If you are a frequent patron of SAFRA Tampines, you might have spotted a pretty new addition on the second floor. Started by the same mastermind behind 7th Heaven KTV and Cafe, also located in SAFRA Tampines, Taira Pastry is a cosy Japanese-inspired eatery serving up cold brews, croissants, mini tarts and other pastries.

We drop by this newly-opened artisanal coffee spot to see how it stacks up to Singapore’s already vibrant cafe scene. 

Enjoying the little moments

Taira Pastry reminds me of a quaint cafe tucked away on a quiet street in Osaka, with a charming serenity that feels quintessentially Japanese. Its interior exudes an elegant modernity that contrasts nicely with SAFRA Tampines’s casual setting.  

True enough, this comforting calmness is meticulously cultivated by Shermain Pea, founder of the club’s latest addition. Having managed a zero-waste cafe and farm situated in Japan’s countryside, she witnessed first-hand how enriching life can be when one simply slows down to appreciate the fullness that it has to offer. “The word ‘Taira’ in Taira Pastry is transliterated to the Chinese character 平, which means balance,” she responded when asked about the cafe’s moniker. 

It is definitely worth dropping by this cafe for its ambience alone. That said, how do its culinary offerings live up to its reposeful interior? 

Mini tarts, savoury croissants and cold brews

Ordering our main course proved to be an interesting experience. Instead of picking an item from the menu, we are directed to personalise everything from the type of base you want to your choice of spread and toppings. For the base, you can pick from three options – mini tarts, which come in a box of 8 pieces, a pair of puff pastries, or a caramel glazed croissant.

We opted for a savoury base in the form of a caramel glazed croissant with salmon mentaiko filling. I would love to try their puff pastry during my next visit, perhaps with a tuna mayo or egg mayo spread. 

The croissant was crispy and flaky, the caramel glaze forming a delicate crust that works as a honeyed contrast to the umami richness of the Salmon Mentaiko stuffing. You get the best of both worlds with this combination. 

We also got ourselves an assorted box of sweet mini tarts and I have to say – the tarts topped with lychee and passionfruit pops were my favourite by far! The pastry does well to balance the fruity burst of the pops, resulting in a refreshing and satisfying bite. You’ll want to order the tarts over and over again just to try the varied assortment of toppings which include strawberries, blueberries, mango, Azuki red bean and hazelnut.

I caught a glimpse of the bottles of cold brew beverages in the chiller and got myself a bottle of matcha latte, which tasted as good as it looked – rich, velvety and slightly nutty without being overly sweet. According to Shermain, the cafe brews its matcha drinks with Uji matcha powder, which is a premium-grade variant of matcha. 

If you’re seeking something a bit fruity, I recommend its Strawberry Matcha latte. The tartness of the strawberry bits add a zesty layer to its otherwise full-bodied profile.  

Taira Pastry is a great spot to catch up on your favourite book, focus on work or even just to people-watch, its window seats offering a panoramic view of the club. The food does well to remind you of life’s sweeter side, pairing well with its tranquil ambience to serve up a brilliantly peaceful dining experience. 

SAFRA members enjoy 15% off  at Taira Pastry. More information at safra.sg/taira-pastry

Not yet a member? Sign up at m.safra or the SAFRA mobile app, or visit our membership sign-up page on the website now!

Sign up or renew your SAFRA membership to enjoy more exclusive deals and perks. From now till 30 September 2025:

– Get 2 years’ membership for $60 (U.P. $87.20) with promo code SG60.
– Plus, get 2 years’ Dependent membership at $43.60 for the whole family.

For another DIY experience, try this Mac & Cheese recipe by 7th Heaven KTV and Cafe at home!

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post Taira Pastry: DIY Pastries & Cold Brews In A Cosy Japanese-style Cafe appeared first on eNSMAN.

While a stellar academic framework is vital for any educational institution to succeed, it is just as important that physical education receives the same attention, especially for kids during their formative years. Not only does an active lifestyle strengthen our children’s muscular fitness as well as bone health, it also helps young learners feel more confident about themselves.

