Learning - Activities Programme at UWCSEA

Dover Activities HS UN Night — Activities

A vital part of student life and learning, our multifaceted Activities programme provides students with opportunities to explore new interests, develop their strengths and pursue their passions.

They can do this through existing activities, or by finding students and staff who will join them in starting a new one as they make like-minded friends and interact with students from other grades and parts of the school.

Open to all students, the programme is founded on the notion of breadth of opportunity, encouraging self-discovery and empowering students to take appropriate risks while exploring their capabilities.

Our intentionally diverse programme provides for students to enjoy success beyond the classroom as they build leadership and social skills and an understanding of group dynamics. Most importantly, they experience both success and failure and learn the value of commitment.

Activities invigorate the life of the College by bringing students together for creative, athletic, leadership and other endeavours. They are a vital part of student life and learning.

Activities in action

EXPLORE DOVER CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

EXPLORE EAST CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

K–12 Activities programme progression

Students sign up for each of the four Activities seasons each school year via our online system, which allocates students based on their preferences. Parents are able to view their child's activity commitments, together with their academic timetable, via our website portal. Students who usually take the bus home are provided with an ‘activity bus’ after activities have concluded at no additional cost.

Primary School (K1–G1)

Infant School students have plenty of opportunities to explore their interests through the learning programme. There are myriad opportunities for them to try out new things, to build social skills and develop resilience and perseverance—all the skills and qualities that the Activities programme is designed to develop.

When the Infant School finishes at 2pm, we have a small number of after school activities open to students. These include both activities led by teachers and other ones led by specialist coaches, which charge a fee. The activities on offer vary depending on age, and all activities are aimed at supporting students in broadening their interests, building their social skills and developing their resilience and perseverance.

The Activities programme expands further when the students move into the Junior School in Grade 2, when the school day extends to a 3pm finish and enables students to join the more extensive programme offered at that time.

Primary School (G2–5)

The four ‘seasons’ each year allows students to try as many new activities as they would like throughout the school year. Myriad opportunities are offered in each category in each season, meaning that students are challenged to make decisions and to prioritise their interests, time and energy.

Teachers and parents work with students to make sure they are not over-extended and maintain a healthy balance. Students are encouraged to discuss their preferences in the Activity programme with their parents and to complete the request sign-up form together.

Activities take place during lunch or after school in fixed time slots, and students who usually take the bus home after school are provided with an ‘activity bus’ to take them home after activities have concluded.

Middle School (G6–8)

Through the Activities Programme, Middle School students are able to try a number of new activities in each of the four activity seasons, which is important in this crucial period of self exploration and personal growth. While many activities are offered as a single season sign-up, some ask students to commit to participation for at least two blocks (half the year), because of the project based nature of the activity. Many of these longer activities challenge students to build leadership and social skills and an understanding of group dynamics as they work together towards a common goal.

As students approach High School and are asked to make subject choices, the ability to experience a wide range of activities allows students to further explore topics or subject areas, in greater detail before committing to courses in the High School academic programme.

The different categories present myriad opportunities in each season, meaning that students are challenged to make decisions and to prioritise their interests, time and energy. Mentors work with students to make sure they are not over-extended and maintain a healthy balance.

High School (G9–12)

A wide range of activities is offered to High School students each week in four ‘activity seasons’ throughout the year, and all High School students are expected to participate, usually about three to four hours per week during lunchtime and after school. Many activities ask students for a six or 12 month commitment, and a few of these also request additional participation on weekends or during holidays.

A number of our activities are closely linked to the academic programme, particularly in the Arts and Performance category. There are numerous opportunities for students to extend their classroom learning in a professional-standard setting under the guidance of our experienced teachers and specialist educational support staff. However, our belief in the necessity of developing a balanced approach to life means that these activities are not limited to students who are taking the subjects in the academic programme.

For students in the IB Diploma, participation in the activity programme can, with prior agreement from their mentor, the CAS Coordinator and individual teacher-facilitators, potentially count towards some of the IB Core requirements in Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). Student participation in CAS-linked activities is supported by an online system which assists students to structure their programme and reflect on outcomes as they record evidence of personal learning that is submitted to the IB for award of the Diploma.