Environment sustainability

Environment

Objectives:

As part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, all MOE schools have embarked on the Eco Stewardship Programme (ESP) since 2021. It adopts a whole-school approach to integrating environmental sustainability, in nurturing stewards of the environment and aims to reduce carbon emissions by two-thirds as a school sector by 2030, with at least 20% of our schools to be carbon neutral.

The Eco Stewardship Programme builds on current environmental efforts in schools. This will be done holistically through the 4Cs:

● Curriculum: Enhance teaching and learning of sustainability in Science and Humanities, and integrate sustainability features into learning resources to make learning more authentic

● Campus: Enhance campus with sustainability features like energy-efficient LED lights

● Culture: Practise daily habits like reducing food waste and energy use, and encourage students to champion sound sustainability practices amongst peers

● Community: Leverage community partnerships to offer students more environment-related learning opportunities

Whole School Approach for ESP@Peicai

In Peicai Secondary School, the ESP was officially rolled out in 2023 where environmental programmes and activities are designed to meet the different needs of the students with support from various stakeholders. Below shows a summary of the whole school approach for ESP@Peicai.

Every Peicaian will have the opportunity to learn and participate in environment programmes through Tier 1 experiences such as the mass celebration of environmental days such as World Water Day and Earth Day, assembly programmes as well as exhibitions in the foyer. They can also participate in school-wide recycling programmes such as “SembEnviro Plastic Recycling League” and the “Pass-it-on Bazaar”.

2026 Earth Day

In commemoration of Earth Day, our school began the week with a meaningful morning sharing to raise awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship. Led by our Environment Head representatives, the sharing introduced the significance of Earth Day and this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” which highlights the role that individuals and communities play in protecting the environment through everyday actions. Students were encouraged to reflect on simple yet impactful habits, such as reducing waste, conserving water, and making more environmentally conscious decisions in their daily lives. The sharing served as a timely reminder that collective action begins with individual responsibility, and that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to a larger impact.

To reinforce these messages, an activity corner was set up in the library in collaboration with PCSS English Language and Literature department. The corner featured a bookmark-making activity alongside informative posters that highlighted practical ways students can adopt more environmentally friendly habits. Using recycled materials, students created personalised bookmarks, reinforcing the idea of giving new purpose to items that would otherwise be discarded.

Through these activities, students not only deepened their understanding of sustainability but also took a meaningful step towards becoming more responsible and environmentally conscious members of the community.

Environment Heads, Amanda (3PN) and Jon (2PN) sharing on the significance of Earth Day

Earth Day posters and bookmark-making activity at the Library’s activity corner

Sec 2 Learning Journey to Treelodge@Punggol

In Term 2, the Humanities and Science Departments organised an interdisciplinary learning journey to Treelodge@Punggol for our Secondary 2 students. As Singapore’s first eco-precinct designed to harness natural elements to promote sustainable living, Treelodge@Punggol provided a meaningful platform for students to explore how urban planning can respond to environmental challenges such as climate change.

During the visit, students engaged in on-site observations and participated in a series of activities across four stations at the Eco-Deck. Through these activities, they examined how sustainable housing design and the thoughtful planning of amenities can help reduce environmental impact while supporting residents’ well-being. They also applied key Science concepts such as energy transfer and heat management to understand how features like natural ventilation, urban greenery and energy-efficient systems contribute to lowering heat, conserving resources and mitigating the effects of urbanisation.

Beyond developing conceptual understanding, the learning journey encouraged students to reflect on their role as stewards of the environment. By observing how sustainable practices are embedded in everyday living spaces, students gained a deeper awareness of how individual and collective actions can contribute to building a more climate-resilient and sustainable Singapore.

Students learning from residents’ about how community gardens contribute to environmental sustainability through enhancing biodiversity and supporting local food production

Students annotating sustainable features of the housing estate

Key Programmes:

VIA projects related to sustainability:

As part of our school’s commitment to nurturing active and responsible citizens, students participated in a Values-in-Action (VIA) programme that addressed a range of social causes. Across different classes, students engaged in diverse projects, with environmental sustainability being one of the key focus areas. In this area, students engaged in a range of initiatives, including beach clean-ups and campaigns to raise awareness, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to environmental protection in different ways.

Some classes participated in beach clean-ups, where students worked collaboratively to collect and sort litter along the shoreline. Beyond the physical task, the experience prompted them to reflect on the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling as part of a sustainable lifestyle. They explored how improper waste disposal impacts marine life, disrupts ecosystems and contributes to broader environmental challenges such as climate change. This hands-on experience helped students better understand the impact of human activities on the environment and the importance of individual responsibility in driving change.

Other classes focused on raising awareness within the school community by designing posters and campaigns to promote environmentally responsible habits, such as reducing single-use plastics and practising proper waste disposal. Through these efforts, students not only deepened their understanding of environmental issues but also took on the role of advocates for change, encouraging their peers to adopt more sustainable practices.

Through the various VIA projects, students reflected on important values such as responsibility, care and respect for the environment. They recognised that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility, and that even small, individual actions can collectively make a meaningful difference.

Students engaged in their beach clean-up project

Students designing posters to raise awareness about recycling efforts in school

Climate Crisis Challenge 2025

The Climate Change Challenge (CCC) is a nationwide competition that encourages secondary school students to create innovative solutions for Singapore’s environmental resilience and global sustainability. It offers valuable opportunities to enhance knowledge, teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills while fostering entrepreneurship and creative thinking to tackle climate change.

GreenTrack: Gamifying Climate Action

Our students proposed creating an app called GreenTrack to address Singapore’s high carbon footprint by making climate action fun and engaging for students. The app begins with a survey to measure each user’s carbon footprint and then offers personalized daily challenges—such as using public transport or choosing sustainable foods. Users earn rewards like discounts and certificates, while features like leaderboards and social recognition foster friendly competition. Integrated with school activities, GreenTrack aims to transform environmental awareness into lasting, positive habits through technology and community engagement.

Wireframing of GreenTrack App Interface

Go Green Challenge 2025

Our Environment Heads acted as ambassadors for environmental advocacy and education. They created informative posters to raise awareness of environmental and sustainability issues and took the lead in spearheading and maintaining the “Green Wall” in their classrooms— a dedicated space to inspire and engage their peers in eco-conscious practices.

Voices for the Planet — Environment Heads Raising Awareness Through Our Green Wall Posters

2024

Singapore Youth Water Conference 2024

Peicai Environment Heads participated in the Singapore Youth Water Conference 2024, organized by Raffles Institution. Titled “Singapore’s Water Future: Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Generation,” the forum emphasized the importance of water sustainability and management practices, such as desalination and NEWater, which Singapore uses to address water scarcity. The conference also highlighted future challenges like climate change and the need for proactive solutions to ensure water security. Key topics included the role of community involvement, youth engagement, and the use of technology, such as drones and AI, in achieving water conservation goals.

Following the conference, our Environment Heads shared these insights with their schoolmates during an assembly. They called for students to adopt new water-saving practices and facilitated discussions on how the school community can improve its water conservation efforts.

Environment Heads representing Peicai at the Singapore - Youth Water Conference 2024 Dialogue Session

Empowered and Inspired: Student sharing Key Takeaways on Water Sustainability