The members who’ve made dreams come true

Oct 9 2023

“I took on a 130km trek!”

Walking the Camino del Norte section of the Camino de Santiago showed Lena Dobreci, an expat from Canada, just how mentally and physically strong she is.

From Left:The view of Bilbao from atop Mount Avril. Lena in Guernica

“I love walking and hiking but the thought of taking on a major trek overseas had never crossed my mind – I thought walking 10 -15km around Singapore each week was my limit! However, when a friend invited me to join her and a group of seven other expat women on an adventure to Spain, it was a challenge I couldn’t resist. The plan was to trek part of the Camino de Santiago, a religious pilgrimage trail harking back to the Middle Ages in the northwest of the country. Apart from the sacred walk itself, I loved the thought of travelling with a group of females I’d never met before. All of us were aged between 48 – 68 and from as far and wide as Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, USA and Norway – whatever happened, we’d have a lot to learn from one another! Yes, it was a gamble that we’d all get along, but we created a WhatsApp group prior to leaving so we felt like friends before meeting in person. (And it stayed that way!).

I possibly didn’t train as much as I should have! In the run up to the trek I added in a few extra hikes at Fort Canning Park, and joined some ANZA walks, but I was more concerned about learning how to use hiking poles and walking with wool socks – as warned by others, it took weeks to adjust to them!

Ongoing connection

Right: Below: The yellow scallop shell highlights the route for the walk.

Our trek lasted six days and we covered approximately 130km. We started in the beautiful town of San Sebastian, known as a gastronomical mecca with delicious pintxos, Michelin-starred restaurants, and stunning beaches on which to relax before we set off. From there we ascended a steep climb out of town, with the yellow scallop shell, which is the symbol of the Camino de Santiago, marking the way throughout to the seaside town of Zarautz – a total of 23km along the green coastline of the Bay of Biscay and countryside.

And so, we were off! Within minutes of starting out we were greeted by strangers saying “Buen Camino” – “Good Camino” – and the rule is that you reply with the same. This verbal exchange happened daily with locals and other walkers, and was an ongoing connection to people on the pilgrimage and the land throughout our journey.

Days passed fast and every one was different. We stopped to see a church in Getaria and at a quaint café in Zumaia. A 22km path led us along the coastline, with steep descents and ascents and flat terrain of paved pathways to reach the seaside town of Deba. We headed into the mountains for 23km of undulating hills on dirt pathways to Markina where we encountered wet and slippery conditions (and there may have been some cursing!). Another day we covered 24kms over creeks and into woodlands before reaching the historic town of Gernika (immortalised in Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica). The local square was bustling with activities and live music – a true highlight. Another 22 kms had us tackling cobbled pathways and steep ascents through local hamlets to the town of Lezama, before we ended on a relatively easy 15km to our final destination, Bilbao. Here we stood atop Mount Avril, mesmerised by the valley below.

Each night we’d stay at a pensione (guesthouse) and head out for incredible local food: fresh pastries, seafood, meats, Albarino wine, craft beer, and so many baguettes we all agreed that we never wanted to see another one again!

Our walking pace varied but thankfully, while I found each day challenging, it was also manageable. We remained motivated by chatting – laughter and comradery were key. There were also periods where we each walked alone, absorbed in the scenery and our own thoughts. A few of us followed the spiritual tradition to carry a rock/stone to leave somewhere on the trail. Doing so symbolises leaving your worries and fears behind.

Completing the Camino del Norte section of the Camino de Santiago showed me a physical and mental strength I didn’t know I possessed. I’m amazed that I could carry a backpack for such long distances. I’m now hoping to plan another trekking adventure, perhaps to Annapurna, Nepal. Who’s in?”

“I got my confidence back”

Deborah Lee from Singapore is the founder of trauma consulting company, Creaturae (creaturae.org). She has spent 2023 building up her self-confidence and identity through writing, poetry and performance.

“When my marriage ended in 2021, I felt like my reality had been shattered. Embarking on life alone, I realised there were many pieces of myself I had lost which I wanted to reclaim.

Words and music have always been twin passions; I studied film music composition in Los Angeles and used to perform regularly as a singer/songwriter around Singapore. Post-relationship, I wanted to tap into my creativity again and connect with the person I used to be.

I knew that writing was a good way of accessing my emotions. In my healing journey post-separation and divorce, I started to write as a form of catharsis, for example when I couldn’t sleep or had a lot on my mind. I was grieving, and writing my thoughts down helped me to process them. Through writing stories, poetry and songs and sharing them on my blog with others, I gained a sense of purpose, connection and healing.

Earlier this year, when I noticed that the ANZA Writing Group needed some volunteers, I felt inspired to help out. Initially, I joined as I was keen to meet new people, connect with others, and develop my writing voice, however, the benefits have gone far beyond that: together we talk about our writing and we share some of our most intimate work. To many, this might sound like a terrifying thing to do, but I’ve found it to be deeply encouraging. Indeed, this process has boosted my confidence as a writer, and as an individual.

