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The power of connection

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Empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging and closeness can bring about a host of positive emotions impacting our physical and emotional health. The Covid-19 pandemic, by contrast, was a stark reminder of how isolation can trigger a worsening of mental health for so many people, some of whom considered themselves resilient.

With an impact across other pillars of Lifestyle Medicine – nutrition, physical activity, sleep, use of harmful substances, and stress reduction, the quality of our social connections occupies a uniquely important place. How often do we, as doctors, ask our patients about how connected they feel to those around them? Perhaps not as often as we should.

Evidence suggests that having positive social connections reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease, strokes, diabetes, and mental health disorders, including dementia. It improves immunity against infectious diseases. We know that it is an independent protective factor in prolonging a healthy lifespan – a study with 300,000 people found that survival in chronic disease increased by 50% in those with strong social connections.

On the other hand, those who experience social isolation or loneliness are more prone to chronic disease and may face early death. They face similar risks to those who smoke 15 cigarettes a day or consume excessive alcohol. Their risk of mortality exceeds that of physical inactivity or obesity!

A prolonged period with insufficient social connection triggers an inflammatory response in the body, manifesting in increased body fat, raised blood pressure and a spike in stress hormones. Unhappy individuals are more likely to indulge in less healthy behaviours regarding their diet, exercise, alcohol and smoking, resulting in worsening inflammation and chronic disease.

As Lifestyle Medicine specialists with a coaching approach, social connection is stressed, and support is offered. Clinical data from more than 40,000 patients revealed that patients receiving psychosocial support in addition to usual treatment were 20% more likely to survive in general and 29% more likely to survive longer than patients who received standard medical treatment. This underscores the benefits of an integrated Lifestyle Medicine approach for patients.

Suggestions to improve connectedness include:

  • Joining social groups or activities you enjoy; meeting people with a common interest, e.g. a book club, hiking group, volunteering
  • If someone has a serious illness, the company of a group is invaluable in providing support and advice
  • Reaching out to people or seeing a counsellor if you are shy
  • Seeking help from a couples counsellor, as a troubled relationship can do a lot of harm to your health
  • Forgiveness, gratitude, and mindfulness can also help.

Dr Charu Narayanan, International Medical Clinic – Katong trained in nutritional Medicine and studied Lifestyle Medicine to obtain the International Board Certification in Lifestyle Medicine conferred by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine in 2020. She is uniquely positioned as a doctor to personalise healthcare and work with patients to reverse/reduce disease risk rather than just treat it.
www.imc-healthcare.com

6 spots for “sakura” in Singapore

Heading to Japan to see the blossoming sakura is on the bucket lists of many floral fans. According to all the flowery forecasts for 2024, late March and April is the time to do it. However, if you can’t get yourself to the blooming cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, there are a few spots right here on the red dot where you can witness Singapore’s version of sakura.

While cherry blossoms are not native in the Lion City, “trumpet trees” – Singapore’s version of pink and white version of sakura – also bloom between March and April according to National Parks Board (NParks).

Singapore’s “sakura” trees typically flower after spells of hot, dry weather and heavy rain last for several days before falling to the ground. While we can’t guarantee that they’ll be out in force over the following weeks (hello climate change), being out in nature is a winner for health and wellbeing, plus they make very pretty pictures. With a host of soothing parks and open spaces in Singapore, here’s where to look out for sightings.

Photo credit” Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay

Japan comes to Gardens by the Bay this March with its annual sakura floral display featuring over 150 cherry blossom trees of over 40 varieties. If you think that sounds pretty, for the first time in the display’s nine-year history, the daytime experience extends into a nighttime one, showcasing all kinds of magic, including light projections in the Flower Dome. A shimmering pavilion reminiscent of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) takes centre stage, which includes an actual temple, miniature traditional thatched house from Miyama Village, and elements of Japanese gardens. As dusk falls, the cherry blossom trees will be illuminated in the same way they’re lit up in Japan during sakura season, creating an alternative way to experience the wow.

