THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

special

INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL GUIDE

Global learning, local platforms

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

2 international school guide

ST Josephs Institution
International School Malaysia
(SJIIM) will welcome its first intake
of bright, young minds next month.
Building on the success of its
Singaporean Brother Schools
namely St Josephs Institution and
St Josephs Institution International
Singapore, the elementary and
high school will adopt a curriculum
structure that is world-renowned
at every key stage of a childs
development from three to 18
years old.
The Elementary Schools
International Primary Curriculum,
which is primarily adapted from
the UK National Curriculum, is
strengthened by the inclusion of
Singapore mathematics and a
strong daily Mandarin programme.
In the High School, the
curriculum prepares Years 10 and
11 students for the International
General Certificate of Secondary
Education (IGCSE) examinations of
which its students will then have
the chance after that to flow into
the International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme (IBDP) in
Years 12 and 13.

The Lasallian touch

As a Lasallian institution,
administration and management
of the school will be entrusted to
president Brother Thomas Lavin as
well as its founding principals
Stuart Glascott (High School) and
Eileen Quigley (Elementary
School). Together, they instil and
drive SJIIMs focus on holistic,
values-driven learning.
This will be refreshing as
Lasallian education already has an
extensive history in Malaysia that
dates back to 1852. It is built on the
foundation of faith, service and
community values that will be
imbued in every student
throughout their time at SJIIM.
This makes the school special
and Brother Lavin explains how
these values come together to form
the basis of Lasallian education,
The faith dimension is inculcated
through the whole ethos of the
school. We are inclusive in that we
want to reach out to not just
Christians but people of all faiths.
This is in line with the Christian
tradition where faith is expressed
through good work and service. As
such, the Lasallian term for this is
zeal and it is not expressed alone
but in a fraternal community
within the school. In service and
living our faith, we are part of a
family and community.
With this, SJIIM focuses on

Students will not say I cannot

do it they will say I cannot do it
yet. They will be equipped with
the essential skills and given
toolkits that encourage them to
solve problems, take risks, and
overcome any difficulties they may
have in their learning, she says.

Positive environment for

growth

(From left) Eileen Quigley, Brother Thomas Lavin and Stuart Glascott of St Josephs Institution International
School Malaysia.

Primed for success

holistic learning through the
development of the whole child.
According to Glascott, the aim of its
values-driven education is to help
children be the best they can be by
leading them on a journey of
self-discovery, which will also
allow them to assist others to the
best of their abilities.
We believe that students obtain
a greater sense of identity and
community when they feel more
comfortable in their own
environment. From there, they
achieve better academically as well
because they are prepared to take
risks in their learning, he says.

Supporting holistic
learning
At SJIIM, pastoral care and
guidance will be the shared
responsibility of the four Brothers,
all teachers, heads of years and
leaders in line with the Lasallian
approach to developing children
holistically.
To complement this further,
a careers counsellor recruited
from SJI Singapore will also be
supporting SJIIM students during
the first 12 months of the new
school.
We look at every child as being

SJIIMs classrooms are designed to promote a positive state of mind.

special and one of our core values

is respect because he or she is a
child of God and it is a privilege for
us to receive the child from his or
her parents. In Lasallian tradition,
we take this responsibility very
seriously and encourage children
to explore their talents by
providing opportunities for them

The dining hall at SJIIM is one of the many comfortable facilities provided to encourage students to obtain a greater
sense of identity and community.

to be developed in school. We are

preparing our children not just for
examinations and careers but for
life, says Brother Lavin.
This goal is realised through the
leadership of experienced teachers
from around the world, including
the United Kingdom, Australia,
New Zealand and Canada.
In reassuring this, Quigley says,
All our teachers are highly
qualified, have at least three years
of experience in delivering the
curriculum and have held senior
positions in credible institutions.
They have each signed a three-year
contract and made a commitment
to being leaders here as we
understand teacher retention is a
big concern for parents in
Malaysia.
Teachers in SJIIM are also
expected to be research-driven so
that they constantly work on
improving the learning outcomes
of the students.
For this, Quigley believes that the
learning environment at SJIIM will
support the development of a
growth mindset among its
learners.

SJIIMs teachers will have a

positive mindset that is consistent
with the schools philosophy in
developing the child holistically
and contributing to the valuesdriven and community-centred
environment at SJIIM.
In the classroom, we want
teachers to develop our students
into active learners by developing
their analytical, problem-solving,
and communication skills. They
will not just spoon-feed students or
get them to memorise things but
rather, teach them how to learn,
adds Glascott.
SJIIM parents will also play a key
role in their childs learning and
the development of the school.
They will be able to participate in
homework programmes to help
guide and monitor their childs
learning from home as well as
bring their suggestions and ideas
for improvement to the school.
Weve listened to what parents
want and enriched the vision of
the school to include their views.
Our parents have a voice in the
school and will be able to
contribute in moving the school
forward, Quigley says.
SJIIM also creates an
environment that is conducive to
holistic learning by building a
range of state-of-the-art facilties
that complements its academia
focus.
This includes a multipurpose
hall for basketball, volleyball and
badminton, a swimming pool, a
400-seat auditorium for drama and
music and individual specialist
rooms for science, drama and
music lessons.
The school is also an open
campus with a lot of social spaces,
wide hallways and a lounge for
IBDP students, which contributes
to the students positive state of
mind in the classroom and beyond.
With these facilities in place
leading up to SJIIMs opening in
August this year, the final touches
are being put on resourcing and
fitting all classrooms to high
standards.
The school and its staff are
prepared to receive students and
begin building its unique
community in Tropicana, Petaling
Jaya.
In looking forward, Brother
Lavin expresses a noble hope on
behalf of the school by saying, Our
founder St John Baptist De La Salle
introduced many innovations in
schools and this is what we aim to
do in moving ourselves to the
forefront of high-quality education.
A key expression used in Lasallian
education is touching hearts,
meaning this journey is not just
about mental or academic
achievement, but about guiding
students who leave with a lifelong
sense of who they are and what
their calling is.

n For more information, visit

www.sji-international.edu.my.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

4 international school guide

Being thorough is key to best fit

SO your child has reached schooling age or you are moving and need to find them a new school. As
parents, you know their preferences, behaviours and dreams, and would be able to match these to the
ideal facilities, curriculum and environment in an educational institution.
With the numerous private and international schools in Malaysia to choose from, however, how do
you begin to decide on the best?
Check out these tips to narrow down your choices in picking the right school for your child.

