What appealed to you about moving to Singapore?
Being based in such a dynamic and successful country and one that is a real hub of educational excellence is something quite special.
How are you enjoying Singapore life?
Having lived in Beijing for a year as part of my degree, it is great to be living in Asia again, having the opportunity to dust down my Mandarin and partake in some old and newly discovered culinary delights. I’ve also really appreciated how welcoming everyone has been, both at work and in our home area; attending a street party for Chinese New Year was a real highlight.
How are your family settling in?
Both my children attend AIS – they settled very quickly and are enjoying their time here. My wife, Sarah, has also found other expats to be very supportive. The range of activities on offer in Singapore, from Adventure Cove and Universal Studios in Sentosa, walking around MacRitchie reservoir and the Botanical Gardens, have also made settling in much easier and a lot of fun to boot!
Where is Brighton College based and what facilities will you offer?
We are a 10-minute drive from Orchard Road and a 5-minute walk from Lorong Chuan MRT, on the Circle Line. In terms of facilities, our Pre-Prep pupils have fantastic playgrounds, a twenty-metre undercover swimming pool, a large multi-purpose gym and classrooms with their own outdoor play area. On the Prep side, they have access to a large all-weather outdoor sports field, indoor sports hall and twenty-five metre swimming pool, as well as dedicated teaching and learning spaces.
What’s planned for Brighton College in 2020?
Our ambition is to become known as the leading Prep School and centre of British educational excellence in SE Asia, emulating the success of our founding school in the UK (which was recently named England’s Independent School of the Year). We have successfully recruited a highly impressive team of Early Years Specialists, General Primary Specialists and Subject Specific Specialists, who will together create an outstanding Primary School environment and offer an unrivalled preparation for Senior School.
When do you open and how many students will you enrol?
We are due to open at the end of August 2020, with at least one class in every year group from Pre-Nursery, which takes children from 18 months, up to Year 4. We have capacity to enrol over 150 pupils in our first year, with an overall capacity across both the Pre-Prep and Prep schools of 550.
What does Brighton College (Singapore) offer students?
We are a relatively small Primary School for Singapore, with just three classes per year group at capacity. Our culture and values emphasise kindness and wellbeing, and a commitment to be an outward looking school. We have an academic approach of increasing the amount of subject specialism as pupils progress through the School.
* Applications for Brighton College (Singapore) are now open – contact the Admissions Team to find out more at enquiries@brightoncollege.sg or visit brightcollege.edu.sg
Common Man Stan 1 – 12 Stanley Street, Singapore 068730 commonmancoffeeroasters.com/pages/cmstan facebook.com/CommonManStan/
READ THE REVIEW:
There is torrential downpour when my family visits Common Man Stan under the cover of umbrellas one quiet Saturday morning. We instantly feel cosy inside the sleek cafe, which combines touches of gold bling with natural tones of wood, rattan, marble and raw cement. We grab a booth and order a warming round of excellent coffees and hot chocolates, while slowly drying out.
The CBD outlet of this popular café offers an impressive array of all-day breakfast dishes, along with glistening donuts, flaky croissants and other enticing pastries. Feeling nostalgic we order the Australian Crumpets ($10), served with butter and a pot of creamed honey. It’s a fight to get a triangle of the gooey treat, which brings back memories of toasted crumpets on a winter’s day back home.
My daughter tries the Eggs Benedict ($25) with braised oxtail and chive hollandaise on toast. It’s a sophisticated choice for a 10-year-old, but she makes quick work of the perfectly cooked poached eggs and creamy sauce. The thick sourdough toast is declared an absolute winner – with just the right amount of tartness, chewiness and crunch. The House Baked Cornbread ($26) is sweet and crumbly, served with creamy smashed avocado, black bean salsa, steaky bacon and a poached egg. It’s tasty, filling and full of South American flavours. My husband decides to DIY, and we all have food envy when his sourdough toast arrives with thick cut bacon, scrambled eggs and slices of avocado.