One of my dreams is to write a memoir – I started a book titled “Memoirs of the Lonely Singaporean” six years ago. With the writing group’s help, this year I’ve got back into developing it. I’ve also found the courage to host regular open mic nights at the bar Non Resident (nonresident.sg).

In the process of doing so, I’ve learned to move past many of my fears that previously held me back as a singer-songwriter. I used to feel consumed by the mistakes I’d make, but today, after everything I’ve been through, I’m able to embrace mistakes as a beautiful and quintessential part of life.

Returning to writing and performing has restored my zest for living. These twin creative outlets remind me of who I am. For me, sitting down to write feels like an act of self-care and it is something I now prioritise. I am proud of how far I have come, am deeply thankful for the gifts of music and writing, and not least, the community, including ANZA, that has supported me in this journey forward.”

meowmeowproject.com/blog

“I started wakeboarding”

Ellie Mills moved to Singapore six years ago from the UK. This year she took to the water to update her skills with a new hobby, wakeboarding.

“I’ve always enjoyed outdoor activities and living in Singapore brings many opportunities for trying new sports that somehow appear so much more appealing when away from the weather conditions of the UK! In the past I’ve scuba dived and tried paddleboarding, and wakeboarding caught my attention a few years ago. My first time out on the boat was during the pandemic when we couldn’t travel. My friend invited me along to a session and I thought it sounded like a fun thing to do. This year I’ve taken my new hobby to another level!

Wakeboarding involves being towed behind a boat (or by a cable) on a board similar to a snowboard. Your feet are encased in boots (bindings) and you hold onto a rope. As your confidence grows, you learn how to do tricks across the wake.

There are only a few places in Singapore where you can do this and my go-to is Marina Country Club where the boat takes us close to Selatar Island. I go with a group of friends – usually four of us for three hours, although groups can be bigger, or you can go alone. We take it in turns to wakeboard, and chat and listen to music in between goes (beers optional!).

Thankfully, the first time I tried wakeboarding I was able to stand up quickly which inspired me to continue. The secret to success is not to pull the rope.

However, it took a while until I could move the board across the wake. It takes guts to manoeuvre between the water, and of course, there is a lot of falling off as you go. My instructor, Melvyn, has a lot of patience! Once I was comfortable navigating the wake, I started to carve (fast turns), switch (change my leading foot position) and most recently, do a bit of jumping!

These days I wakeboard at least once a month. It’s pretty addictive and as soon as I learn one skill I’m keen to start working on the next. My new hobby has made a huge difference to my life here in Singapore. I now have a regular routine that involves seeing friends and keeping fit (it’s a full-on workout!). Seeing my improvement has helped boost my self-esteem, especially now that I’ve mastered some moves that at first seemed impossible. I’m currently practicing how to do jumps across the wake and I’m still working on getting the perfect photo for Instagram!”

Marina Country Club, 11 Northshore Drive, 828670

facebook.com/thewakecollective

instagram.com/thewakeco

Canadian International School Kindergarten Discovery Day

Oct 5 2023

Sponsored Content

Canadian International School (CIS) is opening its doors to families with children aged 2 to 5 to CIS Discove ry Day on 10 November where you and your child can explore their Kindergarten programme. Experience fun, teacher-led activities and see firsthand how CIS’ play and inquiry-based approach fosters curiosity, builds confidence and develops essential learning skills for your little ones.

A solid foundation for academic success

Parents often ask how a school plans to balance both academic rigour and developing softer skills and competencies at an early age. CIS’ inquiry-based and purposeful play approach sets that solid foundation for academic success beyond school life. Your child will be challenged, think critically and be confident and resilient.

“Purposeful play offers endless opportunities for learning and development. It helps children develop an infinite number of skills and character traits through teamwork and collaboration. As they explore their imagination and creative ideas during play, children will develop fine and gross motor skills while nurturing their sense of curiosity,” — Angela Speirs.

Your Guide to CIS Discovery Day

Begin your day with a warm Canadian welcome to CIS and meet kindergarten principal, Angela Speirs, and her team of experienced educators. Chat with them to find out more about CIS’ ethos, their approach to education and have your specific questions answered.

Make your way to the Outdoor Discovery Centre (ODC), where families can participate in educational activity stations focusing on numeracy, literacy, arts, and STEAM, all under the guidance of their expert teachers. These activities offer hands-on experiences to stimulate your child’s creativity, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It’s a wonderful chance to gain insight into CIS’ inquiry-based learning that takes place both inside and outside the classroom every day.