Prepare a list
To start, think
of what you look
for in a school
and jot these
criteria down.
These can
include distance of the school
from your home, academic
performance and focus, afterschool activities and the
demographic of teachers and
students.
Rate these criteria according
to the order of importance for
your child. Ask your child what
they would like to learn or the
sort of activities they enjoy and
take these into consideration.
Older children should play a
greater part in this early stage
as they would already have
higher learning or career
aspirations, which should be
part of selecting the right
school for them.

Research online, check

guides

Visit fairs and

roadshows

Visit school
websites to
find out their
background
and offerings,
then compare them against your
criteria list. Come up with
another list of your top school
picks.
You can also use
education portals such
as schooladvisor.my and
educationdestinationmalaysia.
com, which are designed to
provide authoritative
information on various schools.
Besides details on school
curriculum, facilities and fees,
these websites also feature
updates on open days and school
fairs, and reviews and advice
from others in the community.
Research can also be
conducted using guide books
such as Education Destination
Malaysia 2016/2017 and The
Expat Education Guide
2015/2016.

At these
events, you find
representatives
from schools all
over the country
who can provide
information and answer your
queries.
Education fairs commonly
feature seminars or talks on
relevant topics that parents can
attend to gain more insight on
what to consider when making
this school choice.
Bring your criteria list along
and use it as a guide to navigate
your way through all the
options, or as a basis for your
questions. Seek out the
institutions on your school
list and drop by their booths.
You can also make use of
the special discounts and fee
waivers offered at these events.
Check out the Private and
International School Fair this
weekend (July 16 and 17) for
these opportunities.

Visit the school

Get testimonials
and opinions
By now you would have
narrowed down your school
list to your top picks. Speak
to family members and
friends who have children
enrolled in these schools as
parents themselves, they are
likely to share your concerns
and would be able to provide
insights that you would not
find on public domains.
Talk about what their
children enjoy and dislike
about going to school, their
teachers and lessons,
activities they get involved in,
and the extent of parental
involvement.
These conversations may
also bring aspects you have
not considered to your
attention.

Besides open days, you can

arrange for a meeting with a
school representative or the
principal, where you can
have an honest discussion on
your childs prospective
future at their institution.
While you are there, go on
a guided tour of the school to
check out the environment,
facilities, set-up and safety
measures, as well as observe
teacher-student interactions
to get an idea of how your
child would fit in the
environment. Be open,
observant and inquisitive.
Before you make your
choice, compare the school
against your original criteria
list once again and if possible,
bring your child to visit their
future school before the final
decision is made.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

6 international school guide

Support for formal schooling

DUE to societal pressure, students
results are often the main indicator
of success and children are often
spoon-fed knowledge in traditional
formal education.
They do not have to search for
knowledge and most of the time,
children do not ask questions but
are content to memorise or agree
to all information being delivered.
This causes children to be less
motivated, passionate and
persistent in pursuing more in
their education.
Is Montessori education
adequate for my child? is a
commonly raised question by
many parents as the approach is
different from traditional
kindergarten teaching.
The childrens house adheres
to the Montessori method of
education and strongly believes in
this scientifically proven approach.
Dr Maria Montessori designed
the educational materials to
comprise five curriculum
areas practical life exercises,
sensorial, number work, language

The Montessori method is different from traditional learning methods and

inculcates good manners, care of self, care for the environment and
knowledge of the world, among other skills and concepts.

and culture.
In this setting, where the
furniture, fittings and learning
materials were scaled down to
child size, she saw the true nature
of children and said, We must give
children not only the world but a
clear picture of mankind in the
world.

The Montessori education

inculcates the learning of good
manners, care of self, care for the
environment, knowledge and
understanding of the world,
biology, botany, zoology, geography,
history, mathematics, language
and sensory education in the
curriculum.

When children become

immersed in purposeful activity,
they develop their concentration
and acquire a love for learning,
resulting in character-building that
goes hand-in-hand with intellectual
development.
Over 30 of observation and
learning of Montessori, Nan Civel
(Aunty Nan), founder of The
childrens house, has witnessed
great communication and
engagement in classrooms.
Ive seen children who were
once timid and wild became
sociable and communicative,
she says.
Children were soon making`
choices in their work and focusing
on the activity at hand, completing
the process and returning
materials to where they belong.
The transformation was
noticeable and as their
personalities developed, they
showed extraordinary
understanding, vivacity and
confidence.
They thrived on routine, tidiness,

communal meals and the freedom

to move, make choices, express
themselves and work at their own
pace in a non-competitive, loving
environment.
They respected rules and
practised good manners. Their
social and intellectual capabilities
became evident and children
developed to become independent,
coordinated, self-disciplined,
responsible, happy and sociable
lifelong learners.
These compassionate children
with caring, respectful natures
carry a positive self-image, which
will help them make a good start in
primary school.
However, Dr Montessoris
educational objectives go beyond
that. She envisions that these
children who carry positive
self-image will become ethical and
compassionate adults who can lead
the world towards peace and
harmony.

n For more information, visit

www.thechildrenshouse.com.my.

Children at boarding school develop meaningful relationships with their

peers and staff, which provide a rich learning experience.

