Suzhou Lida Secondary school
Suzhou High School,
officially the Suzhou High School of Jiangsu Province (simplified Chinese 江苏省苏州中学; traditional Chinese: 江蘇省蘇州中學,
is a Chinese public high school of one-millennium rich history, located in
Suzhou, Jiangsu. In AD 1035, the Northern Song politician and writer Fan
Zhongyan founded the predecessor of Suzhou High school, Suzhou Prefecture
School (苏州府学).
During the Qing Dynasty,
Zhang Boxing (张伯行) established the Ziyang College (紫阳书院) inside the Suzhou Prefecture School. It was one of the
most prestigious colleges in the nation, and several emperors of Qing Dynasty
praised its achievements。In the 1900s, the imperial
examination was abandoned, and consequently Duan Fang (端方),
the governor of Jiangsu, transformed the school into a modern school. He also
invited sinology masters Wang Guowei and Luo Zhenyu to join the faculty of the
school. In addition, during the Republic of China period, Zhang Taiyan and Qian
Mu taught sinology here. It is widely regarded as one of the four most famous
high school in Jiangnan.
After the establishment of
People's Republic of China, Suzhou High School became one of the 24 key high
schools of China in 1953, which is selected by the Ministry of Education, and
one of the top four high schools in Jiangsu Province as well. In 1997, Suzhou
High School became the first batch of national model high school in Jiangsu
Province. After the key school concept was abolished, it became four-starred
high school in 2004.It established friendly relations and cooperation with
schools in Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, the United States, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and other countries more than 10 universities (such as
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Waseda University, Japan). In 2007,
Suzhou High School introduced the Cambridge International High School program. Founded
in 1996, the Suzhou Lida Middle School was transformed in 2005 into the
state-controlled joint-venture Suzhou Lida school. The Suzhou High School Park
affiliate was founded in 2003 and located in Suzhou Industrial Park. In 2004,
the school was classified as a four-star high school in Jiangsu Province. For
three consecutive years since 1999, the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and
Jiangsu Provincial People's Government awarded the "Civilized Unit of
Jiangsu Province pacesetter" honour. Created in 1996 by Suzhou High School
of Jiangsu Province, a leading secondary school in China, for the mission of
offering decent education to a growing body of junior high school students,
Suzhou Lida School has grown into an educational establishment servicing a
2,165-strong students in 51 classes 7th through 9th grades. Suzhou Lida School is to mark its 10th
anniversary with its own premises separate from Suzhou High School. Covering
close to 4 hectares, the new campus is a pronounced presence at 45 Shiqi Lane,
also known as Xinqiao Lane, enjoying easy access and beautiful surroundings.
The new site commands excellent educational facilities that include classroom
buildings, gyms, laboratories, and centres of arts such as music, ballet, and
painting. Its dormitories designed for students coming from afar are simply
superb for both accommodation and learning.
Suzhou Lida School features an envied team of instructors boasting, in
its over 160-member faculty, 2 honoured and 45 experienced teachers. Since the
founding of the School, the teachers with Lida have won 77 awards in a wide
range of competitions held in Suzhou, Jiangsu, and nationwide. Equally
noteworthy, they have seen an annual publication of more than 100 educational
research papers. The School Academic Committee has all along proved a driving
force behind such achievements and others centred on quality education. Talent and virtue have always been the
distinguishing mark of Lida’s student body. Over the past 10 years, Lida
students have led the party in contests of all kinds. As told by statistics for
the 2002-2005 period, students from Lida have grabbed 300 awards in provincial
competitions. More encouragingly, Lida boys and girls have impressed the
international educational community with, among others, their brilliant
accomplishments gained in the 28th Australian Mathematics Competition for the
Westpac Awards in 2005. First timers into such international events as they
were, they took home 171 awards, something unprecedented for a single school in
the entire history of the Competition.
Lida students, over the years, have also performed well in their
graduation examinations. Not surprisingly, a good number of Lida students have
been recommended and admitted to top senior high schools both at home and
abroad. About 50% of students enrolled each year to Suzhou High School are from
Lida. River Valley School in Singapore, which selects 6 to 9 Lida students per
annum to pursue further studies with them, has offered admission and
scholarship to 76 excellent Lida graduates. In another development, senior high
school graduates with Lida backgrounds merit no less an acclaim. In college
entrance examinations, one Lida graduate ranked first in Suzhou, and two topped
the rest in Jiangsu Province. Overall, 15 students with such backgrounds have
been doing or have finished their first degree at Tsinghua University and
Beijing University; 50-plus at American universities such as Harvard, Yale, and
MIT, Cambridge and Oxford in UK, and University of Tokyo and Waseda University
in Japan. To keep abreast of global
moves and stay competitively in the avant-garde in administering junior high school
education, Suzhou Lida School is, as always, actively pursuing international
exchange with schools across the world toward carving out, through joint
efforts, a broad path to lead both faculty and students to an educational
undertaking par excellence.
There are no trip advisor
comments regarding this area of interest because this is a school. However, we
communicated with our china buddy and found out that the workload of the
students of Lida middle school is fairly high. In Singapore, we should be able
to complete all our homework by 9p.m. In Suzhou Lida middle school, however,
the students mentioned that in order to complete all their homework, they would
have to work until 10 p.m. This is fairly late in contrast with Singaporeans,
showing how tiring their school life is, which requires a lot of hard work,
effort and determination. This attitude of Suzhou Lida middle school students
may explain why they are able to do extremely well in the academics aspect and
why they are able to win many competitions throughout the years.
I feel that some possible
artefacts of Lida middle school could be the assignments and homework of the
students who study there. From their school work, we would be able to
understand their daily lives better. Their school work not only reflects their
attitude in learning, it also allows us to learn more about the Chinese education
system. We would be able to learn more about the way in which the questions and
assignments are set in China, which is probably different from that of
Singapore. We would also learn more about the subjects and topics in which
China students have to study. Therefore, the overall topic for our learning
journey is education.
Some questions we are unsure
of and we hope to find out during the trip
-
How is the examination format of China
students like? Do they have a common test system in which they would have to
take a mini test every one or two weeks like the students of River Valley High
School, or do they have to take a large string of tests every term (similar to
our end of year examinations)?
-
What are the feelings and emotions of the
China students towards school life? What are their dreams and aspirations
regarding their educational path? Do they aspire to go and study in overseas
universities after completing their secondary school education?
-
How are the time tables of China students
arranged? Do they have to undergo long hours of school? How are their various
activities and lessons scheduled within the timetable? Is their school life
very packed and hectic, with many activities occurring within a day?
Class: 2G Group Number: 3
Group members: Chan Xin Hui (1), Tan Jia Yee (14), Teo Xin Ping Joan (16), Yap Xiao Qin Clarice (18), Lim Jia Qing (23), Ong Xue Ren (26)
Shortlisted places and rationale
No.
Location
Rationale/Research
1
Singapore Sports School
Singapore Sports School's wide range of training and residential facilities makes it well-suited for hosting sport competitions and residential centralised training camps. We can bring our buddy there to view a competition.
