THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 JUNE 2018
Stimulating the child's mind
THE Education Ministry has
emphasised the importance of
technology-based learning in
producing a multilingual
generation, with a focus on the
English language, and nurturing
children with good values from a
young age.
It is vital that these lessons are
implemented during a child’s
formative years, so that desired
skills may be embedded in the
foundation of her development.
The range of internationally
recognised, award-winning early
childhood education programmes
at Smart Reader Worldwide is
curated and designed to prepare
children for the challenges they are
expected to face in this technology-
driven world.
Its programmes offer a
comprehensive curriculum
delivered via a holistic approach
that fosters a child’s literacy,
numeracy, and social, emotional
and motor skills development.
Franchisee of Smart Reader Kids
Rawang Town, Abishah A.E.
Joseph, believes that the quality of
each programme is evident
through the progressive
development of every child.
Franchisee Abishah A.E. Joseph (centre, back row) with teachers and students of Smart Reader Kids, Rawang Town.
She says that students exhibit
significant improvement in terms
of reading, writing and counting, in
line with expected learning
outcomes of the programmes.
“Our team of experienced,
trained educators strives to create
a positive and innovative learning
environment. We use various
interactive media that help
stimulate children’s minds and
keep them interested in lessons,”
says Abishah.
Smart Reader Kids Bandar Meru
Raya franchisee Deviga S. Krisnan
advocates the importance of
providing children with a positive
educational experience, especially
in early education.
“The unique, patented Smart
Reader Creative Teaching
Methodology encourages students
to participate in numerous
innovative activities that help
nurture their communication
abilities, social and emotional
development, critical thinking and
technology literacy.
“Parents of our students are
delighted to see their children
develop an interest in learning
and a passion for knowledge,” says
Deviga.
Smart Reader Kids offers full-day
programmes exclusively for
working parents who want the best
after-school care for their children.
Parents who enrol their children
before June 30 will receive a free
T-shirt.
The programmes provided by
Smart Reader Worldwide are
Smart Reader Kids, Smart Reader
Kids Islamic, Smart Reader Kids
Mandarin Medium, Smart Reader
Kids Intensive English Programme,
Smart Reader Kids Tamil Language
Programme and Smart Reader
Kids++.
Smart Reader Worldwide
welcomes parents to visit any of its
300 centres in the country to learn
more about its award-winning
programmes, facilities and
enrolment.
n For more information,
call 03-6279 5555 or the
SMARTLine at 1300 885 555, or
visit www.smartreader.edu.my
2 Bright Kids THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 JUNE 2018

“FAR more pupils than we

previously thought have the
potential to perform at the highest
cognitive levels. High Performance
Learning takes the ideas that were
previously thought to apply to
‘high flyers’ and through a
systematic framework applies
them to all students.
“The results are remarkable –
not just in terms of exam
success but also in building the
competencies that enable students
to thrive at university and in the
workplace. There really is ‘Room
at the Top’ if we systematically
nurture more children to get ECiM believes
there,” says education expert Prof
that, with the
Deborah Eyre in a paper titled
right teaching
Room at the Top.
The research of Prof Eyre and learning
resonates with the teaching and approach, high
learning approach at Epsom achievement is
College in Malaysia (ECiM). an attainable
At the heart of what ECiM outcome for
does is the belief that high all students.
achievement for everyone,
rather than high achievement
for some, is an attainable

Focus on high achievement

outcome.
All children must be given
opportunities to develop the
competencies required for
academic and lifetime success.
This is the core message for
students studying at Epsom
College.
ECiM engages talented
teachers who are not only highly
professional educators but also
leaders with the ability to lead
rather than manage. A school
is outstanding when cognitive
success for the vast majority
of students is a routine
occurrence.
Furthermore, when that success
is accompanied by students who
are responsible, caring, confident
and enterprising, only then can
the school be rightly considered a
world-class institution.
ECiM has embarked on a
project with Prof Eyre centred on
achieving cognitive success for
students across the years.
By implementing a teaching and
learning approach that enables
students to enhance and build their
own ability, it is envisaged that
students will use it productively to
obtain good academic results and
develop a wider set of life skills.
The focus is on current and
future performance with high
performance being seen as an
attainable target for everyone.
Prof Eyre’s High Performance
Learning is not an approach that is
simply added to what Epsom
College already has to offer.
Rather, it is a lens through which
the college can view its existing
practice and enhance it.
Students are placed firmly at the
heart of the programme, yet
teachers are the key. Working
collaboratively from an evidential
base, Epsom teachers provide
opportunities and support in a
way that motivates students.
They constitute a
professionalised workforce,
introducing improvements through
the use of increasingly effective
pedagogies.
ECiM’s collaboration with Prof
Eyre will enhance the already
excellent teaching and learning
taking place.
Students of all ages will
experience first-hand the positive
outcomes of High Performance
Learning while mastering the
competencies required for success
at school and beyond. The message
at ECiM is that there certainly is
room at the top.
n For more information, e-mail Sin
Yee at sinyee@epsomcollege.edu.
my
THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 JUNE 2018 Bright Kids 3