Choosing to board
AT the age of 13, my daughter
wanted to leave home and go to
boarding school.
I have seen the benefits of a
private school its facilities are
usually top-quality and their
academic results are top-notch.
The academic results speak for
themselves with the alumni
consistently attending the best
universities that can launch them
into successful careers.
But what makes a boarding
school distinct from a nonboarding private school? When I
asked students from one of my
classes, they surprised me by
saying that it was the freedom
and independence offered by a
boarding school environment.
Every day is a busy day at
boarding school. The day starts
with a balanced breakfast
followed by lessons, then a
healthy lunch followed by more
classes.
But while their tuition finishes,
their learning does not. At midafternoon, children choose from
almost 100 extracurricular
activities such as music, dance,
debates, swimming, fencing, wall
climbing and golf. After dinner,
pupils have to complete their
homework and prepare for
upcoming lessons.
However, it is not all work and
no play. Pupils have more time

because there is no commuting

involved and they do not
experience the usual distractions
that come from living at home.
There is an obvious focus on
time spent constructively and
perhaps this holds the key to
students happiness and success.
John Hughes, director of
boarding of Kolej Tuanku Jaafar
(KTJ), emphasises the benefits of
living and learning in an
international environment, one
of which is having tutors from all
around the world, making this
the perfect place for growth and
development.
Boarding students also form
different relationships with
teachers, mentors, guidance
counsellors and confidantes all
who are experienced in dealing
with teenage issues, which
indirectly leads to the fostering of
better relationships between
children and parents.
Having done my research, and
received advice from colleagues
as well as opinions of my
students, I felt ready to discuss
the subject again with her. By
Dean Jones.
Dean Jones is a teacher at
Kolej Tuanku Jaafar (KTJ).

n For more information, visit

www.ktj.edu.my.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

8 international school guide

Global education in
world-class schools
TAYLORS Schools is part of the
Taylors Education Group (TEG),
which has been synonymous with
education excellence for the past
65 years.
Comprising Taylors University,
Taylors College and Taylors
Schools, TEG delivers world-class
education from early years to
tertiary levels.
Hallmarks of all Taylors Schools
include world-class facilities with
unique learning environments
that inspire creativity in students
and teachers as well as the
development of higher-order
thinking skills.
With students nurtured to
embrace learning as a lifelong
process, education at all Taylors
Schools effectively prepares
students for their future an
education that gives them a
head-start in life.

Taylors Schools portfolio of

international schools encompasses
six institutions:
l Garden International School
(GIS)
One of the premier international
schools in Asia, Garden
International School (GIS) offers a
British-style education from early
years to A-Levels for more than
2,200 students across 60
nationalities. The two GIS
campuses in Malaysia are located
in Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan.
Over the years, GIS has attained
an amazing track record of
academic excellence, consistently
producing students who gain
admission to top universities
around the globe.

l Nexus International School,

Putrajaya
Nexus International School

Putrajaya offers the International

Primary Curriculum (IPC),
International General Certificate of
Secondary Education (IGCSE) and
International Baccalaureate
Diploma Program (IBDP).
Additionally, this school has also
been awarded the Apple
Distinguished School award and
the Mastering Status for its delivery
of the IPC. Nexus Putrajaya also
offers top-notch boarding facilities
for learners from Years 6 to 13.

l Nexus International School,

Singapore
Nexus International School
Singapore offers the International
Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years
Programme (PYP), IGCSE and IBDP.
To expand further, the Singapore
campus will be moved to a new
purpose-built flagship campus in
Aljunied in 2019.

Australian International School Malaysias (AISM) principal Deborah Priest

having a chat with students. AISM is the only international school in Malaysia
offering the Australian curriculum.

l Australian International
School Malaysia
Established in 2000, the
Australian International School
Malaysia (AISM) is the only school
in Malaysia offering the Australian
curriculum, delivered by highly
qualified Australian teachers
recognised by the Board of Studies
Teaching and Educational
Standards New South Wales.
Located at a 7.5-acre (3.03ha)
campus at the Mines Resort City in
Kuala Lumpur, AISM offers a
sound Australian educational
experience with the researchbacked Visible Learning approach
to more than 650 students and 40
nationalities from preschool to
pre-university.
AISM students graduate with the
Higher School Certificate (HSC), a
qualification recognised by top
universities around the globe.

l Taylors International School

Students at Taylors International School Puchong expressing their creativity through art in the art room, one of the
many facilities of the school that inspires holistic learning.

(Kuala Lumpur and Puchong

campuses)
Taylors International School
with campuses in Puchong and

Kuala Lumpur offers value-based

quality international education
to Malaysians and expatriates in
their respective neighbourhoods.
Both schools follow the same
roadmap for educational
excellence by delivering a
first-class British curriculum
education for students aged four
to 18.
They provide a strong
foundation in three languages
(English, Mandarin and Bahasa
Malaysia), ensuring character
development grounded in the
best of western and eastern
values and creating a holistic,
student-centred learning
environment.
The Australian International
School Malaysia (Booths 318-322)
and Taylors International School
(Booths 301-305) will be in the
upcoming Private & International
School Fair 2016 held at the Mid
Valley Exhibition Centre this
weekend (July 16 and 17).

n For more information, visit

school.taylors.edu.my/index.php.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

AS one of the fastest growing

international schools in Malaysia,
Help International School (HIS) has
a current enrolment of 1,300
students.
Our motto Vita ad Plenitudinem,
which in English means life in all
its fullness, captures the
educational aspirations of the
school, which is based on a holistic
educational model that encourages
all-rounded development, says
Davina McCarthy, HIS principal,
who has more than 20 years of
experience in international schools
around the world.
Our holistic approach means
that we are committed to all areas
of a students development and
potential. We strive for academic
success and help them develop
skills in sports, encourage them to
immerse themselves in art, music,
and drama, be creative and engage
with life.
To ensure their physical fitness,
all students at HIS receive training
in swimming and athletics by
qualified coaches from the United
Kingdom and Malaysia.
Additionally, students are
coached in the performing arts and
can put their creative muscles to
use in design and technology
laboratories and art studios.
Drawing from the expertise of
Help Universitys Faculty of
Education and Languages and the
Faculty of Behavioural Science, the
school was set up as part of the
Help Education Group, a major

international school guide 9

Celebrate fullness of life

Help International School provides a holistic education that encourages

all-rounded development in children.

education provider in South-East

Asia with more than 12,000
students from 30 countries.
For 30 years, the Help Group has
enabled achievers to secure
scholarships to study in world-class
universities such as University of
Oxford, University of Cambridge,
Harvard University, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT),
Princeton University, University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA),
University College of London,
Imperial College (London), London

School of Economics and

Australian National University.
The school has an international
team of experienced and
passionate teaching staff who are
qualified in delivering the British
curriculum from preschool level to
A-Levels.
The curriculum is also
complemented with the Singapore
mathematics syllabus and a strong
mandarin programme. The profiles
of HIS teachers are available on the
school website.

