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Vol 10 No 3 VIP Guests Community Involvement Programme by Jurong West Secondary School Photographing Nature Workshop forCommonwealth Secondary School Experiencing Life in the Mangroves with the Canadian International School (Singapore) Doing what they do best for a good cause: Hillgrove Secondary School Volunteers Conduct Heron Counts at Sungei Buloh 13th International Coastal Cleanup Wild Boar Sightings An ASEAN Experience: Conference on ASEAN Heritage Parks Volunteer Outing to Pulau Kukup and Yong Peng Heronry Young Hearts for Nature: Young Naturalist Passport Camp		Community Involvement Programme at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Miss Zarina Ahmad Zakri CIP co-ordinator Jurong West Secondary School Since 2003, Jurong West Secondary School has been in partnership with the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to involve its Secondary Three pupils in its “Care For Nature” Community Involvement Programme (CIP). One of the main criteria of the school’s CIP policy is to create a strong sense of environmental conservation and management. The collaboration was also to promote the school value of Teamwork, as well as, to align with the school’s strategic goal of “Respect by Community”. None of the pupils had heard of SBWR before, the trip was an eye-opener. They were amazed to find “never-thought-of” debris like tyres and large styrofoam containers. More important was the discovery of how many plastic items were collected. Our staff also participated in coastal clean-up in March 2004 as part of our Staff CIP. Even though the activity could not be completed due to weather, our principal, Mr Oliver Balasingam, commented that “the weather did not dampen our spirits. We had a good time besides contributing something to society.” In 2004, Secondary Three pupils were engaged in mangrove planting. It involved the pupils planting mangrove saplings during low tide, which meant having to trudge in the mud. The activity was well-received. The classes that could not go due to wet weather had all requested to go next year. Comments from pupils’ reflections: “We learn to treasure nature by not polluting it”; “We learn to cherish plants”. JWSS looks forward to another year of a meaningful programme with the National Parks Board. Briefing on mangrove planting for our pupils Hard at work SMILE - Our labour of environment
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