The department has forged several initiatives to enhance pupil interest and performance. The Elective Culinary Arts Programme, conducted on an annual basis by SHATEC for our Upper Secondary Food and Nutrition pupils, aims to develop finer culinary skills. The Elective Design Programme, conducted for our Design and Technology pupils, enables students to go beyond basic skills to being equipped with more precise design techniques

Dialogue Sessions with Parents of Graduating Pupils in Aesthetics
In our endeavour to support pupils in Aesthetics and forge closer links with key stakeholders, the department organizes an annual dialogue session specifically for Parents of graduating pupils in Aesthetics. During these sessions, parents are given updates on the coursework and journals. These sessions have been received positively by parents, who find them useful in gaining insights into the demands on their children in terms of their competencies and time. This allows them to provide the necessary support and understanding crucial for their child.

Project Care- Designs in Dementia Care (NE Initiative)
To promote service, volunteerism and foster active citizenry, the department initiated and embarked on Project Care, through which a number of sensory kits were created for patients with dementia, in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). These kits were created by Upper Secondary pupils from the Design & Technology Unit, under the guidance of the School of Health Sciences (Nursing), Nanyang Polytechnic. The purpose of the kits was to encourage purposeful engagement for the clients so as to promote their sense of well-being. We look forward to sustaining this collaboration with IMH.

Such an initiative is a step in creating an active citizenry amongst our youth. If they participate actively in the well-being of members of our community, then we honour that “the whole concept of society surviving in adversity is that we take on mutual responsibility” (Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, The Straits Times, September 27 2008).