2
Singapore Sports Museum
Through this museum, the buddy would be able to learn a lot more about the sporting scene in Singapore, which is what greatly interests him. He would have a deeper understanding of the history of Singapore in terms of sports, in areas such as the construction of stadiums and sports facilities, the achievements of Singapore athletes and the controversial issues within the sporting world.
3
Water Sports Centre
The buddy would be able to gain a deeper insight on entertainment sport in Singapore. He would also learn more about the water sports facilities in Singapore and gain a deeper understanding of pedal boating in terms of its technique, how to maneuver the boat in water etc
4
MacRitchie Reservoir Park
Our buddy would not only be able to learn about the different species of wildlife as well as the uniqueness of this ‘facility’ which makes use of the natural environment to provide a relaxing and educational jog for the user.
5
Climb Central
Climb Central has approximately 1,000 square meters of climbing wall space and is conveniently located within the Singapore Sports Hub. Our buddy can get a go to scale the tallest indoor air-conditioned sport climbing venue in Singapore since he is very interested in sports. This is mainly a hands on activity for him to experience rock climbing.
6
East Coast Lagoon
Singapore’s first Cable Ski park is located beside the East Coast Lagoon. Cable-Skiing or Cable Wakeboarding is basically water skiing or wakeboarding using the pull of a cable system that goes continuously around the lagoon. Our buddy can try his hand at cable skiing, which is probably something he hasn’t tried before. This will give him a fantastic experience like no other.
7
Singapore National Museum
Through this museum, our buddy would learn about the many forms of culture. More importantly, he would learn about how these cultures managed to coexist together in a small country such as Singapore. By accepting the differences between one another, all the races and ethnics were able to live harmoniously together, moving forward as a nation hand in hand.
8
Singapore Discovery Centre
The buddy will be able to see the ASEAN pulse exhibition. ASEAN Nations have embarked on establishing a single market for goods, services, capital, and labour, which has the potential to become one of the largest economies and markets in the world. Through this exhibition, our buddy will learn the significance of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) as well as how to prepare ourselves so as to capture new opportunities brought about by tighter integration in the region.
9
Little India
Our buddy would be able to learn more about the architecture of Indian temples, the beliefs and culture of Indians, and the temple etiquettes and not to mention the importance of racial harmony.
10
Peranakan Museum
The buddy will be able to learn a thing or two about the Peranakans, be it about the clothing or their beliefs as well as learning to embrace this special culture and not to discriminate it just because it is different. Every culture is just as important and by learning to accept each other’s differences, Singapore would be a more harmonious and peaceful society.
11
Haw Par Villa
Built in 1937, Haw Par Villa is famous for its often gruesome depictions of Chinese folklore’s 10 Courts of Hell. Our buddy can visit a different kind of theme park, probably learning some beliefs and myths that the Chinese believe in.
12
Kampong Glam
From this experience, the buddy will not only learn about the Muslim etiquette at mosques, he will also learn about the Muslim culture and lifestyle. He would also learn to embrace this special culture that makes up about 13% of Singapore.
From all these information, we used the decision matrix below to shortlist 7 places we will be going to - Singapore Sports Museum, Little India, MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Kampong Glam, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Sports School, Water Sports Centre and Singapore National Museum.
Decision Matrix
Location
Fun Factor
Relevance
Cost
Distance
Comfort
Total
Weightage
2
3
3
2
1
Place of interest
-
-
-
-
-
-
Singapore Sports School
7
5
10
5
9
78
Singapore Sports Museum
9
12
6
6
12
96
Water Sports Centre
12
8
3
7
5
76
MacRitchie Reservoir Park
8
4
9
11
6
83
Climb Central
10
7
2
2
4
55
East Coast Lagoon
11
6
1
4
2
53
Singapore National Museum
6
3
8
8
11
72
Singapore Discovery Centre
5
2
4
12
10
62
Little India
3
10
11
9
1
88
Peranakan Museum
4
11
5
7
8
78
Kampong Glam
2
9
7
10
7
79
Haw Par Villa
1
1
12
1
3
39
CID 2 The Itinerary
Day 1
Time/h
Location
Cost
Information
Rationale
Lessons to be learnt
0800
RVHS Hostel
Free
Nil
Location where buddy is staying
Nil
0800 to 0810
Pathway from RVHS Hostel to Jurong Point shopping Centre
Free
Nil
Fastest way to get there and is free. If we take the bus, we may take a longer time because we would have to wait for the bus to arrive.
Nil
0810 to 0825
MRT from Boon Lay to Clementi
$1.24
The MRT is a public transport in which a large number of Singaporeans take. It is a rapid transit system forming the major component of the railway system in Singapore, spanning the entire city-state. The network has since grown rapidly in accordance with Singapore's aim of developing a comprehensive rail network as the backbone of the public transport system in Singapore, with an average daily ridership of 3.031 million in 2015 (including the Light Rail Transit (LRT)
While taking the public transport, our buddy would be able to experience life in Singapore in terms of transport. The cost of taking public transport is low so we would have more money to spend on other activities.
Nil
0825 to 0900
Take bus 52 from Clementi station (opposite Clementi MRT station) towards the bus station located after SICC
$1.39
Buses form a significant part of public transportation in Singapore, with over 3.8 million rides taken per day on average as of 2015. There are more than 300 scheduled bus services, the vast majority operated by SBS Transit and SMRT Buses. There are also around 4,200 buses currently in operation.
Our buddy would be able to experience taking a Singapore bus and gain a deeper understanding of our transport system, which is heavily utilized by Singaporeans. The cost of taking a bus is very cheap and this bus would be able to take us to Macritchie Reservoir
Nil
0900 to 1000
Walking trail at Macritchie Reservoir
Free
This 11km walking trail is located within the tropical rainforest of Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It circumnavigates the reservoir and is an excellent way to take in the area’s natural attractions. There are no maps available, but map boards situated along the trails and directional signage at junctions will help us find our way. We are likely to bump into long-tailed macaque monkeys, squirrels and monitor lizards. If we are lucky, we may even encounter colugos (flying lemurs) or owls.
This activity would enable the buddy to have a relaxing jog around Macritchie reservoir at the same time enjoy the beautiful scenery and lush greenery of Singapore’s well known reservoir.
As the buddy enjoys sports, he would be sure to enjoy this activity.
Our buddy would not only be able to learn about the different species of wildlife, he would also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the sporting ‘facilities’ Singapore has constructed for the public. He would learn more about the uniqueness of this ‘facility’ which makes use of the natural environment to provide a relaxing and educational jog for the user.
1000 to 1020 (short walk)
1020 to 1120 (lunch)
Arrive at The Roti Prata House after a short walk
$2.70 for 3 pratas
The Roti Prata House’s prata ($0.90 each) is very crisp, as if the dough has been deep-fried. The side of curry is smooth and a little gooey, mildly spicy with underlying tanginess. A review described the prata to be thin and crispy with biscuit-like pan-fried dough dressed in condensed milk or honey.
The prata tastes delicious based on several reviews and this store is found near Macritchie Reservoir so after a tiring jog, the buddy would be able to refresh himself with a pleasant meal that is not too expensive.
Roti prata is an Indian food that is mainly dough and curry, making it spicy. Through this dining experience, we hope that our buddy would have a better understanding of the Indian Culture in terms of its food.
