JC1 SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAMME - … Guidebook 2013 Nanyang Junior College 1 NYJC SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAMME SERVICE-LEARNING GUIDEBOOK 2013 Prepared By: Mr Victor Tan (Subject Head)

Service-Learning Guidebook 2013

Nanyang Junior College

1

NYJC SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAMME

SERVICE-LEARNING GUIDEBOOK 2013

Prepared By:

Mr Victor Tan (Subject Head)

Mr Loy Suan Hui (2 I/C)

Ms Nurain Bte Mohd Saad

Mdm Teh Sok Hoon

Mr Lin Jiansheng

Ms Anne Victor

Mr Joshua Tan

Ms Ma Yuexia

(Service-Learning Committee)



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PROUD (by Heather Small)

I look into the window of my mind

Reflections of the fears I know I've left behind

I step out of the ordinary

I can feel my soul ascending

I'm on my way

Can't stop me now

And you can do the same

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

It's never too late to try


You could be so many people

If you make that break for freedom


Still so many answers I don't know

Realize that to question is how we grow

So I step out of the ordinary

I can feel my soul ascending

I'm on my way

Can't stop me now

You can do the same


It's never too late to try


You could be so many people

If you make that break for freedom


We need a change

Do it today

I can feel my spirit rising

We need a change

So do it today

'Cause I can see a clear horizon


So what have you done today to make you feel proud?

'Cause you could be so many people

Just make that break for freedom

So what have you done today to make you feel proud?



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Chapter Page

1. Service-Learning in Nanyang JC …………………………………………. 4

2. Class Service-Learning Projects………………...…….……………..……… 7

3. Timeline for Service-Learning Programme 2013 ……………………….. 8

4. Tips for Civics Tutors ………………………………………………………….. 10

5. Guidelines for S-L Advocates …………………………………………….... 14

6. Sample Service-Learning Projects ………………………………………... 23

7. Communication Tips and Possible Beneficiaries ………………………. 31

8. List of Possible Partners ……………………………………………………… 38

9. Useful Websites (Partners) ………………………………………………….. 39

10. S-L Committee Contact List……………………………………………….. 40

11. External Contacts …………………………………………………………… 41

12. Frequently Asked Questions…………………………………………………43

13. Acknowledgments …………………………………………………………. 46

CONTENTS



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What is Service-Learning?

As a student embarking on Service-Learning (S-L), you will transform the

lives of not just those who receive your service, but your life as well.

Through five suggested steps of investigation, planning and preparation,

implementation, reflection, and demonstration, the S-L programme in

NYJC works towards achieving both service and learning objectives. By

combining volunteerism and structured experiential learning, service to

the community changes you as an individual, and in turn, the change

enriches the service you render to the community.

What’s the Difference Between Service-Learning and Community

Involvement Programme (CIP)?

CIP involves service that is assumed to benefit the community, with

learning objectives not explicitly set. Hence, any learning that takes

place is a bonus rather than the result of a stated goal. On the other

hand, S-L is participant-driven, and seeks to address the concerns, needs

and hopes of the community. Reflections are a key component of S-L,

with Service Objectives and Learning Objectives clearly set at the start of

the S-L process. Through S-L, real community needs are met, and

participants also embark on a journey of self-development.

Through S-L, participants also use what they learn in the classroom to

solve real-life problems. For example, if students merely collect trash

along the beach, they are volunteers, but not involved in S-L. However, if

students collect trash along the beach, analyze their findings to

determine the possible sources of pollution, and share the results with

residents (public) or authority (National Environment Agency), they are

engaged in the process of Service-Learning where they can apply their

SERVICE LEARNING

Meeting real community needs

Self-development

SERVICE-LEARNING IN NANYANG JC



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knowledge from General Paper (global issues), Project Work, Science,

Mathematics, Economics and other academic subjects.

Objectives of Service-Learning

Service Objectives

To meet community needs through the involvement of students, staff

and community partners in meaningful service

Learning Objectives

To learn through reflection, facilitation and programme design

To cultivate our four college values: Integrity, Resilience, Resourcefulness,

and Compassion through service to the community

Service-Learning Process

A typical service-learning project includes five components:

1. Investigation: Teachers and students investigate the community

problems that they may potentially address. Investigation typically

involves some sort of research and mapping activity.

2. Planning and Preparation: Teachers, students, and community

members plan the learning and service activities, and address the

administrative issues needed for a successful project.

3. Action (Implementing the Service Activity): The “heart” of the project:

engaging in the meaningful service experience that will help your

students develop important knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and that will

benefit the community.

4. Reflection: Activities that help students understand the service-learning

experience and to think about its meaning and connection to them,

their society, and what they have learned in school; and

5. Demonstration/Celebration: The final experience when students,

community participants and others publicly share what they have

learned, celebrate the results of the service project, and look ahead to

the future.

Through this suggested framework, learning is deliberate and heightened

for students providing the service, which enhances what students can

offer to the community they are providing their service to. The “Timeline

of NYJC’s Service-Learning Programme” (refer to page 8) is based on this



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five-stage cycle, and it serves to guide students’ journeys in Service-

Learning throughout their time in NYJC.

‘Service-Learning Cycle’

Reproduced with permission from:

RMC Research Corporation. K-12 Service-Learning Project Planning

Toolkit. Scotts Valley, CA: National Service-Learning Clearinghouse,

2006/2009.

1) Investigation

2) Planning and Preparation

3) Implementing

the Service Activity

5) Demonstration

4) Reflection



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What are the types of projects we can carry out?

Classes are to initiate their own project

Projects can be done locally to benefit the school, the

neighbourhood and beyond

Fund-raising projects will only be allowed during selected college

events

Students are discouraged from doing projects that involve just

indirect service to beneficiaries, such as beach cleanups and flag

days

When can we do our project?

June holidays

One-week September holiday

Any Saturday in Term 2 and until Term 3

November/December holidays (before 13th Dec)

Classes are not to use curriculum time (including dates in school

calendar reserved for school events) to conduct S-L projects

When must we complete our project by?

15th September (recommended)

13th December (latest)

What about the post activity (i.e. Reflection component) upon

completion of S-L Project?

Students to reflect on their class S-L experience (1 hour)

All students to complete Post S-L Reflection Section via S-L portal

Submit photos (in CD Format) to S-L committee members

Complete ALL SECTIONS via S-L portal

Note: Students need to prepare for an exhibition showcase during S-L Fair

2014

CLASS SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECTS



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Date Activity/Event

22nd May

(11.30am-

1.00pm)

Service-Learning Seminar

Visiting of Voluntary Welfare Organizations’ (VWOs’) booths to make

initial contact with partnering organization.

1st July

Submission of Draft Proposal via S-L Portal (see page 16) pending

approval.

Send an email to [email protected] should you have any

problem/s with the S-L portal.

[Note: Unless your project is in June, kindly submit by 30th May.]

8th July

Submission of Finalized Proposal via S-L Portal (see page 16).

Before 8th

July

CT/S-L Advocates to update contact details of partnering

organizations and project details in S-L Portal to avoid clashes.

S-L Committee coordinates duplicated organizations and finalizes

organizations if necessary.

Term 2/3

Searching for a Partnering Organization

CT/S-L Advocates get to know their chosen organization well,

understand the special needs of the group they are helping/

interacting with, assign key roles and responsibilities among students

and prepare required materials/programme.

2 weeks to 1

month prior

to project

Conduct Recce Trip to Organizations

CT/S-L Advocates to contact respective charitable

organizations to finalize date, time, needs and activities.

Complete Pre-Service Reflection section in S-L Portal.

TIMELINE FOR SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAMME 2013

mailto:[email protected]



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Date Activity/Event

At least 1

week prior

to Class

S-L Project

Final preparation for Class S-L Project

CT/S-L Advocates to collate all Consent Forms [signed by

P/VP/HOD (Ms Amy Chiew)] and submit to respective Civics/CCA

tutor

All claims forms for project cost (of up to $30 per CT) to be

submitted to the Civics/CCA tutor within 1 week of date of

purchase

Submit Risk Assessment Management System (RAMS) Form to Mr

Victor Tan (SH S-L Comm.)

All students to complete Pre S-L Reflection Section via S-L Portal

15th

September

JC1 CTs are strongly encouraged to complete their project by 15th

September.

Otherwise, all CTs are to complete their projects by 13th Dec 2013.

Within 1

week upon

completion

of Class S-L

Project

Post Class S-L Reflection - Facilitation (1 hour)

Students to reflect on their class S-L experience

All students to complete Post S-L Reflection Section via S-L portal

Post Class S-L Admin

Submit photos [in CD Format] to respective Civics/CCA Tutor or

other teacher advisor; Respective tutor to submit to S-L Comm.

Complete all the sections in S-L Portal.



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1. Please access the S-L Portal to approve the project

If you are unsure of project requirements, please approach the S-L

Committee member attached to your class (refer to S-L Committee

Contact List on page 40) NOTE: The class or team should have contacted

a suitable organization for a suitable S-L project before submitting the

online proposal.

2. Civics Tutor’s Commitment

Give online approval of student’s S-L project

Edit any official letters (please approach Secretariat for editing of

formal college letters)

Submission of claims (Class S-L Project Cost):

o CT to collect receipts from S-L Advocate

o Paste receipts on an A4-sized paper

o Attach the receipt/s to the ‘IFAAS Payment Form’

o Get the Goods Receipt Officer (GRO) stamp from General

Office (Yen) on pasted receipts

o Indicate ‘SOF (CIP)’ in ‘Fund to be Used’ section on ‘IFAAS

Payment Form’

o Submit to Subject Head (Service-Learning) in the PE Office

Supervise Team leader’s management of S-L project

Counsel and resolve conflicts and manage stress during the S-L

project

For student-initiated S-L projects, students are allowed to

implement their own activities: Civics Tutors/S-L Advocates are to

do RAMS with CT’s supervision and endorsement

CT has to accompany the class on actual day(s) of service

rendered, RAMS has to be done and endorsed by the CT

Overnight activities will require an accompanying teacher to be

present (Ratio: 1: 10)

At all times, maintain communication with CT Rep/S-L Advocate

When in doubt, do approach any of the teachers in the S-L Committee

for further clarification (refer to College Contact List on page ).

TIPS FOR CIVICS TUTORS



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3. Project Management Checklist

Proposal

Students have brainstormed on a suitable project for the class, CCA,

group, etc;

S-L Advocate has contacted a suitable organization for a possible

Service-Learning project;

Students have done a “Needs Analysis Survey” of the community and

target group of individuals they want to serve;

o E.g. interviews with target beneficiaries, home visits, cause

research and discussions with Voluntary Welfare Organization

(VWO) or Non-governmental Organization (NGO)

A complete proposal MUST have the following:

Work Flow

Detailed Proposal

Recce plan

Timeline

Actual Service day Programme

Logistics List

Wet-Weather Plan

Team Responsibilities

Budget

Pre-activity and Post activity Plans

Reflection Component

Feedback

Event Evaluation

Venue

The Team has considered the scale of the project:

o Small (1 organization + NYJC students);

o Medium (1 organization+ NYJC students (facilitators) + other

schools);

o Large (More than 1 organization+ NYJC Students+ Facilitators +

Other Schools;

The venue is suitable to run the project;



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Facilities

Logistics

Students have considered the resources needed to run the project;

Students have included an Emergency Contact List:

o (i.e. important contact details of Teacher I/C’s, Team leader,

Representative from VWO or NGO, Organization Liaison Officer,

etc);

Students have considerd guidelines about attire, code of conduct,

emergency procedures (RAMS) and stress and conflict management;

Students have applied for and acquired the necessary documents,

permits or licenses to conduct the Service-Learning project;

If the project requires additional manpower (e.g. representatives from

other schools or clubs nationwide), a list of approved sources of

manpower required for project has been considered);

Project Timeline

There is a clearly structured timeline of deadlines to complete the

project.

Students have included an itinerary of the actual day(s) of service.

Project Know-How

Students have considered the knowledge, skills or expertise needed

for this project.

Students have considered if additional training is needed (e.g.

partnership with an external expert or representatives from a selected

NGO or VWO or trained volunteers), a list of additional volunteers who

can provide the expert training has been included.

Budget

Total cost of the project has been considered.

Students have included a breakdown of the costs involved in running

the project.

o Samples of sponsorship letters can be requested from CT/ S-L

Comm (Note: Teachers please see K:\Admin Broadcast\Admin

Matters\Committees\Service-Learning

Committee\sponsorlettersample)



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Student has included a list of additional sources of funding.

To have seek approval prior to accepting the external funding

sources (please check with Mr Victor Tan, SH S-L comm, PE Dept, Ext )

Team Responsibilities

Each team to have designated roles to ensure the success of the S-L

project. The number of leaders will vary on the size of the group.

Roles include (but are not limited to):

Team Leader(s)

Coordinate entire project, main liaison person for tutors and

organizations

Facilitator

Conduct reflections sessions throughout the S-L cycle

Treasurer (Exco)

Handle finances of project, e.g. track expenditures and funds

Secretary (Exco)

Submit forms, document project progression

Logistics Planner (Exco)

Organize resources required

Publicity Management (Exco)

o Prepare exhibition materials (scrapbook, videos, photos, etc)

o Oversee Editorial Officers (write-ups) and Filming Officers

(video presentation)



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1. Writing the Proposal

Please refer to the guidelines in the NYJC Service-Learning Portal (must

log into S-L Portal).

2. Liaising with Selected Organization

Either call the organization directly or email a formal letter (printed on

college letterhead, which can be found in K:\Admin Broadcast\Admin

Matters\Committees\Service-Learning Committee).

In the letter, please include the following:

Your service intentions and plans in full

Your Service Objectives should adhere to the following requirements:

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound (S.M.A.R.T)

o E.g. Our class 11XX have decided to clean the rooms and paint

the walls of 15 one room flats in Blk XXX, in Kampong Bahru, on

Saturday, 30th April, 8am -5pm

Your target group: beneficiaries, age group, physical requirements,

interests, type of service, etc.

Enquire on nature of help needed by the organization

Look into safety precautions

Enquire on any logistical arrangements needed

Arrange for a recce of actual venue for service

Provide a tentative programme that the community will work with

3. Design an S-L Proposal (refer to guidelines below)

Accessing the NYJC Service-Learning Portal:

Initiating a Service-Learning project in NYJC has been made very

convenient for NYJCians. If you are keen to initiate a Service-Learning

project as a class, CCA or even open a project and recruit members to

sign up, you can do so in the new Service-Learning Portal.

GUIDELINES FOR S-L ADVOCATES



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Simply follow the steps below to submit the S-L Proposal:

1. Go to NYJC College Website (nanyangjc.org) > CURRENT

NYJCAINS > Get involved > Service-Learning Portal.

Log on to S-L Portal using your Login ID and password (see Figure 1)

2. Complete all sections in S-L Portal.

For individual student with ad-hoc external community service events,

please click on ‘Submit A Project’ (see Figure 1) to key in the relevant

details and submit to your respective Civics Tutor for approval. You are to

provide evidence such as a letter of appreciation from the relevant

organization.

You can find a comprehensive User Guide in NYJC Service-Learning

Website. The URL is: http://www.nanyangjc.org/webusers/SL/index.php.

If you have any problems with our Service-Learning Portal, please send

an email to [email protected]




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Figure 1: A quick guide to using the Service-Learning Portal (Student)

Section A: Logging in, the taskbar and the main activity window.

1. Access the Service-Learning portal via

http://www.nanyangjc.org/newapps/sl_portal/index.php.

2. Use your NYXchange username and password to login.

3a. Upon logging in, you should see your user role, your

name and a taskbar on the left.

3b. You should also see a list of Service-Learning Projects

you have initiated or you are a participant of (if any) in

the main activity window.

http://www.nanyangjc.org/newapps/sl_portal/index.php



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Section B: Initiating a project, modifying an existing project (only for

initiators), adding participants

1. By clicking on the ‘Submit a

Project’ button in the taskbar,

you will be directed to the

‘Submit A New Project’ activity

window.

You need to fill in every field

under the Project Details and

the Organisation Details in order

to proceed.

2. Once you have filled in the

relevant Project Details and

Organisation Details, you will be

directed to the ‘Project Details’

activity window.

Check that the information you

entered is correct. If you need

to, you can either modify the

existing details or add

participants (if any) to your

Service-Learning project.



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3. As the initiator of a project,

you will automatically be a

participant of the project. You

may click on the ‘Remove’

button to remove yourself (or

any participants).

To add participants, you can

either search for them by name,

or by class.

4. After searching for

participants, you can use the

‘Add’ button to add them to

your project.



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Section C: Submitting reflections

1. By clicking on the ‘View My

Projects’ button, you will see a

list of Service-Learning projects

you are involved in, either as an

initiator or a participant. You

need to submit your reflections

after you have completed the

project.

2. By clicking on the ‘Reflection’

button, you will be directed to

the ‘My Reflections’ main

activity window. There, you can

either view your reflection or

you can enter your reflections.

3. You need to respond to

every question before you can

proceed to submit your

reflection.



