We hear from international school students about the meaningful service learning and community service they’ve been involved with.
Many international schools offer service learning opportunities and community work projects. In the process of these activities, compassion and selflessness are taught, practiced and ingrained.
Tanglin Trust School – service learning integrated into the curriculum
At Tanglin, the message of helping others and understanding global issues is introduced from Nursery. In Junior School, UNICEF’s Rights Respecting School Accreditation is a core component of the curriculum. Senior School students can participate in service learning through various overseas and local projects offered as part of Tanglin’s CCA programme. These include the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme for Years 10 to 13 and the Creativity, Action, Service programme. The latter forms part of the core curriculum for all Sixth Formers. Ongoing community service initiatives such as delivering meals to individuals in need, visiting elderly care homes and charity events occur as part of the school calendar. These help nurture the idea that even small acts of student kindness make a big difference.
Tanglin also offers opportunities for students to explore service learning through the Deirdre Lew Service Award, which is supported by The Foundation. This initiative encourages students and recent alumni to learn more about the world they live in, make a positive contribution and exercise responsible citizenship. A recent student-led project is The Rawa Legacy Project. Year 12 students Nancy H and Ayesha B, collaborated with OrcaNation and conducted underwater research to record marine biodiversity and identify a site for a future Tanglin Reef in Rawa, Malaysia. The school says that this project will ensure a legacy of marine conservation for generations of students to come.
A student talks about their service learning experience
“We applied for the Deidre Lew Service Award with the intention of raising awareness for marine conservation through coral plantation. Our goal was to establish a legacy by taking initial steps and inspiring Tanglin students to continue coral conservation at Rawa in years to come.” – Ayesha B and Nancy H
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
The Winstedt School – service learning integrated with academic and extracurricular activities
The students visited the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to learn more about SPCA’s mission in preventing animal cruelty through sterilisation and rehoming. They then raised awareness in the Winstedt community through presentations. This instils in students a deep sense of responsibility toward animal welfare.
Through the school’s collaboration with Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities, students step into roles of leadership with empathy. Some volunteer during weekends and summer breaks to engage with residents through activities and conversations. Others accompany community members on day trips, ensuring their safety while sharing moments of connection.
Students assist the Food Bank Singapore in rescuing food and food relief efforts. They do this by organising school-wide food drives with the Parent League. Through this, students learn about food insecurity and the importance of collective action in addressing societal challenges.
Together with The Salvation Army, students raise awareness of the organisation’s work with marginalised communities. They rally the school community to donate pre-loved items and ensure these donations reach families in need. The school says that this reinforces empathy and the importance of standing up for those in need.
Students also creatively take opportunities to weave service learning experiences into their academic and extracurricular pursuits such as running food or donation drives or fundraisers during school events. They combine creativity and passion for giving back with their learning, which ensures that the lessons of empathy, responsibility and community impact resonate far beyond the classroom.
Winstedt students from four to 18 years of age have many opportunities to engage in meaningful service learning. This empowers them to become compassionate, engaged and socially responsible global citizens. The school partners with several charities and organisations to create experiences that inspire both personal growth and collective impact.
Two Year 6 students share their feedback
“I think saving animals is important because without them, the planet will not thrive. It is diversity that helps maintain the earth’s beauty. A truly enjoyable experience that sparked more thoughts about animals – to feed or not to feed.” – Sophie
“The fundraiser/showcase has been really eye-opening, teaching me how to safeguard the environment from extinction. I also felt a great sense of accomplishment when we managed to raise the funds. I even received a personal thank you note from Mandai Zoo!” – Kai
1208 Upper Boon Keng Road
6715 5373 | winstedt.edu.sg
SJI International – service-learning projects beyond borders
Service is more than an activity at SJI International – it’s a fundamental part of the school’s ethos, embedded in its culture from the earliest years. The school’s vision – Learn, Inspire, Serve – is brought to life through its Virtues and Service programmes, fostering compassion, leadership and global citizenship from Preschool to High School.
In Elementary School, students actively engage in community initiatives, with the Lapathon raising funds for Lasallian preschools in Sri Lanka. Throughout the year, students support organisations. These include Willing Hearts, Books Beyond Borders, the Children’s Cancer Foundation Singapore and the Singapore Red Cross. By Grades 5 and 6, they take on leadership roles, planning Community, Activity, Service and Sport (CASS) projects, reinforcing their commitment to giving back.
In High School, students take on increasingly ambitious service-learning projects, strengthening their connection to local and global communities. Grade 7 supports water sanitation in Cambodia. Grade 8 tackles UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) addressing waste reduction, recycling and sustainability. Students in Grade 9 earn their NYAA Bronze Award by dedicating time to organisations such as Touch Homecare and Cheshire Homes. Grade 10 students lead environmental advocacy through Conservation Matters as part of their FCAS/NYAA Silver Awards. Through the IB Diploma Programme, students undertake CASS projects, culminating in a CASS Showcase, where they reflect on their impact, inspiring the next generation of changemakers.
