School Outing to the Zoo

Hendrik’s 2^nd school outing for 2013 which happened in 22 August was in Singapore Zoo. This was the first time Sunbeam instituted that there will be no accompanying person for Nursery, K1 and K2 students and that only Pre-Nursery students were allowed to have one. It was stated on the ‘response form’ they school gave out to the students. The reason for Pre-Nursery students to have an accompanying person was the obvious because of their age. I think that the nurseries, K1s and K2s are also still young to be out alone for a school excursion without assistance from the parent, relative or guardian. Although the teachers and teacher assistants would do their job very well in looking after for the kids under their care, I thought it would help ease their responsibilities as they also explain things, lead the way and other stuff they do to make the excursion smooth and a success. I was quite apprehensive at first since Hendrik is not used to being out by himself in public, except in school. A school staff called me up when she saw I wrote down Joseph’s name on the form as Hendrik’s accompanying person. She told me that it was the school's decision and that they want to teach the older kids (Nursery, K1 and K2 students) to be independent and to be able to socialize with their peers during the outing. That being said, I then told her that Hendrik will go by himself. I placed all my trust and confidence to the teachers and staff of Sunbeam Kindergarten for my son’s safety and welfare on that day.

Of course, when Hendrik learned about it he was also quite concerned. By the look on his face, it was like he was discouraged and as if looking for an explanation why we are not coming with him when he used to have at least one of us during their school outings. With repeated explanations that we would want and would love very much to go with him to the outing but the school doesn’t allow it. We told him that his classmates and friends will also not be with their Mommies or Daddies. Then, he was finally convinced and accepted the fact that he would go to the outing by himself.

Days before the outing, we asked him to practice eating from a lunchbox just so to get the hang of opening and closing the Lock&Lock lunchbox he will be bringing in order not to accidentally spill his food. We also kept reminding him to tell Ms Ong (K1 form teacher) or Mrs P. Wong (K1 assistant teacher) if he needed to go to the toilet and needed help to clean his bottoms just in case he poo. Other reminders were: to always stay with the group, to not run and play away from the group, to look out for vehicles when walking or crossing the street, to not agitate the animals, and to drink water frequently.

Well, it turned out that the school outing was a success. When we asked Hendrik about it when we came home from work that night, he said he enjoyed the outing. He said he only cried a bit when he tripped over the walkway when his classmate pulled his hand as they moved from one place to another. We are happy that his first school excursion by himself was a nice one. Kudos to Hendrik, for his confidence shown being out by himself on a school field trip. We are also thankful to the staff and teachers at Sunbeam Kindergarten for providing Hendrik and other students a pleasant experience at the zoo.

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