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What to do in Singapore (when you think you’ve done it all)

One of the many great things about Singapore is that she may be small, but she’s always striving to improve herself with offerings and opportunities for the masses. When it comes to entertainment and leisure, there’s always somewhere new to explore, or something unique to experience away from the tried and tested favourites.

We get it – after an age of restrictions it might feel like you’ve done all you can here – but have we got news for you! As part of a two part series (find the second part here), we spoke to members of the ANZA Executive Committee who revealed their Little Black Book of Red Dot moments away from the plethora of ANZA groups and activities available.

ANZA’s President Adam Martin moved to Singapore thirteen years ago. Today he lives here with wife, Mille, and three daughters Maddie, seven, Evie, four and Isabella, one.

“Kids get to see goats being milked and feed them hay”

Scale the treetops
The Mount Faber trail through to Hort Park, which includes the TreeTop Walk and Henderson Wave Bridge, is a winner. There are stunning views and themed gardens, and you really feel like you’ve escaped from the city for a while. nparks.gov.sg

Down on the farm
Hay Dairies is a gem for younger kids where they get to see goats being milked and feed them hay. As all of our kids were born in SG, it was an absolute treat to share this with them. You purchase hay via a vending machine (seriously!), and at least half an hour’s fun can be had as they plunder additional hay from the floor to feed to their new friends. haydairies.sg

Fly high
This is not a secret, but Faber License is Singapore’s best bargain at $40 for annual cable car rides! At least monthly I’ll take the kids to the top of Mount Faber and they love it up there. Plus, the connecting ride along Sentosa is the perfect way to make an adventurous entry onto the island. 

Do the Skywalk
Fort Siloso Skywalk is fantastic, often overlooked, and free! You set off eleven stories high at the skywalk entry, then trek through a whole bunch of interesting WW2 bunkers, artillery and exhibits. Great for young and old! sentosa.com.sg

Stay in line
The Skyline Luge Sentosa is for children aged 6+ but younger kids can be clipped in with adults. Our four year-old loves it. There are various beachside restaurants nearby where you can dine whilst the kids play in the sand and water. skylineluge.com

Hop to it
Jurong Frog Farm (jurongfrogfarm.sg) is a unique and interesting experience where you can learn about frogs, pick them up and – if you’re game – try a freshly fried one!

John Nielson lives in Singapore with his wife Silvia and daughter, Trinity, 13. They’ve lived in Singapore for 11 years”

“Children love a midnight adventure when their friends are sleeping

Techie fun
For some truly ‘out-there’ experiences, Sentosa’s Headrock VR, which transports you to the jungle and into crowds of crazed zombies, is a family favourite. Pretending to be a pilot on the Flight Simulator experience (singapore.flightexperience.com.sg) in a genuine Boeing 737-800 cockpit replica is lots of fun. We also love Timezone visits (timezonegames.com) for bowling, air hockey and bumper cars which are ideal when it’s raining (for kids and adults!).  

Midnight bike rides
Weekly rides from the East along the coast to the Marina Bay area while the air is cool and less people are around are great. We stop for drinks by the harbour, then cycle back. Children love the promise of a ‘midnight adventure’ when their friends are sleeping and enjoy the stops for refreshments, too.

Join virtual challenges
We’re an active family and alongside ANZA activities, we joined the conqueror events (theconqueror.events) where you can find online virtual sports challenges. We joined to take on walking, running, cycling and swimming while in lockdown. They don’t compare to being out with groups, but are an ideal thing to sign up to as a family when restrictions are in place.

Try volunteering
My daughter was in ANZA Nippers and Netball for three years. If you volunteer as a parent assistant, you get to learn a new sport yourself and become a coach. For example, you could do the bronze medallion surf life saving qualification and become a qualified surf life saver, while helping to train your kids and keeping fit yourself.

Ice cream on the rocks
It’s very simple, but having an ice-cream at Sentosa port and watching the pleasure boats cruise by is a really nice shared experience for the family, and it feels grounding, too.  

Even more things to do in Singapore (when you think you’ve done it all)

Don’t mistake the Lion City’s small size as too teeny for lots to do. When it comes to activities in Singapore, there’s always somewhere new to explore, or something unique to experience away from the tried and tested favourites.

