It’s time for our Amazing Race with the Year 12 students of an international school in Singapore! The Amazing Race provides an all-in-one adventure for students to immerse in the culture and history of Singapore through transformative and exciting challenges. In this edition, we bring the students to Sentosa for some time-travelling filled with stimulating activities!

*The Year 12 Amazing Race takes the students around iconic sites in sunny Sentosa where they learn a little bit more about the history of Singapore!*

In September, we took their Year 7 and Year 9s to an exhilarating and equally informative adventure around the Lion City where they experienced the heritage and culture of Singapore. The Race ‘Across the City’ led the students through iconic Singaporean cultural landmarks such as Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam — a totally immersive experience packed with fun games and hands-on activities. The students went through personal transformations where they exercised their leadership and teamwork skills on top of the new experiences gained along the journey!

The Amazing Race Across the Lion City for the Year 7 and 9s was a one-of-a-kind adventure! Read more about it here.

So when it was time to plan an even more challenging Amazing Race for the Year 12s, our team at Beyond Expeditions felt compelled to create something just as enriching but with elements that run deeper into the history and complexity of our island-state. The team decided on embarking on a greater challenge: an Amazing Race off mainland, in Singapore’s own sunny island resort Sentosa!

*Meet our* *FUN and dedicated team for this Amazing Race!*

*Starting the day of with an energising briefing from our Head of Outdoor Education Shah!*

An Amazing Race in Sentosa was an exciting idea to begin with knowing the history that lies beneath the tourist destination we know today. We knew it would be the perfect backdrop to set the scene for this adventure we were to take the Year 12s on!

*** Do note that in some of the photos, the students’ faces are cropped out to safeguard their privacy!

DID YOU KNOW?

Before it was renamed ‘Sentosa’ during its redevelopment plans (which means peace and tranquillity in Malay), it was called ‘Pulau Belakang Mati’. This directly translates to ‘Island of Death Behind’. The island of pristine beaches and lush greenery we know presently was once a place of military barracks and a prisoner of war camp during the British, and subsequently, the Japanese rule. Around Sentosa we can find remains of fortresses and old war relics that signify the history of the island — one that we felt might serve an interest for the students to discover.

*Students plan their routes and navigate their way through the island using maps!*

Remember when we mentioned it would be the perfect backdrop for the Amazing Race? We brought the students on a time-travelling adventure into Singapore from before the World War, during the war and into the present day. The students are transformed into Time Travellers with missions along the way where they can collect passwords in order to retrieve a magic cooling potion. The passwords will reveal a secret code of the name of the Master Traveller from which they will retrieve the magic potion!

now, LET’S NOT WAIT ANY LONGER AND FIND OUT WHAT THIS JOURNEY WAS LIKE FOR THE STUDENTS!

*Students are equipped with booklets to guide them through the race.*

This journey brought the students to three significant landmarks on the island: Palawan Beach, Fort Siloso and Imbiah Lookout. Students were to navigate themselves towards these three stations using the Sentosa map provided for them along with transportation options within the island to help them decide how to get there. Students practised their navigation skills this way, deciding on the most efficient methods of travel.

*“It’s a few stops on the beach shuttle! Shall we get on? Wait, can it fit all 12 of us?!”*

Palawan beach

At Palawan Beach, students learn about the island’s past as Pulau Belakang Mati, the burial ground for many ancient Malay warriors, where people with diseases were kept and, most interestingly, where pirates lurked and claimed the island for themselves. It is also the southernmost point of Asia. Here, our activities taught students to work as a team: testing their endurance, decision-making skills and intellect.

FORT SILOSO

Our second station at Fort Siloso served as a prisoner of war (POW) camp for the Australians and the British when the Japanese took over. After the Japanese surrendered, the Fort was returned to the British where it then became a POW camp for the Japanese. The forts in Sentosa are a testament to the best ways the soldiers have figured out to protect the mainland. And so in this station, the activities encourage students to work together as a team and effectively develop strategies to complete the challenges. Students find clues scattered within Fort Siloso and engage in a tricky game of Human Entanglement where they have to strategise amongst themselves the most efficient ways to complete these tasks.

IMBIAH LOOKOUT

Our last station at Imbiah lookout reintroduces our students to the Sentosa we know today. All around Imbiah are attractions of the modern city that have risen through creativity and innovation. Students indulge in activities that activate their five senses, allowing them to find innovative and creative ways to complete their missions.

Password unlocked! Time for the magic potion!

With the passwords obtained, the students successfully return with the secret codes and happily receive their Magic Potion: a frozen, flavourful ice pop! It was the greatest way to end the morning under the hot sun and a bonus cultural introduction to a well-known childhood treat amongst Singaporeans.

Some of our students spoke up to share their experience from the day and newfound knowledge of the island they had only previously known to be a fun attraction and weekend getaway. They highlighted how the activities had taught them on how to be strategic, innovative and working effectively as a team! And of course, how much fun they had on this journey with their fellow classmates, teachers and trainers!

Here at Beyond Expeditions, we believe that outdoor education is a crucial part of a child’s upbringing. These experiences hone their skills and widen their minds that might not otherwise be attainable in a classroom setting. Outdoor education allows our children to thrive and it inspires them to become the leaders and team players of tomorrow.

If you’re a teacher seeking fresh and transformative experiences for your students that extend beyond the classroom, do drop us an email! Our incredible team from Beyond Expeditions’ Outdoor Education department, Syazwani (L) and Shah (R), are ready to make it happen.