Learning for Life Programme

Community OutReach Education (CORE)

The OPSS Learning for Life Programme (LLP) on Community OutReach Education (CORE) adopts a 3E (Engage-Empower-Excite) approach and is delivered via 3 levels (adapted from Treffinger’s Levels of Service Model). CORE is one of the key levers to engage and develop students into Empowered Learners, Compassionate Leaders and Future-Ready Orchidians.  It is designed to:

• develop students’ dispositions and leadership skills through community project involvement and service-learning via The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership Model (Kouzes and Posner) and Design Thinking methodology;

• strengthen students’ community involvement and collaboration with external organisations through authentic learning experiences; 

• raise awareness of community issues and 

• encourage and inspire them to think critically about community-related issues and, and thereby grow in civic literacy.

At Tier 1, all students are engaged in Cohort Service-Learning projects and they learn to work in teams at the class level. Through the 4/5 years, all students would have been exposed to varied service-learning experiences, thematically beginning with service within the school and extending to service to the community. Cohort Service-Learning projects are largely school-curated, with Secondary 2 to 5 students progressively given more autonomy to explore service-learning projects they would want to work on collectively as a class.

At Tier 2, student leaders in the different segments (CCAs and Student Council) who demonstrate passion and tenacity for community causes are empowered to explore and lead VIA projects in various themes and organisations which they find interest and meaning in.  While various community outreach platforms are made available to the student leaders, they learn to self-organise and lead their peers in the VIA projects. Student leaders, at this level, are strongly encouraged to seek out other community outreach platforms platforms, beyond the school-curated ones.

Tier 3 of our programme is designed for students who are passionate in engaging the school community in Advocacy Projects. This tier focuses on Community Youth Leaders (CYL), who are students driven by a cause and eager to make a difference in the community. These leaders are challenged and supported to take the initiative in launching Advocacy Projects. Through this process, they exercise student agency by inspiring themselves and their peers and mobilising the school community to extend compassion to others by actively participating in these projects.

The 3E approach takes students through a journey of discovering and learning that as compassionate leaders, they grow from possessing self-efficacy to demonstrating student agency where they take charge of their learning, driven by their interests, grounded on the cause and purpose and often self-initiated with appropriate guidance from teachers.

Tier 3 corresponds to Levels 3 of Treffinger’s Levels of Service Model where some students are provided opportunities to be involved in the LLP at a higher level of engagement and accomplishment.

Tier 1: Cohort Service-Learning Projects

Secondary 1: Championing Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

Objective: To understand and address evolving environmental challenges/ issues and the need to move towards a more sustainable Singapore.

Skills: Basic Leadership Skills (Student Leadership Practices)

Secondary 1 students took the lead in raising awareness about food wastage by sharing valuable insights with their schoolmates.

Secondary 1 students creatively engaged their schoolmates with interactive posters, highlighting the importance of reducing energy wastage.

Secondary 1 Students lead an interactive game on Eco Day to highlight food waste reduction.

Our students have designed an informative poster to raise awareness about the importance of conserving energy

Secondary 2: Supporting and Engaging the Elderly through Activities

Objective: To support and engage with the elderly community.

Skills: Student Leadership Practices, Design Thinking and Service Methodology

Secondary 2 students engaging in interactive games with the residents of Sree Narayan Mission Home, fostering intergenerational bonding and community spirit.

Secondary 2 students engaging in interactive games with the residents of Sree Narayan Mission Home, fostering intergenerational bonding and community spirit.

Terrariums created collaboratively by our students and the residents of Sree Narayana Mission Home are now beautifully displayed in the Home's garden, symbolizing the bond between our school and the community.

Secondary 3 & 4: Supporting Community Needs by Building Sustainable Relationships with Selected Social Service Agency

Objective: To address community needs and build sustainable relationships with a selected Social Service Agency (SSA) for 2 years.

Skills: Student Leadership Practices, Project Management, Team Building and Facilitation Skills

Secondary 3 students briefing participants from Vibrate @ Yishun (CDAC) for their Mini Sports Carnival.

Secondary 3 Students briefing participants from Vibrate @ Yishun (CDAC) on game rules for this station.

Secondary 3 students sharing health tips with Life Student Care participants at Yishun.

Secondary 4 Students advocating against E-Commerce Scams to the Public at Khatib Square.

Tier 1: School-Wide Projects

Chinese New Year Hamper Design Competition

Each class contributed food items to create uniquely designed hampers, which were distributed to the elderly in need within the Khatib community during Chinese New Year, spreading festive cheer and care.

Each class contributed food items to create uniquely designed hampers, which were distributed to the elderly in need within the Khatib community during Chinese New Year, spreading festive cheer and care.

Each class contributed food items to create uniquely designed hampers, which were distributed to the elderly in need within the Khatib community during Chinese New Year, spreading festive cheer and care.

Ang Bao Distribution at Khatib

Student Councillors distributed festive red packets to eligible seniors aged 65 and above. This is an annual event organized by Nee Soon South Community Development & Welfare Fund Committee.

Tier 2: CCA Values-in-Action Projects

The Guitar Ensemble students visited the Rainbow Centre in Singapore, performing two songs and introducing various guitars to special needs students. This collaboration not only showcased the musical talents of the students but also highlighted how music can be a powerful tool for engaging and supporting special needs students.

In collaboration with Yishun South NPC, OSSNPC cadets took the streets of Khatib, to share with members of the public about the dangers of phishing, common phone scams and how to protect themselves against such nefarious schemes. They mustered up their courage, confidence and language skills to approach people to share with them about cyber crimes.

In collaboration with Yishun South NPC, OSSNPC cadets took the streets of Khatib, to share with members of the public about the dangers of phishing, common phone scams and how to protect themselves against such nefarious schemes. They mustered up their courage, confidence and language skills to approach people to share with them about cyber crimes.

The Football CCA collaborated once again with the football team from Naval Base Primary School, as our Secondary 2 boys led a football clinic for the younger students. It was a truly enriching experience for all involved.

Tier 3: Advocacy Projects by Student Councillors

Our students collaborated with Willing Hearts to actively participate in food preparation by cutting vegetables, opening cans, packing meals, and washing utensils, contributing to the meaningful work of supporting those in need.

Our students collaborated with Willing Hearts to actively participate in food preparation by cutting vegetables, opening cans, packing meals, and washing utensils, contributing to the meaningful work of supporting those in need.

Our students collaborated with Willing Hearts to actively participate in food preparation by cutting vegetables, opening cans, packing meals, and washing utensils, contributing to the meaningful work of supporting those in need.

Our students partnered with Project Hope to help maintain the cleanliness of homes identified by volunteers, fostering a spirit of care and community service.

Keep Clean at NorthWest CDC