In the second part of our series (find part one here), we speak to more members of the ANZA Executive Committee (and long-time Singapore dwellers) who reveal their top places and spaces away from the plethora of ANZA groups available. From cheeseboard-making to hawker-hopping, read on for some fantastic ideas to help kick off your 2022 schedule.

Megan Scott has lived in Singapore for the past nine years.

“Visit attractions you’d probably only see as a tourist”

Sample local theatre
Singapore has quite a vibrant and diverse live theatre scene showing everything from Shakespeare in the Park to award-winning plays like Tuesdays With Morrie and The Importance of Being Ernest with a unique local spin. My favourite local theatre companies to support, especially in these challenging times, are Pangdemonium (pangdemonium.com), Wild Rice (wildrice.com) and The Singapore Repertory Theatre (srt.com.sg). 

Purchase a Friends of Wildlife annual pass
The Friends of Wildlife Plus is the ultimate membership for all Wildlife Reserve Parks, giving you unlimited access to Singapore Zoo, Bird Park, River Safari and Night Zoo for a year – so it’s great value for families. My goddaughter loves the animals but also the water park at the zoo. Check out wrs.com.sg for current deals. 

Go coast to coast
The coast to coast walk begins in Jurong and takes you through to Coney Island in the East. You can tackle the walk all in one go or take it easy like my friend and I did. We covered one or two checkpoints in a weekend and rewarded ourselves with breakfast each week. Highlights were seeing the hanging birdcages as we walked through the heartlands and stumbling across a community garden with flowers, fruit and vegetables side by side. There’s also an app with interactive and virtual reality features to help your tech obsessed kids engage with nature in a way that suits them. 

Get crafty
Friends and I had a great afternoon at Tomblek (tombalek.com) recently making our own cheeseboard. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to grips with the power tools and had a good laugh while sanding the wood until it was smooth and shiny. Beware – the stain has to settle for a week before you can use it for cheese!

Make like a tourist
You can have a great time spending your weekend visiting tourist attractions you’d probably only go to see if you were just passing through Singapore rather than living here. Some of my favourites include the Tiger Brewery Tour (tigerbrewerytour.com.sg) for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Singapore’s largest beer brewery (with beer tasting afterwards), and a visit to the former Ford Car Factory (corporate.nas.gov.sg), Ford Motor Company’s first assembly plant in Southeast Asia and where British forces surrendered to the Japanese after the Battle of Singapore in 1942. 

Tristan Perry moved to Singapore six years ago. He lives on Sentosa with his wife, Julia, and children Nina, seven, and Miles, three.

ANZA Treasurer Tristan Perry with his family in Singapore.

Visit a new hawker
We’re big fans of exploring Singapore in general, and whenever we go somewhere new, we always tie it into a meal so we can find a hawker center and try some new food. Hawker food is my guilty pleasure and it has become a creature comfort. Our favourite is the Alexandra Village Food Centre on Bukit Merah Lane. It’s so clean, organised, and has amazing variety.

Lazarus Island on the Sentosa Ferry
Most people head to Pulau Ubin, but Lazarus Island is only 10 minutes away by ferry from Sentosa Cove. You can take your bikes (and dogs!) to one of the most beautiful beaches in Singapore, with proper soft sand. It’s a really unique island and a must-visit.

Sunday picnics at dusk
Everyone knows Tanjong Beach, but do you know it’s at its best at around 5pm?  We usually head down for a swim, and take sandwiches, homemade biscuits and kombucha. It’s super-relaxed, and there are usually a few dogs running around as we all wind down after a big weekend.

Explore a local temple
The temples here are always impressive, and can be found across the island. While they’re fascinating to experience, always check with staff that it’s okay to enter the premises (I have never had a rejection before). They’re even better if you have a local friend to guide you around and explain the history and protocols. Try the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple on Waterloo Road,  Thian Hock Keng Temple on Telok Ayer Street, and Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, the biggest Buddhist temple in Singapore, on Bright Hill Road.

Tackle Mount Bukit Timah
It’s a popular Singaporean route, and lovely, and you can spot all sorts of interesting wildlife such as flying lemurs, oriental pied hornbills and butterflies. The kids love the separate area off the side of the car park where there’s a few different playgrounds and a wonderful reservoir.