We visit NurtureStars at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang to learn more about its unique JACPA Physical Education Programme and how it helps young learners cultivate a more active lifestyle. 

Let’s get physical at NurtureStars!

NurtureStars developed its Physical Education curriculum alongside JACPA, a Japanese sports academy renowned for its early childhood development initiatives. To do this, JACPA sent a faculty of teachers to Singapore in 2005 to establish NurtureStars’ pioneering gymnastic curriculum. Paired with NurtureFit, a proprietary class focused on instilling foundational motor skills, NurtureStars has possibly one of Singapore’s most comprehensive Physical Education programmes specifically curated for preschoolers.

More confident and coordinated

To help you better understand and visualise the JAPCA programme, teachers from NurtureStars at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang bring you through 3 exercises that illustrate its learning objectives. 

Exercise 1: Balancing Beam

This activity is aimed at improving your kid’s core strength and coordination while serving as a fun exercise to build determination. 

Exercise 2: Gymnastics Formation

The Gymnastics Formation is a great opportunity for students to learn teamwork, as they work together to develop a creative gymnastic routine. 

Exercise 3: Monkey Bar

The Monkey Bar serves as a fun obstacle for kids and encourages them to work towards overcoming this physical challenge while testing their resilience. 

With your kid, every step of the way

Made possible by a longstanding collaboration between Kinderland International Education and SAFRA, NurtureStars is an established name in offering high quality pre-school education.

Here, your child benefits from Kinderland’s invaluable expertise in Childhood Education as well as the endless possibilities that SAFRA brings to the table. On that note, you can easily find a NurtureStars Preschool near you, with all of SAFRA’s clubs (apart from SAFRA@ 29 Carpenter Street ) housing a NurtureStars branch. 

Let your child join this community of budding thinkers and watch your little star shine bright!

SAFRA members enjoy Enrolment Perks worth up to $300 when you sign your child up at NurtureStars Preschool. Visit safra.sg/nurturestars-preschool for more information.

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post NurtureStars Helps Build Sharp Minds And Stronger Bodies appeared first on eNSMAN.

Who says maths has to be all dry lessons and no fun? With a bit of creativity, both parents and teachers can elevate the learning experience for students and leave them eager to learn more!  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SAFRA Singapore (@safrasg)

In this video, Jason Hiak, founder of Model Math, an enrichment hub by SAFRA and Matrix Math, shows us how they use DIY crafts and games to transform the conventional classroom experience into a fun and enjoyable session. 

Let’s play and learn!

Jason introduces two simple activities that you can try at home.

Activity 1: D.I.Y Calendar

Create a calendar that both you and your kids can fill up together.

On a blank piece of paper, draw a 6 x 7 table. Label the top with the month and days of the week, and fill up the grid with the corresponding dates. 

Step 1: Circle all the dates that fall on Wednesday in Orange

Step 2: Circle all the dates that fall on Friday in Purple

Step 3: Circle the current date in Pink

Step 4: Pose this question to your kid – “What is the date 10 days after today?”

You can be creative with your questions! 

Activity 2: Chef’s Recipe and Bar Graph

Let’s make a sweet berry smoothie with a mathematical twist! 

Prepare the following cut-outs:

• 1 Banana
• 4 Strawberries
• 3 Blackberries
• 2 Mint Leaves
• 1 Cup of Yoghurt
• 8 Ice Cubes

With a simple bar graph template (as seen in the video), have your children colour the grid based on the ingredient’s quantities. Dedicate a different colour to each ingredient! 

After your kid is done with the bar graph, pose the following questions:

1. How many more ice cubes than bananas did we use? 
2. How many strawberries and blackberries did we use in total?
3. If we add 4 more mint leaves into the berry smoothie, how many mint leaves will we use altogether?
4. A blackberry costs 5 cents. How much will we have to pay for the blackberries? 

Maths made fun

Math does not have to be a big snooze-fest. At Model Math, they move away from the conventional drill-and-practice methodology and instead utilise tools such as games, DIY activities and real-life case studies to impart fundamental arithmetic competencies in a manner that is digestible and engaging. 

