Kids in Parks ~ A Great Concept

“Kids in Parks” is a great concept! Sponsored by Pick N Pay (equalivant to our NTUC), pupils from disadvantaged homes/schools have a once in a lifetime opportunity to stay at Golden Gates for 3D2N. Once they arrive, there's a goodie bag with a t-shirt, hat, squeeze bottle and snacks! They experience various activities, such as canoeing, abseiling, hiking, horse riding, campfire etc. There is also a lot of learning opportunities on resource use, cultural heritage and outdoor lesson on water. It can be really packed and tiring. Imagine this, the first school comes in from mon to wed. when we send off the school on wed, we immediately pick up the next school who will be with us from wed to fri. i.e. every other day, there will be hiking, canoeing/bseiling/horseriding and campfire! thankfully we rotate our duties and there will be only two nights that we would have to work late! There are 10 schools in this programme, from late July to early September.

Nevertheless, It was very heartwarming when i read some of the reflections from the pupils. Many of them are thankful for this opportunity and for the simple things like food and nice dormitory where they slept overnight. The food that they had were really filling, and with fruits for every meal! With some schools, it was obvious that the pupils really appreciated the sumptious food which they may not have back home. The pupils just came back for second helpings and they really just ate! They were also thrilled by the opportunities to canoe, abseil and horseride!

I was very impressed with the pupils from Machaea Primary School. The pupils were very reflected in their learning, and respectful towards us and their teachers. They raised their hands to answer questions and even to ask questions. What was heartwarming was that although they did not speak English very well, and could only use simple sentences, every sentence that they spoke “hit the nail on the head”, and were reflective/good answers!

Unfortunately, not all the schools were deserving of this opportunity. Just finished with a school where pupils had flashy handphones, nice clothes and wasted food. I am not saying that they should not be given this opportunity to attend the camp at Golden Gate. In fact, they should attend the programme, but perhaps as a paying school. This fully sponsored camp should be given to schools who otherwise would never have the funds to bring their pupils. To be honest, for that few days when I was attending to these more privilege kids, I questioned my decision to come here. I felt that it was ridiculous to abandon my own pupils back in Singapore who probably needed me more. Moreover, some of these kids were more privilege than my own pupils back home! Nevertheless, this is only one school out of the many schools out there that are really disadvantaged.

After Kids in Parks, these schools will embark on another more long term programme – Eco schools, which some schools view it as very prestigious. Went to an Eco School Flag Raising Ceremony – Letotolo Primary School. It was more grand than our Speech Day. They had various VIPs, performances and the raised the flag with the national anthem, a mini police squad and salutes. It was an eye opener for me. The teachers doubled up as cooks to prepare a really sumptuous lunch for the VIPs. The whole staff room and main office was converted to a preparation kitchen. It was amazing!

Nevertheless, not all schools are successful. They also face the same problems where some teachers see it as additional work. Most of the schools that are successful have very supportive principals. However, it is important to bring the message across that building an eco-school is not about aiming to get the award or the flag, but rather strengthening curriculum & making experiences more meaningful for learners, and the flag/award is just an affirmation(& recognition) that the school's systems are in place. wow! Singapore MOE has trained me well =P