1120 to 1200 (short walk to Marymount MRT station)
1200 to 1230
(take train at Marymount MRT station and alight at Stadium MRT station)
MRT from Marymount MRT station to Stadium MRT station
$1.68
The Circle Line is the first medium capacity line in Singapore. As a medium capacity line, each Circle Line train has only three cars instead of the six-car configuration as seen on other currently operating MRT lines excluding the Downtown Line. As of May 2015, the daily ridership is 398,000. The line reduces travelling time for commuters by allowing them to shorten trips between north and east or north and west, bypassing busy interchange stations like City Hall and Raffles Place.
The buddy would be able to experience the circle line and get to know more about the various lines of the MRT system.
1230 to 1330
Singapore Sports Museum
$5
The Sports Museum was established in 1983 to preserve and showcase Singapore's sporting heritage. It was opened to the public in May 1983 to coincide with the staging of the 12th SEA Games in Singapore. The construction of the first National Stadium was a symbol of Singapore’s intent to create new hopes for the sporting fraternity and also to push her athletes to greater heights. The exhibits showcase Singapore’s pioneering sporting clubs and associations. The buddy would be able to learn more about this gem in the galleries. Besides that, we would be able to explore the various challenges athletes have to face in the pursuit of excellence. We can gain insights on controversial issues such as racism and discrimination which is still prevalent in the sporting world today. The dream of an athlete often resonates with that of a sports fan. The museum enables us to relive the first Singapore Grand Prix which took place in 1966 at the old Thomson Road circuit and have a closer look at official FIFA World Cup match balls since 1970.
This museum has many detailed exhibits for the buddy to explore and is very relevant to the topic of sports. Visitors to the Museum will experience a fully immersive exhibition as they are taken through an educational experience that transports them into a world of sports through exciting, engaging and interactive elements that they have never experienced before, such as touchscreen information panels as well as video installations to show Singapore’s sporting culture in motion.
Through this museum, the buddy would be able to learn a lot more about the sporting scene in Singapore, which is what greatly interests him. He would have a deeper understanding of the history of Singapore in terms of sports, in areas such as the construction of stadiums and sports facilities, the achievements of Singapore athletes and the controversial issues within the sporting world.
1330 to 1430
Water Sports Centre
$8.40
In this activity, we would rent a pedal boat and cruise around the kallang basin.
This is an exciting activity which would interest the buddy. Such hands on activities would make the entire trip more fun because the buddy is able to have the chance to actually take part in the sport instead of just reading about the sport.
The buddy would be able to gain a deeper insight on entertainment sport in Singapore. He would also learn more about the water sports facilities in Singapore and gain a deeper understanding of pedal boating in terms of its technique, how to maneuver the boat in water etc
1430 to 1600
MRT from Stadium MRT station to Woodlands
Following which is a short walk to the Singapore Sports School
$3.26
The buddy would be able to take the North South Line (NSL) is the first Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore which stretches from Jurong East to Marina South Pier. The line is 44 kilometers long with 27 stations, including Canberra, which is under construction.
As we introduce this new line to the buddy, he would gain a deeper understanding of the North South Line. He would also learn more about the changing of lines and how to do so.
1600 to 1630
Singapore Sports School
Free
The buddy would be able to view the various facilities of this sports school, such as the 1.A swimming complex with 2 all-weather Olympic-sized pools (50m x 25m). Each pool can accommodate 10 lanes. One pool is 2m deep, while the other is 1.4m to 1.6m deep. Our spectators stand can seat up to 300 people. Temporary seating structures can be set up to accommodate another 700 people.
2. A badminton training centre with 12 courts.
3.A table tennis centre that can accommodate up to 16 tables.
4.A fencing hall that can accommodate up to 14 pistes.
5.A 30-bay indoor shooting range.
6.A 12-lane bowling centre, equipped with three different lane surfaces, while oiling patterns can be changed to simulate different competitive conditions. A Computer Aided Tracking System from Kegel can help provide essential analysis to improve performance.
7.An 8-lane synthetic rubber running track.
8.A synthetic football field, FIFA-approved to hold international matches up to World Cup Quarter-Finals Level.
This sports school holds many equipment and facilities that cater to sports. The buddy would be able to see these huge and advanced facilities in real life, which would make this visit more interesting.
The buddy would be able to learn more about the various sporting equipment and facilities that can be found in Singapore through this visit to a Sports School.
1630 to 1800
MRT from Wood Lands MRT station to Boon Lay MRT station, after which is a short walk to RVHS hostel
$1.73
We would take the MRT from Woodlands MRT station back to Boon Lay MRT station. After that, we would walk back to RVHS hostel
This would allow the buddy to experience both the east-west line and the north-south line.
Day 2
Time/h
Location
Cost
Information
Rationale
0800
RVHS Hostel
Free
Nil
Location where buddy is staying
Nil
0800 to 0850
Walk to Boon Lay MRT station from RVHS. Following which, take the MRT from Boon Lay MRT station to Outram Park MRT station. From there, change train and alight at little India
$1.94
The North East Line (NEL) is the third Mass Rapid Transit line in Singapore and the world's second longest fully underground, automated and driverless, rapid transit line after the Circle Line. The line is 20 km long with 16 stations. The North East Line is the first line in Singapore to have artwork integrated into all its 16 stations under the Art in Transit programme. Other than the Art in Transit programme, the interior architecture for the stations are typical of the design of the early 2000s with lots of white, glass and steel.
This MRT journey would enable the buddy to experience the east-west line and the north-east line. He would be able to learn more about the architecture of the MRT stations along the north-east line and thus gain a deeper understanding of our MRT transport system
0850 to 0950
Little India
Free
Little India once had a racecourse, cattle herders and brick kilns. Despite the fact that these places and people are gone, time stands still in pockets of this historic district. Olden-day trades sit next to newer businesses: flower-garland vendors, modern eateries, boutique hotels, as well as arts groups. One of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, can be found in Little India. It is dedicated to the goddess and destroyer of evil, Sri Veeramakaliamman or Kali. With its colorful and intricate statues and detailing, the temple remains one of the most spectacular experiences in Singapore. Contrary to stereotypes, Little India is not solely a Tamil neighborhood. Located in the neighborhood alongside shops that cater predominantly to the Tamils are Chinese clan associations, places of worship of different religions, and a variety of different business ranging from electrical supplies, hardware, second-hand goods alongside traditional spice grinders and grocers.
A trip to little India costs no money. Besides that, it has great cultural value within it, enabling the buddy to learn a lot of things through this visit, from the Indian beliefs to the Indian lifestyle.
Our buddy would be able to learn more about the architecture of Indian temples, the beliefs and culture of Indians, and the temple etiquettes. He would also learn about the importance of racial harmony through this visit to Little India and that we should embrace the Indian culture and not discriminate it.
0950 to 1000 (a short walk from Little India to Kampong Glam)
1000 to 1100
(Kampong Glam)
Kampong Glam
(Malay heritage center and sultan mosque)
$2
With its massive golden domes and huge prayer hall, Sultan Mosque is one of the most impressive religious buildings. Each dome base is decorated with glass bottle ends, donated by poor Muslims during its construction so that all Muslims, not just the rich, could contribute. Gazetted as a national monument in 1975, the mosque is a focal point for the Muslim community. It showcases the religious aspect of the Muslim Culture.