Although only established

recently, HIS has many
achievements to showcase. In
addition to participation in
sporting events, HIS has recently
taken the lead to organise the
SMaths Challenge for primary
schools in the Klang Valley.
This is a mathematics
competition based on the worldrenowned Singapore mathematics
curriculum, which has become
increasingly popular with its
emphasis on critical thinking,
logical reasoning, problem-solving,
and modelling techniques, among
others.
This competition drew more
than 350 participants from
international and local schools all
over Malaysia.
HIS teaches its students how to
develop a greater sense of
awareness for the needs of the
wider community and encourages
them to be proactive in helping
those in need.
Empathy and compassion are
two key drivers in HIS educational
philosophy as through them,
students learn to respect
differences and diversity.
Students should be tenacious in
pursuing knowledge and be eager
to widen their worldview outside
of the classroom. They must

strongly believe in and be

passionate about what they do.
In inculcating these values, HIS
nurtures students of excellent
academic calibre and fine
character, enabling them to
become true global citizens of
the modern society.
The school campus has a
central garden courtyard that
houses an ampitheatre and al
fresco dining area.
It also boasts a huge library,
sheltered swimming pool, football
field, air-conditioned multipurpose hall, gym facilities,
badminton and basketball courts,
tennis court, blackbox theatre,
dance and music studios, state-ofthe-art science laboratories,
design and technology
laboratories as well as a cooking
laboratory.
HIS students are those who
are keen to explore their unique
potential and enjoy being part
of a vibrant school community.
Visitors are welcome to the
campus in Subang Bestari, which
is conveniently located within a
30 minutes drive from Kuala
Lumpur city centre.

n For more information,

visit www.his.edu.my or call
03-7809 7000.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

10 international school guide

SUNWAY International School (SIS)

commenced its first intake in
January 2008 as the only
international school in Malaysia
to offer the Ontario (Canada)
Ministry of Education secondary
school curriculum.
Students are rewarded with
benefits from one of the worlds
best education systems and the
quality of certified Canadian
teachers.
Every teacher at SIS is licensed
by the Ontario Teachers College
(OCT), which qualifies teachers to
teach in Ontario (Canada) school
systems.
This accreditation distinguishes
SIS teachers as professionals whose
practice are guided and informed
by ethical standards.
Consistent top performances in
international rankings such as
Programme for International
Student Assessment(Pisa) (an
international assessment that
measures 15-year-old students
reading, mathematics, and science
literacy every three years) is
evidence that Ontario-trained
teachers and the progressive
teaching and assessment strategies
employed in the Ontario
curriculum provide students
with a solid foundation in
academic preparation.
Among its faculty, SIS lists
teachers who are masters degree

Qualified, competent
and caring educators
SIS teachers make the
schools education
environment highly
interactive, one
that promotes
critical thinking,
social responsibility
and experiential
reflections as part of
students everyday life.

The teachers of Sunway International School comprise those who not only have a teaching qualification, but who are
also award-winners and professional practitioners.

holders, industry award-winners

and professional practitioners in
their area of expertise such as
graphic design and accountancy in

addition to having teaching

qualifications.
Nonetheless, they consistently
continue to upgrade and develop
their professional skill sets and
attend workshops to hone their
skills, conferences to exchange
ideas with industry peers, and
undergo regular evaluations with
school leaders to monitor areas of
improvement.

Cultivating meaningful
learning experiences

Students learning science in the science laboratory with Theresa Data, one of
the many qualified teachers at SIS.

SIS teachers make the schools

education environment highly
interactive, one that promotes
critical thinking, social
responsibility and experiential
reflections as part of students
everyday life.
The teachers design lessons and
classroom strategies with students

learning needs in mind, preparing

students with both academic study
skills and real-world knowledge
applications.
Teachers at SIS employ
personalised and attentive teaching
approaches to provide flexible and
comprehensive learning
experiences for their students to
grow according to their interests
and capabilities.
In addition to the quality of their
teaching, many SIS teachers have
prior experience of working in
various international schools all
over the world.
Lessons are never dull at SIS
especially with the extensive use of
technology tools and high level of
student-centric teaching and
pastoral care.
In addition, SIS students
participate in a diverse range of
extra-curricular activities, from

stimulating debates to role-playing

and independent research. For
example, a group of SIS students
participated in a Model United
Nations event in Singapore, where
they demonstrated their analytical
and oratorical prowess as befitting
young minds and leaders of the
21st century.
At SIS, teachers maintain regular
contact with parents throughout
the academic year.
Regular communication
and parent-focused events are
organised to engage parents in
understanding and reviewing
students progress in academic
areas as well as overall school life.
Meet with SIS teachers and learn
more about their holistic
approaches in education at the
Private & International School Fair
held on July 16 and 17 (this
Saturday and Sunday) at the Mid
Valley Exhibition Centre.

n For more information,

visit sis.sunway.edu.my.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

UCSI International School

recognises that schooling should be
a balanced holistic experience that
is focused on not just developing
students intellectual ability but
also inspiring their creative, social
and entrepreneurial skills skills
vital for them to become global
citizens prepared to succeed in the
21st century.
It is also important for students
to be able to apply these skills in
different situations. That is why the
school encourages students to
participate in challenges that allow
them to test their skills, knowledge
and understanding within
competitive environments.
The two campuses at Bandar
Springhill and Subang Jaya offer
two diverse and internationally
recognised academic programmes
the International Baccalaureate
(IB) and the British International
General Certificate of Secondary
Education (IGCSE).
Both schools guide their students
towards this balanced holistic
approach, while developing realworld exposure and experience
through participation in
competitions.
The Springhill campus is located
at a 20 minutes drive from Port
Dickson and the school offers three
IB programmes.
The campus is verified by the
International Baccalaureate
organisation to offer the Primary
Years Programme, Middle Years
Programme as well as the

international school guide 11

More than just academics

The Olympic-sized swimming pool at the Bandar Springhill campus.

