HOW TO GET INVOLVED Opportunities for parents at UWCSEA East
At UWCSEA we know that parent participation strengthens the College community and the educational experience for students, and we welcome and encourage parent involvement. There are many opportunities for you to get involved, from social events, to volunteering at school or in the community, to sharing your culture, talent or professional expertise. For those with time and interest, volunteering can be a wonderful way to make connections in the College, and your contributions enrich our community, deepening our ability to understand our diverse population. We are truly grateful for the support and involvement of our parent community, and we look forward to seeing you on campus. Nick Alchin, Head of UWCSEA East
How can I get involved in the UWCSEA East community as a parent? There are numerous ways to get involved, which we’ve summarised under the categories below. Look for the coloured dots that match your areas of interest next to the various opportunities that follow. Social: meet, socialise, and network with other parents Sports and wellness: get involved in sports, fitness and wellness activities Skills learning and sharing: share a talent or pick up a new skill or hobby Sustainability: help further the UWC mission for a sustainable future School support: support school or classroom activities and student learning Service: be part of our community partnerships and service efforts in Singapore and overseas Strengthen and lead: share your expert insights and experience by leading volunteer efforts
PARENT-LED GROUPS Parents’ Association (PA) Join the Parents’ Association (PA) East in building a positive community spirit among parents, students and staff. All parents are invited to participate and volunteer in PA activities and events.
Parents’ Lounge: the lounge (off the main plaza) is open to all parents during the school day. Come relax, meet a new friend, have a coffee or tea, check out the noticeboards, or use the Wi-Fi.
Parent and campus events: all parents and families are invited to coffee mornings and campus-wide events such as the Family Welcome Evening (start of Term 1) and Family Festival (Term 2).
Ongoing activities for parents: the PA host an array of activities, from weekly exercise and wellness classes, to cultural activities, to sustainability workshops and service in the Singapore community.
General volunteering: ad hoc volunteers are needed for specific events and activities such as College Open Days, Family Festival, Staff Appreciation Tea, Graduation, and Parent Buddy Programme.
Careers Fair: parents are invited to share their professional journeys as guest speakers at the annual Careers Fair for UWCSEA High School students.
Nationality Representatives: join or represent your nationality, language and cultural community group through the PA to connect and build community and to share your culture at relevant school events.
Managing Committee (annual commitment): share your time, talent and leadership by nominating yourself for a PA Managing Committee position for election at the Annual General Meeting (Term 1).
Learn more get updates with eBrief and Classlist, or visit PA East in the Community Portal (login required) Contact paeast@uwcsea.edu.sg
Foundation Parent Ambassadors
Engage with fellow parents to enrich the UWCSEA learning experience. This peer-to-peer programme is designed to raise awareness of the impact of giving to the College through the UWCSEA Foundation and to increase participation. Gifts through the Foundation enrich the unique UWC learning experience and bring the College closer to achieving its mission by supporting Scholarships, Sustainable Development, and Teaching and Learning programmes. Ambassadors receive training and full administrative support. Learn more www.uwcsea.edu.sg/support-us/be-involved/become-a-parent-ambassador Contact alexandra.touchaud@uwcsea.edu.sg | +65 6419 9353
Parents’ Action for Community and Education (PACE)
Participate in a parent-led service organisation that shares the UWCSEA values. PACE offers both a social network and the opportunity to engage with like-minded members of the school community through service programmes including regular volunteering with HCA Day Hospice in Singapore. PACE also supports scholarships for children from impoverished backgrounds in the Philippines through a scholar-sponsor matching programme and an annual event. Participate in a PACE event or join a committee to organise activities and events to support these efforts. Learn more visit www.uwcsea.edu.sg/community/parents/pace and get updates with eBrief Contact PACE.community@uwcsea.edu.sg
SCHOOL SUPPORT
Class Parents (Primary School)
Get to know parents across your child’s class and help build community. Primary School class parents volunteer via the class teacher; they help facilitate community engagement, organise parent social events, liaise with the class teacher, and more. The Infant or Junior School Coordinator on the PA committee liaises with the class parents about larger school events and activities. Contact your child’s class teacher at the start of the school year
Grade Parents (Middle and High School)
Connect and help build community with parents across your child’s grade. Middle and High School grade parent liaisons/representatives volunteer via the Head of Grade. They help to facilitate community engagement, organise parent social events, and liaise with the Head of Grade. The Middle or High School Coordinator on the PA committee liaises with the grade parents about larger school events and activities. Contact your child’s Head of Grade
Class volunteering
Primary School - Support activities and events in your child’s class or school. Ad hoc volunteer opportunities in your child’s class or for school events are available as requested by the class teacher or school office. These may include accompanying the class on a local service visit or field trip, visiting the class as a ‘Mystery Reader’, helping sew costumes for the Arts Festivals, sharing your culture at the Uniting Nations Day food festival and more. Middle and High School - help with class or school activities and events. Volunteer opportunities exist on an ad hoc basis; teachers and Heads of Grade will notify parents when they are in need of assistance.
