Picture a fulfilling and balanced school day – lessons in the morning and extracurricular activities in the afternoon, filled with engaging interactions and learning. This is the essence of a holistic school experience that extends beyond the confines of textbooks and classrooms.
At One World International School (OWIS), we believe that a fulfilling education encompasses more than just academic excellence. It’s about nurturing well-rounded individuals with the skills and experiences they need to thrive in all aspects of life.
As such, we’re committed to providing diverse extracurricular activities for students at our Nanyang and Punggol campuses. These activities complement our rigorous academic curriculum, allowing students to explore their passions, develop new talents, and discover hidden potential.
What are Extracurricular Activities?
Extracurricular activities, also known as co-curricular activities (CCAs), are activities that take place outside of the regular academic curriculum.
Unlike formal classroom lessons, they offer students the opportunity to explore their interests, develop new skills, and engage in activities that complement their academic studies. These activities can range from sports to interest clubs, providing a diverse array of options for students.
Here are some examples of different extracurricular activity categories:
- Sports: These activities promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship, encompassing a variety of options, such as football, basketball, swimming, and badminton.
- Arts: With options like music, drama, dance, and visual arts, these activities nurture creativity and self-expression.
- Clubs: Catering to specific interests and hobbies, the focus can range from debate and robotics to chess and photography.
- Community service: These activities foster social responsibility and civic engagement, allowing students to volunteer their time and contribute to their communities.
Benefits of CCA
Co-curricular activities offer many benefits that contribute significantly to students’ holistic development and prepare them for success across various aspects of life.
Develops Essential Life Skills
Extracurricular activities provide a fertile ground for cultivating essential life skills highly valued in the 21st century. These skills are beneficial for academic success and for personal and professional growth. Here are some of the vital skills that co-curricular activities help to develop:
- Teamwork: By participating in team-based activities like sports or drama, students learn the importance of collaboration, cooperation, and working towards a shared goal.
- Leadership: Taking on leadership roles in clubs or student government allows students to develop their decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Communication: Participating in activities like debate, drama, or public speaking clubs helps students hone their verbal and non-verbal communication skills to achieve successful outcomes.
- Time management: Balancing extracurricular activities with academic commitments requires practical time management skills. Students learn to prioritise tasks, set deadlines, and organise their time efficiently to meet their various obligations.
Cultivates Character
Beyond acquiring practical skills, co-curricular activities play a vital role in shaping students’ character and fostering positive personal attributes that contribute to their overall well-being and success in life.
- Social-emotional learning: Engaging in group activities and interacting with peers in a non-academic setting helps students develop essential social-emotional skills, such as cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
- Confidence: Completing a challenging task or performing in front of an audience can boost students’ self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Resilience: Facing setbacks and overcoming challenges in extracurricular activities, such as performing below expectations in a competition or experiencing nerves on stage, helps students develop resilience and bounce back from adversity.
- Empathy: Participating in community service projects or engaging in activities involving helping others fosters student empathy and compassion. Students get the opportunity to connect with others and develop a sense of social responsibility.
Best Extracurricular Activities at OWIS
At OWIS, the learning journey extends beyond the classroom, with activities and opportunities for every interest and talent. From budding musicians to sports enthusiasts, there’s something for everyone.
Our extracurricular programme is enriched by the expertise of our dedicated OWIS teachers and specialist instructors. With co-curricular activity options targeted to student groups like young learners and Secondary students, we provide students with many choices and opportunities to delve deeper into their passions. Here are a few examples of the extracurricular activities available at OWIS:
- Performing arts: Options include choir, contemporary band, and Angklung ensemble, enabling students to explore their creative talents and develop their skills under the guidance of experienced instructors.
- Sports: With a variety of sports offered, such as basketball, cheerleading, and kickboxing, students can engage in physical activity, develop teamwork skills, and embrace a healthy lifestyle. Students can also participate in inter-school athletic games through the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools (ACSIS), fostering sportsmanship and teamwork.
- Clubs: A diverse range of clubs caters to specific interests, such as chess, flipbook animation, knitting, and coding, allowing students to connect with like-minded peers and delve deeper into their passions.
- Official organisations: Targeted at older students, options like Duke of Edinburgh, Model United Nations and Eco Club help to shape students into global citizens with an awareness and impact on real-world issues.
In addition to enhancing the student experience, these extracurricular activities play a crucial role in strengthening college applications. By demonstrating commitment, passion, and leadership in extracurricular pursuits, students showcase their well-rounded personalities and ability to excel beyond academics.
In turn, they can put their best foot forward in their applications and increase their chances of admission to top universities.
Embracing a Holistic Education at OWIS
A well-rounded education isn’t confined to the classroom. Instead, it includes the experiences and interactions formed when students engage in interests and hobbies outside academics. Extracurricular activities provide a platform for students to explore them.
At OWIS, we prioritise holistic development in education, recognising that a well-rounded and happy student excels academically and thrives socially, emotionally, and creatively. As such, we offer a wealth of extracurricular opportunities designed to help students flourish.
Ready to discover more? Contact us today to learn more about our IB and Cambridge curricula and our extracurricular programme and schedule a campus tour to experience the OWIS difference firsthand.