The UCSI International School Subang Jaya team for the World Scholars Cup.

Diploma Programme.
It also boasts amazing facilities
such as a library with Wi-Fi
connectivity, state-of-the-art science
laboratories as well as dedicated
art and music rooms.
In addition to the academic
facilities, there is also a full range
of sporting facilities, including an
Olympic-sized swimming pool,
basketball and tennis courts,
football field, gym and even a golf
course.
Moreover, by providing the
option of boarding to its students,
the Springhill Campus recognises

the invaluable experience of

learning, living and improving
together while being self-reliant.
This cultivates a greater
appreciation for independency and
interdependency as students
mature.
The Subang Jaya campus was
launched with Klang Valley
learners in mind.
It is strategically located where
leisure and urban life co-exist. It
follows the internationally
recognised British curriculum,
modified to suit an international
educational environment.

Young minds start off with the

International Primary Curriculum
(IPC) before advancing to the
Cambridge IGCSE.
The curricula are delivered
through an individualised
approach to cultivate the love of
learning in each student. The
acquisition of language is also
emphasised and students are
provided numerous avenues to
master English, Mandarin and
Bahasa Malaysia.
Both campuses provide
environments for students
development and growth.
In these environments and under
teachers guidance, students are
encouraged to step out of their
comfort zone.
Under the guidance of UCSI

teachers, three teams participated

in the World Scholars Cup Global
Round in Bangkok, which was held
from June 26 to 30 this year.
All three teams have now
qualified for the Tournament of
Champions to be held in Yale, the
United States, in November.
They would not have been able
to accomplish this without
exposure to the holistic studying
environment at UCSI that teaches
that there are many ways to deal
with various situations.

n For more information, call Mark

Smith on 03-5637 7108 or e-mail
markedward@
ucsiinternationalschool.edu.my or
visit www.ucsiinternationalschool.
edu.my.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

12 international school guide

SINCE 1987, elc International

School has pursued a single
objective the development of its
students into confident and
responsible young men and
women who will attain the highest
levels of success in academics as
well as all facets of their lives.
Fulfilment of this objective is
proven not just by the schools
continuing record of academic
excellence but also in the many
other achievements of its students.
The three core values of elc
International School are embedded
in its name excellence in
everything we do, loyalty to each
other and the school, and
commitment to continuous
improvement.
These values are enhanced by
the schools motto Learn to aspire
and students are encouraged in
aspiring to succeed in reaching
their personal, social and academic
potential.
The school also encourages
positive parental involvement as
this provides students with a sense
of security.
Even with its growth and
development over the years, elc
has proudly remained true to its
founding principles. Sheela Raghu,
principal of the Sungai Buloh
Campus, says, elc is a school that
is small by design. This gives the
teachers the advantage of knowing
their students strengths and
weaknesses inside and outside the
classroom. While we have a
fantastic track record with our

Tradition of excellence

elc International School believes in building an atmosphere conducive to real learning cultivated by teachers who
value quality education.

Cambridge IGSCE results, elc

focuses on helping each child
work towards achieving their best
in everything they do.
The schools ethos is steeped in
what we consider to be the best
of both British and Asian values
and we actively encourage
self-discipline, integrity and the
pursuit of excellence among
teachers and students, she says.
While the school follows the
English national curriculum,
subjects and teaching methods
have evolved in keeping with
the best practices in Britain

and Malaysia.
The schools chief executive
officer and founder Margaret
Kaloo says, While we view
ourselves as a traditional school
and are proud of our traditional
values, this does not mean that
our teaching places the teacher as
the controller of the learning
environment. Content and
delivery are not considered as the
most important factor in learning
and students do not master
knowledge just through drills and
practices.
Instead, the development of

skills and the nurturing of

inquiring attitudes are at the heart
of everything we do. We provide
students with an atmosphere
conducive to real learning and
believe that the perfect
environment for learning depends
on the atmosphere cultivated by
teachers.
Head of Secondary Chong
Soh Nee, says, Hard work,
commitment and perseverance
are reinforced and a firm
structured system of nurturing
students is provided. Courtesy,
concern for others and care for

the environment are all also

actively encouraged while a firm
stand is taken against negative
social behaviour.
These values are important to
us and are part of the foundation
of the success on which we have
painstakingly built.
Great pride is taken in the
schools outstanding academic
achievements, which include
student performances in public
examinations.
Over the past years, elc students
have been among the highest
achievers of Distinction in the
Cambridge IGCSE examinations,
not only in Malaysia but also in
the region.
Apart from academic
excellence, elc students have also
become well-respected for their
achievements in sports and a
wide variety of extracurricular
and community service activities.
There is no doubt that
the school feels a sense of
accomplishment that for nearly
30 years, its approach to teaching,
learning and character building
has brought out the best in the
schools students. Now, elc looks
forward to the challenges of the
next 30 years.

