TANGLIN HIGHLANDS PROGRAMME
5 Weeks of Experiential Education in Australia
“The skills and confidence to deal with unfamiliar territory can be developed; exposure to challenges, in a secure environment, awakens in young people a belief in themselves which will stay with them through the hurdles ahead.” - Kurt Hahn, German Outdoor Adventure Educator-
WHAT IS THE TANGLIN HIGHLANDS PROGRAMME? It’s a 5-week immersive learning journey at our Tanglin Gippsland campus in Australia. This unique opportunity is the pinnacle of a Year 9 student’s Middle School educational experience at Tanglin, where the main focus is to foster three essential attributes:
Curiosity: Uncover the joy of learning Confidence: Thrive and flourish Community: Belong and connect Since Year 9 is a formative year for adolescent development, this programme will empower students to apply the skills they’ve acquired and challenge them to cultivate new ones.
WHY EMBARK ON THIS PROGRAMME? It is beneficial in a variety of ways. Students will: • • • • • • • • •
Boost their self-esteem and confidence Gain greater independence Enhance their resilience Improve their social skills and teamwork abilities Acquire new skills and fresh inspiration Strengthen their leadership qualities Form lasting friendships Expand their comfort zones through challenging but fun activities Gain an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impact
WHY IS TANGLIN OFFERING THIS? We have always recognised the significance of a holistic education and the spirit of adventure is embedded within the Tanglin DNA - a legacy that dates back to 1934 when Miss Griff led the school to the Cameron Highlands. The Tanglin Highlands Programme found its roots in the wake of COVID-19. While the personal development of young people has always been at the heart of what we do, the pandemic clearly had an impact on our young people. To address this, we developed an immersive 5-week experience for students to foster camaraderie, shared experiences and a lasting sense of adventure that sustains lifelong friendships with their peers. We want to provide scaffolded experiences that empower students and enable them to build their unique educational foundation that nurtures their academic, interpersonal, emotional and physical growth.
WHY NOW? As we approach Tanglin’s Centenary celebrations, we are not only reflecting on the past but also focusing on the next 100 years. The Tanglin Highlands Programme goes beyond preparing students for the present; it’s a commitment to invest in both their future and the growth of generations to come. We want to ensure that they have the skills and mindset to succeed in a changing world. It’s our way of providing a holistic education that goes beyond books and classrooms as we continue to nurture lifelong learners who can contribute with confidence to our world.
AUSTRALIA
Tanglin Gippsland Campus Melbourne Airport
GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA
THE CAMPUS The Tanglin Gippsland Campus is nestled in the heart of a lush, green expanse, which provides the ideal environment for educating young people about climate change and their role in creating a sustainable world. The campus itself will also strive to be the central hub of sustainability through the following initiatives. • • • •
Utilising solar energy to minimise the use of fossil fuel when generating electricity. Compositing food waste. Recording and monitoring water usage. Ensuring all new constructions are carbon neutral.
WHY 35 DAYS? Tanglin decided on a 35-day duration for the programme because it believes that it is just the right amount of time for Year 9 students. Five weeks allow for a good balance – long enough to be challenging and for students to build positive habits. Research supports this, showing that a more extended duration leads to better personal growth. The school also considered practical factors such as logistics, costs, and fitting into the academic year. This way, Tanglin aims to make the programme a valuable and enriching experience for the students.
HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM A TYPICAL DAY AT TANGLIN? While a week at the Tanglin Gippsland Campus will be very different from what students typically experience on a day-to-day basis at Tanglin in Singapore, there is still a strong focus on high structure with an emphasis on Learning to Learn (L2L) and the 3-14 curriculum. Students will also be immersed in the following: • •
• • • • •
Unstructured time to foster self-management skills. Established routines such as bedtimes, fixed schedules, and personal downtime to encourage the development of time management, self-discipline, responsibility, and independence. A Jobs Wheel, which establishes a rotation system where students take turns contributing to the upkeep and optimal functioning of the campus Fitness activities to ensure physical well-being. Unique midweek outdoor experiences and overnight camps. Service Learning opportunities. Designated wellbeing or House Pastoral Time to nurture student reflection and wellbeing.
THE HIGHLANDS PHILOSOPHY The Tanglin Highlands Programme, in a nutshell, is about combining great learning, personal growth, and community involvement.
Space to think
Space to belong Practical field experience
Curiosity
Community
3-14 curriculum CO2 sequestration
Teamwork
Sustainability Nursery Tree Wellbeing planting HPQ Experiential Gratitude Academic Life Applied Knowledge Physical management Appreciation of beauty Endurance experience
Five ways to wellbeing Advocacy
Confidence Space to breathe
Resilence & Grit
OUTDOOR LEARNING Experiential learning is at the heart of the Tanglin Highlands Programme. It is a dynamic and learner-centric approach that strongly encourages students to actively immerse themselves in real-world experiences where they can explore their interests, reflect on their experiences as well as develop fresh insights and skills. The campus provides a unique setting that brings studies of biology to life by exposing students to diverse ecosystems and conservation efforts. The vibrant landscape around Mount Baw Baw, for example, is infused with sub-alpine flora that includes low-lying grasses, heathlands, and majestic snow gums. The foothills leading to the Baw Baw Plateau teem with wildlife species such as the highly endangered Leadbeater’s possum (Victoria’s state fauna emblem) and Baw Baw frog (Philoria frosti), which is listed on the IUCN Red List and indigenous to the region. Students will also learn more about the Gunai Kumai culture in the region, discover local town Walhalla’s rich history as one of the gold capitals in the world, immerse themselves in some of the most beautiful sights of the Gippsland region on special day trips as well as marvel at the starry night sky, free from light pollution, on stargazing tours. As such, the programme will include experiential learning opportunities such as: • • • • •
Academic field trips in our alpine backyard. Ecological studies and simulations. Environmental field work and experimental projects. Community interaction and service learning. Group projects and problem-solving.