There are six permanent galleries spread over the two levels of the Malay Heritage Centre. These galleries showcase stories and artefacts from both Singapore's national collection as well as contributions from the community. The artefacts showcase Kampong Gelam's historical significance as a thriving port town prior to Raffles' arrival in 1819 and serve as evidence of the increasingly urban and cosmopolitan nature of Singapore Malay society. In the traditional layout, the upper level is called the panggung which serves as the main living and sleeping quarters of the house, while the kolong at the ground level is typically used as storage, work or service areas, and even as a children's play area.
This trip to Kampong Glam is not very expensive and it also has great historical and cultural value. We are able to learn about their beliefs and religion from the visit to the mosque. At the heritage centre, the buddy would be able to learn about the daily lives and activities of the Malay
From this experience, the buddy will not only learn about the Muslim etiquette at mosques, he will also learn about the Muslim culture and lifestyle. He would also learn to embrace this special culture that makes up about 13% of Singapore.
1100 to 1120
(a short walk from kampong glam to National Museum of Singapore)
1120 to 1200
(National Museum of Singapore)
National Museum of Singapore
(Voices of Singapore gallery)
$5
The Singaporean identity is inherently plural. In the 1970s, race, culture and language were formalized and enshrined into categories that were at once distinct and discrete. By the mid-1980s, these characterizations were debated and articulated in many different ways by Singapore’s artistic practitioners. They created original works that emphasized expressions of national identity and belonging. In the process, they shaped a vibrant society that could accommodate multiple voices and communities – a legacy that continues to inspire us today.
Through cultural artefacts including music, performances, television and theatre, this gallery explores how Singaporeans constructed a complex terrain of self-expression in the 1970s and 80s. The newly commissioned film installation in the back room is a creative expression of Singapore’s distinct identity. It is also a testament to the National Museum of Singapore’s commitment towards producing new cultural responses to the past.
This museum is fairly cheap and yet it holds a great amount of information. The clean cooling environment together with the various colourful exhibits will engage the buddy and allow him to understand more about the various forms of culture through works of art.
Through this museum, our buddy would learn about the many forms of culture. More importantly, he would learn about how these cultures managed to coexist together in a small country such as Singapore. By accepting the differences between one another, all the races and ethnics were able to live harmoniously together, moving forward as a nation hand in hand.
1200 to 1220
(short walk from National Museum to Chinatown food street)
1220 to 1320
(Chinatown food street)
Cheng Kee Hokkien Mee
(Chinatown food street)
$8
In Chinatown food street, we would order a plate of Hokkien noodles for lunch. Singaporean Hokkien mee was created after World War II by Chinese sailors from Fujian (Hokkien) province in southern China. After working in the factories, they would congregate along Rochor Road and fry excess noodles from the noodle factories over a charcoal stove. Today, this dish is stir-fried with garlic, eggs, soy sauce, yellow noodles, bee hoon, bean sprouts, prawns and squid. A flavourful stock is also essential for a great tasting dish, and is usually made from stewing prawn heads, clams and dried fish.
We hope that through this delicious and flavourful meal, the buddy would be able to learn more about the culture of Singaporean Chinese, especially in terms of food. Since he was able to actually try out the food, we hope that he would have a better impression and understanding of the food.
Nil
1320 to 1340
(short walk from Chinatown to Peranakan Museum)
1340 to 1510
(Peranakan Museum)
Peranakan Museum
$2
Our buddy would be able to learn about the many rituals of the traditional Peranakan wedding in the galleries of the Museum. He would be able to learn about the coming of age (Chiu Thau) and exchange of gifts (Lap Chai) ceremonies, and peek inside the wedding chamber. The museum contains an extensive collection of Peranakan beadwork - an essential element of the wedding. Besides that, he would also learn more about the culture and beliefs of Peranakans. Traditionally, Peranakans embraced a mixture of Daoism, Buddhism, ancestor worship, and folk beliefs. They do not really have a fixed religion. Death rituals and mourning were especially important to show respect for ancestors. Many Peranakans played a prominent role in commerce, politics and social affairs in 19th and 20th-century Southeast Asia. Singapore pioneer Tan Kim Seng and former Cabinet Minister Lim Kim San are just two of the many Peranakans who became cultural and philanthropic leaders in Singapore.
This cheap and highly informative museum can help to explain the unique and interesting culture of the Peranakans to the Chinese buddy. The Chinese buddy would probably be unsure of this culture that he has seldom heard of before. This museum can help him clear his doubts and give him a better understanding of the Peranakans.
We hope that through this museum, the buddy has learned a thing or two about the Peranakans, be it about the clothing or their beliefs. Even though this culture is quite different from the other forms of culture, in which there is no specific race and religion, we hope that the buddy learns to embrace this special culture and not to discriminate it just because it is different. Every culture is just as important and by learning to accept each other’s differences, Singapore would be a more harmonious and peaceful society.
1510 to 1705
(short walk to City Hall MRT, take train to Joo Koon, short walk to Discovery Centre)
1705 to 1745 (at Discovery Centre)
Discovery Centre
The Discovery Centre is holding an ASEAN pulse exhibition to show the international friendship between Singapore and the other ASEAN countries.
This exhibition presents the various cultures of different countries in a meaningful and interesting way. It is interactive and fun.
We hope that through this exhibition, the buddy would be able to gain a deeper understanding of the different countries, of which a portion of those residing in Singapore originated from. Though the people in Singapore are multi-racial, and multicultural and may even be of different nationalities, we are able to work well with one another as a whole.
1745 to 1800
Joo Koon
MRT station to Boon Lay MRT station, followed by a short walk back to RVHS hostel
$1.89
The MRT is a common form of transport and at around this time, it would be peak hour. The MRT would probably be very packed with many commuters squeezing inside the cabins, hoping that they would be able to arrive back home as soon as possible.
The buddy would be able to experience the feeling of standing inside a crowded MRT cabin. This is fairly common in a Singaporean’s life. At the same time, this MRT ride would bring him back to the hostel.
Suzhou Lida Secondary school
Suzhou High School,
officially the Suzhou High School of Jiangsu Province (simplified Chinese 江苏省苏州中学; traditional Chinese: 江蘇省蘇州中學,
is a Chinese public high school of one-millennium rich history, located in
Suzhou, Jiangsu. In AD 1035, the Northern Song politician and writer Fan
Zhongyan founded the predecessor of Suzhou High school, Suzhou Prefecture
School (苏州府学).
During the Qing Dynasty,
Zhang Boxing (张伯行) established the Ziyang College (紫阳书院) inside the Suzhou Prefecture School. It was one of the
most prestigious colleges in the nation, and several emperors of Qing Dynasty
praised its achievements。In the 1900s, the imperial
examination was abandoned, and consequently Duan Fang (端方),
the governor of Jiangsu, transformed the school into a modern school. He also
invited sinology masters Wang Guowei and Luo Zhenyu to join the faculty of the
school. In addition, during the Republic of China period, Zhang Taiyan and Qian
Mu taught sinology here. It is widely regarded as one of the four most famous
high school in Jiangnan.
