Junior School welcome guide 2019/2020 - Dover Campus - UWCSEA

Page created by Byron Hoffman
 
CONTINUE READING
Junior School welcome guide 2019/2020 - Dover Campus - UWCSEA
Junior School welcome guide 2019/2020
                          Dover Campus
1                                                                                                                                                                            2

                                                                                                          Welcome to the UWCSEA Dover                                        School contacts and
Contents                                                                                                  Junior School (Grades 2–5)                                         supporting your child
Welcome to the UWCSEA Dover Junior School....................... 1                                                                   It is my great pleasure to welcome      Reception and the school offices are open from 7.45am to          Personal and Social Education (PSE) programme
                                                                                                                                     you and your family to the Junior       4.30pm.                                                           The role of the Vice Principals in the Junior School is to ensure
School contacts and supporting your child............................... 2
                                                                                                                                     School at the Dover Campus at                                                                             that our students are in an environment where they feel safe,
                                                                                                                                                                             There is a comprehensive staff directory on the website, and
Contacting/notifying the school.................................................. 3                                                  UWCSEA.
                                                                                                                                                                             the key contact details for Junior School are on the last page    happy and secure as well as excited to learn. Along with the
Website and communications....................................................... 3                                                 As teachers, we are incredibly           of this booklet. However, some of the key contacts are below.     other curriculum leaders in Primary School and across the
                                                                                                                                    fortunate in this school to have the                                                                       College, the Vice Principals ensure that the curriculum the
School day......................................................................................... 5                                                                        There are three secretaries in the Junior School Office:
                                                                                                                                    opportunity to engage with such a                                                                          students experience is challenging, differentiated and holistic,
Transport to school......................................................................... 5                                      diverse group of wonderful children,                                                                       and that there is a seamless articulation from Primary School
                                                                                                                                    whose parents are so completely                                                                            into Middle School and beyond.
Uniform.............................................................................................. 6
                                                                                                                                    committed to supporting their                                                                              UWCSEA has a strong programme that nurtures positive
Meals at school................................................................................. 7                                  endeavours and ours. Whatever                                                                              relationships amongst the children. In this school we are always
Health and well-being of students............................................... 7                        reputation we enjoy as a school, it has been earned for us by                                                                        our best selves by ensuring:
                                                                                                          our community, working together to achieve a broad-based,
Curriculum information.................................................................. 8                holistic education for the children in our care. As Principal of                                                                     We keep ourselves and each other SAFE.
Parental involvement...................................................................... 10             Primary School, it is an honour to take on the responsibility      Louisa Paulo         Nurashikin Ishak      Suria Hussain          We are BRAVE when faced with challenges.
                                                                                                          of ensuring that the College’s mission, vision and values are at                                              Primary Curriculum
Important dates for the start of Term 1...................................... 10                          the forefront of all we do in the Junior School section.                                                                             We show RESPECT for ourselves, each other and the
Dover Junior School contacts........................................................ 11                                                                                                                                                        environment.
                                                                                                          Junior School provides that all-important bridge between the       If you have any concerns regarding your child, whether they
                                                                                                          uninhibited curiosity of Infants and the confident striding out    are academic or related to their social and emotional needs,      We are KINDER than necessary.
                                                                                                          of Middle and High School.                                         the first person to talk to is your child’s class teacher. The    We have FUN together.
                                                                                                                                                                             class teachers are supported by a number of other staff
                                                                                                          For the first time, our students are challenged by overseas                                                                          A strong home-school relationship is crucial in ensuring that
                                                                                                                                                                             whose roles are outlined below. The next person in the
                                                                                                          expeditions in the Outdoor Education element of our                                                                                  the children are happy, confident learners. Please feel free to
                                                                                                                                                                             support chain is the Head of Grade:
                                                                                                          programme and a staggering variety of Activities and Service                                                                         discuss any matters of concern at any time.
                                                                                                          opportunities are offered. We encourage and cajole them
                                                                                                          into a breadth of varied experiences, so that as they progress
                                                                                                          in the school, they may discover that ‘grand passion’ that
                                                                                                          they take with them into adulthood perhaps. It is a truly
                                                                                                          exciting and crucial stage in their school careers and we aim,
                                                                                                          in partnership with parents, to make it a successful one for
                                                                                                          every individual.