From March 22 to April 21. gardensbythebay.com.sg

Japanese Cemetery Park

This lovely Japanese Cemetery Park is well-known for being the largest and well-preserved Japanese cemetery in Southeast Asia. After an everlasting renovation, it’s back and more beautiful than ever with updated bridges, streams, open spaces, mini prayer hall and a showstopping gorgeous floral arch, adorned with pink trumpet flowers. The arch stretches from one end to the other of the park, making you feel like you’re in some kind of period drama as you stroll beneath the petals.

825B Chuan Hoe Avenue, 54985

Bishan-AMK Park

Bishan-AMK Park is a brilliant park, full of vast, open spaces, and home to the joy that is Aramsa Spa (currently having a face lift, but watch this space). Packed with pretty spots, we say head there to catch a glimpse of the trumpet trees forming a sweeping carpet, then head to the spa for a pampering session to make you feel as fresh as the flowers.

Connaught Drive, Singapore 179682

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Around this time of year, Telok Blangah Hill Park can resemble a fairytale garden with its terrace surrounded by a sea of not only pink trumpet petals, but stunning bougainvillea flowers. Stroll down the stone steps and strike a pose for some excellent insta snaps.

10 Telok Blangah Green, 109178 (15 minutes away from the Telok Blangah MRT station)

East Coast Park

Combine flowery wonder with fitness as you get on your bike and cycle past the dazzling displays along East Coast Park. Go far enough (past PS Café at least) and you’ll also come across a bougainvillea garden which includes many a trumpet shrub with views of the beach and sea behind them.

Ulu Pandan Park Connector

A bit of a hidden gem this one, Ulu Pandan Park Connector boasts flowering trees along this specific stretch giving a rustic charm similar to the streets of Japan. Run, rollerblade, or cycle past the “sakura” offerings before embarking on some otter-spotting. An eclectic combination of activities if ever there was one!

Western Ulu Pandan Park Connector, Bukit Batok East Ave 2

7 lesser-known facts about Singapore


Who donated ancient buildings to the island?

Image: leehsienloong FB

Did you know that in 2009, film star Jackie Chan donated a pavilion, opera stage, and two houses named Da Tong and Du Zhe to Singapore? Each one is said to date back to the Qing and Ming dynasties (around 380 years ago), and they stand proud at Singapore University of Technology and Design at 8 Somapah Road. Significant restoration work was carried out by a team of 24 craftsmen from China, who were brought in to restore the properties to their original glory.

What was Bugis MRT station originally called?

The station as we know it today was named after the Bugis people – a seafaring tribe from South Sulawesi who were among the first groups to arrive in Singapore after the British established a trading settlement on the island in 1819. The wider area was known as ‘Rochore’ (and still is today), but the station was originally called Victoria. It was renamed Bugis in 1985.

Where can you find a stash of soy sauce bottles?

We’re all familiar with Sultan Mosque, or Masjid Sultan, the biggest mosque in Singapore. It stands resplendent in Kampong Glam and is one of most photographed locations on the red dot. But if you look a little closer at its majestic, glistening gold domes, something else might catch your eye. The reflective black strip that follows beneath the dome is lined with soy sauce bottles! According to historians, the bottles were sourced from poor Muslim families when the mosque was built in 1826. A reconstruction in 1924 led to the bottles today symbolising the entire Muslim population, regardless of wealth, who contributed to the most important mosque on the island.

What ‘World Day’ was pioneered by Singapore?

An achievement to go potty about (Image: Jack Sim FB)

The red dot is a famously sanitised city-state, but you may not know the island pioneered ‘World Toilet Day’. Yes, back in 2001, dunny-lovin’ Singapore proposed making 19 November ‘World Toilet Day.’ A whopping 122 countries backed the idea, and the World Toilet Organisation (worldtoilet.org) was born. That’s what we call a flushing success!

In what unusual place is SG’s national anthem?

Money is big business in Singapore, so it’s no wonder they decided to go for it with their S$1,000 banknote. Until 2021, not only was it possible to get a note in this hefty domination, but written on the back in micro text was the entire Singaporean national anthem. Issuance of S$1,000 notes was discontinued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, although notes in circulation remain legal tender.

Has the red dot ever disappeared?

