JCAS YEAR 1 2026

Objectives

Our Y1 JCAS journey focuses on the themes of leadership, sustainability and the environment. We seek to impart students with the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership Model through activity-based experiential learning and equip them in the areas of: a) Communication b) Teamwork and c) Planning ability.

Year 1 JCAS briefing (updated 2026_).pptx

Introduction to Year 1 JCAS

JCAS stands for Junior Creativity Activity Service.

It mirrors the Creativity Activity Service (CAS) core component of the IBDP levels and caters to the middle year students in HCIS, usually with programmes running on Friday afternoon from 2.00pm - 3.30pm.

These slides briefly describes the programme and some of its highlights.

Friday 23rd January 2026 : Talk on Urban farming by Joy Chee from

The Freestyle Farmers

[HCI Presentation] Food Sustainability Talk (Updated).pdf

On January 23rd, 2026, a talk on nurturing Singapore's urban farming ecosystem was given by Joy Chee, co-founder of The Freestyle Farmers. The talk highlights aspects like food security, especially in light of supply chain disruption during the lockdown, and the impact/benefits of producing food locally to the climate. The speaker shared her personal story as a pioneering urban farmer in Singapore and how the country is educating the young and creating policy in urban planning to support a holistic urban farming ecosystem.

29th Jan and 5th February 2026: Farm Visit to Kok Fah

We visited Kok Fah Technology Farm, a family-owned business specializing in leafy vegetables in Term 1 Weeks 4 and 5. The farm tour focused on modern farming techniques, particularly hydroponics, and provided us with a hands-on learning experience. We engaged in activities such as being a "farmer for a day" and learned about the various leafy vegetables grown at the farm. The visit offered valuable insights into the farm-to-table process, fostering a deeper appreciation for sustainable agriculture and the food industry.

30th January 2026 Vegepod Activity

The weather was fair and we started our first Vegepod Planting activity by planting Kai Lan and other local vegetable types in the pods. We were instructed by Agritisan, a veteran in urban farming. The instructors gave us hands-on experience and taught us how to transplant seedlings with care, and not to break the fragile root hairs. We poked holes in the fresh soil and transplanted our seedlings into the holes that we dug. To ensure precision, we used a manual cardboard ruler and managed to plant our new seedlings in orderly rows.

Food Sustainability and Zero Hunger, 6th March

by the HCIS Green Council

The food sustainability and zero hunger talk, led by the HCIS Green Council, is crucial for our Year 1 students. It addresses the urgent need to end hunger, achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 2. The session provided valuable insights into sustainable food systems, environmental impact and future food technologies, empowering students to make informed choices for a healthier planet.

Y1 JCAS Food Sustainability (2rd Feb 2024) final.pptx

Leadership workshop, 13th February to 24th April 2026

Today, we embarked on our first leadership workshop training, where we will formulate a plan to advocate for environmental causes through social media. The Five Practices we learnt from the workshop are: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act and Encourage the Heart.

Plastic Pollution by MJ Biogirl, 3rd July 2026

Biogirl MJ taught students that plastic pollution is a serious global issue because large amounts of single‑use plastics, such as bags and bottles, end up in the oceans where they can persist for hundreds of years and harm wildlife through ingestion and entanglement. She explains that these plastics eventually break down into tiny microplastics that can enter the food chain and potentially affect human health, making the problem relevant to students’ own lives. In her talk, she emphasizes that every student’s daily choices matter and encourages them to bring reusable items, refuse unnecessary plastic, and take part in clean‑ups or school projects, stressing that many small actions together can create a significant positive impact on the environment.

Confidence Workshop, 10th July 2026

The confidence workshop held on the 10th July is an immersive and transformative experience aimed at empowering students to unleash their full potential. The students engage in a series of dynamic activities and exercises designed to cultivate self-assurance and resilience. Through interactive sessions, they explore the core principles of confidence, such as positive self-talk, body language, and assertiveness.

Conservation of Marine Diversity, 17th July 2026

MJ, the founder of Just Keep Thinking, shared with students how her platform uses fun, bite-sized videos to explain real-world issues in Science, Nature, and Sustainability in a way that feels simple and relatable. She explained that by presenting topics like marine conservation in a light-hearted and engaging manner, complex environmental ideas become easier to understand and remember. Through her talk, she encouraged students to stay curious about the natural world and to care about sustainability and ecological issues in their daily lives.

Global Diversity Carnival, 31st July 2026

Our Global Diversity Carnival celebrates Singapore as a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural society. Different foods from different cultures were displayed and we had delicious snacks like Kacang Puteh, Malt Candy, Tutu Kueh and Muah Chi. Students were also encourage to come in their ethnic clothes to win prizes for the Best Dressed Competition.

HCIS Gives Back, 7th August 2026

On our annual give-back day, we participated in a beach clean-up activity with MJ Biogirl at Changi Coast beach.

Reflection on HCIS Gives Back, 14th August 2026

It was a meaningful experience that not only helped the environment but also provided us with a sense of fulfillment. We deliberately picked this obscure area where less people were likely to come and we were able to gain a better understanding of the issue of marine litter and its impacts. We found a lot of trash that doesn't belong on the beach, such as sticks, candy wrappers, straws, and plastic cups. Picking up all this trash made us feel refreshed and greater connected to nature.

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