n For more information, visit

www.elc.edu.my.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

FOR more than 30 years, R.E.A.L

Schools have engaged students
in a transformative journey that
guides them to not only achieve
outstanding academic results but
also extra-curricular excellence
and honourable character.
Today, its six schools located at
three campuses offer both
international and national
syllabi ranging from preschool
to primary and secondary levels.
R.E.A.L International School
(RIS) delivers the United
Kingdoms national curriculum
from primary to secondary level,
offering globally renowned
programmes by Cambridge
International Examination.
RIS has built a proven track
record of producing top
achievers in the Cambridge
IGCSE examinations, who have
enrolled into premier colleges
and universities around the
world.
RIS is also currently one of
only three schools in Malaysia
certified to run the Cambridge
Practical Science programme.
At R.E.A.L Schools National,
also known as Sekolah Seri Suria
and Sekolah Seri Cahaya in
Cheras and Shah Alam
respectively, depth and
substance are added to the
standard Malaysian curricula,
particularly in English,

international school guide 13

A transformative journey
mathematics and science.
Students of selected
campuses even have the option
of taking renowned UK-based
examinations.
Each campus offers early
childhood education.
R.E.A.L Kids, the largest
owner-operated preschools
with more than 30 centres
nationwide, are pioneers of
multiple intelligences (MI)based programmes with
specialists who deliver the
curriculum and conduct
activities that foster young and
talented minds.
R.E.A.L Schools provides a
wide range of extracurricula
activities such as participation
in the performing arts, Lego
robotics, humanitarian trips to
Cambodia, social outreach
initiatives as well as student
exchange and homestay
programmes.
One of the schools many
proud traditions is to stage
fashion shows and musicals
such as Mamma Mia, Tarzan
and Kristella.
R.E.A.L Schools alumnus

Students of
Fairview
interacting with
the local
community on
an expedition
to Chiang Mai,
Thailand.

Ask, learn and grow

GRADE 6 students of Fairview
International School (aged 10
and above) set out to investigate
this statement: An equitable
distribution of resources and
peaceful human relationships
lead to a better quality of human
life.
Students worked on three
main lines of inquiry current
issues causing conflict among
nations, how people
communicate and connect
to solve problems and the
organisations that help solve
problems.
The following six weeks
comprised integrating all subject
disciplines into the study, the
search for information as well as
a trip to Singapore to gain
insights into the study.
At the end, students reflected
on their learning journey and
told stories to parents with the
help of teachers.
Fairview students are driven
to succeed through the skills and
Approaches to Learning that are
part of their IB curriculum in
primary years, where they gain
skills such as research, time
management, thinking,
referencing and social skills,
which help them progress
naturally into the Middle Years
Programme (MYP) and IB
Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Another project called the
personal project, a compulsory

component in the final year of

MYP, provides students the
opportunity to reflect on their
five-year learning journey and
express it in a project. They
came up with ideas on what has
touched them the most and
what will have an impact on
society.
Students were guided by the
six global contexts prescribed by
the IB and did this in their own
time with minimal guidance
from supervisors.
Global learning opportunities
abound at Fairview. Students not
only participate in conferences,
they learn to organise and host
international conferences such
as The Model United Nations
(MUN) and World Scholars Cup.
Students aged 10 and above
can go on biannual learning
trips to other countries to
experience different cultures
and traditions.
Fairview has four IB World
Schools in Malaysia (Kuala
Lumpur, Subang, Johor Baru
and Penang) that offer the PYP
and MYP. The IBDP is offered in
the Kuala Lumpur campus.
Fairview Global is hosting its
Information Week from July 18
to 30.

n For more information, visit

03-4142 0888 or e-mail
info@fairview.edu.my or visit
www.fairview.edu.my.

Cheah Zi Chang says, R.E.A.L

is not just a school that merely
focuses on academics, but
nurtures high character values
and inner development in
children.
Visit the R.E.A.L Schools
booth at the upcoming Private
& International School Fair on
July 16 and 17 (this Saturday
and Sunday) at the Mid Valley
Exhibition Centre.

n For more information, call

03-9021 3601 (Cheras campus),
03-7842 3228 (Shah Alam
campus) or 07-386 4468 (Johor
Baru campus) or visit
www.realschools.edu.my.

R.E.A.L Schools offer both international and national syllabi, ranging from preschool
to primary and secondary levels.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

14 international school guide

Unique boarding experience

WHAT sets Malborough College
Malaysia (MCM) apart is its shared
ethos with Marlborough College
United Kingdom.
I am fortunate to be able to
return to Marlborough College UK
a few times each year and the
sense of connection between the
two schools is palpable.
I was once appointed there as
head of department, then as
Housemaster before finally
becoming the international liaison
co-ordinator before joining MCM
as deputy head.
I have been head of the senior
school for more than a year and
can testify to the genuine
expansion of our sister college in
the UK.
There is evident commitment in
both schools to meeting the
developmental needs of individual
pupils.
Identifying those needs requires
positive relationship between pupil
and teacher. This is encouraged by
comprehensive pastoral care,
directed by Housemasters and
Housemistresses, implemented
through the tutorial system.
All of this is based on mutual
respect between pupil and teacher
who are working for a common
goal.

At Marlborough College Malaysia, the relationship between educator and

student forms the foundation on which quality learning is built.

At MCM, we believe that the

needs of individual pupils are best
served in the context of boarding.
Boarders have more
opportunities to build confidence
and develop relationships.
They quickly understand
theirstrengths and weaknesses
while developing integrity,
courtesy, resilience and
independence as well as appreciate
the value of strong friendships.
The boarding community has
thrived here and the Boarders

Christmas Supper exemplified

this, with pupils giving excellent
speeches and wonderful
performances.
MCM provides an excellent
academic programme while
placing importance on
co-curriculum.
Co-curriculum is a critical part
of meaningful holistic education
and we expect all pupils to engage
in a broad range of activities
outside the classroom such as
sport, music, drama, art and

design, expeditions and community

services.
These activities provide the
best practical opportunities for
development of crucial talents
such as leadership, teamwork
and communication.
Good examination results are
very important but are nullified if
the individual does not have the
emotional intelligence to recognise
how to be happy and the life skills
to be successful.
MCM is establishing a reputation
for co-curricular distinction,
having hosted a series of highprofile sports tournaments such
as the MCM Straits Trophy events,
involving teams from Malaysia
and Singapore.
Pupils have excelled in
prestigious international sports
competitions and individual sports
with some being selected for
national squads.
Pupils have honed their musical
skills by participating in the college
choir, chamber choir, string
quartet, wind band and college
orchestra with performances in
college and venues such as the
Kranji War Memorial and at the
Medini and Komtar JBCC malls.
MCM students learn the
importance of service and have

raised the profile of important

charity work. The prefects
launched a prefects forum a
House-based opportunity for pupils
to raise concerns and suggest
improvements.
Pupils have been given
opportunities to explore the world
outside the campus, including
excursions on the weekends, trips
to the east coast of the United
States and international award
expeditions.
To establish a more meaningful
connection with Marlborough
College UK, two groups of pupils
visit the sister school every year.
MCM shares the description on
Marlborough College UKs website,
of transforming a pupil into a
well-rounded individual who
has a sense of perspective for the
community and the wider world.
MCM is proud to provide
exceptional boarding and
co-curricula to make this a reality.
By Mark McVeigh
Mark McVeigh is head of Senior
School at Marlborough College
Malaysia.

