This mum of three tells us why she’s excited for her children to be part of the NLCS (Singapore) experience.
Would you enrol your child in the same school you attended? Aarti Thapar certainly did! This mother of three was a student at the prestigious North London Collegiate School UK and, while her children won’t attend the exact same campus, she cannot wait for them to follow in her footsteps and benefit from the same amazing opportunities at NLCS (Singapore). The Singapore curriculum is based on the NLCS UK curriculum sharing its focus on academic rigour while catering for a diverse, international cohort. Sharing her anticipation for her little ones to be part of this experience, Aarti speaks of an education that develops curious learners in the classroom and beyond.
Hi Aarti! Tell us about the child/children you have attending NLCS.
I have three children who are incredibly excited to join North London Collegiate School (Singapore). Mia who is ten years old, has a passion for reading, languages and art; Jay who is eight years old, loves maths, physics and origami, and Arin who is 6 years old loves sports, music and drama.
What do you look for in a school and what made you choose NLCS?
As an old North London student, academic rigour is very important to me as a foundation for success. But there are two factors that must build upon this foundation which are extremely important to me as a parent and a professional. First off, a school that has an innovative approach to learning and secondly, one that creates a diverse environment.
It was my interactions with NLCS (Singapore) Principal, Paul Friend, Vice Principal (Head of Junior School), Kathryn Hemming and the faculty, and hearing their vision for the school that ultimately cemented my decision to enrol at NLCS. The vision beautifully balances the NLCS ethos while also equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in the world we live in today.
As an NLCS UK alumnus, what was your experience like?
NLCS sets the bar high – excellence is table stakes. The philosophy was that whatever you do, do it to your best. Push yourself to and beyond your boundaries.
Studying at NLCS UK set me up to be able to live a life with no limits. The school shapes purpose-driven individuals, driven towards making an impact in the world. We were also encouraged to explore our creativity. There is no typical NLCS mould and subsequently there is wonderful diversity in the way that North Londoners live their purpose, whether it be in film, physics, public service, medicine, media and tech. At school, we were encouraged to be creative and explore, which has led to many alumni achieving excellence in a variety of fields.
Are you satisfied with NLCS (Singapore)’s parent communication so far?
Absolutely! I’ve enjoyed how the school has created opportunities to virtually connect with other parents and meet new teachers. It gives me a sense of excitement about what’s coming, and comfort that I have made the right decision for my children.
How did the school make your family feel welcome?
As I have been associated with the ‘mother’ school for many years, the interaction with NLCS (Singapore) brought me a lot of comfort. Every member of staff here in Singapore has been warm and friendly and extremely attentive. Through the school’s newsletter, I’ve been able to stay up to date with how the plans are progressing, learn more about the teachers coming on board, and connect with the school’s heritage.
What advice would you give other parents trying to choose a school?
There are many great schools in Singapore. My advice is to ensure the ethos and values of the school align to your own. I truly value the ethos of NLCS. Through my own experiences of being a student at NLCS UK, I observed this ethos in practice surrounded by passionate educators in an inspirational culture, developing students with real grit. At NLCS, we were inspired to know and feel that we could do anything that we wanted – to live a life with no limits.
Thank you, Aarti!
This post is in partnership with NLCS (Singapore).