REAL Programme

From January 22 to 24, our students embarked on the REAL (Relevant, Engaging, Authentic Learning) Programme, an initiative named after Brother Real Perreault. Brother Real was born in Canada on 7 October 1922, and became a Brother of Saint Gabriel in 1939. He was a kind and approachable person whom everyone loved. Brother Real devoted 36 years of his life to the service of Boys’ Town.

The REAL Programme is unique for each level, with every level having a signature theme that epitomises one of Montfort’s stories. The programme aims to provide students with a relevant, engaging, and authentic learning experience.

DINAN Programme (Sec 1)

Our Secondary 1 students marked an exciting milestone with a 3D2N overnight camp at SAFRA Yishun. Centred around Relevant, Engaging, and Authentic Learning, the camp was thoughtfully designed to equip students with essential life skills while fostering school spirit and the values that define our community. Guided by the theme “Building Bonds, Grit, and Spirit,” students were immersed in meaningful experiences that encouraged them to form lasting connections, develop resilience, and grow in confidence as they embraced their new journey as AssumptionKnights.

Throughout the camp, students were introduced to self-management strategies, learning to navigate unfamiliar situations and build resilience in the great outdoors. The carefully-curated activities also encouraged social awareness and environmental consciousness, helping students understand their roles as responsible members of a diverse society.

Team bonding activities provided opportunities for students, newly enrolled in the school, to form meaningful friendships and build trust within their classes. High-element challenges like rock climbing allowed students to face fears, boost confidence, and experience the power of teamwork. Water activities and orienteering promoted problem-solving and leadership as students worked together to complete tasks in new environments.

Central to the camp was a focus on inclusivity and the embodiment of our school’s CHRIST values — Compassion, Humility, Respect, Integrity, Sense of Responsibility, and Trust. These values were integrated into every activity, helping students reflect on their roles as responsible and compassionate members of the school community.

The camp concluded with a lively campfire night, where each class performed spirited segments, showcasing their creativity and teamwork. This memorable finale marked the beginning of their shared journey, strengthening their connection to the school’s identity and spirit.

RENNES Programme (Sec 2) 

Inspired by the story of Montfort in Rennes (Rooted in Values, Rising with Purpose), the 2025 Sec 2 REAL Programme offered students three days of immersive, values-driven learning. Designed to nurture both heart and mind, the programme provided a platform for students to grow in character, strengthen connections, and explore the world around them with curiosity and courage.

Paddling Forward Together: Dragon Boating at Marina Reservoir
The adventure began on water, as students took on the challenge of dragon boating at Marina Reservoir. More than just a sport, this experience was a test of communication, trust, and perseverance. As they rowed in unison under the sun, our AssumptionKnights learnt what it truly means to move forward together. Through every splash and stroke, they built camaraderie, resilience, and a spirit of mutual encouragement. These are hallmarks of fortitude in action.

Artefactually Speaking: A Journey Through Time at the National Museum
At the National Museum of Singapore, students stepped into the shoes of historians, exploring 700 years of Singapore’s past through artefacts and interactive exhibits. With guidance from Museum Educators and a special "Passport" activity booklet in hand, students engaged in collaborative learning that deepened their historical awareness and critical thinking. As they uncovered stories of human connection, identity, and progress, they also reflected on the values of respect, responsibility, and the importance of knowing one’s roots.

Mickey Around the World: Exploring Global Cultures at the Science Centre
The final stop brought students to the Science Centre’s “Mickey Around the World” exhibition. Designed in an Amazing Race format, the activity sparked excitement and inquiry as students raced to solve challenges rooted in global cultures and science concepts. Working together to complete tasks, they demonstrated mastery by adapting quickly, thinking critically, and drawing on each other's strengths. 

Living Out the CHRIST Values
Through every moment of the REAL experience, students were called to live out the school’s core values of Compassion, Humility, Respect, Integrity, Sense of Responsibility, and Trust. Whether paddling as one, exploring history, or racing through scientific challenges, they were reminded that education is not just about knowledge. It is about becoming a person of character, one choice at a time.

