PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY: HOW THE INTERNATIONAL FRENCH SCHOOL IN SINGAPORE EDUCATES FOR A GREENER FUTURE
Integrating Ecological Awareness into the Curriculum at IFS Singapore
Integrating sustainability into the educational programmes of the International French School (Singapore) (IFS) allows students to understand the global challenges of climate change from a scientific, social, and economic perspective.
In this spirit, IFS has developed initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable actions and responsible solutions in its curriculum, encouraging students to adopt environmentally friendly behaviours. Students enjoy understanding and exploring possible actions for a more sustainable and green future.
How does the International French School (Singapore) (IFS) incorporate sustainability education to raise ecological awareness among students?
From 22 to 26 April 2024, our students of all grades actively participated in activities and lessons on sustainability during Earth Week. The programme included conferences, workshops led by our teachers and external speakers, as well as eco-friendly and recycling activities. This event fostered real reflection on the actions to be taken to minimise the impact of human activities on our beautiful planet.
IFS Students : Building a Better World
Throughout the year, and especially during this week in April, students have participated in workshops at school, demonstrating creativity by transforming everyday objects into works of art. Kindergarten and primary students took part in various games such as treasure hunts, SDG quizzes, toss games, bad action games, and renewable energy quizzes. Additionally, workshops like drawing stands and making jewellery and toys from recycled materials stimulated the children’s creativity while raising their awareness on sustainability. Secondary students also led recycled paper creation stands for kindergarten and primary students. The younger students learned about paper recycling by observing and learning from their older peers.
Thus, Earth Week has been an opportunity for exchange and learning among students of all levels. Moreover, numerous workshops around the Climate Fresco, with the motto “to act, you must understand,” emphasised the importance of education in raising awareness of environmental issues. Additionally, workshops around the Plastic Pollution Fresco were also conducted by teachers for 6th, 5th, and 1st-grade classes. Developed by the Tara Ocean Foundation, in partnership with the Agency for Ecological Transition and the French Ministry of Education, this fresco is an introductory tool to the issues of plastic pollution. In an engaging and collaborative workshop in the format of a game, participants gain knowledge and reflect in groups to gradually build a fresco using logically arranged cards.
Recently, students and teachers organised a charity garage sale at school, collecting old toys, clothes, and items to resell. The entire educational community contributed a variety of items, and the proceeds were donated to Children’s Wishing Well, a Singaporean organisation working for the development and well-being of children from low-income families.
This special week also fostered a spirit of solidarity within the school community through actions taken by all IFS stakeholders.
Setting an Example through Responsible Practices to Shape Future Professionals
Support from partner companies also played a crucial role in helping our students better understand the practices implemented in the professional world. Natixis Investment & Corporate Banking, IFS’s sustainability partner, sponsored Earth Week to offer various activities to the students. Subsequently, Natixis organised a beach cleanup in Singapore, where 4th-grade students, accompanied by company employees, collected waste.
During Earth Week, representatives from Decathlon also came to educate secondary students about the circular economy applied to recycling sports accessories. They organised bike repair workshops as well. Through these interactions, students discovered surprising transformations, such as turning a kayak into a tote bag. The experts also answered the students’ questions.
We were also honoured to welcome Pascaline Bourgain, a doctor in oceanography from the Terra Ocean Foundation, who shared her experience in a virtual conference open to all. Her account of the dangers of plastic vortexes in the oceans left a profound impact on her audience. This virtual conference was accessible to everyone, allowing students and parents to access this valuable information.
Following these educational initiatives focused on sustainability, collaboration with companies and professionals added a practical and inspiring dimension to the students’ learning. These partnerships allowed our students to grasp the real-world implications of responsible practices in the professional sphere, thereby enhancing their understanding of the importance of such approaches for a more sustainable future.
Sustainability Educational Goals for Environmental Preservation
Earth Week at IFS was a period of commitment, awareness, and stewardship for sustainability. Through a series of diverse activities, students not only learned the importance of caring for our environment but also became active agents of change. Their participation in workshops, conferences, and concrete actions like recycling and environmental cleanup demonstrates their dedication to a more sustainable future. Furthermore, collaboration with companies enriched their understanding of green practices in the professional world. These initiatives reflect IFS’s commitment to shaping responsible citizens who are aware of their impact on the planet. By continuing on this path, we can aspire to a future where our students contribute to preserving our precious environment, thus making our world a greener and more sustainable place for future generations.
