Star Wars At Changi - Simply Spectacular

Star Wars At Changi - Simply Spectacular 

My little Star Wars Fan was totally swept away at the Star Wars at Changi launch parade. I was impressed that he could answer this question, within seconds of it being asked-

" How many members are there in the Jedi Council?" 

Do you know? Well, I certainly don't.

But my little son, immediately shouted " 12! 12!"

Wow..

My son said that this was the best day of his life. Well, he is so totally into Star Wars. He even had a Star War themed Birthday Party last year.  And thanks to 3 beautiful ladies, he got a big Star Wars Death Star Lego set for his birthday, this Sunday. Therefore, this Star Wars Launch Parade is my "alone time" with him and a birthday "trip" for him. 

From 13 November 2015 - 5 January 2016, this Star wars exhibition will be on at Changi Airport. The life sized X-wing is taking centre stage at level 2, Terminal 3.  This is the first time, a life sized X-wing is in Southeast Asia. Totally cool. 

Moreover, you can get a chance to don Star Wars costumes and go onto the X-wing for a photo shoot.

Tickets numbers will be issued on a first come, first served basis over 4 photo session everyday: 

• 10am - 12pm
• 1pm-3pm
• 4pm- 6pm(except Saturdays)
• 7pm -9pm

Emmanuel brought a red light saber for today's event, but he insisted that "Luke uses a green light saber". So, he very nicely and politely borrowed a green light saber from the father of his friend. 

If you get a chance to go onto the X-wing, you can bring home a photo memorabilia for free. 

During the launch parade, we were treated to a spectacular X-wing show. The storm troopers attacked the X-wing pilots. 

To the little boy who had "first class" view, he was totally excited. He told me later that it was like being in the movie. 

Of course, he took a photo with the stormtrooper whenever he got the chance. 

A photo of Emmanuel being featured in Channel News Asia Report.

If you are also a Star Wars Fan, simply head down to Changi Airport Terminal 3 and there will be a weekly character greetings, every Saturday at 4 pm from 14 November 2015 to 2 January 2016 (except 19 December 2015). You will be able to meet there X-wing fighter pilots and the Imperial Stormtroopers. 

Moreover, there are many models on display. 

You can also find C-3PO waiting for you in his own "language centre". Visit the "language centre" to learn Star Wars phrases in 10 commonly-spoken languages. 

Of all the droids, R2-D2 is my favourite. It can be found moving around the X-wings. It's so cute. 

 If you are already at Changi Airport, remember to visit the TIE fighter at Terminal 2. 

Yesterday, the Stormtroopers actually marched from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2.

Emmanuel tried marching with the stormtroopers.

 The TIE Fighter at Terminal 2. 

There were many enthusiastic members of the public that actually dressed up to come to the event. There were many, many, many light sabers around yesterday, brightening the airport and adding to the festive mood. 

So if you are visiting Changi Airport, don't be afraid to dress up in your Star Wars costume and bring along your light sabers/mask.

There were many Darth Vaders around. 

Oh.. you must remember to meet BB-8, the new driod in episode 7. This is located at Terminal 3's Departure Hall - near Check in Row 11). Seriously, I didn't know about BB-8, but apparently my son did.  At this station, you can navigate BB-8 through an obstacle course. 

There is also a bouncy castle just next to the BB-8 Station. Inspired by the Hardangerjokulen Glacier, one of the filming locations of Star Wars, the Norway-themed playhouse features a 4m high slide, an illuminating ball pit, a ski slope and a rock climbing lighthouse station.  

Plan your trip to Changi Airport as of 17 November. With a minimum spending of $70 (or $140 at the supermarket) in a single receipt, you can purchase these cute Star Wars plush toys at $6.

It is a set of 8 characters.

You can also win more Star Wars exclusives, by participating in online contests on www.changiairport.com/starwars and www.facebook.com/changiairport. 


For activity timings, terms and conditions, please visit www.changiairport.com/starwars


Visit Changi Airport this holiday and I hope you will enjoy the Star Wars experience as much as my son and I did. 

Top 5 most important things you MUST do for P1 Orientation

Top 5 most important things you MUST do for P1 Orientation

It's orientation day!

