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Established in 1971, the United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) in Singapore has long been a pioneer of progressive education. Today, its two vibrant campuses are home to a diverse community of over 5,600 students learning to embrace challenges and take responsibility for shaping a better world. This is UWCSEA’s mission — brought to life through an education model that extends far beyond the classroom to foster student agency, a sense of belonging, and a culture of curiosity and exploration. And to shape the world, students here start with their surroundings.
The school’s young learners benefit from the power of play in the best possible ways, and it’s all thanks to initiatives that encourage cross-collaboration between students and teachers such as the Primary School Student Council. Over the years, this proactive bunch successfully campaigned for improvements to their playground, enhancing the student play experience with new equipment, a community piano, a Friendship Corner, a loose parts section for imaginative play, and zones designed for various activity levels. This initiative involved gathering student feedback and leading every stage on their own, from envisioning the playground to choosing proposals.
Primary School students playing at the playground designed by students. Source; UWCSEA
Beyond improving the lives of their peers, UWCSEA students are also deeply committed to giving back to their community. In fact, Service learning is a key element of UWCSEA’s holistic Learning Programme from K1 through Grade 12, offering age-appropriate opportunities for students to understand real-world issues and develop as positive changemakers.
Primary School students often work with local organisations and have options to volunteer in areas like animal welfare or campus sustainability. In Middle School, they deepen their Service involvement through local and global activities and explore service concepts via courses like SEED (Social, Environmental, Entrepreneurship Development) on the East Campus or the Sustainable Development Unit on the Dover Campus.
Both UWCSEA campuses reflect the school’s commitment to service and environmental stewardship. Rainforest Nurseries and green spaces serve as outdoor classrooms for activities like gardening, composting, and urban farming. Programmes like the Rainforest Restoration Programme (RRP) teach students to preserve biodiversity by propagating endangered plant species and identifying replanting sites, such as Singapore’s Rail Corridor.
Dover Campus students take part in the Rainforest Restoration activity, planting trees grown on campus in a public park in Singapore. Source: UWCSEA
“I’ve learned the importance of communication, coordination, time management, collaboration and community education. These are skills that are transferable to any setting, whether in school or at work,” shares Grade 12 student Christina, who joined the RRP in Grade 9. She is currently co-chair of the Rainforest Restoration Society.
Indeed, all High School students at UWCSEA take on leadership roles in Service activities, committing to long-term engagements as part of their diploma requirements. They guide peers through Service programmes, coach sports or languages, and engage in sustainability projects. They even volunteer weekly with local partners in Grades 9 to 10 before culminating their commitment with a Service-led Project Week with an overseas NGO in Grade 11.
Of course, they still have ample opportunity to pursue their individual passions. The school’s balanced approach ensures that Service learning enriches rather than overwhelms schedules. Extracurricular activities, from academic clubs and personal projects to sports and the arts, merge seamlessly with endeavours to solve social and environmental problems.
For example, Dover Campus recently launched a monthly Open Mic Night at their Heritage Cafe, providing a platform for students and staff to showcase their talents in music, spoken word, and comedy. Grade 12 student Kristjan, the initiator, wanted to create a space where quieter voices could be heard, encouraging storytelling and the arts as powerful tools for engagement.
Open Mic Night at the Heritage Cafe at Dover Campus. Source: UWCSEA
“One of the things I love about working at UWCSEA is that student initiatives are encouraged, and so the fact that this was coming from a student was also very special,” says Ellie Alchin, Director of Teaching and Learning.
East Campus students get creative through DragonsTV, a weekly 10-minute student-run news and variety show. It features school bulletins, fun segments like “Pets of East,” and discussions on student life and global events. “It’s is a great place to find a like-minded community of people who like films, public speaking, and working behind the camera,” shares Grade 8 student Chiara.
Such emphasis on self-expression helps students pinpoint their life’s calling, as do internships, mentor programmes and the vast array of bespoke courses UWCSEA currently offers. Leveraging these perks effectively is anything but easy; however, it’s always rewarding and students are never expected to do so alone.
Experienced teams of advisors support and guide them as they select their IB subjects and navigate the university admissions process from as early as Grade 10. At this stage, the school’s alumni network lends invaluable insights into the professional world too. In collaboration with the University Advising Centre, the UWCSEA Careers Programme and the World of Learning course facilitate traineeships, internships, and company visits. A more individualised advising programme is introduced in Grades 11 and 12 to help students decide and apply to best-fit courses and universities around the world.
All of this enables over 500 students who graduate each year from UWCSEA’s IB programme to take their next steps. The Class of 2023 achieved a pass rate of 98.8% and average points of 36.7. They’re set to join their seniors, who are now making a difference in top universities and organisations across the world.
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Visit UWCSEA’s website for more examples of students evolving into agents of change.
