SPH Foundation launches sustainability programme for pre-schoolers

Singapore, 18 December 2020 - Singapore Press Holdings Foundation (SPH Foundation) has launched a sustainability programme for pre-schoolers, in partnership with environmental social enterprise, Terra SG, to raise awareness and educate the young about environmental conservation. This is one of the outreach programmes under the “National Engagement with Sustainability" (N.E.W.S) partnership, which also includes an ongoing six-part sustainability exhibition series with the Sustainable Singapore Gallery (SSG).

In a collaboration with MY World Preschool Ltd, the Sustainability Programme titled “Little Eco Prints” is rolled out to selected MY World preschools across the island in conjunction with MY World’s programme on sustainability, and is expected to reach out to more than 1000 pre-schoolers aged three to six years old and their families. With the programme being conducted virtually due to Covid-19, the pre-schoolers are offered a unique digital learning experience as well as creative hands-on activities to educate them on sustainability.

The 4-part programme (refer to Annex below) comprises a digital learning journey to Sungei Buloh where the children get to learn about nature; a video screening on Pulau Semakau landfill where they will learn about where the waste goes to; an upcycling craft workshop to teach them how to repurpose unwanted items and a take-home activity to create upcycling crafts with their families.

Dr Lee Boon Yang, Chairman of SPH Foundation, said: “Wildlife conservation and environmental protection are two of the important causes that SPH Foundation champions. We believe in raising awareness in the next generation to be eco-conscious citizens and educating the young on sustainability through this meaningful programme. This will hopefully create a ripple effect where the children can extend their knowledge to their families and friends.”

Staff and parents of MY World also shared positive feedback and how the young children benefited from this programme.

Ms Jane Choy, Head of Operations at MY World, said: “We are glad to be involved in this meaningful initiative, which aligns with the environmental and sustainability goals that we have at MY World. In our bid to inculcate the values of care and respect in our children, we encourage them to care for the environment around us and to respect nature as well. This initiative perfectly underpins our values and we look forward to our ongoing partnership with SPH and Terra SG.”

A parent, Ms Iryn Gan, who participated in the parent-child activity with her son, Leroy How from MY World @ Anchorvale Parkview, said: “This activity has truly sparked Leroy’s creativity as we created memorable pieces of art using recycled materials together. It is a fun way to teach kids about sustainability.”

The programme which runs for the month of December in half of MY World’s 42 preschools islandwide, will see the students paying it forward with the knowledge they have gained by becoming Young Green Champions to advocate and spread the word. Some of the pre-schoolers will be selected to be featured in the final series of the sustainability exhibition.

Children from MY World @ Anchorvale Parkview learnt about biodiversity and native inhabitants of wetlands in the Digital Learning Journey to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

 

Children from MY World @ Anchorvale Parkview made stick puppets from used cartons in an upcycling workshop.

Annex

4-part Sustainability Programme

Part 1: Digital Learning Journey to Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve Scripted Programme & Video (in collaboration with MY World Curriculum Team & Terra SG)

Part 2: Video Screening on Pulau Semakau - Cartoon Animation of Singapore’s Waste Issue & Landfill Problem

Part 3: Upcycling Workshop - Making stick puppets using upcycled cartons

Part 4: Take home kit for Parent-child activity - With the help of a simple instructional leaflet, parents and their children create stick animal puppets using commonly found discarded household items. Children can also talk about it as part of a story theatre thereafter.

The classroom activity templates and parent-child activity leaflet under this programme can be downloaded from here.

Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Ltd Co. Regn. No. 198402868E

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sherleen Ng (Ms)
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications & CSR
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
DID: (65) 6319 1579
Email: ngwts@sph.com.sg

Andrew Lum (Mr)
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications & CSR
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
DID: (65) 6319 1982
Email: alum@sph.com.sg

Jackson Thia (Mr)
Senior Executive
Corporate Communications & CSR
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
DID: (65) 6319 1872
Email: jthia@sph.com.sg

About Singapore Press Holdings Ltd

Incorporated in 1984, main board-listed Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) is Asia's leading media organisation, engaging minds and enriching lives across multiple languages and platforms.

SPH's core business is in the publishing of newspapers, magazines and books in both print and digital editions. It also owns other digital products, online classifieds, radio stations and outdoor media.

On the property front, SPH owns approximately 65% in SPH REIT whose portfolio comprises three properties in Singapore, namely Paragon, The Clementi Mall and The Rail Mall. In Australia, SPH REIT holds an 85% stake in Figtree Grove Shopping Centre and a 50% stake in Westfield Marion Shopping Centre.

SPH also owns and operates The Seletar Mall and is developing an integrated development consisting of The Woodleigh Residences and The Woodleigh Mall. It is also an owner, manager and developer of a portfolio of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in the United Kingdom and Germany. It currently operates two distinctive brands, Student Castle and Capitol Students.

It is in the aged care sector in Singapore and Japan, and owns Orange Valley, one of Singapore's largest nursing homes.

SPH runs a regional events arm. It also invested in the education business.

For more information, please visit www.sph.com.sg.
Facebook: facebook.com/officialsph/
Twitter: @official_sph
YouTube: Singapore Press Holdings
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/singapore-press-holdings/

About Singapore Press Holdings Foundation

The Singapore Press Holdings Foundation, a registered charity and an Institution of Public Character, was first set up as the Press Foundation of Singapore in January 2003 to help build a lifelong learning community that embraces language enrichment, creativity, diversity, healthy living and sports. The seed contribution of $20 million to the Foundation came from media group Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. It was renamed Singapore Press Holdings Foundation in May 2005.

For more information, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.sphfoundation.org.sg.