Verdict: There’s tons of love and care put into the service and dishes at Common man – and it shows. Brunch is satisfying, and full of flavour, and the ambience is just right. We could’ve stayed all day.
So, what does Phase Two look like? Can you hang out by your condo pool? Have coffee with friends? Head back to work? Here’s everything you need to know about what life will be like in this next phase….
Dining in is back on the table
Eating out: You don’t have to take that chicken rice or grain bowl to go anymore. Dine in will be allowed at cafes, restaurants, hawkers and other F&B outlets, as long as there is safe distancing of 1m between patrons. Each table can seat no more than 5 diners. Liquor sales and consumption must cease at 10.30pm.
See your mates: Friends and families will be overjoyed to hear that small social gatherings in groups is now allowed. You can have up to 5 guests come to your home, or meet up at an outside venue in a group of up to 5. Time to reconnect with your loved ones.
You can now shop at retail stores
Retail therapy is back. You can now shop at retail stores; however, malls and retail outlets must prevent queues or crowds forming. Malls will be subject to capacity numbers.
Education: While international schools will make their own announcements, all local students will return to school from 29 June. Most tuition and enrichment activities are also back on from 18 June.
Photo: Ben Toogood, UnsplashPhoto: Modern Affliction, Unsplash
Sports: Sports, recreation and outdoor facilities will reopen, which includes gyms and fitness studios, stadiums and swimming complexes. Condo and club facilities will also reopen – including pools and gyms.
Outdoor activities: Get ready to walk and play in the open air. Beaches, playgrounds, and parks are all open now. No more tape!
Wellness: Healthcare services, including screening and aesthetic procedures, can resume and personal wellness services, such as spas, will reopen. You can also book in personal home-based wellness sessions.
Safe distancing will continue: Hold onto your mask – you’ll need to wear it when you’re outside your home. You’ll also need to maintain 1m distance from others, and if you’re out and about with a group of 5, keep from mingling with other groups. Check in and out on SafeEntry.
Work life: Working from home (where feasible) remains in place.
Not re-opening yet:
Religious services and congregations
Large cultural venues such as libraries and museums
Large-scale events and venues, such as conferences, exhibitions, concerts and trade fairs
Entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs, karaoke outlets, cinemas, theatres, as well as indoor and outdoor attractions
ANZA activities: Individual ANZA Sports and interest groups will be in touch regarding recommencement of their activities in a safe manner. Updates will also be posted on the anza website anza.org.sg and the weekly e-newsletter. We can’t wait to see you soon!
Human connections will be vital as we recover from life in isolation
Over the past few months of social distancing and isolation, it is almost certain that you have come to value your social connections and most supportive friendships. One of the main reasons humans have flourished on this planet is because of our cooperative behaviours; our ability to help, support and share new knowledge with those around us. For this reason, our bodies and minds have evolved to thrive when we are strongly connected with our communities; robust social connections have been shown to boost overall happiness, life satisfaction, emotional wellbeing, resilience and longevity. Sadly, as beneficial as social connection is for our wellbeing, research shows that few of us make it a priority in our busy schedules. (One study revealed that the average Singaporean resident spends less than two hours each week interacting with friends.) In the coming weeks, the limitations on our social lives will begin to lift and we will each have the opportunity to connect with friends, acquaintances and fellow ANZA members. These connections will be vital for us all as we process, heal from and move beyond the stress and anxiety of the pandemic. Therefore, for your greatest happiness and wellbeing, I encourage you to be more mindful of your social connections. Schedule more time in your week for relaxed catch-ups, share more mealtimes with friends, invest time and energy into building your social circles, and make community engagement a high priority in your life.
You can cope with whatever comes your way!
Looking for the silver lining
This week’s silver lining is YOU – your strength, your resilience, and your ability to endure. Over the past few months, you have undoubtedly been subjected to a range of personal pressures, social limitations, and a deluge of painful and upsetting headlines. And yet, through it all, you have persisted. Humans are incredibly resilient, adaptable and tough and it can be inspiring to simply take note of your innate ability to rise in times of challenge. Sure, it won’t look perfect, you won’t always be your ‘best self’, you will doubt your strength at times but, as the past few months have shown, you can cope with whatever comes your way. You are amazing … and this, too, shall pass.
Kim Forrester is a holistic wellbeing author, consultant and educator. kimforrester.net
Who are the ANZA Book Clubs?
There are a number of ANZA book groups, this one meets on the last Monday night of each month.
Where do you meet?
The group members take turns to host. The host usually gets to choose the book and provides the venue for the meeting. We’ve had meetings in lounge rooms, dining rooms, poolside, and in restaurants.
Who can join this group?
Any ANZA member is welcome. Over the years I’ve met people of all ages, backgrounds and book preferences. The best way to connect with us is through our WhatsApp group. If you’re a current ANZA member, message me on 8722 1516 if you would like to be added to the group.
Why join this group?
Everyone has a different reason for joining. For some it’s to fill the gap left by a book club they’ve moved away from when relocating to Singapore, for others it’s an opportunity to make new friends in a relaxed setting.
Best thing about this group?
The variety of books we’ve read. The diversity of the group means I’ve read some books that I might otherwise not have picked up or considered. I haven’t loved them all, but there’s been a few surprise favourites. And we always have wine!
What does a typical meeting entail?
A glass or two of your favourite beverage, a light supper, and a discussion about the book. Sometimes we also chat about what’s going on in our lives.
Anything else you’d like to share?
When I joined ANZA Book Club seven years ago there was a core group of around 10 members who’d been meeting for years prior to my arrival. Over my time many new members joined, taking a place at the table left vacant when people have leave Singapore. I have made some great friends during this time. More recently though we’ve had more departures than arrivals, so we are down to just four of us. We’d love the chance to welcome some new members to keep the diversity of people and books alive in the group.
Checkout the takeaway / delivery service menu and special offers and place your order at 6468 2012 or 9776 2260. Open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM with last orders at 9:00 PM.
OUR REVIEW:
Camden Hill Restaurant & Bar is in the heart of the Hollandse Club, sprawling across a breezy, spacious deck that overlooks the lush green jungle setting, and a gleaming 50m pool. Not a member? No worries. Guests are welcome at the laidback club’s signature restaurant, especially during the week when the scene is a little quieter.
The extensive, affordable menu features a range of Dutch classics (think mini fluffy pancakes or Poffertjes, Bitterballen meatballs and fries with mayo) and spicier Asian dishes.
We start with an entrée of sweet roasted pumpkin on sourdough, with melted mild Taleggio cheese and a kale pesto sauce. It’s delicious. For mains we try the authentic Beef Rendang, with a creamy coconut sauce and a satisfying afterglow of heat and spice. The dry curry is served with fluffy rice, piquant pickled veg and crispy prawn crackers. Dessert is Crème Brulee, a smooth, just-warm vanilla custard, underneath a crack of caramelised sugar – it’s gone in six spoonful’s!
Verdict: A lovely, leafy spot to gather friends or family for a relaxed meal – there’s a fantastic kid’s menu and dining and drinking options to suit any palette.
A long history
Elephants in Thailand have a long and storied history. They were workers, entertainers, and living forklifts for centuries, even regarded as somewhat supernatural and auspicious. The white elephant is Thailand’s national animal and a symbol of royal power. But the reality is that until 1989, 70% of elephants in Thailand were hard-working labourers in the logging industry. Once Thailand outlawed logging due to deforestation and devastating floods, an unintended consequence was that thousands of elephants were suddenly out of a job. Just as importantly, their mahout, the person who trained and took care of them, was also unemployed yet still responsible for his elephant.
An elephant eats 10% of their body weight every day, an exorbitant, impossible cost to provide. The mahouts needed jobs to provide for their families and their elephants. Some mahouts turned to illegal logging, feeding their elephants amphetamine-laced bananas so they could work quicker and longer. Some brought their elephants to Bangkok, to wander the streets, begging and selling treats for tourists to feed them. They were not able to get enough food this way, leaving the elephants stressed and malnourished. Elephant camps designed to entertain tourists were not much better, requiring elephants to perform for tourists all day, every day – unnatural and unsustainable behaviour for these sensitive and intelligent animals.
Bath time for the elephants!
The dark side of elephant tourism
Elephant begging is now illegal in Bangkok, but elephants continue to be a major draw for tourists, because, of course, the chance to see and interact with elephants is an incredible experience. Riding elephants has become a rather controversial topic in Thailand. Proponents say that an elephant can safely carry up to 25% of their body weight on their backs, and tourists adore the thrill of an elephant ride, which provides much needed income to care for the elephants, the mahouts and their dependents. Opponents say the training required to teach an elephant to accept riders and follow commands is brutal and traumatising. Carrying a riding platform causes welts and damages their spine.
Choosing the right camp
It’s important to choose carefully when selecting an elephant camp to visit. Our family chose the pioneering leader in humane elephant keeping, the Elephant Nature Park outside Chiang Mai. The park works with local families and mahouts who are looking for a better way to provide for their elephants. They prioritise the elephants’ well-being and as such, there is no riding the elephants. Feeding the elephants, bathing them and the joy of being so close to such a magnificent animal was the highlight of our Thailand trip and an unforgettable experience.
Tammar meets a gentle giant
An elephant experience
They move in incredible silence. That’s the first thing you notice. The six elephants weigh between 317 kilograms (the baby) to over 1225 kilograms (the grandmother and matriarch) but other than the softest rustle as they pass you by, they don’t make a sound.
Elephants are big, of course, but there’s a kind of big you understand intellectually when see them in a photo. There’s a kind of big you understand when you see them at the zoo, the two of you separated by glass or a wide ditch and a fence. You can see they’re massive, you can see their thick droopy skin and understand that they are big and you are much smaller and more tender than they are.
But it’s a different kind of understanding – intense and humbling – when there’s nothing between you and the elephants. You feel the charismatic pull of their presence, like a dream come to life. You stand close enough for their breath to wash over you in moist, grassy gusts. You can see how elegantly and thoughtfully they place each dinner-plate-sized foot, like a saggy yet graceful ballerina. You can feel their strength in how effortlessly they snap bamboo poles and uproot shrubs, and you know it wouldn’t take ill-will for them to permanently damage you, it would only take a moment of carelessness on their part, or yours.
At the camp we had the opportunity to walk with the animals as they foraged for food, keeping an eye out on the wandering pachyderms who have a tendency to sneak up silently behind you. We went into the river with them to help them bathe, and discovered that the baby likes to plunge completely underwater and extend her trunk out like the world’s largest, cutest snorkel. We also fed them treats…
Feeding time
An elephant’s trunk starts out wide and thick, a solid, muscular thing. It extends out and tapers, until at its very tip is a handy little appendage called a finger. The elephant can do more things with that one finger than you can imagine. I held out a sugar banana to the elephant, the treat nestled in my puny hand, holding my breath as this massive creature – whose leg was as thick and tall as me, and whose mass was so solid and wide it had a gravitational pull – reached out her trunk and plucked the banana out of my palm with her finger. She curled her trunk around the banana, flashing her small ivory tusks as she brought it to her pink mouth and popped it in as daintily as a lady eating a bonbon. When I tried to hand her another banana, she waited and gave me a look: really she seemed to say, just one? Sheepishly, I grabbed a second banana and now she deigned to reach over and take them both. I could have sworn that intelligent, eyelash-fringed eye was impishly smiling at me as she chewed. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you are trained by an elephant….