It's orientation day!

(Source)

If your first born is entering P1 next year, it must be an exciting time for you and your child. Well, I was feeling exactly the same 2 years ago when my first born enters Primary School. 

You must be looking forward to Orientation Day. But there are a few important things that you must do for that day and on that day. 

Top of the list, 

1) Prepare your child to give an introductory speech. 

Your child will be ushered into his/her new class while you stay in the hall for the talk. During his/her time in class, the teacher will get each child to introduce themselves to the classmates. So, don't go unprepared. Just a very simple one will do. 

For example, 

" Good morning/afternoon teachers and friends. My name is ___________________. I love playing with trains. I am so excited to be in Primary School. I hope to make some friends and have fun learning together with all of you. Thank you. 

In some schools, the children are asked to do a simple worksheet. Reassure your child that there is no stress about it. The teacher just wants to find out about your child as much as they can during this short time. 

2) Remind your child to make friends with at least 3 classmates and remember the 3 names. 

Being in a new environment and with so many strangers around can be a little overwhelming for your child. But your child has to seize this opportunity to make friends. Being through school ourselves, we all know how important friends are. Having friends means having support and help in the future for your child. So simply, ask your child to do the following: 

a) Approach someone (during the interaction time).

b) Introduce yourself again by stating your name. 

c) Ask for the person's name.

" Hello. ( Perhaps, teach your child how to initiate a handshake?) I'm Emmanuel. What's your name?  Nice to meet you. " Or the more kiddy way, like my son would say "Let's be friends".

3) Parents, make friends yourself and get some of their handphone numbers. 

Ensure that you get to know the other parents from the same class. This will form your support circle for the next 2 years. In most schools, parents of the same class will be ushered into a class to complete the administrative work. Use the opportunity to get to know other parents and most important, get some of their handphone numbers. Don't be afraid to ask, because there are many of them who will be eager to get yours too. 

You can consider setting up a parents' chat group. 

In my daughter’s school, during orientation, we will elect a parents’ representative and he/she is in charge to creating a whatsapp group to include all the parents in class. I find it very useful as it is so much easier for us as parents to clarify things or communicate with other parents. Also, if your child is absent, you can even check what homework there are for the day.

However, you need to be cautious when having such group. Don’t let the group be changed into a group which is negative, which constantly complains about everything in school.

Luckily for me, the parents' chat group have been very supportive and is an important source of information. 

4) Bring your child and visit the General Office. 

The first month of school can be very very eventful. Your child might miss the school bus, lose the wallet or forgett to bring money for recess. So, it is important for your child to know where to get help. Hence, bring your child and tell him/her that this is the place where they are seek help from. Ensure them that the General Office will render them any help that they need. 

Staff Room is another alternative. However, in the first few weeks, your child might still be confused over "who is who" and may not even remember the name of the form teacher. There could be a few " Mrs whatever" in school. So, General Office is the most direct place for me. 

This is what I will tell my child.

" This is the General Office. You need to remember this place. If you ever need any help, come to the General Office and someone will help you. Don't be afraid to ask for help. The General Office has Mummy and Daddy's number. They will call us if there is anything urgent. So, remember to come to the General Office for help."

5) Check out the canteen food and prices. 

When school starts, you may not have a chance to visit the school canteen anymore. In most schools, parents are not allowed to enter school during school hours. In some schools, you may visit your child during recess time during the first 3 days, but you might not be able to get to your child in the canteen. 

Thus, during orientation day, visit the school canteen and check out the prices. This will help you to determine how much pocket money you should give to your child. 

Usually, there are 2 portions for canteen food, small and big. Check out how much the small/big portion cost. Check out the drinks stall and then calculate how much money your child needs for a meal. 

If you find this article useful, do share. 

Join me on Facebook, SG Primary School Parents and get connected to other parents or ask questions about Primary School. 

Join me on my page, Raising Our Successful Children to get ideas for fun activities that you can do with your kids. 

Other Articles on Education

• Useful Tips for Preparing for Primary School

• 12 Important Lessons your child needs to learn in Primary School.