                                                                                                          The Junior School day runs from 8am to 3pm but formal              Rhys Vosper      Leah Daniels Scott Ziemer Hugh Pollard
                                                                                                          lessons end at 2.45pm to allow students time to prepare for        Grade 2          Grade 3      Grade 4      Grade 5
                                                                                                          activities which begin at 3pm. Most after-school activities
                                                                                                          finish at 4.20pm. Our students are given access to more            If, after discussions with the class teacher and Head of Grade,
                                                                                                          specialist subjects than in Infant School, including a greater     you feel you would like to have further a discussion with one
                                                                                                          choice of languages, increased Physical Education and              of the Vice Principals, please let us know:
                                                                                                          specialist Art lessons for the first time. These changes are
                                                                                                          important and help our students to approach Middle School,
                                                                                                          which in turn amends the architecture of their day to prepare
                                                                                                          them for the independence and self-regulated learning
                                                                                                          required in High School.
                                                                                                          We are very much looking forward to welcoming your family
                                                                                                          to UWCSEA.
                                                                                                          Kind regards,
                                                                                                                                                                             Allison Ziemer       Erin Belliveau
                                                                                                          Brian Ó Maoileoin                                                  Vice Principal       Vice Principal
                                                                                                          Primary School Principal
3                                                                                                                                         4

Contacting/notifying the school                                       Website and communications
Absence                                                               We believe strongly in the importance of a close partnership        Website portal                                                     Online calendar
Students                                                              between home and school and clear, effective communication          The website is a rich resource and has portals dedicated to        There is an up-to-date online calendar on the school website.
                                                                      facilitates this. Parents are welcome in the school, and during     providing information on the College and the Junior School.        There is also a printable academic year calendar listing term
Please telephone the school office if your child is sick and          the year you will be invited to come on trips, attend activity
will not be coming to school. It is vital that we are informed                                                                            Each parent is issued with a login to the parent portal via        dates and public holidays.
                                                                      days and help in your child’s classroom.                            our website where you can view information tailored to your
immediately if your child has an illness that is infectious so we                                                                                                                                            The College uses Google Calendar, and, depending on the
can alert other parents to be vigilant for symptoms.                  We try to limit the amount of paper sent home, though               family and about your child/ren. Access to a number of key
                                                                                                                                                                                                             calendar system you use, you can import all or some of these
                                                                      occasionally we send a letter home for your attention. To           systems as well as daily updated notices are located here,
Travel in term time                                                                                                                                                                                          events from Google Calendar to your own to help you keep
                                                                      keep up-to-date with events please read eBrief, look daily at       including:
                                                                                                                                                                                                             on top of what’s happening. If setting this up in advance,
Taking children out of school during term time is detrimental         your child’s student planner and keep an eye on the online          • online medical information system (for review and                please make sure you include the Junior School, Dover
to their learning. However, we appreciate that there are some         notices and calendar.                                                 updating)                                                        Campus and UWCSEA/College calendars—you can also
situations when this is unavoidable. If your child has to miss
                                                                      Workshops for parents are scheduled during Term 1 to help           • contact information update system (for review and                include other school sections and the PA calendar.
any school, please inform the class teacher and the Principal
                                                                      familiarise you with the features of the website.                     updating)
in writing.
                                                                                                                                          • student record system (timetable, attendance records,
We ask that parents restrict travel to school holiday periods         Student planner                                                       reports and assessments)
wherever possible. While we understand that circumstances             Each child is given a planner, which they bring home each day.      • notices for parents (you can see the notices sent to
may arise where a child may need to miss some days of                 This is used for you to write messages to the class teacher and       students as well)
school, we are not able to provide school work for children           for the teacher to communicate with you. Students also use
who will be absent due to travel.                                     the planner to make notes about their homework and other            Parents and students are all issued with individual logins;
                                                                      reminders.                                                          parents have theirs emailed to them prior to the start of the
Temporary supervision notification –
                                                                                                                                          school year; students are provided their logins during their
absence of both parents from Singapore                                Please check your child’s planner daily for messages and            first week of school.
