A school is a child’s home away from home, and all parents want is a kind, nurturing, and safe environment for their children. Hear how Iwona and Balthazar found just that at One World International School.
The number one priority for every parent? Knowing that their child is safe and happy at their school. When One World International School (OWIS) came into the picture for Iwona and Balthazar, their two boys found just that and (re)discovered the joy of going to school!
With passionate teachers who go out of their way to nurture their two sons with kindness and understanding, OWIS was the missing piece of the puzzle that helped their two sons immensely. Read on to find out more!
Tell us, what are the most important factors for you in selecting a school?
We wanted a school that offered the IB curriculum. We were on the lookout for one that had a friendly and safe environment, smaller class sizes, as well as a good diversity of students. And, of course, affordable school fees! Our children started at OWIS Nanyang and then transitioned to OWIS Digital Campus when it opened, as it is closer to where we live.
What made you decide to go with OWIS?
Septime previously experienced some peer intimidation, so we were after a more gentle and mindful approach for him. He’s a creative kid and is not yet academically inclined. His brother, Timour, on the other hand, is very competitive and results-driven. We very much appreciate how the teachers approach our sons’ different personalities and learning styles with kindness and soft skills expertise.
What do you like or value most about this school?
Regretfully, Septime did not enjoy going to school before OWIS Nanyang. We also experienced a few issues when we brought this up to his previous school. However, OWIS has brought joy back to both our sons! We are so thankful to see them happy to go to school every day at both the OWIS campuses that they have been at.
We love how they’ve made so many new friends and bonded tightly with the general community. The school has an international diversity of students; this melting pot of cultures not only enriches our kids’ learning experience, but also opens their minds to the rest of the world.
In a nutshell, we appreciate the warm and nurturing atmosphere, which allows the kids to grow and learn in a respectful and gentle environment. The Punggol Digital Campus also has fantastic new infrastructure, which reassures us that they’re learning in a high quality environment.
How about your children?
Septime loves art and computing classes, as well as hanging out in the library. Timour enjoys physical education and mathematics classes, and is especially delighted to be given his own iPad. I must say that the teachers’ support was invaluable in helping both of them to settle in. They’ve said really good things about the student canteen too, which is spacious and clean.
How has OWIS helped with the transition?
Our sons felt safe and included from their very first day. The teachers were very welcoming and friendly! As for parents, there are plenty of opportunities for us to be involved in multiple activities and celebrations. We enjoy volunteering at various events, which has allowed us to make friends with other parents. We also receive weekly updates via an app.
Do you have any advice for other parents trying to choose a school?
It’s important to choose a school where the kids can feel good about attending, with an environment that allows them to be comfortable to share their emotions. The teaching staff is also key — look for passionate professionals who can adjust the learning programme based on the children’s strengths and weaknesses.
This probably never occurred to many parents, but we recommend choosing a school that’s easily accessible via public transport (e.g. MRT or bus). Singapore is probably the safest city in the world, so independent commutes to school can help them learn autonomy and responsibility.
Thanks for sharing all this with us, Iwona and Balthazar!
This post is in partnership with One World International School (OWIS).
