School Advisor Articles

Seng Junn Fong: From Backbencher to Aspiring Oxford Law Student

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Apr 30, 2024

Seng Junn Fong has always been a highly ambitious student who dreams of reading law at university — and he did just that and more. This young man, on the cusp of attending the University of Oxford, the number one law school in the UK, has come a long way from his days as a reserved student at Tenby International School.

Thriving at Tenby International School

Seng Junn’s time at Tenby International Schools Setia Eco Park was marked by academic achievement and a love for learning. The small class sizes allowed for personalised attention from teachers, fostering an interactive learning environment. Drama classes were particularly engaging, thanks to Miss Jessica’s introduction to classical and contemporary plays through workshops and acting exercises. Seng Junn fondly remembers working with classmates to create a performance culminating in a school-wide showcase.

“I am grateful that my teachers at Tenby were passionate about their subjects and went above and beyond to ensure I understood the material comprehensively.”

Ultimately, this led him to earn 10A*s in his IGCSEs and was awarded the ‘Top in Malaysia for Business Studies’ by CIE for the May/June 2022 series.

Seng Junn’s leadership qualities blossomed when he was chosen as the Head Prefect. He led a team of over 20 prefects in organising various events including wellness initiatives, fundraising for prom and themed competitions. A notable project was the 'Reading Revolutionaries' programme, where Seng Junn, along with his classmates, spent lunchtime reading to primary school students, fostering a love for language and literature.

At Tenby, Seng Junn honed his leadership skills by taking on roles that allowed him to inspire and guide his peers towards achieving common goals.

Beyond academics, Tenby’s diverse range of co-curricular activities (CCAs) allowed Seng Junn to explore his interests. The Model United Nations (MUN) club played a pivotal role, transforming him from a shy student into a confident public speaker. He honed his debating skills, leading blocs in writing resolutions and winning awards at many local and international competitions. Seng Junn’s leadership potential was recognised when he took on the roles of President and Lead Trainer in Year 10, guiding younger students. The shift to online sessions during the pandemic didn't hinder his dedication; he ensured students continued to debate pertinent world issues through Microsoft Teams.

Seng Junn’s artistic side flourished in the Tenby Philharmonic Orchestra, where he led the viola section. “I have fond memories of learning my favourite movie soundtracks on the viola, staying back after school for rehearsals with my friends and bowing in front of large crowds after the final note is played.”

 

At KTJ, Seng Junn held many leadership positions, including Forensics President and MUN President, and was also on the Prefectorial Board.

 

A Well-Rounded Education at KTJ

Continuing his academic journey at Kolej Tunku Ja'afar (KTJ), Seng Junn thrived in a highly competitive and supportive environment. Here, he benefitted from supportive and experienced teachers, with most having decades of experience in their respective fields. Take Mr Simon Lai, his chemistry teacher, for example. His use of practical experiments and detailed explanations made understanding complex processes, especially those in organic chemistry, much easier and more engaging.

The Humanities department at KTJ also went the extra mile. Seng Junn’s History and English Literature teachers offered readily available consultations and swift essay feedback, a benefit facilitated by the on-site housing for many faculty members. The History department even took the learning experience beyond the classroom with a field trip to Vietnam, bringing the Vietnam War module to life through visits to museums and historical sites. This immersive learning fostered not just academic understanding but also lasting friendships.

KTJ’s culture of academic excellence motivates Seng Junn. The competitive environment pushes him to excel, while the supportive nature of his cohort provides a strong safety net.

“The aspiring lawyers in my cohort regularly meet to share resources, organise law-related opportunities and discuss legal topics to improve our understanding of the field. While I may be indirectly competing against them, we still support one another and are able to form tight-knit friendships.”

The result? Seng Junn is on track for an impressive achievement — predicted 4A*s in his A-Levels this May/June in Mathematics, Chemistry, English Literature and History. 

Beyond the classroom, Seng Junn’s leadership qualities continued to blossom. As Head of Graduation in the Sixth Form Committee, he honed his organisational skills by managing deadlines, liaising with external vendors and overseeing events for the graduating class. He also played a key role in fostering inter-year friendships through initiatives like the ‘Guardian Angel-Mortal’ programme.

In the Upper 6th, Seng Junn served as President of the MUN Club and the SEA Forensics Club. These roles further developed his public speaking abilities and allowed him to mentor students of varying skill levels. He also actively participated in the Law Society, gaining valuable insights into the legal field and current legal developments — which proved crucial to his university application.

Seng Junn, who was KTJ’s Team Captain at this year’s SEA Forensics, held at ISKL, won the Gold.

A Passion for Law and the Road to Oxford

Seng Junn's ambition to pursue law stemmed from a desire for academic excellence. He constantly strived to improve, a quality that earned him the ‘Top Student’ award at Tenby. At KTJ, he consistently topped his class and received the college’s highest scholarship award. 

This long-nurtured goal for academic excellence inspired him to set his sights on Oxford University.

KTJ’s dedicated Sixth Form Team played a pivotal role in his university application journey. Miss Emma Davidson, the Head of Sixth Form, assigned him a specialist advisor, Mr Phillip, who provided invaluable guidance on resume writing, personal statement development, and interview preparation. 

Miss Emma (who graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in PPE) later took over the mentorship role. “I am very grateful for her support throughout the whole process. She reviewed countless drafts of my personal statement, marked my LNAT essays, provided insightful feedback, and conducted mock interviews. Not to mention writing a stellar reference letter.”

KTJ’s alumni network also proved to be a valuable resource. He connected with alumni who had successfully navigated the Oxbridge application process, gaining crucial insights through mock interviews.

Gaining Practical Experience

Driven by his desire for real-world exposure, Seng Junn secured a one-month internship at Lee Ong & Partners despite the challenges of finding such opportunities as a pre-university student. During his internship, he gained practical knowledge in conveyancing and litigation, assisting with document notarisation and legal processes. He actively sought guidance from his supervisor, Miss Tisha, to deepen his understanding of legal terminology and practices.

“I was able to chat with the associates and gain invaluable insight into their degree experiences, how to secure a job as a fresh graduate, and what mistakes to avoid when I first start practising. They also shared their favourite memories as a lawyer, making my time with them fun and welcoming.”

Seng Junn aspires to attend the University of Oxford, the top law school in the UK, known for its exceptional academics, award-winning mooting teams, and promising career opportunities.

Looking Forward: Oxford and Beyond

As he prepares to embark on his studies at Oxford, Seng Junn is already looking towards the future. His dedication to social good is evident in his role as the founding member and Head of Content Curation for The Elle Woods Project. 

“As Head of Content Curation, I led a team of ten people in organising webinars, supplying written information and collaborating with female lawyers to provide accessible legal knowledge on topics such as sexual harassment, domestic abuse and more.”

He hopes that his legal education at Oxford will further equip him to bridge the gap in legal literacy and empower Malaysians with the tools they need to navigate legal issues.

“Ultimately, I am beyond grateful for everyone who has supported my growth through my time at Tenby and KTJ. I appreciate the dedication of all my teachers and the time they invested into my personalised feedback, as well as my friends who got me through my lowest lows and highest highs. I would not be where I am without all of them.”