Learning with Joy, Leading with Purpose
As our AssumptionKnights continue their journey of self-discovery, the 2025 REAL Programme marked a memorable chapter in their growth. With every challenge embraced and every insight gained, they took meaningful steps towards becoming young persons of Fortitude, Mastery, and Charity. With laughter, learning, and leadership at every turn, the programme exemplified holistic education in action—where character is formed, bonds are strengthened, and purpose begins to take shape.

POITIERS Programme (Sec 3)

The Sec 3 POITIERSProgramme is inspired by the story of Monfort in Poitiers, where Montfort displayed deep love and compassion for the unreached and destitute. In that same spirit, the POITIERS Programme seeks to cultivate in our students a heart for caring — beginning with those closest to them and extending outward to the wider community.

Caring for those within starts by learning to love and embrace the people we journey with each day. With the formation of new classes this year, one of the programme’s key objectives was to help our Secondary 3 students bond with their classmates and build strong, positive relationships. Through a series of team-building activities and challenges, students were placed in situations that required collaboration, empathy, and resilience. These shared experiences not only strengthened their class spirit, but also prepared them to serve together in the year ahead with love and purpose.

Beyond caring for those closest to them, the POITIERS Programme also encouraged students to extend their compassion beyond the school community. As part of this, students visited the “Dialogue with Time” exhibition at the Science Centre—an interactive experience guided by seniors aged 60 and above. The exhibition invited students to explore the aging process, fostering open conversations about its biological and emotional aspects, as well as the societal perceptions that often accompany it. With Values-In-Action (VIA) projects on the horizon, this experience helped students better understand and empathise with the elderly they will be engaging with later in the year.

To further support their journey in community service, SG Cares Volunteer Centre was invited to share ongoing volunteering opportunities. From small acts of kindness to committing time for larger causes, students were reminded that every effort counts. These experiences help students live out what Montfort so passionately believed: “Those whom the world rejects must move you the most.”

The programme concluded with a class picnic at East Coast Park. Although wet weather disrupted plans for a full cohort telematch, the rain brought about its own kind of bonding. Gathered in cosy huts, students laid out picnic mats, shared food, sang songs, and played games—creating lasting memories with their new classmates. It was a fitting end to three meaningful days of learning, growth, and connection—marking not just the close of the Poitiers Programme, but the beginning of their Upper Secondary journey together.

CESSON Programme (Sec 4 & 5)

The CESSON Programme is a cornerstone initiative designed to guide our Secondary 4 and 5 students as they approach a significant milestone in their educational journey. Named in honour of the Cesson Bridge in France, where our founder, St. Louis Marie de Montfort, began his momentous journey to Paris, the programme symbolises the pivotal transition our students are about to undertake and a mental reminder to give their all in everything that they do. Its core objectives are to foster future-readiness, cultivate self-awareness regarding personal interests and career aspirations, clarify the various post-secondary education pathways, and equip students with essential skills for their future endeavours. Through a carefully structured series of activities, we aim to partner every student to make informed and confident decisions about their path ahead.

The programme is packed with activities that build upon one another, starting with foundational self-discovery and exploration. On the first day, students engage in personality tests to better understand their strengths and inclinations, followed by briefings on the Direct School Admission (DSA) and Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) briefing. The day ends with a practical interview preparation workshop, laying the groundwork for future applications. The second day provides invaluable real-world exposure, featuring an engaging career talk on the cybersecurity industry by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and one of the programme's key highlights: an industrial visit to various partner organisations, such as voco Orchard, Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and Changi General Hospital (CGH), allowing students to witness firsthand the dynamics of a professional environment.

The programme culminates in a highly anticipated mock interview session, which serves as a practical application of the skills and knowledge acquired over the previous days. Students dress in professional office wear and participate in simulated interviews, receiving constructive feedback to build their confidence and competence. The experience is designed to be as authentic as possible, preparing them for future scholarship, EAE, or job interviews. The entire journey is brought to a meaningful close with the "CESSON Bridge" crossing and debrief session, a final reflection that reinforces the programme's goal of empowering students to step boldly and preparedly into the next chapter of their education and career.