Hotspots: Din Tai Fung

Internationally acclaimed Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung is not just a Singapore favourite, but a global hit. The food is served efficiently, and the quality well deserves its many accolades. The New York Times rated it one of the top 10 gourmet restaurants in the world, and in 2010 Din Tai Fung Hong Kong earned its first Michelin Star.

With the Lunar New Year around the corner, everyone looks forward to the celebrations which include the customary tradition of Yu Sheng. So, when Din Tai Fung invited us to the presentation of its special Lunar New Year Yu Sheng, they didn’t have to ask twice.

Yu Sheng is one of the most iconic dishes eaten during the Chinese New Year festivities. Each ingredient represents different blessings and elements of health, luck, wealth, and happiness, and once placed on a (very large!) plate, you toss the ingredients using chopsticks in a ritual called “lo hei” (meaning to rise). It’s a loud, messy, and unique occasion that brings people together as they wish for togetherness, bountiful blessings (and both eyes, if you’re standing next to someone with a vigorous tossing action) for the upcoming year.

To usher in the Year of the Tiger, we had the Classic Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng ($48.80, serves 4-6) comprising flavourful Norwegian smoked salmon served alongside colourful and refreshing ribbons of carrots, and green and white radish. Additional ingredients included specially toasted white sesame seeds and fragrant roasted peanuts. Completing the taste was Din Tai Fung’s in-house signature auspicious plum dressing that is delicately balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. A serving of Crispy Yam Strips created an added crunch.

Sliced Smoked Salmon (6pcs, $9.80/serving), Crispy Yam Strips ($3.80) and Fried Salmon Skins (6pcs, $4.80/serving) are the “top-ups” available; we had no shame and ordered all three – after all, this is a once-a-year event. The Fried Salmon Skins were a hit with all, with everyone at the table agreeing that they each gave the Yu Sheng a deeper layer of texture and flavour. There’s also a Vegetarian Yu Sheng ($39.80, serves 4-6), which still packs in all the fortune, just without the pickled scallions and smoked salmon. Crispy Yam Strips ($3.80) are available as an added extra.

In addition to our Yu Sheng, we dived into some Din Tai Fung classics that make for a winning celebratory menu. The whole table loved the Oriental Salad in Special Vinegar Dressing which was a lite and refreshing treat. Next came the Crispy Golden Prawn cake, another classic that everyone enjoyed, but the showstopper was the Sliced Duck in Crispy Pastry (second rounds were necessary). As for veggies, a superb plateful of Stir-fired Dou Miao with garlic was the ideal side order.

Fried rice is another must here. We had the Egg Fried Rice and the Shrimp Fried Rice accompanied by a succulent pork chop – needless to say, a favourite vintage dish. No meal is complete without dumplings. A round of the spongy Steamed Pork Buns soon arrived followed by steamy basket of Din Tai Fung signature Steamed Xia Long Bao. The time spent devouring these delicious creations was the only time the table went quiet.

Lastly, for dessert we had the Steamed Egg-Yolk bun. This velvety bun was filled with a velvety runny egg custard steamed to a perfect consistency and sweetness, and it hit the spot with all of us.

A visit to Din Tai Fung is always a treat with appetising food and attentive staff. Din Tai Fung’s Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng has added one more reason to enjoy a memorable meal at locations islandwide.

Din Tai Fung
Locations Islandwide
dintaifung.com.sg

 

What teachers want parents to ask them

Not only do teachers educate and guide our children, ensure they remain dressed correctly throughout the day and don’t run away, but they also receive a private insight into their personal world. Teachers get to know a child’s family through the child’s eyes, and they get to see how they behave without their parent present. Teachers are allies, and there are some questions that teachers want parents to ask them.

American author and educator Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Never is this more true than in education where the triangular relationship between school, student and parent is paramount for the growth of the student. “The triangle is the strongest shape in architecture but without one side of its structure, it folds and collapses,” explains Bernadette Ward, a Wellbeing Coordinator at Australian International School (AIS). “Education follows a similar pattern. When parents, students and schools act in tandem the results are far more significant than when they find themselves acting individually.”

So, how can we build and strengthen this triangle to ensure a healthy relationship between the three groups? The answer is communication.

“In all areas, dialogue, agreement and a shared vision, as well as clear expectations from all parties involved, leads to greater outcomes for the student,” adds Duncan Rose, also a Wellbeing Coordinator at AIS.  

With this in mind, here’s what parents can consider enquiring about: 

  •  What are the expectations for my child?

