Getting to know the Principal at UWC South East Asia for new families
Interview with Pauline Markey, Principal of Primary School, UWCSEA East
16 September 2025
Visit United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA)'s Featured School page
How did you come to be Principal of Primary School at UWCSEA East?
What do you love about working at UWCSEA?
The diversity in our community, not just cultural but also in terms of how people think and learn, the diversity of opinion. Each learner is unique and we strive to build on their strengths and interests and challenge and stretch them to be the best learners possible.This is also the case for our staff as we offer an extensive professional learning programme for staff to continually refine their practice and to keep on learning and stretching themselves.Not a day goes by without me having my thinking or perspective challenged, often when viewing the world through a child’s eyes, it keeps us fresh and responsive to each individual's needs. As Primary teachers - we certainly have the very best job in the world.What are some of your favourite programmes/subjects or highlights of the school year at UWCSEA Primary School?
Our Outdoor Learning programme in the early years is a particular highlight. One of the 5 elements of our learning programme (which include Academics, Activities, Outdoor Education, Personal and Social Education and Service) this programme provides an unparalleled immersion in nature, directly addressing the growing recognition of how increasingly sedentary, screen-based childhoods affect young children's well-being. This is captured so well through student voice and advocacy. One quote I love the most from a K1 child,“When I started at UWCSEA, I was an inside boy now I love mixing, digging and jumping in muddy puddles”Our concept-based curriculum focuses on the conceptual understanding that "individuals can use their senses mindfully to experience and form connections to outdoor environments".Other highlights include our Uniting Nations Day where over 1000 Primary School students perform songs and pieces from around the world, often in multiple languages while playing instruments from other countries.Our Activities programme is a shining beacon encouraging children to pursue their passions. Again this is one of the 5 Elements of our holistic programme not an after school club. It is integral to all we do. From magic club to sports, music to performances, Chess to Spies & Secret Agents, there is something for everyone. The only problem is narrowing down the choices!What is unique about the educational offerings in Primary school?
I have already mentioned our wonderful Outdoor Learning programme in the Infants but this continues all the way up to Grade 5 and beyond. With a carefully scaffolded outdoor excursion programme gradually increasing in duration and challenge, our students get to experience residential life in Singapore and further afield. Our on campus adventures on the climbing walls, high ropes course or abseiling down the centre of the Infant block to exploring our many green learning spaces such as Survival Island where fire and tent building and roasting marshmallows is all part of the fun and add to the variety of opportunities the children experience.I could not leave our Service Learning Programme out. Each grade engages with three types of Service: College, Local and Global. Examples include composting and taking care of the chickens on campus to visiting our global partners for child and parent to engage in meaningful, reciprocal learning. The children learn about interacting with others with different needs before embarking on visits to their local partners where they engage in games, singing and movement and develop such special relationships. They also learn how to grow vegetables that will be used for those less fortunate in the community and collect fruit each week (Fresh Fruit Friday) to make up packages for local migrant workers. Whether out in the community visiting the elderly or people with dementia or inviting groups to campus to spend time together, our children demonstrate our motto of being Safe, Responsible and Respectful. Often our local residents send cards and letters back to the school thanking the children for the fun they have had.Learning Communities is a time in the week where children get to exert their voices. The whole grade works together to set up workshops and engagements and the children get to choose where and what they want to learn. All adults have intentionally planned the engagements related to the current units of study or with a PSE (Personal and Social education) lens. The children take this responsibility seriously and know they must choose something that challenges them so they are stretched.They plan their learning and get to learn with different people, in different spaces and in different ways.What would be your advice to parents who are considering whether their child is a good fit for UWCSEA?
Come and visit the school. As a parent, there is perhaps no more important decision you will make for your child. Read our website and watch all the clips but to get a real feel for the place come and visit us when the school is in full flow. That is when the magic happens. Our school holds the UWC mission–to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future–and values dear and we place them, alongside the child, at the centre of every thing we do, every decision we make.Is there anything else you’d like to share that we haven’t asked?
We are truly a mission-aligned school that works to develop the skills and qualities for our young people to be changemakers. A UWCSEA education enables our young people to flourish and grow into responsible, proactive global citizens compelled to live and breathe the mission long after they have left our school.It is also a privilege to be part of a global movement. With 18 UWC Schools and colleges around the world, we are part of the UWC movement that shares the same mission. The UWCSEA community is extremely special, made up of highly qualified staff who are committed to providing the best opportunities for the students; an incredibly supportive and proactive parent community; strong local connections and the most wonderful students. All parts of the community show a willingness to continue to listen and learn, and to support each other with care and compassion, making UWCSEA a truly special place to spend your days.Read parent interview: Parent's view on warm welcome to families at UWC South East Asia
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