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The benefits of participating in extracurricular activities are numerous. Learn more about CIS’s activities programme and how they help students develop into well-rounded and future-ready individuals.
Benefits of participating in extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities are an integral part of school life and allow your child to explore interests outside the curriculum while further nurturing 21st century skills unique to the CIS DNA. At the Canadian International School in Singapore, our extracurricular activities programme help our students grow into confident, well-rounded and future-ready individuals.
Read on to discover in more detail what some of the specific benefits of these activities are both academic and in terms of personal growth.
Greater personal development
Research indicates that participation in extracurricular activities strengthens adolescent self-confidence, self-image and self-worth. Through activities, students build knowledge in their interest areas and learn more about their unique ambitions, strengths, talents and the possible anxieties they aspire to overcome.
For example, your child may hone their leadership skills by serving on the Student Council, develop greater resilience and discipline through competitive sports, and exercise their creative muscles in our numerous arts and design-focused clubs. Opportunities for personal development are wide in scope and all students learn the importance of time-management through the act of balancing daily school life with an extracurricular activity. These activities also serve as a healthy and productive space for recreation and relaxation away from schoolwork.
Higher academic achievement
In addition to greater personal development there is a clear correlation between participation in activities and enhanced academic achievement. Studies consistently prove that students who participate in organised activities are more likely to excel academically, achieve higher test scores and possess stronger academic aspirations in general.
Classroom learning generally takes place in a structured way, while extracurricular activities provide students with learning environments resembling real-world settings. Through CIS’s ECA, CCA and competitive sporting activities, your child will build transferable skills like goal setting, problem solving and the ability to adapt constructive criticism to produce positive results both in and beyond the CIS classroom, in higher education and in the workplace.
Stronger social abilities
Extracurricular activities also provide the opportunity for your child to connect with like-minded peers, and to interact with those outside their existing friendship circles and age groups. Through organised group activities, students practise teamwork, gain confidence communicating, exercise empathy for their group mates, and develop an appreciation for fair play, good sportsmanship and active participation. These attributes will also facilitate future success in group environments.
Having a sense of belonging is crucial to healthy adolescent social development. Students who participate in extracurricular activities not only benefit from stronger academic and personal growth, but also enjoy a more positive perception of their school community. Our activities allow students to build camaraderie with their peers, be it competing on the football field, volunteering at a non-profit organisation or rehearsing for the next musical production in the performing arts theatre.
Entrance into tertiary institutions
Beyond the practical benefits of improved academic performance, personal development and making new friends, participating in activities outside of traditional academics demonstrates that your child has a curiosity to go above and beyond to learn about the world and themselves. A record of committed extracurricular involvement positions our students as competitive, well-rounded candidates when it comes to applying for universities.
What activities does CIS offer?
The Canadian International School’s activities programme comprises extracurricular activities (ECAs), co-curricular activities (CCAs) and competitive sports. CIS offers over 130 activities for our students to choose from across categories of arts, sports, enrichment, language and service. Larger school-wide events like musical productions and community projects are available for students to join throughout the year.
Extracurricular activities are a paid service where students learn from independent providers who are experts in their field. Recreational sports like badminton and basketball, language and instrument or vocal lessons, and interest-specific activities like clay modelling and race-car engineering are just some examples of the breadth and depth of activities on offer at CIS.
Secondary students are highly encouraged to participate in free-of-charge co-curricular activities. At present, there are 38 secondary student clubs catering to varied interests including initiatives like sustainability group Green Machine, Model United Nations and service-oriented CCA The Memory Project. Certain clubs also provide the opportunity for MYP and Diploma Programme students to meet their CAS or Service as Action requirements.
If your child is interested in competitive sports, they may represent CIS within the ACSIS (Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools). Participating in competitive sports is free, but tryouts are required to make the roster and commitment to training sessions is necessary. Like ECAs, competitive sports are offered across three terms, with the exception of swimming which is offered year-round with trials conducted twice yearly. Reach out to our admissions team for a tour of our many learning and extracurricular activity spaces, and to learn more about the range and scope of activities on offer at CIS.