Moving to Singapore with kids – pastoral care & support

If you’re moving to Singapore with kids, one of the changes your family may have to navigate is a new school. For XCL World Academy (XWA), helping a child settle in begins well before the first day on campus. Support such as pastoral care and English as an Additional Language (EAL) are offered through their Joining Well programme. Head of School MARIA SWEENY and Director of Admissions & School Communications JULIAN KEITH tell us more.

Six ways XWA provides support for new students and families moving to Singapore

#1 Explore the school before moving to Singapore

Maria: With the school’s interactive 360-degree virtual tour, parents can view our dedicated Early and Primary Years environments, and spaces for learning, sports, creativity and performance. The experience is available in more than 20 languages including English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, French and Arabic.

Julian: Families can also arrange an online consultation with the Admissions team to discuss their child’s background, educational needs, language requirements, possible academic pathways and preferred start date. This gives parents an opportunity to ask personalised questions and understand the application process before arriving in Singapore.

If the family later visits Singapore, the Admissions team can arrange a personalised campus tour shaped around the child’s age and interests. Depending on availability, families may also meet academic leaders, educators and other relevant staff. This allows them to ask more detailed questions about their child’s learning journey.

#2 Speak with current parents at the school

Julian: Where relevant, the Admissions team can also connect prospective families with a current Parent Ambassador who understands their situation or speaks their preferred language. Ambassadors currently represent a range of backgrounds and languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian and Portuguese.

These ambassadors offer a current parent’s perspective on school life, the IB curriculum, language support and relocating to Singapore. Parents who want to remain closely connected to their child’s learning can also attend Parent Engagement Sessions led by academic teams, where they can ask questions about the curriculum, pathways and university preparation.

#3 Pastoral care for adapting to a new school environment

Julian: Moving to a new country can affect children socially and emotionally as well as academically. Our school’s pastoral care structures are designed to ensure that students are known, supported and given clear points of contact as they settle into school.

• Before arrival: Teachers are briefed on your child before day one, so your child arrives expected. Their ID card, timetable and fully charged laptop are prepared and waiting for them. For students who are not staying with their parents, our Guardianship team reaches out to your family ahead of the start date with a personal welcome letter. Any supports for learning are discreetly planned for.
• First day: Our Head of Grade welcomes your child at the lobby and introduces them to their Homeroom teacher. Our Safeguarding Lead sets up their laptop and gives a full campus tour so that everything becomes more familiar. A buddy is by their side from morning through to lunch. Buddies help your child find classrooms, introduce them to teachers and classmates, and stay with them during breaks and lunch. Your child also confirms their subject choices in-person, so that their school journey begins with clarity.
• Following weeks: The Homeroom teachers and Heads of Grade check in with your child regularly to see how your child is settling in. Our language and counselling teams offer extra support where needed. Parents also receive guidance and personal contact from our Guardianship Counsellor.

As your child continues their journey with XWA, teachers and pastoral staff monitor how students are adjusting academically, socially and emotionally. Regular communication with parents also helps the school respond to concerns early.

In Early and Primary Years, your child’s homeroom teacher keeps you updated on their progress. In the Secondary Years, every student has an Advisory teacher as a regular point of contact, a Head of Grade for academic and social guidance, oversight from the Dean of Student Life, and access to a dedicated socio-emotional counsellor.

Daily advisory sessions, weekly assemblies and Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) lessons provide further opportunities to develop confidence, resilience and positive relationships. Regular check-ins through the Komodo wellbeing platform help the school understand how students are feeling, identify concerns early and provide additional support when needed.

#4 Language support for different proficiency levels in English

Julian: Language support is complemented by pastoral care. In the Secondary Years, students have regular contact with their Advisory teacher. They also have access to Heads of Grade, the Dean of Student Life and a socio-emotional counsellor. These layers of support help the school address not only language development but also confidence, friendships, emotional wellbeing and adjustment to a different learning environment.

Maria: Our language pathways include an English-Chinese Bilingual Programme, English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, and the Foundational English Programme for students in Grades 6 to 9 who require more intensive English instruction.

Our EAL programme combines targeted language instruction with support in identified mainstream classrooms. Students can also receive small-group instruction to strengthen their listening, speaking, reading and writing, while continuing to learn and build relationships alongside their peers.

Our Foundational English Programme is designed for academically capable learners who are still at an early stage of English proficiency. It provides structured, immersive language instruction while retaining subject-based learning. Progress is tracked against the internationally recognised WIDA framework, with the goal being to help students transition successfully into mainstream classes with continued EAL support.

This breadth allows the school to help each family identify an academic and language pathway suited to their child’s current needs and longer-term goals.

#5 Parent support from the community

Maria: With more than 50 nationalities represented, XWA is a diverse international community where new families can quickly begin forming connections. The school’s Parent Action Committee helps families navigate the transition to a new country and school. They will introduce and connect new families to other parents from similar cultural or linguistic backgrounds, and offer practical guidance on settling into Singapore.

The committee provides further opportunities to meet people, volunteer and contribute to school life. Its calendar includes activities such as Welcome to Singapore meetups, the XWA Family BBQ, Parent Fiesta Night, Deepavali celebrations, Language and Culture Week and the Christmas Giving Tree. Parent-led activities have also included tea ceremonies, English lessons, mindful art and wellness sessions.

#6 Start when your family is ready

Maria: With rolling admissions throughout the academic year, XWA gives relocating families greater flexibility over when their child begins school. Rather than planning an international move around the start of a new academic year, families can apply when the timing is right for them.

Schedule a virtual meeting with XCL World Academy

Start exploring how XWA supports families moving to Singapore and new to the school. Go on the school’s interactive 360-degree virtual tour. Or fill in this form and someone from the Admissions team will reach out to you.

XCL World Academy is at 2 Yishun Street 42.
6230 4230 | [email protected] | xwa.edu.sg

Read this to know more about pastoral care for new expat families and this for more on student wellbeing at XWA. Plus, we have ideas on what to do in Singapore with your family!

Planning on moving to Singapore or new to our sunny island? Make sure to read the digital edition of our latest City Guide.