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4. S-L Advocates to help set Service Objectives and Learning Objectives

(SOLOs) and to conduct a pre- and post-activity with their respective

team of participants

SOLOs

Refer to the next section on “Sample Service-Learning Projects” for

examples of SOLOs that can be set

Details of pre-activity (select one of the following) done, to be

summarized and submitted to S-L Portal

K-W-L survey (3 things I Know, 2 things I Want to Know and 1 thing

you hope to Learn)

Teambuilding or Ice-Breaker activities

Reflection Cards

Learning Journeys to Heritage Places

Museums Visits

Talks by Guest Speakers (e.g. S-L Practitioners, Absorbent Minds)

Case Study: Understanding and Practicing Empathy

Soft Skills Workshop (e.g. Deaf Awareness, Balloon Sculpturing,

Conversational Dialect Lessons, The Art of Storytelling)

Post-Activity (Reflection)

Help peers discuss their observations before, during and after the project

as well as and make sense of their service-learning experience. They

can use one of the following methods for examining their learning,

emotions/attitudes or even their understanding of community issues:

A Guided Reflection

o WHAT

How did you feel while conducting/participating in

the project

What were some of the challenges you encountered?

Do you think you/the class made a difference?

Yes/No and Why?

o S0 WHAT

What knowledge/skills did you pick up?

What did you learn about YOU, the TEAM and THE

COMMUNITY assisted?

What could you have done better?



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o NOW WHAT

What can you do next?

How else can you contribute to the community?

Other Types of Reflection:

o Journal Writing - Structured Questions or Free Verse or Key

Phrases about Milestone Moments of project

o E-Reflection: Blogs, Digital Storytelling

o Creative Portfolios - Publication Interviews/Articles, Photo

Collage or Scrapbook,

o S-L Portfolios

o Posters

o Live Videos

o Poems

o Sketches

o Cartoons

o Brochures

o Anecdotal Quotations

o Short Stories

o Assembly Sharing/Class Discussions and Dialogues

o Participate in another local S-L project

o Designing Future Guides - e.g. 10 Tips for Interacting with

Children

5. Celebration/Demonstration:

PART 1: Designing an S-L Scrapbook / S-L Portfolio

Select 10 – 20 photos capturing highlights of the project

(requirements: burn in a CD)

Collect a number of key reflections about milestone moments

Include a write-up of project (not more than 100 words) one week

after the execution of the project



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PART 2: Closure - Acknowledgement and Appreciation

Give out Certificates of Appreciation to participants

Have a Celebratory Meal or Tea Appreciation

Write Thank-You notes to service providers/organization/teacher

I/C’s, etc

Make morning announcements/TV Broadcast announcements of

Project Appreciation

If fund-raising project, prepare acknowledgment cheques (to be

handed to Principal during morning assembly)



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SAMPLE 1: WORKING WITH ELDERLY

“Through interaction with the elderly, the volunteers not only brought warmth and joy into their hearts, but also helped improve their lives by buying necessities that the elderly lack in their homes. The items were given to the elderly during the second visit. It was a shocking realization, for some volunteers that some of the elderly were living in apartments without refrigerators, mattresses or even proper foods, as these items are considered as basics in most homes.” Foong Jia Wen, CT 1035

Title of Project: Adopt-a-Wish

Dates: March 2011 – April 2011

Duration: 2 home visits

Target Community: lower-income elderly

Volunteers needed: 1000 students

Beneficiaries: 300 one-room flat households registered with Lions

Befrienders

CT/Teacher I/C’s: Mr Victor Tan, Mr Joel Loo

Description of Service Objectives: To donate food or household items to

an elderly person after conducting a needs analysis of the households

that students will visit.

How Will Success Look Like (HWSLL): A smile on the elderly person’s face,

a “thank you” response from the elderly.

Description of Learning Objectives: Students will learn to be more

empathetic towards the elderly, to communicate in their own dialects

with an elderly person, and to develop better listening skills.

How Will Success Look Like (HWSLL): The students will be able to

communicate in simple dialect, and carry out sustained conversations

with the elderly.

Partners: Lions Befrienders

Address: Blk 130, Bukit Merah View, #01-358, Singapore 150130

SAMPLE SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECTS



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Contact Person: Ms XXX

Contact Number: XXXXXXXX

Email: [email protected]

Trainings: Briefings held at NYJC LT

Acknowledgment: College website write-up



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SAMPLE 2: WORKING WITH CHILDREN

“In our fast developing nations, we do not want to leave the children

behind as they will become our future pillars. We want to help the pre-

schoolers from disadvantaged homes experience a transitional holiday

programme that will get them ready for Primary One.”

Title of Project: Bridging Programme

Dates: 17 November – 12 December 2010

Duration: Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm

Target Community: Pre-school children (4-6 years old)

Volunteers needed: 150 student facilitators, 50 Kindergarten Teachers

Beneficiaries: 22 schools (specially selected across the country,

especially catering to the children from disadvantaged families)

CT/Teacher I/C’s: Ms Anne Victor (9068XXXX)/Miss Liang Peiyun

(9727XXXX)/Mrs Gerda Huang (9682XXXX)

Description of Service Objectives: Through a 4-week intensive

programme, students help children going to Primary One by equipping

them with the necessary skills and disposition. Student facilitators will assist

the volunteer teachers at the selected schools with classroom activities

(e.g. story telling, classroom management), preparing teaching

materials, preparing refreshments and help with classroom cleaning.

How Will Success Look Like (HWSLL): The preschoolers will be ready to

handle the rigours of primary one with the intensive bridging

programmes. They will be more confident, have a clearer picture of

what to expect as they enter Primary One and have the basic writing,

reading and listening skills needed to understand instructions and

engage in the academic curriculum.

Description of Learning Objectives: Students will pick up tips to

communicate more effectively with the children. They will pick up skills of

time and classroom management, storytelling and help the children to

engage with their lessons.

How Will Success Look Like (HWSLL): The children will complete

academic work and performances for the finale concert cum exhibition

held at the end of the programme (e.g. drawings, paintings, art and

craft, etc).