Some of the activities include:

Enchanting Art Creations: Your child can craft enchanting flowers, dragons, fairies, or anything their imagination conjures using sustainable student-made watercolours sheets. This teaches children about colour mixing, the distinction between 2D and 3D modelling, and hones their fine motor skills through the squeezing of droppers and the twisting of paper.
STEAM Exploration with Ice Painting: Dive into the world of STEAM where you’ll have the chance to experiment with ice painting. Children will explore colour mixing, look for patterns, and feel the textures of slippery, cold, and wet surfaces. As they delve into the science, they’ll uncover the magic of cause and effect, observing the transformation of ice from a solid to a liquid state.

Learning takes place everywhere

Learning happens best when children are having fun and making discoveries for themselves about things that interest them, in a hands-on, real-world way. The ODC offers children a natural, lucious, green space to explore and learn. There are sound and art gardens, an eco-pond, and a mud kitchen where children can learn maths concepts like mass and volume. There are also grassy hills, tunnels, a play fort, and a yoga lawn for your little explorers to develop motor skills as they run, jump and climb.

A campus within a campus

At CIS, Kindergarten has a dedicated wing that fosters a close-knit kindergarten community within our larger campus, where everyone knows everyone. Spaces in this purpose-built kindergarten wing integrate facilities with learning. Classrooms are organised by grade levels, with the ODC just a stone’s throw away, a heated indoor pool is conveniently located next to it, and they also have a library, instructional bakery, junior gym and black box theatre that’s all housed under one roof.

Come and explore the CIS Kindergarten and meet their expert teachers in their living, breathing classroom — the ODC on 10 November, 9am-10am. Book now.

Why you should just do it!

Oct 4 2023

When did you last do something new? We don’t mean little actions like switching up your coffee order or trying a different bus route, but something more life-affirming or confidence-boosting: throwing yourself into a new hobby, starting a side hustle, upskilling, or even joining a new ANZA group.

Saying ‘just do it’ is easy, but anything that involves getting out of your comfort zone and an element of change is also scary. Starting something new comes with uncertainty and our brains are naturally wired to want to protect us from discomfort should things not work out. It’s normal for our mind to come up with negatives around why we shouldn’t go for something as a way to protect us from potential danger. Feeling fearful, worrying about failure, and being wary of what’s going to happen are all perfectly normal reactions from our brain, which wants to check we’re not doing silly, dangerous things that could harm us.

Never too late

“Starting something new can be daunting, especially when there are so many reasons not to: ‘I don’t know how it will turn out, I’m comfortable with the status quo even though not fully content’, and ‘I’m too old and it’s too late’ are common excuses,” says Ho Shee Wai, Director and Registered Psychologist at The Councelling Place.

But, she continues, can we really use age as a reason to stay stagnant in today’s world? Time was, people (okay, mostly women) aged 40+ seemed to simply disappear from public view, in nice sensible shoes while saying sorry to everyone. However, society has changed. People return to uni after retirement, mid-lifers train for triathlons and embark on new careers, and don’t get us started on the fantastic Facebook group, Solo In Style: Women Over 50 Travelling Solo & Loving It!

“If there’s a will, there’s a way,” Shee Wai continues. “Sure, if you start ballet in your 30s you won’t be as flexible compared to if you had started as a child, but so what? You’re still dancing! If you stop fixating on the perfect picture you’re holding in your mind of what the outcome needs to look like, there is nothing that you can’t start.”

“Switch your mindset to focus on the gain and not the loss “

Shape-shifting

Certainly, our mindset is most often the biggest obstacle in our path, afterall, how we think is our reality. If we think something is not going to work, it is definitely not going to work. Alternatively, if we think something is going to be okay, it will be okay somehow, just maybe not in the exact way we imagined.

If the only thing stopping us from beginning something new is ourselves, a bit of mental shape-shifting is the best place to start. “It can be helpful to switch your mindset to focus on the gain and not the loss,” suggests Shee Wai. “Often things in life have both positives and negatives. An approach I suggest to my clients is ‘Prepare for the worst, hope for the best!’.”

It’s also beneficial to concentrate on ‘what will I get if I start this?’. Continues Shee Wai, “Doing so can be motivating and help us to overcome any initial resistance. Approach the negatives you have about starting something as ‘problems to be solved’ instead of ‘reasons to not start’.”

And let’s not forget, despite our brain’s need to protect us from danger, our grey cells love new things and grow bored with the same old, same old. “Embracing newness is a way to stimulate, grow, and develop. Even Alzheimer patients are encouraged to learn something new so that their brains continue to make new neural-connections,” Shee Wai says.

Entering the unknown in small or big ways can provide a new passion for life. We feel more purposeful, interested and enthusiastic which creates the feeling that there are always great things to look forward to.