After the establishment of
People's Republic of China, Suzhou High School became one of the 24 key high
schools of China in 1953, which is selected by the Ministry of Education, and
one of the top four high schools in Jiangsu Province as well. In 1997, Suzhou
High School became the first batch of national model high school in Jiangsu
Province. After the key school concept was abolished, it became four-starred
high school in 2004.It established friendly relations and cooperation with
schools in Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, the United States, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and other countries more than 10 universities (such as
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Waseda University, Japan). In 2007,
Suzhou High School introduced the Cambridge International High School program. Founded
in 1996, the Suzhou Lida Middle School was transformed in 2005 into the
state-controlled joint-venture Suzhou Lida school. The Suzhou High School Park
affiliate was founded in 2003 and located in Suzhou Industrial Park. In 2004,
the school was classified as a four-star high school in Jiangsu Province. For
three consecutive years since 1999, the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and
Jiangsu Provincial People's Government awarded the "Civilized Unit of
Jiangsu Province pacesetter" honour. Created in 1996 by Suzhou High School
of Jiangsu Province, a leading secondary school in China, for the mission of
offering decent education to a growing body of junior high school students,
Suzhou Lida School has grown into an educational establishment servicing a
2,165-strong students in 51 classes 7th through 9th grades. Suzhou Lida School is to mark its 10th
anniversary with its own premises separate from Suzhou High School. Covering
close to 4 hectares, the new campus is a pronounced presence at 45 Shiqi Lane,
also known as Xinqiao Lane, enjoying easy access and beautiful surroundings.
The new site commands excellent educational facilities that include classroom
buildings, gyms, laboratories, and centres of arts such as music, ballet, and
painting. Its dormitories designed for students coming from afar are simply
superb for both accommodation and learning.
Suzhou Lida School features an envied team of instructors boasting, in
its over 160-member faculty, 2 honoured and 45 experienced teachers. Since the
founding of the School, the teachers with Lida have won 77 awards in a wide
range of competitions held in Suzhou, Jiangsu, and nationwide. Equally
noteworthy, they have seen an annual publication of more than 100 educational
research papers. The School Academic Committee has all along proved a driving
force behind such achievements and others centred on quality education. Talent and virtue have always been the
distinguishing mark of Lida’s student body. Over the past 10 years, Lida
students have led the party in contests of all kinds. As told by statistics for
the 2002-2005 period, students from Lida have grabbed 300 awards in provincial
competitions. More encouragingly, Lida boys and girls have impressed the
international educational community with, among others, their brilliant
accomplishments gained in the 28th Australian Mathematics Competition for the
Westpac Awards in 2005. First timers into such international events as they
were, they took home 171 awards, something unprecedented for a single school in
the entire history of the Competition.
Lida students, over the years, have also performed well in their
graduation examinations. Not surprisingly, a good number of Lida students have
been recommended and admitted to top senior high schools both at home and
abroad. About 50% of students enrolled each year to Suzhou High School are from
Lida. River Valley School in Singapore, which selects 6 to 9 Lida students per
annum to pursue further studies with them, has offered admission and
scholarship to 76 excellent Lida graduates. In another development, senior high
school graduates with Lida backgrounds merit no less an acclaim. In college
entrance examinations, one Lida graduate ranked first in Suzhou, and two topped
the rest in Jiangsu Province. Overall, 15 students with such backgrounds have
been doing or have finished their first degree at Tsinghua University and
Beijing University; 50-plus at American universities such as Harvard, Yale, and
MIT, Cambridge and Oxford in UK, and University of Tokyo and Waseda University
in Japan. To keep abreast of global
moves and stay competitively in the avant-garde in administering junior high school
education, Suzhou Lida School is, as always, actively pursuing international
exchange with schools across the world toward carving out, through joint
efforts, a broad path to lead both faculty and students to an educational
undertaking par excellence.
There are no trip advisor
comments regarding this area of interest because this is a school. However, we
communicated with our china buddy and found out that the workload of the
students of Lida middle school is fairly high. In Singapore, we should be able
to complete all our homework by 9p.m. In Suzhou Lida middle school, however,
the students mentioned that in order to complete all their homework, they would
have to work until 10 p.m. This is fairly late in contrast with Singaporeans,
showing how tiring their school life is, which requires a lot of hard work,
effort and determination. This attitude of Suzhou Lida middle school students
may explain why they are able to do extremely well in the academics aspect and
why they are able to win many competitions throughout the years.
I feel that some possible
artefacts of Lida middle school could be the assignments and homework of the
students who study there. From their school work, we would be able to
understand their daily lives better. Their school work not only reflects their
attitude in learning, it also allows us to learn more about the Chinese education
system. We would be able to learn more about the way in which the questions and
assignments are set in China, which is probably different from that of
Singapore. We would also learn more about the subjects and topics in which
China students have to study. Therefore, the overall topic for our learning
journey is education.
Some questions we are unsure
of and we hope to find out during the trip
- How is the examination format of China students like? Do they have a common test system in which they would have to take a mini test every one or two weeks like the students of River Valley High School, or do they have to take a large string of tests every term (similar to our end of year examinations)?
- What are the feelings and emotions of the China students towards school life? What are their dreams and aspirations regarding their educational path? Do they aspire to go and study in overseas universities after completing their secondary school education?
- How are the time tables of China students arranged? Do they have to undergo long hours of school? How are their various activities and lessons scheduled within the timetable? Is their school life very packed and hectic, with many activities occurring within a day?
Class: 2G Group Number: 3
Group members: Chan Xin Hui (1), Tan Jia Yee (14), Teo Xin Ping Joan (16), Yap Xiao Qin Clarice (18), Lim Jia Qing (23), Ong Xue Ren (26)
Shortlisted places and rationale
No.
|
Location
|
Rationale/Research
|
1
|
Singapore Sports School
|
Singapore Sports School's wide range of training and residential facilities makes it well-suited for hosting sport competitions and residential centralised training camps. We can bring our buddy there to view a competition.
|
2
|
Singapore Sports Museum
|
Through this museum, the buddy would be able to learn a lot more about the sporting scene in Singapore, which is what greatly interests him. He would have a deeper understanding of the history of Singapore in terms of sports, in areas such as the construction of stadiums and sports facilities, the achievements of Singapore athletes and the controversial issues within the sporting world.
|
3
|
Water Sports Centre
|
The buddy would be able to gain a deeper insight on entertainment sport in Singapore. He would also learn more about the water sports facilities in Singapore and gain a deeper understanding of pedal boating in terms of its technique, how to maneuver the boat in water etc
|
4
|
MacRitchie Reservoir Park
|
Our buddy would not only be able to learn about the different species of wildlife as well as the uniqueness of this ‘facility’ which makes use of the natural environment to provide a relaxing and educational jog for the user.
|
5
|
Climb Central
|
Climb Central has approximately 1,000 square meters of climbing wall space and is conveniently located within the Singapore Sports Hub. Our buddy can get a go to scale the tallest indoor air-conditioned sport climbing venue in Singapore since he is very interested in sports. This is mainly a hands on activity for him to experience rock climbing.