One of the school’s most impactful student-led initiatives is Leading Young Women (LYW), a group committed to empowering women and addressing social inequalities. In 2024, LYW partnered with Upskills+ Foundation Inc. (UFI) in the Philippines to tackle period poverty in the Tondo community. Through community engagement, advocacy campaigns and fundraising for hygiene products, the students made a tangible difference. This was recognised with the prestigious Richard T. Krajczar Humanitarian Award ($10,000), honouring their outstanding commitment to service.
Service embedded in every stage of learning at SJI International. This ensures that students graduate as compassionate, socially responsible leaders prepared to create lasting change.
A student talks about how they support community
“On our LYW trip in 2024, we took part in walks and interviews to understand the best way to support the community. We created a meaningful connection with the people there. Throughout the rest of the year in Singapore, we had advocacy campaigns raising awareness on issues contributing to period poverty, fundraisers and donation drives for feminine hygiene products. This has been an amazing learning experience for the LYW team to continue empowering women to be fearless leaders of change.” – Mira, Grade 11
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.sg
Dulwich College (Singapore) – service learning at all ages
Service learning is central to the learning ethos at Dulwich College (Singapore), with the aim of fostering compassionate, globally minded students who take meaningful action in their communities. Guided by the philosophy of “Living Worldwise”, students engage with global issues and develop the skills, knowledge and motivation to create tangible change on society and the planet. Through advocacy, direct action and problem-solving, service learning promotes values like responsibility, empathy and collaboration.
Students across all year groups participate in impactful projects addressing real world needs. In the Early Years and Junior School, children explore service through activities like intergenerational connections with senior citizens or collaborating with schools throughout the island to promote inclusion. These experiences nurture social responsibility from a young age. In Senior School, students lead larger initiatives with measurable impact. For example, the Community Action Group organises food drives and fundraising walks. Others volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital or partner with Habitat for Humanity on Project Homeworks in rehabilitating homes for vulnerable families. These are just a few examples of the many initiatives being undertaken by Dulwich students.
A current initiative is a sustainability education project in Lombok, Indonesia in partnership with Our Goals, which works to rebuild schools in Lombok using sustainable materials. A group of Dulwich students created lessons on environmental issues such as plastic pollution and deforestation, ensuring solutions were locally relevant and practical. They designed resources that could be used without electricity or the Internet, translating them into Bahasa Indonesian for local use.
The Dulwich team says that by embedding purposeful action into education, students develop a lifelong commitment to making the world a better place.
A student shares how she helps
“I’m part of a financial literacy initiative that aims to host workshops to educate younger members of the Dulwich community about personal financial management. My involvement in this project stems from a passion for economics as well as a desire to make a difference within the community. Although the project is still in its beginning stages, it’s been a great opportunity to collaborate with students and teachers who I otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet and work with. It’s incredibly rewarding. I highly encourage others to get involved in service learning projects!” – Emily van Rooyen, Year 12
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School – service learning activities in Singapore and Southeast Asia
All SMMIS students participate in Service Learning throughout the school year. Secondary School students are expected to complete volunteering hours each Semester as part of the National Youth Achievement Award. This has included beach clean-ups, preparing lunch at Willing Hearts, collecting gifts for LOVE, NILS, visits to old age homes, donations to Food Bank SG and raising awareness about neurodiversity. This year, students launched a 4-H initiative where families donate food for goodie bags and deliver them to the local community.
Primary and Secondary students make regular visits to the AWWA Dementia Daycare Centre in Yishun to engage residents in activities. They also designed a vibrant mural in the centre that adorns its walls, brightening the space. The school also hosts the residents for activities, interaction and a delicious lunch.
Each year, Secondary School students are offered an opportunity to participate in a service journey in Southeast Asia. The programmes include a balance of sightseeing, meeting local communities and participating in service activities. For example, a Northern Thailand trip included visiting an orphanage, teaching English in a local school, visiting the Tham Luang caves, and attending to the needs of the elephants at an ethical elephant sanctuary. These activities allow SMMIS students to learn about the importance of teamwork, the responsibility of being a global citizen, being part of a community, taking responsibility for themselves and those around them, and healing the world.
Students who don’t go on the annual trip will participate in service-learning activities in Singapore. These range from sports to the arts, allowing them to develop their commitment to social responsibility and their leadership skills. Last year, the school worked with Waterway Watch to clean litter along the waterways in Singapore.
A word from a student on community work
“Service learning at SMMIS has shaped my perspective on inclusion, gratitude and giving back. I’ve learned to appreciate what I have and to always find ways to help those in need. My biggest challenge during lunch with the elderly and at the orphanage was the language barrier. I was worried they wouldn’t understand me, but I found that kindness, simple words and hand gestures bridged the gap. Experiences like this taught me that courage and compassion can overcome any obstacle.” – Gatik Sharma, Grade 8
3 Jalan Ulu Sembawang
6331 4633 | smmis.edu.sg
International Community School (Singapore) – community projects that support Singapore and neighbouring countries
Service is at the heart of the International Community School (ICS) experience, shaping students into compassionate, globally-minded individuals. For over 30 years, the school community has been serving the Singapore community and neighbouring Asian countries through meaningful service-learning initiatives. The school’s signature service learning programme, Project 4:12, enables students from different grade levelsto collaborate on impactful projects. This fosters leadership and a deep sense of community.
