Singapore, 21 – 25 July 2025

St. Andrew’s Junior School & Methodist Girls’ School (Primary School Students)

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School (Junior High School Students)

The Petra Study Tour and Exchange Programme, or P-STEP for short, is an annual programme meticulously organised by PPPK Petra, which offers Primary and Junior High School students from Petra schools the valuable opportunity to gain meaningful educational experiences abroad, particularly in Singapore, over a five-day period.

Through P-STEP, students take part in collaborative learning alongside their student partners (buddies) from affiliated schools in Singapore. Beyond first-hand engagement in classroom activities, participating students are encouraged to showcase the richness of Indonesian culture. This includes sharing traditions, values, and insights into everyday life in Indonesia, whilst also building lasting international friendships and fostering mutual understanding.

P-STEP 2025 brought an exciting new dimension to the programme, particularly for Junior High School students, who experienced an even stronger atmosphere of cultural exchange through specially arranged art performances and hands-on interactions with their peers. Participants also had the opportunity to present Indonesian art and culture on a bigger stage alongside highlighting the distinctive identity of the Petra Schools – an identity proudly expressed through the school uniforms worn throughout the programme.

Ultimately, P-STEP remains dedicated to serving as a bridge that connects knowledge, culture, and friendship. By consistently broadening students’ horizons, the programme seeks to further inspire all participants in their journey toward becoming confident global citizens.

Primary School Students

Primary School students took part in visits to two prominent Singaporean educational institutions: St. Andrew’s Junior School (an all-boys school) and Methodist Girls’ School (an all-girls school), offering them a unique and meaningful learning experience. Petra schools are co-educational institutions where boys and girls learn together in the same environment. Therefore, studying and interacting with buddies from single-gender schools provided an interesting contrast, exposing students to a different educational setting and school culture.

During these school visits, Primary School students from Petra had the opportunity not only to observe and experience first-hand the classroom atmosphere in single-gender schools but also to join selected lessons conducted entirely in English. This exposure allowed them to notice similarities and differences in learning styles, classroom management, and peer interactions compared with their own co-educational setting. At the same time, learning alongside their buddies strengthened their confidence in using English for communication in an authentic and immersive context.

The experience proved beneficial not only for the students but also for the accompanying teachers, who gained valuable insights into international teaching practices and standards. By engaging in a new and unfamiliar learning environment, Petra students were encouraged to adapt, collaborate, and expand their perspectives—further nurturing their development as confident and globally minded learners.

Junior High School Students

For the Junior High School students, as in previous years, they visited Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School (KCPSS), a long-standing sister school of PPPK Petra for more than a decade. In 2025, a new programme was introduced specifically for Junior High School students, with the aim of not only strengthening collaborative learning and knowledge-sharing between students and teachers, but also deepening the friendship and mutual respect that have grown between Petra Schools and KCPSS over the years.

A particularly memorable highlight of the visit was that it coincided with the celebration of Racial Harmony Day at KCPSS. Petra students proudly wore Indonesian traditional attire and joined the lively festivities, interacting warmly with local students, teachers, and parents. They enjoyed tasting a range of Singaporean traditional foods and drinks and enthusiastically took part in cultural activities and traditional games—experiencing first-hand the rich multicultural spirit that defines Singaporean society.

Beyond the school celebrations, students also embarked on an exciting field trip with their buddies to the Singapore Science Centre. Here, they immersed themselves in interactive exhibits and engaging scientific displays, igniting curiosity and enhancing their understanding of science in enjoyable and practical ways. Throughout the trip, their shared learning experiences naturally helped strengthen friendships and encouraged collaboration outside the classroom setting.

Another significant enhancement in P-STEP 2025 was the introduction of the Collaboration Project—an academic partnership directly involving students from both schools. Approximately one and a half months before the trip, students had already begun working together online to research a range of important global themes such as sustainability, economics, climate change, colonial history, and culture. When they finally met in person in Singapore, they combined their findings and delivered collaborative presentations. This project not only enriched their knowledge and presentation skills but also enabled them to appreciate diverse perspectives and engage in thoughtful discussions on global issues that matter.

Through these carefully curated learning experiences, Junior High School students were encouraged to grow in confidence, communication, teamwork, and cultural understanding—reflecting the true spirit of P-STEP as a programme that nurtures globally minded young leaders.

P-STEP 2025 provided a meaningful and enjoyable experience for both students and accompanying teachers. Through cultural exchange, academic collaboration, and learning exploration abroad, students gained broader global perspectives, improved their intercultural communication skills, and developed greater tolerance and appreciation for diversity.

The programme demonstrated that learning does not take place solely within the classroom, but also through real-world interaction and exposure to different environments. The success of P-STEP 2025 was made possible through the strong support and collaboration of schools, organising committees, parents, and partner institutions in Singapore.

Looking ahead, it was hoped that future iterations of P-STEP would continue to evolve, based on evaluations from this year’s implementation, so that the programme could become even more impactful. By enriching students’ experiences and fostering character development, P-STEP aimed to help shape a younger generation who are well-prepared to face global challenges with confidence, empathy, and cultural awareness.

Petra Study Tour and Exchange Programme (P-STEP) is more than a programme – it is a bold step towards a brighter, more connected future for our students and our community.