This was an event organised and led by two fathers (Mr. James Teo and Mr. Dunhua) from the GESS PTA. Sign up rate was incredible with all places taken up within a couple of days. 24 pairs of father-child turned up on the morning of 12 May 2018, Saturday at the Fishing Paradise @ ORTO (http://orto.sg/activities/fishing-paradise-orto/),81 Lorong Chencharu, #01-08, Singapore 769198. Participation from our Sec 1 students was very high.
This was not your typical childhood longkang fishing experience. Fathers and children were taught how to reel, bait, knot and cast before being sent off to test their fishing skills and patience. Though not all can boast of having caught a big one, and some while casting got their line up a tree, it was a fun time as father and child bond with each other.
Mr. Cheang came with his son Julian from Sec 1G. "I just wanted to spend time with Julian who wanted to try fishing as he has not done it before." Georgie from Sec 1D also signed up for the experience. Mr. Tng, her father, commented that Georgie was bored at home and it was good for him to accompany her to the event.
We hope this event will encourage fathers to spend more one-on-one time with their children. It also serves to give fathers some simple ideas on how to do this. It takes just some time and a bit of effort but can have a big impact on their children.