Change in meeting point

Please meet at Row 10 at Terminal 2, 12.40pm on Monday instead. Let your friends know of the change in meeting venue.

Important information- please read!

Please let your friends know about the following information:

1) Meet at Terminal 2, 12.40pm at Row 6 on 17th November 2008 (Don't be late!)
2) Bring a backpack along for the day's activities. Things to put in your backpack:
a) cap/hat
b) camera
c) handbook and pen
d) raincoat
e) water bottle
f) first-aid pouch (handiplast, panadol, medicated oil, charcoal or any other medicine for diarrhea)
g) plastic bags

3) Bring a thick sweater with you as the temperature can go as low as 10 degrees Celcius in the morning and evenings. Not advisable to bring bermudas. Wear long pants because of the cold weather.
4) Bring 2-10 storybooks for CIP in Thailand or any other items which you wish to donate.
----------------

We expect you to be very well-prepared for your performance items. If you feel that you cannot remember the lyrics to the song, please bring the lyrics sheet along with you to rehearse when we are there.
----------------
Take your malaria pills (one on the 16th and one on the 17th morning after your breakfast)! We will do a spot check in Thailand to make sure you have taken your medication. Your health is important, please take good care of yourselves!
----------------

Burmese Shan and their way of life

UN Refugees video


Burmese Shan in Thailand

Reminder: dates for the rest of your training sessions

Please attend the sessions rigorously! Do let any of the teachers know that you are not able to attend the sessions beforehand (at least 2 hours before the session) and provide a valid reason for your absence (i.e. parents' letter or MC).

29th Oct: River studies and rehearsal
30th Oct: Geography of Food, rehearsal, planning of sports activities

31st Oct at 5.20pm: Parents' briefing

4th Nov: Soil studies, rehearsal and planning of sports activities
6th Nov: Vegetation studies and rehearsal
7th Nov (Friday): Development and rehearsal
10th Nov: Methodology (interviews, participant-observation, sampling, fieldsketching)12th Nov: rehearsal and planning of sports activities
13th Nov: Migration issues facing hill tribes in N. Thailand

Time: 12.30pm at AVA room (except for Fridays, which will still be at 2pm)

There are slight changes in the CIP component for the trip: Instead of teaching English, you must plan some sports or any other activities to interact with the children over there (Think back to the games you played during your camps to help you brainstorm). You will have to think of at least two songs for cultural exchange and at the same time teach them simple English words through the songs.

Please hand in ALL your forms (IF forms, acknowledgement forms and parents' briefing letter) by 29th Oct. You need to co-operate with us and follow deadlines so that you can maximise your learning and enjoyment during your training sessions and te trip itself.

Who are the hill tribes in Thailand?

As preparation for Thursday's session and the trip, click on the links below to watch the following short videos:

Akhas: a people without citizenship rights
Hill tribes: A timeless mission


It would be good to note that the Akhas in the video are not representative of the entire Akha tribal people. There are some Akhas who are non-Christians. There are also the Lahus, Hmong, Mien and many other hill tribes residing in Northern Thailand too. However, conversion of hill tribes people is fairly common in Thailand because this is the only way for them to get medical access and other basic needs despite being non-citizens in Thailand.

Training session number 1

Welcome back from exams!
Your pre-fieldtrip training will start from this week onwards.

The first session will be on this Thursday, 2-3.30pm. Venue: AVA room.

A very special guest from NUS will be here to give a talk on Fieldtrip Techniques and a little background on hill tribes in Northern Thailand.

Please be present unless you have a valid reason.

Also please reassure your parents if they are concerned about safety in Thailand. Everything will proceed as the area which we will be going is quite safe and isolated.

Pre-fieldtrip sessions

You will need to attend the activities below before we leave for Thailand. As this is an edr ucational fieldtrip (learning journey), you will need to be prepared to do some work before the fieldtrip, during the fieldtrip and post-fieldtrip. This will be similar to the trip to Japan in June for the Sec 4s (you might want to ask them). The lessons and activities are meant to help you to be well-prepared for what you have to do during the fieldtrip. Attendance is compulsory. Valid reasons (with MCs and parent letter) must be given for being absent for the sessions.


Pre-fieldtrip activities for all (compulsory):

1. Post-exam activities: Introduction and briefing AND Thai language lessons
2. Post-exam activities: Lecture by NUS Geography professor on Northern Thailand
3. Holiday lessons: Fieldwork Techniques lessons and rehearsals for performances

All lessons (except no. 1) will be held in the afternoon after school and Bridging Programme.

The situation in Thailand has remained stable. We will not be going to Bangkok, therefore, please assure your parents that the trip will still proceed.