UWCSEA Parents
Parents
Parents are a vital and valued part of our UWCSEA community. We have a remarkable community of parents and we welcome and encourage parent involvement. Whether supporting your child’s learning at home and in school, participating in workshops on the curriculum and student development, or sharing your time and talent as a volunteer, parents can choose to engage in numerous ways based on what fits their family and their interests.
The parent experience
For new parents the Parent Buddy Programme, organised by the Parents’ Association on each campus, provides support in settling into the UWCSEA community and getting a fellow parent’s perspective on questions about school or Singapore.
Through grade level coffee mornings and other events at the start of each school year, new and returning parents have opportunities to connect with one another and to get to know school leaders. The school sections also host periodic Principals Forums, workshops and information sessions to connect parents with topics around the UWCSEA learning programme and child development.
Parent representatives at the class (Primary School) and grade (Middle and High School) level help to build community among parents and to liaise with teachers, Heads of Grade and school leadership.
The UWC mission and values are widely embraced by our parent community, as reflected in the commitments and activities of parent-led groups offering service within the College as well as partnering with organisations in Singapore and beyond.
Parent involvement at UWCSEA
From social events, to volunteering at school or in the community, to sharing their culture, talent or professional expertise, there are numerous ways for parents to get involved at UWCSEA. For those with time and interest, volunteering can be a wonderful way to build connections and relationships in the school – and through these contributions, parents further enrich and strengthen the fabric of our College community.
Engaging with student learning
Classroom insights
Parents come 'back to class' for student-led conferences and learning shares with their children. Students take great pride in sharing their learning with their parents.
PACE (Parents Action for Community and Education)
Family fun
PACE is a parent-led service that supports UWCSEA values—and nurtures family bonds through events such as the parent-child dance.
Coffee mornings
Social connections
Whether for socialising with the PA or to hear from Heads of Grade, coffee mornings help parents connect with both the school and one another.
Volunteering in the Classroom
Mystery Reader
Volunteering in the classroom—including making a special appearance as a mystery reader—is a great way for parents to experience their child’s world at school.
PACE and HCA Hospice
Singapore community connections
PACE parent volunteers and guests from their long-time community partner HCA Hospice connect for a variety of visits and special events during the year, including a sustainability tour on campus.
Careers Fair
Inspiration and insights
At the annual Careers Fair hosted by the Dover and East Parents' Associations, parents volunteer to share insights from their profession and their career journey with our High School students.
Intercultural sharing
Food Festivals
Annual international food festivals on both campuses are among the most cherished events – and memories – for students and parents alike. Parent volunteers bring their countries and cultures to life through festive dress and decor and delicious foods.
Dinner with Scholars
Food and friendship
Friendships grow as day families and scholars connect through shared stories and favourite foods at this special annual event hosted by the Foundation Parent Ambassadors.
Campus celebrations and events
Community Fair and Family Festival
All-campus events organised by the Parents' Association on Dover and East bring together students, parents and staff for family fun that supports our Global Concerns groups.
Parent-led groups
Across the College, there are four main parent-led groups that provide wonderful opportunities for parents to participate, build relationships and share their time and talent. Each of these groups reflect and share the UWCSEA mission and values and contribute to the College in innumerable ways.
By the numbers
Meet our community
Profile 1
We value and trust in the school and community.
Profile 2
At UWCSEA, my son is exploring, innovating, improvising and learning. He has developed a passion for helping others and I couldn't be prouder.
Profile 3
UWCSEA is more than just a school - it's a culture, a spirit, a 'can-do' attitude.
Profile 4
The holistic learning at UWCSEA is great and my son and I are enjoying every bit of it.
Profiles Pop Up Container
Profile 1
Kuniko Fuls, Grade 3 Parent, Dover Campus
Since my daughter Aika joined K1 in 2016, she has repeated the school values at home, especially 'Be kinder than necessary' which I believe requires a lot of imagination and observation of one's environment. Being kind not only to your friends and teachers but also to ourselves is important as we sometimes tend to neglect our own wellbeing by following busy daily routines. Kindness can be extended further to the others in the community and then those you don't know. That is well promoted by the Service Learning part of the UWCSEA programme.
My husband and I are not originally from Singapore and so the UWCSEA Dover community has become like our extended family. We feel a sense of community, not only for our daughter but also for ourselves as parents. We value and trust in the school and community, and are impressed by so many aspects of their care - varying from how they have adjusted for students and families with the ever changing COVID situation, to how all the staff take care of our children while they are on campus!
UWCSEA’s educational philosophy encourages students to think, analyse and find solutions by putting importance on process. While the Japanese educational system teaches by asking students to memorize a textbook without asking why, UWCSEA’s education starts with letting students ask 'why' and values a more independent approach. I feel this is indispensable for our children, who are facing an ever changing and challenging future.
A better world starts with a drop of kindness from one individual, and this is something both UWCSEA and our family value, and encourage and practice in our daily lives.
Profile 2
Ranita Gupta, Grade 2 Parent, East Campus
We are a family that believe in honesty, and in helping people. We believe in 3R's - Reuse, Recycle and Restore to protect Mother Earth. I'm proud that my son is a part of the UWCSEA family and he is learning how to give back to society. He has started to feel for fellow children in Kuma, Cambodia and has developed a passion for helping others. At UWCSEA, he has the opportunity to explore, innovate, improvise and learn. He showed great resilience during the home based learning phase, as he tried to do things independently and showed some great thinking while doing his work. I couldn't be prouder.
Profile 3
Candice Greedy-Kefford '00, Dover Alumnus, Class of 2000
UWCSEA is more than just a school - it's a culture, a spirit, a 'can-do' attitude. As an alum, I'm so proud to be a member of this community and network of like minded individuals.
Profile 4
Rashmi Vats, Grade 11 Parent, East Campus
The holistic learning at UWCSEA is great and my son and I are enjoying every bit of it. We are taking part in all the community activities and thoroughly enjoy them ... a big thanks to the entire UWCSEA family. Its like one big family for us! The school provides an holistic education par excellence and an engaging community life, and he feels quite confident and engaged having built up a lasting passion and a lot of friends in his years at school. All in all, it's the best school that I have ever seen; their IB Diploma incorporates all the criteria that go to the holistic learning of a child, and at times it goes beyond the curriculum.