It is a UWCSEA requirement that parents of all day students           information from school.
are resident in Singapore. If for any reason, for example             Please date all messages and sign when you have read any            Updating your contact information
a family emergency, both parents are out of Singapore,                messages sent by the class teacher.                                 If there is any change in contact information (i.e., phone,
we must have clear details of the adult who will act as a                                                                                 address or email), it is very important that parents amend the
supervisor in their absence so we know whom to contact in             If you need to get a message to the class teacher during the day,
                                                                                                                                          details the school holds on file. This can be done by logging in
case of an emergency.                                                 please phone the Junior School Office as teachers do not always
                                                                                                                                          to the portal. We use the latest data recorded here for every
                                                                      have time to check their emails during the busy school day.
The Nomination of a Supervisor during Temporary Parental                                                                                  communication sent by individual departments.
Absence form must be filled out prior to the parents’ absence. This   Grade blogs
form can be found on the Parent Portal of the school website.                                                                             eBrief
                                                                      The Heads of Grade maintain a blog for each grade. There is a
                                                                                                                                          This weekly email consolidates key information into an easy-
Appointments                                                          link provided each week in the eBrief, and also on the website
                                                                                                                                          to-read format for parents. Considered essential reading,
                                                                      portal (see below).
If your child needs to attend an appointment, for example                                                                                 eBrief is sent to all parents every Friday during the school
with a doctor or dentist, we ask that you try to make these           Seesaw Learning Journal                                             term. It contains information for parents on the upcoming
after school hours. If this is not possible, please inform the                                                                            two weeks. You can expect the first eBrief the Friday before
                                                                      and Class Announcements
school office and class teacher of your plans to collect and                                                                              school commences—to help you get ready for the start of the
                                                                      Seesaw is an online learning platform that is used by teachers      year. It is not sent during school holidays.
return your child to school. Please arrange for your child
                                                                      and students from Kindergarten to Grade 5. Students post
to wait for you in the Junior School office and at no other                                                                               If you do not receive eBrief, please contact Junior School
                                                                      work they have done in class and it is shared digitally with
location please.                                                                                                                          office.
                                                                      parents providing a glimpse into the classroom activities.
                                                                      Teachers will also share classroom specific information,            UWCSEA App
                                                                      such as homework and reminders, through the Seesaw                  The UWCSEA App is available for iPhone, Android and
                                                                      announcements feature.                                              iPad. Search for UWCSEA and download the app to access
                                                                      Early in the year, parents will be guided through the process       eBrief, the calendar, notices, a campus map, your child/ren’s
                                                                      of joining the Seesaw account in order to have access to their      timetable (including their activities for each day), the staff
                                                                      child’s work and the classroom information.                         directory and more.
                                                                                                                                          You will need your login details to access the App, as the
                                                                      Student records
                                                                                                                                          information is customised to each user.
                                                                      Student records are available for viewing online via the portal.
                                                                      This gives a summary of your child’s attendance and provides
                                                                      access to downloadable copies of their reports, including
                                                                      medical reports.
5                                                                                                                                    6

School day                                                       Transport to school                                                                                                                     Uniform
The school day is designed so that all students have breaks at   There are a number of options for travelling to and from            Afternoon pick up                                                   Students are required to wear the uniform every day. Our
the same time, allowing us to plan whole-school events more      school each day.                                                    At the end of the school day, students who go home by car           uniform policy can be found on the website portal. Students
easily:                                                                                                                              make their way to the pick-up area, and can be collected from       should wear their uniform on the first day of school; it is not
                                                                 Buses                                                               2.45pm. Parents arriving before this time are asked to park in      necessary on orientation day.
7.30am     the earliest time students can be dropped at
                                                                 Transport forms to arrange the bus service were contained           the designated parking areas on campus. We ask that you do
           school                                                                                                                                                                                        Clothing
                                                                 in the letter of offer information packet sent by Admissions.       not park or leave your car in the driveways so we can create
8.00am     start of school (students can enter classrooms        Although every request is processed at the earliest possible                                                                            All students wear a UWCSEA turquoise polo shirt, with grey
                                                                                                                                     a flow of traffic and everyone can depart the campus quickly
           from 7.50am)                                          date, bus boarding forms submitted in Orientation Week may                                                                              culottes for the girls, and shorts for both girls and boys. A
                                                                                                                                     and safely.
                                                                 not be able to be accommodated for the first week of School.                                                                            UWCSEA cardigan is available.
