From academics to sports, here’s how AIS has made schooling fun for the Kimball’s kiddos.
The Kimball family are Australian, but daughters Olivia and Jaime have grown up in New York, Amsterdam, London and Singapore. Having experienced different cultures and cities, Ellen Kimball and her family were glad to have the opportunity to move to Singapore and be closer to home. Here, they were able to find a school that gave their girls an Australian schooling experience – and that school was AIS.
Hi, Ellen! What made you choose AIS?
To be a part of a multicultural school underpinned by Australian values was definitely something we were all excited about. We were also drawn to AIS because of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. The learning philosophy appealed to us as a holistic way to learn and we thought it would give our daughters more opportunities if we relocated.
Ultimately, it was our instinct that made us choose AIS. We could see our daughters there and we liked the sense of community. And we wanted a school our daughters would be happy attending – we strongly believe that if they are enjoying their time at school, the learning will come easily.
How has the school lived up to your expectations?
AIS has and continues to exceed our expectations. Our daughters have developed into confident, engaged and motivated students. We were particularly impressed with the way the school transitioned the Year 6 students into ‘high school’/Year 7. Certain preparations were made during Year 6 (such as the introduction of laptops, new routines, class structures and responsibilities) so, by the time Year 7 arrived, Olivia hit the ground running!
What do your girls like most about attending AIS?
Both Olivia and Jaime agree the lessons are stimulating, interactive and fun. They are both active and love the inclusive sports program, which encourages the children to step out of their comfort zone. The use of iPads in the elementary classroom has also been a big hit with our girls. Plus, Olivia has really enjoyed using the kitchens and science labs, while Jaime is keen on the playgrounds and loves the art rooms.
What advice would you give other parents trying to choose a school?
We’d encourage parents to consider the schooling system, cultural fit and future transitions. Firstly, is your child happy in their current system or does it make sense to move them to a new curriculum? Secondly, does the school ethos and culture fit best to enable your child to succeed in the transition? Lastly, consider how long you think you might be in Singapore and which school will make future transitions easier for your children.
What do you value most about AIS?
We value the commitment by the teachers and staff to provide a high standard of learning, especially during the recent Covid-19 lockdown. AIS really went above and beyond! We also love the positive sports coaches and the opportunity for every student on a sports team to play. This gives all students the chance to try new sports and helps to keep kids active.
What does the school do in terms of building a community for parents?
There are many opportunities for parents to socialise. A recent initiative is the country ambassador groups, where parents can connect easily with others from their home nation. The school and the parents association welcomed us by providing opportunities to mingle and meet staff. Our favourite event has been the fish ‘n’ chip day, which is lots of fun for families!
Are you satisfied with the level of communication you receive from the school?
We are very happy with the amount and the quality of communication. From newsletters and regular updates to parent teacher meetings, AIS effectively communicates all the information parents need to know.
How did AIS make your child feel welcome?
Our girls started mid-week, midway through a term and were partnered with buddies to help them navigate their way around the school. On the first day, the girls received a red ribbon to pin to their uniform, to show others they were new. When they felt comfortable they could remove it – the red ribbons only lasted one day!
This post is in partnership with AIS.