Adjusting to a new home and school is super important for expat families. Read how Nexus International School (Singapore) made this family’s transition quick and easy..
Relocating to a new country with the family is always an exciting affair, but it comes with unique challenges as well. Accommodation aside, finding a suitable school for the kids isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do. As school plays a huge role in a child’s life, it’s really important for parents to see their children settle well with their peers within the campus.
That’s why Julie and Baljit are really happy with how Nexus International School (Singapore) made their children feel so welcome from the get-go. The family even credited the school for playing “a major role” in helping them adjust to life in Singapore. We caught up with them to find out how the school did just that.
Hello Julie and Baljit! Could you tell us a little about your children who are attending Nexus?
Our son, Avi, is 13 and loves history, reading, and cooking. He’s also really engaged in his Model United Nations co-curricular activity (CCA) at Nexus, as well as his Individuals and Societies class.
Jia, our daughter, is 11 and enjoys baking and cooking. She plays football as a CCA, also playing competitively for a local team. Her favourite class at Nexus is the Design class.
Can you tell us about your first impressions of Nexus?
We remember having this warm feeling from the moment we stepped into the campus for our tour. It felt right to us all. The school building is inviting and open, and the atmosphere was really welcoming. The staff, teachers, as well as students, seemed genuinely happy. We liked the curriculum and found the experiential-based learning a good fit for our children. We also liked the layout of the open classrooms and how it fosters learning in a different way.
And how have Avi and Jia’s experiences been so far with the school?
Nexus has exceeded all our expectations! Our family, like so many families here, has moved around a lot. And I have to say that Nexus has built a support system that actually works for the kids to feel immediately included as well as being a contributing member of the classroom. The transition for Avi and Jia into the school is the easiest one we’ve had.
Though it’s only been a year and a half, Avi and Jia love the teaching style, the campus, their teachers, as well as their fellow learners. We, as parents, found the staff and teachers to be friendly, helpful, engaging, and just genuinely lovely. Any concerns or questions we have are addressed quickly and efficiently. Nexus has really played a major role in our adjustment to life in Singapore, especially for both kids.
That’s so wonderful to hear! Can you share more about what the kids love about Nexus?
Aside from Individuals and Societies class, Avi enjoys his English classes as well. He especially likes how the classes are conducted, that it’s not all worksheets but has hands-on learning as well. Jia also enjoys the structure of her classes and the freedom and responsibilities that come with being a secondary school learner. She loves having friends from all over the world, too – oh, and the cafeteria’s variety!
Though swimming isn’t their favourite activity in school, I just want to mention how their skills and confidence in the water have improved greatly since attending swimming lessons in school. It’s been amazing to watch our children expand and grow over the last year as a result of what’s offered at Nexus.
So heartening to hear! How about your experience with the school – does Nexus have a community for parents?
Yes, it does, and we love the parent community at Nexus! It’s truly one of the most amazing school communities we’ve encountered. The school is usually on board with whatever the parents can dream up. For example: I was on the organising committee for a Halloween event, and it was nothing short of awesome! Nexus has also agreed to host coffee mornings for parents who want to improve their English. This was a parent-driven event request, to which the school responded positively and quickly. We also love the transparency of the school’s administration, who’s always updating us with the latest info. The teachers are communicative and available as well, which is really important to us.
There are many families in Singapore, like yourself previously, who are looking for the right school for their kids. What advice would you give them?
I believe there are no bad schools in Singapore. It really comes down to what your priorities are, and what learning style is best suited for your child. We wanted a supportive learning environment that also valued our multicultural and biracial family. We wanted to find a school community where our children could see themselves represented. My advice is to take a tour of any school before deciding. You will get a feel for the community much better by being on campus during school hours.
Last but not least, how would you describe Nexus to other families who are considering it?
Nexus is a great school because of the teachers, staff, and excitement within the school community. I see so many happy smiling faces on the mornings I walk my kids into school. It always feels like a really positive and exciting environment. As a whole, our family really values the support system across all elements of the school, and its overall community feel.
Thanks for sharing with us, Julie and Baljit!
This post is in partnership with Nexus International School (Singapore).