STEPS TO starting something from fear to the future

Choose your goal
What is it that you want to try? Get clear about why you want to start it, when you will start it and how you will start it
Make a commitment
Think about what will make this goal more appealing. For example, could you start with a friend, take small steps to prepare for the start, do some research, speak to someone, observe, or watch how it’s done?
List obstacles & solutions
You’ll begin to see that most problems are solvable which will propel you to move forward
Call in a reinforcement squad
List people who can help support you or hold you accountable. Alternatively, journal your journey to keep yourself on track and to monitor your progress
Visualise your achievements
Create a vision board of how life will look and feel once you’ve achieved your goal (Pinterest is great for this). Imagine yourself performing on stage/finishing the race/seeing your byline, and so on. Get your mind used to these new ideas
Just DO it!

What went down in WA

Oct 3 2023

ANZA Netball was thrilled to participate in The Fuel 2 Go & Play Association Championships, part of the WA Netball Association Championships in Perth in June. This is the first time international teams have been invited to attend since 2019, and it proved to be an amazing tour for the ANZA Netball club.

Naturally, we endeavoured to send along our largest ANZA crew ever, consisting of five teams (girls aged 12-16), and a fantastic bunch of coaches and team managers. Our support crew also included parents, siblings, grandparents, and even some ex-ANZA Netball teammates who’d moved back to Australia and wanted to cheer the teams on.

Annual tournament

Check out the Singapore representation at the opening ceremony

The afternoon before the tournament commenced, the girls were invited to Warwick Senior High School to play some practice matches. Everyone relished the opportunity to ditch any nerves and build their confidence against some very good players who would be in significantly higher divisions at the championships.

The school was a typical Australian school on the outskirts of the city, with large grassy grounds, open blue skies, and a cohort of students who were very excited to play against a touring club from Singapore.

On Friday night, the teams and their families and friends were invited to the official tour dinner held at the team hotel overlooking stunning Scarborough Beach. It was a great chance for a bit of last minute bonding between players before the games commenced and also an opportunity for parents to meet. Big thanks goes to Liana and Callum for organising activities to keep the crowd (adults included!) entertained.

Left: Coaches and managers enjoy some downtime. Right: U12 Tornadoes

The Fuel 2 Go & Play Association Championships is an annual tournament in Western Australia, first held in the 1950s. It has evolved over the years to become a two-and-a-half-day event with teams competing from associations all over WA as well as several clubs from Singapore. In 2023, there were seven age groups with up to nine divisions in each age group, and most divisions consisted of eight teams. It was held across 41 outdoor courts and four indoor courts at the Matthews Netball Centre.

The tournament is kicked off each year with an early morning opening ceremony where two lucky ANZA Netball players carry the ANZA flag in the procession with all the other clubs. With seven clubs representing Singapore this year, it was a record! After the tournament officially opened, it was straight into action, with games starting straight away.

On Saturday afternoon, after the first few rounds were completed, the girls were in for a treat as they received tickets to watch West Coast Fever take on Sunshine Coast Lightning at RAC Arena. From high up in the stands, the girls witnessed the huge crowds erupting when West Coast Fever were victorious.

While the girls were able to acclimatise before their matches on Sunday afternoon, some wild and wet weather hit the grounds just at the wrong time. They certainly had a different experience to playing in Singapore as the conditions of torrential rain were combined with the freezing cold. All players (and support crew) huddled in any dry space they could find with as many layers of clothes on as possible. Eventually, several matches were cancelled due to the storm and dangerous weather. Luckily, ANZA Netball had their team tracksuits and a warm bus to take them back to their hotel.

The teams all played their final matches on Monday morning before having lunch, a quick shop, and heading to the airport. Everyone was exhausted but happy. The bonding experience of a sporting trip to a fantastic location was well worth the weeks of additional training, fundraising, and pre-tournament matches and briefings.

Calendar highlight

ANZA Netball found the competition challenging, but not impossible! Some of our teams did particularly well, including the U14 Lightning team who came second in their division, and the U13 Galaxy team who came third. In truth, everyone who took part was a winner for the determination and dedication they showed in tricky weather against tough opponents.

Thanks again to the support crew of coaches and managers who looked after the girls to ensure they had an awesome time. The WA Netball Association Championships is one of the highlights of the ANZA Netball calendar and it was incredible to be able to be part of it once again.

Taking learning outdoors at UWCSEA

Oct 2 2023

Sponsored Content

It should come as no surprise that research shows through exposure to nature, individuals can develop empathy, become more sustainably savvy and environmentally aware, and boost their wellbeing. This is why Outdoor Education is a key component of the experiential education programme at UWCSEA, starting with our littlest learners.

Beginning in infant school, students undertake units of study connected to rich outdoor learning experiences that provide challenges focused on building resilience, collaboration, and leadership. We provide regular explorations in our on-campus green spaces, giving opportunities to students to be immersed in nature with the aim to help them get creative and comfortable in the great outdoors. Learning spaces may include the Enchanted Garden, a sand and water play area on Dover Campus, or the Rain Garden, Mud-Play and Chicken-Based Learning on East Campus. Outdoor experiences such as these are based on the understanding that individuals can use their senses mindfully to experience and form connections to outdoor environments, a concept that’s built on as students progress through the grades.

