A note from Nicola… (Singapore Cultural Connections Trip 2016)

A note from Nicola… (Singapore Cultural Connections Trip 2016)

The trip has been an amazing experience. I have learnt so much and have experienced so many wonderful things. I feel grateful that I am able to part of this trip through the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

We have been to many of the best sightseeing spots and experienced a range of different cultures.

I have been strengthening connections with my buddy teacher and planning ways for our students to collaborate. We have a lot to learn from each other and are very excited to be working together.

This photo was taken at Bukit Timah School on their national day. They have been celebrating their 51st birthday. I was fortumate enough to join in with the festivities at school.

We had a briefing at the high commission.

As well as visiting a local school, we were shown around Stamford American School. It was interesting to see the contrasts between an international school and the local schools.

The next few days will be spent with our buddy teachers in schools. Friday evening and Saturday will be a conference for the New Zealand and Singapore teachers. Follow my feed on Twitter #sgedtr16

Singapore Cultural Connections Trip

Nicola will be travelling to Singapore today with a handful of other teachers from across New Zealand as part of the Asia New Zealand Foundation's 'Cultural Connections' study tour.

We are very excited and know that Nic will establish some strong connections with Singapore educators while she is there. In turn, this will mean our children will establish online connections with students in Singapore.

Equipping New Zealanders to thrive in the Asian Century is the key focus of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

You can read the Press Release at http://www.asianz.org.nz/media-release/nz-educators-build-classroom-connections-singapore

This is Colin the sheep who will also be travelling to Singapore!

Follow on Twitter #sgedtr16

Postcards for Bukit Timah Primary School in Singapore

Tautoru wrote postcards to Bukit Timah Primary school for Nicola to take with her to Singapore. We bought a Kete and decorated it with feathers to transport them. Nicola will explain to the children what a Kete is when she gives it to the them. Take a look at our photos to see how beautiful they are! Have a great time Nic!

Eid Mubarak to Bukit Timah School

We are making connections with Bukit Timah School in Singapore. They have a day off for Eid today. We would like to wish them Eid Mubarak! 

Nicola's literacy group read and learnt a little bit about Eid ul fitr.

Connections with Asia

A Note from Nicola...

In August, I will be travelling to Singapore with 11 other educators across New Zealand. I have been connecting with teachers from Bukit Timah Primary School and our students have been starting to learn about Singapore. This week in Tautoru, we have started to write letters to the school and I will bring these over as part of a gift.

By the time our youngest students are in the workplace, the number of middle class in Asia will have increased to over 3 billion… 60% of the world’s middle class will be in Asia by 2030. Three of the four top economies in the world will be in Asia… 1 - China, 2 – USA, 3 – India, 4 – Japan.

New Zealand’s economy is increasingly reliant on our export markets in Asia. China is our biggest export market through our Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2008. We also have FTAs with Korea and ASEAN countries with negotiations underway with India.

In New Zealand itself our demographics are changing. In the last 20 years our Asian population has grown from 3% to 12% and predicted to be 21% by 2038.

An audio visual from Asia New Zealand Foundation helps to explain the Asian Century and what it means for our students – Equipping your child to thrive in the Asian Century

To better prepare our children for their future we are currently exploring how we can develop students’ knowledge, skill and understanding of Asia and Asian cultures. 

Our students have generated some questions for Bukit Timah Primary School:

What kind of food do you eat?

Do you celebrate Christmas?

What do you celebrate?

Do you get awards for your good behaviour or your learning?

How many classes do you have? How many students do you have in each class?  

Where do you learn?

What do you learn?

Do you have a uniform?

What time do you start school?

What time do you end school?

What do you guys do for lunch? Where do you eat your lunch?

How many teachers do you have? Who are your teachers?

What languages do you speak?

Do you have technology? If so, what do you use?

What materials do you use for learning?

Why are some of your building shaped like flowers?

What kind of plants do you have?

What furniture do you have in your class? Do you have desks?

What games do you play?

What do you have in your view?

What type of playground do you have?

How big is your school? How many children are there at your school?

Do you go on field trips?

Do you have menus for lunch?

We have permission from Bukit Timah School to post this clip.