Knowing the school’s expectations might sound obvious but this is a multifaceted issue. It covers the areas of effort, expectations in terms of decorum, dress, attitude, speech, workload, schedule, and much more. Having a full understanding of the expectations will better place a parent to help their child make appropriate decisions, which in turn will improve the chance of their success at school. This can be as simple as understanding the uniform policy so that students don’t start the day by being spoken to by staff, through to the homework allocation, so you can understand roughly how much work should be done at home. By showing interest and learning you’ll make your child aware that you’re interested in their life and development. Sometimes the very act of showing you care can be enough to knock problems on the head before they happen.

  •  How can I help my child?

Students spend around 35 hours a week at school. This is not nearly enough to fulfil the rigorous requirements of twenty-first century curriculums. Part of a child’s journey is the actualisation of developing independence of thought and autonomous study skills. However, that won’t happen if they are left to their own devices. Parents should ask what they can do to help. It could be as simple as overseeing their homework. It might be helping out with flashcard-making. Maybe it’s being the audience for a dress rehearsal of a presentation. Getting involved in your child’s education builds connections and shows them that what they’re doing greatly matters to you, as well as to the school. 

  •  How can I best communicate with teachers?

Every school has preferred methods of communication with staff. Generally, the easiest way to contact teachers is via their school email addresses, and a response should be given within 48 hours. For more urgent or sensitive matters, it may be more appropriate to call staff and share information. For subject related questions, it’s best to contact your child’s subject teacher directly and for social-emotional support, contact your child’s Home Group Teacher, or Head of Year or School Counsellor, as you deem appropriate. 

Sharing information that can better assist teachers in helping your child is critical. They may have strengths that are not immediately apparent, and talking to staff will help to promote these, as well as identify and extend new ones. 

Discover more about Australian International School (AIS) at ais.com.sg

Local theatre: Miss Julie

A dangerous game of ambition, power and lust.

It’s Chinese New Year and celebrations are in full swing across post-war Singapore. Julie, daughter of a British tycoon, crashes the servants’ party downstairs. But what starts as a game descends into a fight for survival, as sex, power, money and race collide.

Playwright Amy Ng’s adaptation of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie transports us into a tumultuous era, where the disintegration of the British Empire is set against the rising consciousness of nationalism sweeping across Asia. Co-produced by Singapore Repertory Theatre and Hong Kong Arts Festival, this is a startlingly provocative play where differences of class and race rub against each other like tectonic plates, resulting in an eruption of sexual powerplay and class manipulation. Gripping to the very end, Miss Julie challenges preconceptions about racial supremacy, sexuality and taboo relationships.

ANZA members receive 15% off ticket prices. Use the discount link here to book

KC Arts Centre – Home of SRT
Robertson Walk
20 Merbau Rd
Singapore, 239035
Ph 6733 8166
srt.com.sg

Moving house: A survival guide for single parents

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Sir Move_Single Parents Moving House
SIR Move can reduce the stress of moving house solo

As a single parent, handling an entire house move on your own can feel overwhelming. Not only do you have your possessions to worry about, but your child or children too. While ensuring all of your belongings are safely and successfully transferred to your new home, there’s the double drama of ensuring your kids are okay as you do so. With so much to think about, SIR Move Services has put together a canny survival guide for single parents to make this transition period as hassle-free as possible. 

  • Stay organised

Consider a systematic process that can help your plans for moving house on track and coordinated. The first step to staying organised is creating a moving checklist. 

  • De-clutter

De-cluttering helps to reduce your home moving costs and may bring in some money if you plan to sell some stuff. You can decide to trash, sell, donate or recycle any belongings you no longer need. 

  • Label everything

Be sure to include descriptive labels alongside the destinations for each packing box. For instance, a box containing kitchen appliances should have the location, ‘the kitchen’ also spelled out on the box, instead of just writing ‘appliances.’ 

  • Consider a babysitter and pet-sitter 

Trying to pay attention to your kids while supervising your house will de distracting and confusing. Ask a babysitter to take care of your kids. We also recommend moving them entirely out of the house or to a room where they can be safe. If you have pets, consider a pet sitter to attend to your furry friend and make the moving process easier.  