The red dot is firmly on the map now, but it wasn’t always this way. Back in the 1600s, the island and its attractive trading port were generating much interest. This caused pirates to attack and burn the early settlement down in 1613, leaving it obsolete for more than a hundred years. It wasn’t until Sir Stamford Raffles established Singapore as a British trading post in 1819 that SG returned to the map for good.

Which body part was once deemed unacceptable in SG?

Chewing gum, vaping, and being a public nuisance are all out in Singapore, but did you know that having long hair was a big no-no for males from the 1960s to the 1990s? Back then, flowing locks on guys was deemed to be detrimental to the country and men with it were turned away at immigration checkpoints. As if that wasn’t enough to get Head & Shoulders weeping (perhaps), bands with unruly manes such as Led Zeppelin and the Bee Gees had to cancel their Singapore tours. In June 1970, lengthy-haired male performers were forbidden from appearing on locally recorded television programmes.

Sources: Monetary Authority of Singapore, National Library Board, biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg

New year, new me! New injury?

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Most people make new year’s resolutions and commonly these are to do with getting healthier. There are no health-related downsides to stopping smoking, drinking, or eating junk food of course so if you have managed to stick to those great work! Increasing activity levels, especially running, however can have its downsides in terms of ‘overuse’ injuries if you go too hard and too fast too early.

Tendinopathies, (previously incorrectly called tendinitis) in the foot and ankle occur frequently. Plantar fasciitis, also known as policeman’s heel, is one of the commonest orthopaedic conditions affecting 10-15% of people in their lifetime.

What is the pathology?

All tendinopathies including patella tendinopathy (jumper’s knee), lateral and medial epicondylitis (tennis and golfer’s elbow), Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis have the same underlying pathology. Whenever we do any activity, we cause tiny tears in the tendon or fascia which should heal with good quality collagen fibres lined up along the lines of force. This is the natural process of turnover and regeneration of tissues. If we create these tears faster than they can heal, there is a breakdown in the healing process, and we end up with tendinopathy. It is similar to the mechanism of a stress fracture in the bone, just in the tendon.

  • Plantar fasciitis
    Plantar fasciitis presents with pain at the bottom of the heel. The pain is usually worst when first standing when getting out of bed or having been sitting for a long time.
  • Achilles tendinopathy
    This may be at the insertion of the tendon onto the back of the heel bone or in the middle of the tendon (non-insertional tendinopathy). Interestingly, there is a big difference in the incidence according to ethnicity with 90% of Caucasians presenting with non-insertional and 90% of Asians presenting with insertional tendinopathy.

Treatment

  • The first thing to do is to remove ‘training errors’ such as over-training. This may include changing your activity (e.g. swimming instead of running) until the injury has recovered.
    Footwear is important; the major manufacturers produce running shoes that are designed for different foot shapes (high arch vs flat foot) and it is important to check that you are using the correct ones for you.
  • For plantar fasciitis, silicone heel cups and a Strassburg sock or night splint may be helpful. For Achilles issues, a heel raise is extremely useful.
    Eccentric exercises are the key to getting the tissues to heal for both conditions with up to 90% of patients achieving success with this alone. It is worth having a physiotherapist supervise this.
  • Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis and non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy also has good evidence of success. Injections can have complications and are generally not useful other than in specific circumstances. Platelet rich plasma has been shown in several good studies not to work. If all else fails, there is the option of surgery, but it is rarely required.

Place your forefoot on a step and lower your heel all the way down 15 times with the knee straight and 15 times with the knee bent for three sets. Try to do this twice a day.

 

Dr Chris Pearce is an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Altius Clinic specialising in foot and ankle conditions. He is the author of several scientific studies, articles and book chapters on tendinopathies of the foot and ankle.
altiusclinic.sg

Altius Clinic Sports and Orthopaedic Surgeons
290 Orchard Road, #09-11/12 Paragon, 238859
[email protected]
 +65 8500 3961   +65 6970 1518

Australian High Commission: A place of honour

HMAS Anzac personnel stand at ease during the 2023 dawn service at Kranji War Memorial

Kranji War Memorial and Cemetery, sitting quietly near the border of Malaysia, 22km from the heart of Singapore, is not what instantly comes to mind when we think of places to visit on the island, but holds immense significance. It honours the men and women from Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Canada, Sri Lanka, India, Malaya, and the Netherlands who died in the line of duty in the region during World War II. 