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Partners: Chinese Development Assistance Council, Eurasian Association

Singapore, MENDAKI, SINDA, Association For Early Childhood, Ministry of

Education and NIE Preschool Unit.

Organization: SINDA

Address: No 3 Serangoon Road. Singapore 331771.

Contact Person: Miss Maria

Contact Number: 9873XXXX


Trainings: One half-day workshop held at NYJC LT

Resource provided: Training Booklet for Volunteers

Acknowledgment: Certificates of Participation; Popular Vouchers



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SAMPLE 3: WORKING WITH THE ELDERLY

“Did you know that many elderly are living alone in Singapore? Some

lack meals, while others lack true companionship. Are YOU ready to be

a friend and a Hero and brighten up someone’s life? Are YOU ready to

be a youth with an open mind and have a healthy respect for the

elderly?”

Title of Project: Bright Homes

Dates: 01 July 2011 – 15 February 2012

Duration: Once a Month, Saturdays, 8am to 5pm

Target Community: The elderly (55-80years)

Volunteers needed: 25 student volunteers

Beneficiaries: 50 elderly people residing at the Redhill Estate and who

meet regularly at the Redhill Activity Centre

CT/Teacher I/C’s: Ms Anne Victor (9068XXXX)/Miss Liang Peiyun

(9727XXXX)

Description of Service Objectives: Though a variety of activities (movie

screenings, farm visits, bus rides to view Christmas light-up, fall prevention

talks), courses and workshops (using the Internet, spa treatment), festival

celebrations and home cleaning, our students will brighten up the elderly

residents’ lives.

How Will Success Look Like (HWSLL): The elderly residents will smile more

as they meet youths with a reduced mindset towards ageism in our

community. They will not feel isolated or abandoned and will possess a

healthy mind and body as they age gracefully.

Description of Learning Objectives: Nanyang students will pick up tips to

communicate more effectively with the elderly. They will become

effective communicators in various dialects, learn to be sensitive to the

needs of the elderly and understand the importance of our heritage.

More importantly, for those who seldom interact with the elderly in

society, they will be given a rare opportunity to learn lessons of humility,

dignity and respect.

How Will Success Look Like (HWSLL): Through the various learning

journeys, interactive workshops and courses, our youth will befriend and

develop a healthy respect for the elderly in our community and the

elderly in turn will receive the joys of interacting with the youths.



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Partners/Organization: Central Singapore Community Development

Council (CDC)

Address: Central Singapore CDC Main Office, HDB Hub Bizthree, 490

Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #04-10, Singapore 310 490

Contact Person: Miss Lee



Trainings: Workshops conducted during CCA days at NYJC, CDC or

Redhill Activity Centre

Resources provided: Training (Dialect Lessons, Public Speaking Wokshops:

Communicating with the Elderly, Spa Lessons)

Acknowledgment: Certificates of Participation; Volunteer Appreciation

Party (February)



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SAMPLE 4: WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

“The first year-long survey of the mangrove horseshoe crab

Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda was conducted at the Mandai mudflats at

Kranji in Singapore to determine if breeding is year round or seasonal

and to provide qualitative and quantitative baseline data to monitor the

health of the population.” Lesley Cartwright-Taylor*, Julian Lee, Chia Chi

Hsu

Title of Project: Horseshoe Crab Study with Nature Society of Singapore

(NSS)

Dates: 8th March or 8th April

Duration: Once a month, Saturday/Sunday, 3.30 pm or when it is low tide

Target Community: Research Department of NSS

Volunteers needed: 20 student volunteers

Beneficiary: The environment

CT/Teacher I/C’s: Mr Mark Goh

Description of Service Objectives: A once a month collection of data on

horseshoe crabs, especially during low tide will be done. Volunteers will

have to search for crabs on the following weekend if tides are not in

favour on selected days. Data collected will be useful for research done

by NSS.

How Will Success Look Like (HWSLL): A more concerted effort to inform

the public not to litter recklessly at the Kranji Mudflats, which is one of the

largest habitats of the endangered horseshoe crabs. They will be able to

rescue 3 out of every 4 horseshoe crabs entangled or killed by

abandoned fishing nets.

Description of Learning Objectives: Students will pick up effective

research skills and be more active advocates of conservation practices.

How Will Success Look Like (HWSLL): Through the experiential research

study, our students will understand the harmful effects of extensive land

reclamation and coastal degradation.

Partners: Dr Hsu Chia Chi and Ms Lesley Cartwright-Taylor

Organization: Nature Society of Singapore



30

Address: 510 Geylang Road, #02-05 The Sunflower, Singapore 389466

Contact Person: Dr Hsu



Trainings: Half-hour briefing conducted before the session on

measurements and proper collection of horseshoe crabs and recording

of data in record books

Resources provided: Pails and gloves for collecting horseshoe crabs and

measurement tools

Acknowledgment: Certificates of Participation



31

Working with Beneficiaries

Familiarize oneself with whom you will work with within the

community: the Beneficiary, the Participant, the Collaborator and

the Sponsor

Beneficiary: refers to the group receiving the service e.g. the

needy, children, elderly, the disabled, the visually–impaired, the

hearing-impaired, migrant workers, the environment etc.

Participant: refers to the individuals performing the service

Collaborator: partner organizations that are directly involved and

possess the expertise, experience and resources needed to

support community causes e.g. Non-governmental Organization

(NGO) and Voluntary Welfare Organization (VWO)

Sponsor: individuals or groups like corporate companies (through

their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes) that have a

mission to support worthy causes through monetary means or

volunteers

Government agencies: national organizations which look into the

welfare of the community through legislation and assistance e.g.

Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS),

grassroots organizations, Community Development Councils

(CDC), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Finance (MOF),etc

As participants of any S-L project, you may have had little or no

experience working with individuals we are serving. To ensure that

your project is successful, you must be able to step into the shoes

of our beneficiaries, understand the needs of the community you

are rendering the service to, perform the actual service

meaningfully and reflect on your shared experiences to learn

about the self and the larger community.