9.50am     morning break (20 minutes)                                                                                                Taxi directions
                                                                 The Campus Transport Manager coordinates the services                                                                                   Shoes
11.30am lunch (1 hour)                                                                                                               Ensure you ask the driver to take you to ‘UWCSEA on Dover
                                                                 and facilitates communications; however a third party is                                                                                Shoes should be black and fully enclose the feet but not cover
2.45pm     students finish formal lessons                                                                                            Road.’ As we have two campuses, it is important that you ask
                                                                 contracted to supply bus transport for students.                                                                                        the ankles. Socks should be white, grey or black.
                                                                                                                                     for the correct one.
3.05pm     activities (these are optional; see below)            All buses are air-conditioned with seat belts fitted and each                                                                           PE uniform
                                                                 bus has an assistant to look after the children while in transit.   Bicycles                                                            A PE uniform is also needed, and sturdy trainers (athletic
4.20pm     end of activities
                                                                 Some important things to note about the bus service:                Some students cycle to school, and we have bike stands on           shoes) are required for nearly all PE activities. Students
Students are asked to leave school at the end of the school                                                                          the campus where bicycles can be secured for the day. If            participate in swimming lessons during the year, and
                                                                 • Junior School students are dropped at their designated
day unless they are staying back for activities (see below).                                                                         your child would like to cycle to school, please inform the         UWCSEA sun protection vest are available in the College
                                                                   drop-off point even if nobody is waiting to meet them. It is
Students who need to stay back for an activity which                                                                                 class teacher. All students who cycle to school are expected        Shop.
                                                                   essential that the students are clear about what to do when
begins at 4.30pm must report to the library and stay                                                                                 to wear a bicycle helmet and follow the Singaporean cycling
                                                                   they are dropped off                                                                                                                  Students in all grades should wear their PE uniform to school
there until the library closes at 4.15pm. Students then                                                                              regulations. Younger students should be accompanied.
proceed to their activity.                                       • students are not allowed to travel on another bus for any                                                                             if they have PE at any time during the day, Please note:
                                                                   reason—so if they are visiting another student, they need to      Security pass and security check                                    • Grade 2 and 3 - they may stay in their PE uniform for the
Once you have been sent your login details, you can access         be picked up by car
                                                                                                                                     The security guards check all vehicles and pedestrians                 remainder of the day;
and print your child’s full timetable via the Student Record
                                                                 • the bus service will pick up and drop off only to one             entering the campus. Parents are advised to get a security          • Grade 4 and 5 - must change after PE and must therefore
System, using the parent portal (see website section above for
                                                                   address; logistical requirements are such that there can          pass to facilitate a speedy arrival to school. Photographs for         pack their normal school uniform to get changed into
more details).
                                                                   be no provision to have a regular drop off at different           the passes are taken during orientation and in the first weeks         (including the uniform black shoes).
Arriving at school                                                 addresses                                                         of term. This can be done at the Main Reception.
                                                                 • due to insurance regulations, parents are not allowed to                                                                              Backpack
The school day begins at 8am. Students should arrive no                                                                              If your helper or another nominated adult will be collecting
                                                                   travel on the school bus                                                                                                              Junior School students may choose their own backpack/
earlier than 7.30am as there is no supervision before that                                                                           your child on a regular basis, they will also need to be issued a
                                                                 • one-way or two-way services are available; however                                                                                    school bag style.
time. We advise that students be on campus by 7.55am so                                                                              security pass.
that they can be punctual to their classroom.                      preference is given to two-way applications                                                                                           Sun protection
                                                                 More information about the bus services, the bus rules and          Changes to travel arrangements                                      All students are required to wear a sunhat for outside play
Leaving school                                                                                                                       If there are any changes to your child’s transport                  times, during PE, lunchtime sports, sports team practices and
                                                                 areas of Singapore covered by the service can be found on the
All Junior School students make their own way to the             website.                                                            arrangements, it is very important that you write a note in         sports days. Junior students who do not have a hat will have
designated bus and car pick-up areas. In order to avoid                                                                              the student planner, ensuring that it is clear which day the        to play in the shaded areas.
congestion in the Junior School pods, we ask parents or          Cars                                                                change will occur.