During World War II, many Prisoners of War hospitals set up a small cemetery in the area, which was then turned into a permanent war cemetery by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It was officially opened on 2 March 1957. The cemetery contains almost 4,500 headstones. The Singapore Memorial has the names of 24,000 missing personnel inscribed on its walls – the war dead with no known graves. 

The Singapore Memorial was designed by Colin St Clair Oakes and captures all three services in the design. There are columns representing the Army in ranks, the Air Force is represented with the roof shaped like the wings of an airplane, and the Navy with a conning tower on a submarine.

HMAS Anzac Commanding Officer Commander David McPherson and Leading Seaman Boatswains Mate Samuel Corcoran lay a wreath during the 2023 Anzac Day dawn service at Kranji War Memorial


Remembering the fallen

Major commemorative ceremonies that are held annually at Kranji War Cemetery include Remembrance Sunday, which takes place on the Sunday closest to Remembrance Day (11 November), and ANZAC Day (25 April). 

Other significant events are staged there such as the commemoration of the Fall of Singapore and – coming up in 2025 – the 80th commemoration of the Operation Rimau raid which ended in disaster for the famous Z Special Unit Commandos in 1944. Thirteen Commandos were killed in action or died in captivity. The trial and execution of 10 Commandos on 7 July 1945 was tragically only one month before the end of the War in the Pacific.

Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore holds a deep and enduring significance for us. It serves as a sacred resting place for those who made the ultimate sacrifice, a symbol of shared history with Commonwealth nations and a space for reflection and remembrance. When Australians and New Zealanders continue to visit Kranji, they ensure that the legacy of those who served lives on, and the lessons of history remain etched in the collective memory of our nations. We encourage you to explore this very special place of remembrance right on our doorstep here on the red dot. 

Join ANZA Tours for the ANZAC Day Dawn Service

Join the Australian and New Zealand communities in Singapore as we gather at the Kranji War Memorial Cemetery to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, hosted by the Australian High Commission. Taking place on Thursday 25 April, ANZA Tours are providing buses that will depart Newton Food Centre car park and then leave the cemetery, returning to Newton. Please note that due to parking restraints, we will need to walk about one kilometre up a gentle hill to reach the ceremony. Click here for further details and to secure your place.

 

Australian High Commission Singapore

25 Napier Road, Singapore, 258507 | Tel 6836 4100 | Fax 6737 5481

Hotspots: Holi Menu at Tiffin Room, Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel Singapore

Get ready for a culinary journey steeped in history and North Indian tradition at this iconic spot, the Tiffin Room, Raffles Hotel. Every bite here tells a story that dates back to 1892, making it a truly special dining experience. The limited-time menu is available from 18 to 31 March, 2024, curated by the talented Chef de Cuisine Kuldeep Negi to celebrate the vibrant Holi Festival.

Holi, known as the Festival of Colours, is all about joy and celebration. It’s a lively Hindu festival celebrated around the world symbolising spring’s arrival and forgiveness. Chef Negi has put together a menu that not only showcases rich North Indian flavours but also offers creative twists on traditional dishes.

At Tiffin Room in Raffles Hotel Singapore, you’ll be surrounded by timeless elegance while enjoying interactive dining experiences like tableside service by chefs. The aroma of freshly-ground spices and warm Indian brews transports you to another world.

Chef Kuldeep Negi has been leading the charge at Tiffin Room for nearly a decade, bringing his expertise in North Indian cuisine to new heights. His menu features exciting culinary specials and an elevated thali experience.

Bursting with flavour

We kicked off with Dahi Gujia – sweet yellow lentil dumplings stuffed with yogurt and chutney topped with colourful edible flowers – followed by Achari Murgh Tikka Kathi Roll – a spicy tandoori-grilled chicken wrap bursting with flavour.

