MOE-OBS Sec 3Programme 2018PRE-COURSE BRIEFING FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School

A Holistic Education

• Develop well-rounded individuals

• Outdoor Education (OE)

provides rich learning

experiences outside the

classroom and helps our

students to develop

holistically, building up

their resilience and

ruggedness

• Authentic learning experiences help our students to

develop 21st century competencies as well as

competencies for sustainable, active and healthy living

Outdoor Adventure Learning

Experiences for ALL

Lower Primary Upper PrimaryLower

Secondary

Upper

Secondary

Outdoor Education in Physical Education Curriculum

• Active and healthy lifestyle

• Social and emotional competencies

Programme for

Active Learning

(Outdoor

Education)

1 outdoor

adventure

learning camp

1 outdoor

adventure

learning camp

MOE-OBS Sec 3

Programme

• Social and emotional competencies

• Resilience, ruggedness and social cohesion

MOE-OBS Sec 3

Programme

�Learning outcomes and objectives

�Programmecomponents

� Pre-course lessons

� 5-day course

� Post-course lessons

� Safety

�Medical screening� Purpose

� Administrative information

� Things you can do to help your child

� Pre-course

� Post-course

�Q&A

Learning Outcomes & Objectives

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

• Commit to play an

active role in the

improvement of

community and

environment.

• Build friendships with

students from diverse

socio-cultural

backgrounds to achieve

team goals in an

inclusive manner.

• Be able to deal with

challenges positively

through self-directed

learning and making

right choices to

influence their

circumstances.

ResilienceResilienceResilienceResilienceSocial Social Social Social

CohesionCohesionCohesionCohesion

Concerned Concerned Concerned Concerned

CitizenCitizenCitizenCitizen

Confident Confident Confident Confident

PersonPersonPersonPerson

MOE-OBS Sec 3

Programme:

3 components

Pre-course lessons

5-day Expeditionary Course Conducted by OBS

Post-course lessons

Pre-courseLessons

Outdoor Education in PE Lessons CCE Lessons

School Briefing to Students

Sample5-day

Expeditionary Course

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Team-

building /

Problem-

solving

activities

Challenge Rope Course

Multi-mode land / sea expeditions on

Pulau Ubin and/or mainland Singapore

Commitment

Activity, Peer

Feedback &

Active

Planning

Debriefing / Reflection Time / Peer Appraisal / Journaling

Getting to

know you &

team

socialisation

Building competence & confidence

Overcome challenges as a TEAM

Develop resilience as individuals

Sense of achievement as a WHOLE

Peer

feedback,

transfer of

learning

Post-courseLessons

Post-course Lesson with Form Teacher

Journaling

Sample CCE Lesson Reflection Activity

ST Photo Story 17072017: Teenage Rite of Passage

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/teenage-rite-of-passage

https://www.instagram.com/moesingapore/

Social Media:

New Media Branch

Narrative: Students’ perspectives

Risk Management

� Positive learning experience and well-being of students is a priority

� Competent and qualified, full time OBS Instructors

� Small group size of 12-16 students per instructor

� OBS: pioneer in Singapore’s outdoor adventure � Strong track record to deliver quality outdoor

adventure programmes

� Leading practices in risk management and safety

� Instructors supported by dedicated, professional medical staff during programmes

� Supported by SCDF & Police Coast Guard Emergency Medical Services

Communication channel

ParentTeacher

Coordinator

OBS/

*MOE HQ Participant

*MOE HQ staff on 24-hr standby during every MOE-OBS Sec 3 Programme

ParentParticipantOBS/

*MOE HQTeacher

Coordinator

In Case of Emergency

�School General Office (8am-6pm) : 62593811

�Teacher Coordinator:�Mr Danny Ng

�Camp Advisor :�Mr Lee Lis King

For Emergency (after 6pm) : Please call OBS Operations Room @ 6545 9008 (Ext. 162)

Medical Screening:

Administrative Information

Some administrative information:

- Ensure ALL fields in the Course Registration Form are completed

*Parents to note:

- Medical check-up has to be done within 3 months of start date of course.