Ms Christine Tan, who brings her daughter, Meagan, to Model Math at SAFRA Toa Payoh for K2 preschool classes, shares what new students can expect upon their initial enrolment.

“The kids will undergo a formative evaluation prior to their first class. That way, teachers can determine their current level of competence and pair them up with the most suitable module,” she explains. “I particularly like how structured their curriculum is and how they place emphasis on consistent practice.”

More importantly, she is heartened by her daughter’s newfound interest in mathematics. “It’s nice to see Meagan look forward to attending classes every week!” she says.

Sign your child up for a complimentary trial lesson at Model Math at modelmath.sg/programme/preschool-maths-proramme

Find out more about Model Math’s “Building Block Approach” in a primary school class here!

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post Model Math: Where Numbers Meet Fun appeared first on eNSMAN.

Our young ones learn from a cultivation of experiences, observations and personal interactions, driven by their innate curiosity about the world around us. It is this intrigue that lights up the spark in the youngest of minds and drives the desire to learn. We pay a visit to a NurtureStars classroom at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang to observe its out-of-the-box approach to childhood education. 

Beyond its four walls

NurtureStars uses active learning to embody a child’s spirit of curiosity with a classroom that is as vibrant as it is experiential. Incorporating a multi-sensorial curriculum that is rich with narratives, songs, rhymes and theatrical drama, the preschool wishes for students to explore possibilities beyond the classroom, tapping into a limitless imagination. 

Critical thinkers and captivating storytellers at NurtureStars

Teachers from NurtureStars invite you to their classroom to see how an ordinary day looks like for their preschoolers. 

Activity 1: Roleplaying

With classrooms filled with props and costumes, there are plenty of opportunities for students to dress up and transform narratives into living performances! 

Young learners are encouraged to find a place in different scenarios to express themselves, while working alongside their fellow  “actors” and “actresses” to transform a story into reality. 

Activity 2: Storytelling

What better way to engage kids than with a good story? During these storytelling sessions, listeners will gasp, laugh and cheer as their teacher spins a tale animatedly. Often symbolic in nature, these stories not only impart crucial life lessons to their listeners, they also introduce words and phrases to beef up their vocabulary.

Activity 3: Coding

More than just a buzzword, NurtureStars has foundational coding classes that are intended to expand problem-solving skills as well as critical thinking capabilities. These sessions will require students to explore creative means to complete coding tasks. 

A classroom like no other

Having pioneered an exceptional curriculum that is both contemporary and experiential, NurtureStars has led over 330,000 SAFRA members’ children to grow into individuals equipped with oratory and critical thinking skills. 

With an outlet at every SAFRA club, parents can easily find a NurtureStars preschool that is both convenient and accessible. Begin this exciting learning journey for your child, where young go-getters can truly let their creativity illuminate the classroom!

Want to find out more about NurtureStars programmes? Enquire now or book a school tour today at 6320 0132. You can also find out more at safra.sg/lifestyle/nurturestars-preschool

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post Experiential Learning: NurtureStars Takes It Out Of The Classroom appeared first on eNSMAN.

It isn’t too much of a stretch to name the piano as a musician’s formative instrument. Regardless of your musical inclinations, the piano functions as the foundational stepping stone to truly understanding music as not just an auditory pleasure, but as a theoretical discipline.

Featuring a newly renovated area, Yamaha Music School at SAFRA Punggol has also adopted the use of the new Yamaha logo. Introduced globally to coincide with the brand’s 70th anniversary in 2024, the prominent use of Yamaha violet reinforces the brand’s legacy, while the accompanying symbol, the “Do-re-mi sprout” represents Yamaha’s dedication to nurturing minds through music education. Together, the logo and symbol convey Yamaha’s philosophy of making music accessible and enjoyable for all, ensuring the brand resonates with music lovers worldwide.

In the video below, an instructor from SAFRA Punggol’s Yamaha Music School shows us a simple way to start learning the piano with a classic favourite – Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Learning your ABC’s with Yamaha

Like the English alphabet, there are various musical keys and notations on the piano that you will need to identify and understand before attempting to string together a harmonious melody. That said, once you have assimilated well to the basics, the possibilities are literally endless.