The main course was a smorgasbord of dishes presented in classic Tiffin Boxes and included delights like Tawa Masala Fish, Murgh Madras, Pahadi Gosht for meat lovers; and vegetarian options like Tawa Baigan Methi Masala, Aloo Permal Subzi, Pahadi Paneer showcasing diverse flavors from North India.

Unique alcohol pairings added sophistication to our meal: Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Gin with Premium Indian Tonic and Heggies Vineyard Estate Chardonnay complementing the tandoori chicken perfectly. For those seeking bold flavors, Tenuta di Sesta Brunello Di Montalcino Sangiovese paired beautifully with spiced dishes.

We capped off this culinary adventure with a sweet finale featuring Makai Halwa, a sweet-corn iteration of the semolina-based sweet delight; sweet Gujia dumplings stuffed with coconut and dried fruits; and deep-fried Gur Para coated with jaggery syrup.

Indulge in this celebration of flavours, tradition, and history as Chef Kuldeep Negi invites you to savour the essence of the Holi Festival at Tiffin Room, Raffles Hotel Singapore. Immerse yourself in the beauty of North Indian cuisine, where every dish tells a tale, and every bite is a step back in time.

When: 18 March to 31 March 2024
Lunch: 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Dinner: 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Where: Raffles Hotel Singapore, 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673
Dress Code: Casual Chic (Dress shorts are allowed during lunch; no slip-ons or flip-flops)
Website: https://tiffinroom.com.sg/

The Wondrous Flavours of Holi Menu: S$132++ per guest

The Wondrous Flavours of Holi Vegetarian Menu: S$122++ per guest

Scenic Marina Bay course for Singapore T100 unveiled!

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Singapore on the 19th August 2023, during the WOMENS PRO Race at the PTO Asian Open at Marina Bay, Singapore, (Photo: That Cameraman/PTO)

One of the most scenic sports events of the year is here. After a successful rebrand, the Singapore T100 (formerly known as the PTO Asian Open) has unveiled its stunning and unique course set to take place on April 13 and 14 in the heart of Marina Bay. Whether it’s the T100 triathlon (2km swim/80km bike/18km run) or the shorter duathlon races
(Standard – 5km run/32km cycle/5km run; Long – 9.5km run/64km cycle/9.5km run), professional and amateur athletes alike will find themselves surrounded by amazing views and landmarks of Singapore as they take on their respective races.

The triathlon route includes:

●  A 2km freshwater swim in Marina Bay – Competitors will set off in a rolling start format
from the pontoon and large marker buoys will guide them around the Bay on a point-to-
point swim. With a usual water temperature of 28°C, it is a non-wetsuit swim.

●  A challenging 80km cycle on closed roads – The multi-lap 16km circuit will start and finish
at the Bayfront Event Space and take athletes up the famous Benjamin Sheares Bridge to
give panoramic views of the city.

●  A flat 18km run on the waterfront promenade – set against the world famous sights of
Marina Bay Sands, and the Marina Barrage, the fast run provides a scenic backdrop to
complete the 100km journey.

Participants will also be able to catch a glimpse of iconic landmarks such as the Singapore Flyer, Fullerton Hotel and the ArtScience Museum. Roads along the route will be closed, allowing athletes to participate safely.

Singapore on the 19th August 2023, during the WOMENS PRO Race at the PTO Asian Open at Marina Bay, Singapore, (Photo: That Cameraman/PTO)

Sign-ups for the triathlon and duathlon are open. Returning for its second edition, the Singapore T100 will again feature mass participation triathlon and duathlon races as well as a competitive 100km triathlon featuring some of the world’s top professional triathletes.
With a multi-lap course for each leg of the race, the Singapore T100 is the place to be for a front-row seat to world-class triathlon action. Spectators can witness their favourite athletes in action live or cheer their loved ones on up-close at spectator zones along the course.

Eventgoers can also find an array of activities at the event village. An array of stalls will be available giving participants and fans plenty of food and beverage options. Over 30 sports and lifestyle vendors will also have booths selling merchandise and quality sports gear. Kids also get to enjoy exciting activities such as basketball, mini golf and air hockey.

With something for everyone, the Singapore T100 is the place to be.

