Learning Journey to Australian International School

My workplace organised a learning journey to Australian International School. 
It was very educational as we were given a tour around the pre-school where we saw how the pre-school was set-up and how the pre-school students learn. After the pre-school tour, we had a presentation on the structure in AIS as well as the kind of curriculum conducted in AIS from pre-school to Year 12. For me personally, it will be interesting to learn more about their assessment as well as their pastoral care in AIS. :)

Learning Journey to Crest Secondary School

My workplace organised a learning journey to Crest Secondary School. I think it is the first time most of us visited the secondary school as it is newly set up in 2013 as the first specialised school for normal (technical) students.  
Crest Secondary School offers both academic learning (normal technical curriculum) and vocational training (in hospitality, retail and facilities services and mechanical servicing). The school teaches the students skills that they can immediately apply in their own homes, e.g. how to make up the bed (hospitality), how to repair pipes and such (facilities), etc. and not just for future work application. 

Art works by the students

Hospitality services - a mock-up of a restaurant

A mock up of a hotel room

Retail services - a mock up of a supermarket

Facilities services

It is of interest to me because of my role as a school counsellor. Knowing a bit more about the school can help me to correctly advise my counsellees on which schools to consider and choose for their secondary education. :)

Learning Journey to Assumption Pathway School

Our department organised yet another learning journey for us. :) This time we are off to Assumption Pathway School (APS). Mr Wee, the Principal, gave us an overview about the school and took time to answer our many questions. I think most of us are not familiar with APS and we definitely seized the opportunity to ask questions. :) After the presentation, we went on a tour to the different facilities in the school such as the Apple lab, the cake kitchen, the Student Wellness Centre, and The ART (Assumption Restaurant of Training). 

The old wing of APS (but with lots of character)

The new wing of APS (houses general office, canteen, etc). The logo and motto of APS painted on the road.

See the mural on the 2nd floor? It is the reproduction of an APS student's creation!

Students in the Apple lab, attending their Desktop Publishing and Design course

Students in the cake kitchen, working towards a Cert in Baking Practices. They are making chocolate chip cupcakes. Smelled really delicious!

The colourful and cheerful Student Wellness centre (counselling rooms). I don't mind working here lol.

After the tour ended, some of us remained to have lunch at The ART where the students took care of the waiting, and cooking. We ordered the 3-course set lunch ($12) which came with a soup (and garlic bread), a main course, a dessert with tea/coffee. I thought the soup and the main were really good. My colleagues and I also had a good time chatting over lunch. :)

The ART serves both Western and Asian cuisines. The food is really delicious and the prices are really reasonable. What more can you ask?! Drop by here for lunch if you are in the area. Open to the public 12-2pm weekdays.

Al fresco dining at The ART. The ambiance is really relaxing.

Al fresco dining (facing greenery)

Soup of the day - Cream of Broccoli. Home-made and really tasty!

My main course - baked fish with cheese crust. Perfect!

Despite being on a different pathway from the mainstream, the students are no less talented and no less unique. In fact, I think the APS students may, in many ways, be more resilient and courageous when faced with challenges in life as compared to the "strawberries" that we have in certain mainstream schools. I wish all APS students the Best.

Learning Journey to SOTA

This is my second learning journey since I joined the new department. This time we are off to SOTA. With one "stone" (visit), I managed to kill three "birds". As an educator/ researcher, I wanted to know more about the uniqueness of SOTA. As a mother, I wanted to know more about SOTA as a potential school for my daughter. As a counsellor, I wanted to know more about SOTA so as to give information to my counsellees who are interested in going to SOTA.
The presentation of SOTA started at 9am but ended late, close to 10.45am. Although the presentation ran overtime, it was really interactive and educational. We were also shown the pottery studio, the dance studio, the "field" on the 11th floor, the art gallery and the concert hall.

The rooftop "field"

Students' works currently on display at the Art Gallery. Wonderful works!

SOTA Concert hall

It was almost 12 noon when we ended our learning journey, an hour overtime lol. But I didn't mind because I really learnt a lot about SOTA.

Learning Jounrey to ITE College West

I used to bring students on learning journeys when I was teaching and I used to accompany my girls when they went on learning journeys during their pre-school years. I learnt during those journeys too but they were catered towards children, not adults. Now I finally attended a learning journey that is catered to my learning needs lol. 
My workplace organised a learning journey for us - research fellows and research scientists to ITE College West. I have never been to an Institute of Technical Education and it would be a perfect learning opportunity for me. Whatever I learn not only can help me, it would also be of use for my counsellees too. Killing two birds with one stone. :)
We were given a presentation by the Principal of ITE College West, Dr Yek. I now have a better picture about ITE. After the presentation, we went on a tour to the different schools and their facilities - School of Hospitality (which is the niche of College West), School of Engineering and School of Electronics and ICT (two of three common programmes across the three ITE colleges). 
We were shown how students were trained at Hotel@College West under School of Hospitality and we were all amazed and impressed by the hotel rooms lol.

The student in training and her supervisor at the deluxe room, Hotel@College West

The deluxe room bathroom

The living area of the suite, Hotel@College West with its own powder room

The bedroom of the suite, separated from the living area

The bathroom in the suite's bedroom

Standing shower and bathtub

Bathroom amenities using l'occitane products! :)

Next, we were shown the facilities used to train the students in Engineering and in ICT. Money has been invested to give the students as authentic a learning environment as possible.

The students' projects (and yes, they are operational)

We continued on to the kitchens where students are trained to cook and bake (under School of Hospitality). The kitchens are huge and reminds some of us of Masterchef lol.

Our last stop was Amber@West, the fine-dining restaurant where the students are the ones who prepare the dishes as well as manage the operations in the restaurant. Considering that the students are still learning and under training, the service was good. I loved my three course lunch (option 2). It was absolutely delicious! :)

Lunch Option 1 appetiser - salad

Lunch Option 1 main - prawn pasta

Lunch Option 1 dessert - passion fruit with white chocolate mousse

Lunch Option 2 appetiser - cream of cauliflower. Delicious!

Lunch Option 2 main - pasta with chicken meatballs in tomato sauce. I loved the meatballs, tender and juicy. :)

Lunch Option 2 dessert - mango mousse cake. Wonderful balance of sweet and sour! :)

I definitely learnt a lot on this learning journey. I wish all the ITE students all the best in their studies. 

The various views of the lovely and spacious campus of ITE College West