THIS school teaches circus skills and it has done wonders for its students.

The special education school in Boon Lay, which caters to children with mild intellectual disability and mild autism, hit upon the idea in February last year.

Grace Orchard School calls the programme - Reaching Excellence through Circus Arts (RECA).

The teacher in charge, Ms Li Huiting, 27, said the skills have taught the students self-confidence, how to celebrate success, teamwork, and how to socialise and make friends.

She said: 'All of them have learnt perseverance. When they cannot master a trick, some may get demoralised but they continue.'

The effort needed in learning these tricks has also taught the children to focus better, she said.

The children have also become more expressive.

Said Ms Li: 'During the first show last year, they were very shy.

Now, they've learnt to be more engaged with the audience and salute them.'

What started out as a 15-session workshop became such a hit with the kids that it evolved into RECA.

The school is one of the finalists in the first MOE-NCSS Special Education Awards, organised by the Education Ministry and the National Council of Social Service. The school is in contention for the Innovation Award.

PERFORMED AT ISTANA

The 12 boys in the group, aged 13 to 18, have since given about 10 performances ??? including one for President S R Nathan at the Istana Open House in February.

They will also be performing tomorrow night at Plaza Singapura, on the first day of the Christmas Light-Up 2007.

Performer Razali Jinsah, 14, said he is 'very proud' to be able to perform in front of the President, his parents and friends. 'I invented lots of tricks myself,' he added with pride.

One of the youngest group members, Md Azri Md Mastur, 13, said he practises juggling four hours a day at home every day.

He said that he used to be a little nervous when he first started performing - but no longer.

And being able to do the tricks has given him 'big confidence', he said.

The boys were taught the tricks by a trainer from Circus Outreach, an organisation which aims to teach life skills through circus skills.

According to its website, it has worked with more than 1,000 students from over 20 primary and secondary schools.

Executive director Knik Pang, 32, said that working with the Grace Orchard students was similar to working with students from mainstream schools.

Grace Orchard currently has more than 300 students. The school hopes to get between 10 to 15 more kids to join RECA next year, and let the existing performers teach them.

Mr Arthur Lim, 55, chairman of the school's management committee, hopes that with RECA and with more public education, stereotypes against children with learning disabilities and autism would diminish.

He said: 'They have abilities that may be a surprise to some people.'

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION

WHAT: Ministry of Education - National Council of Social Service (MOE-NCSS) Special Education Awards.

WHO: Teachers and schools who have shown outstanding contribution and innovation in the education of those with special needs.

AWARDS: Outstanding Special Education Teacher Awards and Innovation Awards. There can be more than one recipient of the award in each category.

WHERE: Marina Mandarin Hotel, this afternoon.

GUEST-OF-HONOUR: Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State for Education and Manpower.

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