Values in Action (VIA)
At Zhenghua Secondary School, Values in Action (VIA) is a key platform through which students learn to contribute meaningfully to the community while developing as individuals of character.
Character & Citizenship Education: Values In Action (VIA)
Through thoughtfully designed experiences across all levels, students engage in authentic contexts that challenge them to think, collaborate, and take initiative. VIA is intentionally aligned with the school’s focus on developing students as Dynamic Learners, Thoughtful Contributors, and Exemplary Leaders, guided by the prioritised 21st Century Competencies of Adaptive Thinking, Communication, and Inventive Thinking. As students progress through the levels, they deepen their understanding of societal issues, strengthen their sense of responsibility, and grow in their capacity to create positive impact.
Students’ learning journeys are supported through the use of e-portfolios, which serve as a platform for ideation, documentation of their experiences, and reflection. Through guided reflection and ipsative assessment, students track their own growth over time, set personal goals, and refine their thinking and actions across different VIA experiences. This process encourages deeper ownership of learning, enabling students to make meaningful connections between their experiences and their development as individuals who contribute purposefully to the community.
Secondary 1 - FamChamps Programme
Secondary 1 students begin their VIA journey through the FamChamps Programme, where they explore the importance of family and relationships as a foundation for community. Students co-design a set of family-based challenges with their classmates and carry them out at home, engaging intentionally with their family members to strengthen relationships. Through these experiences, they learn to appreciate diverse family perspectives and respond thoughtfully to real-life situations, strengthening their Adaptive Thinking as they navigate different contexts and interactions. This process nurtures empathy and flexibility, laying the foundation for them to grow as Dynamic Learners.
Secondary 2 - Inclusivity in Transport
In Secondary 2, students explore the theme of inclusivity through the lens of public transport as a shared social space. Through immersive learning experiences at transport hubs such as airports, MRT depots and maritime facilities, as well as hands-on activities like goalball and sitting volleyball, students gain deeper insight into the challenges faced by different groups, including persons with disabilities. These experiences foster empathy and sharpen their awareness of diverse needs in society. Building on these insights, students collaborate to design advocacy artefacts that promote inclusive practices in public spaces. In the process, they learn to communicate their ideas with clarity, purpose and empathy, while advocating meaningfully for others, growing into Thoughtful Contributors who are mindful and respectful members of the community.
Secondary 3 - Sustainability Initiatives
In Secondary 3, students take on a more active role in addressing environmental and sustainability issues through student-generated initiatives. Focusing on areas such as food waste management, donation drives and environmental advocacy, they identify real-world challenges and design solutions within the school context, often using The Canopy (our school canteen) as a platform for outreach and action. Through this process, students develop inventive thinking as they generate, test and refine ideas in response to authentic needs. This builds ownership and responsibility, shaping them into Exemplary Leaders who think innovatively and act for the greater good.
Secondary 4 - Community Champions Project
In Secondary 4, students synthesise their learning through the Community Champions Project, which begins with the Community Champions Festival. During the festival, partner organisations such as SG Cares, Zhenghua Youth Network and SPCA are invited to engage students and share opportunities for community involvement, anchored by a focus on the importance of volunteerism beyond their school years. Students then take the initiative to explore these causes, connect with organisations, and commit to areas they are passionate about. Through this journey, they adapt to new contexts, communicate with purpose, and explore meaningful ways to contribute, drawing together the school’s prioritised E21CCs of Adaptive Thinking, Communication and Inventive Thinking. This prepares them to be future-ready individuals who are confident, socially responsible and committed to making a meaningful impact.
Secondary 5 - Chinese New Year: Share the Joy
In Secondary 5, students deepen their VIA journey through the “Share the Joy” initiative, where they lead the school in a community outreach effort during Chinese New Year. They organise a school-wide donation drive, engage residents in rental flats to better understand their needs, and thoughtfully sort and allocate collected items to support different families. In partnership with Zhenghua Community Club, residents are invited to the school, where the items are presented during a Chinese New Year event, strengthening the connection between the school and the community. Through this experience, students demonstrate the values and competencies they have developed across their years in Zhenghua - leading with compassion, acting with purpose, and contributing meaningfully to the community as they prepare for the next chapter.