|
6
|
East Coast Lagoon
|
Singapore’s first Cable Ski park is located beside the East Coast Lagoon. Cable-Skiing or Cable Wakeboarding is basically water skiing or wakeboarding using the pull of a cable system that goes continuously around the lagoon. Our buddy can try his hand at cable skiing, which is probably something he hasn’t tried before. This will give him a fantastic experience like no other.
|
7
|
Singapore National Museum
|
Through this museum, our buddy would learn about the many forms of culture. More importantly, he would learn about how these cultures managed to coexist together in a small country such as Singapore. By accepting the differences between one another, all the races and ethnics were able to live harmoniously together, moving forward as a nation hand in hand.
|
8
|
Singapore Discovery Centre
|
The buddy will be able to see the ASEAN pulse exhibition. ASEAN Nations have embarked on establishing a single market for goods, services, capital, and labour, which has the potential to become one of the largest economies and markets in the world. Through this exhibition, our buddy will learn the significance of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) as well as how to prepare ourselves so as to capture new opportunities brought about by tighter integration in the region.
|
9
|
Little India
|
Our buddy would be able to learn more about the architecture of Indian temples, the beliefs and culture of Indians, and the temple etiquettes and not to mention the importance of racial harmony.
|
10
|
Peranakan Museum
|
The buddy will be able to learn a thing or two about the Peranakans, be it about the clothing or their beliefs as well as learning to embrace this special culture and not to discriminate it just because it is different. Every culture is just as important and by learning to accept each other’s differences, Singapore would be a more harmonious and peaceful society.
|
11
|
Haw Par Villa
|
Built in 1937, Haw Par Villa is famous for its often gruesome depictions of Chinese folklore’s 10 Courts of Hell. Our buddy can visit a different kind of theme park, probably learning some beliefs and myths that the Chinese believe in.
|
12
|
Kampong Glam
|
From this experience, the buddy will not only learn about the Muslim etiquette at mosques, he will also learn about the Muslim culture and lifestyle. He would also learn to embrace this special culture that makes up about 13% of Singapore.
|
From all these information, we used the decision matrix below to shortlist 7 places we will be going to - Singapore Sports Museum, Little India, MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Kampong Glam, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Sports School, Water Sports Centre and Singapore National Museum.
Decision Matrix
Location
|
Fun Factor
|
Relevance
|
Cost
|
Distance
|
Comfort
|
Total
|
Weightage
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
1
| |
Place of interest
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Singapore Sports School
|
7
|
5
|
10
|
5
|
9
|
78
|
Singapore Sports Museum
|
9
|
12
|
6
|
6
|
12
|
96
|
Water Sports Centre
|
12
|
8
|
3
|
7
|
5
|
76
|
MacRitchie Reservoir Park
|
8
|
4
|
9
|
11
|
6
|
83
|
Climb Central
|
10
|
7
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
55
|
East Coast Lagoon
|
11
|
6
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
53
|
Singapore National Museum
|
6
|
3
|
8
|
8
|
11
|
72
|
Singapore Discovery Centre
|
5
|
2
|
4
|
12
|
10
|
62
|
Little India
|
3
|
10
|
11
|
9
|
1
|
88
|
Peranakan Museum
|
4
|
11
|
5
|
7
|
8
|
78
|
Kampong Glam
|
2
|
9
|
7
|
10
|
7
|
79
|
Haw Par Villa
|
1
|
1
|
12
|
1
|
3
|
39
|
CID 2 The Itinerary
Day 1
Time/h
|
Location
|
Cost
|
Information
|
Rationale
|
Lessons to be learnt
|
0800
|
RVHS Hostel
|
Free
|
Nil
|
Location where buddy is staying
|
Nil
|
0800 to 0810
|
Pathway from RVHS Hostel to Jurong Point shopping Centre
|
Free
|
Nil
|
Fastest way to get there and is free. If we take the bus, we may take a longer time because we would have to wait for the bus to arrive.
|
Nil
|
0810 to 0825
|
MRT from Boon Lay to Clementi
|
$1.24
|
The MRT is a public transport in which a large number of Singaporeans take. It is a rapid transit system forming the major component of the railway system in Singapore, spanning the entire city-state. The network has since grown rapidly in accordance with Singapore's aim of developing a comprehensive rail network as the backbone of the public transport system in Singapore, with an average daily ridership of 3.031 million in 2015 (including the Light Rail Transit (LRT)
|
While taking the public transport, our buddy would be able to experience life in Singapore in terms of transport. The cost of taking public transport is low so we would have more money to spend on other activities.
|
Nil
|
0825 to 0900
|
Take bus 52 from Clementi station (opposite Clementi MRT station) towards the bus station located after SICC
|
$1.39
|
Buses form a significant part of public transportation in Singapore, with over 3.8 million rides taken per day on average as of 2015. There are more than 300 scheduled bus services, the vast majority operated by SBS Transit and SMRT Buses. There are also around 4,200 buses currently in operation.
|
Our buddy would be able to experience taking a Singapore bus and gain a deeper understanding of our transport system, which is heavily utilized by Singaporeans. The cost of taking a bus is very cheap and this bus would be able to take us to Macritchie Reservoir
|
Nil
|
0900 to 1000
|
Walking trail at Macritchie Reservoir
|
Free
|
This 11km walking trail is located within the tropical rainforest of Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It circumnavigates the reservoir and is an excellent way to take in the area’s natural attractions. There are no maps available, but map boards situated along the trails and directional signage at junctions will help us find our way. We are likely to bump into long-tailed macaque monkeys, squirrels and monitor lizards. If we are lucky, we may even encounter colugos (flying lemurs) or owls.
|
This activity would enable the buddy to have a relaxing jog around Macritchie reservoir at the same time enjoy the beautiful scenery and lush greenery of Singapore’s well known reservoir.
As the buddy enjoys sports, he would be sure to enjoy this activity.
|
Our buddy would not only be able to learn about the different species of wildlife, he would also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the sporting ‘facilities’ Singapore has constructed for the public. He would learn more about the uniqueness of this ‘facility’ which makes use of the natural environment to provide a relaxing and educational jog for the user.
|
1000 to 1020 (short walk)
1020 to 1120 (lunch)
|
Arrive at The Roti Prata House after a short walk
|
$2.70 for 3 pratas
|
The Roti Prata House’s prata ($0.90 each) is very crisp, as if the dough has been deep-fried. The side of curry is smooth and a little gooey, mildly spicy with underlying tanginess. A review described the prata to be thin and crispy with biscuit-like pan-fried dough dressed in condensed milk or honey.
|
The prata tastes delicious based on several reviews and this store is found near Macritchie Reservoir so after a tiring jog, the buddy would be able to refresh himself with a pleasant meal that is not too expensive.
|
Roti prata is an Indian food that is mainly dough and curry, making it spicy. Through this dining experience, we hope that our buddy would have a better understanding of the Indian Culture in terms of its food.
|
1120 to 1200 (short walk to Marymount MRT station)
1200 to 1230
(take train at Marymount MRT station and alight at Stadium MRT station)
|
MRT from Marymount MRT station to Stadium MRT station
|
$1.68
|
The Circle Line is the first medium capacity line in Singapore. As a medium capacity line, each Circle Line train has only three cars instead of the six-car configuration as seen on other currently operating MRT lines excluding the Downtown Line. As of May 2015, the daily ridership is 398,000. The line reduces travelling time for commuters by allowing them to shorten trips between north and east or north and west, bypassing busy interchange stations like City Hall and Raffles Place.
