Si Ling and Ma Wan Kids

Day 4 in Singapore

2011-01-21T08:26:00.000-08:00

Instead of the usual sightseeing and going to different places in Singapore, we went to Si Ling Primary School to experience a day in the life of a Singaporean student.

The students arrived at the school at about 7.45am. They were greeted with a performance by the cheerobics team. The team did a wonderful performance of cheerleading. It was indeed very impressive.

After the performance, the students were split up into different groups to experience CCA. Later in the day, the students told me that they enjoyed the CCAs as they got to play with their friends and learn new things too. When the bell rang, the students were grouped together again to have a lesson in Science with the students of Si Ling Primary School. They worked together to make a solar powered boat. The students had fun interacting with each other and working together.

The next bell rang and it was time for recess. The students went to have a taste of the primary school's canteen. They experienced buying food for themselves and also had a good time interacting with different students in the school. After recess, they were treated with 2 dance performances. The Malay dance and the Indian dance. They enjoyed the show. After the performance, the students were again broken into groups to attend lessons in the classroom. They got to experience what Singaporean students do in the classrooms.

When the lesson ended, it was lunch time. It was very kind of the school to cater lunch for the students as well as for teachers. We had a wonderful dinner. Soon, it was time to say bye. But before we said bye, the students and teachers were each given a gift bag. It was really sweet of them.

From Si Ling Primary School, the students headed to Northpoint Shopping Mall for some shopping. Some went to the bookstore and some went to the supermarket. After having a good time shopping, the students came to my home for dinner. I hoped the students enjoyed the meal. Some of them were playing with my dogs and also my niece.

The night ended with the pupils expressing their thanks and gratitude for the trip. Some students were so touched that they cried.

Over all, I enjoyed this trip with the students. These students are well-behaved, independent and many of them thought of their teachers asking them if they had their meals and were very helpful in helping the teachers. It was an absolutely fantastic trip!

Watching the Cheerobics performance.
Listening attentively when the teacher was explaining the lesson.
Testing out their boats.
Seeing how far their boats can go.
The students getting ready to watch the performance.
The beautiful Malay dance.
Another exciting performance.
Students at the sharing session.

Day 3 in Singapore

2011-01-20T08:27:00.000-08:00

The day started with us heading to Universal Studios. I believe that this is the top highlight of the students' trip to Singapore. We had lots of fun there. We took exciting rides and watch shows. The shows were exciting and interesting. My favourite show was the Shrek 4D show. It was really funny and hilarious.

Notice that there's an extra person in the photo. He's a tourist and he must have found our students interesting and therefore decided to come and join us in the photo.
Time for Universal Studios! We were off to watch a show.
Time for rides.
This is Water World show. The show was exciting and interesting because we heard gun shots and lots of fire.
At my mum's friend's house. Her name is Janet. I've known her for a long time, maybe more than 20 years. When she heard that our students were visiting Singapore from me, she invited us to her house. She's a lovely and hospitable lady.
A group photo at her house. The students were very polite and well behaved. Janet enjoyed having the students in her house.

Tomorrow, we'll be heading to Si Ling Primary School. Look out tomorrow for the photos.

Day 2 in Singapore

2011-01-19T07:42:00.000-08:00

Today, we had a fun filled day. We went to many places and saw many things. I'm sure that the students had lots of fun today.

We started the day with breakfast and we left the hotel at 8.15 am. From the hotel we went to the New Water Plant in Changi which is in the east of Singapore. Both the teachers and students learnt how Singapore uses recycled water. It was a good learning experience as the students got to see some of the processes that the dirty water went through to become clean water. We even got small bottles of Newater to drink.

After the New Water Plant, we went to Marina Barrage which is situated in the centre of Singapore. Marina Barrage is the latest and the biggest reservoir. The special point of the Marina Barrage is that a part of the sea was created to be a reservoir. By keeping the seawater out, it is Singapore 15th reservoir. It also acts as a tidal barrier to keep the seawater out.

From Marina Barrage, we went to the Canopy Walk. The Canopy Walk is interesting as the bridge that we walked on is quite high above the ground. Some of the trees were below us and some were about the same height as the bridge. Some of the students liked it as they have never walked on such a bridge.