In a nutshell, the Tanglin Highlands Programme will play a pivotal role in equipping Year 9 students for the demands of Upper School upon their return. The academic curriculum encompasses core subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science with a particular focus on Biology in line with the Tanglin 3-14 curriculum. Geography, Outdoor Education Studies and Positive Education will also be taught on campus, making optimal use of the surroundings. Certain subjects will be delivered online by Tanglin’s subject specialists in Singapore and facilitated by the staff on-site at the campus.
“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.” “...there are no shortcuts to excellence. Developing real expertise, figuring out really hard problems, it all takes time - longer than most people imagine.... you’ve got to apply those skills and produce goods or services that are valuable to people....Grit is about working on something you care about so much that you’re willing to stay loyal to it...it’s doing what you love, but not just falling in love - staying in love.” - Angela Duckworth, Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success -
PHYSICAL FITNESS & ENDURANCE The Tanglin Highlands Programme fulfils a dual objective. Students are not only challenged academically, they are also encouraged to develop the resilence and mental fortitude needed to thrive in the rigorous aspects of the programme. This necessitates a holistic approach that nurtures well-rounded individuals who can excel both mentally and physically. To achieve that, students are required to take part in a variety of fitness programmes regularly. Whether it’s swimming in a 25m indoor pool, cardio workouts, calisthenics, basketball, yoga, volleyball, team games, or fitness routines in the morning, students have a myraid of opportunities to boost their overall fitness, strength, and endurance. All these experiences will ultimately culminate in a transformative Rite of Passage, where students are challenged to apply the skills they acquired during the programme and in the end, earn well-deserved bragging rights to having unlocked a significant lifetime achievement.
RESIDENTIAL LIFE The Tanglin Highlands Programme is a unique learning opportunity for students to live and learn in a close-knit community with peers and caring adults, but it is not without its challenges. Due to the pandemic, students have had limited experience in this setting and co-existing with peers around the clock requires collaboration, negotiation, leadership, self-awareness, and resilience. Learning to live independently will no doubt encourage each individual to reconsider their perspective on life, but a team of qualified adults is always on hand to intervene when necessary and ensure that no child goes unnoticed.
TECHNOLOGY DETOX In a time that is vastly driven by technology, the Gippsland campus recognises the potential drawbacks of constant connectivity in a BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-Linear, Incomprehensible) world. Students are allowed to bring their mobile phones to Gippsland, however, to foster mindfulness and strengthen personal connections, the phones will be held by the school and only given to students for periodic calls home. Instead, students are encouraged to communicate through letter writing, and regular newsletters will keep parents well-informed about their child’s progress. While devices will be limited in everyday use, they will continue to serve as valuable learning tools for students to engage with their specialist teachers in Singapore. Classrooms are also equipped to facilitate remote lessons, ensuring a balanced approach to technology use.
HEALTH & PERSONAL WELLBEING IN THE BUSH The Australian Bush entails certain inherent risks, with bushfires being a natural part of the environment’s renewal cycle every year. Our campus, situated in close proximity to the Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Services depots, will be under vigilant monitoring. The campus not only has three well-established evacuation routes and robust early warning systems in place, it also has a clearly defined disaster programme that can be put into action quickly. Staff members are trained in Wilderness First Aid for prompt and excellent first responder care. Our health center and on-site nurse are equipped to assist students in both emergency situations and everyday issues. The facility excels in providing adolescent care and offers a supportive refuge if the daily routine becomes overwhelming. Traralgon Hospital is located 40 minutes away and the campus has access to local medical specialists as well as an on-site doctor, who is affiliated with a general practice in Moe and will visit two mornings on a weekly basis.
STUDENT PROGRESS Using current reporting procedures, Gippsland staff will evaluate student progress in key subject areas and personal development as part of a student report. They will also debrief colleagues in Singapore to ensure that lessons learned at Gippsland are seamlessly integrated upon the students’ return to Tanglin.
GIPPSLAND STAFF Residential living requires outstanding people to work with students. The Head of Campus is supported by a team of teachers who are subject specialists. Some of these currently work at Tanglin, while others have been teaching in Australia. Each of these teachers is passionate about their vocation, the importance of nature and sustainability, and the role of residential life in helping young people become the best version of themselves.They are supported by Graduate TLAs, some of whom may be Tanglin alumni and local Outdoor Education specialists. The Australian Boarding School Standards and Victorian Institute of Teachers have strong guidelines in place for teacher registration and requirements of schools, ensuring the safeguarding of our young people.Tanglin staff will also be on-site to support the students’ learning, residential life and outdoor activities. T he health and wellbeing of students is supported by a campus nurse, general maintenance staff, catering and domestic staff.
MARK CUTCHIE, HEAD OF CAMPUS Mark obtained his Bachelor of Education at Deakin University with a major in Physical Education, before starting his teaching career at Chairo Christian School. After nearly five years in teaching, he switched careers and became a Paramedic after studying at Monash University. Mark spent over two decades with Ambulance Victoria where he held roles in on-road response, education and management. During this time, he continued in education by joining the Board of his children’s school and this led to state and national level governance roles. He also obtained a MA in Education Leadership. In 2024, Mark started with Tanglin as the founding Head of Campus at the Gippsland campus.
“One degree of change is all you need to reach a new destination.” - Anonymous-
Tanglin Trust School Limited 95 Portsdown Road, Singapore 139299 t: 6778 0771 f: +65 6777 5862 w: www.tts.edu.sg CPE Registration No.: 196100114C CPE Registration Period: 7 June 2023 to 6 June 2029