Strategic… Activator… Learner… Self-Assurance… Command…

Andrew Chew has extensive experience in the educational sector. Over the last 25 years, he had held senior positions in the Ministry of Education in Singapore - as Principal of a secondary school, Cluster Superintendent of the Schools Division (South & West Zones), and Deputy Director for Co-Curricular Activities (DDCCA) in the Educational Programmes Division.

As a Superintendent for South 2 & West 5 Clusters from 2004 to 2005 and 2008 to 2009 respectively, Andrew oversees 13 to 14 schools (primary, secondary and JC) in each cluster. As Deputy Director for CCA from 2006 to 2007, he oversees sports, performing arts, uniformed groups, clubs and societies and outdoor education in all schools.

Andrew has great insights into how the educational landscape in Singapore has transformed under the “Thinking Schools, Learning Nation” initiative and in keeping with educational reforms in the world. He has extensive experience in the areas of organisational and personal excellence involving leadership, change management, personal and team effectiveness and improvement. A firm believer and practitioner of organisational learning and “leading from within”, Andrew has successfully led and motivated his people through engendering a culture of learning, innovation and growth in his organisations.

Andrew is currently the CEO, Counsellor, Principal Coach and Trainer of LIFE Training & Development LLP. Andrew has conducted numerous strategic planning, envisioning and leadership workshops and retreats with MOE Headquarter, key personnel in some primary and secondary School Planning & Management Committee, officers, and volunteer adult leaders in the uniformed groups such the National Police Cadet Corps, National Civil Defence Cadet Corps and the St John Ambulance Singapore. He has also led numerous workshops, conversations & dialogues with school management teams on “Strategic Envisioning”, “Leadership from Within”, “The Leadership Challenge”, “Change and Performance Management”.

Andrew has conducted various career management modules for SIT, NTU & MDIS Undergraduates, Masters and PhD students such as Resume Writing, Interview Skills, Networking Career, Management and Assessment Centres. Andrew has also conducted Peer Mentoring Workshops for both experienced Principals (mentors) & newly appointed Principals (mentees) with the Academy of Principals (Singapore) and peer mentoring programmes for students in Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore University of Technology and Design and Temasek Polytechnic.

Andrew also regularly conducts talks on “Education in the 21st Century”, “Co-curricular Activities & Character & Citizenship Education” and “Staff & Student Management” with Principals and educators from China (i.e. Beijing, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Hebei, Yunnan etc). Andrew is also a certified assessor with the Ministry of Education, Singapore Assessment Centre focusing on the selection of school principals. Andrew is also a Character & Citizenship Education (CCE) Trainer with MOE and has conducted numerous CCE and Values-in-Action (VIA) Workshops for school clusters, schools’ management teams as well as their staff.

As a coach, Andrew has helped many clients clarify their innate strength, passion, values and needs, as well as build their mental resilience. As a counsellor, Andrew has also helped many of his clients work through issues such as anxiety, fear, anger, grief, and depression.

Both as a coach and counsellor, Andrew has helped multiple clients work with issues such as “stuck” feelings i.e. emotions such as boredom, anger, guilt, stress, sadness, guilt, inadequacy and fear. In the process of exploring these emotions, Andrew has empowered his clients to gain insights over their current issues, causes and devise strategies to cope and strive in their new journeys ahead.

In working with clients, Andrew typically works with clients at their own paces into progressively deeper level of perception about themselves and the world around them (identity & relationships). This may involve helping clients identify and understand their needs, beliefs, values and motivations and then empowers them to make effective and responsible choices to live true, happy and authentic lives filled with purpose and possibilities.

Typically over eight to twelve coaching or counselling sessions, clients usually report gaining new insights, learning and growth as they begin to “see” and reframe their situations from a new pair of lenses. This then allows clients to embark on their new journey of adventure and discovery with awe and wonder.

A firm believer in mental wellness, Andrew also conducts workshops and talks and contributes articles such as “Finding My Inner Voice/Compass”, “Work-Life Balance”, “Resilience”, “Coping Strategies” and “Mindfulness” regularly. As an avid reader, Andrew loves to explore topics involving mind, body, and spirit such as neuroplasticity, epigenetics, psychoneuroimmunology, personal effectiveness, relationship issues and mindfulness. Andrew is also a regular speaker with FM 93.8, “A Slice of Life Hour”, sharing on topics such as mental housekeeping, the DNA of happiness, and keys to Living a Life of Purpose & Possibilities.

Andrew currently chairs the YMCA Academic & Examination Boards & is a member the YMCA Education Committee and a member of New Town Primary School’s Advisory Committee. He provides pro bono counselling services for Hwi Yoh Community Counselling and Care Clinic at Hwi Yoh Community Centre twice a month. He also volunteers as an Appropriate Adult for Young Suspect and a befriender and academic tutor for inmates with the Ministry of Home Affairs. He is also a registered trainer with the Ministry of Education.