycling would likely be a Friday night, while watersports would be during the breaks!

tAstro

tAstro is a place for anyone interested in Astronomy to gather! We have a telescope for us to observe the celestial wonders in the night sky and learn more about them. During our sessions, we explore the universe together by sharing what we know. Don’t worry if you have never used a telescope before or have just begun to be interested in the night sky because we all start from that spark of curiousity! Come for the Astro, stay for the people~

tBakes

tBakes is an enrichment interest group that holds weekly sessions at the Master’s Common Lounge. We explore different recipes, ranging in difficulty that cater to different taste buds. We aim to provide a platform for Tembusians to bond over the process of baking and forge stronger ties between each other.

We hold beginner-friendly baking sessions for those interested in trying out baking but need the opportunity to experiment and hope that our weekly sessions will further their interest in taking up baking as a hobby. We hope that our sessions also help Tembusians find a way to relax amidst studying hard for their courses.

Our sessions are typically held on Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm and the recipes changes every week. Tembusians will be grouped into pairs or trios and bake within their groups.

tConnect

tConnect is an interest group that aims to expand the circles of students in Tembusu. We engage industry experts, professors, and other students in meaningful conversations about exciting developments in their fields. This helps us build a community where Tebusians can connect and grow their industry knowledge.

tConsult

tConsult aims to host business strategy classes, open to all Tembusu College students. The classes teach the fundamentals of business strategy to students who are interested in business strategy. Topics covered include common management consulting frameworks and design thinking. Prior to each lesson, participants will be sent readings. These readings will be discussed in class, and it is meant to enhance the learning experience by posing questions to the students. This is a versatile way to approach the classes, as students who are much more interested in the lessons can invest more energy into learning. This allows us to target different student personas. Bryan will be the instructor for the classes, while other tConsult members will manage the operations and marketing side of the IG. We want to create a community who is more aware of the theory behind business strategy and enable students to better appreciate the applications of the topics discussed.

tDebates

tDebates is Tembusu’s beginner-friendly debate group. Through debate trainings, workshops and chill discussions on issues we are interested in, we learn how to argue in the most convincing way possible. Debating with us will equip you with the ability to win arguments in your daily life and also better justify your stance in essays.

Tembusu Coffeehouse

tCoffeehouse is Tembusu’s one-and-only coffee appreciation interest group. It is for anyone interested in coffee to learn more about it - from the different roasts and origins, to various brewing techniques and tasting notes of coffee. We also welcome passionate individuals to share their expertise on different types of coffee. We then put our knowledge into action, bringing cups of specialty coffee and drinks to Tembusians through our morning and event sales. Here in Coffeehouse, a single cuppa is more than just a morning fix - it sparks conversations, forms bonds and creates spaces for people to gather.

tFreedom

tFreedom is a community that aims to build a diverse and inclusive college. Through our four wings - SpeQtrum, Femme, Safe Word and Let's Talk About Sex, we organise events that seek to expose members of our college to issues and ideas relating to gender, sexuality, sex and feminism. Ultimately, tFreedom strives to engage with the general college community to promote an informed residential environment.

tKaraoke

tKaraoke is the IG fit for Tembusians who love to sing! Held once a week in the Box Office, Tembusians can sign up for karaoke sessions with another friend and sing to their heart's content. Apart from recreational singing as a form of destress, tKaraoke is the perfect platform for Tembusians to bond over their love for music!

tQuest

Greetings adventurer! tQuest is bringing Dungeons & Dragons to Tembusu, a tabletop roleplaying game where players can experience realms of limitless possibilities. We aim to introduce new players to the world of D&D as well as bring together players and allow them to immerse themselves in roleplay, solve puzzles, engage in combat, and build imaginary narratives together. Whether you're an experienced player or just someone wanting to dip their toes into the magical world of D&D, the doors of tQuest are always open.

tStudios

tStudios is a team of photography enthusiasts who in recent years have branched out to explore areas of videography and design. With a mix of self-professed amateur photographers and members who simply wish to pick up the craft, tStudios aims to conduct activities that cater to both these groups of people. With our very own headquarters in the Launchpad, tStudios provides equipment ranging from digital cameras, lighting and audio equipment for members to pursue their own projects and have fun together. Our interest groups hold film walks, workshops and support both official and non-official events around the college.

Treehouse - Tembusu's Online Student Journal

Treehouse is home to a community of writers who are both curious and committed. We bring together individuals who are excited about exploring issues and ideas, both within and beyond Tembusu College. Through our writing, we seek to make meaning of our observations, experiences, and interests, and are dedicated to the purpose of deepening the landscape of thought in Tembusu College, by inspiring reflection and conversation among our readers.

tTarik

The purpose of tTarik is to provide an enriching platform for members of the Malay community in Tembusu College to engage themselves actively with Tembusians. It also acts to serve as a support group for its members and get to know about their cultural roots from one another.