Curriculum designed for success

CANADA is a leading educational influence
globally, as evidenced by the Programme for
International Student Assessment (PISA) and
the percentage of its students who graduate
high school and attend post-secondary
institutions.
Ontario is the most populated province
in Canada. Through structured expectations
for each grade level, the state curriculum
details what students should be able to do
and are required to learn in each subject
area.
Sunway International School (SIS)
employs a curriculum guided by the Ontario
Education Ministry, which is modified to be
culturally relevant and responsive to local
needs. It also provides holistic support for
students to achieve the outlined expectations
for each grade level.
SIS teachers use programme documents
from Ontario to develop lesson and unit
plans, assessment strategies, and create
learning experiences that are aligned to
Malaysian and Asian values while staying
true to the Canadian framework.
SIS recognises that all students are unique
and have varying levels of competency in
areas such as subject understanding and
skill level. Hence, the programmes are
personalised to meet individual needs of
students. SIS employs a modified Ontario curriculum, which helps students develop their capacity to be independent learners and ensures each student
In line with the Ontario curriculum ethos, achieves the same level of understanding of the learning material.
the SIS team is committed to ensuring that
the school provides an inclusive education,
works towards removing barriers and
creates suitable conditions for all students to
Teachers engage
succeed. in assessment as
learning by helping
Special education programmes and
services provide support for children
with special needs who need short-term
help or have more complex learning
students develop
needs. their capacity to be
independent learners
The help needed by each student varies
due to behavioural, communication,
intellectual, physical or multiple learning
needs that require support over time. In who can set appropriate
addition, English as a Second Language (ESL)
support is available for students who are
and personal goals,
new English language learners. monitor their own
To help each student take the next step
in his learning journey, SIS teachers progress and reflect on
use individualised methods of instruction
for in-class learning activities and
their thinking and
homework, and combine different learning.
teaching strategies.
For example, a teacher might instruct the
whole class to introduce a story before
asking students to work in groups to look at thinking and learning.
different story examples, following up with SIS teachers obtain assessment
individual students who require specific information through a variety of means
instruction and assistance. including formal and informal observations,
SIS teachers understand that students discussions, questions, conferences,
learn better when they can see and homework, group tasks, demonstrations,
experience concepts. Once an activity projects, portfolios, developmental continua,
is completed, teachers will talk to students performances, peer and self-reviews, essays,
as individuals or in small and large and tests.
groups. By employing this wide array of
Students are encouraged to exercise assessment practices, a more complete
critical thinking and conceptual understanding of student progress is
understanding. They learn to differentiate acquired, allowing students to form self-
facts from assumptions, think logically, ask directed learning habits.
questions, form opinions about what they The Ontario curriculum has been
learn and express their opinions to the tested against rigorous standards. The
whole class. Education Quality and Accountability Office
SIS students start working in groups (EQAO) is an independent arm’s-length
at the primary level to develop their crown agency designed to provide all
language and communication skills as well stakeholders with valid, reliable data on
as learn to share responsibilities and listen to student achievement in reading, writing and
others. mathematics.
Students are also guided into developing The EQAO administers tests annually for
other skills such as researching, forming and all Grade 3 and Grade 6 students in Ontario
testing opinions, taking initiative, posing schools and reports on these results.
questions and pursuing risks. SIS is pleased to offer a curriculum from a
Assessments let education providers leading education jurisdiction, which is
gather information that reflects students’ delivered by certified Canadian teachers.
progress in achieving curriculum-mandated The SIS Sunway Iskandar campus located
expectations in every subject. Their primary in Johor offers the Canadian (Ontario) full-
purpose is to improve student learning, day kindergarten and primary school
through the concepts of “assessment for programme (Grades 1 to 6), while the SIS
learning” and “assessment as learning”. Sunway City campus in Selangor offers the
As part of assessment for learning, SIS Canadian (Ontario) secondary school
teachers provide students with descriptive programme (Grades 7 to 12).
feedback and coaching for improvement. Both SIS campuses offer the International
Teachers engage in assessment as Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
learning by helping students develop their
