|
By Vincent Lim Kheng Joo, HOD, I&E/Student Leadership,
Admiralty Secondary School |
| |
A total of 30 students from Sec 1 to Sec 4 participated in this
event. Mr Jeffrey Teo of Aqua Star shared with the students
his experience in managing an aquarium chain store with three
outlets. He also taught the students how to set up a marine
tank, how to test water conditions to ensure their suitability
for marine fish, and how to unpack newly-arrived fish into their
respective fish tanks.
The students learnt a lot from him with regards to the skills
essential for serving customers and running an organized, smooth
and effective business, which included branding, categorization,
arrangement of products, stock management and strategies to
improve the ways of operating the business.
| |
 |
| Students
learn about different entrepreneurial skills for
running an aquarium chain. |
|
This experience at Aqua Star has spurred some of the students
to come up with a business proposal for the Citibank-YMCA Youth
for Causes Programme. Youth for Causes is a community initiative
that aims to be a catalyst in promoting social entrepreneurship
among youths in Singapore. It functions as a “social venture
capital fund” by providing youths, aged 15 to 35 years of age,
with seed funds and resources to execute a creative idea which
they believe will benefit and support a non-profit organisation
of their choice.
The students’ efforts paid off as they were one of the hundred
teams selected to develop and implement their projects.
 |
| Ms
Jocelyn Kong, engaged in the TWA with Aqua Star,
learns from owner Mr Jeffrey Teo. |
|
Two Science teachers from the N7 Cluster were attached to Aqua
Star for a five-day TWA experience. A rigorous programme was
designed to enable them to learn about Aqua Star’s innovative
business operations. Ms Jocelyn Kong of Admiralty Secondary
learnt about its innovative filter system which simplifies the
process of changing water for 100 fighting fish. Mr Collin Chew
of Si Ling Primary, learnt about the common diseases of tropical
fish and the treatment solutions available in Singapore aquarium
retail outlets and fish farms. Upon returning to school, they
shared their experience with their students and fellow teachers,
and even initiated projects.
Teachers of N7 Cluster visited Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts
for a “changing context” workshop on Service Innovation during
the mid-year break. They found that strategies and concepts
adopted in the corporate world are also relevant to schools
and the teaching profession.
The Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts played host to 56 principals,
Heads of Department and teachers from N7 Cluster on 21 June
2005.
Ms Crystal Seah, Director of Customer Relations Management,
shared about the infusion of innovation into their corporate
and business strategies as well as product development and marketing
strategies. The term “Service Innovation” was also shared with
the teachers and we found it relevant to the teaching profession.
Mr Michael Kwee, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility,
then discussed the role of social responsibility as part of
corporate strategy, which was similar in purpose to our Community
Involvement Programme. Teachers were given a tour of Banyan
Tree Hotels and Resort’s Museum Shop at the Asian Civilisations
Museum where they learnt about the company’s efforts in conserving
indigenous arts and culture.
|
| |
