YMCA of Singapore – Impacting Lives, Nurturing Community Champions
Junior Entrepreneurship Programme 2017 Special Picks: • Junior Entrepreneurship Programme 2017 • Story Telling Competition 2017 • Let’s go fly a Kite!
December Highlights:
Knowing how to start and run a business is very empowering as it gives the kids the tools to be successful, responsible, and engaged adults in the future. The boys came up with their own ideas on what products to sell, how to make the products using their own creativity, and how they would encourage people to buy their craft. Throughout the journey, they realised that to be successful, it requires passion, a great attitude, organisation, and discipline.
Story Telling Competition 2017 Chocolate Lollipop Workshop Exploring Animals Life… A Visit to Malay Heritage Centre
Joakim and Giulio, reading a story to the rest of the boys, as part of their preparation for the Qualifying Round.
The boys did their own Creative Bookmarks, Rose decorated pens, Bee Card, Balm Cards and other crafts for Teachers’ Day.
As part of our Annual Storytelling competition, the boys were trained in story telling by reading a book in front of their friends. While listening to stories requires making mental illustrations and invites internalisation of story structure, storytelling demands blending thought and language to the enhancement of both. Through this it increases students’ language fluency, expands their vocabulary and the confidence to speak in front of an audience. Selected students were trained for the competition. The boys were chosen to do a special performance and they practiced hard for their performance of the song ‘Try a little kindness’ (sesame street version).
Madam Selvi with Faril and Xander as participants of the Storytelling Competition.
Let’s Go Fly a Kite! The students learnt about the history and evolution of the humble kite! The boys decorated their very own kite and had a go at flying them in the safety of the school field. This activity helped develop the students’ hand-eye coordination, kinesthetic awareness, and motor skills. This was a great outdoor activity that is awesome and at the same time great exercise for the boys and a fun time with nature.
Chocolate Lollipop Workshop Our chocolate-making workshop was a great way for the boys to indulge in sweet treats, whilst learning more about chocolate, and picking up new skills to use back home with their family members. The kids found out about the origins of chocolate and how to whip it into a delicious treat, for the Christmas season! The children had a hands-on experience and developed their creativity while making art in the form of a Christmas Chocolate Lollipop. They decorated their very own Chocolate Lace Lollipops in the best way they could. In the end, the boys proudly packaged up their hand made chocolates in ribbontied bags to take home. Going forward, they will have the chance to continue to explore their newfound chocolate making talents at home!
They decorated their very
Darren, focused on decorating his own kite.
Giulio puts his creativity in his very own kite.
Kaden and the rest of the boys, with their kites soaring through the air on a gentle breeze.
Dylan, Zi Yang, Marcus and Carlos were excited to make their own chocolate lollipops.
The boys showing their chocolate covered hands after decorating their lollipops
The making and decorating of their lollipops!
Exploring Animal Life…
Before starting on the tour, the boys had a chance to take a group photo in front of the Singapore Zoo.
Out of curiosity, the boys observe the animals at close range, watching how the animals move.
For one of our holiday programmes, we focused on farm animals: their life cycle, body parts, products they produce and many more. The students went to the Singapore Zoo and had a real educational experience. It was a great way to observe animals and feel a connection with wildlife. At the same time, they actively engaged in conservation efforts to protect endangered species. The boys were able to observe the behavior of the animals. They used all their senses to take in their surroundings and expand their understanding about animals and their environment. All of them definitely had a blast looking at an array of species ranging from amphibians to birds and mammals. There were also many activities and shows throughout the day.
A Visit to Malay Heritage Centre Kids Day Out is a school holiday programme organised by the National Heritage Board. Our boys visited the Malay Heritage Centre where they enjoyed an exciting day of offerings including arts and craft, traditional games and a movie screening in the afternoon. Our students also viewed the Malay Heritage Centre galleries during the trip. There are many interesting artefacts, costumes, photographs and day to day items on display. There is a marvelous display of boats of the Malay Archipelago and a fascinating large scale map of the region that the boys found amazing. The experience was moving and gave the kids a greater insight into how this nation came into being.
Sony, Kaden and Marcus trying out some of the traditional Malay games “Congkak” and “Batu Seremban”.
Darren, enjoying while playing “Capteh”.
YMCA SCC @ St. Stephen’s
Hawaiian Kind of Christmas!
ADDRESS: 20 Siglap View Singapore 455789 PHONE: (65) 6443-2461 MOBILE: (65) 9821-8990 E-MAIL: ssscc@ymca.edu.sg
Darren, Marcus, Zi Yang, Ariffin, Faril, Aryan and Giulio on their Hawaiian themed props.
The holidays provided an excellent opportunity for the kids to enjoy fun Christmas activities as well. Just before the Christmas Season, we brought everyone together for a fun event by putting on a Christmas Celebration themed “Hawaiian Christmas Party” for the kids. We planned many games, quizzes and activities for the boys. The games inspired the boys’ creativity, challenged them to think, and most of all, let them have fun! They also had their exchange of simple gifts. At the end of the day, every student brought a Christmas gift back home.
Imagination Gone Wild Workshop…
Adrian, drawing out of his imagination..
Jovan, with his finished artwork.
A child, who has trained his imagination, will have a high level of imagination as they get older. That’s what makes a person become more creative in thinking and able to create new things. Through this workshop, the boys were able to explore their own imagination and put it into their drawings. They were also taught how to do color blending and learned the different elements of art.
Editor’s Note The second half part of the year has been indeed, a fruitful one. As the students face a new academic year, it is our hope that they will continue to soar, boldly step forward and march towards the beat of their drums. May the year that lies ahead be as phenomenal as 2017 had been.
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About Our Organisation… YMCA of Singapore is a volunteer-based Christian organisation that seeks to serve and impact all members of the community, regardless of race, language or religion, through programmes, services and enterprises to develop the body, mind and spirit.