By Jane Ng (25S03D) and Tay Yu Ning (25S07A)
Let’s address the elephant in the room. By now, you probably would’ve noticed the major overhaul of the garden between Block A and B. Heard whispers of a new “Rewilding” initiative. Read our Nest@RI article and believed it.
In this climate (both social and literal) of budding social awareness about the environment, we’ve seen it start to pop up everywhere. From VIA groups, new initiatives in other schools, to even a CCA founded on the basis of environmental stewardship (One Earth), it was only a matter of time before RI management would follow suit.
“Rewilding” isn’t so much of an overhaul as it is an initiative to cement our role as a natural green corridor. Students here are no stranger to wildlife—we’ve coexisted with the numerous chickens, cats, fish and even otters on campus for years. And so, the more important objective of this initiative is to connect on-campus ecosystems with each other, and with the students.
“But it’s different because we are a school, right? And on top of the school itself trying to be sustainable, we are also trying to nurture that mindset in our students.”
– Mr Aaron Loh, Principal of RI
Ultimately, this initiative isn’t just for the flora and fauna—it’s for us, too. Beyond the school’s lofty goals of incorporating nature into our curriculum, building all these green spaces is, more simply, a means of mindfulness and relaxation. And hopefully, through closer contact with nature, students can foster a more organic relationship with the environment.
The Blueprint: Rewilding Plans Across the Campus
While the Immersion Forest was officially opened on the 22nd of April, there’s a myriad of other changes slated for the rest of the year and beyond.
The Rewilding initiatives are planned in phases, with Phase 1 to be completed by June 2025 and Phase 2 by the end of the year. For example, if you’ve noticed ongoing construction on your way to the Y1-4 canteen, next to the Y1-4 parade square, that’s set to become a cascading waterfall garden as part of Phase 1. Deeper into the Y1-4 campus, there will also be a marsh and a dragonfly pond, the latter of which, interestingly enough, was proposed to mitigate mosquito issues.
Closer to home, there are also plans to build a stream near the P4 pickup point and perhaps more green spaces near Block D, though these may only materialise later as part of Phase 2 or beyond.
More importantly, students can look forward to hands-on activities and lessons being conducted in these spaces in the future.
“Our teachers are already thinking about how to incorporate some of these environments into the curriculum. So, it serves as a wonderful stimulus for learning biology, even physics, math, not to mention literature. It’s a very, very rich, authentic learning environment to enhance the student experience.”
– Mr Aaron Loh, Principal of RI
From Concrete to Canopy: Before and After
The transformation is already tangible. What used to be manicured, high-maintenance lawns are now wild, self-sustaining ecosystems. RI’s rewilded spaces are alive with creatures such as:
- Sunbirds
- Spiders, bugs, and other arthropods
- Otters (who visited as early as November 2024!)
The shift is not just visual—it’s ecological. Students now walk through living, breathing ecosystems on their way to class.
Behind the Scenes: Planning, Design & Collaboration
The Rewilding initiative at RI is the result of careful planning, thoughtful design, and close collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Inspiration was drawn from pioneering efforts at places like Commonwealth Secondary School—where Mr Aaron Loh previously served and witnessed the transformation of mature rainforest spaces—as well as the SG Enable Village, known for its integrated, nature-centric approach to urban design.
“It wasn’t just about aesthetics,” said Mr Aziz, Manager (Services and Operations) of the school’s Estate Department. “We made design decisions like swapping the pond and pavilion for better views, and even planned for long-term irrigation with auto top-ups in case of drought.”
All plants used are native to Singapore or Southeast Asia—no exotic species were introduced. Labels with QR codes that link to NParks pages are being developed, turning every tree into a learning opportunity.
What Lies Ahead: Learning, Living, Leading
“This is just Phase One and Two. We’re already thinking about Phase Three and Four.”
– Mr Aziz
This is just the beginning of Rewilding @ RI. Our school’s Rewilding initiative is not only about importing greenery into the campus, but also about shaping the students and staff of the school to interact meaningfully with nature. Some future plans for meaningful interaction with nature include curriculum integration (where our natural spaces will be used for science, geography and even literature classes!) and cross-school collaboration projects.
As Singapore moves toward a greener future, RI is doing more than keeping pace—it’s setting the rhythm.
This article is originally featured in our School Matters 2025 Special Edition.
