At One World International School (OWIS), we are committed to creating digital citizens who appreciate diversity and can navigate our increasingly globalised world. As part of this commitment, we provide our students with opportunities to participate in cultural events such as Chinese New Year. These festivities allow children to actively engage with different traditions.
Our events calendar includes other exciting activities, too. In early spring, children enrolled in our early childhood and primary school programmes celebrate World Maths Day with age-appropriate Maths games and activities. Later in the year, our students celebrate their love of reading with Book Week.
These experiences reinforce classroom instruction, giving students the chance to apply what they have learned to real-life scenarios. They are also fun, which helps keep students engaged and excited at school.
To provide parents with more insight into the curricula at OWIS, we have compiled examples of events below.
Cultural Festivities
Celebrating cultural events from around the world fosters an environment of inclusivity. It also teaches students to respect diversity. Key cultural events celebrated at OWIS include:
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year according to the Chinese calendar.
At OWIS, we celebrate the Chinese New Year by wearing red or gold clothes, watching lion dance performers, playing traditional games and engaging in tea ceremonies. These activities allow our students to learn more about Chinese history and traditions while practising their Mandarin skills.
Hari Raya
Hari Raya marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It is a joyous occasion where Muslims gather with family and friends to celebrate the completion of fasting and to give thanks to Allah for strength and endurance during Ramadan.
To celebrate Hari Raya, our students don festive attire, indulge in traditional sweets and get Henna put on their hands. We also teach students more about the significance of the festival through age-appropriate classroom activities.
International Day
For International Day, OWIS celebrates the diversity of our teachers, staff, students and parents with a variety of community activities. During the food festival, for instance, parent volunteers dish out traditional foods from countries around the world. Then, during the flag parade, students proudly display flags representing the diversity of our school.
These activities help students learn more about different cultures while proudly celebrating their own.
Halloween
Halloween is a popular holiday celebrated on the evening of October 31, primarily in Western countries such as the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. It has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.
Our students celebrate Halloween by dressing up in costumes, competing in spooky storytelling competitions and solving mysteries.
Deepavali
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a Hindu festival celebrated by millions of people around the world. It is often referred to as the “Festival of Lights” and symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
At OWIS, we celebrate Deepavali by dressing in traditional Indian clothes, watching music and dance performances, eating sweets and painting small earthen lamps called “diyas.” We also incorporate a community service element. Students may deliver treats to a crew of migrant workers, for instance.
Themed Celebrations
At OWIS, we regularly host events that celebrate an aspect of our curriculum, such as reading or kindness. Some of these events include:
House Colour Day
Every OWIS student belongs to one of four houses: the Willow Tree, the Acacia Tree, the Wisteria Tree and the Flame Tree. Each house is represented by a specific colour, which students wear during House Colour Day. During the event, students also participate in fun activities with fellow house members.
An annual tradition, House Colour Day is about unity, camaraderie and the belief that “together is better.” By working closely with peers, students also appreciate the value of diversity within their school community and beyond.
Sports Day
Physical education is a crucial component of curricula at OWIS. Through P.E. lessons, students develop strength, agility and endurance, which contribute to overall well-being. But sports can also help students build important social-emotional skills like teamwork, leadership, communication and resilience.
Hosted every spring, Sports Day celebrates the role movement plays in our programmes. During the event, students of all grade levels participate in engaging activities like relay races, obstacle courses and team sports.
Maths Day
Maths Day at OWIS is a celebration of the joy and excitement that mathematics can bring. Designed for children enrolled in our early childhood and primary school programmes, the day features thrilling Maths competitions, hands-on activities, outdoor Maths workshops and more.
The goal is to help students learn more about capacity, coordinates, number skills, fractions, measurement and probability. We hope that students also recognise that Maths can be fun and exciting.
Kindness Week
Kindness is central to everything we do at OWIS. Our mission is to develop young adults who are compassionate and respectful. We celebrate this core value every year during Kindness Week.
During this school-wide event, all students learn about the value of kindness through assemblies and activities. Students place imprints of their hands on our Kindness Tree mural, listen to parents speak about kindness and discuss the negative impact of bullying. The week culminates with Odd Socks Day, a quirky celebration in which students wear mismatched socks to represent that everyone should be treated equally regardless of their differences.
Book Week
Book Week celebrates students’ love of reading with fun, engaging activities. In preschool, students participate in the Book Hat competition, in which they must create a headpiece inspired by stories like “Alice in Wonderland” and “Jack and the Beanstalk.” In primary school, students create book-inspired puppet shows and go head-to-head against other houses to test their knowledge of specific books.
Meanwhile, in secondary school, students participate in engaging, age-appropriate activities. For example, students may use their critical thinking skills and imagination to construct thought-provoking six-word stories. Or, they may volunteer their time to read to younger learners.
Eco-Week
Eco-Week at OWIS aims to educate students about environmental issues and empower them to take positive action. Throughout the week, students learn about reducing food waste, conserving electricity, appreciating nature and maintaining a clean environment, starting with cleaning up after themselves in the school canteen.
The highlight of the week is the Environmental Art Exhibition, where students create beautiful artwork from everyday waste materials like milk jugs, cans and boxes.
Field Trips and Excursions
Field trips are also an integral component of curricula, offering students the opportunity to explore the world beyond the classroom walls. Whether it is visiting a local museum, a nature reserve or a historical landmark, these excursions bring learning to life and deepen students’ understanding of various subjects.
Though field trips vary from year to year, past examples include:
- Children enrolled in our early childhood programme visited a local fire station to talk with real-life firefighters.
- Grade 1 learners travelled to a local supermarket to learn about grocery shopping and budgeting in anticipation of a festive popcorn and pyjama party.
- Grade 3 students visited Marina Bay Sands, Helix Bridge and the Museum of Art and Science to learn more about architecture, design and construction.
- Grade 4 learners explored Singapore’s diversity during a visit to the Singapore Cultural Centre.
- Grade 6 students practised Mandarin by identifying Chinese characters at a local mall.
- Grade 10 students visited the Singapore Chinese Cultural Center to learn more about Chinese culture in Singapore.
- Grade 11 students organised a beach clean-up, working together to collect tons of litter and improve the environment for marine life.
At OWIS, we understand that learning isn’t limited to the classroom. That’s why we host vibrant events throughout the school year. From celebrating cultural diversity during festivals like Chinese New Year to fostering a love for reading during Book Week, each event helps shape our students into passionate and curious learners. These events also foster a sense of community among students, staff and families.
To learn more about how OWIS nurtures a fun, nurturing learning environment, book a school tour today!