helpers who are collecting by car or taxi to meet the students                                                                                                                                           Jewellery, hair and make-up
                                                                 Morning drop off                                                    For emergencies and last minute changes of travel
in the car pick-up area rather than in the pod area.                                                                                                                                                     Students are permitted to wear one pair of earrings (studs or
                                                                 Students being driven to school should arrive between               arrangements, call the Junior School Office (+65 6419 9314)         sleepers) and a watch to school. Rings, bangles and necklaces
Students will be supervised until 3.20pm, and after this time    7.30am and 7.50am. Students should not be dropped before            before 1.30pm. Messages received after this time may not            are not allowed and any religious symbols should be discreet.
any child who has not been collected will wait in the Primary    7.30am as there is no supervision available. For safety             reach the class teacher before they have left for the buses.        Junior students should not wear extreme hair styles and
School Office. Please phone the office (+65 6419 9314) if you    reasons, we ask that parents use the designated drop-off            Please make sure you speak to one of the secretaries and do         make-up and nail polish is not allowed.
are delayed.                                                     areas, rather than letting Junior School students out onto the      not leave a voice message.
                                                                 pavement on Dover Road.                                                                                                                 Where to purchase the uniform
Mobile phones/Smart watches                                                                                                          We cannot accept ‘word of mouth’ messages from your child
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Uniforms for all grades of the school can be obtained from
                                                                 Please try and move as far forward as possible within the           about changes to arrangements. An email sent to the class
Since they are often necessary for after school contact,                                                                                                                                                 the College Shop on Dover Campus in the orientation week
                                                                 drop-off zone to ensure a flow of traffic. We ask that parents      teacher during the day may not be seen as teachers often
students who need mobile phones are permitted to have one                                                                                                                                                prior to the start of school, as well as on school days during
                                                                 remain inside their car. Our experienced security guards are        check their emails only after the children have gone home.
in their bag. However, during the school day, they are not                                                                                                                                               term time:
                                                                 on duty to help the flow of traffic.
permitted to use them or have them on their person. They
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Dover Shop
are strictly for after school contact between the student and    Please do not stop your car for any longer than is necessary.
                                                                                                                                                                                                         8am –12pm; 12.45–4pm
their parents.                                                   If you decide you need to come in to the school, please move
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Tel 6775 5344 ext 1923 | dovershopstaff@uwcsea.edu.sg
                                                                 through to the parking areas to facilitate the flow of traffic.
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Second-hand uniform sales are held each term, offering
                                                                                                                                                                                                         gently used uniforms (school and PE as well as backpacks) for
                                                                                                                                                                                                         sale to support our Global Concerns programme.
7                                                                                                                                  8

Meals at school                                                   Health and well-being of students                                                                                                  Curriculum information
Students have a choice of bringing their own food to school       Medical care                                                     Food and other allergies                                          There is a dedicated section on the portal that provides
or purchasing lunch and snacks from the canteen. A catering       The centrally located Primary Clinic is staffed by trained       Some children have food allergies, and we monitor this very       an outline of the curriculum. Please log in to access the
contractor looks after the canteen and provides both snacks       nurses and is fully equipped to handle minor injuries that       carefully. If a student with a severe allergy, such as a nut      information. In no particular order, highlighted below are
and a pre-order lunch service for Junior School students in       occur in school. If a child has been taken to the clinic and     allergy, is identified in a class, we will request that items     some areas related to sections of the five elements of the
Grades 2 to 4.                                                    needs to go home, one of the nurses will contact their           containing the allergen are not brought into the school           UWCSEA Learning Programme that we are often asked about.
Grades 2–4 parents can log in to the system via the parent        parents, or the designated supervisor or emergency contacts      by any student in that class. For safety, the parents of          Academics
portal to place orders in advance. Grade 2 students who           should the parents not be contactable.                           students who suffer from such allergies are encouraged,
                                                                                                                                   nevertheless, to assume that the classroom is not nut             Library
order in advance are served their meal in their classroom         If your child has any medical condition that may require
and Grade 3–4 students who order lunches online receive a                                                                          free and to behave in accordance with that assumption.            Your child will visit the library once a week with their class
                                                                  medical treatment, emergency care or that our staff                                                                                teacher to select books. Students can also visit the library
silicone wristband to claim orders in the canteen. Meals can      should be aware of, please notify us via the online medical      Once we have a better idea of the requirements of each
be ordered online—a four-week menu cycle is uploaded on a                                                                                                                                            before and after school and during break times. Books
                                                                  questionnaire so we have the information necessary to assist     student, via the online medical questionnaires, we are able to    are normally kept for a week, and once the book has been
regular basis. A pre-order meal can be cancelled by 8.30am        them if needed.                                                  assess the level of caution we need to adopt in each class.
on the day of order itself.                                                                                                                                                                          returned a new book may be borrowed. Teachers will inform
                                                                  Any medication should be given at home or, if it is essential    If your child has a severe allergy, please make sure that this    you which day your child’s class will visit the library.
