All Kheng Hwa Seng wanted was a school that prioritises both academics and co-curricular activities — and here’s how Australian International School (AIS) offered the holistic education that she was looking for!
Like many parents nowadays, it’s not all about the academics for Kheng Hwa Seng. Indeed, he was looking for a school that hit that sweet spot between academics and co-curriculars.
His family moved around a few countries and, prior to arriving in Singapore, their two children (Marvin and Anna) attended schools in the US, UK, and HK. Hwa Seng’s priority was finding a school that could help ease the transition for both his son and daughter, and support his daughter’s impressive athletic inclinations. And above all, he just wanted his children to thrive in a safe and happy environment.
And, lucky for him, Australian International School (AIS) checked all the boxes! We chatted with Hwa Seng to find out more about his thought process, and what advice heshe has for parents in his shoes.
What were your priorities when it came to selecting a school?
Admittedly, I was particularly concerned for our son Marvin, who was in his final two years of high school education. I was hence looking for a school that could help ease the transition, and pave the way to a good college education.
AIS was a great option because it allowed our son to take on the High School Certificate (HSC), where he could focus on mathematics and more technical science subjects. Academics aside, my preferred school should offer a safe, happy, and conducive environment for learning and developing as an individual.
Our daughter has also always had an inclination towards sports, and AIS’ wide line-up of sports — plus its stellar reputation for nurturing athletes! — really sealed the deal. A bonus is that AIS is non-selective, and didn’t require my kids to take an additional examination to be considered for admission.
Has AIS lived up to your expectations?
The answer is a resounding yes! My son graduated from AIS in 2022 and I believe his education played a huge part in him receiving multiple college offers from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Monash University in Australia, as well as Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He loves Singapore so much that he decided to pursue mathematics in NTU.
AIS’ sports scene allowed my daughter to flourish as well, where she represents the school in tennis, volleyball, badminton, and soccer. The school even took it up a notch by giving her the opportunity to play for a semi-professional women’s team competing in Singapore’s Women’s Premier’s League. And amazingly, on top of all that, she has excelled in her academics too — clinching five distinctions and three A’s in her IGCSE. We couldn’t be happier.
Can you share what you like most about AIS?
We love how our children have been making friends from various backgrounds and cultures thanks to AIS’ international nature. The IT infrastructure used across the school is also worth a mention, with the kids having access to state-of-the-art technology and facilities. I only wish that all this was available during my time!
My two children are very active, and the multitude of open spaces within the school compound gives them the room to run around and explore. The air-conditioned classrooms are also a godsend for Singapore’s humidity, allowing them to cool down after their activities.
For my daughter especially, the wide range of sports facilities — such as the gymnasium for weight or strength training, large soccer fields, indoor sports hall, and more — really spoke to us.
How did AIS welcome you and your family to the community?
The school assigned a student buddy to each of my children, who showed them the way around the compound. I think this helped them immensely during their first few days. For the parents, I was able to make friends with the community voluntary events organised by the parent’s committee (AISPA).
On a regular basis, teachers share weekly classroom information and homework notices. Weekly newsletters promptly cover general news and new school developments, keeping us updated. There’s even an open door policy, making me feel reassured that my children are in good hands.
Do you have any words of wisdom for other parents trying to choose a school?
I would say that academics is just one piece of the puzzle. I would encourage parents to be on the lookout for schools that can ensure the happiness and wellbeing of their children. Only with happiness and holistic development then can academic passion follow!
Go for a school whose values and cultures match that of the family’s and students’, and one that focuses on value-adding to the student as a whole.
Thanks for sharing all this with us, Hwa Seng!
This post is in partnership with Australian International School.
