Dear Parents,

We recently wrote to you about the changing situation in Singapore in response to COVID-19 and we write again now that the situation has further evolved, requesting your help by reading through the message below and taking appropriate action.

We recognise how difficult this situation is for so many of you and we thank all members of our community for continuing to follow Singapore government protocols, keeping travel and health declarations up to date with the College, and monitoring our health and that of our families closely. For further information on each of the topics above, please continue reading.

Together, we can keep our community safe and healthy.

Yours sincerely,

Nick Alchin, Head of UWCSEA East
Elizabeth Bray, Head of UWCSEA Dover

Travel Advisory:

In the past week Singapore has significantly tightened restrictions on re-entry for pass holders, denying entry from ‘high risk’ countries and increasing quarantine periods from 14 days to 21 days in most circumstances.

The government is still recommending that people don’t travel, and no doubt you are having conversations with your families and are receiving guidance from your employer(s), where applicable, as you plan for the upcoming summer break. We know that many of you have remained resilient in the face of extremely difficult personal circumstances, living with deep concern about family near and far. However, our best advice is that you stay in Singapore over the upcoming break.

We do recognise that some of you may need to travel for exceptional reasons. Whether or not you intend to travel, we ask that you please log in to our system to complete travel declarations for your children. This is extremely important for us in order to adequately prepare for the start of the school year and to respond to any requests from the authorities for information on the quarantine status of our community. Please see information in the section below that explains the implications if you cannot return in August.

This page can help you to stay up to date on the travel situation, remembering that conditions and restrictions on travel impact Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents and long-term pass holders differently. Also be reminded that the process for Student Pass holders to return to Singapore has changed since last year (the College can no longer do this for you). Please refer to these webpages for more information. 

Next Year, Remote Learning and Delayed Entry:

School will resume as planned on Monday, 16 August. New students will be expected for orientation programmes towards the end of week beginning 9 August.

We have written before about the importance of the first weeks of school for all students and our strong recommendation that they are here for the beginning of the school year. In addition, there will be limited provision for home-based learning for students whose entry to Singapore is delayed for immigration reasons. 

Some of you have written to ask what the College policy is on delayed arrival for students – can we ‘hold’ the place? Normally, if a student cannot be on campus at the start of term they forfeit their place, but under the circumstances we have made the following special arrangement. 

• We can accept delayed entry for all students (except into Grade 11) up to the beginning of Term 2, as long as fees are paid in full. If they still cannot be present on campus at the start of Term 2, they are automatically withdrawn from the College. 
• Grade 11 students must be on campus for face to face learning on or before 26 October 2021 or be withdrawn from the College. 

We are sorry to state this so bluntly, but feel it is better for families to have the information in advance of making any travel arrangements. This arrangement is made with the interests of the students and their learning at the forefront, and takes into account our learning from last year and the impact on students of delayed arrival, particularly in the crucial Grade 11 year. 

If you are overseas now or go overseas and have to withdraw your child(ren) from the College for immigration reasons, the College has put in place special delayed entry and refund arrangements. Please click here for further information.

TraceTogether App and Token:

The government has brought forward the implementation date for TraceTogether Tokens and the deadline is May 17. 

Please ensure your children (G2–G12) download the TT App to a mobile phone and/or collect a TT Token before 17 May when all G2–12 students, all staff and all visitors will only be allowed entry to campus by Trace Together (TT) App or Token. Students using tokens will be issued with a white UWCSEA lanyard with a safety clip to carry the TT Token. View UWCSEA’s proposed arrangements here, based on current government guidance.

Mask wearing and temperature taking:

We request that parents be vigilant about recording their children(s) temperature daily before they arrive on campus via CIMS or the UWCSEA App. This is mandated by Singapore and we are required to report on it.

Masks (or face shields for 12 years and below) must be worn at all times by students, staff and visitors. In recent weeks we have received several complaints from members of the public regarding some of our students not wearing masks properly and/or not complying with TraceTogether SafeEntry requirements. Please reinforce with your child(ren) the importance of being responsible members of the community and adhering to the legal requirements of mask wearing, social distancing and TraceTogether SafeEntry check-ins. 

Health Advisory:

Finally, the health advisory site continues to be updated, including with recent communications, so please do refer to it if you have questions.