Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) play a vital role in the holistic development of school students. They enrich student learning and have ultimately become a fundamental part of my school life.

One of my favourite CCAs is the Social Enterprise Club, a club that encourages students to create sustainable methods to be integrated within the school community. For instance, to reduce the waste of single-use plastic cutlery, we designed and sold wooden chopsticks and spoons to our peers. This means a great deal to me as it raises awareness about the importance of sustainable-living, and encourages others to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle. This CCA pushes me to brainstorm new ideas that we, as a group, can then implement to enact positive change not only within our school community, but also within the greater Shanghai community. 

Another CCA I have been committed to is being a part of my school’s Volleyball team. Sport has taught me how to become a good leader, one that listens to what others have to say. It has taught me, in many ways, how to work well with others so that, together, as a team, we may succeed. Volleyball is one of my greatest passions, and I never fail to enjoy playing the games. By playing volleyball, I have also made several new friends from different year levels, people who I had never known before. It has provided me with so many opportunities to meet new people and grow as an individual.

Lastly, one of my favourite CCAs has been being a member of the Student Council. The Council aims to promote social events for students and, more importantly, raise awareness and funds for charity organisations. Some of these organisations include Heart to Heart, a foundation dedicated to providing underprivileged children with corrective heart surgeries, and the Shanghai Renewal Centre, a group that helps displaced people in Shanghai find homes and jobs. We raise money for these organisations by running week-long activities that the students enjoy participating in. This way, we also promote a good charitable spirit within our school community. My role as a Council member has helped me gain a sense of responsibility and maturity, as I’ve learned to plan school events, give speeches to large audiences, and have developed my collaboration skills. This CCA is significant to me also because, together, we have made a great impact on various groups of people in need within our Shanghai community, giving people a second chance at life. This CCA has played a key role in my development as a young adult, teaching me the importance of giving back to a community that has given me so much to learn from.

Overall, YCIS Co-Curricular Activities are structured and balanced with our educational curriculum, and they provide students with the chance to keep learning beyond their academic studies.

By Alexandra, Year 12, YCIS Pudong Secondary