The power of outdoors

Increased demands on parents means that young children around the world are spending more time engaging with digital technology. This is concerning as we know that being in nature plays a valuable role in children’s overall physical, socio-emotional and cognitive development.

Outdoor learning environments provide young learners with the chance to explore, be active, and engage on a sensory level that simply cannot be replicated inside. Outdoors, children are free to run, be loud, engage in rough and tumble play, and take calculated risks. Students can challenge themselves to try new things such as climbing and interacting with one another to solve problems. As a result, outdoor learning can lead to increased confidence, enhanced motor skills, heightened creativity, and improved collaborative skills.

Today there are many sources available that outline what many might describe as “21st Century Learner Competencies.” All of these are focused on the idea that we’re educating for a future we cannot know, and that learning needs to equip students with flexible strategies that they will be able to apply to these unknown future contexts.

Outdoor learning experiences play a key role in developing these competencies in children. Research shows that outdoor learning environments provide opportunities for students and teachers to engage in self-directed learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, calculated risk-taking, creativity, collaboration, and environmental education. We cannot expect students to grow up as leaders who understand our natural environment if they do not first learn how to interact with it.

“Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the young; it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the heart. If we are going to save environmentalism and the environment, we must also save an endangered indicator species: the child in nature”

– Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

Get out there

Singapore can be a hot and humid place. We need to model for our children how to dress for and cope with the weather, as remaining indoors is not a healthy option. There are many ways you can support your child in getting out there;

play outdoors at a local playground
go swimming
visit a local park or wetland
take a bike ride or walk along a local park connector
enjoy an outdoor picnic
visit the Botanic Gardens
plan a “scavenger hunt” outdoors, or a “mini-beast” hunt (looking for insects and other living things)
drive less, walk more

As you engage with your child outdoors, ask them what they see, smell and hear. Slow down, observe things closely, and appreciate the beauty in nature. Most importantly, connect with each other and have fun!

To read more about UWCSEA’s mission competencies and ideas for learning you can read this whitepaper.

You can find out more about our UWCSEA Outdoor Education Programme by reading this white paper.

Applications are open for the 2024/2025 school year. Apply now.

UWC South East Asia
Dover Campus: 1207 Dover Rd, 139654 | 6774 2653
East Campus: 1 Tampines Street 73, 528704 | 6305 5353
uwcsea.edu.sg
admissions@uwcsea.edu.sg

What is breast cancer awareness in 2023?

Oct 2 2023

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time when globally, we work together to raise awareness and remind women to keep up-to-date with their breast health. ANZA hold several Pink events around the island including our Pink Ladies Night in October. We wear our Pink Ribbons with pride. Singapore Cancer Society host a Race Against Cancer.

Despite the knowledge and awareness we have in 2023, the devastating news is that in most high-income countries, breast cancer remians the leading cause of cancer in women (after skin cancers) and the second leading cause of death (after lung cancer). There is a 1 in 8 chance that a woman will develop breast cancer and breast cancer incidence has been increasing over the past few decades.

Thankfully, research is ongoing to bring better knowledge. However, this does mean that it can sometimes be tricky to know what’s best when it comes to preventative measures as new discoveries are made. In 2023, is a self-breast check the first step when it comes to breast cancer? How often is a mammogram required for women living in Singapore today? Here, we speak to Dr Jacqueline Dukino from IMC Camden (who’ve been operating in SG for 25 years) who puts us straight on recent findings and new terminology to keep women around the world as healthy and informed abour breast cancer as possible.

The Ins & Outs for the early detection of breast cancer

IN…Mammograms

Mammography is a crucial health screening test, and it has been demonstrated that regular mammogram screening tests improve morbidity and mortality through early detection of breast cancer. A mammogram is a low-dose breast X-ray that can detect changes consistent with breast cancer. There have been improvements in mammogram techniques, with both 3D and 2D mammograms now available.

Other screening modalities may be used for women with a higher than average risk of breast cancer, including mammograms with breast ultrasound and breast MRI.

The guidelines for mammogram screening programmes vary between different countries and sometimes between different health governing bodies in one country. This may lead to some confusion, but in general, most places are moving to screening at a younger age (from age 40) and more frequent screening for younger women (annual screening) due to the increased risk of high breast density and faster-growing breast cancers in this age group.

Singapore recommends annual mammograms for women aged 40-49 (after discussion with a doctor) and once every two years for women over 50.

OUT (sort of) … Breast Self-Examination

Breast self-examination used to be the first line in the “screening programme” for breast cancer. However, about 15 years ago, studies demonstrated no difference in mortality between women who just underwent mammography screening and those who had mammography and regular self-beast examination. This research, along with studies that demonstrated an increased risk of over investigation of benign breast changes, prompted a change in the guidelines in several countries to remove monthly breast self-examination and focus more on “breast awareness”.

