UPTA
UPTA Executive Committee 2025
All parents of children attending Uplands School are eligible to become members of the Uplands School, Parent-Teacher Association (UPTA) and are eligible to join the UPTA Executive Committee.
Our current executive committee includes:
President: Maria Buhl
Vice President: James Boldiston
Secretary: Angelyn Seet
Assistant Secretary: Kavita Yadava
Treasurer: Benedict Bay
Ordinary Parent Members: Linda Lu, Birgit Brücker, Sara Caspani
Teacher Officers: Ratha Ramasamy, Victoria Parr
What is UPTA?
The Uplands Parent-Teacher Association (UPTA) is an active and integral part of the Uplands School community in Penang. Composed of a dedicated committee, UPTA plays a vital role in supporting the school by raising funds for equipment and resources that enhance the learning environment.
In addition to fundraising, UPTA helps organize social events that foster connection and engagement among students, parents, and staff, strengthening the sense of community at Uplands.
UPTA also actively participates in school decision-making processes and collaborates in the planning and execution of special events and school activities. Through these efforts, UPTA provides all members of the school community with meaningful opportunities to contribute to the overall student experience at Uplands.
What Did The Past School Years Look Like For UPTA?
Over the past few years, UPTA has brought the school community together by organizing a variety of exciting and well-loved events, including the Primary Family Fun Day, Car Boot Sales, Primary Christmas Disco, and many more.
UPTA also proudly represented Uplands School at the Penang Expo, collaborating with teaching staff to introduce our school to families new to the area.
In addition, UPTA played a key role in organizing a wide range of cultural celebrations such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Hari Raya, and more. These events helped create a vibrant and inclusive school environment, offering engaging, entertaining, and meaningful experiences for students, parents, and staff — celebrating the rich diversity of our community throughout the year.
UPTA works tirelessly to raise funds that enhance the Uplands School campus and create fun, enriching experiences for students, parents, and teachers alike.
Through initiatives such as the annual Uplands International Festival, workshops, and second-hand uniform sales, UPTA is able to make generous donations to the school to support facility improvements and other key projects.
In addition to supporting Uplands, UPTA also extends its impact by contributing to local schools and NGOs, reinforcing our commitment to both our school and the wider community. These collective efforts allow us to make a meaningful and lasting difference.
What Else Does UPTA Do?
The Uplands Parent-Teacher Association (UPTA) works in close partnership with the school to enrich the experiences of our community members and their families.
UPTA is passionate about fostering connection, engagement, and school spirit—and we’re fortunate to have a vibrant international community with a dedicated group of volunteers who help keep the momentum going throughout the year!
We organise many activities and initiatives including:
- Celebrations with games and entertainment
- Coffee mornings with informative guest speakers from the school staff
- Pizza mingle evenings at the beach to unwind and reconnect
- Community preloved items sale
- Refreshments sales at school-organized sports events
- Special interest groups, for example crafts workshops
- Community charitable donations
Fostering a Sense of Community
Our country representatives, along with our primary and secondary representatives, play a vital role in facilitating communication between parents, teachers, and the school.
Members of our sub-committees organize potlucks and coffee mornings, lunches throughout the year, creating opportunities for families to connect in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
In addition, our country representatives have supported students by participating in French and Spanish conversation sessions, enriching the language learning experience.
These events and activities are especially valuable for families new to Uplands or Penang, offering a supportive network and helping to share essential information and resources as they settle into our community.
Giving Back
UPTA members always appreciate the opportunity to contribute something special to the school as a way of expressing our gratitude for the support we receive.
Our most recent donations include the purchase of LEGO sets to support the primary curriculum, as well as a generous contribution towards T-shirts for the outgoing Year 11 class.
Other notable contributions from previous years have included GoPro cameras for the library, a 3D printer for the Design Technology department (benefiting all classes), and a 75” television/scoreboard for the sports hall. We’ve also contributed books for the new primary library and made a donation towards the school’s rock climbing wall.
Supporting Student Initiatives
UPTA is proud to support the charitable causes and community service efforts led by Uplands students. We provide opportunities for students to fundraise at our events, such as fairs, and assist by donating baked goods for their sales.
Additionally, UPTA contributes funds to student-organized events, like discos, to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Community Privileges Program
We are continually expanding and updating our UPTA Community Privileges Program, which allows UPTA members to enjoy special discounts and benefits simply by presenting their Uplands Parent or Student card at participating local businesses.
The response to this program has been overwhelmingly positive! It’s UPTA’s way of expressing gratitude to the inspiring and supportive Uplands School community.
Be sure to carry your UPTA card with you to take advantage of exclusive benefits and savings whenever and wherever you can!
