Keep it beautiful and natural on Admiral Hill

Straits Times Forum 17 Apr 09;

I READ with interest reports about Admiral Hill, 'Admiral plan still seeking sea legs' (March 26) and 'Illegal dorm on Admiral Hill ordered to shut down' (April 3).

While both articles reflected some negative aspects of the development - such as lack of attractions or facilities, complaints of slow business from business tenants, and the illegal dorm - I would like to highlight the other side of Admiral Hill: its natural beauty in the midst of buzzing Sembawang town.

There is now a preschool farther up the hill, just next to the 'grand dame', the old Admiralty House. I teach there. I chanced on this beautiful place when I was doing my diploma in preschool education leadership on the module Leading The Integrated Curriculum, while searching for a centre with the right approach to early childhood teaching.

It was 'love at first sight' with the environment - a dream location for a preschool - and what is more, the curriculum is very much Reggio Emilia's inspired project-based approach. This focuses on bringing the outdoor environment into the classroom.

The perfect 'among nature' environment where the school is located provides so many teaching resources and naturally brings learning alive for preschoolers. There is so much outdoor space for children to ride tricycles, walk in the rain or simply take a stroll to explore what Mother Nature provides. All in a very secure setting, being within country club premises. With the swimming pool next door, swimming is naturally part of the curriculum.

The country club has just brought in two horses. The children are excited about them and walk to the ranch or the stable to look at them. Soon there will be ponies.

It seems that, besides learning from Mother Nature, there is now more to learning and playing - for instance, learning part of Singapore history in the 1930s. This was where the preschool is now - the two-storey Old Admiralty House was where the British navy was based in 1939. The site is now gazetted as a national monument.

Such natural beauty needs to be preserved. Should development be required, why not convert the place into an ecologically friendly place with a mini orchard or vegetable garden, or even a mini farm (with farm stay)? Some greenery would be a nice and definitely welcome contrast to the current busy Sembawang neighbourhood.

Joyce Aw (Ms)