PARENT INVOLVEMENT Opportunities for parents at UWCSEA
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 College, UWCSEA
How can I get involved in the UWCSEA community as a parent? There are numerous ways to get involved, including: • 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) in building a positive community spirit among parents, students and staff. All parents are invited to participate and volunteer in PA activities and events. • Classlist: Classlist is for UWCSEA Dover parents to connect across their class, grade and interest groups Access community events, parent groups such as our various nationality groups, activity groups and other special interest groupsand also easily find and message other parents. • Parents’ Lounge: the PA lounge 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. • 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. • 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. • 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 Dover or PA East in the Community Portal (login required) Contact padover@uwcsea.edu.sg or paeast@uwcsea.edu.sgw
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 foundation@uwcsea.edu.sg
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 https://paceuwcsea.com and get updates with eBrief Contact PACE.community@uwcsea.edu.sg
SCHOOL SUPPORT Class/Grade Representatives 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 UN 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.
Connect with boarding students Share your culture and extend your home to a student far from their own. The boarding houses on both campuses is home to approximately 350 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. Calls for volunteer families are published in eBrief near the end of the previous school year. Contact boardingdover@uwcsea.edu.sg (Dover) / boardingeast@uwcsea.edu.sg (East) to express interest
Service and Sustainable Development volunteers Support UWCSEA’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 servicegc@uwcsea.edu.sg (Dover) or jaclyn.ware@uwcsea.edu.sg (East) 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 innovationeast.webflow.io and watch for announcements in 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.uwcsea.edu.sg/ideashub 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 Dover Campus 1207 Dover Road, Singapore 139654 | +65 6775 5344 | uwcseadover@uwcsea.edu.sg East Campus 1 Tampines Street 73, Singapore 528704 | +65 6305 5344 | uwcseaeast@uwcsea.edu.sg