|
The buddy would be able to experience the circle line and get to know more about the various lines of the MRT system.
| |
1230 to 1330
|
Singapore Sports Museum
|
$5
|
The Sports Museum was established in 1983 to preserve and showcase Singapore's sporting heritage. It was opened to the public in May 1983 to coincide with the staging of the 12th SEA Games in Singapore. The construction of the first National Stadium was a symbol of Singapore’s intent to create new hopes for the sporting fraternity and also to push her athletes to greater heights. The exhibits showcase Singapore’s pioneering sporting clubs and associations. The buddy would be able to learn more about this gem in the galleries. Besides that, we would be able to explore the various challenges athletes have to face in the pursuit of excellence. We can gain insights on controversial issues such as racism and discrimination which is still prevalent in the sporting world today. The dream of an athlete often resonates with that of a sports fan. The museum enables us to relive the first Singapore Grand Prix which took place in 1966 at the old Thomson Road circuit and have a closer look at official FIFA World Cup match balls since 1970.
|
This museum has many detailed exhibits for the buddy to explore and is very relevant to the topic of sports. Visitors to the Museum will experience a fully immersive exhibition as they are taken through an educational experience that transports them into a world of sports through exciting, engaging and interactive elements that they have never experienced before, such as touchscreen information panels as well as video installations to show Singapore’s sporting culture in motion.
|
Through this museum, the buddy would be able to learn a lot more about the sporting scene in Singapore, which is what greatly interests him. He would have a deeper understanding of the history of Singapore in terms of sports, in areas such as the construction of stadiums and sports facilities, the achievements of Singapore athletes and the controversial issues within the sporting world.
|
1330 to 1430
|
Water Sports Centre
|
$8.40
|
In this activity, we would rent a pedal boat and cruise around the kallang basin.
|
This is an exciting activity which would interest the buddy. Such hands on activities would make the entire trip more fun because the buddy is able to have the chance to actually take part in the sport instead of just reading about the sport.
|
The buddy would be able to gain a deeper insight on entertainment sport in Singapore. He would also learn more about the water sports facilities in Singapore and gain a deeper understanding of pedal boating in terms of its technique, how to maneuver the boat in water etc
|
1430 to 1600
|
MRT from Stadium MRT station to Woodlands
Following which is a short walk to the Singapore Sports School
|
$3.26
|
The buddy would be able to take the North South Line (NSL) is the first Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Singapore which stretches from Jurong East to Marina South Pier. The line is 44 kilometers long with 27 stations, including Canberra, which is under construction.
|
As we introduce this new line to the buddy, he would gain a deeper understanding of the North South Line. He would also learn more about the changing of lines and how to do so.
| |
1600 to 1630
|
Singapore Sports School
|
Free
|
The buddy would be able to view the various facilities of this sports school, such as the 1.A swimming complex with 2 all-weather Olympic-sized pools (50m x 25m). Each pool can accommodate 10 lanes. One pool is 2m deep, while the other is 1.4m to 1.6m deep. Our spectators stand can seat up to 300 people. Temporary seating structures can be set up to accommodate another 700 people.
2. A badminton training centre with 12 courts.
3.A table tennis centre that can accommodate up to 16 tables.
4.A fencing hall that can accommodate up to 14 pistes.
5.A 30-bay indoor shooting range.
6.A 12-lane bowling centre, equipped with three different lane surfaces, while oiling patterns can be changed to simulate different competitive conditions. A Computer Aided Tracking System from Kegel can help provide essential analysis to improve performance.
7.An 8-lane synthetic rubber running track.
8.A synthetic football field, FIFA-approved to hold international matches up to World Cup Quarter-Finals Level.
|
This sports school holds many equipment and facilities that cater to sports. The buddy would be able to see these huge and advanced facilities in real life, which would make this visit more interesting.
|
The buddy would be able to learn more about the various sporting equipment and facilities that can be found in Singapore through this visit to a Sports School.
|
1630 to 1800
|
MRT from Wood Lands MRT station to Boon Lay MRT station, after which is a short walk to RVHS hostel
|
$1.73
|
We would take the MRT from Woodlands MRT station back to Boon Lay MRT station. After that, we would walk back to RVHS hostel
|
This would allow the buddy to experience both the east-west line and the north-south line.
|
Day 2
Time/h
|
Location
|
Cost
|
Information
|
Rationale
| |
0800
|
RVHS Hostel
|
Free
|
Nil
|
Location where buddy is staying
|
Nil
|
0800 to 0850
|
Walk to Boon Lay MRT station from RVHS. Following which, take the MRT from Boon Lay MRT station to Outram Park MRT station. From there, change train and alight at little India
|
$1.94
|
The North East Line (NEL) is the third Mass Rapid Transit line in Singapore and the world's second longest fully underground, automated and driverless, rapid transit line after the Circle Line. The line is 20 km long with 16 stations. The North East Line is the first line in Singapore to have artwork integrated into all its 16 stations under the Art in Transit programme. Other than the Art in Transit programme, the interior architecture for the stations are typical of the design of the early 2000s with lots of white, glass and steel.
|
This MRT journey would enable the buddy to experience the east-west line and the north-east line. He would be able to learn more about the architecture of the MRT stations along the north-east line and thus gain a deeper understanding of our MRT transport system
| |
0850 to 0950
|
Little India
|
Free
|
Little India once had a racecourse, cattle herders and brick kilns. Despite the fact that these places and people are gone, time stands still in pockets of this historic district. Olden-day trades sit next to newer businesses: flower-garland vendors, modern eateries, boutique hotels, as well as arts groups. One of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, can be found in Little India. It is dedicated to the goddess and destroyer of evil, Sri Veeramakaliamman or Kali. With its colorful and intricate statues and detailing, the temple remains one of the most spectacular experiences in Singapore. Contrary to stereotypes, Little India is not solely a Tamil neighborhood. Located in the neighborhood alongside shops that cater predominantly to the Tamils are Chinese clan associations, places of worship of different religions, and a variety of different business ranging from electrical supplies, hardware, second-hand goods alongside traditional spice grinders and grocers.
|
A trip to little India costs no money. Besides that, it has great cultural value within it, enabling the buddy to learn a lot of things through this visit, from the Indian beliefs to the Indian lifestyle.
|
Our buddy would be able to learn more about the architecture of Indian temples, the beliefs and culture of Indians, and the temple etiquettes. He would also learn about the importance of racial harmony through this visit to Little India and that we should embrace the Indian culture and not discriminate it.
|
0950 to 1000 (a short walk from Little India to Kampong Glam)
1000 to 1100
(Kampong Glam)
|
Kampong Glam
(Malay heritage center and sultan mosque)
|
$2
|
With its massive golden domes and huge prayer hall, Sultan Mosque is one of the most impressive religious buildings. Each dome base is decorated with glass bottle ends, donated by poor Muslims during its construction so that all Muslims, not just the rich, could contribute. Gazetted as a national monument in 1975, the mosque is a focal point for the Muslim community. It showcases the religious aspect of the Muslim Culture.