  • Avoid moving house at regular periods

It’s crucial that you choose the time you move carefully. Moving at periods when your kids are supposed to begin school might fall in the summer. At such times movers are usually extremely busy. To ensure you get the best service at an affordable cost, you need to thoughtfully and correctly set your moving schedule. 

  • Get a professional in

Before now, you could easily broadcast your need for help to your friends and family and have them help you with your move. In present times, observing the COVID-19 physical distancing rules won’t be possible if you have too many people working with you. Therefore you need to invest in a professional full-service mover. The full service will include everything from packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and placing your boxes and furniture wherever you want them. 

  • Create an overnight kit

Having a bag of essentials will keep you comfortable for the first two days in your new home. This bag should contain your documentation, toilet essentials, kitchen essentials, personal electronics, medication, clothes, and pre-made meal kits. 

  • Check your utilities 

Ensure all your essential utilities at your new place will be turned on by the time you get there. Be sure to speak to the right companies to turn off your electricity, water, gas, and internet at the right time and have them turned on the minute you walk in through the door in your new place. 

ABOUT SIR MOVE

Established in Singapore in and Malaysia since 2006, SIR Move Services is a Singapore/British brand and it is a moving company that continues to build a business based on integrity and trust. SIR provides Complete Move Solutions for International, Commercial and Domestic Relocations inclusive of storage and insurance. We move pets too. Moove My Box (MMB) is the newest addition to our suite of services allowing customers to ship small shipments faster. Similar to Air Express Delivery with the addition of packing and collection services. SIR Move is a qualified FIDI/FAIM Quality Mover.

SIR Move Services

Email talk2us@sirmove.com

Visit www.sirmove.com

Call 65 65347345

 

Beat Cybercrime with Cybersecurity qualifications from JCU

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JCU_Empowering people to tackle cyber threats_Woman sitting at computerDeep in the digital age — where enormous amounts of data is collected, transmitted and processed, leading to a greater likelihood of cyber threats and risks — cybersecurity is a growing concern. The increase in cybercrime has prompted the need to identify vulnerable applications, detect potential attacks, and mitigate against exploits however possible.

For example, just last month, news spread of attackers using the Log4j vulnerability to install ransomware on servers — this affected applications such as Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft, as well as organisations like banks, hospitals, and government agencies. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability enables an attacker to gain full control of the affected servers, compromising valuable systems and sensitive information.

In order to prepare future leaders for such challenges, James Cook University in Singapore offers the Bachelor of Cybersecurity, designed to equip students with a proper foundation in information technology — including software and mobile app development, database design, machine learning, and more— while also focusing on cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity-related career

Cybersecurity isn’t just about passwords and databases. Students will learn underlying principles and concepts for critical thinking, decision making and risk assessment, while developing an awareness of ethical and social responsibility in professional practice. Graduates will be ready for different entry-level jobs in this growing industry, including, for example, being a cybersecurity analyst or a penetration tester. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn technical topics like network infrastructure and security, ethical hacking, machine learning and more, alongside higher-level concepts such as risk management and strategy and governance. This sets the stage for career growth and possible shifts into senior management positions later in their career, in both public and private sectors.

The world’s shifting focus towards a more proactive stance to defend against cyber threats means that there are plenty of chances for a cybersecurity-related career. What’s more, plans are underway to turn cybersecurity research and development into a source of competitive advantage for Singapore, with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore seeking to position the country as an internationally-recognised hub for security evaluation and testing.

Challenges of Cybercrime

In addition, Singapore has signed a digital economy agreement with Australia, which sees the two countries agreeing to cooperate on establishing various international frameworks for digital systems. This includes steps to resolve key issues arising in digital economies such as best practices and adoption of ethical governance frameworks for AI, personal data protection, and cybersecurity. Singapore has also signed similar agreements with other countries such as the United Kingdom, Chile and New Zealand. This paves the way for more diverse experiences for cybersecurity professionals as they take on international challenges.

Overall, incentives to hack big companies and exploit sensitive information probably won’t be going away any time soon, thus creating a growing need for cybersecurity. A big way to mitigate the risks of cyber threats is to consider the human factor in cybersecurity, and train both leaders and employees to meet the ever-evolving challenges of cybercrime.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Cybersecurity offered at the Singapore campus of James Cook University.

10 minutes with Ms M S Shanti


Tell us about your role at JCU …
I ensure that students receive excellent academic administrative service. This is done by leading the teams which deliver the processes and services from admission, enrolment, examination, graduation, counselling, progression, and student administration. 

