We hear from international school students about the meaningful service learning and community service they’ve been involved with.
Many international schools in Singapore offer service learning opportunities and community service projects. In the process of giving back through these activities, compassion and selflessness are taught, practiced and ingrained.
Tanglin Trust School – student activities that make a difference
At Tanglin Trust School, every student is encouraged to take an active role in service learning, whether through co-curricular activities (CCA) or charitable initiatives offered as part of the school calendar, such as donation drives, charity assemblies and volunteering at community stalls during key school events.
The message of helping others and understanding global issues is introduced from Infants, where children take on the role of Wellbeing Warrior. They have the opportunity to get involved with donation drives, help pack goods and deliver items, and then share their experiences with their classmates.
Junior School students visit homes for the elderly, where spending time with residents helps to deepen their understanding of community care. Students also have the chance to carry out service-learning overseas through the Junior Award Scheme for Schools, which helps students to build a global perspective on community engagement and social responsibility.
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.
Through this mix of service learning activity, including purposeful partnerships with community organisations, students get the chance to engage in hands‑on experiences that fosters empathy, responsibility and real-world impact.
A student talks about their service learning experience
“The experience of being in the delivering meals to homebound senior citizens across Singapore was meaningful not only for those receiving the food but us as students. I enjoyed making an impact and bringing a smile to people’s faces. Some of the elderly residents I visited were living alone and I found that a smile, hello or a short chat at their door often meant as much as the meal itself. I’m grateful to have been part of this programme.” – Jahnavi P, Year 13
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
UWC South East Asia – service learning as a key element of the curriculum
At UWC South East Asia, Service is more than a co-curricular activity; it’s one of five elements of the holistic learning programme, along with Academics, Activities, Outdoor Education and Personal and Social Education. Students in K1 through Grade 12 engage in College, local and global service. Guided by the Service, Sustainability and Peace curriculum, the programme develops an understanding of real-world issues and encourages students to build the knowledge, skills and values needed to contribute to a sustainable and peaceful future, and to be empowered agents of change.
In the Infant and Junior School, whether it’s taking part in a campus sustainability initiative or building friendships with elderly communities in Singapore, young learners develop a foundational sense of community and responsibility.
As students move into Middle School and beyond, service engagements widen in variety and scope. UWCSEA partners more than 30 Singapore-based organisations, and supports student-led service groups that connect with NGOs across the region. Middle School students also explore service-related concepts through courses like Social, Environmental and Entrepreneurship Development or SEED on East Campus, and the Sustainable Development Unit on Dover Campus.
High School students are also encouraged to take on leadership roles. They support their peers in sports or language coaching, engage in sustainability projects with younger students, and volunteer weekly with a local service partner. In Grade 11, they plan Project Week, a student-led collaboration with a local or overseas NGO, which they then visit.
One of UWCSEA’s longest standing partnerships is with Riders with Disabilities Association (RDA). Students provide hands-on support for equine-assisted therapy for people with physical and cognitive challenges. They assist as “side-walkers” alongside riders to ensure their safety and provide physical stability. They build relationships with riders to build confidence and communication skills, and they learn to care for and groom horses.
One student’s experience of service learning
“Being a part of RDA has not only made my love for horses grow, but also my love for people. I became closer to the riders I was paired up with and also my fellow volunteers. This experience made me realise how important the social aspects of life are, and especially how much insight I can gain just from learning about people’s hobbies and interests. This is something I have taken into my own social life as well. Along with this, it gave me a new perspective on animal care and sustainability after having cared for the horses myself.” – Shyla, Grade 12
Dulwich College (Singapore) – impactful projects for all ages
Service learning is central to the learning ethos at Dulwich College (Singapore). The school aims to foster 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. These include 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. It 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.
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 in Singapore and Southeast Asia
At Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS), Service Learning is a core value lived out throughout the school year by all students, staff and parents, in partnership with community organisations.
Every Primary School student holds a Volunteering Passport. They complete service hours each year through the Primary School Volunteering Project, building empathy and responsibility from an early age. Secondary School students participate in the National Youth Achievement Award and the Butterfly Award. They also join an Enrichment Programme focused on social action. Students design and run their own projects, learning how to plan, collaborate and create meaningful impact. Older students may also join a Service Journey in Southeast Asia, including the 2026 programme in Cambodia.
In 2025, the SMMIS community volunteered alongside Ironman Asia at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. They also supported Team Nila and Sport Singapore during the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. In 2026, the school partnered with the Canberra Community Club to distribute Chinese New Year oranges to residents. This continues the school’s commitment to community ties. SMMIS also maintains a long-standing partnership with the Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA). Students regularly visit the AWWA Dementia Daycare Centre in Yishun for activities and social interaction, and have contributed projects such as painting a mural.
