UWCSEA’s High School Learning Programme

The College has a strong learning programme, which allows us to provide a holistic learning experience for our students. The programme is based on five interlinking elements: Academics, Activities, Outdoor Education, Personal and Social Education and Service. Equal emphasis is placed on each element as we seek to develop in our students the skills and qualities to enable them to become aware, able and active contributors to both local and global communities.

Academics

There are three academic programmes in the High School:

IGCSE – for students joining the College in Grade 9

A full outline of the IGCSE programme and details on each subject, including course content and assessments, is contained in the Grade 9 and 10 Academic Learning Programme available on the website.

FIB – for students joining the College in Grade 10

An outline of the Foundation IB Academic Learning programme is available on the website.

IB Diploma Programme – for students joining the College in Grade 11

A full outline of the IB Diploma programme is contained in the Grade 11 and 12 Academic Learning Programme. The guide is available on the website.

Activities

The Activities programme has something to suit the interests of every student. A large selection of music, drama, sports, arts, student publications and many other opportunities are on offer at the College each term. Sign-up for activities is done online during sign-up period, and while parents can browse the available activities here, students need to use their own login to complete their preferences each season. Staff can also assist new students through the process. Sign-up opening and closing dates, and full information on how to sign up, will be posted in eBrief and in the online calendar.

Please note that there is a compulsory commitment to a service activity required of all High School students.

Personal and Social Education (PSE)

The PSE programme in the High School is largely delivered to students via mentor group time and during assembly each week. The programme follows closely the experience of students as they progress through their courses.

Counsellors

The Counselling Department provides a professional service to support and enhance the personal growth, resilience and wellbeing of our students, complementing the PSE programme. Professional counsellors work closely with the tutors, Heads of Grade, Vice Principals, Principals and boarding houseparents to support the emotional and social needs of students. Their main responsibilities are to: • offer students a confidential, empathetic empowerment service that enhances their wellbeing and full access to learning opportunities • offer staff the support to enable the academic, social or emotional development of students • work collaboratively with parents and families as a wellbeing resource in times where an individual need has arisen

Depending on the age of the student, counsellors can be accessed through self-referral or by referral from a parent or staff member; all consultations are confidential unless there is a possibility of imminent harm. There is more information in a leaflet on the website. The counsellors also facilitate workshops for parents throughout the year at appropriate times. Please look for these in eBrief and on the College calendar.

Service

UWCSEA has developed a three-tiered Service programme involving College, local and global service. • College Service refers to some of the service activities for the UWCSEA community • Local Service involves working with Singaporean service projects • Global Service refers to our work with UWCSEA Global

Concerns (GCs) All students are expected to participate, and opportunities are built into our programme to facilitate both participation and learning. We expect members of the UWCSEA community to be compassionate and responsible. Service allows our students to put these values into action whilst also offering an opportunity to practice interpersonal skills. As some services are shared between the different schools, the older students often become role models and mentors to their younger counterparts. Through participation in Service students are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, attitudes and actions.

Local and College service

All High School students undertake Service. • Grade 9 and 10 students give either half an academic year (starting in September or February) of Local Service or commit to a full year of College service. • Grade 11 students undertake a full year of weekly Local

Service. Many continue this into Term 1 in Grade 12 voluntarily. Participation is taken very seriously and students are expected to attend as they would academic lessons, with a strong commitment and full participation.

Global Concerns–‘Turning ideas into action’

Global Concerns (GC) is our global service programme. It seeks to integrate an awareness of global development and environmental issues into the College’s educational programme. GC aims to increase students’ awareness of these issues and to enable committed students to do something about their concerns. Through the motto ‘Turning Ideas into Action,’ GCs aim to: • promote desirable values and action among students • raise awareness and educate students about broader issues relating to specific projects • encourage students to be aware, informed and active • highlight the values of service and environmental awareness • foster amongst the students the sense of belonging to an international educational movement with 18 member colleges with a common ethos and mission

Outdoor Education

The opportunities for learning at UWCSEA extend far beyond the classroom as students take on experiential challenges that build resilience, collaboration and leadership. Our Outdoor Education programme offers an incremental progression of age-appropriate experiences to students across the K–12 curricula.

Please note that due to the current COVID-19 travel restrictions, there will be no overseas travel for UWCSEA student groups during the 2021/2022 school year. Enrichment trips outside of Singapore are also unlikely to be available in the 2021/2022 school year. Instead we will be delivering a ‘Local Plus’ model, with on-campus experiences and offcampus trips within Singapore. These experiences will retain the learning for students, while giving them the opportunity to experience Singapore in new ways.

Grade 9 and FIB

Students in the High School can also participate in the National Youth Achievement Award. More information will be communicated to new students about these programmes after their arrival in August.

Grade 11 – Project Week

Project Week is part of the Grade 11 learning programme. Historically, it has been an opportunity for students to travel outside of Singapore with a particular focus on service and experiential learning. In 2021/2022 we will be reviewing Project Week outcomes in light of COVID-19 restrictions and build a stronger focus on project possibilities here in Singapore.