T100 Facebook | T100 Instagram | MetaSport Singapore Facebook | MetaSport Singapore Instagram

Chatsworth International School takes books and reading seriously fun!

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One of the highly anticipated events of the school year, Book Week, is given its well-deserved recognition and celebration at Chatsworth International School every year. The significance of Book Week resonates down the whole school. Themed ‘Reading Unites Us’ this school year of 2023-24, the gamut of activities specially curated to appeal to the various age groups is aimed to inspire love of reading, bringing students closer to the world of books and strengthening the bonds among our community.

Highlights of Book Week Include:

Continuous Reading Chair
A new activity introduced this year, Chatsworth encouraged members of our community including parents to participate in a 15-minute silent reading on the Continuous Reading Chair. Non-stop reading of books of all kinds including newspapers and magazines, took place on two cosy chairs for the whole school day. It was heartening to see students joining the readers on the chairs for their daily dose of reading.

Author Visits
Best-selling authors were invited to provide talks to our students of the various year levels where such sessions enthuse students about reading and create opportunities for them to interact with the author. Students enjoyed meeting the authors in person and online, hearing first-hand from them about the books and topics written.

Mystery Readers
In our mystery reader sessions, Chatsworth parents and secondary students volunteered their time to read a story to the younger primary students, usually in the comfort of their homeroom. Mystery reading sessions are a great way to expose students to readers with different styles other than their homeroom teacher and build excitement for reading.

Book Drive & Book Exchange
At Chatsworth, school events like Book Week are also opportunities for service learning and good causes. A Book Drive to collect new, used or preloved books in good condition was held throughout the week. The books will be donated to Books Beyond Borders after they have been sorted out. The primary student council organised a Book Exchange, where students brought a book from home along with a small donation, in order to bring home another book they like. Funds raised go toward Room to Read, a non-profit organisation that aims to improve literacy and gender inequality in education.

Book Character Parade
Book Week culminated in a book character parade where students and teachers transformed themselves into all sorts of characters from the literary world. They paraded in fascinating costumes (many were spotted holding a book they have referenced to in their hands) to the cheers of the audience. Other exciting activities included door decorating competitions, stuffed toys sleepover for the early years, a book buffet, book reading challenge and more. With the whole school participating in a range of activities throughout the week it is easy to see how Chatsworth makes books and reading seriously fun and exciting!

Want to know more about how Chatsworth International School, which has won the Best IB School in Singapore and The Curriculum Awards (IB), inspires students to become their best selves, contact Admissions for a tour now.

Watch highlights of Chatsworth Book Week here

Chatsworth International School, 72 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289760
 +65 64633201
[email protected]
 www.chatsworth.com.sg

Tanglin reaches Australia!

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Experiential learning in Australia

Whilst ‘heading to the Bush’ is not uncommon in Australia, Singaporean schools have not yet embraced the benefits that an extended residential wilderness programme in Australia offers. By providing learning and experiential opportunities in a safe environment, young people develop the levels of emotional resilience to be effective agents of their own path. Tanglin’s Highlands Programme based at its new Gippsland campus, will be a very different experiential learning experience to the co-curricular trips and expeditions that students at international schools in Singapore typically go on.

A rich history of holistic learning

The importance of experiential learning can be found in Tanglin’s rich history. In 1934, Tanglin’s founder, Miss Griffiths Jones, opened a boarding school in the Malaysian Highlands which offered a healthy, safe, and refreshing new learning environment for her pupils.
Today, sitting in the bush on the traditional territory of the Gunakurnai people, Tanglin students will gain a new perspective from their learning environment, as they spend time finding out more about the history and geography of the area from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives.

The outdoor programme fosters teamwork, confidence, resilience and grit

A brand new Experiential Learning Programme for Year 9s

Tanglin understands that at this age, it’s important to not just develop academic knowledge but also essential life skills, confidence in learning, and a sense of belonging to a larger community.

