PPPK PETRA SURABAYA – INDONESIA
KUO CHUAN PRESBYTERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL – SINGAPORE
Singapore, 21 – 25 July 2025
Surabaya, 27 – 31 October 2025

‘More than a decade of history has shaped a partnership of purpose — where knowledge meets friendship, and two schools rise together through collaboration that knows no boundaries.’

A Shared Vision

The 2025 Collaboration Project was born from a shared vision between the programme coordinators of Petra Schools, Indonesia, and Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School (KCPSS), Singapore. Building upon a partnership that had flourished for over a decade, both institutions sought to create a deeper and more meaningful learning experience—one that went beyond cultural exchange to foster genuine academic collaboration, intercultural understanding, and lasting friendship among students and teachers.

Designing the Project

Through months of thoughtful planning and coordination, this vision took shape as a Collaborative Research Project—a cross-border learning initiative designed to nurture global awareness and critical thinking. Students from both schools were organised into five mixed groups, each focusing on a theme of global relevance: sustainability, colonial history, culture, economics, and climate change.

The process began with each school conducting independent research from their respective national perspectives—Petra students focusing on Indonesia, and KCPSS students on Singapore. These parallel studies later converged into joint discussions where students compared, analysed, and synthesised their findings, uncovering both similarities and differences between the two nations.

The Journey at KCPSS

The first milestone of the project took place at the end of July, when Petra students visited KCPSS in Singapore. Despite a relatively short preparation period, their dedication and enthusiasm were remarkable. They refined their research and presentations while also preparing for various aspects of the trip.

For many of the Petra students, this programme marked their first time meeting one another, as they came from different Petra Christian Junior High Schools. Despite this, they worked together harmoniously—showing humility, openness, and tolerance in collaborating with new teammates. Their ability to build rapport and maintain mutual respect set the tone for a truly meaningful partnership.

While in Singapore, Petra students participated in a range of activities alongside their KCPSS buddies. They joined regular classes, took part in Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), and experienced the vibrant celebration of Racial Harmony Day. Amidst these cultural and school activities, they continued refining their research findings and transforming them into well-prepared presentation slides.

The Culmination

The highlight of the visit came on the final day, when students from both schools gathered to present their collaborative work. Each group shared the outcomes of their research, integrating perspectives from Indonesia and Singapore. The presentations were insightful and engaging, as students exchanged views, discussed shared challenges, and reflected on lessons learned throughout their journey.

This newly introduced component of this year students exchange programme proved to be an inspiring success. It not only strengthened students’ academic and research skills but also nurtured empathy, teamwork, and intercultural awareness. Watching Petra and KCPSS students stand side by side—confidently communicating their ideas and supporting one another—was a truly heart-warming and proud moment for everyone involved.

Continuing Beyond Borders

The collaboration did not end with the visit. Upon returning home, both Petra and KCPSS students continued their work through independent research over the next two and a half months. Together, they designed paired posters—each pair representing the two countries’ perspectives on their chosen theme. These posters were later compiled into a joint booklet, symbolising the unity of thought, creativity, and friendship between the two schools.

At the end of October, marking the second and final phase of the collaboration project, students and teachers from KCPSS made a return visit to Petra Schools in Surabaya. During their three-day stay, the friendship and partnership between the two schools grew even stronger.

In a special opening ceremony, the booklets were officially exchanged: one was presented to KCPSS by Mr Hengkie Porawouw, Executive Director of PPPK Petra, while the other was presented to Petra Schools by Mr Chelliah Trevor Devendran, Head of Department for Humanities and Person-in-Charge of the Student Immersion Programme at KCPSS.

A Living Legacy

The final product—the beautifully designed booklet—stood as more than just a compilation of research findings. It represented a shared journey of discovery, creativity, and collaboration. It embodied the belief that when young minds and hearts unite in purpose, learning transcends classrooms, countries, and borders.

The 2025 Collaboration Project was not merely a milestone in the decade-long partnership between Petra Schools and KCPSS—it was a living legacy of connection and shared history, proving that education at its best builds bridges of understanding that endure across generations.