Opening Reflections by Shan Chua, Founder of Homeschool Sports Day

The Homeschool Sports Day has always been a highly anticipated event in our community. Since it started in 2010, it has been a day when homeschooling families would convene to play sports, cheer each other on, and catch up with one another.

Initially, Sports Day was hosted entirely by parents and had mostly running races, which did not require any special equipment. In later years when the event was arranged by external parties, the organisers did a fantastic job in offering a variety of activities such as kin-ball, tele-matches and even Nerf gun shooting. Collaborating with various organisations, they mobilised a great team of helpers to put together events that were well-run, educational, and great fun for all the participants.

Sports Day then took a two-year break before it was revived by a new group of homeschooling parents who believed in its ethos. Once again, it was well-received and deeply appreciated by all who attended.

As homeschoolers, we do not take such opportunities for granted. We are grateful that our children are able to take part in such community-wide events and meet other homeschooling families. Most of us carry out our homeschooling in silos, so we often forget that we are part of a much bigger network. It is very heartwarming to interact with so many fellow homeschoolers, and experience the collective energy when we gather as one!

Timeline of Homeschool Sports Day

(2010–2019)

2010

Singapore Sports School

Organized by Shan Chua and parent volunteers.

Kudos to a group of visionary parents led by homeschooling mother Shan Chua, the inaugural Homeschool Sports Day kicked off in 2010 with the aim of building camaraderie, sportsmanship and family bonds within the homeschooling community.

Activities: Running Races, Nerf Gun Shooting, Hockey, Obstacle Courses

Registration Fee: $15 per family

Turnout: Around 450 participants

We were so blessed to have had the chance to participate in [this] Sports Day with other homeschoolers! Wonderful effort and so thoughtfully done.
Suwei Ong, Homeschooling Mum of 6

Photo Credit: Homeschooler’s Sports Day Committee 2015

2011

Clementi Stadium

Organized by Shan Chua and parent volunteers. Prizes were sponsored by businesses of two homeschooling families.

Activities: Kids Fun Run, 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, Mums & Dads Race, Family Fun Race

Registration Fee: $15 per family

Turnout: Around 70 families

[I appreciate] the wonderful family-oriented, parent-initiated endeavours for the love of our homeschoolers!
Suwei Ong, Homeschooling Mum of 6

Photo Credit: Regina Fong from The Homeschool Gazette

2012

Republic Polytechnic

Organized by student volunteers from NTU Top Sport Group, sponsored by SportivA

Three professional athletes, Olympian Dipna Lim-Prasad who took part in the 100m hurdles at the 2012 London Olympics, SEA Games 2011 athlete Nikita Sharda, and former national fencer, Dennis Leong, graced the event that day.

Activities: 5 Olympic Ring Stations (Fencing, Shooting, Netball, Hockey, and Cycling), and Olympic Trail (highlighting the main Olympic values and fun facts about Olympic games through simple arts and crafts)

Registration Fee: $20 per family

Turnout: Around 200 participants

It was a joy and privilege to be part of this event. I am thrilled to see all my homeschooling juniors enjoying themselves and sharing my experience with the parents. Sport is a great tool to develop character, determination, discipline, and values in a person. [It] has helped me to become a stronger and more confident person – I hope the same for all the homeschoolers.
Vera Lau, Homeschooled till age 17, NTU Graduate (Sports Science & Management)

Photo Credit: Lee Quan Long

2013

Singapore Management University

Organized by student volunteers from NTU Top Sport Group and Singapore Olympic Academy, sponsored by SportivA

The Singapore Olympic Academy (SOA) was a key contributor to the success of HS Sports Day in 2013. Families were grouped into 3 clusters named after the Olympic motto: Citius (Faster), Altius (Higher), Fortius (Stronger). Each cluster took turns to participate in activities that were divided into three different zones around SMU.

Activities: A series of tele-matches involving a Gunny Sack Race and bouncing tennis balls, 100m Sprint, 3-Legged Race, Tug-Of-War (managed by Singapore Tug of War Association) and Obstacle Courses (managed by Singapore Athletics Association), traditional games like Paper Ball, Zero-Point, Card Games, 5-Stones, and Tops, Nerf Shoot Out (Target Shooting) and Nerf Ultimate Challenge (4-on-4 Capture The Flag), Little Tots Play Corner (LTPC) for kids below age 2, and Toddler’s Race.

Registration Fee: $25 per family

Turnout: Over 200 participants

The Sports Day [is] a great opportunity for the community to come together and cheer each other on.
Megan Low, Homeschooling Mum of 3

Photo Credit: Shan Chua

2015

Yio Chu Kang Stadium

Organized by student volunteers from NTU Top Sport Group, NUS and Club Zoom, sponsored by SportivA

Activities: Dodgeball, Ultimate Frisbee, Kin-Ball, Athletics for Children (Sprinting, Hurdling, Distance Jumping, Throwing, Endurance Running, High Jump), 50m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 100m Parents Race, Special Family Relay

Registration Fee: $25 per family

Turnout: Over 50 families

Our children have so much fun racing and stretching their limitations. And we get to do it with a community of like-minded families.
Zara Ong, Homeschooling Mum of 2

Photo Credit: Homeschooler’s Sports Day Committee 2015

2018

Woodlands Stadium

Organized by homeschooling mum Angela Lim-Er and 6 parent volunteers (Eileen Yeo, Patricia Tan, Megan Low, Zara Ong, Wan Ying, Kendice Chan) together with Republic Polytechnic

Activities: 60m Kid Dash, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 4x100m, 200m Parents Race, Family Fun Race

Registration Fee: $30 per family

Turnout: 214 participants

I love sports, nature and play. I am a health and fitness enthusiast. It’s been such a blessing to work with this group of enthusiast mums and dads.
Eileen Yeo, Homeschooling Mum of 3

Photo Credit: HSSG

2019

Bukit Gombak Stadium

Organized by homeschooling mum Angela Lim-Er and 4 parent volunteers together with ActiveSG and Republic Polytechnic

Some co-ops took breaks from their routines to train together. Dads had been training since July in the previous year, and mums had been preparing their toddlers for the 60m red carpet runway.