The new five week Highlands Programme has been designed to encompass these aims and students will experience a healthy mix of learning both in and outside the classroom. Studies will be tailored to maximise experiences in the natural environment and broaden perspectives. So, students will be able to learn more about Gippsland’s rich mining and maritime history and the region’s abundant flora and fauna. The rural nature of the programme will also offer plenty of fieldwork opportunities in the studies of Biology and Geography. Disconnected from devices, students’ timetables will feature daily fitness,
outdoor expeditions, and of course free time to simply enjoy their natural surroundings. The culmination of The Highlands Programme will be a Rite of Passage experience, where students will be tested to apply all the skills they have acquired during their transformative 5 weeks of independent living. Camaraderie, resilience, and initiative will have been established amongst the group of Year 9’s, and hopefully, they will leave from their time at Tanglin Gippsland with a lasting sense of adventure too.

Returning to Singapore students can draw on their experiences, with memories of starry nights, long hikes and exploring in the bush with their friends, as they continue their adolescent journey and prepare for the next stages of their education.

Preparing students for the future

In creating the Highlands Programme, Tanglin has reflected on its past and used it to create a contemporary new learning experience for current and future students. This ambitious endeavour demonstrates Tanglin’s ongoing commitment to providing a holistic education that values experiences outside of the classroom to help better prepare students for the wider world.

Learn more about Tanglin’s new Highlands Programme at www.tts.edu.sg

95 Portsdown Road, 139299
 www.tts.edu.sg
 www.facebook.com/TanglinTrustSchool
 instagram/tanglintrust

It’s a celebration for ANZA Cycling!

ANZA Cycling said goodbye to another great year of cycling, tours and friendship with a fabulous end of year bash at The Dempsey Project. The evening kicked off with a buzz as Abraham Metta took the stage, charming the crowds with his unique way of making everyone feel right at home. He didn’t waste a minute before diving into the warm welcomes and special thanks. There were some fresh new faces on the cycling committee to highlight – Ashrin Amir, who’s jazzing up the club’s events, and new Road Director Scott Mitchell, who’s steering us into exciting rides for 2024.

During the sponsor’s shout-out the crowd went wild for TVH Group who we’re thrilled to announce as our main sponsor – Daniel Brownlie was there soaking up the gratitude. A huge shout-out also went to Odin Mortgage and Tax who’ve joined the gang along with the folks from Strength Clinic Academy. We’re so happy to have you on board!

Of course, it wasn’t all speeches, handshakes and applause. We had our own ANZA Cycling heroes to highlight such as Martin Herbrich and Gillian Li who did us proud at the Tour de Batam. Martin absolutely smashed it with a stage win, and Gillian showed everyone how it’s done by finishing first in her category. 

Then there were prizes, prizes and more prizes – the generosity of our sponsors was something else. Trouble Brewing provided some swag and TVH some very cool Bluetooth speakers. A special thank you also goes to member Martin Tresca from DCK Board Shorts as well as Wouter Duyck from Zenko Superfoods. It was the always-smiling Sarah Zhang who won the big prize, a shiny new Chapter 2 frameset from BB Bike Studio. We can’t wait to see her hit the road on that beauty.

The night also included some very touching moments, with Megan Kinder and Andrew Cherriman receiving Lifetime Memberships. Megan, our former club president and current ANZA President, has done wonders for ANZA Cycling, setting the bar high for how we roll today. Andrew, with his captain hat on for the Saturday rides and his knack for organising the annual KL trip, has been the heartbeat of our community.

Everyone mingled and shared stories of their two-wheeled escapades while enjoying nibbles and sipping drinks. It was a night that reminded us all why we love the club so much. ANZA Cycling is not just about the biking; it’s about the people, the friendships, and the good times we have when we’re not pounding the pedals. Here’s to another year of great rides and company! 

ANZA Cycling Social Drinks Night! 

If you think the above sounded fun, join us for our next club-sponsored social night! Relax after work and mingle with fellow ANZA Cycling members. Enjoy free-flowing wine, beer, and soft drinks, complimentary nibbles, and great company!

You must be a current ANZA Cycling member to attend this event.

Date: Wednesday, 20th March 2024
Time: 6.45-9PM
Location: Tapas24 (directions here)
Cycling Members RSVP on BUNJI here
Find out more about ANZA Cycling here.

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