Yarn & Doodles

Yarn & Doodles is an interest group where your nimble fingers and tingly artistic senses can be put to good use. We welcome anyone and everyone to join in for our biweekly sessions – crafts that we do include dreamcatchers, tie-dye shirts, stamp carving and many more! These sessions will give you the platform to have a fun time crafting with your friends (destress!) or make your friend a unique handmade gift. We are always receptive to new ideas and skills that the members of the Tembusu community want to share! Yarn & Doodles strives for everyone who joins in to be able to exercise your creative muscle and have a fun, no-pressure experience doing something that you have never tried before. :)

Thriftbusu

Thriftbusu is Tembusu's very own thrift shop! We host a semesterly event, where we collect donations from Tembusians in exchange for store credits. The thrift shop aims to facilitate a circular economy for clothes within the college, raising awareness on the harms of fast fashion, and promoting sustainability.

Tembusu Wildlife Association (tWild)

The Tembusu Wildlife Conservation Organisation Interest Group, or tWild for short, is Tembusu College’s Wildlife interest group. We aim to create a community of like-minded individuals that are passionate about the environmecnt and want to extend that passion to other Tembusians within the Tembusu community. We also hope to spread awareness on the plight of species in danger and involve Tembusians in the fight against biodiversity loss, supporting the College’s ethos of helping people and species in need. tWild hosts talks and Student Teas with wildlife experts around the world and within Singapore to widen the horizons of Tembusians and allow them to understand the severity of the threat that global biodiversity face. From encouraging a low-impact lifestyle with Vegan Food jios to allowing Tembusians to enjoy nature through our hikes and guided tours, tWild has something for anyone with a curiosity or budding passion for wildlife no matter the experience level!

Love Tembusu

Love Tembusu is a mental wellbeing advocacy group that aims to educate, destigmatise and provide a safe space for Tembusians talk about mental health. We organise 2 main categories of events: the first being initiatives which promote mental health discussions - like informal mental health conversations, peer support skill workshops and student teas with experts, and the second being de-stressing activities - like art therapy workshops by professionals, and wellness workshops in collaboration with other IGs. We also manage The Oasis, Tembusu's very own mental wellness room, that contains bean bags, a water fountain, a sensory relaxation station, and more! Any Tembu student can use the room at any time to destress or relax in! Join us to learn more about how you can help make Tembu a warmer and homelier place!

GreenT

GreenT is Tembusu's Sustainability Interest Group. We are committed to raising awareness for environmental issues while encouraging Tembusians to lead a low-impact and sustainable lifestyle. Most importantly, we hope to build a close-knit eco-conscious community that inspires one another to learn and do more for our Earth. GreenT creates a safe space to discuss intersectional and interdisciplinary topics related to the environment. With Student Teas, discussion groups, workshops and our community chat, we encourage students to share and learn more about the world that shapes us. We also plan events to empower Tembusians to take the first few steps towards living a more eco-conscious lifestyle - be it trying out a plant-based diet through our VeganBurg jio or going thrifting together. Even if you are completely new to sustainability related issues, GreenT welcomes you with open arms and green fingers and we look forward to meeting you! (Bonus if you like Green Tea)

tCambodia

tCambodia is an OCIP in Tembusu College that aims to empower Cambodian students by providing them with soft skills education and vocational training through our thought leadership and research. We work in partnership with Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF), an NGO located in Phnom Penh that aims to alleviate poverty and inequality in Cambodia by increasing access to healthcare, sports and education for underprivileged children and their families.

We visit ISF at the end of every Semester (December and May respectively), where we will conduct an educational workshop for up to 30 students based on topics and content requested for by ISF and using materials we develop throughout the semester. During the trip, we also explore opportunities to strengthen our relations with ISF and to discuss how we can better contribute to social causes in Cambodia. Aside, we visit other NGOs to find out more about the local non-profit and community service scene. The interest group seeks opportunities to improve our beneficiaries' lives in any capacity we can.

Tembusu Mentors

tMentors is a Local CIP (LoCIP) group based in Tembusu college that provides academic mentoring, enrichment sessions, and tertiary education guidance for secondary school students. We currently provide mentoring for graduating students of New Town Secondary School (NTSS), and students of Ulu Pandan Stars.

tEnpower

tEnPower (established 2018) is a sustainability-focused OCIP in Tembusu College that aims to empower youths at Youth Development Centre (YDC), Shwegyin, Myanmar to gain access to better opportunities through improved English literacy. YDC is a boarding school that is home to around 200 underprivileged youths ranging from ages 3 to 18 –– providing them with accommodation, education and vocational training to prepare them for society.

Our work encompasses long-term, regular engagement in the form of weekly English classes over online video platforms, supported by self-developed curriculum. In addition, a highlight for many of us is the annual Winter trip to YDC, where we finally get to meet our students in person. During the trip, we evaluate the effectiveness of our lessons with our students and conduct educational activities planned with input from the YDC leadership.