Several enrichment workshops were organised by Xavier Jesuit School (XJS) Cambodia in September for teachers of mathematics, science and art in collaboration with friends from Singapore and Korea.

From September 9 to 12, XJS teachers learnt the Singaporean mathematics teaching method from Singaporean teachers Kate Chan and Belinda Tan. Singapore Maths is considered a highly effective teaching approach. The participants paid special attention to discovering and solving maths formulas before applying them to problems.

The first two days of the workshop were tailored to XJS primary school teachers, particularly how they can convey maths in a simple and fun way. The third day was devoted to helping high school maths teacher make the subject easier for their students to understand.

From September 16 to 20, the Korean Astronomy Society: Overseas Outreach Team delivered an astronomy workshop to XJS teachers and grades 8 and 9 students, and the local public high school teachers in Sisophon.

The teachers and students enjoyed the workshop very much as they learnt how to make models of the planets in the solar system.

Finally, on the third week of September, XJS conducted a visual arts workshop for primary school teachers in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sisophon and Pursat. XJS helped them design an art curriculum that they could use in their class.

Some participants from the public schools were quite sceptical about convincing their colleagues to teach art in their classroom. XJS encouraged them to start with a small group of four to five students and to put the students’ artworks on the walls in their own classroom to motivate other classes. Hopefully, this will motivate and encourage more and more students and teachers in Cambodia to explore art. [Xavier Jesuit School Cambodia]