- Parents must acknowledge medical report before consenting to child’s participation

Medical Screening:

Administrative Information

Some administrative information:

- Ensure ALL fields in the Course Registration Form are completed

*Parents to note:

- Medical check-up has to be done within 3 months of start date of course.

- Parents must acknowledge medical report before consenting to child’s participation

Things you can do to help your

child:

Pre-course

Share with your child the purpose of the programme. Emphasise the importance of working together to achieve team goals. It’s not about winning but working together.

Encourage your child to maintain a positive outlook, be receptive

to advice and feedback. Be brave in facing the unknown and

stepping out of their comfort zone to take on new challenges.

Role model what it means to lead a healthy lifestyle. Bring your

child outdoors and exercise with them.

Have fun and enjoy the whole experience!

Help your child to set goals for themselves. What do they want to

achieve from this programme? What strengths do they have that

they can tap on?

Things you can do to help your

child:

Post-course

Reflect with your child on the progress he/she has made. Ask your child to share his/her experiences, what went well and what did not, etc.

Reflect with your child on lessons learnt (both positive and

negative experiences) during the programme. Help your child to

apply what he/she has learnt in daily life.

Affirm your child’s effort to make positive changes. Help your child

to set new goals for him/herself and work towards achieving them.

Encourage volunteerism. Provide opportunities for your child to

contribute to society.

Acknowledge your child’s feelings and accomplishments.

Celebrate their successes and talk about areas he/she did not do as

well. Encourage your child/ward to talk about how he/she feels on

achieving or not achieving a goal.

Sharing by Students! �Debbie & Silas

Q&A

Thank You“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all .”

Helen Keller

Outward Bound Singapore Packing List | 3 October 2017

Page 1 of 1

MOE-OBS SEC 3 PROGRAMME 5-DAY COURSE PACKING LIST

This is a guide to help you pack for your 5-day expeditionary course at OBS. The appropriate quantity is dependent

on the course duration, programme activities and individual preferred needs. It is important to have comfortable

gear that will last the duration of the course. *Military or camouflage-print attire are not encouraged.

TICK

ITEM QUANTITY

T-shirts*

Long-sleeved (for sun protection and to minimise insect bites) min. 3 - 4

Short-sleeved min. 3 - 5

Shorts* Suitable for physical activities min. 3 - 4

Long pants* Suitable for climbing activities/expeditions (three-quarter pants are not allowed and jeans are not encouraged)

min. 3 - 5

Undergarments For personal hygiene Sufficient

Towels Hand (est. 30cm x 80cm) and bath towels (est. 60cm x 130cm) min. 1 each

Shoes

Covered shoes for protection from underwater rocks, barnacles during sea/water activities

min. 1 pair

Covered shoes that are in good working condition, well cushioned for running and general outdoor/land activities

min. 1 pair

Sandals / Slippers for use during non-activity period, e.g. showering min. 1 pair

Socks Long enough to cover ankles to prevent blisters at heels Sufficient

Personal protection

Insect repellent

Sufficient Sun protection: Sunblock (SPF 30 or higher) and lip balm

Others: Hat / cap and gloves

Other personal items

Fork & spoon (non-disposable)

Sufficient

Essential Toiletries – incl. hand sanitizer, body powder or prickly heat powder, toilet roll (for camp out purposes), sanitary napkins for females only etc

Torchlight & spare batteries

Prescription medication e.g. inhaler, oral medication (all prescribed medication must be declared)

Writing materials – small notebook & pen

If applicable, spare spectacles (include spectacles retainers/hooks)

Other equipment

1.5L water bottles: To contain drinking water e.g. reusable plastic bottles min. 3 bottles

Reusable bags: For keeping dirty/wet items and waterproofing purposes, e.g. super market plastic bags/trash bags/Ziploc bags

min. 5

Optional Items

Quick drying synthetic clothing for wet activities e.g. rash guard, short tights…etc

Sufficient

After-sun lotion, wrist-watch, sunglasses

Personal first aid e.g. plasters, antiseptic cream, ointment

Thin sleeping bag / mat

Camera & spare battery (no charging facilities available)

Cash Small amount for souvenir purchases and personal travel Sufficient

MOE-OBS Sec 3 Programme 2018 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

S/N Question Answer

1

How does the MOE-OBS Sec 3 Programme look like?

