STARRS - by invitation only

Well, they're all trying to improve their height-to-weight ratio. While they're currently in the range of 130 to 140, they're striving to bring that down to 110. "The STARRS programme was conceptualised to promote alternatives to weight management in a non-threatening environment, without the need for coercion," says Mr Lawrence Lim, Head of the school's PE Department. The department oversees the programme and employs vendors to teach some of the sports.

With exciting and unusual offerings such as tchoukball or chambara, attendance in the STARRS programme has been strong. These sports are meant for students in the programme, which helps to turn on its head the stigma faced by students with weight issues. The programme is fun and different, so even students without weight issues end up jockeying for the limited places left.

"Some students want to join this programme of their own accord, but due to space constraints, we may not always be able to take them in," notes PE teacher Ms Amy Wong. Mr Lim jokes, "It worries me that some may eat more just to join the programme!"

Learning a sport builds character too

Hands up for those who are committed to becoming fit and healthy! An instructor gets serious demonstrating a Chambara pose to STARRS students.

The heart of the STARRS programme is not just about losing weight. Operating under the MOE Holistic Health Framework, it goes further to embrace the total well-being of the students and develop their intrinsic motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle. The emphasis is on improving the physical, mental and social health of their students, as well as strengthening character development.

PE teacher Mr Teo Siang Yang explains, "We chose to have inline skating because there were already some students who knew how to skate. In the process of mentoring the newbies, they can also learn leadership skills." Watching a game of chambara, where a tag team pit themselves against their opponents, he continues, "Chambara, on the other hand, emphasises team-building and requires a nimble mind to strategise and win."

The benefits are evident through the changes seen in the students. Secondary 3 student Clarence Neo reflects, "I used to get agitated and react easily. But I've learned to think first before acting. Tchoukball trains me to do this because it's a very fast-paced game and it requires me to stay calm, think first, then act to find scoring opportunities."

At the end of every STARRS session, students write down their reflections, to help them develop greater self and social awareness. This is done in the school handbook, which has height-weight ratio tables, calorie counts of common food and charts where students can record and track their weight changes. When the students finish their reflections, the PE teachers round up the session with a few tips to encourage healthy eating.

A work-out for body and mind

A student gets a helping hand on developing her self-confidence, in line with the objectives of the STARRS programme to promote self development through activities.

The STARRS programme also encourages students to stay active when they are out of school. Each student is given a pedometer, which records the total number of steps they take. "My target is to walk at least 10,000 steps a day, or else I feel like I have not achieved my goal," says Secondary 4 student Yvonne Quek.

Some STARRS students take it a step further - going uphill! Secondary 3 student Chew Huan Onn challenged himself during the March school holidays by climbing a 1,050 metres-high mountain in Nepal, as part of Yuying Secondary School's twinning programme with another school. "Some students also pursue the games on their own during the school holidays," says Mr Woo Kok Onn, the PE teacher in charge of chambara.

Other teachers will appreciate the benefits of the STARRS programme too. As Yvonne says with a cheeky grin, "Now, I feel more energetic after exercising in the morning. I no longer sleep in class!"