Learning Journeys Week 2022

From 7-11 March 2022, our students embarked on a week-long experiential journey to better understand “The Singapore Story”. With participation from the whole school, including our staff who planned and facilitated the journeys, parent volunteers who accompanied and chaperoned some of our students during the activities, and our alumnae who shared their expert knowledge, various trips and activities were planned during Learning Journeys Week.

These fieldtrips are excellent out-of-classroom opportunities to develop our students’ civic beliefs, ties to the local community through an awareness of our nation’s past, present and future, as well as their capacity for social and community action.

*All activities were conducted in line with prevailing Safe Management Measures.

These were some of the activities our students participated in:

Walking Tour (all levels) - Students embarked on a walking tour around Braddell-Toa Payoh to visit unique and historical landmarks in the area and interact with the interesting biodiversity they encountered during the walk.

Singapore’s Water Story (Year 1) - At Bishan-AMK Park, our Year 1 students spent their morning exploring different parts of the park to learn how it contributes to Singapore’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in her water resources. Nestled in the heartlands, the park also serves as an important community space for social bonding and is a picturesque space for many to jog or play sports at!

Heritage Trails at Fort Canning (Year 1) - Fort Canning (Bukit Larangan) is a significant site in Singapore’s history. Along the trail, our girls conducted a mini historical investigation to uncover more about Singapore’s past and over 700 years of heritage.

Farm in the City (Year 1) - Our Year 1s visited the Kok Fah Technology Farm, where they got a closer look at how the urban farm incorporates advanced agricultural systems and technologies into its operations. They also had a chance to tour the Greenhouse and the Farmer’s Market, where freshly harvested local produce were sold.

Exploring Values-in-Action (Year 1) - Students got to serve various beneficiaries and gain a better understanding of other vulnerable groups through this Service Learning/Values-in-Action experience, where they were hard at work cleaning homes of elderly residents and care centres, while interacting with the beneficiaries. They also participated in a school clean-up activity to better support our elderly cleaners and estate crew’s work. This was an opportunity for students to put into practice social responsibility in maintaining a conducive school environment, while taking ownership of their respective classrooms.

For the Year 2s, they embarked on the Regional Immersion and Community Exploration (RICE) Programme, a signature programme for the level that takes place during LJ Week. In its original form, RICE involved an overnight immersion experience in Johor, Malaysia, where students participate in interactive and cultural activities with the locals. Since 2021, due to the COVID-19 situation, RICE activities were conducted in Singapore. Whether it is held overseas or locally, RICE is carefully and meaningfully designed for students to have rich and interactive learning experiences, and they record and reflect on their shared experiences in a journal.

National Museum (Year 2) - Students visited the National Museum to learn how to make connections between the different groups of people in Singapore’s history. They also gained sociocultural intelligence, which will aid them in navigating a highly diverse world in the future.

Malaysian Traditions and Culture (Year 2) - Our students learned more about Malaysian traditions and kampung life by conversing with Malaysian tour guides. They also learned a Malaysian traditional craft! It was a fun-filled session where Malaysian traditions and kampung life were brought to life.

International Costal Cleanup Singapore (Year 2) - Students spent the morning at East Coast Park collecting, analysing and disposing beach litter as part of the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore. Through this exercise, they contributed to a larger goal in environmental conservation and played a part in keeping our beaches litter free.

Civic District (Year 2) - Students visited the Civic District (including the National Gallery). Despite the wet weather faced by some of the classes, they were still able to visit the Raffles Statue, which allowed them to explore different perspectives of the Singaporean Identity and what it means to be Singaporean.

Advocacy in Singapore (Year 3)
Our students visited East Coast Park and carried out a geographical data collection exercise, helping them better understand the interactions between humans and the natural environment.

They also got up-close and personal with various rescued animals at ACRES. Through the sharing from the staff, they were able to understand first-hand and emphathise with efforts to rescue animals from poachers and the likes.

At Insectta, our Year 3s were exposed to an urban insect farm and the push for a more sustainable management of food waste in Singapore. They were introduced to the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) and learnt how this tiny creature is currently making waves in the food waste industry.

Building Singapore (Year 3) - Students embarked on a guided tour at Gardens by the Bay, in appreciation of the plan to evolve Singapore into a City in a Garden. Through this, they were introduced to the creative use of design in long-term environmental conservation and sustainability.

Army Days (Year 3) - During the trip to the Singapore Discovery Centre, students learned more about the importance of national defence and even got to sample some of the latest SAF combat rations. They also went on a SAFTI MI bus tour and were introduced to some of the key landmarks within the compound. Through these various activities, students were able to better appreciate the need for a strong SAF to protect the country.

Career Day (Year 4) - As part of the Education and Career Guidance programme in RGS, our Year 4s attended the virtual Career Day. Held over Zoom, the session offered our girls the opportunity to have conversations with professionals from different industries. The speakers shared on the importance of becoming active citizens and how they contribute to the social, regional and global development, through the respective careers they have chosen to pursue. Through the event, our students can make a more informed choice about their future academic and career journeys.

IDE(A)s for Good (Year 4) - Students got to explore the IDE(A)S Lab, which is Singapore’s first purpose-driven start-up incubator to fight against climate change. Students got to develop empathy in considering the needs of others and the steps they can take in addressing social and environmental needs through various innovations.

Discovering Singapore’s Sports Scene (Year 4) - Students embarked on a guided walking tour around the Singapore Sports Hub to discover its world-class facilities. Unique experiences included sitting inside an empty National Stadium, as well as gaining backstage access into some of the exclusive rooms inside. A sharing by the National Youth Sports Institute also got our students to better appreciate the nation’s efforts in building a sporting culture to meet the aspirations of our people and into making Singapore a sporting nation.

Raffles Policy Dialogue (Year 4) - We welcomed over 170 students from more than 40 different schools to take part in discussions on the topic of gender equality as part of the Raffles Policy Dialogue this year. The invited speakers, Professor Jessica Pan, Associate Professor and Dean’s Chair, Department of Economics, National University of Singapore, Ms Patricia Liu, Chief of Staff, Razer Inc. and Mr Alvin Goh , Director, Ministry of Social and Family Development, shared their opinions and experiences. Students were also able to engage with the speakers directly, and important questions were addressed and subsequently discussed during the student breakout sessions. Despite the dialogue being held virtually, participants were eager to contribute, allowing for a variety of perspectives on the topic on hand.