The programme, consists of pre- and post-course lessons taught by our teachers, and the 5-day expeditionary course at OBS conducted by OBS instructors, is designed to ensure achievement of the learning outcomes and transfer of learning to other areas of the students’ life.

2

What kind of activities will my child/ward be going through during the 5-day course at OBS?

OBS uses the outdoors as its classroom. Your child/ward will be engaged in a variety of activities that will help him/her not just to discover, but also challenge his/her personal limits. Examples of these activities include problem-solving activities and challenges such as high ropes courses and land/sea/cycling expeditions. These activities are chosen to provide the platform for students to build personal competencies, develop ruggedness and resilience, as well as to develop skills for working in teams.

3

How can the safety of my child/ward be ensured in this 5-day course, with such a big group of students coming together?

The safety of the students is of utmost importance. Activities are carefully designed and supervised by qualified and experienced OBS instructors, who have undergone an extended period of rigorous training, skills and safety certification including Wilderness First Aid. Some of the other safety measures put in place includes providing an appropriate instructor to student ratio (1:12-16) and having a robust safety monitoring system and evacuation plan in case of emergency.

4

Does my child/ward need to be physically fit for the 5-day course?

Your child/ward will need to be medically fit for physical activities. As part of the pre-course registration, your child/ward is required to be certified fit by a medical doctor to attend the 5-day course. Participants are encouraged to stay active in preparation for it.

5

Will my child/ward be forced to go through an activity that he/she is not confident in?

OBS instructors seek to provide a supportive environment for the participants at all times. Your child/ward will not be forced to participate in any activity. However, he/she will be strongly encouraged to participate in all the activities during the course and at a level that he/she is comfortable with. This is to maximise the opportunities for learning and self-discovery, in alignment with the philosophy of ‘challenge by choice’.

Pre-Course (school-based) 5-day Course at OBS Post-Course (school-

based)

6

What happens if my child/ward is afraid of camping outdoors or being away from home?

Your child/ward will be among supportive friends and OBS staff who will provide a safe and engaging environment to have fun and benefit from the course. OBS Instructors are also experienced in caring for the participants’ physical and emotional needs, and will provide a standard First Aid Briefing at the start of the course, to help participants manage field hygiene and allay any concerns. If your child/ward experience any discomfort during the course, he/she should inform the instructors.

7

How can I, as parent/guardian, prepare my child/ward for the 5-day course at OBS?

You can show your support as your child/ward prepares for the course at OBS. Help him/her keep fit and healthy by exercising together. Encourage your child and instil confidence in him/her. You can provide opportunities for your child/ward to share with you any fear or concerns he/she may have prior to the course and reassure him/her. Work with the school and OBS to prepare your child/ward for a safe and enriching experience for your child/ward. Convey confidence in OBS ensure the safety and well-being of your child/ward would encourage his/her journey of learning and self-discovery.

9

How do I contact my child/ward in the event of an emergency?

You may contact your child/ward via the teacher coordinator.

MOE-OBS Sec 3 Programme 2018 Sample 5-Day Course Learning Activities

Students will be grouped into different watches (groups). The activities for each watch (group) may differ, although the learning outcomes are designed to be comparable. Please refer below for a sample of the learning activities for a watch (group).

Day Events

Day 1 Ice Breakers Games Team Building Activities Outdoor Skills & Camping Ethics

Day 2

Morning Circle Belay Practice & High Ropes Course Team-based Problem Solving Activities

Day 3

Morning Circle Adventure Heritage Trail Single or Multi-Mode1 Expedition

Day 4 Expedition Circle Single or Multi-Mode Land/Sea Expedition2

Day 5

Peer Affirmation Circle Goal Setting Commitment Activity Final Debrief

1 Multiple modes of expedition which can include hiking, cycling, kayaking, or sailing, etc. 2 Depending on the assigned programme for the watch (group), the expedition will be around Pulau Ubin

and/or on mainland Singapore.

