18 March 2022

StarHub and Central Singapore CDC join hands to upskill disadvantaged children with future-ready skillsets such as entrepreneurship, digital storytelling, food sustainability and virtual reality creation

Singapore, 18 March 2022 – StarHub and Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) will launch a district-wide $500,000 ‘Junior Stars’ Programme for children from disadvantaged backgrounds over 2 years from 2021 to 2022. This is part of Central Singapore CDC’s SkillsFuture Junior movement to expose its young residents to skills of the future.

Brand New ‘Junior Stars’ Holiday Enrichment Series

The ‘Junior Stars’ Programme introduces a brand new series of thematic holiday workshops through the ‘Junior Stars’ Holiday Enrichment Series. This is for children who otherwise have little access to holiday programmes. During this March school holidays, 3 new programmes were specially curated and offered. They equipped participants with skillsets in entrepreneurship, public speaking, food sustainability and even taught them to grow micro-greens. Beyond financial donations, StarHub also deployed staff volunteers to actively support this week’s programme and the children in their learning.

Future workshops will cover digital storytelling, virtual reality creations and exposures to jobs of the future in the digital, green and care sectors.

Long-standing Partnership between StarHub and Central Singapore CDC

The ’Junior Stars’ Programme also includes the signature ‘Junior Stars’ Nurture Workshops, which has benefitted more than 6,000 young residents from Central Singapore, through a decade-long partnership between StarHub and Central Singapore CDC since 2011.

The modules are spread over 40 weeks and cover communications and problem-solving skills. These interactive and activity-based workshops complement the English and Mathematics academic classes taught in schools. With the introduction of the ‘Junior Stars’ Holiday Enrichment Series, 1,400 young residents are expected to benefit from the ‘Junior Stars’ Programme.

At the launch event, partners and media representatives observed the curated workshops facilitated by industry experts and volunteers.

Mother of workshop participants Emma and Maya, Mrs Lim said, “My daughters truly enjoyed the sessions. The workshops enabled them to pick up new skills that are useful for their future and has really made their school holiday enriching and extraordinary.”

Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District shared, “Not every child has equal access to learning programmes - especially during the school holidays. Through our collaborations with corporate partners such as StarHub, Central Singapore CDC aspires to enrich the learning experiences of our young residents and equip them with skills to keep them future-ready. I am grateful to businesses like StarHub who aim not only to do well, but also to do good through providing additional education opportunities for our young, who may otherwise trail behind.”

Ms Veronica Lai, Chief Corporate and Sustainability Officer, StarHub, said, “Education is an effective leveller. With the right opportunity and diligence, the sky is the limit for all our children. Collaborating alongside our longstanding partner Central Singapore CDC, we are delighted to be able to equip our children with practical and future-proof life skills through our ‘Junior Stars’ programme. We are particularly glad that the programme will raise awareness on climate change and sustainability for our young students, a cause that is close to our heart. It is heartening to see enthusiastic support from StarHubbers, to volunteer their time and expertise in this very meaningful venture.”

‘Junior Stars’ is 1 of 52 programme offerings by Central Singapore CDC, that aims to better support children from disadvantaged background in their journey of learning. Interested primary schools and community organisations serving children from lower-income families in Central Singapore District can write in to PA_CentralSingapore@pa.gov.sg. More details can be found in Annex A.

 

ANNEX A

 

Overview of ‘Junior Stars’ Programme

Objectives

To equip primary school children from lower-income families with future-ready skillsets in communications, technology, and sustainability.

 

Who Can Benefit?

Open to children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Central Singapore district who are:

·       Singaporean or Permanent Resident

·       Primary 1 to 6 (aged 12 years and below)

·       From families with total household monthly income of S$3,000 & below, or S$750 & below per family member

 

Application Process

The children must be nominated by their school or community organisation.

 

Interested primary schools and community organisations serving children from lower-income families in Central Singapore District can write in to Ms Loo Hwei Kwin at  PA_CentralSingapore@pa.gov.sg.

 

Application Period

 

Till 31 December 2022

 

 

The ‘Junior Stars’ programme is summarised below:

INITIATIVE

HOW

WHEN

‘Junior Stars’ Nurture

(Communications and Problem-Solving Learning Modules)

Children attend regular, interactive and activity-based lessons at a Nurture centre. These are conducted by trained, volunteer Lead Teachers.

 

Weekly, for up to 40 weeks

Children are to be enrolled for the full 40 weeks.

‘Junior Stars’ Holiday Enrichment Series

Complement Children’s learning through workshops and/or Webinars with a focus on jobs and/or skills of the future.

 

Conducted during the school holiday periods in March, June, September, November, and December. The length of each workshop ranges from 1 to 12 sessions, depending on the topic.

Sign-ups are on a per-workshop basis.

 

 

Summary Overview of ‘Junior Stars: Holiday Enrichment Series’ Workshops at Media Event

Name of Workshop

‘Food Sustainability’ Workshop

‘Kid Entrepreneurs’ Workshop

‘Learn to Speak Like a Global Leader’ Workshop

Takeaways

 

1.     Introduction to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) (Boardgame play experience)

 

2.     What is the SG Food Story (facilitated discussion)

 

3.     How to Grow Your Micro-greens (hands-on activity)

 

 

1.     Examples of famous entrepreneurs will be shared, and children will discover their key characteristics and what sets them apart (facilitated discussion)

 

2.     Learn how to think critically and identify gaps (‘Problem Detective’ activities)

 

3.     Create business plans using templates and learn how to pitch it effectively. (role-play & presentation)

 

 

1.     Be introduced to different global issues such as environment, illiteracy, poverty and hunger (group activity)

 

2.     Learn how to deliver speeches in a powerful voice with appropriate intonation, expressions, pacing and pauses (presentation)

 

3.     Develop a confident body language – feet movement, hand gestures – while maintaining eye contact with the audience (role-play)