It was time for lunch when we left the Canopy Walk. After lunch we headed to Kampong Glam which is also the Malay Heritage Centre. After that we went to Little India to experience the culture there. Next was off to Chinatown. Before going to Chinatown, we went to the URA City Gallery to understand Singapore's city planning. From there, we took a short walk to Chinatown. We also had a yummy dinner at Maxwell Market which is located in Chinatown.

The students were excited after Chinatown as we were going to the Night Safari. The students thoroughly themselves there coming up close to the animals. It was rather late after the Night Safari and the students headed back to the hotel. I'm sure that they will be able to have a good night's rest. Anyway, they need at the rest that they can get because.....tomorrow is the day that we will go to Universal Studios! Yeaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Students and teachers checking out the special fountain at the New Water Plant.
Group photo outside the New Water Plant.
At the top of the Marina Barrage. Can you see the Singapore Flyer and part of Sands Casino in the background?
At the Canopy Walk. The students walking and enjoying the scenery.
It was a little sunny too.
This is the Sultan's palace at Kampong Glam.
Outside the temple at Little India.

This is the huge model of Singapore at the URA City Gallery Museum.
Dinner time! Look at Sin Hei's happy face. He must have really enjoyed his dinner.

Come back tomorrow for more pictures. Good night!

Day 1 in Singapore

2011-01-18T07:18:00.000-08:00

Today was an exciting day for both parents and the students. We arrived at the airport at 8am to check in. After checking in, parents and students took photos and there were hugs and kisses being exchanged before we went into customs to board the plane.

The flight to Singapore was a little bumpy as there were turbulence in the air. There were a few students that threw up and I was one of those that threw up. It wasn't that bad but it's just that I'm quite sensitive to turbulence and I knew that I would be one of those that may just throw up!

Anyway, we arrived safely in Singapore at about 3pm. After checking out, we had tea. After having tea, we went to the Singapore Flyer to have a bird's eye view of Singapore. From Singapore Flyer, we went to the Merlion Park. We took photos there and some of our students interacted with tourists from other countries. From the Merlion Park, we went to Lau Pa Sat for dinner. I believe the students had a great time eating and talking with their friends over dinner.

After dinner, we went to the hotel to check in. Right after we got our kids, we had a safety talk and we did a small fire drill. Students were briefed on what to do in the event of a fire and also where the emergency exits were. The students paid very careful attention. I'm proud to say that our students were very well behaved throughout the whole day, from Hong Kong to Singapore and to the time that I left them. Even the flight attendants from Singapore Airlines commented too.

Here are the photos. Enjoy them!

At the airport checking in. After checking in, taking photos with their parents and their friends. Then hugs and kisses exchanged.
One group photo before the final bye and see you in 5 days' time.
Students queuing up at the gate before boarding the plane.
In Singapore already! Having the first meal at Ah Kun Kaya Toast.

Singapore Flyer. Most students love the Singapore Flyer. They had a bird's eye view of Singapore.
Our friends in the other cabin.
Photo time at the Merlion Park.
Group photo. Look at those lovely faces.
The briefing at the hotel. The safety talk and then we had a small fire drill.

Come back tomorrow for more updates and photos. Good night everyone!

Seeing You Soon

2011-01-17T07:26:00.000-08:00

Dear Si Ling kids,

We're leaving Hong Kong tomorrow morning for Singapore. We're looking forward to meeting all of you. Thanks for hosting us. It's a real privilege for us to be able to visit your school. It will definitely be a memorable experience for our students to experience a day of a Singaporean student.

Will see you kids real soon!

Love,

Faith

All Packed!

2011-01-17T07:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Ma Wan kids,

Are you all packed? I just packed my stuff. Still thinking if I've packed enough clothes. Are you excited? Are you going to be able to sleep tonight? I'm excited! I'm afraid that I can't fall asleep tonight and I might oversleep tomorrow and miss my flight! But don't worry, I've got my alarm clock set and I'll see you guys bright and early at the airport.

Love,

Faith

Welcome

2011-01-05T20:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Si Ling and Ma Wan kids,

Welcome to our learning journey blog. I'm sure the students in Ma Wan are very excited thinking about the trip to Singapore. Are you almost ready? We're leaving in two weeks. Isn't it exciting?

Si Ling kids, we're very really looking forward to meeting you. It's be a fun and interesting learning journey.

Love,

Faith