Grade 5 will be issued a UWCSEA Campus Card, a cashless           that it is administered during the day, then it will be given    is indicated on the online medical questionnaire and bring it
card system designed to support the food service at the                                                                                                                                              Parents are also able to sign up to borrow from the library.
                                                                  by the nurses at the clinic. Students are not permitted to       to the class teacher’s attention as soon as possible. We also
school by allowing for payment by card. It is a voluntary         carry medication around the school.                              require details of the management plan to be set out for staff.   Excursions
system as cash can still be used in the canteens.                                                                                  We can provide contact details for a support group of parents
                                                                  If your child shows any signs of illness, please do not send                                                                       There are many excursions that students undertake as a class
In addition, the campus card/wristband can be used in the                                                                          of allergy sufferers.                                             group within Singapore. These support the curriculum and
                                                                  them to school, and if they become ill at school, the College
library.                                                          nurse will contact you to arrange for them to be picked up.                                                                        are generally scheduled to coincide with each unit of study to
                                                                  Please refer to the section below on nominating alternative or                                                                     extend students’ knowledge. Permission slips are sent home
Healthy eating                                                                                                                                                                                       prior to each off-campus excursion. Parents are asked to
                                                                  emergency contacts.
We encourage students to eat and drink as healthily as                                                                                                                                               contribute to the cost of entry tickets where appropriate.
possible, and we ask for your assistance with this when           Online medical forms                                                                                                               PE programme
sending food and drink into school.                               There is a comprehensive online medical questionnaire                                                                              Students are expected to participate fully in the PE
Drinks                                                            that we require all parents to complete for each child no                                                                          programme, and this includes swimming lessons. There is
                                                                  later than orientation day. The form covers pre-existing                                                                           space in the online medical form for parents to inform us of
We have water fountains located around the school at              conditions and illnesses, as well as related information for
appropriate heights for students to access comfortably. Junior                                                                                                                                       their child’s swimming ability. Even if a child cannot swim, we
                                                                  activities such as PE, swimming ability and other conditions                                                                       expect all children to participate in lessons.
School students should bring a labelled water bottle to school    that may affect their participation.
with them each day. Please do not pack fizzy or caffeinated                                                                                                                                          We believe that if a child is well enough to attend school then
drinks in your child’s lunch box. The canteen offers juice and    As it can take some time for this information to be processed,                                                                     they should be well enough to participate in PE. However, we
milk drinks for sale.                                             it is also important that you inform the class teacher of any                                                                      understand that sometimes circumstances mean your child
                                                                  serious allergies or health problems your child may have.                                                                          cannot participate in swimming or other PE activities. Please
Food allergies                                                                                                                                                                                       send in a note via the student planner explaining why your
                                                                  If there are any changes in medical information, please amend
If we need to exclude specific food or other allergen items       the online form as well as informing the class teacher.                                                                            child cannot participate in PE.
from a class, we will let parents in the class know as soon as
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Homework
possible. Please see the section on Food and other allergies on   Emergency contacts
page 8 for more information on this very important policy.                                                                                                                                           The amount and type of homework set differs in each grade;
                                                                  Part of the online medical form asks parents to nominate two
                                                                                                                                                                                                     specific information on homework can be found in the front
                                                                  emergency contacts in Singapore. It is important that these
                                                                                                                                                                                                     of the student planner. Please provide an appropriate space
                                                                  are kept up-to-date. These should be people you trust to
                                                                                                                                                                                                     for your child to complete their homework comfortably.
                                                                  make medical decisions for your child should the unfortunate
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Access to a home computer of some kind is vital.