COMMUNICATION TIPS AND POSSIBLE BENEFICIARIES



32

The Needy

What Can I do?

Food Collection Drive and Distribution

Home Visits

Home Cleaning

Performances

Festival Celebrations (Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa,

Deepavali, Christmas)

Befriending

Fundraising

Communication Tips:

Be patient with them

Do not make empty promises (e.g. promise to solicit funds to help

pay their bills)

Converse in their preferred language e.g. mother tongue

Do not feel offended if they refuse your help

Always ask politely if you help them

Avoid questions of a personal nature e.g. Why are your children

not helping you?

Empathize with the individual’s situation and help him feel less

threatened by your presence (smile; avoid moving in your seat

and looking beyond the person

Be an active listener

Approach individuals in pairs or threes

Adopt a neutral and less critical perspective when discussing

government aid

Avoid use of accusatory or judgmental speech

Pay close attention to their speech to avoid misunderstandings



33

Children

What can I do?

Food Collection Drive

Toys, Clothes and Books Distribution Drive

Reading Programmes

Mentoring At-risk Children



Fundraising

School “Beautification” Project

Design of Well-wishes Card

Adopt a Home

Distribution of “Personal Hygiene Kits”

Read-a-thons

Communication Tips:

Introduce yourself using a warm and friendly tone

Give them time to warm up to you; do not force yourself on them

Be sensitive about their social background ( do not poke fun at

their attire, actions, speech or family background)

Do not make empty promises, e.g. “I will visit you again”

Do not try to discipline their misconduct; refer them to their

teacher or guardian

The first meeting is very important; make sure they know gently

“who the boss is”

Be patient and let them know they are loved

Help them set them short-term attainable goals

Remind them of their goals to keep them focused

Let them know what to expect at the start of the programme

Have fun as you engage with them

Be patient



34

Elderly

What can I do?

Food Collection Drive and Distribution

Home Visits

Home Cleaning

Joint Concerts: The Youth and The Senior



Befriending

Fundraising

Wish List Drives

Neighbourhood clean-up

Charity Drives

Painting of One-Room Flats

Dialect Lessons with the Elderly

Mentorship Programme: One Elderly to One Youth

Senior Citizens Idol

Hugs Programme

“I Love You”: Grandparents Day

Assisting at Childcare Centers Run by the Elderly

Adopt an Elderly

Be a Hero

Reading Programmes

Brown Bag Lunches

Developing Community Spaces

Senior Safety Programmes

Connecting Lives Through Stories: Interview with the Elderly

Senior Prom

Family Album

Neighbourhood Heroes

Share a Meal

Skits: Crime against the Elderly

Publications: Tapestry of Past stories, Legends and Myths



35

Communication Tips:

Be patient with them

Be mindful of their physical limitations and how they can

challenge communication

If they do not recognize you, do not take it personally

Avoid talking as you eat

Face the elderly when you talk

Speak clearly, loudly and slowly

Be sensitive if they are using an assisted hearing device

Notice signs of tiredness during the visit and politely leave

Allow the person to “grieve” or “reminisce” about people he or

she has lost

Look for common elderly symptoms such as depression,

withdrawal from friends, irritability, nervousness; seek immediate

medical aid or counseling

Agree to disagree in order to maintain mutual RESPECT with the

elderly

Be a good listener

Maintain eye-contact at all times

Use simple and familiar words to communicate

When talking, stick to one topic at a time

Simplify and write down instructions

Allow them to ask questions and share their opinions

Respect them and treat them as “equals”

Take time out when angry with them

Always communicate with love and concern

Set guidelines to prevent them from being unreasonable.

Praise them publicly and often

Avoid negative body language (e.g. biting your lip, rolling your

eyes and fidgeting)

Do not engage in arguments

Give free smiles

Avoid negativity

Learn to let go of grudges

Plan more fun times



36

Youth

Apart from those already listed, this section offers more project ideas that

youth participants can consider working on with their peers, along with

communication tips for participants to work optimally with one another.

What can I do?

Tree Planting

Weeding

Wish List Drive

Bridging Programme (preschool to primary)

Peer Tutoring Programme

Recycling Programmes

Neighbourhood Clean-Ups

Charity Drives

Hunger Awareness Programme (World Vision)

Habitat for Humanity Programmes

Wildlife Conservation

Horseshoe crab Study with NUS

Mentoring At-Risk Students

Environmental activities at Sungei Buloh, Bukit Timah Hill and

Botanical Gardens

Visits to Homes of Youth-at-Risk

Newspaper Collection

Carnival Facilitators

Communication Tips:

Be patient with fellow youth

Be clear and firm about the rules to follow

Make sure ratio of youth volunteers to small children is kept low

Do not let youths out of sight

Ensure a manageable ratio of youth volunteers to supervisors

Partner with schools in the same neighbourhood/ability level

Arrange storage facilities for storing donations

Collect only what you have planned for



37

Be sure youth volunteers have ready information on objectives of

project

Start small

Set standard guidelines for donations and execution of project

Be appropriately attired for all activities

Plan activities youth can do in small groups rather than individually

Have a variety of events in the programme

Plan activities that involve physical energy and encourage

teamwork and sportsmanship

Provide avenues for acknowledging efforts and encouraging

motivation

Plan time within programme for social interaction

Take ownership of programme

Be active advocates for selected cause.