Wait – this is not to say that breast self-examination is not still vital. Being “breast aware” means knowing what your breasts feel and look like so keep your wits about you. If any changes in your breast are noted, for example lumps, skin changes, or nipple discharge, then you should present to your doctor straight away.

OUT (sort of) … Clinical Breast Examination

This is an examination by a health professional. In a number of countries, this has actually been removed from the screening guidelines, but a breast examination by a doctor is still essentail in women at higher than average risk of breast cancer (e.g. due to past history or a family history of breast cancer). As mentioned above, a breast examination is also essential if a woman presents with symptoms.

**So, what should women do in 2023?**

The important takeaway message with the change from self-breast examination to breast awareness is that if you detect any changes or have concerns regarding your breasts, you see your doctor for further examination and discussion regarding the appropriate investigations.

Other factors to consider are breast cancer risk assessment and preventative measures. Breast cancer risk assessment is key to identifying women with a higher risk of breast cancer. The important factors are past medical history, past history of breast issues and a comprehensive family history of cancer (particularly breast and ovarian cancer).

Genetic testing may also play an important role in this assessment, and with the decreasing costs of genetic tests and a number of genes being identified as potentially increasing the risk of breast cancer, including the BRCA genes, some health governing bodies in the USA are recommending breast cancer risk assessments in all women at the age of 25. In the future, these breast cancer risk assessments may lead to individualised risk-based screening programs rather than the age-based screening that is currently used.

Preventative measures that are important to try and decrease the risk of developing breast cancer include physical activity, maintaining a normal BMI (post-menopause), decreasing alcohol consumption and consuming a Mediterranean diet. For women with moderate to high risk of breast cancer, there may be a role for risk-reducing medication, and for women with high risk (e.g. BRCA gene positive – ) risk-reducing surgery.

So for this October – Breast Cancer Awareness month – consider seeing your doctor to organise breast cancer screening (mammogram) if it is indicated and for a breast cancer risk assessment.

*Sources: Health Promotion Board Singapore, RACGP Red Book “Early Detection of Cancers, – Breast Cancer”, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, American Cancer Society “Recommendations for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer”, Breast Cancer Research Foundation “What to know about New Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations”.

ANZA Melbourne Cup Race Day 2023: Galabid Online Auction

Sep 28 2023

Bali Private Escape – 7 Nights for 6 pax in a Pool Villa with staff and Airport Transfers Included

Set is in the peaceful district of Jalan Batu Belig and within the greater area of Seminyak, with the beach and restaurants within easy reach.

Private and secure, the Pool Villa has recently been renovated and is suitable for a family or a group of friends to enjoy. The private swimming pool, gazebo with daybeds offers guests the ultimate villa experience.

4-Hr Luxury Sailing Catamaran Lazarus Island & Skyline Cruise for 10pax

Head for the high seas on your private yacht charter aboard a 40ft luxurious catamaran that has all the contemporary conveniences you need to relax in comfort.

Our experienced Captain and Crew will welcome you on board at ONE°15 Marina, Sentosa and cater for your every need as we set sail for the beautiful Southern Islands of Singapore.

Set anchor and one of the many secluded bays of Lazarus Island for some chill time and enjoy the complimentary water activities such as SUP, kids mat and kayaks

Layan Beach Phuket Villa Getaway – 5 Nights for 8 Guests

Perfectly positioned in the secluded and tranquil hills at the doorstep of Sirinat National Park and above Layan Beach, this 2 storey 4 bedroom Pool Villa provides spacious air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi.

This villa is the perfect choice for a large family or a group of friends looking for a quiet, stylish and elegant place to spend a great time in Phuket. It comprises 4 large double bedrooms (one with balcony), a large open space living area with a great view on the surrounding and the nearby lake, modern Italian style fully equipped kitchen, 3 elegant bathrooms and an additional living area on the ground floor with direct access to the private pool.

Enjoy uninterrupted Lakeside Views just minutes away from the excitement of Phuket’s premium locations – beaches, shopping, cafes are all within easy reach

Muhammad Ali Glove

The Greatest – Won Gold at the Rome 1960 Olympics and went on to become the most iconic Sportsman of the 20th Century

Everlast red glove hand signed by the champ, beautifully presented on this custom matt board

One for the astute collectors, comes with COA

Princess Elizabeth Print

Yousuf Karsh’s official portrait of Princess Elizabeth was taken at Clarence House, in London, on July 30, 1951.

It shows the young Princess happy and relaxed, only a short six months before the death of her father, King George VI, when she suddenly became the future Queen of England, with all the weighty responsibilities that would bring.