                                                                  need arise. We therefore request that you do not nominate
                                                                  your domestic helper, because, sadly, their instructions might                                                                     Reporting and assessment
                                                                  not always be heeded.                                                                                                              Reports are shared with parents at the end of Term 1 and
                                                                  Please also note that these contacts are not necessarily the                                                                       the end of Term 3. Parents meet with the class teacher for
                                                                  same as the nominated guardian which we require if both                                                                            settling-in interviews at the start of the year and then again
                                                                  parents are out of Singapore at the same time. This situation                                                                      in Term 2. There are parent-teacher conferences and student-
                                                                  requires separate notification to the school (see section on                                                                       led conferences during the year which enable parents to keep
                                                                  page 3) for each and every absence.                                                                                                up-to-date with their child’s progress in school.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Although we have scheduled dates for parents to talk with
                                                                                                                                                                                                     the class teacher, appointments can be arranged at other
                                                                                                                                                                                                     times if there is an issue that needs to be discussed.
9                                                                                                                                   10

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Important dates for
                                                                                                                                    Parental involvement                                              the start of Term 1
Learning support and external tuition                                                                                               At UWCSEA we know that parent participation strengthens           New student orientation
There are dedicated Learning Support teachers available to         Music                                                            the College community and the educational experience              Wednesday, 15 August, 1.30–5pm
children in the Junior School. Parents are always consulted                                                                         for students, and we welcome and encourage parent
                                                                   We have a strong music programme for Junior School
before a child is referred for Learning Support. The majority of                                                                    involvement. There are many opportunities for you to get          Meet the teacher and curriculum evening
                                                                   students. There are a variety of opportunities that students
students who receive support need short-term instruction in                                                                         involved, from attending social events, to volunteering at        In order to find out more about your child’s teacher and the
                                                                   can sign up for online.
a small group and will not require long-term intervention.                                                                          school or in the wider community, to sharing your culture,        year ahead, we invite all parents to a scheduled evening at the
                                                                   We also have an Instrumental Teaching Programme (ITP),           talent or professional expertise. For those who have the time
The school works with many outside professionals to support                                                                                                                                           start of the school year.
                                                                   which provides tuition on a number of musical instruments,       and interest, volunteering can be a wonderful way to make
children with specific needs. We request that any referrals        open to students in Grade 2 and above. A number of highly        connections in the College, providing a network of contacts       The evening will start at 5pm, and contain both a classroom
to outside professionals—for specific learning needs or for        qualified music tutors come to the school to provide after-      within and beyond your child’s class or grade.                    presentation, where your child’s teacher will introduce
general tuition purposes—are done after consultation with          school lessons. More information is available through                                                                              themselves and talk to you about the year ahead as well as a
the class teacher and/or the Learning Support Department.                                                                           Specific opportunities for parental involvement will be           briefing on the grade curriculum. The dates are:
                                                                   www.uwcsea.edu.sg/portal/learning/instrumental-teaching-
                                                                                                                                    advertised in the weekly eBrief newsletter.
Stationery and school supplies                                     programme.
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Grades 2 and 5: Wednesday, 21 August, 5pm
Students do not need to bring any stationery or other              The ITP is not part of the Activities programme and additional   Parents Online Address Book
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Grades 3 and 4: Thursday, 22 August, 5pm
supplies to school as we provide all materials needed in the       fees are levied directly by the music tutors.                    The parent portal on the website contains a link to an online
classrooms, including pens, pencils, rulers, books, stationery                                                                      database of parent contacts. You can search for telephone         Junior School Camp briefs
                                                                   Sports
and colouring pencils. However, many students like to have                                                                          and email contact details for your child’s classmates on this
                                                                   UWCSEA fields teams in the Singapore-based ACSIS                                                                                   Grade 3: Tuesday, 27 August, 8.30–9am
their own pencil cases and their own stationery.                                                                                    database.