Library volunteers
Share your love of learning, reading, and research. The school libraries welcome parent volunteers and occasionally have opportunities for casual part-time paid work. Learn more visit ASK (ask.uwcsea.edu.sg/faq/194125) to complete an expression of interest form Contact libraryeast@uwcsea.edu.sg
Connect with boarding students
Share your culture and extend your home to a student far from their own. The boarding house on East Campus, Tampines House, is home to approximately 170 students from around the world. UWCSEA families based in Singapore can host a boarding student during a school break or simply for a meal or outing. These visits often lead to longer term friendships and unique opportunities for sharing cultures and perspectives. Contact eleanor.luckock@uwcsea.edu.sg or joy.haugen@uwcsea.edu.sg to express interest
Service and Sustainable Development volunteers
Support East’s Service and Sustainable Development efforts. Throughout the school year, various ad hoc opportunities may arise to support projects and efforts of the Service and Sustainable Development team, such as assisting with College gardening, composting, sorting donations and more. Contact jaclyn.ware@uwcsea.edu.sg to express interest
SKILLS SHARING AND LEARNING
Community Lab
Learn new technical skills and support others in sustainability projects. The Community Lab at East Campus is a neighbourhood space open to the Singapore community, including UWCSEA parents, students, and staff. The Community Lab is an initiative of the Singapore-based Sustainable Living Lab; parents who wish to utilise the facilities and equipment or volunteer with the lab and its programmes are invited to attend an induction session. Learn more visit www.facebook.com/sl2square and watch the Community events section of eBrief Contact communitylab@sl2square.org
IDEAS Hub
Gain skills-based knowledge and assist Hub users with equipment and projects. The IDEAS Hub at Dover Campus offers an Adult Volunteer Programme for interested parents. Volunteers are trained to use the Hub equipment (3D printers, electronics, Green Screen film studios, woodworking tools and sewing machines) and can then act as supervisors to Hub users during the week. Volunteers can also mentor student entrepreneur groups. Learn more visit www.ideashub.sg and watch for announcements in eBrief Contact ideashub@uwcsea.edu.sg UWCSEA Perspectives Do you have a great story or photo to share with the school community? Submit your article or photo to our online newsroom, UWCSEA Perspectives, for publication. Here’s your chance to hone your writing, photography and storytelling skills! Learn more perspectives.uwcsea.edu.sg Contact communications@uwcsea.edu.sg This brochure is by no means an exhaustive list of ways for parents to get involved at UWCSEA, but we hope it will provide a useful starting point for connecting with the school community based on your interests. Do watch for announcements in the weekly eBrief newsletter and from your child’s teacher, Head of Grade, and Principal as well as other departments for additional opportunities that may arise.
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www.uwcsea.edu.sg East Campus 1 Tampines Street 73, Singapore 528704 | +65 6305 5344 | uwcseaeast@uwcsea.edu.sg