Two photos were selected as joint first place, with several runners-up.

These photos were featured on the commemorative tickets that were issued for the UWCSEA Ball – celebrating 50 years of the UWC movement. The tickets had dual purpose, as they were printed on high quality paper as souvenir bookmarks.

The competition engaged the community and attracted hundreds of entries taken on our travels around the world – every continent except Antarctica was represented (although there was a photo from the Antarctica Centre in New Zealand), spanning the globe from the Polar Circle to New Zealand’s South Island.

The photos come with many stories, please find the winners and runners up in the media gallery. There are aso images of the bookmarks that were created as tickets for the 50th anniversary ball in the slideshow.

Thank you to everyone who supported the initiative and entered the competition.

1. Kaie Slater, Dover Campus - Laundry Man, Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai, India

2. Nilza Karmakar, East Campus - His Holiness The Dalai Lama and myself in my school uniform. The summer palace of His Holiness in Leh Ladakh (India) The palace has three floors with shrines on each. Downstairs is the Dalai Lama’s throne room or reception room. There is a shrine with many statues of Gelugpa masters.

3. Barbara Trucco, East Campus - An old farmer who I asked to hold the UWCSEA shirt. He has a beautiful and old tool to cut the grass. Trentino Alto Adige, below the Catinaccio Mountain, Italy

4. Viren Desai, Dover Campus - Arnav Desai with senior Indian Army Officers. 13,000ft high at Gulmarg Gondola, Kashmir, India within few km of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.

5. Andy Cockburn, Dover Campus - Ayush Chodhury attending Lamdon School assembly. Lamdon School, Ladakh

6. Tina Callender, East Campus - Cate Callender, Krabi, Thailand

7. CJ Hwu, Dover Campus - Chase Baldwin, Kani Maldives

8. Paul Cobban, Dover Campus - Ewan Cobban and Ross Cobban and members of the Serengeti Maasai tribe. This was taken in the Serengeti in Tanzania where we met many of the nomadic Maasai tribe in their distinctive dress. They were very interested in the UWCSEA uniforms.

9. Mariam Doyle, Dover Campus - JJ Doyle IV, Jimbaran Beach, Bali, Indonesia

10. Camilla Wallner, Dover Campus - Juliana Wallner, Mountains of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Tyrol, Austria

11. Christian Werner, Dover Campus - Maja Werner at Arena di Verona, Italy

12. Cathy Pool, Dover Campus - Marion Pool, Sunflowers in France

13. Sienna Ross, Dover Campus – UWCSEA shirt at Stonehenge, England

14. Gisella Harrold, Dover Campus - Vincent and Antonia Harrold fishing on the Zambesi Rover, Zambia

Retaining the highest quality of staff and recruiting teachers that are leaders in their fields is the key to maintaining the transformational experience and international reputation of UWCSEA. In a highly competitive market, the College prides itself on being able to invest and support the continued development of its faculty. The Annual Fund, launched in 2010, is playing an increasingly important role in supporting Professional Development.

In 2011, 200 members of staff from across both campuses were able to take part in significant training opportunities, led by renowned experts in education. This varied from attending key conferences and workshops, to bringing world specialists into the College to provide tailored and comprehensive training support.

One such programme to receive Annual Fund support was the implementation of a new writing methodology in the Primary School - Writing Workshop. Last year, over 70 members of staff took part in an intensive week of training, with staff developers from Columbia University, designed to introduce Writing Workshop practice across grades K1 to Grade 5. In October this year, the Annual Fund enabled the College to take the process one step further by investing in further training, focused on conferring with student writers. These sessions were led by international experts on writing, Carl Anderson, who worked primarily with Grades 2-5,  and Matt Glover who focused on our younger grades. 

Helen Gamble and Wendy Jones, Literacy Coaches at UWCSEA Dover explained: ‘It was wonderful to get such high profile specialists and receive timely and goal orientated feedback on our progress. Bringing the experts into our classrooms resulted in greater teacher ownership and engagement. It was a highly beneficial experience and one we would not have had without support from the Annual Fund.’