Required reading
Though it’s set in a different country (Myanmar) and a different century (1920-46) Elephant Company: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World War II by Vicki Constantine Croke, was the perfect reading companion while visiting with elephants. It tells the story of James Williams, aka “Elephant Bill,” a World War II hero and “forest man” for a British teak company. But more than the story of Williams, it is a love letter to the elephants he worked with. My husband eventually grew tired of me exclaiming various amazing elephant trivia. “Did you know elephants only need three hours of sleep?” “Did you know elephants have a better sense of smell than a bloodhound?” As we rode back to our hotel through the winding roads of Northern Thailand, it was easy to picture the true hero of the book, Bandoola the elephant, making his way through the jungles around me, his brown/grey hide blending in perfectly with the dappled light that filtered through thick canopy of trees.
PLAN AHEAD:
When it’s safe to travel, Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai has many options for day trips and even overnight trips with the elephants. The fee includes a hotel pick-up and return and a vegetarian lunch. Overnight stays have glamping-style accommodation with cots and shared bathrooms. On their website, each excursion has icons that let you know what sort of elephant interactions will be available, e.g.: feeding, bathing, jungle walks and whether it is suitable for all ages. Prices range from $80-$200. elephantnaturepark.org
Tammar Stein’s latest novel, Beni’s War, will be released November 2020. tammarstein.com
“What are some year-end tax planning tips to consider before 30 June 2020?”
1. Defer Australian Sourced Income and Accelerate Deductions
This is always the fundamental principal of tax planning as you approach 30 June each year, even as an expatriate. As an Australian non-resident for tax purposes, you are only taxed on your Australian sourced income and assets, which is for most of us, Australian property and any shares which we acquired in Australia, and were not “deemed” sold when we moved. When applying this principal to your property, generally you cannot defer rent, but any expenses which you may have to pay, ensure to pay them before 30 June, including for repairs and maintenance work, and other expenses like land tax and depreciation reports. Australian-based Income Protection Insurance premiums are also deductible against your Australian rental property.
2. Superannuation
If you have a positively geared rental property back in Australia, you are likely paying non-resident tax at 32.5%+ with no tax-free threshold on your net income, which is unpleasant. If you are under 65 (or 75 and working), you can consider making a deductible superannuation contribution of up to A$25,000 before 30 June, which can be claimed as a deduction against your rental income in the same year, saving you 32.5% tax at the individual level. This does however get taxed at 15% within your superannuation fund on the way in, and 15% annually on its earnings up to retirement, however there is a net saving of 17.5%, together with the fact that you are putting some funds towards your retirement. Remember to ensure this is contributed well before 30 June to ensure the fund receives it in time, and also once the funds go in, they are effectively locked in there until you are 60 and retired, or 65 years of age. From 1 July 2018, you are able to carry forward any unused “concessional” contributions to the 2020 financial year, meaning that you could contribute up to $50,000 this year (to 30 June 2020) if you did not make any contributions last year. Superannuation can be complicated so make sure you reach out to a professional like myself to discuss your contributions before you make them.
3. Depreciation Reports
If you have a rental property back home and do not have a depreciation report, it is worth considering this if the property was constructed after 15 September 1987 or had substantial renovations after this time. Depreciation is a deduction for the reduction in value of the construction (not the land!) of the property, together with the plant and equipment, and furniture and fittings. We did recently have a rule change which meant that investors cannot claim deductions for second hand plant and equipment already installed within a newly acquired property however the capital works deduction on the value of the construction cost may still be claimed and lasts for 40 years. I recommend reaching out to a quantity surveyor such as BMT or Tax Shield to discuss your specific property and determine whether it is worthwhile commissioning a report. Furthermore, the cost of the actual report is deductible so if you pay for it before 30 June, you can claim a deduction. You can also amend some of your old returns to do a back claim after the report is produced, which could potentially pay for the cost of the report in refunds.
4. Share Trading
For those expats who may have been holding shares when they moved away from Australia and never elected a “deemed sale” for tax purposes in that particular year, these shares will still be taxable in Australia on sale. Year-end presents an opportunity to sell (and buy back) any shares at a loss to crystallise the Australian capital loss (and potential gains against the loss as well). If you buy them back as a non-resident, you then pay no further tax on the gains as a Singapore tax resident, until you move back to Australia again.