capacity to be independent learners who can n For more information, call 03-7491
set appropriate and personal goals, monitor 8070/07-297 8070 or visit www.sis.sunway.
their own progress and reflect on their edu.my
4 Bright Kids
Learning English
through reading
PARENTS know how difficult it can be to
encourage their children to read books.
The presence of addictive edutainment on
smartphones and electronic tablets in their
lives makes it difficult for children to find
time to enjoy reading.
At Morris Allen English, teachers know the
importance of reading and acknowledge this
by nurturing a child’s appreciation for books.
They ensure that the child is directed to the
right kind of reading material according to
her age and ability, and guided towards
selecting her preferred genres.
Fiction and non-fiction titles are available
at Morris Allen English centres. Students are
encouraged to borrow books from both
sections every week.
This freedom of choice can sometimes
mean the difference between developing an
avid reader and a reluctant one. The joy of
reading is something children must discover
for themselves.
Reading is one of the best ways to enrich a
child’s experience of learning English. When
children read, they are exposed to spelling
patterns and a wide vocabulary, along with
correct grammar and sentence structures.
Morris Allen English adopts an interactive
learning programme that not only involves
reading but also encompasses speaking,
listening, writing and creative thinking.
These learning areas are interdependent
and crucial for students to effectively
develop holistic knowledge of the English
language.
Nurturing creativity and originality allows
students to express their ideas through
speech and writing. Teachers achieve this
At Morris Allen English, students are
encouraged to read books that are suited to
their age, abilities and preferences.
through higher-order questioning, requiring
students to make inferences based on
predictions and firsthand experiences. When
students are supported through this process,
positive discussion is encouraged, leading to
quality ideas for creative writing.
Morris Allen understands the importance
of English as a global language and equips
students with a skill for the future by
developing them into individuals with a
strong command of English.
n For more information on Morris Allen
English, call 03-7732 6433 (Centrepoint
Bandar Utama), 03-5613 6433 (Empire
Shopping Gallery) or 03-9286 6433
(MyTOWN Shopping Centre), or visit
www.morrisallen-malaysia.com
Top-notch education
GEMS International School Tropicana
Metropark offers an outstanding education
that is made accessible for hard-working
parents and their children.
Outstanding schools should do three
things well. They should provide a safe
space for children to learn, be happy places
where children love being, and be success-
driven by offering children a broad,
balanced education within and beyond the
classroom.
They should also be about great people
working together to achieve ambitious
ends. GEMS teachers are experienced and
inspiring international educators who are
trained to see things through children’s
eyes.
The school is committed to high-
performance learning, which is a belief that
all children are capable of great things and
should be guided to fulfil their highest
potential.
There are no boundaries to learning or
opportunity at GEMS. It is built on solid
values. As an international school, it
celebrates diversity in a respectful and
inclusive way and pursues excellence in all
its activities.
To create future leaders, GEMS helps
children develop creative minds, healthy
bodies and an ethical spirit that will let
them make lasting contributions to society.
At GEMS, state-of-the-art classrooms are
matched with top-notch facilities in science,
sports and the arts along with a fast and
secure wireless network connection.
The school supports a progressive and
pragmatic approach to information
technology and its measured use. In
addition to well-equipped laboratories,
learning processes are supported with
appropriate electronic devices (electronic
tablets for primary-level children and
laptops for senior students).
GEMS offers a solid British curriculum
for students aged three to 18 as well as
THE STAR, TUESDAY 5 JUNE 2018
At GEMS, students are educated on a wide
scope of subjects and equipped with necessary
skills to lead successful lives and careers.
courses leading to the Cambridge
International Examinations. It also offers
Mandarin, French and Bahasa Malaysia
language programmes.
The school’s teachers and external
specialists aim to offer a rich tapestry of
activities across the academic year
(September to June).
It is developing a broad programme of
events and activities that include drama and
musical performances across primary and
secondary levels, sports training and
competitions, and a schoolwide commitment
to outdoor educational pursuits.
Accredited as part of The Council of British
International Schools with independent
verification of its educational standards and
achievements, GEMS offers a first-class
education that encourages students to be
open-minded, resilient and reflective
learners.
We would be delighted to arrange a
personal visit and tour of the school campus
to discuss the individual needs of your child.
– By Simon O’Grady, principal of GEMS
International School
n For more information, call 03-5036 8900
or visit www.gems.edu.my