Mr Jorwe Lee jokes that his wife “saboed” him when she asked him to join Hong Wen School’s Parent Support Group (PSG). But in reality, the father-of-two was more than happy to take part as it was a way for him to be more present for his son, who is in Primary 5; his daughter will enrol in the school next year.

“I realised that because of work commitments earlier in my career, I did not get to spend as much time with my son when he was younger,” Mr Lee, who is now Chairman of the PSG recalls. “When I moved into a new role, it allowed for better work-family balance. I’m also very blessed to have supportive line managers who value community involvement.”

As head of the EXCO for the PSG group, Mr Lee and his team work with over 1,500 parents across the various primary levels. They moderate around 70 chat groups that range from level chats to class chats, fielding queries that range from settling new Primary 1 students to resolving conflicts.

“What I really value is the strong partnership between the school and parents. When we work together, we can create a supportive environment for the children,” he says, adding that working with the PSG and Hong Wen’s school leaders has reinforced the importance of community when it comes to raising children.

School-home partnership and adult role-modelling matter

“Through the PSG, I have had the opportunity to interact with many parents, teachers and school leaders, and it has given me a deeper appreciation of the effort that goes into nurturing students,” he says. “The school guides students in their learning and character development, while parents support and reinforce these values at home.”

Seeing adults work together harmoniously and communicate well is something that benefits the children, especially in cases of conflict. Mr Lee believes showing students how parents and the school work to solve problems is very beneficial to their growth.

“Ultimately, the PSG’s role is to encourage respectful communication and support the school in maintaining a positive and constructive environment for the students,” he says. He believes the most important thing to do for all involved when a conflict occurs is to listen carefully and understand the concerns from different perspectives. “Often, people simply want to feel heard and understood.”

The PSG stepped up quickly to help with after-school care support in February when the school’s student care centre closed suddenly.

He recalls an incident where students got into a physical altercation. Naturally, parents were protective of their children, but in the process of fact-finding, it soon came to light that both parties contributed to the escalation of the conflict.

“Situations like this can cause a lot of emotions. Parents can get very agitated,” he says. But by communicating and understanding the whole situation, parents were able to calmly act to resolve the issue. “In this case, both students were in the wrong, and their parents were able to work through this with them afterwards.”

Building relationships and seeing conflicts as opportunities to grow

Mr Lee (front row, in red) at the PSG Appreciation Lunch in November 2025, where over 60 parents were recognised for their active participation throughout the year.

As Chairman of the PSG, Mr Lee has made a great effort to get to know fellow parents and help build stronger trust and communication within the parent community. The relationships that they build also open up communication channels.

He encourages parents to meet in person when conflicts arise, and to calmly hear their child out. “Children need to feel that their concerns are taken seriously. At the same time, parents can help children reflect on the situation and guide them towards resolving conflicts in a respectful and constructive manner,” he says.

A close relationship with the school also means teachers can help observe the situation and guide the students appropriately.

He hopes that both parents and students see challenge and conflict as something to learn and grow from. “For students, they can develop resilience, empathy and the ability to resolve differences. For parents, it reminds us that raising children is really a shared journey between home and school. When we support one another, we build a stronger and more caring community for our children.”

Mr Lee and fellow PSG parents performing at Children’s Day in 2025.

Mr Lee says he loves the “kampong spirit” he feels in the school and the strong sense of community. He also has plans to continue volunteering, to be part of his daughter’s primary school journey as she starts Primary 1 next year.

On a final note, he adds, “Children learn a lot from their parents, especially when it’s about managing conflict. When children see parents show calmness and empathy they learn how to manage conflict in a healthier way.” 

Photos courtesy of: Mr Jorwe Lee