There are six permanent galleries spread over the two levels of the Malay Heritage Centre. These galleries showcase stories and artefacts from both Singapore's national collection as well as contributions from the community. The artefacts showcase Kampong Gelam's historical significance as a thriving port town prior to Raffles' arrival in 1819 and serve as evidence of the increasingly urban and cosmopolitan nature of Singapore Malay society. In the traditional layout, the upper level is called the panggung which serves as the main living and sleeping quarters of the house, while the kolong at the ground level is typically used as storage, work or service areas, and even as a children's play area.
|
This trip to Kampong Glam is not very expensive and it also has great historical and cultural value. We are able to learn about their beliefs and religion from the visit to the mosque. At the heritage centre, the buddy would be able to learn about the daily lives and activities of the Malay
|
From this experience, the buddy will not only learn about the Muslim etiquette at mosques, he will also learn about the Muslim culture and lifestyle. He would also learn to embrace this special culture that makes up about 13% of Singapore.
|
1100 to 1120
(a short walk from kampong glam to National Museum of Singapore)
1120 to 1200
(National Museum of Singapore)
|
National Museum of Singapore
(Voices of Singapore gallery)
|
$5
|
The Singaporean identity is inherently plural. In the 1970s, race, culture and language were formalized and enshrined into categories that were at once distinct and discrete. By the mid-1980s, these characterizations were debated and articulated in many different ways by Singapore’s artistic practitioners. They created original works that emphasized expressions of national identity and belonging. In the process, they shaped a vibrant society that could accommodate multiple voices and communities – a legacy that continues to inspire us today.
Through cultural artefacts including music, performances, television and theatre, this gallery explores how Singaporeans constructed a complex terrain of self-expression in the 1970s and 80s. The newly commissioned film installation in the back room is a creative expression of Singapore’s distinct identity. It is also a testament to the National Museum of Singapore’s commitment towards producing new cultural responses to the past.
|
This museum is fairly cheap and yet it holds a great amount of information. The clean cooling environment together with the various colourful exhibits will engage the buddy and allow him to understand more about the various forms of culture through works of art.
|
Through this museum, our buddy would learn about the many forms of culture. More importantly, he would learn about how these cultures managed to coexist together in a small country such as Singapore. By accepting the differences between one another, all the races and ethnics were able to live harmoniously together, moving forward as a nation hand in hand.
|
1200 to 1220
(short walk from National Museum to Chinatown food street)
1220 to 1320
(Chinatown food street)
|
Cheng Kee Hokkien Mee
(Chinatown food street)
|
$8
|
In Chinatown food street, we would order a plate of Hokkien noodles for lunch. Singaporean Hokkien mee was created after World War II by Chinese sailors from Fujian (Hokkien) province in southern China. After working in the factories, they would congregate along Rochor Road and fry excess noodles from the noodle factories over a charcoal stove. Today, this dish is stir-fried with garlic, eggs, soy sauce, yellow noodles, bee hoon, bean sprouts, prawns and squid. A flavourful stock is also essential for a great tasting dish, and is usually made from stewing prawn heads, clams and dried fish.
|
We hope that through this delicious and flavourful meal, the buddy would be able to learn more about the culture of Singaporean Chinese, especially in terms of food. Since he was able to actually try out the food, we hope that he would have a better impression and understanding of the food.
|
Nil
|
1320 to 1340
(short walk from Chinatown to Peranakan Museum)
1340 to 1510
(Peranakan Museum)
|
Peranakan Museum
|
$2
|
Our buddy would be able to learn about the many rituals of the traditional Peranakan wedding in the galleries of the Museum. He would be able to learn about the coming of age (Chiu Thau) and exchange of gifts (Lap Chai) ceremonies, and peek inside the wedding chamber. The museum contains an extensive collection of Peranakan beadwork - an essential element of the wedding. Besides that, he would also learn more about the culture and beliefs of Peranakans. Traditionally, Peranakans embraced a mixture of Daoism, Buddhism, ancestor worship, and folk beliefs. They do not really have a fixed religion. Death rituals and mourning were especially important to show respect for ancestors. Many Peranakans played a prominent role in commerce, politics and social affairs in 19th and 20th-century Southeast Asia. Singapore pioneer Tan Kim Seng and former Cabinet Minister Lim Kim San are just two of the many Peranakans who became cultural and philanthropic leaders in Singapore.
|
This cheap and highly informative museum can help to explain the unique and interesting culture of the Peranakans to the Chinese buddy. The Chinese buddy would probably be unsure of this culture that he has seldom heard of before. This museum can help him clear his doubts and give him a better understanding of the Peranakans.
|
We hope that through this museum, the buddy has learned a thing or two about the Peranakans, be it about the clothing or their beliefs. Even though this culture is quite different from the other forms of culture, in which there is no specific race and religion, we hope that the buddy learns to embrace this special culture and not to discriminate it just because it is different. Every culture is just as important and by learning to accept each other’s differences, Singapore would be a more harmonious and peaceful society.
|
1510 to 1705
(short walk to City Hall MRT, take train to Joo Koon, short walk to Discovery Centre)
1705 to 1745 (at Discovery Centre)
|
Discovery Centre
|
The Discovery Centre is holding an ASEAN pulse exhibition to show the international friendship between Singapore and the other ASEAN countries.
|
This exhibition presents the various cultures of different countries in a meaningful and interesting way. It is interactive and fun.
|
We hope that through this exhibition, the buddy would be able to gain a deeper understanding of the different countries, of which a portion of those residing in Singapore originated from. Though the people in Singapore are multi-racial, and multicultural and may even be of different nationalities, we are able to work well with one another as a whole.
| |
1745 to 1800
|
Joo Koon
MRT station to Boon Lay MRT station, followed by a short walk back to RVHS hostel
|
$1.89
|
The MRT is a common form of transport and at around this time, it would be peak hour. The MRT would probably be very packed with many commuters squeezing inside the cabins, hoping that they would be able to arrive back home as soon as possible.
|
The buddy would be able to experience the feeling of standing inside a crowded MRT cabin. This is fairly common in a Singaporean’s life. At the same time, this MRT ride would bring him back to the hostel.
|
China Youth Culture VS Singapore Youth Culture
Singapore youth culture
The youths of Singapore use social media frequently, like whatsapp, instagram and youtube. and a few of them are addicted to their mobile phone. They have a fairly heavy workload and many of them are stressed and unhappy due to the fact that they need to go to school. Some of them are hardworking and diligent, completing their school work and projects before the deadline while the others procrastinate and refused to do their work until the last minute. A lot of teenagers also meet up at fast food restaurants to do their work and discuss them there and in doing so they are actually hogging up seats in fast food restaurants.
Singaporean youths also attend co-curricular activities (CCA),
this ensures that the students receive a holistic education and CCA is an area that allows them to develop their interests and talents and CCA nowadays have become a part and parcel of Singapore's youth lives.During the holidays, other than attending school actvities like supplementary classes or attending CCA, many of them will find time to meet up with their friends. They have an outing together, to build stronger bonds and ties between each and every one of them.
Chinese youth culture
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please give constructive feedback and comment on this blog if you have any queries.