Use peer encouragement to advocate positive behaviour

Set aside reflection time in programme for discussion of activities

and feelings

Remind peers that decisions have consequences

Avoid physical comparisons

Establish Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-

bound goals to ensure successful implementation of S-L project



38

ACRES

Andrew and Grace Home

Association for Persons of

Special Needs

Autism Association in Singapore

AVA

AWWA

Beyond Social Service

Bright Vision Hospital

Care

Care Corner Family Service

Centre (Queenstown)

Chen Su Lan Methodist

Children’s Home

Chinese Development

Assistance Council (CDAC)

Children’s Cancer Society

Children Aid’s Society

Cicada Tree Eco-place

Citibank

Club Rainbow Singapore

Darulmakwar Orphanage

Down Syndrome Association

Food From the Heart

Handicaps welfare Association

HSBC

Home of the Aged Sick

Jamiyah Children’s Home

Kaki Bukit Prison School

Lakeside Family Centre

Lions Befrienders Association

(Singapore)

Macpherson Moral Family

Centre

Make a Wish Foundation

Mainly I love Kids (MILK)

Mercy Relief

MENDAKI

Metta Welfare Association

National Library Board (NLB)

National Parks Board

NIE Service-Learning Club

NTU Service-Learning Club

Pertapis Society

Pathlight

Salvation Army Grace Heaven

Sentosa

Simei Care Centre

SINDA

Singapore Association of Mental

Health

Singapore Association of the

Visually Handicapped

Singapore Brain and Spine

Foundation

Singapore Cancer Society

Singapore Children’s Society

Singapore Heart Foundation

Singapore Nature Society

Singapore Red Cross Society

Singapore Science Centre

Singapore Zoological Gardens

Society for Physically Disabled

SPCA

Spastic Children Association of

Singapore (SCAS)

Springfield Operation Bacon

Special Olympics

Sreenarayana Mission

St. Luke Eldercare Centre

Student Volunteer Corps

Sunlove Home

The Singapore Association for

the Deaf

Touch Community

Very Special Art (VSA)

World Vision

YWCA Child Development

Centre

LIST OF POSSIBLE PARTNERS



39

LOCAL

National Youth Council - http://www.nyc.pa.gov.sg/

Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports -

http://app1.mcys.gov.sg/

Ministry of Environment and Water Resources –

http://appmewr.gov.sg/web/Common/homepage.aspx

Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) -

http://www.sinda.org.sg/

Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) -

http://www.cdac.org.sg

Yayasan Mendaki - http://www.mendaki.org.sg/index.jsp

Singapore Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org.sg/

Lions Befrienders Service Association (Singapore) -

http://www.lionsbefrienders.org.sg/

The Singapore Association For The Deaf - http://www.sadeaf.org.sg/

Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH)-

http://www.savh.org.sg/

Animal Concerns Research and Education (ACRES) -

http://www.acres.org.sg/

National Parks Singapore (NParks)- http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/

Sustainable Singapore – http://app.mewr.org.sg/

National Environment Agency (NEA) – www.nea.gov.sg or

http://app2.nea.gov.sg/school.aspx (For Schools)

Environmental Challenge – www.eco-singapore.org

Nature Society, Singapore (NSS) – http://www.nss.org/

SG Cares - http://www.sgcares.org

Volunteer Organizations in Singapore -

http://www.aasingapore.com/attachments/wysiwyg/3730/Volunteer

OrganisationsinSingapore1.pdf

INTERNATIONAL

Do Something - http://www.dosomething.org/

Points of Light Foundation - http://www.pointsoflight.org/

Global Youth Service Day - http://gysd.org/

National Society for Experiential Education - http://www.nsee.org/

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - http://www.worldwildlife.org/

Make a Difference Day -

http://www.whatcomvolunteer.org/events/make-a-difference-day/

World Vision International - http://www.wvi.org/wvi/wviweb.nsf

USEFUL WEBSITES (PARTNERS)

http://www.nyc.pa.gov.sg/

http://app1.mcys.gov.sg/

http://appmewr.gov.sg/web/Common/homepage.aspx

http://www.sinda.org.sg/

http://www.cdac.org.sg/cos/o.x?c=/cdac_corp/section

http://www.mendaki.org.sg/index.jsp

http://www.redcross.org.sg/

http://www.lionsbefrienders.org.sg/

http://www.sadeaf.org.sg/

http://www.savh.org.sg/

http://www.acres.org.sg/

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/

http://app.mewr.org.sg/

http://www.nea.gov.sg/

http://app2.nea.gov.sg/school.aspx

http://www.eco-singapore.org/

http://www.nss.org/

http://www.sgcares.org/public/other/SGCares_P_Home.aspx

http://www.aasingapore.com/attachments/wysiwyg/3730/VolunteerOrganizationsinSingapore1.pdf

http://www.aasingapore.com/attachments/wysiwyg/3730/VolunteerOrganizationsinSingapore1.pdf

http://www.dosomething.org/

http://www.pointsoflight.org/

http://gysd.org/

http://www.nsee.org/

http://www.worldwildlife.org/

http://www.whatcomvolunteer.org/events/make-a-difference-day/

http://www.wvi.org/wvi/wviweb.nsf



40

If Civics Tutors have further queries, please do not hesitate to approach

the Support Group Leader for your class:

Classes Teacher Support Group Leader Extension Number

1301 – 1306 Mdm Teh Sok Hoon (Chemistry) 123

1307 – 1312 Ms Victor Anne (Humanities) 134

1313 – 1318 Ms Nurain (Econs) 128

1319 – 1324 Ms Ma Yuexia (Chinese) 125

1325 – 1330 Mr Lin Jiansheng (Chemistry) 143

1331 – 1336 Mr Joshua Tan (English) 132

Other Contact Information:

Subject Head (Service-Learning): Mr Victor Tan (PE), extension 157

Regional Service-Learning Expedition (RSLE) & ISLE: Mr Victor Tan (PE),

extension 157

Service-Learning Portal: Mr Loy Suan Hui (Math),

[email protected]

Students are to approach their Civics/CCA tutors for advice.

