When it comes to choosing the right school for their kids, Leigh and Abigail Woodcock wanted to pick one that matched their family’s values and priorities...
While at kindergarten, Leigh and Abigail Woodcock’s children loved learning Mandarin. So, when they were ready to transition to ‘big school’, they were keen to let them continue learning what they like. And so, the couple set out to look for a school that offers a bilingual programme in a diverse and multicultural environment. HoneyKids spoke to the family of four to find out why One World International School (OWIS) stood out as the top choice for them.
Hello Leigh and Abigail, tell us more about your children.
Our daughter Marlowe is 6 and she’s in OWIS’ Primary 1 English/Mandarin Bilingual programme. Our son Rupert is 3 and he’s in Early Childhood 1.
What were the most important factors for the both of you in selecting a school for Marlowe and Rupert?
Marlowe and Roo enjoyed learning Mandarin at kindergarten so we were keen to find a school where they could continue.
We also love how multicultural Singapore is and we wanted a school that would reflect its diversity. OWIS really fulfilled this for us. Its emphasis on diversity means there’s such a mix of nationalities and we love that our children have this strong international exposure. Both Marlowe and Roo have new school friends from countries all around the world.
Lots of outdoor space was also a factor for us in choosing a school, and the OWIS campus has a lot to offer with great facilities. We could really see Marlowe and Roo growing up and thriving at the school.
What was the ultimate deciding factor that led you to choosing OWIS?
The offering of the bilingual program at OWIS was a huge draw for us. Marlowe is enrolled in the bilingual programme at OWIS where half of the curriculum is taught in Chinese, while Roo has regular lessons every week.
The admission staff were also so personable and helpful which swayed us in the end. We felt really valued, which has continued now we’re part of the One World community.
On top of that, each teacher made a welcome video with a virtual classroom tour so our children could see exactly where they would be going. They loved it and it helped us to prepare them for what lay ahead.
What do your children like most about attending the school?
Can we say the school bus?! Both Marlowe and Roo love their art and Mandarin lessons, as well as their teachers. Roo enjoys the outdoor sandpit, waterplay and the different play areas set up in the Early Childhood department, while Marlowe enjoys going to the different parts of the school for library time and music lessons. There’s a real culture of creativity at the school which we appreciate.
What do you value most about OWIS?
We like that kindness is one of the core values at OWIS, which is emphasised a lot in the way the children are encouraged to work together and the way they are taught. They are also encouraged to do small initiatives where they give back to the community. We love its ethos of inclusivity and diversity, and also that it’s not-for-profit.
It’s a great school because it has a great ethos and it’s diverse and multicultural, just like Singapore.
Thanks for sharing with us, Leigh and Abigail!
This post is in partnership with One World International School
