Primary School (G2–5)

Our overarching literacy goal is for students to become independent lifelong readers and writers, who communicate effectively through reading, writing, listening, speaking and presenting. To help students achieve this goal, we use the framework of reading and writing workshop, developed in Columbia University, which provides a clear structure for students to gain skills and develop confidence. 

We also recognise that Literacy is not isolated to one specific area of study. It is transdisciplinary by nature and occurs all day, living within all traditional subject areas. Where appropriate, literacy is integrated into other areas of the curriculum to make for more powerful learning connections. 

A wide range of Literacy resources is available to both students and teachers, to support the Literacy curriculum. In addition to the extensive book collection in both libraries, each classroom has a wide variety of genres in an individual classroom library.

The Primary School Mathematics curriculum has been developed to ensure students receive a thorough conceptual grounding in basic mathematical skills and processes with the aim of producing mathematicians who can use these skills in context in order to solve problems. Through imaginative, differentiated and practical activities, students enjoy the learning and recognise the application of mathematical concepts to everyday life. 

We believe that students must be able to think critically about complex issues; analyze and adapt to new situations; solve problems of various kinds; and communicate their thinking effectively. Mathematics at all levels includes discussions; manipulation of concrete materials; investigations; problem solving; practice and consolidation, and mental maths. 

The Mathematics curriculum is divided into five main strands: 

1. Number and Operations 
2. Pattern and Function 
3. Shape and Space 
4. Data Analysis 
5. Mathematical Practices

The aim of the language courses is for students to enjoy learning a new language, gain experience in communication and discover a new culture. Classroom activities are designed to engage and motivate younger students. The courses are theme-based and emphasise speaking and listening skills through games, songs, repetition and role-play. 

Students in Grades 1-3 select a LOTE course from the available options. Students who cannot take their first, home or heritage language in the school day are encouraged to take it through the HLP.

All languages are taught by specialist teachers .Students are grouped with others of similar ability from other classes for lessons.

Taught second language courses (beginner and continuation)

To enrol in our foreign language continuation courses, students need to have basic knowledge of the language; this usually means at least one year’s previous study of the language is required. New students are generally tested to ensure they are placed in an appropriate class.

Beginner Courses

• Chinese: Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5

• French: Grades 2 and 4

• Spanish: Grades 3 and 5

Continuation Foreign language courses

• Chinese: Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5

• French: Grades 3, 4 and 5

• Spanish: Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5

First language courses

• Chinese: Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5

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English as an Additional Language

All students are supported in class to develop their academic language skills.  Our EAL team co-plan with teaching teams to provide this universal support.

For students who benefit from intensified support to develop academic language proficiency an English as an Additional Language (EAL) course with small group sizes is offered. The timing of intensified support varies depending on the profile of the student and their grade level. In Grades 1-4 it is usually during Literacy or Unit of Study. In Grades 4-5 it is during LOTE.

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Home languages (mother tongue) (optional)

These classes are taught after school during by a qualified teacher who uses UWCSEA literacy curriculum to inform the lessons. These classes are taught in small groups at additional cost; the languages offered available subject to demand from within our community. Note that because of their timing outside the regular timetable, these lessons are once per week.  

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The units of study give students the opportunity to explore concepts by drawing together elements of the different subject areas into a meaningful whole. While focused largely on Science and/or Humanities, the units of study can also incorporate aspects of the Literacy, Mathematics, Art, Music and Languages curricula. 

Teachers decide on the time allocated to each unit  based on the needs of their particular group of students. The units covered by each grade in each term are:

The purpose of the Art programme is to allow students to access a variety of styles and to enjoy the process of making art.  Art making is presented as a means of communication and students are encouraged to find the confidence to express themself through a form that is right for them. 

Throughout the Primary School years, students explore a wide range of media, with an emphasis both on the process used to create artwork and on presenting the finished product.

Our Music Programme for students Grade 2–5 is taught by music specialist teachers in well-equipped Junior School music classrooms. The programme offers a firm foundation of musical experience to students with the aim being to provide them with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills to engage in performing, composing and listening, and to allow a range of music to have a continuing role in their lives.

There are opportunities throughout the year for the all students to practise, rehearse and celebrate their musical repertoire and hone their performance skills. 

Students who have a particular interest in learning to play an instrument can extend their interest by taking lessons in our extensive Instrumental Teaching Programme, which is offered through our Activity programme for students in Grade 2 and up. 

UWCSEA’s PE curriculum is designed to provide a fun and positive learning experience that gives students the skills and confidence to develop lifelong habits of physical activity. Students have their learning divided into seven, five-week units throughout the year, encompassing invasion games, gymnastics, athletics, net/wall, striking/fielding and swimming. Dance and adventure activities are offered in Grades 2 and 3 respectively, whilst Grades 4 and 5 have field invasion as well as court invasion games.

