APSN Delta Senior School (DSS),supported by the Singapore Junior Chefs Club (SJCC) and Singapore Chefs Association (SCA), organised the Inter-SPED Creative Challenge for specialised and special education schools on 18 November 2017.

This initiative was an effort to create a platform for all students in the various vocational programmes (Food & Beverage – Service & Culinary, Horticulture, Hotel & Accommodation Services and Retail Operations) offered at APSN DSS and their counterparts in other educational institutions to showcase their knowledge and skills before experts and mentors from the industry.

The event this year received sponsorships in kind from Nestlè Singapore, Monin Asia and Honey-Land International Pte Ltd. Volunteers from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Conrad Centennial Singapore, Swensen’s Business Unit, ABR Holdings Ltd and Singapore Junior Chefs Club also rendered their help in running the event as station masters and timekeepers.

The challenge was open to students aged 16 to 21 from all the specialised and special education schools in Singapore that offer pre-vocational/vocational training. Apart from APSN Delta Senior School, the other schools that participated in the challenge were APSN Katong School, APSN Tanglin School, Grace Orchard School, MINDS – Fernvale Gardens School as well as MINDS – Woodlands Gardens School. This challenge served to build the confidence of students, deepen their interest in the different vocational areas and assist them in forging relationships with their peers and mentors in the sector.

There were a total of 6 teams (comprising 10 students in each team) from 6 schools that participated in this challenge. Staff and student representatives from AWWA School and Rainbow Centre also attended the event as observers and participated in a number of fringe activities at six booths (Badge Making, Origami, Beads Art, Photo Booth, Tent Setting and First Aid) that were organised to engage them meaningfully during the event and also to provide them with opportunities to bond with their friends and teachers/trainers/coaches.

The panel of judges were made up of the following eminent figures from various sectors in the industry:

There were five categories (Floral Arrangement, Towel Origami, Preparation of Signature Dish and Mocktail and Oral Presentation) to the challenge, with 2 students from every team participating in each. The theme for the challenge was “Local Fiesta” and students were expected to set up a reception table with one grand floral centerpiece, 2 smaller floral displays, 4 dessert towel origamis, 4 signature dishes and 4 mocktails and present it before the panel of judges. Teams were timed throughout the preparation of their items. The judging criteria was focused on the areas of hygiene, workflow, timing, taste, visual aspect and creativity.

The event was also visited by Director of Special Education, Mr Bernard Chew and Principal of Grace Orchard School, Mrs Lisa Goh, providing pleasant support for the SPED students.

APSN Delta Senior School emerged as the ‘Most Professional Team’ with APSN Katong School winning the title of  ‘Team with the Most Creative Presentation’ and MINDS Woodlands Gardens School recognised as the ‘Most Organised Team’. Grace Orchard School and MINDS Fernvale Gardens School were declared the 1^st & 2^nd Runners-Up respectively whilst the team from APSN Tanglin School brought home the title of “Star Performers” (champions) of the Inter-SPED Creative Challenge 2017.

The level of perseverance and self-determination observed among the students was indeed commendable and everyone who were present at this event was full of praises for them. After a tough period of relentless hard work in preparing for the challenge, students were finally able to reap the fruits of their labour at the end of the challenge as every one of them walked away with awards that they truly deserved.

Summary of Awards Presented at the Inter-Specialised/SPED Schools Creative Challenge 2017