Making a Difference: Sustainability, innovation and creating future leaders

Sustainability, innovation and adaptation are three key drivers for success in our

World going through change and transformation. Recent events globally have

highlighted our challenges around energy, food production and economic

inequalities.?

As a future thinking and global looking company, Amrop Singapore has long chosen

to support and develop partnerships with individuals and organizations who share

our vision for a sustainable future through our philosophy of lifelong learning.

As action, not words, create the most impact, we established the philanthropic

programme Making a Difference. It supported many projects, and we are proud to be

supporting the education of young scholars, forming the basis of the next generation

of leaders and advocates for doing good in the World, today with our partnership with

the Forest School Singapore (FSS).?

Centred around our philosophy that learning is a lifelong journey in personal and

professional spheres, we are empowered to support the next generation of young

leaders who can thrive in our World. With recent events globally, this work has never

felt so vital.

FSS is a specialist educational programme that offers young people the opportunity

to learn through a curriculum that embraces connection with nature and the

philosophy of respecting and living with the World in sustainable ways. Forest School

is not just an educational programme; it goes deeper, it is a way of life and

respecting the World we are part of and our role in it.

The first Forest School of Singapore, opened to it's first students in 2016, after its founder,

Darren Quek, spent several years immersed in learning the philosophy and teaching

ways of Forest School travelling to the UK, Philippines, Australia, and Japan. His

passion for teaching and background working in the humanitarian/education sector

drives him to lead his team to evolve their offering and welcome new students into

the programme.

"I won't say it's the only way, but the forest is sure one beautiful way to raise young souls into beings that are truly kind and aware of their surroundings."

Atsuko Yamamoto

We spoke with Darren, affectionately known as Coach Darren by his students, as he

generously shares his leadership journey to opening the school and his passion for

education and nature.

What were you doing before Forest School, and what led you on this journey?

I was heavily involved in humanitarian and education work. I saw firsthand how

important understanding the natural environment is to various communities over

prioritizing traditional subject-based lessons such as Maths or English.

I've been searching for an ideology to fit all environments and humanity for the

longest time. A chance meeting with a lady called Atsuko Yamamoto led me to an

introduction to the education programme of Forest School.?

Atsuko told me that the school began in Japan largely because of the high-pressure

education system. People started to go into the woods and learn from the

environment through play and exploration. Children engaged more in-depth with their

spiritual selves. Their mind became more aware and physically more adaptable. I

was amazed at how it worked, and the children's development in this school drew

me closer.?

I joined Atsuko and her family to trek the forest here in Singapore and saw how

resilient her children were – in our forest that reflects typical characteristics of a

tropical jungle. Their exploratory instinct and fearless attitude amazed me. Even her

three year old could do it.

The Forest School ways began in the 1950s by a Swedish ex-military soldier

who started bringing children to learn in the forest. It grew over time into a

kindergarten and then a school. And right now, their forest schools are all over the

World in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the UK, Japan, Korea, USA, Canada, Hong

Kong, Taiwan, Philippines.

Inspired, in 2016, I took a trip to the UK to attend Archimedes Forest School

Education Practitioner Level 3 Training, to become certified and enhance my

knowledge what forest school is. After gaining my qualification, I returned to

Singapore and started preparations to open a school here.

?

Do you think there is room for organizations and SMEs within the private

sector to play a role in this journey???

Yes, I see the possibility as there are many ways of learning and developing that

cross over between our philosophy in Forest School and that which happens in

modern business. A school is designed and operates just like an establishment, and

both have users/clients/community to support.?

We have grown organically, and support from businesses can help us amplify our

message and support the next generation of learners. We are, after all, part of one

big community. I'm sure that partnerships with SMEs could help spread the word

about what we are doing.

What has the impact on children been due to joining Forest School??

From my experience, the most impactful story has been the ones shared by children;

they express how they feel and the sense of freedom and exploration they enjoy at

FSS. It is very different from traditional classroom environments. I struggle to know

that not all children experience this freedom and what it means to be human and part

of the natural World.?

How do you see the Forest School developing?

I am seeing FSS grow as a small ground-up initiative that spreads from individual to

individual, evolving and building momentum. My wish is that it develops itself into a

part of everyone's lifestyle and mindset, and more people are open to the idea of

choosing this educational path.

How does nature influence your daily life?

I closely follow nature's rhythm in the environment and myself, like syncing my work,

exercise and diet to a more tropical aligned one. It's about balance. When we realize

that nature is in ourselves and not some external object, we will have a very different

mindset on how we should live.

Who inspires you?

I'm lucky to have met many great mentors in my life. For the Forest School journey, I

will say that Atsuko Yamamoto is the person who inspired me the most. She

coached me as an apprentice and under her guidance I learnt how she educates

the children in the Forest School programme.?

What would Darren be doing if Forest School did not happen?

I would probably be in the education or social work field, as these are areas where I

feel most alive working in, even though it can be very stressful.?

Forest School Singapore is a Community of Nature-Education that offers an alternative education experience for children exploring and learning through nature. The Forest School Education model is picked up from various countries worldwide and is integrated with Singapore's physical and educational landscape to enable children to have fun andexplore while being mindful of environmental and social needs.

Amrop Singapore?is a global Executive Search, Board Services and Leadership Advisory firm serving clients both in Asia and around the world from its base in Singapore and is part of Amrop Global. Amrop Singapore is committed to supporting philanthropic educational and community projects that make a lasting impact and offer truly transformative change and sustainable development opportunities for the next generation of leaders.