5. Capital Gains Tax Changes
The Capital Gains Tax Principal Place of Residence Exemption is removed after 30 June 2020 for “Foreign Tax Residents”. This means that if you sell your former family home as a non-resident after this date, you will be taxed on it, with no principal place of residence exemption allowed. Important action is to either hold onto it until you return back to Australia as a tax resident again or sell it in the future, but be aware that you will have no tax concessions allowable under this provision. Some exemptions do apply for divorcing couples and other major life events.
6. Land Tax
For those expats who may have recently arrived in Singapore, it is important to ensure that your property back in Australia is no longer listed as your principal place of residence for land tax purposes, as you will be liable for land tax on this now going forward.
7. Trust Distribution Minutes
For those few that may still have an Australian discretionary trust active, ensure that you prepare your trust distribution minutes by 30 June.
These top tips for tax-planning should give a good initial overview of the important considerations and areas to focus on for year-end tax planning. Should you wish to learn more on this topic, please do contact Tristan directly on the email given below and we would also recommend viewing a recent webinar Tristan hosted on this topic and the recording is available here
TRISTAN PERRY, Head of Tax at Select Investors Australia
Select Investors Australia is an Australian private client tax practice based in Singapore, specialising in tax advisory and compliance obligations for Australian expatriates, foreign investors and intended migrants to Australia.
** The information provided in this article is intended for information only and should not be relied upon as a basis for unilateral tax and financial planning action. The rules and bases of taxation are subject to change and the tax principles and rules discussed here have further complexities which need to be taken into account. Please contact us to discuss your specific circumstances on tristan.perry@selectinvestorsaustralia.sg
Rumours are flying around about COVID-19 and some can be very scary and unsettling. Before you become overwhelmed, ensure you seek the facts from official sources, such as your local health authority. Once you get the facts about the disease and how you can prevent it, your international moving will be a lot smoother. Follow the guidelines set by official channels like Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and Monistry of Manpower (MOM).
Employ the services of an international mover in Singapore
Consider employing the help of a reputable moving company. With the assistance of a professional moving company, you’ll feel secure and safe. Ensure you ask what COVID-19 precautionary measures the company have in place to ensure your safety and that of their employees. Most international movers in Singapore have a standard protocol to prevent the probability of their customers contracting COVID-19 in line with guidelines with MOH.
We would recommend:
Choosing only FIDI approved movers. FIDI is the global alliance of quality-certified international moving and relocation companies, specialised in moving homes from one country to another. They hold the highest global quality control standards and have to adhere to regular audits.
Ensuring the movers are well established and with an experienced team that can guide you through customs and shipping requirements amidst COVID-19 regulations.
Take care of yourself and your family
Everything boils down to how you take care of yourself and the people around you. There are a couple of health practices you can adopt when moving that will bring comfort and promote your safety. Maintain social distance, use a face mask/face shield, apply alcohol-based hand sanitiser whenever you touch a surface and wash your hands with soapy water as often as possible.
Focus on things you can control
When it comes to a contagious virus, there are things you can’t control. Even if you can’t control the disease’s mode of transmission during your international moving, you can try to put in place preventive and precautionary measures. A reputable moving company will have standard operating procedures in place, so do discuss this thoroughly with them.
About SIR MOVE
Established in Singapore in and Malaysia since 2006, SIR Move Services is a Singapore/British brand and it is a moving company that continues to build a business based on integrity and trust. SIR provides Complete Move Solutions for International, Commercial and Domestic Relocations inclusive of storage and insurance. We move pets too. Moove My Box (MMB) is the newest addition to our suite of services allowing customers to ship small shipments faster. Similar to Air Express Delivery with the addition of packing and collection services. SIR Move is a qualified FIDI/FAIM Quality Mover.