Libby Orr
Annual Fund Manager

“UWC makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.”

The quote above is the UWC mission, and in fact it was that phrase that convinced me to apply to a UWC almost three years ago. The reason why I am so enthusiastic about our values and ethos is because I believe that UWCSEA has the greatest potential to shape people to become potential agents for change. However, after two years of a great and life defining education at UWCSEA there was only one beneficiary: myself.

Despite being in the same region as Singapore, Cebu City in the Philippines is like a different planet where people’s lives are heavily influenced by alarming disparities that prevent many from moving forward. In a country whose weak safety net does not give many opportunities to the poor to break the cycle of poverty, organisations such as Lihuk Panaghiusa are key to helping people acquire better standards of living.

I took a gap year aiming to start putting UWC values into practice. This is how I ended up spending four months at Lihuk Panaghuisa in Cebu. Here I had the opportunity to share my experience with a community of 300 scholars, who are financially supported by the NGO to pursue otherwise unaffordable studies. I have done all sorts of jobs during my time here, providing English tutorials and capability building for High School students (heavily inspired by the Initiative for Peace conference that I took part it), giving computer lessons for the motivated parents of the scholars, and holding life skills seminars for University students.

At first I was concerned about the English tutorials, since this is a country where most people have good levels of proficiency, and I myself do not come from and English-speaking background. However, while working with the kids I realized they lack confidence when it comes to expressing themselves. Therefore my role focused on boosting that confidence by carrying out fluency activities where they can express themselves on a variety of topics with no one scolding them for minor mistakes. When it comes to boosting their confidence it is really meaningful when an outsider praises their communicative skills.

An activity that was a completely new experience to me, and probably the most significant in terms of learning was the Computer Skills lessons with the parents, since I had never worked with people above my age before, and I did not think of computers as something I was good at. However, I realized that the computer skills I had were like a PhD compared to those of the parents. Many had never touched a computer before and things such as the ability to turn on and off a computer required several minutes of tuition. The biggest motivation that I had for that class was the enthusiasm of the parents themselves, who despite the unfair economic limitations that they have to face are always incredibly enthusiastic about learning and willing to move forward. In addition to all this, I also helped them carry out and monitor Lihuk’s nutritional programme which provides daily lunches for the scholars who most need it.

During my first week I met those parents and I asked them why they wanted to learn about computers, hoping that their answer would help me to make a syllabus for them. The answer they gave me was unexpected. “To help our children,” they said in a totally convinced manner. The joy and the smiles on their faces makes me admire them, especially after having seen their impoverished communities and realized how many times we drown in a teaspoon of our own sorrows.

Another activity that I carry out which I consider to be very UWC-guided in its approach is the like skills seminar for College students. This activity focused on the important role they can play once they graduate. I have also seen how education is indeed the key to social mobility, as many of the scholars here become professionals who are able to provide for themselves and their families. Otherwise many other young people like them end up as trisikad drivers and street vendors. The Lihuk graduates also go on to playing an essential role within the organisation itself - another form of giving back This grassroots organization does much with so little. The motto of Lihuk Panaghiusa is “with the poor against poverty.” They practice empowerment in a sustainable way.

In conclusion I can only say that if someone asked me if this experience is what I expected I would say no, and if another person asked me if this Gap Year placement has met my expectations, I would say “Certainly”. I did get to give back and make my contribution. I also know myself better know in terms of what I can do to contribute to future service activities.

The Gap Year was probably the best way to reinforce the learning I had at UWC. But working in ‘the real world’ and dealing at first hand with situations I had only talked or heard about previously, broadened my perspectives even further. I realize that I am able to do meaningful things for the others despite my young age. I now feel that there is so much I can do.

Leandro Montes
Class of 2012
UWC National Committee Scholar from Uruguay

Bench marks a decade for PACE

A new bench, installed in the playground by the humanities block, has been graciously gifted by members of the PACE Board.  

