Design & Aesthetics

Design & Aesthetics

Vision

To nurture creative, discerning and values-driven learners who appreciate the arts, design and food sciences, and continue to learn, create and engage meaningfully as Leaders for Tomorrow.

Mission

To cultivate curiosity, creativity and confidence through joyful and authentic learning experiences in the arts, design and food sciences, empowering students to become informed creators, audiences and consumers who contribute to the greater good.

Common Curriculum

As part of the school’s implementation of Full Subject-based Banding, all lower secondary students will take a set of subjects at a common level. These subjects include Design & Technology, Food and Consumer Education, Art and Music. Designed to provide accessibility to all students, the common curriculum gives students the opportunity to learn in a nurturing and diverse environment. Through the use of pedagogies such as differentiated instruction and inquiry-based learning, students can grow at a different pace to reach their full potential.

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (D&T)

Design and Technology equips students with future ready skills such as user empathy and design thinking, and prepares students to explore ever evolving technologies. Iterative design and making is taught at Lower Secondary and design thinking through problem-based learning is applied at Upper Secondary. Students develop the quality of empathy and sensitivity through improving aspects of their environment in everyday life. Through D&T, students become discerning and informed users of products, and are nurtured as future innovators or creators.

Learning Outcomes for D&T

• Cultivate visual-spatial thinking through sketching, experimenting and prototyping using appropriate materials and basic hand tools/equipment/machines safely

• Develop an appreciation of function, aesthetics and technology in design through everyday products and their implication on sustainability

• Exercise judgements for design appropriateness with respect to the users, functionality and the environment

• Develop confidence and pride through turning ideas into physical objects

FOOD AND CONSUMER EDUCATION (FCE) – Lower Secondary

NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCE (NFS) – Upper Secondary

Food and Consumer Education (FCE) is offered at Lower Secondary while Nutrition and Food Science (NFS) is offered at Upper Secondary. Through these subjects, students stay abreast of the latest developments in culinary and food technology, while developing an understanding of food, nutrition and cross-cultural awareness in today’s globalised context. Through hands-on practical sessions that encourage independent learning, FCE and NFS nurture students to become creative, innovative, and resourceful individuals who advocate sustainable food consumption and are capable of making informed and discerning decisions.

Learning Outcomes for FCE

• Understand the importance of nutrition and food safety and lead a healthier lifestyle proactively

• Apply basic culinary science in preparing healthier food to meet the needs of target groups

• Manage resources optimally and sustainably

• Make responsible and informed decisions for self, family and the community

Learning Outcomes for NFS

• Health Ambassador

o   Understand the relationship between nutrition, growth, and health.

o   Select and prepare nutritious foods to support well-being.

o   Advocate healthy eating practices for self, family, and the community.

• Discerning Consumer

o   Plan balanced meals using a variety of food commodities.

o   Make informed and responsible food choices.

o   Appreciate issues of food security, including food safety and sustainable food consumption.

o   Practise sustainability in meal planning and food preparation.

• Food Innovator

o   Apply scientific principles in food preparation and cooking.

o   Use food science concepts (e.g. functions of ingredients) to modify and improve recipes.

o   Innovate nutritious, appealing, and sustainable food products for diverse needs.

ART

The Art curriculum seeks to provide students with a balanced and well-rounded education in the aesthetic, cognitive and affective domains. Through engagement in art discourse and art making, the curriculum offered at both Lower and Upper Secondary focuses on visual literacy and storytelling. Students are encouraged to exercise their imagination and develop creative dispositions e.g. the ability to see from multiple perspectives and the ability to adapt flexibly across contexts. The exposure to a wide range of art activities and skills builds their understanding of art elements and principles of design as they develop an appreciation of cultural artworks from diverse influences, to cultivate global and cross-cultural literacy. Through Art, students develop the capacity to innovate and improvise, preparing them to face future challenges.

Learning Outcomes for ART

• Identify qualities in and interpret what they see and experience

• Record and present their observations using different ways

• Generate questions and ideas from visuals

• Express experiences and ideas in art making

• Experiment with different materials, tools, and media to create new visual possibilities

• Reflect and share views on their own and others’ art making

• Relate to examples of Singapore and international art and their ideas and processes

• Work with others to make art, present art, and solve visual and other problems

MUSIC

Music is offered at both Lower Secondary (in school) and Upper Secondary (external centre) where students will be introduced to a wide range of genres and styles as they acquire and apply musical skills and knowledge through Listening, Creating and Performing. This provides the natural platform for students to build social-emotional dispositions due to the collaborative nature of music-making which include teamwork and resilience to strive to do their best. In addition, building and deepening their understanding of musical and cultural diversity hones critical thinking and creative expression, contributing to the holistic development of our students, fostering a life-long interest and involvement in music.

Learning Outcomes

• Listen and respond to music

• Create music in both vocal and instrumental settings, individually and collaboratively

• Perform music in both vocal and instrumental settings, individually and collaboratively

• Understand the role of music in society

• Appreciate music from Singapore and global cultures

• Experience and apply musical elements and concepts through listening, creating and performing