                                                                   competition in a number of different sports for students                                                                           Grade 4: Tuesday, 27 August, 9–9.30am
Activities                                                         in relevant age groups in the Junior School. In past years,      It is important for the success of the database that it is only
                                                                   this has included teams for boys and girls in cross country,     used for school-related purposes.                                 Grade 5: Tuesday, 27 August, 9.30–10am
We encourage all students from Grade 2 on, to participate
in lunchtime and after-school activities. The Activities           swimming, football, rugby, netball and basketball.               Please refer to the Data protection and online information form   Grade 2: Wednesday, 27 November, 6–7pm
programme is broken into four seasons, running roughly                                                                              for more information.
parallel to the competitive sporting seasons in which
                                                                                                                                    This is an opt-in address book and we recommend at least
UWCSEA participates. However, by no means are all activities
                                                                                                                                    one parent elect to appear.
sports-related. They cover a range of special interest areas,
including: service (such as the SPCA group or environment                                                                           Parents’ Association (PA)
club); sports (both recreational and competitive); music (such
                                                                                                                                    The PA provides an opportunity for all parents to contribute
as the choirs); art, craft and games (such as drawing, drama
                                                                                                                                    to the UWCSEA community.
productions, batik or chess); and special interests (such as
cooking or Lego). This diversity allows students to try out new                                                                     Being involved in PA activities provides parents an
experiences and develop interests and hobbies. The selection                                                                        opportunity to be active participants in their child’s school
changes from season to season.                                                                                                      community, keep up-to-date with happenings in the school
                                                                                                                                    and an avenue to meet other parents and members of the
Many activities are included in the tuition fees; however some
                                                                                                                                    wider school community. New parents are encouraged to
will incur additional fees if we need to purchase materials
                                                                                                                                    contribute as much as their time and interests allow.
or provide external coaching, tuition, transport or uniforms.
The approximate cost will be noted at the time of selecting                                                                         The PA offers many opportunities for parents to become
activity preferences, and payment will need to be made once                                                                         further involved in the life of the school. These include:
a student is accepted into an activity at the commencement                                                                          • coffee mornings and other networking opportunities
of the season. Some activities require commitment for more
                                                                                                                                    • nationality-based social events
than one season; this is also noted in the preferencing system
the students use to request activities.                                                                                             • events such as the Community Fair, Shopping Fair and
                                                                                                                                      Careers Fair
Online activity sign up
                                                                                                                                    To contact the PA, see details on the back page or drop in to
Sign up for activities is done online, and while parents can
                                                                                                                                    the PA lounge whilst on campus.
browse the available activities, students need to use their
own login to complete their preferences each season. Staff
can also assist new students through the process. Sign up
opening and closing dates, and full information on how to
sign up, will be posted in eBrief and in the online calendar.
11

Dover Junior School contacts
Reception and the school offices are open from 7.30am to 4.30pm.
Dover Campus Reception                                 +65 6775 5344
                                                       uwcseadover@uwcsea.edu.sg
Junior School Office                                   +65 6419 9314
                                                       juniorschooldover@uwcsea.edu.sg

Junior School Secretary
Louisa Paulo                                           louisauwc@uwcsea.edu.sg
Nurashikin Ishak                                       nurashikinuwc@uwcsea.edu.sg
Suria Hussain (Primary Curriculum)                     suriawati.hussain@uwcsea.edu.sg

Heads of Grade
Rhys Vosper (Grade 2)                                  rhys.vosper@uwcsea.edu.sg
Leah Daniels (Grade 3)                                 leah.daniels@uwcsea.edu.sg
Scott Ziemer (Grade 4)                                 scott.ziemer@uwcsea.edu.sg
Hugh Pollard (Grade 5)                                 hugh.pollard@uwcsea.edu.sg

Junior School leadership
Brian Ó Maoileoin, Primary School Principal            brian.omaoileoin@uwcsea.edu.sg
Allison Ziemer, Primary School Vice Principal          allison.ziemer@uwcsea.edu.sg
Erin Belliveau, Primary School Vice Principal          erin.belliveau@uwcsea.edu.sg

School services
Primary Clinic                                         +65 6775 5344 | ext 1993
                                                       collegeclinicdover@uwcsea.edu.sg
Transport Office                                       +65 6872 3213
                                                       busesuwcdover@uwcsea.edu.sg
Library                                                library.uwcsea.edu.sg

Parents’ Association                                   +65 6775 5344 | ext 1080
                                                       padoveruwc@uwcsea.edu.sg
Online staff directory
All staff contact email addresses can be found on the school website. Please look in the online staff directory for email addresses
for individual staff and in the Campus Contacts section of the website for the emails and telephone numbers for departments such
as Admissions and Finance.

011COM-1920
You can also read