• "Strong Foundation, No Tuition, No Enrichment Strategy" in Primary School

• Revision Strategies

• Understanding the Different Learning Styles using Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence

• Basic Rules for Primary School English [Apostrophes, Contractions and Tenses]

Photoshoot for Onsight Climbing Gym Singapore

Photoshoot for Onsight Climbing Gym Singapore

Some time ago, my 3 beautiful nieces and my 3 lil ones went for a photoshoot for Onsight Singapore. Here are some of their shots.

Jump Shot!

A total of 10 children took part in this photoshoot. Faith is missing from this picture because she just simply didn't want to take this picture. Well, when the princess refuses to participate, no one can get her to.

Doing their warming up exercises before the climb.

Taking photographs of children can be very challenging because you simply got to "capture that moment". Luckily, we have a professional photographer around. 

Run, run as fast as you can.

Climbing the boulder.

The 3 little princesses just decided to take a rest from the photoshoot. 

 Gearing up and putting on the harness.

Check, check and double check. 

I love this below shot. The smile of my niece's face is simply beautiful. She seems to be pointing to where she wants to reach. 

The challenging part for the photographer is that he has to stand on a really tall ladder. It's really not easy for him. He has to stand by and wait for that right moment. Of course, most of the kids were just too busy having fun climbing. 

The moment doesn't seem quite yet. 

A better shot. 

Just the right moment, the right angle and the right smile. 

The moment of fear, captured. 

Emmanuel holding on and saying "help me, help me". He is so fearful that he forgot to stretch out his legs against the wall. 

At least the older one is trying to pose for a picture. 

 They had to play pretend for a birthday party. But they really got to enjoy the goodies and food. 

After a short break from the "party", they are back to climbing. 

This time, a more challenging wall and a more challenging task. They are suppose to climb up to the bag and get hold of pieces from a set of jigsaw puzzle. The team that completes the puzzle first, wins. 

A beautiful shot.

Faith really struggled for a long time to overcome her fear. She refused to climb initially because she said she was "very scared". We left her alone and allowed her to just sit and watch. 

Suddenly, she was "missing" and it was then that I realised that she was already up there. She had approached one of the belayers to request for a climb, all on her own. I'm so proud of her. Although she only managed to climb one panel high before "giving up" several times, she eventually was able to climb up half way up this wall. I must say that she was really brave. Given the fact that she is so small and "short", halfway up the wall is really very very very high for her. 

Looking at these pictures, I must say that children are natural climbers. You don't really need to teach them how to climb. They can just simply figure it out on their own. 

Just learning to overcome her fear. She is looking down to check how far she had gone up and making sure I'm around to "catch" her if she falls. 

Her look full of satisfaction that she finally did it. So proud of her.

Love the climbing posture of the children.

 Finally, a group shot just before we end the session.

 The photoshoot was successful as all the children had fun and were enjoying the climb. I had to thank my sister and her boyfriend, Stella and Shaun for helping to look after the kids during the photoshoot. 

Most importantly, what I really like about rock climbing is that it helps the children to: 

1) Build confidence

To believe that they can do it and to do it. Climbing up is in fact, an achievement on its own.

2) Learn to overcome their fears

Out of the 6 of them, 4 of them had a fear of heights. But eventually, they all tried and they reached their goals for they set for themselves.

3) Be Resilient

Willingness to try and to continue trying is what we want our children to learn. We constantly encourage them "to try" and to " try again". We give them reassurance and praises when they reach their target. But the important thing is that they must be willing to try and make that climb. It is this attitude that would help them succeed in the future. 

If your child have not tried rock climbing, you can seriously consider this activity during the holidays. 

However, if you are climbing up the high rock wall, you need a belayer (for safety reasons). So, make sure you call and check the availability of a belayer and the rates. 

Onsight Climbing Gym is the biggest indoor climbing gym

in Singapore. So, be it rain or shine or haze, you can still go

there.

Location: 100 Guillemard Rd, 399718

Contact Number: 6348 8272

Opening Hours:

Mondays & Fridays: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Weekends & Public Holidays: 10:00am – 9:00pm