The mum of two shares her views on OWIS and what inspired her to choose the school for her kids.
Tell us about the children you have attending the school?
Both my children attend One World International School Singapore. Will, who is turning 7, is in Grade 2, and Yasmin, 4, is in Early Childhood 2.
What were the most important factors for you in selecting a school?
The money question is a big one of course and I wanted to see if the fees were in line with other international schools and what other hidden costs there might be. The distance between work, school and home was another consideration as I didn’t want my children to be spending a lot of time traveling. Curriculum certainly comes in to play too.
How has the school lived up to your expectations?
Finding this school was like finding a goldmine! OWIS brings together the best of both worlds: the intimacy of a small school, where the entire faculty seems to know every pupil by name, and a global outlook as represented by the curriculum and the 37 nationalities of students that attend.
What do your children like most about attending this school?
Will benefits so much from being with children that come from different backgrounds. He also loves being part of a school ‘house’ (children are divided into 4 school houses). He even loves coming home to do his homework, which is now conveniently conducted online. Yasmin loves her friends, and it’s wonderful that so many of her classmates from EC1 have moved into EC2 together. She also loves the playground.
What sort of curriculum does this school offer?
OWIS offers a terrific International Baccalaureate programme. It allows each student to plays to their strengths as an individual.
Do your children participate in any extra-curricular activities at the school?
Will has been lucky enough to try numerous activities including cricket and karate. He now plays football on Mondays and has joined the running club on Thursdays which is facilitated by the school, and offered as a free extra. Yasmin is still a bit too little to participate.
What advice would you give other parents trying to choose a school?
Take a tour of every school that suits your needs, and feel the vibe. We all have different needs and values, so ensure the school you pick feels right to you.
What do you value most about the school?
At OWIS, I’ve had the opportunity to see our children grow and develop, whilst also being happy and content. I h3ly believe that this is indicative of a dedicated and passionate faculty who really care for education and children. Personally, I love the warm, inclusive nature of the school. Pick-ups and drop-offs are very social and bring the whole school community together. We often get stick around after the bell goes to play and chat!For any parent considering schooling options, I cannot recommend OWIS highly enough.
Are you satisfied with the level of communication you receive from the school and how they engage parents?
We are delighted with how approachable our kids’ teachers are and they always have time for parents by email and in person. There are great systems in place to take care of general information, such as the classroom portals via the website. All in all, it’s an excellent system and there are never any surprises.
How much homework is expected of your children?
In Yasmin’s grade there is no homework, although parents have all been given a heads-up about some project work later in the year that may require some effort at home. In Will’s year, he has about 30mins per day, on average, including reading. He usually does more than that though, because the system used is online and offers a whole lot more than just the set tasks, and he really enjoys it!
Thanks Aran!