PA Spotlight: Celebrating a Year of Connection, Growth, and Community Impact at Dover
By Sean Gerard, UWCSEA Communications Team and Parents' Association (Dover)
1 July 2026
What an incredible academic year it has been for the UWCSEA Dover Parents’ Association (PA)! From nourishing our boarders with tastes of home to diving deep into mental health, digital wellness, and environmental activism, our parent community has shown up with immense heart, energy, and dedication.
Here is a look back at the milestones, workshops, and shared moments that defined our year.
Cultivating Home Away from Home: "Cooking with Boarders"
One of our most heartwarming initiatives this year was the launch of the "Cooking with Boarders" series, bridging the gap between day-parent volunteers and our residential community. These Sunday evening sessions provided a vital, delicious break from studies for our boarders.
November: Barbara from the Italian Nationality group kicked things off by organising a spectacular Italian feast for our Grade 12 students.
January: Parents from the Taiwanese and German nationality groups treated Grade 11 boarders to a culinary crossover featuring schnitzel, chicken rice, noodles, and brown sugar boba.
March: Japanese and Chinese families brought high energy to the Boarding House kitchen, getting Grades 8, 9, and 10 students hands-on making fresh dumplings and strawberry mochi.
Thank you to all the nationality groups and families who brought their kitchens, cultures, and warmth into the Boarding House.
Sustainability and Conservation: Driving Collective Action
The PA Sustainability Team kept environmental stewardship at the forefront of our community’s mind this year with hands-on learning and world-class inspiration.
An Evening with Alumnus Patrick Rouxel
In an unforgettable week, the PA hosted a special evening with independent filmmaker and UWCSEA alumnus Patrick Rouxel. Patrick shared his profound, empathetic journey saving endangered sun bears in Kalimantan, Indonesia, and introduced us to the plight of Mia, an adorable cub he has spent the last year raising.
Beyond the parent evening, Patrick spent the week inspiring our student body, presenting at Grade 6 and 7 assemblies, and engaging deeply with our Middle and High School Promoting Animal Welfare (PAW) Global Concern groups.
Biodiversity and Activism
Earlier in the year, Rajul Priya (co-founder of the PA Sustainability Team) led an eye-opening "Biodiversity Collage" workshop, unpacking human impacts on global ecosystems.
May Sustainability Month: Honouring Sir David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday
May became a massive hub of green initiatives, celebrating a conservation icon:
Street Clean-Up
A dedicated parent team partnered with One Planet (Singapore) to remove 7 kg of rubbish from around the Dover neighbourhood.
Flea Market
Our sustainability month culminated in the massive 2nd annual UWCSEA Flea Market, featuring live UWCSEA bands, incredible community turnouts, and recycled arts and crafts from the Travelling Cardboard Lady.
Fireside Chat
Moderated brilliantly by Grade 11 student Adam, parents and Dover's Head of Environmental Sustainability, Zoe Perry, hosted a powerful panel featuring Angeline (Grade 11 student who travelled to the Arctic), Hannah Na Yeon Oh ’03 (CEO of Article 6), Raymond Tan (Film Director of Itam: A Sun Bear Story), and Kalaivanan Balakrishnan (Founder of ACRES).
Mental Health, Wellbeing and Parent Education
Our Mental Health & Wellbeing (MHW) Team experienced a phenomenal year of growth, welcoming a new coordinator and launching a robust slate of informative, taboo-busting events that brought parents together to learn, share, and heal.
Health, Anatomy and Biology
Peri/Menopause Morning
40 women gathered for our first MHW event of the year, a beautifully open morning of learning and connection featuring insights from parent speakers Grace, Kiki, Sundus, and Jieun.
The Detox Project
We welcomed back alumna Hannah Oh ’03 for a crucial discussion on identifying and minimising toxic chemical exposure (microplastics, PFAS, heavy metals) in everyday family life.
Pelvic Health Session
Senior Pelvic Health Physiotherapists Monica Donaldson and Tamara Gerdis from Physio Down Under spoke to 35 UWCSEA women about the often-overlooked topics of pelvic floor and menstrual health for themselves and their daughters.
Root-Cause Wellness
In May, Dover parent Jennifer Lewin, LAc (USA), led an engaging session on how functional medicine and acupuncture can guide us toward healthier body composition, sustainable weight management and improved overall health.
Navigating Childhood and Adolescence
Middle School Matters
Partnering with Middle School leadership, school counselor Camille Ko led an interactive session helping parents understand Middle School friendship norms and social dynamics.
Technology and Personal Identity
Beyond physical health, the PA tackled the modern social architectures shaping our children's lives
Exploring Identity
19 parents joined UWCSEA DEIJ Lead Kim Cheah and ICF Coach Sharon Cohen for an intimate, interactive workshop, giving parents a rare, beautiful opportunity to reflect on their own values and identity—not just as parents, but as individuals.
Delaying Smartphones ("We Can Wait")
The PA's Technology Engagement Team (TET) and the We Can Wait community hosted a candid parent panel alongside Primary School Principal Mr O. Parents shared practical tips, triumphs, and the trial-and-error of delaying smartphone adoption by using basic Nokia phones and smartwatches.
Smooth Transitions
Late April and May marked our critical Transition Series, designed to support parents whose children are making big leaps across school divisions. Through expert parent panels sharing real-life experiences and advice, we hosted dedicated sessions for
Grade 5 Parents
Transition to Middle School
Grade 8 Parents
Transition to High School
Grade 10 Parents
Transition to the IB Diploma
Grade 11 and 12 Parents
Transition to University
Missed an event?
Slides, notes, and resources from these transition sessions can be accessed via your relevant grade groups on Classlist or via the PA Portal (Community Portal login required).
Staying Active, Together
Alongside our targeted workshops, the PA’s regular community activities continued to weave our social fabric tighter. Alongside our beloved staples—Mahjong, Take a Walk, Book Club, Super Simple Dance, and Meditation—this year we successfully introduced weekly reformer pilates, yoga sessions, social nights out, and a peaceful Chinese tea appreciation experience.
Thank you to every coordinator, speaker, volunteer, and parent who stepped forward to make this year an absolute triumph. Let's keep growing, learning, and staying healthy—together!