Ravina Kirpalani, Chair of PACE explains: “The reason we decided to support the Foundation is because PACE has been a part of the UWCSEA Community for 10 years and we wanted to celebrate our achievements by giving something back to the school and the community.  Without the support of the parent community and the administration, we would have never been able to achieve building 5 schools in Cambodia or be able to support over 190 scholars in the Philippines or run our local service program.  We chose a bench because it is something that will hopefully be there for a long time and would benefit the staff, parents and the students.”

If you, your group, or organisation would like to give something back and make a gift to the school, UWCSEA Foundation can help make that possible. For more information about the opportunities available simply email Foundation@uwcsea.edu.sg or contact us on 6419 9353. 

Members of the current PACE Board are:- Nicola Harayda, Su-In-Kuah, Angela Comer, Wendy McDowell, Liliana Barbero-Gibbs, Shernaz Varia, Amanda Hansen,  Alison Kennedy-Cooke, Sandi Tonich, Elizabeth Emerson, Margaret Capodanno, Elizabeth Vogtle, Jan Merchant and Ravina Kirpalani

Some interesting scholar facts and figures

• Since 2008 a total of 115 scholars have been given the transformational opportunity to study at UWCSEA
• 58% of all gifts made to the UWCSEA Foundation, since 2008, have been to the Scholarship Programme
• In the 2010-11 academic year UWCSEA supported 54 scholars from 24 countries
• 54% of our current scholars are female
• 33% of current scholars are from Asia – 15% from Cambodia alone
• 100% of our graduating scholars have been offered funded scholarships at international universities
• Since 2008, 30% of scholars have come from Africa

One of our current scholars recently said: “The future depends on what you do in the present.” Please support this year’s Annual Fund campaign and help us give the gift of education to even more students of promise and potential. Together we will shape a better world.

Empower, enable and invest!

To make a gift click here: Annual Fund 2011-12

Wondering why UWCSEA has an Annual Fund? Find out in our updated FAQ's

In preparation for the 2011-12 Annual Fund, the Foundation Team has put together a few FAQ's about why the fund exists, what it pays for and how your gift, regardless of the amount, can make a big difference to the College community.

Click now to find out more - Annual Fund Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that does not feature on our list, please contact us directly at foundation@uwcseafoundation.edu.sg or phone us on +65 6419 9353

First Foundation Awareness stall of 2011-12

With the launch of the Annual Fund just days away, the Foundation team set up an awareness raising stall at the Dover Parents Association’s Holiday Shopping Fair on the 26^th of November.

Joined by a number of enthusiastic scholars, the team were handing out leaflets to interested passers-by to raise awareness of the work of the Foundation; particularly the roles that Alumni Services and the Annual Fund play in the life of the College.

Although it was a typically rainy November afternoon, spirits were high and the Fair and stall were a great success.

The Foundation Team look forward to seeing you at future College events.

One of our Norwegian scholars telling others about the Annual Fund

A special drive will be held this Saturday (7th May 2011) at the East Campus' Summer Fest to raise awareness as well as funds for these trees. Please come by and support this initiative!

For more details on the initiative and how to make your gift today, click here.

When asked why he chose to take part in the online auction, Dover parent Geoff says, "My wife keeps telling me I should support the UWCSEA Foundation, and I'm never more happy to do so when there are Ducatis involved".

The Ducati 900SS was the last in the Italian motorcycle manufacturer's iconic line of Super Sport bikes that can be traced back to the bike that won the Imola 200 (the European equivalent of the Daytona 200) in 1972.

Funds from the Ducati will go towards supporting the initiatives of the UWCSEA Foundation which include the scholarship programme, investing in faculty, environmental and outreach initiatives.

For more information on the UWCSEA Foundation, please contact David Shepherd at foundation@uwcsea.edu.sg or +65 6419 9304.

Connecting our community in the support of UWCSEA is the sole aim of the UWCSEA Foundation. This year has seen the launch of some tremendous initiatives that will help develop the College and the experience for current and future students for years to come. This issue focuses on recent Board developments, an update on our inaugural annual fund, Ubuntu and the first auction in support of the Foundation. To read the e-Newsletter, click here.