Leanne and her family set off on a new chapter in Singapore and the decision that helped reassure them was finding the right school for their two children.
What’s the easiest way to get the children settled after an intimidating move to a new country? Choosing the right school for them! Indeed, giving them a great second home will help them find their footing, form a new community, and slowly adapt to their new life.
Leanne and Abtin moved from the UK for a brave new adventure in Singapore, and their children are thriving here — in big part thanks to Canadian International School (CIS). Curious to find out more, we spoke to Leanne about how they came to choose CIS, and how they helped with the whole process.
What were the most important factors for you in selecting a school?
Our priority was to find an all-rounded school that balanced both academics as well as arts and sports. Our two children are very energetic, so it was crucial for us to find a school that had plenty of outdoor space. Admittedly, the staff retention rate was also a factor, as we wanted to be assured that our little ones would be in good hands.
We were interested in broadening their learning experience with access to language programmes too, and CIS’s Chinese-English Bilingual (CEB) programme was what sealed the deal for us.
What do your children like most about attending CIS?
From the moment our kids joined CIS, they felt settled and at home. The school welcomed them with open arms, and used encouraging language like ‘your classroom’ and ‘you are the artists in the studio’. This gave them a sense of ownership, that they were part of the community.
They enjoy every part of their school day, and light up whenever they talk about their wonderful teachers and lessons. The facilities are worth a mention as well, with our kids enjoying access to the swimming pool, dedicated art and dance studios, theatres, and libraries. They never come home complaining, except when I’ve picked a school lunch that they don’t quite fancy! Our kids genuinely want to go to school every day, and I think that’s amazing.
Although CIS’s IB learning approach isn’t anything like what we’ve experienced in the UK, it has pushed our children to question what’s around them, as well as explore different ideas and perspectives.
What do you value most about CIS?
The Chinese-English Bilingual (CEB) programme has benefitted my children immensely, and we’ve seen fantastic results in their everyday communication with us!
The teachers are also passionate, kind, and nurturing. I appreciate getting weekly updates via the app. If there’s anything pertaining to our individual children, we’d get a phone call or email as well. Everything is very detailed and prompt.
How did CIS help new parents to settle in?
I love the parent coffee mornings, active parent-teacher association, and various opportunities for parent volunteer events.
The school played a big part in helping my entire family settle in. We went for many school tours, but CIS won us over in so many ways! From the moment I stepped into CIS, I knew it was the ideal environment for my two adventurous souls. Every child is different and learns in their own way, so we’re glad that we trusted our instincts and went with what felt right.
Thanks for sharing all this with us, Leanne!
This post is in partnership with Canadian International School.