With PE twice per week, students have opportunities to develop fundamental movement and manipulation skills, spatial awareness and elementary game concepts. Socially, they learn the importance of working cooperatively and are encouraged to develop a sense of fair play so that more competitive play can be introduced in a positive way. In Grades 4 and 5, students start to apply their observation and communication skills in order to give and receive feedback, to improve their individual skills, and to achieve greater consistency in their performance whilst better applying game concepts.

On all PE days students should wear their PE kit to school and bring a water bottle and hat so that they are prepared for lessons, both indoors and out. When swimming students will need a swimsuit or swim shorts, UV protection top, goggles and cap (long hair) and towel. 

There are many opportunities for students to participate in a range of performance activities, including Junior Choir, Band and Strings, along with dance and drama activities.

Separate to the music lessons timetabled as part of our academic learning programme, our extensive Instrumental Teaching Programme offers access to music lessons on a variety of instruments, at an additional cost. Instrument hire is also available. 

The clubs and special interests are varied and have included activities such as arts and crafts, science and engineering, cooking, writing and robotics. The students have access to the IDEAS Hub, as well as the Design and Technology classroom facilities that support the academic programme in the Middle and High School. 

These classes are taught after school by a qualified teacher who uses UWCSEA literacy curriculum to inform the lessons. These classes are taught in small groups at additional cost; languages are available subject to demand. 

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The Junior School Student Council and several other groups provide students with the opportunity to work in cooperation with each other and step in and out of leadership roles. 

These options are intended to give students the opportunity to extend their interests beyond the classroom, and in the past have also included Chinese-language activity options which are offered at various times of the year.

A full programme of after-school sport is offered to students with sports development options leading students to opportunities to represent the Dover Phoenix in teams participating in 8&U, 9&U, 10&U and 11&U age groups in the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools (ACSIS). 

Sports in the ACSIS competition currently include badminton, basketball, cricket (boys), cross country, gymnastics, netball (girls), rugby (boys), football, swimming, tennis and touch football.

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A full programme of after school sport is offered with recreational and developmental sports options complimented by a changing selection of wellness activities. 

Because we understand that developing an understanding of the relationship between a healthy body and a healthy mind can instil self-discipline, awareness and confidence, our wellness for life activities have previously included options such as mindfulness, yoga, movement, gardening, climbing and dance.

In the past our grade-level expedition have been:

• Grade 2: a night at the Singapore Zoo
• Grade 3: a Forest Adventure in Malaysia for two nights
• Grade 4: Pulau Sibu in Malaysia for three nights
• Grade 5: Gopeng, Ipoh in Malaysia for four nights

The activities and venues are thoroughly checked and annually reviewed to ensure safety of all participants. These overseas trips will be reviewed for the 2021/2022 academic year based on the information available at the time the annual outdoor education plan is completed.

Because families join UWCSEA at different times in the school year, the class expeditions are an additional cost and are billed at the time the students travel.

In the 2020/2021 year optional trips will not run, and we will review the programme for the 2021/2022 academic year based on the information available.

In the past, Grade 4 and 5 students have been offered the opportunity to travel to Bali with one of their parents and UWCSEA staff on a service trip to undertake a volunteer project at one of the children’s homes supported by the Grade 4 Bali Bridges Global Concern. This trip has operated in alternate years, as every other year a group of children from Bali visit us in Singapore and spend time in the Junior School.

A ski trip to Japan is another opportunity that has previously been offered to students in Grades 4 and 5 during the holidays, usually coinciding with Chinese New Year.

College Service takes place on the campus, and activities may include being a monitor in the library, becoming a buddy to younger students in our ‘Peer Play’ programme or working with a gardening or composting group. 

All Grade 4 students take part in Canteen Clean-up and all Grade 5’s take part in a grade-wide composting initiative. 

Eco Rangers in Grades 4 and 5 do regular litter picks around the campus grounds and entry.

Junior School students also participate in local Singapore service, which may involve visiting elderly Singaporean residents at a nearby nursing home or hosting a group from the Genesis School for Special Education. 

Other students utilise their IT expertise teaching computer skills to domestic workers. Students also have an opportunity to volunteer for service-based activities linked with organisations such as ACRES.

By giving the students a varied experience of service learning we aim to widen their horizons as to the type of changemaker they are and would like to be in the future. 

Each grade in Junior School also has links to different Global Concerns groups, which are in turn linked to grassroots NGO’s usually outside Singapore. Through the GC programme, students are educated about global issues, introduced to concepts of leadership and organisation, and encouraged to establish their own initiatives. 

Where possible, links are made between classroom learning and issues raised by the GC, and students are encouraged to take personal action based on their interests and passions. Learning about communities served by these partner organisations around the region broadens the students' perspectives and their understanding of the interconnectedness of the world. In many cases, they recognise some of the issues that they have researched within the College or Singapore setting.   

Students use the five stages of service learning to support their GCs.