This week, DSP was asked by the Department and The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to host a delegation from the Singaporean Ministry of Education. DSP was chosen because of our strong focus on learner agency, real-world learning, our approach to the key competencies of the new curriculum, and our balanced approach to assessment. It was a wonderful moment for our school to showcase the unique ways in which we empower our children and foster a learning environment where every voice matters.
DSP children and staff were delighted to host the delegation of seven education officers from Singapore’s MOE. The delegation was led by the Chief Executive of the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board, and included the Divisional Director of Curriculum Planning and Development Division, and the Divisional Director of Student Development Curriculum Division as well as Principals from primary and secondary schools in Singapore.
The delegation was especially keen to learn about DSPNS’s equality-based, child-centred, and democratically-run ethos as Ireland’s first Educate Together school, and how this is manifests in our broader whole-school culture. They were eager to see how this ethos is embedded in our whole-school culture and how it influences our approach to teaching, learning, and assessment.
The delegation also wanted to learn about our student voice, our Green-Schools initiatives, our ethical/environmental strands and the DSP programmes which contribute to learning how to learn and think, self-management, and the acquisition of life skills by our children.
They requested to hear from staff about how DSPNS integrates the key competencies of the Primary Curriculum through activity-based, child-centred classroom practices, project work, and fostering student choice in an Educate Together context.
The DSP Experience: Student Voice and Action
The delegation wanted to explore how we nurture student voice at DSP. And what better way to share this than by hearing directly from the students themselves? Our wonderful Forest School Leaders from 5th and 6th class gave the delegation an insight into how Forest School contributes to the mental health and well-being of our children. They shared how the experience of learning in the natural environment helps them feel more open and ready for learning. The delegation was deeply impressed by how the children build independence through their work on the hill and how they bring this learning back to the classroom, connecting the forest to their academic experiences.
The delegation was also moved by a session with our fantastic Student Council, where they heard first-hand about the council’s efforts to advocate for equality and support for all students. The children told the delegation about using their voices to engage with local representatives and other communities to ensure every child’s needs are met. They also shared their understanding of proportional representation. The delegation was very impressed by their knowledge. The Student Council showcased their acting skills by role-playing real-life conflict scenarios, demonstrating how DSP’s Restorative Practice helps resolve issues by encouraging empathy and reflection. The delegation was very impressed by the children’s maturity and thoughtfulness. The Student Council took the opportunity to ask questions about school life in Singapore—curious about how it might be similar or different to their own experiences.
Meeting the fabulous DSP Green Schools Committee was next on the agenda for the visit. The delegation were very eager to hear all about the committees ideas and initiatives for the year ahead and how they plan to put them in place. The children highlighted the actions they will be taking to reduce waste, recycle, increase energy efficiency and encourage others to do the same. The delegation was impressed by the children’s proactive approach and their plans to collaborate with other school committees, sharing ideas and learning from each other.
Behind the Scenes: The DSP Staff and Community
While the children had their break, the delegation met with Clodagh and Maryrose who explained the origin of our wonderful DSP and how important it is to keep the changemaking legacy of the founders firmly at the heart of all we do.
The DSP staff chatted with the delegation and explained how cross-curricular and integrative learning works in DSP. They also explained how collaborative planning and reflective practice is supported to ensure each child can reach their full potential.
The DSP team took this opportunity to talk about how important community and parental engagement is to support the children and their learning. The delegation were very impressed to hear about the efforts of the PTA and the whole school community to fundraise for the supports and programmes which ensure each child in DSP has the best school experience possible. They commented on how clearly valuable community funded programmes such as Play Therapy, Forest School, Restorative Practice and sports are to the children in DSP and how the positives results of such programmes can be heard through the voices of the children and seen through their happy faces.
We all really enjoyed the visit. It provided an opportunity for DSP to demonstrate the importance we place on children’s wellbeing in our approach to education. It, most importantly, gave our children a chance to shine as they shared their learning experiences. It was a celebration of everything that makes DSP special: our commitment to student voice, our nurturing environment, and the wonderful collaborative relationships that shape our school community.
Thank you for coming to visit Ms Ng Qin Lin, Angeline, Ms Jee Wan Yi Stephanie, Ms Ng Gim Hong Joys, Ms Aw Zhu Jun Leah, Ms Loh Wee Cheng, Ms Haslinda Binte Zamani and Mr Yue Lip Sin.