Printed on the highest quality paper and professionally framed on classic gold antique frame

Michael Jordan Bulls 23

Greatest of All Time, 6 times NBA winner and a global sporting icon

Chicago Bulls #23 Jersey hand signed by the GOAT

Comes professionally framed and mounted on a custom designed matt board. Accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity

Lebron James personally hand signed LA Lakers jersey

LeBron James with a custom backdrop.

Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

This item has been professionally framed using the highest standard of framing materials.

Lewis Hamilton Autographed Mercedes

HAMMERTIME!

Sir Lewis hand autographed tribute, professionally framed and presented using the highest quality materials

A legend on and off the track! Comes with Certificate of Authenticity

Imagine – John Lennon

Tribute piece personally autographed by the great John Lennon framed John Lennon is an artist, poet, peace activist, philosopher and the founder/ co-lead vocalist of the one of the most influential band of all time.

Coldplay – Guitar Personally Signed by the Band in a Deluxe 3D Frame

Coldplay hand signed guitar framed in a deluxe 3-D frame with a classic band photo backdrop.

Personally signed by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Guy Berryman.

Accompanied by a Certificate of authenticity. This item has been professionally framed using the highest quality materials.

Nurturing global citizenship at Dulwich College Singapore

Sep 28 2023

Sponsored Content

What is Global Citizenship and how is this explained to a DUCKS child?
Global Citizenship (GC) is embedded in the ethos of the College. Our mission is to develop future leaders with the correct skill sets to succeed, create positive and impactful contributions to the world, and to do so with a strong moral compass.

What does this involve exactly?
This involves the development of the College’s definition of the five key components of GC: Sustainability, Intercultural Understanding, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Social Justice and Wellbeing. Our young children are taught how to conduct themselves with compassion and consideration towards their friends, teachers, family, and the planet. They are encouraged to be aware of the connection between how they think, feel and act, and to consider the impact of their choices and actions beyond what is immediately visible. This is the Compassionate Systems Framework that guides all aspects of our curriculum.

How do you encourage a DUCKS child to be a good Global Citizen?
We provide them with powerful learning experiences, challenging conversations, and meaningful opportunities for experiential learning. All our teachers are equipped with the skills to support their student’s development of compassionate integrity, through training, sharing and peer mentoring. They model GC by being kind, caring and respectful and our DUCKS children learn through observing this. Additionally, each component of GC is associated with a Learning Bug to facilitate understanding. These Learning Bugs are ever present as the children are encouraged to:

Ask questions and learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others
Show empathy by discussing feelings and emotions and employing the Compassionate Systems Framework to understand complex issues
Take care of nature and the environment at Forest School
Be kind and inclusive, to stand up against unfairness and treat others the way they would like to be treated
Participate in community service and contribute positively to impact the lives of others.

What activities encourage Global Citizenship behaviour?

A plethora of age-appropriate activities take place to nurture our young students;

At Forest School, this is explored through child-initiated experiential interactions with the natural world, stress testing their moral compasses and developing compassion. This can be as simple as recognising the sanctity of life of animals, to integrating plant-to-plate teaching
Fostering a sense of responsibility in children through Year 2 students reading to younger members
Establishing links and creating interactions with groups in the local community such as students and senior citizens from the neighbourhood and creating gift packages during special occasions
Having a shared ‘Positive Post’ box where children can anonymously compliment others across the school
Organising activity booklets for sick members of staff and residents of the care home as a meaningful way to show love to others
Using Compassionate Systems Thinking Tools to understand the needs with people in the community, exercise empathy and cultivate compassionate integrity by aligning head, heart and hand
Embedding Compassionate System Thinking Tools into the curriculum as a way for our children to explore issues uncovered in inquiry, and through discussions and learning

Dulwich College (Singapore)
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore, 658966

+65 6890 1003, admissions.singapore@dulwich.org,
www.singapore.dulwich.org

ANZA Nippers: Break time!

Sep 27 2023

We started and ended the first half of the season in good old Nippers style – with a barbie of course! Sausages were provided by our friends at The Meat Club, bread by the wonderful ladies at The Whole Kitchen and ice lollies by ANZA Nippers. The community spirit was well and truly alive, with many parents pitching in to help out and oversee activities on the beach.

We also hosted a trivia night in May and invited the ANZA community to join (below). It was such a fun evening, members requested we make it a monthly event. Who’s in?!

Nippers abroad!

Our Nippers families certainly made the most of the school holidays! Now that international travel is well and truly back, the world needs to be explored. Check out these pics to see where our yellow and blue rashies have been hanging out over the past few months.