What’s your favourite part of your job?
Working with colleagues from around the world like Australia, New Zealand, Germany, UK, China, and the Philippines. It’s great to work with such a diverse community. In terms of challenges, constantly innovating and meeting the evolving nature of learning and student experience can be demanding. 

After 16 years at JCU, what major changes have you noticed within the curriculum?
Nowadays it’s no longer necessary for traditional classroom-based teaching. The tremendous advancement in technology has enabled the development of the media and learning tools – it’s much more dynamic. For example, with the on-going pandemic, a digital learning environment and hybrid teaching and learning has become the norm. The curriculum and the outcomes of the courses must be curated to meet the dynamic nature of education today.

You obtained a Master of IT Management from University of Wollongong. How tricky were tech courses then?
During my days, there were very few female students in my class. There were limited networking and mentoring opportunities, and no social media. As women we had to work hard, but because we were interested in computer engineering and had confidence in our abilities, we were able to get through. 

What advice would you give to students wanting to pursue  IT today?
You must have passion and an interest in IT to study it.  You also need to be open to learning new things, prepared to take on challenges, and keep up with technological changes. 

What would have been your ‘alternative’ career?
Maybe something in the IT industry, doing app development or working within artificial intelligence or cybersecurity space. These topics interest me a lot.

How can students best prepare for university life?
Be independent, responsible, set goals, and learn how to work hard but also have fun. Learning inside and outside of the classroom through extra-curricular activities such as clubs and networking can set you up for life.  

What would you change about your own school days?
I should have had more fun. Haha!

How do you relax out of work?
By reading books, rock painting, and playing with my pet toy poodle! 

Shanti’s advice for parents with uni students

“It’s hard when a student starts university, but parents must remember that their child is getting ready to be an independent, resilient and strong individual. As parents we need to give our full support and guidance on this journey, so the child can rise to success.”

James Cook University (JCU) is at 149 Sims Drive, 387380. T: +65 6709 3888.
jcu.edu.sg

ANZA Netball: Giving back with Billie!

One of ANZA Netball’s greatest strengths is the supportive community and large volunteer group that enables us to thrive. Billie Haywood is one of the many enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers at ANZA Netball. She started off as a volunteer coach, then joined the ANZA Netball Committee as a coach liaison to support all the volunteer coaches in the programme. Here she explains why she signed up.

1 Why ANZA Netball? 

I heard about ANZA Netball when we first arrived in Singapore seven years ago. By the time we settled in and my daughter was old enough to participate, it was time to join up. The programme was attractive to me to maintain a connection with other like-minded Australians who wanted to keep their children in team sports. My girls have made lovely friendships that they wouldn’t have made otherwise, especially with kids from other schools. 

2 Did you play netball or other sports growing up?

Growing up in county Victoria, my sports were limited to netball, AFL, swimming and karate. The best times I had were through netball as it allowed me to play and grow to love the game, as well as be with my friends. I wanted some of this comradeship for my daughters. At ANZA Netball, whilst the professional coaches have developed a strong programme, it’s delivered in such a fun way it reminded me of my time playing as a teen.

3 How is ANZA Netball coping with the changing restrictions? 

Like everyone in Singapore, I’ve found that Covid has played such a big role in limiting the activities and social interactions of my three children over the last two years. They’ve craved returning to sports, so it’s great that ANZA Netball has continued to operate wherever possible to give children a chance to remain active. 

Having such a dedicated team in the committee helps. Ultimately, we all want the best programme for our players to get out on the court and have fun.

4 How did you get to be part of the ANZA Netball Committee? 

When my family initially joined ANZA Netball, I volunteered to help coach my eldest daughter. As I hadn’t coached before, ANZA assisted me by offering an external coaching course to brush up on my skills. Once I began, my daughter was so proud I was involved. After a while, I was approached by one of the committee members to see if I’d be interested in joining. As I couldn’t coach both of my daughters at the same time, joining the committee seemed like a good way to be involved and present for both my girls. 

5 What’s your favourite part of being a netball coach with ANZA? 

I love being a part of this hardworking team. The group of dedicated volunteers is lovely, and it’s been a pleasure getting to know them. Becoming a committee member is an ideal way to remain connected to your children’s activities, and to meet new people. We’re always looking for new members, so I urge all readers to please shout if you’re interested in joining! 

