Co-curricular or extracurricular activities (CCAs or ECAs for short) are offered at most international schools in Singapore, and there’s no doubt that the choices are very impressive. From sports and music to technology and science, students have endless opportunities these days to explore their passions outside classroom hours. We find out more about what kids can take part in at these schools in Singapore.
Nexus International School (Singapore)
At Nexus International School (Singapore), the most popular CCAs are the ones where learners can be active, hands-on and creative. Those that are in high demand are Taekwondo, Hip Hop, Ballet, Race Car Engineering, Learn The Piano, Warhammer, Little Makers and Tinytots Soccer. The kids also love programmes such as Boom, Bang, Fizz, Fun Science, which uses scientific experiments to spark an interest in the world. For example, learners discover how to survive in a desert without water, and how to use forensic science to track down a criminal.
As an extracurricular option, The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme is popular as it combines passions with skill sets and prepares young adults for university. Learners also enjoy initiatives that make a difference, such as the eco committee, peer-to-peer counselling group and school council.
Most interesting CCAs: Children love to try new and adventurous things, especially if it’s something they can take charge of. At Nexus, this has included extracurricular activities like juggling, making masks, upcycling projects and gardening. The school even allows kids to run their own CCAs, including The Culture Of Food, a cooking club where they take charge of the kitchen, recreate global cuisines, share cultural customs and learn basic cooking skills that will come in useful when they go off to university.
1 Aljunied Walk
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
Tanglin Trust School
Across the levels at Tanglin Trust School, there are 138 Infant, 698 Junior and 786 Senior School students who take part in at least one co-curricular activity each week. The top activities are football, basketball, choir, swimming, gymnastics, netball, climbing, MasterChef, Model United Nations, Drama, Musical Theatre (Juniors), Bands (Seniors) and World Scholars. Tanglin’s sports teams play over 600 fixtures across Singapore, with the most able competing in tournaments locally and overseas through SEASAC (South East Asia Student Activity Conference) and FOBISIA membership.
A new addition to the extracurricular activities offered is TTS ARTiculation CCA, a forerunner to the ARTiculation Prize, which is offered at KS5 in collaboration with Roche Court Cambridge. KS3 and 4 students work on their public speaking skills by researching and writing a seven-minute speech about a piece of artwork, architecture or design of their choice.
Most interesting CCAs: Junior Philanthropic Award Scheme is an activity that culminates in a trip to Cambodia to work alongside a local charity. It uses funds raised by Year 6 students who participate. The school also has a full Javanese Gamelan and runs a weekly ensemble.
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
St. Joseph’s Institution International
The CCA Programme at SJI International aims to encourage students to try new extracurricular actitivies, develop lifelong passions and hone leadership skills. This year, COVID-19 resulted in the cancellation of the school’s Term 1 CCA programme. During the post-Circuit Breaker period when restrictions had eased and students were allowed back into school, SJI International was able to offer a modified CCA programme run exclusively by teachers in Term 2.
At the Elementary School, children have been participating in chess, art, mindfulness, sport and PE, Chinese and digital technology, just to name a few. Children have fun with their classmates and learn at the same time. At the High School, students have been participating in enrichment activities that temporarily replaced their CCA, Outdoor Education and Service Learning programme. They’ve taken part in a wide range of activities twice a week, following the themes of creative and performing arts, outdoor education/exploring and beyond, sports and games, and service learning.
Most interesting CCAs: ESTV involves Elementary and High School students collaborating to create weekly film content (by researching and organising filming and interviews) for the ESTV YouTube channel.
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.sg
Singapore American School
Students at Singapore American School have access to a variety of after-school extracurricular activities and sports. Through the Eagle Athletics and Activities programme, they have the opportunity to try out different activities each term. The most popular CCAs include Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Chess, Minecraft, Little Cooks, Debate, Elementary School Musical and Coding.
For sports activities, students are able to compete and represent the school in tournaments and leagues within Singapore and abroad. New to the list are Middle School Competitive Robotics, Cheerleading, Elementary School Contemporary Dance and Lyrical Ballet. CCAs allow students to learn important life skills such as determination and sportsmanship.
Most interesting CCAs: The Rainforest Rovers learn and discover new things about nature and conservation, spending time in the school’s two-acre natural rainforest. During the Climbing and Movement Obstacles CCA, students pick up wall-climbing techniques. They also come up with creative ways to navigate obstacles such as nets, trampolines, mats and foam shapes.
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Read more about international schools in Singapore.
Lindsay Yap
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