n For more information, visit

www.marlboroughcollegemalaysia.
org.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

international school guide 15

TRADITIONALLY, international
schools were established to meet
the educational needs of children
of expatriates working in Malaysia
or the region.
In 2012, the Government made a
landmark decision to remove
restrictions imposed on Malaysian
students that made it difficult for
them to study at international
schools.
This resulted in a dramatic
increase in enrolment of local
students at these schools. Since
then, many new schools have been
established with the purpose of
offering international curricula.
A common feature of all
international schools is the use of
English as the main medium of
instruction and communication.
International schools differ,
however, from one another in
many other areas.
Having the option of sending
their child to an international
school is a fairly new experience
for many parents.
With an increasing number of
international schools in the
country, parents today have more
opportunities of finding one that
meets their requirements. As
schools differ widely, it is
important for parents to find out
about their options before making
a decision.
To enable parents to speak to
representatives from various

School fair returns

Nickie Yew, co-founder and

director of Mint Communications,
organiser of the Private &
International School Fair.

international schools in one

convenient location, Mint
Communications initiated the
Private & International School
Fairs series in 2012.
Since then, the fairs have grown
into the largest international school
fair in Malaysia, attracting even
more international schools,
preschools and learning centres
to exhibit each year.
These fairs also attract a growing
number of visitors each year,
indicating an increasing demand

7th Private & International School Fair in Kuala Lumpur

Date
: July 16 and 17
Time
: 11am to 7pm
Venue
: Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Level 3
Saturday, July 16
Time

Topic

Speaker

for international education.

The 7th Private & International
School Fair is happening on July 16
and 17 from 11am to 7pm at the
Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, Kuala
Lumpur.
Co-founder and director Nickie
Yew says, We are expecting more
than 50 exhibitors comprising
leading international schools,
preschools and learning centres.
There will also be international
schools from Singapore, Canada,
the United Kingdom, the United
States and Australia represented in
the fair.
Exhibitors in the upcoming
fair include the Australian
International School, Epsom
College in Malaysia, HELP
International School, Kingsley
International School, R.E.A.L
Schools, Sri Emas International
School, Westlake International
School, Asia Pacific Schools,
Rafflesia International School, St
Josephs Institution International
School Malaysia and Taylors

International School, among

others.
The full list of exhibitors and
sponsors can be found on the
fairs website.
Admission is free.

Sharing expertise
The fair will feature talks by
various education experts for
parents to gain insights into
education at international schools.
For example, Ng Kim Huat from
Cambridge International
Examinations will be speaking on
the Cambridge International
General Certificate of Secondary
Education (IGCSE) while
international education consultant
Santhi Latha will be speaking on
the advantages of international
school education.
If you need advice on choosing a
school, Elizabeth Wong and Sue
Shiew from the Malaysia
International Schools Parents
Support Group (MISPSG) will be

Noon to 1pm

Cambridge IGCSE
An Overview/Q&A

1.30pm to
2.30pm

National vs International Santhi Latha, international

Curriculum: The
education consultant
Advantages of an
International School
Education

3pm to 4pm

Parents Perspective
Why the International
School Route and What
We Look For in a School

Elizabeth Wong, founder of Facebook

group Malaysia International Schools
Parents Support Group (MISPSG)

Pick up a guide

Sue Shiew, active contributor in MISPSG

Raising Successful
Children in the
21st Century

Dr Shen-Li Lee, founder of Figur8,

freelance writer and web content
manager

EDUCATION Destination
Malaysia is an annual
guidebook published by Mint
Communications. The guide
aims to equip parents with
information on international
schools to enable them to
select the right one for their
children.
It contains a
comprehensive directory of
international schools in
Malaysia with detailed
profiles of individual schools
and offers advice on what to
look for when choosing a
school for your child.
The guide also contains
articles on the latest
developments in the
international school segment
both in Malaysia and
regionally.
In addition, it highlights
boarding as a viable option
for parents to consider as
more and more parents
around the world are now

4.30pm to
5.30pm

Ng Kim Huat, senior schools

development manager (Malaysia) for
Cambridge International Examinations

The crowd at the 5th Private & International School Fair last July.

Sunday, July 17
Time

Topic

Speaker

Noon to 1pm

Cambridge IGCSE An
Overview/Q&A

Ng Kim Huat, senior schools

development manager (Malaysia) for
Cambridge International Examinations

1.30pm to
2.30pm

Visible Learning in the

Australian Curriculum

Graeme Naftel of Australian

International School Malaysia

3pm to 4pm

How to Choose a School

That Fits My Childs
Needs, Personalities
and Interests

Dr Goh Chee Leong, chief executive

officer of HELP Education Services
(HELP International School)

4.30pm to
5.30pm

National vs International Dr Goh Chee Leong, chief executive

officer of HELP Education Services
Curriculum: The
Advantages of an
(HELP International School)
International School
Education

Event details at a glance.

choosing to send their

children to boarding
schools.
This year, the guide has
expanded to include
articles on special
educational needs.
For example, Music
Therapy and the Special
Child written by Dr Indra
V. Selvarajah, a medical
music therapist and
president of the newly
formed Malaysian
Music Therapy
Association, talks about
music therapy as a
form of intervention
for children with
special educational
needs.
Visitors at the fair
will be able to
purchase the latest
edition of Education
Destination Malaysia
2016/2017 at a discounted
price.

sharing their perspective on why

one should choose the
international school route and
what to look for in a school.
In addition, Dr Goh Chee Leong
from HELP International School
will be speaking on How to Choose
a School That Fits My Childs Needs,
Personalities and Interests.
Dr Shen-Li Lee, on other hand,
will be giving advice on how to
raise successful children in the
21st century.
For parents who would like to
find out more about the Australian
curriculum, Graeme Naftel from
the Australian International School
Malaysia will be speaking on
Visible Learning in the Australian
Curriculum.
Refer to the table for the talk
schedule.

n For more information,

visit www.
PrivateInternationalSchoolFair.com.
To receive e-mail updates about the
event, register at www.pisf.asia.

