Key Programmes

The Helmsman Programme
VCA IP students are engaged in lessons that are purposeful and activity-oriented, in order that their understanding of the concept or topic might be developed and deepened. We employ a learning approach that engages the students with big picture concepts that run through various topics or even subjects. Rather than seeing a discipline in terms of discrete components of knowledge, we make connections that bridge different ideas and issues, as well as the classroom context with the real world.

The Beyond Borders Programme
The programme takes you out of your fishbowl and puts you in another one. The water you taste is different. The temperature of your surroundings is different. The glass you look through is different.

When you return to your own fishbowl, the world you see is different. The Beyond Borders programme aims to (a) expose students to the culture and traditions of the city that they are visiting, (b) to change and broaden students' perspectives and enlarge their vision, and (c) to inspire the students through the lives and works of others.

Opportunities to venture beyond borders include:
• Top Universities Experience
• International Competitions
• International Student Exchange Programmes
• Overseas Leadership/Adventure Camp
• Overseas Enrichment Trips and Field Studies

Regional Studies Programme
The Regional Studies Programme offer VCA IP students the opportunity to deepen their appreciation of the Southeast Asia region. They will have the opportunity to offer an additional Malay or Bahasa Indonesia subject, as well as enjoy educational trips to countries in the region. They will also take on the challenging task of organizing an annual Regional Convention for Youths.

The Imagineering Programme
The Imagineering Programme seeks to nurture VCA IP students into social innovators – passionate individuals with the knowledge and skills to respond to social problems. The programme helps students gain a deeper understanding of the social issues and groups they are concerned about, and develop their desire to impact the community positively. It also equips them with creative problem-solving skills, so that they can design innovative solutions to address the challenges identified.

Years 1-4 | Service with Heart - Community Involvement Projects
In Years 1-4, students are given the opportunity to learn about how they can serve the school and society with an open heart and increase their awareness of social issues when they organise and participate in student-initiated community projects with their peers. Even as early as Year 1, students get to design and carry out their service learning projects within the local community. With the skills they have acquired, those in Years 2-4 will take on community involvement projects in Singapore as well as overseas.

Years 5-6 | Leadership and Initiative – vSparks Projects
In Years 5-6, students are given the option to initiate vSparks projects with their peers, in order to benefit a group of their choice. Students have the autonomy to design, plan and implement these vSparks projects, drawing on the skills and attitudes acquired in Years 1-4. Past projects include school projects (e.g. webfolio training for Year 3s; CCA guidebook for JC students), local community service projects (e.g. leadership workshop for primary school children; fund-raising visit to an animal sanctuary), as well as overseas community service projects in Thailand, Vietnam and China.