Billie’s daughters speakout!

Willow, 10
“I like the funny coaches that I’ve had at ANZA Netball, the new skills they’ve taught me, and also spending time with my friends. It’s very good!”

Giving back with Billie!
“What I enjoy most about ANZA Netball is having fun with my friends. I really like the groups that I’ve had and picking partners. I have so much fun!”

 

Join the ANZA Netball community here

5 solid reasons to live on the East Coast of Singapore

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Living-Singapore-East-CoastAre you deciding where to live in Singapore or thinking of moving to a new location? The answer for many has to be the East Coast.  It’s not just because there are beautiful housing options there, but the long list of fun things to do, places to visit, and convenient amenities at every corner.  Here are five solid reasons why you should consider setting up your home on the East Coast: 

Delicious food choices

The East Coast district is full of surprises and of course, delicious food choices from near and far. Not only will you find ample local restaurants and eateries, but there are also international restaurants serving different cuisines at Katong, Siglap and along East Coast Road. Don’t miss the famous Katong Laksa and Peranakan spread at Katong. While you’re at Siglap, look out for the series of hip cafes and cool restaurants serving anything from Italian to Korean cuisines. Want a nice spot to chill and relax by the sea? There are many bars by East Coast Park that may just be what you need to detox from the concrete jungle. 

Shop til you drop

There is something for everyone on the East Coast, even the shopaholics needn’t travel far to enjoy their retail therapy.  A quick survey will reveal at least 10 noteworthy malls in the neighbourhood that’ll satisfy the insatiable appetite of avid shoppers:

  • 112 Katong
  • Bedok Mall
  • Kallang Wave Mall
  • KINEX
  • Katong V
  • One KM
  • Parkway Parade
  • Paya Lebar Quarters
  • Roxy Square
  • SingPost Centre

Besides shopping malls, many essential amenities such as post offices, supermarkets, gyms, food courts, clinics and educational services are also readily available in different corners of the region. With so many amenities on your doorstep, residents enjoy greater convenience and even better quality of life.

An ocean breeze           

Living on the East Coast means you’re living near the sea and the popular East Coast Park.  If you love the outdoors and nature, the privilege of staying near the beach can be an exciting experience. It can bring a whole host of recreational activities such as cycling, picnics, barbecues and adventures at theme parks such as the Water Ski Park, Xtreme SkatePark and Coastal PlayGrove.

The best part is the wide range of water sports like kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing and stand-up paddling available. Even if you’re not into sports, the line-up of seafood restaurants at East Coast Seafood Centre that serve up mouth-watering chili crabs, drunken prawns and sambal stingrays are well worth a visit. 

Excellent schools

Another reason why many families choose to live on the East Coast is the wide variety of schooling options. The East Coast has some of the most popular schools in Singapore. Kong Hwa Primary School, Tao Nan School, Anglican High School, Dunman High School and Temasek Junior College are some sought-after institutions that are spread across this neighbourhood.

Interestingly, more expats are moving to this part of Singapore because of the same reason. The East Coast is home to a good number of international schools as well. United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA), Canadian International School, Middleton International School, Overseas Family School, Rosemount International School and NPS International School are all within the vicinity. 

 All things cultural

The Peranakan culture and nostalgia of yesteryear still lingers in Katong and Joo Chiat.  Walk along the rows of colourful shophouses and you’ll realise they still bear traces of Nonya embellishment that date as far back as the 1920s. Residents here are proud to be part of this charming district which blends the historical past and the modern society so perfectly.  

There are plenty of other reasons to move to the East Coast but one thing is for sure, this is a district that will offer endless fun and a better quality of life whether you’re single, married or have a family with children. If you’re looking to improve your environment, visit the launch of Liv @ MB in 2022. The luxury condominium with 298 apartments located in District 15 may just be the ideal home for you. 

The Continuum at Tanjong Katong Road is a brand new freehold residential development situated in prime District 15 in East Singapore to be launched in 2023. The Continuum is strategically located near the junction of Haig Road and Tanjong Katong Road. With easy access to public transport, private car parks, retail shops, restaurants, schools and amenities nearby, residents can enjoy living in a convenient location. Book an appointment to view the upcoming The Continuum Showflat for more information on the development.

 

 

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