Relocating across the world often brings an unexpected question for an accompanying spouse: “What is my role going to be?” At the International French School (IFS), many parents have found a powerful answer by volunteering. These parent volunteers act as formidable project managers and pillars of solidarity, driving a vibrant community of 4,000 people.
The Humanitarian Group
Supported by our teaching staff, the IFS Humanitarian Group works year-round to build bridges between the school and Singapore’s local non-profit network.
Their day-to-day work closely resembles that of professionals. The team manages the Book Fair, a major project that celebrates French and English literature three times a year while raising significant funds—averaging between SGD 8,000 and SGD 9,000 per session.
Parent Voices
Émilie, mother of three and volunteer for 8 years:
“When I arrived in Singapore and was faced with a massive school, I started by getting involved as a class representative. I soon joined the Humanitarian Group to co-manage the second-hand book fair. Over eight years, this project has grown from 2,000 to 30,000 books. Volunteering allows me to support local causes while teaching altruism to my children.”
Thanks to the energy of these parent volunteers, Act’IFS raised SGD 18,000 for three Singaporean charities (Children’s Wishing Well, ALife, and Willing Hearts), alongside SGD 9,300 collected through the book fair.
The Parents’ Committee (ComParents)
For parents looking for challenges in governance, communication, and large-scale event planning, the Parents’ Committee (ComParents) operates with the structure and agility of a start-up.
The absolute priority for ComParents is helping to fund tuition fees for French scholarship students, while also co-financing school trips and extracurricular activities (AES).
The committee makes it a point of honor to organize and support numerous events celebrating local traditions, such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya, and more, transforming IFS into a multicultural crossroads.
Carolina, active member of ComParents:
“As a Chilean mother of four children at IFS, I initially hesitated to get involved, doubting my skills and my legitimacy as a non-French speaker. However, this international status became my strength in uniting our community. By representing families and steering concrete projects, I found my role: acting for the well-being of the school. A unique human experience.”
A Dynamic Daily Life, from Kindergarten to High School
On the ground, the actions of parent volunteers come to life in every corner of the school thanks to the committee’s funds:
- In Secondary School: Parents support pedagogy via oral coaching sessions for 9th-grade classes (troisième) and presentations on Artificial Intelligence for 11th and 12th graders (première and terminale).
- In Elementary & Kindergarten: The committee funds the modernization of playgrounds (purchasing sports equipment, ping-pong tables, board games, and drawing materials) and supports cultural initiatives like Book Week or IFS Day.
- For the Wider Community: Over 20 events were funded this year, with a particular emphasis on raising awareness about the dangers of screen time through targeted conferences, alongside a major sustainable development project to landscape our outdoor campus.
Fest’IFS: The Grand Finale
The major highlight of the year for ComParents is organizing our spectacular end-of-year festival: Fest’IFS. Orchestrating an event for nearly 4,000 people relies entirely on the energy and dedication of our parent volunteers.
For our latest edition, parents brought the school to life—supervising over 55 interactive activities, managing 20 food stalls, and coordinating a massive Talent Show featuring more than 70 young artists, all set to the vibrant rhythm of the Fête de la Musique.
Nathalie, Fest’IFS 2025 Project Co-Coordinator:
“What motivated me during the five months of intense preparation was seeing the entire IFS community come together. Seeing the excitement of those 4,000 people, you instantly forget the fatigue! What makes this adventure so rich is working hand-in-hand with the IFS teams and parent volunteers from all backgrounds.”
Join Our Community
IFS thrives thanks to the dedication and passion of our parents.
Connect with us:
