A LEARNING JOURNEY
I volunteered to accompany the Secondary 2 students to a Learning Journey to explore the history of Singapore River and Chinatown.
I was given the assignment to help look after class 2-7, and was introduced as 'Ms Anna - who is very strict!' However, when the students turned their head and looked at me, I was smiling broadly so when I approached them, the students were relaxed and friendly. Some greeted me politely and asked me whose parent was I. Then there were some who seek my help to repeat the instructions they had missed. They made me feel respected and valued.
In the coach as we headed to Raffles Place, the guide conducted a quiz on Singapore's Independence. Motivated by the possible reward of winning a mini iPad for correct answer, many students answered the questions enthusiastically. We had some brilliant answers and were delighted at their intelligence. We were also entertained by some jokers who were desperately trying their luck. A few of them got distracted and ended up injecting a lot of laughter into the session rather than winning the iPad!
The students were seated neatly near the Singapore River as the guide clearly explained the many interesting facts on the various aspects of early Singapore, ranging from Sir Stamford Raffles, to locations where the different races and dialect groups once resided along the Singapore River. We learnt the Chulia Street was the place where the Indian community used to reside at, but later shifted to the current Little India at Serangoon.
The Heritage Centre at Chinatown which we visited next was a great place where many good and interesting exhibits were on display. The students moved from one section to another section in the Centre, taking care to follow the instructions such as not to destroy the exhibits as well as not to annoy other visitors. I was impressed with their manners and considerate behaviour. Some readily helped me take photographs and others agreed to be in the photographs with me.
This was my second time going on a learning journey with Temasek students and it had been a very pleasant experience, again!
Contributed by PSG member Anna Koh Phui Wah
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