We can’t think of anything better for our kids than to be welcomed into a community that makes them forget they’re far away from home. A sense of belonging – now that’s a nice thing to have.
If you’re an expat in Singapore, chances are you’ve come across an Australian or two on your travels. Aussies have a reputation for being a friendly bunch with a strong sense of identity and a can-do attitude. It must be something to do with the weather, where a well-rounded education goes beyond English and Mathematics in the classroom, to athletics and games of cricket out in the glorious sunshine. And, with a long history of immigration and mateship, Australia has a wonderfully diverse melting pot of cultures. The rock solid community at Australian International School has replicated the Australian schooling ethos miles from the sunny shores of Sydney, right here in Singapore.
A great place to be
We know from first-hand experience (yes, we couldn’t resist a personal tour) that AIS has some of the best facilities you’ll find anywhere in Singapore. The swimming pool, the outdoor and indoor play areas, the art and drama wing and the library (to name a few) are truly second-to-none. And we can’t wait to explore the spectacular Reggio Emilia-inspired Early Learning Village launching soon. But the lasting impression we were left with after waving goodbye to the lovely team at AIS was that the students look so HAPPY. Smiling, confident faces greeted us at every turn. Kids keenly participating in class and running about carefree at lunchtime with their friends. It honestly gave us the feels.
So what’s the magic formula?
We’re pretty sure it centres on the fact that there’s a place for EVERY child and EVERY family at AIS, regardless of culture, background or academic ability. Value is placed on so much more than traditional academic prowess, and a child’s tutelage extends way beyond the four walls of a classroom. Emotional intelligence, social interaction, artistic expression and physical wellbeing are all essential to shaping a happy and successful next generation.
One warm welcome
So what’s the result of this holistic approach? It’s ingrained in AIS kids to think of others in their everyday life. And there’s no better way to illustrate this than with a real life example. Year five student, Millie Johnston was excited for her first day of term one, delighted that she had some good friends from the previous year in her class. At pick-up her mum asked how her day was and Millie replied that instead of playing with her usual friends, she had taken under her wing kids wearing a red ribbon (new elementary school students). She said she knew they’d be nervous on their first day and in need of new friends. You can imagine the pride her mum felt at that moment. This kind of behaviour is in evidence throughout the school and is testament to the Aussie spirit of community and friendship that’s in full force at AIS.
And here’s what another mum, Elizabeth Hillier, had to say about joining the AIS community: “From the moment we walked through the gates on a first tour we were greeted with warmth and openness from all the staff and a clear understanding of our needs for our son. We were so impressed that we decided to enrol our youngest in the EYC nursery program too. And we have been more than rewarded with our decision with both boys running out the door to school each day ready to have fun with their friends.
All the staff know all the children by name and they are there to welcome you each morning at the gate. The parents in the class welcomed us new parents with open arms with offers of playdates, coffee at the parents cafe and dinner events.”
It comes down to character
As adults reflecting on our own lives, we know that what gets us through the tough patches is strength of character, not the fact that we received a perfect score in our final year modern history exam. And that’s what we want our kids to have when they finish school – the skills to successfully navigate through life, no matter the challenges they face. And we love that the AIS community is bringing out the best in children.
Want to find out more? Check out the AIS website and book a personal tour!
This post is sponsored by Australian International School.