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Naval Base Secondary School

Student Initiated Learning (SIL)

Find out how SIL empowers students to explore personal interests, lead workshops, and share their skills with peers through self-directed learning beyond the classroom.

Last updated 21 August 2026

What is SIL?

The Student-Initiated Learning (SIL) provides Navalites with the opportunity to become independent, passionate and lifelong learners. It is a dedicated time during Home-based Learning for them to explore, design and execute projects tied to their personal interests that extend their learning beyond the school curriculum.

Four young students sit around a table crocheting with colorful yarn and hooks in a bright room.

Why SIL?

  1. Cultivate a Passion for Lifelong Learning – Encourage curiosity beyond subject syllabi and independent knowledge acquisition.

  2. Nurture Independent and Enthusiastic Learners – Develop skills and mindsets for self-directed learning aligned with personal interests.

  3. Encourage Exploration and Collaboration – Inspire students to share their passions with the wider community in a collaborative learning environment.

How is SIL implemented in NBSS?

For each SIL session, Navalites document their journey on their chosen topics of interest, progressing through the following stages:

  1. Research – Gathering information on their chosen topic.

  2. Define & Design – Outlining goals and planning their project.

  3. Implementation – Executing their ideas in practice.

  4. Refinements – Making improvements based on feedback and insights.

  5. Photos and Videos – Showcasing their progress visually.

  6. Reflections – Evaluating their learning experience and growth.

Here’s a sneak peek of the documentation on Padlet:

Six student project cards displayed side by side, each showing a profile, text, and some with food or learning-related images.
A Trello-style board with six columns showing student project cards including text, photos of food, crafts, and cooking.

Student-led Workshops

Throughout the year, selected Navalites facilitated student-led workshops on interest areas such as perfumery, crochet, coding, clay trinkets, and terrarium-making. In their role as facilitators, they honed their public speaking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, all while nurturing a dynamic and engaging peer-learning environment.

Four photos show students in classrooms: handling jars and plants, group discussion, class photo, and two at desks.

A Celebration of Learning: SIL Fest

We then conclude the year with a vibrant celebration of learning, where students present projects that showcase skills ranging from sports and music to culinary arts and artistic expression. Each year, the event highlights a rich diversity of talents, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. It is a true 'for students, by students' experience, where passion, knowledge, and skills are shared freely.

To view the excellent work of our Navalites, visit:

https://sites.google.com/moe.edu.sg/nbssil/sil-fest?authuser=0

A young barber cuts a student's hair in a school gymnasium while other students watch nearby.
Two women lean over a newspaper-covered table, handling small cups and bottles in an art-filled room.
Three students in white aprons mix ingredients in metal bowls at a school cooking classroom counter.
Students in dark uniforms smile at a school event booth with craft supplies and a booklet on the table.