S-L COMMITTEE CONTACT LIST




41

Funding:

License Application:

Licenses /

Permit

Application

Contact Purpose Duration Cost

General Listing https://licences.business.gov.sg Open Listing Free

Singapore Civil

Defense

https://licences.business.gov.sg Exhibition /

Carnival/

Shows

1 week Yes

Singapore

Police Force

http://www.spf.gov.sg/licence/

frameset_HH.html

http://www.spf.gov.sg/licence/

frameset_PP.html

House to

house/ Street

Collection/

Sports events,

Public

gathering,

talks

1 week

3 Weeks

Yes

Yes

Media

Development

Authority

(MDA)

http://www.mda.gov.sg/

Licences/Pages/FilmExLicence.

aspx

Screening of

movies

TBA TBA

National

Environment

Agency (NEA)

http://app2.nea.gov.sg/licenses.

aspx

http://app2.nea.gov.sg/TemSub.

aspx?pagesid=20080720226768161

463&pagemode+live&#food

Carnival / Fair

Food/ Drinks/

Cultural

events

4 weeks

2 weeks

Yes.

No

fees

National Parks

Board (NParks)

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/ind

ex.php?option=com_content&vie

w=article&id=81&Itemid=48

Events 2 weeks Yes

Citibank Community

Development Centres

Lee Foundation

HSBC Singapore Kindness

Movement

Tan Chin Chuan

Foundation

National Youth Achievement

Award

Singapore Totaliser

Board

National Youth Council

National Environment

Agency

Lien Foundation

National Arts Council Shaw Foundation

EXTERNAL CONTACTS



42

1. If the student does an S-L project under ISLE or in his/her CCA, does

he/she still need to do one as a class?

Yes.

2. How many members can the S-L project Exco comprise?

Around 5-7 is a suitable number.

3. How do you access the S-L Portal?

Please refer to Page 16 to 19 for a step-by-step guide on using the S-L

Portal.

4. What should I do if I encounter any problem/s with the S-L Portal?

Send an email to [email protected]

5. Must every student complete their pre- and post- reflection surveys?

Yes. Should any one student not complete their pre- and post- reflections

via S-L portal, the class project will be deemed as incomplete. Hence, no

individual Service-Learning records will be printed upon graduation, for

application to university.

6. Does the class-based S-L project require RAMS to be done?

Yes.

RAMS form can be retrieved from K:\Admin Broadcast\Admin

Matters\Committees\Service-Learning Committee

For student-initiated local S-L project, Civics Tutors and S-L

Advocates will have to complete the RAMS form

Class-based Regional Service-Learning Expedition projects (RSLE):

RAMS must be done by accompanying teacher

Note: All activities must be endorsed by Mr Victor Tan.

7. I have completed a class/CCA service-learning project previously

and I have already input the information onto the litespeed service-

learning portal. Do I still need to login to the new service-learning portal

to input the same information?

Yes. As we are currently facing some issues with the litespeed service-

learning portal, we have terminated our account with them. Thus, you

will need to transfer the information onto the new service-learning portal

during this interim period.

Frequently Asked Questions




43

8. I have completed a class/CCA service-learning project previously but

have not input the information onto the litespeed service-learning portal.

Can I input the information onto the new service-learning portal?

Yes. You should use the new service-learning portal to input whatever

projects you have completed so that it will be reflected in your service-

learning records upon leaving the college.

9. I intend to participate in an external service-learning project. How do I

get recognised for my external participation?

You can login to the portal and create a project. You should input

‘Individual’ under the Participants field and under the Remarks column,

give more information about your participation.

10. I have participated in a class/CCA service-learning project but when

I log in to the new service-learning portal, I am unable to view the

project. What should I do?

You should inform the initiator of the service-learning project and get

him/her to add you as a participant to the service-learning project.

11. I am unable to modify the details of an existing service-learning

project in the new service-learning portal. Why is this so?

The initiator of the service-learning project is the only one with the access

rights to modify the details of a service-learning project. If you find that

there are any errors in the information, you should inform the initiator to

make the necessary changes.

12. Who can I turn to for help related to the service-learning portal?

You may approach your tutor or you may contact Mr Loy Suan Hui via

email at [email protected].

13. What should a student do if he or she has other involvement/s in

terms of community service outside school?

For individual student with ad-hoc external community service events,

register your involvement via our S-L portal.

Please click on ‘Submit A Project’ (see Figure 1, Section A, page 16) to

key in the relevant details and submit to your respective Civics Tutor for

approval.

You are to provide evidence such as a letter of appreciation from the

relevant organization, in order for your tutor to approve your Service-

Learning Log. Only then, your Service-Learning records would be printed

upon graduation.




44

14. Should the CT accompany the class on S-L projects?

Yes. For safety reasons, Civics Tutors are required to accompany his/her

class for their S-L project.

It is also compulsory to have at least one teacher to be in the school bus

if transport would be provided.

15. What if you have a few students who did not turn up for actual class-

based S-L project day with or without valid reason?

That few student/s have to think of another S-L project on an ad-hoc

basis. After completing the S-L project, they have to register their project

via S-L portal. Same procedures apply here for ad-hoc S-L events.

16. Can the Civics Tutor add or delete participants in the S-L portal at any

point of time?

Yes, by modifying the participants’ details.



45

Resources adapted from:

RMC Research Corporation. K-12 Service-Learning Project Planning

Toolkit. Scotts Valley, CA: National Service-Learning Clearinghouse,

2006/2009.

http://handsonasheville.org/AboutUs/index.php/Youth/YouthServiceProj

ectIdeas.pdf

http://oregon.4h.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/WorkingWithYouthO

fDifferentAges.pdf

http://www.aafp.org/fpm/2006/0900/p73.html

http://www.aolhealth.com/2009/10/02/6-tips-for-communicating-with-

elderly-parents/

http://www.nyc.pa.gov.sg

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Documents

JC1 SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAMME - … Guidebook 2013 Nanyang Junior College 1 NYJC SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAMME SERVICE-LEARNING GUIDEBOOK 2013 Prepared By: Mr Victor Tan (Subject Head)