15 Years Of Community Service | WISS Saturday School

The WISS Saturday School programme is a longstanding initiative that has been an integral part of our school's history for over 15 years. The programme reflects our commitment to community service and fostering global citizenship among our students.

Our Saturday School programme supports local children with learning English at no cost. This community service project reinforces one of the four pillars of the WISS education, Community Service, focusing on engaging children from the local community where student and parent volunteers contribute to the betterment of the local community through education.

The mission of the Saturday School programme is to provide valuable educational opportunities to local students who may not have access to English language learning resources or who may benefit from additional support outside of regular school hours. By offering English language instruction, the programme aims to empower these students, enhance their communication skills, and open doors to further educational opportunities.

The Saturday School programme is operated by WISS students who generously volunteer their time to make a positive impact on our community. Their aim is to make a difference in someone's life. By participating in this programme, WISS students have the opportunity to contribute to the local community while also developing crucial skills and qualities that will help them become responsible global citizens. They learn the value of empathy, cultural understanding, and making a positive impact on the world.

As an accredited IB World School, the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) places great emphasis on nurturing global citizens who are aware of global issues, have a sense of social responsibility, and possess the skills and mindset to actively contribute to creating a better world. The Saturday School programme aligns with this vision by providing an opportunity for our students to engage with children in the local community and cultivate cross-cultural understanding.

Through their involvement in the programme, our students gain firsthand experience in teaching, leadership, and communication. They learn to adapt their teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of the students, enhancing their cultural competency and empathy.

Melody Hu, the Saturday School Coordinator at the Western International School of Shanghai, shared that the past few years have been challenging for the WISS student volunteers. However, they were able to adapt and bring the necessary teaching processes online to teach English to local children. This experience showed the benefits of both online and in-person exchanges.

Empowering students is the most rewarding part of the job, and the students at WISS demonstrate this by working beyond their self-interest to serve the needs of others in the true WISS spirit. Despite figuring out their individualities, they are not only learning but also making a difference by helping others. This is crucial as they are future leaders of the world, and it's amazing to see how well they are doing!

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