Lesson 1: Knowing the piano

The piano is defined by a repeating series of keys, which begins with the middle C. This order, better known as the C major scale, goes like this – C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Your right hand should be on the middle C.

Let’s play a few notes to hear how they sound! Begin at C and go all the way until you reach G.

Lesson 2: Putting together a simple melody

Here’s a simple tune to get you started – Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

First, begin with this order – C, C, G, G, A, A, G.

Move on to the second half of the chorus – F, F, E, E, D, D, C.

Put these two lines together and play!

Lesson 3: Both hands now!

Time to include some easy left-hand chords. For this song, we’ll utilise C major, G major and F major chords.

As you play the melody that was learnt in Lesson 2, the chords of C, F and G major can be used as accompaniment. It should go like this: C major > F major > C major > G major > C major > G major > C major.

Congratulations! You have just played your first song on the piano! 

A cornerstone of music learning

Established in 1966, Yamaha Music School keeps its curriculum relevant and accessible for the contemporary piano enthusiast. Yamaha instructors hold certifications ranging from ABRSM Grade 8 to music degrees. They are required to pass an audition and are trained before they are licensed to teach. With 11 music schools located around Singapore, Yamaha offers classes for children as well as adults, catering to anyone who loves and wants to learn to play a music instrument.

SAFRA members enjoy a 3% discount when they sign up for any of Yamaha Music School’s courses and programmes. Additionally, they are entitled to a 10% discount on musical instruments purchased, as well as an 8% discount on music books. New learners are rewarded with a one-time fee waiver of $50 (all at SAFRA Punggol only). More information at safra.sg/yamaha-music

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post Learn To Play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star With Yamaha In Less Than 5 Minutes appeared first on eNSMAN.

Combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is a sport that is fast gaining popularity in Singapore. Played in singles or doubles, it uses solid-faced paddles and a lightweight perforated plastic ball.

Categorised as a paddle sport, pickleball is played similarly to tennis where players trade shots until either side fails to return the ball. Played on a badminton-sized court, pickleball offers a moderate ball speed, making it easier for beginners, younger players and seniors to pick up.

Where did pickleball come from?

While the etymology of this sport is unclear, with some attributing its name to Pickles, the name of the dog belonging to pickleball founder Joel Pritchard, it is evidently a game born out of creative improvisation. Using an arbitrary array of sports equipment and facilities, the sport can be best described as a mash-up of some of the world’s most popular games. In fact, the first iteration of the sport began at a badminton court with a net height similar to tennis, and was played with paddleball paddles and a wiffle ball. 

How to play pickleball

Intrigued? To help you get started, pickleball Coach Su Li guides us through the basics in this video.

What you need

You essentially only need two things to get things going – pickleball paddles and a pickleball. 

A typical pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court. That said, the courts at SAFRA have distinct markers that allow the space to be used for both tennis and pickleball. 

Let’s play!

1. Stand behind the baseline and begin with an underhand serve from the right side of the court, aiming diagonally to your opponent’s service box.
2. The ball must bounce once on each side before you can start volleying. 
3. When volleying, remember to stay out of the non-volley zone, known as the kitchen.
4. When the serving team begins to serve, a rally starts. Only the serving team can score points, so if any faults occur during the rally, no points are scored and the serve goes to the opposing team, who will start a new rally.
5. Keep playing until one team reaches the point limit (usually 11 points) and wins by at least two points.
6. And that’s all there is to pickleball. Have fun!

Enjoy complimentary rental of pickleball equipment (paddles and balls) when you book the new pickleball courts at SAFRA Tampines, SAFRA Jurong and SAFRA Yishun. Visit safra.sg/tennis-pickleball-courts for more information. You can also play pickleball on SAFRA Mount Faber’s multi-purpose court, which you can book here.

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post Learn To Play Pickleball At SAFRA – It’s Fun & Fitness For All Ages! appeared first on eNSMAN.