Obtain the Education Destination

Malaysia 2016/ 2017 guidebook to help
choose the best school for your child.

THE STAR, TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016

16 international school guide

THE educational approaches at

each preschool have unique ways
of assessing children and providing
them with appropriate learning
experiences that can help them in
their development journey.
The approach at Odyssey The
Global Preschool is uniquely
effective for early years learning,
inspired by the Reggio Emilia
approach of teaching.
What makes the educational
approach at Odyssey unique and
how is it related to the
Montessori approach?
The Odysseys teaching approach
is Reggio Emilia-inspired, where
children are taught to explore the
world through an emergent and
interactive approach and embark
on projects derived from their
interests.
This approach encourages
children to be involved in learning
through engaging, experiencing
and manipulating objects with
their hands; they learn to solve
problems, analyse and take on new
perspectives.
Children in their early years of
development are involved in
developmentally appropriate
activities that build on prior
knowledge, current issues and a
set of learning objectives that
prepare them for a journey of
lifelong learning.
What is the role of preschool
teachers in setting the right

Engaging the senses

Children at Odyssey The Global Preschool experience an education

environment that is Reggio Emilia-inspired, which allows children to explore
and learn at their own pace and according to their unique abilities.

foundation for lifelong learning?

The Odysseys quality educators
facilitate childrens learning by
providing activities, experiences
and materials that are relevant,
developmentally appropriate and
open-ended so that children can
grow their minds.
The education environment
enables children to explore freely
at their own pace, time and
according to their abilities.

Educators are involved in

observing children under their
charge to provide differentiation in
learning, scaffold their learning
and help them progress.
What are some unique lessons or
activities at Odyssey and how do
they develop a child's knowledge
and abilities?
In Odyssey, educators facilitate
learning by setting up an

environment with interactive

materials and meaningful activities
to help children become
independent learners, competent
communicators and cooperative
social citizens.
With specialist teachers such as
in art and music, lessons are
planned meticulously to enhance
childrens creative expressions.
For example, in art education,
children are engaged in art
experiences using a myriad of art
techniques and materials such as
sculpting with clay and wire or
painting with acrylic paint and
watercolours as they express
themselves with different lines,
colours, shapes, textures and
forms.
The Little Chef lessons teach
mathematical concepts such as
measurements and science skills
such as the change of state of
objects and effects of heat, which
are applicable to everyday
activities such as baking.
This brings learning to life and
places it in context, as opposed to
learning these subjects in isolation.
What are the main differences in
preschool education today
compared to one or two decades
ago? Do children still learn the

same way?
Children fundamentally learn
experientially and in context to the
world they live in.
The environment plays a major
role in providing the platform for
them. The children of the 21st
century learn in a different way
compared to children in
yesteryears.
Although there is a large amount
of technological applications that
provide visual stimulations via
mobile devices, other aspects of
learning such as physical
development, problem-solving
skills, social interactions and verbal
communication are sorely
neglected.
Children at Odyssey are involved
in a lot of hands-on experiences
that engage them to think, reason,
interact, communicate and
negotiate.
Through projects and creative
curriculum components, children
learn to develop holistically. Since
we are preparing children for a
future that we know little of, it is
important to instil the dispositions
and attributes of a self-motivated
lifelong learner.

n For more information, visit

www.theodyssey.my.

Emphasis on
the arts go
hand-in-hand
with academic
performance
at Labuan
International
School.

Embracing new ideas

LABUAN International School (LIS) aspires to
be a leading international school in Borneo
renowned for excellent academic, arts and
sports achievements.
LIS is the first and only private and
international school in Labuan.
Offering both national and international
curricula at the primary and secondary
levels, LIS engages teachers who are
qualified, professional, dedicated and
trustworthy.
In line with its objectives, LIS focuses on
meeting the needs of all students through
programmes tailored for individual needs in
an open classroom.
The school has continuously embraced
new ideas and state-of-the-art technology,
including embarking on a Virtual Learning
Environment platform a learner-centred
one-to-one learning programme that
emphasises personalisation of learning and
development of lifelong skills.
Reception is the feeder school for LIS
Primary and Secondary Schools. Children
from five to six years old join the Reception
Level, where reading, writing, counting and
thinking skills are the main focus in daily
learning activities.
The aim is to strengthen students
proficiency in mathematics, science and
English.
Information technology skills are also
taught in these early years. Students at
Reception 2 level are expected to master all
the skills and are geared for advanced

academic work at Primary Level.

The main Primary School curriculum at
LIS for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 follows
the British curriculum with integration of
the Singaporean curriculum. Some of the
Malaysian national subjects are integrated
into the International Curriculum.
In the Secondary School, LIS follows
Cambridge International Curriculum. At
Year 10, students embark on the IGCSE
course, culminating in the Cambridge
International Examinations, which is based
in the United Kingdom.
By integrating the performing arts, LIS
creates all-rounded LIS students who are
confident, poised with an ear for music,
proficient in at least one musical instrument
and have a growing appreciation for dance
and vocal.
LIS entirely Wi-Fi-enabled campus
comprises air-conditioned classrooms
equipped with interactive teaching facilities,
modern laboratories, boarding facilities, a
spacious cafeteria, state-of-the-art
auditorium and art gallery, Olympic-size
swimming pool and 24-hour gated security.
LIS is offering scholarships to students for
academic, performing arts and sports
excellence. This scholarship offer is for next
years intake for the national curriculum at
the secondary level. Interested students may
apply now.

n For more information,

visit www.lis.edu.my.