From rock climbing and coding to competing at Yale, this school seeks to fulfill the academic potential of its learners through outdoor adventure while also equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an ever-changing world. Find out how Nexus International School (Singapore) instils leadership qualities in students through their learning journey in Singapore beyond the classroom, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
ANDY JEFFERSON, DUNCAN SHIEL and STEPHANIE HUGHES have a combined 30 years’ experience in the education sector. For them, Nexus is all about providing a holistic education – one that combines academic opportunities, trips that involve experiential learning, and extracurricular activities and programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. We find out more from each of them.
Andy – French and Spanish teacher (Primary and Secondary) and Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) Coordinator – on leadership qualities
Our activities and programmes encourage learners to step out of their comfort zone, develop new areas of interest and give them opportunities to follow their existing passions. Our learners have led a variety of outdoor adventures including rock climbing, chess, Rubik’s cube, Coding for Girls and Learning to Skateboard. We actively encourage leadership. For one thing, it gives older learners opportunities to develop their leadership skills. We hope this learning journey in Singapore helps to not just create participants but also future leaders.
Duncan – Deputy Head of School (Secondary) and Humanities teacher at Nexus International School – on extracurricular collaboration
When the World Scholars Cup was hosted at Nexus for the first time, out of dozens of learners who participated, a team of three decided they wanted to pursue the competition to a global level. The curriculum for this is very challenging and different from what they do in the classroom. We created an extracurricular activity that allowed them to collaborate across year groups to study the material and develop skills such as debate and leadership qualities.
When they returned from the finals at Yale, they didn’t count medals. Instead, they said that the journey had made them better learners with leadership qualities. They’re now looking at running the extracurricular activity as a way to give the same opportunity to others at Nexus International School who are interested in joining the competition.
Stephanie – Deputy Head of School (Secondary), MYP Coordinator, and Physical & Health Education teacher – on being global citizens
All of our trips have an angle of how to help Nexus learners understand their responsibilities as global citizens. Our first overnight trip starts with Year 3. The trips then progress through the years so that the skills learned from one trip are built upon in future trips.
We also encourage our learners to be involved in the process of planning a trip. For instance, at the Nursery level, they work with the teachers to plan what they should pack. Year 13s, meanwhile, are given a destination and asked to design the trip themselves! They choose the activities they want to do and the causes they’d like to support.
Nexus International School (Singapore) is at 1 Aljunied Walk.
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
This article first appeared in the April 2023 edition of Expat Living. Buy the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
