Co-curricular or extracurricular activities (CCAs or ECAs for short) are offered at most of Singapore’s international schools. From sports and music to technology and science, students have endless opportunities to explore their passions outside classroom hours. We find out more about what CCAs the kids can get involved in.
Dulwich College (Singapore) – CCAs and projects
CCAs are a key element of the broader Learning Beyond the Classroom (LBC) initiative at Dulwich. LBC champions hands-on, experiential learning. Through this holistic programme, students are given meaningful opportunities to cultivate their passions, develop responsibility and gain independence. It spans local, regional and international trips, alongside an impressive range of CCAs.
In fact, over 300 CCAs available at the school, with something to spark the curiosity and fuel the growth of students of all ages. The wide array of curriculum-based CCAs include STEAM, Math, Coding, Music, Design and Technology, Gym, Football, Hockey and Cricket. New CCAs that have been recently introduced include Horse Riding and Equestrian Sport, Spartan Boxing, and architecture and design using Arkki. Students can also engage in activities that foster global citizenship and essential life skills. These unique offerings include the Kindness Club, British Sign Language Club, Gamelan Ensemble and Life Skills Development Society.
The CCA programme is dynamic, with new programmes emerging every term to keep pace with evolving interest. Popular favourites return year after year, too. Students are also empowered to propose and run their own CCAs, turning their ideas into reality.
Most interesting CCAs
“IGNITE: Switzerland” is a 12-week programme for the curious, passionate and brave. It’s a unique educational opportunity for Year 9 Dulwich students, hosted at Dulwich’s sister school in the Swiss Alps, Hochalpines Institut Ftan. The programme gives students an exciting experience of indoor and outdoor learning. Students lead their own expedition into the world of learning and find new ways to reflect on the world and themselves in an awe-inspiring natural environment. Through this, they will discover their best selves in this transformative experience.
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
St Joseph’s Institution International – CCAs from Elementary through to High School
SJI International says that it’s dedicated to nurturing well-rounded individuals and fostering growth in its students from Elementary through to High School. To cater to the diverse student interests and passions, the school has an extensive CCA programme that fosters creativity and prepares students for future challenges through skill-building activities across various interests.
Elementary School students can explore a wide range of activities. These include Chess, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Hip Hop Dance, Sewing and Textiles, Vex Robotics, eSports, Parkour, Rock Climbing, Orchestra, and Choir. Some exciting new additions include Acro Dance, Competitive Chess, Creative Photography, Digital Animation and a Bilingual Chinese Support Programme that builds a strong foundation in Chinese literacy. Furthermore, innovative CCAs such as Podcasting and Exploring the Magic of AI Art allow students to creatively engage with modern technologies. This helps them in developing skills in audio production, creative writing and AI-enhanced digital art.
In High School, there are over 160 diverse CCAs offered each term. They cover competitive and recreational sports, a range of non-sporting pursuits, service learning opportunities, language acquisition and creative arts experiences. Among the most popular choices are Badminton, Model United Nations (MUN), Mock Trial, World Scholar’s Cup, eSports, Chess Club, Engineering Hands-On, Rock Climbing, Robotics and Cooking Classes led by a former Singapore MasterChef contestant.
Competitions are also a core component of their CCA programme. Students participate in the ACSIS, both national and international events of the World Scholar’s Cup, debating tournaments, MUN conferences, Chemistry and Maths Olympiads, and eSports tournaments across various games.
Some notable CCAs at SJI International
The school’s commitment to service and community impact is evident through more than 50 direct and indirect service-focused CCAs. These include The Attollo Project, which provides therapeutic support to Tan Tock Seng Hospital patients, Touch Home Care meal deliveries, Blue Dragon, Comm-Unity, Sports For All, and Tech Tutoring.
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.sg
Singapore American School – extracurricular activities and atheletic programmes
High school students at Singapore American School have 137 clubs, activities and organisations plus 17 athletic programmes to choose from. This ensures every student finds their niche CCA, whether in academics, sports or the arts, and fosters a well-rounded experience.
The school says that most middle and high school students and 63% of elementary school students engage in at least one after-school activity. Some of the most popular CCAs include Pathway Sports such as Volleyball, Cross Country, Soccer, Touch, Rugby, Swimming, Golf and more. There’s also Model United Nations, Robotics, Debate, Dance and the Elementary School Musical.
Students have many opportunities to compete as part of their CCA. The school has participated in MUN conferences, Math Counts, National History Day, Vex Robotics Worlds and the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools, a regional conference with sister schools in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Bangkok and Taipei. For sports, students have competed in several meets including the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools, ISCL School Climbing Competition, Pan-Pacific Touch Rugby Tournament, Lion City Invitational and Dubai Winter Classic.