From the earliest years, ICS students are instilled with the importance of recognising the needs of others and expressing appreciation through simple acts of kindness. Elementary students participate in activities like food drives for the Singapore Food Bank and visits to St. Luke’s Eldercare. Meanwhile, high school students take on larger initiatives locally and abroad through Week Without Walls. In this way, they apply their time, talents and abilities to real-world challenges.
At ICS, service is a mindset and a lifelong commitment. The school says that by empowering students to live a lifestyle of service, it’s nurturing future leaders who embody empathy, integrity and responsibility.
A student shares on service learning
“Service learning is not about just going to places or countries and doing labour. It’s about building relationships with people and through that process, we can grow in our relationship with God and others around us.” – JuHa, Grade 9
27A Jubilee Road
6776 7435 | ics.edu.sg
Australian International School – a year of giving back through community projects
At the Australian International School (AIS), fostering a sense of community and social responsibility is at the heart of education. In 2024, students of all ages came together to make a meaningful impact through various charity initiatives. Here’s a closer look at some of those.
Six-year-old AJ was inspired by her visit to the Angkor Kids Centre in Cambodia. She cycled 128km around Singapore and successfully raised $6,132 for the centre. The funds will go toward essential repairs, solar panel replacements and staff funding. These will ensure a better learning environment for local children.
Elementary students organised a festive arts and crafts donation drive for Child at Street 11, a preschool supporting children from lower-income families. Students gathered supplies like paintbrushes, Play-Doh and origami paper. These were wrapped them festively to bring joy and creativity to young learners at the preschool.
For over 17 years, the Schools 4 Schools initiative has supported education programmes in Nepal and India. Year 11 students hosted bake sales, movie nights and talent shows to raise funds. A dedicated group also travelled to Nepal, where they helped renovate classrooms, teach local students and engage in cultural exchanges.
The annual Sharks Shave event is an initiative where students and teachers shave their heads to show solidarity with those battling cancer. Over $6,000 was raised for LOVE, NILS, an organisation dedicated to supporting children with cancer and their families. This event reinforced the school’s commitment to compassion and community.
Through these initiatives, AIS continues to cultivate socially conscious students who understand the importance of giving back. The school looks forward to seeing even more inspiring efforts in the years to come!
Year 12 students on their community service projects
“Community service is an interest of ours. Last year, we participated in numerous projects. These included the Cambodia book drive, the clothing drive and other Schools 4 Schools initiatives like the talent show and multiple bake sales. These experiences have allowed us to change perspective. We also adopt a new level of responsibility through planning, collaborating and organising events. On a personal level, these experiences helped us connect with our peers, environment and values. Throughout these journeys we encountered issues with internal communication and organisation but through determination, the end result was worth the struggle.” – Clea and Lucas
1 Lorong Chuan
6883 8127 | ais.edu.sg
Singapore American School – student-initiated service learning
Singapore American School (SAS) students are empowered to make a difference in their communities. In this way, they develop an early commitment to active citizenship as part of being a responsible global citizen. The school says that students find meaning in benefiting others when they brainstorm, research, interview, plan activities, build connections, and contribute to communities’ areas of need.
Service learning is integrated into the curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 8. Until Grade 12, students take part in service learning opportunities in school, in their community, and in regional and global communities. Additionally, students have initiated over 40 high school service clubs over the years. New service clubs are constantly evolving in response to local and global needs. Encouraged to initiate their own service learning projects, they work on valuable life skills and towards becoming responsible, enlightened and reflective global citizens. Six elected students guide all high school service clubs by serving on the school’s Executive Service Council. Students who join these clubs develop skills such as taking initiative, collaborating, organising and implementing.
For over two decades, Special Sports at SAS has aimed to provide comfort and support to individuals with special needs, especially those with Down syndrome and autism. Since 2014, SAS has been partnering with Singapore Special Olympics to host weekly swimming and basketball sessions for athletes.
A student talks about volunteering
“Each week, athletes from the Special Olympics arrive at SAS campus and we spend an hour swimming and engaging in activities together. Throughout our sessions, we focus on staying active and healthy. At the same time, we’re building strong relationships and connections. Seeing the smiles on the athletes’ faces each time they achieve a new fitness goal shows club members how important this club truly is for many of the athletes. Volunteering through this club has taught us compassion and the ability to deal with challenges. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from these athletes, who show us the true meaning of resilience, determination and kindness. Their enthusiasm has motivated the members to keep showing up week after week.” – Jacob
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Keen to read more? See our list of things to do in Singapore and our big guide to international schools in Singapore.