Left:Nippers Secretary and Assistant Age Manager Sarah with daughter Charlotte (U7) on Rawa Island, Malaysia. Extreme right: Inacia (U14) with baby brother Joaquim in Lisbon, Portugal

From left: Amelia (U8) showing the surf coaches how it’s done in Bali, Indonesia. Age Manager Duncan Bond and his wife Jen with children Alice (U11), Rosie (U9) and Lachlan (U7) in Courmayeur, Mont Blanc, Italy. Nippers’ Communications Manager Kat with daughter Clara (U7) in Schlachtensee, Berlin, Germany

From left:Age Manager Liz Moran with children Lucinda (U13), Andrew (U11) and Alexander (U8) looking suitably chic in Paris, France Ginevra (U7) in Pagliari, Italy James (U6) on Banana Beach, Koh Hey, Thailand

For press and media inquiries contact Kat at sgnipperscomm@gmail.com

Stay up to date with ANZA Nippers on @sgnippers @SingaporeNippers

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 in Singapore

Sep 26 2023

Eat, drink and clink your pint glasses this October as many restaurants and bars put on a show for Oktoberfest 2023 with special deals, DJs and activities. This annual German festival first began as a wedding celebration on 12 October, 1810 in Munich for the Bavarian crown prince – and it must have been a banger as it’s still happening 200 years later!

While the focus of the festival today is on craft beer and Bavarian culture, if you’re not into booze, there’s always a great atmosphere and the odd sausage to keep you occupied. Here’s where to find a party and a pint this Oktoberfest in Singapore. (Lederhosen shorts and the dirndl dress, optional).

Swiss Club

Arguably, the most popular Oktoberfest party happens here. Join the throngs at 160 tables where they’ll be serving three kinds of Erdinger beers plus dishes including potato salad, goulash, pretzel, sausages, and pork knuckle. Their live band (who’ve been playing at Swiss Club’s Oktoberfest event for 23 years), will be keeping the merriment flowing as much as the drinks.

Click here for details

Brotzeit

You know Oktoberfest is going to be a goodie at Brotzeit. This German restaurant hosts celebrations at its Vivocity and Westgate outlets on various dates throughout the month and alongside the booze there’s sausages, pork knuckle, pork belly, sausages, meatloaf and more are on the menu. There’ll also be live brunch stations, games and balloon art for the kids and an oompah band.For those not into beer, Brotzeit also has an Oktoberfest edition German single malt whisky, which is aged in beer barrels.

Various locations, click here for info

CHIJMES & Capitol Singapore

Oktoberfest makes a return to Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES this October with a full-fledged festival complete with beer drinking and exclusive Oktoberfest deals restaurants at the likes of Hopscotch, Holycrab, and Frieda Beer Garden and German Restaurant, as well as The Winery Tapas Bar at CHIJMES. There are also giveaways a-go-go with the chance to win free beer, and fun ahead with the carnival games!

30 Victoria Street,187996. chijmes.com.sg

1-Altitude Coast

Sip some smooth Erdinger brews and nibble on light bites from the Oktoberfest men u at 1-Atitude Coast. Guests also get to soak up the Sentosa views from the rooftop day club complete with relaxed vibes and poolside lounging
The Outpost Hotel, 10 Artillery Avenue, Sentosa, Singapore 099951. 1-altitudecoast.sg

Fun times ahead at Frieda. Imgae: Frieda

Frieda Beer Garden & German Restaurant

Frieda Beer Garden & German Restaurant has a special menu to celebrate Oktoberfest this year. The Biergarten Frieda Platter (S$188++ for two) features free-flow beer and German fare including pork knuckle, veal schnitzel, sausages, and char-grilled chicken, alongside potato salad and sauerkraut. Don’t miss the live band on certain days. PS If you come dressed in Bavarian attire, you might bag a prize!

Until 15 October. Kempinski Hotel, 13 Stamford Rd, 178905. frieda-restaurant.com

Wine Connection

If beer’s not your bag, you can still get in on the action. Buy German wine bottles for 25% off and complement your sips with the German sausage platter ($29) at Wine Connection until 8 October. Each order comes with chicken snail sausage, weisswurst, nurnberger, bratwurst, sauerkraut and beer gravy.

Wine Connection, multiple locations

1-Group

1-Group’s Oktoberfest events go from day to night and include traditional German food to a dance party. Families can visit The Alkaff Mansion, The Summerhouse, and The Garage for the likes of pork knuckle, pretzels, and kid-friendly activities. The Riverhouse, 1-Altico and 1-Arden combine free-flow Erdinger beer, outstanding views, and cool music to add to the festivities.

Level33

Level33 have gone all-out by producing their own beer this Oktoberfest! Märzen Lager is a smooth and malty brew much like the Oktoberfest beer style in Munich. Enjoy it with Australian veal schnitzel, stout-laced mustard potato salad, pork knuckle with LeVeL33 Blond Lager vinegar béarnaise, grilled rainbow trout with beer butter sauce, and apple strudel with LeVeL33’s Brut Beer and Tahitian vanilla.

8 Marina Blvd, #33 – 01 Tower 1, 018981. level33.com.sg

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