Most interesting CCAs
Softball was recently introduced as a new CCA. Additionally, there are developmental teams for middle school sports, designed for athletes who want to improve. Athletes are given an opportunity to stay engaged, work on their skills, and get stronger for future try-outs and competitions. This ensures ongoing development in the sport and allows more students to remain active participants in athletics.
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Marlborough College Malaysia – extracurricular activities outdoors
Co-curricular activities at Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) are rich and varied. They provide challenges as a part of a meaningful holistic education. MCM pupils are encouraged to engage in a broad range of CCAs outside the classroom for one or a number of these to become a part of the pupil’s life. Popular co-curricular activities include rugby, netball, swimming, climbing, gymnastics, baking, MUN and the International Duke of Edinburgh Award. New CCAs introduced in the last school year include judo, taekwondo and fencing.
MCM pupils also enjoy the scuba diving CCA – those aged 10 and up are given the opportunity to complete their PADI Open Water Diver Certificate. Regular training sessions take place in the school’s own pool, before pupils embark on their qualifier training in locations such as Tioman Island and Bali. Also popular is the newly introduced Dungeons and Dragons CCA, while Archery has been reintroduced. House competitions are also part of CCAs at Marlborough. These range across sporting events to creative arts, debating, poetry writing, baking, chess and other less serious events like the pancake race and the tug-of-war.
Most interesting CCAs
Outdoor education is an integral part of MCM life and pupils are encouraged to explore the natural environment through the Barton Farm CCA. Pupils grow their own crops –anything from banana plants to wing beans or even sugarcane. These are then harvested by the pupils and regularly used in the school’s dining hall. The school’s best-kept secret is the lake behind the Preparatory School. It accommodates a range of CCAs from fishing to kayaking and paddleboarding. Students can take advantage of the abundance of nature while trying new challenges and experiences that feel miles away from the classroom without leaving the College grounds.
The ‘Pops’ Chorus and Orchestra debuted in June 2024 at the MCM Summer Festival. Made up of students, parents, staff and even the school’s Master, it brings the MCM community through vocal and instrumental performances. They will be performing at the Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore on 11 January 2025 for the school’s Family ‘Pops’ Concert.
Marlborough College Malaysia
Jalan Marlborough, Puteri Harbour, Johor
+60 7 560 2200 | marlboroughcollegemalaysia.org
International French School – popular ECAs and CCAs
The International French School (IFS) in Singapore offers a diverse range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities catering to various interests and talents. The top 10 most popular activities this academic year include football, climbing, swimming, gymnastics, roller skating, parkour, engineering, badminton, choir and cooking.
The school’s sports teams participate in tournaments with other French schools in the Asia-Pacific zone of the AEFE (Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Etranger) network. This offers students opportunities to explore different countries and cultures. The school also engages in local competitions across various sports, including a year-round football championship.
The school recently introduced new activities such as jewellery creation, mixed martial arts and fun jump rope. For younger pupils, Musical Comedy workshops explore theatre, music and comedy. The activities on offer foster personal growth and cultivate a sense of belonging among IFS students, enriching their educational experience.
Two unexpected extracurricular activities on offer
Students face logic puzzles and tests of strength in Koh Lanta: Challenges and Adventure Games. This CCA promises a thrilling experience at every turn. Meanwhile, in Fun Jump Rope, students learn various jumping techniques while improving their heart health, muscle strength and coordination.
3000 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
6805 0000 | ifs.edu.sg
Nexus International School (Singapore) – plenty of extracurricular activities
Nexus offers close to 100 CCAs for learners from Kindergarten to Year 13. Yoga, Zumba and Inline Skating are popular with learners from Years 1 and 2. The most popular among Years 3 and 4 include Sewing Club, Parkour, Lego Robotics and Coding. For Years 5 and 6, Chess Club is popular. Other popular options include Doodle Art, Social Table Tennis and the new Minecraft: Shaping Tomorrow CCA for Years 7 to 13. CCAs are led by the school’s staff, older learners or trusted external providers.
There are also opportunities to compete. The school’s cheerleading teams participate in competitions organised by Cheerforce; the senior and junior teams placed third and second in their respective divisions in the 2024 Cheer Fiesta competition. Meanwhile, in the Singapore round of the 2024 World Scholar’s Cup, Nexus learners excelled in debates, creative writing and a Scholar’s Bowl event. Learners participating in the Junior Achievement Company Program made the top three in the 2024 competition.
One recently introduced CCA is the Arduino Club. This is a STEM CCA that uses coding for kids to provide them with their first steps in programming. During club time, learners alternate between coding with text-based languages and the construction of Arduino breadboards. Learners see a physical representation of the way their code translates to physical reactions, allowing them to create tools and puzzles with the device. Last year, the learners used coding to create an Escape Room that incorporated several stations and puzzles.