FAQs – Muslim Students who are Fasting 1. What are the additional precautions taken to ensure the participants’ well-being? Please list down some concrete examples. OBS programmes will carry on as per normal during fasting month. For example, activities will not be reduced by intensity or duration. Instead, measures will be put in place to ensure the well-being of Muslim students who are fasting, taking into account practical considerations of being in the outdoors. The measures include the provision of additional dates and pre-dawn meals. These meals are meant to be fast to cook and provide sufficient energy intake. Examples include Udon, Instant Noodles and Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs). Other measures are the close monitoring and health checks of the students by their group instructors. In addition, a briefing for all Muslim participants will be done by a Muslim instructional staff at the start of the course. This will allow the Muslim participants who are fasting to have a better understanding of what to expect during the course. The key points of this briefing will be further reinforced by their group instructors at appropriate times. The key briefing points are: (a) Disclosure of the Course Intensity Participants will be informed that the course will be physically demanding and challenging. As such, they will experience fatigue and thirst. They will not be discouraged from fasting but will be reminded that in the event that they do not feel well and might endanger themselves or others, they will be asked to break the fast immediately (in accordance to the Islamic rule). (b) Instructors Supervision Participants who are fasting will be monitored by their group instructors and health checks will be done to determine if participants are suitable to continue with fasting. In the event of physical and medical deterioration, the instructors will require them to break their fast. This is based on the instructor’s competency as a First Aider. (c) Pre-dawn meals Participants are to consume their pre-dawn meals if they plan to fast for the day. This is part of the whole aspect of fasting ritual - discipline, commitment and obligation. (d) Hydration Participants are advised to hydrate themselves before and after the fasting timings. (e) Abuse of Fasting Practice Participants will also be reminded not to abuse the fasting practice by using it as a reason not to attempt activities. Safety rules, such as staying together with the group during activity time must be adhered to. Instructors may allow Muslim participants who are fasting to sit away from the group during meal times in the day as a mark of respect for those who are fasting. 2. Will OBS be able to provide proper meal* by for fasting students to last the day? (Note: *Proper meal refers to food that are prepared by caterer or central kitchen) The OBS programme is expeditionary in nature and access to a central kitchen is limited to OBS Camp 1. When groups are within the vicinity of OBS Camp 1 where the OBS kitchen is located, pre-dawn meals will be prepared for Muslim participants. For those not within the vicinity OBS Camp 1, fast-to-cook pre-dawn meals will be provided instead.

3. We understand that the programme is journey-based in nature but based on the programme outline, there are indeed a number of days (at least 2 days) where students are not on the go. Will OBS be able to provide proper meal for the fasting students? If no, what is the reason for that? A journey-based programme means that the participants will be travelling to different campsites every day. As mentioned in Question 3, OBS can only provide cooked pre-dawn meals if the participants are within the vicinity of OBS Camp 1 where the OBS kitchen is located. Taking into account practical considerations of being in the outdoors, the well-being of other Muslim participants are ensured by providing meals that are fast to cook. These meals are supplemented by additional dates given to the Muslim participants who are fasting, as well as fruits and isotonic drinks which are part of the rations provided for all participants. As part of the outdoor experience, all the participants will also be taught how to prepare and cook proper meals in the outdoors. 4. Can parents make their own provision to provide proper meals for their child, since fasting within a outdoor camp is not something that the child is used to? Participants are not allowed to consume their own food during the course, whether they are fasting or not, unless there is a medical reason to do so (for example, food intolerance where suitable food cannot be provided by OBS). This is to provide a common platform for all the participants, as well as to reduce the likelihood of food hygiene issues arising out of different supplies of food. We are also mindful that there could be participants with food allergy requirements and cannot afford cross contamination of unknown food ingredients. For example, if a participant brings his/ her own food which contain ingredients another participant may be allergic to, shared cooking could result in cross contamination. 5. What is the protocol if the child is unable to continue with the camp due to their fasting? If a participant is unwell due to fasting, but would like to continue with the course, he/ she will be advised to break his/ her fast first. The participant can re-join the course if he/ she gets better. He/ She may choose to start to fast again the following day. If the participant’s health condition does not improve, he/ she may be taken out of course. This is the same for other participants who are unwell, whether due to fasting or other reasons. If the participant chooses to continue to fast even though he/ she is unwell, he/she will be taken out of course.