Design & Aesthetics

Curriculum

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 rapidly changing 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 mindfulness, 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.

NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCE (NFS)
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.

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 focus 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.

MUSIC
Music is offered at both Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary 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.

Common Curriculum

As part of the school’s implementation of Full Subject-based Banding, 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 scaffolding and differentiated instruction, students can grow at a different pace to reach their full potential.

Learning Outcomes

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (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)

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.

NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCE (NFS)

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

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

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

Key Programmes

Maker Programme
Spherification Masterclass
Farm to Table Cooking Challenge
Digital Illustration
Bilingual Picture Book Illustration
Pop Band Music Showcase
Songwriting and Music Production
Design & Aesthetics (DNA) Discovery Week

Pop Band Music Showcase

Songwriting and Music Production

Farm-to-Table Challenge

Spherification Masterclass

Practical Lessons

Maker Programme : Automata Workshop

Maker Programme: Shrink Plastic

Left to Right: Wooden block pet project, Isometric sketch of block pet project and holder for pencil and mobile phone, presentation drawing and USB Table lamp

Picture Book Illustration (watercolour painting)