HoneyKids speaks to Wendy Riddell, mum-of-four, about why she chose OWIS for her children
Parents, raise your hand if you get the heebee-jeebies every time that school invoice drops in your lap. Yep, living in Singapore can cost a pretty penny – especially when you’ve got kids enrolled in an international school! And mum-of-four, Wendy Riddell, knows a thing or two about that. Lucky for her, she found the perfect school for her family, and with its moderate and affordable fees, values-based IB education and lovely learning ethos, OWIS has impressed her from day one. We’ve got the full lowdown on what she loves about one of Singapore’s top international schools…
Tell us about the children you have attending OWIS
I have four children at OWIS: Charlotte, Cameron, Jonathon and Brodie – ages nine, seven and five respectively.
What were the most important factors for you in selecting OWIS?
Since Singapore is expensive, we were looking at ways to cut costs, which was how OWIS came to be on our radar. We also wanted a school that was truly international and had values that I see as very important. I felt OWIS ticked all of these boxes.
How has OWIS lived up to your expectations?
It has exceeded them. I wasn’t sure what to expect as the school was fairly new when I decided to sign up, and I was fully expecting there to have some teething issues, but right from day one, I couldn’t have been more impressed. The teachers are excellent, and I’m seeing improvements in all of my children. More importantly, I can see that they like going to school and are keen to learn. They have also made some lovely friends, which of course is super important.
What do your children like most about attending this school?
They all love their teachers and their classmates. I also like the fact that the small class sizes give my kids more confidence because they have plenty of attention with their teachers.
What sort of curriculum does OWIS offer?
The school follows the IB curriculum so my kids currently follow the PYP programme. I like this curriculum as I feel it would set them in good stead for any future repatriations, no matter where in the world.
What advice would you give other parents trying to choose a school?
Each family is different, so take advice from friends, but also consider the differences within your family. Take your time before making a decision and speak to the school several times if you feel you need to. A committed school won’t mind this at all.
What do you value most about the school?
We love the openness of the grounds and also the staff and their keenness to create a wonderful learning environment for the children. This has certainly made things much easier for my children’s transition. We also appreciate the open communication channels.
Are you satisfied with the level of communication you receive from the school and how they keep parents informed?
Yes very much so. I find the app we use to communicate excellent, and the teachers have been very understanding about the fact that I have four children. If I don’t reply to correspondence they will send a reminder, which I really appreciate and find useful. I also find the teachers very approachable on campus, which hadn’t always been my experience in other schools.
How much homework is expected of your children?
I think it’s a realistic amount of homework without being overly taxing.
This post is sponsored by OWIS.
