Cover Story
By Yvette Yeow
With the ever changing environment of modern society, education plays a vital role in ensuring a better living, improving one’s status and expanding opportunities. Evidently, every parent wants what is best for their children, which is why providing them with a top-notch education is crucial. When the word education comes to mind, so does the debate over private or public schools. Most parents face the dilemma of whether the right decision was made when enrolling their child.
Nowadays, international schools are a much sought after option due to a shift in public preference. International schools are no longer considered a luxury but instead a necessity when it comes to choosing the right education for children.
International Schools focus on developing well-rounded young adults
International schools in Ipoh offer a likeable platform for students to develop as they focus on numerous aspects of development such as sports, academic and artistic development.
Though the education syllabus of international schools may be similar as most of them offer the British Cambridge IGCSE, yet it differs in terms of educating methodology, in-house facilities and, of course, a conducive school environment, something which is grossly absent in national schools (sekolah kebangsaan).
Tenby International Schools
Tenby International Schools was founded in 1960 with its first principal, Dorothy Nelson-Doig at the helm. In 2001, the school was taken over by Dato’ Lim Kheng Kay who saw education as a means to unite people such that the school’s vision was, “A United World at Peace – Through Education”. Through his efforts, Lim saved Tenby when it was on the verge of collapsing. The recently-opened Tenby International Schools at Meru Raya, Ipoh has over 1200 students while the four other branches in Shah Alam, Johor Bahru, Miri and Penang are being well filled with a total of 4300 students in all.
Tenby offers a unique model of education with two types of schools, Tenby International School and Sekolah Tenby. Tenby International School follows the British Cambridge IGCSE syllabus, whereas Sekolah Tenby offers the Malaysian National Curriculum, with emphasis on English across all aspect of its syllabus.
Tenby encourages shared teaching methods between both schools. They believe that integration, through education and curricular activities, could encourage unity among students, regardless of their ethnicity. The school also works towards providing a balanced education by motivating students to not only do well in academic studies but in sports and performing arts, as well. Students are inspired to develop their talents because each and every one of them is different.
The schools offers state-of-the-art facilities which include a 25-metre swimming pool, a football field, a multi-purpose sports hall, an auditorium, music and drama rooms, cutting-edge science and computer laboratories, a well-equipped university-style library and lively classrooms with internet connection and interactive whiteboards.
Tenby also award scholarships to outstanding students who excel in academic, performing arts or sports, such as the Siwu and the Yayasan Dayadiri scholarships. Tenby gives personal attention to its students so they will be encouraged to perform well.
Fairview International School
Fairview International School has a rich history of 35 operating years in Malaysia. Having branches in three states with an enrolment of over 3000 students, Fairview is one of Malaysia’s leading international schools for the last ten years with excellent Cambridge O-level results and an outstanding International Baccalaureate (IB) world school. With a vision of improving what they had to offer, Fairview introduced the IB in 2007. The IB programme was first established in Geneva, Switzerland, with the aim of developing inquiring, knowledgeable, caring young people and to encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners.
Fairview offers both IB and Cambridge IGCSE education to students including O levels, IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programmes (IBDP). The school has a unique curriculum for students from ages 3 to 19, and is the only authorised group of IB World School in Malaysia to offer a continuum of the 3 IB programmes.
The school also provides quality teaching through certified IB Workshop Teachers Trainers and members of IB School Authorisation team for both PYP and MYP. Furthermore, it also organises expeditions for MYP students to better increase their exposure and to help them incorporate what they have learnt.
Fairview’s Ipoh campus will officially begin its operation in August. The campus, located near Taman Botani, will be modelled after the other 4 IB schools and is set to provide quality education and to nurture independent active learners. The campus includes facilities for a 21st century school such as air-conditioned classrooms, sports field, multi-purpose hall, library, IT resource centre and more. Other services also encompass English language support, counselling services and tutorial classes for students.
Westlake International School
Westlake International School is a newly-established international school based on Tan Sri Dato’ Hew See Tong’s vision of providing quality and affordable education. Located in Kampar, the school began its operations in January 2013 with just over 100 students. Today, its student population has grown to over 260 students.
At Westlake, they offer the British Cambridge Curriculum from Years 1 to 11, focusing on building strong academic foundations and instilling desirable values in their students. This is achieved through its school philosophy which comprises three pillars: educational philosophy, character building and community partnership. The school aspires that each student graduates as a powerful learner with a wholesome character.
Westlake also nurtures its students to be all-rounders by creating different facilities for well-rounded development, such as the fine arts centre with rooms equipped for dancing, music and arts, ICT-enhanced teaching spaces, science laboratories and facilities for sports.
Another unique feature of the school is its boarding facilities for both students and families. Students aged 12 and above may opt to stay at the boarding houses, a comfortable place to study and a safe environment to grow up in, under the watchful eyes of their parents. Families with younger children may opt for the family apartments and stay within the school too.
Westlake International School aims to provide quality education and a comfortable environment for students to learn and grow. With the peaceful and serene town of Kampar as its backdrop, students will better develop and learn, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Asia Metropolitan International School
The Asia Metropolitan International School (AMETIS) was established in 2013 with its philosophy of “Educating Forward”. The school provides a holistic environment for learning and emphasises the mastering of the English language, as well as other foreign languages such as Mandarin and French. AMETIS believes that this will help build students’ confidence and prepare them to succeed in the global world.
AMETIS offers a quality education based on the Cambridge International programmes of study and the National Curriculum for England. All members of the teaching staff are fully qualified and experienced and are confident in delivering and supporting the international school curriculum.
The school aims to nurture learners who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged. AMETIS encourages smart learning in school where students are required to carry a SNote 10.1 with them during classes and school activities.
As a means to prepare learners for the future, AMETIS strives to promote digital learning, through curriculum activities that are designed to include and encourage all aspects of technology. By incorporating technology into daily learning experiences, learners are encouraged not to be dependent on textbooks or engage in ‘mindless’ tasks that do not develop creativity or critical exploration.
The school is also equipped with facilities such as fully air-conditioned classrooms and activity rooms, science laboratories, a design and technology workshop and art room, a resource centre, performing arts auditoriums and basketball courts. It also provides a daily after-school pastoral-care service whereby teachers monitor and mentor students to enhance their learning capacity after a typical school day. AMETIS believes that by delivering a relevant and current curriculum, incorporating technology in and out of the classroom, and encouraging positive values, it will create firm foundations for success in all aspects of the children’s lives.
Conclusion
International schools in Ipoh all serve the very same purpose; to ensure students are equipped with the best in terms of education and facilities. The passion to bring quality education to each single child is, undoubtedly, every school’s aim. Regardless of the choices made, parents can rest assured that their children are left in good hands.
Tenby International Schools
16 Persiaran Meru Utama
Bandar Meru Raya
30020 Ipoh
Tel: +605 525 2628
Fax: +605 525 2881
GPS: N 4° 40.855’ E 101° 4.466’ Westlake International School
Lot 18662, Jalan Universiti
Taman Bandar Barat
31900 Kampar
Tel: +605 467 2222
GPS: N4° 40.855’ E 101° 4.66’ Fairview International Schools
Enrolment Office
32B, Jalan Lapangan Suria
Medan Lapangan Suria
31350 Ipoh
Tel: +605 313 6888/6887 Asian Metropolitan International School
Lebuh Perusahaan Keledang 9
Kawasan Perindustrian IGB
30010 Menglembu
Tel: +605 290 5888/+6019 388 3349
GPS: N4° 39 23.407’ E101° 715.394’