Notable CCAs at Nexus
Gaelic Football has recently joined the CCA lineup, led by a member of staff. While not the best known sport in Singapore, it’s a great way for some of the school’s youngest children to let off steam and get active at the end of their school day. Bridge Club was introduced in September and is led by two secondary learners. It’s a sociable activity where learners play and hone their strategy and knowledge of the game.
1 Aljunied Walk
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
The Grange Institution – new CCAs each academic year
CCA offerings at The Grange Institution are continuously assessed. This means that new CCAs and extracurricular activities may be introduced at the beginning of each academic year. New additions in 2024 include K-pop Dance and French Language. Popular CCAs among students are Table Tennis and Gymnastics.
Since its inception at the school in 2022, gymnastics has been highly popular. This CCA is led by JACPA, a renowned Japanese organisation specialising in children’s enrichment since 1972. Coach Motoyama is a celebrated Rhythmic Gymnast with numerous awards to her name. Her career includes both stage performances and appearances on national television.
Most interesting CCAs
The K-pop dance programme is currently the most popular CCA. The school works with Distinct Creative Arts, a highly regarded dance academy. The latter have co-choreographed the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Youth Olympic Games and secured numerous awards at the Singapore Youth Festival.
449 Yio Chu Kang Road
6817 3630 | thegrange.edu.sg
Tanglin Trust School’s co-curricular activities
The Co-Curricular programme is at the heart of Tanglin’s holistic education. It aims to develop students’ talents outside of the classroom, offer academic challenges, nurture well-being and encourage contribution to the wider community.
The Tanglin Co-Curricular pathway begins at Infant School and progresses right through to Senior School. House competitions, clubs and societies, creative arts, outdoor education and sports all come under the Programme. From Climbing and Movie Makers in Infants, to Girls’ Mixed Rugby and Dissection Club in Seniors, there’s something for everyone.
The school sees over 95% of the school community participating in at least one weekly activity. Tanglin says that high participation fosters a vibrant and dynamic school community in which students explore their interests and develop new skills.
A word from a staff member
“The opportunities provided through the Co-Curricular Programme have a profound impact on our students. They have learned valuable lessons, made lasting memories and developed skills that will serve them well in the future. The ongoing expansion of the CCA programme has provided students with a wealth of opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills and foster a sense of community. Tanglin is committed to further strengthening the programme to ensure every student has the chance to reach their full potential.” – Michael Holiday, Director of Co-Curriculum
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
North London Collegiate School (Singapore) – some challenging CCA’s
NLCS (Singapore) offers a wide range of academic, sporting and artistic enrichment co-curricular and extracurricular activities to cater to students’ diverse interests and talents. They include Scuba, Photography, Golf, LAMDA, Orchestra and Videography. There are new CCAs, too, such as Geography Society, Kids Discovery Works: MasterChef Science, F1 in Schools, Ascend Now Entrepreneurship, and Lean In Girls.
Students participating in F1 in Schools work in teams of three to six to design, test and race their very own miniature CO2-powered F1 car. Teams from NLCS will compete at the F1 Singapore Nationals in November 2024, which will be hosted at the school this year. In Ascend Now Entrepreneurship, students hone entrepreneurial skills. They’ll present their project to a panel of seasoned investors in a competition that models Shark Tank. Lean In Girls is a leadership programme helping girls see themselves as leaders. Through activities and discussions, they’re equipped to be self-assured, resilient and inclusive everyday leaders.
The most popular extracurricular activities among the students are Model United Nations (MUN), Vocabulous!, Chess, Drawing Studio, Dungeons and Dragons, Competitive Coding, Knitting and Tufting, Climbing Wall, Lego and Prodigy Maths.
Through their CCAs, the students also actively engage in a variety of competitions, from MUN and the Maths Olympiad, to the Nancy Rothwell Award, Diamond Challenge, John Locke Essay Competition and FOBISIA Code Breaking Challenge. Additionally, the school is a member of the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools and the Federation of British International Schools in Asia.
Two interesting CCAs
Vocabulous! sees Senior School students support local school children in Grade 3 from lower income backgrounds by teaching them vocabulary online. Students in publishing societies such as Lituresque, the Editorial Arts Society and Pulse Science Magazine explore a wide variety of topics outside of the regular school curriculum. They also share their written works with the school community in the form of a published magazine.
130 Depot Road
6989 3000 | nlcssingapore.sg
Like this article on CCAs and extracurricular activities at Singapore’s international schools? Read on to hear what parents have to say about Singapore’s international schools. Also, get ideas for the best things to do in Singapore with kids!