Service Learning also extends into the wider community through donation drives – including It’s Raining Raincoats – and food distribution with organisations such as Willing Hearts. In partnership with Passion to Serve, students prepare New Year goodie bags with handwritten messages for migrant workers. These efforts culminate annually in a Volunteering Award Ceremony, recognising sustained commitment, leadership and service.
Through these sustained experiences, SMMIS students develop teamwork, leadership, empathy and compassion – the qualities that prepare them to become responsible global citizens.
A word from a student on community work
“My service learning experiences have been consistently meaningful because they allow us to give back to the community while also developing our character. For example, last year my enrichment group ran a school-wide campaign to raise awareness about learning challenges. Through the process, we learned a lot about the topic. This year, we took part in a charity walk along the Rail Corridor, which was an enjoyable experience for students. Overall, service learning and enrichment sessions give us a chance to learn actively, contribute and have fun at the same time.” – Ishaan P, Grade 8
3 Jalan Ulu Sembawang
6331 4633 | smmis.edu.sg
International Community School (Singapore) – giving back through community projects
At International Community School (Singapore), service learning is woven into the fabric of learning, where students are guided to become compassionate, purpose-driven leaders. From their earliest years, the school encourages students to see needs around them, respond with empathy and develop a lifelong heart for serving others.
In Elementary School, students build awareness through local community projects. As they progress into Middle and High School, they take ownership through dedicated service courses, collaborating with partners and mentoring younger students through the school’s Buddy Program.
Service learning also extends beyond Singapore. During Week Without Walls, students travel to places like Indonesia and the Philippines, where they work directly with local non-profit organisations and underserved communities. These immersive trips allow students to form deep cross-cultural bonds while developing humility and a global perspective through hands-on service.
At ICS (Singapore), service isn’t about checking a box, but rather about encouraging students to learn deeply, live purposefully and lead boldly, making a lasting impact wherever they go.
An alumna shares her service learning experience
“During a Week Without Walls service learning trip to Manila, I discovered my passion for healthcare. Today, I continue to tutor children alongside pursuing my studies in university.” – Laura, ICS alumna, Pre-Med student at Northeastern University
27A Jubilee Road
6776 7435 | ics.edu.sg
SJI International – inspiring change beyond the classroom
At SJI International, service is considered more than an ECA; it’s a defining part of the school’s identity. Guided by the vision “Learn, Inspire, Serve”, character education and service learning are intentionally woven through the student experience from Preschool to High School. This commitment is anchored in two pillars: the globally recognised Virtues Project and a structured Service Learning programme. Together, they cultivate compassion, leadership and global citizenship.
In the Elementary School, students participate in meaningful, age-appropriate community initiatives designed to build empathy and social awareness. A much-loved highlight is the annual Lapathon, a community-wide event that raises funds for Lasallian preschools in Sri Lanka. Throughout the year, students also support organisations such as United World Schools and the Singapore Red Cross, learning that service is rooted in both action and understanding.
In Grades 5 and 6, students formally enter Community, Activity, Sport and Service (CASS). This structured programme introduces purposeful service while nurturing leadership, collaboration and self-confidence. Through CASS, students are encouraged to design and lead initiatives aligned with their own interests. This fosters ownership of their impact and lays the foundations for a lifelong commitment to giving back.
As students progress into High School, service learning projects become more outward-looking and advocacy-driven, deliberately connecting classroom learning with real-world challenges. In 2025, for example, a Grade 7 cohort dedicated a week to clean water advocacy. Drawing on their studies in Geography and Science, students designed campaigns and raised funds in support of a long-standing partnership with the Water and Health Foundation in Cambodia.
Experiential learning continues in Grade 8 through outdoor education trips, where students apply skills from humanities and digital media to advocate for environmental stewardship. The school also maintains meaningful external partnerships. Recent highlights include a visit from the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation and a festive celebration welcoming 78 members of the wider Singaporean community to the campus.
Service learning at SJI International has a collaborative spirit. Events such as staff-student charity initiatives demonstrate that advocacy is a collective effort, with teachers leading by example alongside confident, proactive students. Faculty members participate in projects such as preparing care packages for the migrant worker community during festive periods, creating a culture where service is clearly a shared responsibility.
Graduates leave not only academically prepared, but as compassionate, values-driven individuals equipped to create lasting, positive change wherever life takes them.
A student on the benefits of community service
“Service learning doesn’t only benefit your service partners but rather everyone involved. Its reciprocal nature allows us to gain as much as we choose to give, through learning about ourselves and others.” – Mira, Grade 12
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.sg
Australian International School – charity initiatives helping the community
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, and 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 – giving back with 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 on schools in SG? See our big guide to international schools.
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